Hole Hearted

Prince Reagle is brought before his father by two Griffin soldiers. A female black feathered Griffin stands beside the sitting king.

“King Hawkmor, the Prince.” said a guard throwing Prince Reagle onto the red carpeted throne room.

“Prince Reagle, you disappoint me beyond measure. You launched a premature attack against the Equestrians and you lost a War Wing. Now the enemy knows of our new weapon, which will blunt our assault when strike at Equestria proper. Only your past successes prevent me from banishing you from this court.” said King Hawkmor. The brown Griffin seemed weary and tired. His crown hung loosely on his head and seemed on the verge of slipping.

“Father, we can defeat the Equestrians without the aid of whatever wicked wizardry this creature has devised!” said Reagle pointing a claw at the shadow beside his father.

The black feathered advisor spoke. “Evidently your failure has proven not. Magic has beaten your technology.”

“Your magic has corrupted father’s sight!”

“Silence!” cried King Hawkmor. “I want peace between you two. We will soon be of one nest. I am to wed Grimfeathers, she is my chosen. When you chose Zaza, the princess of a so recent enemy, I recall I respected your choice.”

“I am sorry father. I know I have been impetuous…” said Reagle.

“My head aches!” cried King Hawkmor slumping in his throne.

“Father!” cried Reagle.

“My king, I shall tend to that in moment.” said Grimfeathers kindness too sweet.

King Hawkmor was helped away to his private chambers by his guards.

Grimfeathers and Reagle remained in the throne room.

“Black feathered witch, you’re doing this to father.” said Reagle drawing a hidden dagger from under his wings. He charged at Grimfeathers with the bodkin.

He was suspended in air by a green aura. Grimfeathers did not flinched at the dagger barely at her throat. The black feathered guards hissed at Reagle with their lances pointed at him.

Reagle sighed. “Now I know your true loyalties lie.” Reagle sneered at the shadowy Griffins.

“Foolish bird.” said Grimfeathers wrenching the dagger from Reagle’s claws. “Kill him.” said Grimfeathers nonchalantly.

The shadowy Griffins smiled.

“Stand back even at this range magic will not avail you! Attack me at your master’s peril!” Reagle revealed a black sphere in his other claw. He wore finger flints, rubbing two claws together he created sparks. Reagle held out the grenade for all to see, it had a fuse shorter than an eyelash.

The shadowy Griffin guards backed away slowly.

Grimfeathers chuckled. “Prince Reagle, you are most talented. Why don’t you join me?” She released Reagle from her magical hold. “I have seen you take a lusty look.” Grimfeathers turned around and flicked her tail touching Reagle’s nose.

Reagle hit his head with the grenade shaking himself of the feeling. “So even your love for father is a lie?”

“Why is it that you hate me so? I’m taking your people to greatness. My mages will give your father the power to conquer all that he’s ever dreamed.” asked Grimfeathers

“There is no history of magic amongst Griffin kind. I do not believe that you have rediscovered some secret in that.” Reagle turned to the shadowy Griffins. “Nor do I believe you or those dark feather crows are a lost noble line of Griffins.”

“Ha, you are correct. But I am not a Griffin.” said Grimfeathers tossing Reagle backwards with her magic. “Do you want to know what I am?” smiled Grimfeathers with murderous intent.

“No.” said Reagle.

“No?” said Grimfeathers surprised.

“I will not question your nature, if you perform for me a service with your arcane arts. I will tell father nothing… and I will accept banishment to the White Wastes for my failure.” said Reagle tearfully.

“What is this you ask of me?” asked Grimfeathers.

“My wife, Zaza is upon her deathbed. She soon will be taken to Valhalla. Bring her back to me.” said Reagle bowing.

“That will take great amounts of magic.” said Grimfeathers in feigned disinterest.

“Witch, I know you can. Bring her back to me!” said Reagle pleading.

Den awoke. The hospital lights were bright and oppressive. The events of the battle instantly flood his mind, the burning airship, the screams, and then Echo lying beside him. He turned to the left of his bed Blueberry was sleeping in a chair.

“Blueberry!” cried Den.

