Chapter 10: Tempesting Shadows Glow

Spike sat next to the distraught pony as he watched his own reflection on the water of the pond. He could barely hear the sound of music and celebration inside the Grand Hall.

“What is it with demons always wanting to take over their host, am I right?”

The lanky unicorn pony known as Stygian glanced at him with disinterest.

Spike chuckled awkwardly. “Yeah, I screwed that up. Sorry,” he cleared his throat. “So, your name is Stygian, right?”

“And you must be Prince Spike. A pleasure,” he replied softly. “I never thought I would see a dragon as part of Equestrian Royalty. So many things have happened,” he smiled weakly.

“Do you… miss your time?” Spike asked gently.

“Not really,” Stygian replied. “We, the Pillars and I, know this isn’t our time anymore. Our families and friends have been gone for a long time. All we can do is adapt to this new time,” Stygian smiled. “At least a lot of good things have happened. The Dragons are no longer burning and eating entire villages. The Griffon Empire collapsed and they aren’t a threat anymore. The Minotaurs are far more interested in their own affairs and not just despoiling raiders. And villages don’t have to resort to cannibalism to survive a harsh winter or after a raid,” he explained.

Spike winced. “I sometimes forget how bad things were back in the day compared to today. But tell me, Stygian, what do you plan to do?”

“What can I do?” He stared dejectedly at his reflection. “I lived a simple life back then. I’m not strong like Roockhoof. Or brave like Magnus. Or anything like the rest of my friends,” he sighed. “All I ever knew how to do was counting coins, grains, and making sure my village suffered as little as possible in every way I could manage. But now they are gone… and I remain.”

“Canterlot always needs good accountants,” Spike offered. “Or you could travel the land like Starswirl is going to do. The Crown is going to give you a hefty stipend, after all.”

“I don’t want it,” he replied. “I never took any charity. I don’t plan to be a leech of society. I was raised better than that. I want to earn the bread I put in my mouth, Prince Spike.”

“Just Spike is fine, Stygian,” he said. “Since you won’t be taking the stipend; as I said, Canterlot always needs good, honest accountants.”

“Maybe,” Stygian sighed. “But who would take a former villain? And one that nearly caused eternal darkness upon Equestria?”

“Trust me, we’ve had plenty of those over the years,” Spike said with morbid humor. “You could always write a book.”

“Write a… book? Me?” Stygian asked, taken aback.

“Why not? In this day and age, anypony can do whatever they want. Who’s to say you can’t be a writer? Imagine it! A book detailing your sagas and adventures with the Pillars and your Fall and eventual Freedom from that demon, the Pony of Shadows. I know I would love to read that,” he leaned back. “That would make for a pretty amazing story to tell, don’t you think?”

“I… suppose it could be,” Stygian smiled. “Spike. May I ask you something I’ve found odd?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Why are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna devoid of Companions?” He asked looking at Spike. “And for that matter, the newest Prince Blueblood, as well as Princess Cadance, also appear to have no Companions. I’ve only seen Princess Twilight and you carry a Companion.”

Spike blinked. “Oh! You must mean our Retinue or Entourage! Actually, Starlight is more akin to a pupil to Twilight now that her probation time has ended. And Umbra is, so far, my only Retinue member. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Blueblood all have their own Retinues, although they are far more stationary or work alongside them as secretaries or assistants. The same goes for the Royal Guards. It is a common mistake to confuse all Royal Guards as a single entity. Celestia’s branch is the Solar Guards and the most numerous. Luna is serviced by the Lunar Guards. Cadance now has the Crystal Guards. Blueblood is in charge of the Noble Guards, the smallest by far, but their role is also quite important. Twilight and I have no guards whatsoever,” he replied.

“...That is… interesting,” Stygian sat upright. “But don’t you think it is a bit foolish to not possess your own guards? Or such a minimal, near non-existent number of Companions?”

“It has worked quite well for us so far,” Spike shrugged. “Though I’m in dire need of a scribe and record-keeper as of late. Paperwork can be quite… life-draining for those not made for it, aha ha ha...” he lamented.

“...” Stygian looked at his reflection for long moments before turning his attention back to Spike. “Prince Spike, would you allow one such as me to be one of your Companions?”

“Are you sure?” He blurted. “I mean, of course! One of the Pillars under my protection and working at my side? What an honor!” He said with a wide, fang-filled smile. “But… What about Twilight? She and Starlight were the ones that uncovered the truth and saved you.”

