The Pink, the Blue, the Imperial Purpure (3)

“Are you sure the revolt is under control?”

There are many things I wouldn’t have expected to ask during the first year of my reign, and this one was definitely one I wouldn’t have imagined having the need to ask to Platinum Rush. The old Stallion was indeed concerned as he first brought up this matter to my eyes. He was reluctant to take action due to the current situation that led to this ‘revolt’. The manifestation was none other than a protest of sorts, a peaceful one to say the least as the only thing unpleasant that being used as a weapon were the insults thrown at the guards containing the protest.

I wasn’t exactly sure how this came to be and only a serious debriefing confirmed me that this wasn’t a simple rebellion born from a few. There was a mastermind behind this because the rebels all had a uniting common point. They were all young ponies, roughly early adults, that had small interactions with Sombra’s regime. They were clueless about its cruelty and the sheer maliciousness of his reign. Which would explain why they were manifesting against my rule and the return of the king. I was the ‘monster’ that deprived them of legitimate rule all for the sake of personal ambitions.

It was a laughable pretense, but the world was big enough to house a large and infuriating list of idiots that didn’t stop and think about their actions. Not a surprising element, but definitely one I didn’t expect to develop in a situation like this. Platinum was… nervous, but overall confident that the guards were more than enough to contain the revolt from becoming too violent. I was certain of this too, but I had a strong feeling that this little rebellion wasn’t the main element I would have to worry about. While I knew the motivations, and I knew the type of ponies taking part in it, I was completely clueless on who was behind it all. It had to be a single individual, or maybe there was even a small group of loyalists that survived Sombra’s demise.

Doubtful considering how absolutist his reign was. No one was allowed to get too close to him, close enough to receive reasons to remain loyal to him. Fear was his weapon, just like many totalitarian states tended to use back at home a long time ago. So this individual was either someone that wasn’t within the Empire and that fanatically believed in Sombra in some sort of dumb way, or there was something else stirring in this predicament. Something I couldn’t see and… that could be problematic if I didn’t pay some more attention to it. Court duty was concluded earlier than usual as I enacted some small plans in case something bigger was around the corner and I needed to be ready for any madness.

“I’ve finished reviewing the last reports just now and the level of guarding over the protest is optimal, your highness. The situation is stable as of now,” Platinum guaranteed and I still couldn’t help but feel like something was indeed missing. The small room was occupied just by a handful of ponies. I was sitting with Silver, the young bat pony resting by my lap as he quietly listened, confusion swelling at why he was brought here with such urgency. I just told him that a silly situation was happening and there wasn’t much to worry about. Only that I wanted to be a little more cautious than needed. He seemed to accept it, and his interest on the topic was diverted elsewhere as I gave him the chance to doodle on some empty paper I retrieved while coming into that protected room.

Shadow Mark was busy finishing the signing of a couple of pieces of the paperwork that he brought with himself when he was called to this room. His assistant, a young mare that seemed particularly tense at what was going on, was caught multiple times being too distracted in going through the simple task of putting the papers in the right spot of his side of the table, thus prompting some annoyed comments from the stallion.

There was just a pair of guards standing outside, and another standing inside, both small squads covering the only entrance to this room. There wasn’t anything particularly worrying just now, and yet the feeling of wrong was only growing the more we waited in that room. Platinum kept on explaining the small details of the current security, I found my attention moved away as a hoof calmly poked at my knee, forcing me to look to the side and lower my gaze to meet Cinnamon Velvet’s uneasy look that still offered something to me. And that was a cup of hot tea.

I wasn’t someone that really loved the beverage, but I didn’t decline the offer since I really needed to calm my nerves. I was definitely getting myself in a silly state of mind that I shouldn’t be in. Like, there is no way that someone would brazenly attack the palace when the ‘main attack force’ was already contained. But just as I finished sipping at the cup and placed the now emptied container on the table, I tensed up as I heard a knock by the door. One of the guards inside, turned and checked.

“Who is there?” A serious voice, one that quickly demanded a response. And a response soon came to us.

“We believe we’ve found the one that instigated the revolt. We need to show her to the king.”

That was… surprisingly good news. But also bad and wrong at the same time.

Sure, the capture of the pony that was behind the revolt was fine, but there was just something off with the way this news was delivered. Maybe I was overthinking it, yet I decided to go for a safer approach instead of risking it.

