"They are gone Yclept. Put down weapons." Obsidian walked up to him and used his staff to push the sword down. "We have bigger problem on other side of the kingdom. Star will be fine, I assure." Redscale roared behind him.
Star put out a hoof to calm Yclept down. "They're right, Parson," she sighed. "I am a witch. It's okay if they say I am..."
Silver was pleased with the sudden turn of events. Unicorn mages were two bits a dozen, but skilled witches were rare, and a valuable asset to any army. "Whatever your past, remember that what is important is your future. If the Crystal Ponies have issue with you, then prove them wrong. We need your skills for the battle ahead, Star Shimmer. Do not lose focus."
"Thank you, Silver," Star replied. She then took a seat near Yclept. She leaned in close and whispered. "I appreciate that you're willing to defend me, but I don't want you to get hurt on my account." She sighed, then said, "If you want, I'll tell you why they don't like me."
"Speak, Star Shimmer. I wish to hear your tale." Nightmare Moon had taken an interest in what was happening on deck.
Venquis decided that his ritual could wait for a while, he wanted to listen of Star's story. If he wanted to know his companions better, now was an excellent chance. However, his ritual must take place tonight. He had to be somewhere on the land incase the ritual went wrong and destroyed the entire ship. "Im interested about your story Star. I wish to hear your tale as well." he said, putting the mysterious black cube down onto the ground beside his feet. He knew that after they made contact on the land, it could be an express flight to the Crystal Kingdom's capital. A flight in dragon and pegasi terms, could take at least two hours from his position.. If the individual was walking however, possibly as long as the three days they were given before Empress Celestia attacked.
Star was surprised that so many wished to hear her story. She wisely decided to let them know, all of it. She would leave no detail out. She glanced behind her companions to make sure that none of th crystal ponies were listening, then began her story. "My intentions were on honorable. They were once pure... When I found out that it was my destiny to be a spellcaster, I dove in. I consulted every manual I could find, in an attempt to learn everything I possibly could. That's when I learned about Dread Magic. I was entranced by its power, its volitility...its...everything. I quickly learned how to open gates to other worlds, worlds that were far removed from our own. I never summoned anything; that would be foolish. But it was through one of these gates that I met an entity called 'Luz.' Luz promised me untold power. He promised that if I brought him to our world, that he would teach me to cast spells from within, without the use of my ritual stars. It was long process, and the things I did to make it come to fruition, I won't admit, even to all of you... But the day came that I was finally able to bring Luz to our world... When he came through, however, he revealed his true intentions: He wanted only the crystals, which he could use as a source of power for his dark magic. Yes, I brought the unicorn known as King Sombra into our world..." She took a deep breath then continued. "Sombra quickly subjugated us, including me. He didn't force me to harvest crystals for him, though because he saw my potential as a mage...among other things..." She shivered, then on e more continued. "Even through the crushing depression that we all felt, I was able to keep my wits a out me enough to summon someone, anyone to help. That was when the Sister Saviors arrived." She smiled at Luna, then took a deep breath. "Unfortunately, Sombra was cunning. He made a vow that if he couldn't have the Crystal Empire, no one could. He banished us to the Veil Between The Worlds. At some point during our banishment, it came to lift that I was the one responsible for Sombra's presence. The towns ponies managed to corner me. I wasn't ready to be executed, so in desperation, I cast a memory-altering spell. That's why no one remembers what it was like before Sombra... Then I cast a powerful sleeping spell and linked it to Sombra's Curse. We woke up when his curse was broken...and the rest, as they say...is history." She hung her head. "I lied to you all. I'm sorry."
Yclept put a hoof on her shoulder,"it's alright, I'm sure we've all done terrible things, and you didn't mean to make what happened happen...", he said, giving her a reassuring smile
"I have done nothing-" Obsidian started to say in response to Yclept, but stopped himself. "This Sombra. He is worse than Celestia? He is gone, yes?" Obsidian consulted the book and found the pages detailing the fight against Sombra. "There is little here... Please, tell me about unicorn king. I am curious."
