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The Dungeon of Terror | Chapter 4 | Chapter 4
No word was spoken for a while. This was the effect Vitali had on her audience and it was already starting to become an annoying habit.
Zipp was the first to act. She slowly trotted towards the weeping mess. Vitali expected she would scream at her with murderous rage, even resort to outright violence.
Over the top as it might sound, it was a very likely result. One she didn't intend to resist.
She knew she deserved it.
But to the surprise of the group, all Zipp did was put her hooves on Vitali's shoulders. Zipp's face was looking down, yet they all could tell she was exhausted. ''Look. I'm just too tired of your... everything right now. So, let's keep it simple.''
Zipp finally looked and Vitali flinched at the bloodshot eyes, and exhaustion etched into the mare's face. ''No more indirect sentences, no more poetry, I won't be able to take it. Just... just tell us straight what is going on. Please.''
The scholarly mare looked like a shell of herself. She had no energy left. Dejectedly, she made a small nod. ''Yes. I owe you that much at least.''
Sighing, she sat herself down, opting to get comfortable before laying everything out. ''I guess I should first confirm the obvious. I really am a scholar from the university. But the story about me wanting this dungeon for its historical value...that was a lie. Honestly, I was afraid if you knew the true reason, you'd refuse outright.''
Silence hung in the room for a moment.
''Oh.'' Zipp said in a monotone voice. ''Look at that. I was right.'' She slapped Vitali face and quite violently at that, practically knocking the mare over. All bystanders flinched but Zipp was flippantly acting the same. ''Go on please.''
Vitali, her cheek now red and swollen, had taken that punishment without blinking. She believed she deserved this. And more. ''There's something hidden in the deepest part of that dungeon. Something evil.''
Zipp, again, seemingly numb to everything, merely let off a light groan. ''No. For real. Oh I would never have gues--okay, I'm being a jerk now. Please just... *sigh* just continue.''
''That evil is an abomination that must not be allowed to exist.'' Vitali, started to speak with a bit of an edge ''I say that because it's a threat that if it's left unchecked, it would spell the doom of the three realms. Maybe even beyond.''
''Stop spinning your tale and tell straight up what's in there.'' Zipp's patience was clearly reaching its limits.
Vitali hardened with seriousness. And fright. ''It's... a lich.''
''... ... *sigh* I. Said. No more poetry--
''No, I'm really telling the truth, I swear. A real lich reside in this forsaken place and it's it that animated all those corpses with--
Zipp immediately slammed her hoof on the ground, cutting Vitali off mid-sentence, standing up and looking utterly done.
''Stop. Just stop. This is nonsense. Lichs. Do not. Exist. They're nothing more than fairy tales invented to scare foals.''
''This one exists. And right now, it wants us dead.'' Vitali's tone was dead serious.
Zipp however, was still in denial. ''No, no. This is--urk.'' Zipp hoofslapped her face in exasperation. ''I can't believe that. Guys. You won't tell me you believe this nonsense?'' She pleaded to the others, possibly more for her own sanity than theirs.
''I... can't quite believe her too.'' Said Hitch. ''They're just boogeymen living only in kids' nightmares. Myself included. The one in The Boy who Misbehaved scared me so much I couldn't sleep for many nights. But if liches truly existed, I'm sure it would be known by now--
''I believe her.'' All heads turned towards Sunny who had just said those words.
''Sunny! Why... do you believe her?'' Said Hitch.
''Well, I mean I'm not sure about this lich thing but there's something very evil lurking in there. I can feel it in my bones.''
Hitch immediately became serious. ''You mean... your gift!''
Sunny nodded her head in affirmation. Zipp, not understanding, was starting to get irritated. ''Alright, did I miss a chapter? Can somepony can explain to me what you're talking about?''
''Oh, right, right. I never told you. I will try my best. Since I was young, I possessed a certain... 'gift'. Nopony truly knows how it works but I can sense evil.''
The answer only seemed to both confuse and annoy Zipp. ''Sense... evil? That doesn't make sense! How do you define evil in the first place?''
''Oh, how should I explain? When something that shouldn't happen happens, it leaves a distinct trace in the air. For example, I once went into the house where a murder happened. And all the negative emotions of that moment were still there. Even though it'd happened months ago. The second I opened the door, all those horrible feelings flew into me and I could felt them as if they were my own.''
''Wait... really?!'' The rest of the group shared Zipp curiosity, all looking at Sunny with rapt attention.
''Yeah. There's a lot of places like that. It's like a perfidious wound that refuses to heal. Prisons. Insane asylums. ... Battlefields. Each time, without fail, I feel the sensation wash over me...like... like... I can't find the word."
Sunny shivered recalling her first exposure to that sensation. When she was but a child and had no knowledge of her ability. But despite how traumatic it had been, it was almost tame compared to the visering grip she was feeling right now on her heart.
''And let me tell you, I have felt that evil aura since the moment I set foot in this valley. I--I never thought it was possible. An entire land tainted! And it's only gotten worse the closer we get to the epicenter. This dungeon.''
At that moment, her confident mask fell and that monk became a spooked mare. ''It was... it's still horrible. It's death. It's death in front of you, ready to swallow you whole. And you can't even blink. There's no escape, not even in your mind. You're scared. But the more you're scared--''
''The more you ironically let death come to you.'' To the surprise of all, Pipp was the one who spoke.
She still looked like a mess and as she talked, it was like she was looking at the distance. ''Dying is the last thing you want. But the more you're afraid to die, the more you want to die. Because in a twisted way, you think death is the place where you be safe from death.''
Hitch lowered his head in a somber mood. ''All that you love... all the good memories you had in your life doesn't help. No, they only serve as a contrast to make this swallowing end even more horrifying.''
''You... you want so much to understand what it is.'' Spoke at her turn a sadden Zipp. ''But you fear that at the end, your very last thought will be that you understand nothing. You... you will not even have the luxury to understand that you don't understand.'' She finished with a sobbing.
All around the mood of the group went from scared to downright defeated, with everypony looking like they wanted to crawl into a hole and just wait for the end.
Sunny's heart grew heavy. To know they were all plagued by the same awful feelings... ... she realized that something wasn't right. ''Wait, wait! You're telling me you're feeling it too! You don't have the gift yet you can sense this sickening aura!''
''Wellll, yeah, I suppose.'' Said Zipp. ''I was feeling awful ever since the pagoda. I thought it was just me. I figured I... was just having one of those days back.''
Sunny immediately seemed to shift into a panic, eyes darting around the room as she paced about.
''Oh! Oh no. It's not good. This is not good at all.''
Her panic only exasperated Zipp, now looking flat out exhausted at this point. ''Of course. Oh what now?''
''You're not supposed to feel that. The only explanation I can find is... that this evil is so potent that even normal ponies can even sense it.''
''Oh.'' Zipp made a nervous smile, all traces of sarcasm and annoyance vaporized. ''That's... not reassuring, right?''
''I thought it was impossible. Vitali.'' Sunny turned her attention towards the scholarly mare. ''The source of this evil is...''
''Yes. The lich itself. It's the one that's responsible for those awful feelings. This sickness into death. Fitting for a master of death I suppose. But this disease is not only mental but physical. You'd all seen it.''
It was then that Hitch gasped. ''The Valley of Laments! All this time, it could feel the earth was nearly devoid of life. At the time I just assumed the land was unhealthy or dry but... you're telling this valley is being drained of life! Literally!''
''That's exactly what I'm saying. And it continues as we speak. Very soon, not even a speck of vegetation would be left.''
Hitch was flabbergasted. ''But... but that's impossible! This valley is huge. My magic can just borrow the essence of life. And that... this supposed lich can simply kill acres of land! Just like that!''
''Yes. Simply by existing, life disappears in its presence. This is how powerful that monster is and that's the thing that wants to kill us all. Convinced now?''
Now Hitch looked ready to go into full blown panic, sweating and shaking in place.
''But... but there has to be a way to escape. Maybe this seal can be broken. Or find another exit.''
''The only exit is right there. There is no other one. As for this seal, well I won't bother you with the details, but I can tell it's powerful. Very powerful. Even the greatest mage wouldn't be able to crack it. The only thing I can see...''
''What? What is it?! Why the silence? I'll do anything. What can get us out of this death trap?''
Vitali knew the answer, but also knew none here were going to like it...still they didn't have any other options.
''Destroy the lich. If the caster dies, all the spells he makes die with him too. That's really the only thing that can make that seal vanish. I won't sugarcoat it. We have no chance. It's clear now that the lich is more powerful and smart than I calculated. Even if you were stronger than... anyway, it wouldn't have even matter.''
Her words hung over the group like a dark haze, again leaving them in silence.
Hitch was in disbelief. Or maybe it was more accurate to say he really, really didn't want to believe it. ''But... but but but, there has to be something we can--
''No. Nothing. Sorry. But it's the end.'' Vitali said in a sob.
''But... no. No no, this--none of this can be real, right? It has to be a dream. I can't... I mean... I... I don't want to die. I can't die. There's still so much I must... and what about my Sparky! I had said to go on his own if I don't come back. I know he will listen but... he's still so young.'' Hitch was looking at everypony, pleading for help with his eyes, any kind of help. But when they couldn't even give a word of comfort, the dam broke and he cried. ''Who will take care of him?''
Sunny went to her Hitch. She couldn't do anything better but to gently tap the back of her childhood friend in hope of giving him a small bit of comfort. ''Vitali, is there really nothing we can do? Maybe Izzy would know a spell that... where is Izzy?''
It was then they realized that one of their companions was missing. For quite some time. ''What!'' Vitali said surprised. ''Wait! Since when she disappear?''
''I don't know.'' Hitch replied, his voice barely above a whisper. ''When was the last time we saw her?''
Vitali pondered. ''For me it was... when she ran away screaming!''
''And nopony noticed her absence?!'' Sunny shouted visibly upset.
''Too much happens in such a short time.'' Hitch tried to justify. ''We can't keep track of everything.'' But the earth pony lowered his head in shame. ''But... that's just an excuse in the end.''
''Who cares about her.'' Shouted Zipp. Nopony could believe their ears. ''My sister nearly died because of that klutz. We're better off without--
She was interrupted when her own sister slapped her on the face. Pipp, now fully awake from her torpor, was crying angry tears at her sister. Zipp, whose cheek was red and swollen, was first in utter shock but then, realized the horrible things she'd said.
Remorseful, she could only lower her head in penitence. ''I'm sorry. That was completely uncalled for.''
''Look.'' Sunny interjected. ''We lose enough time. She couldn't be far. Let's separate and search for her. I never be able to forgive myself if something happens to her.''
The group quickly spread out across the hall to find Izzy. Luckily for them, the search didn't take long.
Sunny was able to spot the silhouette of a pony hiding behind one of the pillars. ''Everypony, I found her.''
Quickly, she went towards the unicorn to properly see how Izzy was fairing. But what she saw... broke Sunny's heart.
Izzy was sitting on her rump, her back resting on the marble of the column. Her body was shaking uncontrollably. She was holding her pointy hat on her chest, desperately searching for any modicum of comfort. Her face was a crying mess. She was sobbing and clapping her teeth nonstop.
The worst part was her eyes. The only thing in them was fear. All consuming fear. Sunny wasn't even sure Izzy could see her. It was then she noticed something else.
A smelly puddle had formed where the unicorn was sitting.
Not able to take it anymore, Sunny approached and gently, very gently, put her hoof on Izzy's good cheek. She gasped and didn't seem to recognize her.
''It's okay Izzy. It's okay.'' Sunny gently whispered. ''I'm here. Your friend is here.''
''Fri... friend?'' Her words were hesitant as if she could barely believed them.
''That's right. I'm your friend Izzy.'' All the rest rejoined those two. Their reactions were the same as Sunny. But she made sure to keep her smile. ''We're all your friends and we're here for you. It's going to be alright.''
Sadly those words of comfort only seemed to make Izzy relapse further into hopelessness.
''No. No it's not. It's never going to be alright. It never was.'' Izzy stroked the gash on her face. ''Not since that day. Death as always in front me, waiting to swallow me whole. I knew I couldn't escape. And I knew I would never be ready when it'll happen.''
''Izzy. It will... ... you won't be alone. Whatever may come, whatever we will have to face, you won't face alone.''
Those words made an effect on Izzy. She looked up at Sunny. A little glimmer appeared on the unicorn eyes. ''Rea--really?''
''I swear Izzy, on all that is good, I will be by your side. Until the bitter end. You're important to me, you know that?''
'You're... not lying!'' Izzy looked to regain more of her spark, though still hesitant to trust Sunny's words.
''I will never lie about something this important. And once again, it's not just me. It's everypony. Is it not right?''
Both Hitch and Pipp nodded in affirmation. Vitali instead lowered her head in shame while Zipp was still sulking not far away. Yet, Sunny continued to smile insite of it.
''See. We're all here for you.'' She took the pointy hat and put it back on Izzy's head. ''Now let's get up. If we work together, I think we may find what to do next.''
Sunny helped Izzy to get back on her feet with Izzy firmly holding the earth pony's hoof. Her gaze was fixing on Sunny, the unicorn eyes now shining with both awe and gratitude as her purple cheek took a pink hue.
Pipp noticed her sister was not present. She looked back at the last place she saw her, the exit door. ''Oh no.'' Everypony looks back. They saw Zipp launching her own body against the seal, again and again, to no effect.
''Let me out. Let me out. LET ME OUT LET ME OUT OF HEREEE.''
While some looked stunned at the mare's sudden shift, Pipp was more sorry than surprised. She knew her sister well.
The truth was that Zipp's tough exterior was just a front. A façade to give courage to her sister... no, that was just an excuse. It was to give courage to herself because in reality, she was afraid. She was so afraid from the very start. And now she'd reached her breaking point.
''Sis, stop!'' Pipp said as she flew by her side. ''You're gonna hurt yourself.''
But Zipp didn't hear her. Instead, she turned towards Izzy, grabbed the unicorn shoulders and shook her. ''You. You do magic right? Break that seal.''
''Wha!!'' Izzy stumbled to speak, still processing everything. ''Bububut I can't do that.''
''Why have you to be so useless!'' She then turned towards Vitali and did the very same thing she did to Izzy. ''You. You put us here, you must know how to get out.''
''No, I'm sorry but I as I'd say--
Zipp immediately grabbed the mare by the collar and pulled her until they were snout to snout.
''I've already nearly died more than enough time. Too many times. For years I've lived with that fear. I didn't escape the worst the world can give only to die by... by a terror of our childhood. That would be a sick joke.''
''But there's really nothing that can be done.'' But Zipp was too hysterical to listen to reason.
''You keep the treasure, the reward, whatever. I no longer want it anymore. I don't want money. I... want to live. I just want to live. I... just...''
The pegasi was depleted of energy. On a fool's hope, she frantically looked at everypony, silently begging for help, any kind of help how little it might be.
But their sorrowful expression was all the answer she received. Zipp was at her limit. She felt her body becoming heavier as her eyes turned backward and the floor, for some reason, was growing closer--
Zipp opened her eyes. ''Huh! Wha?'' To her surprise, she was laying down, her head resting on Pipp hooves. ''Sis! What... happened?''
''You've fainted.'' She simply answered.
''Really! Hum... how... long was I out?'' Zipp asked her sister.
''Not long. You really scared us, you know? You just just dropped to the floor like that. Thankfully, Izzy managed to catch you with levitation before you hit your head.''
Zipp winced at the mention of the wizard she'd been not so subtly yelling at not too long ago. ''Did she! Oh. Ohhhhh I feel terrible now.''
''Yeah. I think you should. You had said awful things to her.''
''I know. I'm not proud.'' Zipp groaned as she went back on her four legs, albeit, all wobbly. The white pegasi looked so drained. Sunny went to her side. ''I'm glad you're back to us.''
''Sorry. Very sorry. I... really made a fool out of myself didn't I?''
''No no, please, take my experience, you should never feel ashamed to be afraid. Oh! Right, before I forget.'' She took the medaillon she grabbed earlier and presented it to Zipp.
The ensign engraved on its metal was a wing surrounded by zephyr winds. ''You accidently tossed this away when you were searching for potions. I recognized its symbols as the crest of a Pegasi House so I figured it was important. You didn't tell me you are a noble--
''GIVE ME THAT!'' Zipp shouted as she snatched away the medallion from the surprised Sunny who didn't expect her innocent question would cause such a turmoil.
Zipp quickly hid the medallion in her belongings, her back facing everypony as if she hadn't the strength to face them. ''I'm an ex-noble, alright. It was a past life. It doesn't matter anymore.''
They weren't sure but they thought they heard a sniff coming from her. Pipp, still sitting in her corner, waved her head in negation. ''Look sis. Maybe it's time that we told them what we really are.''
''NO! DON'T YOU DARE.'' Zipp shouted, her wings flared up.
''Sis, what's the point anymore? And I'm sure everypony already guessed anyway-
''I'D SAID DON'T DO IT. I FORBIDDEN-
''WE FOUGHT IN THE WAR. AND WE KILLED COUNTLESS EARTH PONIES AND UNICORNS. THERE, I SAID IT.'' Pipp screamed at everypony before slumping down, her last energy gone for that outburst.
As for Zipp, she was in shock. But then her eyes watered and tears flowed freely. She collapsed and cried uncontrollably. ''I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.''
Hitch, feeling sorry for her, went to her side to console her, to which the pegasi could not understand. ''Why don't you hate me? After all I did.''
''Because... well, because I'm the same. I too fought in the war against the Pegasi Dominion. And I too killed many of your kind. Too many... to count. I'm in no position to judge you. Quite the contrary. But I guess you kinda already knew who I was.''
Zipp brushed the tears out of her face. Most of it anyway. ''Yeah, it wasn't hard. I knew from the start-I mean when you told us you were a knight of the Order. It's pretty well know the Order is the best element of Earth Pony army.''
''Oh. I guess it is common knowledge across the three realm.''
''Did you guess too that I was once a soldier too?''
''I had a pretty suspicion for a while. But I thought it would be best to not pry on it. I hide it too after all. Finding you came from a noble House had simply confirmed my suspicion.''
''Why is it important?'' Asked Izzy, seemingly more ignorant of things compared to the others.
''That's how the Dominion works.'' To the surprise of Izzy, Vitali was the one that answered the question. ''The Pegasi Dominion is ruled by a council of High Houses. Now you may expect nobles to just sit back while their soldiers do all the work but not the nobles of the Dominion. It is mandatory for them to fight in the front despite the high risk of death. A very engrained tradition and a matter of pride.''
''Yeah. Pride.'' Zipp spat at that last word. ''Damn disgusting pride. More important than anything. Even family. And I even believed it. What a fool. Oh! On another hoof, I... kinda guess that you're all soldiers.''
''Huh!'' Sunny was surprised. ''I thought I was doing a good job hiding it! What gave it away?''
''I'm not sure I could explain it well. I guess that as a soldi--as an ancient soldier I can recognize another soldier. Even an old one. They have this sort of 'I don't know what' that's difficult to describe. I eventually saw it in all of you. With the exception of Izzy. I was never quite sure what to make of her.''
The white pegasi looked at the unicorn with a very apologetic look. ''Izzy. I am so, so sorry. The way I treated you was just unforgivable.''
The blue unicorn didn't answer at first and instead, levitated her pointy hat and holded tight on her chest. Seemed to be her gesture of comfort. ''No. No you were right about me. I'm useless and dangerous and I'm a cowardly-cowardly coward. I tried to convince you that my powers were a big deal but they never did any good. For me, the least. It's because of them that they made me a soldier. Even if it was for a short time.''
Sunny felt sad for the poor unicorn. ''You know. If it's not too much to ask, would you mind telling us? Only if you want. We will understand. It's hard for us to tell our--
''No no please, I need to talk or if not I will go crazy. More than I already I'm.''
So she sat down and told to everypony her story.
For as long as I remember, I wanted to be an artist. My dream was to make pretty things that would amaze and bring sparkles in the eyes of the ponies who'd see them. So then... maybe I would at last stop being an outcast.
But I never could've seen coming, how much my dreams would have turned my life... so wrong.
> Chapter 5
Chapter 5
My home was a small village named Brittle Abode. I guess you could describe it as your typical farming village. At least I suppose. I'd never really been outside of Brittle. It wasn't a happy place to live.
I feel guilty about speaking ill of my ho--of the place I lived. But no matter how much I want it, I just can't deny it. It was a dank, gloomy place and the unicorns there were rarely smiling. if at all.
But it wasn't the fault of anypony. Life was tough. Everypony had to work hard everyday to provide for their families and the community as a whole. And to make matters worse, the young ones had a tendency to not stay for long because of the draft.
As for me. Well... I... never truly belonged in the village. Despite my best efforts. It still saddens me to this day.
I know you want to know how somepony like me had become a soldier but I feel that before, I need to tell you how life was at my home for you to really understand.
There's a day that always comes to mind when I'm reminiscing about the past.
I was still a young foal at the time. On that day, I went into the general store because I was in need of some supplies for... a project of mine. The shopkeeper, Sturdy Shelf, was in a more foul mood than usual. His furrowing brow was so intense that his eyebrows were rejoining as he was glaring as his accounting book.
Still, it's my motto to brighten the day of everypony I meet. So I gave my brightest grin, even if it was missing one tooth or two and approached him.
''Hi Sturdy. What a good day we have.''
''Yeah, right. Please, get out. My shop is closed for today and--oh! It's you. Just great. What is it this time Izzy?''
I'm pretty sure his mood seemed to get worse when he saw it was me, but I tried to keep my spirits high in spite of it.
''Well, I want to buy a few things. That crooked lantern that's there annnnd oh! Those two metal poles that're there.''
Tight looked at the items in question, his expression a mixture of perplexity and maybe offense, was hard to tell.
''That useless junk! Why? I was about to throw them away. It's for your weird witchcraft isn't it? All the town knows about your--whatever unnatural things you're doing in that abandoned barn you call a house.''
That actually caused my smile to drop a bit. ''But... it's not witchcraft! It's magic. Just like every unicorns do--
''I have no time for lectures. They may be junk but unless you have money, you better scra--
''Oh, hum, yeah. I do this time. I do have money. I won it well.'' I took from my tattered clothes a few copper bits. It's not a lot but, as he had said, I'd had the intention to buy things nopony wants anyway. They had to be very cheap.
You may think he would be glad to get rid of his useless excess for a little money. But instead, he looked at the bits levitating in his magic aura with slight disdain. ''Humm, and by 'won', I presume it's about the time you helped fix the fence of Miss Daisy.''
''Ah! The story spreaded all over town I see.'' I'd said while sheepishly rubbing the back of my head. ''The funny thing is I didn't even want to ask for bits. I fixed it just because I wanted to help. I wanted to make it a surprise but when I showed Miss Daisy her new fixed fence, instead of being happy, she... growled?! And... threw bits at my face before I had the time to say anything?! Maybe she understood it wrong?''
That was another odd thing about the town, the ponies just didn't seem to appreciate kind gestures for some reason.
''I can't blame her reaction. And beside. Carpentry! That's not a job for mares."
And my smile dropped further, already I could tell this argument was only going to get more heated.
''But, humm, but I'm good at that. So... so why--
''Izzy, that's my point. It's not normal that you're good at it. It would be best if you instead learn cooking or sewing. Traditional mare skills. *sigh* Here what happens when a foal has no parents. Nopony to guide it on the proper path. You better have a talk with Elder Preach, you heard me.''
''Oh!! Ooooh.'' I remembered how bummed out it made me feel. It often happens. It wasn't just him. The unicorns of my village often saw me as weird. I don't know about the rest of the kingdom but the ponies of Brittle Abode tend to be traditional. Very traditional. And no matter what I do, I can never fit the mold.
First there's the... unusual situation concerning my family. By that, I mean my lack of it. I probably should have mentioned it from the start. I just often forget it. But yeah. I'm an orphan. That in itself is already a point working against me. Since 'Traditional' family is the pillar of the unicorn community. Or at least that's what Elder Preach always said.
And to make matters worse, the unicorns of Abode had always thought that I was crazy in the head. Speaking for myself....I can't say for sure, but I think they're right. After all, every attempt I make to befriend them seems to backfire and make me belong even less.
''So... can I still... buy... these?''
Sturdy Shelf snorted angrily, looking like he wanted to end the discussion as soon as possible.
''If it can make me get rid of you, fine. Just this once. But it's not normal. You're not normal and... *grunt* I don't want to deal with that today. You really didn't choose a good day to pester me. The profits of this month are bad. And the king raised the taxes once again. So hurry up please and get out. I don't need more trouble.''
Though I got what I wanted, I was depressed, but knew there was little point in dwelling on it. After I gave him my bits I took what I needed with my magic. Still wanting to leave on a good note, I gave him a good smile and waved him goodbye.
''Goodbye Mister Sturdy. And thanks a lot.''
Sturdy Shelf didn't share the sentiment. ''Scram already Izzy. Oh and when you have that talk with Elder Preach, don't forget to give him your respect. Remember, you owe him everything.''
''Of--! Of course.'' Of course I already knew that. Nopony had more gratitude for Elder Preach than me. Despite that, they always want to remind me. As I stepped out of the shop, I took one last glance behind.
Sturdy Shelf had his muzzle back in his accounting book and his forehead was resting on his fronthoove as he looked so dejected from what the numbers were telling him.
Gone was his grumpiness and anger. Instead, now he looked so tired. But I know well this was a common sight in Brittle Abode. Maybe even beyond.
With a sigh, I went outside in the street. I cheered myself, thinking of all I could do with those props. But they're quite heavy for a foal of my age. Keeping them in my levitation spell was taxing, so much that I didn't pay attention to my surroundings and I accidentally bumped into another pony and dropped all my stuff.
''Ouch! Heh, what gives!''
''Sorry, I wasn't looking. Oh!'' The colt that I bumped into was one of my classmates. Blazing Heart. Behind him, were his two friends: Summer Harvest and Sickle Sharp. ''Hey guys. Nice meeting you here.''
''Oh no, look who's here,.'' Said Blazing Heart. ''It's the orphan.''
''Hehe, yeah. That's- that's me. The good old Izzy the Orphan.'' I should mention, the kids of Abode often like to call me by that title more than my name. For whatever reason, they loved making fun of the fact I was an orphan, and I never got why. Honestly, it happened so often I just went along with it. I mean, they never stop so I may as well roll out with it. Like that, even if they make fun of me, I'm laughing with them.
Huh? Why are you looking at me that way? Did I say something weird?
Speaking of weird, Blazing Heart was also looking at me the same way. ''But... what are you doing?''
''Oh, hum, well, I was just trying to be funny.''
Blazing Heart looked perplexed and a little annoyed by my response. ''You never understood that the only place where you're funny is in your head.''
''Hahaha, good one. You always get me good.''
''... Yeah. That's what I meant. Out of our faces, Orphan. we're busy... what's you got there?''
Sickle Sharp took my broken lantern while Summer Harvest casually rolled up my metal poles.
''Hum guys, those are mine.''
''Oh yeah. Looks more like junk to me.'' Said Sickle, casually balancing the lantern with his hoof. ''You want back to rummage the garbage again?''
''Oh no, no. I bought them with my own money.''
''But why would you want to buy... buy that?!''
''Those are props for a little project of mine back home.'' I went to their ears in secrecy and whispered loudly. ''I can't tell you what's is. It's a secret. But when it's finished, it will blow your minds.''
I thought it would at least catch their attention but instead, Summer Harvest's gaze hardened. ''Oooh. Very nice of you. So while we are busy doing working hard on our chores all days, you go and rub in our faces that you have none and instead you spend all your time... playing.''
He then kicked one of my metal poles which I caught with my magic. ''Heh wait! I'm not playing. But... it's not, exactly, work... too.''
''Whatever.'' Snarled back Blazing. ''We don't care what a drifter like you do.''
''But I live here--
''Oh yeah. And what do you do for our town? Nothing, that's what. And that's why you have no friends. While you profit from our generosity, we are proud laborers who work tirelessly for our parents and our town. Every. Single. Day. We have no time to play. But here you are, constantly rubbing it in our faces with these huge smiles of yours. You, useless mare, that provides for nopony.''
By now I was struggling to stay positive, feeling tears start to form while also doing my best to hold my items in place with my magic. ''But... bubut it's-it's not my fault. I have no family to provide for. I never chose to be an orphan.''
''As if we give a damn. A true unicorn must always live for something bigger than itself. It is our duty to make the jobs of our parents easier as a thanks for giving us birth. It's our pride.'' Blazing Heart declared as he hit his chest with valor.
What he just said was something all adults were telling us kids. But Blazing Heart was the one who took that doctrine to heart. His eyes always shined when he talked about his family and although it never was nice to me, I confess I always admired him for it.
''And soon, we will be grown enough to make a difference for our town.'' Blazing spoke, pride burning even more brightly than usual.
''But me too! I too want to do something for our town.''
''Oh yeah? And what somepony like you will do when you grow up? Get married?''Sneered Harvest. ''Who would even want to marry you? You have no land. You have no belongings. You have nothing.''
''Hehe, yeah you're right. Somepony like me will probably end up single for the rest of her life.'' I said while I laughed with them. Even if it was becoming harder and harder. ''But that's okay with me. I don't need to marry. Because when I'll grow up I will become--
''You want to know what I will do?'' Blazing Heart just cut me off. He never ever let me talk.
''When I grow up I will volunteer to join the army and defend our country against those evil Pegasus and Earth Ponies who hate our way of life. I will become a great war hero and I will make a lot of money. And I will buy a big house for my parents so that they can finally take it easy.''
Blazing's eyes then went wide as saucers. ''Oh no! I'm supposed to buy the new shedding tools at the market and I'm getting late! Thanks a lot orphan. You made me lose our time as always.'' In his anger, he threw dirt at my face.
It landed in my eyes and stung so much I was crying. Still, I tried my best to laugh it off. Even if it was becoming harder and hader. ''Wow, nice shot. You got me good, haha... ha.'' I was cracking and I could feel true tears following the tears of irritation. No, not again. I didn't want to break down in front of them once more. It never helped. I must be positive, always be positive, then maybe, they will one day see me as a frie-
''Can I know what's happening?''
We all recognized that voice. That one that was at the same time firm but also so gentle.
Elder Preach himself came to greet us. Every foal, myself included, straighten up their posture. That's how much respect we have for him.
''Hello to you all. Say, you're not causing troubles are you?''
Though his tone was as gentle as always, the thinly veiled accusation hung over all of us like a weight.
''No. No troubles mister. We were just our ways to do our chores on the farm.'' Blazing spoke quite quickly, trying his hardest to look as presentable as possible.
''Ah, it's a joy to see such diligent youth. Well, don't let me be on your way. You three kids are the pride of Brittle Abode.''
Blazing Heart gasped and his eyes shone with so much pride. ''Th--thank you Elder Preach. We appreciate it. Have a good day.'' Then they went their way towards the market.
Once it was just the us two, Elder Preach looked at me. ''And you Izzy? Gotten in any trouble recently?''
He continued to speak in his usual soft voice. I don't remember ever hearing him raising his voice. It was part of the reason I always felt compelled to tell him the truth when he speaks to me.
''I... I did mean to. I want to be friends with them. But somehow, each time I try to have a conversation with, well, anypony, it always ends up that way. I don't understand. I really don't understand what I'm doing wrong.''
By now I was genuinely letting my tears fall as I saw little reason to lie to Elder Preach, who looked at me with sympathy.
''I know you don't mean to. You're an unicorn with a very kind heart after all.''
It brought me joy to hear that. Elder Preach was one of the only ponies to ever treat me with any kindness. It was one of the reasons I respected him so much. Not just me. All the village did.
Each time I see Elder Preach, the image of a kind priest always comes to my mind. He had these big round glasses resting on his snout and thick side hair of snow white color like the rest of his mane, all of which gave him a truly gentle appearance that matched his personality. And funny enough, despite being over his seventh year, his face looked so young.
He wasn't a true priest but he might as well be one. Elder Preach was there during the founding of our village and was unanimously elected leader of our town. Often, he would joke that the only reason they chose him as a leader is simply because he knew a lot about the holy bible.
Everypony looks up to him. Him and his wise words. And me, more than anypony. I wouldn't be alive without him. Sturdy Shelf was right. I owe him everything.
That's why my heart grew heavy when his expression soured into a frown. ''But Izzy, I think we both know what you're doing wrong.''
''Oh! Hum... I just... wanted--"
''Come on Izzy. We already discussed this, remember?'' He said while putting his hoof on my shoulder.
I look down somberly, practically feeling the guilt weighing down my neck. ''Yes. I know. As members of this community, our first duty is and always will be, to not cause trouble.''
''Good job Izzy. And the most important step in not causing trouble is... ''
''*sigh*To keep your emotions in check.''
Elder Preach nodded along with my words. ''Right. And not just anger or frustration but also those that are more positive. Like even joy. Cordiality is fine. Laughing at a few jokes is too. But your usual exuberance is... well, you already know.''
''I know. But... it's so difficult for me to believe it. I just can't understand. Does being happy is wrong?''
''No, you misunderstand. There's nothing wrong with being happy. As long as you're keeping it to yourself. Alright, I will try my best to explain it.''
Elder Preach changed to his tone he used when he tried to act as a teacher for us kids. ''You just need to look around to see it's a harsh time for everypony. We're barely getting by. And we constantly fear being invaded by our enemies. Everypony is extremely stressed right now.''
He tapped my back, his way of saying to be extra attentive. ''I think you already understand why you should not show anger or frustration. If you express your problems then those nasty feelings would propage to the other ponies around you. When they already have their own problems. They will feel your anger and pain on top of their own. It would be like giving your problems to them. Emotions are contagious after all.''
''I know that. That's why I always try to give my brightest smile everyday. I hope that by being joyful, the ponies around me would become more happy.''
Elder Preach smiles at me and ruffles my mane a little, making my own smile return if only a little.
''Rest assure, I know well you had those kind intentions. But I'm afraid to tell you that this is not how it works out. You see, when somepony sees somepony joyful, very often they tend not to feel joy but instead, envy that he doesn't feel the same way as that pony.''
''Wha--what!''
Elder Preach's smile dropped as he looked around at the town. ''Yes, it's sad but in this day and age, it's more true than ever. Now, can you really blame the ponies around you for acting the way they do? By acting so cheerfully, it's like you're rubbing in their face how better your life is compared to them.''
'I... I do! But but--I didn't mean it. I swear.''
''I know. Rest assured. I'm not saying that to blame you Izzy. I just want you to make you understand how to properly fit in. A smiling face may seem fine on paper...''
Elder Preach hardened and for a moment, I felt very small. ''But in the end, a face of stone is always better. Learn to have a face of stone Izzy. Just like the rest of us.''
I lowered my head. ''I understand Elder Preach.''
He went back to usual fatherly smile that reassured us. ''Izzy. You are very smart. I know that even if it takes time, you eventually learn what needs to be done. That's why I'm not worried about you.''
''Thank you Elder Preach.'' I said genuinely, even though my heart was heavy. ''You are so good to me.''
''Don't mention it. Now, enough about me taking your time. I think you have something to do.''
''Oh right!'' I took back all my belongings and got ready to go back home. ''Goodbye Elder Preach. It was nice to see you.''
''The sentiment is the... ... Izzy? Are those things for... ... nah. Just one lesson for today. Goodbye Izzy. And don't forget about your school homework. And also to show your respect to our king and the previous queen during class.''
''I will. Bye.''
''Come on. Come. Oooon. Will you give up.'' I said as I pulled with all my strength and magic, a quite sturdy root of a tree that I had dug up. ''Youuu, willl, beeee my suppeeGHYA!!!''
Finally it snapped and I fell backwards. I was a little dizzy from the fall but seeing my prize levitated in front of my face quickly got me back to my senses. ''Oh yes! This one is plump and juicy. If I ration it wisely, I can have it for days. Huh! Is that a nest up there?''
Looking up at a nearby tree I confirmed that yes, it was one. Without further ado, I climbed up the tree to the branch it was resting on.
I became very good at climbing trees with time. It's one of my favorite games.
In that nest, there were five, yes, five succulent bird eggs. ''It's my lucky day today! I will have a nice omelet tonight. ... ... But I kinda feel bad. I think I will just take three and leave two for mama bird. Don't want to leave her without a family.''
With my already nice bounty I searched for more food.
The forest I lived in may at first seem intimidating but it's actually a very peaceful place and with time, I knew it like the back of my hoof, especially the best spots to gather food. For example, there were bushes that were often full of delicious berries. And also where to find a lot of nuts. Very important if I wanted provisions that can last winter.
With my basket full of food, I went home.
My home is an old abandoned barn. Nopony remembers who it belongs to. So I claimed it as my home. It's may not look like it but--
''Wait! Izzy stop--
--just stop for a moment. I'm confused.'' Sunny said as she interrupted Izzy's story.
''Yeah Sunny. Is there something wrong?'' Izzy asked, slightly perplexed.
''I know you say you were an orphan but... Izzy, you were homeless!''
''No. Not homeless. I had my barn. My home in the forest.''
''That's not what I meant. Why were you living in the forest in the first place? You don't live in Brittle Abode?''
''Well, hum, no. Not... not exactly.''
''But that's where I'm lost. You'd said that this Elder Preach saved you. That you had a debt to him.''
''Yeah. By allowing me to wander Brittle Abode whenever I want. And to be allowed to have a home near it. If it wasn't for him, Brittle would have forbidden me access and would want to chase me out each time they saw me. But thanks to Elder Preach, I had a place that tolerate me.''
A grim silence hung over the group.
''Tolera...! Izzy! That's... how can you think this is normal? You were a child, a child without family that had to take care of yourself alone! Did nopony wanted to took you in?''
