Age of Rebirth

Chaos reigned at the foot of the Palace square. Guests struggled to break through the ranks of the guards to finally get to the long-awaited celebration. It was accompanied by such loud shouts that the sound carried to the very border of the city, and maybe even further. In parallel, you could hear the clatter of hooves on the shields of the guards, who desperately held the defense. It was like a reenactment of some historic battle. But, despite so fierce struggle, several meters higher, on Tiananmen quietly have walked with glasses guilt visitors, waging between themselves small talk with sense or without. Oddly enough, the king foresaw everything, and wisely prepared, surrounding the area with a soundproof magic dome.

Celestia still quietly dozed in his room until Stellaria Luximon friendly and talked with guests. Though Stellaria and was far from great feasts and happy holidays, to communicate with high-ranking pony to her was no less interesting than Luximon. Although, unlike her husband, she was extremely fastidious in choosing a companion, and her conversations were much more thorough. Luximon often went with Asteria and tested different parts of a guest route on readiness. According to Asteria check was necessary, and he somehow had to go somewhere. Luximon just constantly walked around and incessantly talking about the fact that finally a miracle happened, and everything is so great that words cannot express it. The fact that his daughter raised the sun made a huge impression on him. Even too large according to Stellaria and Asteria. He hadn't been this happy since Celestia's first birthday, and Stellaria was seriously worried about what Her husband might do this time.

She still remembered vividly how, after putting the newborn Celestia to bed and surrounding her room with a magical shield against light and sound, she had stepped out into the corridor and met a group of badly beaten servants. When asked about the appearance of all these bruises and abrasions servants did not want to answer. Realizing that she would not like the reason, she touched the horn to the forehead of one of the servants, and he instantly froze. A light came on at the end of the horn and went out. Stellaria took the horn from the servant's forehead and stared into space for a few seconds while the servant regained consciousness. Instantly she took a deep breath and shouted at the castle:

"Idiot!"

"My god, Your Majesty, please calm down!" one of the servants pleaded.

"Shut up!" Stellaria snarled and darted toward the stairs, turning into a translucent purple silhouette and disappearing with the swiftness of lightning. In a matter of seconds, she had descended to the basement entrance, flung open the door, and flown to the door leading to the infirmary. With one hard kick of her hoof, she opened the door and flew into a small room with beds and medical equipment at each of them.

"That's probably it…"

"Luximon!" Stellaria shouted again. On the face of Luximon and Nick froze in genuine horror. Nick the hour ran off to the side, and the king continued with fear to look at his wife.

"Honey, what's wrong?" asked Luximon maximum trying not to betray that she already knows the answer.

"Idiot! Do you even think with your head?" hysterically cried Stellaria, and, with magic standing in one of the cabinets a vase of flowers, threw it to the side Luximon.

"Wait!" exclaimed Luximon, as he dodged the projectile that was hurtling at him.

"Wait? Wait?! How dare you?!" Queen shouted, hurling a stool at her husband.

"Listen!" Luximon, realizing that from this shell he was not destined to escape, shoved a magic shield. The stool collided with a Golden translucent barrier and shattered into splinters. "I'll explain."

"I wonder how?!" Stellaria asked, sending the bedside table flying.

"Well ... Um... But after all I wanted to only celebrate celebration!" he desperately tried to come up with an excuse Luximon, continuing defense against attack from the dear wife.

"You wanted to celebrate? So you think getting drunk and beating up half the guests and servants is a celebration?"

"But…"

"But what? But what?! My god, five centuries passed, and brains have you so in sight and not added! It's your daughter's birthday, and you're still acting like a rabble!"

"How rabble? Enough to call them a rabble! What the hell do you think we are? Yes – we are alicorns! Yes – we are of the Royal family! But to call ordinary people rabble just because their manners are not so high-wildly! I believe that a ruler should be close and open to his people, otherwise it is not a ruler!" said Luximon, with a serious expression and firmness in his voice.

"You..." croaked Stellaria with a mad grin, while the person Luximon filled with genuine horror. "How you…"

"Honey, wait…"

"How dare you say that?!"

