Astral Wings
By: Cursor (Red Charge as a pony persona)
Prologue:
All I know is what the spirits tell \ A story of how a giant was fell
Three mighty warriors brought his demise \ So he slept a thousand years in disguise
He awoke more powerful than ever before \ With just one goal in mind; to settle the score
To enslave Equestria and all else as well \ And turn them to where misery dwells
But hope lies still in these four successors \ Descendants of the warriors shall defeat this oppressor
This is all the spirits do show\ this prophecy, this tale that I have been bestowed.
The lazy morning sun shun high above Royal Rocks, the brilliant light dying the cliff terraces of the city in a bright golden hue, much akin to what its name implied, royalty. It was no coincidence, that this gleaming bastion was the capitol city of the Griffin Kingdom, and home to many of its noble families.
To a casual observer, the view of the city from afar would be nothing less than magical, each terrace, from lowest to highest designed with care to ensure the sight would be one to behold. Much could be said to compare the Griffins' very highly attuned sense of aesthetics to that of the obsessive compulsive. This, along with their unique architecture, designed only for those with flight, created a style of construction which was truly one of a kind. This impressive vista was made complete with the display of the gigantic Rocs circling it, disposing of any clouds that would block their precious sunlight. The Rocs' golden feathers would glint in the sunlight, creating the impression that they were radiating the sunlight themselves, thus bestowing upon them their epithet of "Sun Birds".
It was on the busy middle terrace that a young griffin female known to her peers as Gilda was idly walking the streets, browsing the great bazaar for anything that would catch her eyes. Claws and talons one after the other brought her through the mess, as she visited her favorite stands. She was hoping to spend as much time as she could outside, before being called to her duties as a Roc inspector. It was an impressive achievement to become a Roc inspector, for only few griffins had the necessary speed and endurance to keep up with the massive birds as they cleared the clouds from the Cliffside.
As the young female was contemplating getting a rather intimidating spiked bracelet, the city crier landed on the center podium of the bazaar, breathing heavily. This attracted the attention of all around Gilda, griffins large and small gathered around nervously, waiting to hear what news lay in store.
The griffin, older only by a bit than Gilda, took a deep breath as he opened a scroll of parchment, and read out:
"Dear citizens of the Griffin Kingdom,
It is with a grave heart that I bring you dire news for the second time in such a short period. As you all must have learned by now, Princess Celestia of our neighboring kingdom of Equestria has gone missing several days ago while on a mission to the outskirts of her kingdom.
Today, I come to inform you that what we most fear may come soon, as the Equestrian village of Ponyville has been attacked and destroyed by an unknown force, its inhabitants taken captive by the assailant, or assailants…"
A loud series of gasps and cries of surprise erupted in the audience, as the truly dire news was heard by all. Gilda herself simply froze, still trying to fit her bracelet on her hand, Ponyville? She had a friend living there, is she alright? What was going on?
"…As of yet, it appears there are no remnants or survivors of the attack, and as of yet, we have not been updated about any lead regarding the nature of the attacker. It is my personal request, as King of the Griffin Kingdom, that every citizen report in an orderly fashion to the nearby constables, and receive directions for the case that this evil, be whatever it will, shall arrive at our doors.
As of this evening, a census will take place, and all Griffin airspace will be closed, so please make all of your arrangements until that time.
With royal blessings,
King Whitefeather."
As the commotion and concerned conversation created a whirlpool of voices around her, Gilda felt the stand owner's talon on her own, taking her hand off of the bracelet. Gilda was surprised to feel a sudden painful sting, it appeared that in her distress, she had squeezed down hard on the bracelet, to the point where it drew blood.
The kindly mature griffin smiled encouragingly at her, "It's alright lass, it was just as disturbing to…" he never managed to finish the sentence, as Gilda , suddenly alarmed threw the bracelet back to the stand, droplets of blood staining the floor around, and took off with speed, her eyes widened, her body trembling.
No remnants or survivors.
This rang out in her head all throughout the flight to her home, on one of the higher terraces, the top most cote-line of the lower nobility. Crashing through the round portal, Gilda quickly began thrashing around her apartment, getting as much equipment and provisions she could into her large camping bag, and slinging it on her back.
Griffin airspace will be closed tonight for all but military personnel; she had to leave now if she hoped to find out what happened to Rainbow Dash.
They hadn't parted on the best of terms the last time they met, but Gilda couldn't bear the thought of the Pegasus being hurt. They were best friends growing up, and no friend she has made since has ever come as close to her as much as Rainbow Dash did.
