Chapter Text
Many moons ago, the Ayrian and Yruxwood Empire were at war with one another. Said war lasted thousands upon thousands of years, to the point where it wasn't safe for ponies to travel, even the diplomats and soldiers. The peace negotiators were instructed to not even bother attempting to negotiate, as they would be captured and killed. The lack of communication between the empires even led to Four Star General, Haki Quinsy, the stand-in king, and Queen Silver Justice continuing the war, long past King Dante's death and King Eden's disappearance. Prince Destiny Afterlight, leading the ponies Doctor Stavaria Flare, Sparkling Swirl, Ruby Blade, Moonstar, and General Twister into Yruxwood, encountering Grandmaster Calm Mind. The group was captured after being led to the Hanging Tree, now blocked off due to the fear of wendigos attacking visitors. General Haki protected the group and nursed Dr. Flare back to health, after General Twister severely injured him.
"Relic Song," a voice from behind the door called. Relic Song paused, tightening the strap that held the quill to his hoof. "Mr. Wish demands your time."
"I will be done in a moment," Relic song answered, before continuing to write.
When Queen Silver Justice arrived in Yruxwood, she was safely escorted to the castle. Upon General Twister's true colors being shone by Destiny Afterlight, the General murdered the Prince. Although Destiny's death was beyond tragic, his life brought peace between the two empires at last.
"Relic, please, we can't keep having this conversation," Star, who strangely shared a name with Dr. Flare, who passed thousands of years prior, groaned as he entered. "Mr. Wish will kill both of us if you don't come speak to him."
"I just finished my work," Relic rebuked, pulling the strap lose so the quill dropped. "I'm coming, Star."
"I certainly hope so," Star said. "Hurry now, I can't imagine Mr. Wish's impatience."
"He's a unicorn of virtue," Relic retorted, making eye contact with the unicorn cantering beside him. "Unlike yourself, Mr. Flare."
"Charmed."
The door to Mr. Wish's chambers, which he shared with his significant others and their.. however many pets. Their three foals were scattered in different chambers and rooms of the castle, and Relic had a feeling he was about to be asked to foalsit again.
"Mr. Wish," Star spoke clearly, Relic standing beside him. He remembered he and Star testing to see how sturdy a unicorn horn was, and the numerous times they broke Star's to see. Relic remembered how worried he was, hoping he would not be punished for Star's idea. He wasn't, especially since he just rammed his head into a large rock. "You asked to see us?"
Mr. Wish relaxed on the floor, near Dr. Volley, who was asleep. Mr. Purge was nowhere to be seen. The smell of cats overwhelmed Relic, as well as all of the cats laying between the two ponies. Relic didn't bother counting.
"Star, Relic, good to see you two," Mr. Wish said, his muzzle easing into a grin. "I have a request."
"Anything, sir," Star retorted, Relic not answering. Star was better at the whole talking thing, anyway.
"Could you two begin traveling to Yruxwood tomorrow morning? You'd have to go by hoof or carriage. I could arrange for a carriage, in fact."
"What for?" Star queried, Relic thinking of how he could pull the rug out from under Star by making the prima donna walk.
"I need you two to get ahold Future Sight and Dreamcatcher," Mr. Wish retorted, pulling out a bag out of seemingly nowhere. "If you could deliver this bag to those two, that would be wonderful."
"We can walk, Mr. Wish," Relic said, Star slowly turning his gaze to him. "We'll ensure they retrieve the bag. When do you need us back by?"
"Feel free to sightsee," Mr. Wish replied, one of the cats drinking out of his cup of tea. "You two are not being rushed."
"We have plenty of time to walk then," Relic mused, looking to an annoyed Star. Star's nostrils flared up, before he released a heavy exhale.
"We will be gone before dawn," Star added, Relic glaring at him. Perhaps he deserved that. "No point in going to sightsee without an early rise, no?"
There was a moment of silence between the two, before Mr. Wish cleared his throat.
"I'll arrange a carriage to leave before dawn," he told the two, the two younger stallion looking back at him. "If Veevee, Luster, and myself are not there to see you off, I do hope you have fun."
Star joined Relic in their shared room, carrying the bag.
"What do you think is in the bag?" Star proposed, Relic paying him no mind.
"It's not for us," Relic stated bluntly, Star setting it on the floor. "Though, I'm curious as to why we, two messengers, are not being protected by any guards."
"That.. is a little odd, isn't it?" Star retorted, Relic moving the bag away from the nosey unicorn. "I mean, not that I couldn't protect or heal us if something happened.."
His voice trailed, looking at Relic, who stared at him. He knew the internalized racism lay inside his best friend, as well.
"Oh, you're very-"
"Don't worry about making me feel better, Star," Relic interrupted, returning to packing. "My feelings aren't hurt."
"Relic, please," Star begged, coming closer to him. He was standing next to him before he realized. "You're my friend. Just because you don't have wings or a horn, doesn't mean you're not special or talented."
"My lack of a cutie mark disagrees," Relic snapped. "I'm sorry, Star. I don't need pity. It doesn't make me happier."
There was a moment of quiet, before Star began speaking again.
"Are you going to visit your family or fiancée before we leave?" He asked, Relic taking a deep breath.
"Is Ina really my fiancée when our parents are forcing us to marry?" Relic queried. "We've been engaged since we were fifteen. She's been seeing other ponies, because she doesn't want to marry me either."
"Isn't she technically cheating on you then?" Star asked, Relic shrugging.
"I've told her I don't care what she does," Relic answered. "I don't own her, nor do I intend to marry her."
"Won't your parents be disappointed?"
"Aren't they always?" Relic mumbled, Star's ears lowering. "I don't really care what they think anymore. I'm an adult, and I can and will make my own decisions. I've put off marrying Ina for this long, I can get them to change their minds entirely."
"You can get any pony to change their minds, Relic," Star rebuked. "You're very good at it. Remember when you got Mr. Wish to change his mind about attending a banquet, all because you thought Dr. Volley would go into labor?"
"The historian did go into labor," Relic retorted, finishing packing. "I just had a feeling, and I was certain of it. I got a raise, for whatever reason."
"But every single time you've made a call like that, you've been right!"
"No, no," Relic corrected. "That is not correct. I haven't always been correct. Remember when I thought a cake was undercooked? Then I added more time to the timer, and it caught fire?"
"Oh, I do," Star corroborated. "Or when you said that you could put a-"
"I know where you're going with that, and I want you to stop," Relic interrupted, feeling his face getting hot.
"Let's be honest, Relic," Star said, able to pack his bag in maybe three seconds using his magic. "That incident made you discover something about yourself, and that something is why you won't marry Ina."
"..no."
"Denial is the first step towards acceptance."
"Say what you want, Star, but I'm not interested in other stallions," Relic said sternly. Star nodded, before hopping in his bed. "Can I trust you to wake up before dawn?"
"Absolutely not," Star laughed, Relic laying on his bed. "I know you will, though."
"Yes, of course," Relic said with an eye roll. "Then, to Yruxwood."