AN: Shout out to Honey Mead. Read Mead's story entitled "Twilight Sparkle Does Not Like Bees." It's a short, one chapter fic that is well worth your time.
Chapter 4:
How To Treat With Royalty
Twilight had a lot on her mind. The secret research was taking its toll, but she had found some minor pieces of information. Well, it was actually data. To call it information was being generous. The pieces were connected by little more than her own tenuous suspicions. Historians referencing Philosophers who were referencing Magicians who were referencing a lost book referencing another lost book, etc. Every tiny little shred seemed to expose another aspect of the past, if only obliquely, and even then she wasn't sure she wasn't just imaging it. Keeping it all hidden from the Princesses was a massive headache in and of itself, but she had found that Princess Luna was more accommodating of her requests and asked fewer questions which surprised her since Princess Luna tended to be the more stern of the two sisters. But the last few days pushed all that out of Twilight's head. It was almost time for the Dragon Migration.
Both Twilight and Spike were very excited about this year's Migration. Several distinguished scholars on dragons would be in Ponyville for the event later today including Twilight's old professor, Flyleaf. This topped even the fact that this time Spike wouldn't run off. The blind was all set up and ready and her camouflage was prepared. Twilight had even triple checked the accuracy of the checklist before using it to gather the supplies. Even though she had stayed up half the night she was energized this morning and couldn't wait to join her friends as they all watched dragons together. Then Spike answered a knock on the door and her larger mission came back to her at full force. Sanguine had limped through the door.
Now, Sanguine and Flower did much of the fetching for Trixie, gathering material, fielding questions, that sort of thing, as a result the townsponies saw more of them than of Trixie, so it wasn't unusual that he was here. But Sanguine was still the more distant and mysterious of the group. Even Flower had begun to open up to everypony showing herself to be playful and curious, especially so around Spike. Though Fluttershy did comment that Flower seemed to be even more shy around Spike at first than Flower was around her. Sanguine, who was already miserly with his words, spoke even less to anypony. He had mastered the one word conversation. He talked more to Twilight and her friends and more so to Fluttershy, but it was nothing to write home about. She would say a sentence or two, and he would say a word or two. This could go on for several rounds. How they kept that up was beyond Twilight, but they did.
The most thrilling, if it could be called that, thing that had happened involving him was when Applebloom and her friends had asked to see his Cutie Mark. For a moment he seemed on the verge of refusing the request before changing his mind and flipping back his ever-present cloak. There were so may stories about amazing, powerful, handsome, perfect, young adult ponies appearing out of nowhere in some small village and having no Cutie Mark at all that Twilight found she was surprised to actually see one on his flank. It was the most unusual one she had ever seen. For one thing it was clearly separated into a foreground and a background. In the foreground, looking almost traditional in design, was a Balance in shades of silver and between the scales acting as the fulcrum was the tip of an upturned Great-sword. The background was unusual though, not only for existing, but for the elaborate nature of the picture. It looked like something a pony from the far-east would have drawn. The colors of red, orange, and yellow flowed into each other forming a huge broad-limbed tree with strong roots anchored deep into a rock face, standing beside a clear, flowing river. In its' branches rested the sun, moon, and stars. When the Crusaders asked what it meant he simply said, "Judgment and War," without answering the subsequent questions about his Talent. It was Sweetie Bell who noticed that he was no longer with them mentally and managed to get the girls moving along. As he stood there he had the same look on his face the first night that they had met him. "I am tired," he had said that night. And also like that night there was Fluttershy, concern written all over her face, reaching a hoof out to him, but afraid to touch him.
The fact of the matter was that Sanguine was no hero out of a story. He may have been handsome once but his scars ruined that for him. If he was the father to the Princesses than saying he was ancient was likely complementing him. He also wouldn't be winning any prizes for speed, strength, or magical prowess in his condition. Additionally, another common thread in the stories was amnesia, and his memory seemed to be perfect, if his lapses and rumored nightmares were any indication. With all of that he was still going, which honestly was heroic, and she found herself really wanting to like him, but she still didn't know anything about him.
"Thinking of somepony, Miss Sparkle?" Sanguine asked, suddenly in front of her.
Twilight stared at his eyes and answered with all eloquence, "Huh." She then remembered what was going on and shook herself back to reality. "Oh. Yes. Sorry. Umm...Is there anything you need, Sanguine?"
