Chapter 18

The Throne Room, Canterlot Castle

Celestia and Luna had finished their bath and sent Vinyl on her way. They gave the DJ an all-expenses paid trip to the Canterlot spa for her trouble. The solar monarch was sitting on her throne leafing through papers, with a very bored looking Luna at her side. While the lunar monarch’s responsibilities were increasing since her return, she still did not have nearly half the amount of work that Celestia did. Her sister assured her that in due time the work load would increase. For now Luna was busy amusing herself with a ball and paddle.

Luna giggled. “I find this toy quite amusing dear sister. *ponk* *ponk* *ponk*”

Celestia grit her teeth. “Luna would you mind doing that somewhere else, I’m trying to read through some very boring, very complicated tax reforms. It interrupts my concentration.”

“Huh *ponk* *ponk* sorry I can’t help myself I *ponk* *ponk* *ponk*…it’s hypnotizing.”

“Lulu please stop. I shan’t ask you again.”

“I wonder why we need so many *ponk* *ponk* tax reforms. *ponk* *ponk*”

Celestia had it. Her horn glowed as she vaporized the toy into dust. With a smug grin she continued to read over the documents.

Luna pouted. “Hey I wasn’t done with that! You didn’t have to incinerate it.”

“Yes I did Lulu, yes I did. Now why don’t you find something else to do, preferably something that doesn’t involve pestering me.”

“Hmmph fine! I shall have to visit Pipsqueak and see if he wishes to ‘role-play’ again. We enjoyed ourselves quite heartily the last time we pretended to be brigands.”

Celestia face-hoofed. “Please don’t tell me you did what I think you did…”

“Whatever do you mean sister?”

“Isn’t Pipsqueak a bit too young for…roleplaying?”

Luna scrunched her muzzle. “Too young? I should think not. Colts his age should have a healthy imagination.”

“No, I mean you shouldn’t be having kinky role-play sex with colts that age. I know things were different a thousand years ago, but we have higher standards now.”

Luna’s mouth dropped. “TIS A LIE! I did not copulate with that colt. What kind of princess do you take me for? We merely pretended to be pirates, as little colts often do. It was just a game of merriment, nothing more.”

Celestia had the decency to blush. “Oh, my…I’m sorry Luna. Forgive my rude assumptions. I mean granted you do have quite the active sex-life so…”

“That may be the case sister but I am not some cradle-robber. Pip is a wonderful little colt and I treat him much as I would were he my son. He in turn, treats me like a surrogate mother. I imagine he does so because he is an orphan. Perhaps I could adopt him and he could become my faithful student. Creator knows I haven’t taken one in over a thousand years…”

“Very well I understand. I’m sorry for jumping to a false conclusion. Perhaps once I’m done with these tax reforms we could order some…”

Celestia was interrupted by a stallion entering the throne room. He had a white mane and a dusty brown coat. His cutie mark depicted the face of a clock and a fountain pen. “Excuse me your highnesses but I’m afraid those taxes are going to have to wait.”

Tia’s eyebrows rose. “Oh and why would that be Time Manager?”

Time Manager cleared his throat. “Some envoys arrived only minutes ago, that demanded to see you. They said it was urgent.”

“Where exactly are these envoys from?”

“I believe they said that they were from the…Confederation of Independent Sheep States. I can’t say I’m familiar with it your highness. Oh and I should mention that they appeared to be…rams not ponies.”

Celestia rubbed her chin. “Ah yes I am familiar with them. Although it has been at least two centuries since they’ve sent any official delegations. This must be very serious indeed. Please send them in Time Manager.”

Luna gasped. “The sheep? What on earth do they want? Why even during my time they rarely mingled with ponies.”

“I honestly don’t know Lulu. I’ve kept an embassy here in Canterlot for them but as I said nopo-err I mean sheep has occupied it for over two hundred years.”

Two rams slowly entered the room. One was dressed in full bronze armor, complete with a shield on his back and a small sword. The breastplate depicted an olive branch crossed with a stalk of wheat and in the middle was a ram’s head. The other was wearing a purple tunic, held together by a bronze clasp with the same insignia as the breastplate.

