Chapters Chapter 5: Planning with Twili
1007 had been a most intense year.
While the production of a suitable Heavy Tank was far from seeing any pleasant results for another year, the efforts made in airplanes were yielding some new advances in components for the new aircrafts. Nothing that could truly produce any advancements just yet, but the promising efforts were offering some hopeful wishing for the upcoming year.
1008 would see a few changes. And it was going to be crucial for our 'soft power' to be upheld in the next challenges. Starting with the Kingdom of Olenia being in shaky ground and offering Chrysalis a chance to acquire more resources.
I already planned to have a conversation with Princess Velvet and, with all prayers aimed at it, I wished for her to entertain the creation of a voluntary army to be ready to reclaim her throne rather than expect the people to just welcome her back.
Legitimacy or not, she needed an army because the Equestrian Military could not deal with that extra border- we were already struggling with our own, the last thing we need is to overextend the army's capacity to defend good ground.
There was a similar situation going on for the Northern regions since the Crystal Empire was undergoing a bit of a campaign to suppress a strange cult trying to bring back Sombra.
The silliest bit about this last news was that it was mostly led by non-Crystal Ponies since none of the locals wanted Sombra back, which made the work of the local guards easier in containing the threat exerted by those cultists, yet it limited our capacity to defend the Polar Bears.
In terms of Real World, the Polar Bears were Scandinavian in nature, and their terrain held the riches of minerals that could fuel the Changeling Industry into producing a formidable military in the next few years.
I could contain the Changelings in Olenia, but there was no chance for us to do the same with the Northern lands. Luckily for the Crystal Empire, the Yaks were stuck in a civil war and their mountainous lands lacked any known resources that would endear our foes from trying to strike at us from the North.
Still, the business was hardly limited to 'external threats'. Not when I was personally visited by the second younger Alicorn in Equestria to discuss over the recent diplomatic endeavor with the Buffalo. Twilight Sparkle was... a friend. Sorta. I had met her once when we were very young, and she had forgotten about me ever since then.
I met her at the palace when she got lost after a lesson, and I gave her a map so she wouldn't lose herself anymore. I made an effort to avoid her until she was out for Ponyville. That move was a good one since it guaranteed Twilight could handle all the shit her and her friends went through without somehow pulling me into it.
The only time I got to 'see' her was during that one Grand Galloping Gala, and I was quite relived she forgot about me.
And now she 'knew' me since she visited the place I lived at a lot as of a few years now.
"Field Marshal Blueblood, thank you for accepting my invitation. I hope I am not claiming much time from you."
"The work is busy on a steady basis, but I can make time for one of the Princesses."
"I told you Twilight is fine," The former unicorn remarked, a tiny smile on her snout. I welcomed her to my office and soon we were taking our seats one in front of the other. "And I want to start by saying that my friends and I are grateful for the army's support in keeping a reserve force around when Pinkie Pie went to speak with the Buffalos. I understand it is not a cheap effort."
"It is not, but we are trying to shake things up as of late, so a few 'exercises' can only do well to these troops."
Her smile twitched as she digested my response.
"Why so? I thought that the Equestrian Army was not needed as the Royal Guard could handle such an internal matter just fine."
That was a peculiar response considering that I was aware Cadance and Luna knew of my conversations with Celestia but... did Twilight have that same amount of intel?
"Well, Princess, the Equestrian Army, together with the Air Force and the Navy, has been working on a reorganization following some recent events involving the Changelings."
That answer further confused the Princess of Friendship. "Changelings? Chrysalis was defeated a while ago, why would it become so prominent now to reinforce... the military of all departments?"
I drew a lengthy sigh a this. "Princess, I have to remind you right now before I say more that you are of the same rank as Princess Luna and Princess Celestia when it comes to important matters, top-secret matters. I would ask you if you so wish to go ahead and see some reports that are currently restricted to high-level individuals such as yourself."
A frown appeared on Twilight's face, but the mare nodded. "If it's important for Equestria, then I- I should be at least aware of it."
I nodded, my horn glowing faintly as a few folders were retrieved off the shelves behind me. All of those landed on the desk, turned to Twilight and each bearing the same writing: 'Warning! Top-Secret! Princess-Tier Rank only'.
Twilight said nothing as she carefully used one of her front hooves to pull open the first folder, and she started to read in peace. For twenty lengthy minutes, the Princess of Friendship was busy reading, thinking, and reading some more.
By the time she was done, the mare gave me a perplexed look.
"If Celestia is aware of this, then why wasn't the military improved as requested many times?"
"...Nobles."
And her eyes narrowed. "Of course. Still, this is very bad."
"Indeed, which is why I had to legally, but subtly approach the high society of Equestria to try and get cheaper good deals to start improving things on our own."
"The budget is the same-"
"Legally-speaking yes."
...
"What? What is that even supposed to mean?"
"It means that, as the Field Marshal, since there is no law forbidding me to tap into my own money to sustain the military, I am doing so."
Twilight's eyes widened again, but instead of shock, there was... awe. "Y-You are using your own bits for this?"
"That's correct."
"B-but you-"
"It's not necessarily a pleasant thought, but I am focusing more on those 'short-term' improvements with my money, waiting for an opportunity to raise the military budget before doing something more... complex."
Twilight nodded, looking down to the reports and once more thinking about it. Then, she seemed to consider something as she turned to me with a bigger smile.
"If the nobles are stopping your efforts, how about you use a different excuse, Field Marshal?"
I blinked, then leaned back. "Hm?"
"The Changelings are scary, yes, but the nobles are truly frightened by those ponies that scare them: and those are-"
"The communists," I interrupted, picking up what she was suggesting. "But we had no report on any build-up that could be used."
I had thought of this too but-
"But it doesn't have to be a military report. What if a commission of the very bureaucracy is tasked to gauge the effectiveness of the Royal Guard against a potential revolution staged by the Red Army from Stalliongrad."
I leaned back on my chair, hoof scratching under my chin. "Go on."
"If the commission was to report this, and then Princess Celestia brought it up to the council, then they would feel genuinely concerned and raise the budget. I could find those people that really dislike Stalliongrad a lot and paint the situation as dreadful and..."
"And that would work, yes," I nodded in agreement, frowning at her current expression. Maybe I was risking it, but... Twilight wasn't necessarily trying to hit on me, and she had the brains if she was directed in the right direction so- "Tell you what, Twilight. How about we organize some meetings to discuss some planning in the future? I assume you would be interested in the few dozens of plans we have for contingencies."
Her eyes widened a bit. "H-How many?"
"Should be roughly 38..."
"R-Really? That many~?" She squeaked, her 'giddiness' showing a bit too much now.
Oh Faust, she is indeed horni on planning.
"Yes... Would you be willing to find some time so we can see if those are still viable under your supervision."
She beamed. "Sure thing, Blueblood~!"
I think I sold my soul to Satan, but if she can smooth out any mistake I left in those plans, then I may as well go to hell for it to save others - I just didn't see that the situation was... more complex than that.
And more cunning on Twilight's part.
Author's Note
AN
Next time, a change of POV as it is Twilight's turn to say 'hello'!
Chapter 1: Games & War
Warning! This story is set in an AU of My Little Pony called 'Equestria At War', a mod for Hearts of Iron IV (a WW2 RTS). So, instead of the usual niceties and the standard 'silly chores', I suggest bracing for politicking, posturing, tanks, and even the resurrection of old monarchs- also, three super continents, several races, and Rosa Maledicta! (Quick Question, Vampires or Zombies?)
Once upon a time, there was a narrator that would go on to describe how the land of Equestria had long lost its touch with Harmony and all of that. Sadly for the world (or anyone looking into my mind right now), that was roughly seven years ago and I have to say-
Equestria is fine. The World not so much.
But let's not jump into random affirmations without a proper explanation - one that starts with my introduction.
My name is... Prince Blueblood and I am a far far far removed relative of one of the 'three' Rulers of Equestria, Princess Celestia.
Ah, I am such a 'handsome little pony' as my 'Aunty Tia' would call me. Blonde mane, piercing blue eyes, and a degree of interest to not nag at her when she is enjoying some personal 'cake time'.
Yes, at this point, Equestria is a 'Triarchy' following the recent ascension of Twilight Sparkle into Alicornhood and... things were not that great looking into the current politics. Equestria is a 'Harmonic/Democratic society' that upheld a form of 'Benevolent Autocracy'.
There were institutions that allowed the common ponies to speak for changes, but there was a large wall from the aristocracy to keep the Status Quo going. I would say that I had also an interest to keep that running- or used to before deciding that the kiddy plot was not where my heart belonged.
One Galloping Gala was enough to push me to just jump aboard the 'military train'.
It was something I had contemplated from the moment I started to study geography and realized where I was. This wasn't normal Equestria- this was a certain mod of a game I loved that had a nice amount of deadly details that could now cause me many grievances. So, I decided that 'war' would be where I would make my hill to die on in this colorful world.
I was a member of the royal family, so I used my position to... get in the spot to get treated like dirt by the drill sergeant. I admit that I had to let this happen despite the deep desire to show off the 'badge' I had as a 'Minor Prince', but I knew that I needed that sort of knowledge and form a backbone from square one. Boot camp was hell, officer school was worse. But years of focusing on the task at hand helped me get a high rank.
Chief of the Army was not where I was looking to get, but the lack of people- ponies to get the desk was a bit shocking.
I was surprised. Sure, I had planned to get somewhere, but being regarded as the sole 'best qualified' high commander Equestria had reaffirmed the crappy situation I was dealing with: Equestria was cornered by numerous hostile nations, and two of which were the equivalent of the Nazis and the USSR.
I admit that I may be inflating the 'radicalism' behind these two forces, but Chrysalis was literally pulling a 'Mussolini' in her large slice of cake she carved out of the other hives she submitted, and Stalliongrad is... a confusing mess right now.
To be more exhaustive: After getting the boots many times, Chrysalis decided it was high time for her big plan to include the rest of the Changeling Hives and their Queens in the Badlands in her big fold. She succeeded, and now they were totally not making Panzers ;
Stalliongrad was actually a more concerning element due to its 'home front' threat to the country - Severyana was once part of Equestria and yet it had its own brand of aristocrats.
Even more reactionaries than those in Canterlot, and even dumber since they allowed mismanagement of the weather by Pegasi to lead to a famine which then caused a fucking revolution. As much as it pained me to admit it, 'Aunty Tia' made the right call to not prompt a war against the new country.
It wasn't the best since a lot of ideologues started to hurl ideological shit to try and see what stuck out, but the current leader, Altidiya, was a Libertarian Socialist. Quite Democratic despite rejecting common laws of capitalism. It's been years, and the food shortage is still ongoing in the country.
All this buildup leads us to... 'today'.
It's February 25th 1007 (since the 'Reign of Celestia' started), the Equestria Games are currently unfolding and I found myself wandering with my 'beloved Aunty' in a private hall as I discussed recent events unfolding with the Changeling borders.
"Chrysalis is finishing to consolidate her rule over the Badlands. We can't face that sort of threat."
"We will be ready for it, as usual~."
Celestia's tone of 'calm' was hardly one I trusted nowadays. The kind smile, the confident grin- those things were part of her regal mask as she trotted around to regard her 'little ponies' with utmost motherly affection.
"This is not the same as usual- you can't just throw Twilight and her friends at this issue."
She sighed. "That's not the point, Bluey. The budget is already limited-"
"I am sure we had doubled the national GDP in the last four years- how did we end up with no major increases for the military?"
