In The Kingdom Of Hope [Concluded]

“The last mare of my age that you spoke to may be a pushover, but I am not your precious Luna,” Mittere said fiercely, as she slammed her hoof on the hard floor. Lacking in power was not how she came here to feel. This was going meant to be her moment of power, and Celestia or Luna, anypony else would not get in the way of that. She looked over the arrangement of ponies, which certainly seemed up to the task of overthrowing the guards in a brief, almost surgical, strike. She wanted her own highly mobile grouping of soldiers now. Sugary being there in armor was a comfort, as well as the ego feeding she got from having at least one pony she knew was loyal to her. All she had was Sugary and Diurnae at her command, but that would have to be enough.She did rush to keep pace with One as he made his way to throne room, no matter his objections. He'd have to force her to take a backseat.

Luna had just finished her somewhat scenic route back to the palace, scenic being the least visible one. She had the intention of meeting with her sister and waiting for the annoying robed entity to come to them. Although she did not give the order to follow, she had attracted a small group of six guards that seemed insistent in escorting her. Of course, they were guards, and not commandos, meaning a determined attack could easily best the group of them.

“You’ve done an awful lot already, and demonstrated a level of competence beyond your pay grade. I’m sure I could justify some public work in your honor. I want ask you to resume the good work you have done so far, with a few caveats. I intend to let Mittere come to me, and I wish you to vouch for me to help assure your skeptic friend. She would be a valuable resource in helping me balance the sun in just the right way. If she chooses to refuse reason however, I would ask you to help restrain her while I cast the proper banishing spells, as in such an event I will need to be undisturbed for a long time, but she shall be forgiven for her actions,” Celestia began to make her way back to the throne, gesturing with her head for bald to follow her up the steps. At her signal, the guards returned to the room, feeling better for their break from constant attention. “We shall be waiting here until she arrives. Would you like to steel your resolve with a cup of tea? Only the most premier blend, I find it eases stress rather nicely.” It was an odd offer to be making at such a time, but she was meant to a shining example to her ponies, so hospitality even in harsh times was a practised skilled for her. She looked at him, capturing his eyes whilst smiling tensely in an attempt to comfort him. She was nervous to. The past few months had been taxing and painful, but she was still serving her ponies, just in a different way.

Zephyr’s face lit up and he gave a small laugh realization, satisfied with his new discovery. He got the room for free, so by extension any extras would be, right? That was a load off. No limits, What could he order with no limits. Some really good food that would probably accelerate his death by a few years. “Well,” he said, his chest rumbling at the prospect. “I was thinking since I have hot here with me, I could get something spicy. I think I’ll have so many spicy fajitas I won’t be able to taste anything for a week.”

One paused for a moment, the cold red slits regarding Miterre for a moment. "Hmm... Are you always this childish, and have I just not been paying attention, or is it something special about today?" He shook his head. "Regardless, you are most defiantly not my precious Luna. After all, she has a far greater will than you. If you think anything otherwise, you do not know her as I do." He turned back, just in time to arrive at the doors to the throne room. If there were guards stationed there, the first two members of his squad would disable them quickly, before opening the doors for him to step inside. Assuming nothing hindered his progress, his helmet would magnify his voice to fill the room. "Tiger... tiger... burning bright, in the forest of the night. What immortal hoof or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?" He paused for a moment, before chuckling. "Hello Tiger. How have you been?"


"Would you look at that sister dearest?" A voice floating over to the ears of the guards and Luna. "Is that Miss Luna I spy?"

"It is indeed dear brother," A second voice wafting over as well. Suddenly, a pair of ponies were standing in front of the guards, one in full battle armour that appeared to be made of solid crystal, and the other a provocative witch outfit. "What were our orders again Nova?"

"To make sure that Luna was safe Star," the stallion inside the armour replied.

"And how should we do that?"

"By not letting her passed." Nova rolled his shoulders, though he didn't move. "I am sorry Luna, no hard feelings?"


"That's a lot of fajita's," was all Isabelle said as she rang the bell, one of the guards peeking inside, before raising an eyebrow. She relayed his request, as well as her own, a large glass of wine, before the guard nodded and closed the door. Isabelle sighed and stretched out, licking Zephyr's neck. "How many do you reckon he'll grab?"

Blade felt awkward with the praise he was being given not believing anything he had done this day deserved anything like that. All he was really was doing was his job, trying to do the best for Equestria. The stallion looked over Celestia carefully as she told him about Mittere's "visit". Apart of him was in disbelief while the other knew the mare would be that bold. He thought that Mittere would give him a chance, but her actually taking his words into consideration seemed unlikely. He followed her up to the throne and watched as his follow guards came back into the room.

He looked over to the Princess before shaking his head at the offer. "I'll pass, but thanks for the offer." He said witha nervous smile as he gaze went back to the door. "It's not as if we can't wait until our guests arrive, right?" He said weakly, hoping that could happen without any conflict.

And as if on cue the throne room door opened to let somebody in. "Well, you do know how to make an entrance don't you?" He said as the vamponies suddenly appeared. "But, I hope you all wouldn't mind if we didn't talk things out before worrying about someponies safety." Blade moved away from the Princess, giving her a nervous glance as he tried to act calm. His gaze focused on Sugary most of all, knowing that he was the most sensible of the group and was the only one he actually trusted. The unicorn wouldn't like what Celestia's reason, Blade didnt either, but hopefully they could talk about things peaceful and maybe work things out. There were numerous artifacts that they had in Equestria that they could use to defend against the beast though it sounded like that we're failures already, bit Blade pushed that out of his head. Right now, he had to make sure they didn't kill each other.

