Twilight groggily wakes up in her cell, she groans as she opens her eyes. Her whole body ached from the abuse she had taken from the past week. Her stomach growled as she had only been fed morsels every other day. Dried tears have matted the fur on her face. Being locked in the cell has also thrown off her sense of time, she has no idea if its day time, or night time, or even what day it was. She just spends her time chained to the wall, wondering if she is even going to see Celestia's sun ever again. She could hear footsteps approaching her cell, she mentally prepares herself to be hit again, they do every time they visit her. Her cell door opens to see Pierre with a shit eating grin on his face.

"And how is our majesty doing today?" He asks in a teasing tone. Twilight remains silent, not playing in his twisted games. "I asked you a question, if you don't want me to get angry, you will answer me." Said Pierre.

"...Fuck off." She responded. She could see out of the corner of her eyes the grin on his face disappearing and turning into a scowl. He raises his hand to beat her again, Twilight closes her eyes and preps herself. However, he didn't lay a finger on her.

"You are very lucky i'm in a good mood today pony." Said Pierre. He then reaches over and places more chains on her. She looks down at the chains and then at Pierre who places a heavy metal collar on her and attaches the chains to it. Finally, he released her from the chains on the wall. She is given instant relief to not be attached to the wall anymore and can now freely move, or as freely as the other chains will allow her. "Now follow me, I have two more guards with me so if you try to run, we'll kill you. Understand?" Twilight only nodded in response.

Pierre then turns and steps out of the cell with Twilight close behind. As soon as she steps out, she sees two knights waiting for them, each wielding a halberd. Twilight cringes upon seeing the weapon and does as she is told, staying close and following Pierre. Twilight could now see she had been held in a dungeon as she passed multiple rooms where she could hear the groans of prisoners inside. They even pass by a human being stretched on some sort of table or rack. She gasps upon seeing such a devise strictly used for torture. How could anyone make such a device? Eventually, Pierre leads her to a room with a table in the center of the room with two chairs on either end.

"Step in and sit down." Said Pierre. Twilight slowly walked past him till she was in the room. Pierre slams the door behind her causing her to flinch. The sound of Pierre locking the door echoes in the room. Twilight looks at the table and chairs and approaches them, taking a seat in one of the chairs. She stays seated for around 10 minutes before the door starts to unlock again. She looks over at it and watches a human she hasn't seen before walk in. instead of wearing armor, he was wearing a suit. He approaches the opposite seat that Twilight was sitting at and dusts it off. He then takes out a large napkin and places it on the table. Just then a second suited human wheels in a cart into the room. The first human takes a bowl out and puts it on the napkin and starts putting silverware around it. The human opens the cart and then starts filling the bowl with a stew. the smell was intoxicating for Twilight and her stomach growls painfully. She didn't care if there was meat in it, she was so hungry she would choke it down. They finish up by setting down different breads and a bottle of wine. The two humans then step back from the table, but they do not leave. Twilight back at the bowl of food and then back at the two humans.

"...May... May I please have some?" She asked being as polite as she could. The humans do not even acknowledge her presence. "Please...I'm begging you...I'm so hungry..." Twilight continued to plead. Tears formed in her eyes as the sight and smell of the food was almost unbearable to her.

Not too long after however, she sees the one who captured her in the first place enter, Léone. She still had on her helmet as she entered and she elegantly sat down in the chair across from Twilight, the one with food. She takes off her helmet with a sigh as one of the suited humans steps forward and uncorks the wine bottle, pouring her a glass. Léone wastes no time in digging into the bowl of food, making it very clear that she is enjoying it.

"Mmmm... Pot-au-feu, Mon préféré, My favorite." Léone had the look of pleasure on her face, enjoying the meal. Twilight's stomach growls more as she watches Léone eat. Her mouth salivates and she leans in closer. Finally, Léone speaks to her.
"Have you ever tasted human cuisine before Princess Twilight?"