With a small smile on his lips he started to look around at the books. It was a few moments before he answered. "Yes. Do you have books on local history, information on the Everfree Forest, town and local maps, local topography and geology surveys, etc."
Twilight didn't have to think at all. "Oh yes. Since the Town Hall doesn't have it's own library we have a separate room for those kind of official documents. How many did you think you would need?"
"All of them, if possible."
"That would be exactly forty-seven books and folders, and thirteen different maps," she said, astonished.
"I am a light reader," he replied, his smile widening just slightly at the joke.
She laughed a little and had Spike help her to gather the items. When they were finished the little room was sadly empty. His metal studded leather saddlebags barely contained everything and his injured legs seemed to struggle with the weight. Twilight didn't want him to to get hurt so she asked him, "Would you like me and Spike to join you? I'm sure he would like to visit Flower."
Spike began bouncing in front of them entreating them, "Yes, yes, I would love to visit."
Sanguine laughed, "Alright then. If you insist." They were all headed out the door when Sanguine spotted Owlicous perched above the door, sleeping. His face became hard and Twilight heard him whisper one word, "'Nevermore.'" As they passed under his shadow to get outside Twilight wondered what that was about, but stayed silent.
As they were walking, Twilight felt a need to break their silence. "So, when is Trixie's next show? It's been two weeks and everypony is very excited to see what she has in store for the next round."
"I did not know you were so impatient, Miss. Sparkle." Sanguine smirked, softening his earlier sternness.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry." Twilight replied while blushing.
Sanguine barked a laugh as he reassured her, "No apology necessary Miss Sparkle. The next showing will be some time next month between the... Running of the Leaves and...Nightmare Night, is it?" He looked at Twilight, the question peeking out from his eye.
Relived Twilight answered, "Yes, that's right! Both events are connected to the harvest season, hence their proximity. One brings in fall while the other is a celebration for the little ones, and the adults tend to enjoy it too. And you don't need to call me 'Miss. Sparkle.' Twilight is fine."
"Well then, Twilight, it has been a long time since I have brought in a season." He then glanced meaningfully toward his legs.
"Oh, you don't have to run. We have plenty of ponies for that. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie don't even participate. Well, technically Pinkie announces during the event so I don't know if that counts as participation or not."
"Pinkie Pie announcing." The slight lifting of the corner of his mouth attested to how much her would enjoy seeing that.
"Yes her commentary can be rather scattered," Twilight chuckled to herself.
"What does this 'Nightmare Night' commemorate?"
"Princess Luna when she was Nightmare Moon and banished to the moon. Princess Luna has the ability to enter anypony's dreams and influence them to a degree, though various scholars disagree on how much influence she has. Professor Sleepyhead, who earned his PhD. From Canterlot University, believed that she had complete control of one's dreams, from the mood to the content and duration. Challenges to this theory have existed long be for the Professor though. Star-Swirl The Bearded postulated that Princess Luna could only wander around in and observe one's dreams and maybe, just maybe, encourage the beneficial or detrimental effects of those dreams." Twilight then noticed that Sanguine had stopped several feet behind her, and was staring at her with an awed expression on his face. Embarrassed she coughed and continued as Sanguine caught up. "Sorry. Back to Nightmare Night. When Nightmare Moon was trapped on the moon for trying to overthrow Princess Celestia and force eternal night, it was widely believed that she sent nightmares to torment us. We just trivialized the belief by dressing up in costumes, playing games, collecting candy, and preforming little pranks on each other."
"Ah. I have seen similar celebrations before complete with ghosts, goblins, and gummies. Fun times for the children mostly." His mien became sad again. "So Luna tried to link herself to a warrior on some ancient battlefield to strike fear in her 'enemies'."
As Twilight thought about it the more that statement made sense. Nightmare Moon and Nightmare of the Blood Moon were similar enough that it could work. But it sounded too much like some hack author trying to be clever. "She felt unappreciated by her subjects. She wanted their love in the same way that Princess Celestia received it."
"Yes, she was always the more insecure of the two." Sanguine said just above a whisper. "How long have you known I am their father?" They had just reached Trixie's carriage and Sanguine just looked at her.
