hapter 9

Princess Luna was awake before sunset to run an errand or two before raising the moon. She and her sister had already planned their end of the Ceremonies - this would be one of the rare days the sun and moon would both be visible in the sky. Simple enough task for Princesses of the sun and moon! Her concern now was the Phalanx armor, as Emerald Charm's report worried her about the timing. She landed outside the forge, where Golden Silver was placing completed Solar Guard armor on mannequins in preparation for Armoring day. Spotting the princess, the tan unicorn bowed in respect. "Princess Luna, you are always welcome here."

"I see thou hast completed Solar guard armor," she responded with mild disdain. "Where are the Phalanx armors?"

"That would be Iron Forge's duty," Golden Silver replied from his kneel. "We've only just received moonstones, so with your permission we will need a full moon tonight to complete the remaining armors."

The loud clanking of Forge's iron hoof-tool caught the Moon Princess' ear. She turned to the large stallion, who stood at stoic attention.

"Is this true, Iron Forge? Thou needs a full moon this very evening?"

"Moonstones took too long out of Fillydelphia," he replied simply. "Got some from Seaddle, they arrived this morning. They'll be set tonight per instructions as long as there is a full moon."

"You throw the tide schedule off with this request."

"I can inconvenience the sea for the sake of the safety of Canterlot."

"Because thou aren't a pony of the sea," she remarked, noting his tool and his cutie mark.

"I am your armorer, princess," his deep voice echoed in the forges. "You wished Phalanx armor but none here show the bravery to face it."

"Their fear is warranted. Will these be ready for the Ceremony?"

"Two dozen suits if we can enchant them tonight. We need a full moon. The ponies of the sea can adjust for one errant full moon."

Luna looked Iron Forge up and down. "Were it not for your gift of craft I would have you in the Phalanx."

"War is not my calling. Mine is to ensure that those called to war, live to see beyond it."

Luna offered a nod of respect. "Complete thy work, Iron Forge. I look forward to seeing the completed armors tomorrow."

----------------------------------------------------

Hatchet mopped his brow with a cloth he balanced on one wing. He was finally done with the armors that "Boss" wanted. He even had the base of his own suit done, hanging on a mannequin. The folding process was the most tedious part, but he proudly looked over each suit. His gaze continued to lock back on "His" armor, as if it whispered directly to his heart. Boss warned him these armors were already alive, but Boss hadn't done anything to them yet. And the timberwolf ash was "dead" timberwolf ash, right...?

Again the barding called to him, a siren song from a bleeding mandolin. He grinned at the suit in question, wanting to suit up so badly. He knew he had weapons to work on, start on the modifications, but that armor.... a romance born in Tarterus, iron that warmed his heart. Trotting closer to it, he inspected the lines of the chestplate, the curves of the helm. It seemed to appreciate the attention from the smithy, continuing to tickle his curiosity and call to chaos. "I gotta try you on sometime," he said quietly, looking the historic design over with proud reverence. He still had the cloth on his wing and he carefully polished the helm with it, getting a strange tingle back up his wing. "Tease," he quipped as he continued to wipe the armor down. The longer he polished, the stronger the sensation, as though an invisible wing dragged him closer, to embrace the suit. The helm bounced a bit on the head of the mannequin when Hatchet shrunk back from the odd sensation, but the hypnotic call was melting his resolve. His curiosity, his pride, his time - all demanding that this armor be wrapped around him like a winter blanket. He knew Lapis would skin him alive and hang it on a cave wall as decoration if he suited up before he approved the work, but the song this armor sang to him threatened to make him beat up the mannequin for the right. Unable to stand the suspense any longer, he head-butted the mannequin, letting his re-creation spill to the floor.

He pawed each piece with a hoof and shuffled it in place with his shoulders and wings. He paused, surprised at how lightweight the armor felt despite the amount of iron involved. Rocking his shoulders and wings a bit, the chestplate settled properly. Giving his wings a couple of good hard flaps to get the blood pumping, he then gathered the helm and slammed it in place.