Sugary now had had enough of the bickering between Summer and One, but mostly, One's disrespectfulness. "Silence, One! Whose will and mind was it that got us to this point anyway!? It certainly wasn't yours, so you have no say on which is the better mare! Now focus on your damn work!" Being covered in armor, his voice boomed from within his helmet at One as they approached the doors.

In some ways, the outburst helped to psyche him up as the doors opened to reveal what they had come to face at last. He focused his sights on Celestia immediately, but was well aware of Blade's presence. He wasn't particularly up to talking, especially since Summer and One claimed to have history with Celestia and likely much more to discuss than he, but he could not ignore Blade's efforts to talk either. "Sir Blade, the reason we're here is the same we spoke of before. Surely you understand what that means. Chose your actions wisely... Talking alone might not be enough for what may come..." From then on, he'd just keep his gaze upon Celestia. The one responsible for all their troubles, or just a victim of circumstance... He'd likely find out which best described her soon enough. It was now up to Summer to reveal that first...

"Ah yes, I remember fondly the time I tried to plunge Equestria into eternal night. I am sorry, she is so much more than me. I shall be a good, obedient little mare now," Mittere pouted before putting her head down meekly. "I think not!" she said as she raised her head again, staying by One's side as he walked into the throne room, talking some kind of nonsense. It was as though he drew strength from having all eyes on him. She was far closer to being a deity than he was.

Celestia was rather interested to the pony approach. Had Fearful really broke her sister’s heart in order to go off with that mare? What appeal did she hold that Luna could not already supply?  She knew the poem, and being placed in the role of the tiger was something of a compliment. “You come dressed for battle, and you would still greet me so calmly. There may be hope yet. I am concerned as to your choice of company,  but I hope you can help reconcile things instead of tearing them apart." The guards had already picked their targets and we're at the ready. They couldn't move first without an order, seeing as they were guards.

Mittere didn't even speak in introduction. Her letter had stated her intentions, there was nothing to say to her. Her reign was going to end today, though if she surrendered the sun to her easily She'd let Celestia keep her throne. Since she had spoken, and it was not a surrender, she wasn't left with much choice but to attack. The world may be richer with her and Celestia as friends, but that was not the same as her being richer. She wouldn't settle down and negotiate to her ideal result without coercion.Her horn began to light. This was a move that Celestia easily foresaw and had no issue protecting from. Before Mittere could even gather a spell there was an explosive force at the tip of her horn which she was forced to contain until it dissipated. This bought Celestia time to speak. "Mittere. That is what you go calling yourself now, correct? You need to listen to what Blade has to say. That goes to all the rest of you too.” Mittere didn't stand down, but did not make another aggressive move against her, instead she tried to work on her blocking, knowing who was doing what and where. She looked over the group in the throne room before turning most of her attention to Blade. He was her best chance at getting ponies to sit down about this.  

“If you continue to inhabit space that obstructs me, I’m afraid it is you that shall be in need of protection,” Luna stated. “I doubt your lord would permit you to so much as raise a hoof against me, but those I have with me now are under no such restrictions.” The guards hardened up. Though they hadn’t been expecting to fight, being prepared was their job, more so with the recent raise in readiness that had been issued a few days ago. “If you allow me to resume, then there indeed shall be no hard feelings however."  

“Not enough.” It didn’t take Zephyr any amount of thinking time to give his answer. "But I'll be happy if," he gave a slightly effeminate giggle at being licked. "It presents a modest challenge. I'm not really a sharing things kind of pony, and I much prefer taking to giving, but sharing with you might be an exception."

Fearful stopped, and stared at Celestia, before turning his head and looking at Miterre. Chuckling, he chook his head and moved away from the mare. "You misunderstand Celestia. I did not leave your sister  for this... mare. In actuality..." He paused, sending the memory of what occurred via a mental link, assuming Celestia didn't block it. "That happened. I still love your sister, though... she does not love me. Understandable of course." He was tempted to smack the mare behind him, but instead he sighed and rolled his eyes. "Celestia. I have know you since birth, and your father for a longer time still. The King was a wise and reasonable stallion, and I know you inherited his genes. Tell me, what exactly do you hope to achieve by burning the planet to a crisp? I know you have a better motive than simply losing control."


Nova chuckled and shook his head. "Dear me sister. She seems to have forgotten who we are."

Star sighed and drew a short sword. "Indeed. Send your guards here Luna. I have no need to kill them, but if we must demonstrate our power, them we will. Perhaps, you should level some form of attack at my brother. I promise he won't move~" She purred.

"So, that would be a no on letting you move." Nova finished.


Isabelle grinned at his giggle, licking him again. "You sound really cute when you do that~" she purred, and smiled. "I figured you liked sharing," she whispered.

Blade nodded to what Sugary said and soon found things greeting worse, especially with what was going right outside of the throne room. If Luna started fighting then things would get ugly fast. The fact she didn't simply teleport herself and the guards into the room confused him slightly. It must have been a matter of respect or something. His attention shifted back over to Mittere and watched as she started up her spell. His horn started to lite when he watched as One started to speak. There was still a chance for this not to end up with dead ponies.