Twilight stood there shocked, and even Spike was surprised out of his private fantasy. "What...what... what do you mean. I...I don't know...," but as he watched her the lie died on her lips. She sighed, "Since the first night. Your name gave it away." He waited, expecting more. "I saw your name on a letter addressed to Princess Luna stating your title and your relationship to the Princess." A bit of anxiety burned behind his gaze as he processed that information. "No. The Princesses do not know that you are here."
He looked away and she could see him thinking though what she had just told him. His very aura seemed to lighten as he turned back to her. "Thank you, Twilight."
He then turned to go inside when an thought occurred to her. "Wait! How is it you didn't know about Nightmare Moon?" There was no way that he could have existed that long without knowing about the imprisonment of his own daughter. He turned and looked at her, and for the longest moment said nothing. Then it clicked. Bits and pieces of their conversation drifted back to her and suddenly her original assumption of a noble hiding among the common ponies was absurd. His lack of recent history, his lack of participation in seasonal changes, his injuries suggesting activity and not hiding and sequestration, all leaving only possibilities that took him off-world, supposedly impossible, but the Princesses knew every heavenly body in the night sky, so he wouldn't be on another planet, which leaves one other possibility, but it was impossible. He..."You traveled to another dimension." He smiled and nodded.
While Twilight sat there slack-jawed, a commotion caught both of their attention. Fluttershy was backing away from two armored griffons. A crowd had formed but didn't lift a hoof to help her. Twilight was immediately brought out of her trance and she marched her way toward her beleaguered friend. As she trotted over she heard the familiar slap-scratch of Spike's feet, and the mismatched clack of Sanguine's hooves. She looked to her left and saw Spike's determination, but when she looked at Sanguine to her right she slowed. The light in his eye did not bode well for the griffons. Veritas Sanguine Dominous, High Lord Master of all Realms, was very, very angry.
Fluttershy's day had been horrible. She had started off nervous about the Migration about to happen today, and as she fell further behind on her preparations she became more nervous. She had carefully moved most her animals inside her home, and for the ones that couldn't be moved she had set up nets to help hide them. If it had been up to Fluttershy she would have just moved them all inside, camouflaged the house, reenforced the building with metal plating, stored vast amounts of food, bolted herself and her animals inside, and not come out for a week. As it was she had to content herself with locking the door and hiding under the bed.
She had gone off to buy some more food, just in case, and was not meeting with much success due to the extra ponies and even griffons around town so that the stalls were out of almost everything that she wanted. Dejected she headed for home hoping to be there before any big, scary, scaly, fire-breathing dragons flew by and started carrying off little mares like her. Then she found a nest lying on the ground near one of the buildings in town. The mother bird was tweeting anxiously nearby, flitting from roof to roof. Miraculously the eggs were undamaged, so naturally Fluttershy went to assist the distressed mother bird. So after a quick conversation with the mother bird to reassure her and the repositioning of a nearby ladder, Fluttershy carefully placed the nest on her head and climbed the ladder. No sooner had she returned the nest and watched with satisfaction as the mother bird sat atop the eggs then the ladder shifted violently and Fluttershy fell onto a hard, metal surface. Her head was still ringing when she was thrown off the object onto the street. It took several moments for the multiple griffons in shining armor to resolve into just two. They were talking to her.
"Hey, I asked you what you think you're doing?" yelled the slightly smaller one.
Immediately Fluttershy dropped to the ground trying to make herself as small as possible. "I don't...don't know what you mea...mean," she whispered.
The larger one approached. "Are you afraid of us?" Fluttershy backed away and nodded. "Good. Now answer my sister's question. Why did you jump on her back?" He loudly demanded.
Fluttershy maintained her retreat. "I didn't mean to lan...land on her back. My la...ladder slip..."
"What makes you think I would let a weak little pony like you ride me. Huh!" The sister angrily stated.
"Yea. We don't have to put up with pathetic little things like you trying to...to...jump on our backs!" The brother continued.
Fluttershy was still backing away, and becoming increasingly frightened. Part of her was willing to let them continue until they had their fun and moved on. Another part of her wondered where her friends were and when they would stop this. She was beginning to feel very alone.
"Do you have any idea who your dealing with?" The sister asked.
Fluttershy's progress was halted when she hit something hard. The two griffon's had stopped as well and were looking at what had impeded her. They were looking up at it. When she turned to look she could see Sanguine, eye like a chip of ice. She had run into his left foreleg.