“Den, you’re alive!” cried Blue.

“Where’s Echo?” asked Den urgently.

Blueberry frowned.

“The changeling!” said Den shouted. Den jumped out his bed. He nearly fell from the pain that shot through his body.

“Easy, there.” said Blue concerned. “I’ll take you to her.” said Blue softly.

Blue let Den lean against her as they walked through the hospital.

They arrived at a door with two Royal Guards standing by. The Guards carried lances and crossed them to bar Den’s entry.

“Let me through.” huffed Den.

“No can do sir. The changeling is to be contained.” said one of the guards.

“I am a Vice Captain of Celestia’s Royal Guard, I order you to let me through.” cried Den.

“This comes through a higher authority.” responded Guard.

Shining Armor walked up to Den. “Den, we have a lot to talk about.” said Shining.

“Let me see her first.” growled Den.

“She’s a changeling. We haven’t been able to locate the real Echo.” said Shining.

“I know she’s a changeling! She is Echo!” cried Den.

Shining Armor blinked. “You knew?”

“Yes, she’s been a changeling all along. She saved us all during the battle. The shaft of light was hers!” said Den.

“We’ll speak but not here.” said Shining Armor.

The hospital cafeteria was unpopulated. Blueberry helped Den take a seat.

“Dent.” Shining Armor addressed formally. “Are you aware of changeling mind control?” asked Shining.

“Yes, the report I wrote you included a section on it.” said Den.,

“Then you must know your close contact with it-”

“Echo.” sad Den correcting Shining.

Shining grudgingly spoke. “Yes, Echo.” Shining resumed. “Your contact with Echo makes your opinions and thoughts suspect. Anything you say in Echo’s defense is invalid.” said Shining.

“I collaborate with Den’s testimony, I saw it… I mean Echo cast the spell it saved us all. Echo is mah friend too.” said Blue.

Den smiled at Blue. Blue smiled meekly back.

“You are Den’s subordinate officer that also makes your word negligible.” said Shining.

“What then? She’ll die if I don’t see her. If our academy days have any meaning, you’ll let me see her.” said Den.

“I knew you would pull that out.” smiled Shining Armor. He relented. “Okay just a short moment, and you will be watched.”

Den entered the room. Echo was strapped to hospital bed.

“Den?” cried her voice faintly.

Den limped over to her bed. “I’m here.”

“I’m glad. I feel so light headed.” said Echo.

“Why’d you do that?” asked Den.

“You mean save yours and everyone’s lives?” smiled Echo.

“Silly, why didn’t you cast a shield of something?” asked Den.

Echo looked thoughtfully then laughed. “That didn’t occur to me… My training is in destruction. I could only think of destroying the thing that was about to destroy you.”

“You burned through a lot of energy, can you sustain yourself for while? We might be separated for a bit. Please take as much energy as you need from me.” said Den.

“No, you need it more. This is enough.” said Echo gesturing with her eyes at Den’s bandaged limbs. “Already I feel stronger in your presence. The rest will take time.”

“I’ll see you freed.” said Den.

“Hey, while I’m tied up here, wanna have fun?” smiled Echo playfully.

“We’re being watched.” said Den blushing.

When Den left the room Shining Armor had Cadence with him.

“Den, please don’t struggle.” said Cadence kindly. Cadence touched her horn against Den’s forehead. Memories flashed before him: meeting Echo upon the windy cliff, their café date, the dream space, and the battle.

“So is it a spell?” asked Shining Armor.

“His love for the changeling, is genuine. There are no magically made memories or signs of an influence spell.” remarked Cadence.

Den couldn’t helping sighing himself at the revelation. Den however quickly snapped back to hide it. “I told you. Now can you let her go.” said Den.

“We can’t release her without Celestia’s word…” said Cadence.

“Den, you still have to recover in the hospital. Promise me you won’t do anything foolish bro. The guard on… Echo has been tripled.” said Shining.

“Doesn’t it count for anything that she saved the lives of a third of guard?” said Den grumbling.

Cadence put a hoof on Den’s shoulder. “We’ll put in our opinion to Celestia. Don’t worry love shall prevail.” said Cadence confidently.