He gave a happy sigh and nodded. "Yes, Celestia has been protecting us the best she can, like she has always have. And if you don't stand down and try to talk things out all of Equestria will be destroyed by a threat that would put all the others, combined, to same. If we stand united then we will have a chance to come up with a solution better than what either side has." Blade looked back at Celestia, his gaze filled with uncertainty. "But, the best one currently is the Princess'." The stallion would keep his horn a lite, but would let it dim if Mittere did so as well.

Sugary was nearly forced to counterattack the moment Celestia had thwarted Summer's efforts, but withheld for the time being, assessing the situation. Celestia currently had the advantage, and it would be dangerous to do anything right away. He worried for the current state of Summer, but he dared not help her directly right away, lest he provoke Celestia further. Listening to One, and watching him, he thought of something that might result to be a good plan later on, and slowly, though reluctantly, stepped away from Summer slowly and warily in the opposite direction that One took. His intent was to make it harder for Celestia to have everyone in her direct view, if only slightly, and have more sides to attack her from if it came to it. He only hoped Summer understood his intentions.

Regarding Blade, he thought his heart was in the right place, but still did not trust Celestia in the least at the moment as he addressed them both. "Sir Blade, I do not doubt your words... The Princess, however, gets all the doubt. She looks to be sane, so why does it have to take a forced entry into the castle to discuss an issue that has gone on for many long and agonizing months? What reason do I have to trust her to have everyone's best interest in mind when lives were already lost, yet still she remained in confinement? And I do not want to hear the words 'you wouldn't understand'. I am hardly a foal anymore..." While speaking, he also further focused his magic from within, as subtly as possible, as he kept Celestia in his sights for any signs of further aggression and openings. He also needed to be extremely careful of her as he felt rather unsettled near her in every way, on top of the fact she could subdue or attack him at any moment.

Mittere could have sworn she had heard malice in the way One had described her as just a mare. That was something that would have to be settled at a later date however. She noticed Blade light his horn she could shoot first, have done with him quickly then focus down Celestia while the rest of the guards could be dealt with the soldiers. All it would take is one small noose or movement. Once the chaos descended nopony would know who did what first. Everypony on the room seemed aware of what could happen to them, but it was only her that wanted some blood to be shed. Mittere completely believed in the possibility of the threat Blade described as being the truth, but she didn’t care. Just because Celestia and her precious sister were too weak, did not mean she was not up to it.

Sugary had managed to capture the better part of Celestia’s gaze with his comment. She...looked to be sane? Were there really rumours in circulation that effect? Maybe her policy of seclusion had backfired on her, but the truth would do little better.“Each one of those lives means something to me, but every time I try to resolve things to my ideals things end up worse. In a situation like this, that is not something I can afford. I make no excuses for my actions, I give only reasons in the hope they transcend an old grudge. The population of Equestria is not the best at remaining calm in the face of crisis. Going public would only make it harder to arrange the proper transport for the right ponies and possible materials needed to resolve the issue. I understand I’ve yet to explain the problem, the little of it I know. That is a major problem I would be faced with if I were to come forward. I do not know if our coming doom will take the form of flesh, scale, or energy. Yet all I know is it is an otherwordly being of great power that given enough rest, would be able to consume a planet in a instant, as  it may have done to others in the past. A dying world is not worth the effort to consume. It’s a temporary solution, this is all about time, but we need the time to find a real solution.” Celestia had made no grand movements as she spoke, letting the slight pleading in her eyes be clear, it could be an act, but with the given information the chances of that were not high. She moved her head away from Sugary to smile softly at Blade. She wasn’t feeling much better than him, she was just the better actor. “It would be better for all if we could arrange some kind of parley. I hold no ill will to any of you, regardless of how you may see me.”

“Those are very kind offers, but ones I ultimately have use for,” Luna said before adopting a more thoughtful tone. “I believe I shall have the guards descend upon you now.” Though not trained to accept orders in such a fashion, the guards made their move. Two pegasi exploited the high ceiling of the hallways and began to take to the air, a position where they were most comfortable from. A unicorn moved closely to Luna’s side, remaining inactive for now, but having a level of battle readiness. This left a three on two situation as the earth ponies moved to meet the two.  Nova looked the strength of more than one stallion so drew more of the attention. Downward swings of their spears and thrusts at any exposed point they could find were what he was greeted with. The pony the squared up to meet with Star seemed to make no move, waiting on her to do whatever she was going to do with that sword of hers.The two seemed competent to Luna, but that remained to be seen.  

“I...do?” That’s good to know.” Zephyr said. “Want me to do it again?” he asked with a grin. “I think it went something like…” After one failed attempt he managed to replicate the noise. He was eager to earn himself another lick.

Fearful listened quietly to Celestia, his eyebrow under his helm slowly growing higher and higher as she spoke. When she finished, he sighed, his eyebrow dropping back down. His armour clanked as he trotted forward, each step producing a short clack. Leaning forward, he hugged her gently, but firmly, the cool metal of his armour hopefully soothing against her fur. After a moment, he let go, his hooves resting on her shoulders. "Celestia. You realise that you could have called on me at any moment? I would have come to your side at without hesitation, despite my betrayal of Luna." The helmet melted away from his face, revealing his scarred visage, a weak smile on his lips, and an intense look in his eyes. "This is quite the calamity you have described to me. Do we have a name for this creature? The beast that threatens must have a name."