"Yeah," he said to himself. "This feels ri-"

His spoken thoughts vanished with the entire room. Wherever he was, it was no place he had been before. Nothing but silence. Nothing but blinding white. He squinted hard, trying to make out any details around him. Nothing. Just whiteness. And silence. He raised a hoof to start walking, but hesitated when a sound did finally catch his ear- A deep, low, predatory growl.

Hatchet wheeled, wings wide open and ready for a fight. He came snout-to-snout with an amorphous creature, roughly his size and vaguely shaped like a pony. It snarled an unfriendly welcome to Hatchet. He wasn't fazed. "yeah yeah, I've stepped in scarier stuff than you."

"Ahrrhl Maruurr..."

"Say what?" Hatchet teased.

"Yarrarhhll mmahhurr..."

"Ya fatha's mustache!"

"Yahyr maighain..."

"I Ain't Nopony's!"

"MINE~!!" it roared and lunged for Hatchet. He met the creature head-on, wings nad hooves swinging. The two tumbled around the bright void, landing blows and exchanging curses. Wings finally separated the two, only for Hatchet to lunge again, sending the two tumbling heads over hooves in feral combat. The two fought on even terms, perhaps enjoying the combat too much. Hatchet couldn't stop grinning when he wasn't biting at the shadow, which grinned back in similar confidence. They locked up again and again, pushing each other's limits and reveling in the sport of it all. Hatchet didn't care. He hadn't been in a fight this hard since -

"CEASE THIS POINTLESS BATTLE~!!!" A voice echoed through the dimension like an angry god. The two somehow forcibly separated and slammed into steel domed cages. Breathing hard but still grinning, Hatchet looked to the shadow in the other cage.

"Truce?" He panted questioningly.

"Truhcsee.." the shadow managed, and the dimension spun on Hatchet again. He was back in Drakengard, slammed into the frostforges and buried in tools and blanks, a much different shadow looming over him. "that you, boss...?" he groaned.

Lapis gathered him in a sheath of magic and forcibly pulled him from the pile of debris. "Were my warnings not enough for you? I told you what this armor would do if you attempted to wear it. Count your blessings I arrived before you were injured, or worse..."

Hatchet couldn't hide his grin. "But that fight was the best I've ever been in - what was that thing? I wanna fight it some more!"

"Before you engage in more unnecessary combat, do you even understand WHAT just happened?"

"I don't care, boss!" Hatchet growled and struggled. "I wanna fight that thing again! Kick the everlovin buck out of it!"

The alicorn sighed. ".....were you at least winning?"

"Didn't matter, it was a fight!" Hatchet flailed his hooves and wings in anticipation of another round.

"I've two things to show you before you get back to that." Lapis' tone less than playful. He carried the pegasus to another chamber and held up a large mirror for Hatchet to see himself.

The pegasus blinked at the reflection a few times, not understanding the view. He saw another pegasus there - one that wasn't red and gray but a distinct, dusky brown. His blood-red eyes were now a glowing gold, flickering like candles. He arced each wing, seeing that all the feathers were gone! The wings were a leathered black, looking larger for some reason. Umbral watched as Hatchet's consternation morphed into twisted glee. "Ain't YOU somethin?" Hatchet said to his reflection. The pegasus grinned and looked over himself multiple times before Lapis yanked him away.

"It won't be permanent," the alicorn informed the smith. "You'll only look like that when properly suited up. So thankfully, you survived the trial without any coaching. That's more than I can say for the forge."

"What're you talkin about? We were fightin... someplace... else?"

Lapis had dragged Hatchet back to the forges, which looked even messier than Hatchet typically left it. One of the crafting tables snapped in two, assorted tools and metal blanks embedded in the walls, and a crack in the frostforge where Hatchet had been forcibly thrown into it. "Your 'fight' happened here, too. While the battle was mostly in that hollow of your mind, your body still reacted to it as if he were directly in front of you. THIS is one of the dangers of the armor." Lapis used his magic to peel it off from Hatchet. "You will get your chance to play, but work comes first. Clean your room." He dropped Hatchet and placed the armor on the mannequin.

"Aw, boss...."

"I'm not your mother - that was an ORDER!"

