A Renewed Ending

Friday, January 14, 1008 A.L., Gryphonia

It was strange for Gregory to see the shimmering magical hologram, as he called it, of Empress Cadance sitting in the chair she had sat in recently. It wasn’t strange because it was a magical hologram, because he had already gotten used to those being used by the members of the Convocation who had spent time in their respective nations and who were scheduled to make their way home by the end of the week due to their replacements being on their way, replacements that the Convocation had carefully vetted.

No, what was strange about it was that Cadance was currently en route back to her empire on a train, and the way her body moved showed that. Everyone else was sitting as still as could be expected, but if one were to look at Cadance, it would appear as if she was fidgeting, when in fact she was just being jostled around slightly by the motion of the train she sat in. “So,” she was saying, “I know of a great negotiator from my empire. He might be a bit old fashioned since he is from a time a thousand years gone, but from what I’ve seen of his own actions in recent months, he’s perfect for the job. His name is Garnet Rill. He once served Princess Amore on her diplomacy team before King Sombra imprisoned him.”

“When he arrives, we will welcome him as your representative,” Geoffrey said with a nod. “We’ll also set him up with the same communication that we have with you so you two can talk privately.”

“Thank you, ambassador,” Cadance said with a grateful smile. “Is there anything else you want of me?”

“Just that we ask you to prepare a place for our incoming ambassador,” Geoffrey replied. “He or she should be coming in another month or so.”

“Still interviewing potential candidates?” Cadance asked in a surprisingly teasing tone. “I can’t blame you for that,” she added quickly with a sincere smile. “There’s no need to rush these things. I’m just glad we could come to initial terms of goodwill.”

“As are we,” Geoffrey replied, and everyone else at the table, Gregory included, nodded in agreement. “Have a safe trip back to your homeland, your majesty.”

“Thank you,” Cadance said. “And thank you for letting us stay for so long.”

“You’re very welcome, your majesty,” Geoffrey replied.

“Bye bye, nice human! Bye bye, nice gryphons!” Flurry Heart said suddenly, coming into view and waving with a wide smile. “Come visit!”

Everyone at the table, minus Grandpa Gruff, smiled and waved at the excitable filly. Still, even Grandpa Gruff wasn’t immune to the innocence of a child. His frown lessened considerably and he gave a rather polite nod towards the filly. “Goodbye, your highness,” Geoffrey said warmly, “and if we can, we will come visit.”

“Really?? Yay!” Flurry’s wings actually buzzed behind her, reminding Gregory briefly of Scootaloo.

“You are more than welcome to visit, yes,” Cadance added. “Just let us know when you would like to, and I will adjust your schedule.”

“Don’t worry,” Gwendolyn said with a chuckle, “we’ll give you plenty of notice.”

“That would be much appreciated,” Cadance said with a dry chuckle before her eyes twinkled in merriment as her daughter continued furiously waving with a wide smile. “And with that, I can see my husband coming back with lunch for us. We’ll talk again soon. Goodbye.”

After everyone had said their goodbyes and the connection was severed, everyone at the table turned to each other. “So,” Geoffrey said, turning to Gwendolyn, “what else is on the agenda for today?”

“Well, a meeting with the snow leopard envoy who arrived last night, for one,” Gwendolyn explained.

“They were certainly bringing a lot of stuff with them,” Gael said. “Could it be another bribe?”

“If that’s the case, they can fuck right off back where they came from,” Grandpa Gruff said.

“Now now, old timer,” Geoffrey chided him, “a bribe or not, you can’t deny that we need the money.” He gestured to the large crates that Celestia and Luna had brought them. “Those crates over there were likely intended as bribes, but we can use them to help revitalize the nation.”

“Besides,” Gwendolyn said, “the snow leopards may have a resource we need. Those slimes that the Equestrian princesses mentioned are apparently found mostly in snow leopard territory now according to what I found. If they do exist, we could utilize them in farming and creating cleaner water for our cities and through the continent.”

“I’m just surprised that they came here at all,” Ginna said. “I’ve heard they became pretty secretive since the fall of the Imperium.”

“Well, they came here in good faith,” Geoffrey said, “so we should meet them next. Gwendolyn, is there anything else on the agenda?”

