Blight of The War Horse (Reforged)

Descending from the afternoon sky like a falling star, a pegasus-lead chariot made of gold slowly fell until its wheels contacted the pavement ground of one of the castle’s many courtyards. Twilight Sparkle and her assistant, Spike, hopped out of their gleaming transportation, giving their thanks to the leading pegasi.

Multiple other guards, dressed like the pegasi, stood at attention, holding a hoof above their brows in salute and a spear at their sides.

More importantly, however, coming in and passing under an arched gateway flanked by white walls overgrown with flora on top surrounding the courtyard, Luna smiled warmly as Celestia’s student and her assistant approached. “Mrs. Sparkle! Sir Spike! Our dear companions, it’s felt like many winter’s since we last spoke; how is Ponyville treating thee?” She asked, meeting halfway and becoming slightly concerned at seeing Twilight’s sheepish visage.

In the brief time Luna had returned to the waking work of Equestria from her neigh-internal slumber on the moon, Luna felt Twilight to be the closest thing she had to a friend. If she had to stretch her circle of friendship, Spike might also have fit in, but he and the rest of her subjects never had an absence of stress or hidden fear around her.

Not Twilight.

Despite meeting a hoof-full of occasions, she never once shrunk away or ran off once Luna wasn’t looking. While she thought the poor unicorn deserved some reprieve from her ‘friendship reports,’ Luna never felt all too lonely around her.

“W-Well, it’s been…something.” She cryptically replied, chuckling nervously, “Not that it is t-terrible or anything! Ponyville’s been great to me so far.”

“Wonderful!” Luna exclaimed, “We haven’t been able to get out as much lately, not with…certain issues going amuck. Thou must tell us how the dennisons of thy fair village are doing.”

Twilight opened her mouth to answer the lunar princess’s question, but remained silent for the longest time, the words lodging themselves in her throat. Before Luna could ask what was wrong, Spike beat both to the punch. “Basically, Twilight went coo-coo a couple of days ago-” Spike made a circling motion with a talon next to his right temple, “-because she hadn’t written a letter for Princess Celestia and hypnotized most of the town to REALLY like this old smarty-pants doll she had to create a friendship problem she could solve and write about. And as usual, Ponyville suffered some damage, and Celestia visited in the nick of time to fix Twilight’s spell.” Spike casually explained, pointing to a bewildered Twilight all the while. “It turned out alright for the most part!”

“SPIKE!” Twilight shrieked, an embarrassed blush turning her face red as a tomato.

Spike jumped a few centimeters off the ground at the sound, holding his claws up in submission, “What? It wasn’t like you would’ve told her anyway without worrying about it for hours. And Celestia might’ve already told her about it anyway!” He reasoned.

“I somewhat remember Tia mentioning something about a magic doll yesterday over dinner.” Luna added.

A lavender hue surrounded the drake’s body and pulled him closer to a fuming Twilight, who moved her muzzle closer to the drake’s head, “Yeah, I know that! But there’s no reason to announce it to everypony here!” She harshly whispered, pointing a hoof to a guard non-discreetly leaning closer to hear their conversation.

Only when pointed out did he move back, looking in another direction while whistling innocently.

Admittedly, Luna gave a small chuckle at Twilight’s expense; nevertheless, the lunar princess needed to step in before the small drake passed out from a several-hour-long lecture. “That is certainly interesting, Sir Spike.” She said, thankfully stopping the start of Twilight’s angered speech mid-breath. “Why don’t thee discuss additional adventures over some tea?”

Spike flashed Luna a thankful look, flinching and sheepishly grinning when he turned back to see Twilight giving him the stink-eye.

Having spent most of yesterday afternoon withholding Celestia’s court day sessions, Luna felt more rejuvenated than ever prior to the whole Storm Breaker fiasco. Also, having utilized her dreamscape magic to bless her older sister with sweet dreams, Celestia looked a hundred times better, appearance-wise. Unfortunately, both sisters’ ways beckon them to return to duty, Celestia needing to sign significant trade forms and Luna needing to attend night court. In time, the latest report of their sudo-prisoner’s activity remained docile with little movement outside of shifting under the sheets of her repaired bed- which broke shortly after Luna’s ‘talk’ with her.