Nova watched the guard's descend upon him, a snort of derision escaping his lips. Each spear thrust would bounce off his armour with a strange ringing noise, as if they had struck steel, not crystal. Whilst their spears would not break from the repeated impacts, they would rebound from the strange pink armour without even scratching it. Nova shook his head gently, a rumble emanating from his chest in something akin to laughter. "You will find your weapons have no purchase on me. This is no... normal armour."

Star meanwhile had spun her sword in hoof, grinning as she faced off against her opponent. Diving forward, her sword would dart in a dozen directions as she attacked him with an almost bored look on her face.

Isabelle giggled as he attempted to replicate his earlier noise. Almost immediately, she licked his neck again, before nibbling it. Sighing, her lips moved to his and she kissed him, purring almost exactly like a cat.

Sugary did not get the feeling that Celestia was lying to him, but then again she could just be acting. As it were, he did not fully trust Summer, and for good reason, but he trusted Celestia even less at the moment. He'd attempt to make one more inquiry of her, watching carefully for anything that might seem like a deceit or a bluff from her. He was no seasoned actor, but he knew the basics of acting and deceit from his years as a merc and the occasional amateur theater participations. Just one clear bluff was all it took to sway if he should strike or not, and allow Summer to wrestle control of the sun from her. "And what, exactly, do we need transportation for? Do we need to go somewhere to resolve this without any further losses. And does this calamity require that only you keep the sun? The same sun that has caused so much damage already? I've seen the damages up close, you know. Unless the ownership of the sun drastically changes our fates, then surely there is no reason you could give it to, say... me?" He was more than likely well out of his league by actually suggesting that he be given the sun, but he was not joking in any way as it were. If he had to take the sun himself for the sake of ending the crisis for all with no further damage, then he was more than willing to try. But for the most part, he just wanted to see how Celestia, and Summer to an extent, would react to his proposition and answer him.

His main concerns aside from that were the current positions of One and Blade. The seemed to be easily trusting of the Princess, where as he was still skeptical. He was also concerned that, if a fight did ensue, they'd likely be backing her up, and he'd be left dealing with much more than intended if he turned out to be right in his doubt.

The guard knew it was going to be hard to try and convince the others, but he at least thought Mittere would pause for a moment. What he hadnt expected was the fact the Fearful had been bold enough tommove towards the Princess. Blade eyed the vampony with a concerned look. He knew he should stop the stallion from getting near the Princess, but he had felt no malice in the stallion's actions. His attention shifted between the vampony and Mittere. She wasn't backing down anytime soon and Fearful buddying up with Celestia wasn't going to help, though he doubted it would hurt. It would have been better if he had called off his troops so that Luna didnt decide to take things further.

The only way to get out this, without fighting, was by letting Mittere have what she wanted. Blade felt uneasy at the thought of Mittere having the Sun. The mare could use it as leverage for later conflicts and they would have to fight for it again.

His attention shifted to Market briefly as he suggested of it really mattered who controlled the Sun. They would have to keep doing the same thing, but Mittere might have objections with continuing the heat wave. The stallion raised a brow at Sugary, obviously not sure why had suggested himself. While, Blade didnt mind that Sugary having control of the Sun as much as he did with Mittere, but still thought it should be kept under Celestia's control. His eyes drifted back to Celestia and then to Mittere, briefly the conflict happening behind her. Not sure to really do now.

Celestia felt no ill intent from Fearful as he began to step towards her. The hug was somewhat unexpected, and coming from an pony in heavy armour it was more than a little shocking. She was thankful for the grip on her though. She was a mare like everypony else, only she faced a lot more stress. "Only the name we give to it. While your support is most welcome, I doubt very much it will ever come down to a fight against that...thing. To deal anything more than superficial damage, you would need to break the ward it has. To do that you would need power far beyond what anypony should reasonably have. I would not trust myself with such a degree of spell, such super spells are both hidden and forbidden. The sanctuaries are guarded in such a way nopony here could get into one.”

While this lecture of information was all nice stuff, she was sure, Mittere was preoccupied being annoyed with One for stepping in front of Celestia. She moved her head for a clear line of fire to the mare but found none, which annoyed her greatly. What was he doing? How could he take that mare's word for it? Mittere was a little surprised to hear Sugary even suggest what he did. She moved her head to look at him, providing a moment of weakness she knew Celestia wouldn’t exploit. Was he really suggesting that he take control? Did he even know what he was doing? At least Sugary was to be trusted, and her influence was heavy on him, so if Celestia accepted that, she would be happy enough with the outcome. The glow on her horn faded as she stood down a level, at least to match the rest of the room.

"I am afraid all of my vacancies for princesses are full at present. You seem like a possibly worthy candidate however,” Celestia said to Sugary, getting her clear sentiment of “not likely” across in a way that might be better received. “There is no absolutist and imperative reason I have to keep the sun to myself, only the years of culture built around a singular, unchanging owner. I am trying to keep Equestria together as it is, while protecting it from a threat that can cause more damage than I could ever hope to, and yet is invisible to most until moments too late.

Mittere wanted to giggle slightly. Did Sugary really want to be a pony princess? That thought wound her down a little bit. "I had forgotten your sense of humour and how it likes to creep up on you.” The two mare’s eyes linked their gazes for a moment. “It is harsh, but until I am satisfied I do not care for your problem. If it expedites the deal entrust Sugary with the sun, until I acquire what I came here for however, I can not help you,” Mittere said taking a firm stance and shaking her head. “If you surrender the sun I can at least open my mind to your words, as you already said you do not need the sun.”

The guards attacking Nova remained undeterred. He hadn’t struck back yet, and they had the endurance to do this much longer.

