Numidium’s first real day at their new home was off to a smashing start.
“Oh no!” she shouted, as that statement almost became literal. Looking around the floor of the sparkling, pristine crystalline bathroom were… ducks. Lots of ducks. Several HUNDRED tiny rubber duckies, doodled on to make mock griffons, poised everywhere. Everything from replicating famous plays to daily lives, even what appeared to be one in a black and white striped shirt being chased by two wearing Royal Guard helmets on the edge of the bathtub.
“....UNCLE GABRIEL!” she shouted, hearing the baritone mocking laughter of her uncle, having likely spent most of the night setting it all up in one of his nightmare-induced bouts of insomnia. It was hard to stay mad, though, since that last night had been their best sleep in a long time, finally having separate beds and a house that made no noise from the winds. She looked around the room, trying to find a way to slip into the bathtub without stepping on any of the cute duckies.
The griffin cackled in glee as he dug into a plate of fish as Clockwork glared at him. “Come on, nerdy mane, you know it’s funny.”
“It is until Numi gets hurt,” the yellow unicorn grumbled before shouting to his daughter, concerned, “You okay Numi!?”
“I’m fine, dad, but I think I walked into some weird ritual or something… also one of them’s staring at me from the tub...”
“”Let’s just hope a pedophile rubber ducky is the worst we have to deal with today!”
“You’n’me both!” She finally closed the door, scooting duckies aside as best she could and tossing the pervy one into the oddly-full sink. It took a while, using scalding hot water and lots of the grit-wax she needed to keep her scales shiny, but after twenty minutes, she was ready, clean and sparkling. Literally, as the glinting of the light off her scales caught the elder’s attention.
“Careful, sweetheart, I don’t wanna have to chase boys off of you at school.” Clockwork joked, sipping his coffee.
“Don’t get me started, Dad,” she sighed, finishing up her last bit of hair brushing and sitting down to an unexpected breakfast. Scrambled eggs and bacon, an unexpectedly protein-rich selection for an exclusively-pony city, dusted with diamond and obsidian dust as salt and pepper.
“Huh… I didn’t think ponies would sell this stuff.”
“Most ponies DO sell eggs as baking supplies. The bacon is a tofu replacement.” He shrugged helplessly. “I hope you like it because it’s the best we can do until I start getting a paycheck.”
“Or until I go and grab more fish from wherever,” Gabriel grunted as he cleaned his dishes. “Whichever works first though.”
“Well, let's taste it and see.” She took a chunk of the not-bacon, thickly cut, looks right, cooked just how she likes it, piping hot but still loose and rubbery. One bite in and she’s… confused. It TASTES exactly how it should, weirdly so, but the texture is more...goopy.
“It’s...almost right..ALMOST....” she sighs. “Ah well, it’s good enough.” She pops her yolk on her eggs and begins tucking into the meal, much to Clockwork and Gabriel’s concerns.
“Give it time, hon… Pretty soon, we won't’ have to worry about ‘good enough’.” Clockwork sighs, continuing with his bowl of cheap children’s cereal, one of those ‘bit for a pound’ off brand things. “Still...Gabe DID find something you’d like. It’s in the workshop.” THAT perked up Numidium’s mood. Immediately, before either parent or uncle could tell her otherwise, she’d bolted to the new, slightly roomier and infinitely cleaner workshop.
“HOW DID YOU FIND COSMIC SILK!?” she screamed, the joy clear as day in her voice.
Gabriel grunted. “Very luckily,” he quipped, shrugging. “Now shut up and get ready for school. Your old horse of a dad too.”
“Aaahhh Shaddap and finish your fish.” Clockwork countered. “Your ‘chore’ may be optional, but I STILL think you should explore the place. At least case it out for escape routes. And if you make some friends or find a job you like, all the better.”
“Yeah!” Numi added, walking back into the room wrapped in the sparkly black fabric. “I got SO many ideas for this!” She lets out a cute high-pitched ‘squee’ before scampering off to her room.
“Don’t forget clothes!” Clockwork added, hoping that they’d worked something out that was manageable. The status of clothes for most ponies was an odd one, being considered somewhat ‘sexual’ by some, yet also a sign of wealth and class. While Numidium had plenty of class, ‘wealth’ was something their family lacked direly.
“I won’t!” She could be heard ruffling about her room before the clacking of wood on crystal could be heard. Numidium was dressed to impress with her usual attire, gilded bands wrapping her arms, legs, neck,and tail, with silken white ribbons lashing between them, providing her enough decent coverage to be comfortable in public, without looking too overtly ostentatious. The raised shoes she wore, originally designed to help with her balance issues, had been remodeled to be stylish and elegant and match the white and gold ensemble she had made.
“Seems your Whitesmithing has been improving, Numi!” Clockwork complimented, patting his baby girl’s head when she could only respond with a blush.
“Eyup,” Gabriel commented, smirking affectionately. “Make any dragon out there happy… if I don’t rip their-,” he saw Clockwork’s horrified look, “...junk off first for looking at you.” He shrugged. “But making a dumb pony ooh and aww works too.”
“I’m more worried about some of the less… pleasant ones.” Clockwork said. “I don’t like judging but it seems a lot of the locals are kinda old-school. When I was out earlier, I actually had people thinking Numi was my pet...” Clockwork’s voice was calm, but there were subtle clues both Gabe and Numi could catch. The slight twitch, hunching of the shoulders, how he seemed to stiffly cock his neck.
“I want you to be careful, Numi. You can make a lot of friends here..but be ALWAYS cautious.”
“Vigilo Confido.” She said, remembering her dad’s quiet warcry. “Vigilance in Secret.” She saluted, wanting to help calm her father before things turned south.
Gabriel rolled his eyes at the display, even as he kept a wary eye on Clockwork. “Take a knife. Or several. You know… in case your father’s paranoia pays off.”
“Here,” Clockwork said, his magic lifting something simple out from under the seats. It looked to be a simple metal figurine resembling some form of beautiful goat-like creature.
“Ooohhh, she’s pretty!” Numi exclaimed, admiring the elegant, simple design, strange black and blue patterns giving the figure an alien beauty. Numidium ran her claws across the soft curves of the figurine until brushing along her tail, wherein two large angelic wings popped out. Wings made of tempered steel, etched by acid to look like feathers, each feather sharp as a shaving razor, yet tough enough they gave little flex in Numidium’s grasp.
“It’s a pocket warpick,” Clockwork explained, “You can keep her in your pack and claim she’s just a statue to anyone curious, but the tempered Timascus is magic-resistant, so no unicorn shy of a Princess can take her from you, and those blades will make quick work of any threat less durable than a Royal Guard in battle armor. Only bring her out if you need to.”
“Oh...o-okay, Dad.” Numidium was now worried, looking upon the innocent-looking toy with a pinch of dread. She knew how dangerous even simple knives could be. Knowing, now, JUST how serious her father was only made her more concerned.
“Clock, it’s only school,” Gabriel told him, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “That’s a weapon you give to a Royal Guard to try an’ harm a Princess. Even for me, that’s a bit much. Let’s just let her try and have a normal day, yeh?”
”I know...” The unicorn replied, breathing deeply to calm himself, before tucking back into his cereal. The rest of breakfast was mostly silent until the gonging of a large clock let them know it was time to truly start the day. Clockwork hoisted two bags into the air, one was Numidium’s own, an over-the-shoulder bag with a hand-woven plush of Princess Twilight hanging from the zipper, the other a more simplistic saddlebag with a depiction of an emerald green crystal heart etched from plated steel embossing the sides.
