A/N: Here's a decent sized chapter because I was bored~!
Enjoy!
Chapter Nine:
Death With Benefits
With the exception of a single Winter Ball she'd been expected to attend, Clover spent all three months of Winter in Ponyville with her family and friends. Of course, Celestia had sent her "homework" consisting of books on politics and etiquette that she was required to right essays for (for each chapter, that is), and even Luna had sent some, though the Moon Princess had sent star charts instead, with her only requirement being that Clover wrote her essays on specific star-alignments that Clover got to choose. Besides that, however, it was a wonderful vacation, and Clover definitely enjoyed it.
Today was the day before Spring, however, and Clover had no time to reminisce on her wonderful holiday, when she had to help Wrap-Up Winter with the rest of Ponyville. Instead, all she had to do was decide on whether she'd rather work with the Pegasi clearing the sky, or with the other ponies.
"Come on, sistah!" Zeb cried, laughing as he darted about the other ponies feet, dressed in the tan vest of the Animal Team. Clover laughed softly when the Zebra colt tripped on a snow-covered rock and fell face-first in the snow.
"Slow down, Zeb!" She cajoled, and helped him up, brushing snow from his face and vest. Zeb grinned sheepishly up at her, before he promptly turned and darted away to join their father with the other Animal Team members. Clover hesitated, before shaking her head and, smiling, went over to the Vest Cart, and grabbed herself a blue vest. The Weather Team was probably her best bet.
With a flutter of her wings, she leapt up into the sky, and began to help a team pop and move clouds, absently singing along as the whole town got swept up in the "Winter Wrap-Up" song. Sharing a smile with her temporary teammates, she worked hard to keep up with all the older ponies. It was during a break, however, that Marwolaeth seemed to stir in her shadow before she slunk away, and Clover froze, head snapping up as her body tingled.
Death was riding the air in anticipation, ready to claim somepony as her own.
Focusing her Death Magic, her horn and Cutie Mark glowing ominously, she dove through the air towards the park, and found herself arriving in time to spot a member of the Weather Team, separated from the others, about to fall through the ice. Without a thought, Clover dove down, and just barely managed to wrap her forelegs around the startled Mare as the thin spot of ice broke, pulling the yellow Earth Pony away before her skate-covered hooves could sink more than a few inches into the dangerously frigid water.
"Whoa!" The Mare yelped, clutching the Alicorn's straining hooves and staring at the hole in the ice, obvious shaken. Clover panted slightly, and peered down as well, and, in the dark, frozen blue depths, she could just make out the form of Marwolaeth waiting.
"That was close," Clover grunted, and, wings straining from the rather limp weight of the older Mare, carried her to the side of the pond, where a Stallion was waiting to take the Mare from her and strip the soaked skates off her legs, wrapping each hoof in a heated towel. He was one of the Emergency Ponies, who were a part of each team in case something happened.
"Thank you, Princess!" The Mare said gratefully; Clover smiled and saluted, before spiraling back into the air and, with a sigh of relief, flew back to her abandoned lunch. Seconds later, Marwolaeth had returned to her shadow, and a rush of painfully cold wind rushing by her was Clover's only indication of her shadow's irritation at being thwarted.
"Too close," she murmured, and finished her food before getting back to work.
The Wrap-Up went on like normal, and it was only with the help of Twilight and her OCD organization skills that Ponyville was able to get everything done on time, as opposed to every Winter previously, when they would be late. Clover was just happy to have finished, and looked forward to going to bed…
Only to find a carriage waiting for her back at her home.
"Princess Clover Breeze," Command Sergeant Major Blade Storm greeted, reaching up and plucking his white helmet from his head, the simple dome decorated with the Deathly Hollow Symbol on the sides but nothing else.
"Command Sergeant Major," she greeted as her three guards lined up behind her patiently. The blue Pegasus dipped his head respectfully, and set his helmet on the ground, before he turned and pulled a scroll from seemingly nowhere, before holding it out to Clover with a bow of his head.
