S1 Prologue: The Mysterious Hippogriff
Twenty days before Canterlot fell...
Thousands of miles in the far north of the country, the mighty brown and black airship floated gently into a port town near the side of a massive mountain. A minotaur's voice echoed over the intercom, announcing their arrival. Among the grouping of ponies were two in particular who had come here for an important mission. They unload multiple machines much to the minotaur's annoyance as he had to stand guard. Nopony was paying him by the hour, rather he needed to empty out the space.
The two ponies couldn't care less about his anger, they only needed his transportation. The unicorn; orange with a darker orange, messy mane, and curly beard rushed over to the edge of the port's balcony. "Quibble Pants, it's incredible."
"Yes, it is, Sunburst." The pegasus placed down the last of it and paid the minotaur. After which he joined Sunburst at the edge. Both peered over the view of their destination. "This is why I brought you."
"Graviton Falls!" Sunburst admired the scene. It was the site of the largest dam in Equestria. Standing just outside of the border of the Crystal Empire, near the very top of the highest mountain in the land. So high that its silhouette blocked out half the sun's light and warmth. The only light came from the torches that tourists brought.
"According to Daring Do's notes, this was created by wendigoes, thousands of years ago, before Equestria was even founded." He pointed out that the entire dam was forged out of giant permafrost. "Made from the same kind of stuff we found in the ruins of the Giant Blue Hourglass."
"Yes, but the ones you and Rainbow Dash found were maroon red, this is blue." Sunburst pulled out a periscope and zoomed in for a closer look. "Wait a minute." He noted the strange discoloring happening all along the edges.
"Exactly, for thousands of years it was maroon red, but recently several parts of it have been changing purple, indigo and blue." Quibble Pants took a step back to it all and stood by the machines. "When I saw the other one with Rainbow Dash, I couldn't believe it, but now..."
Sunburst turned back around and found his friend covered in sweat. "You can't back out now. You brought me here because I'm the foremost expert on magic."
Quibble Pants gave a huff. "We've come so far already, I don't want to fail now."
"Don't be so negative."
"I'm not negative, I'm realistic." Quibble Pants crossed his arms.
"Really this coming from the comic nerd!" Sunburst laughed.
"They are graphic novels!!" Quibble Pants raised his voice.
Sunburst lowered his volume to match Quibble Pants'. "And that is your greatest contribution to our magical society, you write fanfiction, I'm the one with the actual power!" He pulled out dozens of blueprints in a glowing aura.
"I'm also a historian!" Quibble Pants raised his finger. "That's the most important thing."
Sunburst shrugged his shoulders. "True." He raised his finger up to his temple. "The more knowledge you have, the better... That's why Twilight is better than all of us."
"Well, truthfully the princesses aren't ready to tell Twilight. So, you're the next best thing." Quibble Pants straightened up. "Well, you and Jack Nox... the batpony."
"Oh yeah, I know him. Created a massive blaze that nearly consumed the school when we were colts." Sunburst rolled his eyes. He walked slowly over to the machines. "Where is he anyway?"
"At the top of the dam." Quibble Pants narrowed his eyes at that location. "Celestia wanted the best. And we are the best."
"Not a good assurance." Sunburst raised an eyebrow. Feeling rather worthless now, the unicorn turned the machines on. Pulling out a scanner and aiming it at the dam. "What's the magic pulse rate at this range, or do we need to get closer."
"Getting to the top should suffice." Quibble Pants cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "There shouldn't be any this close. Reports were saying the closest spike was right at the foot of the dam--" He was stopped as the scanner blared loudly. "What?!" Rushing over to Sunburst and grabbed the scanner. "It can't be going off now."
"Oh, but my machines never lie!" Sunburst sounded offended now. " We got a pattern, my friend."
"This said a two point two"
"One is the base level of a unicorn." Sunburst turned on other machines. "Right now, it's showing a magic pulse equivalent to a supercharged unicorn."
"Try again!" Quibble Pants shouted. "It just jumped to a two-point five."
"Impossible." Sunburst turned on all his machines. "That's... getting close to alicorn level."
"Are you serious?" Quibble Pants
"Yes, I'm serious!" Sunburst flicked out the wheels and pushed the machines over to the ramp. "We need to get to Jack Nox as soon as possible."
