Chapter 13

Dash woke up with a groan and looked around her in confusion, where was she? She felt her head supported comfortably on top of a firm pillow and the warmth of a blanket enveloped the rest of her body. Morning sleepyhead, welcome back to the land of the waking. Bob told her happily inside her head. She looked around again this time with a little more clarity and noticed that she was back in the bed of her room.

“Uhh…what happened?” Dash groaned her throat felt as dry and coarse as sandpaper. You passed out from overexerting yourself and you had several internal issues thanks to those punches you took early that only showed up later. All in all I’d say that you did pretty well considering that that was your first actual fight. Bob answered. “I feel like I’ve been used as a chew toy by Cerberus.” Dash replied with another groan as she looked around for a glass of water to ease her aching throat. Welcome to war kid. Bob replied with a mental smirk.

The door of the room opened slowly and Deadeye flew in cautiously while she carefully handled a bowl of soup in one hoof, it was surprising how much the blonde pony reminded Dash of Ditzy when she was being cautious. Deadeye hadn’t noticed that Dash was awake yet so Dash closed them till she could barely see out of them. Unexpectedly the blonde pony looked at Dash and giggled.

“I see your eyes moving Dash.” Deadeye told her with a grin.

“How I was flawless?” Dash asked Deadeye in surprise, Deadeye chuckled.

“Dash I’ve been an archer for almost all of my life, I can see the glint of another archer’s arrow at five hundred yards, do you really think I can’t see somepony’s eyes move when I’m standing right in front of them?” Deadeye asked with a smirk.

“Now that you mention it…” Dash replied feeling stupid.

“Don’t worry about it Dash, I brought you some soup.” Deadeye told Dash before handing her the soup. “It’s good trust me.”

“What is it?” Dash asked looking at the soup in the bowl in front of her and dipping the spoon in it experimentally.

“Just try it, you’ll like it.” Deadeye replied not answering the question.

“Deadeye the last time I trusted someone on something like this was the time Gilda my griffin friend convinced me to eat rabbit stew… which honestly tasted great but if I ever told Fluttershy about it I think she’d kill Gilda.” Dash told Deadeye eyeing the soup.

“Fine ruin the surprise.” Deadeye replied rolling her eye. “It’s an old Doo family recipe to help warriors recover after a battle. You take one desert flower, mix it with a chili pepper, add a slice of lemon, and finish with a cocoa bean.” Deadeye told Dash.

“Are you sure that this is edible?” Dash asked looking at the bowl skeptically.

“Please just try it Dash, unless you’re chicken that is!” Deadeye told her with a mocking smile.

“No one calls me chicken!” Dash replied before forcing a spoonful of soup into her mouth. Her eyes popped wide open as the rush of flavors rolled over her tongue, the soup was spicy and made her eyes water. At the same time the soup was silky and caressed her taste buds like some long lost lover. Dash turned to regard Deadeye in shock.

“I told you you’d like it.” Deadeye told her with a smirk.

“I honestly have never eaten something that tastes this good, ever, in all my life!” Dash replied before dropping the spoon and lifting the bowl up to her mouth and taking a long slurp.

“Like I said it’s an old family recipe and it wouldn’t still be around if it wasn’t great.” Deadeye replied pulling a chair up next to Dash’s bed. Dash finished her slurp and put the bowl back on her lap.

“So how bad were the losses?” Dash asked changing the subject.

“We lost six hundred and fifty pegasi and a few of the unicorn doctors, Cosmosmia rest their souls.” Deadeye replied solemnly. “As much as I hate to admit it if it wasn’t for Brush and his riders we’d have died and the Fourth would have temporarily lost its home.” Deadeye continued with a disgusted shake of her head.

“What happened between you two?” Dash asked changing the topic again.

“We were together for a few years, I almost married him. Then I found the asshat sleeping with five mares at the same time on our anniversary. Needless to say I decided that it would be better if I didn’t see him for his own safety.” Deadeye told Dash with a snarl. “I’ve been eating muffins ever since.” Deadeye said with a wink.

“Wait what?” Dash asked in shocked confusion.

“Oh nothing.” Deadeye said with a smirk. “Well I’ll leave you to your soup.” She said before she flew slowly out the door.

“Bob did she just make a pass at me, or am I imagining things?” Dash asked the saber.

Dash if you’re not sure then you’re blind. Bob replied. Now finish that soup before it gets cold, Doo soup is a delicacy! Bob told her before his voice faded from her mind. Dash took another long slurp of her soup before another question came to her.

“Hey Bob why do you keep on mentioning Deadeye’s family like they’re really famous?” Dash asked the saber.

Well the Doos are one of the oldest most well respected military families in the empire. They’ve been Captains, Commanders, Inquisitors, Generals, and Primarchs since the beginning when Cosmosmia and Stella were first given this plane to look after by their mother. Bob explained.

“Where I’m from they deliver mail and destroy buildings.” Dash replied with a small grin.

