Wind Festival: Starsong Concert

[Red Charge]

"Gather round Griffons and Griffonettes, Fillies and Gentlecolts!" Called a tall Earth Pony announcer, the name Maverick Topic could be easily read on the name tag pinned to his chest.

"In mere moments the event you've all been waiting for will begin! A concert by none other than the Equestrian famous, top of the charts singer, Starsong!" Of course the name Starsong was not new to anyone really. The wave she struck in the music industry was so big and so fast that it was heard of far and wide.

Starsong's first single hit the top of the charts almost as soon as it went out, surpassing Sapphire Shores as number one by far. Within days she became the most popular and well liked pop singer in Equestria and had her own army of fans. During the Eclipse Crisis she was touring all of Equestria performing to raise the moral and reduce the tensions in each city and village around the country, further cementing her place as the most favorite artist in the land.

She was also booked to perform in the celebration ceremony that was to take place soon.

And now they were all mere moments away from her first out of country performance, any who wished to partake, that is.

[Deleted]

Off to the side of the crowd stood the electric blue and magenta striped unicorn known as Kolor Scene. She was outside of her usual get-up of a blue hoodie, instead wearing nothing but her exposed flesh. It was obvious why she had worn her hoodie before. Ragged scars were torn down the side of her body from an old attempt of tattooing herself to see if she was any good of it. Black scars of odd tribal designs that blended in ugly with her stripes. She didn't care who saw now. She'll probably never see these ponies again. That was the benefit of travelling for concerts. What happens there stays there. Plus, with what she was planning on doing here, she didn't want her hoodie destroyed. She wasn't here to sing and dance and prance around like a pretty little pony. She wanted to see if she would like this artist, Starsong, or whatever. From the sound of it, she sounded like a little pop artist. If that's the case, then she was just going to set up an airbrushing booth on the side of the crowd (good thing she brought her cart). At the very worst, she hoped it was just a bad metal band to hate mosh to. She doubted it would be any of her music, you know, the good type.

She made her way quietly to the center of the crowd, just where it was just getting a little packed, but not quite shoulder-squeezing. Everypony else was fidgeting excitedly, prancing in place, giggling and squealing. Kolor's magenta eyes remained fixed on the stage, her body still, all four black hooves firmly planted in the ground, her long shaggy mane resting on her shoulders. She couldn't help the tiny bit of adrenaline building up in her veins from the energy around her, but the only sign of that showing was a slight twitch on her pelt. She swished her tail to get rid of the tremor, but the feeling didn't subside. She quietly snorted and flattened her ears trying to focus. She looked more ready for battle than about to have fun at a concert. But the truth was, she was going to have fun. Hopefully there were others there for the same purpose. It'll only make the scene more...entertaining.

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[Deleted]

Strings walked through to the center of the large crowd of ponies and griffons alike gathered around a large stage. This was one of the parts of the Festival that Strings was most looking forward to. The celebration concert. And, no other than the famous pop/rock singer Starsong was performing. Though, it wasn't as heavy as music Strings preferred, he still respected all genres of music, and had a very large amount of respect for Starsong and her band. She was an amazingly talented singer, one of the best Strings had ever heard, and band were amazingly good musicians.

Strings had been to a number of Starsong's concerts before, and loved them, but he had a feeling this one was gonna be one of the best. He was pumped! He eagerly waited in the crowd for the show to begin.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

King Whitefeather, the Queen, Stygg, and Loci tagging along – though uninvited, appear upon the balcony to the left of the stage. An assistant griffon pushed aside the maroon curtains as the two royals take their cushion seats. The lights were kept low, unassuming, no announcement was made about the King’s arrival. This was about Starsong and the griffons and ponies below, not Whitefeather and he wished to keep it that way. To have such an illustrious performer present at this year’s celebration was truly a privilege. Whitefeather was going to enjoy this.

Up the stairs to the balcony, a distressed sparrowhawk-clouded leopard griffon, rushed. Smaller than most griffons, even many ponies stood hands taller than him darted quickly for the curtains, edging past the guards with urgent news. Slipping past them he peeked his head past the curtains, ”Psst! My King, urgent news.” The griffon called in a hushed whisper, the only two to hear him were Loci and Stygg who were flanking the curtains. They both looked down at him simultaneously.

