Morning arrived at the mansion, Sage and Vanity were restless and cautious to this meeting. This gave Gravyback plenty time alone with his loving butler to strategize the next move. He gestured the pieces around with his finger, trying to not use much energy. Blue Bull followed his commands with grace, moving them across the map according to his command.
"Are you sure this wouldn't be easier with the alathar to restore your limbs?" Blue Bull didn't want to question him, just noting nopony was around.
"But then you would suffer in my place." Gravyback leaned his head over to a straw and took a drink. "Besides, I don't trust either of those fools. Carnival Carnage is one thing, but having two ifrits in my mansion? Not a chance."
"I think they're just doing their best," Blue Bull spoke kinder. "We should offer them kindness in return."
"Usefulness!" Gravyback was quick to correct him. "Everypony must have a usefulness in life! Or they're as good as dead." He glared at his butler but didn't push the buffalo to change his mind. Instead, he took another drink and let his voice soften. "And once we are done with them, we will throw them away soon enough."
"You're too kind, Master," Blue Bull walked back over and teased him a little, cleaning up the drool.
Gravyback smirked and let out a small laugh. "That's why I have you, my giant buffalo." He kissed his hand, getting a giggle out of him. Looking back over he frown at the position of the pieces. "Maybe over there instead."
Blue Bull nodded and began to move the pieces again, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door. Both of them looked at each other with confusion as neither were expecting guess. Though after last night's proclamation, Gravyback had the assumption it might be some of the poor, rushing to claim a spot in the tournament. He rolled his eyes at Blue Bull to open the front door.
"Who is it?" He yelled, flicking the lever of his chair to push his body along. "Tell those souls that the sign up sheet is at the center of town. A big old clock tower, can't miss it-" He was stopped when his weak eyes caught sight of a pony with wings and a horn. "An alicorn... here of all places."
"You must be Gravyback." The pink alicorn stallion walked in without being offered at all. He placed down several loads of paperwork and introduced himself, "My name is Golden Williams Titanium Bravery Moray Cadenza. Son of Emerald Teal Constantinople Istanbul Cadenza and his wife Chrystal Laylis Titania Shimmering Starlight. First prince of Crystal Empire, brother of Blood Diamond Constantine Hollow Chernobyl Bloodstain-" He was stopped by Gravyback slamming his chair against the table, knocking down all his paperwork.
"Damn this bastard is so long winded." Gravyback showed no respect at all for the titles the alicorn presented.
This leaving the godlike being almost offended, but trying to keep a straight face. he adjusted his voice and held out his hand. "Am I speaking with the General Peirce Biscuit-"
"Dead," Gravyback replied so bluntly. "Just like Pounder Cake before him and unfortunately before Servantus Gravestone."
"All three of her previous husbands are... dead?" Golden Williams raised an eyebrow at those words. "So you are?"
"The whore's son!" The crippled laughed through his tubes. "Counselor Gravyback, offspring of Cenior Puddinghead and her last husband Servantus Gravestone. Now, what are you doing here in my mansion!" He emphasized the word mansion the loudest to show how offended he was by this alicorn's presence and assumptions.
"I am here to give you a proposition." Golden Williams tried to explain, but the young earth pony pushed him back with the wheelchair.
"I have no interest in any offers. Certainly not from one of your kind. Now, leave or I will call for the guard and have you removed." Gravyback snapped at the alicorn.
"Hear me out, Gravyback." Golden Williams stepped as far out of the way as possible. "I am here simply to stop a war, nothing more." He gestured to the papers. "While your mother... had a way with certain stallions, she was once a well known arbitrator against many conflicts-"
"But she couldn't stop the conflicts in the bedroom. Or the stallion rage upon my back." Gravyback continued to be a blunt as possible in his words. He wanted this false godly creature out of his home and back to his high tower. "If I were you, I would take these papers and burn them. No point in trying to change history."
"Don't you want to seek peace!" Golden Williams urged him to read his many spread sheets he had worked on all night. "You could end your war with the buffalos right now. Turn away from Frost and his war with the alicorns."