Thoughts racing through her head, Rainbow Dash has to be alright, that argument last time… it can't have been their goodbye. She couldn't accept it; she was too stubborn for her own good.
Launching into flight from the ledge of her cote, Gilda dived at an angle, passing one terrace after the other, avoiding a narrow collision with several other griffins and a resting Roc before finally getting past the edge of the lowest terrace, and spreading her wings.
"You better be alright Dash, or you'll be the biggest, lamest, loser of all time!" Gilda muttered to herself as she glided beneath the cloud cover, the vast, mountainous landscape of the Griffin kingdom spread out before her.
She was too worried and focused at the moment to admire the beauty of it, the vast mountains and valleys, the waterfalls and lakes, all swept by in a blur. She had to reach Ponyville, and she had to reach it now.
The outskirts of Equestria were a relatively wild place, the prim and proper greenery tended by ponies became an uncultivated mass of rain-forests and swampland, where predatory creatures lurked and hunted.
Closer to the kingdom however, one would find many holes and tunnels leading into the ground and into hills and mountains in a wide area. This was where the Diamond Dog packs dwelled. Torn apart by strife and tribal feuding, each pack kept to their own; in constant territory wars with those around it.
Among those packs, the largest and most infamous was undoubtedly the Silver-Back pack, known to hunt as far as Ponyville, and even with a history of abducting a unicorn to find gems for them. Fortunately, the unicorn, strong of spirit eventually made them release her as her friends came to her rescue, as well as claimed a great bounty of their gems. The Silver-Backs were enraged by the loss of such a great amount of gems, but preferred that solution to a war with the ponies. However, they have not forgotten.
It was from this pack, that the Husky dog Bowie was exiled from. Thrown away with his family heirloom as the only means to protect himself, he was banished from the Diamond Dog tunnels forever. Knowing that without the protection of his pack, staying in Diamond Dog territory would cost him his life, Bowie set out.
He had given much thought to his banishment in the time he strode to the edge of his people's territory. But he soon realized that with his banishment, he had a chance to do much more.
For any pony, it would be highly suspicious to see a diamond dog walking around, much more so one with a sword. His fur was groomed far beyond what his peers allowed themselves, and he did not smell half as bad. His attire, a red vest, was also encrusted with many gems, though in a very unaesthetic manner, but nevertheless, it was uncommon even among the greedy Diamond Dogs to embellish oneself this way.
Dark and bright fur melded along his body, giving him a brilliant white mask, gloves and socks, though in truth his vest was all he wore apart from the scabbard to his sword. A wolf-hound such as himself was usually the most aggressive in a pack, but with him it was hardly the case.
He never enjoyed violence, and preferred instead peaceful conversation and relaxation. Something that he was ridiculed for many times among his fellow dogs, but he stood proud with it, and would not give in to the pressure of his lineage.
Now he only had one goal in mind, he needed to find that unicorn… Ms. Rarity, she called herself. He hadn't had much to go on, but to his dismay, every pony he met was determined to chase him off without giving him a chance to talk. Perhaps she, who has spent some time with them in their tunnels, would be willing to set aside the hate between their races for just enough time for him to explain himself.
He stood on the border to Equestria, pony land, and pondered his situation, when a huge shadow passed him by quickly. It raised a small hurricane in its wake and threw the dog backwards with the blast of air from the flapping of gigantic wings.
By the time Bowie managed to get to his feet, the shadow's owner has disappeared, leaving the dog covered in the dirt that was thrown in the air.
"What in the name of Silverback was that?" The husky asked no one in particular, looking around warily, before finally deciding to cross the border.
Time for a new lifestyle… if he could only get accepted by the ponies…
"I can't see! What's going on?" …
"I'm Teleporting you away Spike! Hang on!"
"No, Twilight! I wanna st…"
The frantic shouts in the dragon's head soon became a rumble of background noises. His vision swam as he woke, he could barely make out the ground from the sky. The yells soon returned; at first Spike was certain they were in his head, until he made out a presence nearby, a female unicorn, shouting incomprehensible phrases at him.
"T… Twilight Sparkle?" The dragon asked blearily, trying to turn on his stomach so he could stand, but getting nauseated.
"Twilight Sparkle? That arrogant foal? Huff, most certainly not! You are in the awesome presence of the great and powerful Trixie!" The voice replied, a bit less confidant than Spike remembered it.
"What… what are you doing back in Ponyville…" He managed, trying to sit up, and barely managing. His vision began to re-focus, and he noticed the debris scattered around him.