“Father, message for you.” Stygg said, keeping her eyes upon the little griffon who now nervious looked to the two griffons beside him. One with a unstable, menacing stare while the other whose eyes begged for him to make one wrong move left him terrible unsettled.

Whitefeather dismissed the news with a swish of his claw, “Whatever it is, it can wait. Send him aw-“ the king was suddenly cut off by the messenger, “Liege, sir, reports out of Equestria. It’s the Leviathan.” Whitefeather slowly turned his head back to the messenger, who no sheepishly slinked into the balcony. “Admiral Tesla has decided to act?”

News of the Leviathan sent Loci into a concerned tizzy, he slipped up beside the messenger and leaned in close to the little bird. ”This true little one? You aren’t singing in discord, are you?” Loci asked, hovering precarious over the smaller griffon. ”Answer Loci.”

With a nervous gulp, the messenger bird nodded quickly. “Correct, it was sighted moving into Equestrian airspace just a short while ago. Passing near Cloudsdale, likely on the way to the town of Ponyville. What… what shall I tell the council? Your orders, sire.”

With a frustrated snort, Whitefeather turned his attention back to the stage. “I’ll deal with it after the concert.” Stygg cleared her throat, “Father, I could have a team ready before curtain fall to assist-“ Whitefeather squawked back, “I said I’ll deal with it after the show, now quiet.”

Stygg rolled her eyes, “Yes, father.”

“My King, no need to be distressed, let Loci deal with this pest. No troops, no commitment, a few messengers here, a favor there. You won’t have to lift a talon, Loci assures.” Spoke the twitchy griffon with a hushed wheeze. Whitefeather fluttered a claw dismissively, anything to get them to hush-up. With the King’s blessing, or least indifferent approval, Loci slipped out of the box, taking the small griffon with him with an arm around his neck leading him out through the back.

[Red Charge]

And the stage was set, both Griffons and ponies filled the large stadium where Starsong was due to perform, talking among themselves, laughing, eagerly awaiting the popular artist to start her performance, and start it she did. Two shooting tongues of flame rose high into the sky, despite it being the early evening they contrasted in a multi-colored display against the burning vista of the evening sky. The stage, mere moments ago empty and covered in curtains was now full of life as Starsong and her escort dancers came on to the stage. From the speakers sounded the voice of Maverick Topic, calling loud and enthusiastically - "Presenting to the fine Griffon and Pony audience, the biggest star in Equestria since Starswirl the Bearded, our very own, Starsong!"

Hopping up to the front of the stage the violet pegasus took a bow, spreading her wide, wings with pride, the golden tattoos on them shining in the light of the pyrotechnics. Her eyes sweeped across the audience, one covered with the make up of a byzantium colored star, both with bright cyan pupils. Almost as soon as she appeared the crowd, griffons and pony alike went wild. She just had that influence to her, that unexplainable hype that seemed to infect the crowd like wildfire.

"Thank you, Eagles and Gentlehawks, Fillies and Gentlecolts," She called excitedly, "I'm ever so happy to be here in Royal Rocks, and I am honored to be performing to Equestria's greatest allies!" She walked across the stage as she talked, ocassionally leaning in to high-hoof members of the crowd, "But today, in celebration of the Wind Festival, I wanted to sing a special song, with the anniversarry of the Battle of the Red Plains coming up... I usually don't do political things, but I think it's important to share what we feel deep inside our hearts and where best to share it than in front of a crowd of both griffons and ponies!" She called, giving a hop and a flap of her wings to reach back center stage. A rather rhythmic, slow theme began playing up, "So here is my first song for tonight, before I continue with my greatest hits. I don't have a name for it yet, but maybe you guys can name it after you hear it!"

As the music slowly progressed through the rhythm, she began to sway with the music, and slowly began to sing:

I know you fight for good and you believe it's right
to risk your home, your life, to face the evil knight.
But in the darkest night, when our foals are sound asleep,
I think about the families of our enemy.

