I wake up with a big stretch and yawn. The rest of the evening was uneventful, but I did get a few guards who decided to join me for training. That was surprising. Now that I’m fully rested first things first, I grab the Moonblade and cast Haste, storing it into the blade for later. Walking outside I’m surprised to see the roof and table is fully repaired. I assume the demonstration they asked for will be the first thing we do today.

Once I’m fully awake I’m reminded of what Luna and I talked about before I retired for the night. If their demands aren’t too outlandish then we should just temporarily bend the knee. Once she gave me a proper breakdown of our current position I realized how precarious of a spot we’re in. If I were to be expelled from the group for refusing their demands then they can just redo the vote for Luna's trial. Since Draconia was listed on the original complaint their vote would still count despite not having a representative here, because they still had a seat at the table.

If this had been a week ago I’d give them the middle figure and tell them to eat shit, but now I can’t help but think of the cascading consequences. Luna going to trial could cause this entire alliance to fall apart, the hypothetical conflict with the dragons would evolve into a full on world war. That would be an absolute waste of lives for no good reason. At the end of the day it’s not even up to me, Luna would be the one to nullify the oath. Ah well that’s enough worrying for one morning, let’s go get breakfast.

One nutritional start to the day later and we’re all gathered around the table once again. As expected the demonstration is the first thing on the agenda. “Before I start I just want you all to understand yesterday I wasn’t using the bladesong and was instead affected by a Haste spell. You all have Haste here right?” After a quick explanation of the spell Celestia gives me a nod. “Cool, so I’m not using Haste today because it’s a taxing spell and this is meant to be a demonstration for the bladesong alone. All the bladesong is going to do is make me slightly faster, increase my evasiveness, and solidify my concentration. I’d honestly say it’s weaker than Haste.”

For the first time since the vote against Luna yesterday, the lead Doe from Ciervana speaks up. “However, you can perform the bladesong while hastened, yes?”

“Correct. I’m just giving you all clear expectations cause I suspect atleast one of you is going to accuse me of sandbagging the demonstration. How am I doing this? Do we have a wooden dummy or am I sparring against someone?”

To my utter astonishment, Celestia rises fully decked out in golden armor with a massive battle axe in her telekinesis field. “You’ll be sparring against me. I do recommend using everything you have though.”

“My spellcasting resources are quite limited and I don’t want to end up in a situation like yesterday where I’m completely drained for the entire day. If more representatives from Draconia arrive today I’d rather be fully capable.”

“Oh, Ignis, I’m not ordering you to do anything. Only Luna can do that, but I’m just warning you that it’s in your best interest to not hold back.”

Wisdom Saving Throw.

12 + 5 = 17.

The presence she’s releasing now is so much different than anything I’ve felt so far. It feels like the entire sky is weighing down on my shoulders, even with the roof in place it feels like I’m back out in the desert. Judging by the looks on everyone else's face they’re certainly feeling it just as much as I am. I guess no one will think she’s going easy on me this way.

Honestly I hate that I’m wasting spell slots on this. I refuse to use anything other than Shield though. Wasting my high level smites here would be a waste of time, I’m not even sure if Radiant damage does anything to her. Something in my gut tells me that she’s resistant at the very least.

I unsheathe the Moonblade and hold it in front of me. I close my eyes and begin channeling the Bladesong. Once I open my eyes I’m greeted to the familiar motes of light wisping around me, but the song is a new one. It’s slow and sad sounding notes being played individually on a piano. It’s very reminiscent of something I heard in my life as a human but I can’t quite place it.

Next I decide to go ahead and use the Haste I put in the sword this morning, I verbally shout out “Festinatio!” As the haste and bladesong begin to intermingle the slow flowing motes of light speed up significantly.

AC: 25. Speed: 80ft.

Roll for Initiative.

4 + 5 = 9. Well that blows.

Instantly her battle axe disappears. After a quick scan around and behind me I don’t see it, but I look up just in time to jump backwards and avoid the thing trying to cleave me in two. Before I can even land on the ground the axe has rotated and is making a swing for my torso, at the same time Celestia herself is sprinting at me.