"Yes," he softly said. "Tell us who it is that so bravely accosts Fluttershy."
Fluttershy took this moment to maneuver underneath Sanguine, allowing herself time to calm down and be comforted by the weight of his presence.
After looking Sanguine over and with a snort of derision the sister declared, "I am Freyja and this is my brother Falmer and there are no greater hunters in all the world, for we...hunt...dragons." A low murmur of wonder hummed from the gathering crowd. Even Fluttershy couldn't hide her surprise.
Sanguine was unimpressed. "Then why are you molesting her."
A shocked and embarrassed expression came over both siblings. "What!"
"Harassing," Sanguine amended with a sigh.
"Oh, uh...because your little marefriend down there decided to try and ride my sister, that's why we're moles...moles...what you said." Falmer challenged.
Fluttershy could feel the heat rise to her face at being called Sanguine's marefriend. His reaction though was unusual. He looked to the left and toward the ground with a slight frown on his face, and she could barley hear him whisper, "'Ride my sister?'" He glanced her way and blushed slightly.
Why is he blushing? Fluttershy thought.
After clearing his throat he returned his attention to the griffons. "What were you going to do to her?" Anger licked at the edges of his words like flame. He was looking squarely at Freyja.
Falmer answered though, "We were going to teach her that you don't jump on our backs, that's what." Fluttershy curled into a tighter ball.
Sanguine's tone became curt. "So. Both of you young, strong, heavily armed and armored griffons who seek recognition would gain it by attacking a trembling, timid mare and an old cripple?" The sound of mockery entered his voice. "I can hear the verses of that glorious song already."
What's that," Falmer shouted roughly invading Sanguine's personal space. "You think we can't take you? Is that how it is? Huh, huh!"
Freyja clearly picking up on the implication her brother wasn't, vainly tried to quiet him, "Brother, shhhh. That's enough. Let's go." Falmer persisted anyway till they were both interrupted by a shout.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SUPERHEROES TO THE RESCUE!" Three little fillies dressed in caped costumes ran between Sanguine and the griffons and faced the latter.
"I'm 'Mighty Mare,'" Applebloom flexed her "muscles."
"I'm 'Daring Diva,'" Sweetie Bell sang.
"I'm the 'Skydiver,'" Scootalo said as she flipped her skateboard.
They shouted in unison, "AND TOGETHER WE ARE THE …," but the name was lost in three separate statements.
"I thought we agreed we were the 'Fantastic Fillies?'" Applebloom said.
"I liked the 'Angelic Avengers' better," Sweetie Bell complained.
"We all know that the 'Magnificent Mares' is the best. And it makes us sound older" Scootalo proudly stated.
"Oh, oh. How about 'Super Sweet Sugar Squad,'" Pinkie squealed. The Crusaders, Sanguine, and the griffons were clearly wondering when Pinkie had gotten there. So was Fluttershy.
Scootalo looked at the other girls. "Works for me." The others murmured their agreement.
"We're the 'SUPER SWEET SUGAR SQUAD'!" The three yelled.
"And you leave our friends alone," Appebloom declared.
"Yeah or we'll use our super powers to stop you," Scootalo agreed.
"Yeah, our...powers," Sweetie Bell weakly finished.
For a moment all was still. Then Sanguine burst out laughing. Oxygen demanding convulsions threatened to bring him down on top of Fluttershy. Then in between breaths Sanguine got out, "I think the fight is finally even. Don't you agree?" The griffons were clearly embarrassed, though both for different reasons, if Fluttershy had to guess, and the Crusaders were obviously confused.
Finally Freyja was able to pull her brother away amidst his protestations of their ability to win in a fight, still blissfully oblivious. After catching his breath Sanguine looked at Fluttershy and asked, "Do you want to come out?"
Fluttershy nodded and moved out from beneath him, feeling oddly exposed. He bowed to the Crusaders and with a grave demeanor told them, "Thank you, mighty heroes. You have protected our lives. We are in your debt."
Fluttershy also walked over to them to thank them. "Thank you, girls. It was kind of you to do that for us."
At this the Crusaders expectantly looked at their flanks. They were still blank. "Ahhh," they all said.
"I thought for sure that would work." Scootalo commented.
Sweetie Bell then said, "Oh well. Guess we're going to have to think of something else." The three fillies then trotted off.
