Season1

Episode 2

Part 3

Royal Intorduction

The grand gathering hall was not all that large. Not to say it wasn't small, but it was very warm and welcoming. A rectangular room with a half-circle at the very end to accompany a very large throne. Banners in red with golden markings of the sun displayed along both sides over each of the eight columns supporting the roof. And two black banners displaying the moon overhead the double-door entrance. Torches lit each appropriate spot, and the windows were high above the ground, stained glass with all sorts of symbolism and artistic prowess in doing so.

Guard ponies dressed in heavy chain-mail and red cloaks guarded the doors and other designated places in the room were always at the ready for an order.

Two long, thick oak tables were lined with all sorts of pony foods, salads, and delicacies that met no modern appearance, but were always vegetarian-oriented. As were the laws of nature in control. And these two tables were filled with all sorts of loud, socializing ponies. From vassals, to court advisers. A few jesters were prowling the room performing mostly slight-of-hoof tricks to amuse the others.

Most were dressed in robes of their liking, others-specifically the knights-wore their finest sets of armor, and dress swords. They all feasted and pigged away early... put mostly on the appetizers. The lovely mares were even in the mix.

The weather outside was still raining, if you listened close enough it may have picked up depending on the amount of pitter-patter against the windows.

And where was Umekile in all this commotion? Why sneaking in of course. As he didn't want to have to tell the guards WHY he was here, he only wanted to be in and out quite promptly, and without fuss. Besides~ He knew that demon with the big plot would show up any second now! Yeesh~ The last thing he wanted was for her to find a way to make him center of attention.

He levitated the list out of his saddlebags, along with a few of the potions, reading off the names of those he still needed to see. His hat concealed his horn still, as it was probably for the best to keep a blade out of reach of all these lively, yabbering ponies. So many Unicorns, and Earth ponies. Only a handful of Pegasi really, perhaps for reasons regarding the weather.

Umek popped in and out of tight spaces, read the name, and hope the pony he'd spoken out for was close by, hand them their medicine, and be on off to the next. And it seemed like he was going to make it out of there to if not for getting distracted.

The jesters decided they would block his path, and perform a strange light trick. One with a horn spawned a small bulb of white light, and stepped out from under it, letting it stay in place while the other touched his snout to it, moving it back and forth before sneezing and blowing it out. They would act all upset before the unicorn gave the earth pony a tissue, horn still glowing. While the earth pony blew his nose... two new bulbs of light were released into the tissue.

"Ehhh...", Umek tilted his head, and then smiled approvingly, clapping his hooves, "Bravo. Bravo.", to whence they would bow, and somehow their robes would dump out more of the floating lights, also getting the surprise reaction of other onlookers, who would clap their hooves and approve with amusement.

Eventually the common unicorn managed to get around them, down to only three potions in his bag, "Yes a lady-... Luna.", his expression dropped, another for one of the princesses? It was a sleeping potion meant to be given a droplet before bedtime. She may have been having nightmares or insomnia... something of the like, whichactually made him feel a little bad. A small note attatched to the cork of the bottle told him to hand it to the maiden who took care of her... but no name came up, "Archerine~", he grumbled, piecing together the possibility that the old unicorn may forget to jot down names when they were NECCASARY~!

The two big doors unlocked, and a trumpet blew quite loudly, silencing everypony, and making them rise and face the door. Umekile was one of the last to react, distracted by the phial before shaking himself and standing as broad as possible, shifting away as he was too close to one of the mare's and her partner. He cleared his throat, anticipating something he did have a desire to meet.

Two armored ponies entered the room from around the corner of the hallway, as well as a few servent mares and colts, whome dispersed and bowed as a bright glow came from down the hall.

Umekile's expression changed dramatically, into one of awe... he'd never known what a King looked like in the slightest.

"Here enters King Solaris!", a dinky looking elder pony shouted.

And by the weight of a thousand mountains did this... was he even a pony?!

A strong, metal plated hoof stepped into the room, a mane glowing like the fires of Tartarus itself, wings folded, but sharp and powerful. A set of noble eyes scanned the room left and right, and he was taller than anypony Umek had ever seen in his lifetime. By George it was a sight, the symbol of a beaming sun decorated his flank, and his coat was that of a hot white with a glow of heat that which was not hot. And a broad, strong crown rested atop his head, decorated in many colored jewels but it looked nothing of the sorts of feminine or whimpy, as it was a sight to be hold, a dull golden color, and tipped like spears.

And he had the most orange iris' one could imagine.

Now everypony bowed whence he spread his wings, shining a dull light over the room.

