Canterlot Academy Trials

The group was led to the parliament building in Abyssinia--a long white complex built around several layers of gates with a massive green garden with many feline topiaries scattered about. Several guards in uniforms--similar to the one that the she-cat escorting the team--could be seen standing around with neutral, flat expressions on their faces.

“...This place is intense,” Rufus muttered as he followed the group while he looked around the garden. “But I guess they’re on high alert after all the reports, huh?”

“Very similar to emperor’s castle back home,” Lee commented as she walked with her back straight and her hands behind her back, “Be professional and careful.”

“...not my kinda style at all,” Spear commented under her breath as the group followed the officer she-cat into the parliament building itself. Her balance was noticeably tripped up by the velvet carpeting of the interior. “Blech…gimme a sandy beach or rocky mountain any day.”

“Yeah I’m with ya,” Rufus added with an uncomfortable shudder as they were led down a hallway that was a bit isolated from all sides, “Places like this are too high-strung for me.”

Fang tried to keep the group in line, “Be that as it may, we need to remain strong and mentally sound if we want to see this through. Stay alert and make sure we’re as presentable as possible for the royal family.”

“Gaah…I hate this part,” Rufus bemoaned as he tried his best to slick the fur on the top of his head back, “But I guess we don’t have much of a choice.”

Soon enough, the guardcat led them into the main office where Luster Dawn’s team had already arrived. Once there, the door was closed and the king and queen of Abyssinia--two black cats with yellow eyes--would begin to inform them all about what had been going on.

“...alright. So it stands to reason that we have a major threat brewing in our midst,” the king--Mau would start first, “We’ve only recently taken Klugetown back under our control thanks to the help of our adopted son.”

“Because of that, we want to keep things as civil as possible,” the queen--Bombay--added, “Hence why we’re asking for outside assistance.”

Luster Dawn had her suspicions confirmed. “...I was honestly wondering why we were here instead of Abyssinians.”

Mau nodded and went on, “We don’t want to alarm the public. We have many of our agents working to keep everything in order throughout the city. But if a war breaks out, then we’ll have no choice but to announce a full-scale lockdown.”

“Something we want to avoid if possible,” Bombay continued, “That’s where you all come in.” She looked at Fang’s team first. “...Mr…Fang, correct?”

“Mhm,” Fang regarded the queen with a nod, “At your service.”

“We need you all to head to Caninia and explain the situation to the queens there. They need to be made aware of what’s happening and it’ll matter more if it comes from one of their own.”

Fang’s eyes shot open for a moment. Not only was this a chance for him to return home, it was also a chance for him to see his family as well. His teammates glanced at him for a moment, wondering if that’s what caused his hesitation, but he quickly shrugged it off in order to answer.

“Of course. That is the best course of action,” Fang replied, “As a Diamond Dog myself, I’m utterly appalled by his actions. I know the Abyssinians are a good people, and I’m sure they’re just as ashamed of him as you are.”

Mau rolled his eyes and folded his arms. “Tch. Don’t even know the half of it, young man. The Abyssinian Civil War already did a number on us nearly a century ago. We don’t need more armed conflict.”

“Now as for you…” the queen spoke towards Luster Dawn and her team sitting on the other side of the office, “We want you to set sail out with some scouts from our Royal Navy in order to potentially intercept this ‘Odu’ individual. We’re still looking for any information we can find on him. For now, we need you to bring him down as he makes his way back from the Serpent City.”

With a confident smirk on her face, Dawn replied with a sense of assuredness. If there was any time to prove that she was more than capable to function without Princess Twilight’s teachings, it was now.

“Yes Your Majesty,” the unicorn mare replied, “I--er, my team and I will do everything in my power to ensure that we come out on top and bring this criminal to justice.”

The rest of her teammates nodded in agreement, and Professor Hassium would add, “Of course. I’ll lead them to make sure they all work together properly. Abyssinia is too valuable as an ally to ignore.”

The king would continue, “Alright…with that in mind, meet with our son near the port. Whenever you all are ready, move out immediately.”