“Well, Gabe. Let’s start our new life. If you DO decide to explore, remember to lock after you’ve left, we’ve both got keys.” He took his set of keys out and gave them a shake, Numi mimicking with her own pair.
“Yeah yeah, now go out and make these Crystal headed nitwits learn some proper bucking engineering,” Gabriel commented, waving them off as he went back to the dishes. “As for you Tiny Red Thing… keep it PG, yes?”
“Hey! That happened ONE time!” Numidium shouted back.
“And it ain’t happening again.” Clockwork countered, lifting the little red dragoness onto his back. And like a rocket, they were off to school! “Next Stop, Crystal Prep!” Gabriel chuffed, shaking his head as he grabbed a plate in his claws and got to work. New house, new set of rules of paranoia… how could he possibly be bored?
*****
“Woah.” Numi and Clockwork gasped. Hearing that the academy had revitalized one of the Empire’s old schools was one thing. Actually SEEING the massive, palatial estate that was Crystal Prep was a whole other story. It was a massive castle, composed of solid crystal, with some of the outer walls even being semi-translucent. Massive outdoor classrooms could be seen, including a humongous amphitheater where it seemed some speakers were doing their duties with early students.
To call the school ‘beautiful’ was an understatement. Calling it huge, was also inaccurate. It was gigantic, and exquisite to a point of near absurdity.
“....Wow,” Clockwork said, trekking up the front steps with his daughter on his back.
“Niiiice digs!” Numi was practically bouncing with joy at the massive locale.
“Hnn.”
The pair turned around and saw Gabriel approaching from behind, looking like he was equal parts bored, and absolutely annoyed by everything.
“Five minutes was too much?” Numi asked, grinning like a goober.
“Got bored,” the griffin quipped. “Already prepped the house for forced entry, and I give your father an hour before he wants to kill some idiot. I want to see that happen.”
“Not likely.” The voice was a new one, feminine, but stern. “While most students will be cautious, this is normal, still she won’t face any discrimination here.” The mare, a stout earth pony with horned glasses, grey in coat with a dark purple mane, approached the trio. “While the young...lady’s attire may draw some unsavory stares, she should feel right at home at Crystal Prep. My name is Glass Knife, Headmistress of Crystal Prep, and you three are?”
“Clockwork Forge, master engineer, I was hired to handle the engineering and metalworking classes.” Clockwork smiled, holding his hoof out in a genial manner. “This is my daughter, Numidium Forge, and her unofficial uncle, Gabriel D. Griffin.” Gabriel grunted in greeting.
“Glass Knife? Overly sharp, hard to make, can’t take a hit without shattering,” the griffin commented plainly. “I sincerely pray that you don’t live up to your namesake in quite the same fashion.”
“Well my mother WANTED to name me Diamond Knife, but that was already my father’s name.” She shrugged, “I can assure you, I’m made of sterner stuff, though. Regardless, mister… Gabriel. I presume you’re here to see off your family for their first day?”
“...yes.”
“Gaaabe.” Clockwork spoke up, his mouth a frightfully wide grin of mischief. “Didn’t you say something about being ‘bored’ earlier?” Glass Knife, it seemed, caught the hint.
“Well, we ARE hiring, need a physical education teacher besides Shining Armor, considering he’s usually busy.” She smiled a friendly smile, wondering if the bird would take the bait.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes at Clockwork. “I hate you so much,” he told him as he turned to look at the mare. “Fine. One day, see how it goes. If I somehow manage to impress, fine. If not, don’t care.”
“Well, just a moment...” Glass looked Gabriel and Clockwork up and down, taking them in thoroughly, to the point Clockwork looked rather concerned. When she stopped....
“So. Miss Numidium has had an unsavory close encounter, has fighting experience, and likes making her own clothing, both of you are former soldiers, and both have had a lot of injuries only one another could have caused. You, sir Gabriel, can’t fly more than a few dozen feet, but are just as fit today as on your last day of active service, while Clockwork has been developing machinery to combat the changes a more lethargic, fatherly lifestyle would do to a stallion… Am I right?”
“....Yeah… how?” Numi asked, looking more than a tad shocked.
“Because like a Glass Knife, I can cut right to the heart of a person and see right through to their core.”
“You missed a calling as a therapist,” Gabriel deadpanned. “Buck, you’d make a killing in Griffinstone… if you could last a week there without getting robbed, shook up, bribed, or driven mad.”
“Tried, failed, came back home.” She shrugged.
“How did you GET all of those details?” Clockwork asked.
“Well regarding you two and your histories, it was as simple as reading your files.”
“...oh...”
“The rest? The seams on Miss Numidium’s attire all show the distinct claw-marks of hand-stitching without magical aid, something only dragons or diamond dogs would leave behind, and she’s already physically developing as if mature, something that dragons only undergo either after puberty, a greed episode, or after a stressful sexual scenario, such as mo-”
“Don’t,” Numidium interrupted, “Don’t imply my dad did that or there will be Tartarus to pay, please.”
“I presume the offender has then been… punished?”
“She is currently dead,” Clockwork added.
“I see… as for you two… your physiques tell more than enough.” She nodded and ushered them in. “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe here. Come, I’ll show you to the engineering classroom.” The ponies and dragon took the lead as Gabriel followed, his eyes scanning every corner in sight with clean, surgical precision.
Multiple avenues of approach, line of sight obstructed by gate… open areas for Pegasi or griffins… Tartarus, this place is about as defensible as a pile of garbage, Gabriel thought as he trailed behind. ...how in the everbucking Tartarus could ponies last with their Princesses protecting them?
Glass lead the group through the halls, wide hallways and classy arches looking stylish and providing plenty of elbow room for the group to move amongst the students. It was a fairly long trek, but they made it to the back of the school, where the shop awaited.
“I apologize but the engineering class is entirely new to the Empire so our facilities are somewhat...limited...” She opened the door, revealing an almost barren workspace, only a handful of basic tools available, with singular desks situated much like a mundane classroom, though it was clear that it was originally meant to be an amphitheater.
“...Ooookaaayyy...I presume the school’s on a limited budget?” Clockwork asked.
“Not really, more that we didn't KNOW what we’d need. Thankfully this is the first day of school and classes won't actually begin for a while longer, we may have time to order and ship in new tools.”
“No need.” Clockwork interjected, “Between the three of us, we can build darn near anything we’d need here. Though I’ll admit, there ARE going to be raw materials I need. Wood, preferably oak, iron, charcoal, copper, tin, zinc, silver, lead, and that such. We can make the tools themselves at our workshop, even get ‘basic kits’ for each of the students. Loan them out much like you would books.”
“That… would actually be rather marvelous!” Glass smiled, “How long do you think it would take?”
“A week, ten days tops.” Clockwork shrugged.
“Very well, I’ll send in an order, just let me know how much of each you need. We DO have a budget, but there’s enough free space for new materials that it should be doable.”
Gabriel grunted, leaning on the door frame as he finally spoke up. “After that, the students will have only themselves to blame if they screw up an assignment,” he said. “Forge makes his tools very well.”
“‘Very well’, he says.” Clockwork chuckled.
“I presume this means they’ll be durable?”
“Miss Knife, When I build a tool, I build with the idea that it will need to be used in an active warzone. That means being as durable and reliable as possible.”
“He means it,” the griffin added, still as gruff and deadpan as ever. “Still have the evidence to prove it.”
“Didn’t Dad eventually get that wood chisel out of your ribcage, Uncle Gabe?”
“Yes...well...most of it.”