"Ponyville? As if I would return to a place filled with such… fillystines!" The unicorn harrumphed, "It was you who popped up here!" She accused, pointing at Spike and then waving her hooves around her, though where "here" was, Spike was unsure.
"I…" He tried to remember and gasped, Ponyville! "It was under attack! Everypony's in grave danger! Twilight, Rarity! We have to get back!"
"I am going absolutely nowhere until someone explains to me what in Equestria is going on here!" The brightly furred mare cried out, gesturing at what Spike could now make out as a broken wagon, much similar to the one he has seen Trixie in before. His head still throbbing painfully, the baby dragon only managed to give the dramatic unicorn a questioning look.
"Here I was, the great and powerful Trixie, allowing a rare moment of respite in my long journey, when some winged… behemoth streaked through the air. So massive it was that a flap of its wings created a gale in its wake, destroying my precious mobile stage!" The mare gave a theatrical gesture towards her broken property. "Fortunately for it, however, it sped away before the great and powerful Trixie could…"
"Shut up! Ugh!" Spike cut across her with a bellow, only increasing his throbbing headache. "Haven't you been listening to anything I said? Ponyville is under attack! We have to go there now!"
The blue mare looked at him with strange puzzle, "Why would I ever want to…" She began, but the dragon would not allow her to finish, time was of the essence.
:"Are you not the great and powerful Trixie? In a time of distress are you not the pony to call for, the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?"
Spike's cunning seemed to pay off, as Trixie's ego swelled over her rationale. With a hoof to her chest, she admitted whole heartedly, to the young dragon's disgust, "Why yes, of course! The great and powerful Trixie is the unchallenged master of the magical arts, yes… yes, I suppose I could accompany you to… that place." She tapped her chin with her hoof now, muttering to herself.
Her confidence, if at all possible, was greater than before, as she has been practicing her magic full time since the Ursa Minor incident. Confident she could now best that foal Twilight Sparkle...even her name was unimpressive, she would arrive in the nick of time and be named savior of Equestria, yes…
Apparently, Trixie was unaware that her thoughts were being spoken out loud at a rapid, yet coherent pace as she conjured them. The purple scaled dragon could do naught but stare at this display of inner monologue and ponder whether she was at all sane.
However, a much bigger problem came to his attention; he had no idea where they were, nor how far it was to Ponyville from there. He was sure they were not near the outskirts, but he didn't recognize the environment around him either.
"… and then she would bow to me and declare me the most amazing unicorn of all time!" Trixie concluded with a roar of high pitched, deliberate laughter.
Spike let out a loud groan and not from the throbbing pain in his skull either. Of all the ponies in Equestria he had to be stuck with this narcissistic loony…
"After me then, young dragon, let us vanquish this evil!" The sorceress called dramatically, as though watched by an invisible audience, and began trotting in a random direction, leaving Spike behind. As a travelling performer, she was well versed in the many paths going through Equestria, having traveled them all back and forth, and was easily able to get on the right track. Spike could only roll his eyes as she sped off, remaining in his spot, unmoving.
Noticing she was not being followed, the mare backed up to Spike slowly, "This is the part where you follow me." She stated dully to the dragon, as though he was an actor who missed his cue in rehearsal.
"I'm kind'a weak, you know, head exploding, just got teleported in the middle of an attack on my village?" He said; his eyes aglow with embers of annoyance at his new companion.
"Well we must hurry and save your precious village, so I, the great and powerful Trixie can prove once and for all I am the greatest unicorn in the realm!" She urged.
"I can't even walk like this, not to mention running after you." Spike replied matter-of-factly.
Trixie seemed very puzzled, "Then what do you suppose we do? We can't stay here…" A sudden grin on the dragon's face turned her expression into that of slight concern.
Trotting carefully through the path, just a few moments later, the unicorn's head lowered, "Inconceivable, that I, the great and powerful Trixie, greatest sorceress of Equestria, would be ridden as a… a… riding pony!" She complained loudly; Spike resting on her back lazily as she hurried towards Ponyville.
Author's note :
Hey all! I hope you've enjoyed this prologue; hopefully I'll be able to get the story going with little trouble.
You guessed it, THESE are the main cast. And you'll find out a lot of interesting things about them as we go on!
Also, I'm inviting everyone who is interested, to join my My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic Roleplaying board: Celestial Divide!
Please hop in and register over at :
mlpcelestialdivide dot proboards dot com
We're just starting, but it's going to be brilliant once we start moving it along. So please join!