Brothers In Blood II

The walk to the meeting room was quiet. Twilight tried to keep a straight face, but was distracted by the arrival of Clayton. Celestia’s face was flat. Although she was happy for the arrival of an old friend, it was not often council meetings were made.  Luna hasn’t said a word. She was young, but had an unnerving feeling. The sunlight that shone through the hallway windows were tinted in different colors as the light passed through the stained glass. Shining Armor lead the group down the quiet hallway, his face solid as stone.

“Before I go stepping into hell,” Clayton said, breaking the silence. “Mind telling me something about the Gryphon King?” no one said a word. Clayton grunted in frustration. Finally Twilight spoke.

“Long ago, when Luna wasn’t sent to the moon, Celestia and Luna ruled Equestia with an iron hoof… but they rumors started to go around that there were other races out there, not just ponies. Races like lions with eagle heads. Or bulls that could walk on their back legs. At first Celestia and Luna didn’t believe in those rumors… but they got bigger. Rumors of shape shifting ponies and ponies with bat wings started getting around. Finally, Celestia had enough. She asked Starswirl where all these people get these rumors and headed out, leaving Luna in charge.

“She first headed to the mountains to see these creatures that were half lion, half eagle. And that’s where she met the king. Celestia was baffled seeing a different race, especially one so close. But she still kept her composure. She introduced herself and spoke about how there are other races, like herself. But the king was dissatisfied. He gloated about how he was the first race born on this planet, and how all others are inferior. Celestia went by saying she thought the same. When they realized their similarities, they agreed on a truce.”

“So why does everyone not like him?” Clayton asked. Celestia paused in mid walk.

“Because… He broke my heart…”

“I just got a very angry letter from the Minotaur’s.” Celestia stormed into the throne room, a scroll held in her magic. “They’re saying that we attacked them?” the Gryphon King sat on the golden throne, a glass of wine clenched in his talons. His fur was black as the night, small grey stripes parting the dark void. A large scar went across his face, slightly cutting his break in half. His eyes glowed in the light, his yellow eyes like embers. The griffin wore a set of beige armor, the remains of a slain dragon. The skull was turned into a helmet, which sat next to his throne. He took a sip of his wine and got up, walking to Celestia.

“They are accusing us for something we didn’t do?’ his voice was rough and almost hollow.

“They think it was us that destroyed one of their villages. They found paw prints at the scene.”

“Relax Celly… you’re so tense…” He placed his talons on Celestia’s shoulders and began to gently massage them. She sighed in content.

“It’s so hard running a kingdom on your own…” she sighed.

“That’s why I’m here…” he smiled. “Besides… the Minotaur’s have no chance against us…” Celestia shifted out of the massage.

“But I don’t want a war.” She groaned. “We are peaceful. Not tyrants…”

“Then we’ll settle it… peacefully...” The king gritted his teeth at the word ‘peace’. “The Minotaur’s are just mad that their village was burned down… we’ll rebuild it…”

“Yes I suppose…” Celestia paused. “I never said that the village was burned down…” she looked directly at the Griffin King, her eyes furrowed.

“I assume that it was burned down or there wouldn’t be such a fuss…” The Griffin King commented. Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“You’re a terrible liar…” Before the king could protest, Celestia dived into his mind. He didn’t panic or react, for he knew this would happen. Celestia fell backwards, tears rolling down her face. “You…. You did it…”

“They protested about your power… They insulted you...” The griffin king said with no emotion. “So I destroyed all traces of their ignorance.”

“You… killed children...” Celestia croaked.

“Not the first time…” The king said calmly.

“YOU MONSTER!” Celestia blasted a hot ray of light at the king. Even though she missed on purpose, it singed the right of his face, causing his to yell in pain. Guards stormed in the room just to see Celestia storm out of the room. The king growled in pain as he watched his wife leave him.

“That triggered the great war. The wastelands where the Changelings live now used to be a battleground.  At first it was just an all our war, magic and arrows flying over the chaos ridden land. But soon the Minotaur’s joined in. at first, they attacked everyone. But they soon teamed up with Celestia. The war lasted a whole year, with a lot of casualties. Finally the war ended when Celestia… killed the king…”

“That must’ve been rough…” Clayton commented. They all stopped at the door to the meeting room. Twilight and Luna exhaled, enduring what’s going to happen. “But if the king’s dead, who are we meeting now…”

“…My son…” Celestia trailed off.

CHAPTER VI: COUNCIL MEETING

The large double doors opened to reveal a large round table in the center of the room. Sitting around the large table were different races. Llama’s, horses from Saudi Arabia, donkeys and even Zebra’s sat at the table. A group of Minotaur’s socialized in the back. They all looked at Celestia before their eyes drifted to the man behind the royal trio.  Clayton awkwardly waved at the different races, his awkward smile hidden under his helmet.

“So you’re the so called ‘Hero of Equestria’?” a Minotaur asked. He wore a st of steel armor with little engraved words on his chest plate. His helmet rested on the round table, revealing his scared face. A small ring hung on his nose. His right horn was broken off, the surface flat like it was chopped off.

“Uhm… Yes sir…” Clayton said with uncertainty. The minotaur laughed, causing the rest of his guards to join in.

“No need for formalities with me boy!” he chuckled. “In fact, I hate formalities…”

“I hear that…’ Clayton chuckled. The Minotaur got up off his chair and walked over to Clayton. He outstretched his hand.

“Names Steel Will. No relation to Iron Will… Actually he’s my brother. So I guess that does make us related…” Clayton took the Minotaur’s hand and shook.