"Agreed." Quibble Pants grabbed the other of the machines. "You know he won't listen to us."
"He won't have to with these ratings!" Sunburst was now the one sweating in fear. "It's steadily growing higher."
With that final word, the two left the port. There was a rough shaking that followed which knocked the minotaur off his footing. Luckily he was caught in the arms of a tall hippogriff wrapped in the finest business suit. This was a confusing sight since despite his height being taller than the minotaur, the hippogriff barely looked frail enough to hold of his own body let alone catch such a strong and big minotaur.
"Careful, Iron Will." The hippogriff straightened the minotaur upright and exited the airship.
Iron Will's eyes widened. "Sir Night. What are you doing off the airship?" He stopped at the bouquet of flowers on the ground. "I'm sorry, someone as royal as you shouldn't have to drop stuff to pick me up."
"It's okay..." The hippogriff leaned down to grab the flowers. His bones were so old and frail that each one popped loudly as he leaned down. "Just be more careful when I'm around."
Iron Will took the flowers and placed them in the hippogriff's hand. "No, it's my fault." Just as his skin touched the hippogriff's hand, the frail creature shivered away. "Sorry."
Sir Night gave no more responses to it and turned to the sight of Quibble and Sunburst in the distance. "Keep the airship here a little longer. I wish to place these flowers on my brother's grave before we go back to base."
"I..." Iron Will was originally thoroughly annoyed with the requests of the two sent by Celestia. But this request came from someone that all of his kind respected for millennia. After everything this old hippogriff had done for his species, a few lost hours of gas were only a minor inconvenience. 'Sure, take as much time as you need, my lord."
******
Thousands of miles away in the land of the kirins. The winds kicked around the kirins' manes as they stood guard. Their resolve was good, and their stance was bold against the beating heat of the Sun.
Along an all too accurate path, a carriage surrounded by unicorn and kirin guards rode forward. Its movement was unheeded by any stones or rocks that dare attempt to stall it. Inside were four creatures: two kirins in fine uniform and two unicorns with trim clean suits devoid of any creases and seams.
The older kirin, a stallion, white in color with a black mane looked toward the yellow unicorn with a blue mane and spoke first. "I'm glad to see that your training has paid off. I’ve never seen my soldier so clean and proficient. Now my country will be ready for anything. I thank you, Comet Tail, from the bottom of my heart." He held one hand out of the carriage and sighed in relief.
“No problem, President Sable.” Comet Tail was glad. It had been so much hard work, but it paid off perfectly. He knew now they would be ready for anything.
"Indeed, honey," the slightly younger kirin noted as he placed his hand in the older kirin's free hand. At first, though, the younger kirin pulled back at the sight of the unicorn. "Sorry," he whispered under his breath.
“No, it's okay to be a little romantic?” Comet laughed.
The younger kirin turned away, wanting to hide his face. President Sable placed his fingers under the chin of the younger kirin and brought his nose to his own, making the young one smile. “Yes, this is my fiance.” President Sable spoke up. “Once peace has been brought to our land, I am planning to take this wonderful creature as my own.”
“Maybe you two, me and my coltfriend can have a double date.” Comet’s words only confused them. He waved his hand to calm them.
"Sounds fun..." The young kirin answered.
"Back onto topic, Comet Tail." President Sable interjected. "I hear this Princess Celestia wanted all the nearby countries to be ready for something. Yet we still do not know what?"
"Yes, her draconequus friend said, that something will happen this month that could affect every country around Equestria."
"Does this have to with that attack on the hippogriff capital--" He was stopped at the carriage abruptly halting its movement.
"What's going on?" The younger kirin's face filled with paleness once more.
"Don't concern yourselves." Comet held up his hands to them before looking at the unicorn beside him. "Watch over President Sable... and his future husband." The unicorn took up his sword while Comet pulled out a long gladius and leaned his head out the window.
Outside the heatwave had been replaced by a cold stickiness as a lone creature in a black coat stood in the way of the carriage. He was holding out a long katana and aiming it forward. Up in the sky, the Sun had gone pale. It not only twisted the feeling of this scene but gave a greater feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"Hmm, it's a black dragon... I think." Comet Tail looked to the guards surrounding them. "Ace, Drone, take him in, alive."
