Who Needs Harmony?: An MLP Empire Quest

[triumph8w]

DARK CLOUDS, DARK THINGS

Its getin a bit chilly Reynard thought as he stood at his post near one of the villages entrances.

You see, Reynard was a militiaman for his village, having been called up along side many others by his Lord to protect the village from the increased monster attacks. Which in themselves was rather odd, as the monsters tended to be further in the forest and avoiding the village ever since a Grail knight showed up a decade back and took care of some of the more nastier ones.


He breathed out and watched as his breath misted in some astonishment. It was mid summer Lady's sake! It shouldn't be this cold! But it was cold, far colder than it should have been, and it all started when old Banny spotted some dark clouds on the horizon some weeks ago. Not long after they were spotted the Lord started raising some of his levies-of which Reynard was one- and not soon after that the monsters started leaving the woods in a right frenzy.

Reynard figured them clouds had somethin to do with it.

"Hey Reynard! Hey! Heeeeyyyy!"

Reynard let out a small sigh before he turned his gaze from the woods to the little filly bouncing towards him. It was little Sunny named for her bright white coat and orange and yellow hair. She certianly lived up to her name as well, given how excitable she usually was, and while Reynard knew he should be focusing on the woods he couldn't help but turn to her and give her a small smile.

"Sunny." He said trying-and somewhat succeeding- at making his voice sound like and avalanche

Sunny giggled and briefly put one of her hooves to her mouth to contain her laughter. "Y-You sound so silly!" she said as she broke down laughing.

Reynard gave a mighty glare(pout) towards the young Sunny, which only caused her to laugh harder.

Neither of them noticed that it was now snowing.

Reynard pushed up his kettle helmet to get a better look at Sunny and adjusted his spear with his brown furred hoof into a more comfortable position. "What do ya need Sunny?" he asked feeling like hes been laughed at quite enough thank you very much! "Just wanted to see what you were doing!" Sunny cheerfully replied.

"Doing my duty to the Lord and the Lady." Reynard said much more seriously this time, as ones duty to the Lady was never a laughing matter. Even young Sunny knew this, so she didn't laugh when he replied in that oh so serious tone.

Sunnys smile left her face as she stared out at the woods, she bit her lip nervously before asking Reynard "D-Do...Do you think the monsters will get us?" She shyly asked. Which was a sharp change to how she usually was.

Reynards answer was immediate and firm "No. No they won't Sunny, because i wont let them. Neither will the Lady, or the Lord." He shifted so that he could look Sunny in the eye. "I'll protect you Sunny, you have my word on that."

Sunny gave him a small smile and the shadows in her eyes disappeared. "I know that! Your're the bestes their ever was!" She proudly proclaimed and Reynard gave a rueful chuckle. "I don't know about tha-"

Crack

It echoed through the woods and reached the village, It was sound Reynard Very much didn't want to hear. For it was the sound of a branch being stepped on, and that meant a monster was coming out of the wood.

"Sunny." Reynard said, a steel in his voice that Sunny has never heard before. "Find your mother, Now."

Sunny gave a wide eyed nod before running back into the village past several of the other Militia, who heard the same thing Reynard heard. They gathered up beside him, most of them had spears like Reynard but one of them, Jenny, had a crossbow.

She died first.

It came out of the shadowy woods with a Twang and buried itself in Jennys throat. And as she went down with a gurgle the rest of them saw what it was.

A crossbow bolt.

"Back!" Reynard the first to shake himself out of the shocked stupor of seeing someone you knew die. "Back behind the walls!" The 'walls' themselves where no more than crude palisades set up as both cover from some of the more nasty monsters as well as to reassure to villagers-and Militia- that they were being protected and taken into consideration.

As they all scuttled behind them Reynard looked over his shoulder and saw a mass of glowing green eyes within the woods, and following them he could make out the bodies. Most where skin and bones with nothing but some strange helmet on. The other however were wearing actual armor, stuff that looked much better than Reynards own somewhat tattered gambeson. They wore the same strange helmets but they also held actual weaponry as well.

For one, they all held crossbows. They also had swords strapped to their sides. That was all he saw before a bolt whizzing by encouraged him to pull his head back. What he saw heartened him somewhat, as he saw the dozens other militia rushing toward them and he thought that they may actually be able to win against these strange brigands.

Then one of the skinny ones rushed past the palisade and the fight was on.

The Skinny ones charged straight into the hastily assembled spear line, most of them impaled themselves on the spears and they mostly plowed into the Militia or rolled past them as several of the smart ones let go of their spears and dogged out of the way. The skinny ones that survived the initial charge immediately started headbutting and kicking the confused Militia and Reynard saw that the Militia was starting to break.

Not if he had anything to say about it.

Giving a might yell Reynard charged towards the chaotic melee and soon heard the yells of the others he was hiding behind the palisade with. They smashed into the melee, them being overall bigger then the skin and bones ponies bowled aside any they hit. And Reynard managed to dig his spear all the way through one of them.

After what felt like hours but was only a minute at most the Militia killed the rest of the skinny ones(who for strange and bizzare reasons that Reynard didn't understand didn't make any noise as they fought and died. None of them tried to run or surrender. They just...fought.) and Reynard looked around. Out of the 20 militia in the village it looked like only 6 were in any shape to fight. Reynard felt as if he was missing something.

Then he felt something hit him and he tried to say something to the others. Then he paused confused because he couldn't. He looked around, seeing his fellows either looking at him or something beyond him. And he saw past his fellows to the villagers desperately try to gather their things and run, or just running.

Then he saw Sunny, standing there as still as a statue with what his dazed mind though were tears. He tried to call out to her, for her to run. But he couldn't say anything, something was in the way.

Then a second bolt hit him in the head and jutted out through one of his eyes and his last sight was poor little Sunny.

Sunny cried in earnest now, and tried to run towards Reynard before she was caught by her mother and was put on her back. She babbled incoherently and her last site of her home for so long was it being set alite by the monsters from the woods. She saw a whole army of them, now visible coming down the road.

And her last sight before she passed out from all the stress was of one monster who wasn't wearing a helmet, his back to the rolling storm. What Sunny didn't know was that he was a King, and that his name was Sombra. What she did know was this.

Evil had come to Canterbury.

-------
AN: This is what happens when one thinks of 'what ifs' when thinking about this quest and suddenly getting bit by the writing bug.

@Questor

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: Freedom. Yay. "Is slapped back into work pile"

Of Names and Packs

Excerpted from 'A Dive with Diamond Dogs, or My Year with the Bright-Stone Kin
By Aquila Longstrider'

Chapter 7
​

Having covered the Oral History of the Bright-Stone Pack, and it's origins, I feel that it would be appropriate to address a particular issue that has frequently come up in my previous books, and other works about the Kin. Many of my readers will have noticed, in dealings with their Kin or those associated with the Kin, that many of them refer to themselves in, to put it mildly, basic terms. Names like Boulder, Iron, Gemhunter, Cruncher, Breaker and Brighteye are seemingly very basic names, and would seem to indicate a very basic naming structure.

