POV Rio
Sneaking out of the palace wasn't that hard. I was ridiculously difficult to find if I didn't want to be found. That being said, I did also leave a clone behind so as not panic the residents. But before I left, I also sent word for reinforcements from Preston. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could reasonably use. I need troops, and I need them very soon. While I can choose what form my companions take when using the mirror, I can't do the same for anyone not labeled a companion. And using troops that aren't used to being quadrupeds in battle seems like a very strategically poor idea. As such, that meant I could only really rely on the Griffons or Changelings. The Changelings were too busy, and I preferred not draw away all my unique forces for this while we still need to be prepared for attacks from that mysterious organization.
Thus, every Griffon was summoned to this city to prepare for a potential violent evacuation. While I wasn't set on who I would be supporting, I thought it wise to call in those extra troops in case I am needed to assist or if I have to evacuate civilians. I would have used the robots, but I still haven't found an easy way to solve the magical inference issue. I didn't have any examples in the FNAF Verse to base the shielding on, so the only solution I could devise was to create a magic core within the robots. But the issue with that is it takes up to two weeks to make one magic core. For the special models that aren't that big a deal, but when you are talking about equipping an army of over 60k, it becomes unfeasible.
'At least we have the technology advantage.'
The inference messed with anything computer or AI-based, but it didn't disable normal electronics. Which meant I could use blasters and other more advanced weapons. We didn't have much in the way of combustion weapons, as they were mostly sold off or scrapped for parts. They simply lose in almost every category except maybe silence. Or that was the case until I built a silenced blaster.
After leaving the palace, I disguised myself in case I was spotted. Thankfully, that was super easy to do. I didn't even need magic. I just used the Jedi trick and wore a brown robe that covered most of my body and only left my head revealed, assuming I put down the hood. Thus, all anyone would see was a Unicorn. As for gender, good luck telling, as I was a master of disguise for a reason. Thus, I began a lengthy infiltration of the city.
The city was much larger than I would have originally thought. I knew I was told it could handle 350k people, but honestly, I think that was on the basis of food and water, and not space. With just the space they have made over the last many hundreds of years that have passed, they have made a city that reminded me of Moria. Massive stone halls with plenty of space for both land and air travel. The stone carving was masterfully done. But I couldn't let myself be distracted.
My first stop was the Earth Pony's tribal area. Sneaking in was easy, but getting answers for my questions was proving to be basically impossible. For one, even with my system giving me the ability to speak and understand all languages, I had difficulty cutting through the unbearably thick southern accent. I felt I was hearing a deep south pair of rednecks who were so heavily imbred they made the memes seem like gross underestimations. I would have an easier time understanding swamp people speaking from Point Lookout. At least they were somewhat intelligible.
'Maybe its because I am too deep in their tribal territory.'
It seemed my guess was actually correct. The closer I got to the edge of the tribes territory, the more coherent their speech became. I was eventually able to find some Earth Ponies alone that I figured I could attempt to get some questions answered by. So after making absolutely sure they were not near anyone else, I started to sing in a soft tone. It took only a few moments for them to become enthralled. What followed was some questioning.
"It's them govmints fault! Theys tryin' to take our rights! They put chemicals in the water that poison the little ones," says one of the Earth Ponies.
"Uh-huh, then yous got that weird creature that they worship. Thems call it a... a... Alercorn... That thing ain't right. Nopony should have both flappers and a pointer," says the second Earth Pony.
"Darn tootin' thems think we Earth Ponies will just roll over and die. Or that they can take our rights away! Them all wrong and the great leader is gonna shows them all!" says the first pony.
"Quiet, you dum-dum! You know we ain't supposin' to talk about hims," yells the second pony.
"No need to worry, I'ms your friend. And friends tell friends their secrets. Now don't they?" I say in my best hillbilly impression.
"Wells I supposin' yer right. But there aint's much to say. The Supreme Leader is sayin's that our time is comin's and we gots to be ready. But nows that I think about this? How comes you don't know this? Wes been preparin' for... gosh its been so long I can't even count that high," says the second pony with a slightly clearer tone, showing my enthrallment wasn't going to last much longer.
"And.... Sleep," I say with a snap of my fingers, causing both of the ponies to fall asleep immediately.
"When you wake, you will forget you ever talked with anyone. You must have dozed off while thinkin' of supper," I say and quickly leave.
After leaving, I repeated similar tactics several more times to gain as much info as I could while also getting a good count for the population in the tribe. And to say the numbers that the government had were off would be the understatement of the century. The stated numbers put Earth Ponies at around 40k. In reality, they were at least double that number and then a little on top. I counted roughly around 83k-84k. Give or take a thousand. I also learned that the situation of the crown was so much worse than originally expected. In terms of beings willing to fight for Cadenza as it stood now, she would be insanely lucky to scrounge up 40k. And I mean really, really lucky. If even half of what I heard is true, most of the pegasi are not with her but against her. I also confirmed that a large portion of the royal guard is corrupt and working for the rebels.
