Verve

General Falon clicked his tongue at the edge of the clearing, sharing a gaze with his new companion; Glimmergale. The little breezie nodded and chattered in faespeak, before begrudgingly fluttering down into a tiny winter iron pouch on the backside of his feyglass hood.

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings lazily by his side, as King Aster sprung up from the bushes; dozens more deer soon to follow. The highest ranks, of course, as the Thicket Battalion’s Leader slid back the leaves of a large fern to gaze at the frozen waterfall in the far distance; the fireflies around them marking the edge of White Tail Wood’s Feywilds.

“I don think ye rightly know what yer doin’!” Seabreeze whispered hoarsely to several of the other breezies, using King Aster’s branch-like antlers as a base of operations. “Ya can’t just split off from ‘em deer and think they’ll be fine! Stick with yer partner! Shoo! Scram! It’s this or freezin ya right tookus off! And don’t ya dare let me catch ye flappin’ them gums or stretching ye wings when we get roight up there! If the ponies catch on, yer all dead! Ya hear me?”

The annoyed breezies shared angry glares with their leader, speaking amongst themselves in their unique language. King Aster couldn’t help but share a quiet laugh.

“It’s no fun leading a nation, Seabreeze. I think we can both agree.”

“Agree?! Ya darn frolickin’ cloven hoof baskets couldn’t have found us sooner?! Breezies need the Feywild, too! We can’t stand the freezing snow and chill of winter! If that Rainbow didn’t show their snout I’d be pure foamin’ lookin’ for gravesites! Bu’ carry on, ya walkin’ tree branch.”

Aster really didn’t know if Seabreeze was thankful, or mad. Probably both. The little breezie quickly settled inside the King’s own small nook, the tiny insulated home designed to keep them safe - and out of the eyes of prying ponies. By now, they were stepping on snow and dead leaf both, as the trees above had started to shed their once green bounties. A very bad sign; they may have trouble recovering once this cursed night is over, or outright die from the deep chill.

“Drink.” A roaming deer offered the king, bowing his head. A small flagon of coffee, mixed with a potent cocktail of herbs to keep even the most lazy buck awake soon graced the king’s now armored hoof. He sighed, lowering his ears. Only a few select deer had a taste for the stuff, as the potent flavor was often rough on the tongue. Thus, it was hardly served at his table.

Regardless, whatever Vee’s ingredient list did to it would probably make it worse. He pinched his nose with a small flash of magic, and took a sip. Then a gulp. Actually, he downed well over half the mug in seconds, quite satisfied with the robust flavors.

“I expected far, far worse.” The gold flecked buck cocked an eyebrow in confusion, quite delighted with the taste. Instantly, he perked up - a shiver running up his spine as tingling energy shot through his body.

“Ay ya bloody root, share!” Seabreeze squeaked, fluttering out of his hidey hole to rest by the rim. All around, the dozens of wartime deer also had more than their fair share of little breezies sipping from their mugs; a few doe even giving adorable ‘d’awws’ at the sight.

The king marbled quietly, as he tilted the mug to reach Seabreeze’s lips. Of course, the tiny pixie gave a pleased groan, sipping a few drops up in seconds. By the time he had his fill, he looked plump with the drink, and definitely wouldn’t be sleeping for the next few twilight eves. Or… moonlight eves.

King Aster finished his mug quickly, as many flagons were soon left abandoned on the snowy floor. The wooden cups could be retrieved later - and it hardly mattered if they left clear signs of trespass. The battle was now. And there was hardly any more time to waste.

“Once we pass these fireflies, we’ll know for sure if this pony nonsense is fatal or not,” a Lavender flowered buck said, holding his chin high. Both General Falon and King Aster’s eyes fell on the buck with annoyance, and for once, the King decided not to let this transgression go unheeded.

“Senator Lavendale, your cynicism has been a sting at the Circlet for decades. You forget what we’re fighting for. It’s not just the Fey, but the entirety of Equis - and our very souls. Without our aid, toxic magic or not - the Princess and her companions will die, and so will we. I trust Vee’s judgement like I would trust your words - not because I want to, but because I have no other choice. Now, learn your place. In this struggle, we are all a team. And every part of this team must function as a singular unit.” Aster loomed over the smaller buck, his eyes picking the Senator apart.

“When did you grow antlers, King Aster?” Lavendale spat, “why don’t you cower, like that pathetic Princess said? Are you trying to prove you’re capable of leading? Is this mock determination nothing more than a ruse to have us killed? Or are you simply foolhardy enough to take these ponies for their word?”

“Actually - no. I have a clear understanding of pony and deer intentions, Lavendale. And I think it’s time I challenge you on yours. General Falon - raise your amulet.” Aster nodded to his military leader, who curiously lifted the small bronze and emerald Dream Catcher amulet from his chest. Enchanted to prevent pony death.

King Aster lifted his, as well. He nodded to another buck, as several more necklaces raised up to meet his eyes.

“Well, Senator Lavendale? Are you joining this battle to save the world? Or are you after petty revenge? Did you think I wouldn’t spot the missing chain from your neck, especially when you challenge me at every step of our trails?”