Indeed, it would seem that more often than not, the Empire itself puts more personality in naming particularly famous Diamond Dog than their own culture. Figures like Captain Kaboom are often given their names for their preferences, or through their deeds, as is often the case. Indeed, the many Diamond Dogs who work the Empires mines, scout for the Army, and other tasks often seem to have simple, one word names, like the aforementioned Boulder, or Crusher, or Shorty.

However, one should not assume that such simplicity is the truth. Indeed, much like the perceived like of piety often seen in Griffonkind, and has been discussed in the previous chapters, the Kins way of life and culture is far more complicated than one would expect. As such, I shall endeavor, to the best of my ability, and with aid of Elder Softstone of the Bright-Stones, to explain the many naming conventions and concepts of individual Kin, and of the Pack as a whole. We will start, of course, at the Beginning.

Birthnames ​

When a Litter is born, the parents, and a presiding Elder of the Pack, or in some rare, unfortunate cases, the litters surviving kin, will inspect the pups when they are strong enough. They will look for defining features, such as eye color, fur color or patterns, teeth shape, body definition, and will name them based on these findings. In cases where the parents have already decided on names, the process will usually be skipped in favor of the parents decision. However, in cases where the parents have no preference, or the pups are orphans, the ritual will commence post haste.

In my fifth month amongst the Kin, I was privileged enough to be invited to observe one such ritual. The parents, both Diamond Dogs, had only prepared names for a few of the litter, having not expected most to survive the few months since the birth. The Elder had explained to me, much to my shock, that prior to the many Packs joining of the empire, 3/4s of all litters were expected to die in the first few months, either from starvation, the cold of the tunnels and mountains, or afflicted by the illness the Kin call Moon Madness, and abandoned. Since then, the Packs have experienced something of a population boom, with a few cross species couples in the mix as well.

Kin are referred to by their birth names at all occasions, and will continue to be until they have earned their True Names. True Names are the names that the Kin gain once they have earned adulthood. To do this, a Kin must have a distinguishing trait, personality or concept about them, or a exemplary deed in their life. Until then, these Kin are considered children, and are not allowed to leave the Pack or mate until they do so, and will not be allowed to feast with the adults at gatherings or fight in battle.

This can take years and decades in some cases. I have heard stories of Elders who have never earned their true names, dying old and alone, unable to achieve their adulthood. These Kin are Pariahs, unable to grow up, and unable to act like children, made into laborers or banished. Some go mad, or lose the will to live. These cases are rare though, as most earn their names within 20 years of life, and even rarer now, since much of the Packs joined the Empire.

True Names
​

True Names are, as described by Elder Softstone, the sum of a Kins being. Who they are in life, what they do for a living, what makes them tick, how others perceive them. A Kin who loves to mine, to dig, to finds Gems or Gold, can be called Shine-Hunter, or Bright-Heart, or any other combination. Likewise, a Kin who has sharp hearing or a keen sense of smell, may be named accordingly after that trait. The same goes for Kin who like to fight, or hunt well, or are particularly strong, or tall.

Much like how we Griffons name ourselves, these can be simple and short to complex and long. One Kin, introduced to me as simply Hard Rock, told me that his full name was Long-Fured-Bird-Sight-Dense-Stone-Iron-Breaker-Bright-Stone. As my readers can see, such names can be long , drawn out affairs. When I asked why he told me it was simply Hard Rock, however, the Kin laughed and said that it was the sum of his being, and trying to explain it the way they saw it would be like me trying to explain what the color purple is to a blind Kin, or understand what sunlight tastes like to a flower. That last one especially confused me, but he only laughed.

Pack Names
​

Pack names are traits that each of the kin in the Pack have in common with each other. This can range from preferred locations of living, to the preferred ways of mining, or what they mine, or how they fight, or a distinguishing trait amongst the kin, like Blue eyes, white stripes, or personality. The Bright-Stones were named such because of where they dig, inside gem mountains and ore filled tunnels, and the fact that they likely mine and harvest such metals and gems. Many of the Pack, as such, work in the Empires mines, or spend most of their lives digging underground, though a fair few kin have gone to live on the surface, and serve in the Empires armies.

Most Kin carry their pack names throughout their lives, though they are not usually included in the full name, as most Kin can apparently tell by smell or sight which Pack is which. Some packs will intermix, forming new Packs from two entirely different cultures. Others may have kin form offshoots Packs from the main, gaining new names or changing old ones in some way. Outsiders can be inducted into Packs, including Griffons and Crystal Ponies, and I have heard a few stories of some Packs essentially adopting entirely towns or cites as a part of their pack.

Having lived with the Kin for so long, I have grown to appreciate the seeming simplicity of their names. Their simple nature is deceptive, and can contain a wealth of information about how they view us, and change how we view them as Citizens of the Empire. Indeed, as we will discover in the next chapter, their seeming simplicity is quite deceptive, especially in their relationships with others. Join me, dear readers, as we delve into inter species romance between the Kin and other species, and how it is view by them at large.

AN: I has no more fingers. @Questor take my suffering.

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: more nonsense for the nonsense god. A new Omake Series has begun.

Grimm Tales
A series of stories and legends created,
gathered, and and copied by the Family Grimm

Volume 1

Chapter 7

The Three Siblings
​

Three sibling ponies walked a lonely road at twilight, in the lands that would one day become Maretonia. Their reason and purpose for traveling were unknown, but still they traveled, for the end was in sight.

The siblings stopped at a crossroads, unsure of which way to go. They argued, stating a different path was clearly the best option. Then, suddenly, an old, blind beggar came wandering down the road. The Beggar was small and sickly, and his hooves bled as he walked, scrapped and raw from the hard road.

The Beggar asked the siblings for some food and water, scraps to bind his hooves, and gold to set him on his way. After some debate, the siblings agreed, with the Eldest giving his bread and water, the Middle sibling his gold, and the Youngest tore her cloak in half to bind the Beggars hooves.

After the Beggar had feasted, bound his wounds, and took the gold, he turned towards the siblings, and removed his face. Where once there had been the old, wrinkled face of the Beggar, had been replaced by a bleached white skull of a Filly.

A mane the color of the blackest nightmares flowed down his skull, hiding eyes that were mismatched in color, one of burning silver and one of frozen gold. Both held the image of a crossroads, of choices and decision already made but have yet to be or decided. When he spoke, his voice changed from male to female at random, sometimes that of a Pony, other times that of a dragon.

The Beggar introduced himself to the frightened siblings as Destiny, or Choice as some may call him. He congratulated the siblings on their choice to help one in need, and offered each a prize. He would let them go from that crossroads with a vision of their future, but if only they spoke true their reasons for helping the Beggar.

The Eldest sibling, proud, selfish and arrogant, stepped forward and proclaimed that he had only helped so that the Beggar would be in his debt, stating that the weak should be beholdened to the strong. Choice accepted that answer, but only showed the Eldest his immediate future, as his answer had been short sighted. The Eldest saw himself as a King, proud and mighty, building an empire from the backs of those he had conquered and enslaved, as was his right.

The Eldest demanded how this future might come about, and Choice said that the road the Siblings has come from would show him the way. Proud and excited, the Eldest left the group, and went back down the road, eager for his glory. Choice then turned to the second sibling.