"Yes, sir. " The two guards nearest to him left the group and charged forward. The black 'dragon' pulled his katana back into his sheath as they got closer. Comet could only smile at what seemed like a perfect victory.
However, with a single draw that seemed far too fast for a dragon, the guards were cleaved in half. A coldness increased in the air as blood poured from their wounds and toward the carriage.
"Shit," On Comet's words, the others charged in. Comet pulled his head back in and hit the ceiling, "Grape Vine, get us out of here."
"Yes, sir." On that, the carriage heavily turned and raced in the other direction.
"What's happening?" President Sable questioned.
"I don't know... there is no way a dragon could move that fast." Comet concentrated magic in his horn. "Hmm.."
"What are you doing Sir Comet?" The younger kirin questioned.
"Contact spell. I need to know if this was what Discord was warning us about." He closed his eyes. However, seconds later his eyes opened and his magic faded. "What? That makes no sense?"
"What is it?"
"I can't contact Canterlot at all... nor anything in Equestria."
"Could they be blocking us?" the other unicorn commented.
"No... it's like there is nothing there." Comet waved his head back and forth in denial before pulling on a different spell. "I'll try a searching spell. I need to see if there are any more attackers coming." Comet closed his eyes once more and the outside world was revealed in his mind's eye.
He could see everything around the carriage for up to a hundred meters in a circular spread, "Damn it, your guess was correct there are magic dampeners in the area." He placed his hand on the shoulder of the unicorn beside him narrowing his sense to find the source. The unicorn matched his power and output.
However, the two felt their mind being yanked far harder than they ever felt. They shrieked in agony, feeling their magic raised far up into the sky and racing toward the source. It lay far outside of the land of the kirins, across the celestial ocean, and into the snowy north. "Is that a... hippogriff?" Comet Tail was thrown out of the spell and crashed back into his chair.
"Hold on," the other unicorn answered. "I've still got the signal..." The kirins leaned back as the unicorn's eyes started to bleed. "No, no, no, what are you?!?!" All three jumped back as the unicorn screamed in agony, twisted, and convulsed.
"Break the connection!" Comet Tail shouted.
"They... won't... let me!!" the unicorn was stopped as his head exploded.
"How could a hippogriff do such a thing?" President Sable tried to get answers.
"Hold on, President Sable. I see something else--" Comet stopped his words and his eyes popped open. "Look out." He threw his hands up and pulled a shield of magic over the president as a giant shockwave burst through and tore the carriage in half.
"Kind!" The president reached out to his fiance as the two were separated by the attack.
Comet Tail and the president's fiance were sent to the far right as the other half of the carriage was pulled into the air by a yellow aura of magic. Another 'dragon' landed between them. This one was white with two giant saws.
******
Author's Note
While you don't need to read everything from Journey To Hearth's Warming, there are already some crossover details like names and species parallels. Like the wendigoes and Sir Night.
File 1: Month 17-Part 1: Three Prong Attack
Seventeen months and twenty-nine days after Canterlot fell...
"I never did find out who that 'dragons' were." Comet Tail put down the cigarette and puffed slowly m=smoke in the face of the therapist. This was his thirteenth visit after leaving the hospital and his boredom had reached a peak. "And that was the last thing I remember before everything went black."
The gray earth pony therapist looked at him with an expression unreadable behind her thick glasses, but he could tell she wasn't surprised by this statement at all. She had probably heard it from dozens of patients that day alone. "Yes, that's good much better than last week."
"Yeah, seventeen months of pointless work." Comet Tail crushed his cigarette and threw it perfectly into the ashtray.
The therapist made a face as if to say something else, but didn't speak up. She turned around on the chair and started fiddling with some papers. A moment later she said: "Your file says your work was classified."
"That doesn't matter to me." Comet Tail turned away.
"It should!" The therapist urged. "You are the only survivor of that mission. The more we work, the more we have of lost those memories, you just need a bit more work." She twirled her pencil around. "Maybe we could--"
"Right, Doctor Allswell?" Comet's voice was filled with a bit too much snark to care for. "Is this work going to help bring my leg back?!" Comet slapped at the metal limb with a broken gladius caked in dust strapped onto it.