The guard attacking Star was greatly intimidated by the volume of swings the more was putting out, but his weapon had the better reach, so from the comfy position her rather liked of outside of the sword’s range he swung a disarming hit near the base of the weapon so that mare would need to reposition to react. That repositioning would lead right into the grasp of one of the flanking pegasi.  

Luna gave the unicorn beside her a nonverbal command to cover as she ran past the two in the time window she had. She knew that mare was in the throne room. With all her efforts on Celestia it wouldn't be too hard to subdue her.

“H-hey,” Zephyr said, stroking himself with a hoof where he had been kissed. “I uh, kinda like it when you do that.” He didn’t get much of chance to voice his opinions further as he was cut off by a kiss in which he could feel a subtle rumble pass through to him, as well as a reassuring noise. He’d met a few friendly street cats, and Isabelle sounded eerily similar to one.

"You seem to underestimate me dear Celestia. Did you think for even one second that I would not be willing to wield one of these spells? I have nothing to live for, indeed, I do not even have a life." He chuckled and dropped one hoof, the other still holding her steady. "Tell me where I can find one of these spells, and I will retrieve it. No sanctuary can hold me out for very long." He smiled gently and booped her snout. "Everything will be alright."

As Miterre moved her head to line up a shot, Gentle Rain leaned into her ear and whispered. "If you even try to take that shot, you will regret it immediately. Lord Moon does not appreciate violence when he is trying to negotiate and solve problems." She leant back down, smiling still.

Nova continued to stand still, letting the spear points bounce off him till they eventually broke. Sighing, he continued to stand very still. "You are now weaponless. Are you happy?" His head turned slowly, watching Luna attempt to run past him. He chuckled as he vanished, having been teleported in front of her. "And just where do you think you're going?"

Star rolled her eyes, letting him knock the sword out of her hoof. Her eyes began to glow red, and she grinned, her fangs growing out. "Do you really think you ever had a chance?" She asked, her hoof striking out at the pegasus.

Isabelle snuggled into him contently before licking and nibbling his neck again. "You like this?" She asked quietly. The door to the room swung open, the guard trotting in, carrying a enormous plate of tortillas and a glass of wine. He didn't even blink as he placed the tray at the foot of the bed, before handing her the glass and trotting out.

While the reaction he got from both Alicorn mares was... unexpected, Sugary nonetheless still kept his cautiously aggressive intent for what they had come for. However, Blade, One and his troops, and Celestia herself meant that they were outnumbered in terms of managing a successful takeover of the sun in any reasonably unchallenging way. It seemed his purpose for coming was suddenly rendered near useless as he was but one aiding Summer, however well trained. He kept track of those around him that were with Celestia and those that had come with Summer since the beginning. He would watch for any other actions those of Summer's side might take that he might have to follow along with, while being cautious of the others.

While he seemed to be okay with what One was trying to do, he was not happy with the intrusion of keeping tabs on everyone by force. Having some of his troops looking after Summer up close while he spoke might mean preventing her from acting if Celestia turned out to be the one lying, and he was not in the mood for variables after what had been done to get to this point. Even when it seemed both Alicorns were easing up their guard of one another somewhat, he still was not seeing any clear progress or action towards a solution. "... Enough with the exposition. What exactly needs to be done!? It's still hell out there! The air is not much better in here either. I don't care who has the sun and who doesn't, I care about the solution! You can all share it for all I care!" He was getting tired of waiting for an agreement as he pointed mostly at Celestia with a light scowl under the helmet. "All I heard since we got here is we have a problem! I've known that for months! I want action, and I'll fight if that's what it takes!" While he would prefer to believe that this might be a chance for cooperation for a greater good, he was itching for things to improve already. He had already seen more than enough victims along the way before he started the mission.

Blade couldn't think of anything to do now. Celestia had stated that there was a possible away to save the world with her "life-boat" program though it would prove to be impossible. Mittere was now bargaining to have the Sun for her help, or at that was the feeling she gave off. Sugary just wanted to end the heat wave, something Blade wanted as well. One had seemed to have sided with him though his troops were still keeping Luna from entering. He saw one seem to have teleported in front of the Princess as she tried to rush inside of the room. For a moment he had thought that Rain was siding with Mittere, but she didn't seem like the one to betray One like that.

Blade stood in between the two in front of him, knowing that unless Celestia gave up the Sun there would be a fight. But, if Mittere simply went and got rid of the heat wave then the creature would simply eat the planet whole. She would most likely take her group to obtain the possible spells or just fight the thing herself. Blade wasn't about to risk the entire planet on some impossible mission and especially not for one mare's ego. Still he didn't want to fight. This was just an attempt to make things better for Equestria. Now, was just a clash of how Equestria was helped.

The stallion glanced back at Celestia, hoping that she would explain her plan to the others. He doubted anypony would like the palm, he still didn't. There seemed like there was no way to stop the heat wave though it might have been possible that they would be able to lessen it. No, Mittere wanted the Sun so she could what she please with it and Sugary wanted stop Equestria's suffering. So, whatever happened next he would leave in the hooves of the Princess. He gave her a small nod in an attempt to hopefully lessen her worry and that he was with her before turning his head back over to the others again.