"A message from Princess Celestia, Your Highness," he informed her simply; Clover nodded and, with a flare of her horn, opened the scroll. Silently, she began to read.
My Dearest Cousin Clover,
I hope that this missive finds you well, and that you have enjoyed this time spent with your family. It saddens me that I must ask you to return today, but it is unavoidable. The Griffon Council is on its way and, as a Princess without a Kingdom and therefore under my rule, you are required to attend. And, unfortunately, I must also ask you to remain here in Canterlot for an extended period, due to the long list of responsibilities you must, as a Princess, assist with.
I am sorry to spring this on you so abruptly, my Dear Cousin, but it was unavoidable.
Hoping to seen you soon,
Your Cousin,
Princess Celestia
Sun Princess and Co-Ruler of Equestria
Clover let out a sigh and rolled the scroll back up before burning it with a flare of her magic.
"Allow me to say my goodbyes and gather my things, Blade Storm, and I shall be ready to leave," she informed the Pegasus, who snapped a salute and nodded. Quickly, Clover went into her home and informed her family of the change in plans, hugging the three of them tightly as she said her goodbyes.
"You be good now, Clover," her mother said gently, smiling. "Pay attention to your studies and tutors, and don't forget to write to us, okay?" Clover bobbed her head and smiled at her mother, whose pregnant state was now rather obvious.
"I'll try to get back in time for the birth, okay, Mama?" she promised earnestly, and the green Pegasus hugged her tight before passing Clover to her father. Zendo smiled gently and they nuzzled their muzzles together.
"Don't be crying, Sweet One, an' don't be getting' lost. Watch de stahs, an' dey shall be leadin' you safely." Clover smiled brightly and hugged her father tightly, before she turned and scooped Zeb up, flying into the air in a spiral as she tickled the tearful colt into watery giggles, nuzzling him lovingly as she flew around belly up, forelegs wrapped tightly around the small Zebra.
"Don't you dare be sad, Zeb," she ordered sternly, smiling sweetly. "I'll still come and visit, and send letters and presents. And you have the new foal to be thinking about! You'll need to get everything all ready for when the new babe comes home, you know!" she declared as she slowly circled back to the ground, flipping around and setting the colt on his hooves while he sniffled and nodded determinedly, smiling up at her.
"Ah will miss you, sistah!" he told her, and they hugged tightly again, Clover smiling warmly.
"And I'll miss you! Now, don't get in trouble, take care of Mama and Papa, and do your homework!" she scolded firmly with a grin as she pulled back, laughing as Zeb pouted. With goodbyes done, Clover gathered up her things, and, with one last hug to her family, and asking her mother to say goodbye to her friends for her and to tell them what's going on, the young Alicorn exited the house and climbed into the carriage with Specialist Copper and Emerald Stone as Wind Shield joined Blade Storm and two other Pegasi in the air. Just as they started to rise, Clover flared her horn, and activated the generic disguise spell keyed on her guard's armor.
Immediately, each of the Pony's around her changed, until they all looked almost like twins, with the only differences being gender and Pony Type. Each of them now had an onyx black coat that made their armor all but glow, and their manes and tails all became this wispy, pale white, like spun spider webs, lending them all an intimidating, unnatural appearance. Their eye colors changed as well, the iris becoming so dark that you couldn't tell the pupil apart from it, and only added to the creepiness. Clover couldn't help but be smug about her Reapers as the Pegasi lifted the Carriage into the air with only the sound of their rustling feathers, wings looking ominously tattered and large compared to their usual forms.
"This is an excellent illusion, Your Highness," Copper informed her, peering down at himself curiously.
"Thank you, Copper," Clover replied, snuggling into her traveling cloak as the still-chilly air rushed by them. They would be arriving at Canterlot just as her cousin raised the moon to its highest point, and Clover knew it was going to be a long night.