Stygian shook his head. “While I’m grateful to both of them, I would just be an inconvenience to their talent and intellect. Everything I am capable of doing they can already manage with greater scope and results. But if I am able to help Equestria spread Harmony to the world, then I will do so to the best of my capabilities.”

Spike smiled. “In that case!” He jumped to his feet. “Stygian, I would be honored to have you join my Retinue as one of my Companions,” he said with a bow. “Now, let’s get back inside. The DJ is about to start and I want to dance with Celestia and Luna all night long! We haven’t got a break for months now, and it’s been a while since I lit the floor on fire!”

“Please tell me that is a manner of speech!” Stygian cried.

************************************************

He should’ve noticed something was wrong when all of a sudden, Abyssinia went silent. Followed up by the Diamond Dog Empire quietly closing its borders. A report came that, apparently, they were gearing up for an invasion as what little movement spotted could be seen, was that of troops arriving at key strategic locations within their borders.

Alarming as that was, by the moment he and Blueblood were ready to depart to the Diamond Dog Empire in an effort to settle a conflict before it manifested, it happened. Contact was lost with the Hippogriff Kingdom. Unable to overlook the sudden silence of one of Equestria’s closest allies, not to mention a dear friend of both Celestia and Luna, Blueblood departed by his lonesome to the Diamond Dog Empire, whilst Spike rushed to Mount Aris to find out what was happening.

It was during mid-flight, as he himself carried a chariot where Umbra and Stygian sat, that he received a message from Twilight. Some maniac calling himself ‘The Storm King’ had invaded Canterlot during the Friendship Festival’s ongoing preparations by complete and utter surprise. How was that possible, he had no idea up until he reached the worst part of the message. Celestia, Luna, and Cadance had been cursed using Black Obsidian spheres; relics so old that they were thought to be but a myth.

She and the rest of their friends managed to escape by miracle thanks to the sacrifice of a brave mare, a friend of Twilight, taking the blow meant for her. The one responsible? A pony named Tempest Shadow. She had also, apparently, given the so-called Storm King directions and indications to avoid not only the border patrols and every settlement thereafter, but also guided the forces herself.

Not content with betraying her kind and her nation, Tempest Shadow was also the Second-In-Comand of the Storm King. And whilst the Storm-King was yet to reveal himself, Tempest Shadow’s surprise attack and invasion dealt with Equestria’s leadership in one fell swoop. Canterlot had been overrun by the Storm King’s forces, Yetis, in mere minutes, and somehow Shining Armor also managed to escape Canterlot with Flurry Heart.

Unless the Storm King arrived soon and with overwhelming force, Shining Armor would be able to gather every Royal Guard in every city, town, village, and fortress in Equestria and the Crystal Empire in a matter of days. And he was sure Shining would also make his best effort to gather the remaining Pillars for backup, the Colleagues of Magic, the Noble Houses, the Wonderbolts, the Special Agents available, the Pegasi Legionnaires, and the Earth Pony Spartallions, and every capable hoof, hand, or claw willing to fight back the invader and free their Princesses.

In his heart, he knew that, unless the Storm King managed to do something incredibly overpowering, Equestria in all her fury would smite the fool down.

“If only Discord hadn’t taken a vacation…,” Umbra lamented.

“Shouldn’t we head back?” Stygian asked, pointing a hoof at Equestria’s rough direction.

“Twilight and the girls are heading to Mount Aris as we speak. They had to escape in a hurry and decided to visit a town called Klugetown for cover and possible means of transportation. They’ll catch up to us,” Spike replied, his hands aching with impotence. “All we can do right now is see what happened to Queen Novo and the hippogriffs. I don’t want to think about it… but maybe the Storm King got to them first.”

Umbra hummed. “That would explain why Abyssinia also went silent.”

“And why the diamond dogs closed their borders in such a hurry. They knew what was coming and decided to prepare themselves for it,” Stygian muttered.

“And once we reach Mount Aris we begin to explore to find what happened to the hippogriffs,” Spike explained as he saw the shape of Mount Aris starting to materialize in the distance.

“I guess we’ll find out soon enough what happened,” Stygian said, his voice quivering with worry.

It took Spike another twenty minutes of flight to reach Mount Aris, but upon their arrival they noticed something was incredibly wrong.