Glass Knife could only stare in stunned silence as they so casually discussed what would, for anyone else, be a horrifically gruesome lethal injury…
Gabriel saw the mare’s horrified look. “Body armor saved me from the worst of it,” he explained. “It looked worse than it was… though, that could be the blood loss at the time talking.”
“Oh, it’s EXACTLY as bad as it sounds,” Clockwork added. “It was attached to the tip of an enchanted ballista bolt… because it was tipped with tungsten carbide, so it could carve Lignum Vitae, a wood harder than Royal Guard body armor. The bolt itself was enchanted to specifically seek him out… aaaand I was a moron and clung to it because I wanted to take the fight mano-e-mano...”
“No one said you were sane, Dad,” Numi added, shaking her head and tsking her father and uncle reminiscing so casually about nearly killing one another.
“Yes, take the fight to an airborne griffin, a great plan. You and the flying tent pole, versus me with my battle gear. As I recall, I was pushing your intestines back in as you yanked your stick out of me.”
“OK WE’RE DONE HERE!” Numidium shouted. “Can we not? Please?” She urged to Glass Knife who looked to have gone pale.
“W-well...I...knew you were soldiers but...”
“Let’s just say our commanding officers both wanted the Arkhalis REALLY bad...”
“Isn’t that in a museum now?”
“Yes, an EQUESTRIAN museum!” Clockwork grins, the implication obvious.
“Egotistical buckwad,” Gabriel told him. “You little sodding bucks only have it because your heads of state are literal gods, and that Griffinstone has the economy of a threadbare shoestring to argue about it!”
“Wait a minute…,” Glass stopped them, “The Arkhalis? The ancient flutterpony ship? From the great Battlefield? THAT unholy disaster is the battle mentioned in your records?!”
“That’s the one.” Clockwork sighed, “Lives lost over what was essentially a publicity stunt...”
“And a bucking piss poor one at that,” Gabriel added hotly. “Never should have happened. Tartarus, would have been better had the bucking thing stayed buried.”
“Aaaaannnndddd here we go again.” Numi sighed as the pair continued bantering back and forth about the pointlessness of the brutal fight, all the while Numi leveled a ‘This is your fault’ glare at Glass, who at least realised that, yes, she had brought up the topic and lead to this.
“-and now look, you’ve gone and bored the mare!” Gabriel declared after several minutes of banter, pointing at Glass. “How could you do that?! I thought you were supposed to be the polite one!”
“Polite one my flank! Screw politeness, I’m a senior!”
“Well I’m the polite one and I say let’s get a move on!” Numi booped her dad and uncle on their noses to get them to stop bickering. The griffin leveled a minor glare at his niece before grumbling in silence.
“Oooookaaaayyyy,” Glass sighed to herself, “Note to self, keep you two in different rooms...” She continued on, leading them to their next key locale. “And this is the speech amphitheater. As you can see, it’s an expansive open-air classroom intended primarily for public speakers as well as lectures. Though the drama club does have access to it after class.”
“Nice digs,” Clockwork muttered, inspecting the pristine marble stonework. Gabriel grunted. He’d seen bigger in Griffinstone. Granted, those were covered in crap, but still.
“Not bad,” the griffin commented dryly. “Must be good for plays during the winter.”
“Considering we get good weather year ‘round?” Glass smiled, “Yes, most definitely.” She motioned to another similar structure, one both adults find familiar. “And this small Colosseum is where we handle sporting events and physical education classes, care to take a look?”
Gabriel nodded, walking up to the edge to get a better look at the facility, his expression seemingly blank to the others. The ‘small’ Colosseum was, in truth, more than large enough to handle any conceivable sporting event, with a storage area to allow it to be shifted on the fly for any imaginable purpose, and lots of equipment any PE teacher could want, from jump ropes to training weights and even more exotic gear.
“...and this is how much of your budget?” the griffin asked, eyebrow quirked. Clockwork took it as a good sign that his friend was, at the very least, somewhat interested.
“As Crystal Prep is a generalised public school, open to everyone, the PE classes have mandated a hefty chunk of the budget, nearly 12% of it, to be exact.”
Gabriel hummed in thought, claws stroking the underside of his beak.
“Likewise, the budgets of all classes aren’t finalized, yet.” The pale mare trotted forward calmly, “We’ll be adjusting budget expectations as needed to account for class sizes and reshuffling of students, which tends to happen at the last minute.”
“Hnn.”
Clockwork translated the bland sounding grunt in his head. Of course it’s last minute. Gabriel huffed, his hackles ever so slowly going down. Which, when translated, meant that he knew he was beat and going to suffer through whatever job it was.
“In most of our expectations we prefer to high-ball in case of emergencies, so certain classes who are far smaller than expected can be adjusted to allow for larger classes to obtain needed funding. I doubt we’d need to buy a lot of Carrera marble if there’s only a handful of kids learning stone cutting or sculpting, when such funds can go towards science equipment, materials, or more toys and tools for PE classes.”
“....fine, I…,” Gabriel grumbled, tail lashing about angrily like a demented snake, “I… would like to apply for a job here as well.”
“Very well, we can sign you up once the tour is over. Our last key spot is the Library.” Glass smiled, while Clockwork and Numidium each bro-hoofed one another.
“Great. Numi, take heed, this is the only other place your egghead dad is ever going to be in this school,” the griffin complained. The dragoness giggled.
“HEY!” Clockwork shouted, “I’ll be at the colosseum, too!” He pouted, adamant to try and FINALLY work off some of his booze-gut and get back into shape now that he’d be dealing with who-knows-how-many kids.
Gabriel looked at him, clearly not believing a word the unicorn said. “Uh huh, and I’m a manticore’s uncle,” he deadpanned.
“GENTLEMEN.” Glass piped up, getting their attention, “Shall we go?”
“Yes ma’am,” Clockwork said, giving a genuine salute. Gabriel nodded, trodding alongside them as they approached the library. Gabriel yawned, the griffin’s wing aching in pain again.
“Darn wing,” he muttered under his breath.
“We do have hospital staff on-site if there’s any issues.” Glass chimed in, “If there’s anyone who can fix that, our team can.” She smiled, approaching the large doors to the library, Unlike most of the school, the library door wasn’t made from shimmering crystal, but was made from wood. ‘Ashland Deep Ebony’ to be precise, a unique superdense hardwood known for its pitch black color, extreme resilience, and the thin veins of gold running through it, caused by the shallow gold deposits the trees grown on. The same wood used in the Arkhalis’ hull.
“Holy crap, those doors have to be worth more than half of the warmechs I’ve built...” Clockwork mumbled, with most in earshot looking at him in confusion.
“Still worth more than all of Griffinstone put together,” Gabriel said dully. “No big surprise there.”
Clockwork leapt up to the extravagant doors and gave them a gentle tap. One would expect a ‘thunk’ of hoof on wood, or the ‘tink’ of brass on gold, but instead there was silence. He tapped harder, still met with silence. He then spun into a whirlybird kick, the centrifugal force normally enough to tear someone's head from their neck. Still, the door barely budged, and not a sound rang out safe the sharp ‘crack’ of his tail whipping from the force.
“...That explains why. Superdense wood? Perfect medium for soundproofing spells.”
“Sound proof what? Spells going wrong? Fillies and colts yelling at each other? Ponies being blind, irrational, panicking idiots in times of crisis?” Gabriel inquired.
“YEP.” The echoing sound of everyone, child and adult, pony and otherwise, speaking in unison, filled the void.
“What they said, captain obvious,” Clockwork chipped in, smiling happily.
“My rank is Master Sergeant, and you know it,” Gabriel told him as they entered the library. “And my point still stands about ponies.”