“I wish the choice were mine,” Celestia said to Fearful. While the boop was a little compromising of her authority in the situation, it along with his words set her at ease slightly. These weren’t easy times for her. She liked the visits to towns and cities and conversing with other leaders side of the job much more than being forced to burn her own people in an attempt to prolong their lives. “I certainly would not trust myself with such a spell, as said. It’s not about virtue, good intentions, or any amount of force to get into to such a place. And if you enter with the intent of actually using what you find there will certainly be no passage to be found. i have tried every pony I trust though.”

“What are you going to do, suck my blood?” Mittere asked Rain quietly with some venom. Was she still hung up over the comment about her being childish? Yeah, maybe just a little bit. “Would that make me spineless servant like you?” It was a little unfair for her to take her bitterness at One out on the mare, but she was so willing to speak for him it was fitting. Sugary's request to just get on with things had not gone unnoticed by her. She felt bad for him almost for getting involved in everything. The stress he was putting herself through for her and for Equestria was unfair.

"There is nothing we can do. With you lady's help we can make things slightly more livable until a solution is found,” Celestia said back to Sugary. There was much sign of acting this time, unless you called being reasonably calm under some very clammy pressure.
“Let us act the rational leaders we are. Nothing is free, so if I am to help you with your situation,Half upfront this instant, then we can talk about the rest afterwards." Celestia gave a pensive look, she was thinking about it, which was good from her standpoint.

"I have a..." Mittere scowled at her grandson as he spoke and stepped forward. She hoped the glare was enough for him to take the back seat, at least until she had a leg in the door in her negotiations with Celestia.

“So Celestia.” Mittere said, quickly launching back into things. “Are the terms I put forward acceptable?”

“I may yet permit your extortion,” came the reply from Celestia. She was interested at what the unicron near the back had to say. but losing Mittere’s support before such a crucial point was a larger failing than could be allowed. She sighed as she nodded her horn lighting up in conjunction with Mittere’s.

As Mittere felt the connection her ego become the size of the star she was moving. She closed her eyes, leaving her exposed, but Celestia was equally so as she could feel her. It was creepy feeling her in that was, but she smiled nonetheless. After around a minute, under her constant fighting against Celestia, the sun was now in a slightly better place. It still felt as though they were in the height of a particularly warm summer, but it was closer to something considered normal, even if not for the time of year.

The guards all hung back, regathering and considering turning it into a much more of a standoff situation, as that seemed to have the better odds at that point.

“That is not a very honourable move to make,” Luna commented. “I had been humoring you thus far, but if that is the way you desire things to be.” Luna looked back to her guards, lit her horn and disappeared, reappearing in the throne room. She addressed the situation, ready to act as needed, paying extra attention to Fearful. The odds should this turn into a fight were against Mittere, her lover and her son, but she had no qualms about cleansing the whole room with fire if it came to that.

“Uh...Yeah. I do…” Zephyr shot into an alert state like a disturbed feline as the guard entered the room, turning his head sharply to observe him. The pegasus relaxed somewhat as he saw who it was. One of those bigger, unflinching guards that he was totally not envious of. He laughed a little nervously as he looked to the food. “Sorry about that.”

Fearful paused, looking at her curiously. "So these wards... they stop anypony who wishes to use it for themselves from entering?" He tapped his chin in thought. He was quiet as she shared her power with Mittere, content to allow them to sort the problem out, if but for a moment. As he waited for her response, he smiled as Rain trotted over to him, her eyes still on Mittere.

"Actually, I would have torn your head off," She said plainly, standing next to Fearful. "And if a dog does not know her place, and treat her master with deference and respect, what use as a dog is she?" She asked, fangs gleaming.

As Luna teleported into the room, Fearful turned to face her, his eyes staring intently for a moment, before he smiled. "Hello Luna. I see my guards failed to protect you... A small matter I guess as we did not actually come to blows. I did wish for you to avoid any conflict if possible, but it seems there is no conflict..." He shrugged. "Though it seems the world is very much still in danger."

"Sorry about what?" She asked, sipping her wine before gently nibbling his neck again.

((Ceasefire))

Perhaps Sugary did not quite get the answer he sought, but he did seem to get one thing he yearned for as the alicorns actually went on with his idea to share. It was an odd yet soothing sensation being so close to them when they performed their link, but he felt rather accomplished once their combined efforts seemed to make the day less harsh on them soon after. The evening that had once been hot now felt cool to him by comparison.

The moment Luna entered the room, however, he went back to full alert. He could tell she was quite ready to pull a trigger of her own if provoked, and so kept much of his gaze fixed on her. Of course, between her, Celestia, Summer, and One, there was a fair bit of pressure on his senses just by being there, which made things slightly more tense that they probably were.

He might still have his reservations about the entire situation, but at the very least one problem was seemingly made less pravalent. He gave a soft sigh under the armor and spoke in a more calm voice to the alicorns mostly. "... In that case, I'll be on stand-by... I came here to try and stop the suffering of others, and some of it feels like it was managed. I got no further plans at the moment, so just point me in the next direction, with or without some super spell." As usual, he had a rather stubborn mindset in terms of wanting to go a deal with the source of a serious issue. He also thought that such a spell might not be as useful as it was made out to be as he recalled the story of a Sealed Tome's power that could easily get outshined by combining several weaker, but more common and practical combat elements.

Blade grimaced as he listened to Celestia speak about how it wasn't actually all that hard to get to the spells, but the actual use of them. He didn't look back and hoped that they could look into it a bit more though a part of him thought it would be a waste of time. He simply watched as Mittere and her bad relation with One continue through Rain. Then, he got confused. Mittere was going to take one half of the Sun? How would that work? Blade suddenly thought about the Sun breaking into two for both the Princess and Mittere to share. But, his attention returned once he heard somepony spoke up and looked over to the stallion who had spoke up.