“Alright thanks.” said Den with worry.

Several Days passed Den was restless in his hospital bed. His wounds had begun healing with the regular magical treatment. Blue entertained herself with a crossword puzzle book, a children’s version. It was amusing to watch her sweat to figure out the words.

“What’s a creature that have three heads? Grows more as you cut them. Starts with h.”

“Hydra.” replied.

“H-i-d-r-a.” said Blue writing it down with her pen gripped in her mouth.

Den rolled his eyeballs. Den then remembered Blue’s testimony.  A lingering question he wanted to ask came to him. “Hey, Blue thanks for backing up my story with Echo.” said Den.

“Story? I reckon it was da truth.” said Blue playing with the pen in her mouth.

“No I meant, you could have lied and had her executed.” said Den.

Blueberry gasped. “Seriously Den, you think I’m that petty?”

“No?” said Den meekly.

Blue frowned. “I saw what happened at the battle. Both of you were unconscious, I dragged both of your bodies away from the falling wreckage of that airship.”

“I’m sorry Blue for second guessing you.” said Den.

“The thought had crossed mah mind of leaving Echo. I’m still crushing on ya hard but part of loving someone is respecting their choice. ” Blue sighed.

“That was mature, thoughtful, and nice. Thank you for staying with me.” said Den.

“Shucks, you helped me passed those written exams at the academy.” said Blue scratching her head.

“I’m glad to have you as a friend, Blueberry Frost.” said Den hugging her.

Blue returned the hug. “You too, Dented Armor.” smirked Blue.

A black feathered male Griffin lead Prince Reagle to the hanger of a War Wing.

“So the black feathered witch has taken over my father’s entire Honor Guard.” Reagle sneered at the Griffin.

“That is none of your concern. You’re to be banished to the White Wastes.” said the black feathered griffin.

“Yes, after I am given my due.” said Reagle snarling.

Another group of black feathered Griffins wheeled in a crate.

“As our per our mistress’s agreement…” said the black feathered Griffin prying open a crate with a spear.

The zebra mare Zaza stepped out of the crate. They both embraced.

“Zaza!” cried Prince Reagle.

“Prince Reagle!” cried Zaza.

“I thought I had lost you.” said Prince Reagle tearfully. However as Prince Reagle hugged her, he drew a dagger and pressed it to Zaza’s throat.

“Reagle, what are you doing?! It’s me!” cried Zaza.

Reagle eyes watered. “Our honeymoon we had a fight, what was it about?” asked Reagle angrily with his dagger shaking in his claws.

The zebra mare laughed eerily. Reagle shoved her aside. Reagle turned around to the black feathered Griffins. “Where is she, you demons!? The real Zaza!”

A voice spoke. “I could not resist. How smart of you.”

Reagle turned around again to see Grimfeathers in place of Zaza.

“Witch! We had an agreement!” said Reagle.

“Indeed, her healing has just finished.” said Grimfeathers snapping her claws.

Another crate was wheeled out. It was opened to reveal a Zebra mare in a cocoon. A black Griffin cut open the cocoon with a lance. The mare spilled out with a gush green fluid. There was a visible scar upon her flank.

“Prince Reagle?” said the voice faintly.

Reagle picked up Zaza in his arms. “Our honeymoon we had a fight, what was it about?” asked Reagle looking into her eyes eagerly.

Zaza thought for a moment. “You featherbrain, you were looking at the waitress serving our drinks.”

Reagle laughed. “So says you.” Reagle pressed his beak against her muzzle affectionately.

Grimfeathers coughed. “Heartwarming however it is time for you to depart.”

The War Wing ship doors opened to the tundra. The cold blast hit everyone.

“Come Zaza, we must go.” Reagle helped Zaza gain her footing.

The two walked out into the snows.

Grimfeathers stood for a moment watching the two shapes grow distant. Her eyes were envious.

“My monarch?” questioned a black Griffin.

“I felt it. His love for her is strong.” Grimfeathers with a voice laced with longing.

“Shall we pursue?” asked a black griffin readying a lance.

