The burning pain that had wracked his body slowly abated as Midnight lay upon the ground while Twilight cast her healing spell upon him. It had taken over an hour before the pain even started to recede, but finally, after almost two hours, Midnight could move without even the slightest movement igniting a stinging burn of agony he'd felt.

"Oh... thank you, Twily," Midnight sighed in relief as he sat up and carefully measured the aches and stings leftover. "I can manage now, but I think I'll be feeling this tomorrow..."

"I'm glad you're okay," Twilight nuzzled up to her Midnight, before saying, "But how could Sunset hurt you like that? I thought when you turned to shadow you were immaterial."

"Not exactly. When a lunar pony turns to shadow, it's... more like going underwater," answered Midnight.

"Underwater?" Twilight was confused.

"There are two forms of turning shadow, the first is sorta... trans-dimensional while the other is truly corporeal-to-non-corporeal," explained Midnight, "The trans-dimensional form is when it looks like I am a shadow on the ground, wall, or even a ceiling, when in fact I have moved into an alternate space while my presence is marked in this one as a vaporous shadow on the floor. In this way, I am... 'swimming' through the Shadow Space, able to see into the real world the same as you would if you were underwater and looking to the surface."

"Interesting! And... normally, you can't be hurt while in the Shadow Space?" asked Twilight, wishing she could be taking notes, so she made a mental note to check back on the subject.

"It's never happened before," Midnight said in a tone of disturbed awe while looking around at the damage Sunset Shimmer had done to the old temple. "Somehow, Sunset was able to attack me while I was in Shadow Space... by emitting some kind of magical light! I've never felt pain like that before, Twilight..."

Twilight noticed how intimated Midnight truly was, and placed her hoof on his, giving him assurance, so he went on, "It was like being on fire! Real, actual fire, engulfing my body and I was helpless against it! Even after I returned to the physical plane, the pain lingered, as if I'd been truly burned."

"Your body was experiencing some kind of real pain," explained Twilight, "and though the damage was not physical, it seemed to actually hurt your thaumaturgical system!"

Midnight's eyes lit up, "So that's how it works... makes me even more curious about Sunset Shimmer."

When he felt Twilight take her hoof away, Midnight looked over at her, and felt his heart jump into his throat from the look his wife was giving him.

"Not that way!" insisted Midnight in an indignant manner. "I meant, I wonder what else she is capable of, because I've never encountered an opponent like Sunset! She had a way to attack me in way no one else ever has! She had me at her mercy and she... did that instead! What is she up to, what's her angle?"

"Well... I observed the fight as much as I was able," Twilight reined in her rancor over what had happened earlier, and took a calming breath, as Cadance taught her, "As impressive as Sunset's magic was, she's not on the level of an alicorn. Don't get me wrong, her magic is certainly alpha-level, but to be honest, I think she was just trying to hold her own and was probably waiting for you to go into Shadow Space. In all honesty, Midnight, had that not happened, you would surely have beaten her."

"Hmm..." Midnight considered this, "Sunset has powers I've never seen in a unicorn, and it has to do with the sun- !!!"

Midnight gazed up at the ruined ceiling that had been blown away, letting in all the sunshine, "...that's it! That's why she did this, because somehow the sun gives her a magical boost! Like an arcanum!"

"I suppose that makes sense," Twilight considered, "but I've met other unicorns who were able to draw power from the sun, and none of them came close to Sunset's level."

"Well, none of them were mentored by Princess Celestia," Midnight narrowed his eyes, "Speaking of which, when we report Sunset's involvement to her, we're going to have to ask her what Sunset meant."

"..." Twilight looked troubled and reluctant by those word, but she nodded all the same.

"Now, we'd better get back to Griffonstone," Midnight spread his wings, faltering when he felt a twinge of pain, "Urgh... as steady as we can go."

"I've got you," Twilight pressed up against Midnight's side, the two of them sharing a loving look, before they took flight.

It was almost dusk by the time Midnight and Twilight made it back to Griffonstone, and they noticed they weren't the only ones coming to the city. As they approached the griffon capital, they saw dozens of griffons flying in, along with some wagon caravans making their way in through the city gate, along with many more griffons on the ground.

The two of them shared a confused look, and decided to wait till they made it to the castle and ask Doran what was going on.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by Avalanche and Lyra, the latter saying, "Your Majesties, glad to see you back. The situation here could use your hooves in it."

"What's going on?" asked Twilight.

"My father sent me a message." They all turned to see Doran approaching, a knight at each of his sides, looking troubled, "He has called for the Assembly of Allegiance, a gathering of all griffon nobility, where the attendees swear their fealty before the Feather of M'aat before they are permitted to enter the grand hall and partake in the dance of politics..."