The ram in the toga bowed. “Greetings your highness. Thank you for receiving us on such short notice. I am Metrophanes, Viceroy to the CISS senate. My companion’s name is Commander Damiskos, of the CISS Navy.”

Celestia bowed in return. “A pleasure to meet you both. What business do you have in Equestria?”

“We have come here for two reasons. One, we wish to once again establish diplomatic ties with Equestria. Most of our former Chancellors were backwards in their ways and preferred isolation. Our current leader does not. Two, a very important sheep has gone missing. We have reason to believe that her airship crashed somewhere in the vicinity of a town you call Ponyville. The Commander will likely search for her as I attend to political matters, here in Canterlot.”

“While I am pleased you have decided to open ties with us again, I am somewhat disturbed as to whom this sheep you are looking for is. You have been rather vague about it. Please explain.”

Commander Damiskos cleared his throat. “I believe I can answer that question your grace. The sheep we are looking for is none other than the daughter of Chancellor Minos. She has been missing for nearly a month. She took one of the Chancellor’s personal blimps and flew it here. I am not certain if this was her intended destination but we need to search anyway.”

“Commander, what makes you so sure she’s here in Equestria?”

“Majesty, we sheep are very knowledgeable when it comes to air and sea currents. We’ve had such craft for nearly five centuries now. Due to the wind patterns and thermals we calculated that she flew here.”

Tia sighed. “So you’re saying that a defenseless ewe stole a blimp and flew it all the way here, by herself?”

Metrophanes laughed nervously. “Well you see, Ariadne may not be the strongest or bravest of sheep but she’s a smart as a whip. No doubt it is in due part to the wonderful education her father provided for her. The chancellor had a bit of a…disagreement with her I’m afraid. So she errm…took rather drastic measures.”

Luna scowled. “What, pray tell, was this disagreement about?”

Metrophanes fiddled his hooves. “In our lands, it is not uncommon for sheep of higher status to have…arranged marriages. Most of the time sheep are free to marry who they wish but since Ariadne is so wealthy and has an important father, an exception was made. I fear that the young ewe disagreed with her father.”

Luna stomped her hooves. “I despise such arrangements! You would forsake a ewe’s heart for political gains!?”

Celestia wrapped her wing around Luna. “Now sister do try to be calm about this. They are our guests; it is not our place to judge their culture. I’m sorry Viceroy, please continue.”

“I am not very fond of such arrangements either your highness. However, there is another problem.”

“And what might that be?”

“Ariadne is…she’s of the persuasion…what I mean to say is…”

Commander Damiskos growled. “Oh for the love of all that is holy! She’s a lesbian. There I said it. You and your politics Metro, can’t ever say what you mean the first time. Ugggh.”

Metrophanes huffed. “Well somesheep has to be politically correct around here. Otherwise, we’d start conflicts with everyone else. Stupid soldiers…”

Luna’s eyes glowed. “YOU DARE DENY HER VERY SEXUALITY! THOU UNGRATEFUL WELPS, I SHALT BLAST THINE BUTTOCKS TO TARTARUS!”

Celestia restrained Luna with her magic. “Luna calm down! Again I apologize, my sister is a fan of free-will and love. She doesn’t like intolerance.”

Damiskos shrugged. “Can’t say I like it either. If a ewe loves other ewes, then who are we to say no. Normally our culture is supportive of such relationships, but Ariadne isn’t exactly a normal sheep.”

“Commander, Viceroy you have my full support in finding this lost sheep. I’ll have my staff clean the embassy and provide you will the comforts you should need. Once both of you get settled in, I’ll send a contingent of the Royal Guard to accompany you on your search.”

Metrophanes kissed Tia’s hoof. “Oh thank you majesty your kindness and generosity know no bounds. We are forever grateful to you.”

“Ah before you start thanking me too much I have one condition for our arrangement.”

“Of course you highness, please name it.”

“I will be placing Ariadne under official Equestrian asylum. She will be considered a refugee and under the full protection of Equestrian law. This includes protection against unlawful, pre-arranged marriages or discrimination against sexual preference.”

