Long Live... (Griffon Plot/Ume/Red)

[Red Charge]

Loci was dragged away, his twisted mind would not allow him to see how much damage he had actually done to the kingdom. Due to him the relations with Equestria dwindled to a mere tense peace rather than an alliance, former Air Marshal Tempest had left the service of the Kingdom and was allowed to become a powerful and influental crime lord. The Fleets and the Griffon Government had a lot to mend before they would once again be considered one nation. He decided that whatever Stygg decided to do to him would be appropriate enough. Death was too good for that worm.

He did not recall much about dying, nothing except giant eyes and a giant maw full of razor sharp teeth pulling him in slowly. Fortunately he was pulled away just in time by the Golem Maker. Though to this day he still feared whatever creature it was that tried to pull him into the underworld... Maybe it was just flashes from the battle he was in, just a memory of a dragon, but it was far more than that to him. Whatever those sharp teeth and glowing eyes belonged to, he'd rather never see again.

The suit of armor that once was Severus Whitefeather surveyed the scene before him now, shaking the memory from his mind, it was hard to tell what he was thinking since he had no expression. It was obvious the Fleet Commanders held him in very high regard, as well they should - Severus was, and now will forever be the greatest griffon warrior to date, and woe be to those who defy him.

"I shall take my leave then," He said at last in a metallic whisper, "But remember, I will be watching." At that he turned to leave, Rust Phoenixes and Roc golems in tow. At the entrance to the throne room he turned back to Stygg.

"Oh and one last thing, niece," He said, as a last warning, "Don't mess with Starsong."

[Shadestride Scythe]

Well not the outcome Shade had hoped for, in fact he'd prefer it just slid down like the first time Loci shot at him, and turned it into a penny. No instead he let his ears fall with a dull, irritated look on his face, deciding he would work on it more later. Curses, if he had the shot he'd have hit Loci with a magical blast of his own. But sadly, he was taken away before he could follow through, given his exhaustion and burnt out reserves. Shade would need to rest before he could do something more strenuous.

When Stygg approached him, at first he stood tall, at the ready, taken back by her acknowledgement, “Uhm... yes, ma'am.”, he levitated a piece of torn cloth to his head, and wiped down his brimming sweat. Shade was still covered in his own waste from both running in the armor, and nearly getting cooked by a giant bird. His attention went to his avian friend, quaking and shaking himself so hard he could shatter the city beneath his talons, “Heh.”, Shade already had his heart attack, leaving him more relaxed... well maybe not relaxed but he definitely held his composure.

The unicorn raised his head to look Stygg best he could face to face, “Aye, Ma'am... Can't say it was... entirely~ in my own will.”, he chuckled, and raised his hoof, rubbing his chin and removing his helmet piece, letting his black mane slip down and steam off, “Yeesh!”, he shook his head a bit, “I wanted to test to Cut of my Sails on those cannons of yours.”, he smiled, “And I have one rippin headache to thank for that.”, he didn't mention he wanted to get down and kiss the talons of the griffon that took the palace from the aledged King... the one who fired on his own troops, and quite possibly much worse while Shade was not listening in.

The unicorn shifted, and bowed to the Griffon Princess, “An honor to be in your presence. In all your presence.”, he looked to Serverus. That thing looked mighty familiar. Not that he'd seen it before but- oh that's right. The Death Scene in the lower levels of the city he'd been shown. This machine must have been what was responsible for the death... but Shade surely didn't care enough at this point, nor ever will to oppose or even question.

He was all for it at this point. His panting had begun to cease as the heat left his body, and the sweat was starting to settle, “Thanks for not lobbin' my head off, Lads.”, he spoke to the Griffons that guarded him and Shoel, smiling all nervous, yet full of his own spite. This was possibly the highlight of his day minus withstanding a full volley of Cannon Fire, not to mention fireballs, and other projectiles.

When Stygg left he looked to Shoel, seeing the Diplomat was still in a near frozen coma, he gave a hard nudge, “Get over it lad... ya dang near got burned alive! Bullets no big deal.”, his horn levitated the clothe and wiped down sweat off his head feathers, before just letting it flop on his beak, “Relax, Shoel, you'll be fine.”, Shade chuckled most gently, quieting now that Stygg Whitefeather continued to speak.

What a day...