Do they feel the same believe in their own truth?
They must love their children as fiercely as we do.
We all share one thing: our hearts were given from above
and the only thing worth fighting for in this world is love.

On and on through the years the wars continue on
why can't we see the truth - we are all one.

Another mother's breakin', Heart is taking over.
When the vi'lence causes silence, We must be mistaken.
But you see, it's not me, it's not my family.
In your head, in your head they are fighting,
With their spells and their bombs,
And their hooves and their claws.
In your head, in your head, they are crying...

On and on through the years the wars continue on
why can't we see the truth - we are all one.

How can I wait unknowing?
This is the price of war
We rise with noble intentions
And we risk all that is pure
We are only as great as our hearts will allow
What awaits us?

On and on through the years the wars continue on
why can't we see the truth - we are all one.

Whether or not there was another verse, neither pony nor griffon knew, as right at the last word of the last chorus, an ear splitting metallic shriek was heard. Truly damaging to the ear, it was a shiver-inducing cacophany which sounded like two rusted ships colliding into one another.

Almost as soon as the first griffon turned to look an alarm sounded, "It's Rust Phoenix!" a shout was heard, followed by the screams of the crowd. Balls of fire rained from the sky upon the fleeing populace, one crashing directly into where Starsong was standing on the stage.

Another metallic roar sounded as the gigantic rusted construct swooped over the scene, firing off more fireballs at structures below and flying high to gain the better air before the griffons could retaliate. All the while unleashing Hay upon the ground below.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

As the music begun to play, Whitefeather closed his eyes and let himself become completely enthralled by the music. His feather head swaying lightly to the tune. His queen fanned herself lightly, a pleasant smile forming on her beak. Stygg however leaned against the side of the balcony box, distracted with the thoughts of the Leviathan and how she should be there, on the front lines instead of back here with King Fatfeathers and some singing pony show. Her bitterness exuded with mopey, irritable sighs. The box was feeling more like a prison with every passing moment. She asked herself where Loci had wandered off too as well, how was he allowed to act on this news but not even the King’s own daughter. It frustrated her to no end.

Then came the shriek and Stygg immediately jumped to her feet, eyes pinned skyward. “Rust Phoenix…” she muttered to herself, then the gravity of the situation overtook her. “Rust Phoenix! Father, mother, we’re going!” She darted to her mother and grabbed her by the arm, talon wrapping powerfully around her bicep and pulled her away from the balcony edge. Whitefeather was in a huff, barking at the fire bird in the sky – as Stygg pulled her mother to the doorway, she grabbed a hold of her father tail and yanked hard. He squawked in the surprise but complied and rushed through the doorway behind Stygg and his wife. The moment they passed, the two royal guards zipped into the box and took wing, spears readied. They wouldn’t survive long.

Rushing down the steps, the three were greeted by a contingent of Army regulars and shock troops in the passageway. Javelins, spears, swords, and harpoons readied – their armor hastily donned, they waited for orders.

“What are you standing around for!?” Stygg squawked, “Bring that thing down; prep the tethers-“

“The Navy!? Where’s my airships? I want them here now!” Whitefeather commanded. “It’s killing us out there.” A large fireball explodes a top them, causing the whole passageway to shake.

“Your King is right, you all, go assemble any others here and lure the beast away from Royal Rocks. I’ll summon the Navy, try and pull it to the east. I’ll have the ships move there. Remember, wear it down – your weapons won’t make more than dent against its hide. Leave the heavy fire to the Navy. Do we have the high tensile line?”

“Yes, Ma’am!” Stated the colour sergeant, a large harpy griffon with battle worn scars. “The bombardiers are gathering those and the drop-charges.”

“Excellent, entrap its wings and watch out for that blasted fire.”

“Try and bring it down in one piece.” Interjected Whitefeather to the shocked stares of all those around him. “The value of such a creature, it would be a folly to let it slip through our claws.”

Stygg was clearly conflicted by the command, the creature was indeed valuable but this would likely cost more griffon and pony lives.

“Do as your king says, sergeant. I’m going to get the king and queen to safety first and I’ll join you shortly. May the winds favor your wings.”