Odd, but then again I guess if all the warriors were here then they must have had another branch of the family living within your dimension. Bob replied scratching his metaphorical chin. Dash finished her soup and left the room after attaching the saber to her belt. Dash walked around the castle mostly just wandering aimlessly with no clear intent on a destination.

As she walked Dash noticed that despite the atrocious losses that they’d suffered the day before the soldiers she saw in the halls all looked cheerful and light hearted. Eventually Dash wandered up onto the wall where she found Deadeye looking out over the battlefield.

“Hey Deadeye.” Dash said as she flew closer to the other pegasus.

“Hey there Dash I didn’t expect to see you for a while.” Deadeye said turning away from the battlefield and looking at Dash with a smile.

“Well I’m the fastest in pony Equestria.” Dash replied with a shrug.

“Oh I bet you are.” Deadeye said with a grin, Dash felt herself blush as she realized what she’d just said. Way to go Casanova.Bob told her helpfully.

“Not like that!” Dash protested.

“Mhm…” Deadeye replied raising an eyebrow.

“I’ll just shut up now…” Dash said trailing off. They spent several minutes looking at the aftermath of the battle until Dash’s cheeks turned a color other then scarlet.

“So anything else you wanted to talk about, although I suppose I could always help you with your other problem?” Deadeye asked Dash with a wink.

“Well, uh, actually yes I have a question. It’s been bugging me all morning and I can’t find an answer.” Dash replied.

“Shoot.” Deadeye told her with a shrug.

“Alright, if the empire has things like the Ursa Riders why in Celestia do they need the armies, I mean couldn’t the Ursa Riders just annihilate everything without any real resistance?” Dash asked.

“Ah, good question. Ursas are rare in fact there are fewer than one hundred alive so we don’t have enough to do that in the first place. Another reason is the cost of training one, typically over a thousand trainers die in order to produce one battle ready Ursa. That of course isn’t mentioning the extreme cost of feeding the damn things, they have to eat over ten thousand pounds of meat a year in order to survive. And even if we could come up with some way to get around all of those problems they’re too big to be useful in most situations.” Deadeye told Dash who nodded thoughtfully.

“That makes sense, by the way what was that song that they sang?” Dash asked.

“Something that they made up because they thought it was funny and frightening.” Deadeye replied with a shrug. “So how’s the saber treating you?” Deadeye asked with a glance towards the green bladed saber at Dash’s waist.

“Bob’s nice, really weird, but nice in his own way.” Dash answered with a shrug. I’m not weird I’m misunderstood! Bob commented wryly. “Shut up Bob you’re weird.” Dash told him making Deadeye chuckle.

“Sounds like you two are getting along well.” Deadeye said before looking back over the battlefield.

“So Deadeye do you have any plans for the day?” Dash inquired.

“I think I can fit you in around my busy schedule of filing out death notes.” Deadeye said with a shrug.

“Awesome, do you want to spar with me? I think with Bob’s help I can get back at you a little for yesterday” Dash asked Deadeye with a grin.

“Is that what you think, well prepare to be shown otherwise!” Deadeye replied playfully.

***

“Wait HQ was attacked by zebras?” Twilight asked Stardust in surprise.

“Yes, apparently they thought that they could get away with it because the army wasn’t there. The pegasi repulsed them but with heavy losses.” Stardust replied.

“I hope Dash and Pinkie are okay.” Twilight murmured to herself.

“Don’t worry Twilight I’m sure that they’re fine.” Trixie told her placing a calming hoof on her marefriend’s shoulder.

“Aww I can’t believe we missed a fight…” Cloe pouted from where she was sitting in the wagon.

“I like her.” Angeldust said with a wide grin.

“Oddly I’m not surprised.” Dane said from his place by the window. “I’m just glad that they gave us a bigger wagon. Although I’m confused, no offense to the pegasi but we only left a thousand of them, how did they manage to beat back an army of zebras?” Dane asked scratching his chin with a claw.

“From what I heard the Ursa Riders were there to bail their asses out of the fire.” Stardust answered with a shrug.

“We have a unit that rides Ursa Majors?” Twilight asked in flatly.

“Yep.” Blaze answered from where he was playing with a flame.

“Figures.” Twilight replied with a shrug. Two and a half years ago she would have been gasping at the idea, now though it didn’t seem that farfetched compared to what she was used to.

“Wow this scene is really just a placeholder isn’t it?” Angeldust asked randomly.

“Angel what are you talking about?” Stardust asked her marefriend in confusion.

“Oh nothing it’s just that all we have to do is talk, and there isn’t much scenery to describe… and there are too many of us right now to have any good conversations.” Angeldust continued drawing a confused look from Cloe.

“Uhmm… I’m new, what the fuck is she talking about.” The lab asked.

“See what I mean there are just too many of us, I vote on ending this chapter early and skipping to the wedding, all in favor?” She asked looking at the others in the wagon.