I try to twist my body around in the air to avoid the axe a second time, but I can tell I’m too slow. “Shield!” AC: 30.

The golden battle axe bounces off my shield and I realize Celestia is nowhere to be seen. As I land on the ground I spin around just in time to see two rear hooves rapidly approaching my head. I start to lean back trying to duck under them as they completely shatter the shield. Right as I think I’ve dodged it her hooves speed up just a bit more and just barely nick the top of my forehead with her horseshoe.

Strength Saving Throw.

7 + 1 = 8.

Even though she just barely scraped my head at the end of her kick it’s still enough force to suddenly launch me back 10ft sliding into the wasteland soil.

-21, Glancing blow, -11. Hit Points: 46/57.

As I right myself into a proper stance I feel something dripping off my chin. It would seem I’m bleeding. I take off towards Celestia and prepare myself to go for a flurry of strikes. I’m hoping I can just simply overwhelm the speed of her telekinesis controlled weapon.

14 + 10 = 24.

My first slash is pushed to the side by her axe and I’m almost too stunned to launch my follow up swings. That missed? Holy shit, she must’ve let herself lose to Nightmare. Before I give up too much time I instantly chain together another slash from the opposite side.

18 + 10 = 28. Shit I should’ve used booming blade here instead of saving it.

The golden battle axe attempts to intercept my blade again, but the attack has come too quickly. I slip right under the axe and give her a slash right beside the golden petryal.

7 + 6 + 7 = 20 Slashing damage.

The vertical slash begins right next to the petryal and ends a couple of inches into her foreleg. Maintaining my momentum I go from diagonally in front of her to completely beside her as I let loose another slash, with Booming Blade added on.

15 + 10 = 25.

She lowers herself just a bit and causes my blade to hit her armor running along the top half of her barrel. After I’m about 60% through the swing I manage to lower the blade just enough to give a shallow cut along her side.

2 + 2 + 5 + 7 = 16 Damage, glancing blow, 8 Damage.

Clicking my tongue in annoyance I go for my final slash, it’s a vertical slash going up.

9 + 10 = 19.

Her legs were already slightly bent from attempting to deflect my last attack allowing her to quickly jump to the side, dodging the final slash completely. She rotates in the air with a half flap of her wing and is facing me again.

Her axe starts rotating in the air as she charges her horn. The weapon is spinning straight towards me as the alicorn lowers her head and points her horn at me, is she about to hit me with a beam of magic the same instant the axe hits me? My face lights up in panic as I quickly raise my sword in an attempt to push back against the battle axe, but just before anything makes contact we’re interrupted. “Stop! We’ve seen enough!”

The axe disappears from thin air and Celestia gives me a soft smile, “Honestly you did better than I expected. Superb maneuvers, Ignis.”

I put the Moonblade back in its scabbard and stop the Bladesong. I also instruct the blade to stop concentrating on the Haste spell. As soon as the Haste ends I’m suddenly very dizzy as I drop down to 1 knee while clutching my head with my hands. Usually the lethargy aftereffect from Haste doesn’t hit me this hard. Did that horse give me a concussion?!

Celestia stops and turns around when she hears me partially collapse, “Are you okay?” Wow she sounds genuinely concerned.

“Yes, the wave of lethargy that usually follows haste combined with the absolute rattle you gave my head just made me dizzy.” I put my hand on my chest and drop 5 points from Lay on Hands back into my health pool.

Hit Points: 51/57. Good enough.

Rising to my feet I take my assigned seat at the table in front of a pink crystal. I motion for a guard that’s watching us from afar to bring me some water. As I wait for him to return I listen to the other leaders. “It gave me quite the shock when I first heard the notes in tune with the motes of light, but it’s as you both said. That is much weaker than what we all feared. Does any creature still want to open further discussion on this topic?” Queen Aurora questions the leaders.

The chieftess from Minos raises a hand, “It was weaker but it was still strikingly similar. Are we not concerned that he could develop the art into the real thing? Also, how can any of us truly know he wasn’t holding back?”

