Through Blood and Dirt and Bone (Private)

[MetalBronyATL]

In the months following the dragon's attack on Canterlot, Prince Hurricane Lightning, the greatest ruler of Equestria since the princesses, had begun the process of rebuilding the damaged kingdom. Kane had held Equestria together so many times before, he had actually gotten use to managing a kingdom on the edge. However, although he led the kingdom with as much honor and integrity as he once had, Kane was living in darkness upon his throne. His beloved wife Autumn Rain, the powerful new alicorn princess of Equestria, was gravely injured in the attack, and is now unable to bear children of her own. To make matters worse, his adopted son Storm Flare was one of the many who sacrificed their lives to repel the dragons from Canterlot for good.

Storm's girlfriend Snow has progressed with her pregnancy well and was in good health. She often visited with Arial, the only other to survive the dragon attack, as the two mares helped each other along with their pregnancies.

Kane was sitting on his throne, his head on a hoof, listening to nobles argue and his secretaries speak with each of them, trying to keep some order. He had just learned moments ago that northern Equestria was experiencing random attacks in certain areas. Kane sighed and facehoofed, wishing somebody could somehow come and get these ponies out of his throne room.

At the train station, Snow was pratically shaking with excitement, as Arial was coming to Canterlot to visit her. She was pretty far along in pregnancy, but it didn't stop her from acting like a filly.

[NamelessTrax]

((Lol the Elemental Castle is right above Canterlot right now, Arial lives there with Ventus and a group of Element Acolyte Gaurdians (former Sentinel unicorns as of now), Ledus is Snows Ice dragon companion and pretty much is always with her, you can control her from now on.))

Shade Lock, Luietenant of the Sentinels, barged in through the doors causing the room to go quiet, "Leave us now." At first nopony moved but then the Captain of the Guard, Stryker Bloodfist, came in and they began to flow out. Shade was once again feeling like he wasnt respected, "Sire, the attacks up north are getting worse, and theres something else....." As he spoke Stryker used his magic and displayed an image of a stallion similar to Kane. "Anypony you know My Lord?" Stryker asked with a concerning tone.

[MetalBronyATL]

((Ok, well scratch that part, Snow can come visit Arial.))

Snow sat on the back of Ledus, flying high towards the Elemental Castle. She could barely contain her excitement and was as giddy as a schoolfilly about seeing what she always saw as her big sister.

Kane was relieved that he finally caught a break from the nobles and their complaining, but he looked at the image of the pony leading the attack. He was surprised at how similar he looked to himself, but couldn't figure out who he was. "I don't recognize him, but we must eliminate him. I'm told that it is not another rebellion, nor is it black magic and undead soldiers. It's a true army of enemy ponies from another land. Although this leader looks Equestrian alright."

A hooded figure subtly entered into the chamber of Princess Twilight, who was sadly sitting at her desk looking into her reflection in the mirror. It was the anniversary of Soul's death, and she swore she saw a younger version of herself with Soul in the mirror. Before she could thing any longer, the assassin grabbed Twilight's throat. She shouted in fear that could be heard throughout the castle.

[NamelessTrax]

Suddenly the doors to Twilights chambers flew open with something fast as lightning kicking the assassin away and catching the princess before she fell. Azure stood glaring at the intruder with peircing blue eyes, "Dawn." He spoke simply as Dawn leaped into a roll next to him summing up a magical barrier around them and firing three shots at the assassin.

Stryker was about to speak before the muffled scream and magical blast were heard, Shade flipped down his mask and unsheathed his sword, "Its Princess Twilight, Dawn and Azure have engaged with an unknown enemy Sire." He reported after hearing Dawns telepathic link com, standard for all the Sentinels. Stryker lit up his hornblade with his gauntlets glowing from his magical power, "My Lord we must hurry."

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane immediately opened his wings and drew his sword, storming down the castle hallways and bursting through the door. The assassin had just dodged the magical blasts and kicked Azure away before hitting Dawn with the hilt of his dagger. Kane burst through the doors and glared at the assassin. The assassin hesitated for a moment seeing him but charged at him anyway. With a shout Kane drove his blade through the assassin before pushing him off with his foot. As he fell dead a small tablet with the image of a moon with a dagger on it fell to the ground. Twilight saw it and immediately started to weep. "No....not him." Kane went to her side. "Who, mother? Who sent this assassin?" Twilight looked at her son with pain in her eyes. "Kane...there is something we never told you...and it's time you knew..."

[NamelessTrax]

Azure helped Dawn back up, Stryker took the body and detatched the amulet for them to examine, Shade took two other Sentinels to patrol the surrounding area. "Your Grace, that amulet, it belongs to him doesnt it?" He asked fearing the answer.

((Lets just say that Stryker was a young soldier when Kanes brother was sent away))

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane looked between Twilight and Stryker. "What is going on? Who are you talking about?!" he said in a raised voice. Twilight looked at her son with sadness. "Kane....the pony who did this....was your brother." Kane froze and stared at his mother. "What brother?!" Twilight dipped her head in shame. "I'm sorry that we never told you..."

