Twilight and the Spartan Stallion 2

Part 3: The Oracle Speaks

Spartan Shield awoke in a cool, dark bedroom. He turned over, looking at where Twilight Sparkle should’ve been laying. It had been nearly a week, and he was no better off than the moment he’d found his wife taken from him. He heaved a soft, heart-broken sigh and rose. Passing his haggard-looking image in the mirror, he went about his morning routine, then stopped and looked again. “What am I doing, huhm?” he asked himself huskily. “A foreigner doth take my wife, and I sit about doing nothing?” Celestia’s denial to do anything kept replaying over and over in his head. It troubled him deeply, but a small voice deep beneath his pride quietly understood. That didn’t mean he had to like it, though! “I need not an army to retake what is mine. I am a Spartan Stallion!” he slammed the closet door closed with ghusto, and threw his cape scarf around his neck. Grabbing his saddlebags and stuffing them with whatever food he could get his hooves on, he made for Canterlot on the train.

=-----=-----=-----=-----=

Sound Wave was a pegasus, proud of his job as a guard at the Equestrian National History Museum. Sure, he was more of a rent-a-guard than anything, but he took his work very seriously. He scolded foals that tried to put their grubby mitts on ancient artifacts. He memorized plaques here and there in case somepony asked him a question. His guardspony shirt and belt were always pressed and clean. (How did one press a belt? Shut up, that’s how.) All the light blue pegasus pony needed was a quiet evening to hone his sensitive ears for any sign of trouble in the museum at night. Sure, he didn’t get the fancy armor that the royal guards did, but he had a night stick and a mean buck, so he was sure he was ready for anything.

What he did not expect was for a Spartan Stallion to burst from the shadows and punch him in the head.

Poor Sound Wave went down hard, his eyes in swirls and his tongue hanging out. Spartan knelt, taking the jingling ring of keys from his belt. “What was that?” Somepony called. The warrior stallion turned, seeing another museum guard turn the corner with a flashlight in his mouth. Spartan was caught in its light until whack! Down went the second guard.

Panting a bit, Spartan waited for a time. “Forgive me. I’ve come for my things.” He patted their heads twice, leaving them where they lay. He turned, crossing the lawn and working the key in the lock of the massive double doors. Slipping inside, he relocked it and turned about. The museum was massive, had high ceilings and helpful signs that pointed to just about anything a pony could want to see: Art, plants, minerals, historic documents, artifacts from era’s long past… the list went on. The sandy-coated stallion squinted in the dark, reading the signs. Walking on carpet when he could to soften his steps, Spartan moved quickly and quietly down the hallowed halls.

“So then I says to him, I says,” He came across a pair of guards. “Bah! If Celestia thinks he’s coming for his armor, just leave a few guards around. He’ll bugger off like a good boy!” Spartan pressed himself against a column to listen in. So, her Majesty had already predicted his course of action? So be it. Squaring his shoulders, he snuck up behind them as best he could. But, being a massive muscled stallion made it very hard to sneak and he was detected. “Hwuh?” both guards, who happened to be pegasi, whirled around. He grabbed them both by the head and SLAMMED their skulls together. They both crumpled in a mass of feathers. “Truly, her majesty calls thee her finest to guard priceless artifacts and treasures of the nation?” Spartan grumbled when one of them moaned. Making sure they were both knocked out

Then Spartan saw something that took him off guard. A guard easily half his size. It was a young stallion, very fresh and green-looking. The way his eager eyes darted about with his flashlight made him look innocent and unsuspecting. Growling softly, Spartan perched behind a column and waited there. He coughed twice. “Whossat?!” The young guard whirled about, his light shining this way and that. The beam of his flashlight settled on a statue of Platoof, the philosopher. “I’m watchin’ you, statue. Don’t make any sudden moves!” the young stallion said, laughing nervously. Spartan loomed behind him, casting a shadow. “Meep?!” he turned and swung his flashlight like a baton without looking. Spartan grunted, caught over the cheek and seeing white stars for a moment. “Whuh-HAH?! A thief on my first night! Take this! And this!” The youngster shouted, beating Spartan over the head with his flashlight. Spartan cocked a hoof and slammed him so hard over the face his head snapped back and he tumbled backward like he’d been hit with a gale wind. Spartan let out a breath… then startled when he rose. “C-c’mere you!” He was rattled and running at the intruder in zig-zags. Spartan blanched when he started whomping him on his muscled chest instead. “I gotcha now, take that!“ he said enthusiastically. Spartan whacked him again, harder this time. The guard tumbled with a mare-ish yelp, black eye forming.