Picking one of the unused papers in front of me and one of the pens at my disposal, I began writing something on it and showed it to the guard that was waiting for my permission to either allow the group in or not.

“I suppose it would be for the best to address this matter at once then, please… let them in.”

Keep an eye out, back away for the corners and prepare to strike if those are not friendlies.

The guard nodded and his companion followed his example as he relayed the reply before slowly backing away and allowing the five guards escorting the only prisoner inside. They all looked normal, with one of the guards wearing the proper outfit for an officer, the one that was leading the rest of the group inside the room. My gaze swiftly turned to the unicorn mare that was brought here and… really couldn’t think of anything about this individual. I just didn’t recognize her at first glance.

Her mane was a light-grayish blue, her mantle a solid dull violet with a Cutie Mark that seemed to be gold caduceus. Finally her peering eyes that were currently aimed back at me, a shade of gray blue that left me upset for some reason. There was just something about her entirety that had me perplexed and tense before this character. I knew nothing of her, yet I would have at least heard something about someone being tied to Sombra to cause this kind of problem.

“May I inquire how you are certain this mare is the mastermind behind the revolt, officer-”

“Moon Petal, your highness,” A feminine voice answered and I saw Platinum Rush tense up. While there were a couple of mares within the officers’ corps, there were just so many that it was easy to remember their names. And this ‘Moon Petal’ wasn’t in that list. Knowing that this wasn’t a mere spell, I knew what was going on and… I glanced at the guards preparing to strike, the two looking ready to attack any moment now. “And the young culprit’s name is-”

“Radiant Hope… usurper.”

Just as she said this, I saw some of the guards ‘keeping watch over her’, turning to engage the two ambushing stallions that had waited for too long to attack. The infiltrators proved to be stronger, overwhelming the surprised duo and giving the chance for the attackers to gain control of the situation. Platinum Rush tried to do something about this, but ‘Moon Petal’ easily stunned him with a spell. The old Stallion fell on the side, a shocked look on his face as he could move his eyes but not the rest of his body.

“That was really… easy,” The officer commented dully, turning to stare at me and reveal golden eyes. “So, I guess you are the King John. The human.”

I felt Silver Song press on me as soon as the officer’s form burst into green flames, revealing a tall Changeling, a queen, with yellow mane kept short and same-colored eyes. The rest of the drones followed shortly after, all except the unicorn mare that they brought there.

“And I can say you are changelings from just a look," I remarked quietly, turning to the 'accuser' with a frown. "I suppose Radiant Hope is one too?”

“I’m a normal unicorn,” The aforementioned mare muttered with a calm voice. “And you are under arrest for king-slaying, John Bukharin.”

...Is she trying to intimidate me? I think she is trying to. That’s fucking adorable.

“That would imply that I killed a king, yet I don’t recall killing one.”

Her lips twitched in a scowl at my little wordplay and indirect jab. “King Sombra. The rightful owner-”

“Of a kingdom that he stole from another monarch. Queen Amore,” I remarked dryly, interrupting the unicorn. “Like seriously, you can’t just put me in a rigged trial and not expect me to defend myself at these vile accusations.”

“He was pushed into this! He would have never reacted this badly if Queen Amore had given him the benefit of the doubt.”

That comment got me frowning since it sounded really truthful and… really confident. It was like she knew Sombra but… but wasn’t Sombra sealed away for so many centuries together with the Crystal Empire? This was actually confusing as I thought something this big would have somehow reached my attention even though I didn’t pay attention to MLP for so long.

“In which regard? His viciousness? His interest in enslaving all those he deemed beneath him?”

“He didn’t-”

“There are way too many victims for you to just ignore. Don’t you dare forsake their deaths!”

She was surprised by my outburst, but I was far from done with that matter.

“Here you are, trying to apologetically bring him back, a cold-blooded murderer that didn’t think twice before sentencing children to prison time- children! All because they didn’t conform to his state of power.”

“It’s- it’s-”

“Say it. Say it’s not true after seeing so many enslaved, forced to work the mines, dying there and then forsaken there.”

…There was a nervous look on Radiant Hope’s face, but I shifted my attention to the Changelings, the group having stared at the exchange quietly while understanding the situation themselves.