"Ease, my friends and family.", he finally spoke, he seemed devoid of a smile until he folded his wings in, and lowered his head with a look of kindness despite his feeling of raw power, "May we feast to the honor of my youngest, beautiful daughter.", when his light faded, two smaller forms could be seen behind him.

And one was what Umekile did NOT want to see! But wow did she look different. Celestia was dressed in a smooth silky apparel, which really brought out her white coat, and even emphasized her violet eyes, regardless of how she didn't seem all that interested in wearing it. Oh when she caught wind of Umekile amidst the other guests did she glare, pouting almost as she locked eyes with him.

"Heheh~", he waved nervously, and broke glance to see the other, smaller mare.

There she was, hiding behind her father's hind leg, her pretty baby-blue mane tied into a ponytail, and hung a little over her shoulders. It gave the impression she usually wore it over her eyes given how shy she was, but now it forced her to reveal her full face. Luna was 2/3's Celestia's size, dark night blue, and dark green eyes with the shiniest of relfective light. Her wings were small, and her horn a little long for a mare her age. She was skinny despite being a young filly~ like Celestia's sun cutie mark, it seemed Princess Luna possessed one for the moon.

It decorated her flanks more-so than Celestia's did, bubbly black with a sharp, white crescant moon on each side. To this Umekile pulled his hat lower near over his eyes, afraid to make eye contact and make her all the more shy.

The King strolled down the length of the hall, and took his seat atop his large fine-carved throne, where a meal of his own choosing was already in place. Celestia plopped down beside her father in her own establishment, while Luna softly did the equal, her's being raised higher, and a with soft pillows and the finest of silverware to make her feel most comfortable as the birthday filly. Despite her seeming all too shy and unwanting of the attention, she politely, and quietly smiled and thanked the compliments she was given from nearly everypony there as the time went by.

Umekile stumbled out into the center of all the festivity and handed the final potion to an impatient old pony, tipping his hat magically. The little Luna seemed to notice her sister's dissaproval of the particular colt.

"Psst~", she whispered after sneakily hopping down, and running around behind her father's throne til she was behind her sister, thankful to be hidden a little more now, "Tiaaa~"

"Whaaat?", the older mare replied, almost irritated, she had her head rested on her hoof, mumbling as she watched that dumb unicorn who so disrespected her, and embarrassed her earlier today.

"Do you like hiiim?", the soft voice asked, blinking and frowning curiously into her sister's ear with a whisper.

"What?! No!", Celestia almost attracted her father's attention, but smiled sheepishly, and played it off. When it was all clear she snapped her head back, "Him? Like Him? Don't be ridiculous~! He's a jerk~", she looked forward again, and grumbled quietly.

"Why's he a jerk?"

"Just because.", her answer was rather swift, and decided, "Go away, Luna...", it seemed a little cruel, the tone she used, "I'm not in the mood to tell you everything you want to hear."

The blue filly's ears went down, and a hard feeling built up in her throat. She swallowed, after all it wasn't that hard to make a young filly cry. But Princess Luna resisted, and slowly pulled away, hiding behind he father's throne for a short time before the quietly took her seat once more.

"Ugh~", Tia shook her head, like most sister's not all that guilt-ridden when they upset their younger siblings, she went on to nit-picking her food, eating the better parts, and separating the rest.

"Is something troubling you?" her father asked, turning his head, and looking down upon her.

"Mm?", she swallowed, and sighed, "No, daddy. I promise.", she used that term with a respectfulness, which gave her a rather cute appeal, "Just thinking~"

"Well do not let it worry you too much, it shant become much to worry for.", and with that he lifted his head, his sharp tall horn glowed a little, and faded, lighting a candle on his table which had gone out perhaps from a gust of air. And Solaris went right on to his birthday girl, encouraging her to be happy, and let her shyness dim away, not prosper... he more likely wouldn't succeed, but it gave the impression despite being the King... he wasn't all that terrible a father~

Umekile more or less hurried to one of the side exits of the room, there was a single door the other servants used to transport food and tableware inside. It was an okay time being in here, perhaps not the greatest. He stopped just beside one of the columns looking over at the pretty and yet distasteful white mare.

Celestia glared right on back, wanted to take that hat off his head just to have someone mistake his horn for an assassin's blade. Figuring he'd be alright if she did.

The commoner uncommon unicorn let out a soft grin, trying to tease her just a little bit, and he would have wagged his hind her way on leave if he hadn't felt something inside which froze himself in the heartbeat it made itself known. It was a magical presence... a strong, and cruel one. But it was what he was feeling that took him for a loop. Umekile Scythe had never felt a magical presence before, not in all his life!

