The wedding court was a strange experience. It almost felt normal. Having courtiers show up and address Sombra wasn’t much different from when Twilight used to sit next to Celestia during the early days of her ascension. The biggest change was the general attitude of the courtiers.

They groveled. Every delegation was downright servile towards Sombra, unlike the ones that had approached Celestia, or later Twilight herself. They all had gifts to “celebrate” the wedding. Most brought jewels and clothes, some for her and some for Sombra. A few had the gall to bring their daughters, Sombra’s appetite for mares being well known. They’d offered them as castle servants, but everyone present knew what they meant.

Twilight wanted to be disgusted by it, but she couldn’t bring herself to care. It was just a new, more terrible, form of nobles sacrificing others for their benefit. They all wanted something; no one would risk Sombra’s attention for no reason. Their hopes ranged from a place in his court, to a piece of land to work, or maybe simple leniency when they next failed to follow the tariff laws. Not all of them said what they desired, but they all made sure their names were recorded. She almost found it amusing that they thought Sombra would care.

Twilight at least somewhat respected the few poor ponies who offered their adult children in the hopes of getting them a better life as a “castle servant”. They had found a utilitarian purpose in the otherwise pointless wedding court ruse. Sombra didn’t seem to mind even comely attendants, he accepted all gifts with a hungry smile.

She didn’t bother to guess at what he planned to do with them. If they were lucky, he’d sample them once and then they’d become actual castle servants of some fashion. The few he fancied might find themselves in a more permanent position as a royal concubine. The unluckiest would find themselves joining his guard, willingly or otherwise.

She shivered, wondering if the nobles truly knew and understood what fate they were chancing for their offspring. She wondered if ponies had always been this cold-hearted, or if this was the inevitable rot of Sombra’s rule. At least many of the gifts of gems and jewelry were ostensibly for her. One pony had even brought a book, a first edition of their novel. She was legitimately excited about that one, and had almost cracked a true smile in a moment of eager excitement. Most had awkwardly ignored her, congratulating Sombra on his marriage. At least none had offered her a stallion, yet, but she was sure it was only a matter of time.

Twilight mused on that. Would Sombra be amused or angry when it happened? Would she accept the gift? Could she even turn it down? Sombra hadn’t denied anything yet, and Twilight had found no reason to. She’d only offered a quiet “Thank you,” for all and a polite smile if she actually appreciated the gift.

More strangely, she’d recognized more ponies than she was comfortable with. At least none of her close friends had attended the wedding court. A few more empathetic ponies had tried to surreptitiously offer her some sort of apology or condolence for the situation. She wasn’t sure how to handle that. Sombra hadn’t seemed to care, so she’d just smiled sadly back, refusing to acknowledge what they were implying.

Even if they were utterly and entirely correct in their assumptions.

The court passed without event, each moment bleeding into the next. A least it did until the last delegation. They were griffins from Griffinstone, with someone that Twilight recognized. A proper griffin diplomat from back when she had ruled, with a full entourage. The observation caused her to worry—Griffinstone diplomacy was nothing like Equestrian diplomacy.

“King Sombra, we thank you for inviting us to your opulent wedding.” The griffons bowed.

Sombra raised an eyebrow and smiled, and Twilight knew him well enough to recognize confusion and interest. She quickly realized that he hadn’t invited them, but now he intended to play with them.

“You’re very welcome. Might I ask what you brought for a wedding gift?”

Twilight grit her teeth, watching the griffin intently. Griffins didn’t bring gifts, and Sombra likely knew that.

“King, we have brought our presence. In Griffinstone, it is custom for the wed to provide their guests with gifts.”

Twilight paled. They couldn’t be this stupid. Griffins were greedy, but Sombra had ruled with an iron hoof for over a decade now. Surely they knew how disastrous this would end.

The griffin looked hopefully towards Twilight while Sombra thought.

She wondered if they had intended to deal with her, thinking the marriage meant that old Equestian diplomacy was back on the table. The old bird in charge was experienced, but he was certainly greedy enough to try if he thought he was dealing with Twilight. She hadn’t thought he’d been greedy enough to risk his life, but clearly she’d miscalculated.

Sombra’s voice was dripping with amusement, causing Twilight’s hair to stand on end. “And what gift would be appropriate for the wedding of a King and a Queen?”

The diplomat looked between the two, then seemingly shrugged and focused on Sombra when he realized that Twilight was not going to say anything. “There is a little mountain towards the south that hardly any ponies live on at all. It would be the perfect site for an aerie. Perhaps a small gift of land?”