Fluttershy then looked at Sanguine, who looked back at her. She felt herself blushing again. "Thank you, Sanguine. Is there any way can I repay you?"
"Call me 'your Majesty.'"
At that, Fluttershy felt her eyes widen. Oh no. What did I do? How did I give it away? Was it something I...
"Just kidding." He watched her a moment before continuing. "You could look after Flower for me some days. I'm certain she would enjoy spending time with you."
Fluttershy blushed again, hearing a different implication and wondering why. "I would love to have Flower over. Whenever she wants to she can come."
Another moment passed, and when he spoke, his speech was laced with worry. "Fluttershy, whatever they may have said about you, you are the kindest most considerate pony I have ever known."
Fluttershy felt inordinately pleased by his compliment, but before she could reply Twilight showed up. "Fluttershy, are you ok? I thought for sure that they were going to hurt you, or that Sanguine was going to do something to them."
Sanguine, do something to them, for me? "I'm fine Twilight. All they did was yell at me."
Twilight looked relived, "That's good. For a moment I thought they had hurt you. What happened?"
Fluttershy looked to see Sanguine had returned to his home, "You see, I was going home from shopping when I saw a little, wittle birds nest on the ground and the mother bird all frightened and scared. So I carefully put the nest on my head, carefully climbed a ladder, and carefully placed it on a roof. The mother bird was so happy that she lay right down on the eggs. Then I fell off the ladder and landed on one of the griffons."
Twilight looked at her incredulously, "You could have flown."
Fluttershy felt her face turn pink at the realization. Even with her saddlebags she could still fly.
"Would you mind if I walked you home?" Fluttershy consented.
Spike remained behind to wait for Flower. Twilight thankfully did most of the talking, discussing the incident and begrudging Sanguine his bravery, restraint, and ingenuity. Twilight apparently wasn't ready to trust him yet. She talked about the performance set for next month, and informed Fluttershy of her theories about Sanguine's absence. Fluttershy was surprised to learn that Sanguine knew that they knew he was a king. She wondered if she actually should start addressing him as "your Majesty."
When Fluttershy made it home and Twilight left to go see the dragons, Fluttershy found herself wondering why Sanguine didn't deny that she was his marefriend. After everything else that he did she shouldn't have been focusing on something so small, and which was not necessary for him to deny. But he relied so heavily on what was not said that it gnawed at her as she saw to the final preparations for the Migration. Is that how he saw her? What would somepony as big and bold as him see in little, timid old her? With how old he was would he even show that kind of interest now? Was it appropriate? Did she want him to see her in that way? Would she want him as a coltfriend? The thoughts were so distracting, and she so confused as to how she felt about them, that she didn't notice a very important detail till she was all finished. Angel-Bunny was missing.
Rainbow Dash was so stoked for the Migration about to occur. She had gone to the blind, they had set up, early so she wouldn't miss anything. Dragons were awesome, though not quite as awesome a she was. Then again, no one could be as cool as she was so that was alright. Dash quickly regretted arriving early, though. Sitting still with nothing to do but wait was booorrrrring, But she couldn't leave now in case she missed something. Pinkie was the next to arrive, followed by Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity. Spike didn't come this year, and Dash had a good guess why. Twilight had to set up some equipment, and Rarity was constantly checking that her camouflaged dress was on properly. Only AJ and Pinkie seemed to be watching the sky, though Pinkie might have been looking for clouds that looked like cupcakes or something. When she was finished Twilight took that moment to give them all some startling news. First that Sanguine had known all along about their discovery of his identity along with some egghead talk about inter-dimensional travel or something. She also told them that he had saved Fluttershy from some bullying griffons, with some help from Scootalo and the gang. Dash was mad that anypony, or non-pony, would try to hurt Fluttershy, but she was proud of Scootalo for standing up to the griffons. By the looks on their faces so were AJ and Rarity for their sisters respectively. Sanguine though had skyrocketed when it came to her esteem for him. She was more than glad that she had invited him to join as they observed the passage of the dragons.
Then they all heard the now familiar sound of off beat cantering. "Hello, my little ponies," Sanguine called, evoking Princess Celestia's own salutation.