“Can I have a name?” I asked to whom I could only presume was their queen. At this stage and time, I knew that there were multiple queens and that Chrysalis was just the most influential of them and… that she had started a purge due to those that distrusted her capacities after failing to take Canterlot.

A blink, she remained mostly quiet as she tried to gauge how much in control they really were in that situation as their ‘associate’ was having trouble dealing with a mostly defenseless monarch. In the end, the changeling queen spoke.

“My name is Apocrita, Queen of the West Crystal Tribe,” She finally answered. "And you're our prisoner, King John."

Now, I wonder if my assumptions are correct or not...

“Well, I suppose you’re not tied with Chrysalis for you to be here with so few drones at your disposal,” I ignored the latter bit, feeling a little confident over this situation. "So, I suppose you are also trying to escape the chances of getting in a troublesome situation with her or with any of the enemies that had put her in that crazy mood. Right?"

…

She took a moment to think about it, but eventually nodded.

“Perhaps.”

"I would say that you're correct to assume I'm your prisoner, but then I would have to ask what you would need out of this. Clearly you need a shelter away from Chrysalis, for yourself and your... children?" I suggested the last bit since I really wasn't sure how their society really worked in that regard. Still, at seeing her nod, I continued. “And yet you are here, in the very city and nation where the big part of her failure at the Invasion of Canterlot currently live. And yes, I’m referring to Shining Armor and Princess Cadenza, the ambassadors that we received by the Equestrian Diarchy. Now, I don't need to introduce them properly, I'm quite sure Chrysalis did a fine job ranting about the two... right?”

Her mouth opened, ready to throw a comeback at me after I was done telling her that, but… that didn’t happen as her mind seemed to fully grasp the true horror of the crappy predicament she was in. While tactically speaking we were the one with the worst hand possible, it was also true that strategic-wise I had the upper hand. Kill me? They are screwed as nobody would spare them at that moment. Hold me as a prisoner? I'm quite sure they would want to risk the whole 'Love Push' that ejected all Changelings away from Canterlot. And they really didn't seem that keen to be returned to Chrysalis' waiting hooves. I wasn’t exactly sure how she missed that- maybe they just didn’t have the time to check or were convinced by their shaky ally that this wasn’t true. Considering how quickly the queen turned to address the unicorn with a frustrated look, I was leaning more on the second option.

“Why didn’t you tell us?!” Apocrita demanded, clearly annoyed. If before the other four changelings were guarding her, now Radiant Hope tensed as they all turned to stare at her with less than pleasant thoughts.

“I-I didn’t know-” She blurted out.

“So you set us up!” The hole the mare had dug herself in was growing fairly steadily, but before an escalation could ensue out of it, I decided to intervene on her behalf.

“I don’t think she was actually aware about it. She literally didn’t come up with an excuse about the fact that Sombra did kill ponies in his reign,” I pointed out calmly, urging the changeling queen to look back at me. “And while you’re pissed at the situation, I believe we can come up to an agreement that doesn’t leave you in a precarious situation. Especially with how risky your current predicament is.”

…

“And that idea is?”

I smiled at that query and I offered the solution to her current problems.

“How about a Treaty of Friendship?”

Apocrita frowned at that proposition, her eyes narrowing at me as she tried to make sense of what I just offered her.

"We- We just invaded you. You are our prisoner."

"Willing prisoner," I corrected. "And you, my captor, find yourself in a situation that I can solve in a deal that is convenient for the two of us. Something that protect you from any trouble from your previous boss but also sets you and your... family in a stable situation where work yourself up to shape and have a steady amount of love."

"Once again-" Apocrita tried to speak, but I decided to stop her with a sigh.

"If we have to be honest on this matter, you were tricked into committing this. You expected me to be bad, King Sombra to be good, and you did all of this for your children. So yes, I understand your suspicions, but I think that it would be more fortuitous to work out a positive agreement rather than take aggressive approaches on each other," I replied with a serious look, soon stretching my left hand towards her. "Handsha- I mean, Hoofshake and all of that?"

...