“Same to you, Ma’am.” The sergeant replied with a salute, then took wing with the others in pursuit.

The first wave of attacks were out of desperation and surprise, the royal guards being the first to respond but their weapons were sorely lacking against such a magnificent and terrifying foe. They fought in earnest, ducking and weaving in the air as fire exploded around them. They did whatever they could to keep it occupied and allow those poor souls on the ground to flee – but it was a futile fight in the end. The royal guards were downed one by one, either from broken wings or backs, or in a shower of ash. Yet, as the last few strained to keep going, reinforcements from below shot into the sky – donned in armor better suited to such a fight and with weapons with greater reach. With tethered javelins and spears, they tried to strike at the softest parts of the Phoenix – zipping and swooping around it, aiming to wrap its wings and limbs in strong line and pull it away from the populated cities. They had to hold off till the Roc Handlers were ready, with their combined strength they’d be able to force the beast further away, towards the hopefully assembled fleet amassing in the east.

[Red Charge]

Nothing the griffons threw at the phoenix seemed to faze it, any that drew near were burned by the harsh flames emanating from all over its body. Their high tensile lines were no match for the creature's sharp bladed wings and the intense heat surrounding him, causing them to rupture and lash back dangerously at the griffon crowds. The phoenix screeched again, rising even higher in the sky, now shooting balls of flames in all directions.

On the stage, ponies and griffon alike were trying to put out the fire that had struck. Starsong came out of it completely unscathed, and though all could have sworn they saw a fireball crash right into here, a sigh of collective relief was heard from them. The singer pony however, seemed furious and had to be restrained by her manager, Maverick Topic so as to not fly after the mythical bird.

As Stygg attempted to lead her family to safety away from the confusion, she found their path completely blocked by a massive griffon enveloped in robe and armor, a shiny metal mask covering its face from beak to neck and a hood stretched over the head, further shrouding the identity of the strange griffon.

"You are unworthy of bearing the name Whitefeather." The armored griffon said, pointing a metallic talon at the king. "You are lazy, greedy and gluttonous. You have forgotten the very principle that founded this great nation!" The griffon accused in a hollow, resounding bass, "And I demand that you step up to your part as king, or step down from the throne." This griffon got right to the point, apparently. Stygg's sharp eyes could already see in the scene behind him that more than several guards had already met their fate from a reason quite unrelated to the Rust Phoenix.

[Stygg Whitefeather]

The fight above the skies of was not quite going as well as hoped, though no one could have expected anything more. It was a struggle to keep the beast occupied while the navy mobilized and more fitting soldiers could enter the fray. Even then, it was frightfully futile in the eyes of the underlings. A Rust Phoenix might of well have been a dragon or three. The ground was rained down upon by fire and feather, the smoldering ash and soot choked the air with a harsh acidic weight, permeated by the rising smoke. Fire brigades had just begun to mobilize on the ground to contain the damage, but the Phoenix kept them at bay from all but the most tertiary of fire lines. Containment was the only option now.

A moment of hope came as the several squadrons of griffon bombardiers and heavy infantry units, supported by a contingent of Roc Handlers and their Rocs, swooped in from the south palisades. Donned heavier armor crafted to provide a modicum of protection against heat and flame. They were the true first line of attack against the Rust Phoenix, their eyes burning with the resolve to see the creature downed at all cost. The first wave of retaliation came when a sudden volley of airbursts exploded around the giant bird. The bombardiers coming in from high, dropping their charges and breaking off in several directions. In the moment the flashes erupted, harpoons of tethered with high-tensile strength steel line were launched by several infantry units. The harpoons were shot high, over the creatures wings and neck, like a crisscrossing weave in the sky above and around the Phoenix as the Roc Handlers and Roc came in from the sides, waltzing between the flames, the Rocs teams strained to tie any extremity they could with the lines. Though suffering causalities, they carried on till they tied down the left wing with several lines. Taking up the ends, all teams begun to wrestle with the monster to try and pull it away from the city – while the bombardiers kept cycling their bombs. Every distraction, every flash and blast, yank and pull, was one step closer to dragging the monstrosity away from the carnage it was unleashing.