"You at least can walk." The therapist tried to help him smile.
"Yeah, but I couldn't during the war." Without any hesitation, he walked over to the window and pulled it open. In the distance, the Canterlot's mountain once stood, now only a crater remained.
"That is none of your problems. The King has been good to us since the princesses disappearance. He gave you a new leg and all of this good technology." Doctor Allswell held up her hands to the machines around the room. All were monitoring Comet Tail's actions and movements across the room.
"Right, the King is so great, yet we never have seen him directly." Comet's eyes wandered upward to the twisted and distorted image that was once Canterlot, now a floating fortress above the crater. "My mission failed mere days before that place appeared."
"Well, there are still ponies working on getting you back on your hooves and back to fighting," The doctor held out the papers that she had been fiddling with earlier.
"What? And serve that tyrant!" Comet Tail took another puff of his cigarette. "I'd rather stick to my private business."
"There are other options. You could join the guard or even become a knight again." The therapist leaned forward over the desk.
"I said, no!!" Comet Tail rushed over and smashed his cigarette into the papers. He snickered as the ashes consumed the signature line. He didn't wait any longer, heading toward the door.
“Wait, your session is not over yet.”
Comet didn't care to finish his own answer. Instead, he opened the door and left the room, making sure to slam the door behind him. This left the therapist puzzled and confused.
Doctor Allswell leaned back and tapped out the flaming paper, finally giving her own annoyed huff. “So close…” She wrote some notes down and turned to a phone.
“State your name and rank.” The voice on the other side was quick and strong in his words.
“I am Doctor Ashley Allswell of the Raven Institut. Rank, Lieutenant Captain of the Poena Guard.”
“State your business.”
Doctor Allswell got up from his chair and stared deeply at the crater that Comet had shown so much anger toward. “I have my next report on Comet Tail for the king.”
******
The one on the other side of the line took every word to count. “Good, I’ll take the report to him once I arrive back at Nigrum Crystalli.” The yellow pegasus closed his phone up and turned back to his work. He was standing over a burning field of dying trees near the Everfree Forest.
“Captain Iron Sentry.” A soldier walked up to him. “We found fifty rebels inside, but still no sign of it.”
“Bring forward any that are still alive.” Iron Sentry commanded, a frown on his face.
The soldier turned away and gestured to the other soldiers. Twelve ponies were brought forward. They were covered in dirt and blood, barely able to stand. Iron Sentry approached them with a scowl, keeping himself from staring directly into their eyes. Most of them were very old or broken souls. However, his eyes stopped as among them were two children.
Iron Sentry slowly walked to the children. He leaned down and smiled at their small faces. “Tell me, were there any other children in the safe house.”
“No, sir.” The soldier behind him answered.
Iron Sentry’s face quickly frowned. “Good, good.” He rose back up and looked at the older ponies. “Now I will ask this once and only once. Where is it?!”
The older ponies shook their heads and pointed in different directions, some even pointing to themselves. None of them answered correctly. It didn’t seem to be out of some absolute loyalty but rather something else. Something that Iron Sentry could see very clearly.
He walked away from the children and looked over at each older pony. Finally, he stared deep into each eye as he walked by. Once he reached the end, his hands shook to his sword. The cranks of metal his wings echoed throughout the area. “I see, Lieutenant Outer. Remove the children.”
“Sir?”
Iron Sentry turned to the soldier with a glare. “Do as I said, a child should never see such brutality.”
Understanding the order, the children were quickly removed from the area. His kindness to them was indeed quite strange to the soldiers, but it brought less fear from them than his rage. The children saw mercy in Iron Sentry's eyes as they were pulled away. But there was also something else he dare not let even his most loyal see. It was a sign of defeat.
Iron Sentry turned away once they were out of sight and looked toward all the older ponies once more, finally speaking to them. “He gave strength and you ran from it.” The soldiers lifted strange weapons with barrels on the end. “He gave you valor and you denied it.” The soldiers aimed their weapons as the tip began to glow. “He gave you kindness and you give him hatred.” On that final word, the soldiers pulled their triggers.