The guard knew he had suggested in adding something to the letter so he might have been trying to use it now. Blade tensed for a brief moment before noticing him suddenly went quiet. His suspiciousions grew as he saw that Mittere was glaring at the stallion. He thought about turning his head back to look at the Princess, but decided against it. If she didn't accept the offer the throne room was going to become a battle ground. He tensed slightly as he waited for the Princess' answer, looking at the ponies in front of him.

Once, the deal had been made he sighed before keeping quiet while the two alicorns concentrated. The stallion instantly felt the difference in tempature and smiled at that. He looked over at the Princess with a smile before a flash of light came. Blade instantly snapped his head around, his horn lighting once again before dimming when he saw who it was. The stallion gave a bow to show that he was sorry before raising again. He wished that One would stop acting as if his method of "protecting" was actually going to work with Luna or that his troops had really had a chance at keeping her at bay.

He didn't say anything as Sugary seemed eager to progress further, making Blade smile after the tense moment that they were still in. But, the time bomb seemed to finally be defused now.

"I hope you enjoy being a good little bitch then. If I ever have interest in joining you under your lord I shall let you know, but until then I think I shall enjoy having no pony to answer to," Mittere said back to Rain. This wasn't necessary, but she had started this with her threat. Some ponies just knew the right way to bring out the worst in her.

"Maybe now, Mittere you can listen. It's only you in this room that doesn't seem to be listening to the bigger problem. I hope now that you have what you wanted that we can-" Celesia glared at Mittere as she cut her sentence short.  

“We? I hope you are not referring to me and you as a ‘we’ now. I said maybe. Do you know what that means?"

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful, though I am quite so, but you may need to rethink who requires protection," Luna said to Fearful, though she did not wish to lift her eyes away from Mittere after what happened last time. The mare couldn't be trusted to have an honest moment with anypony around her, all lies and deceit. She even went by a different name now than she did then, she wasn't even sure Summer was her real name and not a name forged to protect herself from spreading her misdeeds. She stole from her and betrayed her in the middle of nowhere. Luna knew any plea to her common decency would fall flat. "Stop trying to push, you know what will happen." Luna sounded incredibly bitter, not showing as much of an ability. "What exactly are you trying to prove with this?"

"I have nothing to prove," Mittere snapped, turning to face Luna. "I am just taking what I can. If you want to see me try to prove something, I am with Mr Market. You need only point us at it and the creature will not get far.” As he spoke she began to move closer to Sugary, by sidestepping slowly to not make anypony too jumpy.  

A weapon was thrown through the air, landing easily in view of everypony and making a loud clattering sound. The pony that threw it thanked the guard it belonged to and hoped that at least one of the important ponies in the room would take note of where it came from. The pony really didn’t like the shouting and raised voices in the room right now.  “Can somepony listen? I can do the damn spell!” Diurnae said. “Now who is going to join me? Because if you are, we’re not fighting each other.”

"About...me just then and..." Zephyr shook his head and sighed. He turned his so that one side his neck was easier to access for any nibbling. "Can you do the other side, please? Then I really want to eat."

Fearful paused, listening to the mares arguing, his eyes drifting from one to the next as Celestia tried to get Mittere to listen. "Mittere. I would appreciate you not calling my friend a bitch."

Finally, his eyes rested on Luna and he sighed, nodding slowly. "I just wished to ensure your safety. If you do not wish that I will withdraw my guards..." He paused, hearing the venom in her words. Recalling that these two had some history, he groaned internally, and stepped down from the throne. "Perhaps we can all..." He stared at the sword that had crashed in front of him. He blinked in surprise at Diurnae's declaration. "You... can?" He asked, head cocked.


Isabelle giggled and booped his nose before moving her lips to the other side of his neck and nibbling it just as gently. "It's fine Zephyr, I'm glad I met you."

Sugary wasn't all too keen on letting the tension between Summer and One's group rise further, but he knew that at least One himself was in no position to ask for cooperation after he had previously done just the opposite to them by doing whatever he wanted while claiming to be a part of the group. Still, he'd try to be diplomatic as Summer moved closer. "Madam Mittere, please let One's group be. We don't need more tension, even if he's a jerk." He spoke somewhat softly, but if someone other than Summer heard him, he didn't particularly care. He was still bitter about what nearly went wrong entirely, and the fact that the vampony had brought in his issues and history along with what is essentially Summer's feudal history with the royal sibblings. The whole atmosphere in the room was nothing but tension as far as Sugary was concerned, and the energies of the ancient ones all in the same room didn't help to ease him up as he had wanted.

When Diurnae made his claim, however, his mood took a turn for the better, and his focus was more positive overall as he looked at Summer directly and spoke louder. "Madam, I'm not sure if I did well enough to meet your desire to get he sun, but you seem to have part of it now... If Princess Celestia is right about more trouble, and Diurnae knows the spell to start dealing with it... Then what do we lose by cooperating...? Either way, I said that I wanted to help for the greater good, and that's exactly what I intend to do." His voice had a bit more vigor to it than earlier. Some might call him an idealist, but it was also his driving point to do what he did since he became a Merc... aside from having an income and a job of some sort.