Celestia shrugged, humming as she looked by one of the windows showing the current display at the stadium.
"We need to reform the military."
"It's not a process that simple, Bluey," Celestia argued, her smile faltering for a moment. "Any sudden jump in the budget may frighten people into thinking that war is imminent."
...
"War is imminent, Aunty."
"You can't-"
"Chrysalis loathes us, we also have Princess Velvet asking for an intervention in her homecountry after Olenia pulled a dumb one and got stuck with a madman for a king."
"Velvet will not cause you any trouble, dearie," Celestia rebuked, retrieving solid ground and confidence to buck back at me. "As for the military budget... I will try to see something changing there."
I hope she is not planning to decrease it because I am quitting.
"Maybe you should let Aunty Lulu have at them."
That drew a giggle out of the Alicorn. "Oh, Lulu would love to smash some silly skulls but... we aren't like that. Not anymore. We need to be accountable to all our little ponies."
"And you aren't."
This was a bit of a blunt rebuttal, and one that came out unfiltered much to my immediate dismay as we stopped walking and the mare gave me a strange look.
"Surely you don't believe that."
"You are accountable to some ponies. But you aren't exactly... doing this all to all ponies, Aunty. If you were, then you would know that I had been called to solve some troublesome cases of members of your council abusing their seats for illegal schemes."
"I am aware that-"
"No."
Her pink eyes went wide open. "Hm?"
I usually wouldn't go this far, but like hell I was going to get subjected to a 'Pax Chrysalis' route because my Aunty couldn't see the big picture.
"Aunty Tia, Princess Celestia, you know what you are told, not everything- definitely not. I sent you roughly three dozen letters as reports in the last two years, how many did you receive?"
...
...
"F-Five, but that's possibly-"
"Aunty, there are ponies that don't want you to get your hooves on the current situation. I understand you can't do much, but at the very least listen to this critical issue: we have a lacking army, it is ill-equipped, outdated, and we have not even half of the needed ponypower to make up for the current standards. We need that budget to get big enough to fit with a reorganization, or Chrysalis' tanks will roll on us even if we put everypony in the trenches against them."
There was a lengthy pause after this and... Celestia sighed, bowing her head.
"I understand, nephew. And I promise you dearly that I will make sure these concerns are heard and understood by the council," She sounded quite serious, smiling confidently and even putting a hoof by my shoulder. "Worry no longer, for I will not let Chrysalis harm our subjects anymore after what happened at Cadance's wedding."
I offered a relieved nod but... I soon felt my body tense up instinctively as I noticed how she wasn't removing her hoof from my shoulder and her smile grew a bit too delighted .
"By the way, Bluey... can you help your Aunty with something important~?"
My eyes narrowed at her, and I drew a big sigh.
"What is it about, Aunty?"
"I think you know, Bluey~."
I felt my mind flinch at the 'brief' glances I spared to the two details that did tell me what was up. One was the two trails of thick milky white cream laying on the floor from the path we came from, the other was the swelling between her 'rear hooves'.
"Aunty, as usual, no."
"Nephew, you would enjoy it~."
"Aunty, I am going to look for Aunty Lulu," I hummed, ignoring the throbbing crotchboobs that were getting 'blueballed' by this experience. "Bye."
Aunty Tia bowed her head in defeat, whining about her 'beloved nephew not helping her aunty in her time of needs'. I was just glad she wasn't too pushy about this... dangerous trait of the royal family.
For the one thing that I was quick to realize, since I was young, was that about the entire Royal Equestrian Family was made by perverts - oh, and that ponies did fuck.
Author's Note
AN
I am going to make this claim after playing big mods like 'Kaiserreich/Kaiserredux', The New Order, Red Flood, Millennium Dawn, and Red World: Equestria at War is by far the best mod in terms of updating, quality unique content, an active community, and a massive map with numerous nations to try out.
Still, ponies will fuck. Have fun with that thought~.
P.S. Cropped pic of Celestia is from Artist Cold-Blooded-Twilight. Love their art styles and love smug Celestia. That being said, I will limit lewd pics to the QuestionableQuesting version in compliance with FimFiction's SFW-only pics.
Chapter 2: War Quartet
It's been a week since I spoke with Celestia, and a week since the Equestria Games allowed for a more peaceful rapprochement with Stalliongrad.
As expected, Chrysalis had ignored the silly invitation that had been forwarded by Celestia.
I knew that my Aunty wasn't trying to truly get the wretched bug within Equestria without some shackles on her, but that didn't mean that the PR campaign of such a move went unnoticed by some papers.
Kindness and forgiveness was the substance that kept the governance of Equestria afloat, but it was not what made the military a reasonable force.
As of now, I had heard that Celestia had made some serious efforts to dislodge the council from its pro-peace attitude, but the process was, as predictable, going at a most sluggish pace.
And seeing how Chrysalis was starting to build her 'Tower of the Queen' to cement her power over the rest of the hives, I decided that such an infuriating matter required a most unorthodox reaction - Instead of hoping for any government funds to sustain the military research, I decided it was high time to put a solid dent in my own bank account.
The 'pocket money' or 'royal allowance' was a considerable amount of bits that I received as a member of the royal family. I had hardly used it and spent a handful of the monthly income whenever there was a big party to make my face known to other ponies.
These efforts led me to meet other 'like-minded' individuals that I was quick to ask for a 'private meeting' on the matters of international concern.
The first one to come was Filthy Rich - the businessman may have a solid base in Ponyville with his Zap Apples, but he was also known as a stallion that started to put his hooves at work from a very abysmal position of power. He got a small loan of 100 bits and he made a tiny empire out of his food-related business.
Next up was Fancy Pants. He was a socialite known in Canterlot as 'the best thing after the princesses'. It was a bit of a gutpunch if I truly cared for the royal title I bore, but the pony was a smart guy - he came from old money, but he was savvy in budgeting both his time and resources to avoid drying up his bank account. The stallion had a reputation as a rational pony with a keen eye for the 'common good', which made him beloved by both the common ponies and those of the high classes.
Finally, the third addition to this 'council' was a friend to Fancy Pants, Ms. Fleur de Lis. A model known for her 'alicorn-like beauty', the mare was someone I was quite acquainted with due to her inner interest in expanding her group of friends beyond the 'same old circle of creeps and yes-men'.
"I wish to start this meeting by thanking you all for making it and... for helping me keep this quiet as much as possible."
Paparazzi were a nightmare, especially when it came to pegasi. Still, the place that was chosen was behind a large amount of guards and a lack of nearby windows from which some reporter could come from. It wasn't a 'shady place meant for devious plans', but a restaurant that was known by many as the best place for rich folk to speak up and share their thoughts.
"None of that, young Blueblood. I think I speak for everypony here by saying we know you are aware that time is money."
"And jobs," Fleur added to Filthy Rich's response. "Alas, you're not a time-waster. So, speak up."
Always the uppity girl, huh?
"I will be blunt and honest: a week ago, during the Equestria Games, I had the opportunity to speak with Princess Celestia over a matter of national concern. One that the Royal Council has no interest in truly tackling."
A suave yellow glow manifested from my horn as three folders were soon presented to the trio, with each pausing to glance over the content of it. Frowns appeared, then scowls.
The content of those folders were files regarding reports of rescued victims from border clashes with the Changelings.
There were also details over their military build-up from aerial scouts crossing the borders at random occasions and... a picture taken by a member of the Thoraxian Rebellion showing Chrysalis grinning madly as she proclaimed something to a crowd of Changeling Queens.
"I thought we kicked the bugs nicely last time," Filthy Rich snorted. "What's this all about?"
"...there's more of them," Fancy Pants finally spoke, the stallion fixing his glasses as he kept on staring at Chrysalis. "What we faced during the Canterlot Invasion- it was just Chrysalis."
"Back then we had to face just Chrysalis and parts of her lesser hive. Ever since our last skirmish, she has rallied more of her 'children' and subdued the rest of the hives in the Badlands," I confirmed with a serious tone. "They are currently expanding their military and will have a formidable force to face us in a few years from now."
"How much is 'a few', young Blueblood? We can't exactly worry if-"
"Less than three years."
And Filthy Rich went quiet, eyes going back to the folder with renewed dread.
"And what would you like for us to do, Prince Blueblood?" Fancy Pants offered, sounding quite driven by the situation. "I can organize a few donations for the Royal Guards but-"
"I am already going to rely on my money alone, Fancy Pants. I appreciate the gesture, but I need things that are more attuned to your talents."
"Such as?" Fleur prodded and I had a list on the table. "Hm?"
"Miss de Lis, while this situation may not seem fitting for your skills, I understand you have connections with the world of fashion with major producers in Manehattan. If it's possible I would ask you to facilitate a deal for the military for mass-productions of new uniforms with any clothes-makers."
The pink-maned model offered a surprised look and then a smile. "It shouldn't be too much of a trouble."
I nodded, then turned to Fancy Pants. "In regard to any assistance you could provide us, Fancy Pants, it is more about any advice you can extend in the matters of good PR. Right now, the military recruitment drive is based on voluntary law. Which means-"
"You need young ponies to join the army," Fancy Pants hummed, the unicorn sighing. "As much as it sounds risky, I understand that there has been a lack of progress in filling up the lines."
"We can hardly match their disorganized army if we go to war. The more time passes, the more Chrysalis' army will have a chance to break us."
Fancy Pants offered a tired nod. "I'll have to contact a good friend of mine who is best suited for such a hurdle. He should be at your service by the end of the week."
That was good and-
"What about me, young lad?" Filthy Rich interrupted. "Fancy is good at publicity, and Miss de Lis is experienced in the fashion business, but I doubt you are looking at my apples to support the military."
"I am not," I agreed, then smiled. "I have heard you had issues finding a company to expand your ventures to."
He snorted, shaking his head. "Don't remind me. I swear, some people in Manehattan can get so prudish when 'threatened'. So, I suppose you have one of those 'a stone for two birds' solution."
"I do. It is about a few newfound companies in Las Pegasus."
The oldest of the trio appeared intrigued. "That's a place I heard about. A bit of a 'competitor' for Manehattan, but not as big as the City that Never Sleeps."
"Mustang Developments and Sirius Metal Works are competing with the Stallion Company. They wish to produce a few interesting designs for tanks the military is eyeing with interest."
"Only tanks?"
"Star Energy-"
"And artillery. Never missing giving us some blast-givers," Filthy Rich offered a tiny smile. "If there's some assistance in the matters of paperwork-"
"I will aid you in pushing aside any nosy pony that may trouble your efforts."
"Good enough, I guess. And I suppose Diamond Tiara wouldn't mind if we switch out to Las Pegasus for a few holiday stays rather than Vanhoover."
The city wasn't exactly by the Changeling border, but it was close enough to it to be a threatened location in the eventuality of an invasion.
"I suppose so too, yes."
The rest of the meeting devolved in handling the details, but my attempts had yielded what I needed. The assistance of those that could directly make the difference to Equestria's industrial and economic matters. And those that were also most important in handling such affairs without shaking the administration too much.
After the meeting ended on such a positive note, I teleported back to Canterlot and-
"How was it?"
I jumped in surprise since 1) I had teleported to my room and 2) Aunty Luna was suddenly quite close to me and had a knack to pull this sort of shit.
"A-Aunty, we talked about giving frights."
She giggled, the alicorn's blue eyes glowing with mirth. "Silly, nephew. As your aunt, I would never stop teasing you~."
