Lost Summer

Rarity munched on dry oats as she watched little vignettes of city life through the monocular. She'd spent the night sleeping in the bushes just outside of town, a new low for accommodations and something her spine sorely lamented. She combed, or rather untangled, her mane using a forked branch and a tiny signal mirror from the gear bag. Then she smeared streaks of mud across her face and sprinkled leaves in her mane for camouflage.

She'd made a nest high up in a tree which offered both cover and an amazing view of White Glade including the east gate of the castle which was the focus of her stakeout.

She needed top tier intel for her mission but was at a loss for how to get it. She had no inside contacts and would have a very difficult time making any. She could sneak into the castle herself either in disguise or undetected and snoop around but chances were high she'd get spotted before ever gathering anything meaningful and then things would just be even more difficult. She could always go right up, knock on the door, tell them who she was and request an audience but based on her experiences in the city it really didn't seem like a good move. There was just a palpable ominousness to the situation. However, danger aside, that method would surely get her her answer.

“Oh, that's a school,” she gasped, zeroing in on a playground of Kirin foals at recess. “Perhaps the newly integrated next generation will be the ones to break the cycle of senseless prejudice.”

As she scanned across the yard however she quickly realized that the foals had more or less segregated themselves into their own designated areas with their own clans. The exception she found was a trio of three different Kirin frolicking together and playing tag in the grass.

Rarity smiled weakly. Her mother was really ahead of her time, adopting a lightning Kirin and marrying a pony, a real counterculture pioneer… if she had actually stayed in the culture. The more she though about it the more shocking that revelation seemed to her. She had come to realize that she was glad to have grown up with ponies and not in a regressive environment like this.

Though she had a gift for speech, it was still difficult to have a positive interaction with anyone outside of her apparent clan. It was difficult to have any interaction at all in fact. Different Kirin only seemed to speak and cooperate when obligated by circumstances or saddled with a specific task but they still weren't happy about it. She was rejected by her own clan because she looked like another clan and accepted by that clan because she dyed her coat. It only underscored for her how frivolous and backward it all was and she would like nothing more than to point this out to them after every disparaging remark.

Rarity watched life down below intently for a good couple of hours until what looked like a citywide midday break was taking place. Field worker were just sitting in the shade at the edge of the field. The foals in school were eating lunch outside and the monument builders had ceased their labor and had assembled in the town square. They seemed to be almost waiting for something.

She looked back to the castle and rolled her head to work the stiffness out of her neck. Curiously the castle appeared to have three banners above the gate, one representing each clan. There did seem to be at least a mealy mouthed plea for unity, one that wasn't being internalized or heeded by the citizens. Suddenly the great castle doors parted and a pair of guards emerged flanking both sides of the street. A robust royal carriage rumbled into view behind them. It was pulled by two Kirin and flanked in the rear by two more guards.

Rarity’s eyebrows went up as she floated the monocular back to her eye. This looked important. She followed the little caravan to the crowded town square where it stopped. A purple Kirin wearing a tricolored cape emerged from the carriage. She teleported to the roof of her vehicle and turned proudly to address the crowd. That had to be her, the figure from the tapestry and the one in charge, Queen Equinox.

Watching through the lens, Rarity could see the monarch pacing back and forth as she spoke. Although the outing was planned it looked more like an impromptu rallying of the troops than a formal address. Even from this distance, Rarity could hear the queen projecting her booming voice over the crowd though she was unable to make out anything she was saying.

Rarity hastily packed up her bag and scanned the rooftops of the city for a place close to the action where she could listen in unseen. A prominent three story building with a flat living roof near the square looked promising. She teleported from the safety of her nest to the top of the building. Then she crouched low in the wispy grass and crawled to the edge to listen but did not peek, afraid of being seen.

“I know things have been difficult but we have faced worse times. Wars, plagues and of course the continuous espionage and bad faith between our clans. We are Kirin. We will persevere as we always do but this time we will do it together. The days of meritless bloodletting and subversion are over and we are at the forefront of a new era. We are the pioneers, the foundation of an unrealized utopia. When you look back trying to find our best times, you won't find them because our best times still lay ahead of us.”

The audience clapped.

“I leave you now to visit our brothers and sisters in the east. Bring greatness to our city.”

Rarity hazarded a glance over the edge. The queen hopped off of the roof of her carriage, cape fluttering dramatically. A guard opened the door on the side facing away from the crowd and for a moment she saw what looked like the face of a gagged Kirin pop into the opening from within before being roughly shoved back inside by the guard. The queen quickly hopped inside and vanished behind the closed door. The carriage and entourage pulled away and continued down the street.

Rarity rolled onto her back with a frown. What was that, she wondered. Was whatever was going on in that carriage normal? It didn't look good. She scuttled to the opposite side of the roof and watched as the little caravan crawled up the street and left through the east side checkpoint.

Rarity sighed in contemplation. Answers or no, this looked like it was worth investigating. The queen was out in the open and she should take advantage of it. She could tail her to see what she was up to in ‘the east’ and just play it by ear. She needed to be wary though, not just of her security detail but also her own rations. With little means of providing for herself here and vehemently against stealing, she was going to need to go back to Sky's Edge within the next day to resupply.