"Calm down, dar…"

"I'll grind you to powder!" from the horn of Stellaria began to crumble sparks, and she hurled lightning shield Luximon. Lightning bounced off the shield and slammed into the wall, leaving a black burn mark on it. "You are Luximon III Brave, heir to the Gladium dynasty, king of Equestria, saying such things! It is simply incomprehensible!"

"But." He could no longer speak. He did not answer Stellaria's repeated cries, using his last strength to maintain his shield. One of the lightning bolts had already struck the cloth screen, and it burned like a torch.

"You just..."

Captain Virgil Stellaria of the Royal guard and a score of other guards rushed into the room. The captain stared dumbfounded at the way Stellaria was about to hurl another bolt of lightning at Luximon, the way Nick was crouched in a corner, and the way everything around him burned red.

"Virgil? What happ..."

"Fire, your Majesty!" Virgil shouted in panic.

"What?" startled by this sudden revelation, Stellaria struggled for a second to realize that she was standing in a burning room. At this time, exhausted Luximon lowered the shield, and as she staggered, fell on the still burning area of the floor.

"Oh my god!" without a second's hesitation, Stellaria picked him and nick up with her magic and carried them to the entrance. Hurrying along the Palace square, the guards began to pump nick and Luximon. In a minute they were awake. They both knelt and looked back.

"The infirmary probably didn't save." Virgil sentenced.

"My lab!" Nick yelled, and at the same time there was a deafening explosion, and a huge column of multicolored fire and sparkling smoke rose into the air, and Nick again fell senseless on the cold marble floor.

***

Gideon walked with the rest of his family. Nobles and ponies of rank passed around him, smiling affably. Smiling back, he considered separating himself from the procession and strolling through the Royal gardens. Parents constantly started conversations with acquaintances to it and not so ponies. After about a quarter of an hour, lady Aryn finally noticed that Gideon was trudging along behind them, looking like a pony sent to the galleys. Looking around, she noticed a group of young ladies standing near the entrance to the main hall of the Palace and talking about something actively:

"Gidi…"

"What, mom?"

"Look over there," Mrs. Erin nodded in the direction of the company of flirty girls. "How do you like them?"

"What? Are you serious?" Gideon demanded.

"What happened? Are you afraid they won't like you?" asked the lady Alteri.

"No!"

"Or don't you like them? They look pretty good to me."

"No!"

"Well, why? Why don't you want to meet them?" protested Erin.

"Why are you always trying to set me up? I'm only sixteen years old!"

"Then why does Vere have a girlfriend? Yes, he was eighteen, but his first love had been at fifteen."

"But, uh, uh," Gideon said, while Vere laughed softly at the comicality of his brother's situation. It amused him that Gideon couldn't use the only argument he had, and also the reason for his resistance.

Unable to answer his mother, he pretended to go to the entrance. As soon as he was out of sight of his mother, he darted past a group of young noblewomen, praying that he would not be called. He stumbled into the great hall and tried to find someone to talk to. Looking around, he saw, as was meeting him Luximon and some ponies. They approached him and he greeted them:

"Oh! Hi Gideon."

"Your Majesty," Gideon bowed.

"Stellaria." turned to the companion of the king suddenly emerged from behind Gideon Stellaria.

"Yes, my Queen," they have a common Stellaria and went along with Stellaria to the exit of the Grand Hall, while Luximon again rolled her eyes, and Gideon was troubled by the fact that not had time to say hello with Stellaria.

"Well," said Luximon. "I suppose I'll have to talk to you now."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, your Majesty," Gideon said, bowing again.

"Not worry. Still Asterial and Stellaria too much suited to each other, not to allow them to start a conversation. So how old are you now?

"I turned sixteen this year, Your Majesty."

"Really? Sixteen? I didn't think a few years would pass so quickly. Don't think bad of me... it's just hard to keep track of time when you're over five hundred years old, ha ha ha.." laughed Luximon. "I remember you when you were little, when you first came with your family to Celestia's first birthday party.... There's no point in standing here.

"As saying."