Pious and Pure, the Middle Sibling stated that it was his duty from the divine to help those less fortunate than himself, that he was doing their will in their name. Destiny accepted the answer, and showed him his future. The middle Sibling saw a vision of a lake, and upon that lake stood a Unicorn Mare, who carried with her a chalice of the purest treasure. Destiny told the Middle sibling that if he took the road west, he would find his Divine, though she warned that he may not find exactly what he wants. And so the Middle sibling departed, faith reaffirmed and determined to reach his goddess, regardless of what Destiny said.

Finally, Choice turned to the Youngest sibling, all alone now. They asked what their reason was, expecting another selfish or pious reason. The Young mare simply looked at Destiny, and said that it was be right thing to do, and that she didn't want to know her fate. What matters is not what will be, said the Youngest sibling, but what is now.

Destiny was surprised, but laughed, stating that was the right answer. Choice pointed up the northern path, telling her that in a land far to the north, she would find a cave of Crystal. They told her to take a Crystal, and carve it into the shape of a heart, and with that Crystal Heart, found a kingdom of love and hope. The rest, they stated, would be up to her. And So Choice left the Crossroads, and the Youngest sibling traveled north, ready to find out what lay in store.

AN: @Questor, I give this Offal as a sacrifice, to speed your return.

 

[Critic Ham]

Seriously give our spies an omake covering this, a series of short story omakes from several perspectives.

Click to shrink...

Rises from the lurking depths.

Thine wise is mine command.

Spoiler: Omake: A Mailed Griffin

This is insane and we're going to get caught. Grey Talon thought to himself as he stuffed himself in a box. This entire plan was insane and if he got caught, he was certain he was going to die. But it was either that or go back into slavery. He gave his saviors, a collection of ponies and fellow griffins, the stink eye as they closed the lid over him. Darkness and having a itty-bitty living space would become his world for the next several weeks.

He thought back how all of this started as he felt himself rock back and forth. This entire plan started off as a joke. His fellow griffins and abolitionists within Maretonia managed to contact him while he labored in one of the many camps belonging to a noble he never bothered learning the name of. For hours they argued about the best way to transport him without alerting the Maretonia authorities. Grey half-heartedly offered to mail himself to the border. His saviors agreed and here he was. Being bounced between various abolitionist cells. Lucky him.

Thankfully he never stayed in the box, being let out whenever possible. Otherwise his family would receive a stinky coffin. He thought about what his epitaph would be if that happened. Here lies Grey Talon, died while already in a coffin.

His abolitionist hosts, however, were nice and even generous if they could afford it. Still, Grey encountered some… oddities. More than a few flirted with him, adoring his muscled, battle-scarred body. He never told them those scars were results of falling onto his rear during his time on a merchant ship. He basked in the illusion of being a mighty soldier, detailing how he helped slay Sombra and stared down crystalline abdominations.

Some others… wanted his wings. Not longing to have wings like him, no, but rather have them for recipes. He was reassured they were joking. Grey Talon nonetheless kept his distance from those ones.

Then there were the former soldiers who saw through his illusion. They challenged him to a duel and he fought mightingly against them! Well, at least that how he put it. The soldiers handed his butt to him each time. Many shook their heads at how poor he fought. Some even thought his time in slavery drove him mad with power as a coping mechism.

Whatever his mental state, rountingly passing by patrolling soldiers didn't do any wonders for it. Most simply greeted the 'merchants' that carried him, but a few demanded to inspect the cargo. One was even bold enough to try and claim the box Grey was in, apparently believing it was illegal substances. None ever discovered him until they were just short of the border.

In his world of darkness he couldn't see what had stopped them so abruptly. But harsh and commanding voices told him everything. Those voices belonged to the guards that oversaw the camp he was in.

His heart thundered as hooves stomped ever closer. Thoughts raced in his mind. Had he been discovered? Was this mere coincidence? No no no. He was so close! This insane plan had been working up until now. Did it need another insane step for the final push? Grey Talon steeled himself, tensing up and readying to lunge. The lid groaned from being forcibly removed. Daylight flooded into the box causing Grey Talon to squint and look up.

Right into a blinking unicorn. For the next several seconds both simply stared into each other's eyes. The unicorn's mind was attempting to process what she was seeing. Those few precious seconds was all that Grey needed to leap out. His talons gripped onto the helmet of the unicorn who screamed in surprise and fell backwards.

Grey used the momentum and the unicorn as a springboard to shot up into the air. His wings flared. He shouted as he flapped his wings to quickly ascend into the sky. Grey thought what he shouted was an insult so grand that it stunned the soldiers. He later learned it was something so embarrassing, he would deny that to his dying day.

"Blaaaaarg!"

Shots below him attracted his attention. He looked down to see the abolitionists scattering in all directions. The soldiers stumbled after them before falling over.

Were they drunk? He noted a campsite with… a lot of barrels. Quite a few ponies laid in heaps. They lifted their heads up and yelled at their comrades to quiet down while they nursed hangovers. Huh, lucky him.

The unicorn, however, was sober enough to scramble back onto her hooves. By then, Grey Talon and the abolitionists were long gone. She shook her head. This would not go over well with their employer. The unicorn uncapped her flask with the intent to drink herself into a haze. Maybe if she got drunk enough she could spin a tale to convince her employer not to sack her. Would being stunned by a devilishly handsome griffin work?

Note: I'm not well versed in MLP canon so for any mistakes that happen... I am not sorry.

Submerges back into the lurking depths.

 

[Firebringer2077]

Omake: Back in Marethon...

Queen Mareia, Sovereign of Maretonia looked over the papers delivered to her by Swift Strike. At first she was utterly elated, the slaves that agitated the other kingdoms so badly were now gone, and then she remembered the words of her father, always consider the consequences. Now she was free to pursue international relations with other nations, it was apparent now more than ever that Maretonia could no longer be isolated. This was why for several years she had centralized rule more and more under her personal authority rather than a bunch of bickering nobles. A slave set a goblet of wine on the table next to her throne, she nodded and then carefully schooled her features. A Queen was not weak, A Queen is not to be questioned, A Queen will be obeyed, for if it is ever doubted... they will no longer be Queen.

From her throne in the Grand Hall of Maretonia she took in her advisors. Olive Branch, Duke of Maldrood Heights was seething in rage, and that bore ill for many nobles reactions. Swift Strike under their hood was expressionless, she would expect nothing more from her spymaster, but they had discussed this an hour ago, Swift Strike had flown straight to the palace once she heard after all, the Griffins and Qilins were now gone, and she was at a complete loss to say how beyond a few sales receipts and scattered tales. Gale Force in his ceremonial armor was standing at attention, also expressionless, Mareia's father had appointed him and his advice although infrequent was well regarded and few would question it. The Doge of Marethon was contemplative... Mareia thought she might actually be able to get away with smacking Olive Branch a little

She took a breath and soon the Sovereign of Maretonia spoke there was always a good bit of theater, "This is indeed troubling news. Olive Branch, what have you heard from your contacts."

Olive Branch snorted, "They are livid your majesty," even if Mareia knew he was in cahoots with the aristocratic league against her, no one would drop address, "These slaves represent nearly 5000 gold of lost labor and value. Many of their owners are demanding action, this is truly a threat to Maretonian way of life! An existential threat to the foundation of our economy and security."