Pinkie was the first to say hi. "Hello High Lord Master Sanguine, or is it, High Lord Master Veritas, or High Lord Master Dominous, or High Lord Master Veritas Sanguine Dominous, it's easier to say 'Princess' or 'Princess Celestia' or 'Princess Luna,' but their names are short and yours is long, or maybe theirs are longer but we don't no the rest of them, oh, you could tell us what their whole names are, what did you think of my superhero team name?"
Sanguine remained composed, "Sanguine will do, as for the Princesses those are their names, and yes I liked your superhero team name."
Meanwhile Twilight quietly asked, "Who invited Sanguine?"
"I did. I told you that a week ago. You know, when you were arranging the library, again." Dash said.
Twilight looked at Rainbow, "No you didn't, you told me that Fluttershy wouldn't be coming, and that you needed a book on turtle diseases because you were worried that your Tank might be sick. You didn't say a word about Sanguine."
Rainbow Dash was about to object, when she remembered that she had nothing to object about. "Oh yeah, your right. Sorry Twilight." Apparently Twilight still didn't quite trust Sanguine yet.
It was too late now. Sanguine had made it to the blind with Pinkie and after a quick greeting and inquiry into why Trixie was not with him, which was because she was tired from practice, was looking to see where he could watch. Rainbow Dash waved him over beside her.
"I hear you saved Fluttershy today." Rainbow Dash whispered.
"From no more than a bad bruising." He whispered back.
"What did you do? Did you fight them off? Did you reveal who you are and command them to leave her alone?"
"I just talked to them"
"You just talked to them?" Rainbow Dash almost yelled.
"Yes, though the timely arrival of the Crusaders helped expedite the conclusion of our... discussion. They were very brave."
After a moments silence Dash resumed the conversation, "Thank you. I've known Fluttershy since we were both fillies, and she has never tried to stand up for herself."
He sighed, "I thought as much. She probably believes it is a kindness of some sort not to interrupt their fun, even if it is at her expense."
Another silence ensued which Sanguine broke this time. "How does one hunt dragons?"
"Hunt dragons? That's easy. All you do is lay traps for them and try to lure the dragons into them. Then you take a scale and let it go. But if the dragon catches you he takes a feather or a tuft of mane. I'd be the best hunter ever if it didn't involve so much waiting. Waiting is boring."
"So it is like a game?"
"Yeah, that's it. Except there is a lot of pride involved on both sides. Plus you often have to watch your prey for weeks."
Sanguine looked around the clearing they were in. "Where are the other observers?"
Twilight answered that question, "This is the closest spot, and the one we used last year, but if you want to gather information about dragons then closest isn't always best. They're probably in other locations around town."
Sanguine nodded, and a comfortable silence settled over them all.
The dragons started appearing an hour later. Flying by in no real order, brushing the top of the world or skimming the ground, they were all magnificent to watch. Rainbow Dash had a hard time not joining them up there in the blue, and when she looked at Sanguine she could see the amazement and even jealousy in his one silver eye, though he stood as still as stone. Twilight was busy writing notes, AJ watched with rapt attention, Pinkie pie was fit to burst and Rarity uneasily watched the sky. Rainbow Dash didn't blame her, she was looking for the same dragons they had encountered last time. They had been fortunate in that so far, but also the girls didn't expect to be seen.
"Hey, Rarity, have you seen them yet?" Rainbow asked. Without taking her eyes from the parade of dragons Rarity replied in the negative. Then as Rainbow moved to return to her place, Rarity gasped. Rainbow Dash quickly followed her gaze and saw them. The mean bullies were at the edge of their vision, but approaching fast. Rainbow was surprised that Rarity even saw them. She must have been really worried. Then the unthinkable happened. Rainbow Dash heard a familiar voice and looked down to see a little, white rabbit in the middle of the field, staring up at the sky. Fluttershy was not far behind.
Everything seemed to slow down. All the girls were panicking. Everypony was trying to get out of the blind as fast as possible, but they all were still to slow. Their cries seemed so far away, while Fluttershy was oblivious to the danger. She knew about the dragons overhead since she kept glancing upward as she quickly approached Angel, but she wasn't looking around her, just up. Then that red dragon yelled something and Dash could see her freeze when she saw them coming toward her.
