Jump to content

[Starfall] The Long Road to Diplomacy (Closed)


FiniteZero

Recommended Posts

"Come in, come in!" Lead said as he led the trio into the Zepplin.

 

The driver took a moment to talk to a pony, who galloped off afterwards.

 

"I'm a little short-staffed, but I can fly her fine." Lead explained. "Trip should take a few hours."

 

"Good, good. I need to chat with my guards, then I can come up for a personal tour of the cabin." Helping said.

 

"Alright, sounds like a plan! Let me show you to your cabin." Lead said. He led the three to a cabin in the back of the zepplin, and opened the door for them.

 

"Always a gentleman." Helping Hooves said. He gave Lead a kiss on the cheek as he passed by. Radiant followed him into the room.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 140
  • Created
  • Last Reply

(Short post because, well, Agile's really just tailing along.)

Agile followed the group, staying behind with Radient.

 

"Is this fellow to be trusted?"

He sure looked trustworthy, but looks could be very, very deceiving.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Helping Hooves took a seat at the table at the center of the small room, Radiant sitting across from him and Lead shutting the door to give them privacy. Upon hearing Agile's question, he laughed. "I'd hope so, he's my husband!"

 

Radiant's eyebrows raised a twitch. "Oh."

 

"Yeah, he always flies me around whenever I need to go to some conference or whatever. It's how we met." Helping said. He relaxed a bit. "He's one of the most trustworthy ponies I know. Hay, I bet my bits he could have been the Heir of Loyalty if his place wasn't in the sky with his zep."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He froze.  Homosexual ponies aren't too common within the Castles of Canterlot.  He wasn't quite sure how to react, other than to stay rigid and keep his face neutral.  He gave a nod towards Helping, steadying his gaze on the scene.  His mind whirled around, tracking location-keeping weapons in check, senses on alert.

 

If anything were to go wrong, they would.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiant felt the zepplin rise as he heard the hum of the engines.

 

"Alright." Helping said. "Here's what's happening. I managed to get in touch with the Shadowbolts."

 

"The what?" Radiant asked.

 

"I figured as much." Helping said. "It's a very secretive organization. Only those high up know about it. And, of course, certain Wonderbolts. They are a special operations team, meant to sneak in, do whatever they need to, and sneak out."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

(Sorry for the wait...I'm following this thread, but not getting notifications for posts.)

 

The Shadowbolts...It was a team feared by the REA, but hanging only by myth and thread.  He had heard from his Captain mention them a few times, but never had the pleasure to directly converse with the powerful flight team.

 

The Shadowbolts were rarely called upon to do anything related to Equestria, much less help a diplomat and his knifty partner.  Confusion swarmed his mind, but he stayed silent.  He walked towards Radient, "I'd advise you stay silent as much as possible.  We're not in our territory anymore, and we need everypony around us to know as little as possible,"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiant and Helping both nodded, understanding the sensitive situation.

 

"Even with help, I still got this feeling..." Helping Hooves said. "...And I don't like it."

 

Radiant looked out of the window. This mission was most likely going to go south very fast, and the chances of making it out alive were not looking good. The letter he was going to write to his sister may be the last she ever heard from him...

 

Determination set in. He was going to see Quicksilver again, he was going to escort the Minister to safety. It was his job as a Royal Guard, and his duty as a New Equestrian.

 

The Minister stood up. "I'm going to go spend some time with Lead. It could be the last time I ever see him, and..." He trailed off, then sighed before exiting the room. Radiant let him go, then turned to his fellow guard. "You up in zeps often?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He blinked, Zeps?

His mind ran blank, unable to think~

Maybe it was the resurfacing memories of...the fallen Wonderbolt...

Maybe it was the mention of the Shadowbolts...

Maybe it was this intricate scheme that somehow included him...

All he could focus on was his breathing, the pace of his heart, and slowly recording everything around him.

Like a good guard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiant blinked, then tilted his head. "Are you alright? I can't have you spacing out on me." His frown intensified. "Seriously, are you okay? Say something!"

It was obvious to him that he triggered something in Agile, he wasn't sure what.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He closed his eyes, "It's just...a lot to take in in very little time,"

He turned away, clearly ashamed that a fellow guard had to see him spaced out.

"But I'm fine now,"

And with that, he steeled all his muscles and hardened his jaw.  Conversation: Over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiant was silent. It was clear that there was nothing more to say for the moment, so he let his mind wander.

 

The hum of the propellers served as background noise for his visions of the future. Could they win a war against the Griffons? On one hoof, the Griffons were much more attuned to war than ponies. They fought for dominance amongst themselves, culling the weak and giving power to the strong. They were always looking for a challenge, and seeking a far bloodier honor and valor.

At least, that's what he's heard. He had never met a griffon face-to-face before.

On the second hoof, they had the Goddesses on their side. The wisdom of the sun, the wrath of the moon, the power of the love, and the bond of friendship. Their new weaponry was state-of-the-art. Their mastery of magic meant they could cast circles around the Griffons no problem. They might be able to fly in the air, but Pegasi lived in it. They would clearly have the air superiority. Right?

On the third hoof, this is new terrirory for Pony kind. They had never fought in a war of this scale before.

On the fourth hoof, neither had the griffons.

 

"What are our chances?" Radiant wondered out loud.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Huh?  

Radient's words snapped him out of his trance.  His mind had wandered, his mind fully blank to encompass all of his thoughts.