“Clayton Carmine. Nice to meet you Will.”

“Boy I speak for everyone here, it’s nice to meet you.”

“I agree with Will.” The Zebra spoke. “Although he still need to pay for that bill…”

“Can it Zimbabwe, I’ll pay for it when I get the chance.” He leaned over to Clayton. “He bought me some beers and now he won’t leave me alone about paying him back…”

“It seems you haven’t changed at all Steel.” Celestia smiled. Steel only chuckled in response. He glanced at Twilight, his eyebrow arched upwards.

“Who’s the short stuff?” Twilight’s face was flustered, she was about to say something when someone coughed for attention. The group moved away from the door to see a group of guards walk into the room. Two stationed themselves at the door, their faces like stone. But they weren’t normal guards. They were griffins.

A tall griffin walked into the room, his dark red cape dragging on the floor. His head was covered by a large dragon bone helmet. But everyone felt his glare; Especially Clayton. The griffin walked to the far side of the table, two guards trailing behind him. They gave Clayton a look of disgust.  Steel Will walked back to his seat as Celestia, Luna and Twilight took theirs. Clayton stood, his arms grossed as he looked at the Griffin sitting across from him.

The griffin took off his helmet, his eyes not leaving Clayton’s. his fur was grey with black stripes. No one said a word as the griffin and Clayton had a staring contest. His golden eyes burned holes through Clayton’s helmet. His armor was made entirely of bones; some from dragons while others from different animals. A metal plate covered a hole on his chest.  Tension rose in the room, making the atmosphere heavy. Celestia finally broke the dead silence.

“You called this meeting king…” Celestia said coldly, shifting the temperature in the room. “So what is it you want…” the King shifted his gaze from Clayton to Celestia, his face still monotone. He motioned to one of his guards who placed a photo on the table. The llama’s and the horses reeled back at the photo.

“I came to discuss what’s in this photo…” Clayton glanced at the photo and gritted his teeth. The photo was a picture of Graves and Razor, except they look worse than before. “I want to know hy you, Celestia, sent your alien to attack my men AND my son!” Celestia glanced at the picture.

“What makes you think that it was Clayton…” Celestia asked.

“So you named the beast… cute...” He grunted. “My son was the only survivor of your creatures onslaught!”

“Not to be rude,” Steel Will began. “But your son isn’t really the sharpest thorn in a bush…” The king glared at the Minotaur, pure hate in his eyes.

“If you know better Will, you’d keep that mouth of yours shut…” the King growled. Will snorted in response. “Why don’t you ask the creature then?” Clayton growled at being called an animal... but held his composure. He almost flinched as all eyes were on him.

“Clayton just got here…” Celestia said. “How could he have attacked your guards…”

“”I was here last night Celestia…” Clayton said under his breath. “And I was attacked by two griffins in the Everfree Forest. But I didn’t kill them…”

“Clayton?” Twilight whispered.

“Bullshit, you gave them no mercy and killed them in cold blood!” the king yelled. “I have witnesses who saw you kill them like the animal you are! You should join your brothers in hell!” Clayton froze.

“What?”

“I said you’re nothing but Celestia’s weapon. Don’t question me again boy…” Clayton growled, clenching his fist.

“Clayton’s just a friend that appeared on this planet.” Celestia protested. “He’s not a weapon.”

“Then how come we didn’t know about him until AFTER you praised him for saving you and the rest of your ponies?”

“He has a point…” Steel agreed, to his detest.  A small grin crept on the Gryphon King’s face.

“Maybe she didn’t want to tell you yet as you all might fear that I’m here to destroy your planet or something.” Some of the council discussed with each other. “Celestia took a risk and took me in to see if she can trust me. You should be proud.”

“No one gave you permission to speak mule.” The king snorted, ignoring the Donkey advisory.  “Besides, after that you became her weapon that she summoned to attack my SON!

“I did not attack your son!” Clayton slammed his hands on the wooden table. He glared at the king through his helmet. “Besides, I wasn’t summoned here by Celestia; I was sent her not on my will.”

“Oh, then how’d you get back? Because you were alleged ‘gone for 5 years’.” Clayton glanced at Celestia and then to Luna.

“I was sent here-“

“We brought him here.” Luna stood up, glancing at Clayton. Her eyes pointed at her flowing mane as she stared back at the Gryphon King. Clayton glanced at her mane to see his solar system. All the other planets were there except Sera. “We thought it would be fun to bring back Clayton to surprise our sister… But our magic sent him to the Everfree and not to Canterlot.” Clayton nodded in agreement.

The council had a small discussion before nodding in agreement. The Gryphon King growled in frustration. He thought for a bit before a grin crept on his face.

“Then send him back…” The Gryphon King grinned. Clayton and Luna froze. They were about to say something when Steel Will came in.

“For crying out loud, the kid just got here!” he protested. “Day one arrival and you’re kicking him out?” The Gryphon King glared at the Minotaur, his claws scratching the wooden table. He growled as the council started to agree with Steel’s statement.

“…..Fine. You have one month to enjoy the company of your pet Celestia.” He pointed a claw at Celestia. “By the end of the month, if that beast is still here…”

“What are you going to do?” Clayton dared. The King said nothing. He adorned his helmet and walked to the door. He stopped at Clayton and got up to his hind legs, meeting eye to eye.

“If you’re still here… I’ll bury you with your brothers…” he said coldly. The king went on all fours and exited the room, leaving Clayton fueled with rage. He turned around and opened the doors to exit when Celestia spoke.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I need a drink…” Clayton said through gritted teeth. He didn’t wait for any response and exited the room.