“Alright I guess. I have no idea what you’re talking about Angeldust but why not?” Twilight said raising her hoof.

“Alright I’ll vote for it too, whatever it is.” Trixie agreed.

“Eh why not it’s not like anything will actually happen.” Dane agreed raising his paw.

“If it means I get to set stuff on fire sooner then I’m in.” Blaze nodded in agreement.

“Angeldust are you breaking reality?” Aqua asked with a troubled look on.

“No I’m just initiating a time skip, nothing to get your panties in a knot about.” Angeldust replied with a shrug.

“I don’t wear panties.” Aqua replied with a grin at Angeldust just to let her know that she was saying it purely to slow down the process, it was her duty as in inquisitor after all.

“I’ll vote yes.” Stardust replied with a roll of her eyes.

“What about you Cloe?” Angeldust asked eagerly.

“Umm, hell yes?” Cloe asked in confusion.

“I really do like you.” Angeldust replied with a large grin.

“Fine, just try not to kill anyone we know or care about.” Aqua said rolling her eyes.

“Woohoo!” Angeldust cried in glee….

***

“So then Deadeye was all like ‘yeah like that’, and then Dash all like ‘ow that hurts’. Then Deadeye said ‘but I thought you liked it rough’, and then Dash was like-” Pinkie told Twilight whose head suddenly twitched.

“Wait, Pinkie…what just happened?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“I was just telling you about Dashie and Deadeye’s sparring match silly.” Pinkie said with a grin.

“Pinkie how did I get here, the last thing I remember was agreeing to something that Angeldust suggested?” Twilight said rubbing her head trying to clear up the sudden ache in her head.

“Oh that, well it was a temporal disturbance that Angeldust used to locally transpond you to this place and terminate the replicas thus allowing you to skip through the time loops like a pebble through a mater atomizer with a small stop at Millways for good measure of course. Then you met Elvis.” Pinkie replied with a large smile.

“Pinkie…” Twilight said looking lost and confused.

“Yes Twilight?” Pinkie asked, her smile growing even larger.

“Do you have any idea what you just said?” Twilight asked.

“Yes Twilight, I think that means that I just agreed with you.” Pinkie replied her grin looked like it would tear her face in half. Twilight began to beat her head against the side of the wagon.

***

“Your Majesty you must help us without you I have no hope of taking back my homeland!” The lion told Cosmosmia desperately from where he stood below her golden dais.

“King Leonis, I would like to relay to you the situation that you have described to me so that we know exactly what we are discussing.” Cosmosmia told the agitated black lion.

Leonis stood proudly on his hind legs coming up to just below Cosmosmia’s shoulders; all the cats from his land were naturally biped. What little of his coat that was visible under his armor was pure black, the mane that encircled his face was a crackling red as if it were engulfed in a torrent of fire. He wore an impressive suit of steel plate armor lined with golden runes that glowed softly discernible even in the brightly lit audience chamber of the imperial palace. His right hand was encircled with a golden gauntlet that contained an enchanted shield which could be popped out in seconds. Across his back was a long bastard sword made out of some blue metal, indented in its hilt was a large golden jewel.

“Alright your Majesty.” Leonis said with a nod.

“You want me to send my military assets to a land across an ocean to fight what is probably going to be a long and costly campaign against a large and well armed army of reptiles lead by an extremely gifted dark wizard.”

“That’s about the gist of-” Leonis began.

“I wasn’t done.” Cosmosmia told him sweetly. “Furthermore you expect me to pay for and supply this force. To make matters worse you can offer next to no way to repay me for my efforts on your behalf even if my forces managed to take back your land within the next fifty years by which time you may well have died.” Cosmosmia finished.

“But surly you can see the benefits your majesty, if you do not help me retake my home then the Malen will eventually turn his gaze here. You strike me as the intelligent type your Eminence. So tell me, where is it better to fight, on your land, or on someone else’s?” Leonis asked her his face calm. Cosmosmia chuckled.

“Ah I had forgotten how nice it was to have a cat around the court, ponies are never so belligerent with me no matter how angry they get, I find a bit of confrontation quite refreshing.” Cosmosmia told him with a small smile.

“Wait what?” Leonis asked in confusion. From behind him he heard his brother facepaw at his response.

“Tomorrow is my daughter’s wedding to the griffon known as Commander Stormwing, this will secure our northern borders along with allowing us to take several armies off of their posts. And I have no idea just what I should be doing with them for the next few years.” Cosmosmia told the lion with a small grin.

“You’re offering to help me after all.” Leonis said slowly piecing together the words.

“Yes.” Cosmosmia replied with a smile.

“But why, especially after all those reasons that you listed?” Leonis asked in confusion.

“Because I always liked your father he was a great being, plus I owed him a favor and since he’s no longer alive to collect that means I owe you it.” Cosmosmia told Leonis.