~(Line Break)~
"Now, Clover, thou must not forget," Luna reminded her young cousin seriously as she assisted the young Alicorn with her newly commissioned chest piece and dress-cloak. The chest piece looked like it was made from bone, with her Cutie Mark symbol on the front in onyx. Her cloak was black, with a white trim, and a shimmering quality that made Clover think of Harry's Invisibility Cloak. Her crown had been polished, and white bone-like shoes with onyx stones decorated her hooves. Clover sighed slightly at the older Mares reminder.
"I must not use Magic during the Council Meetings because the Griffons will be insulted," she dutifully responded. "Nor am I to purposefully insult any of them, challenge them to any duels, respond to any insults with a threatening nature, nor condescend them." Luna nodded regally, her long star-filled mane rippling in an unseen breeze as the evening drew closer. Clover found herself admiring the constellations within it, and only caught herself when Luna chuckled, making the pale green Alicorn smile sheepishly. Ever since Luna had regained her mature form, Clover had become utterly infatuated with her cousin's beautiful mane and tail.
"Do not worry, dear cousin," the navy blue Mare said kindly, her horn flaring as she lifted a nearby brush and began to gently run it through Clover's white hair, admiring the thin streaks of black. "Thou hast proven thyself to be most resourceful, and I am sure that Tia shall keep thou from trouble." Clover smiled up at her cousin, who smiled softly back, blue eyes shadowed but much bright then they had been when she first returned from Nightmare Moon's grasp.
"Thank you, Luna," Clover said warmly, and the older Mare nodded calmly and continued to brush Clover's mane for several more minutes, calming the younger pony easily.
"Why dost thou always stare at my mane, Cousin?" the Moon Princess asked after a while, and Clover blinked and looked up at her while Luna set the brush aside.
"Because I love the stars, and I can see so many there," Clover answered honestly. "I can find many constellations, and they're always moving, and sometimes I wonder if I can read them like I can the stars in the sky." Luna tilted her head curiously, and Clover smiled. "And can I just say that, since you returned, the night has never been more beautiful." Luna blushed but smiled, honestly pleased, and hugged Clover before straightening and clearing her throat, slightly embarrassed.
"Come, Cousin," she declared standing and turning towards the door, as Clover scrambled uncomfortably to her feet, unused to the fancy shoes. "We should be with my Sister, awaiting the Council's arrival."
"Coming," Clover replied, and hurried after Luna, feeling mildly jealous as she watched the dark-coated Mare move with a liquid grace that spoke of elegance and experience in spades.
It was going to be an interesting week...
~(Line Break)~
"Where are they?" Clover asked Celestia softly from where they were standing on the royal dais, watching the night sky, Luna's stars shining beautifully and the moon bright and full.
"There," the Sun Princess replied simply, and nodded towards the distant horizon. Clover squinted into the darkness, and could just barely catch sight of the dark shapes that were most probably the Griffon's carriages.
"Oh!" She said, blinking, and then she looked up at the elegantly dressed forms of her taller and more impressive cousins, and briefly wished she was fully grown so she could cut an equally stunning figure.
"Stand tall and stand straight, Little Cousin," Luna said softly, lifting her chin, the stars in her mane and tail shining brighter in the darkness. "Thou art a Princess."
I am, Clover thought, and straightened, lifting her head to a comfortable, confident height, and stood proudly beside her Royal Family to watch the Griffon's approach.
There were three carriages, all of them made of dark reds and blues, drawn by two large Griffon Guards each. Each of the Guards wore the red dyed head-feathers of seasoned Blood-Claws, decked out in the same sharp, angular gold armor that Captain Sharpclaw had worn so long ago. Beyond that, each of them were different, wearing their own appearances. They all gave a warning scree before they began to land in the Royal Courtyard before the dais, and Clover felt a thrum of excitement as they carefully came to a stop.
Once the carriages were firmly on the ground, the Blood-Claw Guards unhitched their reigns neatly, and moved to flank the carriage doors, opening them neatly and standing at attention, sharp eyes locked on the Ponies with wary caution, and no small amount of derision.