“Tough as rubber…” the Spartan stallion murmured when the guard rattled onto his hooves again. “Please stay down?” he tried politeness instead. But no, the pony leaned into him, panting a bit. “You’ve done enough son, just lay down.” He grumbled.

“Mmmmm-buh.” The guard said, whapping him a little lighter on the forehead with his flashlight. Spartan sighed, feeling rather sorry for him before giving his most brutal headbutt. The newbie went down hard, moaning. “Stop in the… in the name of the… muhgnrrm…” he said. Spartan smiled at little, proud at the more worthy opponent. Turning around, the warrior started away. His back left hoof caught on something, and he turned quickly. “Gruhhhrm…” said the guard, clinging to him.

“Really?” Spartan mumbled, shaking his hoof up and down a few times. The guard fell at last, at the end of his strength. “Let none say thou art not without valor.” He strode away… and straight into a group of five armored guards. “Oh.” Spartan said, eyebrows going up. All the noise had drawn them to the fight.

“Looks like Shorty nabbed one!” one of the five said, pointing to their fallen comrade. “Let’s get ‘im!” They charged as a group, tackling the roaring Spartan Shield to the ground.

HOOF TO THE BALLS!

Somepony went down hard, shrieking in agony. The biting, flailing, shouting, wrestling Spartan was far more brutal than any normal museum thief. They grabbed him at last, holding him down and beating him with their batons. He yapped in pain when blood sprouted from his nose. He spat to one side, coiled himself, and LUNGED into a savage headbutt, sending his assaulter reeling. Bicycling his hooves, he barrel-rolled over somepony to right himself. Turning and sinking his teeth into somepony, he used the recoil and tumbled over another. The confusion of mass and body parts gave him the advantage and he jostled his way free of the pile. Turning and jumping on top of the whole lot, the sand-colored stallion hoof-to-the-head’ed each of them in turn! Soon there was a pile of dazed guards, their normally keen eyes replaced with swirls. The group-sized moaning made Spartan sigh. Panting, wiping his nose of the blood and feeling a few bruises up and down his chest, he limped on. Dragging his victims until they were one pile of knocked out ponies, he stared at them all. “Truly I was expected this night, with all of yon muscle waiting.” Pausing for a long time, he suddenly winced. “Twilight shall be very cross with me when she hears about this…” sighing and shaking his head, he went on.

Equestian Greek Era, the sign read when Spartan approached it. He peered at the entryway, and the high arch. It was made to look like architecture from his own era. He smiled a little. It wasn’t quite right, but it was certainly very close. Cocking his head and checking around for more guards, he got the key ring out and unlocked the safety doors so he wouldn’t have to burst through the glass. Murmuring to himself, he dared to flip on a single light. Electricty still astounded him, but he needed light if he was to find his armor and trappings. Swallowing, he travelled about the place. It really brought back memories. Wedding blessing tablets, an Olympics mural, pottery, shards of this and scrolls of that… it was all amazing. There was a long platform with a dummy pony on it, behind glass—there they were. Spartan Shield smiled fondly. His armor dressed the featureless mannequin, but it had been cleaned to a pristine shine by the best of experts. Shining, flawless bronze, a large round shield and a spear… he smiled wider. He’d missed it very much, but there was no reason to wander around in armor in this peaceful era. Now he had a reason, and in a way it made him happy.

He made a quick circuit around the glass, trying to decide the best way to procure his things. Spartan stroked his chin. “Mine wife would know of more subtle ways, but—!” he reared up to smash the glass—! He stopped to gape. The mannequin, armor and weapons suddenly popped out of existence! They were there, and then were gone in a puff of dark blue smoke! “No!” he rushed and pressed himself to the glass. “I’ve been robbed!” he squished his bloody nose up against the cold glass and grunted in pain. Droplets were left behind as he turned back and forth. “What sorcery is this?!” he demanded.