Celestia makes an offer, “I can cast my truth spell if you’d like?”

“You know what, yes I would like that.”

Celestia ignites her horn and after asking a few baseline questions to the minotaur to prove the spell is functional she turns to me. “Ignis, were you holding back in our spar just now?”

“I was holding back on utilizing my Divine Smite, but all it would’ve done is made my attacks hurt more. The bladesong and my actual swordsmanship was everything I had.”

After no reaction from the spell I turn to Chieftess Steelheart, “Is this sufficient? Also while we still have the spell going. My people have never documented or practiced an improved version of my bladesinging.” Once again no reaction.

“I supposed that’s fine then. I’m done, Aurora.” The cow finally relents.

“Any creature else?” I can tell that the Griffons, Deer, and Minotaurs do still have complaints, but I guess my bladesong is so underwhelming that they don’t even think they can justify further arguments.

After a few seconds of silence the Changeling moves on. “Alright the next topic was originally going to be treaty re-negotiation between all of the nations present for the purpose of adding Ciervana. Draconia also wished to tweak some of the tariffs, but I believe there’s no point in discussing this topic without discussing a new point of contention. Therefore, the next item up on the agenda is the potential conflict between Draconia and Equestria. After having some of my smartest drones tackle the issue we were able to determine that Ignis taunted Inferno about killing his brother. When we investigated this further we did find evidence that Kiln was in Equestria and was causing a large disturbance. If Equestria is truly responsible for killing Kiln without proper justification then I’m afraid we’ll likely rule that the Draconia response to Ignis taunt was understandable. If that ends up being the case I suspect a majority of the creatures at this table will not support you should things come to blows. What is your side of the story, Equestria?”

Luna decides she’ll be the one to respond to this issue. “That creature had the nerve to come into our borders, intentionally created ecological problems to gauge our response, and offered several insults towards myself. To top it all off the last thing he said before we ended his miserable life was a very serious threat towards me. He implied that he would personally make sure I do not survive this summit. Also, while Tormura’s death is regrettable, I started the duel with him as soon as the previous combatants had exited the arena. Frostbite was slaughtered in self defense and Inferno received no injuries outside of the ones he sustained during his duel with Ignis. It would be foolish to find us entirely at fault no matter the result of Kiln's death.”

“So you do admit to being responsible for Kiln’s death. We still need to hear Draconia’s argument for their side, but as things stand I’m willing to agree that war is not justified in this situation. How do you all vote? Minos?”

“Minos agrees with the Changelings, not justified.”

“Ciervana?”

“Ciervana agrees, not justified.”

“Griffonia?”

“Griffonia abstains until all the facts are presented.”

“Saddle Arabia?”

“Not justified.”

“Well, we’ll likely do a final vote once the new representatives from Draconia arrive, but as things stand this is good enough to move on.” As Aurora finishes her statement a small changeling rushes up to the queen and whispers something in her ear. After they go back and forth a few times the two-toned light blue and pink maned Aurora proposes a lunch break which everyone else agrees to.

“I wonder what that was about, Queen Aurora looked quite shaken up.” I decide to say what we’re all thinking as I bite into a grilled cheese sandwich, can’t beat the classics. I’m currently in the royal tent with Celestia, Luna, Shining, and Raven.

“From what I was able to hear, it seems like there was some commotion going on in the love storage rooms. Didn’t seem too serious though.” Luna enlightens us.

“You could hear any of that? I only knew they were talking cause their mouths were moving but I couldn’t even hear a whisper.”

“Aye, thestral blood allows me superior hearing. It’s good enough that I can even navigate with my eyes closed.” She says that with her chest fluff puffed out, she’s apparently quite proud of that. It is interesting though, so Celestia has truesight and Luna has blindsight. Very Interesting.

Once lunch ended the rest of the day was quite boring. They did let me officially add the Summer Feywild to the list of nations in the treaty, which just absolutely tickles me. After that topic was over we broke off into individual meetings again, but Equestria had none. Suspiciously though there was a private meeting that included every nation except Equestria and Saddle Arabia. I tried to get Callisid to go observe the meeting and report back anything interesting but I couldn’t get a response from him. That actually does cause me a small bit of concern.