She heard a snort from Gale Force, but Mareia held her hoof up... just a second too late for Olive Branch, oh how she would nearly love to send this fool to the dungeons. "How many violent escapes were there?" she asked Swift Strike already knowing the answer,

"None your majesty, although given that several nobles have refused to allow me to investigate their holdings there could be others. Although I find the total value of the slaves lost at around 1500, not..." she glared at Olive Branch, "5000."

Olive Branch hammered his hoof on the table, "you dare impugn the honor of noble unicorn families, pegasi!"

"Enough!" the Queen stood, "It is clear that there were lapses in security on both sides. Swift Strike I believe I asked for you to expand your forces to cover the noble estates?"

Swift Strike nodded, "Indeed you did your majesty, however as a lowly pegasi despite bearing a letter of marque from your majesty, my experts were not allowed entry to several noble estates." Mareia shot her a quick wink out of Olive's view, before turning to Olive Branch, "Truly? Lord Olive Branch I hope that you will address this" she paused dramatically, "lapse on the part of some noble families. Without Royal corroboration by my agents, I am unmoved to seek redress from the Griffons. Now then have you heard any response from your griffon contacts?"

Olive Branch seethed, "No, they rejected the offer you directed me to make. Their Emperor apparently agrees that a Griffon's life is worthless." Mareia knew the letter said priceless.

"Their ambassador's statement?" she said sitting back on the throne. "I assume they have provided us with one?"

Olive branch gulped, and Mareia had hope for a moment. Is he that much of a buffoon, did he actually do it? Oh please let it be! Mareia leaned back and fixed a gaze upon Olive Branch, "Well? What say their ambassador?"

"The Ambassador has not issued any such statement yet." he said quickly

Swift Strike chimed in, "Oh? Still involved in embassy matters?"

Olive Branch was sweating bullets now, "Er no. I take it he has difficulty finding cheap enough rent in Marethon." he said desperate. He was not prepared for what happened next

The Doge of Marethon whipped around to fix Olive Branch with a glare, "Unlike some people, the Griffons pay their debts. If the exalted Minister of Foreign Affairs issued a bucking letter allowing foreigners to rent in Marethon, I'd have happily kicked out the Duke of Maidenhead from her compound to be the Griffon embassy, at least they PAY for their housing in Mareton. Which reminds me the Branch family needs to pay their rent on their own compound."

Olive Branch coughed "The theft of property over 5000 gold in value has caused a disruption of many families finances at this time."

Mareia was internally doing a happy little dance, oh even the Doge was jumping in on Olive Branch's failures. Mareia cleared her throat, "Gentlecolts, this is not the time for this discussion. Olive Branch, I order you to send a letter to the Gryphus Empire inviting their ambassador to the palace to answer these rumors. You will inform the noble families that Swift Strike's colts and ponies are allowed to investigate, and IF" she stressed, "We find that the Griffins were behind this, we will respond."

Olive branch was suitably chastized but nodded, "Very well, but the threat of the realm is in question. I ask that the unicorns and pegasi legions mobilize on our northern border in a show of force!"

She looked at Gale Force, "General your thoughts?"

Gale Force shook his head, "Nay, the Griffons are an honorable sort, at least on the open battlefield, the pegasi legions see no reason why they would attack now. Better to keep patrols in place for the defense of the realm. Those raiding parties that keep trying to go to Canterbury, or watching out for Libertalian pirates, that is the threat to the realm."

Olive Branch stood up, "The Unicorn battlemages disagree, and several ponies have asked to be stationed north along the Amethyst River border, to dissuade Griffon agression,"

Mareia gauged the room before standing up, "Very well. The Pegasi legions are to remain on task for now, the Unicorns will be mobilized and prepared for duty along the Amethyst River, but I will only order for more of a response IF there is evidence that Swift Strike believes is genuine. This is the Sovereign's will."

"and the labor shortfall?" said Olive Branch hoping for something.

Queen Mareia waved her hoof dismissively, " I will not allow the nobles to recoup their loss by enslaving the children of free mudponies, I don't care for the argument that they invested in their forefathers and thus have a claim to the line." Of course the real reason was that Mareia didn't want an insurrection.

As soon as council had ended she rubbed the base of her horn before relaxing in her bath, "Another day, another day Maretonia stays in one piece"

>>>>

@Questor Omake notice

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: a short pile of garbage. Take it @Questor you fiend.

Bloody Strange
​

Shady Meadows was having a bad day.

First, his breakfast had been ruined by his sons storming Bird, the little fiend flying over him and unleashing it payload all down his back and head. Because of that, he had been late to morning assembly, and the Sergeant had made him do 15 laps in full battle gear.

Then some Pompous Princeling from the Empire had arrived to see Archimedes and had to stand guard. And because of his laps he had been covered in sweat, which made him smell something fierce (his wife often teased him that his name should have been Smelly Meadows), which got the attention of the sergeant Again!, and he was made to clean the Barracks with a felt lock comb with his teeth, rather than his magic. Ontop of all that, he had missed lunch, and was in danger of missing dinner as well, and had night patrol as well to look forward to for the next week.

'Why is it always me?' Sighed Shady Meadows, resting his spear against his crystalline shoulder as his patrol stood in one of the many market streets that made up the Crystal Empires Capital City. Evening was setting in, and the many hawkers and merchants were getting to close up for the night, bidding the last few buyers with increased ferocity to buy their products before the day ended.

The crowd was a mixed bunch, Griffons, Diamond Dogs, some Yaks here and there, but mostly the shine of Crystal Ponies. The Diamond Dogs stood out the most of all the market dwellers, towering over the crowd with their massive, hulking frames and large arms. The smallest of their number was head and shoulders above that of the ponies and matched the Griffons in height.

'Bloody strange creatures' he thought, watching as one of them moved a massive crate by itself,- along with the startled, squawking Griffon who had been struggling to lift it. The loud, rough, barking laughter echoing even above the din of the crowd. 'So tall and large, but with a seemingly rough elegance to them.'

"Shades, you 'ere a word I said?" Brights voice cut through Shady's musings. He turned toward his friend Bright Glow, the ginger maned pony looking at him with a mix of amusement and annoyance. Shady raised an eyebrow beneath his helm and shook his head. Bright Glow sighed, shaking his own helmeted head in exasperation. " I have no idea how 'ur wife can even keep your attention for the 'implist thing if you can't listen to me! Now then, where was I? Oh yes, my adorable little Cozy Woahzie!!"

Shady sighed as his friend rambled on. He rather deal with that princeling than this. He had heard that the Prince and his friend were out on the town. He wondered where-

An cacophony of yells erupted down the street. Shady started and turned towards the the noise to see- ... what in the Emperors name?

Prince Gawain Goldfeather, pride of the Empire, son of the Breaker of Chains, and Heir to the Empire. was riding a barrel down the street, a large black mustache painted on his beak, and a casket of -was that ale in the casket?!? Shady looked in awed horror as the prince, screaming at the top of his lungs about Daddy's Muscles, threw the casket into a stall of grain. The customers scattered screaming in fear, as the casket exploded, and - a Griffon fell out of the caskets remain. The Prince jumped off his Barrel, grabbed the unconscious Griffon, and ran further down the street, disappearing around the corner. A few seconds later, they reappeared, chasing a herd of Yaks back down they way they had come.