Meanwhile, on the ground below. Another player emerged from the smoke and flames. Stygg put herself before her father and mother, flaying her power-talons and wings to shield those behind her. It was her training and adrenaline that allowed her such bravado against the massive griffon who took up what seemed like as much as all three of them combined. The trail of death behind him even more foreboding. While Stygg stood her ground tall, her father was less audacious and cowered behind his daughter, huddled with his wife.

“And you are?” Stygg firmly asked, the pistons of her powered talons cracking with her rolling claws. “This is your king! If I’m not mistaken, you should be groveling to give us passage.” She knew her words would rang hollow, this bird had an agenda and the mettle to enforce it. Though, he were an assassin, subtlety was not his forte. She wondered briefly if the Rust Phoenix was his doing. “You plan to try and kill us? Be fair warned, I won’t be easily trifled with by some huddled usurper behind a mask.” Her claws were ready, yet still fear had started to creep into her heart.

As she stood her ground, a slippery little figure poked their head out from an adjacent path just beyond the formidable cloaked griffon. Loci cocked his head, as if to ask himself a silent question, as he surveyed the grizzly scene. He stuck his talon from behind the break, silently asking for just one moment before slipping away. Stygg made no motion or acknowledgement of his presence, though merely thinking, ”What is he doing now?”

[Red Charge]

"Usurper?" The griffon laughed, sounding almost robotic behind his mask, "I am no mere usurper, I do not want the throne. I want the Griffon Kingdom back to the values it was formed on! Whitefeather has neglected his royal duties for too long, fattening himself while his people live in poverty, fearing conflict too much to aid the allies that once saved our kingdom from annihilation. I demand for him to resign, for a fitting ruler to be put on the throne." The odd griffon said, "Is it not enough that you gained the kingdom by grace and not by right, but you allow it to crumble around you, as you sit on your lazy rear while letting your soldiers die for you?"

Meanwhile in the air, the heavy griffon rock handlers were seemingly making good progress, until the Rust Phoenix took off again, this time straight up, dragging them all with him, before spinning furiously in the air and shedding all of them off. With one final screech, the phoenix departed, disappearing through the clouds.

"You can either choose to accept my demands, King Whitefeather, or you can choose to fight me for them." The usurper said clearly, "It all depends on how many you are willing to let die for your greed. Should you fail to comply, I will be back." He warned, then vanishing in a bright flash... teleportation...

[Stygg Whitefeather]

"AAAH!"

Out from the corner, the side hallway from where Loci had disappeared into, he reemerged with a harpoon launcher in his talons. The weapon far too large and heavy for the scrawny adviser, but his bravado and rush of adrenaline more than made up for this oversight by the lanky griffon. In the moment he charged out, he let the harpoon fire high and wide, striking the top right corner of the hall and scraping along the wall past the three griffons huddled there and landing with a ear rattling clank several meters away.

"Did Loci kill the shrouded one? No? Drat. All alright?"

Stygg restrained her desire to grab the fool by his beak and slam his head against the stone wall. "Yeah, fine, no thanks to you." She said, stepping forward and pushing past the other griffon to check on the fallen soldiers. He leaned in close, checking for signs of life and the probable cause of death. Something was strange about the deaths, signs of magic - so the flash and disappearance weren't merely tricks. What griffon could use magic?

Loci threw down the harpoon launcher and scurried over to Whitefeather, "Sire, sire, you well? Who was that, Loci wonders. He said such horrible, bilious things about your greatness. Vile, sickly things. Poison to Loci's ears." Stygg rolled her eyes at the last comment.

Whitefeather had begun to collect himself, while consoling his queen with soft nuzzles and tender caress. "We're fine, did you see where that - that thing went?" Loci nodded no.

"Magic." Stygg commented, "Teleportation spell. If I hadn't seen those claws, I'd guess we had a unicorn... Father, what magical griffon have you ticked-off lately?"

Whitefeather was taken back, he had no idea who it was that confronted them nor had he ever heard of a griffon which could use magic. It was all very troubling for the king. "I-I, don't know. Never heard of-"

"Griffon that could use magic?" Stygg interrupted.