“Mine.” A quiet, feminine voice whispered. Spartan whirled, stopping short, then lowering his brow into the deepest of angry scowls. None other than Princess Luna stood in the archway of the exhibit, flanked by her two royal guards. Next to her, hovering in the air, was the dummy with all of his gear on it.

“Give that back!” Spartan snapped angrily, pointing an authoritative hoof at her. “This does not concern thee, monster!”

“I should throw thee in prison for the assault of so many innocent guards.” Luna set the dummy down next to herself. Spartan clenched his teeth at her. “What are you thinking, Spartan?” she said with a frown. “Armor up, march south, and rescue Twilight Sparkle all by thy lonesome? Against the entire Changeling Empire?” the dark alicorn was not happy, not happy at all. They affixed each other with long, angry scowls.

“I held our uneasy truce for Twilight’s sake, don’t get in my way.” Spartan said, jabbing an angry hoof at her. “Thou slaughtered all my friends, made me the last of my kind and now thou stands in the way of my goals again?”

“Thou marches to thy death!” snapped Luna. “Suicide would not please thy companion Twilight Sparkle. You would just as well throw yourself on your own spear. I’ve read everything the Canterlot library has about your herd, Spartan, you never go anywhere alone for battle!”

“I would go with ten thousand stallions if Her Shining Immortal Majesty would commit them!” Spartan argued angrily, stepping close. The Lunar Stallions to Luna’s left and right bristled. They weren’t used to anypony getting in the Princess’ face. “But if I must march to war alone, I shall.” he growled. “Twas thee and thy sister, not I, that leave Twilight to her fate. Hand over my armaments!” Spartan demanded, swiping at the mannequin

“Neigh.” Luna said calmly, as though scolding a foal that was having a tantrum. His eyebrows drew together in rage. “You are forgetting protocol, Spartan Stallion.” A rather wry smile worked its way across her muzzle. He stared at her with an unsure frown. “Anytime the Spartan herd went to war, they always had to do one thing. Do you remember?”

The stallion was startled. She really had done her homework. He frowned all the more deeply, because he knew she was right. No Spartan ever went to war without following the protocol she spoke of. Every stallion that called himself Spartan was brought to a knee by the tradition. The oldest of traditions. “I must consult the oracle.” He murmured through clenched teeth.

“Without her permission, there can be no war. Not even for one Spartan.” Luna trapped him within the confines of his own dead culture. My my, wasn’t the dark-furred bitch clever?! Growling angrily, Spartan turned on his heel and made for the exit. “I could still have thee arrested! Go home and stay home!” she bade him. Smirking, Luna poofed the armor back into its display case where it belonged. Sighing in relief of having that particular battle well in hoof, she allowed herself a small smile. As though Spartan had any oracle to even consult! That breed died out eons ago!

=-----=-----=-----=-----=

“Druid! Druid, come hence!” Spartan was bashing on Fluttershy’s door at the crack of dawn. He was haggard and unshaven, shouting to draw her from her dwelling. “I seek thy judgement and wisdom! Come forth!” he banged on her door some more. He would’ve broken the door down to get at her sooner, but he could not enter a mare’s home without explicit permission. It was the Spartan way. Breaking the door down would do little but cause the poor creature distress.

Fluttershy poked her head out from behind a curtain at the window, blink-blinking at the loud pony outside. “Oh my…” she mumbled fearfully, pushing her mane out of her eyes. “Maybe if I don’t answer the door he’ll go away…” she hid herself, letting the curtain fall back into place.

“I know thee in there, druid!” Spartan cried. “I can hear thee moving about!” he cocked his ears and sure enough heard a squeaky little ‘meep!’ from within. Fluttershy turned about, and soon summoned up the courage to open the door. “Ah! Salutations!” he exploded, scaring her back into the house. “Wait! Come back!” He quickly backed off of the stoop so that she might feel safer emerging. The poor creature was so timid, she was like a little snowshoe rabbit. Fluttershy poked her nose out again, looking at him through the sliver in her open door. The butter-colored mare had not seen Spartan smile since Twilight had been taken. Something was up, and she knew it. “I come seeking thy council.” Spartan settled into a normal tone at last.