Gravyback sighed and let his body fall limp. "Look, alicorn... I'm not interested in peace. That's not why I'm having a tournament. This is for glory and the future of my country." He presented Blue Bull as an example. "The buffalos are a strong and proud race, breed into the peak form of muscles and speed. They can survive the harshest of cold, adapt to the warmest of heat waves. They have a natural strength and endurance beyond most other pony." His words left his servant blushing and feeling very embarrassed. "Which... is why I want to break them." His words left the alicorn wide-eyed with shock. "Yes, I want the buffalo race to suffer, not be destroyed."
"But, you said-" Golden Williams was surprised to hear the change.
"I want the strongest of them all to stand with me..." He rolled over beside Blue Bull, trying his best not to hold his hand, less reveal the true connection between the two. "Only then, will they finally be useful..."
"Useful to what!?" Golden Williams was trying to figure out the logic behind the earth pony's words.
"The future, the new age, and the new era that is upon us." Gravyback didn't care how vague he sounded. In his mind, he knew exactly what he was saying. And his heart was already set in stone. "The spark has already happened. Why wait for it to pass us."
"You're referring to when the Giant Blue Hourglass broke apart." Golden Williams was starting to understand some things, but not every detail. It was a similar mindset that his father was having. A final crack was caving over them all and it was one that this earth pony was fine with accepting.
"No, there is a bigger picture, something... a thousand years in the making." His voice grew in rage as his point wasn't getting across. "The earth ponies will soon rise to be the greatest race of them all. The buffalos can either follow us in sweat or blood!"
Realizing his words wouldn't get through, Golden William conceded. "Perhaps I've come to the wrong pony..." He started to gather his papers and turn toward the door. Wincing he placed the giant arrowhead in view of the buffalo servant. "If you have anything else to add, now is the time." He looked directly at the servant, hoping he would understand the reasoning where his master was not. Not saying anymore, he took his leave.
Blue Bull saw the item and remembered it's importance. His heart skipped a beat, but he kept a firm stance beside Gravyback. The crippled earth pony was too focused on the fact the alicorn had given up and left to notice the change. Blue Bull was now conflicted by his choice. His eyes dropped to his master disfigured form. Echoes played in the back of his mind. Memories of him being forced to watch as the young earth pony was beaten in this very room.
"You must always be useful!" An older stallion growling at both of them. "Even this bastard of a buffalo knows how to be useful." He kicked Blue Bull's shin, but Gravyback jumped forward with his frail body and was the one who took the brunt of the hit.
"No... Leave him alone... He did nothing wrong." The young colt pleaded. He was so thin, weak and defenseless.
Such a sight Blue Bull never wanted to see on his master ever again. Once the alicorn was gone, he placed his hand on Gravyback's shoulder and leaned down to kiss him on the hand. "We will find you the strongest buffalo..."
Gravyback was taken aback by his touch and affection. "I need no weaknesses. Not when we've just barely begun this path." He turned away to hide his blush in case Sage or Vanity walked in on them. Neither noting that Carnival Carnage saw the whole thing from the shadows around the corner.
The clown priest kept his silence, knowing this reveal would be more useful later on. For now, he was more curious as to the object that was given to them. Leering the details over for memorization and study later. Sage and Vanity might need to know the importance of it if they were to complete their task.
Back in the marketing district, Cold Blue and Twilight used money to gather up supplies. Both were left uneasy after meeting with Cenior Puddinghead. She was everything Twilight expected and everything she wasn't ready for. The earth pony mare left them behind so quickly that she didn't even have the chance to convince her to help them. Instead, the two were now moving from stall to board, getting all sorts of food and clean drinks with the money she gave them. She was so open and joyful, but refused to help them in any other way.
The entire time they walked together, Twilight was just throwing her hands around in distress. Cold Blue was listening to every word, keeping up with her and the stuff. She couldn't accept the mare's lackadaisy attitude. Was Cenior Puddinghead stupid or just in denial?
Cold Blue was just as much at a loss for words, but added whatever thoughts he could, "I don't know what to make of her, or if she is even worth it."