Blade couldn't believe it. He simply couldn't. Mittere should already know that she stroking her pride a bit now. The alicorn had been able to share control of the Sun with Celestia and now she was just going to let Equestria possibly get destroyed? The Lunar Princess gave him a slight reason as for why Mittere was acting like this, but still why was Mittere acting so stubborn? She obviously swept the safety of Equestria to the side so she wasn't going to try to get full control over the Sun to help. Now, she was acting like she was going to get part of the Sun without helping their cause at all!

Blade gritted his teeth at the fact of Mittere possibly getting over on them like that. He was even tempted to take the challenge she had suggested, but his mind reminded him that she was an alicorn and had more experience in combat. His defeat would be sealed if Sugary was in the fight as well. So, he instead of speaking up to accept the challenge, he stayed silent. He snorted to help ease himself a little as the others spoke with the lesser alicorn. The stallion hated the fact they had to negoitate with a mare like "her"! Especially when it was about solving the problem at hoof.

His gaze suddenly shifted to the weapon before he snapped his head to where it came from. His horn was about to fire at Diruane though he paused as he saw him thank the guard. Blade let his horn's light fade away and cocked a brow at the stallion's claims. He looked over the stallion curiously, obviously not fully trusting him. If the spells had been too much for others why would this stallion be any different? Then, he his gaze shifted to One as he spoke Blade's mind.

“Your friend was the one who made reference to dogs and masters. If she did not give such ripe opportunities I would be unable to take them.” It was certainly not an apology, Mittere had done nothing wrong. Her having the last word was a satisfying resolution though. She could now drop it as Sugary had suggested.

“I was hoping Mittere would tell you sooner," Diurnae said. "Seeing as nopony seemed to make notice of me while you  were all wasting good air pretending to be nice. It's been a long day, and I just want to get this done with everypony being as happy as possible.

Mittere made an unsatisfied grunt, but lowered her head in resignation. Celestia and Luna were glad to have the support of the whole room now and nodded along to the terms. The rest of the room needed to give their answers as to if they could all be trusted to work together.

"Now, Celestia," Diurnae said, speaking her name oddly as though it was in a foreign tongue he didn’t have much experience with. It would have been more proper for him to use a title at that point, but he didn't really hold the view of her being any better than him. She might be a princess to most ponies, but most ponies weren’t sitting on top of the spell his sitting on. Even with it they’d lack the necessary collection of traits, mental and genetic to properly use it. Unlike his grandmother he wasn’t much of an ego tripper.  He was about to ask her for help, and that really wasn’t something he ever thought he would be doing. Celestia didn’t really look how he imagined either. He couldn’t place what exactly was different to the model he had built up, but Mittere probably wasn’t the best source of information, though she knew her well enough. “What exactly do we have to do to expose this...whatever we’re going to call it?”

“I have a spell. You do not need to know the how - you could write several scholarly articles on the subject - only that we will get there.”

“Whenever you’re ready then, Celestia.”

“Just a few moments.” Her horn lit up as she walked down the steps, turning her back the rest of the room. It was a weird focus thing. She certainly did not wish to entertain Mittere’s ego by asking assistance,  and her sister needed to keep an eye on her.

"You did fine, Mr Market," Mittere said. "There will be other times, and I can certainly wait. No matter how this ends I shall see you get your reward." If Celestia could recklessly turn a pony that by comparison to Sugary was a child in experience, into an alicorn, she could get away with much the same thing.  

“Regardless of my own safety, this requires my attention,” Luna said, brushing past Mittere and walking closer to Fearful and Blade. “And I am confident in the hooves I am in." To follow up her comment with one of a slightly more sensitive nature. "Especially in the presence of that mare. I must ask how such a pony managed to convince you she was doing the right thing."

"Done!" Celestia announced, giving only those few moments of prior notice. If one was able to capture the brief moment, or perhaps feel magic particularly,  they would be able to see or feel Celestia’s magic wash over them as it supported them as they travelled to where it was they were headed.

The area they arrived at was like a jungle that had been struck by a hurricane. Nothing was completely upright. It was bright, but there was no sunlight be felt. Even as they looked at the perceived normality for what was meant to be the home of an apocalyptic threat, feelings which were fundamentally wrong for a conscious body assailed everypony there. It would feel as though they were dreaming, somewhat passive observers even if all the actions were their own. The sluggishness Could well have been a side effect of the spell taking more than the intended load. Celestia had even brought through her guards, who beneath their mostly uncompromising faces were having plenty of thoughts of their own.

Mittere planted a kiss on Diurnae’s cheek, the first bit of public motherly love she had shown. She then whispered something to him, to which he nodded. The mare looked around, the trees were so dense they were stopping each other from hitting the ground. Mittere seemed unphased as she peered as best she could through the trees.

“There’s some sign of settlement up ahead,” Celestia said, causing Mittere to huff quietly to herself. She was just about to. “I suggest we head down there. If the tree’s are a sign of what happened, there may be ponies who need our help.”

“I suggest you inform us of where we are!”  Mittere was not happy. She had expected to be put face to face with something.  

“I suggest,” Diurnae cut in. “You both listen. If you want my help. Celestia was the only pony to offer up a plan, mother. So unless anypony else has something to offer we'll stick by it."

"Thanks...I guess,” Zephyr said, trying to cooly downplay it before he gave up on the act. “That felt nice. I don’t hear that often. Can you say it again?" Isabelle was the affectionate sort, and he liked that. He also liked ponies who could take charge as much as the next stallion, and she certainly had no problem getting ponies to do things for her.