"You don't sound particularly excited by this," observed Midnight.

"No, because my father is letting his emotions get the better of him," Doran sighed woefully, "But he is also king. I can only voice my concerns to him, such as my concerns that Gar may use this Assembly as some kind of opportunity to use against us."

"Speaking of, there's something we must show you," Midnight brought up, "Would you mind boarding our ship, where we can discuss it in privacy? Your knights may come too."

Doran looked at each of his escorts and gave a nod, before saying to his friends, "Lead the way."

The meeting room aboard The Break of Dawn had been perfect for this, since Midnight had woven a number of protective wards and enchantments to make it a secure place to discuss sensitive information. He'd invited Twilight to get her take on his work, and aside from a couple of suggestions and pointing out a flaw or two, she'd called his spellwork a thing of beauty.

Besides Doran and his two knights, Midnight and Twilight had invited their guard lieutenants, along with Skywyrd, to attend the meeting, where they relayed what they had learned at the Temple of Odun. But for some reason, Midnight had opted not to tell Doran of Sunset Shimmer's identity, claiming she'd worn her hood the entire time. Though it confused Twilight, she'd gone along with it.

When they were done, Doran was deeply troubled, "I knew this assembly was a mistake... but it's too late now! Most of the nobles have already arrived, I can't just suddenly send them all home without explaining why."

"Well, we have to assume that every name on that list is compromised," pointed out Midnight, "which means, until we know for certain, we can't trust any of those griffon nobles, and we even have to suspect the ones that weren't on the list."

"But if we doubt them all, we risk dividing the griffon nobility and alienating the crown," Twilight brought up, "The moment we allow fear and doubt to divide us, Gar wins!"

"I know many of these griffon nobles," Doran spoke, "plenty of them are honorable, and some of them are indeed questionable. Even on that list, there are a few I would give the benefit of the doubt. Still, if what you said about magical contracts is true, it won't make a difference... Is there a way to determine who might be under the sway of magical contract?"

"Hmm, perhaps," Twilight considered, already wracking her brains for a possible solution, "I might be able to come up with something to screen the attendees tomorrow. But you said something about a... feather?"

"The Feather of M'aat," Doran nodded, "It's one of the Griffon Kingdom's most sacred of relics. Until Gar and the corrupt nobles and barons were overthrown however, the Feather was locked away. It becomes light in the presence of Truth and becomes heavy in the presence of a lie. After Father was crowned king, he used the Feather in his royal court to hold the griffon nobility on trial so they couldn't bribe or threaten anyone."

"Is that wise? Relying on a relic to judge a trial?" Midnight could see pros and cons to that idea.

"Father decreed that the Feather would only be used for certain reasons, most of them traditional, otherwise the Feather is to be a last resort when taking someone to trial," Doran assured before going on, "Among the legitimate traditions is to use the Feather to determine whether an attendee comes with intent friendly or ill. When the nobles enter the castle gates, they will be asked questions regarding their loyalty to the crown, among other things. The Feather will determine whether they come as friend or foe. But the question is, could the Feather work on someone if they are under some kind of magical influence?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure," Twilight considered the facts, "Often, Truth is a matter of perspective. One could be sincere, but under magical influence, they would have no choice but to do as they are compelled to act. The trick is, whether the Feather of M'aat can tell the difference between real falsehood or magically-compelled falsehood."

"If it can't, then all we'd have to do is ask the right questions," Midnight suggested, "and detain those whose answers raise red flags. Or..."

All eyes turned to Midnight, as he seemed to have been struck with inspiration and gave them a sneaky smirk, "Or perhaps we use this to our advantage."

Raising her brow, Twilight smirked back at her husband, "You have something in mind, haven't you."

"That I do, Twily," Midnight nodded before giving everyone a confident smile, "We're going to outsneak a sneak!"

The next morning, the griffon nobles, having spent the night in the local inns or their own carriages, were lining up to enter Griffonstone castle. King Godric had returned late last night and been apprised of Midngiht and Twilight's report. He wasn't happy that the unicorn responsible for Horus's death had slipped away, but after they explained their plan, he was completely on board.

As the griffon nobles waited in line for admittance into the castle, each one was stopped at the castle gates by four Sky Knights, with a bronze scale set up, one side, empty, the other holding a beautiful feather whiter than freshly fallen snow and as soft as the richest down. Every noble that stepped forward was asked questions, but for some reason those waiting in line could not hear the questions asked or the answers given.