He looked at Radient, before stepping up close, "Sir-that doesn't matter.  We're here to try our hardest, until the very end of our souls.  I believe your sister tried so hard to make a difference in Equestria-and here you are, making that difference for her.  It doesn't matter what chances we have.  It doesn't matter if we win or fail.  All that matters is that we try our best-and to do so until the end,"

 

He stepped back suddenly, confused as where the passionate soliloquy had come from.  The memories of Radient's sister came rushing back at him~

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Hoo-rah." Silver said with a nod. "I will make her proud. Though, I was more wondering if we did go to war." He clarified. "I'm not likely to serve on the front lines- My duty is with my Heir- But this could shape generations of history from this point on. How do you think it'll play out?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He inhaled and exhaled," Honestly-I don't know,"

There really wasn't much more to be said.  Instead, he turned towards the Minister and his partner,"Are we far from our destination?"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Not too far." Lead replied. "Just a little bit further."

 

Radiant checked out the window. He could see a fair amount of trees out there, so they were definitely in the right area. He closed his eyes, and took a moment to center himself. "Once we land, just find a lodge and rest until tomorrow. We take the supplies waiting for us, then we head off by hoof. Couldn't be easier."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He smiled, Radiant is so optimistic.  

Inside, though, his heart had steeled.  He was mentally, physically, and psychologically prepared for anything.  At least, he hoped he was.  If something could go wrong-it would.

"Easy soldier-less talking, more guarding," he joked.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Sorry sir." Radiant replied, assuming a stiff posture. "I'll protect this zeppelin against those evil pigeons. They won't get past our defence."

 

Helping stiffled a giggle. "Twilight forbid one of those get in here."

 

"That actually happened once." Lead said as the zeppelin reached a clearing. "They can get very bloody annoying, very quickly."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This...was very horrible.

Anger burst inside of him.  He had prided himself as a good guard, and he had risen up the ranks as a great one.  Falling out of line like this might make Radiant more friendly with the Minister, but it did him no deed as a guard.

 

Stupid stallion....

 

Agile stood silently.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The zeppelin soon touched down outside of a cozy village. Most of the houses didn't have a second story, and the archetecture was reminiscent of pre-Starfall.

 

"Go on ahead, find an inn." Lead Zeppelin said. "I'll hang around till you leave."

 

Radiant was of two minds. On one hoof, Lead was most likely trustworthy. On the other, it's best to keep to as small a group as you can. You never know when a changeling might swap places.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The zeppelin landed in a little village, but to Agile-it was anything but cozy.  It seemed to be unaffected by the Starfall incidents, and it's architecture was quite nostalgic.  Radiant seemed to be thinking as well, though probably not of the same things as Agile.

He looked around, before noticing the sign of an inn in eye vision.  

"There," he pointed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Radiant spotted the building Agile pointed towards, and began heading over there. Helping hooves followed close behind.

 

The grass underhoof was wet from recent rain, and the fresh smell traveled up to Radiant's nostrils. It was a smell he had not much experience with, and he wasn't quite sure if he liked it. The townsfolk waved to the newcomers, some greeting them vocally. This put Radiant further on edge.

 

As they walked up to the inn, a voice stopped him in his tracks.

 

"You must be the Minister of Foreign affairs for New Equestria."

 

Radiant turned to his left. There was a crystal pony, a unicorn hybrid from the looks of it, who was fully decked out in Crystal Empire Armor, the mark of Goddess Cadance front and center on his armor revealing him to be rather high-ranking as well.

 

His fur was a water-like blue, his hair more like ice. His eyes were dark sapphire. The armor covered his cutie mark and most of his mane.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He walked, leading the group.  The whole area was...strange.  It was very different from the modernity he was used to, and the welcoming townsfolk seemed...overly welcoming to an entourage of formally dressed ponies.  

A crystal pony approached them, addressing the Minister.  Radiant seemed very much on edge, and he took that into consideration.  This place could either prove very friendly, or very dangerous.  

He saluted the crystal pony, "Chief Master Sergeant of the Wonderbolts, Agile Speeds.  It is an honor to be welcomed to this...facility,"

He gave a stern nod, and turned back to Radiant.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Royal Guard First Class, Loyalty division. Radiant Silver." Radiant said, saluting as well.

 

"Crystal Guard, Lionheart division. Diamond Edge." The stallion replied. "I have orders to join you on your mission." He reached into a hidden pocket of his armor, and pulled out his orders. Radiant checked them over; They seemed legitimate, complete with a signature by Princess Flurry Heart herself.

 

"Things seem to be in order..." Radiant said, somewhat unsure. A New Equestrian, A Solarite, and a Crystaline. Three soldiers from three different nations. This seemed... Very peculiar to Radiant.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This seemed...suspicious.  Orders to join them on their mission?  His brow furrowed for a moment, before he reached over to see the guard's orders.  Radient check them over, and seem equally suspicious.  

 

The Lionheart division was a division he hadn't heard of before, which peaked his curiosity even more.

He leaned closer to Radient, muttering under him tongue, "Raddiieenntt~,"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I know. Something about this doesn't seem right..." Radiant muttered back.

 

Radiant Silver cleared his throat. "Diamond, was it? I'm going to need to clear this with command first."

 

"Sure thing. Can't be too careful." Diamond replied.

 

"He seems nice." Helping hooves offered unhelpfully.

 

"I'll occupy him, you go to the post office and inform command." Radiant whispered to Agile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...