King Aster needed to say no more, as twelve bows raised to meet the traitor’s antlers.

“We have no time for ceremony or trial. Instead, let’s see how deep your foul mind has plotted for this endeavor. Any buck not wearing an amulet to prevent bloodshed is intent on taking innocent lives for no other cause than petty hatred, and are both unfit for the battlefield - and my courtrooms. I accuse you, Senator Lavendale, of high treason - an attempt to not just undermine my leadership, but to also end the very existence of both Silversun and Equis, as we know it.”

A quiet stir of voices soon reached their ears, as the news passed on beyond the branches and bushes - as other deer were soon checked for their enchanted amulet.

“Very well then, Aster. If you do not see the might we carry, then so be it.” In a flash of Lavendale’s hoof, he attempted to fire his grappling hook at the King - but Rainbow Dash was leagues ahead of him. Instantly, her wings flashed - empty mug tumbling to the floor as her powerful hindleg crashed right into the traitor’s snout - several arrows whizzing right past her, and into the trees among them.

“Haha! I knew you were bad news; I can smell disloyalty miles away.” Rainbow Dash beamed, standing on top of the dazed bucks chest - polishing her hoof proudly. “Y’know, Element of Loyalty? Second in charge of the Wonderbolts? And totally awesome?”

King Aster didn’t even flinch from the entire charade, as loyal bucks quickly swarmed in - Rainbow Dash flapping her wings proudly back to King Aster’s side.

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash. You did a noble thing.” The gold-flecked buck bowed, sharing a small smile with her. “You prevented a death here. Had the arrows landed, the Entity could thrive off of his death - and any who share his ideals, who would inevitably fight against us.”

Rainbow Dash puffed her chest, “Don’t mention it, King! Well, actually - do mention it. I won’t say no to a trophy or medal, either.”

She chuckled quietly to herself, as no less than two dozen vine bound bucks were dragged forward through the brush, all from the Lavender Battalion. King Aster sighed, shaking his head.

“Now we need to devote resources to bring these traitors to court - we hardly even have the cell space for all of them.” Aster rubbed his quickly forming migraine, before turning a glare to settle on Lavendale.

“Falon, find twice the loyal soldiers to cart him to jail. And before I forget - bind his mouth shut. I don’t want him convincing others to defect to his cause, either. Oh, and before I forget…”

King Aster gave a short whistle - Seabreeze’s snout appearing from his comfy little sanctuary behind the King’s helm.

“Ay ya tree branch, I’m tryin’ to get this book - oho! Some nasty bucks flappin’ their gums, ay?” Immediately, the little breezie flew out into the cold, landing right on the regal king’s nose. He wiggled his snout adorably, as the breezie fluttered forward to give him some space.

“Seabreeze, see to it that these traitors go without companions.”

“A cut in thar contracts, ay? Hoho~! Don’t they know tha ya can’t get a second? One contract per soul! That’s the rules! Even if all we as’ is for some foamin’ fire and warmth. Alroight! Ya chatterin’ nutters, break it up!”

Dozens of the little breezies hiding in their safe pouches sprung up, squeaking in Faespeak over the discomfort of the cold. The loyal bucks quickly detached the lil’ homes from the traitors - passing the winter iron pouches into a pile. General Falon nodded to a doe, who gave an adorable bleat - scooping the little breezie holsters up to rest on the side of her armor.

“Come on, you little cuties! We’re going back to the Castle!~” she cheered, as no less than four dozen hoof-picked bucks roughly roped down their prisoners - and trotted back along the woods. The tiny pixies cheered at their good fortune, and all quickly settled in their little homes for the time being.

“If the Feywilds fall, King Aster - it’s very likely that those bucks will die in their cells,” General Falon offered his advice, “Will you accept that responsibility?”

“Perhaps they’ll realize the error of their ways if it comes to that; but yes. We’re lucky there’s enough Breezie magic to sustain all deer sheltered under our boughs, as is. I had known Lavendale to always stand against me; but I didn’t realize it was to this extent, until he tilted his chin up. His pride was quite honestly his downfall; I wouldn’t have spotted his barren neck otherwise.”

King Aster shook his head, as the last of the drink was finished among his bucks. “Steel yourselves, all of you - this is the first time in millenia White Tails have entered the Prime, and it may very well be the last. Falon, at your command.”

The General bowed, clicking his tongue - “Vines out. With haste!”

The travel gear flashed in a flurry of hundreds of enchanted bracers; the deer launching themselves in momentum carrying gallant leaps across the forest floor. Bounding the distance in seconds, they crashed into the frozen clearing and through the faded barrier of the fey; fresh, freezing air stinging their lungs.

Yet none felt sick, even as no less than hundreds of deer bolted over dozens of stationed guards.

They didn’t expect this - but neither did the ponies, as bucks a plenty spun in the air and launched volleys to crash into the Managem Mine defenders. Instantly, dozens of spirits sprung up as tents were pincushioned in a blaze of unbridled forest ferocity.