As he waited his turn, Garuda was nervous. Although he had not signed Gar's contract, he knew that if he was asked even one question he was afraid to answer, he would surely be discovered. He knew full well of the sacred power housed within the Feather of M'aat. Back when he had been lord of Griffonstone, Gar had demonstrated the power of the Feather to his closest colleagues, confirming to them that its power was no trickery and would weigh down in response to any attempts at deceit. Gar had even made it a challenge to try and fool the Feather, but none had been successful however tangled the web of treachery they tried to convey as truth. The Feather would not, and perhaps could not, be fooled.

My only hope... is if the knights ask questions to which I can tell a version of the truth, Garuda did his best to keep calm, but his feathers were starting to fluff up from his anxiety.

Finally...

"Approach, Lord Garuda of the Redback Mountain!" called one of the knights, and Garuda took a deep breath as he stepped forward, leaving his bodyguards behind, as per protocol. Once Garuda was standing before the Great Scale with the Feather of M'aat ready, the knight in charge gazed upon the griffon lord.

Garuda had been Lord of the Redback Mountain for almost a decade. He had assumed lordship because his elder brother, Arun, had been hatched prematurely, leading to health problems that he was deemed unfit to inherit their father's mantle. Garuda had cared deeply for his brother, but his mother had always "guided" him towards a path of securing power, for their house and for their community. It was why Garuda had allied with Gar back when the Lord of Griffonstone had been in power. Though he was committed to the path he had taken, more than once had Garuda felt misgivings about his choices and his actions.

Even now, he wondered whether he was making the right choice.

"State your name and title," bade the knight.

"I am Garuda, Lord of the Redback Mountain, and sworn to King Godric of the Griffon Kingdom," Garuda answered, and was relieved when the Feather of M'aat remained in balance on the scale. It allowed him to relax just a bit that first question had been something he could say with genuine candor.

"You are sworn to be loyal and true to our king?"

"I am..." Garuda meant it in the sense of a matter-of-fact. He had indeed sworn to be loyal and true to King Godric. The question had left him just enough room to wriggle out of speaking falsely, for again did the Feather remain balanced.

"And finally..." the knight paused, and Garuda feared this would be it. If the knight asked a specific kind of question and Garuda could not answer without giving himself away before the Feather of M'aat, he was sure to be arrested or at least detained.

"...do you know where your loyalties lie?" Garuda found himself suddenly conflicted. That was the question? It was not what he had expected, not at all. It was so vague and the nature of it...

No, don't overthink it, just... answer, Garuda thought to himself before taking a deep breath even as his heart began to thump in his breast. He simply answered, "I do."

Then, the Feather seemed to quiver and for a split-second Garuda felt a stab of worry, was this it?! But then... the Feather stilled, and remained balanced on the scale. The knight nodded, and stepped aside, "Proceed, Lord Garuda, and welcome to the Assembly of Allegiance."

Garuda should have felt relieved. He had not been seen through. His deception was intact. But as he ventured through the castle gates, moving to join the other nobles who'd been granted passage, a strange feeling weighed upon Garuda's shoulders and he felt it even in the pit of his stomach. He shook his head and thought, You've made your choice, Garuda. You must see it to the end.

That's what Garuda thought.

So why was it not what Garuda felt?

By noon, the throne room of Griffonstone Castle was full of all nobles who'd answered the summons and passed the test judged by the Feather of M'aat. Only a few nobles had failed the test, and it turned out it was because they were dealing with shady characters in exchange for illicit services they could no longer acquire under the reign of their new king, not because they were affiliated with Gar. These crooked nobles were detained and not allowed to take part in the assembly, and as the nobles waited they took notice of the various Sky Knights and guards posted all around.

As the Assembly had yet to actually start and since the king would not appear until then, it didn't take long for hushed discussion to fill the throne room.

"What do you suppose King Godric has called this assembly for?" "Isn't it obvious? His brother is on the loose, along with almost every criminal that was sent to The Point of No Return!" "His eldest son and heir is dead!" "I hear a unicorn was involved." "Does this mean Equestria is conspiring against us?" "Two alicorns came to the castle only yesterday, summoned by the king himself!" "Pah! If the king and his knights are so great, they shouldn't have to call upon outside help." "I heard a rumor about some kind of incident at the Temple of Odun, it involves those alicorns." "What about Gar? What could he be planning?" "How can the king protect us if he can't protect his own son?" "He still has his second son, doesn't he?" "For how long? Gar got the first, who's to say he won't get the other and then Godric himself?" "Perhaps we ought to reconsider our... standing and who we stand with." "Button your beak! Unless you want your head to be next on the chopping block..." "Hush! Something's happening!"