“Oh-h?” Fluttershy said. “It’s awfully early, is something wrong?”

“I march to war with the changeling empire.” Spartan said simply, nodding. “For my wife Twilight. I come seeking thy blessing.” He peered at her hopefully. “No Spartan may go to war without the word of the oracle allowing such. Please.” The stallion turned, dropping a heavy saddlebag when he heard someone else coming. Angel Bunny emerged authoritatively onto the stoop, scowling at Spartan Shield. “Ah, there you are, Ephor.” The stallion bowed deeply, gesturing to his saddlebags. “I bring a great offering for thee, to hear the oracle’s prophecy.” The white rabbit cocked his head as Spartan undid the ties, pouring a mound of carrots onto the porch. Now that he knew what the oracles guardian was, he could bribe it properly!

Angel Bunny picked his way through the pile of carrots, standing at the top of the heap. He inspected them closely, ears perking back and forth. Spartan waited with bated breath. Hopping up, the rabbit BITCHSLAPPED Spartan right in his broad face, sending him staggering back. The warrior gave a startled yelp, holding his face as the rabbit came down and thumped his foot rapidly. Turning, he held up a sign which read ‘Bribe me not with food, warrior. A proper offering is strictly defined!’

Spartan blushed, humbled. “Erhm, forgive me.” He bowed until his muzzle almost touched the ground. “I should not have doubted thy fortitude for the old ways.” All the while Fluttershy was watching, confused and worried. What was going on between her pet and Twilight’s husband? Why did they talk like they were conducting some sort of business trade? “I come with precious metals, of course.” Truthfully, Spartan had dipped into Twilight Sparkle’s jewelry box for a circle of platinum. It was supposed to rest around one’s ankle and be very eye-catching. He poured that, and several mounds of golden bits out on the stoop. A few gems dotted it, sparkling in the early morning sunrise.

Fluttershy gasped. “What is all that for, Spartan?” she was promptly ignored, for the stallion was watching Angel’s reaction. “Hullo?” she asked them both. “I-I-I’m still here, you know…” she whimpered, ears turning back with lack of self-esteem. “I mean I… I…”

‘Better.’ The next sign held by the rabbit said, nodding his approval to the stallion.

“I wish to make war with the changeling empire.” Spartan said eagerly. “I must have the oracle’s blessing!” the Ephor rabbit gestured, and the warrior lay on his belly obediently to wait. Angel dashed into the house, to his secret hiding spot. He returned shortly after with a box of matches and a silvery, covered bowl. Fluttershy leaned curiously over it as he placed it on one side of her stoop, went inside, and came out with another one to place on the other side. They were mounded with some sort of strange, white powder. Spartan Shield, still submissive, retreated a few steps as though to be out of range of something and resettled on his belly.

Angel lit the two silvery bowls of… whatever it was, and stepped back covering his muzzle. The white and light blue snakes of smoke wormed slowly this way and that. Spartan Shield sank lower, properly respecting the seer before him. Fluttershy froze like a deer in headlights, unsure of what to do with the bowing warrior. The frightened Pegasus looked back and forth, fretful as the snakes of smoke twisted seemingly of their own will. Then, the smoke flew up her nose like it was alive! She gasped, rearing up and flaring her wings open. Angel retreated to one side, keeping watch.

Fluttershy’s back arched and her mouth gaped open while her pupils contracted. Then, she flung herself forward onto her belly as her mane covered her. Scraaaaping her hooves back, she gave an audible moan as the fumes took hold of her, removed her inhibitions, and awoke long dormant powers brought down by her family’s bloodline. Her wings blimped open as her feathers took on a supernatural sheen of yellowy-green. She was lifted into the air by powers unseen, her wings staying stone still. She looked like some sort of metallic angel as the sheen worked its way across her body. Her mind unraveled from the real world and went sky high, into something she couldn’t have imagined. Some sort of higher plane. She could see. She could SEE! She babbled and drooled rapid-fire, her frightened eyes turning calm as they rolled into her head. She went limp, hovering in midair.