“Where is everycreature?” Umbra asked out loud as she scanned the terrain.

“Maybe the Storm King really did attack them first?” Stygian asked.

“No, look closely, Stygian. There are no signs of battle. The houses are broken down, but not because of fighting. Looks like someone pillaged through everything and by the looks of it, they found nothing,” Spike pointed out as he made landfall in the middle of the city’s square.

Umbra and Stygian lept out. “Not a scorch mark. No blood. No bodies. Not even a feather. Something is definitely wrong here.”

“It’s almost like the hippogriffs packed everything and moved out,” Stygian sighed in relief. “At least no creature was injured, it seems.”

“But if they avoided capture and escaped, where did they go?” Spike questioned. “I now regret not reading anything about possible contingency plans from our allies. Stygian, please remind me of that once this mess is over.” The unicorn nodded, writing it down.

“Spike, are you… okay?” Umbra asked, placing a hoof on his exposed arm. “You seem rather tense. More than when we were dealing with Zebrica and Cervidas.”

“Our home has been attacked, Umbra. Without provocation and out of the literal blue sky. Family and mares close to my heart are trapped and I can’t do anything to help them right now. So, yeah, it’s taking everything in me to not fly as fast as I can back to Equestria and beat that so-called Storm King into the ground and grind Tempest Shadow’s face against a wall,” he finished with a fiery snarl.

“Then… what do we do?” Umbra asked, her eyes filled with resolve.

“Search everything and everywhere while we wait for Twilight and the Bearers to arrive here. Then… then we’ll take it from there,” Spike sighed.

His two companions nodded and set to work searching for any clues as to what happened with the hippogriffs. After almost a day of waiting, Twilight and her friends arrived in their now usual rumbustious fashion. After a quick chat between the two royals, the group moved forward with their search. It wasn’t until they heard a faint singing that Twilight managed to find a passage through rubble and found a secret room deep within the mountain and the palace itself. Stepping forth slowly, Pinkie broke apart a small piece of a stair; the sound making the singer stop with a hurried gasp.

“What was that?” The voice asked right before jumping into the water.

“Skystar?” Spike asked out loud. Then, his eyes snapped open. “Skystar! Wait!” He shouted as he jumped into the water without a second thought.

“Hey, wait for me! Cannonball!” Pinkie cried, following Spike’s actions.

However, it was far too late. She was gone. Spike emerged from the water to find all of his friends inside the pool. A rumbling noise was heard and the water shook. Shortly thereafter, the water began to swirl, quickly becoming a vortex that sucked them all down. After nearly a minute of travel, the vortex spat them all inside an underwater chamber; the tunnel that brought them there closed after their passing, leaving them in darkness.

As he saw his friends begin to lie motionless, both Twilight and Umbra failing to focus on their magic due to the stress of the travel and the lack of oxygen, he took in a mouthful of water, filling his lungs with it. It burned and pained him greatly, but within seconds he was able to breathe once more. Just as he was about to reach Fluttershy to try and give her some oxygen, something fast placed a bubble of air around his head.

He coughed up the water in his lungs violently. By the time he was able to breathe air again, he watched as all of his friends now sported air bubbles around their heads.

“Hello? We’re looking for the hippogriffs?” Twilight asked as everypony huddled together, except for Umbra who had her horn lit, just in case she needed to use it.

“How do I know I can trust you?” Skystar asked as a yellow glow appeared in front of them.

“Skystar, it’s me, Spike!”

“Spike!?” Skystar came into the light; shock and surprise evident across her face.

**********************************************

After a first turbulent diplomatic meeting, Spike, Twilight, and his friends now swam in front of Queen Novo. Everypony had been turned into what Pinkie dubbed as ‘Seaponies’. While he was transformed into a water dragon, better known as Sea Serpents.

“The Storm King attacked Equestria?” Novo asked, bewildered. Sitting on her throne, Skystar fanned her some fresh water. “I… I thought he would attack us first,” she started. “That’s why I called upon the Seaquestria contingency plan. So that we could hide here, in Seaquestria, until we could safely contact Equestria for help,” she gritted her teeth. “But he already got a hold of my friends?” She growled.