Twilight, informed by Luna through a letter, gladly accepted to attend a meeting with the lunar princess, unaware of what Luna had in store. However, Luna’s plan would come to play much later as the trio walked along the centerline walls and polished tiles of Canterlot Caslte’s hallways.

Passing the many servants and maids, it wasn’t long before they arrived at the royal dining hall- closing a giant pair of carved wooden doors behind them upon entering.

Sporting a lengthy oak table covered in many colored clothes, two chairs on each end, and a few additional seats sprinkled on one side, Luna took her spot while Twilight and Spike choose theirs close to Luna. The afternoon sun bounced beautifully off the walls and floor, washing the dining hall in subtle shades of red blues and yellows by the stained glass windows, the large chandelier adding extra warmth from above.

Emerging from the hallway leading to the kitchen, a pony dressed in fancy black and white clothes danced across the ground, flashily carrying a silver platter holding a steaming tea set without spilling a drop.

Setting the platter down, they left as quickly as they came, leaving the trio alone as Luna began to serve herself. “So, now we are in the privacy and comfort of solitude: let thy worries out, Mrs. Sparkle.” She said, using her magic to pour tea into a small cup. “We have been busy since yesterday, and it’ll be refreshing to have a quaint conversation with thou.” She smiled.

Like opening the gates of a dam, a torrent of words explode outward of Twilight’s mouth like a hail of arrows. Hours must’ve gone by until the end of Twilight’s recollections, the sun close to sinking below the darkening horizon to give way to Luna’s night. From tales about her friends to strange events, Twilight’s time in Ponyville was short but not empty; A no-good griffon, an arrogant unicorn magician, breezies, Winter Wrap-up, a Bison-pony conflict in Appaloosa, and much more.

Luna was captivated by Twilight and her friends’ lives in Ponyville, seeing as their experiences seemed significantly more enthralling than her duty as a princess.

Then the lunar princess, deep in thought, focused on the silly idea of her being a part of that life. Of course, it’d never happen. In today’s world, her responsibilities as a princess are far more predominant as they were lenient compared to the birth years of Equestria’s upbringing.

Memories of conquest and adventure of younger days came to Luna, visions of victory and glory when mighty monsters and foes alike fell to her iron-clad hooves. Back then, it wouldn’t be a strange occurrence or horrific sight to spot ponies killing things- mostly wildlife for resources or beasts trying to kill them. Modern ponies lived such laid-back lives, most not knowing the hardships and pain their ancestors went through to give such a luxury away without compensation.

How can ponies feel like their lives are perfect? Don’t they think something is wrong, even the tiniest bit? They do, most likely, and they chose to ignore it.

Then, that leaves the question: where did Luna belong?

She had status, notoriety, wealth, power, anything a normal pony could ever dream of, maybe even kill for just to get a taste. Yet, ever since returning, everywhere the Lunar princess looked, it was all just the backs of ponies facing her without a sparing glance.

They feared her, and she knew it. An outcast in a familiar yet foreign world. And no matter what, Luna couldn’t bring herself to mention her troubles to her older sister. Call it pride or whatever; Luna didn’t want Celestia worrying any more than she did already. Loneliness, nonetheless, is a powerful enemy no mere individual can overcome by ignoring it, especially if its victim buries her loneliness under her duties as a governing figure.

“Um, Princess Luna?” Snapping out of her deep thoughts, Luna’s refocused eyes laid on a concerned Twilight, “Is everything okay? You’ve been staring at the table for a while now.” She said.

Taking a calming sip of her warm tea, Luna sighed, “Y-Yes, Mrs. Sparkle, I was merely lost in thought, and I apologize.” These thoughts had no right ruining the moment, anyhow.

Twilight gave a relieved smile, “That’s good. Anyway, was there something you needed to discuss with me?” She asked, sipping her own beverage she, probably, prepared during Luna’s inner thinking. Spike chose to snack on the sugar cubes in a small ceramic bowl beside the teapot.

“Yes, thou are correct,” Luna nodded, “And as we loved hearing about your adventures in Ponyville, we must…how do we put it? Well, putting it simply, we need a third- or fourth -opinion.” She awkwardly said, gaining a confused look from Twilight and Spike.