Gwendolyn looked down at her papers and a frown creased her face. “We’ve had some of the city watchtoms and watchhens keeping an eye on the changeling infiltrators,” she said, “and their actions have been remarkably identical each day. All of them should be back in their inn by the end of the day.” She looked at the Convocation with a stern expression. “Our plans regarding them remain unchanged, I take it? If not, everything is set up for tonight.”

“Good,” Grandpa Gruff said with a snarl. “It’s long past time that those bastards paid for kicking our colony out.”

“Just remember, we are not to treat them poorly,” Geoffrey cautioned. “Make sure the jailers know this. The changelings have weapons we haven’t had the time to replicate. Their firearms are some of the most dangerous weapons in the world at the moment, and we have no standing military as of now.”

Gregory frowned along with the rest. He did have some articles regarding the creation of firearms, something he had added as somewhat of an afterthought. He didn’t like the idea of an arms race, but he knew he likely had no choice. Other nations may very well begin developing their own weapons. Equestria already had cannons, if Pinkie’s own party cannon was any indication. He cleared his throat. “I have schematics for firearms we can replicate from my homeworld,” he said, “along with various recipes for different types of shot. I can provide them to the appropriate weapons experts at some point.”

Soon after the first meeting with Celestia and Luna, he had informed the Convocation about his actual origins from another world. He had bent the truth even then, telling them that he had heard stories of this world and wanted to come live there as life for him in his world was unenjoyable. Which was the truth. The Convocation had listened carefully and were understanding, although Grandpa Gruff was a bit…well…gruff about it. Still, they had accepted it regardless.

He felt Gwendolyn’s claw on his hand in a reassuring gesture. Geoffrey nodded gravely. “That would be greatly appreciated,” he said before he turned back to the Convocation’s beautiful secretary. “What else do we have on the docket today?”

“Aside from lunch?“ Gwendolyn asked, a twinkle of amusement creeping into her eyes.

That led to a chuckle passing through the room. “Yes, aside from that,” Geoffrey said.

“Nothing that I can think of,” she said.

“Then let’s send for the snow leopard convoy,” Geoffrey said.

Ten minutes later, the doors to the Convocation Chamber opened, revealing the snow leopard envoy. Gregory saw five of them there, led by a pale blue snow leopard with piercing icy blue eyes, snow white hair and tail, and a stern expression on her face. The others looked like aids or servants as they were carrying crates on their backs. The snow leopard female inclined her head stiffly but with some politeness. “Greetings,” she said in a silky smooth voice, one that had an unusual accent to it, as if she wasn’t used to speaking the common language. “I am Zira Snowveil, High Adjutant to Matriarch Nymria Shiverfall of the Leap.”

Everyone at the table stood and greeted her with a polite incline of their heads as well, placing their claws and hands on their chests in polite greeting. “Welcome to the Convocation, High Adjutant,” Geoffrey said. “I am Ambassador Geoffrey. Allow me to introduce the others members here.”

Gregory kept a careful eye on Zira, unsure if she would be using her Purrsuasion magic here or not, but while he was suspicious, he decided to try and give her the benefit of the doubt. When her gaze fell on Gregory, she seemed to stiffen in shock, but she held her tongue until the end of the introduction. “Forgive me for asking,” she said, although Gregory felt like she wasn’t really asking to be forgiven, “but what manner of creature are you?”

“I am a human being, High Adjutant,” Gregory said. “I’m simply one member of the Convocation.”

“I see,” Zira said with a thoughtful frown. After a few seconds, she shook herself and turned to Geoffrey, who was quickly becoming the unofficial Speaker of the Convocation. “Ambassador, my aides are tired from carrying these chests here. May I impose upon you to allow them to seek refreshment and rest?”

“Our city is open for all, as are the Eyrie’s kitchens,” Geoffrey said. “Please, feel free to indulge. There are also rooms available here for your use as well as theirs.” He then pointed to an empty wall. “They may unload their chests there if they wish.”

With a nod, Zira turned to the aids. “Place them there then find some food for yourselves.” She brought out a sack from her saddlebag and gave it to one of the aides. “Here are some talons.”

The four aides unloaded their burdens, then three of them left. However, one stayed behind. He was a slender and younger looking snow leopard tom with dark aquamarine fur that was spotted with cloud shaped grayish blue spots, mauve hair and tail, and ruby red eyes. He walked over and stood behind Zira. When the High Adjutant saw this, she frowned. “You should get yourself some food too, Thalion,” she said.