Bright Glow paused in his tale, and noticed that his companion was still not listening. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Shady, you really are bloody strange."

AN: "Wavy Arms" Yaaaaaay.

 

[Whumbly]

Imperialisation

When Dark-Scar-Sly-Gnarler of the Bronze-Hills Pack first meets a Griffon, he's Twelve Winters and hiding himself behind the trunk-like legs of his father as the pack leader dumps a chest full of the pack's previous riches at the great claws of the King of Griffonia. The King's shinny coat draws his eyes and for a moment the smallest dog of his litter is jealous of this giant bird-lion who sits upon a high throne, with feathers that gleam in sunlight compared to his own coat that attracts the shadows around him. His father has explained to him that they need the Griffons if they are ever to return to the land on their ancestors, driven away by vicious monsters.

He doesn't see how it would be possible for the large birds to accomplish this, if the greatest the pack fell to such creatures. Then the King looks at him, well he looks at everyone, but to Dark-Scar-Sly-Gnarler of the Bronze-Hills Pack he can feel the Griffon looking at him. The King is not impressively strong in body, but when he stares back into the King's eyes there is a strength there, a cunning calculating mind that he has only heard tales of Rex, the first dog to roam the Bronze Hills.

He inspires to find the secret that strength.

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

At Forteen Winters, Dark-Scar-Sly-Gnarler-Slate-Talker has changed quite a bit. The Bronze Hills Pack has moved into the Griffon town of Virgilia, or rather under it, digging underground dwellings under the houses. Here the Pack enjoy a quality of life that would have been seen as paradise in the woods.

Dark-Scar-Sly-Gnarler-Slate-Talker learns with other young Griffons by the wisdom of a Griffon Matriarch called Misses Vind. It is here that he learns to speak, read and write in the Griffon Tongue or Griffonese. He takes to his studies like mushrooms to the damp and before look he has mastered the art of fancy writing and expanding his vocabulary to articulate his thoughts. Some of the older pack members frown on this, but he doesn't care playing with his new friends. He likes new clothes that make him seem less black, he likes that his friends are willing to play rough with him, his runtish frame filling out from good meat and the enforced training of Virgilia's leader. They give him a new name after the difficulty of pronouncing his full one.

Sly likes them a lot.

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

Sly is Sixteen Years old when he joins a trade caravan a few days after unification. It's a chaotic mess and he's practically the only Diamond Dog there, his brothers having joined either in the mines or into the military as they open their doors to the mass of paws looking to fight. The lead merchant looks at him funny, but he can't turn away a bright young mind, especially one with the skills to do the fancy writing that looks regal next to his chicken scratching. Not to mention it's helpful to have an extra crossbow to deal with the beasts.

Sly sees the Empire as he travels, from highest peaks to the shores oceans and marvels at it. He takes in the music of Enrico Chivaldori, the culture of Aquline, the cheerfulness of Wingbard and the somber feelings of the ancient capital of Griffonstone. In changing world as Winter and Darkness flood the land Sly adapts to the new and the strange, keeping track of finances and speaking with traders from far off lands and occasionally actual customers. He's fortunate that though relations between species are calm, more than a few noble brats underestimate the 'scruffy looking mongrel' and leave with their pockets significantly lighter.

Of course after a while his boss notices. He doesn't tell him to stop, being extremely careful with words, but does suggest that a merchant called Sly might be picked out by those with sharper minds and frugal pockets. So the Diamond Dog grabs a register of names and attempts to find one as close as he can. After all he's an Imperial, a Citizen of the Empire and he needs a name to reflect this.

Sylvester 'Sly' Bronzetail.

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

At Twenty-Three romance is found with the most unlikely of figures. Sylvester is attending a ball at a estate on the outskirts of the city of Aquline, celebrating the defeat of Sombra and end of Winter. It is after he has drunk his third glass of fine wine when he meets her, a vivid purpule dress, grey and white feathers, big soulful green eyes and a sense of humour that has him laughing till it hurts. She is just as sharp witted as he is with a love of music, plays and romance novels. The pair decide to skip the stuff celebration and share more than a moment of passion in the thick depths of the hedgemaze. Sylvester learns that his date likes those romance novels for more than just their literary work.

It isn't until morning that he learns her name, Viviane-Rosemarie Discret and quite unfortunately for Sylvester she is the favourite child of the Baron Moriset Discret, a avid hunter and the host of the celebration. It doesn't help that he only learns this as the Baron has a sword pressed against his neck and from behind the silken sheets of her four-poster bed Viviane exchanges a heated argument with her father. The Baron is eventually convinced to lower the sword and not have Sylvester's head removed from his shoulders, but that he will not see his 'Precious Rose' soiled by consorting of someone of 'his class'.

It's only after Viviane unleashes a torrent of accusations and most likely several words not supposed to come from the beak of a noble lady that the Baron clarifies. It's not the fact that her possible eloper is a Diamond Dog (if anything the Baron delights in the idea of causing the veins in the head of some rival family to burst at the news), but that he's a merchant and all merchants are greedy, cowardly swindlers who would bankrupt the Barony if given half a chance and who couldn't stand up to a good punch let alone a manticore.

It's at this moment, fresh off the passions of making love for the first time, that Sylvester claims that he could kill a manticore by himself. Both Griffons turn to look, one in surprise and the other with excited glee; the Baron has found the best way to rid himself of a problem.

So Sylvester 'Sly' Bronzetail left the merchant caravans and joined Baron Discret's Hunting Retinue.

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

The Great Hunt is a wild and energetic affair, Moriset is a bold and adventurous sort, attempting to relive his youth in the dark forests and his retinue spends just as much time chasing after the Baron as they do hunting monsters. Sylvester learns pain in places he didn't think pain could be, many nights of keeping watch are spent trying not to nod off from exhaustion, but he pushes himself out of love for Viviane. Again and again he proves himself a hunter as arrow after arrow strikes at the beasts.

The Baron even agrees to participate in the liberation of his Pack's ansestorial lands. The Bronze Hills are home to many a packs of manticore and time and time again him and the Baron fight back to back. Victory is delicious... and so are the manticores, drained of poison and roasted over a spit with a healthy drizzling of honey. It's a shame how expensive they'll be afterwards.

Sylvester returns to Viviane, battered, bruised and with a few more scars, but with the approval of her father. There's a problem though, several other suitors who wish to marry the captivating beauty don't take well to the idea that they've been beaten and worse by a Diamond Dog. Of course Sylvester is smart enough to avoid being goaded into a duel. However, the Aquilian nobles are determined enough to bring up an old law from before unification.

Viviane must marry a noble.

For an agonising week Sylvester stresses, for a week he seeks a loophole or a exception. He can't find one... but there is one way. Become a noble. The rest of the nobility won't accept him buying one like a Featherisian and neither would Moriset. So there's only one solution, go to the capital and directly petition the Emperor to ennoble him.

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

Getting to Gryphus Peak is easy, a little pricy, but simple compared to getting an audience with the Emperor. 'He's too busy' is a constant theme and to be fair Sylvester understands the need to run an Empire, but he soon runs out of patience and decides to cut through the Imperial bureaucracy by slipping into the palace. Fortunately he catches a break when a new minister is being looked for. His fancy writing comes in useful as the guards take one look at the Diamond Dog in the finest clothes with a letter with writing that could only have come from a high official and let him in. He spends two hours searching before the adorable Princess Pearl runs up and excitedly asks what she believes to be a new servant for a piggyback ride.