“What do you mean?” Spike asked, mouth stuffed with sugar cubes, spraying tiny white crystals onto the tablecloth as he spoke.

Luna hesitated, peering down at her almost empty teacup, “About the bea- ack, mare!” She caught herself, “Our sister and we have been discussing what to do with the mare thee and her call Storm Breaker. Our options, as of now, are more limited than before; after she wrecked a fair bit of the Canterlot market area, the public demanded punishment for her crime. Celestia wishes to keep her in the castle until everything dies down while she educates her. And my feelings of locking the brute away still haven’t completely changed. However, Celestia opted for a risky road for us to venture down; the masterful tactician she is, even we can tell she is as hesitant about it as we are.”

“I take it isn’t as simple as throwing a party and everypony hugging it out?” Spike sarcastically suggested.

Shaking her head, Luna lit her horn briefly before it died out. Twilight and Spike perked up at the sound of struggle beyond the giant dining hall doors a minute later, accompanied by the rubbing of chains and shifting armor. Before they had the chance to investigate, Luna held up a hoof to stop them as the door slowly creaked inwardly.

“PULL AGAIN, AND YOUR FILTHY BLOOD WILL STAIN THESE WALLS, PEGASUS!” A familiar ruff voice roared angrily.

Both Twilight and Spike’s jaws dropped in a mix of fear and astonishment, disbelieving the sight before them. Forelegs trapped in chains long enough to walk in, the warrior inched away and pulled back against the pegasi guard leading her by an extra connecting chain. The sheer height of the mare was enough to visibly put off the unicorn and her dragon companion, having only seen her lying down or crouched. Adding the scars covering her muscular frame- and her established short fuse -it was to believe her threats to be more than just that- a threat.

Thankfully, the young, shaken guard quickly closed the distance to the table, leaving the warrior there before she could do good on her threat, and ran away. A tense silence hung in the air as the warrior glanced at the extravagant dining hall until settling on the ponies and drake, eyeing them with a narrow gaze.

Luna lit her horn again, grabbing a chair in her magical grip from Twilight’s side, levitating it, and then placing it opposite the studious mare. Taking the hint and the expecting look Luna gave her, the warrior silently walked over and took her seat, the wooden support staring under her weight.

“Mrs. Sparkle, Sir Spike, we’d like thee to meet the newest member of our night guard!”

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Frankly, the warrior became numb to most things at this point, including surprises. The effects of her and Luna’s meeting shed light on the warrior’s predicament, leaving a bitter sense of acceptance in her heart, among other things.

In spite of that, surprisingly, the warrior couldn’t help but widen her eyes at the word ‘guard’ the second it left the young alicorn’s mouth.

In light of everything as of late, the familiar word instantly stuck with her, like mentioning a trip to a park with a dog around. Guard meant meaning. Guard meant purpose. A guard was the closest thing to a knight in Storm Breaker’s mind, so starved of action that sleepless nights became common. Unfortunately, the word came from an- what she knew to be- enemy, and moreover, claiming the warrior to be under her order.

How dare some meek alicorn claim ownership over her as if the warrior’s worth amounted to some object! What right did she have to do something like that?! At no point did this night guard thing ever reach her, nor did her unexplained involvement with it.

Even if this was her punishment, the fact this damnable alicorn practically said she placed her in slavery was aggravating to the highest degree.

“You did what?!” Shouted the lavender unicorn, Twilight, who the warrior was surprised to see and inwardly agreed with.

Going by her and the overgrown lizard’s reactions, the warrior would say they were in a similar boat as she was. “Please, calm yourselves!” Luna said, an exasperated expression adorning her. Eventually, the unicorn reluctantly quieted down and sat back down in the chair she stood up from out of shock. “We know it's sudden, but Celestia and we have agreed to let Storm Breaker here to become a member of the new night guard we’re forming.” She explained, motioning a hoof to the titanic mare.

The warrior stared down the young alicorn, the latter looking unfazed by her, “And what makes you think I’d work alongside a bunch of pathetic unicorns and pegasi? Even the earth ponies here are weaker than me, and I’ve seen far stronger foals of my race.” She questioned.

Either put off by the idea of foals being stronger than a royal guard or simply her tone of voice, the unicorn and drake became visibly uncomfortable while Luna remained calm.