“Of course, wait until they are half way to the horizon… then kill them. They deserve a moment together.” said Grimfeathers.

A Griffin and a zebra ran alongside one another. The winds of the tundra buffeted them.

“So you accepted banishment for my sake? I do not think the black feathered witch intends to let us live.” questioned Zaza.

“In mere moments she’ll send her agents to dispatch us.” said Reagle sighing.

Zaza smiled. “You have a plan then?” asked Zaza.

Reagle drew a compass. “Hidden to west is a flotilla of your father’s warships, we must make it there.”

“The Zebra king, my father hates you greatly. How did you talk him into helping you?” exclaimed Zaza.

“I appealed to our common ground.” said Reagle.

“What is that?” asked Zaza.

“We both love you.” smiled Reagle.

Dark shadows buzzed behind them.

Evening fell and the hospital was dimly lit by low lights. The dozen of the Royal Guards passed a yawn through the ranks. They were snapped from their stupor by a dark figure loomed over the hospital hallway.

“Who goes there!?” cried a Royal Guard.

Lights flickered off as he walked towards the guards.

A dozen guards drew their lances. “Cease and desist!”

The figure was revealed to be a gray stallion. “Prepare for a nightmare you can neither define nor defend! I’m Amorpheus!” The stallion took off his fedora. A horn glowed with malign magic.

The hallway disappeared in a black void. The guards screamed as eyes appeared everywhere. The guards stabbed at the walls but to no avail. They turned their attention to where the gray stallion was. A hooded figure with a scythe was now advancing upon them. The rest of the guards screamed in utter panic.

The gray stallion secures his fedora and walks through the corridor; trail of unconscious Royal Guards is left behind. Shadows followed in his wake. A squad of dark armored changeling soldiers followed up spearing the Guards.

“Quickly now, before they gather their courage! We have a princess to save!” cried Amorpheus looking back slightly.

The changelings dispatched the last of the guards.

Den was awoken by several screams. He looked to find Blueberry sleeping in a chair beside his bed.

Den prodded Blue with his hooves. “Blueberry! Wake up!” said Den in hushed shout.

“But mommy, I don’t like waffles.” murmured Blue drearily.

More screams caused Blue to jump up. “What’s up?!” cried Blue.

Two changelings rammed at a door with their shoulders.

The gray stallion sighed tipping his fedora. The door was seared through with green fire.

Echo gasped as the stallion with the gray Fedora entered. “Master Amorpheus?!”

“Larvi.” smiled Amorpheus.

Changelings entered the room and began cutting through Echo’s restraints.

Echo turned her head the squad of changelings. “Thorax? Coxa? Husk? My old unit? I thought you were…” said Echo recognizing some of the changelings that cut her restraints.

A changeling nodded gleefully. “Yes, it is us, Commander Larvi… I mean Princess Larvi.” said Thorax busily snapping the buckles that held her.

“Princess?” questioned Echo.

Amorpheus smiled. “It is time, the truth be revealed to you. You are not simply a daughter of her highness but the daughter. Now that our Queen’s plan is coming ahead, she wishes you to join her. During the battle of Manehatten, your demonstration of power was not unnoticed. It is time that is applied properly.”

“You all came to rescue me…” said Echo.

“Aye, who knew all those years Commander; you were our Princess!” said Thorax chirpily.

“You risk much coming here.” said Echo.

“This operation is risky yes, but riskier still to do nothing.” said Coxa.

“What is with the delay?” demanded Amorpheus.

The changeling Coxa was still cutting through the restraints. “Forgive me Master Amorpheus, these last bindings are magical. It will take a little longer.”

“Stay here, I sense something approaching.” said Amorpheus.

Den and Blue came upon the grisly sight. A dozen or so Royal Guards lay dead in the hallway. The guards were curled up in fear. The floor was awash with red blood … and yellow urine.

“What did this?” gasped Blue dropped down inspecting guard.

Den looked at the precise nature of the wounds, throats, and chest. “They were executed.” said Den growling.

“Whoever did this they’ll pay!” Blue bit angrily.

Den and Blue mounted up the lances and war saddles from the fallen guards.