“I am your personal aide, my Lady,” he said, his own accent less prominent than Zira’s own. “It wouldn’t be right to leave your side now.”

Zira let out a sigh, then turned to the Convocation. “This is my personal aide, Thalion Glacierheart,” she said, gesturing to the younger snow leopard, “and a very loyal tom. Would you permit him to stay here?”

“I don’t see why not,” Gael said.

“Can he keep a secret?” Geoffrey asked.

“Of course he can,” Zira said, sounding a bit offended.

“Then he can stay,” Geoffrey said as he stood and walked up to the chair set aside for the envoy’s representative. He pulled it out. “Please have a seat, High Adjutant.”

Gregory also stood and walked over to the wall where spare chairs were set. He grabbed one, brought it back to the table, and placed it next to Zira’s, then looked at Thalion. “Mr. Glacierheart, please sit as well,” he encouraged.

Thalion looked a bit shocked by this and hesitated. When Zira cleared her throat a bit irritably, Thalion nodded silently in gratitude and took a seat, pulling out some paper, a quill pen and ink, and began preparing to write. When Gregory sat back down, Geoffrey spoke. “High Adjutant, I have to admit that when we received a message from the Leap, we were surprised. We were under the impression that the snow leopards beyond the wall wanted nothing to do with us.”

Zira chuckled sardonically. “Many of us still don’t,” she said sharply, “but the Matriarch sent me because she is aware that this new Convocation of yours is more likely to succeed than past attempts at reforming a government.”

“So, what is it the Matriarch wishes of us?” Georgia asked.

“I have here an ancient document that was signed between the former Imperium and the Leap back before the fall of the former,” Zira said as she pulled out an ancient weathered looking scroll, which she passed to Geoffrey. “The terms in there are simple enough, and while I have been granted leave by my Matriarch to negotiate on certain areas, most of what she hopes is that the majority of what is in this old agreement remain intact.”

“Is that the Treaty of Griswold Keep?” Gwendolyn asked.

“It is,” Zira replied. “You know it?”

“We have a copy of it in our records,” Gwendolyn replied as she stood and walked over to a cabinet and opened it, looking through it carefully before pulling out a large scroll of similar size to the one that had been brought by Zira. “May I look over your copy?” Gwendolyn asked, putting on a pair of glasses.

Zira gave the scroll over to Gwendolyn, who opened both in her claws and looked between the two. Her eyes flicked between each document, her beak moving slightly as she read. The group waited in silence for a minute before Gwendolyn put Zira’s copy down, then returned to her seat. “They are identical,” she said.

“For those of us who don’t know what the terms are,” Georgia said, “what terms are non negotiable?”

Zira chuckled. “We were once part of the Imperium,” she said, “and if you create a new government, the Matriarch is not willing to rejoining, but she is open to trade.”

“What can the Leap offer?” Geoffrey asked.

“Something that may become useful to you in the future, for one,” Zira said as she turned to Thalion. “Fetch one.”

“Yes, my lady,” the tom said as he stood and flew over to one of the crates. He undid the latch and opened it, then reached inside. He pulled out a smaller wooden box and carried it over to the table, setting it down as near the center as he could.

“Open it,” Zira instructed him.

With a nod, the tom reached out and undid the latch on the side. When he opened it, a dark grayish blue translucent amorphous blob quickly moved out, quickly sitting on the table. Everyone stared at it in shock.

Gregory’s eyebrows shot up. He remembered how Celestia had casually mentioned slimes in their first meeting, the typical isekai monster seen in anime and manga, but he never expected to see anything close to one in this world. He opened his mouth, then closed it.

“Is that…a slime?” Gwendolyn asked instead.

Zira looked a bit surprised, but hid it quickly. “You remember them?” she asked.

“We were only recently reminded of their existence by another envoy,” Geoffrey said as the slime seemed to sway around.

“They are quite useful creatures,” Zira said with a smirk. “They keep our streets clean, keep our fields fertile, and keep our water pure. They are harmless enough.”

Gregory watched as Zira brought out what looked like a chicken bone from her saddlebag and tossed it directly onto the slime. The bone sank in and the slime began moving up and down. It actually made a trilling sound as the bone began to dissolve. When it finished, the slime made another trilling noise and began moving slowly around, exploring its new surroundings, but not before leaving behind a small pile of what looked like fertile soil.