Rainbow Dash gained the perimeter first knowing that the others would be close behind. There was no way to reach her in time. Rainbow Dash felt real fear. The lead dragon let loose a jet of flame toward Fluttershy just as Dash had readied herself to bolt to her aid. Then, with a small pop, Twilight was beside Fluttershy. Rainbow's relief was short lived as she realized that there was no time to do anymore that just appear before the flames overtook them. Less than a heartbeat later a mass of grassy land materialized sideways in the air with, Sanguine on it? Sanguine unceremoniously fell from the mass of ground, since he too was sideways in the air, and the mass landed on the ground throwing up a dust cloud as well as blocking the fire. Thunder clapped beside her as time resumed it's normal pace.
Rainbow Dash took a moment to glance to her right. She almost stopped flapping her wings. A large portion of land was missing from the blind. All that was left was an elliptical scar several feet deep, and several dozen feet long facing diagonally from where Sanguine was standing. Dash noticed that at the edge closest to Sanguine was a small corner of his cloak and some hair severed from his tail.
When she looked back she saw Twilight, Fluttershy and Angel were a short distance from where they were but nowhere near far enough away to make a break for it. Apparently the dust confused Twilight when casting the teleportation spell. Now other dragons were circling the area, monstrous and watchful. The bullies had scattered to avoid the dust and were looking for their targets. Rainbow moved for the nearest one. A rainbow streak caught him square in the jaw and sent him spinning into the ground. Applejack was on top of him in moments. Dash quickly scanned the sky and spotted the red dragon who was heading for Twilight, Fluttershy, and now Rarity. The same move sent him spinning away, but he recovered much faster and started to pursue her. That half-second of inattention nearly cost her as she almost ran into one of his compatriots. Instead she flew though a trail of frosting, and could hear Pinkie happily singing, "Let them eat caaaaakkkke," as she fired her party cannon.
Rainbow tried to keep the dragons as focused on her as possible so as to prevent them from diving at her friends, but she was becoming less and less successful as they ignored her for easier prey. She could see Sanguine, who seemed no worse for wear, tell Twilight something before making his way away from the group as swiftly as he could. Twilight then made a barrier around all their friends, supported by Rarity, and continued to move for the safety of the town. Sanguine then looked up at Rainbow Dash and ordered her to her friends side.
When the dragons saw the barrier and Dash land in it they also landed a good distance away. They made their way toward the girls, but found Sanguine in their path. They hesitated only a moment before advancing on him. He just stopped and waited. When the dragons had him within clawing range the ponies suddenly saw him throw back his hood and watch as a nimbus of black lighting surround his horn. The charge instantly collected at it's point and then an explosion of white light engulfed everypony. Rainbow closed her eyes immediately and still the light burned through her eyelids. The sound was equally impossible. A thousand thunder claps and more echoed through Dash's head. Then there was a sound of buckling, then shattering, as Rainbow was picked up off her hooves and tossed to the ground.
A breath later all was quiet, save for the ringing in her ears. She had a small ache in her back and head but that was all. As she looked around she could see the others were not far from her. Twilight was trying to get up, so Dash followed suit, and soon the others were all on there feet, shaken but unharmed. Even the stupid bunny that started this mess.
Twilight looked amazed. "He told me to keep the barrier up and put as much distance between us and him as possible. He said he didn't know how his magic would react." Rainbow Dash believed it. Had she been flying she had no doubt that she would be paste right now. Even the dragons were circling at a more cautious distance.
Then Fluttershy asked, "Where is Sanguine?" clearly afraid for him. Rainbow quickly took to the air hoping to see what had happened to him.
A humongous dust could was just being blown away by the wind showing a massive crater where Sanguine and the dragons had been. After worriedly glancing around she noticed several lumps that were well away from the cloud, but nowhere near her friends. Slowly each one began to get up. The dragons were fairly close together and were clutching various body parts while Sanguine took a deep, flinching breath, and spat blood. His cloak had been blown away. These were all far tougher than they looked, but Sanguine's limp was much worse. They started to move around the hole with the dragons being more wary of Sanguine than they were before. Rainbow dashed to Sanguine's side and started to walk with him. He didn't object.
Just as they were about to meet the bullies, a great dragon, brown with green tipped spikes, landed with a heavy thud in front of them, roaring. Rainbow Dash found herself in front of Sanguine, protecting him while he sat and tried to conceal his pained breathing. The beast looked like Flower but its' scales were more like stone swords jutting from its' body, and there was none of her fear.
"Who dares attack one of my own?" It bellowed. Okay, so it was male.