She teleported back outside the city beyond the fence and began walking briskly in an easterly trajectory. Staying out of sight and circumventing the checkpoints, she eventually caught up to the other road which connected White Glade and Ash Forge. It was well worn, clearly seeing more use than the other road. There in the distance was the carriage and a trailing cloud of dust disappearing into the trees.

The camouflage continued to serve her but Rarity followed the queen at an even greater distance than she had followed the soldiers the day before. Employing the same technique, she teleported here and there. She kept pace for only ten, maybe fifteen minutes before something strange happened. As Rarity watched from behind a tree she saw the coach turn its broadside to her as it began a stark departure from the road.

Rarity cocked an eyebrow. “That's not the way to Ash Forge. That's not the way to anything… Unless she’s going to Sky's Edge but that's not what she said… and why would she go there?”

Having lost sight of the carriage she walked slowly up the wagon ruts until she came upon a simple A-frame wooden barrier standing parallel to the road and blocking a near imperceptible turn that diverged in a southern direction. A sign on the barrier read, Danger, Keep Out, Monsters.

“How very interesting,” muttered Rarity dryly, recalling the banter she'd overheard from the guards yesterday. Her eyes flicked up to see the entourage some distance down the practically unbeaten path and heading deeper still into the woods. “Why go this way?”

Rarity teleported beyond the barrier and continued following in the same time tested method she'd been using though it was both tedious and monotonous. As she traveled along, the flora around her began to change. The trees were different now, much thicker overhead with silvery white leaves. Veils of moss hung down from every branch giving the forest a sudden clandestine air. They continued on through this new region for some time before the trees abruptly thinned out into a huge clearing.

Rarity lingered behind, wide-eyed. There were dark, regimented squares ahead that were staring back at her, openings in a stone edifice, the telltale signs of something built with intelligence and purpose.

The carriage wheels rumbled louder as the terrain charged. They'd come to an enormous plaza. The stones under their hooves were recessed in a grid of moss. Tall grass and even full grown trees sprouted up from the cracks, their powerful roots dislodging the stonework in large swaths. There were some small stone structures around the peripheries that had crumbled, whatever wood elements mostly rotted away. Maybe it used to be some Kirin trading bazaar, mused Rarity.

At the center of the plaza was a wide, two story circular building that was worn and covered with creeping vines but built solid enough to be nearly fully intact. This place had been lost and unused for generations, perhaps hundreds of years.

Rarity looked at her watch. By her estimation of time and direction this structure, whatever it was, must have been at the center of the triangle. It was placed equally in between all three cities which could only mean that it carried some significance for all Kirin, at least it did a long time ago.

Rarity watched vigilantly as the carriage pulled up in front of the big building and stopped. A guard opened the door and Queen Equinox stepped out, the end of a long chain floating in her magic. She gave it a tug and the mysterious Kirin from before poked her head out of the opening and stepped somberly to the ground.

Rarity got out her monocular again for a closer look. It was a fire Kirin, she was fairly certain. She was tan with an orange mane. She had a metal collar locked around her neck and attached to the lead carried by the queen. There was a smaller metal clamp locked around the base of her horn. Some sort of magic suppressing device, by Rarity's guess. This Kirin was clearly being held captive and brought here against her will.

The queen motioned to a guard who then removed the mare's gag, revealing a weary and anxious frown. A third Kirin of pale indigo coat and light gray mane exited the carriage.

The two Kirin at the front unhitched themselves and sat idly in the shade against the wall of the big building. Three guards meandered about, patrolling the area with relaxed body language which told Rarity they were not expecting any company at the site at all, much less monsters.

The queen passed the chain to the fourth guard who accompanied them as they turned and walked into the open doorway of the ancient stone building. Rarity looked up from the eyepiece. Whatever was happening in there, she needed to see it.

The big circular building had six evenly spaced doorways along its circumference and a ring of twelve tiny windows above them. It would be easy to get inside unnoticed with that many entry points.

Rarity teleported behind another lone tree and then another as she skirted the edge of the plaza and around to the building's unguarded side. Once the carriage was totally out of her line of sight, she scanned the area again. She could only see one Kirin now, a guard far away who had their back turned to her.

She held her breath and teleported one last time to the vine covered wall. Then inched up close to the edge of the doorway. Inside she could hear the sound of echoing voices receding from her ears. Rarity cautiously stuck one eye around the corner, ready to flee into the woods at accidental eye contact with another Kirin but there was no one in sight. Softly she crept inside the spacious rotunda. The interior was decorated with colorful frescos from the floor to the ceiling which was an enormous dome. There was an oculus at the center where she could look up and see the sky. All around the glowing focal point were paintings of Kirin of every type singing and dancing. They seemed to be both gathering and gravitating around the light source.

Rarity was absolutely enthralled by the marriage of architecture and artistry but forced her eyes back to the tiled floor where an open recess revealed a spiral staircase going down. Her heart beat faster. Silently she slipped into the hole and slunk down the steps, slowing as she caught up to the conversation between the Kirin.