Numidium rolled her eyes, pushing the doors open into the library. The library itself was, to be frank, impressively massive, with towering walls of bookshelves evenly spaced throughout, the floors were polished andesite crystal, and the walls tempered gemstones. The entire library was silent as the grave, despite numerous students and teachers puttering about, gathering books or reading, as if someone had managed to ‘mute’ the sound itself.
“So...where’s the Librarian?” Numi asked, searching for whoever ran the library.
The moment she asked the question a brown blur flew in front of them, settling in place to reveal a thestral smiling at them. His fur was dark brown, with hints of a silver patch on his back and several more on his legs. HIs mane was messy and full of curls, which hung down his face to obscure his eyes a bit from sight.
“Pleased to meet you, and welcome to my Library,” he said in a smooth, deep voice. “Are you new students, and would you like a tour around to see where each group of materials is?”
“Oh my goodness.” Numi whispered, “Um, hello sir. My name’s Numidium Forge, this is my uncle, Gabriel D. Griffin, and my dad, Clockwork Forge.” The griffin and the unicorn respectively nod. “What’s your name?”
“Leatherback,” he answered. “From the Shadow Flitter clan, though most ponies don’t care about that part.” He paused, then amended his statement with, “Or other creatures, for that matter. So, what can I do for you today?”
“We’re mostly just exploring, meeting more folks and all that.” Clockwork added, holding his hoof out respectfully, “I’m the new engineering teacher.”
“Possible athletics teacher,” Gabriel said coolly. Unlike Clockwork, he did not hold out a limb to shake.
Numi spoke up with a question. “Do you..happen to have any books on dragon anatomy and physiology?” She asked, looking innocent, but anyone familiar with young dragons could tell something was off about her physiology, and most keener eyes could tell she didn’t act like a normal dragon, even one raised by ponies.
Leatherback shook Clockwork’s hoof, saying, “Nice to meet some new colleagues. We’ve been getting new staffing changes fairly often of late, so I’m sure you’ll be qualified.” He turned to the youngster dragon and answered, “Now, as for dragon anatomy, we have a few tomes from the ancient days dedicated to the topic in the Biology section under ‘Other Races’, though I warn you they are very old and may be difficult to read for those not well versed in Old Ponish. I may be able to answer general questions myself here, if you like, as I have conversed with a few dragons who have passed through the Empire out of professional curiosity.”
“Huh. Didn’t think they’d do that,” Gabriel commented. “Most dragons are even more xenophobic than ponies. Not as bad as griffins though,” he added, smirking.
“Most dragons,” Leatherback emphasised. “There are a small few who are more… tractable, as it were. Those few tend to be fairly talkative about what they know, especially if you bribe them with a few gems. Anyway, what would your question be, young dragoness?”
Numidium blushed and then, rather awkwardly, gestured to her chest. “Miss Knife mentioned something about trauma earlier and that this is the result...” She prodded the softened lumps, resembling mammaries, which were odd to find on a reptile. “Do you know anything about mental changes messing with biology?”
“Uuuhhhh…” Clockwork looked worried, and had an angry twitch in his eye. “Numi… Didn’t your therapist suggest not looking into that?”
“I know.” Numi responded, “But… I just… I wanna know it’s not going to turn worse...”
Leatherback noted the back and forth curiously but remained silent on it. “I suppose I can take a look.” He took a short step forward and leaned down to examine Numi up close, eyebrows furrowed as he studied the breast like growths on her chest. He didn’t miss the growling coming from Clockwork, but stayed focused on his task. Finally he pulled back and hummed, rubbing his chin with one wing. “Hmm… I must admit, miss, I have never seen a case quite like this, though I believe I have a vague idea of what might be going on. If I may inquire, what caused this to occur in the first place?”
Gabriel’s growl were unmistakable as Clockwork patted his shoulder. The griffin glanced at the unicorn, then huffed, looking away pointedly.
“I...” Numidium looked to her parental-figures, seeing Gabe’s anger and Clockwork give a solemn nod, the choice was hers. She stepped forward to Leather back, gulping with nerves, then leaned in to avoid letting it spread and whispered into his ears. Leatherback remained stoic as she spoke, but it was noticeable that he grew tenser as she continued, his wings shivering with energy as she finished. When she was done she stepped back, unsure if she should be ashamed or frightened. Surprisingly enough, the griffin walked over to her and hugged her to his side.
“We’ll support you,” he whispered to her. “Whatever you choose. Just pick what you think is right for you, okay love?”
“OK Uncle gabby.” She replied, holding onto her beloved uncle gently, before pulling her dad down with them, who unabashedly pulled both of them into a loving hug.
“A touch melodramatic.” Glass Knife whispered to Leatherback, “but if even half of the information on their files is accurate, they have every right to be.”
“I can tell,” he whispered back behind his wing. “Just from looking at them they surely have some very interesting stories to tell.”
“So..” Numi turned back to Leatherback, not hearing what the pair were discussing. “Do...do you know anything?”
“Well, um… I must say, miss, your story is highly unique and… very tragic. You have my condolences of course.” Leatherback blew out a breath, then sighed. “Well, near as I can tell, what is happening to you is, unfortunately, entirely natural, though it wouldn’t normally have been.”
“Natural?” Numi twitched, confused. “THESE!?” She grabbed her bosom, “These are natural!? How!?” she flailed her hands in the air, “I mean, I’ve seen minotaurs with them, even the occasional pony… but DRAGONS!? Since when has a dragon had TITS!?”
“Language!” Clockwork scolded, “And please, Numi, I know this is… weird… but can you please keep the volume down?” At her glare he added, “I mean… we ARE in a library, hon.”
“Eh, he’s got a point,” Gabriel pointed. “Library rules and all. Besides, let the bat pony explain, and then chew him out Numi. There’s a process to it all.”
Leatherback coughed. “Thank you, sir griffon for… defending me, such as it is. Now, to explain a bit.” His voice took on a lecturing tone that had all of them standing more attentive subconsciously. “From what I have gathered in my talks with other dragons, they all made mention of the fact that dragon biology is extremely adaptive, to the point that basically anything which doesn’t kill a dragon will simply make them stronger. For example if they are poisoned and survive it, they will become immune to that poison and strongly resist similar toxins. Where this comes into play here is… well, that adaptability becoming a double edged sword, as it were. You see, given the form that your trauma took, it is highly likely your body reacted to that trauma and tried to adapt you so that you could live through and against it more effectively, though in this case it took entirely the wrong tact with it.”
He pointed to her breasts with a wing. “You were always going to develop your body in the way you are now, but that was most likely intended to happen much, much further along in your life, once you were in the process of reaching sexual maturity. Now, however, your body has… switched priorities, as it were, and decided your sexual maturity trumps physical growth, meaning that you are going to develop as a female of your species far sooner than intended. Also, I regret to say, but it is likely that other signs of dragon maturity, such as wings, larger horns, and more advanced fire techniques, will be blocked off from you until your new sexual maturity process has been completed.”
“Wait...” She twitches and hisses, “Are you saying my body, thinking it’s defending itself, is going to turn me into a bimbo before I’m even old enough to find a lover!?”
“I wouldn’t use the term ‘bimbo’,” Her father interjected, “You’re way too smart to have that label on you. It’s the other issues it’s forced on you that I take issue with...”
“Oh goddess, does that mean...” She began rubbing her hide, not the familiar scale armor a dragonling of her age should be developing, but the slick, suede-like hide that baby dragons are born with. “Oh no...It’ll be years before I get armor or anything… I… I’ll never get to play with dragons my age, they’d rip me to bits on accident!”