Twilight blanched. He’d tried to negotiate that parcel in the past. Farmers dotted the side, and it would be an excellent military foothold. The mountain also shielded some of their lands from the more wild parts of the dragon lands.

Sombra laughed, uproariously. “And here I thought you were about to ask for a night with my wife. I might have given you that.”

Twilight shivered, glaring at him with visible loathing as the room grew silent. He was laughing, but clearly hadn’t been joking. Ponies and delegates turned to look at her, staring, as Sombra continued to cackle. She found herself grateful that the griffins had come last. Some of the nobles were certainly regretting their requests right now.

The griffons whispered to each other, seemingly confused.

Sombra’s laughing dwindled, and then he glared. “Enough. Begone, your gift is your lives.”

The diplomat grew concerned. “So you are… turning us away with empty claws?”

Twilight’s ears perked up, and her loathing was replaced sheer panic. Sombra was about to say something when Twilight decided to speak.

“We offer honor.” She stood up, turning frantically between Sombra and the griffins.

The griffin visibly relaxed, and Sombra looked at her curiously. She continued, desperately channeling her old role as Princess. “The gift is a duel of honor. Your champion against ours, and the winner may claim the mountain.”

Silently, Twilight prayed Sombra would accept it. The griffin diplomat cocked his head hopefully. “That is a generous offer, Queen. A duel of honor would be a perfect gift, even lost.”

Sombra eyed Twilight with interest. “If the Queen wishes, then it is so. Although she best not disappoint me.”

The delegate prodded one of his soldiers, pushing him forward. “This is our greatest knight. A hero who’s fought many battles, and many foes. His honor is impeccable. Who shall be your champion?”

Twilight recognized the soldier, and her heart dropped. He was a terrifying fighter, and had on occasion won duels between her and the griffons in the past. She didn’t know Sombra’s guards, or even what their titles were. The uncomfortable realization that the odds were uncharacteristically in the Griffin’s favor washed over her with a slow dread.

When she’d ruled, she’d known her guards inside and out, and could pick one to win or lose as appropriate. Rainbow had always been good in a fight, and was technically a royal guard. Maybe she should call for Rainbow? The thought of using her friend like a pawn as their first interaction in ten years sickened her.

Twilight’s eyes danced between the guards present. None looked particularly stand out, and quite a few seemed vacant eyed and slack with signs of Sombra’s influence.

Sombra interrupted her panicked searching. “My Queen, You seem confused. I was clear, was I not? You best not disappoint me. You will be my champion.”

Twilight stared at him in shock.

The griffons seemed concerned, muttering to each other quickly before the ambassador spoke up. “Pardon, oh King, but we can’t fight an alicorn. They wield the magic of the world. Our loss is guaranteed, and there is no honor in such a duel.”

Sombra sneered, obviously amused. “She’s bereft of magic and flight. Beaten, plundered, and laid low by my power. Are you so scared of my crippled bride that you’d tuck tail and run? Do you dare sully my court with such cowardice?”

Twilight shook as she stepped forward, once more unbuttoning a dress for the monster. She had to do it, somehow. Last night the rules had changed, and if she didn’t play Sombra’s new and horrid game then all of Equestria and now Griffinstone would suffer. A few mindless attendants came to her, carefully stripping her of the wedding dress.

She wondered if Sombra was truly surprised by this turn of events, or was familiar with the concept of griffin duels. Had he known this would happen the moment he saw the griffin delegates? Twilight had oversaw more than her share of duels with the griffins. Usually it was a token effort, something that allowed the griffins to save face when their request was denied. If it was something serious, they’d fight to the death, but Twilight had never let it get that far. Celestia had warned her about that.

She’d offered the duel on reflex, knowing the ritual importance and that sending the ambassador home with nothing at all would lead to war, quickly. War was not something she was willing to risk, though perhaps Sombra was. It would be a massacre. The griffons would die quick bloody deaths either by his army or at his hooves. He’d probably enjoy it.

She had always had incredibly capable royal guards to win her battles when she needed, so it hadn’t occurred to her to ask. Briefly, she wondered if she should have stayed quiet and let the war happen. It wouldn’t have been her fault.

But she had the power to stop it. Twilight glanced at Sombra and glared angrily. That revelation was more than enough to inform her. He had planned this. Maybe he’d even ensorceled one or more of the diplomat’s entourage to goad the old fool along. This was another of his lessons. He was trying to teach her something again, but she hadn’t figured out what.