----------------------------------------------------

Celestia's afternoon duties comprised mostly of diplomatic affairs - more recently, assurances from cities and far-flung kingdoms alike that her Armoring Ceremonies were not a display of escalation. She had dictated a standard response to each group - from Manehatten to Saddle Arabia - that the increase in militia was partially for the Crystal Empire's benefit and an understanding of the greater threats, referencing the Changeling incident at the Royal Wedding. She sighed as yet another protest of her ceremonies arrived, leaving her to have the standard note being sent back. Before another complaint was brought to her, two scrolls materialized in wisps of green flame. Spike had completed his errands, and her surprise for Twilight at the Ceremony should be all in place.

She opened the first scroll - his initial errands - to find only Fluttershy's actually checked as complete. Puzzled, she opened the second scroll, expecting a summary of her "additional" work for Spike to handle during the errands.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I'm writing this to you today because I have likely failed in all of the errands you have asked me to do. Please understand the circumstances with each one, but I'm pretty sure there won't be Zap Apple Jam, new dresses, singing birds, good weather or even a good choice of desserts from Sugar Cube Corner. A lot of the additional duties you sent weren't taken too well, and let's just say another seven hour bubble bath is in order!

Spike

PS - Twilight still doesn't know about all this"

Celestia sighed, putting the two scrolls aside as Count Solaris entered the chambers. "Princess, I bring some good news. The Solar Guard armors are complete and will be ready for the event two days' hence."

"I needed some good news, Solaris, thank you."

"Princess...?"

"Too many other kingdoms worry that we are preparing for war," she said tiredly. "The reassurances I have sent may not be enough. There will be many dignitaries who have turned down my invitation because of what they see is an escalation. Don't they remember what almost happened in Canterlot at the Wedding?"

"Their sensitivity is warranted, your majesty. Despite our alliance with the Crystal Empire, should it not be their responsibility to raise their own militia? Many of our allies see us using the northern kingdom as a potential secondary stronghold, despite no military construction there."

"And the Games?"

"Again, the Empire should be supplying their own militia and security for the occasion. Perhaps we are doing too much for them?"

"Princess Cadance and Shining Armor will be here for the ceremonies, I will discuss this with them in private." She looked to the pile of responses to be sent to other kingdoms. "This probably isn't the best time to be asking this, but do you know how many will be added to both regiments?"

Solaris gathered his notes from his small saddlebag. "There will be nearly 40 new members of the Solar guard added, but less than two dozen for the Phalanx. Surprisingly, the two unicorns who tried out for the Phalanx are still training."

"One of which is Gallant Lionheart," Celestia recalled. "I fully expected him to complete the training, my only concern is with the armor."

"Lionheart did not earn his post from backing down from any battle, princess. You have said so yourself, he has something to prove."

"Do you feel he should return to a senior post?"

"I do not. However, your majesty, we will need a proper captain for the unicorn complement as Shining Armor's duties must be solely to the Crystal Empire."

"Is it a duty you would be able to fulfill, Count Solaris? And would the unicorn soldiers listen to you?"

"I believe anyone would be an improvement over Gallant Lionheart at said post, but you will need one commander for the Solar Guard at some point. Shining Armor has done more for the camraderie of the Guard than has been done for it in centuries."

"Would it be a duty that interests you?"

"I respectfully decline, your majesty, for Flank Attack's tactical prowess is much stronger than mine. Have we confirmed it's simply not Silver Bardiche dying his coat a new color?"

The statement brought a smile to the princess' face. "I think both of them would see that at as a compliment. Thank you for your honest counsel."

----------------------------------------------------

Twilight scoured checklist after checklist of what she would need in her journey to Canterlot. She would need to continue her history and hierarchy research to appear competent in court; she needed formal wear for any meetings she might attend; she needed snacks for the train, and hoped to Celestia she was getting a train car to herself with shades on the windows! Bundles of scrolls and a dozen quills lay on her bed, along with her coronation outfit. Spike had been gone most of the day, and when he returned he went straight to bed. He didn't seem to have anything else with him, either. What sort of errands did he run, then? She chose not to wake him.