Nopony else seemed to notice, they just chatted away as the world seemed to quiet down. He turned on his hooves, his new behavior seemed to catch Celestia's attention.

"Attention everypony! For the grand finale is about to begin!", somepony shouted, as a Jester dressed in dark blue and yellow stripes flounced into position. He wore a red amulet around his neck, and a mask that concealed all but his eyes, and a clown smile portrayed just below his nose, he even wore a joker hat, jingling away at his every step. This unicorn balanced onto his left front hoof in the center of the room.

Why was he alone? Even the other Jesters even stopped what they were doing.

Yet King Solaris merely leaned his head up and back, smiling with smooth, noble interest, "Hm~", he seemed curious enough.

When the pony's sharp horn began to glow, it was blue with soft sparkles mixed within it, the candles dimmed away, and the chandelier overhead brightened... then the amulet around his neck, a fierce ruby lit ablaze, and all the blue magic turned blood red. The overhanging chandelier spouted bright white sparks through the air to the awe of everypony below, oggling it most intensely, and smiling widely when low red bulbs of light spouted into the air and down upon them.

Umekile felt sick to his stomach right about then, stepping aside when one of the bulbs near grazed his coat, it felt... rather twisted.

But all the others let it sink into them, and glow, as they felt nothing, only amazement, full of ooh's and ah's. The room emitted a jingling, shining sensation and sound. Solaris folded his wings, and smiled again... simply wonderful. He looked down to his Princess Luna, but then tilted his head when he saw she was fast asleep, then to Celestia, whom also was trying to hold her eyes open when another one of the orbs touched her forehead and sank in... to whence she collapsed her head onto the table beside her plate.

"What is this?", he demanded quietly, "What is this?!"

All around the room, everypony began to nod off and fall asleep! One elderpony dipped his whole snout into his soup, and snored right through it. In droves they fell to the power of the spell.

Umekile grit his teeth, and hid behind one of the pillars, zapping one of the red orbs away before mumbling to himself, charging up his own magic. His horn flashed, and coated his body in a soft purple, which faded. He experimentally held out his hoof, and when an orb touched it... it did not sink in but rather flow off like rainwater on the window.

"Cease this!", demanded the King, rising to his feet, which had the "Jester" startled, but continue the spell, "Cease this or face the wrath of my sun!", his horn lit ablaze with fire, but the spell remained.

The double doors glowed a deep red, and a blade of magic slipped up through the crack in between them, breaking the lock, and forcing it open, "You mean your weakening, dimming sun~", the strong voice accused, as five ponies entered the room, three in cloaks, two in strange armor, one with a sword in his teeth, and the other with a flail. The two beside the leader were unicorns, one with the hood up, and one with the hood down.

The tallest of them, and by far the strongest stood to defy the king, hiding his face in his hood until he flicked it back to reveal a long sharp mane, and strong horn. His coat was muddy brown while his eyes were a pale ember red.

Solaris' tone changed dramatically, "No~ This cannot be!"

"But it is, my lord. So sad to ruin this special occasion, but I must admit it was the only free time I seemed to have on my schedule that did not involve planning for it.", his horn glowed that killer red, letting two fallen guard ponies slump from around the corners of the great door. It seemed one of the earth ponies were very proud of that~ Spinning the flail in his teeth, and grinning wildly.

"What is the meaning of this, Alined?", Solaris demanded, "You would be so foalish to stand before me and expect to hear me plea for mercy whence you are so gravely outmatched!"

"You think me mad, Solaris? You are the foalish one, you stubborn goat.", he tilted his head, "You think I would risk my lives in hopes of merely scratching that coat of yours?", he snorted, locking glares with the king, "I hoped you had learned better, but fortunate for me, sadly not.", this Alined looked away, "As Magic Marshal of all Canterlot it would be wise to expect the most efficient method of incursion, yet you lacked the attention to detail, as I knew you would."

"Then what are you waiting for, Alined~... Show me your Trump.", Solaris challenged.

Umek remained hidden, listening intently, tempted to sneak away but he found he could not... this must be the bad magic he had sensed... but it didn't feel like Alined.

"... hmph.", the tall, strong unicorn smirked most gladly, "It would be my honor~", he shifted, and magically untied the front of his cloak, letting it sway out and hang at his side... showing a bright flash of light, and then... watery darkness that inhaled the half of the room, facing down the King.

When Umek looked he could see the one confident ruler's expression change dramatically, "Alined, traitor!", he stepped back, his fiery mane going slack, and loosing it's glow, "Why are you doing this?!"