"....No." She replied, her eyes locked on Léone's bowl. Léone then takes a bite of one of the curved fluffy bread rolls in front of her.

"Would you like to?" asked Léone. Twilight's eyes immediately widen as Léone then snaps her fingers. One of the suited humans opened the cart again to reveal a dish, it was circular and almost looked like a pie if it was savory.

"It's a quiche. Made with eggs, cheese, spinach, and onions. Completly vegetarian friendly, and it's all yours Princess." Léone gives her a untrusting smile.

"R-Really?" Twilight asked as she knew this was too good to be true. Looking to Léone with a raised eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

"You really are smart huh Princess? Fine, the catch is I want information." Léone let out a soft chuckle, eating more of her stew.

"What kind of Information? I would have told you anything." Twilight leaned forward, her eyes sad and pleading.

"No you wouldn't have, you wouldn't tell me more about the source of your magic." Léone points her spoon at Twilight.

"I already told you about magic back at the camp." Twilight whined, looking back at the quiche as her stomach drowls painfully.

"You only told me the basics Twilight, I am not stupid. There is something about it you are not telling me." Said Léone. Twilight looks at Léone blankly as she remembers her plan to use magic to conquer the lands. To reveal the secrets of magic to her would be treason, or would it? Twilight smirks and then leans back.

"Fine Léone, I'll play your game. But I'm not speaking until you feed me." Said Twilight.

"Are we negotiating now?" Léone couldn't help but smirk at Twilight. "Very well, Majordome, donne-lui la moitié de la quiche." One of the suited humans lays a plate in front of Twilight while the second uses a knife to cut the quiche in half. He then approaches Twilight and sets it down on her plate. She doesn't even wait for the human to back away before she starts scarfing it down. She was so hungry she didn't care about manners. She finishes it within seconds, and burps in satisfaction. It was delicious, so delicious. She wanted more, she wasn't fully satisfied yet.

"There, I fed you, now talk." Said Léone.

"I'm still hungry, I'm not full." Twilight complained looking to Léone.

"Your stipulation was to feed you, I have. You said nothing about filling you up. Give me the info I want and you can have the rest." Léone spoke sternly. Twilight looks at the other half of the quiche, she licks her lips wanting more. She sighs and looks back at Léone.

"Very well, Listen closely." Said Twilight as Léone leans in closer

"Magic, it's the essence of our world. It funnels out in more ways than one. Every creature, every object, everything has magic dwelling within it. My species, ponies, are able to use magic. Earthponies funnel their magic within themselves to give them unnatural strength and agricultural abilities. Pegasi casts a certain spell to aid them in flight, without it they wouldn't be able to get off the ground. Unicorns are able use their horn to concentrate raw magic. They use it to manipulate the world around them, all thanks to their horn. Alicorns, like myself, are the strongest when it comes to harnessing magic, as we use all three forms of magic. This is why humans will never ever be able to use magic." Twilight lectured as Léone slowly leans back in her seat.

"What do you mean?" Asked Léone.

"You explained to me earlier that humans exposed to raw magic are unable to handle it. Their bodies break down when exposed to it. Magic is not natural to you, or at least you never used it. If I were to guess, your magic has been decreased for the simple fact it was unnecessary for your species. You don't fly, you are already strong, and hands can do what most magic can do. Your magic within you has weakened due to the fact you don't need it or use it at all. If you were able to find a way to grow a horn, or manipulate yourselves to grow a body part that will aid you in funneling magic, there is no way you can use it." Twilight finished with a firm head nod.

"...I see." Léone's voice was soft, and her face void of emotions.

"Yes, your plan was failed from the start." Twilight said sternly. Léone stayed quiet for a moment before standing up.

"Excuse me for a moment." Said Léone. She passes by her servants and whispers in their ears. They bow and then proceed to give Twilight the other half of her meal. This time she eats it with a little more manners, smirking as if she believes she had the one up on her captures. Léone then steps out of the room to meet Pierre waiting on the other side.