Quite some time Gideon had a dialogue with Luximon, affecting everything from politics to taste snacks. Gideon proved to be an extremely interesting conversationalist, in his Majesty's opinion, and as a result it was decided that Gideon would take one of the seats closest to Luximon at the table. Such an impulsive decision embarrassed Gideon, because he knew that these places are always prepared for the most honored guests and members of the Royal families Gladium and Vetus. How much Gideon didn't ask Luximon, he was adamant. In the end, after such a long conversation with Luximon and ran up some butler:

"Your Majesty!"

"What happened?" asked Luximon.

"It's time to let the guests in!"

"Really? How quickly, however, time flies. Well, then... give the order to let everyone in! They must be waiting."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." said the servant, and departed.

"Come on, Gideon, the dishes won't eat themselves, haha!" laughed Luximon and a firm step walked to the square.

***

The guards panicked. Virgil did his best to encourage his army, which at its last gasp held the unabated onslaught of the turbulent people. Unlike the valiant fighters, hunger and thirst made the guests even stronger and more aggressive. Many of them suddenly discovered a talent for climbing, and, not paying attention to the risk of falling from a six-meter height and the cries of the guards, began to climb stubbornly on the marble walls that served as the basis of the square. The entire defense was on the verge of a complete collapse when a servant ran up to Virgil with a cry:

"Virgil! Virgil! King said…"

"Let the guests in!" Virgil shouted before the servant could finish.

The guards lowered their shields and fell to the ground. The crowd immediately rushed to the stairs, hiding their bodies from the sight of Virgil and the servant. Jumping quickly to one side, they searched frantically for the soldiers below. It was only when the noise and shouting had subsided a little, and the whole crowd had begun to fight for the best seats at the table, that they saw the shields lying motionless on the marble. Virgil, like the wind, flew down the stairs to the nearest shield and picked it up. One of the soldiers lay curled up beneath him. The commander tried to revive him, and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally opened his eyes. The rest of the fallen also began to rise to their feet. As a result, none of them were injured at all. Whether it was a result of the reaction of the fighters, pure luck or a real miracle – no one knew. At this time, upstairs, everything was going as it should. The guests, who had taken their places at the table, caught the envious glances of their comrades. Those who stood on their hooves restlessly pestered the ponies in front of them with requests for food and drink, the variety of which was even more startling than usual. On the tables were dishes, the sight of which made everyone's mouths gape, and wines, aged from a year to a hundred years. All this variety delighted the guests, causing them to gnaw at each other's throats, while at the other end of the table the dignitaries quietly continued their conversations, which did not have time to finish early. Gideon sat on the left hoof from Luximon and could not shake the feeling that he is not in his place. This was supported by the strange views of the Earls and members of the Royal families. Luximon drank Mead and continued fun to talk with Gideon. Suddenly Stellaria came to the second vacant throne and sat down quietly. Looking around, she noticed Gideon looking at him like something alien, appealed to Luximon:

"Luximon, who is that?"

"Huh? What? Ah! This is Gideon, my friend." King said before draining another mug of cider.

"Gideon Alteri? A member of the Alteri family? What was he doing here?"

"Come on! It's okay. My sister hasn't expressed a desire to come anyway, so why not give this place to a worthy pony?"

"You again... Never mind."

"I absolutely agree with you. Hey, Miley, get some more cider!" He waved a hoof at one of the servants running around the table, who took the empty jug and replaced it with a full one. "Isn't it a great feast, Gideon?"

"Of course, Your Majesty," he said.

"I hear you're a master of the illusion spell. Is that true?" asked Luximon.

"Not to say that perfectly…"

"Show us something!"

"Your Majesty, I…"

"It is the king's command!" said Luximon, making a mock-serious expression.

"As you say, Your Majesty."

"Attention, everyone! Now my close friend, Gideon Alteri, will show you the... um... Number."