Out of the first carriage stepped a magnificent Griffon, his feathers silver, his fur white, shining around his sharp, platinum armor. His eyes were a sharp, piercing gold, the feathers around his eyes black, lending a menacing edge to his stare as they glared out over a sharp, amber beak. The crest of feathers on his head were dyed gold, signifying his status as one of the four Griffon Kings, and the only one that would be attending this seven-day-long negotiation/meeting, King Mordechai Swiftwing.
The King paused and turned back to the carriage, offering his right claw to assist the next Griffon out, this one a a beautiful female, with golden fur, white feathers, and orange eye-feathers, her green eyes sharp but calm. Gold also dyed her head-feathers, marking her as his Mate, Queen Freya Swiftwing.
There was a scrambling from within the carriage just after the Queen had stepped out, and a tiny form leaped from the doorway with a chirping giggle, making Clover blink as King Swiftwing neatly snatched it up and held it close to his chest, expression flicking to a fond sort of exasperation for a moment before he once more settled on regal regard.
In his claws was a baby Griffon, no older than Zeb, with brown fur that was spotted with black, and gray feathers that were fluffy with down, gold eyes bright and curious. Gold on her tiny head-crest named the chick a member of the Royal Family, and she was no doubt King Swiftwing's daughter, Princess Diamanta Swiftwing.
"Papa!" The young Griffon squawked, feathers fluffing agitatedly as she pouted; her mother chuckled and took her from the King, before setting her on the ground next to her firmly.
"Come, Diamanta," King Swiftwing said firmly, and then led the way up to the dias, where Celestia was already stepping down to meet them respectfully, Luna gesturing at Clover to stay put at her side, which Clover did, though she found herself leaning slightly to the side, fascinated by the tiny Griffon child.
"Welcome to Canterlot, King Swiftwing and Family," Celestia greeted serenely, lifting her forehoof, which the Griffon King neatly clasp in his claw to shake professionally. "I hope you are well, and experienced no trouble on your trip." Swiftwing nodded his head, releasing her hoof politely.
"Thank you for having us, Princess Celestia," he replied, his voice deep. "We had no troubles, and we are well." Celestia inclined her head regally, and then stepped to the side, turning to gesture at Luna and Clover.
"May I introduce my returned sister, Princess Luna, Moon Princess and Star Lifter," Luna stepped down and forward elegantly, inclining her head just as regally as her elder sister had.
"Well met, King," she greeted formally. "Thou art most welcome." Swiftwing took her offered hoof and shook it politely.
"Well met, Princess," he agreed calmly. "And welcome back. I trust you are recovered?" Again, Luna nodded.
"Indeed," she replied, and stepped to the side as Celestia again gestured, this time to Clover.
"Our newest Cousin, Princess Clover Breeze, Guardian of the Dead." Swiftwing's feathers slicked back briefly, startled, and his eyes narrowed as Clover started herself. With a quick hop, as she was too short to simply step down off the dais, Clover trotted forward, and offered a smile to the King.
"Greetings and Salutations, King Swiftwing," She greeted, more warmly than regally, offering her hoof even as her eyes strayed automatically to the now equally-curious young Griffon.
"And to you, young Princess," the King murmured, shaking her hoof with the same politeness as he had her older Cousins, though his eyes took on an amused gleam as he noticed her attention on his daughter, and said daughter's own curiosity. He gestured to his Mate with a small nod. "May I introduce my Mate and Queen, Freya Swiftwing, formerly Windslash."
"Greetings, Princesses," the female Griffon said with a regal nod, smiling faintly at Clover as the young Alicorn immediately replied with a bright "hello' before she quieted under the side-glance Luna sent her.
"Greetings, Queen Swiftwing," Celestia replied with another elegant nod. King Swiftwing gestured now to his daughter.
"My daughter, Princess Diamanta Swiftwing," he introduced; the young Griffon puffed up and jumped forward a little bit to primly offer her claw.
"Hello, Princesses!" She chirped; Celestia smiled and shook her claw carefully.