"Oh no." Twilight gestured at him. "She's worth it. She's just... not the same." She leaned against a table and took a bite of the free samples. "I mean, Pinkie Pie is cheerful, willing give hope in any situation no matter how bad... to the point of psychopathy mood swings even." She looked up at the sky, her mind recalling that moment when her and Pinkie Pie first met. "She's the kind of mare who would get right into your face and declare that you would be happy no matter the cost! That's... isn't the same as her." Swallowing the bite harsher she slammed her hand down and declared back as if she was using Pinkie Pie's own voice and accent. "Cenior not truly cheerful in all the right ways, never in your face, never abandoning a friend in need... and it's like her hope is gone."
"Ashamed, we were so close to being back on track." He gave her a blue apple juice to drink.
"I know!" Twilight took the juice and walked away again, forcing him to catch up. "It's just so frustrating. I know Pinkie Pie. I know she wouldn't have given up, not for something like this." Her eyes frantically moved over the posters everywhere, declaring sign up for the tournament. "She... she is a pony of action, not words. She wouldn't just sit by and let somepony else decide the fate of her species, not when she has all the power."
"Power?" Cold Blue repeated, "You think she has the power..." He closed his eyes at her raised eyebrow and clarified. "I mean, do you think she wants this power?"
Twilight dropped her hands and paused, staring at him for a long second. She was not sure how to answer this, but it was not because she was uncertain. It was such a deeper question then a surface glance. The alicorn could see that as plain as day on the siren's face. He wanted her to look even closer than she realized she was doing. "Maybe... I don't know!" Her eyes narrowed at him, "All I know is, I can't give up on her. I can't just walk away."
"If you don't know the answer, then I suspect she doesn't either." He walked closer and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Which means both of you need time."
"We don't have time-" She was stopped as he took her hand in his own. "Cold Blue... We need to hurry."
"No, we don't," he spoke with ever so bluntness.
She paused and her eyes softened at his smile. "Maybe we could take a break." Her voice grew smaller.
"A break sounds lovely." He pointed at a small stand. Twilight followed his voice to the spot and sat down, letting her emotions ease out smoother. She watched as he got them two ice cream cones and sat across from her. He had gotten her a simple orange cone with licorice strips, and for himself a dark lavender with icy edges.
"You remembered my favorite flavor." Twilight laughed with him and took a lick. The flavor melted and spread all over her tongue.
"Of course I did, Twilight Sparkle." Cold Blue leaned in, tasting his own. "How could I forget... every detail?"
Twilight didn't hear the last part. In a way she was unsure what he meant by that. Only tha she felt so comfortable in the moment, she could not help but laugh a bit. They sat there for a few minutes, enjoying their snack, talking about random subjects that had nothing to do with the mission at hand. Nothing deep or concerning the tournament, just about them.
Starlight watched onward with a slack jaw. "Shit... you were right." Her eyes rolled at Silver Pear's laughter.
"Hey, you wanted your teacher to relax more." He smiled at the sight. "We could be doing to same thing."
"Bite my ass!" She mocked him, walking away from the visage of the two.
"If you insist..." Silver Pear dropped to a knee only for her tail to swipe him across the face. "I guess not!"
"Let's go." Starlight aimed her direction toward the nearest sign up station. "We'll find them after their done."
Silver Pear rubbed his nose and ran off to catch up to her. "Fine, fine, don't have to be a bitch about it!"
Starlight stopped and shot a glare. "What did you call me!?"
"Nothing!" He apologized and held up his hands in defense. "Forget it, let's go!"
The sign up station was filled to the brim with names. The first thing Starlight noticed upon arriving was the stark separation between the earth ponies and buffalos in line. Earth ponies of all sizes signing up on one side, keeping a good distance from the buffalos signing on the other side. There was no barriers or organizers pushing these lanes, rather both species were making them of their own accord. To the point that there was several sign up sheets in the center completely untouched as if to ensure that no names crossed over.
"Well, this is going to make things difficult." Silver Pear commented on the issue.
"Not for your kind..." She raised an eyebrow at him, shoving him over to the earth pony side.
"What are you doing?!" Silver Pear tried to argue.
"Best not to piss off the locals, right?" Starlight winked as he was swallowed into the crowds of earth ponies. "Besides, if you want to win, it's best to keep a low profile." She rolled her eyes at the sides and went straight for the center. Taking a pin, she filled out her name in big, bold letters on one of the empty sheets. "There, no need for neatness around these freaks."
"I can think no differently." Another pin moved over and wrote in even bigger letters the name, Jackita Nox.