A grey stallion with a fedora greeted them. His face was obscured by the brim of his hat. Green eyes glowed. “You best flee. Unless you wish to share their fate.”

“Royal Guards never turn tail!” cried Blue charging.

“Prepare for fear.” grinned Amorpheus taking off his fedora.

Den saw Blue crumple over, her charge skidding to a halt. Blue was curled up in a fetal position Den had seen foals take up. Blue shook holding herself, nearly immobilized.

“What did you do to Blue?!” Den steadied his lance. Den noticed the broken door behind Amorpheus. “You’re after Echo aren’t you?”

Amorpheus’s eyes lit up. He cackled revealing his fangs. “You’re Larvi’s Lover?” Amorpheus flashed to his true intimidating changeling stature.

“Echo told me you were all gone. She said there was no more changeling threat.” said Den surprised.

“Oh, you seem to be mistaken. Let me dispel you before I destroy you. Such despair you’ll feel knowing all your memories are a lie.”

A flash hit Den harmlessly. “Is that all, you got? You’re not going to get to Echo.” said Den fiercely.

“You’re not under the influence of mind magic… what is this?” Amorpheus recoiled then recovered. “Interesting.” Amorpheus bowed. “I am Amorpheus Master of shapeless nightmares.”

“I am Dented Armor.” said Den cautiously.

“Armor is of no defense! You face my unstoppable offense!” Amorpheus horn sparked.

Den saw the room disappear into dark void of shadows. In before his eyes visions of bones, rotting, and death flashed. The corpses of the dead Royal Guards stood up. The ghouls had sunken eyes and their flesh was the white ghostly pallor of death. In before him was a hooded figure carrying a scythe gesturing towards him. All instincts commanded Den to run. Nothing earthly could defeat such foes. The pressure on his mind was immense. Den shook his head. He remembered Echo and his reason. He recognized the sensation, he was in dream space.

“Reaper! I do not fear death!” Den stepped forward head held high.

The ghastly visions stepped backwards. Den began sprinting towards. He ran through the apparitions however his lance was blocked by something solid. The illusions ended.

The moonlight shone through the hospital windows sending the shadows scurrying to their corners. Den was locked weapons with Amorpheus.

“You saw through it?!” Amorpheus snarled and pushed him back.

“Den?” it was Echo’s voice. She exited the doorway to her room. Echo stood in her changeling form amongst others of her kind.

“Echo?!” cried Den.

Echo’s face was frozen.

“He offends you? Princess, I shall slay the pitiful pony!” the changeling Thorax charged with a spear.

The squad of lesser changelings charged past Amorpheus with their spears.

“Wait this is not an opponent you can-!” cried Amorpheus.

Den readied himself for the onrush.

“Stop!!!” Echo’s voice resonated through minds exerting a similar if not stronger that pressure Amorpheus had projected.

The squad of changelings instantly ceased movement at the order. Thorax the lead changeling stopped mid charge. He was skewered by Den’s lance.

Thorax looked upon the weapon that had gone through him. The changeling returned a look of confusion at Echo. “My Princess? My Commander? Larvi?” The changeling slid to the ground.

As the blue glow from Thorax’s eyes faded, Echo winced with pain that was both psychic and physical. “No.” stuttered Echo.

“Larvi, what have you done?!” questioned Amorpheus.

Echo eyes watered but she stamped her hoof striking the ground. “We leave!!!” said Echo her voice ringing in both Den’s ears and mind.

“Vengeance must be had this pony has slain one of our own! Blood for blood!” cried the changeling Husk.

“It saved my life once, I shall spare it now.” said Echo.

“Echo!” Den called out.

Den was slammed against a wall by a sheath of green magic.

Larvi’s eyes glowed intensely. “The name is Larvi. You do well to remember that my little pony.” said Larvi coldly. “We leave!!” cried Larvi turning her back upon Den.

The other changelings looked questioningly to each other.

“That was not a request, it was a command from your Princess!” cried Amorpheus.

The rest of the changelings bowed lightly.

Den could only watch as Echo-Larvi led the rest of the changelings away. He lost consciousness soon after as his the pain of his injuries caught up with him.