Taking the final drink of her tea, Luna placed the teacup on the silver platter, pushing it away prior to putting her front hooves together. “I know of your undesirable hate for our ponies, and the guard we have reinstated isn’t formed of pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns.” Facing Twilight, Luna had a knowing smile grow on her muzzle. “Mrs. Sparkle, do care to inform dear Storm Breaker about the ‘lost race’ called thestrals, will you not?” She said.

Again, as if a roaring inferno suddenly sparked to life, Twilight’s previous demeanor was consumed by those flames as she smiled excitedly. “On it!” She said, making the warrior's eye roll, “Thestrals are an ancient subspecies, or another variant, of ponies dating far back before the unification of the three races. We don’t know why they have bat-like features, but records and accounts from thestral tribes say a bat goddess granted them a form resembling hers in order to fully embrace the night. After the unification and Princess Celestia and Luna’s rise to power, they were discovered and eventually integrated into Equestrian society by Luna taking in thestrals soldiers.” She expounded in- confusingly -one, drawn-out breath.

By the explanation’s end, the warrior became bewildered at what she heard. In her village, rumors of bat-like pony monsters roaming the outside mountainside were passed around often by the local village youth. Of course, the warrior believed these to be nothing more than fake spiels other fillies and colts told for a quick scare.

Unlike the previous explanation, it would take more than word of mouth to convince these creatures existed. “Yes, and once Nightmare Moon took over, the night guard was all but destroyed. Some chose to stick with me even in my demonic form, few fought against me, and most fled the wrath of the royal guard as they were all hunted down due to fear of association with me.” She said, making Twilight’s joyful mood disappear entirely.

“Thankfully, I’ve made contact with the thestrals once more a while back, and a good number agreed to join us and our newly developed night guard very soon.” The lunar princess added.

In truth, the warrior secretly wondered about these ‘thestrals’ the alicorn spoke of. Neither beast nor pony, she was intentionally conflicted; keep suspicions high or let the sensation of curiosity get the better of her. If these creatures turned out to be a reality, the warrior hoped tales of their nature, sucking blood, eating pony flesh, and the like, weren’t true.

However, a battle with flesh-eating bat ponies would make for a glorious tale- better to keep it in mind.

Nevertheless, the warrior’s priority wasn’t tall tales as much as her surprise enslavement. “I grow tired of your hoof twiddling and tricks, alicorn! More so, your idiotic decision. Either end my life or bring down any punishment you can give!” She complained, forcibly sending her hoof on the table’s edge, shaking it and the items on top.

“This is your punishment, you brute!” Luna said in a scolding tone, stunning the warrior, “Firstly: your enrollment in my guard is the only way to obtain your freedom- and trust me, I don’t expect loyalty from you.”

“Working as a guard dog is considered punishment nowadays? You’re joking?” The warrior said.

A cheeky smirk adorned the alicorn’s muzzle, “No, and also, no. Considering the other forms of punishment the public demands, we’ve taken the liberty of coming up with a suitable way for you to learn your lesson. As the charge for vandalism and destruction of property are rather lenient in Canterlot, the amount of destruction thou caused should lend thou a couple of winters in prison. However, thy service under us without pay and constant supervision by at least one capable guard will prove sufficient to fit thy crime.” Upon finishing her plot, the annoyed warrior could clearly see the alicorn taking enjoyment out of her frustration.

The warrior had never worked under one specific pony before- typical of a vanguard knight.

Instead of doing dirty work for an oily, fat barrel ruler, vanguard knights were akin to a mercenary group with honor more than anything.

Anypony claiming to be the leader or commander of the vanguard exaggerated their claim; as a threat, show-boding exclamation to drive away invading armies, it didn’t matter so long as the vanguard knights received their payment. Kill the employer's enemies and get compensated with tradable valuables and resources; The safety of the Earth pony race was more important than their expenses. Due to this lifestyle, Knights generally lived off the land, taking on requests from the wealthy by chance, or were tracked down by messengers, the latter being for more notable ponies.

The closest thing to a ruler or commander the vanguard had were small groups led by older knight’s to achieve greater rewards- the way Storm Breaker followed her carrier. All her training and experience involving the vanguard came from her band of fellow misfits, which she is deeply thankful for.