"What?" Starlight's eyes flipped upward to see a batpony mare standing beside her now. Strange since they weren't there a second ago. "Who are you?!"
"You can't read?" She underlined the name to emphasize the important. "Jackita Nox..." The batpony mare held out her hand. "It looks like we are the only outliers in this entire contest. I'm guessing we have that in common."
"I guess, I'm sorry." Starlight took the hand. "I just never expected to see another batpony after the Giant Blue Hourglass collapsed."
"It did?!" Jackita tried to sound surprised but with poor effort, making it hard to tell if she was questioning Starlight or mocking her. "I never noticed."
"That's impossible." She tried to not lose her cool. "Your entire species lived there for centuries-"
"I didn't." Jackita was even quicker to correct her. "In fact, I was born and raised in the far north. Outside of these lands." She gestured her head, taking in the entire view of the land around them while sipping a slurpee.
"Oh." Starlight was a bit lost for words, not expecting that answer. This timelines had allowed her to make many assumptions. But that had to change eventually with the lands changing. She just never expected to meet somepony so out of place, especially in such a wayback country like the Earth Pony Conglomerate.
"So what is your reason for entering this contest?" Jackita stopped sipping out loud and questioned her.
"I'm investigating some strange coincidences." She answered, keeping her words short and not too detailed.
"Same." Jackita nodded, not taking her eyes off her. "What are the chances of that?"
"What are the chances..." Starlight was stopped by her actions. She was still unsure if this batpony was still mocking her or wanting to keep words short too. But why would she be the one to question Starlight in the first place. "What is your reason for joining?"
"I told you... coincidences." Jackita's eyes narrowed on Starlight, almost making her squirm under their pressure. "It's too long of a story... And you?"
Again, somehow this batpony managed to flip the questions back to Starlight while giving her no answers at all. Now she knew this wasn't a mockery. Jackita wanted something from Starlight, but what? And why her? Did this batpony know something she needed? Taking a second to gather her thoughts, Starlight chose her words carefully. "The truth is, I'm here to-"
They were both stopped as the two crowds around them fell silent. Both the unicorn and batpony leered around to see the two sides of earth ponies and buffalos staring at something approaching. A large shadow came into view that left Starlight the most confused. It was her friend Red Steel, but he wasn't moving into the buffalo line.
Rather the tall wall of silence muscle moved toward the same sign up sheet they were standing beside. Never once did he acknowledge the growing glares on both sides. He simply looked at the two mares, before filling out the name, Red Steel. Starlight was left with no words to say at the strange sight. Determination burned in his eyes with far more emotion than she ever saw in him before. Jackita didn't even know this buffalo or his connection to Starlight, but was just as intrigued by his actions.
As soon as he finished he left with his usual silence. He looked at Starlight, but didn't speak. Continuing his walk until his image was gone once more from their sights. The crowds returned to their normal state of rushing and tightening the lines. Leaving the two alone once again.
"Well, that was awkward." Jackita's eyes narrowed as she took another loud sip of her slurpee.
"Anyway, what are the odds we see each other again in the competition." Starlight had lost all her previous words and questions for the strange batpony and just decided to antagonize her instead.
"Pretty good, actually." Jackita smiled, pulling out her wings to leave the crowds from above. "But you'll have to work hard to see me fight. Good luck, Starlight Glimmer!"
Starlight's eyes widened at that. Flipping back to the paper as fast as she could. The truth was unmistakable. The unicorn only wrote down her first name, not her last. "How?" Flicking her horn upward with a charge of magic, she was too slow for the batpony was already gone. "Who are you?" That was the clincher. There was now two mysteries to worry about in this country. Why was Puddinghead acting so strange and who exactly is this batpony, Jackita Nox?
Deeper within the brush of the Everfree Forest, Rex and Clover navigated through. They had left Princess Platinum behind to rest and process everything that had happened, with a promise to come back and help her once they were able to find what they came this far for. The view was tough for both of them, Clover having never been this deep in these kinds woods while Rex had a hard time sensing what was ahead in the shadows due to the strange magic that was dug deep into the ground here.
Clover kept herself close to Rex, keeping her eyes focused ahead of her as she watched her surroundings. "Rex? Can you sense anything? Anything at all?"