Garuda gazed up towards the throne as two Sky Knights flapped down and let out aquiline screams like a clarion call before one of them cleared his throat, "Presenting their Royal Majesties, King Godric and Prince Galador!"

An opening in the ceiling caught everybirdy's attention and down came King Godric, garbed in his royal ensemble, his crown upon his brow, and with him his son, Doran, now bearing the royal red sash and regal badge, signifying him as Prince and Heir apparent. Godric settled into his throne while Doran stood at his right side. The griffons in attendance all gave a rousing and respectful applause

"And next, please welcome their friends and allies, honored guests from Equestria, Their Royal Highnesses, Prince Midnight Blaze and Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

Instead of flying down from above, Midnight and Twilight each appeared in a sparkling blaze of turquoise and magenta mana, like a burst of flame that quickly gave way, revealing Midnight and Twilight both wearing their own crowns as well as regalias to further emphasize their royalty. Their reception from Godric and Doran's subjects was not as enthusiastic, but the nobles knew better than to express any negativity towards their king's honored guests.

It was then King Godric stood and raised his wings, beckoning silence. Once all noise was quelled, King Godric began.

"Greetings, lords and ladies of the Griffon Kingdom. To start things off, I thank you for answering my summons to this Assembly of Allegiance. That fact you all stand here in attendance is a defining gesture of your loyalties and your honor. For too long did Griffonstone, as well as many other communities in the Griffon Kingdom, live without honor and integrity. Griffonkind allowed greed, distrust, and arrogance to blind us to our faults and our shortcomings, and worse yet too many of us stood idle as the worse among our kind took advantage of our discord and our division. Once the griffon I loved and regarded as my brother was Lord of Griffonstone. Instead of working to prove himself worthy of that honor, he instead exploited it and worsened the corruption infecting our society. Instead of striving to uplift our people, he took advantage of them, all for his own personal gain.

"Finally, his corruption caught up with him, thanks to friends of our friends from Equestria, and Gar, along with those who profited from his corruption, was sent to The Point of No Return, and that should have been the end of it. But no... Gar has broken out and is at large. His treacherous schemings have already cost me my son, Horus, and thanks to evidence uncovered by Prince Midnight and Princess Twilight, we now know... that Gar has reached out to several among you, offering wealth and prestige in exchange for your allegiance as he no doubt plans to overthrow me," Godric let those words sink in and the crowd began to get anxious. He narrowed his eyes as his tone deepened with an edge as he continued.

"I know for a fact... that several among you have taken him up on his offer and have come into my castle, into my throne room, not as true noble griffons sworn to loyalty and honor, but as two-faced traitors, no better than buzzards!"

"You dare impugn our honor?!" "You question our loyalty!?" "Each of us were judged by the Feather of M'aat as noble and true!" "To besmirch our integrity is to dishonor the very symbol of Griffon Truth!"

The cries of outrage and offense were to be expected, but Godric remembered the plan and continued.

"You were indeed judged by the Feather of M'aat," he declared, "but what you did not realize, was there were two feathers!"

Two feathers?! Garuda had held his tongue, but Godric's words just now alarmed him.

Godric held out a talon towards his two alicorn friends, "Prince Midnight and Princess Twilight aided me in a scheme of our own, in order to counter Gar's, knowing that he would see the Assembly of Allegiance as an opportunity. Using a simple Illusion, they hid the true Feather of M'aat close to a duplicate, the very feather you each stood before as you answered the questions made to you.

"Using carefully chosen questions, some ambiguous and others more obvious, we determined who among you have broken your vows and chosen to side with Gar. The Feather of M'aat, hidden behind an Illusion, saw through your attempts at duplicity and even your doubts of the choices you had made that have brought you to this point, while the duplicate Feather was controlled to hide your deceptions, making you believe that your ruses had not been seen through. Make no mistake, a total of eleven traitors stand among us in this Assembly, traitors to the throne, to the kingdom, and to griffonkind as a whole!"

A fake Feather...?! Garuda was on the verge of shaking, doing his best not to lose his composure, but there was something else writhing in his guts. Doubt, misgivings, fear... shame?

Even as the attendees began to squawk and growl and floof in malcontent, Godric raised his wings and spoke again.

"However... before I became king, I was and still am a humble Sky Knight. I swore an oath, to stand for truth, justice, honor, and mercy. Thus, in the spirit of Mercy, I hereby invite the traitors to step forward and make themselves known. This is your chance to turn away from the ill-conceived folly Gar has beguiled you with, and back to the path of true griffon pride! Stand down and be shown leniency. Or follow Gar at your own peril. I ask each and every one of you, my fellow griffons! Whether your loyalty is true or not, what will the future of the Griffon Kingdom be?"