Maybe working for somepony wouldn’t be so- NO! What was she thinking?! The warrior worked for no pony like some dog! But it is so agonizing being trapped within these white walls. Other than the constant prying eyes and no compensation, it might be similar to her old ways of work, right?

…

Oh, who was she kidding? Storm Breaker downgraded from a glorious knight to a glorified foal-watcher for these ponies, and something in her told the warrior to worry about it. Nothing had changed; like Hades, there was any freedom after this.

“And I take it you or your conniving sister leave me no choice?” The warrior grimaced.

“Nope.” Luna retorted simply, “Otherwise, I’d gladly toss you into a dungeon and throw away the key.” She said.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the overshadowing doors of the dining hall closed for a third time, Luna, having ordered guards to escort Storm Breaker back to her room, Stepped away from the table. “It might be good to say this meeting is over, but still, we haven’t gotten thy opinion on the matter, Mrs. Sparkle.” She said.

Like almost every pony in Ponyville, Twilight, and her fellow townsfolk were first to hear the news from Canterlot, considering their distance from the mountain-side city.

Naturally, the studious mare nearly had a panic attack; a dangerous pony suddenly got up and escaped the hospital to destroy the marketplace in a rampage! Although nopony reportedly suffered any serious injuries, Twilight still worried about Celestia and her sister. Thankfully, Spike talked her down, but the stress didn’t help with her friendship studies, resulting in…yesterday.

Besides that, this simple request held more importance than it appeared to. Regardless of the fact Storm Breaker was dangerous, Twilight couldn’t go with the raging torrent of waves that was the Canterlot public and have her locked up. She imagined spending thousands of years- basically -dead inside a magic crystal was more than enough time to pay for her misdeeds. But if Luna and Celestia’s plan were to fail: Storm Breaker harming ponies in an escape attempt or retaliation, it’d blow the flames of outrage higher and higher.

It all came down to a simple question: imprisonment or supervision?

On the pro side of option one: it’d be only a few years behind bars before she’s allowed to go free, and the public would be satisfied by then. Cons: Storm Breaker wasn’t mentally well as she was; isolation would only worsen her, and Twilight knew how petty Canterlot’s nobles could be to try and extend her sentence because of some unknown law established hundreds of years ago that she broke.

On the other hoof: More protection added to the night guard would mean less crime under the moon’s watch, and Storm Breaker wouldn’t be one hundred percent free or locked up with other guards around keeping an eye on her. Although, remembering that mare’s body made the likelihood of a regular guard stopping her a half-baked dream at best. Twilight believed Ponyville’s neighborhood farm stallion, Big Mac, would struggle going against her.

Each way the studious mare molded every possible scenario in her brain, the cons and pros would barely balance out one another.

There was no way everypony could come out on top; nobles would probably pay off shady guard’s ponies to keep Storm Breaker locked up longer than necessary or get her in trouble, and Storm Breaker’s temper might cause problems in the night guard!

“Twilight!” Spike’s voice suddenly said, startling Twilight, “You’re doing your zoning out thing again.” He pointed out.

Looking from Spike back to Luna, Twilight took a deep breath. “I-I don’t know, Princess.” She admitted, ears pressing against her head, “No matter how hard I try, it doesn’t seem like any plan can turn out right. And I thought you hated her; why the unexpected change in heart?” She said.

“Mrs. Sparkle,” Luna began, “Don’t confuse the thorned vine for the olive branch. Our feelings have not changed to suit the brute’s needs; we simply wish to support our sister in helping to reform the dastardly mare.” Softening her features, Luna faced toward the ceiling above. “All I will say, though, is that I somewhat feel for her plight as a mare of action, even if it doesn’t show.” She said, confusing Twilight and her assistant before returning her attention to the duo.

Seconds felt like hours to Twilight as her mind raced for a response and, hopefully, an answer to Luna’s question. Obviously, the lunar princess wasn’t truthful to Twilight; about what exactly? She didn’t know. All Twilight Sparkle, a student of the diarch of the sun, the element of friendship, and hard-bound friend knew: this answer would change everything.

“Princess Luna, I think Princess Celestia’s plan would be the best.” She said.

Not out of loyalty to Celestia or hate for Storm Breaker nor to spite Luna’s feelings; her answer came out completely random.