Sylvester can't find it in his heart to say no.

It's a good thirty-nine minutes before the Princess' tutor, who questions where the pony princess has slipped off to this time, finds her charge playing Go-Fish with the intruder. Only after one loud scream, fives guards in full armor tackling and an overprotective Empress flaring wings and promising untold horrors upon him, does the Emperor finally arrive, pulled from a meeting that from the look on his face he really didn't want to be in.

He's bigger than Sylvester remembers, which is impressive considering that last time he'd saw him Sylvester had been twelve. It takes all his charm and wit combined with all of the Princess' adorable expressions and jumping hugs to explain that he just wanted to petetion the Emperor on a matter important to his heart.

He tells the whole story, clearly and with no embellishment, the Royal Couple listening with a stony expression and the Princess making awing noises. When it ends the Empress bursts into laughter, while the Emperor orders the guards to get off the intruder as he obviously meant no harm go the Princess.

Sylvester rises to his feet, dusts himself off and kneels before the Emperor asking what task he can perform as an Imperial, as a citizen of the Empire to accomplish his goal. The Emperor draws his sword, for a moment Sylvester fears the worst, before the blade taps his shoulders.

There's going to be a formal ceremony for this later, but for the moment this will do. The Emperor tells him that he will personally marry him and Viviane, for he has proven willing to go will any lengths to earn her talon. The Princess squees, jumping up and down begging all the adults in the room to be a bridesmaid before the Emperor coughs loudly, adding more.

Since the Great Hunt had opened up so much land that it would be impossible for the current borders to administrate and renovate a new set of baronies, counties and Duchies would be opened up. Sylvester may serve the Empire by administrating one of these and the Emperor had one in mind of his loyal citizen.

Count Sylvester 'Sly' Bronzetail of the newly formed County of Bronzehill returns to the Disrect Estate to give his wife to be the good news. The loud sounds from the bedroom that night showed that she was more than pleased.

@Questor

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: Finally. It's time.

An Odd Word
​

Sir.

Such an odd little word.

His wounds had been severe, the Tall-Winged-Lion-Bird-Healers had told him. If he had been one of them, his ribs might have been crushed into his lunch's from that last blow. As it was, the nerves in the left side of his face had been damaged beyond repair, and his right ear has ravaged into oblivion by Shadow-Beast-Monsters. His chest had been worse, with several ribs broken or shattered, and a massive scar from his right shoulder to left hip from the Shadow-Ogre-Beast had tried to bite him in two.

He hadn't cared, and he told them as such. As long as he had protected those around him, those close to him, it was a small price to pay.

He had asked then about Slate, his Kin-Brother, his friend.

Their silence had spoken for them.

So delicate. So fragile. One errant breath, one tiny twitch, and it might just shatter into pieces.

Such a small word.

It had been three weeks since the battle when Rolandia told him.

He had been healing slow, but steadily. The Tall-Winged-Lion-Bird-Healers and Bright-Shine-Stone-Ponies had been astonished and enraged when they found him lifting small boulders and logs outside the healing tents. Despite his protests, they had confined to the tents, and had ordered the guards to stop him from leaving.

He surprised them with how stealthy one of Kin could be when they wanted to.

She had found him one of those times, training with a log and a wooden shield. He had tried to pick her up and embrace, but she had said no, and told him they needed to talk.

Promised. Family obligations. Duty and Differences. Too much, too fast to understand, but one thing had made sense.

Engaged. To another.

She had tried to apologize, to beg his forgiveness to assuage her guilt. She told him that she hadn't known if she would survive the war, that it had been made years ago.

He told her he understood. That he wasn't mad, but glad of their time together. He wished her the best in her new life, and she had smiled and acted like nothing had changed.

He lied, and His Soul Screamed.

And yet, for all that fragility, there was a tremendous weight to that word. A Sense of Responsibility. Duty.

A weight so vast that it threatened to crush those who wore it under its presence. A responsibility so heavy that many went insane or lost their way in pursuit of it.

A heavy title indeed.

It had been one month since he had been cleared from the healers tent that he received the news.

He had distanced himself from his friends, his Pack-Tribe. After his ending with Rolandia, he had grown despondent, cold. Life had seemed so hard and lifeless during that time. He thus threw himself into getting better, to regaining his former steel-stone. He trained, and trained, all day, every day. When his Pack-Friends went drinking and whoring to celebrate Shadow-Slaver-Fiend-Sombras defeat, he trained. When his bones cracked, he trained. When his muscles tore, he trained. When his paws-hands blistered and bled, he trained.

One month after his recovery, he had been summoned by his Captain, Tall-Winged-Bird-Lion-One-Eyed-Hard-Beaked-Silverwing. He remembered standing in the small tent, crouching low to avoid brushing the ceiling, as his captain thanked him for his service, calling him brave, resourceful, and a credit to all Kin.

Then he told him that he was being discharged.

They told him that it was due to his injuries, not a reflection of his service. He would be honorably discharged, given his full pay, medals, and a pension to live off of. They stated that it was a just reward, a perfect ending to his glorious service to the Emperor, and that they would make their opinions known to him in the future.

To him, it felt like he had been stabbed in the Soul.

He knew what these Winged-Lion-Birds really meant. Behind those smiles, and nods. Those pretty words and empty eyes.

He was a waste-slag-unneeded, and they had no more use for him.

he felt himself die.

Many, in pursuit of the word, become Lost. Broken. Twisted.

They misunderstand what the word means. What it is supposed to mean. They saw it, and think that they are different. Special. Better than all else.

Moon-Mad.

he couldn't remember his name.

he knew that he should, that he had to. but it was just so hard.

he had returned to his packtribekinhome, and been called a hero. celebrated. they had held feasts, and toastedpraisedsungraised his name. his sirefathermother had been so proud.

then they forgot him. kinpackmates would look surprised when they saw him limping down the street, and then embarrassedshamed, and would look away. kinlittersiblingpups would loudly ask why he looked like that, all twisted and broken, and his siblingskin would shrink in shame, and cuff their young. even his siremother and father pitied him, the kin who had been broken by war, and cast aside.

so he drank. and drank. and left his home and drank and ended up on a ship headed towards the southwarmlands. and the nship-boat was attacked, and he was captured and taken to strangeponymasterslavers lands.

and they made him forget his name.

Others strive towards the name, headless of the cost or the danger it presented. And were broken upon its hard reality.

Not all can earn the name. The climb too tall, too high. And yet they strive.

All for an odd little word.

the msters wer go'd pones they fed this o'nand let im work so he didn half to thnk thy beat em whn he was bad, so he culdnt be bad, else thy wuldn let em drnk is a gooden lyfe

pones give smellish drinks and zap nap with sparks mke thnk ard is good no thnk no shame

the thers ant to eave dnt new y is safe ere no thnk no laughs xcelpt when thy akes meh dance is fin danch

thers tryd tah leaf got cught pwettyshinefillie zap nap till no more move is sad em sad
bigshinepone fihht butt thy bate til his pine point out is sad em sad ant drnk

birdlionfemale is tak en ear scram and laighing is sad y am ere y am here no emmber no

'A Knight protects those weaker than him, like you, Moon.'
'Can a Kin become a Knight? Thats up to you, little one. You make that choice. '
.....