((Flashback))

Two Nightwatch guards dragged a black stallion with a crimson mane and tail before Soul, who stood before the throne. Princess Celestia was too injured from the attack to be there, and Twilight, the stallions own mother, was too emotional and was crying profusely off to the side, her belly showing that another colt was soon on their way. The stallion glared at Soul, and Soul glared back at his son with angry and fury in his eyes. "Silent Night...you have committed crimes against Canterlot worthy of death. It is by the mercy of Princess Celestia that you will still be given your life." He spoke with anger, although pain could also be detected in his voice, for he was condemning his own son. "For this high crimes, you are to be stripped of your rank in the Nightwatch, and banished from Equestria forever, until the day you die." Several Nightwatch officers came towards Silent, ripping his medals and regailia from his chest, along with any other sign of membership of military rank. To finish off the decomissioning, his sword, a gift from his father, was removed from it's sheathe and tossed to the side. Soul looked down at Silent, his gaze like the gates of hell themselves. "You disappoint me, Silent. You are dead to me. I have no son." he said coldly. As the guards began to escort him from the castle, he stopped at the door and turned around. "One day I will return, and I'll bring the hordes of hell with me. And when that day comes, you better pray that you won't be alive....father."

((End Flashback))

Kane gritted his teeth as Twilight finished her story. He grabbed a claice from a nearby table and threw it across the room in anger. He turned and began to leave the room. "Where are you going Kane?!" Twilight asked in tears. He didn't answer until he was back in the main hallway. "Where's Trax?!?" he shouted.

Snow and Ledus had finally reached the Elemental Castle. Ledus gently let Snow down and she began to looked around for Arial, unable to contain her excitement, for she hadn't seen Arial in months.

[NamelessTrax]

Stryker sighed and put a hoof on her shoulder, "It is alright my Lady, in time he will forgive you."

Trax met with Kane after hearing his name be yelled, sensing his displeasure he kneeled before him, "You called King Kane?"

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane got close to Trax's face, anger burning in his eyes. "You knew didn't you?! You knew about me having a brother! You knew he tried to kill my parents and Celestia and you knew he would return one day didn't you!! DIDNT YOU?!" Kane had never been so angry before, and nopony had seen him act this way since he became king."

An acolyte led Snow inside the Elemental castle to where Arial was. "Arial!" She squealed happily as she ran and hugged her, careful of both of their pregnant bellies.

[NamelessTrax]

Arial was ecstatic to see Snow again, "Snow, Im so glad you came. How are things in the canterlot?" She asked hugging her back carefully.

Trax rose to look Kane back in the face, "At the time your were still in your mothers womb, we had assumed Silent Night had been killed since our scouts came back with no reports. Understand that it was for your own safety, do not blame your parents for this, I was the one who convinced Celestia and Soul to keep quiet about Silent Night. His actions were unforgivable, Soul wouldnt let me hunt him down and end him, perhaps I should have against your fathers judgement. But after he died, I knew I couldnt go against his wishes. Silent Night is dangerous Kane, he was one of the best that we trained in the Nightwatch and Sentinel program, he is with out a doubt too dangerous for you to face alone."

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane turned away of Trax and punched a nearby wall. He breathed heavily from the rage built up inside him. He felt like his whole family had been keeping secrets from him and left him in the dark. "Trax....this whole time I've had a brother....and now I find out he's the most hated criminal in Equestria, and he's waging war on us. How much more pain must I endure?"

Snow sighed. "Kane's still been really upset over what happened. He's starting to lose it." She said, avoiding directly talking about Storm's death.

[NamelessTrax]

Arial sighed sensing her anguish and reminding her of her own lose, "Grand Master Trax told me that Kane is special, He will be the greatest King to ever rule Equestria, his wisdom will soon surpass even Celestias. Like a Phoenix, he will rise through the ashes with flames of glory, the hardships he has endured will teach him more than a lifetime of knowledge."

"Kane, these hardships are necessary for your future, and the future of Equestria. In time you will be wiser than Celestia, your Queen will even surpass Twilight, the most powerful of the Alicorns. I have seen the future of this land, and you are the one leading everypony towards happiness and peace. Through these ashes you will rise like a Phoenix, with flames as glorious as the golden sun." Trax spoke with great wisdom.

((Dude, Kane can be known as The Phoenix King!))

[MetalBronyATL]

((Oooooh I like that))

Snow nodded and put a hoof on Arial's belly. "Soooooo......how's your little one coming along?" She asked, getting giddy and excited again.

Kane sighed and leaned his head against the wall. "If I have an older brother, then I wasn't even supposed to be king in the first place..."

[NamelessTrax]

"No, you were destined to be King, and Silent showed us that through his actions. You were born to be the greatest King who ever ruled this land." Trax said wisely.

Arial giggled, "Hes doing great, and yes I found out what gender. Its a boy!" She announced excitedly.