The conversation had perked Loci's interest, for one like him, the idea of magic usage was beyond tantalizing. Like a forbidden fruit, he pondered if such abilities weren't unique to that one alone. "Magic, you say?"

"Don't get your feathers in a bunch over it, probably some relic or potion." She retorted, clearly frustrated at the entire situation. Their banter was interrupted by a runner bearing mixed news.

"The Phoenix, it's gone." He explained, "It just took off, do you wish for us to pursue, liege?"

"Yes!" Whitefeather squawked, "After-"

"Delay that." Stygg interrupted. "Father, we need to talk - now." She commanded, grabbing her father by his crest feathers. "Loci, get my mother to her chambers."

Loci feverishly nodded and lead the queen away. Stygg meanwhile lead her father to the throne room - his feathers unmolested now. Once in the throne room, Stygg slammed the large double doors behind her and confronted her father. "We have a problem, if it weren't already clear enough. Who was that?" She demanded.

Whitefeather crawled to his throne, slipping up onto it in a lazy slouch. He dismissed her questions with a wave of his claw. "As I said, I h ave no idea who that was. As king you make as many enemies as allies. How am I to know who has problems with my rule." He said shrugging.

"I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation, father." She reiterated, "There is a griffon who slaughter several of your personal guards with magic and possibly controls a Rust Phoenix which has now immolated an entire district of the capital! That is more then just someone who has a 'problem' with you."

"I will not have you speak to me in that tone-"
"Shut up." Stygg snapped back, "You fa-" She bit her beak as she rushed towards the throne, "Father, this won't just go away. You can't just toss this off to one of your advisers. We need to address this immediately. Look out there, your city is burning and all you are doing is sitting there like a some sort of feathered lump. With all do respect and love, he wasn't far off on his assessment of you if you haven't noticed."

Whitefeather dropped a fig he was about to plop into his mouth back onto the golden dish beside his throne's arm rest. "I may not be like the Dreadwings of old, but I have assured that this Kingdom has maintained its status-quo and have reigned over some of the longest times of peace since the clans united. Only a fool would suggest otherwise." Indigently he claimed, turning his head to a nearby tall window which overlooked where the amphitheater now burned. "My theater..."

"Forget you dammed theater, there are good griffons and ponies dying out there and all you've been concerned with is the capture that bloody monster."

"Chalice bearer? I demand wine." Whitefeather shouted, ignoring his daughter.

Stygg ran her talon over her face and beak, "I can't fathom how I came from your nest." She sighed in frustration. Her father was no warrior, this she had come to accept, but what he has become the last few years is but a mere shadow of a griffon. It left a bitter burden on her shoulders that she should feel the need to defend his inane requests and actions. "Forget your dang drink, are we not going to address this situation now or aren't we?"

"I am thirsty, is that such a crime?" He retorted. "Forgive your fool of a father for wishing for such a trivial thing after all he's been through." Quickly, from a nearby door rushed a small falconet griffon bearing a skin of wine and a silvery goblet. With the utmost haste he filled the king's cup till it flowed over and left without a word. "Much better."

Stygg had enough of this, king or father, this was too much. She rushed the throne and hopped upon her father, striking away the goblet from his talon. It crashed to the throne room floor, its wine spilling like blood over the polished marble. "Look at yourself! You miserable pile of fur and feathers. My mother could have been killed because of your ineptitude, I could have been killed. And here you are trying to drink away your responsibility." She leaned in closer till their beaks were nearly touching. Whitefeather sheepishly adverting his eyes. "Your city burns, your guards are dead, there's egg on all our beaks now. It's time to get off your pudgy bottom, brush your feather and fur, puff out your chest and lead your people for once. Cause if you don't, understand this. No matter how much I love you, father, I won't let you destroy our clan by your laziness." She pushed away from him, turning indigently away, her tail smacking Whitefeather across the face with a harsh slap.

"I'm going to coordinate the rescue operations and get some intelligence out on our mysterious stranger." Stygg said, turning her beak back to her father, "When I see you next, I hope for all our sake, that you've decided to be a proper king once more." With her last, stabbing words, Stygg left - leaving Whitefeather to sulk in his own self-pity.