“They will eat and dissolve nearly anything, as long as it’s not alive,” Zira said as the other members of the Convocation, Gregory included, picked up some of the soil and looked at it carefully. “They can also become family pets if treated well.”

As the slime reached Gregory, it stopped and seemed to turn to face him. It trilled and a part of it reached out to touch Gregory’s outstretched finger. The slime felt just like he expected it to feel like. It bounced back when he pressed lightly against it. It then moved closer, trilling a bit. He couldn’t help but smile. The trilling noise was cute. He looked up at Zira. “What else can you tell us about slimes?”

“They can be trained pretty well,” Zira said, “and they tend to only roam in certain areas they consider their territory. They can reproduce asexually if fed a certain amount of material. There are more slimes in a couple of those crates along with a book on their care. But that’s not all the Matriarch sent.”

That caught everyone’s attention, and Zira nodded at Thalion, who returned to the chests and brought out a jar which reminded him of the clay jars of honey from Winny the Poo. “This is the honey of the giant bee,” she said.

The gryphons at the table winced at that, but Gregory looked intrigued. He knew that giant bee honey was something no gryphon liked, but if Princess Celestia wanted it, he wondered what it could taste like. “If you are aware of our old history,” Gwendolyn said, “then surely you know that gryphons hate the stuff.”

“The Matriarch is well aware of that,” Zira acknowledged, “but she is also aware that you have gained nongryphon citizens recently.”

“May I try some?” Gregory asked.

“Please do,” Zira said, pushing the jar towards him.

Gregory opened the jar, then stuck a finger inside. The typical feel of honey surrounded said finger as he pulled it out and looked at the dark amber colored substance. He took a taste, and his eyes widened. He was a fan of honey, especially on toast or in tea, but this honey tasted ten times better than anything he had tasted. Gryphons did enjoy honey from the normal bee variety, so he was confused why the honey here would be any different. “This is phenomenal!” he exclaimed.

“This honey was harvested by our finest beekeepers this past summer,” Zira said, “and they are very proud of their work.”

“Please let them know that their work wasn’t in vain,” Gregory said with a wide smile.

Zira seemed a bit taken aback by this, but nodded. “I will,” she acknowledged. “Do you believe that your nonpony residents will enjoy this?”

“I have a dragon and some ponies living at my house who I can ask,” Gregory said. “I’ll let you know when I have their answers.”

“Excellent,” Zira said. “We also have several fruits and meats that we can trade with you. There are examples in the crates as well.”

Several minutes later, the Convocation had tasted some snowberries, frost oranges, and had even seen cuts of some the best marbled beef Gregory had seen in this world. It might have put real Japanese Wagyu beef to shame if cooked properly. There was enough for everyone at the Convocation to have one. Gregory was given the largest side so that the omnivores at his house could taste them as well.

“Your gifts are very generous,” Geoffrey said, “but I can’t help but wonder what you and your Matriarch want in return for trade of these items?”

“Ah, yes,” Zira said as she turned to Thalion and nodded. He pulled out a piece of parchment paper from a bag on the ground and gave it to Zira, who opened it and put on a pair of reading spectacles. “Ahem,” she said, clearing her throat before she began. “There are a list of fruits and vegetables here that can be grown only in valleys that we wish to trade for,” she began, “along with meat from animals that can only survive at lower elevations. We also wish for bread, milk, and eggs. But more importantly, we wish for houseoak seeds.”

Houseoaks again, Gregory thought dryly. That seemed to be their biggest demand, not that he could blame anyone for wanting them. Not only were they able to be made into perfectly livable houses, but they also could be grown almost everywhere and could pump oxygen into the atmosphere. If these existed on Earth, pollution might go down, he thought.

“Hold on,” Gwendolyn, “it was my understanding that houseoaks existed in the Leap already. I’ve read reports of gryphons who visited the Leap and they saw houseoaks there.”

“That was many hundreds of years ago,” Zira explained. “Those houseoaks were sadly killed by a disease. Only one still remains, the Great Hall where the Matriarch and her prowl live.”

That caught Gregory’s attention and he felt his stomach clenching. “A disease that kills houseoaks?” he asked, tension in his voice.

Zira waved a paw dismissively. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, “we cured the Rot centuries ago, but not before all of our houseoaks were decimated. The Great Hall still remains, but it can’t produce seeds anymore.”