If Celestia was a 'mother to all', Luna was a 'cool aunty for one'. And that one was 'me' since I was a common fixture in the castle and someone that spared a cordial amount of time with her. Also, the whole Nightmare Night fiasco was fixed by yours truly so... I guess I 'deserved' this.
Still, I owed Luna some stuff for helping me get into the military and also voice support on what modern steps were needed to improve the military.
She was quite outdated in the matters of the military, but she could see, as plain as possible, that Chrysalis was not going to play nice the next time we faced her and...
"It's a matter of principle, sister! The bug harlot kidnapped our niece, almost seduced our nephew-in-law, and almost took over the capital of our ponies! We need to kill this threat before she does worse!"
Luna had a hatebone for Chrysalis.
In her mind, the Changeling Queen had done the equivalent of breaking into her room, pissing on her bed, flaunting a fat shit on her diary, and then running away with plans to do worse the next time.
The Alicorn of the Moon was far from pleased with the Royal Council, especially when they tried to object to the restoration of the Diarchy and then tried to pull the same with the Triarchy.
"It was... a good meeting. Plans are in motion."
"Good, good. I am also the bearer of good news, nephew."
That sounded like a positive thing but... Luna was trying to do something I was myself unsure on how to tackle. The letter she showed me was a response from the 'Chiefs of the Thestrals Community'.
Thestrals, commonly known as 'Batponies', were labeled by a few historians as the 'fourth tribe' of Equestria. They had been an active part after Luna made an effort to bring them to the fold back when her shared reign with Celestia started.
Even back then there was something of an unease from other ponies over the slim minority of Batponies known to suck on blood - most of them focused on wild cattle animals, but the few murderous thestrals that came up in the history tomes still stained the reputation of the large majority of fruit-lovers.
Then things went to apeshit when Nightmare Moon happened, some of those thestrals (mostly the murderous ones) joined her fold, and then they bailed from the resistance as they all left Equus in 'search of a better place to raise their grand kingdom'.
The end result is that Pony SS troops are now enforcing some Burgundian Order shit in Zebrika and they treated all locals as slaves to either overwork or use for insane experiments.
When Luna learned of this centuries-old issue, she was absolutely ready to go out and blast those bastards to hell and beyond.
Sadly for her, without a navy to support an invasion, no plans went through to see the nation known as Chiropterra annihilated for good.
So, for her to show me papers that offered some interest to see batponies recruited was both good and bad. Good because it was ponypower to be employed, and bad because Celestia was going to lament this 'hasty' move just now.
Sadly for Aunty Tia, however, I had given her all chances to see this shit solved at a fashionable timing and... it was time to play bold for once.
"This may work, yes. But understand I will have to vet them thoroughly to avoid any infiltrations."
Luna rolled her eyes at the paranoia, but she still appeared giddy over my positive response.
"Thank you, beloved nephew. If it weren't for you, I would have really- Well, I would have been cross."
"Is Aunty Tia still shelving away your proposals?"
Luna tensed up at my guess, and then... sighed loudly.
"Some of those yes," the Alicorn admitted. "But she is trying-"
"It's just there's a bunch of morons slowing down the process. I am aware of that."
Luna offered a smile, and then appeared ready to leave with the promise that I would get this situation handled somehow. I was soon alone to lie in my bed for a much-needed nap and...
...
"Aunty?"
"Yes, nephew?"
"I thought you were leaving."
"I was on my way, but I noticed you were tired," Luna argued, the troublesome alicorn currently giving me unplanned cuddles. "And thus I decided it was fair for me to thank you with the best nap experience. Cuddles from your beloved Aunty."
Ah yes, Aunty Lulu may be competing with Aunty Tia on 'who's the best aunty'. Right now, much to Celestia's chagrin despite Luna's own shortcomings due to her social ineptitude, Lulu was winning.
And thus the night claimed her cuddles. Just this once.
Author's Note
AN
War-thirsty Luna is the tag as... 'games don't exist yet'. Well videogames, but Wargames are a thing.
Next time, Blueblood is going to get a surprise visit as he is busy at work.
P.S. Luna pic is also from Cold-Blooded-Twilight.
Chapter 3: Tank-Lovin' Niece
My office was in Canterlot, but it was far from the Castle itself.
'Camp Hurricane' was one of the oldest institutions in the country, but it had hardly been disciplined to the level I was whipping its workers to move about in current times.
The standards had dropped considerably due to the numerous centuries of peace, but Equestria's main concept of warfare existed.
The Royal Guards had served as the 'Peace-time standing army'. Akin to the US National Guard, but on a more selective level.
Still the 'Equestrian Army' was a 'commoner equivalent' to the Guards.
Less-trained (before I took over), the larger reservist force was a far cry from the once proud backbone of Equestria's lance.
When I took over, I had gotten the training regiment restored to some acceptable standards, with years of coordination between COs and drill sergeants allowing for more 'live training' to be exercised. There was a process to phase out over bladed weapons, now with guns being the priority in exercising.
Old relics were sold and the money was used to fill up caches of ammo that were to be guarded with care. The guns that were employed at first were early bolt-actions such as the Lilia-Rifle.
Variants had been created to try and modernize this decades-old gun, but it was ultimately discarded as the main rifle after the introduction of the Lavender Rifle - it could hold ten rounds to its predecessor's five-rounds cartridge, and it was less prone to jamming.
The price was also just as cheap as the Lilia, so the Lavender Rifle had been in mass production for some time now.
The few troops at our disposal were already enjoying the fruits of two months of the 'Quartet' at work. The new uniforms allowed for a more comfortable wear, and the war industry was finally getting to a more acceptable level of production.
The Heavy Tank was two months away from being available for testing, but the design already told me that we were going to have an optimal 'starting point' to counter the Changeling's armored divisions.
The vehicle was going to be as toughly-armored as a Tiger, but it was going to have a relatively weak armament as the AT process was slowed down by some technicians valuing more 'AT rifles' to proper cannons.
All in all, what was really concerning was the budget-juggling. Not only did I have to keep an eye on the expenses of the military, but also how much of my personal money was being used to funnel resources into the reorganization of the army.
I had bits to spare, but I wasn't just going to sink everything I had in it. So, I had started to also invest some of that royal money into shares in the other companies, focusing on 'complementing' Filthy Rich's current moves by focusing on aircraft producers.
The Wonderbolt Aircraft Research already enjoyed royal grants, which is why we were hardly going to struggle in having top-notch fighters, but I was also concerned about the other aspects of air warfare - The 'Northern' Development Bureau was a group of technicians that evacuated by Stalliongrad right before the revolution. Located in Novochernushsk, the small group had been struggling to acquire funds to sustain the development of heavy bombers.
The notion of Strategic Bombing was not one that Equestria truly knew about, but I planned to change that by putting my hooves on said company. I had the opportunity to meet the chairman of the group, Igor Stallionsky, and we shared a pleasant chat over the development of aircrafts.
It took me a solid moment during that meeting to realize this was the pony version of Igor Sikorsky, which meant I could eventually rush up the creation of helicopters if I played my cards right. In the end, I approved acquiring a large share of 'Northern' while vouching to keep the team united as they could finally start designing strategic bombers for the upcoming conflict.
I was finishing wrapping up the paperwork over the new orders for the creation of a sturdy and well-defended heavy plane when I realized that I wasn't alone in my office anymore. And I hadn't been so in a while.
...
"I smell with my princely nose... a little niece of mine."
I heard a tiny giggle coming from... behind some of the boxes in front of the desk. The source of the noises soon peeking around and giving me a bright smile.
"Uncle Blue!"
I snorted. "If it isn't little Flurry Heart. How are you?"
Flurry Heart was, just like in canon, the daughter of Royal Guard's Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (Cadance). Heiress to the Crystal Empire, the little filly was 5 years old, regarded as the youngest alicorn, and already a curious lady over the notions of... war.
I had a feeling that the 'Flurry Heart, Alicorn of War' meme may not be as much of a meme in this reality. Still, the child was just 5- maybe I was overthinking it.
"Good, good. I missed you."
I smiled as she flapped her wings and got herself on a chair I conjured with my magic.
"Missed you too, little one. Are you visiting with your parents?"
Her smile... faltered. "Y-yeah, but... they had me sitting alone in their boring room!"
"Oh dear, and why so?"
"Mom and dad are speaking with Grauntie Tia. They said I am too young to hear what it is about."
"Hmm..." I leaned on my chair thoughtfully, and, since they would have had me in that meeting if it was anything about the Changelings... "I think I know what it is. And, in a sense, they are not wrong."
"What! But I know about Mean Chryssi!"
I snorted at that nickname, and reached out to ruffle her mane. "Silly Flurry, that's not about Chryssi. It's about that scary jerk that is King Sombra."
"Who's that?" The filly inquired, eyes glowing with intrigue. "He is a baddie that mommy and daddy beat?"
"Yup, it happened after their wedding," I recollected on the moment. "You see, before Grauntie Lulu's banishment, she and Grauntie Tia had fought against Sombra but, as the battle raged on, Sombra used a spell to shroud the capital of the empire in a seemingly eternal storm. But just two years after Grauntie Lulu's return, the Crystal Empire resurfaced and your parents took care of that."
"That's awesome, Uncle Blue," Flurry remarked, always a sucker for her parents' cool adventures. "But then Sombrero is no longer around. So why are they worried about him?"
"Sombra . And that's because he is not... Well, he is not fully gone."
Flurry's green eyes shoot up. "He is not?! How?"
"It took us a while to understand that one too. See, Sombra is not just some mad sorcerer unicorn as we once thought he was. He is what is known magically as a 'Umbrum', but to many he is a 'Shadow Pony'."
"And... that means?"
"That means he takes the form of a pony, but he is not a pony. He is... a shadowy creature. One whose purpose was to reign the Empire and destroy the Crystal Heart."
Flurry gasped. "W-What? But why would he want that? Everypony love the Crystal Heart."
"Not the Shadow Ponies," I answered quietly. "These creatures are opposed by nature to the Heart. It hurts them because their whole being is of unkind connotation. The issue about Sombra is that your mother has a rather limited hold over the Heart and the best she could do was to shatter Sombra's body. Right now, the 'shadow King' lurks as a spirit in the snowy mountain of the Empire, far from the capital and other urban cities, afraid of the power of the Heart but always looking for a chance to return."
The filly shuddered at the thought. "Brrr, I guess that's why mommy and daddy don't want me there but... is he really that bad?"
"Right now? Yes. You have potential, niece, but you are far from unraveling it. Your spells are limited and your protection is too abysmal to keep up with a dangerous villain such as Sombra. But... he doesn't come down to Equestria. He knows better than enter your Graunties' nation."
She giggled at that and then took a look at my paperwork. "Are you almost done with that, Uncle Blue?"
"Hmm, do you want me to take a break?"
"Huh-huh! It's not good for anypony to work too much. Mommy always says that to Daddy."
"Fair," I replied, knowing there was still time to wrap the documents before the end of the day after... a little joyride. "Say, want a joy ride on one of the Muletildas?"
The Muletilda was one of the latest Light Tanks that had been created as I took over the Army. It was a speedy tank, but it had a crappy armor and a weak cannon. It was still stable to ride at high speed and... Flurry loved to play with tanks.
"Really!?" She squeaked loudly, wings flapping in excitement.
"Yes, but I have to write a message to your parents so they don't worry about where you are."
She opened her mouth to protest but... I was on it.
"If we don't, then you may be punished. And so would I."
A little pout appeared on her snout. "I get to try the gun too, yes?"
I rolled my eyes. "Fine, fine."
Grinning, Flurry Heart gave me a big hug. "Love ya, Uncle Blue~!"