It was here that Godric's tone softened, replacing sharp judgement with gentle consideration.

"It wasn't that long ago, that our capital was a disgraceful heap of vice and apathy. Where the common griffon cared too much for themselves and not enough for one another. Gar and those like him took advantage of our unwillingness to do more, to be more! Their greed and cruelty made living all the harder for our people, that every griffon struggled, to have food on their tables, a roof over their heads! A life worth living, for themselves and for their children. And all the while Gar and the corrupt among our so-called nobility grew fat on their ill-gotten gains, and alas even more griffons lost their way when some, like Wotan, turned to their thieves guilds, preying upon their fellow griffons to make those bloated vultures rich!"

Garuda listened, hanging on every word, as memories and feelings ran through his mind. For all his life, he'd striven to be a worthy scion of his house, to make his elder brother proud when his illness made him unfit to be heir. Alas, he'd allowed his mother to sway him towards decisions that always left a foul taste in his mouth, allied with Gar, believing doing so would make his family proud and great, and while he had benefited and profited well from his "friendship" with Gar, he'd never really liked him. If anything, Garuda had always turned a blind eye to the undertaloned dealings of Gar and his ilk. An ilk with which he had associated himself.

"I accepted the responsibility as king so as to bring true and meaningful change to Griffonstone and in turn all the Griffon Kingdom," Godric went on, "But there are some griffons, like those who were previously aligned with Gar, that oppose change, wanting to make things as they were before. Some of you share this misplaced opinion, but ask yourselves this: Was the way things were really better? Do you truly believe the likes of Gar are the examples by which griffons should live? Will the future of Griffonkind be one of honor or cowardice? Hope or fear? The choice is yours."

Silence followed, and a tense stillness fell over every griffon present. Godric looked upon these nobles he had invited, not with vengeful rage or harsh judgement, but with forgiveness and understanding. Last night, when Godric had spoken with his son, Doran, his friends, Midnight and Twilight, and all his remaining knightly brothers and sisters, a realization had dawned in the griffon king. His son, Horus, was gone, and he was never coming back. He had lost a child, a part of his heart, but he still had his younger son, Doran, and the love and respect of his knights, and the guidance of purpose that came from being a servant and protector to his people, as their king.

He could not give in to anger and hate.

Just as I should never have given into doubt and temptation... Garuda took a deep breath and stepped forward until he stood apart from his fellow nobles, his eyes meeting Godric's as the two of them shared a silent moment before Garuda knelt.

"I confess myself guilty of association with a known traitor to the Griffon Kingdom," Garuda raised his voice, heavy with guilt and a tone of understanding, "I allowed myself, for far too long, to be swayed by the wrong voices, to do the wrong things, and in doing so I betrayed my fellow griffon, and I betrayed myself. No longer. I confess to harboring a fugitive, for being in on his schemes, and for coming to this Assembly with ill intentions.

"King Godric, Your Majesty..." Garuda raised his gaze up to his king with remorse sincere, "I submit myself to your judgement and will accept the consequences of my misdeeds, whatever they may be."

Godric felt elation though he hid it as he gave Garuda a nod. He was glad, that his words had reached at least one among his- Wait...!

Godric was stunned as three more nobles, two males and a female, likewise step forward, before kneeling.

"We also are guilty of breaking our oaths of loyalty, Your Majesty."
"Gar did promise us rewards, but we realize, you are a griffon of your word and he is not."
"We surrender ourselves and only ask for a chance to atone for our errors in judgement, Sire."

Godric couldn't help but smile. Of the eleven who had come to betray him, four had felt his words as much as heard them. Perhaps there was a chance the others-

Cries and gasps of alarm filled the air as many of the griffons were startled by that outburst that echoed throughout the throne room, but none could tell where it had come from. But Godric had a better view and raised his eyes towards the minstrel's gallery (an indoor balcony), located above the throne room doors, and up there, having finally stepped out of the shadow,s stood a seething Gar, garbed in leather armor with metal pauldrons, along with a crimson red and ebony black tabard displaying the blue and green image of the globe grasped between an eagle's talons and a lion's paw, outlined in silver and gold respectively. The ancient symbol of the Griffon Empire during their slave marketing days.

Gar wore a regal helm, like a resplendent commander, but his expression was anything but. He glared furiously at Garuda and the other conspirators who'd thrown themselves at Godric's mercy, and clutched a majestic spear, the spearhead engraved with ancient griffonic artistry while a glyph was engraved into the fixture just beneath it.