“Thank yo-” Leonis began

“He also had an amazing ass.” Cosmosmia said interrupting him. The black fur around Leonis’s face suddenly lit up like his mane making it look like he’d swallowed a zebra pepper.

“Umm, ah, I’ll, I’ll take your word for it.” Leonis stammered out and Cosmosmia let out a booming laugh.

“I see you haven’t changed much.” A black cat said stepping forward.

“General Oneye, I thought I saw you hiding back there, how are you?” Cosmosmia asked the golden cat who padded forward, one of his eyes was obscured completely by an eye patch and two wicked scars crisscrossed around it.

“I’ve been better but that’s to be inspected when your land has been razed by one of your best friends.” General Oneye replied with a shrug.

“Wait you two are friends?” Leonis asked them in confusion. The old soldier and the Empress gifted Leonis with a pitying glance before restarting their conversation.

“So little Blue is finally getting married eh?” General Oneye asked with a smile.

“Yes and to a griffin if you can believe it!” Cosmosmia replied with fake shock.

“Well she is your daughter.” General Oneye told her with a toothy grin.

“What are you suggesting Oneye? I never let her go into those sections of the library!” Cosmosmia replied with mock outrage.

“Mhm…” General Oneye said with a roll of his eye.

“Ok so maybe I pretended not to notice once when she snuck in.” Cosmosmia said with a giggle.

“Hold up Oneye if you know her why didn’t you talk to her first!” Leonis asked in annoyed outrage.

“Because it was your job as king kid.” General Oneye replied simply before turning back to Cosmosmia. “So when is Blue getting here, do you think she’ll remember her uncle Oneye?” The General asked.

“Oh I’m sure she will, by the way she goes by Star now.” Cosmosmia reassured her friend.

“I suppose she doesn’t want to be known as the blue leader of the red army.” General Oneye replied with a shrug.

“Something like that.” Cosmosmia agreed.

“So what else is new?”

***

Twilight gazed in wonder at the sight of the Empire’s capital city. The outer walls were easily four hundred feet high and made out of pristine red stone. Towers decorated the walls every twenty feet or so and Twilight could see dozens of ponies standing guard around each and every one of them. From behind those massive walls soaring towers and massive temples were easily visible despite the height of the walls. Everything was made of the same red stone but they were also tinged with gold or silver metals that twisted and curved around their lengths.

“Wow it’s bigger then Canterlot.” Dash said shocked, she hadn’t thought that anything could be.

“It’s the biggest above ground city on the continent; it’s got nothing on us though.” Cloe said with a smirk, she’d been riding with them for a few hours after the immediate shock of skipping around two weeks had passed.

“Where’s Dane, isn’t he supposed to be guarding Twilight?” Dash asked.

“Hell if I know, bro does what he wants.” Cloe replied with a shrug. Twilight rolled her eyes; Cloe was about half as eloquent as her brother.

“Hey guys look up there it looks like that group of griffins is coming in really close really fast I bet they’re really super awesome and want to say hi!” Pinkie said excitedly pointing at a large flock of griffins that was diving towards them.

***

Commander Star was walking at the head of her army while Stronghoof and Stonewall flanked her. Suddenly she saw a speck of black racing towards her out of the corner of her eye, before she could act on it she found herself grasped by powerful talons and pulled into the air. She reached for her sword with her magic without looking at her assailant but a talon grabbed the hilt first. She looked up and found herself looking into the laughing golden eyes of Commander Stormwing.

“Fancy meeting you here lass.” He said with a chuckle.

“Are you trying to get killed by the fifty or so mages in my army along with all the archers, or are you just happy to see me?” Commander Star asked him arching an eyebrow.

“I’ll take the second option.” The griffin said before pulling her into a deep kiss, in front of her entire army and everypony on the walls. She returned it for a few seconds before punching him in the jaw.

“While extremely glad that you’re happy to see me I’d prefer if we could wait till we’re alone.” She told him with a slight glare in her eyes.

“Lassie you have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to do that you in public, I’ll not have our first public kiss be ruined by somethin as silly as standards.” Commander Stormwing told her with a grin.

“Sir I highly suggest that you return her to the ground, some of her men are looking at us.” A red feathered female griffin with pale white fur said from behind Commander Stormwing.

“I guess you’re right Piper, I’d hate for there to be a misunderstandin.” Commander Stormwing told the other griffin.

“Men…” Piper replied with a disgusted shake of her head before she flew back to the rest of the flock.

“So about setting me down…” Commander Star told Commander Stormwing pointedly.

“Keep yer panties on lassie, course I know you don’t where those but still.” Commander Stormwing replied with a wry grin as they descended back to the ground. Stonewall and Stronghoof were waiting for her, neither one had raised a hoof in her defense and they both nodded to Commander Stormwing and smirked at her. They’d been expecting it.

“Traitors.” Commander Star told them with a shake of her head. Stronghoof chuckled and Stonewall smiled at her.