Izzy paused. She was trying to smile but it was clear she was being uncomfortable.
'' Well, Elder Preach did try once to find a family to take care of me. But they all refused. Each one already had too many mouths to feed. They couldn't afford another one. Elder Preach did warn me to not get my hopes up.''
Everypony was flabbergasted. And it didn't help that Izzy said it in such a matter of fact tone. ''But Izzy,'' said Hitch. ''What about relatives? Even if your parents were gone, you didn't have any relatives?''
''Oh, about that. Hummm... I don't know.''
''You don't know! How can you not know?'' Hitch facehoof himself and took a deep sigh. ''Alright Izzy. I should have asked this question first. How did you lose your parents? Did they die? Did they abandon you?''
''... ... I... don't know. I have no idea who my parents were. So I have no idea if I even have relatives. The truth is... I don't even know if I'm from Brittle Abode or from outside.''
''What!'' Shouted Hitch.
''I know it sounds strange but I can't remember my early childhood. I think my earliest memory is me as an even younger foal, wandering the streets of Brittle but, hum, that memory is pretty much all a daze. The only things clear that I remember is that my stomach was really empty and that everything hurt. Before that, it's just a blur that I can't make sense of.''
''Wha--whaaat!''
''It's the people of Brittle that gave me the name of Izzy. As for Moonbow, I gave myself that last name. I really love looking at the moon. I thought Izzy was a too lonely name by itself. So...'' A sad smile formed on Izzy's lips. ''So I invented for myself this fantasy of me having a full name. Izzy Moonbow. But anyway, that's why I can't answer on... where I came from. Sorry.''
Everypony present wasn't sure what to feel. Hitch, regardless, questioned her more.
''But what about Brittle Abode? They should know something!''
''I tried a few times. But they never gave me straight answers. Actually, they never gave me a straight answer for anything. Elder Preach dismissively ignore my questions, saying it's not important and that I should focus more on what I should do to give more for my town so, in the end, I gave up on asking.''
Izzy scratched the back of her neck, not really knowing how to act. ''Sometimes, I think that in the end, they were simply as in the dark as me. That they don't know where I come from. But even that they never confirmed or denied it. A shame, right. Huh! Wh--why are you looking at me that way?''
The unicorn was surprised to see Hitch, his eyes wide in shock, covering his mouth as if to muffle a scream. In fact, everypony in the room was looking at her with a mix of shock and pity.
''I--I don't understand. What did I say? Why are you all looking at me as if you feel bad for me? Am I I am... Am I supposed to feel bad?''
As she asked this question Izzy felt something on her face. She brushed it and was surprised to find it wet with tears. ''Huh! Where did it... I... I don't understand.''
I think it's best that I go back to my story. I need to explain the true cause of why I am in this mess.
My powers.
I'm not sure I can properly explain why I'm good at manipulating the elements. It's just something I do really well. At first, it wasn't impressive at all. When I was young, I could only summon a tiny ember or an insignificant spark.
Like with everything else I did, the villagers of Brittle Abode didn't like when I was doing that. It freaked them out. Sure, unicorns have a knack for magic. Some of them could even become powerful magicians. But still, there was some type of magic that was rare, even in the country of spell casters.
Manipulating the forces of nature was something that wasn't well documented apparently. Even ponies who had no knowledge of spellcraft could tell at a glance that my magic was unique and unusual. And the traditional ponies of my town didn't like what's unusual. I quickly understood that it was best to not do my magic in front of them.
Emphasize on not in front of them.
Once I went back to my barn I put the food in a safe place. I really consider this barn my home. When I found it I was so sure it was a blessing of the gods. I still do today.
When I first found it, it was in a pretty dilapidated state. Not a good place to live in. Luckily, it wasn't unsalvageable and some bits of timber were left around but I had to learn all on my own on how to patch it up. It wasn't easy. It took months of trial and error, along with a lot of splinters, but I managed to perform a rudimentary job in making my home more liveable.
There's still tons of leaks during rain and the cold drafts are quite bothersome, especially during winter, but my home wasn't still bad, right?
Plus, it taught me I was really good at crafting things.
Speaking of crafting. It was time for my little project. I took the broken lantern that I had bought. Then, I went to my pile of discarded church vitrail. The glass maker made them to replace the old ones but his first batch was a mess so he just threw them away. I took them since I found them so pretty. And nopony would miss them anyway so I allowed myself to spirit some away.
I took the biggest pieces and stuck them to the now empty faces of the lantern. It's a very rugged job but making it pretty was not my goal.
Now for the most important and tricky part.
I focused on my mind and from the tip of my horn, a little flame appeared. I made it fly into the lantern, closed the hatch and then... oh it was so magical. Lights and colors of all kinds illuminated my house. Red, blue, purple, yellow. I could even make my flame slightly more intense to make the colors even shinier.
It was truly a sight to see.
''It's even prettier than I thought. Now let's see what happens if I combine it with my other idea.'' Looking up I spotted the rope hanging from my roof and quickly cast an ice spell on it.
This requires even more concentration than the fire. With my mind, I made the ice slide slowly down the rope until it reached the tip. Concentrating so much hurts my head quite a bit but I make the ice take shape and solidify into a five-branched star. And voilà! I just made a nice hanging ice sculpture.
''Humm that's not bad. Sure it's a little butchered and some branches are too long, but it's still an improvement compared to last time. Now, let there be light.''
With another flash of magic, I projected the colored light on the star and it too changed color. It wasn't impressive but the goal was to see if it was working. ''Damn I'm good. I knew I could use my ice that way. All I have to do is practice on completing complexifie its shape and it would become something, ummm, breathtaking! Yes, that's it,. bBreathtaking. Okay, hNow, the last one.''
This time I went outside. I'd already stuck three metal poles into the ground to form a triangle. From my horn, I cast lighting on the pole in front of me and just as I thought, the purple energy also spread to the two others behind it, which in turn, shared the electricity, closing up the triangle. It was like a flowing ribbon was surrounding them.
''Yes! YES! I was correct. Lighting does get attracted to metal. Even though I have not a single idea why WHAH!!!'' A stray bolt flew off from the rest and landed right on my rump of all places. My spell was interrupted as I was rolling on the ground. ''Ow ow ow ow Ow. Ooh that stings, that stings.''
In spite of the literal shock, I just laughed it off. ''Okay, okay. Next time, I should think more about safety. Don't want to repeat the barn nearly catching on fire. And although interesting, I don't see how I can use that as a trick. But it's alright, that's why I experiment. And with practice and hard work, I will get better with my magic and create all kinds of amazing tricks.''
With the electricity dispersed, I took one rod with my magic and waved it as if it was a staff. ''I will become a great magician. One day I will master my weird magic. And that day I will be...''
I boldly pointed my makeshift staff right at the sun. ''Izzy, the Greatest Showmare of all. I will make shows full of colors and wonder, where the eyes of everypony shine with glee. All thanks to my magic. And then...''
I gazed at the direction of Brittle Abode as wind caressed my mane. ''One day. One day, I'll show them all what Izzy the Orphan is really capable of. That I can be more than that. I will make them so happy. And at last... they will smile at me.''
Izzy took a break from telling her story. .
After hearing her tale, something resonated within Pipp. ''Izzy! So tThat's all you wanted to do?! You just wanted to make fun shows?!''
Izzy nodded. ''Yeah, I know now that saying it like that may sound stupid. I was born with a rare gift and I waste it on parlor tricks! I too read about all these mighty magicians from storybooks using their magic for all kinds of things, but frankly, I never was interested in having power or smiting foes. The idea of hurting ponies makes me sick.''
''Then why did you try to perfect this magic? What's more, from what you told, your village didn't like it.''
''Yes, they found it creepy. Each time I was doing it in public, I was always severely sermoned and bea... and other things. I quickly learned to not use it among other ponies. Still, it was mine. It was something only I could do. And even though they called it obscene, I just was never able to fully agree to not use it. I wanted so much to use it for something good. But it's not the only reason.''
Izzy took off her hat and firmly pressed against her heart for comfort. ''The truth is my magic was only 'one' part of me they didn't like. In their eyes, everything about me was wrong. My origin, my positive attitude, my head. Oh especially my head."
The unicorn slightly knocked her hoof against her head for emphasis. "I never really managed to fully understand the customs and unspoken rules of my home. That's why they said I was loony in the head and called me the idiot of the village. And those were the most polite names. That's why I hoping to become a great showmare because...''
Izzy lowered her eyes. ''Instead of being a crazy pony who does weird magic... I could have become a creative pony who can make wonders. And then... then maybe I would have a place somewhere.''
Tears were streaming from Pipp's eyes and she had to muffle her cry. No longer able to contain herself she lunged at Izzy and to her surprise, embraced her in a tight hug. ''Oh Izzy. I understand. I understand so much. You were so brave to try something at such a young age. You are a wonderful pony. More than me for sure.''
''Thanks... Pipp. I'm glad that you think so. Even if it's so hard to believe that.'' Tears formed in Izzy's eyes as she accepted the hug.
Zipp, for her part, tilted her head to her side in confusion. ''Izzy, not to sound rude, but I'm even more perplexed than before. If your goal was to make fun shows then why did you end up fighting in the war?''
Izzy tries to wipe her tears with her hoof. ''Oh right! That's the reason why we have this discussion in the first place. The answer will disappoint you on how banal it is.''
It all started the day of the drafting. The soldiers of the king had come to recruit young and strong ponies to deploy to the front. It's not an uncommon occurrence at Brittle Abode. The army was in constant need of new troops somepony once told me.
On that day, the sky was covered in thick clouds that were as gray as the mood the unicorns who had been chosen to rejoin the army. But one of them was instead beaming with pride. Blazing Heart.
He had not been drafted. He volunteered of his own will. For years, that's what he wanted and couldn't wait the moment he would reach the age of adulthood. When the soldiers came, he didn't wait and galloped towards them.
And now, Blazing Heart, while proudly wearing the armor, was saying his heartfelt goodbye to his parents.
''Be very careful son.'' Said his dad, Ashen Heart.
''Once I get money, I will send it back to you. You won't have to worry about the farm.'' Blazing said with love.
''Yes, this would be a big help. I'm glad we had you.''
With his piece said, Blazing went his way towards the wagon where three other recruits were already sitting. On his track, he passed in front of me and he stopped to give me a quick look.
Blazing had always treated me like trash but today, I couldn't read his expression. To my surprise, he even said ''Take care of yourself.''
As the wagon went away, Blazing waved his hooves to all of us while saying he will make us all proud. I confess, even I admired him a bit at that moment. I was feeling I understood so well. The need to make others proud. So even if I'm sure he didn't notice me, I also waved him goodbye and wished in the deep of my heart that he would come back safe and regale us with the tales of his exploits.
But alas, it was never to be. Barely two weeks later, we received news from the army. Blazing Heart was gone. Another pony we will never see again.
It really seemed that each day was becoming greyer than the previous one. It was even more true since we lost Blazing. After receiving the news, all the village seemed to have fallen into a bog of resignation. Still, I didn't give up.
Quite the contrary, I was more motivated than ever. And with years of practice, I managed to greatly improve on my tricks.
''And the knight raised his sword high, shouting: 'You vile beast. You have terrorized those ponies long enough. Go back to the pit of hell from which you came.'''
I became so good at mastering fire that I could make figures made of flame, even get them to move a little just like marionettes.
On my hooves, I'd create a little pony of fire, wielding a sword, facing a fiery beast three times its size. ''The beast lunged at the swordpony, its giant claws ready to tear him apart. But then, SLASH.''
With a swing of his sword, the knight decapitated the beast, with both figures dissipating after, I giddily tapped my hooves from how successful it was.
''Oooh the kids are gonna love it. Now I just have to learn to make them bigger. Oh! And I should also learn how to make exciting stories to keep the audience captivated. I can't wait.''
A little tired from this effort, I sat on my makeshift chair. ''If only I had a magical staff like those wizards in the storybooks. I could do awesome magic more easily. Oh Well. Even without it, I still managed to be quite impressive if I do say so myself.''
With my horn, I casted ice on the suspended rope. Yes. The very same rope used in my dripping ice trick. Only this time, the icy star is way more complex, with too many branches to count. With one swipe of my horn, I made it explode into thousands of tiny sparkles that flew all over. It was like a starry sky had appeared on the very roof of my barn. This was by far my favorite trick.
''It's beautiful.'' I spoke in awe, content to simply look and watch as the stars I made slowly faded away.
*Knock**Knock* *Knock**Knock*
''WHAAA!!!'' I was so surprised I jumped out of my chair and fell. ''Ow. Wha--what! What was--
*Knock**Knock*
''No way! Could it be!''
It was real! Somepony was knocking at my door! It was the very first time it happened.
''Visitors? I have visitors! Oh yes, oh yes, I knew it. I knew it would eventually happen. I waited for this moment for so long. What are you doing Izzy dummy? Don't just stand there, open the door.''
I ran like the wind and turned the handle while my hoof was shaking with excitement. Behind it was none other than Elder Preach, all smiling. ''Hello Izzy.''
''Elder Preach! It's so good to see you. Please, come in, come in.''
''How cordial of WOAH!!!'' I took his hoof and guided him inside. I confess it was a little forceful but can you blame me? Receiving ponies into my house was a dream of mine.
I put him on another makeshift chair that I made and went to my pantry and quickly worked to make tea. Well, I say tea but it's actually some herbs I found in the forest mixed with plain water but it's very good. Heating it it's not a problem with my fire magic.
Once ready, I gave the cup to Elder Preach. ''Here. It's my best blend that I keep for occasions like this.''
''My, that's very...'' But without even glancing at his cup, he simply deposited on the stool next to him. ''But that's quite alright. I'm here because mostly, I wanted to see how you're doing.''
''I'm in tip top shape as you can see.'' I said while doing a little jig. ''Some winters are tough but for the most part, I generally accumulate enough food to stay healthy.''
''Yes, you did grow into a fine young mare. Always so... resourceful?'' His gaze turned towards the gizmo I invented, using the electrical poles as an inspiration. I will spare the details but I made a device with a small pole whose tip is inside a glass ball. It constantly produces electricity coursing inside that sphere.
''Ah, you see my latest creation. I made myself. It took a lot of time and trial and error to made it.''
''I... see. And what does it do?'' Elder Preach eyed the object with a fair amount of trepidation while trying to keep his smile.
''Well... nothing, really. It's just pretty.''
My response left the Elder just blinking for a few seconds before continuing. ''Hum... well it's good we speak about it because... there's another reason I'm here. It concerns your magic.''
''Oh! Ohhh I--I see where this is going.'' I say while lowering my head in disappointment. ''You're here to tell me this is wrong to practice my magic. I know you've warned me but please you let me show you what it can do--
''Now calm down.'' He raised his hoof to interrupt me. ''Don't worry Izzy. I'm not here to sermonize you. In fact, it's all the opposite.''
''Wait what!?'' I honestly wondered if maybe I overdo my magic before and was hallucinating.
''Yes but... but before, there's something I must confess.'' Elder Preach then did something I'd never see him do. He slumped on his chair and sighed apolitically. ''I know well we didn't do a very good job at making you welcome. To be frank Izzy, we had not a single idea what to do with you. Since everything about you was... and that you could do those things with the elements, something no unicorn had seen before, sure didn't help.''
''I know. I'm sorry.'' The worst part is... I really believed I should apologize.
''But now, I recently see what you can do in a whole different light. I now think your gift isn't a bad omen, pardon my language, but instead just that. A gift. I'm now even sure that it's the gods themselves who give you that gift and that it is for a reason.''
I was so surprised I forgot how to close my mouth. But I also felt joy. So much joy. This was what I always dreamed. For ponies to see this part of me as something beautiful. I was scared that this was too good to be true, that this was just a dream. ''You--you really think so!''
''Yes. I think I know in which way your mastery of the elements can be used for the great good and frankly, I'm ashamed to not had thought of that earlier.'' Elder Preach expression became more solemn. ''No need to tell you, but we've been at war for a long time. Even before I was born, can you believe it?''
Naturally, he wasn't teaching something new. The war was always there, you couldn't go a single day without being reminded of it. ''Of... of course I know we're at war. But I don't like to think about it. I always did my best to learn the less about if I can't.''
My words seemed almost offensive to Elder Preach. ''Izzy. That's very disrespectful of our soldi... nah. Right now it's not important. But what's important is that because of it we have lost nearly all our young. You remember when the army told us that Blazing Heart had disappeared?''
''How could I forget? His father had been so furious. I had the scare of my life. I was expecting him to be sad. Not angry at him and accusing him of being a coward and that he ran away. Blazing had always been proud of his kingdom. I just don't see him being a deserter.''
Elder Preach seemed to agree, nodding solemnly.
''Yes. It was... quite something. I tried to reason with him, to tell him that being officially 'missing' didn't necessarily mean that Blazing ran away. That he may have died a hero and that they just couldn't find his remains. But sadly, I failed. He is steadfast that his son turned tail and ran... anyway, his attitude is heartbreaking.''
''I couldn't believe my ears. Despite how mean he was, he was always devoted to his family. But then in one moment, his parents threw away this devotion as if it was never there. Did they only care about the money Blazing could make?''
''Don't be so hard on them. It is the duty of children to take care of their parents. It's just that duty, sometimes, requires them to go far to risk their lives. And sometimes... they fail. We're losing so many. Sometimes, I wonder if there's something we can do to make their duty easier. That's where I hope you will come in.''
''What are you... saying?'' He genuinely had no idea where he was going.
''I'm saying that your magic could save a lot of lives.''
My heart leaped after hearing that. My only wish was to be useful but to hear that 'me' could save lives. This was going even beyond my wildest dreams. I jumped out of my chair and nearly kneel at his hooves. "Really? Really! You're serious!''
''Quite so. I know you always wanted to help and I think that time as come.''
''For real! I could help the village?''
''The village! No no Izzy. It's all the kingdom that you will help.''
My head was spinning. I felt so much joy that I'm sure sparkles were shining in my eyes. ''All-all-all the kingdom! My magic can do that! I-I-I did not know! Elder Preach, I will help, of course I will help.''
''I knew you would accept. With the power the gods gave you, you will protect us all by smiting all our enemies.''
''... ... ... ... heh!'' At that moment I wasn't sure why but my ears seemed to fail. For whatever reason I couldn't understand what he'd said. The words just couldn't make sense.
''I mean, you're perfect for that role. There's no more fearsome troops than our battle mages. And you Izzy might become the mightiest of them all.''
''Battle ma... Hum. Elder Preach. I'm sorry I... I really don't understand. What are you... telling me? You want me to use my magic on ponies?''
''Izzy. I understand it might be a lot but there's no greater honor that --
''WO WO WO WO. You're asking to use my magic on... PONIES!!!''
Elder Preach looked at me now looking almost perplexed, as though my question was somehow bizarre. ''Why... yes.''
I was flabbergasted. Once I realized he was dead serious, the idea of me hurting ponies kept spinning and spinning into my head to the point I became agitated.
''No. No no no you can't be serious! Have you any idea how dangerous my magic can be?'' In my panicked state, I showed him a burn mark on my hoof. ''Look, look, I burned myself by accident last week and it hurt a lot. What would it will be like if I threw all my fire at a pony?''
''Izzy. You misunderstand. We're not asking you to hurt our enemies. We're asking you to kill them so they won't kill us back.''
Silence rang out through the house, the words just spoken hanging over my head like a guillotine.
"Ki... kill!" I... I couldn't even mutter a word.
''Izzy. You seem to have a misunderstanding.'' His face became grave. ''The 'ponies' you're afraid to hurt are not ponies. They're pegasi and earth ponies. Godforsaken people that only wish to end us all. They deserve no mercy from us.''
''But-but--
''Izzy, you must realize one day that your control of the elements is more than pretty. You must have thought how destructive that power is.''
''No no, I never ever thought about using it that way."
Elder Preach's expression started to grow harsh. ''By the gods Izzy. You can cast cleansing flame and make divine levin fall from the sky. You must at least thought once it could be use for war.''
''No no, it never crossed my mind.'' By now I felt myself starting to panic, struggling to make sense of what was going on. Why was this happening? ''Why are you doing this? Why do you want me to kill? Why do you want to send me... I could die! Please don't-don't make do this.''
I fell down on my knees and cried. ''Please. Please don't make me do this. I'm scared. They never came back. Everypony that went to war never came back. Please Elder preach, please I beg of you. I don't want to hurt. I don't want *sniff* want to hurt. Why... do you want me gone?''
Elder Preach went to my side and gently rubbed my back. ''Izzy. Do you want the village to accept you?'' I raised my head and gazed at him, confused at what it meant.
''I know that being accepted has always been your greatest wish. Well, that's why I'm here. To tell you that you have a chance to impress them. Yes, I won't lie. It will be dangerous aAnd you may die, even with your power. But, if you come back, Brittle Town will welcome you as a hero. And if not, you will be remembered as a hero. The Great Izzy. There's no greater honor than that.''
Even though he spoke those words in the same kind tone he'd always spoken in, his words were no longer comfortin but... I don't know how to describe it.
''I...I...'' Despite how terrified I was, his words weren't leaving my head. I worked so hard to find acceptance. But... does sacrifice yourself not the ultimate proof of how selfless-
When I thought that, I got spooked. I knew I shouldn't believe that but then why... why was a part of me finding it was making a lot of sense! ''But-but-but my magic tricks? My shows? I had planned to make everypony in town happy with them. Can't I help my people with that?''
''Ah yes. About that.'' Elder Preach took off his glasses, rubbed them with his tunic while looking sorrowful. ''It breaks my heart to tell you that but it would lead to nowhere. Even if you succeed at making a show out of... whatever you're doing, Brittle Abode wouldn't have cared.''
''Wha--but... but why?! I worked on making my magic pretty so it could make them smile.''
Elder Preach sighed as he returned his glasses to his face.
''That's my point. You are just making it pretty instead of useful. By the gods Izzy, you're wasting your time at making art. In this world, there's nothing more useless than art. It's a distraction that solves nothing. The true way to help a community is to do concrete things. Like making food or giving services. Or eliminating what threatens us.''
I... I was so heartbroken that I didn't have the strength to say anything. Was everything I did pointless? Elder Preach is the grown-up. They know far more than us, right?
He raised from his chair and looked at me with the soothing smile I saw so often. ''Izzy. You are very smart. That's why I know you will understand the true reason the gods gifted you with this power. And how much you can give to us.''
He tapped me on the head just like when I was a foal. ''This discussion went on for a little too long and I can see that you're a little overwhelmed. That's alright. It's a decision too important to make in one day.''
He opened the door to exit. The light of day was particularly bright, making the figure of Elder Preach darkened in contrast. ''I'll come back tomorrow and the day after. Rest assured Izzy, I'll be there to help you make the right decision. See you soon.''
And he went away. Leaving me alone with my thoughts. Even though it was difficult for me to think.
My hooves were shaking and my teeth were chattering. My entire body simply refused to stay still.
Do you know the most funny part? At the time, I genuinely couldn't understand why.
And then one day, it happened. It was my turn to find myself on the back of a chariot whose job was to bring me far away from the only home I'd ever known.
My last day on Brittle Abode was even more solemn than Blazing Heart. Nopony even said goodbye to me, then didn't even utter a single word. They just looked at me in silence as I went away. That makes it more surreal.
Regardless, once they got their new recruit, the soldiers didn't lose time with formalities and shouted at their two dragon mounts to start running.
As we went away, I couldn't detach my gaze from Brittle Abode who was getting farther and farther away with each passing moment.
It all felt like a dream. I understood nothing! I didn't understand how I ended up in that situation, I didn't understand where I was going.
And when the only home I ever knew disappeared from the horizon, all I could do was tremble. Wishing to wake up from that bad dream that didn't want to end. |
The Masked Face of Fear | pre | It wasn't particularly deep, just enough so that the room at the bottom couldn't be sees from the top.
Stepping into the small rotunda, I looked around at the three life-size statues of me that I had made when I claimed this place.
One with it's hands in front of it, gripping an absent sword, the next with one hand out just a little and the other close to the chest, again with the weapons absent, and the third, standing aggressively, preparing to swing the black and gold sword in its right hand.
Sliding the blade up out of the statues grip, I placed the flat of the sword on the armoured part of my left arm and dragged it across, sending a small shower of sparks to fly in front of me before I placed it on my back.
Turning to go back out I stopped as one of the insect-ponies blocked my path, only this one was easily as tall as Princess Celestia and much more noticeable feminine features than the smaller ones.
I slowly started to reach or the blade when she whispered, "It's you," causing me to stop.
She stepped forward, looking almost fearful. "It's really you."
Narrowing my eyes, I asked, "What are you talking about?"
Clearly startled, she bowed, revealing the holes in her legs, and said, "We have waited, my lord," with her voice echoing on itself, now that she had stopped whispering.
Lowering my arm, I asked, "Lord?"
She looked up. "We have waited for over a thousand years for your return."
"Why?"
"To lead us."
"Why would you need me to- Oh, just stand up straight! It's ridiculous talking to you while you bow to me!"
Standing, she said, "Thank you, my lord."
"And address me as Jack or not at all."
"Yes, my-... Yes."
"Now then, who and what are you?"
"I am Chrysalis, queen of the Changelings and Ruler of the Badlands," she answered with a touch of pride.
"And where do I fit into your 'kingdom'?"
She lowered her head again, but thankfully didn't bow. "You are our deity. Our god. When a changeling returns with a large amount of love, we feed some of the power to the statue, and as a result, keep the lights that move around it from going out."
"Why would you and your kind see me as a god?"
"Because you can take the souls of others, just as we Changelings take the love of others. To us, yours is the ultimate power."
Again, my eyes narrowed, but this time I drew my blade and held its edge to Chrysalis' throat. "How did you know I can capture souls?"
Suddenly fearful, she quickly answered, "I was there when you killed the Forest Prince. I was young, but I remember when he threw me aside as you came to face him. I would not be alive, had you not been there."
Returning my blade to my back, I asked one last question. "And what makes you think your kind is of any use to me?"
"We can take on the appearance of anypony and anything. I, myself, once impersonated and replaced Princess Mi Amore Cadenza at her own wedding."
"Ah, yes. I caught glimpses of that little affair from my prison. I suppose I could use your skills," I said before stepping past and going back up the stairs, Chrysalis following soon after.
Reaching the top I looked out at the changelings who had ALL gathered, and a collective of gasps and hushed whispers spread out among them at the sight of me.
Looking out over them, I raised my voice so they all would hear. "I am Jack of Blades. I know you all know of me."
Many of them nodded in acknowledgement when I said this.
"When I was imprisoned by Princess Celestia of Equestria over a thousand years ago, I lost my weapons. I am certain that she would not have kept them together as a precaution. I am entrusting Chrysalis, your queen, to select the best and brightest among you to find them for me. Should you be one of those selected, you are under no circumstances to retrieve them, should you find one. You are to report back immediately and wait for me. That is all."
Gesturing for Chrysalis to follow, I headed to another descending stairway.
When we were alone, I told her, "I have no doubt Princess Sweet-tooth would have had my weapons sent to different nations, but send your very best to the capitol to infiltrate the Royal Archives, the Royal Treasury and any museums, in case she decided to keep a closer eye on them."
She nodded, saying, "of course. And what will you be doing in the mean time?"
Stopping before the colossal metal doors, I answered, "That is something you need not concern yourself with."
The instant I finished speaking, the doors cracked open with a loud echoing boom before only opening far enough for me to pass through into the pitch black beyond.
Looking to the stunned Changeling beside me, I said, "Do not follow me in there. When you have need of me, knock once," before disappearing into the darkness.
-Twilight Sparkle-
"I still don't get why we need to go to some back-wood town."
I suppressed the urge to face-hoof at the comment. While bringing my friends to Border-Town, I had endured questions ranging from why Princess Celestia thought it was urgent, what kind of animals are in the area, if the ponies there are friendly and whether they could have a unique style of clothing.
I didn't have the heart to tell them that we were visiting ruins just yet. I'd been to Border-Town once, back before Princess Celestia sent me to Ponyville.
"I've already said Princess Celestia wasn't clear. She just said that we are to check on the area and if we get into any trouble, we are to run away," I explained to my hovering friend.
Rainbow Dash blew a raspberry at that, saying, "Yeah right. There's no way I'd ever run away from ANYTHING."
"Rainbow, Ah Don' think the Princess woulda told us ta run fer no good reason," Applejack said, much to my relief.
"Oh, come on! It's not like the town was destroyed!"
"Actually, Rainbow," I interjected as we rounded the last bend and town came into view, "that's exactly the case."
The girls let out a collective gasp as they saw the overgrown remains of the town.
As we slowly made our way into the town, Rarity asked, "Twilight dear, I don't suppose you might know what happened here, would you?"
I sighed. "Not exactly, no. When I came here with the Princess years ago she wouldn't tell me everything that happened. Only that it was done by an individual she thought she knew."
"There ain't no way one pony did this kind o' damage," Applejack said, stopping to look at a semi-intact wall.
"I said much the same to Princess Celestia back then, but she insisted it was an individual."
Surprisingly slowly for her, Rainbow was hovering from building to building and asked, "Do you think Daring Do would be interested in this place?"
"No Rainbow, she wouldn't. There's nothing here. The only building still standing is the town... hall."
I was so shocked to see the huge pile of fresh rubble.
The girls gathered behind me.
In my shocked state, I wasn't sure which, but one of them asked, "That was it, wasn't it?"
I didn't say anything. I just started climbing over everything to look for clues.
Some of the rubble shifted and Pinkie stuck her head out and held out something in her hoof, asking, "Hey Twilight, doesn't this kinda, sorta, maybe look like the Alicorn Amulet Trixie had a while back?"
The second my magic touched it, I felt it the very same magic within this broken amulet, albeit MUCH weaker.
"Pinkie, I think this is, or rather WAS, the Alicorn Amulet."
Knowing it was somehow connected, I placed it in my saddlebags to take to Celestia, when we got back.
"Excuse me, um, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked, "Would you, um, happen to know what that statue is, over there?"
Looking to where she was pointing, I saw a large circular void in the debris with an unusual statue standing in the centre.
Climbing over to it, I squinted as I looked at the base, but it was too worn to read.
"I don't know, Fluttershy, but this," I said circling my hoof to gesture to the clear area, "is not normal. I think we should head back."
As the five others agreed we started to leave, but I stopped for a moment to look back at the strange statue, trying to figure out how it fit into all of this.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I hurried to catch up with the girls as we started our journey home. |
The Masked Face of Fear | Past conflict: instigation | 1100 Years Ago
I opened my eyes, feeling as though I had simply blinked rather than slept, despite the light that was filtering through the window in the room I was residing in.
Sitting up and swinging my legs off the bed, my feet hit the ground with a metallic thud, bringing my attention to the fact I had slept in the clothes I wore before my arrival at the castle, which, while the actual clothes were nothing to mention, having done this i the past, I was mildly surprised I had slept in the armoured gauntlets and boots.
Quickly moving on from the thought, my attention was drawn to the mask on the drawers beside me.
Picking it up, I contemplated leaving it off for the day.
No! You'll need it. The power. You'll need the power.
I had no idea how those thoughts had come up, but I put the mask on again, regardless and was immediately besieged with the same droning I heard yesterday, only it seemed quieter and... quicker.
Dismissing it as nothing, I opened my door to step out, but stopped as a hornless and wingless mare stumbled forward, almost bumping me with her nose.
Looking up into the confused look in my eyes, she quickly bowed and stammered an apology. "P-p-please f-forgive me. I-I did not intend to d-disturb thee."
Chuckling, I put a finger under her chin and lifted her gaze, say, "There is no need to apologise. Simply tell me why you were at my door."
Calming slightly, she shakily replied, "I was requested to bring thee to the princess, so thou might break thy fast with them."
Giving her my affirmative, I fell into step behind her as she led me through the castle and into the grand dining hall, Where both princesses sat at opposite ends of the table with a sizable crowd of ponies between them.
As I entered, Luna noticed and silenced the current conversations by raising her hoof slightly.
Pushing herself off of the chair she was on, which I still haven't found a reason for why these quadrupeds need them, she said, "T'would seem our last guest hath arrived. Please, come sit and dine with us, Jack of Blades," at an absurd volume, that visibly distorted the air, which I soon came to understand to be the 'Royal Canterlot Voice'.
For the third time since appearing in this land, I suddenly gained an understand of how to use some of my Will.
Using this new knowledge, I made my voice seem to come from everywhere in the room at once, and said, "Thank you for the invitation, princess," and took a seat immediately to the left of a very familiar stallion who had his gaudy clothes open at the front, revealing bandages around barrel.
'Pathetic,' I thought as I noticed his behaviour become tense and a scowl cross his features.
After a few seconds, conversation returned to those gathered, but most of it was hushed and included glances in my general direction
"Jack, was it?" a motherly voice asked in a normal tone, bringing my attention to the white pony princess. "Forgive us, but pray tell, what, precisely, art thou? We have never before seen a being such as thee."
Interlacing my fingers, I kept my eyes with hers and rested my elbows on the table, stating, "I'm afraid that is a question for another time, princess."
An indignant huff from my right snapped my attention to the pony beside me for a brief moment, before I returned my attention to the princess, continuing, "Suffice to say, I doubt you will encounter another of my kind any time soon."
"Woulds't thou be willing to share how earned thy title?"
Calling on my knowledge, I answered, "It is the title I held as a member of The Court when we ruled over the denizens of Albion."
Before she could ask another question, I interjected, "My apologies, but I seem to have missed your name, Princess...?"
"Celestia."
"Thank you."
No sooner had I said that, several door opened and ponies dressed in simpler clothes than the 'nobles' came out carrying trays of food, which they quickly placed in the centre of the table.
I hadn't expected to see foods such as pancakes and waffles, yet they were all there.
But what shocked me the most was when Celestia had taken a large plate of pancakes, a pony with a cloth tied around its muzzle came appeared, carrying a small jug of sorts that smelled sweet beyond description, and Celestia poured it onto her breakfast.
Despite being surrounded by ponies who were all eating what would normally be considered irresistible food, I found myself surprisingly uninterested in any of it and didn't feel even the slightest bit hungry.
Pouring myself a cup of tea, from one of the many elegant pots provided, I left it steep a bit after adding a slice of lemon.
This did not go unnoticed, however, because Celestia soon noticed. "Why dost thou not partake in the foods provided? Thou art welcome to."
I lifted he bottom of my mask away just far enough to take a sip of my tea before answering. "I do not find myself hungry, princess."
This was the last straw, apparently, for the stallion beside me, because he slammed his fore-hooves on the table and started. "Thou art an ungrateful-!"
He was cut off as my right elbow caught him between the eyes with enough force to topple his seat backwards, sending him sprawling.
Quickly getting his legs under him, he magically grabbed the sword of one of the present guards and swung it at me.
twisting out of my chair, I stopped the blade with the armoured part of my left forearm and grabbed it's hilt with my right hand.
When I held the blade in front of me, a red aura quickly covered the blade.
I looked at it in shock as the aura grew larger and less transparent until it appeared as though I was holding a piece of thick, red smoke.
As the aura vanished the room was filled with gasps as what was once a steel shortsword, by my standards, became a longsword with two separate sections, one black and the other gold.
As I held it, I knew straight away that this was an Old Kingdom weapon.
Looking back at the noble, I said, "Count yourself lucky I dare not taint this blade with blood as pathetic as yours," and reached over my shoulder, letting it hang alongside the Sword of Aeons.
As I let go of the hilt, I was once again graced with the Royal Canterlot Voice, this time from Celestia. "Jack of Blades, wouldst thou kindly refrain from assaulting our subjects?"
Turning to face her, I noted the only slightly irritated expression she wore and said, "I am sorry. I meant no disrespect. The same cannot be said for him," and gestured the stallion who was glaring at me for all he was worth.
"We are aware of the challenge thou received. We apologise for-"
"No," I interrupted, "You should not apologise for the actions of another."
She was about to make a rebuttal, but closed her mouth with the tiniest of smiles, before her horn lit for the briefest moment and the simply-dressed ponies returned and took away the many plates and tray on the table.
When it was cleared the nobles left, except for a single mare who approached and said, "I thank thee for teaching him a lesson," gesturing to the noble I had struck, before. "Mine brother is most unpleasant," she added before turning and leaving.
As I watched the mare leave, princess Celestia made her way beside me.
"We understand thou came here with a request?" she asked as the doors closed with a resounding boom.
"I did," I answered, keeping my eyes on the door.
"We must prepare for the day court. If thou wishes, we would be willing to hear thine plea and see if we can help."
"Your assistance would be most appreciated," I said, turning to face her.
"Excellent! Our day court is not for yet another hour, so, wouldst thou like to see the royal gardens?"
"I have no reason not to."
"Then we shall escort thee ourselves and send somepony to inform thee when we are prepared."
"Very well then."
As she led me though the castle, she made numerous attempts at small talk, but was constantly blocked when I gave her one word answers.
When we arrived at the gardens, she said her goodbyes for the moment and re-entered the castle.
-Celestia-
As I left Jack in the gardens, I started thinking about his presence.
It was unlike anything I had ever known. Dark and ambitious.
And his casual attitude towards violence was startling, to say the least.
Then there was his magic.
'How can he even use it? He doesn't have a horn.'
The raw power that had transformed the blade was something very ponderous indeed.
'Mayhaps, I shall go to the library after day court and see what I can find out.'
-Jack-
With the princess gone, I took to wandering around the grounds until I came face to face with the nuisance of a noble that apparently had something against me and I did not like the smug smile he had.
"Thou hast irked me for the last time, beast!" he said. "Thou shalt not walk away from this."