"No..." The umbrum lowered his brow to the dark alicorn amulet on his chest. "And yet this thing has never glowed so bright." Despite the darkness of the forest, the center of his dark magic was shining so strong with maroon hues that it was illumining several meters around them. "There is an ancient power, he can sense it far greater than I can."
"What do you think we'll find today?" Clover asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Rex, ever the pragmatist, replied, "The forest has been around for several millennia and holds many mysteries. Let's keep an open mind. Perhaps we will stumble upon it soon."
They ventured for several more minutes, the only sounds heard were those of nature. The wind rustling the trees and grass, the birds chirping in the distance, the buzz of insects, and the sound of their own breathing. The air was humid, causing a thin layer of sweat to glisten off their fur, even though it was cold and brisk. And the path was so tight, making them brush against each other very often. The closeness left Clover blushing a few times at Rex's muscles and power, something she did admire from time to time, but not the reason she fell in love with him. She loved his intelligence, his ability to see beyond what the rest of the world could, and his passion for selflessness.
However, lately that last detail had dulled in his eyes. After the dark actions he committed in the Giant Blue Hourglass, she could sense his resolve for good fading with each passing day. And she completely understood, having to kill one's entire species for a second time could be quite traumatic. But, he was not alone in this. He had her by his side, and she would continue to be there for him.
Her eyes traced out his face, taking note of how his facial features had not changed once over the years. Still a strong, powerful jawline and a straight nose, though his hair had grown longer, she often thought he was simply too busy to trim it. He was the definition of masculine, and his black body and purple markings just added to his allure, all of it wrapped in blue cloth and chains adding to the weight of his sinful deeds. She could feel her heart pounding at the sight of his handsome face, her cheeks flushing red.
She was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw him look up. His eyes were glowing blue and his pupils were now slits, indicating he had sensed something. "Rex, what is it?"
The umbrum looked down at her, his glowing eyes piercing hers. Calming his breath so as to not scare her, he slowly answered. "I sense...something...a very powerful mix of light and dark magic..."
"Like Starlight Glimmer!"
"No, not like the omnipony...it's...stronger...more ancient." Rex's brow furrowed as he placed his hand upon the Dark Alicorn Amulet. "Damn goat... let me see what you see!" He commanded the power to answer him.
Clover stood back a few paces as a purple mist poured out of the amulet, swirling around the umbrum's body and head before forming an image in front of his eyes. It was difficult for her to discern what she was seeing, the image was distorted and the colors were bleak. The scene looked as if he were watching someone, a unicorn, walking through a large city. Her eyes widened upon seeing familiar details she had only heard from others, never saw directly. The unicorn was purple with long flowing teal hair, her whole body shining like a diamond. Stranger yet, standing before the mare in the image was a tall dark blue goat. Remarking what little detail she had on this figure, she could only suspect this was the spirit trapped within the Dark Alicorn Amulet.
"Rex, is that-"
"Don't you dare show me her visage now!" He growled at the amulet. "What is the source of this ancient magic?"
The scene before him changed, showing him a large building in the shape of a tree, but made from purple, blue, pink and white crystals. It was a rainbow of violet hues that reminded her so much of Twilight Sparkle. Could this be the alicorn's former home. Zooming inside revealed four alicorns standing around a crater within the castle, aligned with six chairs. The first two were obvious to spot, possibly future versions of Celestia and Luna which was confirmed by Twilight many times as being her mentors in the future. The third one wasn't familiar, but did resemble Golden Williams, possibly a descendant. The fourth left Rex and Clover utterly confused, a male, Twilight never mentioned a male alicorn in the future timeline at all.
The four figures were talking to each about the events that must have happened within the Castle of Friendship that led to Twilight and Starlight getting trapped in the past. Rex couldn't make out the conversation, the sound was filled with static. And the next moment, the male alicorn stopped talking and looked directly at them. Their eyes widened as he could somehow see them through the vision. The other three alicorns vanished as his eyes narrowed and glowed green. The whole image flashed black before morphing into the emblem of the changelings, blasting a powerful spell back at Rex.