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane was silent for a moment, taking in Trax's words. Finally he turned back to him. "Send him a message. I want to meet Silent on neutral ground, unarmed. I'm giving him one chance and one chance only to back down."

Snow squealed in excitement. "Oh that's wonderful! I found out mine too, it's a girl!"

[NamelessTrax]

Trax dipped his head, "I will deliver it myself, a message such as this cannot be trusted to last long in the hooves of another." As he turned around he glanced back at Kane, "You have my word that I will kill him, nor will I inflinct harm upon him, unless he tries to silence me first."

Arial smiled and giggled, "Maybe they'll become more than close friends?" She teased.

[MetalBronyATL]

Kane nodded. "Thank you, Trax. My family is lucky to have you." He said before walking off.

In an armored fortress, several soldiers in a dark armor were preparing for a move against Equestria. A messenger came up to one pony standing over a map. "Sir, a message from Canterlot. They want to negotiate unarmed on neutral ground." The pony by the map turned around, revealing himself look almost just like Kane, but older. "Dear little brother has finally found out then. Ready my ship."

Snow giggled. "Who knows, maybe they will!"

[NamelessTrax]

((Aww I was gonna have Trax deliver himself))

Arial smiled happily, "I have considered my offer? About moving in here, you will be well taken care of I assure you, the new Acolytes have been very loyal." She said mentioning to the several Unicorns around them dressed in fitted robes, others were fitted in armor representing the element they chose to study. "So far only our Air Acolytes have been getting better, we could use The Ice Master for our Ice Acolytes." As she spoke a unicorn mare dressed in Snows Elemental colors looked up with hopeful eyes, one of the Armored Acolytes even stood taller to show his worth.

[MetalBronyATL]

((Trax is delivering himself. Lol))

Silent gone on his private ship, preparing to sail to a neutral island to meet Trax and hear Kane's message.

Snow thought for a moment, before nodding her head. "You're right, I think it would be an excellent idea. These acolytes look like they have great potential and I'd be happy to teach them."

[NamelessTrax]

((Lol gotcha im odd))

Arial cheered with glee, "Wonderful, we can discuss the details over tea, some of the Acolytes will be out on court practicing their elements. So far we have an Acolyte for each element, except Rogues, I guess shadow type magic isnt very common." She said leading them on towards the back porch balcony. The unicorn mare and Armored Stallion hoof bumped, happy they were getting a Master for their element.

[MetalBronyATL]

Snow smiled and followed Arial to the porch. "I'm glad I came to visit you, Arial. It's been a lonely couple of months." She said, starting to feel the bad memories of what the two of them had lost.

Silent stepped onto the neutral island, giving his arms to a nearby soldier who put them back on the ship. He walked towards the middle of the island and waited for Trax to come meet him. "Don't keep me waiting all day old man." He said to himself.

[NamelessTrax]

"Who said I'd keep you waiting." Trax began walking out from a tree, his limp due to his mechanic leg which was cover by a sleeve, "Unfortunate to see you alive, I see you've gained some .... help...." He added harshly, his glare was firm and fierce.

Arial frowned for a little, "I know the feeling.... but lets not dwell on the past, we have a future that needs our attention." She said feeling her belly with a slight smile. Meanwhile two Acolytes of the Fire Elemental began to spar.

[MetalBronyATL]

Silent looked Trax in the eyes unwavering. "Is that any way to greet your nephew after all these years?" He said. "I see little Kane wasn't stallion enough to come face me himself."

Snow watched the two Fire acolytes, their youth and skill reminding her of Storm. "It will take some time to find a master for all the elements."

((What's Arial's element again?))

[NamelessTrax]

((Wind))

"My Nephew died the day you did what you did." Trax replied darkly, "Kane thinks you deserve a second chance.... I think a dagger to your throat is what your really deserve, fitting for a traitor."

Arial nodded then grabbed her hoof with a smile of happiness, "Ventus informed me yesterday, one of the Dragons sent out six months ago will be returning, with one of the Chosen Elemental Unicorns!" She couldnt control herself from hugging Snow tightly, since the occurrence half a year ago Arial had been devoted to restoring the order to its former glory.

[MetalBronyATL]

"Am I really a traitor, Trax?" Silent asked, pacing around him. "Or was I trying to do Equestria a favor? Did you honestly trust how Equestria was ruled? Celestia was too pacifistic, she would never take necessary action and Luna's death is what started most of Equestria's conflicts." He stopped and smirked to himself. "Father? He could never be king. His mind deteriorated beyond comprehension from the lifetime of war he suffered. Mother? She was so young when she became a princess, and she did nothing but stand in Celestia's shadow, never truly learning how to lead." He turned back to face Trax. "None of them had what it took to lead. You call it betrayal, I call it necessary. And now, Equestria celebrates its supposed 'Golden Age' with little brother at the helm, but they know nothing of true glory. I am the only one who can bring that to them.....and the little colt couldn't even show his face in front of me."

Snow squealed happily as she hugged Arial. "That's wonderful! Which element is it?" She asked excitedly.