When he finished speaking, around a dozen rough looking ponies stepped out of the bushes, armed with blades ranging from daggers to claymores, all sized to a pony's requirements.
Reaching up, I grabbed the hilt of the Sword of Aeons and held it with one hand, saying, "This is hardly a fair fight. You should stand down while you can."
The mercenaries all laughed when I said it. One of them stepped forward and said, "WE should stand down? HA! Thou art outnumbered! When we have slain thee, I shall keep thy head as a trophy!"
Knowing that money had clearly dulled their common sense, I held my weapon ready. A thin blue aura appeared long the forward edge as power flowed through it and I waited for them to make the first move. |
The Masked Face of Fear | Past conflict: raw power | They were staring at me with as much intensity as I was them as both sides waited for the other to make the first move. After a few tense moments, a brash young pegasus, armed with a sword, rushed me, only to have the side of his neck opened up in three parallel sections by my hook-blades as I sidestepped and swiped with my seemingly-open left hand.
The rest of his group looked on in shock as he pressed a hoof to the wounds in a futile attempt to stem the blood running down his left.
As he collapsed, another pegasus let out an anguished yell and also rushed me, only to ragdoll across the garden when his jaw was met with the pommel of the Sword of Aeons.
The other mercenaries snapped out of their daze and a small cluster broke off to try and overpower me. As we clashed, I failed to notice the guard running back to the castle's doors. {-}
-Celestia-
I was about to open the day court with my adviser, Lady Lapis, sister to the insufferable buffoon Jack had struck earlier, when an out of breath guard burst in through the side doors.
After hastily bowing to me, he immediately approached my vizier, saying, "Lady Lapis, I regret to inform thee that thine brother has brought no less than a dozen sell-swords onto the castle grounds and is attacking the guest."
He then looked to me, and continued, "Last I saw, two of the assailants were down, but I can not be sure how much longer he will last."
Standing, I ordered, "Go to the barracks, have a squad of guards join us in the gardens and then get some rest. Thou hast earned it."
As I broke into a full sprint, I noticed Lady Lapis following, and asked, "Why dost thou wish to follow us, Lady Lapis? Thou could become harmed in the conflict."
Catching up, she said, "Thy concern is welcome, your highness, however, this is grounds for discussion between myself and mine brother."
With that we both continued towards the gardens. {-}
meanwhile
-Jack-
The group of four split apart and surrounding me as they tried to gain the upper hand, or upper hoof in this case.
As they got into position, I considered my options for fighting and when they charged, I reversed my grip on the sword, raised it in front of me and stabbed it into the ground, channelling Will through it.
The moment the four reached me the ground burst open in a multitude of glowing red splits that sent the stallions tumbling away and cast up a cloud of smoke that concealed me as I started hovering.
When the smoke cleared, the remaining six ponies, their employer having run off while the smoke was thick, looked up at me in awe and fear.
Just like the people of Albion.
Horizontally slicing the air in front of me, the blade let out a curved wave of blue energy that hit one of the ponies and clipped another.
The one that took the full force was thrown back with a massive gash along his 'chest' open enough to see bone and crimson tissue briefly, before it was hidden behind a mass of blood.
The one who took a glancing hit from the magical attack was thrown onto his side with an ear missing, while he screamed bloody murder.
Of the remaining four, one ran, two took wider stances and held their weapons and the last, a pegasus backed away a few paces.
The two charged and moved their swords with an experienced ease. One swung high, the other, low, but because of the greater length of the Sword of Aeons, I was able to force one back and avoid the other.
It went on like this for a few more moments, until one got overconfident and attacked alone.
Swinging as hard as I could, my sword severed the hilt from the blade and sent both flying out of the magical grasp of the unicorn.
It was no more than a second before his friend thrust his own blade towards my unguarded back.
Pivoting on my heel, I used the flat of my blade to push his into position, making his momentum drive his blade into his friends throat.
Realising what he had just done, he let go of his weapon and turned to flee, but stopped as I punched him unconscious with my sword still in hand.
"Jack!" I heard celestia's voice shout.
AS I turned to face her, I felt a pull on the corner of my cloak as a crossbow bolt shot past and buried itself in the leg of the mare that had thanked me that morning, eliciting a pained scream.
Turning slowly, I looked to the pegasus who had backed away from the fight, fumbling with a crossbow.
Slowly making my way over to him, I had set such a terror into the pony that he couldn't even finish reloading his crossbow.
When I reached him, I grabbed his shoulder and lifted him to eye level and told him, "The gods and demons you fear and worship are insignificant fleas, compared to my power."
The pony was shaking at this point and his whimpers were the most pathetic thing I had ever heard.
I was faintly aware of Celestia in the background, fussing over the injured mare, while I said, "Let me show you where I am from."
With a pulse of Will, I opened a crimson portal to the Void on the ground beneath the pony.
"I wonder how long you'll last," I told him, before dropping him in as he let out a blood-curdling scream that cut off as the portal closed.
Present day
I sat there, meditating in the heat of my sanctuary. Magically linked from my home, the place known only as Beyond the Bronze Gate was once a castle built in a remote mountain range, but in the time I'd been away, had become a near replica of the one in Albion.
As I sat there listening to the explosions of the distant volcanoes, I kept my view through the mindscape fixed on the opposite side of the magical gap.
Feeling Chrysalis approach, my eyes snapped open and I made my way back through in time for her to see the colossal gates shut behind me.
Striding over to her, I made no attempt at subtlety as I asked, "What did they find and where is it?"
Clearly startled by my blunt inquiry, she paused a bit before answering. "We have reports of a sword, located within the Everfree forest-"
"Let me guess," I cut her off, "At the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters?"
A look of confusion crossed her face. "How-"
"It is somewhat of a cliche, for an object of power to be kept in a ruins, would you not agree?" I asked as I walked past her.
After navigating my way to the Cullis Gate, I felt through it with Will, to be surprised as I found the gate ar said castle to be active and operational.
Coming out of the Cullis Gate at the apparently repaired castle, I made my way inside and stared searching with the mindscape to find my long lost weapon.
I was in there no more than five minutes before I heard voices in the building.
"-derstand why she sent us here."
"Ah thought ya said ya were listenin' to the princesses this time."
I hid behind a column and waited for them to pass, sneaking a glance at them.
I had seen enough of these two during my imprisonment to know who they were.
Jacqueline Apple, or Applejack as she prefers, the former Element of Honesty and Rainbow Dash, the former Element of Loyalty.
Killing them then and there would have drawn attention, which I didn't want until I had gathered my remaining weapons, so I let them pass and remained unseen as they continued to argue about Spectrum Head's attentiveness.
Maintaining my stealthy approach to the situation, I continued through a few more rooms until I reached a doorway guarded by the living embodiment of diabetes, Pinkie Pie, and her friend Rarity, or as I liked to know her, Lady Muck of Turd Island.
I smiled behind my mask at the thought.
Distracting them was a simple matter. All I had to do was create an imitation Wisp with a bit of my power and send it flying down a side-corridor and the perplexing pink pony chased it and in turn was chased by Rarity, who was making a vain attempt to get Pinkie to return to her post.
As I went through, I found myself standing in the old throne room.
'Of course she'd hide it in here,' I thought to myself.
I had barely made it three paces when a voice just to my left made itsef known.
"Um, e-excuse me."
Raising an unseen eyebrow, I looked down at a pony so meek, I had actually mistaken it for a part of my surroundings.
Internally, I was debating whether or not Fluttershy was the Element of Kindness, or the Element of Adorableness.
When she noticed me looking at her she tried to make herself even smaller and said, "I w-was wondering, um, if y-you could maybe, um, c-c-come with me to P-princess Twilight, um, if it's not t-too much trouble?"
Temporarily ignoring her request, I reached down and scratched her behind the ear for a few seconds, eventually sending her to sleep.
Pulling my hand away, I finally answered her, "No," and continued to the old throne of Luna.
Why 'Tia hid my sword in her sister's throne, I neither knew nor cared.
Lifting the throne, I revealed a rusted steel lid to what was supposed to be a hidden compartment.
Punching the lock off like it was nothing, I reached down and grabbed it by the blade.
when I had fully revealed the weapon, I took the hilt in my right hand and felt the power flow back into me.
With a relieved sigh, I used my Will to teleport to the old gardens, now overgrown with weeds and other wild plants.
I was only there for a few seconds before I felt a 'pull'.
Curious, I resisted for a second before letting myself get taken by it and felt myself de-materialise as a bright glow surrounded me. |
The Masked Face of Fear | Demonic reflections | -Jack-
I could feel myself return to my Equestria before any of my other senses registered. Slowly the returned with my sight being last, in time to see the last traces of white light fade away.
Taking in a comforting breath of air, enjoying the familiar, unique 'taste' of my Equestria and its magic, I teleported back to my home not too far from the Cullis Gate.
I quickly made my way through to my personal quarters, located in one of the rooms with a door that responded to Will, rather than conventional magic.
Almost as soon as I reached it, I felt the Void... 'shift'.
I knew another was soon to come to my Equestria, and within an instant, I used my connection to the void to find where.
Hurrying back through the corridors to the Cullis Gate, I sent myself though to the one outside the Border-Town ruins and waited, keeping an eye out for my 'visitor'.
Skies Above Equestria, Nocturne's Perspective
The Void, the Rift, the Space between, these words all speak of a place that is home for Demons as much as any netherworld. A universal constant demons exist across all worlds and as such can use that knowledge to travel the Rift as if it was just an afternoon stroll. Though this also meant that for token wielders a demon would appear where it chose unless convenience said otherwise.
"Hmm... the mana here is thick with raw power. Definitely a sign that whoever left that orb's got gas to spare." I said from my perch upon a wayward cloud high above the town of Ponyville, chosen simply for its central location in relevance to all the potential areas the orb's creator could possibly be.
Nocturne's ears twitch twice as he looks towards the everfree. "Hmm, well that's odd. Foreign magic near the old prude's castle? Bet that's a clue if I've ever seen one." He said as he pulled the weapon from his back and allowed his wings to unfurl from their hidden space in his cape. Soon taking flight for the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.
As he flew though he felt a tug from the energy that brought him here and simply let himself go, to answer the tug and allowed himself to travel to it's creator as he vanished in specks of crimson light via teleportation, he was being a rude guest after all.
-Jack-
I could feel the shift in the air around me.
My guest had arrived, but I 'couldn't recognise this one's energy.
Moving from my position near the Cullis Gate I walked slowly towards the centre of the ruins,keeping a hand on the hilt of my sword.
Despite having a clear awareness of the presence of the other, I couldn't see him, or her around, and they most definitely weren't underground, the town had been built almost directly over a field of bed-rock.
That left me with one solution: up.
Closing my eyes, I entered the mindscape and found him, apparently, on a cloud almost directly above me.
"I consider it discourteous to not know the face of a being I'm playing host to. If you would be so kind?" I said, gesturing to the ground in front of me.
"Yeah, be right down." The figure replied as he slipped off the cloud and landed in a position that put him on one knee in a symbol of respect. He looked young, very young. His long red hair was the color of blood and framed his face well, he wore a suit and cape that fit well with his role as a high class demon Overlord, based on the medal on his suit's vest.
Shifting into a straighter position, I tightened my grip on the Sword of Aeons and asked, "Tell me, since you are quite clearly an entity of a less-than-holy disposition, exactly what you are doing here?"
"Answering your summons, sir." He said with little hesitation or without breaking eye contact, his blood red eyes staring deeply into the amber-eyed mask. "You called me with that orb of yours."
Still maintaining my straightened posture, I lowered my arm.
"I see. You seem to have found one of MANY Orbs in the multiverse. But that does not interest me. What does is what YOUR world is like. I would rather not find myself in other-worldly conflicts, yet again, for some time as of now."
"The world I come from is peaceful, it's inhabitants kind. Mainly due to my species being their guard-dogs in a way. Unlike most demons you would have heard of, my kind does not murder and kill without reason, and as we rely on magic's base component for sustenance we have become protectors for the Ponykind. Even if they shun us for our... less than idyllic methods of doing so," he explained without hesitation.
Fully relaxing my posture, I asked two last questions. "Can you contact your home, and how many of you are there?"
Nocturne's Perspective
I blinked twice at that, he wanted to know that? Of all things? Well, it couldn't hurt. "I can, as long as I have a reflective surface the size of a full bodied mirror, and to answer your second question, we are ever growing in population in response to Demonkind being born and fed on magic. Until that energy fades completely, we shall continue to expand and seek it."
After a few tense seconds he said, "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I may have use of you for the moment," and started walking away.
I couldn't help thinking how creepy this guy was. Then again I remembered that Auric said that a few of the people that were brought here weren't exactly... sane anymore.
"Alright, after you sir," I said as I stood and followed him, my boots leaving little to no evidence I had even walked behind him.
He led me to what appeared to be a cluster of small stone columns, some crumbling, in a semi-circle around a slightly convex gold plate.
With the smallest of motions, he gestured for me to step on the plate, roughly two feet in diameter.
I was a bit nervous about what he wanted but, as I was summoned to do what he required by the orb's pull I moved onto the plate with light and careful steps.
"I'll be right behind you," he said as his hands started to glow, soon followed by a glowing mist rising from the plate.
I felt nervous, this was definitely some kind of teleportation, or... gate like construct but, it felt... wrong. Like there wasn't magic fueling it, or anything there at all. Like a nothingness permeated the air as the device began to come to life.
The feeling of nothingness soon became physical and started spreading up my body following the mist, which was rising at an alarming rate.
My eyes widened as I felt the sensation nearing my waist, the mist starting to obscure my vision as I was practically bathed in it, "H-Hey what're you doing?!" I couldn't help but, call out in panic.
He never answered, but as soon as my vision was completely obscured, I felt the comfortable familiarity of solid ground beneath my feet and was soon followed by the pressure on them from their adjoining limbs.
To say I was confused as to what had occurred would have been an understatement, moments ago I felt as if my body was being pulled from existence and now I'm just here... wherever here is.
As the rest of my body became 'whole' again and the mist cleared, I saw I was in an average sized room standing on another of those gold plates, which I quickly stepped off of, not wanting to experience the feeling of becoming nothing again anytime soon.
Not long after doing so, my host appeared in a flash of light on the very same plate, and casually stepped off, like it was as common as going into your own kitchen.
"What was that?" were the first words out of my mouth, though honestly I doubt many wouldn't be tempted to say the same had they just experienced that for the first time.
With barely a glance at me, he said, "That was a Cullis Gate, as was used in the Old Kingdom of Albion," and continued straight past to a set of double-doors.
Pushing them open he announced, "And THIS is my home."
I quickly fell in step behind him and gawked at the sight before me, I'd never seen a place like this before, and doubted I ever would again unless dealing with this figure once more..
His 'home' was practically a temple. A temple devoted to him, I might add. There was an omnipresent buzzing noise that my large ears picked up, perhaps belonging to whoever worshipped this masked man beside me. As the statues and idols appeared to be reverently maintained, and showed no sign of wearing through the ages.
My eyes caught several shapes flittering too and fro as I watched someone or something maintain a statue. "Okay... I really have to ask this and forgive me for not doing so earlier. But, I believe I need to know your name before we proceed any further."
There was a slight pause as he stopped a few paces ahead and turned to face me.
"I am Jack of Blades. Wielder of the Sword of Aeons, also known as the blade of Power to those who know of the four Weapons of Madness. And now I believe I am at a loss, Lord..."
-Jack-
"Nocturne, Overlord of the Netherworld Tartarus. It is an honour to meet you Jack of Blades."
'Overlord? I would have expected someone taller,' I thought to myself as I gestured for him to follow again.
I struggled to accept that someone who was at least five inches shorter than me was the all-damned Overlord.
I led him through the main hall towards the weapons room and down into it, before gesturing to the flat, polished metal that broke the curve of the rotunda.
Nocturne walked quickly towards the polished metal and pressed his right hand flat to it's surface, the reflection of his body seeming to waver and distort like when a rock was tossed into a completely still pond. He then spoke a few imperceptible words to the reflective surface and was rewarded with a feminine voice that seemed to fill the entire room.
"At once my lord, Master Jack of Blades has now been recognised as a summoner and shall have access to our ranks whenever he chooses."
As Nocturne spoke his affirmative and turned back, I said, "I have a favour to ask of you and your... underlings."
Nocturne shook his head. "No sir, they aren't my underlings. Every Demon is a member of my family, even if they are not by blood. That is why they follow me unconditionally. Because I treat them well and keep them healthy," he smiled as he said those words.
With a short wave of my hand to dismiss the tangent, I said, "My apologies for the misunderstanding, but nonetheless, I require some help."
The female voice spoke from behind the metal wall once more, "Of course, simply name your request and we shall dispatch the demons you require with all haste."
Looking between both the metal and Nocturne, I explained, "Over a thousand years ago, when Princess Celestia imprisoned me between the planes of Life, Death and the Void, I lost my weapons. Each one contains a small portion of my power, and I know she had them scattered. I need help finding them."
Nocturne looked at me for a moment before nodding. "Well that's not that bad, I think we could handle that easy given enough time. Though we will need a sample of your power to work our tracking magics on, can't find something without knowing where to go right?" his voice was filled with confidence that he and his kin could succeed.
"Before I do, you must know, the weapons I seek are a small curved dagger, and three, wire thin bladed hooks."
The female voice spoke up once again. "I've added the description of our objective to our records and we shall begin searching as soon as we have our tracking magics running."
Releasing a small sigh, I said, "Very well then. If you are confident in their abilities," and held an armoured hand out, palm up and channelled a bit of will to form another Orb.
"More than confident, it may take a while but, we've never failed an objective given to us." Nocturne said with a smile as he moved over to gently grasp the Orb, seeming to absorb it as he did so. "And that's the sample we needed." He spoke once more with that same grin etched on his face.
Bringing my hands closer together, I said, "I'm sure the Changelings will find the help invaluable," and created another Orb.
Nocturne blinked twice. "Um, what's this one for?" he asked confused before adopting a slightly shock expression as I crushed it between my hands, only to reveal a tiny, metallic object that re-shaped itself into a key.
"While there are many ways to reach me here, there are very few valid for me to reach others," I explained and offered him the key.
"So, this is your summon token then I take it?" He asked as he gently grasped the key and placed it in his coat pocket before reaching into his chest and pulling free a bloody medallion which he offered in exchange.
Extending my hand to closer examine the medallion, I answered, "Indeed. One of the only two way I might be called to other worlds."
The medallion had a symbol of a trio of musical notes in the shape of bats dancing about in front of the moon for the face, while the reverse had the symbol for a Hel the currency of the netherworld which showed that every dealing with demons usually resulted in a deal being made.
"That's pretty cool, thank you Jack. I'll be sure to call you only if it's extremely important, you sound like quite the busy man," Nocturne said with his seemingly trademark grin.
Reaching in under my cloak, I dropped the medallion into the pouch I had hidden.
"If you do summon me, I would prefer there be a fight. I find it interesting to see how the varying versions have their ponies and such taught different styles of combat."
"That's definitely a request I plan to honour. Seeing as summoning you for anything less seems like a disservice." He said with a smile as he spread his wings and started to float backwards into the reflective metal of the wall, seeming to sink into it as if slowly submerging himself in water.
"May your blades find their sheaths in your enemies, Overlord Nocturne," I said, bowing my head slightly.
Nocturne smiled and bowed. "And may the grip of the Netherworld never find you, Jack of Blades." And with that he vanished into the reflective metal, it's rippling calming to show no trace he had ever been there to begin with. |
The Masked Face of Fear | Clearing headspace | I continued to stare at the reflective surface, thinking of the allies and associates I have come across, both past and present.
Turning away and walking out of the room, I began contemplating my next move.
Celestia couldn't attack me, because she didn't know how to operate the Cullis Gates. Chrysalis and her kind only knew how to do so because they were zealots devoted to me. Luna...
'She could prove useful, provided I can get here alone.'
-Celestia-
I'd called back Twilight and her friends after three days of them patrolling the old castle and was now listening as they each gave a statement on what had happened.
Five accounts and I was beginning to feel like my worries were over nothing and that the spell preserving the town hall in Border-Town had simply worn off.
Then I noticed Fluttershy.
She was nervous, or rather more nervous than she usually was in my presence.
Slowly approaching, I lowered myself to her level and asked, "What's the matter?"
-Jack-
I had my hand on the 'forehead' of my mask in the universal sign of frustration at stupidity. ...
Not my own, you cockbite.
No, about twenty minutes ago, I had left my home and started wandering out of boredom, eventually came across a seemingly abandoned quarry before finally meeting the cause of my rising headache.
Diamond Dogs.
They were idiots a thousand years ago, and they're idiots today.
Some things just don't change.
I mean, really, it takes a moron to go up to an armed and armoured being, literally pulsing with power and demand they work as slaves, but even sentient cactus wouldn't manage to impale itself on the being's sword while it was being pointed at it.
Shifting from a face palm, to just rubbing my closed eyes, I sighed and looked at the pitiful creature. ...
'It's still alive,' I thought as I watched it cough up blood and try to push itself off the Sword of Aeons. 'How is it still alive'
Looking past it, I noted its companions were equally frustrated at the stupidity shown, if their slowly shaking heads were anything to go by.
Turning my attention back to the should-be-dead, I narrowed my eyes and sent a pulse of Will through the blade, but never expected the end result.
I expected it to electrocute the dog, or burn it or something along those lines.
But for it to pop? No.
As the energy went through the blade, the dogs face twisted in pain for a few seconds, then it topped bleeding and a half-second later it went boom-splat.
That was actually the sound it made, 'boom-splat'.
Just picture the sound of a balloon popping and in the nano-second that follows the sound of a watermelon exploding.
Yet, I was more surprised none of the... I would say the only applicable term is 'matter', touched me.
There was a three-hundred and fifteen degree 'blast zone' with me in the tiny clean space.
With the poor sod's friends mimicking stunned mullets, I turned to leave, when I felt something give slightly under my foot.
Checking, it turned out to be an eye.
How did I know it was an eye? Because it still had a tendon connected to the OTHER eye, which was identifiable by the small patch of white and iris.
Scraping it off on a rock, I continued along my original path, despite the sound of more fluid hitting the groud. I think it was the other dogs vomiting, but I can't say for sure.
Before long, a small town came into view, one I was not familiar with.
I know I'd seen it while watching Sun-bitch's student through the Mind-scape, but I was never aware of its position, size or anything really until now.
The crystalline structure in the middle of town was definitely familiar.
Not daring show myself before possessing my full arsenal and power, I moved into the shade of the everfree and found a secluded spot, out of view if on looked from beyond the edge of the forest.
Rolling my shoulders to loosen them, I reversed my grip on the Sword of Aeons and put my other hand on the hilt before placing the tips of the blade on the ground.
In a manner similar to my attack, I pushed the blade into the ground while channelling Will through it, albeit much slower.
When the guard was level with my waist, I stopped and the ground started rumbling as stone columns rose up about three feet way from me in a slightly curving shape.
When they reached roughly eight feet in height, I started pulling the sword out and as the tips left the ground, a large golden disk appeared, completing the new Cullis Gate.
-Third Person-
It was a relatively calm day in Ponyville, all things considered.
The most interesting occurrences for the past week have been the former bearers of the Elements of Harmony rushing off to meet with Princess Celestia, them rushing to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters and this morning, when Discord started using magic in his sleep and woke up wrapped around on of Rarity's ponnequins with a cupcake impaled on his deer horn while hanging upside-down from the bottom of Rainbow Dash's house.
That said, the ground suddenly vibrating beneath their hooves for just over a minute was cause for little more than confusion and mild annoyance.
-Jack-
As I re-entered my home, I was immediately approached by Chrysalis, who in her excitement, tripped over her own legs when she saw me.
"What is it?" I asked as she came to a stop in front of me.
"We've found one," she answered.
Slightly taken aback, I demanded, "Which one, and where?"
"One of the small hooks. It was found in a small town, not much larger than Ponyville, a fair way out from the capitol."
I began planning my next move and gestured for Chrysalis to follow, as I headed towards the Bronze Gate.
Near half-way there, I asked, "How many Changelings are under your command?"
Frowning in confusion, she said, A little under a thousand."
"And how many can fight?"
Her frown shifted to concern. "Around four hundred."
"And how many do you think would be needed to raid this town?"
"No more than a hundred or two."
It wasn't much longer before we reached the Bronze Gate
I chuckled darkly and told her, "Send all the fighters. Bring my weapon back and level the town, but try to keep casualties low. We're going to send Celestia a message and the residents will be the messengers."
With that I went through, began meditating and entered the mindscape.
-Celestia-
I was galloping through the halls, leaving almost immediately after hearing Fluttershy's account of what happened, with Twilight flying behind me, desperately asking what was wrong.
Slowing down I eventually arrived at my destination, an old wooden door set in a frame marked with so many runes it appeared as nothing more than intricate carvings of fancy swirls.
Before I could open the door, Twilight finally caught up and begged me, "Princess Celestia, please. Tell me what's wrong."
With a heavy sigh, I turned to her and asked, "Twilight, do you remember when I took you to Border-town a few years ago?"
I couldn't see her confusion as she answered, "Yes."
"Do you remember what I told you about it?"
"It was a symbolic town, signifying the union between Ponies, Griffons and Minotaur, bringing together some of the best aspects of each culture to a single place, so it could be shared. It was almost a hundred years old when it was destroyed, which was just after you had to banish Nightmare Moon."
"What did I say about how it was destroyed?"
Her worry soon surpassed her confusion. "It was done by an individual. But Princess, the only ones with enough power to do that are you, Princess Luna, who was banished, and Discord and Tirek who were both imprisoned."
Looking back at the door, I said, barely audibly, "His name is Jack."
And the confusion return, "Jack?"
"Jack of Blades appeared to us not long before Tirek and his brother set their sights on Equestria."
"But I always thought Jack of Blades was just a story told to foals to make them be good, like the boogeymare and such."
"No Twilight. Like Nightmare Moon, Jack of Blades is very much real. At first he seemed nice enough, despite holding less than no regard for the lives of those who attacked him, but before long, he revealed his true nature.
He said he came from the Void."
"But that's impossible!" Twilight blurted out, before regaining her composure.
"At first we didn't believe him either, thinking it was mere bravado and embellishment, but when he'd vanished before our eyes and summoned others like him, we knew he was serious.
But his true nature came to light when a pony attacked him out of fear. Jack showed no mercy or pity and when we confronted him, we realised he saw us all as little more than pieces on a board, and himself as the one with the dice.
Eventually, he forged himself a new identity from a wayward traveller, to an icon of fear.
He, himself once said that he would ensure he would always be remembered, and he was right.
He'll always be remembered as the face of fear."
I looked back to see Twilight stunned silent, so I gestured with a wing for her to come closer, almost surprising me when she did.
Lighting my horn, the door opened, some of the runes around it glowing, and we walked into the room beyond to see its content.
Twilight approached it, saying, "I've seen one of these before, near Border-town, only it wasn't glowing. Princess Celestia, what are these things?"
It was a few seconds before I could answer her. "They are called Cullis Gates, Twilight, and they are how Jack can teleport anywhere in the land. They glow with mist like that when active." |
The Masked Face of Fear | Fear and Power | As I sat there in the Mindscape, something... shifted. I couldn't tell what it was quite yet, but I knew something was off.
Then the Mindscape faded. Like I was no longer connected to the land of Equestria.
Opening my eyes I looked around and noted the thick fog surrounding me and immediately stood, reaching up and touching the hilt of the Sword of Aeons with my fingertips.
I took a cautious step forward and as soon as my foot came down, the low-lying fog cleared, revealing damp grass beneath my feet.
Taking another step, the surrounding fog pushed back a little.
The more steps I took, the more the fog pushed back, revealing more of my empty surroundings.
Soon, the fog reached a radius of roughly three metres and revealed a sign.
The sign was most reminiscent to that of a town sign, but it was more gussied up then most I remember. As I walked closer to the sign the words came into view, but even then they were still faded.
The words said thus: Welcome to Silent Hill.
I frowned at the name.
'So familiar, but not at the same time'
As I glared at the offending words, I almost missed the town coming into view behind it.
"It's not everyday we get visitors here...," a voice said behind me.
Without turning, I answered, "I don't imagine it's the easiest place to find," my unnaturally deep voice resonating around us.
"Oh," he said with a laugh. "I wouldn't say it's that hard. We get people all the time, except they're not visitors. Name's Howard Blackwood, mailman. You?"
"Jack," I answered, not wanting to give any more than absolutely necessary to the inhabitants of this... realm.
He stared and hummed in thought. "You remind me a lot of that Pendleton boy, always silent, only giving his name..." He looked up with old, tired eyes. "Always running from something."
"Tell me, old man," I asked, "Where exactly are we, beyond the obvious?"
"I can't go saying that, otherwise that'll spoil the events to come." He said with what I assumed to be a smile. I finally turned to confront the old man, but he was not there any-longer.
With a chuckle, I thought aloud, "Chesty would find this place agreeable, I'm sure," and headed closer to the town itself.
The town was what you would find in a normal, suburban town, which only made it seem all the more unorthodox. Trees growing from sidewalk gardens, main streets stretched down ways, but something about the little town seemed... off, even by my standards. Every house was boarded up, the restaurants were closed and the metal gates were welded shut, and on top of that, not a single soul could be found.
The more I moved through the town, the more tense I grew, along with the general feeling of wrongness.
I pulled the Sword of Aeons from its place and continued, keeping an eye and ear out for anything that changed.
The feeling wasn't just seeming either, it was the air, slowly growing thicker, heavier almost.
I knew I didn't belong, but it seemed as if my very presence was a subject of a sort of hatred from the nature of the area itself.
As the feelings grew stronger, so did my grip on my weapon.
It wasn't out of fear though.
Having come from the Void itself, there was little to nothing, in any world, that scared me.
No, my grip grew tighter, from the feeling of company. Unwelcome company.
A piercing screech filled the air as I turned around at the sound. Some...thing was lying on the ground, twitching violently, like it had been struck. Not naive enough to approach, I thrust my unarmed hand in its general direction, sending a translucent, glowing blade to strike it.
A small roar came from the beast as it picked itself up off the ground and began rushing towards me.
Unmoving from where I stood, I swung my blade, releasing an arc of energy that bisected the abomination. A small spurt of its blood got onto my robes before I heard a distinct hissing sound. Looking down at the blood spurt, my eyes narrowed in annoyance.
Its blood was acid. Pure acid that burned through most anything and everything, stopping only when it reached the armour beneath, forged within the Void itself. The creature was by far one of the most bizarre things I've seen in since before Albion's beginning. I could only guess what its purpose was...
Moving over to the being, I thrust my blade into it, letting the power of the Void reach, and ultimately, destroy, it. I wasn't entirely certain at the time, but as I channeled the power, it almost seemed as if the tiniest details, such as the bark on the trees, of the world grew hazy for less than half a second. As I began walking away from the beast, a soothing, aetherial voice called to me.
"Lost one, so small and frail, what are you doing in my domain?"
"Frail?" I asked, looking around in a brief attempt to find the speaker, stopping soon after as I realised it was not from a physical being. "I am almost insulted you would make such a... bold, accusation."
"Oh, please, take it not insultingly, but rather befitting... considering where you are..."
"It would help if I knew where I was to begin with, above 'Beyond the Void'."
"Why, Silent Hill of course. Have you not heard of disappearances in the fog? Or strange sightings of inhuman like creatures?"
"I've made inhuman creatures, and brought balverines, trolls and Hollow-Men to the realm where I reside. Disappearances in the fog are not beyond explanation."
"Ah, that may be true, but have you not considered the fact of...hmmm... What's this now?" I felt something brush past me. "A weapon... A weapon of Madness... The Vorpal Blade... The Great Knife... and The Sword of Aeons... Draks, the circle of Draks is almost complete..."
"'Weapon of Madness'? That is what you call it?"
"It's what all the Gods call them. Only a select few are allowed to even so much as peek at one... Father! Come here at once!" The air suddenly shifted more drastically than before.
As the voice faded, there came a grating sound. One of something metal and heavy being dragged lazily.
Looking into the fog I saw nothing and soon turned rapidly, checking all directions.
The sound stopped too suddenly, and I turned once more to find 'Father' standing in front of me.
Looking at... him, I suppose, I wasn't intimidated. he had an impressive helmet, but was generally lanky compared to some other beings I had seen.
But I didn't let my guard lower.
I watched, waiting for him to make the first move. He looked down at me, then my weapon, and pointed at himself. I was... confused by the action to say the least. A warped chuckle echoed through the town and he pointed his blade at me. He held up his hand and signaled at me.
In response, I channeled Will into my body, enough to create a clear, red aura that curled like flames, before sinking slightly into a slightly more aggressive stance.
I could tell, despite his appearance, he was not one to take lightly. The metal head came rushing forward, still dragging the blade on the ground before lifting it over his head and smashing down where I stood mere moments ago as I used my Will to shift behind him. I heard him groan in confusion before shifting his grip and swinging horizontally, only to have his blade stopped by my own.
His blade, on closer inspection, was chipped and somewhat jagged. It looked like it had seen better days if the stains were anything to go by.
'By the gods, he's strong,' I thought as our locked blades reached a stalemate.
He suddenly reached out grabbing my robes and tossed me to the side. I landed on my feet, but I saw him once again charge at me.
Gathering my Will, I thrust my open hand forward, sending an orb of energy towards him, only for him to block it with his blade.
The attack made him stumble, but ultimately did not achieve the purpose the spell was for.
"I think you arrogant that something like that could harm me, let alone touch me," He said with a warped voice. The blade he carried was something I haven't seen before, and looked similar to that of an old KABAR knife, just supersized. What I'm trying to figure out is how he can lift it with ease... It has to be more than brute strength alone...
"You assume it was directly harmful to begin with?" I asked, letting Will cause my voice to amplify and echo from all around.
"Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups," I said, before I used the same technique I did earlier and shifted where I was, only instead of appearing behind him, I appeared directly in front and slammed my blade into his again, further throwing his guard, before holding the flat of my blade parallel to the ground and thrusting forward. His hand shot out of its idle position and a bright red light emanated from it. He drew some kind of circle with it and pulled out a spear, probably 15 feet long.
"Arrogant and insolent. My, you have much to learn..."
As he swept me away with his pole-arm, sparks flew as it made contact with my armour. Rolling on the ground I stood quickly and channeled will to levitate so my boots were roughly level to where I believed his eyes would be beneath his helmet. Thrusting his spear at me, he let the shaft slide through his hand, increasing its reach enough to catch me in the chest, sending me further away.
Steadying myself, I landed again.
"One does not live as long as I and not grow accustomed to dominance in battle," I said calmly. "I imagine you are not unfamiliar with this state of mind?"
"Aye. I am well aware of the power struggle for one to get the upper hand against another. Are you also aware of the eventual outcome of two equal powers?"
"Should an unstoppable force meet an immovable object, the force simply passes through and the object loses mass, but neither's status of power changes." If he could, he gave me all the signs of a blank look. "No you idiot, we both die. Should a force equal to another force clash together, said forces cancel each other out, and if two people with the same strength and power clash together, pfft! GONE! DEAD! You don't exist, I don't exist!"
As he finished his monologue, I broke into a low chuckle, building into a full laugh, before abruptly stopping to shout, "FOOL! I am more than just another being of power! I will be reborn, should this body fail, and when the time comes, it shall be recreated! I am Jack of Blades! Second of the Court, slayer of gods and demons, alike, and Master of the Void!"
As the last echo of my own monologue died out he started again. "And I am Pyramid Head, Fear given form, and Terror incarnate! I am the bane of sinners, the master pain, those who would be punished COWER at my mention alone! I am wielder of not one, but FOUR weapons of madness, and I! AM! THE KING OF SILENT HILL!"
At that, we rushed each other, him attempting an overhead swing, and myself going for a rising thrust.
As we made contact, the entire area surrounding us blurred and his blade slid down the gap running through mine.
When the hilts met, there was a... pulse, that resonated beyond either of us could comprehend, before we were blasted away from each other, and both losing our hold on our weapons.
Paradiso
The Crawler moved, as there were no specific motions applicable to it's locomotion, towards the other god in the room. "What is the meaning of this Alessa?! I made it quite clear I wanted NO outside influences or interference!"
Alessa only lied on her bed, watching as their blades interlocked. "Crawler, look at this. Did they just--"
To say the Crawler's eyes widened at the sight would be inaccurate, but he did express his thoughts as he made an effort to keep her from avoiding his question. "While that could not possibly bode anything but ill toward us, I want to know why you deliberately ignored me in my desire to keep MY selected away from the other Wielders."
Alessa had heard him. She was prepared to give him a lecture, but what just happened in front of her... It just couldn't bring her argument forth. "...No that's not possible. No. It's just not."
The Crawler barely glanced down at the image, before answering her unspoken question. "Did it not occur to you that there may have been a reason why I specifically told YOU not to interfere?" Gesturing with an appendage, it continued, "They're much too alike to be placed into a hostile scenario without... incidents."
Alessa continued to stare as a hot blush formed on her face. "Gyaaa! THEIR SWORDS ARE PERVERTS!"
"That makes no sense."
"Crawler, I have a question for you. The Madness weapons have... a sort of spirit in them, and it is defined by the way the sword is shaped. So, what would you say the gender of the spirit in Jack's sword is?"
"The Blades of Madness' spirits are both and neither, simultaneously. They have spirits, yes, but were crafted as entrapments to them at the same time. The shape is merely coincidental to your perception."
"Well... take into consideration that the spirits could be either or. Well, in this case Pyramid Head's sword is the male in the relationship..."