"It's alright Star. Nobody could have known that Somba would have turned out like that. Your past doesn't define who you are. It just gives you the starting point for who you're going to be in the future. If only i was alive back then, i could have helped you stop him. This story brings me sorrow, and im sorry for your loss." Venquis said as a Crystal Pony came down and told them to exit the boat for an express flight to the Crystal Empire by Dragon. It turns out he was right, they were going to board a dragon. Venquis thought that since the trip might only be a short time until they make it to the capital, he would perform his ritual there. The wilderness nearby was a good choice, but a very rare and hopefully intact Ryborian church was even better. "We both had to deal with loss, the wrath of a tyrant, death and a potential genocide of both our kinds. Just remember that you have a friend, like what you said to me when we first met, that your not alone."
Silver was not entirely sure how to react, but felt that he needed to say SOMETHING. "That... was unexpected. I am not entirely sure how to respond to that. We need to find Cadance as soon as possible. Perhaps she can help us get this sorted out." Silver was lucky. He had done many terrible things as Nightmare Moon's general, but his crimes had been long forgotten by history. Star Shimmer's misdeeds had followed her, and the time was coming for her to seek atonement.
Star was frankly surprised by the response that she got from everyone. She had expected that they would be calling for her head as well, but they hadn't. In fact, it seemed that some did not even know about Sombra. She turned to Obsidian. "King Sombra was a creature of pure evil. He relished in it and drew power from our fear. He was as cruel as he was merciless; he used us like tools, and didn't even consider us as beings worthy or names. He addressed us all the same. 'Slave.'" She glared at nothing in particular as she seethed. "That's all that's worth knowing about him."
(I love the fact that Obsidian was born about the time Twilight went missing... He knows nothing except what he read in the book about the elements of harmony.) "Fascinating. A power so great you think nopony is anything. He was beaten... which means there is greater power... Amazing." Obsidian climbed onto Redscale to fy alongside the rest of the group. "A shame such power always ends up evil. May we never know such power amongst friends." He frowned before taking off, Redscale roaring something in Draconic as they did.
Venquis thought between a comparison between Somba and Eclipse. It turns out that they were very similar, except for some details. If Somba attacked Ardelan instead of Eclipse, the Black War would have lasted just under a day in an absolute Ryborian victory and he would have tossed Somba like a rag doll. Venquis liked the thought of killing Somba himself. Causing the pain that his friend Star and the rest of her race had to go through towards him. He was no blood knight, but he might as well be when such a thought as Somba came to his mind. He had a small sadistic smile on his face until he dismissed it as an evil thought. The last thing he wanted was 'that' side of him to come out to his companions.
"Agreed" Venquis nodded. "We need to make it to the Crystal Empire as quick as we can to try and fortify it. I don't know much about Equestria since i left Ardelan several years ago, but Equestria is supposed to be brutal in campaigns such as this. Let's hope we survive the biggest fight in the last couple centurys." Venquis then seen an enormous grey dragon arrive next to him. The Dragon spoke draconic towards Venquis. Venquis understood him as the dragon was telling the Ryborian that he got receved an express way to the kingdom and was supposed to meet with Candace. For some reason, she wanted to only speak to Venquis, saying that what she needed to tell him was a matter of Ryborian importance. Venquis then asked that once he was dropped off, that the dragons could take his companions there as quick as he did. Venquis then hopped onto the dragon as he yelled his goodbyes to his companions. "I need to catch up with an important matter involving the princess. The dragons want me there first, so i'll get there first and I'll send word of your arrival. I'll catch up with you guys in the next few hours. Oh, and they are sending express trips via Dragon for you." Venquis yelled out as the dragon began to flap his wings and headed off thowards the Capital.
Nightshade returned with the remaining Night Guards, nearly two-hundred ponies in all. Silver shook his head in frustration. "Thank you for moving so quickly, Nightshade, but we need more soldiers. Celestia's army is massive. We will be wiped out within moments." Nightshade grinned. "Celestia is not as popular as she would have us believe. Word of Nightmare Moon's return has spread. An army of Luna loyalists is gathering just south of the Crystal Empire. We will face the Phoenix Queen with a force to rival her own."