“It is as bad as it sounds, Queen Novo,” Spike said. While Twilight outranked him in title and authority, she lacked any real experience in terms of diplomatic dealings. “Princess Celestia sent us here to ask you for any help you could provide Equestria. Prince-Consort Shining Armor is surely gathering Equestrian forces as we speak. But they will still need our help.”

“And our aid you shall have,” Novo declared. “Sky Beak!”

“Yes, my Queen?” A seapony approached, bowing respectfully before Novo.

“Gather the soldiers. We march for war against the Storm King. Trapped between both our forces he shall have no chance! Today, Mount Aris and Seaquestria shall come to the aid of our friends!”

“We still have to deal with Tempest Shadow roaming around. Capper and Captain Celaeno and her crew tried to help us escape. We must find them if we can,” Twilight explained.

“Then, while you prepare, Rainbow Dash, could you please go to Saddle Arabia as fast as you can? I’ll write you a letter directed at Sultan High Dune and Sultaness Shifting Sands once I find a dry spot. I’ll also give you my sigil, so you’ll go under my representation.”

“Leave it to me!”

“Umbra, Stygian, you’ll come with me. I’ll drop you near Yakyakistan. Stygian, you’ll deliver a similar letter to Prince Rutherford, also under my representation. Umbra, keep Stygian safe.”

“You can count on us,” Umbra replied as Stygian nodded.

“As for me, I’ll leave for the Dragon Lands,” he looked at Novo and hummed, not knowing what to do. On one hand, he didn’t want many to know he was, in actuality, the Dragon Lord. but on the other hand, Novo didn’t think twice about helping her friends and allies. Lying to her now...

“Why would you go to the Dragon Lands? I know the new Dragon Lord, Ember, signed an alliance with Equestria, but I doubt she’ll be willing to help Equestria, alliance or not,” Novo pointed out.

“That would be a valid point under any other circumstance, Queen Novo,” Spike replied. Closing his eyes for a second, he made his decision. “But no dragon shall resist an order from the Dragon Lord, if it must come to that.”

Novo seemed confused for a couple of long seconds, but then her eyes widened in understanding.

“Then so be it. Between the might of Equestria, Saddle Arabia, Yakyakistan, the Dragon Lands, and our kingdom, the Storm King stands no chance,” Novo declared.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Spike turned to face his friends. “I just hope we manage to gather such forces against the Storm King in time to stop whatever he’s planning.”

**********************************************

By the time Spike reached Canterlot, he found a scene that baffled him. The main plaza was in chaos. Frosting was everywhere, a few guards were lying about, and many, many more were running from across the city to the commotion caused by a ragtag group of Avian pirates, an abyssinian, Princess Skystar, and his friends. Twilight was nowhere to be seen, but the shifting day and night cycle told him enough. He didn’t know what led to such a thing happening, but he knew the pirates and Skystar wouldn’t last long as more and more guards arrived.

Near the castle’s east entrance archway bridge, the same his friends and the abyssinian were running on, ranks of yeti guards formed a shield wall. The dozens of airships moved into position around Canterlot, dispatching further troops down below.

“ATTACK!”

Spike turned to see Ember pointing a finger angrily down to the city. Despite the time constraints, Spike had arrived at the Dragon Lands in under a day flying at maximum speed. After talking with Ember, he rested for two hours as she gathered all the dragons she could muster. Although she could only get her claws on little more than a hundred dragons, most of them teenagers like them, three young-adults and Torch himself, a true adult dragon, had heeded the call of the Dragon Lord in such a short amount of time.

“Let’s go and kick some tails!” Smolder cried before diving into the masses. Torch grabbed the Storm King’s flagship and started to tear it piece by piece.

From the skies appeared pegasi and thestrals, the pegasi were lead by Flash Magnus at the head of the Legionnaires, while the thestrals swarmed and boarded ships. Equestria ain navy forces also appeared to join the fray. Outside the walls of Canterlot, several portals opened up; walking through them, hundreds of Royal Guards of every branch poured through led by Shining Armor. Spartallions, buffalo braves, unicorn mages, and even militia of a multitude of species surged from the portals like a sea of anger directed at the invaders.

The hippogriffs also arrived moments later and behind them, the air navy forces of Saddle Arabia also made themselves present. Lastly, a large shadowy portal opened up to reveal Umbra, Stygian, and Prince Rutherford before at least two hundred yak warriors came through. He saw Umbra collapse after the last yak charge past the portal; the effort too great, no doubt.