Apocrita returned the gesture, and my hands shook her hoof. It would then take a little time for Shadow Mark to get a first draft out with only the main points, but I could tell that it was convincing enough from the relieved smile appearing on her face. Then a nod, a proper discussion would then be issued to happen later that day while I took care to see Radiant Hope put under heavy surveillance so she can tell us more about Sombra. She definitely knew something that we didn’t from the way she talked about him. It wasn’t just the words of a fanatic loyalist, but of someone that genuinely seemed to know the ‘deceased’ monarch quite well.

Things were slowly turning for good. The revolt, after hearing the truth from parents and victims, seemed to end there without any violent outburst ensuing. Apocrita’s tribe was going to join the Empire, but it still needed some formalization through paperwork, and I knew this was going to get me stuck with a couple of heated discussions with Cadance and her husband that I wasn’t looking forward to due to how sore that subject was going to be for both.

I could tell they weren't going to be hateful on all changelings but... yeah, I would be pissed off if I had to see an unpleasant face similar to the one that messed up my marriage. I had to concede this to them, and it was really going to take some time to get them in a good enough mood to address the situation without... hasty decisions. I wanted to believe it was just that, but only first contact was going to tell me if I was correct or not.

But as the good news settled in while I tried to plan out how to put a closure on this matter, bad news came out in the form of a messenger from the borders… in the north. It was late at night, I was just finishing signing away a couple of adjustments to the

“Y-Your Highness, a report from the north-eastern front. It’s- it’s an invasion.”

A message from the guards assigned to the border. A small offensive has been thrown and a good bit of the North-Eastern section of the border had collapsed against the assault. Yaks were vindictive for some reason and... and now it was time for me to hastily call an emergency military meeting. One that will hopefully bring solutions to some of this trouble at once.

One mistake, or rather a miscalculation from my part about the stability of the Yaks lead to this degree of unprepareness. And now a war was upon us.

---------d-d-d-d----------d-d-d-d------

“So, I know this might sound alarming to bring up but… what is the current state of the Equestrian Army in rushing into our nation and helping us defend from a northern invader?”

Luna stopped for a moment with her dream-weaving process, her posture tensing up as she regarded me with a surprised frown.

“Is this tied to what you just described over the changelings joining your nation?”

It was one of the first things I brought up. She was rightfully annoyed since she had been told of the entire Wedding situation and she knew that this wasn’t alright. Still, she listened to my words and trusted the fact I wasn’t allowing them to stroll around with ease. They weren’t exactly left unmonitored while I waited to finally sign down a proper agreement with Apocrita.

“Surprisingly enough, no. It’s the yaks.”

That response got a scoff out of Luna. “Of course, I should have expected them to be behind this…”

“You knew they could have attacked?” I asked, more curious than offended by this matter. She still looked uneasy but nodded.

“I had my doubts and my certainties. While my dear sister was… understanding of their culture since the ascension of Prince Rutherford, she failed to grasp that… not everypony within that kingdom shares a willingness to open up to our friendly ways. I believe the Prince’s brother was rather upset with the last visit due to his conservative views over their traditions.”

It was my turn to frown. “You think that it isn’t a full-fledged invasion?”

“Considering the peaceful opening of Rutherford?” The alicorn pointed out. “I doubt this attack was sanctioned by the government. It would be unwise for them to risk a war with Equestria.”

I nodded at her words, my mind picking up a few notions from what I just heard. If this wasn’t a full war, then I expected it to be something of a border conflict. One that had limited support due to the small penetration within our territories. The border guards were doing a fine job delaying the invaders the most, and it’s expected for the reinforcements to provide enough defense to stop the attack altogether. “I suppose then I could… try something interesting.”

“Interesting?” Luna inquired with a curious look. “What kind of ‘interesting’ are we talking about?”

“It’s actually something I’ve been thinking about, but I wasn’t sure that could work at the chances of the bulk of the Yaks’ armies behind still within their borders and acting as reserves,” I commented, bringing up a map of the situation and highlighting the spot where they pushed into. “As you can see here and there, they currently have a numerical advantage that will vanish the moment the rest of the professional army is deployed. We shall take most of the reserves from the Stalliongrad front and reassert them against the Yaks.”

“And? I don’t believe you can push them back with ease even with that advantage,” The fascinated Alicorn pointed out. “Unless… are you planning to do something about… this?”

I smiled, the map now having two big blue arrows that went to cut off the gained territory and reclaim the border area. A massive encirclement that they can’t break without support from the Kingdom up above.