Spartan Shield lowered himself until his chin touched the ground. He looked up at her reverently as she hovered in place like a pony made of living bronze. The power of the oracle was different every time it was witnessed, and this was certainly no exception. He was spellbound by her fury, her sight and the milky eternity that was in her eyes. A long and terrifying silence followed as she stared into the heavens. Then, she flopped onto her back with a glazed expression. Angel Bunny gestured Spartan to come forward. The stallion did so eagerly, very careful not to touch her as he leaned his ear over her mouth. Fluttershy whispered to him, her eyes seeing nothing at all as her lips moved. The druid spoke her judgment on Spartan’s desire for battle. He repeated her words aloud so he could commit them to memory:

“Pray to the winds…”

“Trust not in mares…”

“Whisper to thy allies…”

“Hold the stars in your hooves…”

“Trust not in thine eyes…”

“Honor the gods…”

“Spear will clash with horn…”

“Salt with flesh…”

“Flame with armor…”

“Hooves with steel…”

“Spartan… will fall...”

“…and the crown will change hooves.”

Spartan Shield recoiled in horror. “Doom upon me!” he said, his hooves rushing up into his mane to scratch his nervousness away. “Doom and falling nations!” his pupils contracted into dots at the horrific words of the oracle before him. Fluttershy’s head turned to one side as exhaustion took her. The ethereal plain released her fragile mind and she gave a quiet moan. He gaped down at her, his eyes lidding fearfully. Angel Bunny rushed about, waving the blue smoke away and covering the silvery bowls to help it all disappate. Turning quickly, the stallion fled for his life.

Spartan ran. He ran and he ran all the way back to Ponyville proper. His crimson mane was disheveled and his cape scarf had torn a little. Flecks of snow went by in the early dawning day, catching on the side of his muzzle. Spartan will fall. Spartan will fall. The words rang in his earts, hot and plain as day. If he descended into darkness after Twilight, he would not return. He gritted his teeth, leaning miserably on a streetlight. He looked towards Canterlot, the brightly colored dot in the distance on the mountain.

So. Another beast had come for him. But not Nightmare Moon. Not an army of slathering monsters that called themselves Lunar Stallions. Not some tangible thing that could be smote with a spear or crushed by a hoof. Neigh, neigh. This monster was called fate. The oracle had spoken, and damned him. But, he would not abandon his wife. “I come for thee, beloved.” He whispered, watching the ghost of his breath hiss out into the chilled air. The stallion ran for the Golden Oaks library with all speed. Twilight Sparkle had encountered these ‘changelings’ before. She’d told him stories about them attacking the royal wedding. Knowing his companion and her OCD habits, she had no doubt left a detailed account of everything she knew about them somewhere. He merely needed to find it.

=-----=-----=-----=-----=

The nameless foal toddled around, chasing her own tail and then using her mother as a climbing toy. She’d quickly learned to walk over the past couple of days, and had since learned to run around. Full of energy and whinnying wildly, she’d soon explored and turned the room upside down with her insatiable curiosity. Twilight Sparkle smiled, trying to stay focused on her daughter. The foal picked glowing mushrooms to wave them around and watch the sparkles. She hid under the blankets of the bed that had been fashioned for them from moss and ratty blankets. She ran around the walls of the room, falling on her face all too often. She got ahead of herself and her little legs couldn’t keep up with the weight of her head. Twilight winced every time, but the foal would only pick herself up and keep going.

A changeling drone poked its head in. It was hard to tell if it was male or female, for its pony-insectoid body seemed to be a bit of both. It was slender, but it had a broad forehead. It had a short horn, but broad wings resting on its back. Were all changelings gender-neutral? Twilight rose, lighting her horn threateningly when it came into the room. The foal spotted it and ran, frightened, to stand under her mother’s undercarriage. The changeling pulled back a bit, wary of Twilight’s magic. Chittering, it set a little tray down. Stale-looking bread and greens were mounded on it, along with a pitcher of water. “Oh… thank you.” Twilight said tiredly. She was so on edge she was hurting, but she couldn’t bring herself to hate a simple servant. The Queen was the brains behind it all.

Speak of the devil, and she shall appear. Chrysalis herself emerged into the room. “Ah, good to see they’re keeping you fed. I told the hive that trading you to Equestria will be our shining hope.” She smirked, pushing the tray towards Twilight.