As the light burst outward from each weapon and the loud bangs bounced over every wall. Iron Sentry eyes shook at every scream but kept a solid face, not letting them see him falter at all. He kept a calm stern mind and stayed ready and loyal to the kingdom he was now forced to serve. The kingdom that had enslaved them all.
"Thank you for your mercy, Flash." A soft voice echoed behind his ear, breaking his resolve for only a second. He didn't turn around as he knew only he could hear the voice.
Once the barrels stopped humming, he looked up to a tear in the ceiling. He closed his eyes at the feeling of rain pouring down. Under his breath, he whispered to the voice, “Thank you for this... Pale Mare.”
"Sir? Sir? Sir?" Another soldier ran up.
Iron Sentry's eyes popped open and faster than anypony could process, metal wings pulsed out and wrapped around the neck of the soldier. "There better be a good reason for interrupting my prayer?!" His words were pure rage.
"Sir... We found it." On those words, Iron Sentry only squeezed tighter.
"Are you sure? Where?!"
"It was exactly where Sir Night said it would be. Just beyond these plains. There are some ruins of a clocktower... and an altar with a giant crystal hand."
"Show me..." Iron Sentry finally dropped him to the ground.
The soldier led the way and rest followed. Iron Sentry had given the command, but didn't followed until the last second. It wasn't until he felt a touch of his shoulder, he joined them. The hand belonged to a pale mare that only he could see. Her face covered in static and her body moving like that of a ghost.
******
Author's Note
There were some notable changes to this chapter. For example, a greater note on the facade that Flash is trying to keep in front of the King's loyal soldiers. He's very much a gray character in this story and as you will see in other Month 17 chapters.
File 2: Month 0-Part 1: Blowing Up Ballons
Hours before the fall of Canterlot...
Three party experts arrived in the heart of Canterlot. Stopping at the foot of the castle, the chariot opened to reveal Pinkie Pie in the brightest of pink jester attire. She rolled out and into the hands of Pokey Pierce, wearing the finest of suits. He threw her into the air where she flipped and spun, throwing out several purple and blue smoke bombs. Landing in the arms of Cheese Sandwich, who was wearing an equally bright yellow jester outfit. The two spun around three times over before posing with Pierce ending the scene by landing his own flip on top of their arms as fireworks went off behind him.
The audience clapped and cheered upon their arrival. The three dropped down and bowed to them and each other before realizing the mistake. Turning back to the cart, Cheese facepalmed. "He forgot the sign!"
Pierce let out an embarrassed chuckle as he watched the crowd's reaction to the comedy trio. ""I did not!" He scoffed at the accusation.
"What's the big deal?" Pinkie brushed it off "You did at least remember to bring the cakes." Pinkie Pie pointed out to him.
The greyish blue pony followed her hand to the top of the chariot and the missing anniversary sign. "What?" Pierce jumped back. "They were up there with the sign after we left Ponyville."
"You sure?" Cheese rolled his eyes. "You must have just forgotten, again."
"Don't mock me!" Pierce screamed back.
"Calm down you two!" Pinkie Pie jumped between them. "I'm sure there's a perfectly fine explanation--" As if on cue, a certain laughter could be heard around them. It started within the crowd and echoed toward them. Swimming around them with fluffy cotton candy clouds, Discord appeared and landed on top of the chariot with the sign in one hand and the cake in another, only the message had been changed.
"Happy anniversary, Tia!!" The three said in confused unison.
"Discord! This is supposed to be your big day!!" A yellow glow picked him up and wiped away his sheepish smile. The four and the audience turned to see Princess Celestia landing down from the castle. "It's the tenth anniversary of your reforming." The alicorn floated him into her arms.
"Oh, I couldn't resist mocking the fact it also happened just days after your birthday!!" He wrapped around her like a snake, making her blush. "You can't hide how old you are getting." With that, she threw him aside into a bed of pink clouds.
"Okay, okay. Enough mockery on all sides." She fixed the sign and turned her attention to Pinkie Pie, Cheese, and Pierce. "Thank you three for helping with the party." The alicorn bowed to them before noting something else. "Where are the rest? I asked for everyone to attend."