Gideon was utterly taken aback by the announcement, and when all the faces within sight turned their gazes upon him, he fell into a stupor. Thinking feverishly of something to show the eager crowd, an idea came to him that was his own spell. Of course, he could conjure something simpler and more reliable, without putting himself at risk of hitting the dirt face. But something still made him go against common sense and logic. He stooped and a red light began to glow at the end of his horn. A second later, he snapped and turned into a burning Phoenix. He flapped his wings and flew over the table. After circling a few times over the heads of the stunned ponies, it soared upward, and when it was almost out of sight, it exploded into sparks of gold and silver, which formed a great sun and moon. When he opened his eyes, he saw that everyone in the room was looking up, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly everyone looked at him at the same time, and there were cheers and hooves everywhere. Gideon stood still for about five seconds, until he realized that it would not be over until he did something, and hurried to take his place beside the stricken king, not forgetting to bow politely. “It was great!” – enthusiastically exclaimed Luximon, and Stellaria nodded towards Gideon. He continued to look from Stellaria, who was again talking to asteriel, who was sitting next to him, to his family, who were sitting in the middle of the table talking to the other rich ponies. Aryn was always looking at him with pride, while Vere's lips said, “Poseur...” At the opposite end of the table the crush continued, and gradually the wave of hungry guests moved closer and closer to the middle of it, despite the servants, who, as best they could, tried to supply the common people with food and drink. All this was extremely alarming to everyone except the king, for he was already discussing with Gideon the latest supplies of Griffin jewelry and fabrics. Gideon might have been embarrassed by his situation, but it was a pleasure to talk to Luximon, especially since the tea the king offered him was delicious and helped him relax despite the turmoil around him. The noise at the other end of the table told of the growing discontent of the common ponies. In the end, the king made an attempt to get up from his rightful place, but was decisively stopped by Stellaria, who looked at him with the eyes of a pony, ready to kill him on the spot:

"Stellaria!"

"Stellaria!"

"Sit down immediately, Luximon! You think I forgot what you did last time?"

"Ten years have passed!"

"You haven't grown wiser in five centuries, much less in ten years, so sit down, and don't you dare think of going there!"

"Gideon, well, at least you tell her."

"Don't you dare involve a member of the Alteri family!" Stellaria exclaimed.

"I think," Gideon began. "why not let His Majesty make a speech? I suppose this will distract the crowd while the servants bring in more treats."

"You see, my dear! Gideon's talking sense!" confirmed Luximon.

"All right, quick!" Stellaria said, and let him stand.

"Thank you for helping me out," He said, and stepped out onto the small marble pedestal behind the throne.

"Gideon," Stellaria said calmly. "It seems to me that something's bothering you. What's wrong?"

"No, nothing," Gideon said.

"Don't lie. I can see you're uncomfortable. Tell me what happened."

"I don't know how to explain it to you."

"Hmm," Stellaria said. "Judging by your talent, you are extremely sensitive to fluctuations in magical fields. I have to admit, I feel weird, too. I'm afraid your concern may be justified…"

"Friends!" started Luximon. "Today we are gathered here to celebrate a great event..."

***

Vincent walked through a thick grove of trees and wondered what would happen to him. Over his shoulder he carried a duffel bag full of equipment. His heart was pounding and his hooves were shaking. It was like a nightmare from which he could not find a way out. A cold wind blew in his face, rippling his mane and hood. Darkened. All-around slowly but surely into the darkness of the night, and to see anything was getting harder and harder. Vincent's heart was beating faster, and he was afraid. On the one hand, the fear of getting lost and not finding the estate, and therefore fail the task. On the other, fear of what might be waiting for him in the estate itself. So he went on for about a quarter of an hour, until he saw the light, and rushed as fast as he could into its bosom. Finally, Vincent stood in front of Alter's Manor. A very ancient and beautiful building was built about seven hundred and fifty years ago, and since then has undergone many changes. Now it was as magnificent as ever. Magic lanterns lit the cobbled paths that led through a large courtyard with green lawns. Lights were on in a small building off the estate, and there was singing and the clatter of glasses. The estate itself looked mysterious and inviting, like an ancient temple full of secrets and artifacts. Vincent took a shard of crystal from his bag and tossed it over the fence. It hit an invisible wall and bounced. In the air appeared divergent rings, if in water deserted a small pebble. Vincent rummaged in his bag again and pulled out an arrow and a folding bow. At the end of the arrow was a sharpened black stone that seemed to absorb the light around it. Drawing his bowstring with magic and placing an arrow on his bow, he aimed between the iron bars of the fence and fired into the ground behind him. Suddenly, a ring of blue sparks formed in the air. Vincent grinned and pulled out a cat-hook, tossed it over the fence, and climbed the rope to a stone pillar. Then he jumped down and took the arrow. Taking it like a torch, he walked through the shadows, taking every step with care. Now and then fields of sparks began to appear in front of him, and he had to go around them, putting the arrow forward. Five minutes later he was at the front door. Deciding not to risk it, he took out the cat-hook again and threw it through one of the Windows, having previously surrounded it with a barrier. The hook shattered the glass with a faint tinkle, and Vincent was pelted with shrapnel that flew through the sound barrier. Climbing inside, he looked around. Judging by the dresses and beautiful decorations, it was the mistress's room. The first thing Vincent did was to search all the cupboards and cabinets, eventually finding a pair of gold rings inlaid with various stones, and a beautiful silver necklace with large amethysts. Putting it all in his bag, he went out into the corridor and down the stairs. Still checking the space in front of him with his arrow, he reached the front hall. There was nothing of value there, so Vincent headed straight for the target, thinking that in case of escape it would be much more expedient to capture the most important object. Entering one of the doors, he found a room filled with paintings, music stands with yellowed music books and busts on stone stands.