“That’s correct. We will encircle the rogue force and try to push them to surrender at that point.”

“What about the prisoners?”

“Trialed and sentenced to prison.”

“John, I…” She paused, sighing and recollecting her thoughts. “I don’t want to disrespect your idea since it’s a good one and I would normally agree to it. But that would definitely push Yakyakistan to properly invade.”

And that would be a bad thing. One thing is holding and crippling an army, another is fighting a bigger one and getting swarmed by it. Technically speaking, we were equals in terms of technology, and we had yet to receive the military equipment to start modernizing the guards, so it was going to be a tough war that would tend to see us losing it.

“What if the trial had judges from the Crystal Empire, Equestria and Yakyakistan?”

“You plan to make those international trials?”

“Yes. Wouldn’t that give them enough legitimacy to stop them from attacking?”

She looked around, clearly unconvinced. “Barely. I’m really trying to imagine the best outcome from this scenario, and I see a slim chance to get that. Rutherford would still be pressured to push for the most lenient of punishments.”

…

That actually highlighted something about this.

“What about his brother?”

Luna paused, her gaze intrigued by my thought. “What?”

“His brother is literally the cause of this, and from what I understand this is all a stunt to gain legitimacy to an eventual coup. The brother fails, he loses support and is dishonored. Can he be tried instead of the soldiers?”

…

“It would… work. As much as Yaks put their families on high pedestals, the royal family is… particularly known for their bad blood. Siblings clash occasionally to wrestle power from one another and, while Rutherford is benevolent, he wouldn’t hesitate to be handed over the chance to put an end to that threat to his legitimacy.”

I nodded. “Then I will work to get that situation done. At least to get some ‘lecturing’ done to the Yaks without getting them ready to war against us.”

Luna hummed. “But still, I have a small request about this matter if you don’t require support from the Diarchy.”

“And… that is?”

“I wish to lead an attaché and see for myself how you will handle this war.”

…

“Why?”

She looked offended. “Why? Why wouldn’t I be there in case of necessity?”

“I didn’t mean to-”

I felt my footing missing as I was pulled down underground so that I could be on Luna’s head-level.

“I know you didn’t, but that doesn’t make it any less infuriating. You’re a friend of mine, John, and the last thing I need is to not be there with you in case things go dire.”

…

“Luna.”

The Alicorn was still annoyed, but in range for a hug. She was tense, but accepted the embrace as she nuzzled on my shoulder.

“I still don’t forgive you for thinking this little of me.”

“I didn’t mean to devalue our friendship, but you can’t expect me to eagerly put a friend of mine at risk,” I lamented back. “And I think we can both agree to that point.”

“Maybe,” Luna admitted. “But still… I believe you should think better than just cast away a helping hoof when one is offering it to you.”

I groaned. “Luna.”

She pulled away from the hug, a small smile on her face. “I believe I have duties to attend. I leave you to your own tasks for the time being. Expect a visit in two days.”

I felt confused at the strange way she was leaving me as- wait.

“Luna, you forgot to pull me out of here.”

“I forgot nothing.”

…

“Luna, why are you leaving me like-”

“Sorry John. I’ve duties to attend to!”

She started to gallop towards the exit of my dream and I realized what she was trying to do.

“Luna, d-don’t you dare!” I exclaimed, suddenly angered by the prank she put me in. “Bring your royal moonbutt over here, I’m not joking!!”

I heard her giggles double as she heard my screeches but… it was too late. She was gone in the blink of an eye. I stared at where she was before leaving and… I sighed. Then I chuckled.

“I got pranked by the very individual that was among those that created the practice in this world, of course...”

Despite my little trouble, I was soon relieved by sleep when I ended waking up earlier than usual due to the current circumstances. There was a lot to do… but first, I needed to wait for my legs to wake up since they were temporarily paralyzed after what happened in my dreamscape.

Worry not, Luna. I will return the favor back to you.

Author's Note

AN

So, war. It’s time to plan out the strategy as we can right now. This isn’t a full-scale conflict since Yakyakistan isn’t putting everything in it and we can say it’s a proper border conflict that will end up in a possible disaster. Also, the reason why it took two weeks to produce this chapter was because I had to handle a couple of commissions. Next update will come faster than this one did.