I hugged back, and we were soon out of the office to check out the tanks' depot for the planned joyride after I sent a quick paper to Cadance on what we were up to.
She didn't like it, but she was definitely aware her baby girl may be leaning more into warfare if that's how much she was attracted to it.
And while this was a lovely way to distract myself, as we were out and bolting with the Muletilda, a parchment appeared magically on my deserted desk, and it was a message from Griffonia:
Emperor Grover V has just died - and this meant that I may have to pay a quick visit to a certain childhood friend of mine...
Author's Note
AN
The War Planning is picking up, but next time Blueblood is visiting Griffonia to handle some important businesses. With the death of the Emperor, chaos is soon to erupt but that's not what worries him - Grover V was a stabilizing figure to his childhood birb friend (one that was an ironic choice by fate) and she may need someone to hug her a bit before her yandere tendencies escalate too much.
Artist for Flurry Heart is: Tales-Fables
Chapter 4: The Mad Princess
When I was very young, my Auntie Tia decided that 'lil cute Bluey' deserved a friend from beyond the 'lake'. And by lake, she meant the ocean leading to Griffonia.
To say that the relations between Equestria and the Griffonian Empire were mild at best would be an oversimplification of the maze-like complexities of the Empire- once united, the 'Empire' was now akin to the Holy Roman Empire, with slices of older and 'newer' politics that clashed over the wartorn continent.
The revolution that had created Stalliongrad had been far worse in the Empire as Grover V came to power, finding a rebellion coming from Cloudbury, led by Alexander Kemerskai, that wrecked the 'Old Order' and tried to install a new one.
Sadly for the republican revolutionaries, Grover V was blessed by a brilliance in the matters of warfare. He consolidated his power through the Herzland Nobles and the Archonate (the clergy), and soon had the knights put down the rebellion one state at a time.
It wasn't a perfect clean-up, not when the war could go on so far as to guarantee the safety of the Herzland... but that didn't mean that the core lands of the Empire were spared by the horrors of the revolution.
While some may think that pro-democratic leaders may be less inclined to commit war crimes against unharmed civilians, some verified accounts of purges against the griffonfolk in what has been wrapped up as the 'Pink Terror' (called as such as Harmony as a political ideology uses a shade of pink as its rallying symbol) called into question the sanity of those monsters.
One such case I was very familiar with, both through meta-knowledge and... personal relations. The individual I was soon caring for as a 'foreign childhood friend' was the young princess of the Katerin Principality, Diellza von Katerinburg.
Truth be told, there are 'two' Diellzas that are known to those familiar with her story.
A young and innocent little griffon that lived up to expectations of a caring princess... up until she was 6.
When the revolution broke in the peaceful Principality, the small royal guard group was overwhelmed by revolutionary militias. And, in a rather ironic turn of events, most of those people didn't want to subvert the royalists since the fief was ruled fairly.
That being said, most of the leading revolutionaries were bandits. Griffons uncaring of the plight of the 'people', and those that truly cared for a few things: power, control, and... satisfying their urges.
Albeit raping was not a common practice among these pricks, that didn't mean this limited their range of violence. Rumors of cannibalism were frequent when it came to the Revolutionary Year for Katerin, but no one had proof if the Katerin Royal Family was subjected to this.
Nonetheless, a year was enough to break the lone survivor of that nightmarish experience: Diellza was seven when she was made Ruling Princess after being liberated by Grover V.
She was deeply indebted to the Emperor as he saw him as that one 'kind soul' that she could never question.
I remember hearing her speak so softly and so sanely of him when we first met. And the day I met Diellza, I was surprised by two things: first, Diellza wasn't outright deranged.
Tired, stressed, annoyed and moody . The last bit was already displaying cruelty against those she perceived as 'naggers'. And I admit that I was about to shit bricks the first time we interacted.
She was clearly not impressed by me at first glance, almost tempted to have me 'face off her guards' to see how good my magic was.
A bit bratty in that context... and it gave me the idea to treat her as the child she was. She was two years younger than me, and 9 when we first met, so I used this opportunity to play the role of 'older sibling'.
Much to my surprise... it worked wonderfully.
Well, it wasn't perfect. Far from it.
Diellza retained that sense of anger within her at any minor error made by servants and guards, but the griffonlady listened to my advices as soon as our friendship blossomed through the years.
A proper government appointed by her rather than an unconventional and dangerous 'Katerintreue' regency council ready to kill her, and a helping therapy proposed by the 'Priest-Minister' Heinrich Duskfeather.
Duskfeather was left-leaning. Not outright a communist, but a socialist-sympathizer nonetheless.
He was quite surprised when I managed to convince Diellza to confess to the old bird, but he seemed overall understanding of her situation to the point of 'offering his services to the principality'.
Somehow that confession and ensuing conversation had appeased Diellza so much that she ordered him 'Priest Minister' to rule over the governance until she was old enough to be more 'understanding' of others.
That was years ago, and Duskfeather did a fine job as an effective leader of the country. Reforms were passed after the Regency Council was removed from sight. They were imprisoned as criminal investigations revealed the extent of their 'treason' to the kingdom of Diellza.
Some were imprisoned to life, others were outright executed and... Katerin breathed a fresh air of change as the old bird in charge started to shape the country into a more pious nation while also tackling the banditry issues. Those with lesser crimes were granted mercy, but those with extensive records were hanged.
Taxes were lowered, regulations shifted into a more free economy, and Katerin became something of a role model for the country as a whole.
Diellza soon saw her popularity skyrocket, and while she had been nervous to wander out of her castle without proper companionship, she always enjoyed the way her subjects 'thanked her for her actions'.
It was a bit wrong to some extent.
Diellza hardly had any clue of the extent of the changes, and she clearly knew not that Duskfeather had been chipping away at the autocratic power she yielded out of fear of another dangerous ruler taking over after her death.
Nonetheless, that didn't mean that Diellza was stupid. Or that she didn't have her clique keeping tabs on the matters of the state. And she had been told of the 'grave news'.
Grover V's death was a true national tragedy. Not only was this going to spark a civil war of sorts due to the antics of the nobility and the Archons playing against each other to take over the little heir, Grover VI, as a figurehead, but it also threw some of the griffonfolk in a loop.
And as I reached Katerin after a few teleportation stops by Manehattan, New Mareland, and Flowena, I could tell that the entire country was in a state of mourning.
Yet none of those displays (somber but still contained) matched the full 'bleak' outlook of the royal palace. I had never seen so much black around. Black clothes, black armors, black flags, and black veils over the portraits of Grover V.
When I got inside the palace, I was greeted at once by a tired-looking Duskfeather. While the old griffon had already looking one claw away from the grave, governance had made him appear to be far older than he was. He greeted me politely and-
"I truly don't know where Diellza is. She is in the palace but... I am unsure where she may be at the moment."
I picked up the worry in his voice, but also a sense of restraint as the princess was still within these walls.
"I'll look for her. Keep up the good work, Heinrich."
"You too, Herr Blueblood."
After this little interaction, I was off to look for Diellza. Despite its size, many of those rooms had been sealed away at the order of the princess herself. Old living rooms, old dance rooms, the old... throne room.
This last place was quite the odd location for Diellza to hide in, the pains of that room still echoing as I remembered from our last meeting, but I had a gut feeling that it was there where she was holing herself up.
And I found her.
Diellza was sitting on her late father's throne, her regalia on but none of her usual clothes.
While nudity wasn't as frowned upon as it would be among humans, Griffons held it to a higher regard as they tended to stand upright and bipedal far more than most quadrupeds.
Also, Diellza was a princess, so clothes were part of the etiquette when moving out of her 'privy room'.
She didn't seem to care or mind as her body of red and black feathers stood out to its fullest as she sat on the side, her green-eyed glare aimed at the one item that (ironically so) had turned into her punching bag.
Glitterhoof was the name of a unicorn skull that his cousin from Hellquill had sent her as a birthday gift and... Diellza hated it.
She had taken it as a 'slight' against me, and she had kept it around as a way to out her anger at the idiocy of those in her family that 'had turned their backs to her'. But today... it was different.
Her vicious whispers, which I caught only the intense wrath within her voice as she uttered those, were far more extreme. Deranged even.
I had a hint of fear that this may be that 'one bad day' that could snap someone as unstable as Diellza but... she broke away from her brief decline with a single loud sob.
Tears were rolling down her cheeks, and then the anger turned into bitter quietness which ultimately concluded with a loud crack.
She had lifted the unicorn skull, then slammed it to the ground in front of the throne. The skull broke and splintered, with Diellza staring at the shards for a moment before... Suddenly looking at me with wide eyes.
"B-Bloodie. Is that you?"
I will never get rid of that unpleasant nickname...
"Yes."
"...A-Are you?"
"You're not crazy, Delly. I got here as soon as I got the news."
Her shoulders stiffened and... she flung herself out of the throne and towards me. A single strong flap of her wing saw her propelled towards me.
I used magic to slow down her pace, and while that avoided me getting yeeted with her upon impact, I couldn't do much as I felt the bird's claws unconsciously sinking onto my skin.
My white fur was soon stained with some blood, but I had magic already cleaning up as I had been quite accustomed to her clumsy disregard of her own 'sharp body'.
At this stage, there was no apology, the princess busy sobbing as she confirmed I wasn't a hallucination.
"I-I saw them. Mom, Dad- they were here."
"Hm."
"I-I shouldn't be here but-"
"You needed this," I guessed, closing my eyes as I wrapped my hooves around her frame. "I know."
She twitched, then nuzzled her head against my shoulder. "B-Bloody?"
"Hm?"
"W-Will you stay for the night?"
"I already told my Aunties I will. Also, I would like to take you to his funeral."
I felt a nod from Diellza through the hug and... I had to carry her around to her room. The griffon ultimately noticed that she had sunk her claws into my flesh, pulling those out and raining 'sorry's through the walk. I merely nodded and just decided to cuddle up with her.
She sighed, then finally allowed her tired mind to fall unconscious. The snoring princess was still a tight hugger during her slumber, and I had a bit to explain to the maids that found us in that 'awkward position'. Not much due to our known familiarity with each other and...
The fact that Diellza had forwarded the idea of a marriage a few times. We hardly dated and we hung out as platonically as possible but... the girl loved me , just not in the normal sense of the word. And while that didn't appear too worrisome until now...
I was soon going to hear some interesting news once the grieving was over- and Diellza would plan how to preserve Grover V's legacy the best.
Author's Note
AN
Monsoc Katerin Principality Path is now claimed! The 'Mad Princess' will soon make the news way more than usual.
Next time... Blueblood finishes the last reforms for 1007 and he meets Princess Twilight after so long.
Chapter 6: Friendship Plottin'
1008 starts wonderfully for one Twilight Sparkle.
The Princess of Friendship, the Element of Magic, and... well, a novel inventor both for scientific and magical devices.
Twilight always had her hooves full, especially during her first years in Ponyville, but as most of the 'local' threats had gotten tackled and solved, the young alicorn had gotten more free time to employ.
Spike was always around to assist her, same for Starlight Glimmer when she wasn't busy with her paramour, and the three of them had been doing wonders to improve computing science.
It had been an idea that always nagged at her ever since she was a filly: how come, after so many centuries, computers were so rudimentary?
The result of those constant thoughts had led her to create a hefty amount of calculating machines and a few interesting devices meant to render archiviation easier to achieve without requiring too much ink or paper on hoof.
Still, none of that truly mattered with her most recent breakthrough: she finally got an opening on Blueblood's thick shell.