The Crawler looked for a moment before turning to her and sighing. "Any perversion you see there is of your own devising. The Sword of Aeons you see there is not the original forged by the Queen of Blades. It is... more... stronger... The words fail me."
"They pulsed Crawler. The Great Knife and The Sword of Aeons... pulsed."
"You forget that Jack channels power from the Void itself. When it's energy met the... terror energy of Silent Hill, they acted in a manner--"
"Stop denying the truth Crawler... The blades have... coupled..."
"You are truly perverted, Alessa. The blades have no minds. Just get Jack out of there, before he causes Silent Hill to collapse into itself," the Crawler said before leaving.
"...Okay...but my argument still stands..."
Silent Hill
As my vision cleared, I slowly grew aware of my surroundings.
I was still in Silent Hill, but something was different.
Pushing myself to my hands and knees, there was a clatter beneath me and I realised what it was.
I wasn't Jack anymore.
I was, but I wasn't.
I had lost my own identity long ago, so all that remained was Jack, but now that was... separate.
Getting my feet beneath me, I picked up the mask, fully acknowledging that it was all I had left to call an identity.
Looking up from the mask, I saw another person. A normal man wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, and had a big, scruffy beard. He put on his glasses and looked at me.
"Jack?"
As he said it, I looked at my hands and realised, unlike him, I was still dressed as Jack, but with the hood up, my face was hidden.
"No," I answered, holding the mask so he could see it's face. "This is Jack. I'm... "
I stopped as I didn't know how to actually continue that sentence, before letting out a woeful chuckle.
"I don't even remember who I was. I guess I'm nobody."
"Nah, everyone always knows their name, you just gotta find it. Here, do this. Close your eyes, and count to ten. If you can't remember by the time you get to ten, try again."
Looking down I did as he suggested, only to be met with disappointment. I tried another four times, and with nothing to show for it, I looked back up at him and said, "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I have nothing left. Nothing besides Jack."
He hummed in thought and placed a hand on my head. The ring on his finger glowed a soothing red before he stepped away. "Okay, now try."
I did, and was yet again met with no results. I shook my head.
"I became Jack, and lost who I was. That's all there is."
His ring glowed in a pattern, and he looked down at it. "Oh? Is that what it is? Damn it."
I looked up, my frown hidden. "Since I can't give my name, can I at least know yours?"
"Scott Visk, at yer service." He said with an over pronounced bow. "...And this is The Butcher, the Bogeyman, and Pyramid Head!" He said as he pointed behind him-- Oh shit when did they get there?!
Behind him stood the one I faced in its literal form and what appeared to be... variants.
I opened my mouth to speak and ask questions, but was cut off as a whistling permeated the air and steadily grew louder.
We both reached the same conclusion at the same time and looked up as our weapons plummeted towards us. As I jumped out of the way, Pyramid Head on his side quickly ran up and caught the blade mid air before it hit him. The Butcher and the Bogeyman both gave a thumbs up.
I was surprised, when 'my' weapon stopped before it hit the ground and simply hovered, mere inches from my face.
"Hey... what happened when the weapons got locked together anyway?" Visk asked as he rode on Pyramid Head's shoulder.
I looked at him, grabbing my blade as I did, and asked, "You mean you don't know?"
"Well... No I don't. To be honest, I felt the blade... Shiver?" He looked down at Pyramid Head. "Is that the right word?" Pyramid Head only shrugged, as did the other two.
I smirked and looked at the mask I was still holding. "A mystery we will take to our graves then," before reaching up and placing it on my face again.
As the energies within the mask returned to me, I said, "I had best be leaving. I think I've meddled in your affairs long enough," before turning to leave only to stop after about five paces and turning back.
"I don't suppose you can show me the way to go home?
He stared at me for some time thinking. "Hmm, Let's try... this." he said before snapping his fingers, creating a warp hole. He peeked his head and immediately brought it back. "NOPE, NOT THAT ONE!" He tried again, and stuck his head inside and looked around. "You're the one who the Changelings worship right?"
I quickly nodded.
"Then this one is yours! And before you ask what was in the other one... Just don't. I'll give you this though: Titanic. Spiders."
My eye twitched behind my mask, and headed through the portal, muttering, "Spiders. Always spiders. Never giant centipedes or any other insect. Always bloody spiders."
The moment I fully cleared the portal, my body shifted And I felt myself returning to the Mindscape.
Snapping out of my meditative position, I thought, 'That was a unique experience.' |
The Masked Face of Fear | Lest we forget | This chapter is NON-CANON to the rest of the fic
I stormed through room after room of my palace, searching for Chrysalis.
After the hundred-something-odd, I gave up and grabbed the nearest Changeling Drone and demanded it direct me to her.
Being led back through the palace , to no more than a couple of rooms before the one I started at I walked up to Chrysalis and asked her, "Bug Queen, do we have a bugle?" prompting what was easily the most confused expression I had seen in my vast lifetime.
"Wh-why would you want a bugle?" She stammered.
"I'll not answer any questions now. Do we have one?!"
"I-uh... I think we do."
"You. THINK. we do?" I asked, stepping closer with each word, causing her to cower slightly.
"We definitely do!" she answered quickly. Frightfully.
I took a small step back. "And is there any changelings able to play it?"
"I'll bring one and the bugle to you immediately," she quickly said before moving to leave.
"And have the rest of the changeling gather at the main hall!" I shouted after her as she disappeared from sight.
later
Atop a podium, overlooking all the gathered changelings, a light chattering and buzzing coming from the crowd, I stood, waiting for Chrysalis, the bugle and Changeling.
As they rushed up to join me, I stepped past her, placed a hand of the forehead of the changeling and channelled some knowledge into it.
When I lifted my hand away it stumbled a bit as a thin line of green slowly leaked from one of its nostrils.
After letting it gather its senses, I turned and addressed the changelings.
"Attention, all of you! I have gathered you here today, for special reasons I would like to keep to myself. I ask you all to give a minutes silence, and you may go about your duties as you were."
When complete silence was achieved, I gestured to the changeling by me on the podium, and watched as he lifted the bugle and played.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
Lest We Forget"
As I finished, the innumerable changelings looked up at me.
"You may return to your duties now," I said, before leaving.
Upon reaching the Bronze Gate, Chrysalis found me and asked, "Jack, what was that, why did you do it?"
Without even looking at her, I answered, "That was a remnant of my past, one of the few remaining aspects of who I was before who I am. As for why I did it? I simply needed to. There is no more answer than that."
As a stunned expression crossed her face, I opened the Gate and left her. |
The Masked Face of Fear | Wandering Minds | 1100 Years ago
A month had passed since the conflict in the gardens and in that time I had introduced Luna to the concept of the multiverse, endured several more attempted assaults and my knowledge of Will had increased by a vast amount.
Today would present a new form of opposition.
I sat in front of a small, decimated squad of griffins, who had been sent as an assassination unit for either princess. The last one, barely able to be considered an adult and most likely only intended to be a lookout, was holding his sword in front of him, quaking so hard he couldn't have been less of a threat if he was a bunny.
However meek though, I knew better than to leave him alive. Too much could go wrong if I did.
I drove my blade through the back of his neck, ending him instantly, and as the tip of the Sword of Aeons pierced the ground, my Will leapt into it without my direction, and in mere moments a Cullis Gate had risen before me, born in the blood of the fallen.
I watched it for a few moments, but without a reaction from it, I dismissed it as, for the moment, useless as it was very probably the only one in existence so far.
Returning to the castle, I was stopped at the door.
While all the guard knew who I was and where I was staying, there were a great deal who had never interacted with me, and this was one of them.
As he stepped in my way, he said, " Thou shalt not enter. Our princesses art in a meeting with a relation and wish not to be disturbed."
His partner, who had encountered me before, simply shook his head as I gently my hand on the side of the blocking guard's head and slammed his head into the archway we were under with just enough force to not render him unconscious.
The other guard simply stood where he was and watched me pass before checking his associate.
As I entered the throne room, the one meeting the princesses, another alicorn, this one the same generic brown as the tree trunks of the forest and with a mane fashioned similar to the katana swordsmen of Samarkand* and tied with what appeared to be vines.
Fixing me a glare, the newcomer said, "Hast thou no sense? A closed door means we wish not to be disturbed, knave."
Returning his glare, I responded, "I'll be sure to take that into consideration, whelp."
Before he could react to what I don't doubt he considered insolence, Celestia interrupted. "Brother, calm thyself. We allowed him here."
Wheeling to face her, he continued, "So thou hast summoned this lesser creature as an insult. Mine subjects will not take this without consequence."
"No, you simpleton," I continued, "She allows it because she couldn't stop me anyway."
After a deep breath, he spoke a calmer, but deadly serious tone. "Very well then. Celestia, Luna, mine sisters, Thou shalt receive no assistance from us or our ponies until thou come to thine senses and rid yourselves of this thing. I bid thee good day."
And with that he left, giving me a sidelong glare as he passed, the vines tying his mane growing thorns as he did so.
As the doors slammed shut behind him, I said to myself, "This could be a problem."
"Indeed," Princess Celestia said, drawing my attention.
"Our brother never was inclined to help us and our ponies, favouring his little Leprecorns** over those we care for," Luna added. "Thou should not take offence to Terrace though, for he hath always been this way."
In response, I simply grunted ambiguously and turned to the door, thinking.
present
-Celestia-
"Princess!" came the cry of an exhausted sounding guard as he burst into the dining room, interrupting breakfast and earning an indignant exclamation for my repulsive 'nephew'.
"What is it?" I asked, lowering my teacup.
Catching his breath, he saluted and answered, "A messenger-pony!"
"Messenger?"
"Yes Princess. She came from Raven Rock, saying it's being attacked."
As I heard the name I paused, trying to recall why it felt important, missing the expression and the fidgeting of the guard standing near my seat. I moved on, asking, "Who or what is attacking?"
"Changelings," he spat, a scowl crossing his features, "What are your orders, Princess?"
I thought it over, subconsciously standing and pacing, but ultimately, I couldn't think of any course of action.
What could changelings possibly gain by destroying a town? Especially a small one?
"We do nothing," I said.
This time I noticed the guard by my seat as he took a wider stance and gasped angrily, but before he could speak, I said, "We'll wait and see if this was an isolated incident. If they attack again, we'll respond."
The guard who delivered the message simply nodded his head and left, headed for the barracks to rest, while the guard beside me spoke up.
"Princess, please permit me to go to Raven Rock. I need to help defend against this threat."
Looking over, I noted the recklessly angry expression he held. "Denied, Commander," I told him, "I'll not have you throw your life away when we may have a far greater threat looming over us very soon."
"You would have me do nothing while my home town gets destroyed?!"
In as soothing a tone as I could, I said, "Calm down, Commander Xerces. You're thinking rashly. Why don't you turn in early tonight and think things over, before you do something you'll regret later on?"
Inhaling shakily, the Commander walked out, but didn't withhold from slamming the door.
'Perhaps a few days leave is in order,' I thought to myself before pondering the significance of Raven Rock.
While generally a rather forgettable little town, it held great significance to the current situation.
But this attack could ONLY be a coincidence. Changelings, as a species, were not known to ponies until several centuries after Jack's imprisonment.
Even if he'd allied with them only recently, there's no way he'd have enough authority to direct them with as precision as this.
Something wasn't right.
-Luna-
I furiously dug through my old diaries and journals, thankful that Celestia had kept them after my banishment, desperately trying to recall something Jack had once said.
Something that troubled me greatly.
Page after page and book after book, I tore through them, looking for that particular passage.
In my nervous state, I almost missed it.
I was speaking with Jack again today when he told me something most curious. He explained that after witnessing my dream-walking that he possessed something similar, that not only reached far and wide, allowing him to reach, and furthermore, locate, more than half the population of the land, no matter his location, but also extended into his ever elusive 'Void', which he still refuses to allow me into.
This 'Mindscape', as he called it, is supposedly infinitely large across an unknowable number of realms, and that as he further understands how it works, the more he can reach. He even went to demonstrate, but stopped not long after and left, saying, "They are like mosquitoes. Drawn to the bright light of the flame that will be their inevitable demise."
After he was gone from my sight, I made my way to the throne room to join 'Tia.
Our brother was to come by, yet for some reason, 'Tia's worried about it.
I slammed the book shut and sat down quickly, the revelation stunning me.
Celestia probably never knew, and for the moment it was probably best to keep it that way.
He'd had over a thousand years. How much stronger could his connection to the Mindscape have gotten?
How far did it reach?
-Jack-
I opened my eyess slowly as I left the Mindscape and came to my physical senses, chuckling darkly.
I'd felt her fear. Her despair.
I noticed that sliver of dark temptation worm its way back into little Luna.
*To those unfamiliar with the Fable series, Smarkand is a desert wasteland far off the West coast of Albion, the main country in the series.
**Leprecorns: a race of tiny ponies with stubby horns and strong magical connections to plants and animals. While they generally try to avoid the various other races of the world, they have somehow become acknowledged as the mischeivous and short-tempered.
A fully grown leprecorn stallion is, at tallest, the size of a Pegasus filly around the age where their cutie mark appears. Leprecorn mares stand at around muzzle level of their male counterparts.
Leprecorns, despite their size (or perhaps, because of it) do NOT like being picked up off the ground by any means, magical or mundane, and will become extremely agitated and aggressive if they are. |
(Don't) Fear the Reaper | pre | Diamond began screaming immediately and didn't stop. The erratic expansion of her lungs was making it difficult for Sonata to get the knife where she wanted it to go.
She started at the lips of Diamond's vagina, made a little quirk around the clitoris, and sliced upward across her belly, trying to gauge what was deep enough and what was too deep. As it turned out, Sonata got it perfect on the first try, spilling blood and amniotic fluid over Diamond's front and the floor.
Sonata reached inside, rummaged around until she found what she was looking for, and yanked. Diamond certainly wasn't very far along. The fetus was the size of a rat. It didn't move or respond, being clenched in Sonata's bloody fist. She looked at it briefly before ripping the umbilical cord free and tossing it over her shoulder.
Diamond, still screaming and still bleeding, sagged in her restraints. Sonata was surprised that she was still conscious. And the pain and fear wafting off her was incredible.
Looking at the cut she had made, a thought struck Sonata. Here was an avenue she had never explored. She crouched and ran her tongue over the incision, bottom to top. Diamond's eyes were squeezed shut, but she felt it and pulled even harder to get away.
Sonata kept pressing, deeper and deeper. She reached forward and parted the skin with her fingers, probing inside Diamond's torn uterus. She had her head inside before realizing it.
Sonata mentally shrugged and started chewing. Delicious! |
(Don't) Fear the Reaper | Chapter 7 | The sun was shining bright and the birds were singing as the girls met for the afternoon, going into Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie came out of the back, taking off her apron. She dropped a quarter in the jukebox and an old Gloria Gaynor song began to play.
Pinkie sat down with Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. She assured them, "The goodies should be ready soon."
Sunset smiled briefly. "Thanks. I think we all might need a pick-me-up."
"So horrible," whispered Fluttershy. "Two disappearances in a week."
"Three, technically," Sunset pointed out. "That park ranger vanished the same night as Microchip."
"And the two murders over in Crystal City," Rarity pointed out. "Even for Crystal City, that's a bit much for one week. I'm not saying they're connected to the disappearances of students from Canterlot High, but it certainly seems suspicious."
"Something's up," Rainbow agreed.
"That's why I called you here today," said Sunset. "Something's happened to our classmates, and to other people. We can't let this go any further."
"What are we supposed to do?" said Applejack. "We ain't exactly the the planet's official defenders of truth, justice, apple pie, and love."
"Speak for yourself," said Pinkie.
Sunset raised her hands. "I know, I know, this is a matter for the police. But I think we should all keep our eyes open. Kidnapping and murder is a little more serious than even magic mind control. But, if it came down to it, who else is better qualified than us?"
"Sorry I'm late," said Twilight Sparkle, rushing up. She sat down and adjusted her glasses. "What did I miss?"
"We were just getting started," said Sunset. She briefly summarized the problem.
"I think my brother's working on that," said Twilight. "As a police officer, he probably shouldn't tell me the details, but maybe I can convince him that I could be useful as a consultant, like any number of fictional detectives."
"When you put it that way, this doesn't sound like such a good idea," said Rainbow.
"Well, who else would know better than the police what is going on?" said Sunset. "I agree that Shining Armor probably has rules against giving civilians details, and I'm sure he doesn't want his sister or her friends getting involved, but knowledge is power."
"Couldn't have said it better myself," said Twilight. She frowned. "I'll just have to convince him."
"Hold on," said Rarity. "Are we really doing this? Taking on murderers?"
"I just want to be informed," said Sunset.
"So do I, but isn't this illegal?" said Applejack, lowering her voice.
"So is vigilantism," said Sunset. "I understand. I'm not saying we should hunt down killers. But what if we were the only ones who could? We have something that nobody else does."
"The power of friendship," said Fluttershy.
"Exactly," said Sunset. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to any of you, or anyone else."
In the background, the jukebox played I will survive! Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive.
"Protecting people is what the police do," Twilight reminded Sunset. "I'll ask Shining a few questions, just to see if there's anything we can use to help keep us safe. If he won't tell me anything, then, well, there isn't anything we can do to force him."
Sunset nodded. "I understand. Even if that's the case, we still have each other. As long as we're together, there's no problem we can't solve."
"There! Problem solved!" said Sonata, showing her sisters the bloody, aborted baby that she'd ripped out of Diamond Tiara.
Adagio spun and vomited all over the floor. Aria seemed to collapse into herself, covering her face with her hands and turning her back.
"I guess Diamond was telling the truth about being pregnant after all," said Sonata. She licked a little blood that trickled past her mouth, her whole head being covered after sticking it inside Diamond's abdominal cavity to eat her from the inside out.
Sonata turned and lined up on the kitchen trash can. She gave the fetus a toss and it went straight in. "Nothing but net!"
Adagio was on her hands and knees, heaving. It looked like there wasn't anything left in her stomach, though. Aria's legs had collapsed and it was only by splaying her upper body across the kitchen counter that she was still vaguely upright. Neither one of them would look at Sonata.
"The fuck's wrong with you two?" Sonata asked.
It was perhaps ten seconds before Aria was able to get up. She took a deep breath and demanded, "What's wrong with you!?"
Sonata spread her hands, blood dripping everywhere. "Just, y'know, generating fear that the three of us need to get our power back and take control of this little marble called Earth. Pardon me for doing what you couldn't."
"There has to be a better way," Adagio muttered, finding the strength to stand. She wiped her lips.
"Well, we tried picking up guys at bars and you didn't like that either. I can't keep carrying you two."
"You aren't," Adagio protested.
"I'm sorry, but which one of us masterminded a return to glory and is willing to bring her sisters along? Who's the stupid, incompetent one now?"
"The truly clever don't announce it with the grace of a freight train raping a barrel of monkeys!" Aria shouted.
Sonata raised an eyebrow. "Did you hear that one on the internet?"
Aria flushed, but she still glared at Sonata. Adagio piled on. "I have never seen something so disgusting in a thousand years! What kind of utter abomination are you?"
"You think I'm..." Sonata stared, too stunned to speak. Then, she abruptly stepped forward and slapped Adagio so hard that it took her sister right off her feet. Adagio hit the floor, cheek splashing in her own vomit.
"Let me tell you how this is going to go," growled Sonata. "I've shown you the way. If you won't follow me, I'm glad to leave you behind."
"We're sisters," Aria breathed.
"So?"
Several seconds passed in utter silence.
Adagio got up quietly, wiping off her face with her sleeve. Sonata was pleased to see that the smirk had finally vanished from her face.
"Just because you two did such a good job selecting the last morsel, why don't you pick again?" said Sonata. She grinned.
Adagio and Aria traded a look.
"A man," said Adagio. "F-for the challenge."
"What, you think I can't handle a man?" Sonata said.
"Just something different," said Aria quickly. "Someone who can run and fight. A challenge."
"I'm actually impressed," said Sonata. "So who do you think we should pick?"
Adagio and Aria again glanced at each other. Sonata threw her arms around them. Both cringed. "Look at us, working together! Dagi, Ari, and Soni ready to take on the world. I think we should absolutely go after someone like that. And I know exactly who." |
(Don't) Fear the Reaper | Chapter 8 | Flash Sentry was quite pleased that during the summer, the hardest decision he had to make was which guitar strings to buy.
He spent a lot of time down at the music shop, and it seemed like everyone in Canterlot High knew to find him there.
Which is why he shouldn't have been surprised to turn around from the guitar string display and run smack into Sonata Dusk. Quite literally. He bounced off her and fell back against the wall.
"Sorry, I should pay more attention," she said pleasantly, grinning.
Flash remained flattened against the wall. "I...didn't expect to see you here."
"Well, it is the best music store in town and I am a bit of an audiophile," Sonata said.
"Huh," said Flash.
Sonata took a step back and he relaxed enough to stop cringing away from her. He turned and maneuvered past Sonata towards the door.
"So what are you doing later?" Sonata asked. It was delicious how his shoulders tensed as if she'd cracked a whip.
"I'm, uh, busy," Flash said, before hurrying for the door.
Sonata caught the attention of Adagio and Aria, who had been over at the counter distracting the owner. The three of them followed Flash.
He wasn't too hard to spot. He was the only guy with blue hair and a guitar slung over his shoulder in sight.
Sonata crossed the street, walking quickly. Adagio and Aria followed along behind Flash. He got to his tricked-out Camaro, but saw the cut in the front tire. Casting a worried glance behind him, the two sirens there were clearly visible. He started across the street, but pulled up short upon spotting Sonata.
Flash turned and fast-walked into the alley behind him. Sonata grinned. Like herding cattle.
She rejoined the other two and they followed Flash deeper into the maze of side streets. Alleys were so convenient, keeping prey boxed in, Sonata thought.
Flash suspected he was in trouble when he reached a dead end. He knew he was in trouble when three sirens cornered him and told him so.
"So, we're going to do very bad things to you," said Sonata.
They spread out, blocking his only means of escape. Tall buildings on both sides pinned him in, and a dumpster blocked the way in front.
Flash vaulted the dumpster and took off at a sprint. He should have had the good sense to drop his guitar. Maybe it would have helped him run faster. The sirens had even given him a head start.
He used the graciously-provided time to run like the wind, wet his pants, and send a text message.
He hadn't made it two blocks, however, when the sirens caught up. Fortunately, his leather jacket seemed to be fingernail-proof in spite of their clutching hands. However, when they discovered that, they simply tripped him.
Flash's jacket and jeans kept him from losing too much skin on the pavement, but with three ancient monsters bearing down on him, that was a relatively mild concern. Of course, he'd already pissed himself, so it was pretty clear that he was past worrying about the little things.
"Stop!" he shouted.
"Why do they think saying that will work?" said Sonata. "Every time, it's been like that."
"Stop!" Flash repeated. "I don't consent!"
Sonata blinked. "Consent to what?"
"I think he thinks we're going to do something sexual," said Aria.
Sonata burst out laughing. "Oh, oh fucking shit, that's the funniest thing I've heard in years. You thought we were going to rape you?"
Flash looked between the three of them. "A-a little."
"Well, we're not, but I can rip your dick off if that makes you feel better." Sonata grabbed his crotch. Flash reflexively curled up.
"Hold him," Sonata ordered. Adagio and Aria grabbed Flash's limbs.
"Nah, the truth is we're going to bleed you to death." Sonata paused. "Okay, I didn't mean to make it sexual, but the penis is a place with a lot of blood flow, right?" She looked back down at Flash. "The blood part is important because we're going to drink yours."
"I thought you ate emotions or something!"
"Punch him in the mouth so he shuts up," said Sonata. A moment passed and she looked up, glaring at the other two.
Adagio made a fist and socked Flash across the face.
"Eh, he might have pubic hair," said Sonata as she thought about it. "He's that old, right?"
"He's in high school," said Aria. "I think that means he's old enough."
"If we're going to keep doing this, don't you think we should know more about people?" said Adagio.
"Well, let's find out," said Sonata. She ripped open Flash's jeans like they were made of tissue paper. "Yep, looks like it. Ick. I'm not putting my face anywhere near that."
She seized his penis. "I can still rip this off, though. I bet that would get a reaction from him."
"He also might bleed out too quickly," Aria pointed out.
Sonata weighed her options, stretching Flash's organ as far as it would go. His eyes were wide and his back arched up, trying desperately to relieve the pain.
"Eh," said Sonata. She let go of Flash's penis, and since it was on display, grabbed his scrotum and crushed it in her hand. It squished and bulged between her fingers like putty.
Flash made a sound like a dying frog and didn't even have time to writhe in pain before passing out.
"That's supposed to be a really sensitive spot," said Adagio.
"It's not like I knew that," said Sonata. "What, are you fucking earth guys now?"
"I think any world you go to, testicles are pretty sensitive," Adagio pointed out. "Did you not know that?"
Sonata spread her hands. "Why would I need to?"
Aria lightly slapped Flash's face. He started to wake up, tears running down his cheeks before his eyes even opened. The little noises now were a lot higher pitched.
"Okay, that was round one," said Sonata, loud enough for him to hear. "What should we do next?"
The question hung in the air for a moment before Adagio and Aria realized she was asking them.
"He's already scared shitless," said Aria. "Can't you smell it?"
"Smell-oh, the fear." It was pretty enticing, Sonata had to admit. "But I think we can do better. He hasn't literally shit himself."
Adagio made a face. "Really? That's - yuck."
"Okay, fine, we'll make sure he doesn't." Sonata turned and grabbed Flash's guitar. "One plug coming up."
Flash saw it. Judging by his expression, he didn't fully believe what she was insinuating, but his imagination was running wild, just like Sonata wanted it to.
And in some cases, nightmares did come true.
And in the case of Flash's rectum, tuning pegs will absolutely shred intestine walls when the neck of a guitar is roughly shoved inside.
Everything else the sirens did to him was worse than that.
...through the heart, and you're to blame. You give love a bad name...
Sunset Shimmer glanced down at her phone. She already knew from the ringtone that it was from Flash Sentry.
She sighed and looked at the text he had sent. Her brow furrowed. It was just one word. Sirens.
What do you mean? she texted back. Minutes passed. Flash did not reply.
Growing concerned, Sunset sent a text to Brawly Beats, Flash's drummer. He responded shortly, saying Flash had gone to the music store.
Sunset got on her motorcycle and rode down there. A quick conversation with the store clerk revealed exactly what Sunset had feared. Adagio, Aria, and Sonata had followed Flash out of the store.
Flash was her ex, but nobody deserved to be cornered by those monsters. It didn't fit their pattern to go after just one person, though. And anyway, what were they doing? Their necklace gems had been shattered and their powers stripped.
Sunset got back on her motorcycle. She saw Flash's car parked just down the street, and upon approaching it, noticed the flat tire. She stopped the bike and checked her phone. Still no reply from Flash.
If the sirens actually had taken him, where would they have gone? Sunset eyed the alley next to Flash's car and turned her bike down it.
Not two minutes later, something lumpy on the ground came into view. It took Sunset a moment to process what she was seeing. To her horror, she realized it was a body, and the red splotches everywhere were spilled blood.
She jumped off the motorcycle, not bothering to set the kickstand. She pulled out her phone to call emergency services.
Hurrying over, she saw to her ever-increasing horror that it was Flash, and he had been...
Sunset's hands went to her face and her knees hit the ground. |
(Don't) Fear the Reaper | Chapter 9 | To put it bluntly, Flash Sentry had died a horrific death. Sunset could see that easily enough, though she'd taken one glance and thrown up across the alley.
Sunset hadn't wanted to stay at the scene with the police, but she felt like she should. If there was anything she could do to help catch whoever had done this, she was going to do it.
If there was much physical evidence, it was probably on Flash's body or spread in the pool of blood around it. Sunset didn't want to look. The police and medical examiners probably wouldn't let her, anyway. She squeezed her eyes shut, heart palpitating in terror.
Why was she so scared? It was such a horrific act, but now Sunset was surrounded by police. She should be horrified, revolted, sickened, and hopeless, but the current danger was past.
Sunset realized that it wasn't her fear. She concentrated harder. It was in the air, still hanging around after Flash had been killed.
The whole magical girl thing came with many unexpected facets, but Sunset didn't think she could detect postmortem emotions unless there was some powerful force behind them.
She pictured what was left of Flash again and immediately regretted it. What kind of person could have perpetrated such a brutal attack? Who could have been strong enough to hold down an athletic high schooler and utterly destroy him?
Sunset swallowed hard. Who - or what. She thought about the last text Flash had sent her. Sirens.
Once the police had taken her statement, Sunset walked numbly back to the busy street. A crowd of people - photographers, reporters, onlookers - had gathered at the police tape. A couple of them tried to talk to her, but she ignored them.
Getting back on her motorcycle, Sunset rode to Sugarcube Corner. She nearly got in an accident on the way, but couldn't even spare the emotion to feel bad about it. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
Pinkie was at the counter when Sunset came in. She saw the look on Sunset's face. "Did something happen?"
Sunset fell into a booth and put her head in her hands. Pinkie came over. "You sure look like you could use cheering up. Hey, did you hear the one about the mermaid band?"
Sunset raised her head. Pinkie grinned. "They weren't very good. They couldn't even tuna guitar."
Sunset burst out crying.
"Ohmygosh!" Pinkie touched her shoulder. "I'm so sorry! What did I say?"
Between sobs, Sunset managed to get out, "Flash is dead. Murdered."
Pinkie grabbed her phone and called the others. They were there in minutes. By the time they arrived, Sunset had managed to stop her tears, but if anything, she looked worse. Fortunately, she didn't have to explain. The news had already hit the internet, and they all quietly read the report on their phones.
"I think the sirens did this," said Sunset, finally.
"If so, then this is a much different pattern for them," said Twilight. "I can't imagine how something this terrible could have happened."
"We can't let them do this again," said Sunset. "What if they were also behind the other deaths and disappearances?"
A few seconds passed as that sank into the other girls' minds.
"What about the police?" said Fluttershy.
"I told them what I knew," said Sunset. "Even if they believe me...I don't want to think about what might happen in a confrontation. The sirens have powers. More people could die."
"Didn't we take their magic away at the Battle of the Bands?" said Rainbow.
Sunset shuddered. "I don't know what's happening, but they're a lot stronger than humans. I don't know what we're dealing with. The police have even less idea."
"What can we do?" asked Rarity.
"I think it would be wise to never go any place alone," said Twilight. "I'll start working on something that might help. If they have any residual magic, maybe we can detect it."
"Emotion," said Sunset. "That's what I noticed at the scene. It was so strong that I felt it, and I'm just a unicorn in a human body."
"Sirens do feed on negative energy, like you told us," said Twilight. "It's possible that they found some new way to use that."
Sunset opened her mouth, and, with some effort, got out, "Torture?"
The table fell silent again. Carefully, Twilight said, "If that's the case, then we have a pattern. Something we can look for and figure out."
"But what are we gonna do when we find them?" said Applejack. "If they're so dangerous, we need a plan."
"We'll just do the magic rainbow laser thingy like always, right?" said Pinkie. She looked at Sunset, who still wore a frown. "Right?"
"I don't know if that will work," said Sunset. "We've already stripped them of their magic. What else can we do?"
"We show them the magic of friendship," said Rarity.
"They ate his brain," Sunset snapped. "And I'm not even sure if that's the worst thing they did to him."
Other people in Sugarcube Corner had turned to look. Sunset winced, closing her eyes. She shook her head and continued in a quieter voice. "When I tried to take over the school, I was misguided. I didn't know what I was missing. The magic of friendship showed me the way. But now...we've already used that on the sirens, and it apparently didn't work. What if they're just simply evil?"
"I don't know if anyone is truly evil," said Twilight.
Sunset looked up, locking eyes with her. "You didn't see what they did to Flash. They're evil."
In her fitness studio downtown, Sonata was in a good mood, dancing to Aerosmith in the window while she waited for customers.
She wore her usual spandex and lycra, pink over indigo today. More than a few people had stared at her as they walked by outside. That was vaguely intentional, to attract customers. Mostly, Sonata was giddy and still energetic after eating Flash.
...I met a cheerleader, was a real young bleeder, oh, the times I could reminisce...
And speaking of, her first appointment walked through the door.
Lemon Zest was a student at Crystal Prep. She still had that high school litheness, but under Sonata's tutelage was getting toned and maturing. She was driven, and had made more progress than just about any other client. She also wore headphones most of the time, and so missed most of the backhanded things Sonata said.
Sonata smiled while Lemon turned away to put down her bag and take off her sweats. What fun it would be to pull her out of her own little world and show her how things really worked, to see her reaction when she learned that the top of the food chain had shifted.
Then, Tire Tracks walked in, already breathing hard. Sonata glanced at him in annoyance, only partially feigned. The fat man had an appointment, and that interrupted what Sonata had in mind.
She could kill them both. Hmm, she'd have to pull the curtain on the window, though.
A thrill went up her spine at the thought of drinking their blood within feet of unknowing people outside. All she'd have to do was turn up the music a little and gag them.
Sonata's phone rang. Considering it was connected to the sound system, it was hard to ignore. Muttering under her breath, she went to answer it.
The caller was Aria. "Sonata! I just saw the news. Sunset Shimmer was at the scene."
"What?" Sonata replied.
"She must have gotten there only a little while later, or maybe she even found it."
"That was a question," Sonata snapped. "What are you talking about?"
"The place where, ah, Flash Sentry was," said Aria, seeming to censor herself. Was she worried about being overheard? What was making her so jumpy?
"What about it?"
"There's a news article," Aria explained. "I saw one of the photos. Sunset Shimmer was there. She knows what happened to him."
"So?"
"So now the Rainbooms are onto the murders that have been happening."
Sonata paused for several seconds.
"Sonata?"
"I'm coming home. We'll talk."
Sonata ended the call. She announced, "We're closed today. Get out."
"What?" said Lemon Zest, taking off her headphones.
Sonata barely resisted the urge to snap her neck right then and there.
She closed up the studio and went home. Adagio and Aria were waiting.
"At this point, it's safe to say the Rainbooms know or suspect there's a series of killings that are connected," said Aria.
"And it's personal to them," added Adagio. "Since it was their classmates." She gestured to a printout of the picture of Sunset at the scene. She was off to the side, on the inside of the police tape. "Look at her face. She's emotionally connected."
"So the Rainbooms are going to get involved?" said Sonata. "That doesn't mean they know it was us."
Aria showed her a phone. "This was Flash's. The last text he sent was to Sunset."
She showed Sonata the phone. Flash had managed to get his message out.
"Well, still, what are they going to do?" said Sonata. "We know what they're capable of. It's not going to hurt us now. Plus, they have to find us. If anything, this gives us the advantage because we can now pick our moment to strike. We can even set a trap for them and lure them in."
"They aren't stupid," Adagio pointed out.
"Even if they aren't, they're still mortal. If we take out even one of them, the rest aren't going to be nearly as effective." Sonata grinned, teeth on full display. "And can you imagine how revenge will taste?" |
(Don't) Fear the Reaper | Chapter 10 | Sunset wrote furiously in her journal. The words on the page appeared in parallel on the pages of a book owned by Princess Twilight Sparkle in Equestria. Twilight's replies showed up in Sunset's book.
I can't bring in a whole contingent of the Elements of Harmony, magical scholars, and Royal Guards, Princess Twilight wrote. Not even just the six of us girls could come through the emergency portal spell we developed.
We need to do something, Sunset replied. Friendship didn't work here. I thought it stopped the sirens from spreading negative emotion, but now they're literally murdering people.
Princess Twilight did not reply for nearly a minute. She finally wrote, When you first told me, I didn't believe it. I still haven't been able to determine what could make them do that.
Sunset had no idea, either. Monsters they may have been, but Equestrian threats were rarely deadly. Could it have been the influence of being on Earth? Had that been what had happened to her when she tried to take over? After all, even nonmagical humans killed each other all the time.
Sunset's shoulders tensed. Had being here only made them worse? Or was it simply their decision? How could they possibly have made that choice? Was it out of desperation?
Did the sirens think what they were doing was wrong? Did they simply have different morals?
Sunset shut her eyes tightly and put her hands to her face. No! You are not rationalizing this! They are evil! Period!
Sunset's phone suddenly buzzed. She glanced at it, but did a double take at the number that had sent the text. She grabbed the phone and opened the message. As she read, her eyes went wide.
She picked up her pen, but then put it down again and closed the journal. She had a plan. Princess Twilight wouldn't like it, but it had to be done.
She sent a text to her friends, wording it carefully. Who's up for a snack at Sugarcube Corner?
Sonata relaxed in her bedroom, surfing the dark web. After getting Sunset Shimmer's phone number from Flash Sentry's phone, she'd found a way to break in and read text messages. Granted, there was only something to see when Sunset sent a text or something, but it still gave her an edge.
She couldn't read the incoming texts or listen in on phone conversations. She was still searching for another clandestine source for that. Aria had been helping her, but for a supposed computer expert, she hadn't been very useful.
While Sunset met with her friends at Sugarcube Corner, Sonata considered her next move. Hopefully Sunset would eventually send a text that specified a convenient location, so Sonata could take her out. With their little leader gone, the Rainbooms would be useless. Sonata was looking forward to sampling them one by one. She could hardly wait.
Sonata navigated to a different place on the secure connection. This site had videos of people being butchered. Some of them came from terrorist propaganda videos. Some of them were cartel revenge messages. Some were produced for more selective audiences. Sonata watched for perhaps an hour, paying attention to techniques.
I should get a video camera, She decided. That would be perfect, showing the Rainbooms tapes of their friends being eaten alive. In that case, maybe she should save Sunset for last.
Sonata blinked and removed her hand from between her legs. Strange. She didn't know how it had ended up there. It was almost like she was a human watching porn.