"Ma Matriarche, avez-vous obtenu les informations dont vous aviez besoin? (My Matriarch, did you get the information you needed?)" Asked Pierre.

"En effet je l'ai fait. Elle m'a révélé plus que je n'aurais pu espérer. (Indeed I did. She revealed more to me than I could have hoped for.)" Said Léone with a smirk. She then slowly puts her helmet back on and looks back at Pierre. "Demain, tout Patriam sera à nous. (Tomorrow, all Patriam will be ours.)"

By Mid-day, The group was already on the trail leading back to the German king. Feather Quill stayed next to Gerhard as they had been conversing nonstop. Shining Armor stayed back with the other ponies as his guard separated them from the other humans.

"How far are we from the Human capital professor?" Shouted Shining Armor. Feather Quill quickly askes Gerhard who responds to him.

"About a half hour if we take this short cut. Gerhard also says stay close as this shortcut crosses over into a different human kingdom!" Feather Quill shouted back. Shining groaned as he really didn't feel like making any more humans mad and starting another fight.

"Humans... Can't they all just be one kingdom?" Shining disgruntled.

"Awfully funny coming from mister prince of the Crystal Empire." Said Applejack as the others giggle.

"Hey, the Crystal Empire may be its own entity, but we act as if we are one." Shining shot her a glance bakwards. The group continues moving through the back countries of Patriam. The roads were covered in foliage, indicating that they were not traveled as often. They then suddenly come to an abrupt halt as the humans suddenly stop.

"Hey, What's the hold up!?" Shining yelled from the back. When he doesn't get a response he then rolls his eyes and then begins to move to the front. When he gets to Gerhard and Feather Quill, he sees what has stopped them. In front of them are a whole new set of humans, at least 10 of them clad in a different type of armor.

"Che ci fai qui, tedesco? (What are you doing here, German?)" Said one of the Knights. Feather Quill's eyes widen, recognising the language from the other human kingdom.

"What's going on professor, who are they?" Asked Shining Armor in a whisper.

"I think we are in Italia now, he just spoke Italian." Feather Quill whispered back.

"They friendly?" Asked Shining.

"Rispondimi tedesco! Stai sconfinando! (Answer me German! You are trespassing!)" Yelled the Knight.

"I highly doubt it." gulped hard Feather Quill.

"Ich spreche kein Italienisch. (I do not speak Italian.)" Responded Gerhard sternly, not backing down or showing imtimidation.

"Feather Quill do something!" Shining ushured, nudging the professor in the side.

"Out of all the human languages, my Italian is the most imperfect!" Feather Quill responded.

"You have to do something! You are the only one who can translate!" Said Shining as he pushed Feather Quill forward causing him to stumble towards the knight. The Italian knight shifts's his sight towards Feather Quill who looks up at him. Feather Quill shakes a bit as he was a little intimidated.

"Ma stai scherzando? Ci sono anche i pony nella nostra patria!? (Are you kidding me? There are also ponies in our homeland!?)" The Knight yelled, getting more angry.

"Mi dispiace tanto... Veniamo in pace. (I'm so sorry... We come in peace.)" Feather Quill bowed his head, trying to show respect.

"Stai sconfinando! Questo è il Regno d'Italia! (You are trespassing! This is the Kingdom of Italia!)" The Knight then crosses his arms.

"Stiamo solo cercando di tornare in Germania. Non intendevamo fare del male. (We are just trying to go back to Germania. We meant no harm.)" Said Feather Quill. The Knight turns towards his fellow soldiers and begins discussing among themselves.

"Questo è il tuo unico avvertimento, feccia di pony. È meglio che tu e quei cani tedeschi ve ne andiate da qui. Se ti rivedo, ti ammazziamo. Comprendere? (This is your only warning, pony scum. You and those German dogs better get out of here. If I see you again, we'll kill you. Understand?). The growls at them.