Metrophanes blanched. “Hmm well that’s…interesting. Chancellor Minos won’t like this one bit. I hope he doesn’t turn me into a sweater…”

Commander Damiskos laughed. “Atta girl! You know what? You’re alright in my book princess.”

“I’m glad you approve Commander, have a pleasant stay in Canterlot.”

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Fluttershy’s Cottage, Ponyville

Fluttershy woke up, realizing the absence of a certain wooly presence in her hooves. Rubbing her eyes she threw off the blanket and looked around the room and found that Ariadne was sitting in front of the fireplace drinking a cup of tea. Shy cursed herself for being so impulsive, for she may have caused her guest embarrassment and discomfort. The pegasus hovered over to the sheep.

“Ariadne I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that. It was on impulse…you looked so adorable while you were sleeping and I thought you might be cuddly a-a-and you were…Oh I’m a terrible pony!”

The ewe smiled. “I didn’t mind, it just surprised me a bit is all. You umm were really snuggly too…”

Shy blushed. “*Eeep* I was? Oh…my.”

“Mhmm and you smell really good too. It reminds me of the flowers I grow back home. So don’t worry about it ok?”

Shy pawed at the floor. “Still I shouldn’t have done it without asking your permission first. I hope we can still be friends…if that’s ok with you.”

Ariadne nuzzled her cheek. “Of course we can still be friends. Oh by the way this tea is excellent, where did you get it?”

“I actually blended it myself. It’s a mix of green tea leaves and spearmint. It helps me relax after a long day.”

“Well I like it a lot. I’ll have to get the recipe from you some time.”

“T-thank you.”

Ariadne yawned. “I feel bad for making you take care of me, are you sure that there isn’t anything I can do to help you?”

“Well there is but…I don’t want you do strain yourself on my account.”

“Oh my gosh I forgot to tell you about my magic!”

Shy cocked her eyebrow. “Magic? But I thought sheep didn’t have any magic?”

“Most of the time no, but I’m special. I was born at the height of the summer solstice. I soaked up a lot of sunlight so I somehow got powers from it. One of the things I can do is, heal very quickly.”

Shy inspected the sheep’s body and to her surprise most of the cuts and bruises were already fading. “I’ve never seen anything like that…”

Ariadne blushed. “I don’t usually like to brag about it. I like being a normal sheep…getting so much attention is embarrassing.”

“I bet you hardly ever get sick. I wish I had powers like that.”

“So does everyone else. That’s why father wanted me to…”

Shy’s ears perked up. “Oh no did I bring up a bad subject again?”

“No, you didn’t. It’s an issue between father and I. We’ll leave it at that.”

“Umm ok but I’m here if you want to talk about it.”

Ariadne held Shy’s hoof. “I know…thank you. So what is it you need help with?”

“I need to go into the Everfree Forest and gather some herbs. I would normally go into town for them, but a few of the herbs only grow wild in the forest.”

“Why do you need them so badly?”

The pegasus sighed. “I need them so that I can make healing pastes for some of the animals. Pony medications are often times, too strong for them to handle. I especially need some for one of the injured beavers. Mr. Beaverton sprained his poor tail while building a dam. I can’t imagine how much pain he’s in…”

“I’ll help you, if it’s for one of your animal friends. Even though…I’m af-fraid of dark, scary…woods.”

So the pegasus and the ewe set off into the forest, intent on finding a rare flower called an Emerald Poppy. The plant contained a fluid in its stem that looked like milk but with a slight green tint. It was known to have been used as an opiate back in ancient times. However, it wasn’t as strong as the modern drugs that ponykind used. Fluttershy was apprehensive because this particular flower only grew deep in the forest, deep enough where large predators lurked. It was true that buttery pegasus could use the stare, but what everypony didn’t know was that it had no effect on larger, more vicious beasts.