Red eye, you say? Vincent asked himself. As he searched, he saw a small painting of a blood-red sun setting. Pushing it aside, he saw a depression in which was a small button. Without hesitation, Vincent pressed it, and behind him one of the walls slid inward and away. Vincent passed through the opening and saw a stone chamber, in which, on a marble pedestal, under a glass dome, lay a huge blue sapphire in the form of a tear. After examining it from all sides, he brought an arrow to the dome. No sparks appeared, so he removed the dome without fear and magically took the stone from its pedestal. He took a velvet box from his bag, put the stone in it, and put it back in the bag. Stepping out and pressing the button again, he closed the door and left the room. Now he was much calmer and easier inside, so he without much fuss began to inspect the house for the presence of everything that can be more expensive to sell. Rings, necklaces, gold – plated Cutlery, wallets with bits, inlaid combs and hairpins, home decorations and even silver lining on the magic torches-all flew into Vincent's bag, which, like a bottomless abyss, gladly absorbed what the owner threw into it. For a long time Vincent wandered around the estate, trying to find all the safes he could, breaking every lock he could reach. It wasn't hard for him, even if it was the first time he'd robbed an entire estate. His instincts were rarely wrong, especially since their location was easy to calculate, following the simple logic of a pony who wants to hide his bits from other people's hooves. All this gave Vincent considerable pleasure, so that he walked very loosely for a thief in someone else's house.

It's far from morning. he said, looking up at the moon, which was moving imperceptibly across the sky.

***

"And now I want to drink to all the equestrian people! To all my loyal subjects, serving the good of our country!" exclaimed Luximon.

"To Equestria!" crowd replied.

"Now I would like to say," Luximon began, but when he saw the change in their faces, he stopped. Gradually they all looked up at the sky behind him and fell silent with a frightened look. Looking blankly at the ponies around him, the king stopped talking, turned and saw Pegasus flying straight towards the square and clearly injured. Shuddering all over, he began to descend with the last of his strength and fell to the stone floor. Luximon, Stellaria, Gideon and Asterial at the same time run to him:

"What's wrong with him?" asked Stellaria looking at Asterias, who began to explore the Pegasus.

"Perforation of the right lung and abdomen, fracture of the fifth and sixth right ribs, internal hemorrhage, multiple grazes and bruises of moderate severity," Asteriel recited. The Pegasus's white fur was stained with blood, his orange mane was disheveled, and his turquoise eyes were filled with fear and pain.

"Oh my God!" whispered Luximon.

"Astariel?" suddenly cried the Pegasus.

"Yes... Finn? Jesus, Finn, what happened to you?" asked Asterial, who remembered the cheerful postman who was seen eight years ago.

"Phineas? It was you who came to the Palace, wasn't it?"

"Ha... Long this was... But now not about this..." quietly croaked Finn.

"What happened?" Stellaria asked.

"Your... your Majesty - I regret to inform you that this evening, at twenty-three minutes past seven, the enemy attacked our Western frontier and broke through the primary line."

"What? Who attacked?" freaked out and asked Luximon.

"It's... it's humans, your Majesty," said Phineas, with a look of horror in his eyes.