"Oh!" Pinkie Pie laughed it off and pulled out a list. "Twilight will be here very soon, just need to make a quick teleport to the Castle of Friendship. Applejack has one more apple delivery and she'll be here. Fluttershy should get here first since she's carrying the tea. Rainbow Dash has invited several wonderbolts and the CMC, but Sweetie Belle couldn't make it. Spike and Rarity had several orders last night with the wonderful Coloratura so they will be arriving later in the evening. And finally, I invited my sisters. The three should arrive after Fluttershy."
"Sounds like quite a bit of chaos today..." Celestia lowered her head. "I had hoped everyone would show up as soon as possible"
"Chaos!!" Discord cheered out loud and splashed chocolate rain on Celestia. "I wouldn't have it any other way." His tail wrapped around his leg of Celestia while his claw picked up a teacup. "As long as my favorite mares can join my tea party, I am content."
"Of course, conversations with you and Fluttershy are always such a joy." Celestia tried to hide her blush as Discord floated closer.
"Is that what you're looking forward to most? Teatime with dear me and Fluttershy?" He blinked at her with giant eyelashes.
Celestia nodded. "I haven't seen her for several months."
The three party ponies watch the royalties lock eyes. Pinkie Pie didn't realize it, but both the stallions she arrived with were reaching for her hands at the sight of the soft romance happening in front of them. The pink mare jumped forward, leaving their hands empty, and glares at each other's sight.
"Well, let's get everything ready!" Pinkie Pie fired off some canons. "We brought all of the entertainment." Flipping back around, she didn't notice the two stallions hiding their hands and glares. "Come on, guys!" She grabbed their hands and pulled them into the crowds.
"Let's get this show on the road." Cheese Sandwich cheered with Pinkie.
"Yeah, party on!!" Pierce shouted. Cheese and Pierce got everything ready, but kept a watchful eye on Celestia and Discord a bit longer. Both of them couldn't help but see the obvious and wished they had the same between them and Pinkie Pie. The two stallions turned to Pinkie and watched the proud mare throw around party streamers and multi-colored pillows.
They danced with her as she moved from spot to spot, getting everything absolutely perfect. There were giant candy canes, pink and green snow machines, star blasters and so many bright lights. Cheese brought out plenty of food, many were his family's best assortments of cheeses. Pierce blew up thousands and thousands of balloons from his family's factor.
The three danced for several minutes with the crowd, waiting for everypony else to arrive. Pinkie Pie couldn't help but see how the two stallions kept eye contact with her as they danced. She was so happy to be here with them. Never did she consider anything wrong at all. "We are going to be best friends forever," she whispered to herself as the two stallions smiled.
They both heard her whispers and tried to keep a proud smile. Both wanted more from her and less from the other. Both wanted to be in her life forever and wanted to stand as strong with her as Discord and Celestia stood together. The two stallions were a mix of emotions but kept a brave front.
This wasn't just going to be a big day for Discord and Celestia. The two stallions had in their minds, bold plans. They wanted their feelings to be clear as well. Today, they were going to make their move on Pinkie Pie. They were going to break ties with the other stallion and take this bright pink mare for their own. Neither knew that they chose the same day. None knew the confrontation that was about to happen as the cheering drew to a close.
But truth be told, no pony in the whole city knew what was about to happen on this day. The moment that would change everything was just hours away and the first sign came with a new arrival at the front gate. The guards came to the attention of a strange orange pony in a white robe. "Who are you?!" They stopped him.
"My name is Nick Kray." His crooked horn slipped out of his hood and K shaped mask glowed at them. "Am I late for the party?"
The guards straightened up and their weapons dropped to the ground. Their faces were forcibly turned away. Their legs moved on their own, far away from the castle gate. "Everything awaits your will, King Kray!!" Giving their final words, the guards jumped into the moat around a castle and drowned themselves.
******
Author's Note
Yeah, I update the costume a bit from the crossover and updated that version too. This will get a part two very soon, in a very different way then you might suspect. But for now, up next part will cover another chunk of the longer story, Flash Sentry's section is dropping two weeks so stay tuned.
Also, there is a bit of a double meaning behind adding the name Nick. Nick Kray... You will learn more about him very soon