......

....w

w

Wh

...What have I done?

"Sir MoonStone?"

Quiet-Moon-Stone-Ward-Shadow-Breaker-Light-Stone woke from his revelry, and turned towards the Small-Shine-Stone-Pony who had addressed him, raising his right eyebrow. "Yes, little one?"

The female Pony seemed flustered, shrinking back as he towered over her. Moon couldn't blame her he supposed. He wasn't the most pleasant kin too look upon, and the cycles-years has not made it easier. Rugged, massive paws-hands scarred from years of warfare and back breaking slavery having taken their toll. Huge, ravaging scars stood out starkly against his bright, Ironclaw-Steel fur. The left side of his face was blank, deadpan, and lifeless, giving a very disturbing image when compared to his right, though the ravaged ear probably didn't help.

It also probably didn't help that he was more muscular and imposing than the average Tall-Winged-Lion- Bird, Bright-Stone-Pony, or even some Kin.

The Shine-Stone-Pony cleared her throat, looking away in embarrassment at his ravaged physique. " Um, well.... um, t-the ceremony is almost ready. The Lord Knight Captain will be ready for you s-soon, so, um..."

She peetered off, looking with wide eyes as Moon nodded his massive head and turned towards her full. He knelt down to her level, and gave her what he hoped was a nice smile. "This one understands. Thank you for informing this Kin, will be there in a moment."

The Shine-Stone-Pony seemed to stiffen, a look in her eye he couldn't quite make out, and a noise in her throat he couldn't quite decipher-understand. Stammering her goodbyes, the female-mare fled the room.

Chuckling, Moon turned back towards the window he had been looking out. Must have been too scary, he had to work on that. Then his mind turned back, and the grin fell from his face.

It had been one year-full-cycle since he and the rest of the Pack-Tribe-Kin-Hostages had been freed from Maretonias Slavers by the Alpha-Tribe-Emperor and his Agents-Scouts-Spies. He had been a different Kin then when they and the Maretonia resistance had found him. A broken, shattered thing, so certain that he had been forgotten, abandoned by his Tribe-Pack-Empire. It had taken him a year to truly be free, to change himself back to who he was.

'No,' Moon thought, smiling despite himself. ' This one had been forged anew. And not Forgotten.'

His Sire-Father and Mother has been beside themselves when he had returned, as had his Kin-Litter-Siblings, which had surprised him at first. He had thought himself as a nuisance, a shameful reminder of their broken sibling-pup-Kin.

His Grand-Sire has set him straight, of course. Throughly.

The bell-Chime-Noise cut through his thoughts, and he knew it was time.

Sir.

Such an odd word.

And it was worth everything.

AN: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. It was so hard writing this. Agh.

So this Omake is kinda a sequel to A Dream of Fools. Kinda. Maybe. Eh.

@Questor, I give this garbage to you. Burn it.

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: Boah.

Brightstone

​

Iron sang as the pick dug into the Wall, the Kin seeking to pry sacred treasures from the mountains bounty. The hum and bark of chatter echoed throughout the tunnels, bringing with it the blessing of life, of companionship and family.

And yet The Kin dug alone, in search of the Stone.

Pick. Pick. Pick. Pick.

Iron dug deep, seeking to find the promised Stone. The Stone that would bring his Pack glory, or bring vultures and nest destroyers to their home to find the stone. The Stone. The Blinding Stone. The Glimmering, beautiful Stone.

Pick. Pick. Pick. Pick.

He dug all night and all day, digging until the voices faded, until the warmth of home had fled. Until darkness and silence had swallowed him. Until his paws bled, and his muscles screamed and snapped in protest.

Pick. Pick. Pick. Pick.

They had told him that such Stone could not exist. The elders, his mates, his Kin, had said that such Stone could not exist in this place. Too far, too deep. Better to make tunnels, expand the Packs home. Look for Hard-stone, the thing the Tall-Winged-Bird-Lions craved to make their Blades-Sing-Cut-Tools. Or Soft-Stone, to make pots or carriers for Pups-Kin or water.

And still the Kin swung, so sure that his prize awaited before him. A prize he had dreamed of. The Stone that called to the Kin.

Pick. Pick. Pick. Pick.

Clink.

A pause. A flash as claws dig across stone. Light blooms.

Bright light. Brilliant, beautiful brightness.

Bright-stone.


"My Lady, we have arrived."

Gleaming Pearl looked up from her scroll, having been so focused on its strange, bizarre writing. Her maid gestured to her left and Pearl looked out , gazing out the window as the mountain came ever closer. The sky was cloudy, but she thought she could see a hint of golden color reflecting off the mountains side. She shook her head at the thought, the bizarre writings were probably making her imagination run wild.

They were headed to one of the mining camps in the western corners of the Empire. Already, she thought she could hear the distinctive clink and pick over the sound of rushing water from the river to her left. Her maid caught her attention, looking, once again, nervous and concerned.

"Are you sure of this, my lady? I'm sure there were other, more..," the maid paused, searching for the word. "Pleasant places to find Diamond Dogs. Why, the royal capital for one." Pearl sighed, having heard this argument before from Papa and Mama already. She shook her head, light purple mane swinging lightly against her light cream fur.

"As I told my father and mother,"she began, looking out the carriage window as they neared the mine, the river bubbling and rushing past. " I wish to see them at work in the field. Getting it explained to me does no good. I wish to speak to an expert, and for that I need an Elder." " But my lady, why not just request that one come to you in the Palace?" "Because, Windy, I need to observe their knowledge first thing. Besides, it can't be that dangerous! They do it all the time." Windy Breeze sighed, knowing that her young charges mind was made up, and just hoped things wouldn't be too difficult.

—————————Lenny—————————

Sun-Born-Quiet-Stride-Bright-Stone, or Elder Sunstone as he was know by the Pup-Fools-Stone-Heads these days, watched as the the Bright-Stone-Alpha-Pup-Pony got out of the carriage and walked towards him, her light fur glinting in the dim light. He sighed, looking up at Sky-Dome-Sun as the sound of work echoed behind him. The Elder Kin was not having a good day.

First, his Kin-Bone-Stone-Head-Nephew had managed to mess up his poultice, meaning his aches and pains wouldn't be getting any relief. Then, some Pup-Stone-Damned royal had decided that she wanted to get ' Hoof first experience of Diamond Dog mining and Geology.' Stone damned pups, coming to the end of nowhere to bother a Elder. No respect these pups, these-

"Elder Sunstone?" He started. The Youngest Royal gazed at the Elder with concern, Violet-Gem-Stone eyes looking with some worry. " Are you alright?" Such an pretty eyes. He wondered if the Bright-Stone his ancestor-sire-Elder-Iron-Bright-Stone had shined just as bright. Wait, back on topic.

In response, the Elder looked her up and down, snorted, and turned away, waving with his cane for the Royal to follow. The Pony gaped, then quick followed after with a squeal of words. If she wanted to see what the Kin knew, by the Pack he would show her.