It flung him off the ground and threw him deeper into the forest. Clover charged after him, trying to catch him. She was not fast enough and the umbrum slammed into a tree, impaling the branch through his chest. Blood splattered everywhere, the crimson staining his charcoal skin and the bark of the tree.
Clover stopped at the sight of him, his blood dripping down the length of the branch. She stood there, frozen for a solid two minutes fearing his death, but forgetting the obvious. After long enough, Rex's eyes snapped open and he coughed up more blood. He screamed and growled at the branch, wrenching his body off of it so his wound could heal. He landed on the ground on his hands and feet, his legs shaking under the weight of his body.
He glared at the amulet as he held his hand against his chest. "What just happened?"
"You were seeing into the future..." Clover rushed over to his side and helped him up. "And it seems they could see you too."
"That should not have been possible." He wrapped his hand around the Dark Alicorn Amulet. "This power allows one to see through space, not time. That of Light magic's domain." He turned and looked towards the path ahead of them. "Perhaps we should investigate this anomaly further." The umbrum pushed her aside as the hole in his stomach sealed up.
She followed him, her heart still beating out of her chest from the panic. She had seen him die many times, but this time left her completely breathless. He was so strong, so powerful, it was no wonder why his enemies feared him so and why her heart always leaped for him. But, even the strongest and most powerful creatures have their weaknesses, and she could only hope that he would never have his discovered. The thought of being left alone without him, it terrified her. She could not bear the thought.
They walked for several more minutes until they found themselves within a clearing, the sun beaming down on them for the first time since they had arrived. In the center of the clearing was the very thing they had come to find. Just like the vision showed was missing, standing upon a random patch of ground was a large crystal table. The surface was polished and smooth, reflecting the light of the sun like a mirror. And, etched into the glass was several landmarks.
"A giant crystal map," Rex remarked.
"So beautiful," Clover admired the map, walking around the table as she looked at the detailed images. "Rex, look! Here where we are..." She pointed to the image of the forest. "And over there must be the Twisting Mountain." She dragged her finger across the surface and pointed towards a their next destination. "It's not far from here."
"The future sight of Canterlot. Yes, that's our destination." He placed his hand upon the map and a spark traced along his mind.
The images on the map moved, changing to reflect the current geography. The Twisting Mountains appeared as if the mountain was moving like a serpent. Several of the cities were missing, replaced with forests or empty plains. Slowly the forests parted away revealing the ruins of ancient castle. The mere sight of which made Rex yank his hand back in fear as the map reset. "I... I see, this map is the source of that light and dark magic I sensed early."
"How can a map be that powerful?" Clover questions.
"The most advance maps are design to have small traces of dark magic, that is how they see through space." Rex slowly returned his hands to the surface. "However, this map can see in both space and time." His teeth grit together to a soft smile. "The power, it's immense... It very well match. If not go far beyond the power of all three alicorn amulets combined."
Before Clover was terrified, but now she could sense a powerful happiness growing in Rex that she hadn't seen in the many years she knew him. His eyes were wide, his jaw slack with the biggest smiling. This map was not only the source of a new and incredible power, but a mystery to solve. Something he always loved, a mystery that could be key in combating the power strapped to his chest.
"Rex, I've never seen you so excited." Clover remarked, inching closer to him. The sight made her heart flutter with joy. It was a sight she thought would never return. She wrapped her arms around him, wishing to hold onto this moment forever. However, things were about to rise even higher. Rex turned around to face her, something coming over his expression that she couldn't read at first.
Without warning, he stole her lips in a deep embrace, their bodies pressing together as they melted into the kiss. She was surprised at first, but slowly slid into his strong arms and returned his passion. They were alone in the wilderness, so she had no need to be embarrassed or ashamed. Especailly as he shifted her around and dropped her body against the map's surface, his body pressing against hers. His kisses grew hotter and deeper as the map responded to their heat, the images changing around them, but they didn't care.
Lifting her feet up, Clover deepened the embrace, wrapping her legs around him and locking them together. Their hearts were pounding, their bodies growing hotter with every movement, their clothes flying off their skin. Their kisses were hungry, needing, desperate for affection, and she was not complaining. His tongue dominated hers, claiming every inch of her mouth and tasting her very essence. Their hearts were racing as the heat in their bodies rose, their hands exploring each other's bodies, and their hips grinding.