Shit. What if she was actually getting turned on by this? Sonata had never thought about sex before. If sirens could even do it, which she somehow doubted. So did that mean slaughter and drinking blood was what it took to get her off? What if she used blood and body parts in...other ways?
Sonata's brows furrowed at the thought, but then she shrugged. Well, if that's how it has to be.
Just then, Sunset sent a couple of texts to her friends. After what we talked about earlier, we have to have one last sleepover and one last campout before school starts again. What if we combined them? I know none of us have time to go out to the woods, so what if we found a camping spot in town? There's a construction site near the school where they're building a new parking garage. A big concrete building would keep us out of the weather and be a safe place to stay. Let's meet up at 10pm.
All six of them were going to be outdoors overnight? This was almost too good to be true.
"Dagi, Ari," Sonata called. "Get ready!"
"What do you want?" replied Adagio from downstairs.
Sonata grinned and got up from her bed, going to meet them. They would want to hear this directly from her, so they would know exactly who was in charge and who had just set them up for their revenge.
Adagio and Aria listened quietly as Sonata laid out what they were doing that evening. "We know where they're going to be. There'll be no one else around. We sneak in and capture them in their sleep."
"Exactly how are you planning to do that?" said Adagio. "We're outnumbered and they have magic."
"Well, we might have to bust a few chucklefucks," said Sonata. She made a mental note to find time to think of better swears. "I really want them all to watch us bleeding out their friends slowly, but even half of them would still give us plenty of tasty teenager to work with."
She looked at Adagio and Aria for a reply, but nothing came. "What, no backtalk?"
"No," said Adagio.
Sonata glanced between the two of them and put her hands on her hips. "What's going on?"
"What are you talking about?" said Aria. "You've already got the plan to surprise them. What do you want us to say?"
Maybe they had finally bowed to her strength. Sonata smiled. After they pulled this off and eliminated their strongest enemies, then there would be nothing to stop the three of them from taking over. The city, the country, the whole world. And she would be the most powerful of them all.
"Right," said Sonata. "Let's go."
"Just a minute," said Adagio. She pulled knives out of the kitchen drawers, handing one to Aria.
Strong as she was, Sonata also recognized how threatening a blade could be. She took one for herself. There was no good way to carry it, but Sonata wasn't worried that she would accidentally cut herself. It wasn't like she was a klutz. She wasn't even worried about the park ranger's gun that she'd tucked into her jeans before leaving her room.
They drove to the construction site, arriving a few minutes early. Aria opened the trunk and pulled out a coil of rope. Sonata gave her a look. "We're going to need it to tie them up," Aria pointed out.
"We could have gotten here a little later," said Sonata. "So we could sneak up while they were sleeping."
"All we have to do is wait," said Adagio.
"I think the basement of the parking garage could be a good place to wait," said Aria. "It's quiet, and with no windows there's less chance of them spotting us."
Sonata held up her phone. "Good, I brought music."
She led them down the ramp into the depths of the underground level. There were a couple of switchbacks until they were finally met with a blank concrete wall in the deepest corner.
There were a few pieces of equipment that seemed to have been brought by the construction workers. Sonata had been using her phone for light, but turned on a small construction lamp to save her battery. They were far enough below the surface that the glow probably wouldn't reveal their presence.
Sitting on the floor near the wall were three white cardboard cups.
"Coffee?" said Sonata, incredulously. She picked one up. "It's still warm. Hey, it smells like pumpkin spice!"
"Who left these here?" Adagio asked.
"How did they?" said Aria. "Pumpkin spice-flavored stuff isn't even sold during summer."
Sonata didn't care. There was some weird undertaste, but otherwise it was delicious. Adagio and Aria didn't touch the other drinks.
With a few minutes to spare, Sonata put in her earbuds and wandered a few steps away towards the wall. She scrolled her playlist, looking for something to get pumped. Well, maybe not too pumped. It would be good to be calm before the blood would send her heart racing. Kavinsky? Sonata picked the song.
She'd no sooner started the music than a lasso of rope dropped over her shoulders. A boot pressed into her back and the rope pulled tight, pinning her arms and ripping out her earbuds.
Despite the binding, Sonata spun, finding Applejack on the other end of the rope and the rest of the Rainbooms arrayed across the floor, ponied up and radiating magic, trapping the three sirens in the basement with their backs to the wall.
No! She wasn't trapped, they were!. Sonata snarled. Applejack pulled harder, but she was no match. Sonata ripped the rope in two and grabbed Applejack by the leg, swinging her in a half circle to slam into the concrete wall.
Something hit her like a piledriver between the shoulderblades, driving Sonata forward to smack into the wall herself. She spun, arm shooting out to backhand Rainbow Dash. The blow knocked the girl across the basement.
Sonata started forward, shoulders up and fingers clawed.
"I put enough sleeping pills in the lattes to knock out a horse!" Pinkie said.
"Apparently that doesn't work on sirens!" Rarity replied.
"We need to do something!" Fluttershy shrieked. "Applejack and Rainbow are hurt!"
Sonata didn't follow the conversation. Nothing these kids said or did could stop her.
Her attention did snap to Fluttershy as the girl rushed forward to where her two injured friends lay. Sonata sidestepped, shooting out a hand and hammering Fluttershy in the face hard enough to take her off her feet. Her nose collapsed around Sonata's fist, spraying blood.
Sonata kept walking towards the others. She licked her fingers. There was no fear, but Fluttershy's worry was enough to tide her over. And was that a little spark of magic she detected?
"S-stop!" Sunset shouted, shielding some girl who looked a lot like Princess Twilight Sparkle.
"Why do they always say that?" said Sonata, glancing to either side at Adagio and Aria. Both of them had their knives out, but had done absolutely nothing with them.
Sunset raised her hands, sparks of magic crackling off them. Sonata punched her in the abdomen. To Sunset's credit, she took it better than any of the others, rolling with it and perhaps not even sustaining any broken bones. The force still sent her stumbling back, falling on the floor.
Sonata stepped forward and grabbed the new Twilight by the collar, lifting her clear of the floor. This one wasn't ponied up. She scrabbled for some device that hung around her neck, but Sonata ripped it off her and tossed it over her shoulder. The fear, oh fuck yes, this one was afraid.
Sonata drove her fingers into Twilight's neck, the nails slicing through skin and muscle. Twilight screamed and kicked, her shoes doing nothing to Sonata's shins. Her hands grabbed at Sonata's clothes.
Blood began to flow over Sonata's hands. She smiled. The wound wouldn't kill Twilight, not yet. Sonata's probing fingers found her carotid artery. She literally held Twilight's life between her fingertips.
Twilight's desperate hands found the gun Sonata had packed. She jerked it free. Sonata looked down. Twilight pressed the barrel against her stomach.
The sound of the shot was nothing compared to the punch to Sonata's guts. She staggered, letting go of Twilight, who fell, firing twice more.
The pain came on so suddenly that Sonata couldn't even tell how many bullets had hit. She went to her knees, not even seeing Twilight fall next to her. She touched her stomach, the clothes already soaked with blood. Her hands came up, desperately trying to clean them with her mouth. She tried to hold the blood in, fingers trying to find and plug the bullet holes.
Her own blood coated her legs, spreading across the floor. Sonata went to her face, tongue on the concrete, desperately trying to scrape the blood back into her mouth.
She felt lightheaded, but the pain was fading. Her fingers slipped out of the bullet holes. Sonata rolled to her side, staring at her stomach. The wound was closing.
They couldn't stop her! Sonata jumped up, power swelling in her chest. A laugh came easily. She'd taken out more than half the Rainbooms, and there was nothing they could do!
She looked at Adagio and Aria. The two of them stared at her, wide-eyed.
"What are you waiting for?" Sonata demanded. Aria's knife slipped from her fingers. Adagio took a step backwards.
They were worthless. Sonata turned away. She was more powerful than them, than anyone!
Sunset had gotten up. There was a book in her hands, the pages glowing. Her eyes flashed white with magic, her feet floating from the floor. She stared at Sonata, meeting her eyes. No fear.
Sonata kept coming, passing Adagio and Aria. She reached forward. Sunset lifted a hand, activating the magic of a spell powerful enough that it seemed to distort the air.
Sonata braced, but nothing happened. Emboldened once again, she shouted "You can't do anything to me! You tried once and you failed! I'm stronger than ever before, I'm stronger than you, and I will have my revenge!"
"I know that feeling," said Sunset, her voice magnitudes calmer that the situation merited. "And I know you're wrong."
A flash of light and invisible force hit Sonata like a tidal wave. She turned. Against the wall was a portal taller than her, glowing with magic and drawing her irresistibly towards it.
Her shoes started to slide. Sonata turned and lunged forward, but made no headway. She dropped to a crouch, still sliding backwards, being drawn towards her fate. Sonata knew if she allowed herself to go through, she would lose everything, her place on this puny planet, her strength, everything she had gained, everything she had earned.
Her fingernails scraped across the concrete, desperately trying to hold her in place. She pressed down until they tore out of the nailbeds, but it wasn't enough.
Sonata's last ounce of strength wasn't good enough. Her entire body left the ground, the magic swirling around her body dragging her to her fate.
As she went backwards, she grabbed at Adagio and Aria. "Help me!" she bellowed.
Both tried to duck, but Sonata's hands found them, dragging them with her. They struggled, but neither put up even half her fight. They were weak, she was strong!
Sonata looked over her shoulder, everything in her field of vision going white as she went through.
The blinding light faded slowly. The force pulling on Sonata had stopped. She blinked. There was a blue sky above, turning golden in the late afternoon.
Her phone was somewhere in one of her pockets, music app still working. The song played on.
Sonata sat up, ill-fitting clothing binding her body. Her shoes had come off, being completely unsuited for hooves.
Adagio and Aria were nearby, similarly transformed into earth ponies. Sonata stared at them.
"Why did you bring us?" said Adagio. She blinked hard and then screamed, "What did you do!?"
"You deserve it as much as me!" Sonata shouted. "You were there, you drank blood too!"
"It was your idea!" Aria pointed out. "You forced us! The portal didn't even affect Adagio and I. Not until you grabbed us."
"Oh, you're innocent?" said Sonata. "None of this would have happened if you two had helped me! I even knocked Sunset Shimmer down for you. A single stab, and we would have won! There would have been nothing stopping us from taking over the rest of the world!"
Adagio got up. "None of this would have happened to start with if it weren't for you!"
Sonata met her nose to nose, but Adagio wasn't backing down. "Look at us now," Adagio snarled, gesturing to the open, featureless meadow in which they had appeared. "We have nothing. We're broke, magicless, and mortal. This is all your fault, Sonata. We tried to stop you, but you just dragged the two of us down with you, you foolish, self-serving monster!"
Adagio turned and stormed away. Aria didn't even spare Sonata a glance before following her.
The wind picked up, blowing the meadow grass around. Sonata looked down. It looked like any grass, no way to tell where she was located. She looked up at the sky, endless nothing. Just like her bank account, her house, and her stuff. Her sisters. Her power. Her whole life. Gone.
With the sun still setting, it would be dark soon. The wind rose again, stronger this time. The faint music still coming from the phone's tiny speaker sounded hollow and feeble.
Sonata was alone.
She put a hoof to her chest. The feeling inside her... |
Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear | pre | "I'm glad we could come to an agreement. Now, if you want to wear a tux to the party I won't stop you. I never cared for wearing dresses myself-"
The loud sound of something being torn called Rainbow to attention. She determined the source of the sound coming from Daring.
"Daring. You all right?" Daring had a haunted look on her face, eyes wide as saucers. The dress she held was now almost in two. "Daring?" She waved a hoof in front of her face.
"I'm going to a party..." She spoke, voice hollow.
"Yep, you are. And you just ripped one of the few dresses you-"
"I'm going to a party... even though I just stepped out of my apartment for the first time in three years less than two hours ago. I'm going to a party even though I have social anxiety disorder based around a social phobia I earned from being persecuted for the murder of five ponies."
"Umm..." Rainbow droned out, not expecting this lucid outburst of realization and completely forgetting what she intended to say no less than seconds ago. "Well... when you put it that way..."
"No. No, no, no, no. I'm not doing this. I can't. I'll die. I'll quite literally kill myself somehow. I don't know how but it'll be at that party. Heart attack, beaten up by angry, offended snobs, slipping and hitting my head on the buffet table; It doesn't matter how, but that party will be the death of me..." Ranting relating to these subject went on before Dash had decided she was going to lose it.
"Daring, you're overreacting. There's no way any of that's gonna happen... that I know of. It's just a friendly gathering. Fancypants said so himself."
"Why should I believe that son of a-"
Come come to the Sabbath
Down by the ruined bridge
Witches and demons are coming
Just follow the magic call
Muffled singing pierced the air and interrupted the conversation of the two now-surprised ponies.
"What the heck is that?" Asked Rainbow.
"...My ringtone." She scurried about in search of her cellphony, which was ringing for the first time in months. She found in in the pocket of a coat she hadn't worn in a while as evidenced by how dusty it was in appearance. She blew off the likewise dust-covered phone and opened it. It read "Unknown Caller."
"Who is it?" Asked Rainbow Dash in interest.
"I... don't know. You answer it."
"You really want me to go through your personal-"
"I don't care about that. Just answer it!"
"Okay! Geez." Pressing a button and putting the cellphony to her ear, she greeted with a polite but obviously curious tone. The voice that responded back was female, tomboyish like her own.
"Hello, is Daring Do there? May I speak with her?"
"Who is this?"
"Spitfire. Of the Wonderbolts." Daring didn't know what to make of Rainbow's wide-eyed look of shock.
"Spitfire?!" The rainbow pony exclaimed.
"Spitfire?" The brownish pony also said in surprise, albeit much milder.
"Yes. Spitfire. Who is this?"
"Rainbow Dash. Remember, we met at the gala?"
"Oh, yeah. The gala and that Cloudsdale water job, right? Didn't you do a sonic rainboom at that wedding, too?"
"Yep, that was me. I also did a sonic rainboom at the Young Fliers Competition."
"A sonic rainboom?!"
"That was you? I barely remember that. Think I hit my head or something. That's pretty impressive, to be able to do two of those in your life."
"Thanks, although I actually did three of them in my life."
"Three?!"
"Three?!" Rainbow was so distracted riding off the high of her ego being stroked by compliments from her first hero she almost forget about her second hero in the same room as her.
"Yep. One when I was a filly, one at the competition and one at the wedding." She directed the phrase at both of the mares at once.
"Sweet Celestia."
"Damn, that's pretty awesome." Rainbow heard chattering past Spitfire's voice. "Hey listen, I'd love to keep talking about this, but I'm heading out soon. Gotta stay focused. Is Daring there?"
"Yeah, she's right here."
"Put her on please, if you would. Nice talking to you."
"Like-likewise." Rainbow tried to keep her voice from cracking under excitement. She had just had a conversation with two of her heroes in one day. "Here she is." Rainbow handed the phone to Daring, who reluctantly took it.
"Hello? Hello? Anyone there?"
"H-hello."
"Daring?"
"Yes..."
"Wow, it's so nice to hear your voice again after so long. How've you been?"
"Okay, I guess."
"You don't sound to happy. Everything all right?" If Spitfire had heard of what Daring went through, it didn't sound like she was gonna bring it up.
"I've just been going through some rough times, that's all."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but hey you're going to that party tonight, right? Fancypants said he invited you and a couple others. I'm guessing Rainbow Dash is the other?"
"Yes. her and a friend of hers named Twilight Sparkle."
"So, you going?"
"...I guess I am."
"Cool. Me and the rest of the Wonderbolts are going there, too. If you want you can come sit with us and hang out. Catch up on old times."
"I- I don't know."
"Please? It's been so long since we talked to each other. I miss you." Daring could almost feel the puppy-dog eyes from the other side of the line.
"Fine."
"Sweet! See you there." The phone clicked, and Daring shut her own off. She looked up to find Rainbow staring at her. She blushed under the gaze, making Rainbow apologize for making her feel uncomfortable.
"How do you know Spitfire?"
"She's a foalhood friend." Daring wasn't at all comfortable sharing this.
"What did she say... if you don't mind me asking?"
"She wants us to sit at her table with the rest of the Wonderbolts and 'catch up on old times.'" Rainbow emitted an unusually high-pitched squeal, which made Daring cringe away in shock.
"Sorry. I'm trying to stop doing that."
"Keep trying. That can't be good for your vocal chords."
"Right." She rubbed the back of her neck. "But this works even better! Now it's not only just us, but you got a another friend you can hang out with."
"I said she was a childhood friend. We... stopped talking a while ago."
"Why?" Daring glared at her. Rainbow shrunk back. "...oh, sorry. But I'm sure she'd be happy to be friends with you again."
"We'll see." Rainbow shot a confused look. "I may be the social phobic here, but Spitfire has the worst social skills in the world. She's brash, crude, never thinks twice before saying anything..."
"But she's still your friend, right?"
"Yes."
"And you wouldn't want to deny meeting an old friend, would you?"
"I suppose not."
"Then we're going to that party." Daring sighed.
"Fine."
"Can I ask you something else?"
"What?"
"Your ringtone. Was that Mercyfoal Fate?"
"Yes. I'm a fan of the band."
"You don't strike me as somepony who would be into that kind of music."
"Well, my job had me digging up and finding a whole bunch of ritual sites and altars relating to demons and the like. I guess I just developed an interest in it, and obviously I can't practice it so this music fills the void."
"Huh. Interesting."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah?"
"Three Sonic Rainbooms?" |
Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear | That's Knife... Knife's A Bitch | Daring Do And The Stigma of Fear
Chapter 4
That's Knife... Knife's A Bitch
"Filthy, money rubbing scum of the earth. Dirty, vile caveponies with a 5th grade education. Unconscionable bastards. Sadistic, sacred whores. Celestia-damned Cowards..."
"She has a fouler mouth than you do, Dash." Twilight whispered to the side of Daring's rant.
"I don't have a foul mouth." Rainbow muttered back offended. "Do I?"
Twilight stared at her.
"Well... not as foul as Applejack." Rainbow countered.
"That's true." While the two mares ribbed one another, Daring continued her string of insults, which were becoming loud enough for others aside from themselves to hear.
"Not a party pony, Daring?" Dash jabbed with mirth. Daring was having none of it.
"I don't mind the parties. It's these ponies I can't stand being around. Why can't I have party by myself?"
"Because that would be an oxymoron, Daring." Said Twilight.
Daring pushed the tail of her rental dress down further over her flank. She felt the needle-like feeling of other ponies staring at her. Unfortunately, the type of ponies Daring had hoped to see around her, such as the clean-cut gentleman or the stern but loving wife that would accompany them or be on the own by being the stern but loving filly about town, were few and far between.
Instead the room was filled with older stallions. Stallions who reminded her of mobsters, drug lords, perverts, rapists and criminals who had gotten lucky. She thought she saw one looking at her flank, so she hiked the dress down further.
"What are you looking at?!" She finally yelled at the stallion who was supposedly staring at her. He flinched at her sharp tone and walked away.
"Daring--"
"Yeah, yeah. I know. Sorry." She sighed heavily. "I need a drink."
"A glass of water?" Twilight offered.
"No."
"At least use a glass!"
"Doesn't work as well that way. I really wanna feel the effects." She took another gargantuan sip from the bottle of Dos Equestis. The liquid burned her throat as if she were drinking bleach, but she felt the effects on impact. Her head became lost in a fog that became denser with every sip, and her thought processing became impaired little by little. "Oh, yeah. We're cooking now!" She looked at the annoyed Twilight, flashing a cheeky grin. "I can tell 'cause you're a little sexier than you were before."
Twilight remained steadfast. "Thanks for the compliment, but you're not the first pony to hit on me while they were drunk."
"I'm not?"
"Nope. When me and my friends go out for a drink, I'm the one that has to make sure they get home safely. It's a thankless job. I'm surrounded by drunk, horny ponies and I'm constantly hit on when they're not staring at my flank."
"I hear you. I can't tell you how many stallions I've clocked, sometimes while just as drunk as they are."
"I'm not talking about stallions. I'm talking about my friends. They're all mares." Daring let out a wheezing laugh. "It's not funny! You have no idea how difficult it is!"
"Sounds like a riot. What's the problem?"
"Well, first of all: Each of my friends are a different drunk."
"They're all different?"
"Each of them. Rainbow's a sad, brooding drunk." Daring made the expected reaction to the new information. "Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are. Let's see... Applejack is an angry drunk. If you knew her, you'd get why that would be a problem."
"Is she a part of the Apple clan? I've met a couple of them. Honest, hard-working ponies built by the tough of the land."
"That's Applejack. She's a nice and humble pony normally, but add alcohol and she becomes a big pony with a short fuse."
"Sounds like my kind of mare. Who else?"
"Well, there's Rarity. Actually, I don't think I've seen her drunk yet. She's really good at holding down her drink. She's high-class and elegant, even after a couple glasses of wine. She's probably the type of pony to listen to a song on the radio and say 'This song was written about me.' "
"Is she from Canterlot?" Daring asked after a short interval of silence.
"I don't know."
"She sounds like someone from here. Canterlot ponies are naturally heavy-drinkers."
"I'll ask her when I get the chance." Twilight waited as Daring took another sip from the bottle. "Does that include you?"
"No, I'm from Cloudsdale. We're lightweights... no pun intended." Twilight chuckled lightly at the joke.
"All right. There's Fluttershy. I thought earlier that we should test Fluttershy for social anxiety disorder. She's such a frail, delicate pony."
"But when she's drunk?" Daring found herself awaiting the answer with anticipation, forgetting about her drink.
"Dash likes to call her the Wicked Bitch of the West." Daring exploded with laughter, attracting a number of startled patrons. It took some effort for her to calm herself, all the while Twilight patiently waited. "Let's see, who else is there..."
"Rainbow mentioned a Pinkie Pie and a Spike. What about them?" Daring remembered, the rogue giggle appearing occasionally.
"I don't even want to think about Pinkie, who's unnerving enough when she's sober. We don't let Spike come with us to drink. He better not be getting drunk, otherwise he's gonna have his little butt spanked."
"Don't let your coltfriend come with you to party with the mares?"
"He's not my coltfriend. He's not even a colt, he's a dragon."
"Daaamnnn." Daring dragged out.
"No, I mean he's my assistant."
"Ooo, sexy role-playing."
"He's a baby dragon!"
"Holy crap!"
"Daring!"
"Relax, I'm just messing with you. I know who he is, Rainbow told me last night." She took another sip, barely even realizing she did until she heard the bottle tap against the wooden bar. "Sorry, guess I'm starting to feel the effects of Dos Equestis." She waved the bottle around, almost hitting Twilight in the head. "Stay thirsty, my ponies!" She spoke is a poorly imitated accent, then broke into laughter. "So what about you?" she asked after calming down.
"What?"
"What kind of drunk are you?"
"I'm rarely ever drunk."
"But when you are?"
"Rarity say I'm a... flyrty dru." Twilight mumbled. Daring wasn't sure if she heard it, or if her hearing was already being replaced with a buzz.
"I'm sorry. I didn't get that."
"A flirty drunk."
Daring tried her best to stifle her laughter, but it seeped out little by little. "Wow, I never would've thought."
"I'm not proud of it." Twilight tried to hide her blush.
"Stallions or mares?"
"Stallions. I hit on Applejack's brother one time. A bunch of other colts said I hit on them, too. I woke up one morning to find three stallions in my living room. That was not the best morning I've ever had."
"Looks like Twilight brings all the colts to the yard."
"What?" Although, Twilight had a good idea what she meant.
"Twilight brings all the colts to the yard, and they're like: It's better than yours..." Daring sung and danced in her seat.
"Shut up!"
"Damn right! It's better than yours!"
"I'm warning you!"
"I'd teach you more, but I'd have to charge!" Twilight dropped her head into her hooves. Daring stopped singing and started laughing. Daring's laughter was quickly becoming the most irritating sound in Equestria for the purple unicorn.
"Can I have some of that?" Twilight moaned past her hooves. Daring slid the bottle over to Twilight. She asked for a glass and filled it up when it arrived. She take a large sip that just about emptied the glass, something Daring was marginally impressed by.
"You know, Twilight. I don't mean any of that stuff. I'm just having a hell of a time. I don't like parties, but this is quite possibly the most fun I've had in years."
"Thanks, Daring. I'm glad you think so." She took another sip, feeling her embarrassment part way for a growing sense of humor. "I've never been a party mare, either."
"Who'd want to be? Partying doesn't get you anywhere. Us bookworms gotta stick together. 'Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth' and all that nonsense." She swirled what was left of her drink in the bottle..
"Amen, sister." They high-hoofed each other and took more sips of their drinks. "Don't tell Pinkie that, though. And don't tell Rainbow about that colt-thing. She'd never let me live it down, provided she doesn't already know.."
"Where is that pony anyway?" Daring looked around, not even realizing her vision was growing slightly blurred.
"That's a very good question." Twilight said, looking around herself.
"Hey, Daring!" A much too familiar voice yelled across the room. Daring jumped at the sound of her name being called and turned, spinning on the bar stool. She could barely making out the coming pony. Twilight could.
"Hey, look it's Spit--"
"Sweet Celestia! That pony's on fire!" She reached behind the bar, grabbing the first thing she felt, a spray nozzle likely filled with beer or some other type of alcohol, and aimed it at the blurry pony. "I'll save you!" She sprayed the nozzle. Normally she would know that any attempt to put someone on fire out with alcohol would have gone horribly wrong, but her brain failed to click at the moment and panic overran all her logical reasoning.
"Daring, stop!" Twilight called, trying to break Daring's grip on the nozzle. She did, and the nozzle yanked itself back to the bar. "Daring, she's not on fire! It's Spitfire!"
"What? You're serious?" Daring focused hard on the blurry pony, and sure enough, she could see Spitfire spitting out alcohol and moving her wet mane out of her eyes. Spitfire's glare was the one thing that was visible to Daring.
"Oh, shit. Oh, Spitfire, I am so--" Daring was working on a valid-sounding explanation when she heard a rather raucous laughter. It took her foggy mind a few more seconds than normal to realize it came from the yellow pony in front of her. She felt a hoof slap her back.
"Not exactly the welcome I expected." Daring then
felt something she hadn't felt who knows how long: The embrace of another pony, this pony having the familiar feeling of her best marefriend. "It's been a long time. How've you been?" She pulled away, just as Daring was starting to enjoy it despite the heavy stench of alcohol.
"I've been better."
"Feeling glum?"
"Feeling like I wanna curl up into a ball and die of embarrassment."
"I wouldn't blame you." She put her hoof on Daring's shoulder, chuckling merrily. "Don't worry. I'm not gonna hold it against you. If you want, I'll call it revenge for the fountain incident."
"I still kind of want to... curl up and die."
"We have a drink for that back at our table."
"Bless you." Daring walked, not even waiting for Spitfire to tell her where the table was. Spitfire turned to Twilight, she eyed the mare.
"Let me guess: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow's friend?"
"That's right. Have you seen her, by the way? She just up and disappeared on us."
"She's already at our table... gushing like a fan girl over us."
"Surprise, surprise."
There were only three other Wonderbolts at the table contrary to the much larger line up, and Dash sat in between a pony with sea-foam colored mane and and one with milky white eyes above buck teeth. Twilight wasn't as big a Wonderbolts fan as Rainbow, but she could tell there were some missing.
"Couldn't wait, Rainbow?" Twilight poked at the cyan pegasus.
"I was invited." Rainbow said, as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Twilight looked at Spitfire. The orange mare nodded.
They all took their seats at the table. Daring sat in between Twilight and Spitfire, while Twilight sat nest to a deep blue-maned pegasus she recognized as Soarin'.
"Daring, you already know the others. Twilight and Rainbow, these are two others of the eleven Wonderbolts. Misty..." she gestured to the sea-foam maned mare, who timidly wave back. "...and Fleetfoot." The wild white-maned pony wave, much more aggressively than the previous pony. She didn't make eye-contact.
"It's nice to see you again, Daring. How's knife been treating you?" Asked the sea-foam colored maned pony, Misty. She had a soft, tender voice.
"I'm... sorry?"
"Your life. How's your life been treating you?" Daring paid no mind to her mishearing. She was drunk, she thought. She was bound she mishear something.
"Fine. Just fine. No complaints." Daring's forced grin had to be obvious to the rest of the table, but no one decided to bring it up. A waiter stopped by and brought a bottle of red wine along with a tray of glasses that were frosted on the outside, evidenced of being in a freezer for a good amount of time. Spitfire dismissed the waiter saying they could pour the glasses themselves. She was the first to fill her glass, and she passed it counter-clockwise around the table. Daring was the last to get it.
As she poured her glass, she thought back to when she drank all that whiskey. She probably would've drank herself stupid if Spitfire hadn't found her. She was likely still going to with the wine. She was never a big drinker prior of all of... this. She would settle for the occasional drink with friends, with some sort of celebration happening during it. Any other time, she would shy away from the stuff.
I should stop all that poison can't be good for you.
She felt light-headed for a slight second, but came out of it easily. She turned, jumping at somepony shaking her shoulder.
"You alright, Dare?" Asked Spitfire. Daring shrugged her off.
"Yeah, just a little dizzy. How've you been, lately?" Daring sharp conversation turn caught Spitfire off guard, but she happy to answer it.
"I've been working to the bone lately. It's training season. Whole bunch of chicken-feet that think they can make the squad."
"I'm sorry. 'Chicken-feet?' " Asked Twilight, not getting the arcane terminology.
"Wonderbolt talk for a rookie." Replied Fleetfoot. "Most of them don't even last basic training."
"It's a bit like being part of the royal guard for Celestia, Twilight." Daring filled in, being glad she finally had a use for the useless knowledge given to her by her foalhood friend. "They judge to see if you got enough feathers to make the team, then boot-camp. At least I assume it's like the royal guard. Is it?"
"I wouldn't know." Said Twilight. Daring took her first sip, watching Twilight and Rainbow discuss something beyond her hearing. She ignored it.
"Believe it or not, Daring had a good shot at being one." Said Spitfire, much to Daring's dismay.
"Seriously?" Rainbow gasped.
"I passed inspection and boot camp. I just didn't bother going on."
"What made you decide against it?" asked Twilight.
"Two things: I wanted to further my archeology career. I just can't see myself flying around doing show tricks while I could be digging up history. The second reason: those bucking uniforms." Laughter emitted around the table. "They chafe so much and make even the most anorexic mare look fat." The laughter grew drastically. Spitfire calmed down first.
"I couldn't see you being a Wonderbolt anyways. You're not the most flamboyant mare when to entertainment... or anything for that matter."
"What does that mean?" Asked Twilight.
"Daring wasn't the most out-going pony when we were foals. She'd break in tears if she was surrounded by ponies she didn't know." Spitfire chuckled slightly, stopping when she met with the tan pony's glaring eyes. "Sorry."
"So... you were always an antisocial pony." Daring caught the double-meaning behind that sentence, hidden from the rest of the table save for Rainbow Dash.
"I stuck to myself in school, preferring the company of books. I always preferred to go on expeditions alone."
"What about Herpy? Your cross-eyed assistant in the books?" Rainbow asked.
"Made him up. I was reading a lot of Batmare at the time, and I just based him around my own life living with my grandfather."
"You must've had a pretty lousy foalhood. You're downright nasty to Herpy sometimes. It was like that with your grandfather?" Daring groaned and took another drink. It was practically empty.
"Life's a bitch. My grandfather was a class-5 bastard who didn't give two shits about anypony he couldn't profit off of. He's the one who planted the whole 'better off by yourself' idea into my head. 'Who needs friends when you got success?' he would say." She poured another glass of wine into her cup, chugging it down in one gulp. She passed to the bottle to Spitfire after she asked for it.
"It's true." Said Spitfire, pouring her own glass. "I met him once. He was an old tyrant, stiff as bull during mating season and just as irritable. He didn't like me hanging around Daring because he felt I was... how'd he put it? 'Freeloading off our success?'"
"Yeah. I'd have to sneak out just to see her. Being a teenager didn't help, either. He actually thought I was dating you! Remember that?" Spitfire laughed out loud. It sounded rather dainty considering the mare it came out of. "When the old bastard finally kicked the bucket, I didn't even bother going to the funeral. I just sent a card and inherited his millions." She took another drink from her glass, tracing the rim with her hoof. "I'm sure he'd be at least satisfied with the way my life's turned out. He'd probably say something to me if he could."
"What would he say?" Asked Soarin'.
"AHH! MY FLESH IS BURNING! HELP ME! OH, THE HORROR!" Daring laughed a drunken and jolly laugh, Spitfire right next to her doing the same. Soon everypony, save for Twilight, was laughing for no real reason. Twilight looked to her side to find Rainbow laughing and looking just as wasted as the rest of the table. The group laughter was loud and uproaring. Other ponies from other tables were staring.
"Maybe this was a bad idea."
Fancypants loved hosting these events, and that was obvious among his fellow aristocrats. His balls were famous around these parts of Canterlot for having a little piece of everything for the average party-goer.... except for somepony like Pinkie Pie. This was not the type of party for somepony like Pinkie Pie. He shuddered as his imagination ran wild of the chaos she could bring to these types of parties. After the feeling had passed, he focused on the tranquil joy and mirth that spread across the atmosphere.
He was having none of it tonight. He was too busy being a wound-up bundle of nerves. All of those nerves were set around her former employee, Daring Do.
"Fancypants..." A voice worn by years rasped out. He turned with sudden surprise at the sound of his benefactor standing in the shadows behind the curtains of the stage.
"Yes, benefactor?"
"Is she here?" He walked out from behind it, his wooden cane sounding off solid cops against the likewise wooden floor. He was an old and sickly pony, but power and authority radiated off him. He was the benefactor for Fancypants' company for nearly fifty years.
"Yes. She's at table four with her friends and the Wonderbolts."
"And the toxin?"
"Administered. She inhaled it when she opened the invitation."
"Good. I want her backstage by the end of the party. Be sure if you can do it without attracting attention."
"Her friends will notice her absence."
"That is of no concern to me. We will be long gone by the time they notice." He walked to the curtain, peeling it open to view the audience. He closed it hastily. Fancypants assumed it was because he was almost spotted by Daring or someone of equal importance.
"When she is isolated, radio for the guards. By the looks of things, she'll be too drunk to even realize what is happening to her."
"If I may ask, what will happen to her when you get her?"
"What concern is it to you?"
"She is my former employee. She is also... too nice a mare to be going through troubles such as this." The aging stallion sighed at his subordinate.
"If she's lucky, the memory drug will have effect and will simply need to ask her what she remembers from her trip to the ruins. If not, we will have to rely on... other methods."
"I want no harm to come to her!"
"Duly noted. Now stop whining and go do your job. Frank Sinatrot is playing tonight and I don't intend on missing that."
A loud sound-off of orchestra music came from the stage, signaling the welcome of a snazzy-dressed stallion walking out the side of the stage. He greeted his audience with humble modesty and a grin with teeth so white you could see your reflection. He took a bow and thanked his audience for coming out tonight.
"I just want to say, even though we barely met, I love all of you with a burning passion. I don't know if anyone's heard, but I've been going through some rough times. Me and the missus aren't getting along too well. Had a nice and bitter divorce. I should be the one that's bitter, she gets to keep the house." The room was filled with laughter. "It's got me a bit down, but when I'm singing in front of all you lovely people? It just makes me think "Hey, that's life." The crowd cheered.
The band played on, gallant in their effort. Sinatrot swerved with his subtle coolness. Daring and her friends sat enjoying the show. Daring took another large sip of wine, pretending it was mere coincidence a song like this was playing. She took another, and another. Pretty soon her head was spinning.
that's life? Life's a bich
"Daring, are you feeling all right?" A purple blur asked. She recongnized the concerned voice as Twilight.
"Y-yeah. I'm... f-f-fine." She reiterated, refusing to adnowledge her.
"Do you feel sick?"
"No Just leave me alone!" She snapped at the blurry unicorn. She couldn't see it's reaction, but could tell the pony was hurt by her shap reaction. She didn't care.
The sights of flashing lights and sounds of the obnoxiously loud orchestra starting having it's effect on Daring. Everything was blinding, deafening or both at the same time. She felt cold sweat beading off her forehead and noticed her breathing (along with the heartbeat she could hear in her ears) were irregular and rapid. one was
irregular and the other was rrapid, but
se haddd a difficult time telling whhich was which
HER head was throbbing an she feel like throwing upppp
her head was spinning her eyes blind he hoofs shook
oh celestia-- whats happeneng to MEEEEEEEE
"darrringg she hearrd an famliar voice call............. ar you allright? se trid to repond but muth was flld wit sand
Darnng they clled again
"Daring Do..."
"Daaaarnng dead?"
"DARING?!" ...
thud ... ...
.........
"Daring?"
The room was clear and had a blue tint all around it, with faint music playing in the background. Daring's own empty table sat at the middle. Empty save for her and a shrouded figure across from her.
The figure had a yellow mane and gold pupils.
"Spitfire? What's going on? Where is every--"
"We know what you did."
"What?"
"You did it."
"Did what?"
"Murder!" The sillouette barked. Daring sucked in a breath.
"What- what are you talking about? I didn't--"
"Why would you, Daring? It seems so beneath you." The voice had calmed itself, and now spoke in a forlorn tone.
"It is!"
"Did they deserve it?"
"No!"
"Do you know who they are?"
"...no. I can't remember them."
"Perhaps, this will help."
Five other figures appeared at the table. Daring couldn't see their faces, but she didn't need to. Bits and pieces of memory focusing on the event slowly came back.
"Can you see their faces?"
"No. No, I can't."
"Why?"