Angrily, she stepped towards the champion. She knew how to start a griffin duel, and so she did even as she fumed at Sombra’s carelessly dangerous mischief. “For honor and pride, we fight. Be it horn or hoof, I am Equestria.”

The griffon grunted, acknowledging her opening. “For riches beyond measure, we bargain. Be it claws or beak, I am Griffinstone.”

Twilight frowned at his introduction. That wasn’t the griffin she knew. He had never before fought for money, and preferred a weapon. She supposed the world had changed, but it bothered her how much and how little at the same time. Crossly, she wished it were entirely different. A world without griffon duels or without courts would be nice. This was too familiar and yet too wrong. She shouldn’t be in the duel. She should be watching.

The duel had started, and the griffin circled Twilight, looking for an opening. She waited, watching it as her ire grew.

This situation was a disaster, and she was keenly aware that it was going to get worse. The griffin was a highly trained soldier, one of the best she’d seen, and all she had was her earth pony strength. Twilight could beat him in a grapple, but he’d have to be dumb enough to get close without slicing her open. She knew this one wasn’t.

The griffin kept a stone cold face, focusing on the duel. Did Sombra expect her to fight to the death? That was unlikely. If anything, she’d have to surrender for the griffin to win, and she briefly considered it. If Griffinstone had a legitimate claim on Equestrian lands… no. Sombra wouldn’t allow it.

First he’d punish her for failing, and then punish the griffons for this idiocy. The first to die would be this delegation. Maybe he’d keep one as a pet. Twilight couldn’t allow that. She had to win. Swallowing her frustration, she tried an appeal to the griiffon’s heart.

“Please surrender. The King is far more capable than I, and his wrath is something to be feared. Your honor has been met.”

The griffon crouched, and his answer was quiet and determined. “You know I cannot surrender, Princess.”

Twilight winced as he spoke, almost feeling pain from the respect in his voice. How dare he still call her that? She didn’t deserve the title anymore, and certainly not his respect. At least the title of Queen was tainted with Sombra’s influence, as she was.

“I’m a Queen now.”

The griffon’s muscles’ tensed, preparing to lunge. “I am aware, Princess.”

Twilight’s anger flared as he pounced, baring his claws. The griffon’s attack was quick and determined, a straightforward lunge with his claws extended. She couldn’t block him with her forelegs without them getting shredded to ribbons, and she was too slow to dodge completely. At best she’d escape with a slash across her sides, at worst he’d sever some tendons.

He wasn’t aiming to kill her, only to maim her. She could use that. Twilight twisted, throwing her throat into the path of his claws. Hopefully she was wrong and he’d kill her. The thought almost made her giddy, imagining Sombra’s face as she bled out on the throne room floor.

Unfortunately, she’d been right and the griffon curled his claws into balled fists at the last moment. This left him close enough for her to grab as he slammed into her. The impact would have at least dazed and confused a normal pony, but Twilight had been beaten and slammed in fights more times than she could count, and her alicorn constitution kept her coherent.

She wrapped her forelegs around his chest, not caring about her unprotected neck. It was a terrible way to fight; he could kill her at any time with his beak. He hadn’t been prepared for the completely suicidal attack on her part, and didn’t seem to have a plan to counter it. He obviously hadn’t been planning on killing her.

His loss. She squeezed the griffon tight, crunching his chest in the process and making him squawk out in pain. Coldly, she dropped the crippled griffin on the floor, and watched to see if he moved to get up.

He didn’t.

Sombra chuckled at the spectacle, and addressed the Griffin diplomat. “It’s Equestria’s win. Our crippled queen has won, as expected. I assume the matter is settled?”

The diplomat looked flustered and confused at how fast the duel was over, and how poorly his soldier had fared. He glanced a panicked look at Twilight, then sighed. “I… we shall honor the agreement, King.”

Sombra sneered. “Excellent. Take your soldier and leave with your lives. I am in an excellent mood tonight.”

Twilight spoke up, almost absentmindedly as she stared at the downed griffin. “My King, I request to take care of their soldier.”

Sombra laughed, his eyes dancing in amusement. “Has the soldier caught your fancy, My Queen? Take what you want, if you can. I have plenty of toys to entertain me tonight. I’ll not deny you your own plaything.”

The diplomat frowned, distaste on his beak. “I cannot allow you to take a soldier of Griffinstone.”

Twilight sighed, looking at the diplomat sadly. “And I’m afraid I can’t let you take one of my royal guards. Gallus needs to be treated immediately, and unless the King has been doing paperwork behind my back, he has yet to be properly discharged from my personal service.”

Author's Note

Do you have any idea what you've done?