[Stygg Whitefeather]

In day following the attack, the late King Whitefeather was hastily buried in plain tomb beside his ancestors. No procession, no mourning, no songs. He simple disappeared to be left to history as a testament to sloth and gluttony. His heavy frame had to be moved by the strongest of the guard and his tomb hastily carved out to accommodate his frame. Stygg oversaw the interment, without tear or weep. She said no open words of passing, no prayers, but those that attended the funeral noted that she once, for a brief moment had whispered something over him – no one heard what she said and she never made mention of it.

With the city in shambles, every able bodied griffon began the long and difficult process of rebuilding. Stone masons from The Hollow traveled to the city to lend aid – though tensions were still high, there atmosphere felt an an air of relief. With the old King dead and the new government already at work, a permeating sense of hope filled the citizens’ hearts. Impromptu celebrations broke out every night for the week. Bonfires, merriment, music, food and drink filled the night. Despite the ruin around them, they were able to find hope amongst the ashes. Hope for the new future they believed Stygg and the council would bring them. Perhaps, many wished, a new golden age for the griffons was about to dawn.

Stygg and the Council of Eight; now that the Hollow were to be given their own fleet designation (though mostly a formality as they lacked heavy airships to constitute a true fleet), meet every day and all day, and sometimes late into the night to plan for the future of the Kingdom. The new government, operating as a military junta now they hoped to forge a new long term governing system that would prevent another such as the late King Whitefeather to govern and to allow greater representation of all the fleets and Hollow. There were murmurs of opening new talks with Equestria and Stygg was already making plans to speak in Canterlot.
As for Shoal, it took him several days to really work past his numerous brushes with death. He holed himself away in his room, eating an unhealthy amount of crab and icecream till he was sick to the gut. He finally ventured back out just in time to receive a commendation alongside Shade for their actions in defense of the Palace. It was a small ceremony attended by members of the Council and a few other government officials. Stygg issued the awards. To Shoal went the Foreign Service Departmental Award for Valor. Shadestride received an honorary citizenship and the Award for Meritorious Service for his actions to protect the Kingdom. He was asked if he wished to stay in the Griffon Kingdom and serve in its protection, the choice was left to him.

Now as Loci and his cohorts, he met a most cruel and unusual fate for his schemes against the welfare and good of the crown. Though he may have believed his actions righteous in their own right, and no one could argue that he had a built an empire of eyes and ears throughout the kingdom, Equestrian and beyond it that could ultimately prove useful, the Council and Stygg agreed that they could not operate that way any longer. Loci’s network was flushed out, conspirators with named and brought to quick trials. Even high-ranking members of the Fleets were not spared. Some entered into pleas, willing to give up other names in exchange for leniency. As more and more information came to light, Loci’s manuscripts were deciphered, and the curtain was pulled away on the spy-network, it was clear that it would take more than a few weeks time and some trails to rid the kingdom of the cancer that had so thoroughly entrenched itself.

Loci was never given a trail, but he was given a title and crown. Lord Regent of the Griffon Desert. A special crown was designed for him and cast and struck around his head, the molten gold cooking his skin and brain and ran his left eye, destroying it and thus leaving him partially blind as well. He was left with a ring of dripping gold that could not be removed as it had become just as much a part of his skull as the bone itself. It was any wonder how was able to survive long enough to has his beak and tongue dipped in molten silver. Once again, he managed to live through the torturous burning. Now, burned with enough gold and silver to make any king blush with envy, he was taken by secret airship to the heart of the Griffon desert. Without a wing, his beak encased in silver and just able to move enough to garble out curses and pleas for mercy his cooked brain were able to muster, he was doomed to a horrid death in the desert. Either from the elements or wildlife, his fate was ultimately sealed. When they arrived at the spot, Loci was cast over the side of the ship, his one wing fluttering to slow his fall – landing with a dull thud in the soft sand below. Right after him his pistol was tossed, the same which killed the king. His one good eye lit-up, the one act of mercy that had been spared to him. He scrambled for it, tossing back sand as he dived for the pistol. He took it into his talon and sat up, looking towards the airship that had now turned and was quickly disappearing into the blistering horizon. He took the pistol, put under his silvered beak while his breathing was quick and anxious. He waited a moment, weighing his options and reconciling his fate, then pulled the trigger.

*click*

==End of Plot==