“Thanks lads I’ve needed that fer a while now.” Commander Stormwing told them with a nod of his head.

“It was worth all the flogging that we’re going to get for it.” Stronghoof replied returning the nod.

“Flogging, you think I’m going to let you two off with something as light as flogging?” Commander Star asked her guards.

“Well we assumed…” Stronghoof began before trailing off.

“Oh I’ve got something much better then flogging.” Commander Star told them chuckling to herself, Stronghoof and Stonewall gulped.

“What did you have in mind then?” Stronghoof asked.

“Oh, well I’ve been looking for some flower girls, but I don’t think my mother will mind too much seeing you two run up and down the aisles wearing dresses throwing flowers.” Commander Star told them with an evil grin.

“Now lassie I think that that would be a little evil of you.” Stormwing told her cautioningly.

“Besides who wants to see men in dresses, that’s just gross?” Piper asked from the place that she’d landed behind Commander Stormwing.

“I don’t think that I’ve met you before Piper, who are you?” Commander Star asked the red feathered griffin.

“A’m your future husband’s second in command.” The griffin replied with a shrug. “I don’t suppose he’s mentioned me being the man he is has he?” She asked with a slight sneer at Commander Stormwing who silently motioned for Commander Star to ignore her tone.

“Why no he hadn’t, although I’m sure Commander Stormwing would like to tell me all about you.” Commander Star replied with a meaningful glance at her future husband.

“I’ll just be leaven you then.” Piper told them casting a wicked glare at Commander Stormwing. The army resumed its march towards the city at an easy pace while the griffins formed something of an honor guard above them.

“So Stormy is there something that you’d like to tell me?” Commander Star asked Commander Stormwing as they were walking. Her words were sweet bit Commander Stormwing heard the edge in them.

“You know lass this is nothing like what your thinkin it is.” Commander Stormwing told Commander Star with a shrug.

“Oh I do hope so, not that we ever vowed to be monogamous, but I would have liked a little warning about having a spurned lover flying around my weeding shooting me dirty looks.” Commander Star told the griffin. To her surprise Commander Stormwing started to chuckle.

“Sorry lassie but you’ve got it wrong; Piper is upset that I’m getting married to a pony.” Commander Stormwing told her. “Also she’s kinda crazy and that’s somethin I stay away from as far as women go.” He added with a shrug.

“Ah she have an old grudge?” Commander Star asked as they kept walking.

“Nothin that bad really, least that’s what I think.” Commander Stormwing replied looking at the pale white griffin flying around shouting orders. “I’m pretty sure that her da got killed in one battle or another and then her ma went and got stuck on the bottle; the type o thin that happens all the time.” He continued.

“And I take it she’s good at her job?” Commander Star asked.

“Amazin, honestly she’s the officer that’ll be replacin me once I’ve either retired or become a general.” Commander Stormwing told her with a grin.

“So what did you father say about us, I mean my mother told me the gist of it but I’d like the full story?” Commander Star asked the griffin.

“Mi da figured it out the day I came home from academy, apparently I was grinnin like an idiot thanks to our little make out session right before I started home and he knew the look right enough. He looked me in the eyes and said ‘Storm ya finally met a girl, now tell yer da who it was before ah beat it out a you!’. So I told him and then he said ‘my boy is fuckin a pony! Well ah can’t begrudge you a little flank here or there, hell at least it wasn an ass!’ then he started to laugh.” Commander Stormwing told Commander Star with another shrug.

“Your father sounds incredibly understanding.” Commander Star replied.

“You should’ve seen him when the marriage proposal came in a few months ago. He sat me down in front of the fire (and I could tell that he’d been cryin thanks to the way the feathers around his eyes looked) and he told me ‘boy do ya know what’s happened ta make me the happiest old griffin in the entire world?’ So I asked ‘ya got laid da?’ He threw back his head and laughed. ‘no, better yer gettin married ya great idiot!’ then he pulled me into a hug.” Commander Stormwing said finishing his narrative.

“Well I’m glad that you got off as easy as I did.” Commander Star replied with a slight grin. “My mother isn’t a prune when it comes to things like interspecies romance; she has an entire section of her library devoted to it actually. I used to sneak down there all the time when I was younger.” Commander Star continued with a tiny grin her face at the memories.

“I always did wonder how you knew some of those positions.” Commander Stormwing said with a chuckle.

“I was always a very devout reader, and the fact that my mother was having sex with the widowed king of the cats while he was visiting at the time encouraged me.” Commander Star said.

“Really she had sex with Partamos?” Commander Stormwing asked in surprise.

“Either that or she was strangling him judging by the noises coming from the door that one night I accidentally walked by in the middle of the night on my way back from the library.” Commander Star answered with a shrug.

“Our families are weird aren’t they?” Commander Stormwing asked.

“Eh I’ve seen weirder, in other news my mother agreed to give me a temporary set of wings for after the ceremony.” Commander Star said giving him a grin.