It took her what? Years? Well, the mare didn't mind. Patience was the virtue of the mightiest, and she had learned this through the many adventures that had shaped her into the brave lady she was now.
Yet it did nothing to lessen the annoyance at how difficult romancing was.
Of course Twilight remembered the first time she met the Unicorn Prince.
She was a little filly, never once had she visited a place as humongous as the Canterlot Castle. And, as she got lost while looking for her mentor, she was found by him. He was friendly, even helped her with a map after showing her the way.
Yet, that tiny act was the beginning of Twilight's own affection (and obsession) for Blueblood.
To be honest, Twilight wasn't outright smitten to it, especially since Rarity didn't spoke too favorably of him when they last met, at the Grand Galloping Gala.
"He is such a bore, hardly cares to entertains a lady as he wishes to work, work, work."
Such a comment felt a bit annoying to her since she understood some royals had duties, and she knew that Blueblood had also started to train in the military at that point as he was soon shipped to training at the Royal Academy of the Army.
Still, she understood the grievance. There's a time for everything...
...
Unless you are meant to take care of a lot of things at once.
Being a ruler is tough even when you are not sitting through the court chores. Paperwork soon doubled by Twilight's desk, what felt like an amazing opportunity to improve Equestria was soon dashed away before the maze-like woes of the political bureaucracy.
Reform hardly was contemplated and changes were slow to come to Equestria due to the 'fear' of the nobility over the chances of a popular revolution or reform.
Twilight wasn't truly that unsympathetic as her family descended from some nobleponies of the late Unicorn Tribe era. Yet, the mildly-wealthy childhood she enjoyed was not through some royal title: her parents had worked from a very young age, settling together and budgeting so they could provide both her and her brother a chance to be great.
Shining was the first one to make some impressive steps by becoming the Captain of the Royal Guard, then marrying Cadance, and now becoming the co-ruler of the Crystal Empire.
Twilight had taken a slower route, but guaranteed herself a similar path. She was now an Alicorn Princess, a famous protector through her role as the Element of Magic by vanquishing several legendary threats, and... she was still single.
Not for a lack of trying, and not for a lack of... well, wanting .
Twilight always felt the urge that this would solve on its own. She thought that Flash Sentry would be the one since he was a handsome stallion, and one with attention in her regard but...
It felt like speaking with a younger version of her brother. Which was a bit creepy.
As much as the Princess of Friendship loved her sibling, she couldn't see him like that. Tartarus, she could even go as far as to say that some of his traits were not that pleasant. Even more in Flash Sentry as he was clumsy, tried to 'give her space' to make her happy, and...
...
He was a bit too much at times.
Twilight just couldn't put a hoof on why she felt so displeased by him, but as she ended up hearing about Blueblood and then visited him to thank him over Pinkie's latest adventure...
She understood what was wrong.
In a rather odd sense of things, Twilight found Flash Sentry 'too little' for her.
Not in size, but in the form of his role within a potential relationship. She could remember when Shining had mentioned these doubts before Flurry Heart was born.
That he felt lesser than Cadance, that he had to show more as he did against Sombra with his impressive shield to keep the Umbrum away. They eventually reconciled by talking about it over therapy but...
Did Twilight want that?
No. It pained her to accept it, but she couldn't see Flash as someone she could date.
Even more since it would feel less like a genuine attraction and more like someone moved pieces in the board to get a similar situation with her brother and sister-in-law.
...
This is where Blueblood comes along.
He definitely wasn't flirting with her back during that meeting, but as he opened up with his woes, Twilight felt a sympathetic mindset take hold of her.
Despite how little they spent together, the memory of that first encounter were brought back as they slowly shedded layers of formality, and the topic of his tedious work struck her just as much as he recognized hers.
He was not an Alicorn, but Blueblood acted as if that didn't matter- he was the leader of the Field Army and he was absolutely taken by his job. It was the same as hers and her duties as a princess, but where that would render any sort of work-related meeting too stiff and tense for many...
It felt good to play a game with him over the military affairs.
Twilight learned much about the troubles going through the military, and the diplomatic woes of the Changeling Lands.
She knew of Stalliongrad since it was public history, but Chrysalis' current build-up was happening now . Away from any eyes, and away from any ears- all but those that were reasonably concerned by what she was doing while on the loose.
They talked, they clashed, and they brainstormed. It was an exciting meeting, and one that further push Twilight to accept one thing.
She was indeed interested in Blueblood. And it was possible this crush and romance came from well before that meeting.
Maybe it was when they first spoke with one another. Maybe it was that positive image that firmly engraved itself inside her mind, but Twilight found the latest encounter a 'reaffirmation' of something that felt like an absolute fact.
And even now that she was pacing over her lab, hooves shifting books about political intrigue and military tales of old, Twilight pondered on the conversation she had with Starlight Glimmer.
"...You really like him, don't you?"
Twilight had told her the full situation without telling any details but, the way her student just spotted the interest she had over the Prince was... well, awkward.
"I- no, I mean- maybe? I just want to help him since he has a good reason to tell me this."
"And I agree with it. Brrr, I can only imagine what Chrysalis is up to... but, Twi?"
"Hm~?"
"You know about the rumors right?"
That really didn't single out a particular set of worries Twilight had been facing in a while. After all, she may be a bit dumb about love, but she wasn't stupid. And she had her ways to know gossip through Rarity (sometimes even unwillingly).
What Starlight referred to was a collection of various rumors around Blueblood. Some said that he was sharing the bed with Celestia and Luna despite the fact they were nephew and aunts, others said that he was actually the father of Flurry Heart (which held a hint of truth in regard to Shining and Cadance's private promiscuity, but the two confirmed Flurry was their daughter), there were also a few that dared to say he was into fellow stallions.
The most worrisome of them all, however, was a known fact: he was a close friend to a Princess in Griffonia. One that he visited a little before they met.
Twilight was aware of history about Griffonia, but current politics were difficult to stomach. The name 'Diellza von Katerinburg' was one known somewhere in the Herzland of the Empire, but ever since the crisis unfolding after Grover V's passing, news had come out rather scarcely.
It didn't help that New Mareland, the Equestrian Dominion in Southern Griffonia, was considering greater autonomy over its politics, thus rendering news outlet on the matter even more difficult to find. Nonetheless, Twilight was willing and hoping to think they weren't together.
And, even if they were, Equestria still held 'Herding' as a legal chance to keep the game open for her.
"I am aware, but it doesn't matter. This is for Equestria's sake."
Starlight didn't believe her, rolling her eyes and smiling as she went on to handle this chore. Leaving Twilight in her private room with... well, a couple of thoughts to digest.
And a bit of an arousal to handle due to how these recent wet dreams had preyed on her for a while.
Author's Note
AN
And Luna noticed that~. In regard to Shining Armor, he is notorious to be 'pragmatically perverted' due to his wife's unique propensity to love (and lust). They have an open relationship.
Evading Step-'Sis'
Speaking on a short-term game, trying to create a proper 'Olenian Resistance Group' to the current disintegrating government in Hjortsland sounded like a silly idea.
Especially since Chrysalis was going to annex the entire place before we would ever have the chance to get our hooves on such important nation. While the political landscape of the 'Viking Deers' has been polluted by widespread corruption within its bureaucracy, the excellent electric industry that existed within the region was too tempting for a post-war plan to ignore.
Hence why, despite my own reluctance on the matter, I decided that it was about time that a special division of the military staff too care of this very delicate aspect.
Twilight had given it a brief look within my notes, and she suggested that I handled Princess Velvet, the only legitimate child of the former Olenian King, with the same care I would give to somepony like Rarity - except Velvet was less 'pursuing' of riches due to her already high position.
That didn't stop the 'little deer' to get a bit too giddy about meeting the 'Prince Blueblood'. I think she was expecting me to take her out for dinner or something, especially when her mood shifted from excited to mildly sour and then intrigued when I introduced her to her new privy council.
The former one was filled with yesdeers that hardly understood how fucked their country truly was. King Johan Jelzek, named 'Djavulen' by a large majority of the population, was dancing on eggshells between satisfying ambitious bureaucrats and some of those 'Supremacist Priests' that wanted a return to Vikinghood.
The economy was going up and down in that side of the world, and it goes without a saying that their military was nowhere near ready for any sort of war.
I remember receiving a rather simple response from Field Marshal Manntlerhim when I questioned the Olenian capacity to 'contain' a Changeling invasion: 'We are not going to contain anything with stick and stones'.
Low military production, the creation of paramilitaries, and even the introduction of sacrificial rituals had rendered the population opposed to any form of recruitment.
This is 'why' the new Privy Council was needed. And why I had to pull a lot of strings to allow a specific deer to be put on the forefront to be Velvet's second-in-command. A taller deer compared to Velvet and with a darker fur complex, Kullervo Silora was the leader of the Deer's Party.
Albeit defined in the past as Marksist in ideology, the party had long declined into a form of 'Equestrian Socialism' which allowed for Democratic/Harmonic factions to exist within the group. And the guy wielded the title of 'second best' in the popularity poll regarding 'who is your favorable next leader?' in Olenia.
He was cunning, smart, and, best of all, seemed to hit it off quite well with Velvet on a specific topic.
"New hospitals would be an interesting policy. And I do admit that healthcare has not been a major subject in the last congresses," Kullervo admitted as he nodded at the Princess. "Then again, it further explains why so many deers seek your guidance, Lady Velvet."
"Call me Velvet, Mr. Silora. My crown is missing, but I believe we can be friends over what to do to save our country."
I allowed them to exchange more common points with one another before finally interjecting with the main point of this meeting.
"It is with a heavy heart that I have to say that the Changeling Hives seek to expand in Olenia for the resources in your land's disposal," I finally hammered, the entire council made by exiled politicians and escaped military officers was displeased by the news. "The current state of the Olenian Royal Army is far from optimal, and Equestria is not in a condition to provide full support without causing serious economic damage."
I could see Silora far from pleased to hear this, perhaps pondering if this was a flaw in the monarchist system of Equestria.
"But?" Velvet pressed, perhaps noticing my stare, and I nodded at her.
"But we have started to set up facilities that can be used to house refugees and allow a proper 'Government in Exile' to be established. The Navy will conduct all needed operations the moment an armistice is proclaimed by Olenia, and all those that seek to escape the Changelings shall have free passage to Equestria."
"What about housing? I doubt the deers shall just accept mere tents to live for months, if not years," Silora argued with an appeasing but still skeptic tone.
"We have reached out to the Vanhoover's Olenian community and the mayor to settle a large swat of unused land to be prepared for constructions. Princess Luna has recently acquired a company of construction through the support of batponies, and there are plans to expand Vanhoover's infrastructure in preparation of such event."
The various deers shared looks at this notice, perhaps surprised by this kind of accomodation.
Vanhoover had a sizable amount of deers already, and with the potential chance of an invasion giving the mayor a chance to remove the changelings that lived within the city meant that there was going to be a chance to at least double , if not triple the size of the town in less than a few years if some of the future refugees decided to linger in Equestria.
Likewise, Acadia Bay and Seaward Shoals have offered similar openings to new housing projects, so there wasn't a genuine concern over potential overcrowding.
Further details were offered regarding extra services such as the creation of specialized buildings like clinics, hospitals, super-markets and whatever could be handled by the wave of unemployed deers.
All of this was to be discussed with Princess Luna, and I had to, just as usual in those troubling years, vouch for my younger Aunt's honesty and good will. It wasn't anyone's fault at this point but Luna's decision to be withdrawn to public events out of interest to 'be ready to handle those when she felt she could deal with them the best way possible'.