"You brought this upon yourself you weak minded oaf!", the answer was very sudden, "For the last one hundred years all Canterlot, and the world around us has suffered at the hands of war, and famine. These times are harsh on us all, and you do nothing to stop it! The five kingdoms even now grovel over the prospect of land, nipping and biting at one anothers' heels for even the slightest smidgen of fortune!", he stomped his hoof, "Even this city is slowly breaking down to cold and cruelty! The city which you rest your weak wings in hopes of a bright new day when all you do is wish it, and take no action."

Alined's group readied their weapons, watching as Solaris' hooves and outfitting began to turn cold, and becoming cooled stone.

"I was your friend, Solar. I believed that one day you would wake up and smell the roses! But that day never came, and your failure to prevent a war between the Houses of Equinea and Metalbeak sealed your fate. You are no king~", he spat, standing fully ready.

"You left Canterlot and your people! You dubbed yourself a traitor to us all! You failed to serve your kingdom by running off and vowing a new era upon your return!", Solaris could not move, trapped as his legs had turned to stone, staring head on into that amulet.

It was black, with a bright white halo which from every angle seemed to eminate from behind. It was watery black.

"It was neccasary in order to begin that era.", the zealot inquired, grudgingly staring at the petrifying Alicorn, "The Amulet of the Eclipse... an impressive side effect it has on the most powerful being in all Equestria, is it not~?", he grinned, "What was meant to empower your bloodline through the use of the old magic... turned against you, and left you astray, now your burden. Blinding the Night and turning Fire cold as Stone~ But it seems I may only get to watch fire turn to stone here.", he smiled.

"Eeegghhh~!", Solaris tried to break free, but it was hopeless.

"Only three were ever created, each one a bigger failure than the last. And it seems I can't help but pride myself on finding it, for it was no easy task, Solaris.", his smile widened, "I will enjoy shattering you to pieces, and finally destroy your failed bloodline once and for all!", he growled.

Umekile swallowed hard, staying behind the pillar... he had to do something! But what? He couldn't just stay here and watch this act of cruelty. By the might of the sun and moon he puffed out his chest, sucking up his courage, and peeking around. He couldn't take on Alined... it was impossible. Nor even hope to handle that group of fanatics at his side if he did. But... if he could hit the amulet~ Solaris would be freed!

"Ohhh~", he groaned in a whisper, removing his hat as silent as he could, exposing his bladed horn. He took one last glance as the petrification was halfway up Solaris' neck, and near the tip of his wings and tail. This was it. He stared hard at the Amulet... that evil thing, trying to lock on as best he could, "Here goes~", he closed his eyes, and took a leap.

"Alined look out!", all eyes desperately turning on the new unicorn with the bladehorn.

Umekile touched down, his flaring up, and blasting outward. It would have missed~ As it went straight for Alined.

The startled unicorn reared to his hind legs, straying backward, "Nooo!", instead of hitting him, the shot took the amulet clean off, from around his neck, and sending it across the room, onto the table and off to the floor being covered by a fallen set of napkins.

Umek grinded to a halt out in front of the oppressor, and his heart dropped instantly. He could see, and feel the rage in his eyes, the hate which consumed him.

Alined Allsayer began to charge up his horn, threatening to shoot a ray of magic then and there. But it seemed all of Umek's good deeds, and wishes came back all at once, and he faltered, him and his group stepping back when they saw the mane of Solar power come back to life, all the stone fading away, "Rah!", Solaris boomed when all his strength came rushing back at once, "Alined! For your act of treachery, you shall face my unbound wrath!"

"I shall receive nothing from you, Solaris!", the other zealot ponies gathered close to Alined, "Til we meet again, my liege...", he glared at Umekile, "You know not the consequences of your interference, BOY!", his horn flared to life, and a bright pillar of light enveloped him and his group.

In a sudden flash, they were gone, even the sixth Jester pony who'd put everypony else to sleep. This was all to the distaste of the King, who would have much prefered Alined captured, or destroyed then and there. Solaris remained in front of his throne, his head lowered, and eyes closed, regaining his composure, mumbling to himself, and making sure his daughters had not been injured or disturbed.

All the while, Umek snuck over to the covered napkin, he could feel the dark energy, but it had no effect on a regular unicorn. Strange how only a green festive napkin could cancel out the effect. He raised a hoof, aiming to get a clean look at it.

Even under the green fabric he could see the cold watery glow... he wanted a better look.