Godric narrowed his eyes in reproach, "You dare wield the Spear of Gungir, you unworthy wretch?!"

"I could call you the same, brother, but it seems those four spineless fledglings take the prize!" Gar spat with contempt, "But then again, I learned a long time ago that loyalty is overrated. Luckily, I came prepared..."

Gar raised Gungir and tapped the bottom of it hard onto the floor of the minstrel's gallery, where he stood. The act resulted in a strange ripple-effect of light, seen and felt, as it spread throughout the entire throne room. Immediately, the traitors (except for Garuda) all suddenly glowed as they found themselves unable to move of their own accord... and then reached into their fine garbs and pulled out weapons, such as daggers, maces, glass orbs containing suspiciously colorful liquids, and even miniature crossbows.

"What have you done to them?!" Godric demanded as the ten all raised their arms, ready to fight, even the three who'd followed Garuda's example and confessed to their treachery. All their expressions were alarmed and panicky, as they were no longer in control of themselves.

"Why takes chances on something so unreliable as 'loyalty' when you can have guarantee?!" Gar sneered as he held up a scroll, its writings glowing a harsh metallic gold. "Thanks to my unicorn friend, these ten fools are now mine to control because they foolishly signed themselves over to me via magical contract! I had a feeling something like this might happen, which is why i had to make sure they didn't get cold paws... I admit, though, Garuda, I never thought you'd lose what little pride you had and choose my weak-minded kin over a future of true greatness for griffonkind!! I should have made you sign a contract as well..."

"I lived my whole life thinking I was striving towards greatness, Gar," Garuda retorted, looking ashamed but also determined as he went over to stand with his king, "but I made the wrong choices and valued the wrong things. Even when it didn't sit well with me, I choked it down, thinking the path I was on was the only one I could take. But King Godric is right! I choose a future of honor and hope over the follies of corruption and cowardice. I would advise you to reconsider, but you're already too far gone, a prisoner of your own twisted delusions..."

"Release them, Gar!" Godric demanded as he drew his sword, his knights following suit, "Traitors or not, you have no right to rob them of their right to choose for themselves!"

"They signed the dotted line, brother! I'm merely holding them to their words..." Gar smiled wickedly before pointing Gungir, "You three who dared to attempt violate your contracts! Kill Godric and all will be forgiven!"

The three who'd confessed and surrendered heard the command, but as much as they wanted to refuse their bodies would not obey. However much they struggled, they turned to face Godric, who saw fear and shame and pleas for help in their eyes, raising their weapons as they prepared to pounce. Godric nodded and gave them encouraging smiles before looking over to Midnight and Twilight, "NOW!!"

The two alicorns lit up their horns and immediately, a Magic Circle, spanning the throne room's entire floor, lit up with magenta and turquoise light, intermingled with candlelight yellow and the orange of a sunset! The griffon nobles all startled at the sight of the radiant circle beneath their talons and paws, but none of them were affected save for the ten traitors under the influence of Gar's contract. Cords of mana rose up and ensnared them, rendering them completely immobile, and also disarming them of their weapons.

"WHAT?!?!" Gar couldn't believe it! "What's- How did you-"

"We found evidence of your schemes and planned ahead," Midnight smirked.
"And you, along with your cohorts, wandered directly into our web!" Twilight added, "This Magic Circle has been worked to only affect those within its radius who are magically compelled to act against their own will!"
"So now you're on your own, Uncle!" Doran glared contemptuously.

Gar growled in vexation, but then strangely sneered as he began to laugh arrogantly. "You fools think these puffed-up featherdusters were my only backup?! I didn't become Lord of Griffonstone by using short-sighted methods!"

"What're you talking about?!" Godric demanded.

"Your knights are loyal, Godric, annoyingly so. I knew they'd never be swayed by whatever bribery I attempted, and blackmail just wasn't convenient," Gar raised a mocking brow, "Your guards on the other paw..."

Godric stifled a squawk of alarm as he began to notice the guard griffons in the throne room were now standing poised for a fight, and facing him and his allies.

"Kill all but the seven who didn't give themselves up!" Gar commanded and began to shriek and caw with arrogant laughter.

"Sky Knights! Defend and protect!" King Godric commanded as he charged into battle, followed by the Sky Knights as they rushed to deal with the traitors.

Twilight almost moved to join the fray as well, only for Midnight to bar her way with his wing, "Twilight, stay here!"

"But Midnight-" Twilight protested.