AN: Traaaaaaaaash Lenny.

This took way to long. Ugh.

@Quester, Lenny, take this, it is my gift.

 

[Gaius Tyrannus]

AN: Rapid Fire Trash. Ora!!

I still blame @Lisain somehow.

Grimm Tales
Volume 1 Part 2


Dreaming of Flying

​

In a land far from here, but not close enough to there, a Lioness dreamed of flying.

Each morning, the lioness would leave her cave, and face the rising sun, gazing enviously at the eagles and falcons flying in the blue sky, and each day she would pray to the ancestors that she and her Pride would one day take to the skies.

One day, while on the hunt, the Lioness came across a trapped gazelle. The Gazelles leg was trapped under a fallen tree, and he cryed and scrambled to be free. He looked upon the Lioness with fear, and pleaded to be let free.

The Lioness, feeling pity for the wounded prey, reluctantly shook her head, and stated that if it were her alone, she would do so. But her pride was starving, for the previous hunts had been poor, and she must feed them.

The Gazelle stopped his struggle, and looking upon the Lioness, noticed for the first time how her coat clung to her ribs, how her blue eyes were dulled and filled with hunger and sorrow. He asked why she and her pride didn't leave, to go to greener pastures and better hunting lands. The Lioness said that they had tried, but the Mountains were too tall to cross, the Sea too wide to swim, that her Tribe was too weak to survive. If only they could fly, they could find a new home. But that was a dream, and could not happen.

The Gazelle nodded, and said he understood. He said he would die to feed her and the Pride, but he wished to see his family one last time. He stated that if the Lioness were to free him from the tree and let him go, he would return to this spot in three days time, and she could kill and take him back to her Pride.

The Lioness, suspicious, asked how could she trust that he would keep his promise, that he wouldn't run and never return. The Gazelle swore upon his ancestors and the earth and the grass and the sky, and promised he would return. The Lioness accepted his promise, and using her teeth and claws, moved the tree from the Gazelles leg. The Gazelle shot up and galloped away, yelling as he left his thanks and that he would keep his promise.

The Lioness watched the Gazelle leave, and feeling fooled, returned to her Pride hungry. There, she waited, and with each passing day felt more and more certain that she had been found a fool, and that she had doomed her Pride to starvation and death. Then, on the morning of the third day, she returned to the spot where the Gazelle has promised to be. There she waited, and waited as the morning turned to day, and then to evening. She waited and waited until she finally realized that she had been right, that she had been found a fool.

She cried and raged, and was about to return home in disgrace and anger, when the tromping of hooves and the flurry of wings met her ears. She turned towards the sound, and was astonished to see the Gazelle, running towards her at a gallop and above soared an eagle, the largest she had ever seen. The Gazelle stopped before here, huffing and puffing as the Eagle landed on the fallen tree and settled in to place, standing tall and proud uptop it as it gazed upon her.

The Gazelle caught his breath, and looking upon the still astonished Lioness, apologized for being late, but he had just returned. He gestured towards the Eagle, and said that this was the God Of Birds, of Flight and of predators of the sky. That the Gazelle had gone to the God and pleaded before him her case, and asked for a boon for her and the Pride. The Lioness turned towards the God in shock, and hope in her heart.

The Eagle gazed upon her, and spoke that understood her plea and request, and was willing to help, as long as the Gazelle was free to leave after the deed was done. The Lioness immediately agreed, and swore that the Gazelle would no be harmed by her or any of her Pride fro this day forth. The Eagle accepted her words, and leaning forward, open his beak wide, and from it came a heart, bloody and red.

The Eagle told the Lioness to take the heart back to her pride and have all feast upon it. Then they were to fast for two days, and on the dawn of the third day, they would leave this place forever. The Lioness agreed, and thanking the Gazelle and the God, took the heart and left, running back towards her home as fast as she could. There, she told her Pride the gods instruction, and together, though some reluctant, all feasted on the hearts, from Kit to Elder Lion. Then, all retreated to their cave, and slept in the darkness, and waited.

On the third day, the Pride emerged from the cave as one, and were astonished to see the changes done to them. Their heads had changed, turning from lion to bird, with large beaks and full eyes. Wings, great and wide and of many colors and hues sprouted from their backs, and their coats had changed as well, white and gold, brown and silver, and many other besides.

Together, the Pride took to the sky, and left the land of their birth. The flew over Mountains and across the Seas, till they came to a land of rich bounty and tall mountains, of clean air and pure waters. There they settled, and named themselves Griffons, and eventually, these Griffons decendents named the land Griffonia, and founded a mighty empire. And thus, the First Empire was founded.

Slow and Steady
​

Many Cycles ago, when the land was new and the Kin were young and reckless, when the Sky still held and the Moon burned no Kins nest, two Brothers of the same Littering argued about who was to be Alpha of the Pack.

The older brother, proud and arrogant said that it was he, as he could dig tunnels faster and quicker than any other kin. He could lift more Stone and Gems than any other, and had more years to his name. He argued that his Kin was slow, and weak, and thus was not fit to be Alpha.

The younger Kin, slow but cautious and thoughtful, stated that speed and strength had their place, but were dangerous and useless without the wisdom and patience to use them. One could not rush for to hastily, for then one would exhaust themselves before the job was complete. Thus, the Younger kin stated that he would be a better Alpha of the Pack.

The brothers and Pack argued for many moons, each argument escalating higher and higher, with the Pack being spilt in two supporting one side or another, until finally an Elder was called to intervene on behalf of both claims. The Elder called both brothers together, and proposed a challenge to the two Kin. The Alpha of the Pack must be able to lead and direct the other kin of the Pack, and thus proposed that each group will have one moon to dig a new series of tunnels to the nest. Whoever led their group better and had the better tunnels at the end of the challenge would be Alpha, with the loser becoming Beta.

Thus the contest began. The Older Kin led his Pack ferociously, starting out swiftly and strongly,urging them forward and onward with ever increasing speed, though some were left behind in their haste. The Younger kin started slower, falling behind in speed, but endeavoring to keep his group together and at a steadier pace.

As the end drew closer, the Older Kins group slowed down, having spent much of their energy in the intial burst at the start. The Older Kin grew confident, sure that his victory was assured. His confidence disappeared when he realized that the Younger Kin was right behind him, having saved his groups strength, and was steadily gain ground. Panicked, the Older Kin rushed forwards shouting and railing and threatening his group forward in his panic haste. Scared, his group rushed toward, and finished first, with the Younger Kin finishing just behind them.

The Contest done, the two groups presented their tunnels for the Elders inspection. The Elder inspected both groups work, and noticed that while the Olders Kin was done first, his was rushed and falling apart in places, especially at the end, and was unsafe for them use. The Younger Kins tunnels on the other hand were clean and supported, showing time was given to make sure it would be safe for the whole pack. Thus, the Elder proclaiming the Younger Brother the Winner, and named him Alpha of the Pack, for slow and steady wins all.

AN: aaaaaand done. Agh. Lenny, get me a drink. Yare Yare Daze.

And with this post, @Questor, I give this unto you in full. Burn it all I say.

Also, I open the Omake Grimm Tales to all. Write your own if you wish, or not, it's up to you.