It took them nearly an hour to reach the poppy field. The field was located in a quiet grove near a small pond. While most of the forest was dark, this particular area had some sunlight filtering in making it feel almost like hallowed ground. Ariadne was busy picking a few flowers, while Fluttershy was looking around for anything that might consider them lunch. Once the sheep had picked ten flowers, Shy motioned for her to tag along. As they were making their way out of the grove, Fluttershy heard the snapping of a few twigs. She froze in terror.

“Ariadne stay still and keep very quiet. I think we’re being stalked.”

The sheep squeaked. “B-by what?”

“I don’t know all I heard was some twigs rustling. It might be one of the critters I know, but we should remain on our guard in case it isn’t.”

Ariadne felt hot, putrid air blowing against her back. It sent chills up her spine. She slowly turned around to find a massive creature staring at her with blood-red eyes. It stood on six legs with a long tail. On the end was the stinger of scorpion. The torso of the creature looked vaguely like a minotaur’s, showing chiseled abs and bulging biceps. However that’s where the similarities ended. The creature had fingers, but they ended in sharp claws. The head of the creature resembled a bat, complete with a gaping maw full of sharp teeth. What surprised the sheep the most was when the abomination began to speak. It spoke in a raspy voice.

“Greetings little creatures, I see you’ve collected the bounty of my grove.”

Fluttershy gulped. “Oh why hello…Mr. Grove guardian sir. I-I was just picking some f-f-flowers for my animal friends. They’re hurt and need the medicine.”

The creature growled in amusement. “I see, be that as it may I cannot allow you to leave here. You have violated this sacred space with your theft. If you had not harvested the flowers, I would have allowed you to leave unharmed.”

“I-it’s not as if you need all of those flowers. Why can’t you spare some?”

“That is not the point. These flowers take decades to grow. They are for the creatures that dwell within this forest alone. Ponykind and lesser creatures are not to consume them.”

Fluttershy gave him the stare. “You listen here mister! Sick animals need those flowers. You should be ashamed of yourself for hording them all to yourself!”

The guardian merely snorted. “That trick may work on lesser beings but I am thousands of years old. Despite your arrogance, I will allow you to take the flowers you have harvested…but a blood price must be paid.”

“B-blood price? *eep*”

“Indeed. I require a sacrifice to appease the forest. It can be either you or your companion. It matters not. If you refuse, then I shall devour you both. The choice is yours, make it quickly.”

Fluttershy was about to step forward and volunteer herself, when she was held back by Ariadne. The normally skittish sheep had a look of determination in her glimmering ocean blue eyes.

“I’ll do it.”

Fluttershy grabbed Ariadne’s legs. “No you can’t I won’t let you! This is my fault, I shouldn’t have gone this deep into the forest.”

“Fluttershy, I may be a scardy-lamb most of the time but please let me do this for you. I have to repay your kindness somehow.”

Shy’s eyes began to water. “Not like this…please don’t. I’m begging you…”

Ariadne smiled. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

The guardian growled. “So it is the ewe that wishes to be the sacrifice. This is acceptable. Go now pony and enjoy your spoils.”

The guardian grabbed Ariadne in his claw, hoisting her to his glowing eyes. As he prepared to devour her, the sheep’s eyes glowed with a faint green aura. This made the guardian hesitate for a few precious seconds. The sheep took a deep breath and began to sing. Her ethereal voice rang through the forest like a chime billowing in the wind.

♫ Listen to my song, creatures big and small♫

♫My voice will quell all wrong, now become my thrall♫

♫Your heart belongs to me, as you soon shall see♫

♫You are mine to command, to do with as I please♫

♫Fall o’ mighty creature, bend down on your…knees.♫

The guardian’s eyes glowed green as he placed Ariadne on the ground. He prostrated himself upon the ground before her, awaiting orders. “What is thy bidding mistress?”

Ariadne waved her hoof. “Be on your way, leave us be.”

“As you command, mistress.”

Fluttershy sat on her rump utterly in shock. “W-what was that?”

The sheep blushed. “Oh that was another one of my powers. I have the ability to cast the siren’s song. Although I don’t use it very much.”

Shy hugged the sheep. “I’m just glad you’re ok.”

Ariadne sniffed. “Me too…let’s go back to the cottage.”