Deciding to not let all the glory be claimed by his allies and friends, he dove into the east square in time to save the abyssinian from the spear of a yeti guard. Helping him up, with the sound of battle vibrating all across Canterlot, be it on land or sky, Spike witnessed as the Storm King created a massive thunderstorm above and across Canterlot. It was so fierce and strong, that nearly everyone, friend or foe, got sucked by the tempesting storm. Torch and the other three big dragons did their best to protect their allies from being sucked by the storm.

Then… something unexpected happened. A mare with a broken horn, the fabled Tempest Shadow, was struck aside by the Storm King himself. In the places where the fighting still continued, this event didn’t go unnoticed by the yetis. Specifically, the yetis bearing a red streak along their white pelts. They immediately turned on their comrades, shouting ‘Betrayal!’ or ‘For Commander Tempest!’. Finally, Twilight saved Tempest from being sucked into the storm.

Just as he saw the Storm King back on his feet, Spike focused internally, calling upon the connection shared by him and his beloved Celestia. As the power surged through his body, he saw a bundle of ponies, the Bearers, fly through the air and crash against the Storm King, sending them all stumbling back into the Castle. Spreading his wings, he went straight for the balcony just as Twilight and Tempest followed the group inside.

***********************************************

“WHY!? Because Friendship is power! You might be the Princess of Friendship, but as Headmare of this School, I can collect even more friends than you!” Cozy Glow barked.

“You’re the one who doesn’t get it, Cozy. Friendship is powerful, but power isn’t why you make friends. I’m sorry I couldn’t teach you that,” Twilight said in a solemn tone.

Spike merely watched, content to no open his mouth despite how much he wished to sink his claws in the throat of the filly in front of him. He watched as Smolder and her friends approached Twilight with big smiles. Ever since she decided to found a School of Friendship, one that included active members from other species, including the allied nations, Smolder was volunteered by Ember to attend.

It did give him a nice excuse to hang out more often with her, so he wasn’t going to complain about that. To think that Tempest, of all ponies, planted the seed inside Twilight’s head was all the more surprising. He looked to the side to see yetis dressed in a new set of armor, gold and green colored, as they bore his sigil. Tempest arrived alongside Umbra and Stygian with Grubber sitting on her back.

After the defeat and destruction of the Storm King, Tempest had nowhere to go. Twilight, with aid from the Bearers, pardoned Tempest since she aided the Storm King out of desperation, not loyalty. Celestia, Luna, and Cadance accepted the pardon. Instead of roaming the land aimlessly, Spike took this chance. He offered Tempest a spot in his Retinue as Captain of his own branch of Royal Guards; claiming her skill, resolve, and abilities would benefit Equestria greatly if she truly wished to repent for her past actions. She accepted under two conditions: the yetis that were loyal to her would be freed and pardoned and Grubber would stay with her, too. He accepted, even though convincing his mother, aunt, and cousin proved harder than expected, but eventually, he convinced them with the aid of Twilight.

A grumble caught his attention again and turned. He saw Cozy trying to fly away, but students, Celestia, Luna, Neighsay, Royal Guards, and his newly established Scaled Guards stopped her at every turn. Once she was in custody, Luna approached. He smiled upon seeing her. Unlike the Luna from a year ago, this Luna stood tall, proud, secured, and free from the taint of the Nightmare.

“Cozy Glow… your crimes are immeasurable. Do you have any idea what you almost caused?” She spat coldly.

“I almost became the Empress of Friendship! Without Twilight or you to stand in my way, I could’ve ruled the entire world, every creature bowing before me! Cozy Glow! The bestest friend of all!” She declared while pointing a hoof angrily at Luna.

“You almost killed the world, Cozy Glow,” Celestia snorted. “Without magic, pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies, changelings… everycreature would’ve been unable to use magic, even us. And that means no one would be left to move the Sun or the Moon. Even Discord would’ve been unable to cross from his home to Equis without magic. You nearly doomed the world.”

“Bah!” Cozy spat. “Who cares about that? With the world under my hoof, every creature would be happy serving me!”

“She is just a filly,” Spike said before pyroporting between Celestia and Luna. “But she is twisted. She doesn’t even show the least bit of empathy. She might as well be soulless,” Spike snarled. “We should judge her now that we have the chance.”