“That is unfortunate,” Geoffrey said, “but I believe I speak for all here when I say we can accommodate you there, although not right away.”

“According to our sources, this year is the boom cycle for all houseoaks in Gryohonia,” Gwendolyn said.

“That is good news,” Zira said. “One more thing she is asking for is for hay.”

That caught everyone’s attention. “Hay?” Geoffrey asked.

“What in tarnation do yeh need hay fer?” Grandpa Gruff asked incredulously.

Zira looked a bit surprised, then realization dawned on her. “You must have forgotten about that, too.” She shook her head in obvious disappointment. “We breed horses up in the Leap.”

For a while, nobody spoke. Then, Ginna opened her mouth. “Horses? You mean those creatures that look like lankier and taller versions of ponies?”

Zira laughed, sounding quite amused. “That’s correct,” she said, looking at the magical projection of the gryphon hen. “We use them as beasts of burden in our fields, helping to pull tills and to pull carriages and convoys across our territory.”

“Would you be open to trading some well trained horses with us?” Geoffrey asked.

“Or at the very least, helping to tame some of the wild ones?” Gregory added.

Zira pursed her lips and looked thoughtful. “I must admit, neither my Matriarch or I considered horses as being up for trade,” she said, “but I can speak with her about it.” She nodded at Thalion. “Make a special note of that.”

“Yes, my lady.” Thalion said.

“Well, why don’t we start talking about specifics, then?” Geoffrey offered.

“Sounds good,” Zira said, “but before we do, I would like to sample some of that delicious bliss I’ve heard so much about.”

General Nictis sat with his wife in their shared room at the inn. The sun had already set despite it being so early, and every changeling in their group had returned to their rooms. Elytra was sitting at the desk while Nictis was pacing the room, reading over what he had already written to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. Their day of exploring the former Imperial capital of Gryphonia had been mostly uneventful. The citizens were either continuing to rebuild what they could, were at the market buying and selling, and generally enjoying the day.

The day had been mostly uneventful, though, Nictis reflected. One of his subordinates had discovered something quite interesting. He knew about the rumors about a set of hidden tunnels underneath Gryphonstone that had once been used during storms or nor’westers to keep the city business going. Over time, though, gryphons had relegated these underground passages as legends or even myths. However, his subordinate, a younger budding agent named Cerci, had found what looked like several sets of doors in an old and abandoned building on the very bottom levels of the city, a part of the city that had not yet seen much construction and which was mostly abandoned. The doors were locked and no amount of magic or force could seem to open them. Still, when looked at from the outside, it was obvious that the doors led down because these doors were set on the outside facing walls.

The building that Cerci had found them in looked like an abandoned warehouse of sorts, judging by the rotten crates and dust inside said crates that might once have been foodstuffs. If these underground tunnels were real, it would give their group a great advantage. The only other thing of note he could report was that the convoy from the Crystal Empire had left earlier that morning, something that he felt would interest his Emperor.

Elytra looked over at him and shook her head. “You’re too tense,” she chided her husband lovingly.

He looked over at her and gave a sheepish chirp as he sighed. “I guess so,” he said, “but things have been quiet around here. Sure, more ponies and dragons move here and to Gryphonville every day, but there’s nothing new about that.”

“I might have seen a couple of crystal ponies as well,” Elytra explained, “but that could be my mistake. Even so, I’m including it.”

“Someling said that they saw some zebras and an abyssinian or two walking around,” Nictis said. “this place may be turning into a real melting pot.”

Elytra chuckled. “It does seem to be that way, doesn’t it?” she said.

“I think we should have our members split up after the next report,” Nictis said. “You and I stay here, but the others should go through Gryphonia and see how other towns are faring. I’m going to bring it up with the Emperor and the Swarm when we check in next.”

Elytra stood up from her seat, walked over to Nictis, and began nuzzling him affectionately. She leaned in and whispered, “I know we have a job to do, but you’re growing too tense, and not in the right place.” That last part was said with a seductive lilt before her forked tongue reached out and licked his neck.

He shuddered, his magical grip on his papers slipping as they fell to the floor. “E-Elly,” he said as she began pushing him towards their bed, “now’s not the…oh mmm…”

“Hush, my dear,” she said as she looked at him with lidded eyes full of warmth and affection. “We’ve been working too much lately. It’s long past time we took the time to…relax, shall we say?” She moved closer. “What say you?”