“Well we wouldn't have to do things like this if you were a team player, would we?” asked a haughty voice.

“Why would I want to be on a team with you?”

“This is why you're the one wearing the leash and I'm the one holding it. You're incapable of zooming out to see the big picture and you're choosing to be on the wrong side of history here. This isn't about you or me. This is about all Kirin.”

“This isn't about you?” scoffed the fire Kirin. Could have fooled me with that giant monument to yourself you're making everyone build.”

“Excuse me, the new temple is a beautiful gesture of peace between the clans and the incredible ruler who finally made it happen,” bristled the queen. “We are unified now.”

“It doesn't really feel that way.”

“Perhaps not yet but it will.”

“When you force everyone to?”

“I’m not forcing anyone; I'm showing them the light and our true path forward. Complete subservience to one power is unity and unity is what is best for the Kirin. Enough of this.”

The stairs became quite dim but Rarity did not light her horn. Finally a weak light spilled across the steps just ahead. She slowed to a creep and saw that the wall and stairway were parting, an ornate metal mesh lined the left side of the stairs all the way to the floor below but Rarity stopped at the top. She stretched out awkwardly on her barrel, trying not to slip and then put an eye to the mesh. The chamber within was round, adorned with more frescos that were too dim to see but most notable was the three pointed pony sized glowing crystal in the center, faceted in a metal base and placed upon a carved stone altar.

Rarity watched breathlessly as the enormous crystal fluctuated in brightness with their movements.

“Everyone back against the wall,” ordered the queen.

Her company lined up obediently at the edge of the chamber and the crystal dimmed until the room was almost black.

Queen Equinox produced an object and floated it toward the crystal. Whatever it was It was too dark and misshapen for Rarity to identify. She did however notice the meager increase in the crystal's glow.

“So it does work on the Unity Crystal too,” gasped the queen. She turned energetically to the group. “Autumn, Winter, get into position.”

The other Kirin approached the altar and the crystal began to glow bright enough to light up the whole room, jarring a memory loose in Rarity's brain. This crystal. It was reacting in the exact same fashion as the crystal necklace that the attackers had used to track her.

The queen and her two pawns stood upon three round nodes which surrounded the altar after a bit of yanking on Autumn's chain.

The one referred to as Winter meekly placed her hoof upon the pulsating crystal. Equinox placed what looked like a scrap of bloodstained cloth on the crystal. The two then looked to the reluctant fire Kirin.

“Touch the crystal,” commanded Equinox impatiently.

Autumn sighed and raised her hoof to the big rock. Moments of silence passed becoming moments of awkwardness. Autumn's eyes bounced between the disgruntled expressions of her companions.

“So are we united yet?”

“Winter?” prodded the queen.

The mare frowned in embarrassment. “Um… I'm pretty sure that if it was going to work it would have worked by now.”

“Ugh!” Equinox put the cloth away angrily. “I guess there is simply no substitute then; we need all three princesses at the altar.”

“It was worth a try. I’m sorry but well it- it's still amazing news that we know that Princess Summer Storm is really out there. We'll find her again. Don't worry.”

“You dragged me out here just for this?” grumbled Autumn.

“We will be back,” Sneered the queen. “Count on it.” She turned back toward the stairs.

Rarity winced and scrambled to her hooves. She did an about face and scurried quietly back up the steps as the group headed for the exit. She entered the, now bright by comparison, rotunda and disappeared out of the same door she'd come in through, pressing her side against the wall of vines.

Rarity exhaled. Her mind raced to put the pieces together. The queen was trying to collect the three Kirin princesses and force them to unlock the power of this old lost Unity Crystal in order to consolidate power over the Kirin somehow. That was the whole reason why she tried to kidnap her. The surviving attacker must have reported back to Equinox bringing her that reactive article that didn't pan out. They were still desperately looking for her but not in Kirin country. This was probably the last place they'd expect to find her.

Voices emanated from within the rotunda and she knew that they'd emerged. What was her next move? They weren't going to stop hunting her unless she intervened to stop it somehow. This moment was an opportunity and a crossroads. Rarity opened up her pack and looked through. She unsheathed a throwing knife with her magic and let the light play across the blade. She bit her lip as anxiety welled within her.

“We are redoubling our efforts to find Summer Storm,” declared Equinox as they marched to the carriage.

“Based on the report we should move more teams into central Equestria,” agreed Winter.

Autumn lagged behind. The chain links tightened.

“Come along now,” commanded the queen. “In you go.”

Autumn raised her head, looking like she was about to mouth off again when suddenly she vanished from sight in a magical blink. Before the group could even look about in dumb confusion, a cluster of pops sounded around them and they were enveloped in a billowing gas cloud. All visual was gone. Smoke surrounded them, agitating their lungs and searing their eyes as they bowed their heads, wheezing and hacking.

Appearing abruptly before a strange mare some distance away from the coach and the chaos, Autumn asked in bewilderment. “Who are you?”

“No time. Hold still,” ordered Rarity.

She quickly twirled the loose chain of the fire princess’ metal collar, wrapping it around her neck to make it less of an encumbrance. The other Kirin were still dazed and coughing.

“Stay with me. We're getting out of here.”