"Sì! Grazie! (Yup! Thank you!)" Said Feather Quill. The knight then raises his hand behind him to signify to the others to step aside and let them pass.

"Komm schon, sie lassen uns durch." Feather Quill said to Gerhard before then looking at Shining. "Come on, they're letting us through." The group then silently continues passing the Italian knights as they glare down the group with hate in their eyes. Most of them look unhappy with the group being allowed through. The ponies try to avoid eye contact with them as they pass. Eventually they all get past them without any further incident as they cross back over into Germania. The group walks a bit further as Gerhard looks around, he seems to recognise where he is at. He picks up his pace as he looks back at Feather Quill and Shining.

"Komm schnell, die Hauptstadt liegt gleich hinter dem Hügel." Said Gerhard.

"What did he say?" Asked Shining.

"He wants to come quickly, their capital is just over the hill." Said Feather Quill. Shining Armor ears perk up upon hearing that as he quickened his pace alongside Gerhard as they reached the top of the hill. That's when he sees it, the capital of the Kingdom of Germania. It was a decent size city with a castle directly in the middle. The Castle had massive towers that overlooked the entire city, as humans were going about their day inside the town.

"Das ist die Hauptstadt, Safehaven" Gerhard points to the grand city.

"Wow..." Said Shining, genuinely impressed by the human capital.

"Komm, wir bringen dich zum König. (Come on, we'll take you to the king.) '' Said Gerhard. As he then begins to walk down the hill. The group follows close to him as they walk through the streets towards the castle. Many of the human civilians stare at the ponies intently as many of them have never seen a pony before. This has become very awkward to the ponies as they feel as if they are being paraded. They soon get to the castle as the group is then stopped by two guards wielding giant axes. They quickly block the way inside and look at the group.

"Halt! Wer geht dahin!? (Stop, Who goes there!?)" One of them said in a hefty voice.

"Ich heiße Gerhard. Ich suche eine Audienz bei König Drachenkopf (I am Gerhard. I seek an audience with King Drachenkopf.)" Said Gerhard.

"Du wagst es, diese Kreaturen in Drachenkopf Castle zu bringen!? (You dare bring these creatures into Drachenkopf Castle!?)" Said the second.

"Sie sind vorerst unsere Gefangenen. Der König entscheidet, was mit ihnen geschehen soll. (They are our prisoners for now. The king decides what to do with them.)" Said Gerhard, which causes Feather Quill to quickly shout.

"Prisoners!?" Yelled Feather Quill.

"Vertrau mir. (Trust me.)" Gerhard tried to shush him. The two guards then look at each other for a bit before looking back at Gerhard. They then slowly pull back their axes to allow them to pass through. The group then slowly pass them and quickly go inside the castle. They quickly turn and enter the throne room where a man sat on a throne talking to someone who had a checklist in his hands. The Man on the throne, presumably the king turns his head towards the group that enters. He scowls upon seeing the ponies enter with the humans.

"Mein Lüttich. (My Liege.)" Said Gerhard as he and all the humans bow.

"Wer bist du und warum hast du mir diese ... diese Ponys gebracht? (Who are you and why did you bring me these...these ponies?)" Said the King. The ponies got a good look at him, he looked very young, almost too young for a king.

"Ich heiße Gerhard und ich- (I am Gerhard and I-)" Said Gerhard, before he is then cut off.

"Es ist mir wirklich egal! Was ich wissen möchte, ist, warum es in Germania Ponys gibt! (I really don't care! What I want to know is why there are ponies in Germania!) Yelled the king as he then sat forward.

"He seems like a swell guy." Said Shining sarcastically looking to Feather Quill.

"You insult me equine!?" Said the king in perfect Ponish, shocking all the ponies there

"You speak Ponish?" Asked Feather Quill, looking to the human king in awe. The king looked at him. He had a fire in his eyes, a fire of anger and hatred as he looked upon the ponies.