Around sunset I meet up with Luna and Celestia to ask them some questions. “This was supposed to last all week, but it feels like all the major issues have already been addressed, no? What’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”

“It was scheduled to potentially last all week, but we did go through the topics a bit quicker than anticipated. Assuming nopony arrives from Draconia tomorrow we will likely announce the end of the summit and tomorrow will be the friendship festival.” Celestia answers with a bright smile.

“Friendship festival? Seriously?”

“Of course, Ignis. It’s tradition that we end the summit with a festival to prove our friendship is true and no ill will harbors in any of our hearts. It’s essentially just one big party but with exposure to all the different cultures at once. It should be quite the fun time!”

I can’t help but scoff at how naive the idea sounds, but I choose to not voice that opinion. “Well I’m glad to see your mood has improved atleast. I was starting to get worried we were gunna be at each other's throat for the rest of my time here.”

“Well, most of the things that were causing me stress have been resolved now. I still refuse to allow you to learn Equestria magic, for now.”

I quietly whisper the incantation for the Guidance cantrip and cast it on myself.

“That’s fine I don’t need anyone to teach me, I don’t even need your stupid books. I already learned your runic alphabet and was able to perform a single rune spell. I’m sure I’m perfectly capable of teaching myself from that starting point. But, if you’d rather I learn powerful magic all on my own, in the castle, with no oversight. Then be my guest, I just thought you’d rather have someone teach me so you can atleast monitor what spells I’m learning and make sure I’m not doing an experiment that’ll blow up the entire Canterlot mountain.” Shining is struggling to hold back a laugh and Raven looks at me with curiosity.

Persuasion.

16 + 1 = 17. Guidance +1d4. 17 + 4 = 21.

I see Celestia’s smile falter and one of her eyebrows starts to twitch. Glancing at Luna she’s giving me a rather impressed look, so I guess that means I made a pretty good point. Eventually Celestia replies, “Once we get back to the castle and the Draconia matter is fully resolved I will allow you to learn our magic. You’ll spend two weeks with Luna then two weeks with me. Since Twilight has moved to Ponyville I can slot you into the timeslot she used to occupy on my schedule.” Oh I get to learn from her as well? She probably just plans to use those two weeks to observe and adjust.

“Perfect! I’m glad we could come to an agreement. This has been an enlightening conversation, but I think I’m going to go get some cardio in before I retire for the night. Sleep well, all of you.”

After my 30 minutes of cardio I clean myself off in one of the stalls with a bucket of water and some soap. Then I store another Haste spell in my Moonblade and retire for the evening. As I lay down and start to meditate I offer up a prayer that tomorrow everything goes smoothly and we can get the hell out of this desert.

Author's Note

Hopefully I was able to clear up any misunderstandings about the other nations potentially demanding the oath be abolished. Also it's pretty disgusting how bad of a matchup Celestia is for ole Ignis. She's literally like his hard counter.

I'm still absolutely struggling to write my way through this arc. It feels like I did it too early in the story and I should've maybe had individual mini-stories or interactions with each nation before the summit to properly introduce the situation in the world. That or perhaps I just rushed too much during the summit itself. I've also been really debating if I want to go straight into a nation level conflict this early in the story, I'll be honest that was originally the intention of this arc, but once I started writing it.... idk once again it just feels too early. I'd rather get ALOT more guard and thestral characters established and do some actual character development before getting into something like that.

If we get into something like that to begin with, might not happen at all anymore tbh.

At some point this month I'll be starting a very difficult training course that will eat up alot more of my attention. At that point this story will likely shift to a weekly release schedule with chapters around 6-10k words. After the summit is over I also intend on taking a 2-3 week break to work on building out new characters and actually writing down long term plot lines. This arc has been an absolute mess I don't care what any of you say, but it won't happen again.

Either way thanks for sticking with me and still reading the story. Next chapter should be a good one atleast.