Sneaking back downstairs, she saw a used quill and extra paperwork next to him as he slept, likely dreaming about Rarity and a mountain of gems. For the first time in a few days she smiled. At least one friend hadn't changed. She slipped one piece of parchment from his pile and gathered a quill of her own.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I am in the process of organizing what I will need for my journey to Canterlot for the Armoring ceremonies. I need some more information about dressage for the event, and if anything will be provided for this other meeting you have mentioned. Will this 'meeting' also be a formal affair? I admit I still do not own a lot of fancier clothing and have been unable to contact Rarity on the matter.

"My travel, as I understand, is covered. I don't wish to be rude to anyone, but has a private car been arranged for me? Even a couple of hours without ponies staring at me will be a relief.

"I have 'Hierarchal histories of Equestria' and 'Ascendence and Armory: a history of the Guards' as part of my required reading for the upcoming festivities. Please advise if I will need any other references to review during my journey.

"I hope to have some one-on-one time with you during my stay, I have so many more questions to ask without having to use a second sheet of parchment. I await your response.

"Still your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle"

Her magic carefully rolled up the scroll and left for Spike to deliver in the morning. She crept back upstairs, mind and heart heavy.

(song is"humas" from Rita and Runt, Animaniacs)

o/` never asked to be royalty
thought it'd mean so much to me
now, not much at all......

The first few days
I was blown away
but now it's sunk in,
It's not like back then
It's "Your majesty this"
And "O Princess that"
If they speak to you at all
Kneel, or take off your hat...

never asked to be royalty
Thought it'd mean so much to me
now, not much at all....

But for now, it's so quiet
I try hard to fight it
But I dream of then,
spending time with my friends....
Enjoying the sun or sharing a meal
Nowadays such simple things so surreal....

Not allowed to complain
I've answered the Call
didn't ask to be Royalty
but I must give my all.... o/`

With a tired sigh she flopped into bed, falling asleep without a further thought.

----------------------------------------------------

Dustmite tossed the rotten leather whip on Lapis' desk. "That's all that we found, boss," he confirmed. "What's so special about it, besides that it's old?"

"It radiates an unfamiliar magic," the alicorn explained. "I recognize unicorn magic, alicorn magic, sometimes traces from pegasus weather control, but this is neither."

"Doesn't look magic," Sandstone nosed at the whip. "Just smells old."

Lapis attempted to gather the worn weapon with his magic. As it left the desk a strange wisp of dark red magic surrounded the weapon, causing it to uncurl on its own. The brothers backed up but Lapis held firm. "It seems to know it's being handled. Intelligent weapons are indeed rare."

The whip raised itself from Umbral's grasp, somehow severing his magical grip. The red aura intensified, its attentions focused on the alicorn who dared touch it with magic. As if held by an unseen hand it reared and snapped forward, attempting to strike the Shadow of the Moon across the face. Lapis hissed in protest and backed away, the whip "following" him and preparing a second strike.

Desert Sun tried to distract the enchanted weapon, but her flames fizzled around it. Casting again, the whip spun itself clear of the blast and aimed for her with its next swing. Lapis intercepted that shot with a wing, the membrane whipped clean through. Stifling some choice curses Umbral backed himself and Desert Sun away from the weapon. "Apparently it's not on 'our' side."

Sandstone lunged forward and snatched the whip out of the air in his mouth. The red aura faded, the rest of it drooping down lifeless. Puzzled, Sandstone returned it to the desk. "All I did was grab it..."

Umbral was confused as well. "Perhaps it has a preference of handlers. Something we will need to keep in mind. It does not like myself or Desert Sun...." he glanced to the fiery-colored unicorn. "You didn't touch it at all, did you?"

"None at all," she replied. "Dustmite insisted on carrying it back up here. I wanted a look but now I think we're better off with that locked away."

Umbral approached the whip one last time, not using his magic to touch the weapon. He examined it very closely, not just the braiding of the leather but the thick wrap of the handle, the hoof-hoop wide enough to wrap more than twice, and finally a logo. In the center of an uncolored circle, a unicorn horn with jagged lines all over it. Lightning? He would need to research it further. "Dustmite, please put this someplace where no one will bother it. Including you. My dear Desert Sun, please accompany me to the library once I get something on my blasted wing...."