"Hello, Princess Swiftwing," she greeted kindly, and Luna stepped up next when the tiny Griffon child offered her claw.
"Well Met, Little Princess," she greeted formally, voice calm and soothing. Finally, the little Griffon turned to Clover, offering her claw, eyes bright and curious. Clover didn't hesitate to step closer, and place her shoe-clad hoof into the tiny Griffon's claws, meeting those bright eyes with her own fascinated ones.
"Hello and welcome to Canterlot, Princess," she greeted, and the Griffon nodded, before the two immediately leaned closer to peer at one another.
"Why do you got stripes?" The Griffon asked.
"Because my Sire is a Zebra," Clover replied simply. "How old are you?" she shot back.
"Five-and-three-quarters!" Diamanta declared proudly. "Do you like plums?"
"Yes, do you like sunflower seeds?" Clover asked with a little bounce on her hooves, eyes bright.
"I've never tried them," the Griffon admitted, before perking up. "Do you-"
"Enough, Diamanta," King Swiftwing sighed, and the two young Princesses flushed as the four older Rulers chuckled at them, though King Swiftwing looked exasperated.
"Let's adjourn to the Dining Hall, shall we?" Celestia asked delicately; they all agreed.
"Come on, Diamanta," Clover said, grinning down at the younger Princess. "There are sunflower seeds inside, and you can try some and see if you like them!" The little Griffon chirped excitedly, but hesitated, looking to her parents with huge pleading eyes, while Clover turned her own hopeful eyes to Celestia and Luna. Luna rolled her eyes, while Celestia smiled gently.
"If it would be alright with you, King Swiftwing," the Sun Princess offered, "Princess Clover could escort Princess Swiftwing this evening. They seem to have hit it off rather well."
"Hmm," the Griffon King hummed, eying first his daughter, and then Clover, before turning his head and nodding at a nearby Guard, while one of Clover's own Reapers, Generic Spell in place, appeared seemingly from the shadows. Clover and Diamanta turned their attention to the other's Guard, and Clover's eyes lit up.
"Captain Sharpclaw!" She greeted happily, grinning up at the smirking Griffon.
"Princess Hatchling," he greeted back easily.
"Alright, you two," Celestia said, and gestured toward the castle. "You can run ahead now." Clover and Diamanta cheered, before doing just that, Clover making sure she stayed close to the younger Princess, while their two Guards followed closely, eying each other carefully as they did so.
~(Line Break)~
Clover was relieved that she had Diamanta to distract her from the Negotiation/Meeting. There were four high-ranking Griffons, as well as a set of twin sister Advisors, who had journeyed with King Swiftwing for this meeting, and all of them, except the Twins, were long-winded and bitingly polite, to the point where insults were passed along with casual sentences.
The end result was that every Guard was on edge, and several tussles had already broken out between all four factions of Guards, and it was only the third day of the seven-day meetings.
Clover had made it her job to keep Diamanta entertained and out of the direct line of fire, playing a marble game with her at the base of the Alicorn Statue that stood proud and huge in the far corner of the room, across from one of the large, beautiful stainglass windows. Diamanta was having an easier time of the game, as she had thumbs and Clover wasn't allowed magic, but Clover was doing okay for herself.
"Purple!" Diamanta declared, calling her target in the chalk circle, before she started to carefully aim her orange marble, one eye closing and her tongue poking out. Clover smiled slightly at the cute picture, before glancing toward the adults as some of the Guards began to, once more, argue about something.
"I'm going to go get a drink of punch real quick," Clover informed the young Griffon after she'd shot her orange marble, hitting the desired target but not quite knocking it out of the chalk ring.
"Okay, Clover!" Diamanta chirped brightly; as Clover trotted quickly to the snack table and began to pour herself a drink, another tussle broke out, one of the Griffon Guards leaping across the large table to raised voices and shouts to stop, to tackle the furious form of one of the Night Guard Pegasi.