"Yes I can, and you are to leave my kingdom immediately." Said the King with a wave of his hand.

"We came here for a reason!" Argued Shining.

"A reason I do not care to hear about." Said the King." Now leave on your own terms before I have my guards forcefully kick you out!"

"My name is Prince Shining Armor of the Crystal Empire and I will NOT be forced to turn around from my long journey until I get answers to my questions! You WILL hear us out, and you WILL listen to us!" Demanded Shining stepping forward in defiance. The King then stands up from his throne. Instead of being clothed in white and black like all the other knights, the King wore black and red armor. He wore a long cloak that went down to his calves. He steps forward until he is a few feet away from Shining.

"You will show me respect Pony, while you stand in MY castle!" The King narrowed his eyes.

"Then listen to me. I came a long way to retrieve one thing, then we shall leave you and your kingdom alone." Said Shining. The King took a while to respond.

"...Fine, but make it quick." Said the King. Shining takes a deep breath, as he prepares to tell the king everything.

"As I stated, I am Shining Armor, Prince of the Crystal Empire." Said Shining.

"I am Johannes Drachenkopf, Son of Johann Drachenkopf, King of Germania. You are in our capital, Safehaven" Said Johannes.

"I am merely looking for my sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle. She ventured into these lands not too long ago. She was last seen with an army that had attacked a village near you easternmost borders." Said Shining.

"Your sister was with an attacking army? Do you insult me!?" Johannes began to raise his voice again.

"Excuse me?" asked Shining.

"Your Princess was seen with our enemy, and now you stand before me? Are you trying to seek a Pardon!? You shall receive none! If you are involved in our war I'll slay you where you stand!" Johannes clenches his fist tightly.

"No! That's not... We believe she may have been captured by them. I just want to know how to get to blackstone and save her." Shining explained. The king then seems to calm down by that statement.

"Then you have my condolences." Johannes then turns his back on him.

"What is that supposed to mean!?" Shining huffed and took a step forward.

"If she was captured by Queen Léone Trompeur, then you will never see her again." Said Johannes. That comment left a pit in Shining's stomach. It saddened him but also quite agitated him.

"I want to get her back!" Shining stomped his hoof.

"That's suicide." Johannes quickly turned back towards him. "Blackstone is a fortress of a city."

"Then I'll die trying, I'm not leaving this place without her!" Shining was gritting his teeth, he refused to back down.

"Listen you fool! My armies have been beaten mercilessly by her invading forces! My borders shrink with every attack she leads! She has slain our best warriors... Even my father." Johannes took a threatening step towards shining. "King Johan was killed 6 months ago, making me king before I was even ready. If my father, a battle hardened warrior couldn't defeat her, what makes you think I can!? Your sister cannot be saved! Not by you, and not by Me! Come to peace with this, she might as well be dead." Johannes then turns his back to head back to his throne as Shining stands there as the weight of Johannes's words begin to weigh down on him. Tears of anger and sadness flood his eyes as he begins to grit his teeth harder.

"No!" Shining Shouted, stopping Johannes in his tracks. "I am not giving up because you told me too! I refuse to let Twily sit and die in a foreign land, begging for somepony to save her as I just sit on my flank and mourn! That's not the kind of Pony I am! It may be the kind of man you are, but not me! I am going to try my hardest to save her until I draw my last breath, with or without your help! You won't stop me, your words mean nothing to me! You may see me as a fool, but the one who flat out gives up without trying is the biggest fool in the room, and that fool is YOU!!!" Shining's voice echoes through the throne room, eventually leaving it silent. Slowly, Johannes turns his head back towards Shining, the fire in his eyes now gone.

"You are brave, I will give you that. But my statement stands. She is doomed." Johannes spoke calmly. "If you want my help, you are going to do something for me."