“Do tell lassie do tell!” Commander Stormwing said his face lighting up

***

Twilight stared; she’d never seen so many ponies in her entire life. They were everywhere going about their daily business completely ignoring the army that was passing through their streets. Among the ponies Twilight caught sight of every race that she’d ever heard of, deer, dogs, cats, griffins, buffalo, even the occasional young dragon walked easily through the streets off on some errand or other. Spike who had joined them once they entered the city was looking around with just as much interest as she was and Twilight couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes seemed attracted to the female dragons in particular.

“Forgotten about Rarity?” Twilight asked him jokingly.

“Never, I’m just curious about what females of my race look like, up to now I’ve never seen one before.” He told her with a small smile “Besides whoever said I can’t look?” Spike asked her. Twilight was caught off guard by that, but Dane let out a small whoop of a laugh before giving Spike a highfive.

“That’s a teenager if I’ve ever heard one before.” Dane said grinning at Spike before he turned to Twilight. “Want to see the city, I’ve been here hundreds of times and I know how to get to the castle pretty easily from almost anywhere in the city?” he asked her.

“I don’t know, what do you think Trixie?” Twilight asked turning to her marefriend who smiled.

“I’ve been on leave here twice and I love it, sure as long as we tell Angeldust or Stardust things should be fine. The wedding isn’t for another two days so I doubt that anypony will miss us. Even if we have to travel through it with the flea bag” Trixie said with a nod to Dane.

“Perfect, who else is coming?” Dane asked looking around at the rest of the cart.

“Spike and I have to get to the palace and help the kitchen; I can’t wait to make cupcakes for this, oh boy I hope that things get as awesome as they did at the last wedding we went to!” Pinkie said excitedly.

“I hope not Pinkie we almost got killed by changelings.” Twilight said dryly.

“I know it was so exciting!” Pinkie replied jumping around the carriage with a smile on her face.

“I’m set to meet Deadeye latter for another sparring match, sorry.” Dash said apologetically with a shrug.

“It’s fine Dash, anyone else?” Twilight asked.

“I’ve been to this city dozens of times before; I’d rather see the barracks and the castle.” Cloe said with a shrug.

“Alright, Twilight and bitchy follow me.” Dane said jumping out of the wagon and nodding to the two earth ponies pulling it, Twilight followed and Trixie brought up the rear. They walked for a few minutes to distance themselves from the army and Dane let out a sigh.

“It’s good to be back in a city again, cities are an assassin’s best friend.” Dane said gesturing around himself with an arm and pulling his cloak over his head.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“Cities are constantly in motion, no one gives a fuck about you and would sooner you move out of their way then report on you.” Dane said while deliberately bumping into a random pony who gave him a reproachful look. “Come on we might want to move.” Dane said before he sprinted towards an alley. Twilight and Trixie shrugged and followed, a few seconds later they heard a very angry growl. From the safety of the alley they saw the pony glare angrily at the ponies around him before shrugging and walking away in a huff.

“Dane what did you do?” Twilight asked the mastiff who tossed her a purse full of coins.

“I was just picking you up a gift Twilight, it was the least I could do.” He told her with a smile.

“Dane that was stealing!” Twilight told him angrily.

“Yep, ain’t life grand?” He asked her with a large grin. “Follow me I’m going to see if I can find an old restaurant I like.” He said as he stepped out of the alley, Twilight and Trixie looked at each other, but saw no better alternatives so they followed him.

“I always knew you were amoral but stealing from that pony was completely unnecessary.” Trixie told Dane as they weaved through the crowds.

“Yeah, but this is a city.” Dane replied easily while stepping around a pony in bronze guard armor who didn’t look twice at the mastiff.

“So what?” Trixie asked in annoyance.

“So as long as you don’t get caught nothing bad you do matters.” Dane replied with a mischievous grin on his face that seemed to melt years and reveal a young pup.

“Dane you don’t have a split personality as a pickpocket do you?” Twilight asked in concern causing Dane to laugh.

“Oh hell no Twilight, this just takes me back to my youth living on the street. Dad makes everyone live on the street for two years so that we learn the rhythm of them, it helps us blend in and make extra cash when we need it.” Dane replied with an easy smile.

“I still don’t like it.” Twilight said with a frown as Dane casually picked the pocket of a pampered noblemare who didn’t even notice his fingers deft movement.

“Eh don’t worry about it it’s a gift, oh and watch this.” Dane whispered to Twilight, Twilight cocked her head to the side watching for anything unusual. Dane chuckled to himself and tossed the stolen purse in the air and said a little too loudly.

“You two up for a nice meal because I know I am?!” He asked the two mares who shrugged and nodded. A few seconds later Dane was grasping a slim shecat by the wrist.

The shecat was young probably a little older then the Crusaders had been back in Equestria. Her coat was a solid red with a scattering of black splotches here and there breaking up the red, the hair on top of her head was also red and cut very short. She wore a silver shirt that hung loosely about her lithe frame along with a short skirt perfect for running away or hiding quickly.