"Stay here and back us up with your magic, and help Doran protect Garuda and the three confessors," Midnight ordered as he raised his sword, "Find the Light, Nightfall!"

A nocturnal flash of light engulfed Midnight as his crown and regalia were replaced with his helm and armor, and his sword had become clawed gauntlets, bearing them as he joined the battle. The many nobles present had panicked and hurried to get away from the traitorous guards before they were stopped by the Sky Knights. Metal rang and clanged as weapons and armor clashed, feathers flew and blood spilled. Several warriors on both sides took to the air while most preferred to keep the fight on the ground. Thankfully, most of the nobles managed to get clear of the battle and either kept to the walls or made it out the doors or windows.

Twilight raised a barrier so Doran and two knights could pull Garuda and the three surrendering nobles into its protective perimeter. They'd had a close call when two guards rushed them as they'd been pulling in the last one, but they'd made it in time, leaving the forsworn guards striking the barrier in screeching frustration.

It didn't take long for Gar to see that his plan was unraveling fast. The guards he'd bribed were no match for the Sky Knights, and with the alicorns aiding his brother it wouldn't take long for them to triumph. He still had one card left to play, but he couldn't pass up this opportunity. He eyed his brother. Always bigger, always stronger, always so self-righteous! Having listened to him spew his talk of "honor" and "justice" had always made Gar want to puke, and the fact Godric would share tables with inferior creatures like those meddlesome ponies?

No... today you die, brother! You and your last brat! Gar raised Gungir and spread his wings, as he poised to strike... and lunged!

Gar screamed a fearsome aquiline cry that filled the entire throne room and all eyes rose up to see him as he held Gungir just so, aimed to impale Godric through the chest! Midnight was distracted with several guards while Twilight had to maintain the barrier to keep the enemy at bay. Doran could only cry out in alarm as his father turned to see Gar almost upon him...!

"AAAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" The fearsome battle cry was replaced with wretched screams of agony, as Gar was sent rolling across the floor, guards and knights jumping to get out of the way, until finally Gar was on his back, clutching his face as blood seeped through his talons.

"AAAUUUGHH!!!! MY EYE!!! YOU BASTARD!!! YOU CUT OUT MY EEEEEYYYYEEE!!!!!!!!" Gar screamed in excruciating outrage and writhed upon the floor, Gungir having been dropped from his grip and sent clattering out of his reach.

"How did he do that...?!" Twilight was stunned by this unexpected twist.
"My father... he must have anticipated Gar would try to kill him," Doran surmised as he let what happened run through his mind and give it his analysis. "He knew Gar had lunged to attack the moment he heard Gar scream. He made it seem like he was distracted when he was actually prepared. As soon as Gar was within range, he managed to grab the Spear of Gungir and yank Gar closer, and that was when he struck, using his talons to claw Gar's eye out! Then, using Gar's own momentum, Father threw him along, sending Gar rolling across the throne room floor!"

Gar continued to rave and scream and rant while writhing on the floor, blood staining his armor, tabard, and feathers and fur, barely noticing Godric's approach. Godric looked down upon his brother, his heart conflicted with so many emotions. Sadness, regret, pain, anger, hate, and even a lingering remnant of love.

Where did it all go so wrong? How did it come to this? Was there anything he could have done differently? Anything that could have guided his younger brother towards a better way? Or had he always been rotten to the core? It didn't matter. Godric knew that he could not change the past and that Gar's sins were his own to bear. Nor could Godric forgive Gar for his part in Horus's death. But he knew he had to at least try to make peace of some kind with his brother.

"Gar..." Godric's voice was solemn, "this must stop."

Gar's throes of pain settled just a little, as he propped himself up with one talon while holding the left side of his face with the other, where blood continued to seep, and glared up at his brother with sheer hatred from his right eye.

"There was a time when we were truly brothers, in heart as well as blood," Godric urged with gentle nostalgia, "a time when we shared joy and love and hope, a time when we both were innocent by our childhoods. Though we each had different goals in life, we encouraged each other, challenged each other, to strive towards accomplishment and success. But somewhere along the line, our paths divided us further and we both were set astray. It cost us our brotherhood, our caring and faith in one another, and... I don't know. While i sought the righteous path of the Sky Knight, you took the path that led you to standing on the wrong side of the line.

"You have committed numerous misdeeds, harmed and taken advantage of others, whether they were innocent or not, and your schemes have taken from me my son... By all rights, I can take my sword and do away with you right here, right now..." Godric held his sword in emphasis of his words, and though Gar did not look away, he couldn't help shrinking back ever so slightly at the sight of his potential executioner.