“Actually… it’s worse than that.” Leatherback appeared truly depressed at this point, but continued. “As I said, your body will be reaching sexual maturity much sooner than intended, not just developing the traits. To summarize, miss… your body will be that of an adult dragoness while you are still technically a child by your species’ standards.”
Gabriel took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Clockwork. I’m going to need knives. Lots of knives.”
“Calm,” Clockwork replied. “She’s gone, Gabe… she won’t hurt anyone again, and threatening anyone who approaches numi will only make enemies we don’t need… we can keep her safe just fine as is...”
“Thanks.” Numidium muttered, both to her parents, and to the brutally honest Leatherback. “Still..this is more reason why I need schooling now more than ever, to learn what I can and how I can...”
“I can fully stand behind that, miss,” Leatherback said. “Knowledge is the greatest power in the world, and don’t let anyone tell you different.”
“Even Princess Twilight?” Glass Knife asked with a grin.
“Even her,” Leather responded, steadfast. “The knowledge of how to live, how to learn, and how to grow all feed into friendship and its growth, so in my view, Knowledge leads to Friendship, and thus will be stronger.” He looked back at Numi and smiled. “On a more pleasant note, miss, I do believe I have a bit of information you may be interested in. Something you might be much happier about.”
“What’s that?” The dragoness asked in response.
“I believe I know who your mother is,” Leatherback told her. “In fact, I do believe I have met her in the recent past.”
Gabriel looked at Clockwork in alarm, his expression confused. “How in the fuzzy halls of Tartarus he know that?” he muttered, tail lashing about behind him agitatedly.
“Dunno, but I wanna know who her birth mom is, too.”
Numi blinked, dumbfounded, confused beyond belief. “....say wha?”
“Indeed, I met another dragon with the same body type as yours,” Leatherback told her. “It is rather hard to forget meeting a female with that kind of… figure, as it were.” His voice turned into a storytelling tone as he continued. “We met here in the Empire when she was passing through looking in Equestria for what were apparently multiple of her children who lived amongst ponies. She came to the university asking for some information, ran into me, and she and I worked together on her research project until she found the information she was looking for. After we completed the work, I invited her out for a drink and we talked for a while. We found we enjoyed each other’s company and so she stayed here in the Empire for a few days so we could share stories. We also shared… other things, but I find that incidental to our professional friendship. Anyway, what suggested to me she is your mother specifically is that she mentioned one of her children being in the care of, and I quote, ‘A mad pony who looks more like a clock than his namesake, and a griffon who is so paranoid he would check the air he breathes if he could.’”
“I do not!” Gabriel objected. Everyone turned to look at him. “...that would be our drinking water.”
Leatherback smirked. “Proves my point. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know, your mother is a charming dragoness, and if ever she comes back, I will be sure to point her in your direction.”
“Uh huh,” Gabriel continued with a deadpan. “Charming, beautiful, sincere. If she’s so great, where was she to raise her daughter? Or any of her other children?” He crossed his forelimbs in front of him. “Far as I’m concerned, Clock and I are her real family.”
Leatherback grew more serious. “Actually, she did tell me her reasons for leaving her children in Equestria, and they were unfortunate. In short, she has enemies abroad, both with other dragons and with a fellow who goes by the name of Storm King. These problems have been going on for her long enough she simply found it too dangerous to raise her children, but due to her… alternate biology she finds it difficult to stop having children. Thus, she takes them to Equestria, where she knows they’ll be safe. She told me of three children she had hidden here, and from her hints I think she may have a fourth in truly deep hiding. I know and she admitted that doesn’t fix the problem that she created, but she found this the best solution she had available to her.”
Throughout the explanation, Gabriel’s eyes narrowed until he simply huffed, feathers and hackles raised as he turned in place and started to walk out.
“Um… where is he going?” Leatherback inquired.
“Knowing Gabe?” Clockwork added, “To get a stiff drink.” He sighed. “We’ve… we’ve seen the Storm King before… he’s definitely as bad as this gal’s implying… so, thank you, mister Leatherback.” Clockwork held out a hoof. “We’d best go get things ready… tomorrow’s going to be a big day.”
Leatherback nodded. “Very well, I understand. I apologize for delivering such bad news, and hope my good news may do something to make it easier to cope with. Have a fair night, my friends. May Luna’s Light guide you.”
“Fare thee well,” Clockwork replied, letting Numidium onto his back and giving his draconic daughter a nuzzle. With that, the tour was finally over, and the groups split up to end their first day in the Crystal Empire on a relative high note, albeit with all of them sensing storm clouds in the future.
Author's Note
I should have posted this weeks ago. I don't even remember if we ran it through an editor but....HERE IT IS! The continuation of 'A day in the life of Numidium Forge', and this'll be an ongoing story following the Forge family as they try to survive the crystal Empire. It's set in the same universe as Tarbtano's story 'The Bridge' so defer to that fic for a look at the broader events going on.
The griffin narrowed his eyes, claws tapping his beak in thought. Dawn has yet to break, but Gabriel was taking the time to prepare for the day ahead. Each action today had to be considered, every possibility accounted for. What he chose to bring with him today would determine if he succeeded, or failed.
Thus, the retired soldier sighed and crossed the heavy stone ball off his list. As much as he wanted to make his students work up a good sweat, making them try to haul an enchanted rock nearly as large as most adult earth ponies was not the way to go on the first day. Gabe chuckled, smirking. “More a second week thing,” he said to himself as he circled a few basic weights on his list. “Now, what else to teach these little shiny reprobates?”
Numi looked over the mass of insane things with a smile, humming in appreciation of the brutal challenges ahead. “So, Uncle Gabby… Think we should try “The Dragon Challenge” as well? I got Level One in my bag..” She taps her backpack with a sly grin.
One could have heard a pin drop and shatter in the silence Gabe gave his niece. That, and the look of abject, and total horror in his eyes. “...no,” he answered in a disturbingly calm tone. “No… no need for that sweetheart.”
“OK!” Numidium giggled and pranced along to hop onto Gabe’s back. “So, what other abject horrors do you have planned? Keep in mind most aren’t as tough as me!” She flexes her arms, showing off hard-earned muscle and shiny scales.
“Probably just a regular Griffinstone PT regimen today,” he commented. “I’m not a complete monster you know.” He picked up his list and folded it up. “Dream well last night? Hope the guard birds did their job.”
Numi stiffened. “A little too well...” Haunting sounds drift through Numi’s ears, of tiny squeaky-voiced rubber duckies cheering her on as she went for ‘Level 3’. What should have been a night of pleasure and triumph turned into a nightmarish horror...and she wasn't entirely sure it was just a prank from her uncle.
“Well, at least you got some rest,” the griffin told her. “Now, we just gotta wait on your dad, and we can get our furry… and scaly butts to school.” The griffin grabbed an apple and started slicing it apart with his claws.
“He should be ready in a moment.” Numi smiled, nibbling on some gold leaf. Sure enough Clockwork arrived, his mohawk splayed into an Einsteinian mess with a humongous bag over his shoulders.
“SorryifI’mlateandthankCelestiaifI’mearlyI’vebeenupallfreakingnightgettingtoolsandequipmentreadyforeveryonebecause-”
“DAD!”
“Yes dear?”
“Stop and breathe please.”
“Ok.” He took a moment to do just that, gasping for air. “I made tools for everyone. The school had nothing worth looking at besides gem cutting equipment...”
“Figures,” Gabe commented gruffly. “Oh, and there’s coffee brewing too. Just in case.”