“Hey let me go!” She said angrily, although not loudly enough to attract any unnecessary attention.

“Sorry young one but your form is terrible I’m surprised you aren’t already in jail.” Dane replied with a toothy grin.

“What are you going to do to me?” The young shecat asked sounding frightened.

“Well that depends on whether or not you’re interesting.” Dane replied with another grin. “If you’re interesting I take you out with my friends here and buy you a free lunch, which judging by the size of your stomach you wouldn’t mind having.” Dane continued with a tiny smirk.

“And if I’m not interesting?” The shecat asked worriedly.

“Then I let you run away after giving you a lecture about not taking bait that a blind fish could’ve seen. Now tell me about yourself” Dane told her with a gentle command.

“I’m an orphan, my brother died in the attack on our capital city.” The shecat told Dane her face downcast.

“I’m sorry to hear that little one.” Dane told her gently, shocking both Twilight and Trixie with the softness of his voice.

“I latched onto another group of survivors, one of whom happens to be the king of the cats; or what’s left of us at least.” She continued growing more confident under Dane’s sympathy.

“Hmm… you aren’t lying I can tell that much, do go on.” Dane told her.

“So Leonis made us cross the ocean so that he can talk to the Empress and beg for help, I don’t like it but that’s what the adults decided so I have to go along with it.” She said with a powerless shrug.

“I know the feeling.” Dane nodded. “And don’t try that again.” He said brushing her paw away from his pocket.

“Can’t blame me for trying can you?” The shecat shot back with a slight grin.

“Not at all, but if you’re going to steel from someone who you’re talking to you have to wait until they’re lulled into the rhythm of the conversation. Kinda like that.” Dane said holding up a tiny whip like device. To Twilight and Trixie’s surprise the cat sprang for it with a hiss, but Dane pulled it back quickly.

“Give! That! Back!” the shecat growled menacingly.

“Why you obviously didn’t care about it.” Dane said examining the odd device curiously.

“It belonged to my brother, give it back!” She snarled.

“Make me.” Dane replied with a shrug. Faster than Twilight thought possible the shecat had a wicked knife blade in her paws and sliced at Dane who easily deflected the cut with a claw. “Mistake number two, if you’re pulling a knife on someone don’t act hostile beforehand.” Dane told her before tossing her he whip device back to her. The shecat quickly shoved it inside her shirt.

“Don’t take my things.” She told Dane quietly.

“I’ll make a note of it.” Dane told her.

“So am in interesting enough to get a free meal?” The shecat asked.

“Tell me your name, and when I say that I mean tell me your real name, I’ll know the difference.” Dane commanded.

“I’m Kate.” The shecat answered easily.

“So you are.” Dane replied nodding.

“What does that mean?” The shecat asked Dane in annoyance.

“It means that you answered me truthfully, which means that you get to eat with my friends and I.” Dane replied giving her a large grin.

“Really?” Kate asked in astonishment.

“Yep, I like you kid.” Dane replied before taking off at a steady trot not caring who he bumped into. Trixie and Twilight ran after him while Kate easily kept pace with the large canine.

“Dane is acting fatherly, we’re doomed.” Trixie whispered to Twilight as they ran.

“I know what you mean.” Twilight said with a tiny giggle before they stopped in front of a building. The building was made of the same red stone as everything else in the city. There were no exterior windows but there was one large pair of wooden double doors lined with stainless steel as if the door had been built to contain something large, or keep it outside.

“Watch this, and whatever you do don’t do anything.” Dane whispered to them before he strode up to the doors and with the cry of. “Honey I’m home!” Pushed both doors open at the same time. A large bladed knife shot towards his face but with practiced ease Dane snatched it out of the air and sent it flying back towards the way it had come.

“Dane’s back!” A female voice shouted; this announcement was greeted by a loud ‘huuura!’ by the rest of those in the establishment. Dane walked into the bar waving to people he knew and sometimes exchanging firm handshakes with some of them. Twilight and Trixie walked behind him with slight ease while Kate took it all in stride as she walked along next to the towering dog. Dane’s winding path ended at the central bar which cut the room firmly in half. A mare unicorn with a dappled red coat was tending the bar and raised an eyebrow when she saw Dane’s companions.

“Now Dane what have I told you about using contraceptives?” The unicorn asked pointing at Kate with a chuckle.

“Hey Buttercup long time no see, and she’s not my daughter.” Dane replied with a shrug and a smile.

“Oh good, that means that you’re still on the market.” Buttercup said fluttering her eyelashes at the dog,

“When did you get so horny?” Dane asked with a grin.

“Really Dane, a horn joke because I’m a unicorn?” Buttercup asked rolling her eyes at Dane’s toothy smile.

“Well I thought it was funny.” Dane said and Buttercup sighed. “Besides aren’t you and the pirate an item?” Dane asked.