All in all, the rest of the conversation finalized the Privy Council's duties, rights, limits, and other general perimetrical details that created no misunderstanding or chance for exploitation.
It was indeed a good day, it was February 1008, I felt excited and...
Hm. I am forgetting something.
I didn't think much of it as I started to wander off to return to my office... until a strangely familiar intense scent hit my nostrils. It was saccharine, but not outright sweet- there was something salty in the air, something raw and...
Cotton Candy.
My body came to a full stop, and I started to look around in a panic as I tried to determine where she was. I felt any sense of dutiful discipline abandon my equine frame as my hooves propelled me to the office. I glanced at the calendar, and my soul died a bit as I saw what day was: Hearts and Hooves Day. Today was a bad day to be around and reachable.
I was soon moving things in my desk, trying to find a specific paper that I needed - a document with a weekly-changed password to a safe bunker that was magicless and could be harnessed only by those that created it (which is me). It was the only thing that could spare me from what was going on but...
"Are you looking for this, step-bro~? "
My eyes widened as I turned to the source of that question. I felt my breath stolen as I felt my instinct flaring and screaming at me to teleport at once... but I was stuck in place, aghast and horrified as the door of the office was closed by a smiling mare that towered me as she held up a small scroll with her magic.
Cadance was indeed born a Pegasus. I had a few interactions as we grew up semi-together, and it goes without a saying that her habit of calling me 'step-bro' started as an innocent thing and then developed in whatever sick and depraved nickname it truly was.
One would think that Cadance would be fine with Shining Armor as her husband and Flurry Heart as her daughter, but the mare was hardly somepony that 'stuck' around with a single pony. Shining knew and endorsed to some extent the openness of their relationship.
There were rules, and there were limits. Cadance never once thought of breaking any of those, and yet she always coerced her husband to be permissive towards her. The unicorn knew that he hardly had any stance to stop the usually tame Princess of Love, and he knew there were times it was best to 'not be around' for his pelvis' sake.
Hearts and Hooves Day was such day as Cadance tended to go in Heat. It wasn't always, but I tended to play it safe and be in the bunker the moment Shining would send me a sign that his wife was horny. Why me? Let's just say that, if it wasn't Shining, then I was the prime object of her loins' attention.
"Cadance, let's be adults here. You are married mare-"
"With a cowardly husband that doesn't want to go through thirty rounds of caring," The Alicorn interrupted quietly, slowly approaching my desk as I thought of the many places I could teleport. None could truly safely house me without getting nuked by a horny Alicorn 'step-sister'. "Blueblood, my beloved step-brother... you are a virgin. It's time that I fix that."
"I am fine with what I am. Thank you for offering-"
"I wasn't offering~," The mare interrupted again, frontal hooves soon slamming onto the desk as her magic vaporized the scroll. "Now step-bro..."
Her eyes were glowing with unpent horny power. I felt my bones rattling as I could feel hints of her magic teasing at my groin.
"Lend me your lips~."
Teleportation is such a powerful tool. And the only limits to it are 'magic reserves' and 'geographical awareness'. Cadance had me beat in the case of the former, but my brain was on those maps 24/7 and I started to teleport rapidly.
The Alicorn tried her hardest to keep up with me, but I managed to get her off my butt around Kiria. It was a safe enough place for her to be a bit pissed off at some mountains and then go back home to the Crystal Empire.
I will have to give some grief to Shining for not having warned me as usual.
Still, I didn't go back to Equestria for a while. I thought that Cadance could just lay a trap and then put me under an anti-magic barrier at that point. And then, I would be in a severe disadvantage since Alicorns are twice as strong as Earth Ponies (at least) and I was a fucking Unicorn (with military training, yes, but still biologically disadvantaged).
I gave a look around to try and remember where I had 'blinked' into, the teleportation spell could be so spontaneous that it was easy for someone to just end up in the wrong place... at the right time. It took me a moment to realize I had appeared by the rooftops of a Southern Griffonian nation.
The place was civilized enough to have some 19th Century-like buildings that were stormed about by people waving revolutionary flags. I looked around and I was already planning to just not take any risks.
As much as I felt this was a big one, I didn't want to take a diplomatic mess that I would have to then personally solve due to my involvement.
So, I focused on finding something that could tell me where I was and then commit to the closest teleportation place towards home.
First thing first, I shifted down to the streets, teleporting between alleys and then looking around for any telling sign of the local language. Most of the papers by the walls had been torn down, but the screams had that familiar accent that was eluding me. It wasn't Ponish, but it was definitely close to it to some extent.
Oh, it's Aquilean.
That gave me a general location of where I was and what was going on.
The Second Aquilean Revolution - the Discret Family was getting the boot as they failed to stop the renewed seed of rebellion from its people. King Moriset was a fool and he kind of deserved what he got coming if it all came down to this.
I had no reason to do anything beyond teleporting back in Equus when-
Something jumped onto me.
I thought that someone thought I was some sort of revolutionary guard thought I was some monarchist attache from Equestria or something of the kind but... as I got into my office and pushed away the assailant as soon as I could.
I ignored the chances of Cadance being there, magic at ready as I formed a thin shield between me and the hooded bird.
"Reveal yourself at once! " I shouted in Aquilean, my accent a bit off but still enough to drive the point across.
The individual had a handgun levied at me but... soon her claws started to let go of the item.
"So... " The blonde birb started to mutter in Aquilean, lowering her matchlock pistol in an appeasing effort. "I-I wish to explain myself, kind sir . I needed a getaway and... you were there. So, please, I wish to apologize for... making a mess."
She soon reached the edge of her hood and revealed her full frame.
"I believe just an apology will not do... Princess Vivienne."
Because then I will have to do a lot of explaining myself because of you.
Author's Note
AN
Three ladies, three species, different dilemmas and one of them is now Blueblood's secretary- introducing the 'Bisex Napoleon Birb', Vivienne Discret. An enlightened... daughter of an inept monarch.
Aquilea falls to a revolution, but the girl makes it out of there alive. And may needs a new identity because of the few fuck-ups of Blueblood running away from his 'step-sis'.
P.S. Once more, Cadance Pic is from Cold-Blooded-Twilight.
Chapter 8: Surprise! It's a Tank!
It's been a week since Hearts and Hooves Day (and since Cadance decided I needed to have a broken pelvis).
To my relief, the heat got manageable within a few days - Cadance had found her husband, and had given him a 'punishment' for leaving her alone for a few days. She reached out for an apology, but I could feel that the reason she was sorry was less about trying to fuck me, and more about her failing to accomplish such a feat.
Of the good news I got this week was that I managed to talk with both Aunty Tia and Aunty Lulu about Vivienne's situation. The birb had to make her case about not planning to take over the country, which was easy for her to do as 1) she wasn't dumb and 2) she really didn't like how instead of an incompetent monarch, Equestria struggled with incompetent nobles.
So yes, an official 'Royal Guest Citizenship' was handed out and she was given a new identity to not be targeted by potential assassins from Aquilea. 'Vivi' thus became my secretary (the alternatives were crappier), and I soon went back to work.
One would have expected things to get weird between Vivienne feeling unsafe as she was far from home, or maybe she didn't feel accustomed to her new surrroundings but...
One thing many folks in this world were not much aware about was that Vivienne did not grow up in Aquilea. She was very young when the first Revolution happened, and she stayed several years away from home in Saddle Arabia. The only contact she had were tutors, and most of those were ponies or zebras.
In a sense, that shaped her to be less inclined to the racist perception that most old-fashioned griffons had over 'others'. Ponies could be a bit racist out of fear, Griffons could be quite racist because they are accustomed to pick a scapegoat for long-term issues that had crippled their continent as a whole.
Vivienne had never had this sort of issue until she got 'home' . I could tell she was honest with a mere spell - she didn't like Aquilea the way it was previously ruled. Her father was the product of many centuries of idiocy, and she was somewhat glad that she could start from zero rather than die because of his dumbassery.
So yes, my secretary had no trauma or 'guilt' over losing her birthright since she hardly felt she deserved it to begin with. She was tutored smartly so that she could tell that Aquilea had been a bet that her family was going to lose regardless of the efforts of some of her relatives.
Hence why she got into work mode as quickly as possible, and why I didn't stress her over what she had left behind. As far as she was concerned, Aquilea had been a 'vacation trip gone very wrong' and now she was meant to start anew after it.
So, I let her be for now, and I focused on paperwork she had to pass to me. I had finished just recently the whole Olenian Resistance documentation when a new situation came up. While it was true that up to this point the 'surprises' had been either scary or bad, the one I received was about a breakthrough with the Heavy Tank project.
My original vision was to see an early variant of the Churchill tank being produced as a prototype, but it is very easy for magic to simplify the experimentation process when it comes to creating new stable devices, and also avoid any dangerous misuses of cannons and engines.
Sirius Metal Works had been pumping funds into the research team as soon as they realized the Army wanted to buy a good 'powerful tank' model. And the end result was the sudden introduction of new minds that started to tinker around the various restrictions and... they got something 'better' to show off.
I had to get paperwork for 'Vivi' to be allowed within the testing grounds, and she appeared as giddy as the other officers of the staff as we all were there to see a 'new demonstration'. I had been given only a few written depictions of what sort of 'upgrades' had implemented, but I already had a clue or two of what we were soon going to witness.
Rolling with a powerful Peppermint Comet 4B Engine, the dark-armored tank that came through had the biggest cannon ever implemented on a vehicle. The turret was heavily armored, just as were the tracks, and despite its size, the vehicle was moving fast. The cannon could shift fast, and everything worked with extra-stability despite the pace.
The mobility test confirmed before our own eyes that the mad ponies at SMW had done it. This was not a Churchill-
They gave us a fucking Centurion.
This was a step-up from the Churchill tank experience. It was better-armored, faster, and had a 105mm cannons for its main armament: that is nothing short of absurdly good. And while I am stressing out those fine details, these developments had their own 'issues'.
This product is now going to be more expensive due to the general improvement hurled at the previous proposed project. Which meant that the expense behind buying enough for a few breakthrough/anti-tank brigades was going to be bigger than anticipated.
As I got told the predicted production price, I could tell it was going to be particularly difficult to get the numbers I needed out within the timing I had wanted. But I could technically work with 'half' of what I originally needed.
It would still be an expensive endeavor, and it would limit the chances of training tank crews away from the front, but it was still going to yield the results I needed: a functional number of brigades that could counter the blitzkrieg from a land perspective.
All that was left to do was to then add into the mix the new airplanes and we were going to slap Chrysalis' snout if she tried to get too cocky in invading Equestria.
As we took note of the good effort and will put out by the team, I decided to ultimately confirm the interest of the army and I agreed on the name that the research team had assigned to the vehicle.
ET-9 'Celestia Mk. I'.
------------d-d-d-d--------------
If somepony was to ask Luna what was the kind of dreams she truly disliked, it was mostly the bad ones from ponies she knew about. And yet, the worst ones were truly from her own sister.
Some may also argue it was familial worry that put her on the edge, but the truth was that Luna knew what sort of 'bad dreams' her sister had. And no, she wasn't talking about nightmares but... 'bad dreams'. Celestia was known to be a benevolent figure in the country, a mask that was quite strong and that had developed for many centuries now. But she had also been an emotional individual - and a sucker for family.