“HA! Good luck with that, lizard!” Cozy giggled. “I’m just a little, innocent, confused filly! Honest! It was all just a prank, hihihi!” Then, she laughed maniacally. “You can’t do anything to me! And once I’m free, I’ll try again until I collect enough stupid fools to follow me blindly. All will obey ME! The future Empress of Friendship!”

“...No, you won’t,” Celestia sighed. “Despite being a filly, Cozy Glow, you nearly caused untold death and genocide upon the world, not just Equestria. All because of a childish fantasy and misguided goals to stand on top of everypony. You don’t deserve a trial. Your age won’t be a factor,” she glanced at Luna, who nodded. Then at Twilight, who gave a small, defeated nod. “All Royals present, how do you judge?”

“Tartarus. She deserves no less than that,” Luna said firmly.

“I vote for Obliteration,” Celestia said after her sister. “While Tartarus would be preferable, she is too big of a risk,” Luna nodded in approval.

“And here I thought I should try to show a small modicum of mercy,” Luna chuckled darkly. “Twilight?”

The Princess of Friendship looked at Cozy Glow with immense pity. “As much as I want to send you Tartarus, I can’t. I won’t object to the verdict, but if I can have a chance to reform you, I will take it. I vote for Reformation.”

“Obliteration,” Spike declared immediately after. “I don’t believe you could ever be reformed. Tartarus would be another invitation for disaster waiting to happen in your case. And Death… despite your more than deserving crimes, I won’t consider that option,” he said as he saw the ghostly burning face of Tirek on her for a moment. “Obliteration.”

“Wai. Wait. Wait. Wait! You can’t do that! I’m cute and lovable!” She cried. “Y-You wouldn’t do that to a f-filly, right? Right!?” She looked around helplessly. But all she met with were cold, disgusted, hateful stares. “M-My parents! My parents won’t let this happen!”

“Already did,” Neighsay interjected. “I took the liberty of bringing them along,” he moved aside to reveal a mare with her coat and a short red mane, the stallion was brown but his stylish mane was curled similar to Cozy’s but a shade or two darker.

“Mommy! Daddy! Don’t let the mean Princesses do bad things to your little princess!” She cried as a huge smile spread across her face.

Her parents looked at her for several long moments until the father made his voice known.

“Do with her as you please,” he spat. “We didn’t raise a monster. That thing is not our daughter,” with that, they turned around, leaving the place.

Cozy’s smile dropped watching her parents leave. “FINE! Leave me! I don’t need you or your stupid lessons of Harmony and Friendship and all that useless things!” She shouted angrily.

Her anger melted down when she saw Celestia and Luna unite their horns to create a white ball of burning hot magic.

“NO!” Cozy cried and tried to flee, but a pair of shadowy claws grabbed her legs, pinning her to the ground. “T-Twilight, help me, please! I promise I won’t do naughty things ever again! P-Pretty please!”

Her supplication fell on deaf ears as Twilight looked away. Cozy looked up at the ball of magic and gave the Royal Sisters one last hate-filled glare before the ball of magic unleashed lightning that struck her forehead.

Every creature present, or at least most of them, watched as Cozy Glow was Obliterated; her screams of pain and agony ringing through the School of Friendship for less than a minute, but it was enough to make all but the most emotionally strong squirm and pity the filly. When it was over, Cozy Glow fell to the ground, unconscious. She would not remember anything that had happened. She wouldn’t remember anything, at all. The memories, lessons, experiences… everything that made Cozy Glow was gone, never to return or be salvaged. Now she was like a newborn again, and would need all the care that condition entitled, albeit her natural age would accelerate the process to compensate.

Gone was Cozy Glow but a new filly had been, for lack of a better term, born. That was what Obliteration meant. To erase the life of a creature completely, leaving only the body and a new chance for that life to live. A sentence that was equal to or worse, some argued, than death.

“We’ll take care of her, Princess Celestia,” a pair of Noble Guards approached. “We’ll make sure to raise this new filly well and keep her away from all of this.”

Celestia nodded and shared quick glances with Luna, Twilight, and Spike. Everypony nodded. “Then it shall be so. I will see to it that you receive an appropriate stipend.”

“Thank you, Princess Celestia,” the other guard said and the two stallions gently took the filly with them.

“I think it’s time to head home,” Twilight closed her eyes. “Let’s pray nothing worse comes to pass.”

Chapter 10 End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!