“Of course, I was joking please drop it.” Buttercup told Dane.

“As you wish.” Dane replied with a grin, Buttercup threw an empty mug at his head which he caught and slid over to her.

“So who’re your friends, and what’ll you three be having?” Buttercup asked directing the question at the three of them.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle, battle mage from the Fourth, and I’ll take a bluemountain flower sandwich along a plain apple cider.” Twilight told Buttercup.

“Hmm I heard that you soldier boys were coming to town, glad to have you around.” Buttercup said with a grin before turning to Trixie.

“Trixie Lulamoon, I’m also a battle mage with the fourth. I’ll be having a sweet grass sandwich with a side of hay fries and a mug of grape juice if you’d please.” Trixie told Buttercup.

“Hmm, you’ve got odd tastes, but that’s a good choice.” Buttercup said with a small grin before turning to Kate who looked at Dane for confirmation.

“Go nuts kid.” Dane said with a grin.

“Alright I’ll have the leg of roast mutton along with a side of pork and a glass of your best wine.” Kate said with a grin.

“How old are you?” Buttercup asked with a smirk.

“Old enough to drink you under the table.” Kate replied with a grin.

“Mhm, you’ll be having grape juice then.” Buttercup said and Kate’s face fell. “Don’t try and out bluff me kid I’ve had years of experience turning away young faces.” Buttercup said with a smirk. “Dane find a place to sit and someone will bring you your food.”

“Thanks B.” Dane said with a grin.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Whatever you say B.” Dane replied with a smirk as he pushed away from the bar and led the other three to an unoccupied table near the back.

“Why didn’t you order anything Dane?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah mutt, usually you eat more than the rest of us combined.” Trixie added.

“I’m a regular, or semi-regular at least, they know what I want.” Dane replied with a grin.

“I must say I’m surprised, this place doesn’t seem like the hub of crime and shady business that I was expecting when you told us about it.” Trixie said while she surveyed the surroundings. The floor was well swept and everything in the building was in perfect repair, off to the side a piano was being played by an elegant white deer who was dressed in an immaculate grey cloak.

“What did you expect, a rat covered filth pit in the swears where thieves and cutpurses were everywhere making creepy deals involving ancient masks and objects of supernatural power?” Dane asked and both Twilight and Trixie stared at him levelly, that was exactly what they’d been expecting.

“Yes.” Twilight replied simply with a smirk.

“Well there are thieves, cutpurses, assassins, mercenaries, and about another million odd types of criminal here, but we all respect the place enough not to anger Aegis.” Dane said pointing a claw at the piano deer who gave Dane a curt nod at the mention of his name.

“I’ve never actually seen a deer before.” Twilight said looking at the deer.

“That’s because they prefer the wild, I thought I taught you that!” A thunderous voice said from behind Twilight who jumped in surprise. Twilight turned to find her teacher Master Thunderhead standing behind her raising an eyebrow.

“Master!” Twilight squeaked.

“Me.” Master Thunderhead said nodding in agreement.

“Hello again Thunderbutt.” Dane said with a grin.

“Ah I see you’ve fallen in with delightful company Twilight, although I would love to hear how you came to be in the presence of Dane Bloodyclaws.” Master Thunderhead said with an archly raised eyebrow.

“Dane Bloodyclaws?” Trixie asked looking at Dane with a raised eyebrow.

“I sure as hell didn’t choose it.” Dane replied with a shrug. Twilight had recovered from her surprise at seeing her teacher again.

“What brings you to the capital Master?” Twilight asked the old pony.

“The same reason as you I’d guess. I’m here to watch what will either be the biggest diplomatic clusterfuck I’ve ever seen, or it’ll be a union of peace that’ll last for at least two generations. You can never tell with these things.” Master Thunderhead said with a shrug.

“Master do you remember me?” Trixie asked.

“Oh good you’re still speaking in first person.” Master Thunderhead said with a small grin, Trixie blushed.

“Well I was a street performer sir, it was required.” Trixie argued weakly.

“Just like it was necessary to say that you could best me in one on one combat.” Master Thunderhead said, once again raising his eyebrow archly.

“Stop picking on her Master.” Twilight said rising to her marefriend’s defense.

“Hmm, well I’m glad you found somepony to make you happy Twilight, maybe she can help you with your ocd.” Master Thunderhead said with a wry grin at the shocked look that passed over Twilight’s face.

“How?” She asked in surprise.

“I didn’t really know until you confirmed it, but I taught you long enough to read you like a book.” Master Thunderhead said with a grin. Then their food arrived. “Well I’d better let you eat, see you at the wedding Twilight.” He said with a wave as he walked out of the bar.

“You guys know weird people.” Kate said from where she was biting into her leg of mutton.

“You don’t know the half of it.” Dane said with a grin.

Next Chapter: Chapter 14 Estimated time remaining: 58 Minutes