'Actually, would they be classified as insurgents? Revolutionaries? Hmm, I guess it's all similar in meaning.'
Now, the good news I found was that most of the rebel faction don't want to see Cadenza dead, just deposed. That being said, they are more than ready and willing to kill to see their goals met. The Earth Ponies have literally been planning this for the past 300-plus years. With them even willingly giving up their foals to be sent to death commando camps to be trained to fight and die for the cause. And to obey the Supreme Leader above all else.
Speaking of the Supreme Leader. They don't fit. I don't know how best to describe it, but they seem like a puppet or a fall guy. They don't seem anywhere near intelligent enough to pull this off. Now, I suppose it could be because they are simply inheriting the cause, but the entire situation doesn't sit right with me. In fact, this entire rebellion seems off. I am not an expert when it comes to these kinds of things, and I know that historically coalitions of various political groups and ideologies can happen, but they are almost always done under extreme duress.
The Rebels are a coalition between Nobles, Various Tribal Supremacists Parties, Communists, Republicans, Cultists, and even Military Junta's. It's too varied.
'I guess a common goal can allow them to work together, but this just feels off. Or Wrong somehow. I just don't know what I am missing.'
I couldn'ty say what I was missing, so I decided to show the info to the others and see if they saw any sort of pattern I was missing. But I also took this time to get in contact with the Griffon tribe. It turned out that a combination of my perks made them think I was Griffon Royalty. Which after I explained what was going on, they were not surprised in the least.
"You knew?" I ask.
"Of course. The Rebels had attempted to approach us several times. They even tried to rile us up against her highness. But we weren't interested, and we still aren't," comments Grover, the de facto leader of the Griffon tribe.
The Griffon tribe was fairly unique in the way they didn't have much in the way of leadership; instead, it was more like they would take the advice of Grover if they wanted or didn't if they didn't want to. The closest example I could think of was the Habringer of the Companions. He was a respected elder but not their leader.
"Why didn't you warn the Crown?" I ask.
"Why would we? She may be the leader of the city, but she isn't the ruler of the Griffons. She never was and never will be. And while we don't deny that she has been a good monarch and has made many steps to improve the lives of the common folk, she is still seen as an outsider to most Griffons. It also doesn't help that we Griffons have never been included in the so-called inner circle of the various monachs through out history," Grover responds.
"Did really no one want to help her at all?" I ask.
"I wouldn't say there were none. And it's not like we wouldn't help at all. But most wanted to stay uninvolved. It's how we have thrived for this long. Griffons don't have the greatest hard power. But that works for us. Nobody thinks twice when they see a Griffon. They ignore them, which allows us to learn many things. And even if the others know this, they also know we never get involved and only ever use info to perhaps make some extra bits here and there," Grover replies calmly.
"How did you plan on helping?" I ask.
"Well, if any of her loyalists ended up fleeing towards our tribe, we would quietly help them escape. And if Her Highness were to come to us directly, we wouldn't turn her over to the rebels. We owe her at least that much. But fighting and dying for her, that would be a tall order. We didn't have any kind of leader. Until now, that is. With you, I have felt something I never knew I had. Pride. Pride to be a Griffon. If you asked, every Griffon would raise their arms and fight! You but give the word, and even I would drag these old bones to the battlefield!" Grover says with a fiery conviction, clear in his eyes.
"Why? You just met me? And for all you know, I would lead all of you to your deaths," I reply with a little confusion, as even I thought this was too much for the perks to be responsible.
"Hahaha, as if! I know a good character when I see them and you don't seem the treacherous type. And the Griffons have been... lost... for a long time. We have been without a King or leader since we made the long walk down the frozen path. Grover, our first King, died ensuring we got to Solaris safely. And it has been a dark time since his fall and the loss of the Idol. Now, at this time, you appear before us. This can be nothing more than a sign from Boreas himself. You will lead us to a great victory!" Grover says with pride and a puffed-up chest.
"Then I shall take up this task. Tomorrow, Griffons under my command will arrive at the city. I will teleport them to this area, and they will instruct you on how to use the weapons I will leave with you," I say while shaking his claw.
"You have yourself a deal!" Grover says with a grin.
As I am about to leave, I am told of another group that might be worth talking to, as they might be willing to help in exchange for a reasonable price.
"Go to a small tavern called the Prancing Pony. Once there, speak to the main singer there. She may not look like it, but she is the leader of the Explorers League. Tell her Grover sent you and she'll speak with you," Grover says, and I nod before I leave into the night to check out this new place.
-------------------
Author's Note:
That tavern name had to be used; it fit too perfectly. It should be noted that the Griffons are not mind-controlled or even influenced. It's more accurate to say they have been waiting for someone to come and lead them, and Rio met all the requirements. The Griffon's Eye, Forest Sovereign, and Emperor Of All He Saw perks all combined to make this work, but it really relied on the Griffons wanting to have a greater purpose and to return to their glory days. Not to mention Rio's very high Charisma. Until next time, Ciao.