"Because... Because..."
"You've forgotten about them."
"No, I didn't!"
"They had their whole lives ahead of them. They had families. You killed them in cold blood. How does one forget about something like that?" The voice that resembled Spitfire sounded ashamed.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"Will you repent?"
"Yes! Please, I'll do anything!"
"Will you die for your sins?"
"...except that."
"You're a murderer, Daring Do. All murderers are condemned to pony hell." The ponies moved from their seat, climbing and crawling over the table. Crawling towards Daring, she could hear the sound of snapping and cracking. Daring squicked realizing that sound could very well be their bones, the ones that weren't ripping past their flesh into the open.
"Please!" Daring could feel her resolve breaking, tears slipping loose. "I'm innocent! I've done nothing wrong! Have mercy!"
"No mercy for the damned." Spitfire vanished, leaving Daring alone with her tormentors. She could see their faces, faces destroyed beyond recognition. They were resemblant of the rotting and decayed flesh of the undead with most of the flesh missing and much bone material visible. Their eyes glow red, darker than the color of the blood that ran down their faces.
"No."
"No!"
"No!"
"NOOOOOOO!"
There was complete and utter confusion at the party after the archeologist pony had fallen from her seat to the carpeted floor. Paramedics have been called and arrived within a half-hour to resuscitate the fallen pony. They came to the conclusion that the mare had not suffered a heart attack or stroke or anything of the sort. She was simply unconscious for unknown reasons. It was when they prepared to board her onto a stretcher that she decide to prove their medical evaluation wrong by sharply waking and screaming.
Before any of her friends could interact with her, she jumped to her hooves and looked around her. Twilight could only catch quick glances at her eyes, but what she saw made her assume that Daring wasn't fully aware of what was going on around her. Her pupils were constricted to the point of being pinpricks. She was jumping and shaking as if she were covered with Fire Ants. Her drunkenness was still apparent as she stumbled about, almost falling.
"Please! I didn't do anything! Get off me! Get off!" Daring brushed roughly against her dress screaming to nothing. Soon, she was off her seat Twilight and Rainbow ran up to her.
"Daring!" Rainbow called, attempting to restrain the frantic pony. She struggled against the cyan pegasus' grip. "Daring, what's wrong?"
"They want to kill me! Stop them! Please!"
"Daring, there's nopony else here! Nopony wants to kill you." Twilight attempted to reason in vain. Daring lashed out against the blue pony, hitting her in the muzzle and freeing herself as she flinched away in pain. She was looking for a way out when she heard a voice.
"Daring?" The brownish pony turned to see her orange maned friend, face mere inches from her own. To everyone's surprise, she calmed down almost immediately. Spitfire tried to look sympathetic, but Daring couldn't tell the difference between that and a much more hostile emotion hidden behind it.
"I'm sorry." Said Daring, voice breaking. "I don't want to die. Not for them! Why should I? Just because you said so?! I'm sorry I killed them, so very sorry. Why can't you just forgive me?"
Spitfire remained speechless, disturbed by her friend's unusual outburst and slowly realizing that she confessed to the murder of the five ponies that Spitfire had hoped was just an extreme rumor built by celebrity gossip. She read about it in morning paper during breakfast at the Wonderbolt rec room. She very likely would've choked on her breakfast if Soarin' hadn't been in the room at the moment. She just couldn't believe her friend, the one she had known since fillygarden, could murder somepony. Let alone five ponies!
"You did murder them?"
To Daring, it didn't sound like a question. It sounded more like an accusation. She stared at her friend in hopeless shock, then looked at Twilight and Rainbow Dash.
"I'm a good pony. I'm a good pony!" Then she ran, shoving past the paramedics and a few other guests attending the now-ruined ball.
"Now. Now! It must be now!" Fancypants whispered into his collar. The two burly ponies prepared to move into the dining room to apprehend the former archeologist.
But it was too late. Daring was already out of the room and into the kitchen, running as if something demonic were chasing after her. Twilight, Rainbow and Spitfire were quickly on her tail. |
Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear | Twilight On The Streets Of Hell | Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear
Ch. 5
Twilight on the Streets of Hell
"Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost."
Dante's Inferno I, lines 1-3
"Why? Why me?"
Three sharply-dressed, but chaotic-appearing, mares stormed into the kitchen in search of their panic-stricken friend, who had no more than a minute ago fled a ruined ball fearing for her life. A number of the kitchen staff were noticeably startled by their appearance, but continued on with their work. Yelling by the brown archeologist pony could be heard echoing in the kitchen, followed by the strangled cry of a stallion.
A door slammed before they reached the back of the kitchen, and they walked in on a group of ponies (And one donkey) surrounding a wounded unicorn. He had a deep gash in his front leg and was writing in pain while he was being tended to by a female earth pony that treated his wounds with a small med kit.
"What happened?" Asked Twilight to either one of the ponies.
"Some crazy bitch came rushing through here." The unicorn groaned out. "I tried to stop her but she... took my knife and stabbed me with it. She ran out that way." He pointed to the door.
Outside, the door leads to a dark alleyway. The alleyway was partially illuminated by the bright lights of Canterlot streetlights and buildings. Of course it was going to be bright. They were in the entertainment district. The problem was its size... and the number of ponies walking around.
"Damn it." Spitfire cursed. "Where is she?"
"Wherever she is, we gotta find her." Said Rainbow, as distressed as the other two. "If she didn't have a problem with stabbing that one stallion just for trying to stop her from leaving, who knows how she'll act around other ponies?"
"I don't deserve this. I'm a good pony."
Fancypants was pacing backstage. Waiting for his benefactor who would surely be irritated at the turn of the night's events, and perhaps just as curious as he himself was at his former employee's sudden hallucination attack. He heard the familiar sounds of his benefactor's cane tapping against the hardwood flooring of the stage.
"What the hell happened?" Strained the worn voice of Fancypants' benefactor, irate on the night's events which included the premature end of Frank Sinatrot's performance. Fancypants figured he wanted to be shouting but couldn't go beyond straining.
"I have no idea! It looked like she was hallucinating. It must have been some side effect of the drug we gave her. I tried to give the order to restrain her but she got away too fast." He wasn't nervous about his benefactor being angry with him. What could the old man do, honestly? Aside from curiosity, the main brimming feeling he possessed was annoyance. All that planning of tonight for nothing.
"That was no side effect. Even if it was, I don't care what happened. I want her found. No excuses!"
"Bad things don't happen to good ponies."
*3 years ago*
Daring wiped the sweat from her brow. She moved the brim of her hat over her eyes, and had long since abandoned the heavy jacket she wore for fear of heatstroke. She just couldn't believe how hot it was as she and her team of five ponies were uncovering the mysteries (provided there were any) in rather large temple just outside of a small rural town. She didn't catch its name.
The temple loomed over her in a monolithic glory; shadows of the sun fading away any detail it would've presented were Celestia's legacy not behind it. She was relieved to get under its large shadow and into the landmark, despite being no cooler than it was out there. Three ponies clad in khaki gear stood on an altar, quite possibly a sacrificial ritual altar. Okay, she lied. The grim remains of many pony carcasses made this obviously a sacrificial altar.
She walked in just in time to see one of her colleagues (One obviously new to the field) rip a knife out of a pile of bones.
"What the buck are you doing?!"
Everypony turned to Daring at the sound of her sudden outburst. Daring remained still, as if waiting for something. When nothing happened, she sighed relief and walked over, climbing the altar. She grabbed the knife out of her colleague's hoof.
"Did you comprehend anything I taught you these past few weeks? You don't go grabbing things off of strange altars, especially on an altar covered in pony skeletons! For one thing, that knife could have crumbled to dust in your hooves and we could've lost the possible archaeological discovery of a lifetime. Or you could've set off a spiked ceiling or giant boulder or goddess-know-what! You got extremely lucky this time, but any other situation you and anypony else here would've been killed, and not just by me for destroying a piece of valuable history." She looked to the group as a whole. "And remember, any idiots here are expendable. Got it?" The (proverbially) green pony nodded so hard Daring was sure he'd get whiplash. The remaining group nodded with less vigor. She looked at the knife she forgot she was holding. It looked like a typical kitchen knife, save for the turquoise symbols on the wooden handle.
"Use some bucking common sense." She spoke.
She put the knife in her sack and walked back to her tent. She was sure she had a book in her pack that could identify the symbols on it. A copy of some edition detailing arcane symbols given to her by a friend at the Canterlot National Archives. She walked out looking around the excavation site, inwardly complaining about the heat once more, when she heard a voice.
"Daring?"
She turned to see Ruby, a friend since college and the only pony who dared to volunteer of the assignment. Well, the only one to volunteer for reasons beside the nice publicity. Daring was vexed in seeing the event in the paper, and told herself to have a nice word with the fanboyish editor after the excavation.
"What was that?" She went on.
"What?"
"That. I know you're not the nicest pony in Equestria, but cut him some slack. It's his first day on the field. Don't tell me you didn't make the same mistake when you started."
"No, as a matter of fact, I didn't. My mentor had the damned decently to teach me not to make stupid mistakes that could've injured or killed my teammates. I trained him exactly the same as my mentor trained me. Guess I'm not as good as him."
"You're not him at all, Daring. I'm glad you're not, either. He was a class five jackass hell-bent on becoming the Gunnery Sargent Hartmane of archaeological field." Daring couldn't help but smirk at the comparison. "'Idiots are expendable?' Hell, you're starting to sound like him."
"Which one? Hartmane or my mentor?"
"If you want a direct answer: Hartmane."
"Shit." She rubbed the back of her neck. It was hot to the touch. "Fine. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for my outburst and I promise I'll try to calm down for the rest of the excavation. Happy?"
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to him."
"Hell no! I'm not gonna give that rookie the satisfaction of seeing his superior and mentor crawl up on her knees and beg forgiveness. Just tell him I've been in the sun too long and to be more careful next time."
"Whatever you say, boss." She mocked a salute and left. Daring rolled her eyes and went to her tent. It was so much cooler in here, as she left the fan running. Accidently, no less. She took off her hat, wiped the sweat off her brow and threw it on the makeshift cot. Digging her blue pack out, she took out a thick tome. She didn't bother looking at the table of contents. She just skimmed through the pages until she found...
What the hell is that supposed to be?
"Twilight... Rainbow... Spitfire... help me..."
They can't help you, Daring. You're far beyond saving.
Daring jumped at the sudden sounding of the hollow, yet enticingly familiar, voice. Next to her stood the familiar form of her Wonderbolt friend. There was not a doubt in her mind that the voice was Spitfire. It couldn't be Spitfire, though. This was not her foalhood friend. This Spitfire was evil, sinister. She used all her willpower to ignore it and kept walking.
Daring was at her wit's end. She was still being swept up in a wave of mental anguish and traumatic memories came crashing down on her like a barrage of asteroids against a small moon. Her moon was about ready to explode from the impact force. Various voices in her mind were talking to her, and she didn't know who to answer first. Scenes flashed about in her head flicker as if shown on a busted film projector. The temple, the knife, the bloody corpses of her coworkers and mysterious symbols. Her head was spinning and she felt nauseous.
She so desperately wanted to take the knife she held in her hoof and slit her own throat with it. She wanted to be done with it all, but couldn't find the nerve.
Maybe you can find a nice substitute among this collection of innocents. I bet they scream nicely.
"Get away from me!" She screamed hoarsely to the evil presence. She knew that was pointless, though. Daring may have been losing her mind, but the smart rationality of her mind remained in touch and provided her with a miniscule amount of comfort. This was not Spitfire, it wasn't even a living pony. It was a figment of her distressed mind created to seek reasoning and, if necessary, forgiveness. She didn't need to apologize, though. There was nothing she needed to be forgiven for. She didn't murder those ponies.
She would have a much easier time believing that if she weren't running around the streets of Canterlot in a hallucinating frenzy while holding a butcher knife. Ponies around her were avoiding her like the plague. What did they think she was going to do?
Oh, you'd be surprised. Imagine the things you could do with that knife. To yourself... and to others.
"SHUT UP!" She shrieked, finally losing whatever patience she had. "I don't know who or what you are, but you better get the buck away from me!" Ponies were staring at her. Spitfire remained resolute, a confident smirk on her face. Daring was about to yell more hollow and vulgar threats when she realized the number of ponies staring at her. She turned and walked off, red in the face.
"I don't believe this. I'm actually insane. I've completely and utterly lost it." She mumbled to herself in a self-deprecating tone.
Did you ever have it in the first place?
"Drop dead!"
Like those ponies you murdered?
"Oh, for the love of--!" She could feel the evil Spitfire grinning triumphantly at her. She bit back tears of frustration, as if it mattered anyway considering how many were already falling out of her, and walked in silence. Well, not total silence: She was grinding her teeth.
"Daring?! Daring!" Twilight called out through the crowd, ignoring the ponies looking at her. "Excuse me, sir. Have you seen a brownish pegasus walk by here?" He shook his head. "Thanks, anyways." She flagged down another mare. "Excuse me, miss. Have you seen a short-haired pony with a compass cutie-mark?" She didn't. "Sorry for bothering you."
They were out of the entertainment district. They wandered into a less-populated district. Less neon lighting illuminated the area, and ponies were walking less and preoccupied with other interests such as a food stand. Spitfire and Rainbow took to the skies in search of their shell-shocked friend. Twilight saw their silhouettes in the night sky. Well, she saw Spitfire's. Rainbow's cyan coat blended into the night sky quite impressively.
"Well?" Twilight asked the pegasi.
"Nothing." Spitfire went first.
"She's fast." Followed by Rainbow Dash.
"Don't forget that she's a pegasus, too. She could've flown out of the city by now." Said Spitfire, voice filled with worry for her foalhood friend. Twilight scolded herself for completely for getting that trait. "Why won't you tell me what's wrong with her?" Spitfire sounded both confused and angry. "Does this have anything to do with the... you know, what I read in the paper? Did that really happen? There's no way she could--" Rainbow Dash silenced the Wonderbolt could go into further detail.
"Spitfire, I'm sure it's a bit more complicated than that."
"...And I promise you'll have an explanation as soon as possible, but we gotta find Daring before she hurts herself or anypony else."
"There are over 100,000 ponies in this city, Twilight." Dash informed. "Maybe thirty percent of the population is pegasi. Finding her's gonna like finding a needle in a haystack,"
Twilight knew that. She had lived her for years. She paced on the sidewalk, running guesses where she would go and what could be running through her head. She scolded herself again for forgetting something basic.
"Where does a former shut-in alone in the world go to get away from it all?" She mused aloud for Rainbow and Spitfire to hear.
"Her home." Said Rainbow lucidly. "She's going back to her apartment."
"'Former shut-in?' What...?"
"Like I said, we'll explain later, Spitfire. Right now, we gotta hurry and beat her there or she'll lock us out."
Daring wandered the by now empty streets with knife in mouth, constantly watching her back and occasionally jumping at shadows. The night's chilling air cut to her bone and made her shiver. She was sure that wasn't the main factor of her shivering, though.
The worst of her attack seemed to be over. She was running on pure adrenaline and felt like she would crash at any moment. Her hooves were sore and her leg tendons felt like paper strained to rip after being pulled. Blackness appeared on the side of her vision. Her throat hurt. She wanted nothing more than to sleep it off, but at this rate she felt like she wouldn't sleep for weeks.
Her relief upon seeing her apartment was almost palpable.
Almost home. So close.
She barged into the lobby. Empty. Even the desk attendant was gone. Good, nothing to stop her. She made for the stairs.
"So close..."
...And yet so far.
Daring stopped at the sound of the dreadful whisper. She looked up, finding Spitfire stood at the top of the stairs, slowly descending it to the sound of creaking wood and never taking her eyes off Daring. Daring backed away on instinct, taking the knife out of mouth and arming herself.
"No... no... stay back. I'm warning you." Daring backed away from the slowly approached her with a sinister gleam on her face. "Stop. Stop!" The waved the knife in a futile show of defense. The figure said nothing, continuing to corner the frightened mare. A grim silence filled the air with impending doom. Nothing but the ambient sound of a droning ceiling fan.
Daring was backed against the door she came in. She could feel Spitfire's breath on her face, her evil eyes boring into her soul.
Condemned to hell.
Like a cornered animal, Daring finally struck back. Her blade pierced the flesh of the yellow pony in front of her in rapid succession. Blood raged from her victim and landed on Daring, the carpet and her dress. She yanked the knife out once she felt the body go limp in her hooves, dead eyes staring into her own.
She dropped the body, horrified at what she just did. It landed with a repulsing sound against the small rug covering the hardwood floor.
I... I... I am a murderer!
She wanted to take the time to freak out about the hideous revelation, but whatever shred of rationality she had left decided to speak out. She had to hide the body and dispose of the evidence.
She rolled the fresh corpse up in the bloodstained throw rug, trying to keep the contents of her stomach down while doing so. She dragged the rug over to a storage room full of dusty and worn furniture. Shoving the cadaver-filled rug behind an upright piano, she was making for the door when she was startled by her reflection in a dirty mirror.
Besides being outright petrified what she looked like after seeing her eye to eye for the first time in quite a while, she was terror-stricken to see her pale and sickly form in a ruined dress (her only dress) covered in blood and wielding an equally bloody knife.
She looked like something out of a cheap horror flick she saw as a teenager.
Is this truly what you've become?
"I AM NOT A MURDERER!" She screamed, sobbed and stabbed the incriminating reflection, creating large web-like cracks and a jarring screech as she scraped her knife against the glass. "I'M NOT A BUCKING KILLER! I'M A BUCKING ARCHAEOLOGIST! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!" She stared at her colorless reflection on the shattered glass. Her face resembled an avant guarde face portrait. "ANSWER ME!"
The mirror stayed silent, but she heard laughing. Demonic laughter from all over. She covered her ears, looking at the accusing reflection.
Past her desperately covered ears, she could see her own surreal reflection laugh at her, but she could many other laughs. The harsh and young-blooded laugh of Rainbow Dash, the subtle but venomous laugh of Twilight Sparkle, the core-shattering familiar laugh of Spitfire and a million others in between. She closed her eyes until the laughing stopped. She dared a look in the mirror. It looked back at her. She looked back at her. Her ears still covered, she read its moving lips.
Welcome to Hell.
"NOOOOOO!"
Daring screamed and smashed whatever remained of the cracked glass with her hooves in a berserk rampage of overloading emotions, ignoring the sharp bursts of pain and the feeling of something lukewarm run down her legs. As shards of the mirror fell to the floor. Once the last piece of capable shard fell, silence lingered. She curled herself with her head in her hooves once more until she finally went limp against her will.
She felt her sharp anger evolve into dull misery. Her seething temper forged into cold bitterness. During the whiplash of emotions, whatever rationality and logic she had decided to overcome. Daring took off her dress, emptied the pockets (finding nothing in them, not even the apartment key she brought with her) wiped the knife clean with it, and jammed it inside the piano. Putting the knife in her mouth, she stormed out of the dark and dreary room. She stole one last look at the destroyed mirror.
On the one half of the mirror that wasn't replaced by a wooden backdrop, her scowling, completely colorless face looked back.
That was the time the mirror chose to respond.
The two pegasi and only unicorn stormed into the apartment. As expected near midnight, the apartment was devoid of life. Ponies in this apartment were likely asleep by now.
"She lives here?" Spitfire broke the tense silence with a surprised exclamation. "What a dump! Her pay can't be that bad. She graduated from Hoofvard, for Pete's sake."
Awkwardly chuckling despite the intense situation, Rainbow followed Twilight as she and Spitfire moved to the stairs. She slipped on something but barely noticed it as she climbed the stairs. They climbed three flights until they reached a dark hall. The same dark hall Daring's room resided in.
The hall was no darker than it was when they left it. The full moon shined in place of the sun. The only sign of life was a curled-up figure against a door, shaking like leaf in a typhoon. The trio of ponies slowly approached the figure, stopping when she turned her head. Her glaring eyes gleamed in the dark. Her pupils were still shrunk to infinitesimal spheres. Her knife was clenched in both her hooves, poised to strike. The three ponies kept their distance.
"Daring?" Twilight called out gently to her. Daring didn't answer past her continued stare. "Do you recognize us?"
"I know who you are." She snared. She sounded distrusting, spiteful and above all... tired. "You know who you are, but do you know who I really am?"
"I... don't follow."
"Do you think my mind is the only thing that I've slain? The only thing that has had blood spilled for tyrants to drink from as it weeps from the cracks in the ruins of their crumbled empire? Do you know why so much blood has been slipped over by my own hooves?" An unnerving smile appeared on her face.
Twilight was still trying to comprehend the "blood for tyrants" bit Daring brought up. Thinking she was just being dramatic, she also thought over her vague question, assuming the 'blood' she spilled was referencing the other ponies at the temple. "Sacrifice?"
It hungers. One must quench its thirst to control it.
"It hungers. One must quench its thirst to control it."
For when its payment has made its due, is when power beyond the wildest pony's imagination is given in return.
"For when its payment has made its due, is when power beyond the wildest pony's imagination is given in return."
She who wields the knife will be granted the power... at the cost of an insatiable bloodlust that will only end once the knife has been fed. Once blood hath been shed and souls are released from their mortal temple.
"She who wields the knife will be granted the power... at the cost of an insatiable bloodlust that will only end once the knife has been fed. Once blood hath been shed and souls are released from their mortal temple."
"This power." Twilight spoke cautiously after Daring paused. "How many souls must be 'released' to obtain it?"
Daring ran a hoof along the butcher knife's blade, tracing the face of the silver blade and minding the edge.
"Six. And once we reach that number, the pony you knew as Daring shall be no more."
Daring murdered five ponies. Thought Twilight. The knife she held had no blood on it. One more and...
"We won't let that happen!" Shouted Rainbow, breaking Twilight's foreboding train of thought.
"We shall see, Rainbow Dash." The smile on Daring's face became almost feral. "There's no preventing the inevitable, and what will happen to me is only the beginning of something bigger. Heavens will burn. The earth will die. The sun and the moon will fall as fast as their empires. Only one true empire will reign supreme... when steel and bone meet."
Daring gasped loudly, startling the other ponies in the hallway. Daring struggled against something only she could see, and fell limp. She stirred as if waking from a deep slumber, clutching her head and holding her body close. She threw the knife, which slid across the floor over to the bewildered group of ponies. Spitfire picked it up while Rainbow ran over to the convulsing pony.
"Daring? Daring!"
"I'm sorry! I couldn't-- I didn't want to! Murder! I'M NOT A MURDERER!" She struggled against the multi-colored pony. A tired and mental frustrated Rainbow couldn't find a way to react to Daring's continued outburst, so she took refuge in audacity by slapping the mare in the muzzle hard enough to jerk her head to the right. She heard Twilight and possibly Spitfire gasp behind her. Daring quieted down, a shocked expression frozen on her face. Momentarily, she came to, looking at Rainbow.
"You don't look so good." Daring made no smirk or grin upon saying this, nor did anypony else.
"You all right?" Rainbow moved the tip of her cowlick away from her face.
"No, I'm not all right. I have a splitting headache, my legs are sore, I'm tired, cold and I can't remember what I was doing ten seconds ago!"
"You don't?" Daring turned at Spitfire and Twilight walking to her current position.
"No, I don't. What happened? Did I do anything?" Spitfire looked about ready to start a rant, but was cut-off by Twilight.
"No. Nothing happened. Come on, let's head in to your apartment."
"I... dropped my key somewhere." Daring bashfully admitted.
"No prob." Said Rainbow confidently. "I've picked this lock before. I can do it again." Rainbow got to work, ignoring a sighing Twilight and a misplaced Spitfire who turned their attention to Daring.
"Can you walk?" Asked Spitfire, helping Daring to her hooves.
"Yes, I can walk! I don't know what the hell just happened to me, but it wasn't a stroke." Spitfire, despite the hostility behind the comment, chuckled.
"Oh, you crybaby. You're fine."
"Bite me."
The door was opened into the apartment. Spitfire helped Daring in, followed by the other pair of friends.. Like the gloomy hallway, the room remained no more or less depressing than they left it.
"Need anything, Daring?" Asked Twilight finally breaking the short but awkward silence, shutting the door and locking it.
"All I want is some aspirin for my headache. After that I just wanna get the hell to bed." Daring groaned once Spitfire helped her to the worn sofa.
"I'll go get your bed ready." Spoke Rainbow.
"We should really call a doctor for this." reasoned Twilight.
"I don't need a damn doctor. I told you: I just need something for my headache and some sleep."
"Don't blame you." Said Spitfire, shedding her ruined dress. There goes my deposit. Damn it. "It was a rough night for all of us. Mind if I use your phone? I gotta call the other 'Bolts." Daring gestured her to the phone on her kitchen wall. Spitfire spoke in a hushed tone into the receiver.
"What happened to your dress?" Asked Rainbow, who came in from Daring's bedroom and took a seat on the sofa next to suddenly jumpy Daring.
"I... uh, ripped it off. It was getting so dang annoying tripping over it as I ran. I... threw it into a... lake." Twilight peeked her head out from the cabinet in the kitchen.
"We don't have lakes in Canterlot."
"Did I say lake? I meant 'water fountain.' It was a big, grand water fountain with a marble statue of Celestia urinating into-- Where the hell is that aspirin?!" Dash flinched away from her sharp and sudden outburst. Spitfire looked away from her conversation and apologized to the other line.
"You don't have any. You got other pain relievers, but I don't--"
"Just give me them all, and I'll try not to OD on them."
"You're getting 200 Mg. of Ibuprofen and that's it." Lectured Twilight, using her best "stern voice."
"Yes, mother." Twilight levitated the pills and a glass of water over to the tired pegasus. She swallowed the pills and more than half the glass. Rainbow rubbed the area between her wings tenderly in slow circles. Daring secretly enjoyed the feeling, but refused to show any indication of it. Once she downed her pills, Rainbow gingerly grabbed her hoof, revealing the deep gashes with blood saturated into her coat.
"When the heck did these happen?" Daring ripped her hooves out of Rainbow's own.
"I fell." Geez, her water fountain excuse was more convincing.
"On what? A combine harvester?" Rainbow cracked disbelieving. Daring refused to respond.
Twilight had noticed the conflict and moved from the kitchen to inspect Daring's wounds. Daring didn't rip them from her grasp this time, fearing it would only cause unneeded issues between them.
"Eh, you don't need to worry. They look worse than they actually are. Let's patch them up, though. Better safe than sorry."
"There should be some bandages in that cupboard." Daring pointed out, indifferent. Twilight strolled over to said cupboard, pulling out a half-empty tin of gauze bandages and a disinfectant. Rainbow got up from her seat, switching places with Twilight. Rainbow watched as Twilight treated Daring's superficial wounds. She flinched at the sting of the disinfectant, and looked outright uncomfortable while Twilight rolled the bandages.
Rainbow noticed that while Twilight patched her up, she studied the troubled pony. The cyan Pegasus could see why: Unlike mere hours ago where Daring's color could be merely described as muted, Daring now had virtually no tint of life on her whatsoever. After looking her pale form over, the purple unicorn looked face-to-face at Daring. Daring was visibly annoyed, likely at the treatment for taking longer than it should have.
"Daring... how are you feeling?" A long and noticeably cynical pause was done by Daring.
"Fine."
"No complains? No troubles?"
"Aside from an annoying unicorn asking stupid questions in my face? Nope." Twilight was not fazed by the biting response, unlike a vexed Rainbow. She was able to bite her tongue.
"You don't feel any different?"
"Different, how?" Daring sighed.
"Like a bunch of negative emotions are building up within you trying to take over your dominant personality?"
Daring stared at Twilight, a slew of emotions relating to confusion written on her face.
"...no? Should I?"
"Just checking."
Twilight left the baffled pony to her own self-healing, although not much healing was done voluntarily. Aside from Spitfire's barely audible conversation, the apartment was quiet for a while. Daring stared at her half-empty glass She drank the rest of her water with her mind as silent as the room. Almost silent, really, with Spitfire's talking in the background. She finished her conversation on the phone, hung it up and went to talk to Twilight. Daring listened in on the conversation.
"Now, where's that explanation you owe me?" Twilight nodded and led Spitfire into Daring's room. Daring wondered what the point of that was. What was the unicorn gonna tell her that the doomed pegasus didn't already know?
Daring looked from her bedroom door, to her now-empty glass, to Rainbow.
"Can I get a refill, please?" Rainbow nodded, took the cup and went in the kitchen. Daring sat with her back slouched. She moved her hooves to her mane. It felt disheveled, unkempt and dry. It looked just as gray and lifeless as the rest of her. She looked at her hooves. The looked duller. They felt duller, like they were covered with something that wouldn't just wash off. Blood, for example.
But she did wash it off, proverbially and literally. She shed it along with her blood-riddled dress.
This isn't just gonna go away.
She wasn't sure if that was her own voice or... hers. She killed her, and the way she looked, imagination or not, she was not coming back.
She heard something click, then the familiar sound of a doorknob turning. She looked at the front door as it opened.
Daring walked in, frustrated. She backed against the door she just slammed, falling to the floor. Tears trickled down her face, finally breaking out after being pent up for hrs. She rocked herself back and forth.
This can't be happening. This can't--
Two knocks on her door broke her out of her denial. She wiped the tears off her face, adjusted her chain lock and opened the door as far as the chain would permit. Outside the door, a balding green pony stood with a curious expression.
"You all right, ma'am?" He asked with an accent Daring couldn't place. Neigh Orleans?
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"I'm the desk attendant." He introduced himself politely and with firm confidence.
"No, you're not."
"The new desk attendant."
"Fine, what the hell do you want?" Daring was close to slamming the door in his face. The green pony remained composed.
"You just seemed terribly distressed running up here. Is something wrong?" Daring felt a snide remark travel on her tongue, but it didn't come out. She paused.
"Yes. Yes, there is something wrong with me now. Yes, I am 'terribly distressed'. In fact, 'terribly distressed' is a massive understatement. There are no words for what I'm feeling right now. I've had a horrible day... and an even worse week. Yes, there is something so wrong. So horribly, devastatingly, mind-numbingly, unforgivably wrong. Yes, I am so goddess-damned, mother bucking distressed. No, I don't want to talk about it." The "new" desk pony seemed caught off-guard by the explicit response, but regained his composure.
"I understand. Do you want me to get you anything, though?"
"Yes. Two things: One, call the Meals On Wheels ponies. Direct them to this apartment."
"Might I ask 'why?'"
"Second..." Daring ignored him as she reached into her coat pocket, pulling out a numbered key. "Take this, do what you want with it."
"You're giving me your key? How're you gonna--?"
"I won't need it. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." She closed the door, but not before letting out a soft "thank you." The pony turned to leave, stopping only momentarily after hearing a soft sobbing.......
....
....daring?
It was Rainbow who called her name, blocking the empty view of her apartment wall that Daring was previously staring at. Daring regained her senses, looking at Rainbow with no expression to be found and no words to be heard. Rainbow was about to respond when Daring finally did say something vacantly.
"I'm going to bed." She got up and left the room, leaving the concerned rainbow pegasus behind. Shortly after, Twilight and Spitfire came stumbling out of the room behind a slamming door. They each had a curious expression on their face.
"So..." Rainbow said, feeling the need to lighten the mood. "We gonna draw straws on who's sleeping on the couch?" |
Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear | The Aftershock And The Damage | Daring Do and the Stigma of Fear
Chapter 6:
The Aftershock And The Damage
Three figures met in the dim dining room of a grand restaurant. One wore a still-ironed out suit; the others were loose-fitting casuals.
"So, anything?"
"We've lost 'er again." The second figure grumbled. "...But we won't lose 'er for long. We found this at 'er table."
The third figure tossed a key ring on the table. Only one key was on the ring, the numbers 323 printed on it.
Twilight had fallen asleep easily. Perhaps more easily than the two pegasi sleeping on the floor below her. The couch was awkward on her back and neck, but cushioned her quite nicely. She was dreaming an odd dream, where she sat in front of a cafe enjoying a hay sandwich with a pony that looked suspiciously like Spike in a unicorn form being waited on by Sylvester Stallion, when she suddenly woke up.
It was 2:59 AM when she awoke, as indicated by the glowing green clock next to her face. Shaking the grogginess off of her, she stared into the darkness of the apartment, darkness amplified by a sudden crash of lightning and thunder and a muffled patter of hard rain. Twilight, minding her steps around a sleeping Rainbow and Spitfire, decided it would be a good idea to check on Daring.
As she peeked inside the pony's room, she realized it was just as quiet as the rest of the dark apartment. Not wanted to relive bouts of paranoia, she moved to close the door and stopped when she heard her name.
"Twilight?" Said pony looked over to the window in the room. Lit up by glowing signs in the far distance twisted by the morphed window covered in rain, Daring stood with her back to Twilight.
"Daring, what're you doing up?"
"Couldn't sleep." Twilight moved inside and closed the door.
"Why are you sitting in the dark?"
"I know what my room looks like."
Shaking her head, she slowly walked to the still figure until she stood beside her, staring out into the bright lights of the dark city. If Daring heard her, she made no reaction.
"Are you all right?"
"Why do you keep asking that?"
"You can't blame me for being a little worried."
"Then what makes you think I'm not all right?"
"Think about it, Daring!" Twilight's voice rose beyond a whisper, actually tapping a pitch ripe with cracked patience.
"I feel fine Twilight, there's no need for you to overreact--"
"I'm overreacting because I went through the same thing!"
Daring, to no surprise of Twilight, was caught off-guard by the unicorn's outburst. Disbelief filled her, followed by confusion.
"You... killed somepony?"
"Yes-- No! I mean, nothing to that extreme. I mean, how you're feeling right now. My friends and I, we were forced to feel just like you were feeling... against our will!" Daring responded with a blank stare.
"How... exactly does something like that happen?" Twilight did not speak for some time, instead choosing to stare out the window into the neon-lit night. Daring eventually gave up expecting Twilight to say something until the pony next to her finally dared to utter.
"Are you familiar with a being named Discord?"
Lightning struck again, lighting the room for an instant. Thunder quickly followed.
"Rainbow? Rainbow, wake up. Wake up, damn it!" Spitfire's continuous rocking of Rainbow's prone form finally stirred the pony awake. She groaned as she sat up and shook her head of all slumber. She looked at the Wonderbolt and her idol next to her.
"You know, I had a dream like this once." Rainbow snarked. Spitfire stared at Rainbow, trying to pick the correct words that wouldn't encourage this. Spitfire was quite the heartbreaker in school, something a pony as nice as Rainbow shouldn't have to learn the hard way.
"Not the type I'm thinking of I hope." Rainbow chuckled as she sat up in her sleeping bag.
"Oh, no. Not that type of dream. You were still in costume, though. And you had a lot of make-up on, too."
"Oh... Well, I'm flattered." Spitfire trailed off before she regained her thoughts.
"Do ya need something?"
"Somepony to talk to would be nice." Spitfire bashfully admitted, eyes gazing at Rainbow's sleeping bag. One of a few Daring had let the ponies sleeping in her living room use after she shoved them out of her own room.
"What's up?"
"I don't know how to start." A pregnant pause emerged as Rainbow let Spitfire choose her words. When it became apparent Spitfire was using her ill-preparedness to avoid talking, Rainbow took matters into her own hooves.
"You know what Daring did..." Spitfire looked at her, then looked back to Rainbow's sleeping bag. "Don't ya?"
"I read about it in the paper."
"And you feel bad for her."
"More than that. Way more than that." Rainbow moved over close, draping a blue wing over Spitfire's gold ones.. "I-- I had a dream tonight. I was sitting on a tall mountain with the rest of the Wonderbolts, having the time of my life. When I dropped a cup of wine it rolled to the edge. I grabbed it and I peeked over the edge, and there was Daring. She was clinging for life to a root, crying and screaming for help. She gave her hoof to me, begging me to take it. I... ignored it and went back to the party. She fell back into the darkness below, screaming my name. It was horrible." Spitfire wiped a rogue tear from her eye.
"It was just a dream."
"I know! I know it was, but... I feel so guilty." She looked at Rainbow, who looked back with remorse. "Three years. Three years it's been since I read about it, and this is the first time I've seen her in the past nine years! While I was living the high life and being some big-shot celebrity, she was wasting away in her apartment because she so shook up about being accused of murdering some ponies she was too afraid to leave!" Spitfire's tone rose significantly, cracking under pressure.
"Spitfire--"
"I should've been helping her through it!" Spitfire choked back a sob, but couldn't hold back the flood of tears. "I-I know we haven't talked in a bit, but I still should've helped! What kind of pony am I?! I'm her friend, and she's mine! Friends are supposed to be loyal to each other!" Rainbow wrapped Spitfire in an embracing hug, where the gold pony sobbed into her shoulder.
"Believe me, you're preaching to the choir. Don't let it get to you. You're just one pony."
"One worthless pony..." Spitfire moaned bitterly, still sobbing.
"Spitfire, don't do that to yourself! I can't tell you how many times I've felt just like you are now. I know what it's like: The feeling of thinking you abandoned your friends, it's awful. It's like... you and your friend get stabbed in the back and feeling the knife get twisted, while watching the pain on your friend's face as their knife gets twisted. Loyalty can only go so far. We're both just one pony each, but the fact that we feel bad we couldn't be there to help get over being manipulated--" Rainbow caught herself. "...By the trauma of some horrible event? That's good enough for friends. That's what my friends taught me."
"I suppose." Rainbow stroked Spitfire's lush mane in silence once she calmed herself, until the rainbow pony heard the fire pony whimper. "Rainbow... I don't feel so good."
"You feel like you're gonna throw up? Want me to hold your mane?"
