EQUESTRIA, CLAN HALL
"A duel then. In twenty four hours, on university grounds. The terms will be decided by the judges. Likely, it will be a demonstration of power. The judges will call halt, and then they vote for the winner, if one isn't obvious."
"As for the rest, chosen pioneers should prepare for the journey ahead, and prospectives can do as they wish until the next christening. You are dismissed."
ONE DAY LATER
EQUESTRIA, UNIVERSITY
Aurora finds herself at the acclaimed Equestrian university, on the training grounds. Universities are a rarity in this day and age, and represent a great step forward for any nation. The only other such establishment found in the centrallands would be the university in Glistens. Even Bulwark has no such thing as a centre of learning and research.
The difference between the university in Glistens, of course, is the lack of attendance from pegasi and earth ponies. The university back in Aurora's home is focused on magic, whereas here the university is a centre of mundane knowledge, as well as arcane. You wouldn't know it from where Aurora stands, though. Several other unicorns can be seen testing spells, and even dueling outright. Of course, a large portion of the training grounds has been cleared for government use.
Aurora can see the Magister and the Chief standing to the side. Regal Silver sits under an umbrella held by a servant, fan levitated to her side, a small smile on her face. She waves at Aurora in a posh fashion. Clover the Clever stands, rigid, with a neutral expression on her face. She seems eternally in that state, guardedly stern. Across from the ring members, three unicorns sit. One, an aged green mare smiling, another, a dark purple stallion levitating several bags around himself, and the last, a red mare wearing thick lenses.
There are also a few other onlookers, three unicorns. Two look of noble stature. A muscled, pristine white unicorn stallion with a dull grey mane wears high quality, highly detailed armour, an amused look on his face. An enormous sword can be seen on his back. The other noble, a red coated, yellow maned stallion looks quite petite compared to his companion. His clothing seems simple, at first, but one can spot velvet highlights on the edges and cuffs. Clothes that say 'I'm wealthy, but I don't want to show it off'. The last unicorn, a light blue mare with a white mane, is wearing nothing to indicate status, but the fact that she's maintaining a levitation spell on herself says a lot about her skill. She sits, mid air, with a content look on her face.
Finally, across from Aurora, Autumn Switch of the Swift Dogs stands, a determined look on her face. Her falcon can be seen flying above the university, keeping watch.
"Duelists Autumn Switch and Aurora Dawn, attention!" the purple stallion levitating the bags begins.
"Instructor Sage, Instructor Trip, and myself, Instructor Days will be your judges today. The terms are Vote Baring Submission. This means the duel will continue until either one of you admits defeat, or I call halt, at which point the three judges will vote on the victor. You have only been given components that are absolutely necessary for your spell repertoire. No weapons are allowed. Do the duelists accept the terms?""Yes, I accept," Autumn says as she assumes a fighting stance.
EQUESTRIA
Sam finds himself getting ready to leave the city, disappointed in his failure to join the ranks of the pioneers. Before he is able to leave, though, a child approaches him. This is, in itself, strange. Almost everyone here in the city avoided Sam, but this filly shows no fear. She walks along with the towering minotaur as he makes his way to the gates.
"Hey, cow-thing! Where are you going?" she asks with curiosity.
Basayen finds himself... well, wherever he wants! He's a full fledged pioneer now, and passerby that notice his sigil often stop him to ask about who he is, or when he was initiated. Some give respectful nods, or even cheers. The ring told him that a messenger would find him when he was needed, or a scroll would be teleported to him. Where does he go?
NUMBRA, LORD XAVUS' MANOR
"Aspect hunters are a problem rooted deep into our society, foreigner-- I mean... Pioneer." Melesa says, a bit defensively.
"It is a problem that must be changed over a great deal of time, with care, and with policy. You'll find it is impossible to stop them through violent means.""And the ones fighting hardest against them are often seen as the greatest prey... How many times have the hunters gone after you, Edjane?" Helen asks, with a more serious tone than she's shown before.
"Countess times. But those attacks occurred when I attempted to take them on directly, or hunted them outside the city." Edjane responds.
"Borak, this is not your fight. If you get involved, you will risk your life, your companions, and, most importantly, your mission," she says sternly, but with her own kind of affection.
"Let's not talk of hunters. I have a great story for our guests!" Helen says, returning to her eccentric attitude. Esse might have stopped Helen then, but for whatever reason, she didn't.
"Many decades ago, when Xavus was young and attractive, and I was... Well, I was pretty much the same as I am now, we had a unique relationship. His father, the ruler at the time, banished me for abhorrent magics, much to the jubilance of the townsfolk. I didn't really mind at the time, the place was getting quite dull anyway. But along comes Xavus. He was so charming, and especially hot-headed! And he was so knowledgeable of the laws of the city, much more so than even the Mind of his father. In an especially potent rebellious stint, he had those frequently, he found a loophole in the banishment law. A banished pony could be welcomed back only by lawful marriage to a family member of the banisher. Now, normally, this wouldn't be a problem, as the patriarch controls marriages in Numbran society. But ever since the occupation and annexation, the laws concerning betrothal have been confused, often clashing with Numbra's more absolute laws. So, in short, Xavus was able to bring me back by taking me as his Body! What an outrage that was! He sure showed his father!"
"But the especially good bit is this: I'm immortal! The young Xavus thought he could simply marry me as his whore-wife and forget about it when I died. But, unfortunately for him, I stuck around. And, since he is the especially honourable type, he will not banish or execute me, as his father might have. Isn't that just, so amusing?"
During this story, the pioneers would note that nobody tried to stop her. In fact, nobody, not even the servants, moved an inch the entire time.
"Oh, yes, sorry about that," the witch says as ponies in the room started moving once more, some stumbling a little as they continued walking.
"Helen! You absolute... Xavus has told you-- I have told you multiple times that you are not to use your enchantments! Xavus, do something!" the lady whines.
Xavus seems completely undisturbed by anything that just transpired. He keeps his stern expression, lacking any sign of embarrassment or outrage. He does, however, close his eyes and exhale deeply.
"Helen, you are not to use any enchantments, now or in the future. Now, stay silent as we continue this dinner," he says with unwarranted calm, but the pioneers could sense he was holding back his anger.
"Now, Pioneer Borak, your involvement of the policing of my city will forever remain limited, as you are a foreigner. I do not trust you, so now I will ask you all questions that may allow me to gauge your trustworthiness."
"Tell me of your journey here, what trials you faced, your full purpose, and your intention."
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Topic: [IC] The Birth of Equestria (Read 7433 times)