General Falon landed with an elegant stride, as a few of the lucky armored pegasi that escaped the first volley darted for the air - shooting up high to alert the others of an invasion. Several vine hooks caught them by the legs and wings - ripping them back down to crash into the frozen river pool at the base of the iced falls. They, too, were nothing more than target practice for the elite warriors, their spirits flapping in terror on the ice - yet safe from harm.

“Lanterns! We move into the black of pitch!” Falon called, as dozens of lanterns sprung flames upon the deer’s sides - galloping towards the side path of the frozen falls. They were now in the Prime’s flow of time, and hardly had a chance to breathe or think - only move.

The troops funneled in quickly behind, as Aster and Falon led them along a short path in the cliff’s side - and just as Celestia described, lay a tunnel behind the falls.

“Why is there always a secret grotto behind waterfalls?” General Falon questioned, as King Aster gave his knowledge on the matter.

“Oftentimes, they’re naturally formed - aquifers are filled with shifting and churning stone, and they may block or seal in old paths in favor of new ones; this may have just been a babbling brook at one point. It’s likely that these mines were formed in ages long ago, through nutrient rich waters that led to the formation of crystals.”

“...I did not expect an answer, but thank you,” Falon stated, as they darted into the stony earth. Barreling upwards into the mountain, he and his bucks quickly followed the advice given to them; left, left, right. And vast progress was made in minutes.

“It simply reminds me of an old waterfall, near the old Autumn Courts. Our kin stopped there, once before - on our journey east.”

From that point on, the rest of the journey was made in relative silence; only the unrestrained hoof falls of the cloven deer filling the silence, as Falon ignored another sign pointing right - and instead went left, along three sets of rails.

“Here! The elevator, right -”

A chain from far above crashed and rattled along the chamber with haunting echoes, just as they arrived. A pegasus’s voice laughed in the dim moonlight, unable to spot the now hundreds of deer eyes down far below, prowling in the dark. Illuminated by the faint gleam of their lanterns.

“...Does he really think that’s an obstacle?” Falon raised an eyebrow, as he lifted his bracered hoof on his right wrist. Many other deer chuckled quietly to themselves, doing much the same - this was common gear to White Tail soldiers. Rainbow Dash gave a mock yawn in response, flapping under the long elevator shaft in boredom.

“...I’ll wait on top for you guy-”

Fwoosh! Falon, Aster, and several other deer launched their vines into the first section of support beams, springing with vast agility up along the tunnel with ease. As they went, they stripped their gleaming lanterns - leaving golden light shimmering up the tunnel, illuminating the gems around and filling the passage with light.

“Hey! Wait! I’m supposed to be the fast - ugh, nevermind.” Dash rolled her eyes, her brass necklace rattling as she shot up high into the air - blazing past the deer as they climbed with ease. Several hundred hooves of distance fell between her, and the slowly clamoring lights far below - as she settled up top to wait.

Here, a short tunnel with old minecart rails broke off into multiple closed off caverns, leading a short way into the open Throne Room. Rainbow Dash gave a curious look around past the dias, spotting the massive remains of Tempest’s old airship cluttering the marble tiles. A giant hole fitted in the roof, and just through it - Dash could spot flashes of light.

She watched the show, as Princess Celestia occasionally swatted her Halberd at Nightmare Moon with ferocity, before falling back out of the massive lunar blade’s reach. Each time, Nightmare Moon only got more upset - attacking with wild abandon. Was… Was Celestia toying with her?

Right. She was distracting Nightmare Moon. Maybe she could help? No - stick to the plan. Maybe…

“Ugh, waiting is boring. Can’t they move their flanks any faster? This is taking too long! I should be out there, kicking flank! Not… sitting around, waiting for some deer to scramble up a ledge!”

“I know, it’s terrible Rainbow Dash. We’re not as vertically inclined as you,” General Falon said, quietly entering the throne room behind her.

“Exactly! They’re - AH!” She bolted up into the air, Falon shushing her quickly as he scanned over the rubble surrounding them. Deeming it safe, dozens of his highest elite soon joined him - followed by the King himself.

“The moment we open that door, we could be either setting pleasant eyes on our allies, or gazing upon a herd of pony soldiers. I need at least a hundred sets of antlers to form a line, and I won’t have that for a few more moments.” General Falon inspected the throne room further, grimacing at the… not so amazing decor.

“The stained glass is… acceptable, but who would install metal bars across its majesty?” He frowned; at least it prevented unwanted intruders flooding in. But in that same light, this entire room was a cage; if it weren’t for the massive hole from the crashed remnants of the ship, they would be trapped here.

“The decor is… definitely in need of an update.” King Aster frowned; how could a pony live like this? Stark white, boring drab, dull colors… the Princess was right. She really did need to do some remodeling.

“How can you be talking about something as boring as this right now?! We should be out there, fighting!”

“And we will be, in… five, four, three, two…”

Several dozen bucks were soon counted in the throne room, General Falon giving a single nod and a hoof forward.

“For the Fey, for the Land, for the King and Court!”

The deer roared in a battle cry, gallantly pummeling their hooves forward in a mighty dash for the entry hall’s closed door - Rainbow Dash joining them with a flash of her tail - crashing through the massive obstacles with all of her might.