“Oh thank goodness I’m gonna need it,” Clockwork gasped again, pouring a cup and chugging it black, exactly the way he hates it but he’s in too much of a hurry to care. “Blech, better than falling asleep.”
“No, sleep is good, as long as it’s not at school,” the ruby dragoness added, handing the unicorn a thermos. “One for you, and one for Uncle Gabby, just the way you boys like it.”
“Oh goddess Numi, I love you so much,” The stallion chuckled, giving his daughter a hug. The griffin smiled, and it wasn’t one of his typical sarcastic, cynical smirks, but a warm twitch of his beak upwards.
“Thank you mein kleine,” he said, taking the old battered thermos and pouring the coffee in… along with a shot of something extra. “Now, let’s get to school, and pray to whatever fool entity ponies revere that doesn’t live in Canterlot or this overly shiny city that we don’t get into too much trouble.”
“Harmony?” Numi asked.
“Is she even real?” Clockwork added. “I mean, I’m not gonna deny without evidence but-”
“But you can't believe without it, either, I know.” Numi finished. “No worries, it’s better than nothing.”
“True.” Clockwork shrugged, “A prayer to Harmony it is.” He then opened the door… to see multiple MASSIVE crystalline pillars ringing the city that weren’t there before, and a large blue unicorn making yet another grow less than a block from their new home. “...wat.”
Gabe looked out the door and scowled. “Oh, lovely,” he said dryly. “A crazed crack pot growing crap all over the place. Clock, Numi, this is why I’m pretty sure that either Harmony doesn’t exist, or, she is exceedingly terrible at her job.” Grabbing his coffee, and a spare bag full of various tools of athletic tor-... training, the griffin started to walk out and head to school.
“Well, maybe he’s got a reason?” Clockwork replied, grabbing his satchel of tools.
“Eh, we can ask later, best not be late for our first day!” Numi pushed her dad out the door and sprinted ahead, leading the charge to a bright new day.
*****
Numi grinned, looking through her lunch bag. Some of the other students were curious at what was making her mouth water so much, but a few, especially griffins, were able to tell by the smell.
“What you got there?” One male griffin asked, sniffing at her bag.
“My dad made pasta!” She replied, tail wagging happily.
“Well I want some!” He made a grab for the bag, only to receive a sharp whack to the back of his head.
“Shell out five hundred bits and say please,” Clockwork growled, having been standing nearby the entire time. “And I’ll give you the pleasure of a big fat ‘no’.” The younger griffin went to give Clockwork a harsh retort, only to catch the look on Gabriel’s face. Both griffins stared at each other for a moment before the youngster gulped and bowed out with what little dignity he had left.
“I’ll uh, be going then,” the griffin stammered, walking away with his tail almost tucked between his legs as Gabriel rolled his shoulders, wing joints popping.
“Disrespectful little whelp,” he muttered as he took a swig from his flask. Clockwork chuckled at him.
“Well, Numi, if he gives you any trouble again...” He winked, and tapped her belly, the little dragon burping out a small golden flame. “You got something better than pepper spray on hand.”
“Thanks Dad, and you too, Uncle Gabby.” She leapt up to give them both a hug before grabbing her things and sprinting inside, just as a warning bell went off for class.
“Well Gabe, looks like we’d best get to work.”
Gabriel grunted, lifting his bag over his shoulder. “Yup. Have fun filling heads with engineering knowledge and all that,” he said dryly, heading to the doors to the school.
“You too, just try not to kill them!” Clockwork shouted, zipping around back towards the engineering department.
*****
Gabriel looked over the collection of crystal ponies, regular ponies, and the odd griffin or two. Most of them looked as though they had either worked in the mines all their live, or that they only done enough exercise to get by. The griffin smiled.
This was going to be fun.
Numidium waved, grinning, fully prepared for her uncle to be twice as harsh on her, to avoid favoritism, but she as more than experienced in handling his idea of ‘exercise’. She had already begun her stretches by the time he began to speak.
“Okay you little shiny screwheads, listen up!” Gabriel said sternly, grabbing everyone’s attention. “My name is Gabriel D. Griffin. You will address me as ‘Mister Griffin’ or ‘Sir.’ No exceptions. Am I understood?”
“SIR YES SIR!” Numi shouted, standing straight. This got some, well, a lot of awkward stares from the others, with a few already mocking her for it, including the griffin boy from earlier.
The griffin boy turned back to look at Gabriel, only for the larger griffin to be right there in his face. “DO YOU THINK I’M JOKING YOU LITTLE FEATHERY SHART?!” Gabriel yelled in the younger griffin’s face, “DO YOU YOU THINK I’M TELLING A SILLY JOKE LIKE SOME FLOUNCY LITTLE PINK TART DO YOU?!”
The youngster could only stammer as he was glued in place by Gabriel’s raging tirade. “WELL TOO BAD YOU LITTLE WITLESS WHELP!” Gabriel continued, looking over the class with a fierce, narrowed gaze. “AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED IN THIS CLASS, YOU ARE ALL EQUALLY SPOILED, AND I WILL DO MY DAMNED BEST TO EXERCISE, MOTIVATE, AND OTHERWISE BEAT THAT SOFTNESS OUT OF YOU! AM I UNDERSTOOD?!”
“SIR YES SIR!” Numi shouted, now matched with the bulk of the class, who were far less willing to laugh.
“Good!” Gabriel pointed at the track behind him. “Now, you little sharts have two choices. Run laps until I say stop, or stretch like Miss Numidium is doing… and then run laps until I say stop. And there will be no flying either, feet only.” Most of the class looked at the grizzled teacher in growing horror as the implications began to sink in.
“You have five seconds, make up your minds!” Gabriel called out.
Numidium cracked her neck, finally done stretching, before taking up position at the starting line of the track, fully prepared for the endurance run to come, knowing trying to sprint would only tire her out faster, but going too slow would draw her uncle’s ire. About half the class went and joined her in the line, the other half going to stretch as Gabriel went to his bag… and pulled out a bowgun.
“Alright, runners ready!” he shouted, loading in a blank round into the bulky firearm before slapping the receiver shut. “Set!” He raises the weapon up and pulled the trigger. A thunderous BANG! echoed in the gym, startling damn near everyone save for Gabriel himself, and Numi, who had taken off so fast several other students were left spinning.
Those who weren’t, however, were hot on her tail, most sprinting to keep pace, before realising this was just a brisk job, and wondering what kind of craziness made her able to run so fast so easily.
One of them, the same griffin boy from earlier, reached over and yanked on a small crystal in her ear, resulting in a deafeningly loud, fast paced song belting out from it, and a swift and decisive fist to the face from the angry dragoness.
“Miss Forge, spars will be later on this semester, no beating the feathers off the idiot catbird!” Gabriel warned, sliding in a new blank round as the remaining students finished stretching and walking over to the starting line. “AND YOU, THE LITTLE SHINY SHART WITH THE RED FUR, I SAID RUN, NOT WALK! MOVE MOVE MOVE!!”
Readying up for the second lap, she just crossed the line when Gabe fired off the next shot, sending the next group sprinting. On the first turn, she leaned over while running to grab the fallen music crystal and, unable to safely stick it back in her ear, tucked it into her cleavage and continued the run. From that point on, Numi didn’t have many other troubles. Her classmates on the other hand were clearly about to collapse by the time Gabriel told them to stop a mere five minutes before the class ended, almost all of them forgoing cooldown stretching for precious water.
“Well, good news is, the lot of you aren’t completely hopeless in terms of improvement,” Gabriel commented. “Bad news is, your asses will not be running tomorrow.”
“Huh?” The young griffin from earlier groaned weakly.