The day Luna returned back home, she had to spend a solid week cuddling with her sister whenever she was off to sleep and she was done working. Then there was a similar case when it came to Cadance's marriage where Celestia decided to 'cuddle' up with her step-niece a few days after the Canterlot Wedding. Finally, it was the turn of Twilight Sparkle's ascension to Alicornhood, and how that ultimately led to a solid month of poor Twilight becoming Celestia's cuddle-buddy.
Luna didn't hate cuddles, but her threshold to require those or 'allow' ponies to cuddle with her was way more selective and less 'childish' in that regard. Still, cuddles were not what troubled Celestia in the dreams Luna found her in.
Her sister was in her room, lying in her bed, cushioned sweet cakes serving as her pillows while she stared aimlessly at a statue she had created which exaggerated their nephew's frame. Blueblood was definitely muscular, but not like that.
And that penis' size was... acceptable.
"Sister, this isn't healthy."
"I wanna buck him. I wanna buck our nephew so much, sister."
"Not with that attitude," Luna scowled, "Plus, you can't expect for someone like Blueblood to just accept a fine offer, no matter how much of a well-endowed mare you are."
"I know..." Celestia huffed." But... Sister, do you think I have dated around when you were gone? I am out of ways to seduce a young stallion such as our nephew."
Rolling her eyes, Luna magicked the covers off her sister, and then lifted her out of bed. "Sister, why didn't you just ask for help?"
"Because you want to eat him first!" Tia whined, and Luna... didn't reply to that. "See, I know that's true. You cunning mare, already trying to devour him."
"I wouldn't devour him. In fact, I understand that just trying to be a horny mother can only make him feel less inclined to rut you like the shameless alicorn you are."
Celestia flinched, but the sun alicorn didn't feel in the mood to retort some of that 'truth'. "S-So?"
"I will help you, especially since our nephew will visit for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala, but you have to do the right thing and-"
"Fine, you can buck him first, Lulu," The older Alicorn whined, huffing and glancing to the side as she saw Luna grin. "Seriously, I would have thought you would have been opposed to that."
"If he had been truly our nephew, then I would have refused to consider such an option," The fellow mare answered frankly. "Our blood tie is far more distant, diluted - which means that any products of our love would be without any worrisome ailments."
"I see... so, what's the plan?"
"Well, the first thing you need to accept is that this is a process by steps," Luna explained. "And then that you shouldn't be overtly-sexual with your interactions."
"I will... try."
"Tia!"
"Fine, I will hold back. So, what's the plan?"
Luna sighed, knowing that this was going to be a lengthy night for her.
Author's Note
AN
Next time, the Grand Galloping Gala Part... a hundredth? Still, Blueblood doesn't expect the Two Alicorn Sisters plotting the courting (Plus Twilight ultimately tagging along).
Sad Tia is from Cold-Blooded-Twilight!
P.S. The next chapter will be half-rewritten for... reasons. (As in, it's lackluster.)
Side-Chapter 1: Changing Yak's Minds
Side-Chapter 1: Changing Yak's Minds
Yaks!
I never thought the day would come where I would end up with those folks in such a goofy and yet serious situation.
I mean, diplomatically speaking, we made two good attempts to defuse whatever family feud was going on, with Pinkie Pie and then Gona acting as stabilizing agents.
Didn't work from the way Fantasy Mongolia is still going to do a civil war. I want to say the Changelings did this but... Nope.
Stalliongrad? They actually support Rutherford, which is our Yak too.
So, how did this come to be? Tribes being Tribes and Yaks being Yaks.
It is not a racist thing to say Yaks do things practically and without talking much. The STAMP the issue until it doesn't exist. Family issues are quite destructive.
Still, this mess had to be defused before the Changelings get an easy route in the country and turn the Crystal Empire in a huge salient to crush.
So, here I am, sent as the last resort to prevent a Civil War and deal with the delegations of both governments of the brothers at once in Yakistown.
Prince Rutherford wanted to modernize the country, his brother Bradford didn't.
The end result is a potential civil war and I had conjured a rather simple plan to avert it.
I produced my own table at the negotiations. The two sides looked confused at my move, even more as they eyed the Yaki writing I had tagged onto the table itself.
BOTH OF YOU ARE WRONG, CHANGE MY MIND.
"Pony Blueblood, what are you doing?" Rutherford asked with a mixture of confusion and shock.
"Yeah, this isn't a joke. Bradford doesn't like this!"
"I don't care what you feel about. I want to hear facts. Why is your perspective better than the other? If you convince me or not, I may decide if Equestrian aid is delivered or not."
The anger turned back to surprise and the two princes shared a look.
"Rutherford wants to know how to convince Pony Blueblood," The oldest Yak brother asked and I nodded.
"You both have turns to express the benefits of your ideology and policies, we will go though categories ranging from social issues to economic matters. Once you are all done, I will say who wins the debate."
As the two retreated to chat with their groups, I saw Yona approach my desk.
"Mr. Blueblood?"
I turned. "Yes, Yona?"
"Yona doesn't get it. What is... What are you doing?"
"An improvised Friendship Lesson. Keep an eye on what I am going to do now."
She didn't look sure, but nodded nonetheless and complied to my words as the debate started.
First to go was Bradford for being the youngest.
He raised a point in the matter of foreign policy and remarked how isolation made Yakyakistan a sovereign country rather a puppet to others. He also highlighted how foreign teachers had influenced and politicised students to the point where even his Jakiclan had issues with Supremacists.
Yet, he found himself stumbling in regards to providing better medical assistance or ease up the burden of the common Yak.
Rutherford was next, and he hit hard on the many achievements made through the socialist welfare program he recently passed, the many changes given to the administration to ease up the burden on the common Yak, and the education program suggested by Yona and other Equestrian advisors.
However, he had to admit that foreign assistance was polluted by political goals between Stalliongrad empowering the so-called 'Red Tribes' and Equestria pressing for Rutherford's abdication and formation of a republic.
At the end of the presentation, the two princes were tired and exhausted. They definitely had stamina to bellow and shout, but not for prolonged conversations.
And this worked well to my advantage.
"I think it's safe to say that both your perspectives are flaws," I remarked flatly, instantly gaining their glares. "Bradford, it is a noble goal to preserve your country's identity and your dedication to protect its sovereignty, however this should also not prevent you to uplift your country. Yakyakistan had a high mortality rate. Healthcare is needed and rules that hurt your own people should be changed for their betterment."
The youngest prince appeared embarrassed at the chiding.
"Rutherford, you are the older brother. While I understand you will claim responsibility as the ruler, your brother had some reasonable concerns. The military is besieged by radicalism, and you have admitted that you saw the manipulation by some of the advisors. This can't be let be or it will hurt the people you have a duty to lead."
The Prince nodded and I sighed.
"Both of you are family. War is not right to handle this sort of dispute. Talk is, even if it means shouting and cuss at each other. You will shake hooves, hug maybe, and then you will spend some time alone to remember the past and draw plans for the future. You are smart rulers that should not be influenced by others - work it out or you will let Yaks die for nothing by the end of the day."
They both tensed up and yet looked at each other.
There was a lengthy silence but...
"Sorry." "Sorry."
And they hugged it out.
Yona looked surprised, but I knew it would work. All these dummies needed was a group therapy session.
And, sadly for myself, no one is paying me for it beyond keeping peace in the north.
Author's Note
AN
So, it's been a month since I updated, and yes this is alive. Issue is that the internet provider is pulling all means to delay moving the line to the new house so I can only use my PC in the old house. So, we doing a short one. Might do more.
And yes, I tried the new patch, but didn't get the Yona path. That being said, I am truly looking forward the Stalliongrad and Equestria reworks the most.
Chapter 9: Party and Changin'
As I have mentioned many times, I don't like the Grand Galloping Gala.
Between canon-related reasons and some of which stems from personal irritations, the event was something that I saw no point in entertaining... before now. Admittedly, I still retained a degree of disdain for it as I wandered through it, becoming part of it.
The nobles and the high society of Canterlot were an obnoxious bunch of ponies that were particularly ignorant of the many issues their status quo is leading to, and they were very stubborn in upholding what they perceived the 'just enough' situation which had them richer, and the 'peasants' poorer.
While right now there was nothing that could warrant them any immediate concerns over that mindset, they definitely were going to feel the heat at the end of a conflict with the Changelings. After all, I wasn't stopping my plans to just the war itself and I looked at the post-war period with some unease.
The ponies were going to wake up as 'hard times breed tough folks', and most of the nobles were going to do 'absolutely nothing' in the eventuality of the first 'shots'. That was going to lead to riots, strikes, and changes. Some of which may be either moderate or radicals. Reform was, nonetheless, needed.
It is too early to make a call on all these future events, but the general view was enough to make it needed for me to regain a more public appearance to the outside world. And as I arrived at the Gala, I could feel numerous eyes on me as I had warranted a lot of interest as a 'rare breed' of noble.
I wouldn't say I was a hermit to social events, but the whispering of my name and the many rumors regarding my discipline and dedication to my job painted a rather mystified view most of the nobles had towards me. Most of it was positive, but I could sense that malicious 'neutral tone' used in some instances as they saw me as an 'agent of change' that could possibly threaten a 'small portion' of their livelihood.
I cared not, especially when publicity was not my main goal here. It was part of the plan, but not the plan itself. The gala was, after all, an 'important event' and 'one which disruption could demoralize the country'. And it was for that reason that I glanced to the side where I found a familiar face in the crowd.
Bon Bon spared me a nod while distractedly rolling her eyes at her friend Lyra, the green-furred mare chatting about 'humans'. I was a bit surprised by this fanon element, but I was still focused on Bon Bon... or, Agent Sweetie Drop.
Sweetie was one of the long-standing members of S.M.I.L.E. from a time when the agency was only geared to hunt monsters within Equestria, but as the organization was given a bigger budget and new duties, Sweetie had turned into a formidable spy in tracking down Changelings.
Which is why she was assigned to the Gala, having been told to verify if the event was clear of any infiltrators. Knowing our lucks, there were definitely some 'cheeselegs' around in this place. Still, I wasn't meant to personally look for those. I was too 'dangerous' of an element for any infiltrator to ignore if I started to act suspiciously, which is why 'Bon Bon' was to act as the 'weed-catcher' while I 'enjoyed' the party.
That being said, it wasn't exactly that simple as it sounded when-
"Come on, nephew! It's time to stick around with our family!" Luna chirpily said as she yanked me around. One thing I had not planned was for Luna to have me by her and Celestia's side from the get-go. I understood Twilight's presence as she was a co-ruler with the previous Diarchs, but I was a prince by 'relation' rather than genuine royal succession.
I was also not the kind of pers- pony that enjoyed this sort of 'spotlight'. Celestia and Luna were revered as deities due to their powers and longevity. For me to stand 'between them', felt like a statement that only heightened my importance in society and... made some potential enemies very nervous of handling me too directly while plotting of indirect ways to 'remove me'. So, for me to be in that close group was both frustrating and confusing.
I could almost tell this was a trap of sort, especially with how 'restrained' Auntie Tia sounded through this conversation. She made an effort to invite at a few tea ceremonies along the month, and I accepted out of grace and... perplexity. I could tell she was being honest, but I could tell somepony told her to do this.
It was a strange mental exercise, which paled before Twilight's more down-to-earth offer to tag along during those times. Aunty Lulu admitted her schedule wouldn't allow to be there all the time, but promised to make an effort about it.
All of this felt a bit too shallow for my tastes, but I decided against calling it out as it didn't seem like the organization of a trap. I was still unsure on what kind of conversation Luna gave her sister, but it was clear it was working mostly well for her as some of her lewder tones tended to come out randomly as Celestia would chalk it out as 'silly jokes' under the smoldering glances from her younger sibling.