"Do not lift that napkin!", the voice of King Solaris made him jump, and look up to the looming form of a mighty Alicorn, "Take it away, and destroy it...", he looked away, hesitating.

"...Umekile...?", Umek spoke up to introduce himself, wondering if that was what the king wanted from him, swallowing hard.

"Yes... Umekile.", he exhaled in his most controlled manner, "I am grateful for your courage, and am in your debt. If there is any way I can repay you for what you've done today~"

"Ehhhaha~", the unicorn smiled nervously, tilting himself backward, "Its fine, really... I wouldn't know what to ask for~"

"Oh surely there must be something you desire, afterall you might as well have saved all of Canterlot with your bravery.", he spread his mighty wings, ensuing a light upon the small unicorn, it was warm, and full of empowerment, "Without you Alined would have won the day, and this kingdom... why I fear the worst.", he turned aside, thinking, "I believe my daughter needs a new chambermaid after the last resigned."

"But uhm... I'm not a mare, your highness~", he flushed a little awkwardly, flicking his eyes aside, and blinking.

"No of course, but I'm sure with good intention you would make a wonderful servitor.", that was the end of that protest... wait...

"Which princess? Luna?"

"Oh do not be ridiculous as if anypony could resist leaving her side. No my eldest... my beautiful Celestia.", he looked on to the two waking mares beside his throne, and then to all others which had begun to wake.

"Daddy! What happened?!", Luna came flouncing off her chair the minute she was able, and hiding under her father's hooves, staring directly at Umekile with wide eyes.

"Oh it is a story far too long to explain, my little princess.", he levitated her up, and gave her nose a gentle nuzzle, setting her down, "Celestia, you are awake... I bring you good tidings.", he smiled her way, a slow stride forward, "Young Umekile... allow me to introduce my daughter~"

"As if I never met her before~", the unicorn grumbled, hesitantly following.

"Good tidings?", the white mare asked, brushing back her flowing pink mane, "What's that supposed to mean? why's he here? What happened?", left and right she looked as everypony around her but her father, and the unicorn she so taunted was awakening from some kind of slumber.

"This is Umekiiile~", he gestured.

Umek cleared his throat, "Uhm... Scythe~"

"Umekile Scythe... and given all circumstances prior to your awakening; I have decided there is nopony more worthy of being your servitor than him alone.", already young Celestia took notice of the pale, heart-rendered expression on her enemy's face.

"... O-...Oh~", she swallowed hard, and hid her right eye which had begun to twitch a little, "Alright then...", she smiled sheepishly at her father's dissaproving gaze, and she had not witnessed the scenario minutes earlier, "Right, sorry...", she cleared her throat, and most grudgingly beneath her skin, "It's a pleasure... Umekile~", she looked as though she wanted to cry out in protest... but it was practically set in stone whence her father made a decision.

"I-", Umek held his tongue, and bowed hesitantly, "Likewise... my lady~", SNAP! A nerve cell in his head wrecked in two. By the grace of Great Dragons this would be a hell like never before.

"Yay!", Luna piped up for just a moment, and then flushed, and hid herself. Finally somepony her and her sister could talk to! Not one that was all marely and the likes.

Solaris smiled most accomplished, turning aside, he crossed his horn with his youngest daughter, "And happy birthday, my dear daughter...", there was a hint of worry in his words, what happened tonight would be on his mind for days to come.

All the while Umek and Celestia exchanged cold, motionless glances, one in her throne, and the other at the bottom of three stone steps looking right back up to her, "When do I start-?"

"-Tommorrow."

"That... works for me...", he groaned softly, gritting his teeth in a low frown.

"Yeah~... right~", the princess nodded most unhappily.

Transition~

The bells jingled and swayed as the night was late, and the rain was heavier than it had ever been today, Umek slumped in facefirst with a groan, exhausted already and he hadn't even begun.

Archerine flicked his head around, holding a few labels in his teeth, a quill and paper suspended beside him, and a few bottles with all sorts of dark-colored mixtures, "Well where in the name of the sun and moon have you been?", he asked, setting them down, "Was it really that hard to find all those ponies?"

"Archie-"

"Don't call me that!"

"Right!... I will tell you... in the morning.", he heaved and groaned, magically dumping the medicine bag on the counter, and dragging his hooves to the stares. It was somewhere around 4am real time at that point, and already the morning air could be smelled outside. He made haste all the way up the stairs. What in the KING'S name Archie was doing up so early was beyond him...

"I was worried was all, Umekile!", he shouted unsure up the stares as he heard the attic door close, "Mm~...", he blinked, and shrugged, "Teenagers.", and right back to work he went.

End Episode 2