Gabriel pulled out a single thirty pound weight. “You will be exercising with this all day tomorrow.”
“Oh, we get to play with the Dead Stone?” Numi asked, seeming almost excited. She didn’t voice it but, frankly, felt he was going awfully easy on the rookies, since she started with the sixty pound Dead Stone. But, they have to live to see another day, and it was the first gym class of the day. Gabriel nodded, setting the weight away just as the bell rang.
“Alright you little shiny floor stains, begone,” he told them, waving to the door. “I have more classes to teach, and I ain’t having you louts collapse in my door frame. So get.”
The students were all too happy to do so, fleeing within moments as Numi hung back for a moment, Gabriel rummaging through his bag.
“Hey, Uncle Gabby?” Numi spoke, before giving him a gentle hug. “Feeling alright?”
“Yes,” he answered laconically, the dragoness feeling some of the tension in his back lessen. “Now go before you’re late for class, we wouldn’t want that, ja?”
“Will do!” She gave him a kiss and bolted off, sprinting off to the next class.
*****
Numidium entered the engineering classroom with her mane frazzled, covered in glitter from art class, and with her ‘uniform’ little more than ruined tatters from a history class that got a bit too...heated. Still, she didn’t mind the stares, instead simply waddling over to her father and collapsing into his forehooves and enjoying the simple silent hug.
“You OK, hon?” Clockwork asked, finally breaking the grasp as the bell rang.
“I expected Uncle Gabby’s class to be the harsh one… I didn’t expect the dance teacher to be a diamond dog with no sense of personal space, or an art teacher with an explosive temper… or a history teacher with a real cannon on-hand for when class got too loud.”
“...Okay, me and those teachers are definitely going to have a ‘talk’ once we’re done...” He pulled out a washcloth and began rubbing her down, getting soot and glitter off of her scales and quickly mending several precarious tears in her uniform, finishing just in time to start the class. Soon after Numi went to take her seat, Clockwork went to the front of the class and cleared his throat.
“Hello everybody, my name is Clockwork Forge, and I’ll be your new Thaum-Mechanical Engineering teacher for the year,” he told the class with a smile. “Now, I know that the Crystal Empire is traditionally and obviously very well known for its skill in gem-crafting, but my hope is that by the end of the year, you and your classmates get to walk away knowing a new skill that can help your fellow ponies, griffins, and so forth. Now, before we begin, does anyone have any questions?”
Most of the class was eagerly leaning forward in their seats, save for one solitary griffin, who Clockwork recognized from earlier in the day. The griffin raised his claw shakily in the air, looking utterly terrified.
“Yes, mister...” Memory jogged as he realised who he was speaking with, “Diamond Claw?”
“Umm… this isn’t related to the classwork, but um… are you and that crazy ass griffin who teaches gym now like… uhh… you know?” Diamond Claw asked, shaking in his seat. Clockwork had to repress a slight cackle at the sight of the shivering cat-bird; were Diamond Claw shaking any faster, and the poor boy would be accidentally molting and or shedding all over the place from nerves.
“No,” He replied simply. “We’re not married, not that there’s an issue with such a relationship but, frankly… Gabriel and I first met by trying to KILL each other. We’re both soldiers, long-since retired. You see kids, I’m not some fuddy duddy gearhead picked out because I’m peaceful and quiet. I was chosen because I am The Best. Tell me. Does anyone here know what ‘Engine 32’ is?” He looked at Numidium who promptly had her hand raised, “Besides my baby girl, of course.”
The class looked utterly confused at the question, all of them shaking their heads as Diamond Claw began to sink in his seat, looking his best to try and simply will himself to vanish. And yet… the same griffin meekly raised his claw up to the air. “Umm… isn’t it… well, isn’t Engine 32 an armored thing?” he answered quietly.
“So you’ve heard of it?” Clockwork asked, earning a nod from the griffin. “Close… but not quite. It was powered by an experimental propulsion system, a ‘Clockwork Dynamo’,” Clockwork began casting a spell, forming the visage of what appeared to be a mind-boggling array of springs and gears. “And covered all across by heavy-duty reinforced brass armor plating, enchanted to deflect spells and deaden blows, to protect the crew inside.” The illusion added a pair of large treads, like those on a tractor for rough terrain, and massive plates of armor, thick as a mare’s hoof. “A tanker, to drive it, an engineer, to keep it moving forward… and a gunner, who would fire spells through a special ring that channeled it down a massive barrel that would amplify it to terrifyingly destructive power.” The visage was completed with a gigantic gun nearly as long as the vehicle itself coming from the front, looking like a long, thin naval cannon. “Only one was made, the prototype, Engine 32.... but this CLASS of weapons, the ‘Armored Vehicle’, would be forever known as The Tank, The Future of Warfare.”
Diamond Claw gulped at the sight of the mechanical monstrosity. “My uncle always just called it the Death Box,” he whispered. Sudden understanding hit Clockwork as he let the illusion fall.
“That’s about the only way you could have known about it.” Clockwork replied. “A fitting name. It was a Death Box for the crew… when Gabe managed to light it on fire.”
“Dad,” Numidium whispered, at his side already. “C’mon, don’t focus on the past, focus on the now.” she urged, gently nudging him back to his seat. He took a breath to collect his thoughts and re-focussed on the class.
“Sorry about that...emotional moment there. Suffice to say, I was hired for a reason. Most of you can already guess, but suffice to say, we need unity amongst the races of Equis and to be prepared for things taking a turn for the worst. So for those of you in Gabriel’s PE class, just know he’s trying to prepare you for the same thing I am...” Diamond Claw nodded and simply slumped low in his seat.
“Okay,” the young griffin said. “I’m… I’m good now.”
“Good. Anyone else?” No hands, hooves, or claws raised. “Very well, let’s begin.”
*****
Numi settled in for her final class. Suffice to say, she was the most eager for this one, and just hoped that there’d be no unpleasant surprises. She put on her best friendly face as she entered the classroom for Introduction to Magic and took a seat at the front of the class as the teacher, a white-furred unicorn with a grey mane and beard, took notice of her.
“...Madame, I think you’re in the wrong class,” he said, giving her a decidedly unfriendly glare.
“...Um… this is Introduction to Magic, right?”
“Yes, and that's exactly why this is the wrong class. I teach Ponies, not Dragons.”
“...oh no...”
*****
Gabriel stretched his front legs, claws digging into the rocky surface of the plaza in front of the school as the bell rang for the day to end. All told, the griffin considered the day to be a relative success. Only a clawful of ponies had outright dropped to the ground in exhaustion after his laps, and a few of them had even ran the length of those laps without complaint, his niece being the exception.
The moment the bell rang he could see Numidium marching down the stairs, a look of pure boiling rage on her face, cheeks puffed in anger. “Oh for Grover’s fuzzy, idiotic backside, who pissed her off?” he asked himself, turning to face his niece. “Numi, what ha-?”
“CHANCELLOR NEIGHSAY IS A WORTHLESS RACIST SHITSTAIN!!!”
“I HEARD THAT!” Clockwork shouted, sprinting down the steps to help soothe his baby girl. “Numi, how the heck did he make you mad enough to use dirty language!?”
“He says non-ponies shouldn’t even be allowed to attend, and that dragons are just ‘big dumb lizards that burn things’ and I shouldn’t be learning magic because of that!”
“Mmm, sounds like my teachers back in Griffinstone,” Gabriel deadpanned. “Of course, being griffins, they hate everyone equally, including other griffins, so, not quite the same. Still, that was entirely unprofessional in what he said to you,” he added. He looked at Clockwork. “Forge, you take her home, alright? I’ll have a word or two with this jackass before I leave.”