Even the nobles, knights, guards, as well as Doran, Midnight and Twilight all held their breaths from the intensity of this moment as they waited for whatever happened next.

Gar was shocked. Godric had dropped his sword, and now offered his talon to him, stating, "I hate you and yet I cannot ignore the love I yet feel for you, brother. I beg of you, Gar. Make the right choice. You will still have to do time for your crimes, but you still have the rest of your life to do better. To be better. When we were fledglings, I told you that I dreamed of becoming a hero, a hero who would protect the Griffon Kingdom. And you told me, that your dream...

"...was to become a leader, a leader who would make the Griffon Kingdom great again," Gar responded with a somber voice.

"You became a leader, but did you make the Griffon Kingdom great again?" Godric asked. When Gar looked away, Godric went on, "No. You abused your power, exploited criminals and corrupt nobles, oppressed your fellow griffon, all for your own personal gain. I don't know when, where, or why, Gar, but somewhere along the path you took, you became consumed by a hunger for power. You told me, long ago, that you wanted to restore honor and pride to the Griffon race, and instead you only created more misery and pain. It's not too late, Gar. You can always choose a new path, brother. What say you?"

Gar did not answer. Silence filled the whole room with such intensity, it almost felt like the suspense of a ticking bomb, as some leaned in slightly for all eyes were upon Gar in anticipation of what he would answer. After a long and pregnant moment, Gar lowered his talon, and Godric felt a twinge of guilt to see the damage he had inflicted upon his brother. The eye was beyond saving, and it continued to bleed even though it had slowed, even if only slightly. Gar closed his remaining eye... and then he began to laugh.

It was cold, cruel amusement that soon erupted into wicked cackle as Gar pulled out what appeared to be a stone, and declared, "I say... I STILL WIN!!!"

With a heave, Gar smashed the stone onto the floor-

Screams of terror and confusion filled the air along with dust and smoke and flame as the walls and windows of the throne room were blown apart. Twilight and Doran, along with the two knights, Garuda and the three surrendering nobles were all safe inside her barrier, but they couldn't see what was going on.

"MIDNIGHT!!"
"FATHER?!"

Garuda was shocked. He'd had no idea that Gar had planted explosives for his offensive. It must be because I didn't sign his little contract, so he didn't trust me with the full plan...

"AERIS SPIRALIS!!" A flash of turquoise mana was followed by a sudden whirlwind that quickly blew the smoke and dust away, and the alicorn princess and griffon prince were horrified to see bodies.

Several griffons, nobles, guards, even knights, lay dead, strewn around the chaos and debris. Some were injured, others pinned by rocks, but the magic circle Midnight and Twilight had cast was broken. The remaining seven traitors had been freed from its effect, yet they were still enslaved by Gar, as they had flocked towards him as Gar stood in one of the openings that had been blasted through the walls, overlooking the carnage and destruction he had wrought with a gaze like cold steel.

He growled in disappointment to see Godric still alive as he helped a noble griffoness out from under a toppled pillar. Godric took notice of Gar and returned his gaze with a condemning glare.

"My plot to assassinate you, your son, and these insipid pigeons has failed, brother!" Gar called out to him, "But this... is only the beginning! My dream is no longer a dream, but a goal, for I will see it fulfilled! I hereby declare war upon you and any griffon or creature that sides with you! I will burn down the entire Griffon Kingdom if I must, so that from the ashes it will rise again, be great again, and I will lead it into a glorious future for all of Griffonkind! This I vow, under a new name! A name to represent this wound you have inflicted upon me, a name that all will one day learn to fear! So says I, the future king of the Griffon Kingdom! So says I... Scar...!"

At once, Gar, now Scar, took flight, and was followed by his enslaved thralls, along with any surviving griffon guards that managed to get away, and as the reality of what had just happened sunk in, never had Godric felt so defeated.

"Father! Are you alright?" Godric looked to see Doran had rushed to his side, looking concerned, as did Midnight and Twilight as they approached.

"What now, Sire? Do we go after them?" Midnight asked, still clad in his Harmonic Armor and his gauntlets, Nightfall, bearing claws.
"That explosion, it- It was magic! But, I couldn't-" Twilight was scared and confused, rattled and unsure of what to even think or say.

"No... we must tend to the wounded and get a damage report," Godric groaned as he got back on his feet and gazed out to the horizon, his former brother, and his cohorts, having nearly vanished in the distance, as the Griffon King stated in deepest woe, "The Griffon Kingdom... is now in civil war."

Next Chapter: 425. Old Burns - Part 5 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 32 Minutes