“Now isn’t the time to try for a nymph,” he retorted.

Elytra shook her head. “I know that, but we need this,” she said. “I don’t intend on conceiving tonight. I just want my husband with me.”

His heart began fluttering at her tone. It had been a while since the two of them had been intimate. He nodded, picked up the papers that had fallen, and set them on the desk. “A night with you does sound nice,” he finally admitted.

“Good colt,” she purred as she moved closer. “Now then, why don’t we get started, shall we?”

No sooner had she said that, however, than some sort of magical energy was felt in the room around them. Both froze briefly, then looked around the room in confusion as the air around them. “What in Tartarus is that?” Nictis asked as he jumped to his feet.

As the magic began swirling around them faster and faster, Elytra’s eyes widened. “It’s teleportation magic!” she exclaimed. “Quick! We need to-”

But it was too late. There was a bright flash, a wash of magic, and the two found themselves suspended in midair only to fall onto a hard stone floor. They weren’t alone, however. As Nictis got up, he could hear a few other groans from the room they had been forcibly teleported to. He was instantly on his feet, looking around. When he saw the bars across from him, he snorted. Did whoever teleported them here think that they could-?

A brief electric shock when through his body, and judging from the reactions of everyone else, the same thing had happened to them as well. Shaking it off, Nictis straightened and turned into a small animal. Or he tried to. When he tried, nothing happened. Confused, he tried again. Nothing. A third and fourth time revealed no results. He stopped when he began getting a headache. As the headache began to dissipate, he began thinking fast, forcing himself not to panic. Someone had forcibly teleported him and his entire group to this cell and they were somehow blocking his ability to shapeshift. He looked over at Elytra, who was at the bars, examining them. He joined her and looked at the bars as well. Nothing about them seemed too extraordinary.

“I wouldn’t try to escape if I were you,” a male voice said from nearby. Nictis looked up sharply, as did Eltya and the other changelings. The source of the voice was standing in a shadowy part of the hallway, their face obscured. “I also wouldn’t try changing forms,” the voice, which was sounding more and more familiar to Nictis, said.

“Who are you?” Elytra demanded to know.

The being stepped forward into the light of a torch sconce, and Nictis’ eyes widened in shock. Gregory Graystone stood there, one hand on an object on his belt, the other hanging loosely by his side. Nictis recognized the object he held as some sort of firearm. “Surely you know who I am, or should I say who we are,” he said, gesturing behind him.

A small group of gryphons stepped out from the shadows as well. Nictis recognized them as Gwendolyn, Grandpa Gruff, Georgia, and Ambassador Geoffrey, the last of whom he had met in the latter’s attempt to negotiate a peace settlement in regards to a gryphon colony in the Badlands. Geoffrey wore a scowl on his face as he stepped forward. “General Nictis,” he said angrily, “how nice to see you again.”

Nictis’ anger grew at this. What in the Maker’s name was going on?! How had they been discovered?! “Ambassador,” he replied as calmly as he could. “So, you captured us. What is it you want? You going to torture us?”

“Not at all,” Gregory replied. “What good would that accomplish? You’ll be treated well as long as you cooperate with us.”

“And why should we help you?” Nictis spat. “You abducted us!”

“And you’ve been spying on us ever since the Blue Moon Festival,” Gwendolyn said with a frown of her own.

“We could go back and forth all day, I’m sure,” Geoffrey said, “but regardless of your cooperation, we have no intention of mistreating you while you’re in our care. Our pride and code of ethics wouldn’t allow it.”

That made Nictis pause and take a mental step back. He knew more now about gryphon pride and their vaunted code of ethics. He forced himself to calm down before he looked at Geoffrey with a calmer expression. “What are your demands?” he asked.

“Quite simple, really,” Geoffrey said as Gwendolyn produced the communication stones that had only recently been in the inn with them. “Contact your Emperor. I believe there are words we need to have with him.”

Friday, January 14, 1008 A.L., Badlands

Jason sat in his throne, listening once more to the Imperial Swarm members discussing recent events. Currently, they were discussing events in Equestria, something that normally didn’t concern Jason since he wanted nothing more to do with that nation. However, recent developments had forced him to pay attention, because no matter how things went, it was likely to have some kind of effect on the changelings and their growing Empire in the Badlands.