“Will do,” Clockwork said, nuzzling his daughter gently and lifting her onto his back. “C’mon, Numi, I saw a music store on the way here, let’s see what they got, ok?”
“Okay.. thank you, both of you.” she whispered, gingerly hugging her adoptive father and unwitting uncle. Gabriel watched them depart before focusing his attention back on the school building and heading back inside. It didn’t take long to find Neighsay’s office, only a couple questions to the janitorial staff before he found himself in front of a closed door with a plaque declaring the name and job of its occupant on the polished bronze.
Gabriel knocked politely.
“Yes? Who is it?” came the occupant’s voice from the other side of the door.
“A concerned teacher Mister Neighsay,” Gabriel answered in his most tonally neutral voice that he could manage.
“Hmm… very well, come in.” Gabriel heard locks being disengaged, and the griffin grabbed the door handle and turned it, opening the door. A quick look around the room showed a rather spartan office, walls decorated only with certificates of merit from prestigious Canterlot schools, and other bits of memorabilia that he hadn’t a clue as to the origins of. Behind a solid oaken desk, Neighsay was working on paperwork, his horn alight as the quill scribbled across a parchment’s surface magically.
Neighsay looked up and blinked at the griffin in his office before glaring mildly at him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of having… you coming into my office?” he asked.
Gabriel set his bag down before moving to a seat, resting his forelimbs on top of it as he leaned on its back. “I just heard a student complain of being unjustly judged about their ability in your class on the way out,” he said coolly. “As a teacher, I figure since it’s my duty to ensure the well being of my students, that I look into it.”
Neighsay’s glare narrowed further. “...you are with that dragon, aren’t you?”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed as well, his hackles slowly starting to rise as he fought to keep a cool head. “That is neither the point of this discussion, nor your business,” he countered politely. “I am here to discuss an issue with a new colleague in regards to the treatment of students in this school.”
Neighsay scoffed.
“I think not,” the unicorn stated. “I stand by my belief that a beast such as Miss ‘Numidium Forge’ does not deserve to be learning magic, much less deserve to be in this school. It’s already been tainted enough with griffins and the occasional yak as it is. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Mister Griffin, I have lesson plans to take care of.”
Gabriel was quiet for a moment, merely looking at Neighsay as he watched the quill writing down words on the parchment. He set himself back on the ground and began to leave, stopping at the door as he picked up his bag. “You know Neighsay, you’re probably a damn fine mage… but you’re a shit liar.”
Neighsay looked up from his desk at Gabriel looked over his shoulder.
“Those aren’t lesson plans, and my niece, my… daughter, isn’t some ‘clearly lust spawned monster.’ Nor would I imagine any of the Princesses take kindly to such language. Just saying.”
“Is that a threat?”
Neighsay’s blood froze for a moment as Gabriel began to laugh, the griffin’s beak upturned in a wicked smile. “A threat? No. I don’t threaten. I act. Have a good day Mister Neighsay.”
Gabriel left, shutting the door behind him and leaving Neighsay alone in his office. Gabriel left the school grounds, and felt a tailwind flow from behind him. His wing feathers tickled, his blood stirring at the thought of flight… He sighed, shaking his head. Flight was something he couldn’t afford anymore, not with his wing having long since given up on total recovery.
With that in mind, the griffin began the trek home, pointedly ignoring the stares from a few crystal ponies, and the crystal pillars all over the place.
*****
Gabriel managed to locate the music shop Clockwork mentioned, and breathed a sigh of relief, the sight of the little dragon’s smile lifting a heavy weight off of his shoulders. She was busily gabbing with the cashier over a poster she had found of her favorite band.
He looked in closer and took it in, the poster depicting what appeared to be a pair of minotaur changelings, one in a fancy black suit, the other female and clad in a stylish green dress, a pair of unicorns, one clad in black robes, the other in an antique white clown costume, and a massive bull-like creature. Each one looked like they were leaping out of old Saturday morning comic books, and the titling read out “The Ghost Division in ‘Saturday Morning Apocalypse’”.
“More of them huh?” Gabriel asked Clockwork as he walked over to his side. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Finding their merch is kinda hard these days.” Clockwork replied, handing over the money for the poster. “Lots of places banned any of their merch after the wedding disaster a few years back, since the leads are both known changelings.”
“Mmm,” came the griffin’s stoic grunt. Gabriel shook his head, looking around the shop himself before he spotted a battered tool on the far wall.
“Heh. Don’t see those everyday,” he quipped, walking over to the wall. Clockwork looked over and saw what would charitably be described at the drunken lovechild of a bagpipe, a massive warhammer, and a shepherd’s staff hanging off the wall, the vast majority of it a collection of bolted metal and… were those monster parts?
“...what?” Clockwork tried to wrap his head around what he was looking at, and why it looked familiar to Gabriel. “Yo, Gabe… what is that thing?”
“Hunting horn, carved from a Glavenus, the Scorching Blade pseudo-wyvern,” Gabriel explained. “My grandfather fought one once.”
“Sweet mercy, I’ve seen the aftermath of one at the old Shalestone mines...” Clockwork shuddered, turning his attention back to Numi, who hopped from the counter with her prize in claw, landing on her father’s back with a grunt.
“Feeling better, Numi?” The yellow unicorn asked.
“A bit… still peeved over Neighsay but.. I’ll live.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Well, if he keeps giving you trouble, just let me know sweetie,” he told Numi with a smirk. The dragoness shared a look with her father as she glanced back at her uncle.
“You didn't do anything… crazier than usual, did you Uncle Gabby?” the dragon asked, pouting gently.
“Like, say, anything that might cost us our jobs?” Clock added, pouting identically to his daughter, puffed lip and all. Gabriel rolled his eyes as he stepped away from the antique weapon, the griffin’s tail twitching behind him.
“Of course not,” he answered. “I’m a jackass, not a moron.”
“We know you’re not, Uncle Gabby!” Numi cooed, leaning over to give him a peck on the cheek. Gabriel chuffed in amusement as he headed to the door, Clockwork and Numi close behind as the trio exited the store.
Outside, they met an unexpected sight. A diamond dog pup, barely older than Numidium, clad in a tattered red robe, whimpering on the sidewalk. The pup looked lost and confused, ears perking at every sound around her. Gabriel looked at Clockwork, concern visible on his face as the unicorn gave a hesitant shrug.
“...Miss?” Clockwork asked, approaching slowly. “Are you OK?” The pup turned around in shock, expression pained and fearful. It was the sort of panicked look Numi gave so long ago, and he felt his heart break. The same kind of look that made Gabriel’s blood boil. But what shocked all three was her eyes.
No pupil, no iris, just a solid blank white shining back at them, held wide open as if begging for some light to breach the barricade. Clockwork silently waved his hoof in front of her face, no reaction. He got closer; still nothing. A gentle boop on the nose, however, and she was sent reeling back with a scream of fright, Gabriel lunging ahead of the unicorn and grabbing her before she could fall into the busy street. “Schieße!” the griffin swore as the pup latched onto him.
“Keep your pets on a leash!” somepony shouted, earning enraged growls from the family, but the offender was already long-since gone from sight. Numidium moved in, taking the frightened dog from her uncle’s grasp and gingerly petting her head, a thick unkempt mane softening the petting. Soon, the pup began to calm, realising she wasn't in danger. The two adults shared a wordless glance and gently pulled Numidium along. This had to be handled now. So, with an unexpected new friend in tow, they marched off, foregoing dinner in favor of a silent trip to the central authority of the Empire.
The Crystal Palace.