Sanguine quietly, but with a growl, returned, "I could ask of you the same, First Elder."
The dragons gold eyes blinked in surprise before it spoke again, its' voice like a low rumble. "The End of All Hope? Is that you?"
Sheash. How many titles does this guy have? Rainbow couldn't help but think.
"It is, old friend." Sanguine replied, voice almost warm, but still hard.
"It has been a long time, Ancient One." He pause, "Have you returned to reclaim the Morning Seat, and bear once more the Crown of Evening?"
"Not yet, Elder," voice cold once more.
"How are your siblings? Are they well?" The dragon asked. Rainbow Dash didn't like how he asked the question, though she didn't know why.
"One is dead. The other two will soon be visiting," Sanguine stated, with regret lacing his tone. Rainbow suddenly felt very sad.
"Pity," the dragon replied, but the way he said the word made Dash wonder if the dragon thought the death was a bad thing or the impending visitation. That possibility made her angry again. Then the dragon continued, almost accusingly, "What have you done, Lord High Master?"
Though his eyes never wavered from the dragon's, Sanguine's voice was even softer now, and harder, "Much."
"How much have you given?"
"Everything."
"And yet it was not enough."
"No."
"I see." Then there was nothing. They just stared at each other and the sadness and anger in Rainbow Dash's heart grew.
Finally she couldn't take being ignored any longer, especially since she was still in front of Sanguine, and no one had even acknowledged her. So she spoke up. "Hey, so are you going to punish those bullies or what," She demanded.
The dragons in question shook themselves as if from a trance, probably caused by dragons and ponies talking to each other as equals. The two, well rulers she supposed, only turned their heads to regard her, and for the first time in her life she didn't want to be noticed. Then they both looked past her and she knew her friends had arrived. "Yes, everyone is here. But I do not think I need to hear from everyone, just your Grace," the dragon replied.
"You still trust me?" Sanguine asked, confusion and surprise not quite making it to his features.
"Yes. You have always tried to do what was right, especially when it was hard." When Sanguine heard that his expression became clearly troubled.
Sanguine sighed as he returned his gaze to the Elder. "You will not like what I have to say," he stated.
The Elder replied gravely, "Truth is never easy, and I know few beings willing to hear it." Then the dragon smiled, or at least that's what Rainbow thought it was. "Besides, I never like anything you tell me, you know that."
A smirk flashed across Sanguine's face before it became somber again. "Those dragons with you attacked this yellow pegasus," at which point he indicated Fluttershy, "without provocation. She was just trying to retrieve her wayward pet." Immediately the dragons were talking over each other as they denied it, till the Elder roared for silence.
"That one is known to us, she has challenges one of us before," The Elder stated warily.
"She did not this time," Sanguine rebutted.
Then the red dragon spoke up, "But those ponies tried to spy on us. We saw them sneak into the volcano and everything."
At this the Elders face darkened. "Is this true?" he asked.
Twilight then stepped up and said, "Yes it is true, we were worried for a friend."
The Elder looked like it was about to say something when Sanguine interrupted. "That is irrelevant to this incident." The Elder angrily turned his way before he continued, "Your dragons were clearly in the wrong this time. I will investigate the other matters on this end. You will do the same on yours. We will meet here again in three weeks, agreed."
The Elder thought a moment then grudgingly agreed. As he was leaving he looked at Sanguine one last time and said, "You should return to your daughters. One is angry, one is sad, and the other has lost her way. Farewell, High Lord Master, and good luck." With that he flew away.
Sanguine just stood there, thinking. Then he spit another glob of blood on the ground and turned toward Twilight. "I am afraid I will need your help. I need to get to the hospital quickly to treat my injuries. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, ensure Fluttershy gets home safely. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, tell Trixie where I can be found."
Both Rainbow and Pinkie proudly saluted Sanguine. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I mean sir. Rarity and I will make sure she's fine." Fluttershy stared to protest, but he and Twilight were gone in a flash.
When they all turned to leave Rainbow's good mood deflated. There were other ponies just standing at the edge of the field. Well out of earshot thankfully, but still showing signs of having seen the meeting that had just happened and likely having been drawn here by the explosion. Rainbow sighed and braced herself for a long trial of not answering any questions. She looked at the others to see if they understood. They each nodded and Pinkie even zippered her lips shut. They then proceeded forward. After all, Sanguine was still technically a secret.