"No, it's not that. My stomach is churning. I'm seeing black." Spitfire broke free of Rainbow's grasp, holding her forehead and making pain visible on her face. "My head is... spinning so fast. Oh, goddess it hurts." When she ceased her struggling and relaxed, Rainbow turned on a light of a nearby lamp. Her eyes nearly fell out of her head at the sight.
The once vibrant and proud gold pony was now a sulking darker shade of yellow. Her lush mane drooped dramatically, and her wings went limp. .
"Spitfire?" Rainbow spoke, as if she was treading on this ice. The dulled pegasus didn't respond. "Are you... feelin' okay?"
Spitfire merely stared to the floor.
"By the sun and moon, this all happened while I was locked in my apartment?" Daring couldn't believe her ears at this whole enticing tale of a powerful mythological representation of chaos invading Equestria, and Daring had missed all of it! Not that she was disappointed of the fact. Among other things, Twilight had told Daring a brief summarization about the unicorn herself. Daring's reaction to finding out about her recent friend being the apprentice of the immortal sun princess herself was... underwhelming to Twilight. Perhaps this was a time where there could be no surprises for the winged pony.
"You're lucky you didn't have to go through it. His reach must've spread past Ponyville. I'm surprised you haven't heard about it."
"You don't pay attention to much when you don't bother going out. What happened to you must've been dreadful. How'd you endure that without going insane?"
"Who says I didn't? I remember just feeling an agonizing depression after watching my friends lose their own minds." Twilight bitterly recalled the tale, feeling slight embarrassment telling the likewise bitter pony about her personal feelings. "I remember not being able to stand being near them, just wanting to pack up and leave them to wallow in their own misery. I almost did actually. Were it not for Celestia and the reports I sent her, Equestria might be very different now. That's beside the point, though. What I felt like... what I intended to do, It felt like insanity. Maybe not at the time, but afterwards... I'm still kicking myself for even considering it."
"Wanting to run away from fear isn't insanity. It's nature." Daring tried the best soothing voice she could, but it sounded more like cold logic than Daring intended.
"But wanting to abandon your friends in their time of need? In your time of need? That's insanity. It's not normal."
"Well, from what you tell me about this Discord character, there's nothing about him you would consider 'normal.'"
"Boy, you said it." The two shared a laugh, before Daring broke into a serious coughing fit. Twilight helped her new friend through the effort by patting her back (minding the wings) and finally soothing her post the event. "Are you all right?"
"Ugh. Yeah, fine. Just light-headed."
"Daring, are you sure you don't want to go to a doctor?"
"No! I mean, yes. It's probably just the alcohol, I drank too much at the party."
"I've never seen alcohol throw you into a fit of coughing... or, for that matter, make you hallucinate and run out of a party scared to death!" Daring didn't respond. Twilight was ready to attempt a more convincing argument when she paused. Next time she spoke was in a lower tone of voice. "Come to think of it... that sounds remarkably similar to something a drug would do. Perhaps a drug I read about in a medical guide a couple of years ago. Snaproot, a drug often used medicinally for symptoms of Alzheimer's. Side effects were cold sweat, nausea, headache, blurred vision, thrombosis... and hallucinations." Daring stared, slack-jawed.
"How could you possibly remember all that from a couple years ago?" Twilight smiled confidently, tapping her temple.
"Photographic memory." The smile disappeared. "Anyway, I think Snaproot or at least some type of drug must be in play. Alcohol by itself couldn't do anything like what happened to you tonight. Last night, I mean. There must have been some kind of chemical reaction between the two."
"Are you saying... somepony drugged me?" Twilight shrugged, not wanting to give a blunt answer. Daring retreated into a defensive form. "Goddess, I don't even want to think about that. I have enough problems already."
A loud knock broke the silence. Rainbow burst in with a hectic look on her face and a silhouetted pony behind her that Twilight figured to be Spitfire.
"Twilight, there you are! We got a major problem!"
"What?" Rainbow motioned for somepony to move into the darkened room, which they did slowly and robotically. Twilight used her magic to flick the light switch on. As Daring and Rainbow flinched from the sudden burst of light, Twilight and Daring gasped at the sight. There stood Spitfire; gray, downcast and positively devoid of life (so to speak).
"Spitfire?" Daring was the first to utter her name. She trotted over to the stoic Wonderbolt -or considering the conditions, ex-Wonderbolt- and tried looking her in the eyes. When the yellow pegasus refused to look back, Daring looked back to the remaining ponies. "What the hell's a matter with her?!"
Twilight did not speak for some time, preferring to study the yellow pegasus in her depressed state. It reminded her of Trixie when she first saw her and helped her with her... issues. The answer was a dead giveaway, filling Twilight with only one answer. She didn't want to give this answer until she had clear evidence. Tragic as it is, a couple of mind screwed ponies could not mean the release of a certain omniscient creature. When she finally spoke, it was in a grim tone.
"She has exactly what you have, Daring." Daring stared, dumbstruck. "Or more literally, she's feeling exactly how you feel."
"She was just fine a minute ago!" Rainbow shouted. "She was feeling really lousy when she told me how horrible she felt for Daring, but I didn't think it would be enough to turn her into this!" That answered Twilight's theory, or more specifically rejected it. Nevertheless, she kept it stored away in the back of her mind until it does indeed come into play. The last thing she wants is to be the pony that cried timberwolf.
"She feels bad for me?" Daring spoke remorsefully. Rainbow nodded. Daring looked to her gray friend, brushing the limp mane out of her gray eyes.. "Did I have anything to do with this?" asked Daring. "I know it's far-fetched, but could that disorder we talked about earlier spread to her? You know, CMDD?"
"There are a lot factors pointing to that, but I don't want to jump to any conclusions." Twilight looked Spitfire over, then turned to Daring. The look on her face got progressively sour each driving second. She let out a heavy sigh. "This isn't working."
"Whaddya mean, Twi?" Rainbow asked as innocently as possible, having a vague feeling what Twilight was talking about.
"Rainbow, we've only been here a day trying to help Daring, but so far all we've succeeded in is deepen the hole she's in and now we've let Spitfire fall in! This isn't like helping somepony overcome a fear or helping them make friends, this is legitimate psychological trauma that we're just not cut out to handle." She gestured to Spitfire. "We didn't even mean for her to be involved and now look at her! Never mind the fact that she's a big-time celebrity and we could get in serious trouble, we're obviously not meant to deal with things like this!" Twilight turned to Daring. "I'm sorry, Daring. We've tried helping and we've only made things worse for you and her. Maybe we should just find you two a professional and leave them to deal with it."
"No, Twilight!" Rainbow grabbed Twilight by the shoulder and forced her into eye-contact. Twilight didn't seem to respond to the sudden jerk, instead turning her head away from her rosy-eyed friend in guilt. Why wouldn't she feel guilty? She just turned both of her friend's heroes into perpetual mopes. "You've helped her more than you know! Yes, tonight was a... noticeable setback and perhaps she's worse than she was no less than twenty-four hours ago and now you've dragged her friend and, as you said, big-time celebrity into this mess."
"Not helping, Rainbow." Twilight bemoaned.
"Sorry, but what I said is true. Even if it's just a tiny bit, we've helped Daring. So far... well, we've gotten her outside for the first time in years. We told Daring we weren't leaving until she was back to normal. Wouldn't that apply to Spitfire, too? I'm sure if she was feeling anything other than a wallop of agonizing self-pity right now, Spitfire would agree and say she'd want our help. Right, Daring?" Daring in truth wasn't paying attention. Instead she was looking over her friend in misery. She looked to the two when she heard her name sound.
"Huh? Oh, yeah sure. Whatever you say." She went back to her friend.
"See? She agrees." Twilight was mildly convinced. "This is just a setback Twi. How are we going to deal with this?"
When Twilight did speak, it was after a long and thoughtful pause to collect her thoughts.
"We should head back to Ponyville. I gotta have something about this in the library; something about the disorder in my catalogues. If not, well... I'm sure a change of scenery would be slightly helpful." She turned to Daring once more, a look much less distressed and more determined on her face. "Daring, I know you not want this, but I think it would be--"
"Don't bother, Twilight. I'm all for it. I'm so sick of Canterlot now. I just wanna get out of this hellhole ASAP."
"That's good to hear. Well, not 'good' but... you get the picture. I'll help you pack. Rainbow, please go call the train station find out when they're boarding. The sooner we get there the better."
Later that day...
Heavy hoof steps filled the gloomy stairways as a makeshift team of hired thugs trampled their way to the third floor of the apartment. Nopony would open their doors to find the source of the noise, as they were used to the sounds of armed ponies causing a stir when arresting some unfortunate pony who thinks she can break laws.
What made this time any different?
I want nopony injured. If you must, you are permitted to use tranquilizers. Ms. Do should pose no threat, but be weary of her friends Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash. If what I read in the news is true, they are quite capable of defending themselves.
Those words were relayed to them as they cleared out. They half-heartily paid it heed.
"We can handle a couple 'a dames." One thug replied to the laughter of the rest of them.
They crowded around the door of apartment number 323, leaning against the vermin-infested wall. Two ponies were on the left readying themselves while two ponies on the right knocked over a flower pot. On the count of three, they rammed the door down and charged in.
"Did you hear something, dearie?" Asked Mrs. White, wife of local dentist Pearl White, as she continued her knitting.
"Eh, it must be those crazy fillies next door again." Mumbled Mr. White as he turned the page of his newspaper, The Canterlot Times.
The apartment was empty. Most of the apartment remained the same since it was last used, the only bedroom in the apartment showing any signs of missing anything was the only bedroom in the block. There was no sign of anypony anywhere. Their only lead was gone.
They were not prepared for that.
"Where da buck dey go?!" Cried one of the goons.
The sun was just peeking over the mountainous horizon as the train starting rolling down the track, chugging mechanically. Daring felt herself nervous at the sudden jumping of the train car she and her old and new friends would reside in for the next couple of hours, not to mention the ear-piercing whistle that sounded over her. Spitfire sat next to her, continuing her effort of not speaking a word to any of them since this morning, and the second duo of best friends sat across from them. Rainbow was asleep on Twilight's shoulder as the unicorn read The Cider Diaries by Hunter S. Clopson, a book Daring had packed for no odd reason, using the rising sun as her light.
Daring heard her sulking friend softly snore, now just as asleep as Rainbow. Twilight levitated a blanket over to the pair.
"Why don't you get some sleep, Daring? It's gonna be a long ride." Daring felt at ease at the sound of Twilight's soothing voice. She wrapped the blanket around her friend.
"Too wound up. I'll be fine."
"Okay, but at least try to relax." Twilight smiled and went back to her reading. Daring sighed and turned to her snoring friend.
"I'm sorry, Spitfire." She whispered, just below Twilight's range of hearing. "I never wanted you to get wrapped up in this. Don't worry. We'll help you. I'll help you." The sudden fall of darkness came from the train entering a tunnel (complete with Twilight emitting an annoyed groan). The deafening mechanized reverberating and the strobe lights tok over the train carr.
Help me...
A voice came from the flickering darkness, the ponies across from hr payng t no mind. Daring turn to her fiend.
A wicked grinn would reveal itself with evvery flash of light trying to get in the tunnel.
...I dare you!
The train left the oppressive tunnel and continued its course towards the quaint little town of Ponyville.
Now we come down
Down there to the realm of blood
Diving in seas of
Putrefied bodies
Charge yourself during scenes of dying
You will buy again
Cause boredom creates hunger... |
Foreign Correspondence | pre | "But weren't the portals originally kept in the old castle?" Twilight asked after consulting her inner timeline.
"Yes. I had them moved to this castle after Luna's banishment so that no stray monsters could stumble through one and inflict damage upon another realm. Can you imagine an ursa stumbling around in a strange place, making a mess of things?" Celestia chuckled, and Twilight soon joined in the laughter.
"So Sunset wasn't banished?" Twilight asked hopefully. If that was true, she might someday be able to return.
"No, although she would have been if she hadn't fled through the portal," said Celestia with a shake of her head. "When she is ready to return to Equestria, even if just temporarily, I will be ready to speak with her again, and to see her. It has been far too long."
"I'll tell her that," Twilight promised, "and I'll let you know when she's ready to come back and talk to you."
Dear Sunset Shimmer,
I spoke to Celestia today. She told me everything. Don't worry, though! It didn't change my opinion of you, except in a good way. I feel sorry for both of you. Also she said that she would like to see you again, when you're ready. Luna stopped by today too, while we were talking. She said that she's been dreamwalking in your dreams, and that you're plagued by nightmares. Don't let them get you down- Luna will step in if things get too tough, and you can always tell your friends about them if you have to. Or me, I have a pretty strong stomach. Hopefully this gets to you after school, I wouldn't want to interrupt your studies.
Your friend/teacher,
Twilight Sparkle.
When Twilight laid the quill aside, she looked at her sundial. It was around the time that school finished in the human world, from what she could remember. Although it wasn't that far past four, so hopefully she hadn't interrupted Sunset's homework either. The next message from Sunset made her feel better:
Dear Twilight,
Thanks for letting me know. I'll try what you suggested, and I'll think about returning. Maybe when it's the holidays. Pinkie's looking at me funny now so I have to go and finish my chemistry homework.
Yours,
Sunset Shimmer.
Twilight frowned. She could've sworn that last 'i' was dotted with a heart. |
Foreign Correspondence | Chapter 7 | The Advanced English class at Canterlot High was the perfect place to secretly write in a magical journal to pony friends in another world about the nightmare she'd had a few nights ago. At least, this was Sunset's reasoning for why she'd even risked having the book out in public.
"Miss Shimmer?" Sunset gave a loud squawk and quickly slammed the book shut and drew it closer to her protectively.
"Y-yes Miss Quill?" she asked, grinning up at the older woman.
"Would you like to share your story with the class?" Quick Quill asked. "I'm sure that we would love to hear what you've written."
"Uhhhh..." Sunset quickly glanced left and right, looking for a way out of this.
"C'mon, Sunset, we're waiting," one of the male students grinned at her.
Sunset sighed and then reopened her book, hoping that Twilight wouldn't write to her while she was reading an old entry.
"It's a letter written to a fictional person," she hastily explained, and then began reading. "Dear Princess Celestia, I have read the books that you have suggested to me and would like to meet with you to discuss these. I'm particularly interested in knowing more about the beliefs regarding curses and demons. Not for anything bad, of course, I'm just curious- you know me, curious little Sunny! Write back to me as soon as you get a minute spare, please, with the details of when and where you can meet me. Your student, Sunset Shimmer." Sunset cringed as she shut the book after her voice trailed off and kept her eyes firmly cast downward.
"Very good, Sunset," Miss Quill commended. "You truly captured the spirit of this 'Sunset Shimmer'. But as you know, I have been stressing the importance of not inserting yourself into a text."
"I know," Sunset sighed, "I'm sorry."
"It was good for a random letter you just wrote now, though," a girl in her class said, smiling as she ran her fingers through her long purple hair. "Have you thought of what Princess Celestia will write back yet?"
"Yeah," said Sunset with a nod. Reading the letter hadn't been a very good experience, but at least now she could lie about this. Make it better, how it should have been. "Celestia responded that she would meet Sunset to talk about these curses. They met in her castle the next day and, over tea and sandwiches, they discussed the nature of demons and curses." The truth was that Celestia had responded to Sunset with a curt warning for her to stop looking into curses and demons at once. Instead of a meeting, the next day Sunset had asked around and found out where the forbidden texts were kept.
The book vibrated as the bell rang, much to Sunset's relief. Because her day just couldn't get worse, though, it was the fire bell due to some idiot named Trixie setting off fireworks in the gymnasium.
Outside, Rarity wailed about her ruined hair and make-up while Sunset carefully extricated her book from her jacket. It hadn't gotten too badly wet, so she opened it to Twilight's new message and read it in the huddle of her friends.
"Dear Sunset Shimmer,
Your dream sounds like it must have been awful. How much of it was real? I'm sorry, that wasn't a very nice question to ask, but I do want to know. I suspect that Celestia will too. That dark pony shape could have been your mind's way of dealing with your past demon transformation, but I'm willing to place my bits on it being Princess Luna keeping an eye on you. Do you want me to come through so we can talk about it? Or you can come through, but I wouldn't feel very good having you here without letting Celestia know. My point is, would you like to talk to me in person about your dream? Maybe it'll make you feel better, or you'll at least be able to understand it better. I'll write to you again after school (and please don't write me messages in class again! Pinkie told me. It never ends well, trust me.).
Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle."
"Pinkie," Sunset sighed, rolling her eyes at her snitch of a friend.
"Sorry!" Pinkie chirped. "Twilight said to keep an eye on you, so I am!"
"That's great, Pinkie," said Rainbow Dash. "So, Sunset, are ya gonna go back to Equestria? Orrr we could have a sleepover with Twilight."
"Sleepover!" Pinkie screamed. Other students turned to look at her, but then shook their heads and muttered about it just being Pinkie Pie.
"A private sleepover, Pinkie," Sunset emphasised.
Rarity paused in her lamentations to giggle and wink at Sunset.
"Private past business," said Sunset with a sigh. "We're not gonna kiss or do anything like that, Rarity. Maybe hug."
"Yeah, Rares," said Applejack, bopping Rarity on the head with her hat, "git yer mind outta the gutter."
Rarity scoffed, scandalised. "Oh, Applejack, my mind was far from the gutter. A lady does not take a roll in the hay on the first date, you know."
"Who said I was a lady?" Sunset teased, and then laughed at Rarity and Applejack's faces. Rarity had returned to her dewy-eyed happiness, and Applejack had turned the colour of one of her apples.
"E-excuse me." The group turned and their eyes widened as they saw what appeared, for all intents and purposes, to be Twilight in black pants and a sweater-vest over a white blouse.
"Yes, how can we help you?" Rarity quickly asked, beaming at the newcomer.
"Sorry, I just couldn't help overhearing my name," the girl said, playing with the ends of her long purple hair. "But then I thought to myself, 'don't be silly, Twilight, they couldn't possibly be talking about you! They've never met you before!'" The other Twilight laughed through a grin.
"Oh yeah, that's our other friend called Twilight," said Pinkie, pushing Rarity aside. "She's called Twilight Princess, though. No relation."
"I think I've seen you before, actually," said Twilight to Pinkie. "I saw you one day when I was out walking my dog, Spike."
"Yup!" Pinkie affirmed with a nod. "Have you got the little guy with you now?"
"Oh no, you aren't allowed to take animals to school," said Twilight while Fluttershy frantically tried to stuff wet and frightened animals back into her schoolbag.
"Hey, aren't you in my English class?" asked Sunset. She'd thought that the purple-haired girl had looked and sounded like Twilight, but she also knew well how the heart could fool the mind into seeing their love everywhere.
"Yes, I am. That letter you wrote today was strange but also interesting. Fictional, too, obviously, things like demons and curses just don't exist." Sunset laughed a fake laugh at Twilight's comment. She could still feel her magic, just not use it.
"Thanks," she said, to get rid of the awkwardness. "So is this your first day?"
"Mm-hm," Twilight nodded. "My first day and there's a fire, but I guess at least I didn't cause it."
"Yeah, that idiot Trixie is to blame for that mess," Rainbow snorted. "Who the heck even lets off fireworks inside? And how'd she get them into the school?"
The Stupid and Soaked Trixie was currently being berated by Vice-Principal Luna, and everyone in a five-mile radius around the school could hear it.
"Soon she'll be the Grounded and Remorseful Trixie," said Twilight with a giggle.
"Nah, more like Grounded and Broke," Applejack decided. "If Vice-Principal Luna is gonna stick to her usual tactics, Trixie'll have to come up with the money to replace and repair everything her stupid fireworks ruined."
Sunset shuddered at the memory of that. She'd had to work her butt off to raise enough money to repair the school after the Fall Formal. "Better her than me," she said.
"So, Twilight," said Rarity, "what brings you here to CHS? And halfway through the school year, too."
"Oh. I, uh, just decided to try living amongst the public school students," she said with a too-wide, fake grin.
"This isn't about all those rainbows and lasers around the battle of the bands, is it?" asked Sunset with a cringe. Twilight mirrored her expression and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.
"Maybe," she said, twirling hair around her finger.
"Seems like some good came of it after all," said Rainbow with a grin, and stepped in front of Twilight with her hand out. "Pleased to meet ya, Twilight."
"You too," said Twilight, and shook her hand. By Rainbow's pleased expression, this doppelganger had a good, firm handshake.
"So, what other classes are you taking?" Sunset asked. "And do you need any help getting to them? Usually Principal Celestia asks me to show the new students around, so I'm surprised that she didn't want me to show you around."
"Oh, you know, all of the Advanced classes and Science classes," said Twilight. "I'm very interested in science and I'm a pretty good student in all of the academics-based classes. Thanks for your offer but like I told the principal, I came here a few days ago to figure out where everything is. I like to be prepared."
"Huh. I bet you've already started all of the assignments too?" Rainbow asked, fighting a growing smirk. Sunset glared at her and Applejack nudged the athlete warningly.
"Of course!" said Twilight with a smile. "You can never be too prepared, after all. I don't even mind that my marks will be scaled down for the grade average."
"I admire your dedication," said Sunset. "You remind me of a certain someone else."
"Yeah, Princess Twi- I mean, Twilight Princess is a bit of an egghead too," Rainbow nodded. This time, Applejack elbowed her sharply in the ribs. "Ow! What was that for?"
"Sorry about her, Twilight," Applejack apologised. "Her mouth and brain don't have a filter between them."
"I can see that," Twilight giggled. "But it's okay, it's not the first time I've been called that. My big brother calls me an egghead too, so it's kind of a nickname for me."
"That's nice," Fluttershy smiled. "It must be good to have a kind older brother to look after you."
"Yeah, it is. Shiny's a great guy," said Twilight. "Anyway, when do you think we'll be able to go back in? I'm missing out on so much learning."
"As soon as the fire department turns off the sprinklers and makes sure it's safe to go back in," said Applejack. "This isn't the first time this has happened, so it should be pretty soon."
Sure enough, the firefighters soon gave the all-clear and the students and staff all filed back inside while one firefighter lectured Trixie on proper firework use.
Sunset next got a chance to write to Twilight when she had a break between classes.
"Dear Princess Twilight,
You'll never guess who enrolled at CHS today. Her name is Twilight and she looks and acts just like you, although she's more scientifically-inclined. She almost reminds me of me when I was younger, all caught up in books and research. I had to read out a letter I'd sent to Celestia a long time ago in Advanced English today, all because I got caught writing in this journal. I know, it was a bad idea, but I had to tell you about my nightmare. Anyway, reading the letter reminded me of just how bad I feel now about looking into curses and betraying Celestia like that. My parents must be worried sick, too. I think I'll come back to Equestria before I tell Sunset's parents about what happened to their real daughter- I can't exactly visit Equestria if I'm in prison! But I do have a lot of mid-term exams coming up, so I'll wait until after them. I'll write to you again soon.
Your student,
Sunset Shimmer."
"Writing more letters?" Sunset jumped and then tried to hide the book when this world's Twilight walked into the study room.
"Yeah," Sunset nodded. "I was writing to my penpal. Remember in primary school when we had to write letters to people living in different countries?"
"I have heard about public schools doing that but I never did. My school had us research different countries instead. But you still write to them?" Twilight said as she took a seat across from Sunset.
"Of course. We've kept in touch and she's a good friend of mine. She's teaching me so much about her own country, and I'm teaching her about mine." The lie came easily, probably because it was mostly truth anyway.
"I guess sending correspondence would be a more personal way of gaining information," Twilight mused. "Seems like your school had the right idea. Where does she live?"
For a moment, Sunset was stumped. But then an ancient history lesson came back to her. "Greece," she said.
"And what's her name?" Twilight looked about as comfortable as a cat on a pillow, so Sunset resigned herself to lying from the seat of her pants.
"Twilight Princess. Yeah, I've told all my friends about her and they started writing to her too. Well, me and a few others write, Rainbow prefers email because at least a computer has spellcheck. Pinkie prefers email too because she can attach images easier that way and doesn't have to pay the shipping cost of sending all that glitter and confetti."
Twilight giggled. "And she's coming here?"
"Um." Sunset swore silently. "I think so, I'd like her to."
"I'd like to meet her," Twilight decided. "Although it might be a bit awkward when there's two of us with the same first name. My mum has the same first name as me, so I know all about that."
"I'll let her know in my next letter," Sunset decided. She'd also ask Twilight how to turn off the vibrate feature on the book. Surely there'd be a spell for that. Or maybe she could turn it into a real mobile phone. Magic in Equestria had surely progressed since she'd left, so anything could be possible. |
Foreign Correspondence | Chapter 8 | Twilight had just flipped the library sign to 'closed' when the journal vibrated from inside her saddlebags. She'd opened her library in her castle to the public once it had been organised, and it felt good to be doing something she was familiar with.
"Hey Twilight, tea's ready for you in the kitchen," Spike said, poking his head into the castle's foyer.
"Perfect timing," she grinned. "I just got a message from Sunset, so now I can read it with a nice cup of tea."
"You keep that journal with you?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course," Twilight nodded, "I decided to keep it on me just in case she needs me urgently. It's not like it can come running to me with a message, after all." She giggled, and followed Spike into the kitchen.
As Twilight drank the tea, her eyes drank in Sunset's words. The new development was interesting, so much so that she had to sit back and think about it.
"What's up, Twilight?" Spike asked, noticing her silence.
"Sunset said that she found my double in the human world," said Twilight, levitating a cookie and nibbling on it. "She's just like me only human and without magic."
"Well, that's good, isn't it?" Spike asked. "She found another friend."
"I know," said Twilight with a smile, "but I'm worried that if she is like me, she'll be incredibly nosy. What if she finds out about magic and Equestria?"
"Sunset's not stupid," said Spike, shrugging. "She'll be able to keep a secret. Does she seem like she's worried about this other Twilight finding out about Equestria?"
Twilight scanned the letter again.
"Not that I can see," she said. "I'll ask her about it, though, just in case. I should probably ask Celestia about how to teach about friendship, too, because so far our letters haven't mentioned any lessons at all."
"Tomorrow," Spike decided. "Celestia will be getting ready for bed now, no doubt."
"Yeah," Twilight agreed. "But I should probably still send her a message asking for a meeting tomorrow anyway."
"I'll take a letter," Spike decided, "after we finish off all of these delicious cookies."
"Don't spoil your appetite for dinner," Twilight scolded, but then munched through a few more cookies herself. For once, she let her mind wander while she ate. She couldn't let this human version of her find about Equestria. But if the world on the other side of the mirror continued needing to deal with threats of a magical nature, she was going to find out about Equestrian magic eventually. The sirens had, after the battle with Sunset.
"So much for not spoiling your appetite for dinner," Spike chuckled. Twilight blinked and found that she had as many crumbs on her muzzle as there were on the plate.
"Oh, ponyfeathers," she cursed, and then laughed with him. "I guess my mind ran away and my mouth and stomach decided to have a party while it was out."
"You never believe that when I say it," Spike huffed, but he smiled when Twilight ruffled his spines.
"Well, consider this me understanding you now. Now that I think about it, Celestia does the same thing. Hopefully that natural alicorn metabolism works on me too." Twilight giggled, remembering that conversation with Celestia. As a little filly, she'd asked her mentor how she could eat so many cakes and remain thin. Celestia's response had been a cryptic 'magical alicorn secrets'. Later she'd elaborated.
"Twilight!" Spike called, waving a claw in front of her face. "Wow, you're spacey today. Want me to write that letter to Celestia now?"
"Yes," Twilight said, nodding, and then began to dictate.
"Dear Princess Celestia,
Sunset Shimmer and I have been keeping up a steady correspondence, although so far our letters have been focused around our different worlds and Sunset's past. While this is interesting, I'm concerned that I haven't been teaching her about friendship as you suggested. I know that I learned about friendship but how would I go about teaching somepony else about it?
Your friend in magic,
Twilight Sparkle.
P.S. Sunset Shimmer met my double in the mirror world. She seems harmless right now, but if I know me, she's at that school for a reason. Perhaps this calls for another morning tea discussion?"
"Twilight, if you want to have morning tea with the princess, all you have to do is ask. I'm sure she'd love to discuss things over tea and cake with you, even without needing to talk about anything dire. Hay, I'm sure she'd like nothing more than to just have a chat with you," said Spike after sending the letter.
"But I do want to meet with her about this, it's important," Twilight argued. "The fact that her personal assistants make delicious tea and cake has almost nothing to do with it."
"Uh huh. Sure," said Spike, clearly not believing a word of it.
Twilight didn't even have time to further her argument before a knock came at the castle's front doors.
"We're closed!" she called, forgetting her status for a moment. When she did remember, she paled and galloped to the front doors.
Fluttershy was standing on the other side of them, hiding a tiny smile behind her mane.
"Oh, hello Twilight," she said in her soft little voice. "I hope you're not too busy for me to come over."
"Of course not," said Twilight. "What is it?" She stepped aside and let Fluttershy come into her castle, closing the door behind her.
"Well, I was thinking that, since my mirror double is shy like me, maybe I could have a journal to write to her in?" Fluttershy asked, rubbing her foreleg with a hoof.
"That's a great idea, actually, Fluttershy," Twilight grinned. "That way we can all learn about the world on the other side of the mirror through the eyes of our doubles or, in my case, Sunset. Would you like a cup of tea or something? Sorry I can't offer you a cookie, I ate them all."
"A glass of water would be lovely," said Fluttershy. "Will we sit in the throne room or somewhere else?"
"The throne room doesn't have a table, but I know that the kitchen does. Come on, I'll show you to it." Twilight hadn't had a chance to explore all of the castle yet or show her friends around it, despite it having been a while now since it'd appeared. Being a princess came with a lot of duties, not to mention the increased amount of patrons she'd had in her library.
"Actually, now that we're here, I'd like an iced tea if you wouldn't mind," said Fluttershy as she took a seat at the table.
"Long island or regular?" Spike asked, then ducked as Twilight swatted him with a wing.
"Regular please," said Fluttershy with a smile. "I should have known to ask for that, Discord started serving me the Long Island Iced Tea until Angel Bunny noticed and kicked him." She giggled at the memory of the god of chaos being kicked around like a hoofball by a tiny little white bunny.
"I wish my life was that exciting," said Twilight with a laugh. "The ponies who visit my court are mostly doing so because it's a fancy new castle and they just want to gawk at it. It's a castle, not a tourist attraction!" Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Well, I'm sure that the tourists will trickle away once the newness wears off," said Fluttershy, and nodded her thanks to Spike as he placed the glass of amber liquid on the table in front of her.
"Let's hope so." Twilight smiled and took a seat at the table across from Fluttershy. "Now, you said that you wanted to send and receive private messages from your mirror double?"
"Yes," said Fluttershy with a nod. She took a sip of her drink. "Like you said, I can learn more about the mirror world through the eyes of someone exactly like me. I'd love to learn how they treat animals there, and if any animals there are different to how they are here."
"I was thinking about taking you with me through the mirror portal to find out firsthand when I have time, but this way the results are the same only without the trouble that'd come with two of everyone. Not that it'd be troubling with two Fluttershies or anything, it's just that some ponies..." Twilight trailed off, trying to ward off thoughts of two Pinkie Pies destroying the world with their physics-defying powers. She shuddered.
"I know." Fluttershy smiled. "I only suggested this because I'm too shy to speak to her face-to-face, and I'm sure that she is too considering she's my double."
"Pinkie's been suggesting the face-to-face route since Twilight first went to that world," said Spike.
"And that's why I've had to put wards around the room with the mirror portal in it," said Twilight. "I tried just hiding the book, then I tried locking it away, but wards are the only things that she can't get through."
"And we can't have a physics-defying pony girl running around wreaking havoc in another dimension," Fluttershy agreed. "It would be almost as bad as Discord when he first broke out of his prison."
"My theory is that if the two met, the very fabric of reality would unravel," said Twilight with a smirk. "That or they'd both explode. But that law wouldn't apply to anyone else meeting her double because you're all relatively normal."
"So, should I call a meeting with all the other girls?" Spike asked. "If it's not too late or anything."
Twilight glanced out the window, humming thoughtfully. "Well, Rarity will be shutting up shop soon, Applejack and Rainbow do all their work during the day, Sugar Cube Corner will be closing soon, and Fluttershy and I are already here. But maybe I should ask Celestia about this?"
"Twilight, you're the princess of friendship here," said Fluttershy. "Make this your first official decision made solely by yourself as the princess of friendship."
"You're right," Twilight decided, pushing thoughts of making a mistake to the back of her mind. "And I think that this is a good idea. Spike, send a mass-message to the other girls. We've got a meeting to attend."
Twilight chose to hold the meeting in the room with the mirror portal after carefully ensuring that Spike had sent Celestia's journal to its original owner for safekeeping.
"Alright, everypony," she announced, standing in front of the rough semicircle her friends made as they sat on cushions. "The meeting has started. Spike, start taking notes. Rainbow Dash, wake up."
"I wasn't sleeping!" Rainbow protested as she wiped drool from her chin.
"This meeting concerns all of you. And your doubles in the mirror world."
"I knew it!" Pinkie exclaimed. "You're finally letting us go visit them!" She ran towards the mirror and got a headache for her trouble.
"Not quite." Twilight sat Pinkie back down on her cushion and conjured an ice-pack for her poor head. "Fluttershy, you suggested it, so why don't you tell everyone?"
For a moment, Fluttershy froze. But then, remembering she was among friends, she let out a long breath and spoke. "Well, I thought that it might be nice to be able to speak to my mirror double through the journal that Twilight has. That way, I can learn about her world through her eyes. And I can make a new friend."
"And I thought that it would be a good idea to let all of you do the same with your mirror doubles," Twilight finished. "So, what do you say? Are you willing to send and receive messages from your mirror double and learn more about them and their world? Of course, I'll be needing you to tell me as much as they're comfortable sharing so that I can compile notes to make into a book on the mirror world. If Celestia lets me make the book. But if not, I can just use the notes for my own education."
"I dunno," said Applejack, rubbing her chin with a hoof contemplatively. "Would I even have time in the day to write to her? Would she have time to write to me?"
"Can she even write?" Rainbow asked, and ducked a flying pillow.
"Well, she has time to write to me. Of course, her writing is a bit messy and she does make some spelling mistakes, but that's just me being picky. So yes, Applejack, she'll have time to write to you. And you can write to her when you've finished your work on the farm for the day or whenever you have some down time. Besides, you had plenty of time to write in the journal that we found in the Castle of the Two Pony Sisters."
"Okay, I'll do it," the farmer nodded. "Maybe I'll learn somethin' interestin' 'bout the way they farm on her side of the mirror."
"Excellent." Twilight grinned, eyes lighting up. "Anyone else have anything to say on the matter?"
"Well, I, for one, am looking forward to finding out about human fashions and how style and clothes-making works there without the aid of magic," said Rarity. "And it will be lovely to have someone more sophisticated to talk to at home."
"If the me in the mirror world doesn't have wings, how does she keep up with my active nature?" Rainbow wondered. "How can they cope without wings?"
"You'll find out," Twilight promised. She turned to the only member of the group who hadn't yet spoken. "Pinkie, what do you think of writing to your mirror world counterpart?"
"Well," said Pinkie, drawing out the word, "I'd rather meet her in person but writing to her is good too. For now." She glared at Twilight.
"Great!" Twilight clapped her hooves together in excitement. "I'll write to Sunset soon and distribute the journals tomorrow morning."
As soon as Pinkie was safely back at Sugar Cube Corner (Twilight had followed her secretly just to make sure), Twilight asked Spike to return Celestia's journal to her. When it arrived (much to Spike's discomfort and begging to never have to transport a book again), she flipped it open to a blank page and started writing.
"Dear Sunset Shimmer,
Fluttershy came to me today with an interesting suggestion that I hadn't yet considered- why not have my friends in the mirror world write to their counterparts? I figure that by having six different points of view, I'll be able to get a broader view of the mirror world and how it works. Of course, I probably could have done this on my own anyway, but part of being a good friend is to let your friends share things with you and help you out. Besides, I didn't want to do everything myself and have another riot put at my hooves. Celestia would probably actually punish me this time. So ask your friends what they think of writing to their mirror world counterparts and I'll hand out the journals to their respective recipients tomorrow morning. This is going to be great!
Now, to answer your last letter- come back whenever you're ready. I'm going to have a meeting with Celestia tomorrow about the mirror-world me and about my plans to compile the notes I make on your world into a book.
Yours in friendship,
Princess Twilight Sparkle.
P.S. Please don't write in the journal in class. We wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands if a teacher takes it off you. And you did confess to murder in one of your entries. Not good!"
With the message sent, Twilight finally set to making dinner for her and Spike. Cooking, after all, was just another form of science, and science was something that the princess excelled at. |
Foreign Correspondence | Chapter 9 | Twilight's letter arrived at just the right time for Sunset. All day, she'd had a gnawing feeling of guilt in her stomach. But that had always been there on her birthday. Right now, her real parents would be mourning the loss of their daughter on what should have been her twentieth birthday. And here were the other Sunset's parents, celebrating the birth of their daughter with an imposter. It was so messed up.
As Sunset stared into her mirror, fiddling with the edge of her golden dress with the red frilly hem, the magical journal sitting on her bed vibrated. Sunset pounced on it and opened it, desperate for an escape from her problems. As she read, her worries were replaced with an overwhelming feeling of happiness towards Twilight Sparkle and her pony friends.
"Thank you, Twilight," she whispered, and wiped her eyes. Mascara-tinged teardrops were flicked onto the blank page that she'd opened to automatically, but Sunset was too busy glancing at the clock to notice. She supposed that she'd have time for a quick message, but Twilight wrote to her again before she could.