"Truly sister?"
"Is it not fine among youngsters to be a bit more open about their sexuality in jesting?" Celestia had rebuked, yet a flinch from the ever-present frown on Luna's face suppressed any interest to make it a hill to die on.
"Auntie, there's such a thing as sex jokes, there's also lusting after family."
"Distant family." She argued, but it really felt like a clutch attempt than a genuine solid reason.
Twilight was just ecstatic about doing 'her part', and even then she was careful enough to not latch herself onto me too much. It didn't stop some from gossiping about us being in a relationship, although I was confused by the fact ponies would create rumors out of merely two of those standing one beside the other.
Was this a result of an internet-less society yearning for shipping in a rather vitriolic way? I had nothing to confirm this, but it was good to keep an eye for this sort of troublesome rumors. Also, the Princess of Friendship was keen to 'accept' her friends wouldn't come due to their previous experiences, and I was glad that I didn't have to deal with anypony worthy of my concerns.
Such as Pinkie Pie.
I was unsure what kind of version I was facing. Was she just the goofy party pink pony, or something 'more' than that? This could range from a multidimensional entity that existed on all versions of MLP and had awareness of that, to actually her being a eldritch entity. I was more inclined on the former than the latter... and I was sure that the Rainbow Factory isn't a thing, so that's one less worry to concern myself about.
Looking around mid-dragging by both Luna and Celestia, I saw Vivienne enjoying herself while talking with some fellow 'exiled' Aquileans. Some had already reached out to try and have her invested in a restoration, but she admitted to have 'given up the title' out of 'unwillingness' to pursue a 'poisoned throne'. I couldn't fault her as Aquilea had suffered too many coups and civil wars, adding another was only going to leave a throne over dust for her to rule, and bunch of radicalized citizens that would mostly hate her guts for even 'daring' to return.
This very circumstance broadened the Gala as one of the first few that had started to include various foreign diplomats and politicians. Griffonia had its fair share of pro-Equestrian government, especially with the Griffonian Republic, the Kingdom of Vedina, and the Skyfall Trade Federation. Most were Harmonic in nature, with just a handful entertaining authoritarianism with Harmonic characteristics.
There were hardly any Socialists or Communists due to the noble-esque air at the Gala, but I did get approached by some... unusual fellow of the Griffon kind: the Katerin Federation. Diellza had made some intriguing efforts after my latest visits, having 'mustered' her best behavior, altered the composition of her Regency council with Technocrats and forced some reforms to revive her country's agrarian industry.
Months later, the Katerin Principality had reformed to a less Autocratic government, but it had also taken steps to acquire lands from Longsword after it fell in a Civil War, and then the Order of Hellquill when her cousin had taken over with his pseudo-Nazi group.
The overall process 'expanded' the Herzland with new land that was soon tended by a mix of technocrats and moderate socialists that worked under the leadership of Diellza and Heinrich Duskfeather. Katerin was rising, and it definitely frightened the increasingly wary watch of the Archons in Griffinheim as it would lessen their chances of expansion and restoration for the empire.
The meeting was mildly surprising, especially since the representatives merely asked for a batch of officers to 'expand their military prowess', and I saw no issue in having some of the younger officers sent to learn how to fight in Griffonia. A full agreement would have to wait until after the Gala, especially when Bon Bon passed by me with a 'happy' smile.
"Prince Blueblood, right?"
"That would be me... you are Bon Bon, the famous candy-maker from Ponyville."
A bit of a 'artificial' exchange, but it did well in keeping away any unwarranted rumors of closeness. Her approaching me implied something had come up which demanded my attention, something that made any 'playful' approach towards family and the party itself falter at the potential issue of a caught infiltrator.
"Yes, yes. I do remember your order for... a small muffin, lots of chocolate cream and... a sprinkle of cinnamon?"
We found a young Changeling. She is soft - young and inexperienced - and has a lot of information.
I nodded. "That would be the case. It was indeed a most sweet food, and I sure hope your clients know how lucky they are to have such a hardworking mare with quite the talent."
She nodded and beamed... and then she was off. Two hours later, as it was time to leave and I bid goodbye to all those that had to linger for the party, I decided it was high time to...
Check on the newest guest in the dungeons.
----------d-d-d-d------
The cell was dark, and the little drone was ready to spill the beans on everything.
It was embarrassing how she was quick to fold, but she also knew that she didn't believe to Queen Chrysalis. She missed Thorax, the dum-dum would be so nice to her and he had been around since she was a little larvae.
Yet now he was gone because he was nice and kind, hiding from the scary Queen that wanted to rip the love out of the ponies and other creatures, and sent her on a mission to 'prove her loyalty' by poisoning any of the princesses.
And Ocellus was deeply frightened by what was to come next as she was easily caught by the ponies.
The little drone had been sitting by one of the corners of the cell, the furthest from the door, glaring at the sole entrance and hating the loud silence that was within this part of the castle. It was so quiet... because she was the only prisoner. She was the only failure in many years.
Still, her silence didn't last forever as hooves stepping by the cobblestone ground got her attention, the approach growing louder with each step getting closer to her cell. She tensed up, her carapace hardening as if preparing to get hit but... the door swung open with a soft lull. There was no harshness, only drive that pushed the white-furred unicorn into her cell.
Her eyes widened astronomically as she recognized him as the biggest threat at the Gala. It wasn't Celestia, it wasn't Luna, and it wasn't even Twilight Sparkle- it was Prince Blueblood, the one in charge of the military efforts in Equestria as he prepared to face her kind's invasion.
He spared her a quick look, the stallion taking long steps as he circled around the shuddering Changeling. And he... sighed, relaxing his posture.
"I had been told I was dealing with a young drone, I didn't expect to face quite the little one."
She bowed her head instinctually. "S-Sorry."
"Hm? For having been caught or for being too young to dare such a dangerous infiltration?"
Ocellus didn't answer, merely unsure on how to handle this. She wanted to give up the truth for her own survival, but she felt compelled by a strong sense of... unease to do so.
"I see," Blueblood hummed, smiling as he sat down. "Tell me, what's your name?"
...
"O-Ocellus."
His eyes widened in... recognition? No, it couldn't be. As much as it felt like it, there was no way the noble pony would recognize 'her'. In fact, not even the queen called her by her real name, but his immediate response made (little) sense.
"That's a cute name."
She couldn't back a blush, ignoring her previous thought. "T-Thank you."
"Still, it's nice to meet you, Ocellus," Blueblood spoke up again. "I have to ask... if this assignment of yours was given to you with the intention of seeing you fail. After all, forgive me for saying this, I feel like this may have been above your abilities."
"It was," She numbly said. "Q-Queen Chrysalis said that... that I had to show my best and- and prove I was loyal by..."
"Dying for the cause?"
Gulping nervously, Ocellus nodded as she remembered the many shouts she got for speaking up against being assigned to this post and yet told that 'she will do what she had to do for the sake of her Queen', and the unicorn sighed at her meek response.
"Chrysalis has always been the paranoid tyrant. She can't stop seeing the bad in others, especially those that somewhat oppose her view of the world. Like Thorax."
Ocellus perked at this. "You know Thorax?"
Was he hiding in Equestria? The Queen had tried to say that he had been slain, but this was disproved mere months later. Still, if he was there, Ocellus wouldn't have minded speaking with him and... asking so many questions about her own doubts as those matches his.
"Only by passing. He has been making a lot of noise in the Badlands, but I doubt he can cross over to Equestria. Chrysalis' guards are constantly patrolling the border, so he can't make that crossing unscathed."
That made sense, and yet displeased Ocellus a bit. Such a sad revelation, but at least she knew he was still around and... well, she could hope to eventually met him.
"Is he a friend of yours?"
She nodded. "He- he took care of me when I was young."
"And Chrysalis knew this."
Ocellus nodded again, this time with a softer edge which implied what the young ling had been suspecting too. She was 'unreliable' by this relation, and thus had been set up to face a suicidal mission. One that could have ended with her death... by now. Blueblood was quiet for a moment, eyes darting away as he seemed to think about something for a moment and then the stallion held a strange look in his gaze.
"Tell me, Ocellus... do you know about Greneclyf?"
The name had some sort of hollow meaning to her. Where did she heard of it? Thorax? No, it was... someone else. And that didn't sound like a creature, but a... place? The name was Changeling in nature, but surely that didn't meant that- that there more like them away from Chrysalis' reach.
"I-I think I heard of the name once."
"I can see that. I doubt Chrysalis would be pleased to let the other hives know that there is a group of Changedling in Griffonia."
Ocellus nodded at those words, but then something caught her attention. Blueblood had not said Changeling but 'Changedling'. Something like this was not done out of mistake- it was rightfully pointed out to draw attention. And it succeeded as Ocellus' eyes widened in confusion.
"Hm? Something got your attention?"
"C-Changedling... why did you call them that?"
"Oh, that's the name they use. You see, there are a few tales about Greneclyf that not many are aware of in regard to their unique nature. They were once Changeling just like yourself, but they starved a lot due to their inclination to harmony and freedom. It wasn't until they were found by Farbrook and their expedition. The Chieftain of the time shared his love with the queen of the time, solving the love famine and strengthening the bond between the two countries," Blueblood started to narrate, instantly hooking Ocellus within a tale that went beyond what her hive was familiar with. A tale of love, and yet more. "A few centuries later, Queen Diedre tried to court the chieftain of Farbrook at the time, Albar, but failed to get in a relationship with him- despite this, the event is celebrated because that's when the Changedlings were born."
...
"W-Why? How? What- What does that mean?"
"...Can Changelings share their loves?"
She nodded. "Yes, but it has no point..."
Ocellus paused, then frowned, then looked once more at Blueblood.
"You- you mean that-"
"Queen Diedre shared her love. All of it, and she lived. The same unfolded for all Changelings in Greneclyf and... it goes without a saying that they do love to eat apples."
The implication wasn't lost to Ocellus, yet she couldn't fully trust it. Surely it couldn't be that simple... right? A world where she would not need to starve for love, and a world where she could eat the same things ponies did.
I have very little love anyway... and it's not like I have much of a chance after this meeting.
Closing her eyes, Ocellus felt her tight knot by her chest warmly expand all over her body. She felt the love manifest in a form of a cocoon that suddenly wrapped around her and made her feel warm and- and better. She felt her tired body engulfed in a blanket of care that carried her to a new situation. A new Ocellus.
As it vanished, she was still in the cell but... Blueblood had conjured a mirror beside him. The little drone peered into it, and gasped momentarily at the sight. Gone was the dark carapace, replaced by her light-blue frame. Her eyes glowed with renewed bliss and delight and... and her smile was so strong and bright!
"Would you like to tell me more about Chrysalis somewhere brighter? Maybe you wish for a snack?" The Field Marshal asked, and the newly-reborn Changedling offered a shy smile.
"A-Apples," Ocellus blurted out with glee, a strange hunger filling her with eagerness as she seek not love... but food like the fruits that once tasted merely sweet and hardly gave her sustenance. "I would love to try apples."
She was taken out of the darkness, and... she told the full truth. Her life changed as she was taken in as a ward of the Equestrian Military to serve right under Blueblood's nice assistant and...
And she had a feeling that she was the first of a new revolution for her kind.
Author's Note
AN
Mascot caught! Lil' Ocellus joins the battlefield, and she may trigger more mutinies for the smug queen herself.
Next time... the first lood scene! Have fun guessing who gets Blueblood's attention!
