A Jester's Way

The Great War

Prologue

Taz Darkstripe was flying over the ocean, enjoying the smell of the salty sea and the wind in his mane. He was going to Equestria for a fwe days to visit his nieces. He hadn't been there in almost 50 years and he was looking forward to seeing what had changed. His wings were getting a little tired, so he headed for a small fishing boat that was a little bit ahead. He landed and folded his wings.

"Sorry, good sir," Taz said to the startled fisherman. "Would it be okay if I rested here a while? I'm going to Equestria to see my nieces, and my wings are getting awfully tired."

"Well, I suppose so..." The fisherman looks the newcomer over. He's an alicorn, very tall and very muscular. His body is laced with countless scars and he has bat wings. But, the strangest thing is that he has 2 extra horns on his head... well, technically 4, but they're twisted around each other, so it looks like 2 extra horns. "What lands do you hail from?" The fisherman asks, drawing in a net of fish.

"I come from the cold north," Taz replies. "It's been 50 years since I felt the warmth of Equestria and I can't wait!" Taz breathed in and sighed. "Ah, i love the smell of the sea in my nostrils! Nothing beats it, except a good game of chess with my assistant, but I always loved a good game of chess."

The two ponies stayed like that for a while, one of them saying something every once in a while, but staying silent most of the time. Eventually, Taz flexes his wings. "Well, good sir, it has been an honour being aboard your vessel, but I'm afraid it my time to leave," He tosses the man a bag of bits. "For your generous hospitality." He then flies up and resumes his flight south. He could see land on the horizon and if his calculations were correct, that was Equestria. He flapped his wings harder, eager to see his nieces again after so long.

He lands in Canterlot. It hasn't changed since the last time he was here, except one or two new ponies. he makes his way up to the castle and gets stopped by the guards.

"Princess Celestia is expecting me," He tells them.

"What's your name?" one of them asks. He's white, with a blue mane and cobalt blue eyes. His cutie marl is a shield and stars.

"Taz Darkstripe," Taz replies to him. The blue-maned stallion whispers to one of his comrades and the other guard scurries off.

"We'll need to confirm that with her highness," The stallion tells Taz.

"You must be Shining Armour, am I correct?" Taz asks him. The stallion nods. "How's Candence? I' m so happy everything worked out for you both. I wish I could have been there,  but there was a brytal war going on back home." The stallion just ignores Taz, so he sighs. The other guard scurries back and whispers into Shining Armour's ear.

"You're free to pass," He tells Taz.

"Thank you, Shining," Taz says, then proceeds to make his way to the throne room. When he gets in, it's empty except for Celestia, who runs towards Taz with her head down when he closes the door. She then jumps at him, and he catches her and spins her around, the both of them laughing.

"I've missed you so much, uncle!" Celestia says after he puts her down.

"I've missed you, too, Celest," Taz says, kissing her forehead. "I'm sorry i couldn't be there for the wedding,"

"It's alright, uncle. I understand there was the war." Celestia looks down.

"What's wrong, Celest?" Taz asks, lifting her head so their eyes meet.

"Uncle..." She begins to sob. "There's been an attack... Luna's been hurt. Badly," She then breaks down and throws herself at Taz, crying into his shoulder. He hugs her and strokes her mane, muttering soothing words. B ut, inside, he's just as worried as she is. Why would somepony attack Luny? And who in all the kingdoms was it?