The purple mare ate rudely, attacking her tray and making sure her foal stayed put. She was in no mood for manners, no mood for chitchat either. She was a prisoner, and she knew it. Quiet room or not, there were massive drones outside guarding her. Nice lighting or not, the powders of the mushroom could be poisonous. High, roomy ceiling or not it was covered with stalactites that might fall any moment. Twilight had had more than enough time to notice all the dangers to herself and her daughter. “What do you want?” she said finally, stale grass sticking out of her mouth and bulging one cheek. She looked like a wild pony, if not for the scowl on her face.

“Just checking up on my… guests.” The Queen tittered with a laugh. “You’re no good to me starved or hurt.” She craned her head to have a look at the little one, who was sitting under Twilight and absently sucking on one hoof. “My my, and she’s how old now? Just a week?” she said with interest. Twilight turned sideways to block her from view, angry and protective. “Oh poo, don’t want to be social? Fair enough.” She smirked, turning away. “Just remember, if you need anything just ask it.”

“You could let me go, I need my freedom.” Twilight said smartly.

“I meant more like food, activity or more blankets.” Chrysalis smirked. “If your foal piddles on a sheet, let a guard know.” She gestured. “Behemoth!” she barked. A massive changeling stuck his head into the room. His shoulders were too broad to allow him into the little chamber, he was simply too large. “This is what awaits you if you try to make a run for it.” The Queen sneered. Twilight gaped at the huge creature.

The foal eyed it for a few moments, and then her eyes turned big and soft. Big bug thing was scaryyyy! She whimpered, whined, got moist in the eyes, and then began to shriek loudly. Suddenly the door was enveloped in light-brown magic and it SLAMMED into the face of the intruding monster. It grunted in pain, knocked bodily out into the hallway. It landed on its back, dozens of legs flailing about wildly. Chrysalis stared. Twilight stared. The foal giggled, clapping her tiny hooves.

The Queen quickly magicked the door open to check on her soldier, then rounded on the purple mare. “One more of those and I’ll stick you both in a pod! Do you have any idea how rare true behemoths are?!” The foal began to cry loudly at all the shouting. Twilight backed up against the wall, taking her foal with her. A sphere of purple magic conjured itself defensively around them, as though the Changeling Queen might try to spring on them. Chrysalis scowled, tossed a rucksack on the floor from precisely nowhere, and stormed out. The door slammed and the distressed foal flinched.

“Ohhhh sh-sh-shhhh-sh…” Twilight sat on her haunches while her daughter pressed up against her belly for safety. “It’s okay… we’re… we’re gonna be okay.” Her eyes lidded with worry. They’d been there for almost a week, and there’d been no sign of rescue. Maybe they really were ten thousand miles away from the Equestrian border. “D-Daddy will come for us, I promise.” She whispered, nuzzling the foal quietly. “Maybe I can have a name for you by then? I bet he’d like that.” She tried to smile, but the little one only shook like a leaf. Nudging her to breast feed, the mare sighed in distress. Running her muzzle over her tiny withers over and over, she spent a long time soothing the child. “Sh-sh-shhhh… Mommy’s here… Mommy’s here…” she wrapped the tiny thing in her arms, hunching and laying kisses where she could. Sometimes foals just wanted to cry. It made Twilight want to cry. They stayed like that for almost an hour, mother worrying over foal.

After a time, there was a rumbling outside. Twilight’s ears perked and she startled from her slumping. The foal turned her head with a very Spartan, grumpy-faced frown. The door eeeeeased itself open. A changeling poked its head in, a fresh red blanket draped over its back. The behemoth leaned in from the hall as well, curious. “Chitter-murr?” The changeling wanted to know, cocking its head at them with a hard-to-read expression.

SLAM-SLAM-SLAM-SLAM!

The magic-possessed door spring-boarded back and forth eight times before both of them fell backward, crying out in surprise and pain. Twilight stared down at her daughter as her tiny little horn sparked out and went back to normal. The foal giggled, clapping her hooves in delight. Twilight sighed, scowling. “Spartan will be thrilled.” She said crossly, pulling the Queen’s saddlebag to herself and finding it full of moth-eaten books. The little one burbled, blowing bubbles with her spit.

End of Part 3 Next Chapter: Gathering Allies Estimated time remaining: 56 Minutes