“Come on, you can’t be serious,” Cheery was saying. “I know General Nictis isn’t here, but we can’t just pull out all our changelings up there. We can’t afford not to know what’s going on. If the nobles win this, they may very well come after us!”

“And I understand where you’re coming from, Miss Cheery, but here’s the thing,” Minister Proboscis countered, “we need more hooves here to help build our growing empire. The Badlands is small compared to Equestria, yes, but there are fewer changelings than ponies. We need all hooves on deck.”

“And what nation will remain when a new pony government tries to take revenge on us?” Cheery argued. “We need information just as much as we need to build up our territory.”

“I’m not saying we pull everyling back,” the minister argued, “but we need to pull a larger amount back.”

“The fact of the matter is that you both have good points,” their treasurer, Embioptera, said. “Coming from a monetary standpoint, though, we can’t do both. We barely have enough for what we’re doing now as it is. And it’s not like any other nation will do business with us.”

“Isn’t that what we want, though?” Pharynx asked. Jason inwardly frowned. Pharynx was more of a meathead and a stallion of action than anything else. He was smart when it came to battle tactics, but other than that he wasn’t too smart in other areas. Nictis was smarter, but he preferred to be involved in more clandestine operations.

Thinking about his trusted companion made him start tuning out. He wondered just how he was doing in Gryphonstone. There was another day until the next report. It had surprised him to learn that Celestia and Luna had reached out to this new Convocation. He inwardly scoffed at the thought. Sun Bitch’s just trying to get into this Gregory Graystone’s good graces, he thought, especially when he saw images of the many different crates that had been transported with the Equestrian envoy. Bribes, no doubt, he thought again.

He was brought out of his reverie when the communication stones began to glow. That’s odd, Jason thought. There’s no scheduled check in from anywhere tonight. He sat up, heart beginning to race. This very well could be some sort of emergency update from any of their operatives across the land.

“Who could be calling at this hour?” Chrysalis, who was in her humanoid form as she sat next to Jason, glared at the stones. “Answer whoever is calling.”

The changeling nearest to the stones touched one of them. The magical screen was instantly projected in front of the entire Swarm. Only to reveal not a changeling operative, but a man. A very familiar looking man. Standing on one side of him was Ambassador Geoffrey, while the gryphon hen named Gwendolyn, the secretary of the Convocation, stood on the other side of the man.

Jason stood up immediately, mouth dry as a hint of fear and worry crept into him. Worry and fear that he hid behind a mask of anger. “Gregory Graystone,” he muttered.

“Hello, Emperor Wright,” the man on the other side greeted him with an air of serenity that infuriated the changeling emperor more. “I knew we would eventually have to meet at some point,” he continued, “but I had hoped to not need to do so under these circumstances.” The screen turned to show a dungeon cell with several changeling figures inside, one being a very familiar general.

Jason’s hands clenched in anger as he glared at the second human in the entire world. “If you harm them, I swear to God-”

“No harm will come to them, I can assure you of that,” Gregory said. “We of the Convocation aren’t in the habit of torturing any prisoners. They will be taken well care of and even moved to some more proper accommodations, provided they can follow a few rules.”

“What sort of rules?” Jason asked, trying to maintain his composure. It wouldn’t be befitting of him to lose it as an Emperor.

Geoffrey stepped in now. “They are to be escorted around by members of the city guard at all times,” the ambassador said, “and they are to be in their natural state. No trying to disguise themselves. They will also have to wear special magic dampening rings that will force them to remain in their current forms.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt them,” Gwendolyn said in a reassuring tone. “it will just keep them from transforming.”

“These are nonnegotiable terms, I’m afraid,” Gregory said. “Other than those, however, they will be treated well, given better accommodations than these dungeons cells behind us. They are our guests.”

Jason took in a deep breath, letting it hang in the air before he exhaled and turned to face the changelings behind the group of three. “General, cooperate with them,” he said. “That’s a command from your Emperor.”

Nictis didn’t look too happy with this, but nodded. “As you command, your majesty,” he said.

Jason nodded, then turned back to the three members of the Convocation on the screen. “What do you want?” he demanded to know.

“A meeting,” Gregory said. “A meeting right here in Gryphonstone. You and Chrysalis and any others you deem worthy of attending. There are things that we need to discuss.”