"I will not be an errand pony!" Shining barked back.

"If you do this correctly, then It will benefit both of us. If you want your Princess back, while keeping your life at the same time, then you must do this." Said Johannes. Shining rolls his eyes before responding.

"What is it? It better not be tedious." Shining warned.

"Go to Sanctuary, the capital of the Kingdom of Italia, and speak to their king, Gabriele Santamano. Be my messenger of peace, and convince him to ally with my kingdom." Said Johannes.

"And why would I go all that way to do that for you!?" asked Shining.

"Italia has signed a pact with Gallia to not attack each other. Santamano is a fool, he is unaware that once Trompeur annexes my kingdom, he will be next. Convince him to join my side of the war, and we both can beat Gallia before it conquers all our land. Do this for me, and I will even send an army with you to Blackstone to retrieve your Princess, as we would finally have a fighting chance." Shining perks up upon hearing that. He looks back at his own group for any kind of acknowledgment. All of them nod in agreement, Shining then looks back at Johannes.

"If I do this, then you must swear upon your own life that you will uphold the second half of that statement." Shining remained tense, waiting for his answer.

"On my father's grave I will honor that promise. However, you fail to convince him, you might as well return home." Said Johannes as he sits back upon his throne. "You may rest here for the rest of the day as it will be night soon, and the venture to Sanctuary will take you a whole 8 hours."

"Very well. Thank you." Shining finally began to relax his muscles.

"Steward, zeigen Sie ihnen die Gästezimmer. (Steward, show them the guest rooms.)" Said Johannes to the human standing next to the throne.

"Ja mein Lüttich. (Yes my liege) He said. The Steward then approaches the ponies. "Komm, komm." The Ponies then leave the humans they came with to follow the Steward. They are all led to a hall filled with guest bedrooms. The Guard ponies all bunked together in groups of 3. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie bunked together while Rarity, Spike, and Fluttershy bunked together. Shining then shared a room with Feather Quill. as Feather Quill was getting comfortable, Shining was standing in front of a big window that overlooked the capital Safehaven.

"Well my boy, I must say this has been going swimmingly I must say." Said Feather Quill testing the bed's comfort with his hoof.

"You think this has been a successful trip so far? We haven't accomplished anything yet, except getting ourselves deeper into this Celestia forsaken land." Shining Armor didn't turn, continuing to glare out the window.

"Not true. We have a lead to where Princess Twilight is, and we may have assistance getting her. This is turning out to be better than expected. I mean, I wasn't expecting the king to know Ponish! I guess the nobles are more educated in these lands." Said Feather Quill. Shining remained quiet as Feather Quill rambled. He continued to stare out the window. Feather Quill then slowly approaches him.

"My boy, I know you are worried. But stubbornness won't rescue her faster." Feather Quillplaces his hoof on Shining's withers.

"With each day that passes, I worry more and more. I feel like we are wasting time, I just want to go and rescue her now." Shining slowly looks at him. There was pain in Shining's eyes, not physical pain, but emotional.

"I know. But if the humans of Gallia are as dangerous as King Johannes Drachenkopf said they are, then we are going to need their help." Said Feather Quill. Shining Armor sighs heavily as tears begin to form in his eyes again.

"I know you are worried my boy, but you need to stay strong, strong for yourselves as well as the others. If you break, we all break." Said Feather Quill. "The best thing you can do to make sure we save Princess Twilight faster, is to stay strong. Understand my boy?"

"...yeah, I do. Thank you Professor." Said Shining Armor turning his attntion to back out the window.

"Excellent. Try to relax. I am going to see if the king will provide us with a meal." Said Feather Quill as he then exits the room, leaving Shining still in front of the window. Shining looks up at Luna's moon, and wonders if Twilight is even looking up at the same moon herself.

Author's Note

I know I am focussing a lot on Shining, hold tight as I will focus more on the mane six later on.

Updated on 10/13/2023