The fight took to the air, the two of them slamming into walls, knocking tapestries to the ground. Clover ignored it, well-used to the action now.
This time, however, the tussle went to far.
The two fighting Guards bounced against the top of one of the four giant Alicorn Statues in the room, and it began to rock ominously.
At it's base, Diamanta played with marbles.
Marwolaeth left Clover's shadow.
Clover dropped her punch.
The statue began to tip.
"Diamanta!" Queen Swiftwing screeched.
The world slowed down.
Clover's wings moved.
Diamanta looked up, gold eyes confused as she looked towards her mother.
The world blurred.
The statue started to fall.
Clover moved her wings even faster.
The statues shadow swamped the tiny Griffon, and she turned her head, beak opening in shock, eyes going huge.
The world sped up again.
"Clover!" Celestia cried out, and the Guards were too slow to move, as the pale green Alicorn darted under the statue, grabbing Diamanta by the scruff with her teeth. The Statue was too low for Clover to fly out in time, especially with her young friend weighing her down. In desperation, Clover yanked her head sharply, and threw the young Griffon out of the Statue's shadow and away. Clover lifted her eyes, and met her Cousins, before closing them tightly.
The statue fell.
Clover felt a horrible, painful pressure, a sharp pain. She heard something in her body break, before darkness swamped her vision.
The statue landed with a deep thud, and horrified silence filled the dining hall.
Clover came too suddenly, and found herself surrounded by dark stone. With a grimace as she glanced down at her glowing, green ghost-body, she sighed and carefully stepped through the stone, until she popped out the other side of the statue, shaking herself sharply and flaring her wings.
"Ugh, I hate that sensation!" She muttered with a shudder, before glancing up and taking in the still-horrified faces of those gathered, though Celestia and Luna were already beginning to look relieved rather than horrified. "Erm... All is well?" Clover offered uncertainly. Something warm brushed against the bottom of her hooves; confused, she looked down, and blanched.
She was standing in a steadily growing pool of blood.
"...Perhaps a reaces is in order, while this is handled?" Celestia offered gently; the Griffons agreed, and were quickly ushered out of the room with the Sun Princess, while Luna and a squadron of four Unicorn Guards remained behind. Once all the Griffons were safely out of sight, the four Unicorns horns lit up with magic, and they immediately began the arduous process of setting the statue back on it's stand. Clover tried not to look at her mangled, squished body, and inside slipped into it as quickly as possible, groaning as she felt all the lethal wounds knit back together, all her bones and organs mend, and fresh blood flood her veins to replace the massive amount that had been spilled.
By the time she was shakily standing on her own four hooves, she was only badly bruised and had a few scrapes and cuts.
"This is distasteful," she announced, grimacing at the large amount of blood that coated her, her fancy cloak and chest-plate, and the floor around her, as well as the statue itself. The Guards actually looked rather peeky, and Luna was pointedly not acknowledging the blood at all.
"Come, Little Cousin," the dark-coated Mare said gently. "Thou art injured still, and require a bath and change in wardrobe. It is not proper for a Princess to wear sullied regale." Clover smiled at her Cousin's pointed refusal to show her upset, or mention what had happened. Luna just treated it like it was a common occurrence, and Clover was more than grateful for that, especially when the Unicorn Guards moved quickly away from her as soon as she started moving forward, eyes wide and skittish. Marwolaeth curled through her shadow, wrapping small tendrils ominously around her hooves as she walked, empowered by the use of the Hallows in keeping Clover alive.
"A bath sounds wonderful," Clover announced, and followed Luna out of the room.
She would think about her most recent "death" later. For now, she wanted nothing more than a long soak, and to scrub the blood from her pelt.
It was going to be a long night.
A/N: Went a little darker there at the end, didn't mean for that, but, well, Marwolaeth hasn't gotten to play in a while so there you go! ^-^
VOCAB
Mordechai - Hebrew for "Martial" or "Warlike"
Freya - Norse meaning "Noble Lady"
Diamanta - Greek meaning "Unconquerable"