"Are you okay? You just sent me tears."
"Yes, I'm okay," she wrote back. "It's just my birthday and this is always a hard time for me."
"I can understand why. You poor thing, and you've had to live through, what, ten years of this?"
"Something like that. I just feel so guilty because the real Sunset's parents have been celebrating her birthday with the very stranger who killed her." More tears dripped onto the page, and Sunset could feel the mess that her eyes had become.
"I wish I could come over to help but I'm just starting dinner. I'll send someone over to help, though."
"Thank you. Sunset's parents are taking me out to dinner tonight for my 'eighteenth' birthday so whoever you send to help will just have to wait at the house for me to get back."
"I'll let them know. Stay strong, Sunset. You have good friends to help you."
"And a princess." Sunset smiled and gave a little laugh, then stood to fix her make-up.
Pinkie Pie let out a loud gasp when she read the news sent by her pony self.
"She has beautiful handwriting!" she screamed. "Also, I have to plan a party."
"Don't stay out too late," her big sister Maud warned as the pink blur dashed out the door laden with party supplies.
"It's Saturday, Maud!" the pink menace screamed back, but her sister just blinked and closed the door behind her.
Rainbow Dash was startled from her nap in a hammock at Applejack's, and a party hat was plonked down on her head while a party favour found itself crammed between her lips.
"Wha?" she asked, and launched into a coughing fit after nearly inhaling the party favour (which let out amusing sounds as it was dislodged from Rainbow's mouth).
"Party!" Pinkie screamed. "Didn't your pony double tell you?"
"No," said Rainbow, still looking confused.
"Oh right, the rest of you girls aren't getting yours until tomorrow morning. Silly me, I forgot. Anyway, party at Sunset's, c'mon!" And with that, Pinkie grabbed Rainbow's hand and dragged the girl behind her.
Applejack was knocked off the ladder she'd been standing on to pick apples from her family's farm and landed with a crash on a conveniently-placed crash mat.
"What in tarnation?"
"Party at Sunset's," Rainbow explained. Applejack nodded in understanding, a solemn look on her face.
"Why so glum?" Rainbow asked as the two were dragged behind Pinkie.
"Well, you know what her situation is," said Applejack, not elaborating because talking about those things in public was just plain stupid.
"No?"
Applejack's hand slapped her own face in exasperation.
"Her parents aren't her real parents, you dummy. They're back in Equestria. And their real daughter..."
"Ohhh, okay, I getcha now," Rainbow nodded, and then she took up a sad disposition too. "And she's had to live through this for years with no one to help her. Although that does explain why around this time there'd be more trips to the nurse's office for the weaker kids."
"She did seem a lot angrier around this time," said Fluttershy. She was hung over Pinkie's shoulder for lack of arms to be dragged by. "I can almost forgive her for breaking my arm one year."
"Well, I can't!" Pinkie declared. "I had to take you to the hospital, Fluttershy, that's how bad it was!"
"She was hurting more than she ever hurt any of us," Fluttershy whispered, sliding further over Pinkie's shoulder. "And that was when she was evil. Now she has no anger driving her, nothing to stop her fr- PINKIE!"
"Well how else was I supposed to drag you back over my shoulder?" Pinkie asked once her mouth was free of Fluttershy's bottom.
"We could've taken my car," Fluttershy said, and it sounded like it wasn't the first time she'd offered.
"Rarity's is bigger, she has a Hummer," Pinkie reminded her. "Man, it must be good to have rich parents."
The awe in her voice said that they were now in front of the mansion that Rarity lived in, and soon the three girls were deposited onto the ground while Pinkie skipped inside to fetch Rarity.
Pinkie worked fast, and soon they were on the road on the way to Sunset's house.
Sunset barely tasted any of the delicious food that she ate at the restaurant, and she was surprised that she'd even managed to finish a plate with how twisted her stomach was. All of Sunset's aunts and uncles congratulated her on turning eighteen, and it was all Sunset could do to not blurt out that she was actually twenty. She was glad that she looked younger.
"We have a surprise for you, Sunset," Sunset's father said as they left the restaurant. "We all saved all year for this and, since you can drive, we thought that you could drive us home."
Sunset teared up at the sight of the gleaming red Jeep sitting there in the restaurant carpark, but not for the reasons her parents thought. It just twisted the little dagger of guilt in her heart.
"I love it," she whispered, slapping on the fakest grin that she could muster. "Thanks, mum and dad." She hugged them, feeling like a traitor. The girl who should have been driving this was long gone by now.
Nevertheless, Sunset did drive her new vehicle home, and parked it in the driveway beside a suspicious white Hummer.
"Oh, my friends are here," she said brightly, and this time she didn't have to fake the emotion. She opened the door first and flicked the lights on, and all her friends jumped out from behind the furniture.
"Surprise!" they cried, and Sunset just grinned and joined in on a group hug.
"Thanks," she whispered to Pinkie.
"Thank Twilight," Pinkie whispered back, and gave Sunset another squeeze.
"Well, you girls have fun but don't stay up too late," Sunset's mother warned. "Some of us have to work in the morning."
"Sure thing, mum," said Sunset with a nod. "We'll try to keep it down."
When Sunset's parents had left the room, Sunset finally let the façade drop.
"I really am grateful that you girls are here," she said, sitting shakily on the couch. Pinkie gave her a party hat and party favour before sitting on the couch next to her. Fluttershy sat on the other side of Sunset, while Rainbow leaned over the back of the couch and Applejack sat on the floor. Rarity, meanwhile, sat in one of the armchairs.
"Twilight asked my pony double to write to me and tell me that you needed help," Pinkie explained. "So I decided to throw you a surprise party. Did it help?"
"Yeah, it helped a lot," Sunset nodded. "It'd help even more if Twilight was here, but I understand that she's busy."
"Yes, I imagine that being a princess must be exhausting despite being glamorous," Rarity agreed. She sighed wistfully.
The portal at Canterlot High shimmered and let out a graceful, dark figure. Tiny specks of light glimmered in her flowing hair, and her dress looked like it had been plucked from the night sky itself. As she straightened herself up, she looked around and then frowned at the night sky.
"This has none of the finesse that my night sky has. I should give the guardian of the night here a stern talking to. Not to mention the fact that they've been letting their subjects have nightmares without intervening." She sighed. "But I'm not here for that." She closed her eyes, found her harmonious centre, and flashed away with a blink of starlight.
The party attendees were momentarily stunned at the flash that filled the room.
"And I thought that my sister made good entrances," the new figure giggled. "Hello, everybody."
"Princess Luna." To her own surprise, Sunset rose from the couch and strode over to the princess of the night with a smile. "I thought that Twilight's help would only be my friends."
"Twilight?" Luna cocked her head to one side. "No, I came here under my own stead. I'd already risen the moon so I decided to pay you a visit. Your dreams have been concerning but I haven't been able to break through, Sunset Shimmer. Curse that Starswirl and his rules about magic not working between the dimensions." She scowled.
"You're a princess? How many princesses does this Equestria have?" Rarity asked, rising and then dipping into a curtsey to greet the diarch.
"Four," Luna replied. "Well, at the last count, anyway. Who knows how many there will be next week." She laughed. "But you don't need to curtsey before me, Rarity. You are not my subject here."
"How did you know my name?" Rarity squeaked.
"I am not a dullard, I can make the connection. Besides, my sister has told me extensively about mirror worlds, mostly as cautionary tales. Although I am surprised that none of you have questioned my use of magic."
"I was getting to that," said Sunset. "How did you use it so quickly? This world doesn't naturally have magic."
"Twilight Sparkle told me about how you girls managed to access your magic, so I looked within myself to find my harmony. In my case, it's the harmony of how the night and day work together to create the perfect environment for ponies to live in. Try it now- think of something that makes you feel harmony."
One by one, each girl grew pony ears, wings, and longer hair as they found their harmony. Sunset, however, found it more difficult.
"Sorry, princess," she apologised sheepishly. "I just can't find it in me today."
"The road to reformation is one filled with bumps and potholes, you must just be careful not to fall in one," said Luna, placing a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "It is only too easy to return to the darkness. But with friends, it is possible to become once more the pony you were meant to be."
"Sunset, who else is there?" Sunset's mother called from up the stairs. In a flash of negative light, Luna disappeared.
"Nobody, mum, we're just watching a movie!" Sunset called back up.
"Okay, well try to keep it down," the older woman called back.
"Okay!" Sunset sighed in relief and Luna reappeared as the negative light melted away.
"I confess, that works better when it is dark," she said with a giggle. "Should we shift somewhere else?"
"No, we can stay here," said Sunset. "We just have to lower the volume."
"I am still unused to that," said Luna, her voice now at a more normal volume. "Is this better?"
"Perfect," said Fluttershy with a smile and a nod.
"Oh, good. At least this Fluttershy isn't too terrified of me to be honest. Now, Sunset, as I was saying before, the dark magic has left you but you are still tainted by the aftereffects. Coming to terms with what you have done and trying to make amends will take time, and a lot of support from friends. I have only recently got there myself. Only in my case, I had to regrow from a relatively powerless alicorn foal to a fully-powered one because the dark magic had seeped into my magic and it made me sick to use it. Fortunately, you are a relatively powerless being now and you were only a young unicorn when you were infected so it will not affect your magic so much."
"But princess, the dark magic made me kill someone," Sunset whispered. "How can I possibly come back from that?"
"Does not your legal system believe in reformation? Are murderers in your world not sent to prison to be reformed until such a time as they are deemed reformed?" Luna asked in response.
"She's right, in this country anyway," Applejack nodded. "Even if that doesn't seem like enough to the family affected."
Sunset's heart began to pound and she trembled, her legs turning to jelly.
"Easy now, child," said Luna, curling a wing around her to hold her up. "We are not speaking of imprisoning you. That would not be something that a true friend would do."
"But I should be," Sunset sobbed, leaning into the princess. "I have to tell her parents and then they'll..."
"And she is old enough now to be sent to prison," Rarity added. "It's no place for an eighteen-year-old."
"I'm twenty, actually," Sunset corrected. "I was young when I came here."
"So you were only eleven years old when you killed someone?" Rarity gasped, but remembered to keep her voice low. "That's horrible!"
"In Equestria, we begin to be treated as adults when we have our cutie mark," Luna elaborated. "Sunset got hers when she was around five. She was in her final years of Celestia's school when she discovered that cursed book."
"It wasn't really appropriate reading for a ten-year-old," Sunset said with a sniff. "No wonder Celestia kept it locked away."
"But why did you read it?" Fluttershy asked. "If Princess Celestia was teaching you, and she is something of a goddess in your world, why did you need that much power?"
"It promised to turn me into an alicorn," said Sunset. "Celestia never gave me any answers about how to become an alicorn. I just wanted to be like my mentor and with my cutie mark, I was sure that I was destined to become a princess like her."
"So that's why you hated Twilight so much," said Rainbow Dash. "You tried so hard to get answers on how to become an alicorn, and then Celestia goes and makes Twilight one while you were gone. She didn't even try to look for you, she just threw herself into that project."
"My sister is like that," Luna nodded. "She often overlooks problems and chooses to forget about them, instead focusing on something else. And somehow, that something else ends up benefiting the problem that she'd been seemingly avoiding. She avoided the problem of me to teach Twilight that she needed friends. Then, she avoided all the major problems in Equestria to train Twilight to be a princess by dealing with problems. My sister is a strange one."
"She sure sounds like it," Applejack agreed. "How do you put up with her?"
"How do you put up with her?" Luna asked in reply, pointing to Pinkie Pie who was somehow managing to inhale food without using her teeth.
"Ah, I gotcha." Applejack nodded. "You just let her do her thing and hope that she doesn't somehow destroy the universe by sneezing at the wrong time."
"That only happened once," Pinkie whined. "And then that guy in the blue box showed up and fixed everything."
"Ah, your world has him too. He is also strange," said Luna.
"Lots of things are," Sunset nodded. "Hey, you managed to make me feel better."
"It comes with the territory," said Luna with a grin. "Not only as an Equestrian princess but as the ruler of the night and guardian of dreams. One has to become good at helping others feel better if one is to comfort frightened ponies."
"I wish you'd been there ten years ago, Luna," Sunset sighed. "You could've interfered in one of my dreams of ruling and told me to stay on the path of light."
"And I could have better protected those books," Luna agreed. "But nothing ever comes of wishing to change the past. All that can be done is to learn from our past mistakes and not repeat them."
Luna stayed there that night along with everyone else, although she simply sat in the corner of Sunset's bedroom in a meditative state, an invisibility spell keeping her from being seen or even noticed. As the girls dropped off to sleep one by one, the doors to their dreams appeared in Luna's mind. Curiosity as to what the girls dreamed about scratched at her mind, but she knew that it would be rude to intrude on their privacy. When the familiar gilded door to Sunset's dreams appeared, though, Luna immediately entered the dream and stayed on the fringes like she had done previously. This time, though, she knew that she could interfere if necessary. She could feel it.
A human Sunset Shimmer walked down the stairs and sat at the breakfast table like every other morning. Then, she ate her breakfast and got ready to go to school. On her way to school, though, a winged figure launched itself off the roof and landed in front of her in a circle of flames.
"N-no," Sunset gulped. "You're not real, I-I killed-"
"You killed me, yes." The girl was a perfect copy of Sunset, save for the fact that she had a scar running across her throat and leathery wings on her back. "I just thought I'd come to return the favour."
Luna tensed herself, ready to jump in, but Sunset acted quickly. The dream changed around her, turning Sunset into a pony.
"That's better," Sunset smiled. "Now I can fight you." Her horn charged with opal light and a spell struck the demon girl on the wrist, causing her to drop the knife she'd been holding.
Luna watched as the fight continued. The demon bent to pick up her knife. Sunset's hoof slammed down on her hand. The demon screeched and swiped at Sunset, now bearing claws. The claws cut, spattering blood onto the pavement. Now Sunset cried out. But already her horn was glowing again as she prepared another spell. A magical blade clashed against the claws. Again and again and again the blade met claws, but then finally the demon let out a roar. Fire emitted from the demon's hands and licked at Sunset's hooves. Somehow, they'd become fused to the pavement. The demon closed in as Sunset whinnied in fear.
"STOP". Luna finally jumped off the building in her pony form and fired a lightning spell at the demon, which disappeared in a wisp of smoke. The danger gone, Luna turned to help Sunset. The pavement became the grass of Equestria, and Sunset gasped as she finally moved her hooves.
"Princess," she smiled gratefully. "That's the first time I've ever not died in a dream."
"It is annoying," Luna agreed as she landed. "It's the first time I've ever been able to help you, too. Do you have any other injuries?"
Sunset shook her head. "They're hardly the worst. One night I dreamed I became an alicorn and she-"
"I know, I was there. But the dreams can't hurt you, Sunset. The demon is gone now, and with it the original Sunset Shimmer of the human world. Nothing can change that."
"Then how come I keep dreaming about the demon?" Sunset asked. "Sometimes I'm the demon and I wake up thinking that Twilight saving me was a good dream."
"I had the Nightmare in my head for a while too. She haunted my dreams, definitely living up to her name." Luna chuckled darkly. "But she's gone now. She can't hurt me anymore. Once I became reformed, I stopped having those nightmares."
"I don't believe you," said Sunset simply. "You didn't sleep tonight, you just went into a meditative state to watch over dreams just like you do in Equestria."
"Well, ponyfeathers," Luna cursed. "You have caught me out. No, I have not slept for some time now. Meditation is sufficient for alicorns anyway, and it allows me to fulfil my role as the guardian of dreams."
"I wish it was enough for regular ponies too," Sunset grumbled. "Just one night I'd like to dream about something that wasn't the demon. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming about something else but then suddenly she appears and kills Twilight." She blushed fiercely as she realised what she'd just said.
"I could make a fortune as a journalist with all the gossip I pick up on," said Luna with a laugh. "But it would not be fitting of a guardian of dreams to go around blurting out secrets. So fear not, Sunset Shimmer, your secret is safe with me. Although, if Twilight ever happens to dream about you, would you like to know?"
"I don't know," said Sunset, shifting her hooves uncomfortably. "It might make things awkward. And how can I love another if I don't love myself?"
"You're asking me?" Luna asked, and laughed. "But seriously, Sunset, these dreams should go away in time. Once you accept that you are not the pony you were before, you can move on. Become something great. As my sister would say, you cannot move on while one of your hooves in stuck in the past. Let go of it, Sunset Shimmer. Don't let it hold you back."
"Are you quoting that new movie?" Sunset asked.
"It has some good advice," said Luna. "Let it go. Don't let it hold you back anymore." She began to sing, and Sunset laughed. Never, in her life, did she imagine that she'd be here with the princess of the night singing to her. It didn't even matter that Luna was getting the context of the song totally wrong. It was the best birthday present she'd ever had. |
Foreign Correspondence | Chapter 10 | Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria and princess of the sun and day, should have had another title added to her name- tea addict. Twilight came to this conclusion as she watched the princess start on her third cup of tea in ten minutes. They had decided to have their morning tea in the usual place, on the balcony jutting out from Celestia's bedroom.
"So, Twilight, how have my former students been doing?" Celestia asked. "I trust that you have both been well?"
"Yes," said Twilight with a nod. "Well, I have been, anyway."
"Oh?" Celestia asked, inclining her head ever so slightly towards Twilight. "Does that mean that Sunset Shimmer has not been well as of late?"
"No," Twilight admitted, sagging noticeably and staring into her teacup. "She's been struggling to come to terms with everything. But at least she's been talking to her friends about it, and that's what friends are for."
"You should tell her that," Celestia suggested. "You are her teacher, and this would make a great lesson on friendship."
"I understand now," said Twilight with a smile as she sat up straight again. "Thank you, princess! You always know just what to say."
Celestia smiled and said, "That is because I know you well, Twilight Sparkle. And while you are talking to Sunset, please tell her that she was not banished."
"How did you know that she was thinking that?" Twilight asked. "She mentioned it to me but not to anybody else."
"My sister paid her a visit last night," said Celestia, and extended her wing to gesture to Princess Luna who stood in the doorway to the balcony.
"Indeed I did," Luna confirmed as she stepped out into the sunlight. "Sunset Shimmer and I discussed a great manner of things, including her fears. She has been struggling so much with her personal demons, and it is only the presence of her friends that stops her from succumbing to the darkness completely."
"Was she also taken over by the nightmare like you were?" Twilight asked. She looked guiltily to Celestia, who only smiled and nodded to her that it was okay to speak to her sister during their meeting.
"A version of it, yes," Luna confirmed with a nod. "The darkness has been purged now, but Sunset has-" She suddenly stopped and looked at her sister, unsure if she should continue.
"I am aware of Sunset's crimes," said Celestia. "Yet, because the crime was committed in another world, she will not be subject to imprisonment here. Should she choose to come back, however, I cannot let her escape punishment."
"That's what she's afraid of," said Twilight, and sighed. "I can't lie to her, I have to tell her that she'll be punished if she comes back. I'll be confirming her worst fears."
"Doesn't your friend Applejack know a thing or two about painful truths?" Celestia prompted. "Ask her for advice on how to proceed.
"I will," said Twilight with a nod. "Thanks for the advice, princess."
"May I stay, sister?" Luna asked. "I would also like to continue aiding Sunset through her dreams. The nightmares are the worst of it."
"Yes to both," Celestia allowed.
"I also wanted to ask, Celestia, if it was alright if I compiled notes on the mirror world and published a book or paper on my findings?" Twilight asked.
"Starswirl would have done so eventually, so yes," Celestia allowed. "If we were ever to open travel between the worlds to the rest of the population, it would be crucial for them to know what they were in for."
"Thank you," said Twilight with a smile. "Of course I'll have to do princess duties on top of that, I understand, but it can be my passion project."
"I thought that Sunset Shimmer was your passion project," said Luna with a teasing grin.
"They're connected," Twilight said, fidgeting her wings. "Learning about humans is a side project to teaching Sunset. And I have my friends involved in my little project too, each of them learning about an area relevant to both their and their double's interests. Rainbow Dash is studying sport, Fluttershy animal care, Rarity fashion and how clothes are made, Applejack farming, and Pinkie Pie... well, I actually don't know. But I'm sure that I'll figure out something. Maybe human socialisation or parties. "
"Ah, I have taught you well," said Celestia with a giggle. "You are good at defending yourself using your words and steering the conversation away from topics you'd rather not broach. And I am so pleased that you decided to involve your friends in this."
"It is an important skill to learn for a career in politics," Luna declared. "Sometimes, a skilled tongue is more powerful and important than all the political power in the world."
"Oh, and speaking of humans," said Twilight, "Sunset met my human double. She's really interested in science but she's also kind of a loner."
"Interesting," said Celestia, and took a long sip of her tea. Twilight knew exactly what that meant, and eagerly awaited Celestia's conclusion.
"Do you think that she is a threat?" Luna asked Twilight in the interim. "If she is like you, she will stop at nothing to learn about everything."
"I think that she's a concern," said Twilight. "What if she found out about magic?"
"My advice," said Celestia at last, "is to have Sunset keep an eye on your double, Twilight. Have her watch her and report to you anything suspicious that she does. Sunset will know what is suspicious and what is not. Tell her that I have asked her to do so, it might make her feel more welcomed by me."
"I will," said Twilight with a nod. "Thank you for the advice, princess. And thank you for your help, Luna. It's nice to know that she has a friend in her dreams."
"I am glad to be of help," said Luna. "Nothing makes me happier than helping my little ponies through their dreams. Even if they are in another dimension, and they were born before I returned."
"I'm sure my friends over there were happy to meet you too," said Twilight. "Probably a little in awe too."
"My attire probably garnered more awe," said Luna with a chuckle. "It is a dress made of moonlight. I can only imagine what my sister's attire would be."
"Simple white robes that glow with the power of the sun," said Celestia quickly. "I visited there once, many hundreds of years ago. I believe I was in the human equivalent of Roam."
Twilight gaped at her. "No way. So you're Apollo? Or one of the sun gods?"
"I am all of them," said Celestia. "I do not know why I was made male when the humans wrote about me and created art of me, but I just put it down to a human strangeness."
"From what information I managed to gather before I left, the human world is male-dominated despite the even split between male and female in their world," said Twilight. "I suppose that it would be different if they had women who could control the cosmic bodies, though."
"Whoever does control them, their night sky is filthy," said Luna. "It is horrible and alien and I detest it. Yet I shall endure it to aid Sunset Shimmer."
"In their world, nobody controls them," said Twilight. "There are several religions that disagree on the subject, but the science there says that the sun, moon, and planets all have their own little system with the sun at its centre."
"You picked up on much when you were there for just a few days," Celestia remarked. "I am proud of you, Twilight."
"Thank you," said Twilight, smiling at her mentor's praise. "And Pinkie Pie over there taught me how to use the internet, so now I can learn everything next time I'm there." Twilight's eyes glimmered with excitement.
"I am sensing a desire to travel there again," said Luna with a grin. "Perhaps you would like to accompany me there one night, Twilight?"
"Oh, yes please," Twilight nodded enthusiastically. "I can't go during the day anymore now that my double is there, but surely it'll be safe to go at night."
"I shall provide myself as a distraction," Luna offered. "My moonlight dress should be enough of a distraction."
"I can imagine," said Twilight, chuckling.
"Do you have any other concerns, Twilight?" Celestia asked. "You can ask me or confide in me anything."
"I'm just worried about my double," said Twilight. "She transferred to Canterlot High, and I'm just wondering why she did that. It almost reminds me of when I transferred to Ponyville to study friendship. She must want to study something there, something non-academic. I'll have Sunset ask her, maybe try to befriend her."
"Befriend her, gain her trust..." Celestia sighed. "I hate that we have to treat this stranger as a potential threat."
"But until we know her better, we have to do that," said Luna. "Sunset Shimmer was a friendless loner once, and Twilight was too. It is up to the circumstances as to how the pony, or person, reacts. Surrounding the human Twilight with friends will possibly lead to the outcome that it did with our Twilight."
"Let us hope so," said Celestia. "But in the meantime, we shall monitor her. Does that put your mind at ease, Twilight?"
"Yes," said Twilight with a nod. "It does. I'll tell Sunset all about it later this afternoon, just in case she wants to spend the day with her friends. Oh, and Celestia, do you have anything that could tell me the time in the human dimension compared to the time here?"
"Next time you are there, obtain a watch with the local time on it," said Celestia. "When you bring it back, it will always be able to tell you the time in that dimension. Just be sure to take it back with you, and have Sunset tell you if the time ever changes for some reason."
"I don't know why I didn't think of that," said Twilight, and chuckled. "It seems so obvious. I mean, the school had clocks and quite a few people walked around wearing watches."
"Sometimes even the very intelligent can overlook what is blindingly obvious to others," said Celestia. "Just look at me." She sighed heavily and then sadly finished off her tea. |
Foreign Correspondence | Chapter 11 | It was mid-morning by the time Sunset finally awoke. She sat up and stretched, yawning in the morning sunlight streaming through her window. She hadn't slept that well in a long time. And she had the 'snoozing' princess over in the corner to thank for it.
"Your book has been vibrating," said Luna, breaking the façade of sleep immediately. Sunset smirked, even though it was sad that Luna couldn't sleep.
"Thanks for last night, I haven't slept so well in ages," said Sunset, getting out of bed and rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she walked across her bedroom.
"What did you do last night?" Rarity asked, walking into Sunset's bedroom with a takeaway coffee cup in her hand.
"I do have coffee downstairs, you know," said Sunset, taking the offered cup from her friend.
"But darling, that's instant," said Rarity, acting as though Sunset had suggested drinking mud.
"There's nothing wrong with instant," said Sunset.
"Okay then, I'll just take it back," said Rarity, reaching for the cup.
"No, no! Thanks for the coffee, Rarity," said Sunset, smiling at her friend and taking a sip.
"You're welcome. I had to get you up somehow," said Rarity. "Darling, you were sleeping the day away."
"Well, I needed it," said Sunset. "I feel great."
"Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but you have looked simply wretched lately," said Rarity.
"Thanks," said Sunset with a snort.
"So, what helped you sleep?" asked Rarity. "A certain Equestrian princess, perhaps?"
"Yeah, actually," said Sunset, then blushed when Rarity smirked. "Oh, not like that! Princess Luna has the power to dreamwalk, so she stopped my nightmare and then turned it into a good dream."
"That's a useful power," said Rarity, smiling at the princess. "Thank you for helping dear Sunset, Princess Luna."
"It brings me great joy," said Luna. "My sister makes her ponies smile with her tricks and kind presence, I make them smile by making their dreams sweeter."
Sunset sat down at her desk and opened the book, sipping at her coffee while she turned the pages. Many of the pages towards the front were now tear-spotted, but hopefully there would be no tears this morning. She felt good, better than she had in a long time. It was amazing what a good night's sleep could do.
When she finally got to the newest message, Sunset had to chuckle at the irony. Here she was, worrying about her past, and Twilight was starting a new project.
"Dear Sunset Shimmer,
After discussing it with Celestia, I have decided to start a project that will benefit not only my studies but also your friendship lesson. It is a cultural exchange program, in which the human versions of my friends will exchange messages containing information about your world with my friends. I think I mentioned this before. Have you talked to your friends about it yet? Let me know what they think about my idea. Also, what do you think of the idea? I don't think you got a chance to tell me, what with everything that's been happening. Completely understandable, of course, but I'm really eager to start this new project so could you get back to me as soon as possible with the answer? Please?
Yours in friendship,
Twilight Sparkle"
The next letter read simply:
"Another late sleeper, huh? I can relate."
Sunset chuckled at Twilight's latest message, then turned to Rarity, who had a strange smile on her face.
"I know that look," Rarity trilled.
"W-what?" Sunset asked, blushing.
"Someone's crushing on the pony princess," Rarity teased.
"N-no I'm not," Sunset protested. "I'm just happy because she's giving me something good to focus on."
"Don't worry, dear, your secret is safe with me," said Rarity. "Now, what has our darling royal friend sent to you that's got you smiling like a lovestruck schoolgirl? Unless it's too private to share, that is."
"Uh, no, it's not too private," said Sunset, wishing she could stop blushing. "Twilight has suggested that my new friends can exchange letters with Twilight's pony friends and find out about each other's worlds. Using a book like we do."
"Ooh, that sounds like a marvellous idea," said Rarity. "I could learn about pony fashion, what materials they use, the latest trends, how clothes work on small horses, what purpose clothes serve in that society." Sunset smiled as Rarity began to pace around the room while listing off ideas on her fingers.
"Well, looks like I can tell Twilight that you agree to it," said Sunset.
"Yes!" Rarity cried, her big blue eyes sparkling. "I love that idea! When do we start?"
"As soon as I talk to the other girls about it and Twilight arranges a way to get the magical journals over here," said Sunset.
"Well, then, come on! Everyone else is downstairs in the kitchen," said Rarity. "And don't worry, your parents are at work so there's nobody to overhear us talking about magical ponies in a different dimension."
"Alright, alright, I'm coming," said Sunset, laughing at Rarity's eagerness.
The other four girls were sitting around the kitchen table, tucking into a large plate of pancakes which Pinkie Pie was still busily cooking up. Sunset wondered who was going to get stuck with the washing up. Maybe they'd draw straws for it.
"Morning, girls," said Sunset.
"Hi, Sunset!" Pinkie called out, waving to her. "There's plenty of pancakes if you're hungry."
"I can see that," said Sunset, laughing. She took a seat at the table and began pulling pancakes onto the plate that had been left out for her. She spooned whipped cream onto them, then drizzled them with some syrup. Popping a forkful into her mouth, Sunset moaned blissfully. Pinkie was such a good cook.
"Well, you sure look happy, sugarcube," said Applejack, chuckling. "Have a nice night?"
"Yes, I had a great night's sleep," said Sunset.
"That's wonderful to hear," said Fluttershy. "Sometimes, all you need is a good night's sleep to make the world seem better."
"Even if you do wake up in the middle of the day," said Applejack.
"Hey, not everyone wakes up with the rooster," said Rainbow. Applejack elbowed her, but they both laughed.
"So," said Sunset as she polished off her first plate of pancakes, "I received a message from the princess yesterday but I was kind of distracted. She's come up with an idea for transferring information about our different worlds to each other."
"And I think it's a marvellous idea," said Rarity.
"How would we do that?" asked Rainbow.
"Well, each of you would get a journal like the one Twilight and I have," said Sunset. "You'd be able to write messages to your pony counterparts."
"That sounds lovely," said Fluttershy. "A world where animals can talk... oh, I can't wait to find out how things work there!"
"And my pony counterpart can tell me how it feels to fly," said Rainbow. "And give me some pointers just in case we figure out a way to make my wings appear whenever I want them to."
"I dunno if my pony counterpart would be able to teach me anything," said Applejack. "Well, maybe how they farm over there. Must be different without any farming machinery."
"What about you, Pinkie?" asked Sunset, turning to Pinkie who had been silent this whole time.
"I love it!" Pinkie cried, jumping up in the air as confetti exploded behind her. "We can talk about parties, and come up with ideas for even more parties, and she can give me some sweet new recipes!"
"Excellent," said Sunset. "I'll let Twilight know that you're all excited about the idea."
"When will it start, do you think?" asked Rarity.
"Well, after I tell her, she'll have to enchant the journals and then we'll have to figure out a good time for her to come over and hand out the journals," said Sunset. She felt a thrill of excitement at the thought of Twilight coming to see her. Well, and to see her friends, but Twilight would be here again.
"The weekend would be a good time," said Applejack. "Though it might be a bit weird, seeing a bunch of students meeting outside the school."
"Why not after school one day?" asked Sunset.
"Nah, I've got farm chores," said Applejack.
"Soccer," said Rainbow.
"And the rest of us work," said Rarity. "Sorry, Sunset."
"No, it's okay," said Sunset, even though she was disappointed.
"Maybe she could arrive on a Friday afternoon and then we could hand out the books on a Saturday?" asked Fluttershy.
"That might work," said Sunset. "And she could leave Monday morning. It's a good thing we don't have to worry about the portal closing now."
"That does make things a lot easier," said Rarity. Sunset frowned at the hidden meaning in those words, but Rarity just smiled.
"Well, I'll let her know after breakfast," said Sunset, feeling excitement rush through her at the prospect of seeing the Equestrian princess again.
With the taste of coffee and maple syrup still dancing on her tongue, Sunset sat down at her desk after breakfast and turned to a new page to write a message to her favourite princess.
"Dear Twilight Sparkle,
I've discussed it with my friends, and they've all agreed to your plan. They're looking forward to discussing things with their pony counterparts. And thank you for giving me a distraction. When will you be here to give out the enchanted books?
Your student,
Sunset Shimmer"
The answer came through so quickly that Sunset knew that Twilight must have been waiting for it by the book.
"Dear Sunset,
That's great news! Now I can enchant the books, which will take a while as it means enchanting ten books to work between dimensions. That's a pretty huge project, but I'm sure I can do it. I may need to ask the princess for help. Sorry, that's just me thinking while I write. I do that sometimes. Anyway, once I've got the books enchanted, I'll let you know and then we can arrange a time to meet. I'm so excited!
Yours in friendship,
Twilight Sparkle"
Sunset grinned as she read Twilight's message, then closed the book and sat back with a smile. Twilight was coming. She didn't know when just yet, but she was coming. And that was all that mattered.
"It is good to distract yourself with a new project," said Luna. Sunset turned to smile at the dark-skinned woman.
"What was your project?" asked Sunset.
"You mean apart from fixing my skies?" Luna chuckled. "Sister tried, but she is no artist. That was always me."
"I look forward to getting to see your night sky," said Sunset. "I didn't get a good chance to look at it last time I was in Equestria."
"Now, now, don't think about that mistake," said Luna. "You must think about the future, and what you can do to avoid making those mistakes again." She got up from her chair and walked over to lay a hand on Sunset's shoulder.
"I wasn't," said Sunset with a smile. "I really mean it, though. The night sky was nice when I lived in Equestria, but I always thought that it could be more beautiful."
"I have heard quite a few ponies commenting on my night," said Luna. "They say that it is beautiful. If only my younger self knew that someday, things would change."
"Hey, now you're the one thinking about your mistakes," said Sunset. "What is your project?"
"Helping ponies with their nightmares," said Luna. "My sister tries to get me to help her with paperwork or hearing petitions, but I am more interested in the emotional health of my little ponies. I guard them when they sleep, but I also hold night court."
"Do you also fight the real dangers that lurk at night?" asked Sunset.
"My night guard does that," said Luna. "And, as part of my new project, I am going to stay here until the nightmares no longer plague you."
"That might take a while," said Sunset. "What about your night court, though?"
"Hardly anypony comes there, anyway," said Luna. "And this is the project that is closest to my heart. No longer the Nightmare, I am now trying to be the Guardian of Dreams."
"That sounds wonderful," said Sunset. "Maybe someday I'll be more than just a she-demon, too."
"I know you will," said Luna. "Twilight Sparkle is quite good at helping people, I know that she can help you too."
"I hope so," said Sunset. She really hoped so. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | pre | Nopony could believe their eyes when the passed through the other side of the portal and entered Aestas. Aests itself was nothing short of beauteous. The sky was a mix night and evening, it's dark and vividly purple colors blending with one another, and showed outlines of the constellations. The grass and other plants were deep emerald shade of green, and softer than anything the ponies had ever felt before. There were a few trees scattered about, but for the most part, the land was rolling expanse of rolling hills and meadows. The only things that stood out, were the old fashioned cottages, and the magnificent castle that made up the kingdom. The castle was something out of...well, a dream. It had a faint, luminescent glow about it, not unlike the moon and stars. It was made up of many columns, towers, turrets, balconies, all that surrounded a single tower, taller than the rest.
"Come, follow me," said Princess Luna, leading them to the castle. The ponies continued to gawk at the sight of everything around them, all the beauty that made up the night had been captured and contained here. But there was something noticeable about this Utopian place.
"Where is everypony?" Twilight wondered aloud.
"It is nighttime, the Nightmares are probably out on their nightly ride." said Princess Luna. "They won't be back until daybreak." The castle's light became brighter as they drew closer. Two Nightmare stallions stood guard to its entrance. Their coats were black, and they were wearing silvery armor, wielding spears. They crossed their spears to prevent them from any further entrance to the castle.
"Halt! Who goes there?" questioned the guard on the right in a deep, gravelly voice. Princess Luna, who was in front of the ponies, puffed out her chest and said in a clear, commanding voice, "I am Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night, and these are my companions. We seek an audience with her majesty, the Queen of the Nightmares, Amalthea." The guards turned to one another and whispered to one another before turning back to the princess.
"Sorry your highness, but all visitors are forbidden to enter without an invitation from the queen herself." he said. Discord frowned deeply.
"We don't have time for this!" said Discord, with a snap and a flash of light, he turned the two guards into toads.
"Discord!" Twilight scolded.
"Oh relax, they'll be fine in about ten minutes, or was it twenty?" Twilight faced hoofed herself.
"We'll worry about that later." said Luna. "Right now, let us move forward." If they thought the outside of the castle was beautiful, the inside was ethereal. The wall shifted colors like the sky, from sunrise, to sunset, to twilight, to nighttime. The floor was made out of polished black marble, showing their reflections like a dark mirror. Their hoofsteps echoed through the halls as they made their way to the throne room. Princess Luna opened the tall, oriental doors with her magic, and the stepped into the throne room. Soft wispy lights, a bit like fireflies, lazily floated around the high ceiling.
"Luna, you have the gall to return here without an invitation?" Queen Amalthea sat upon her high backed, marble and silken throne. The queen was tall, not unlike Princess Celestia, her mane was long and lustrous, curling at her hooves. It was the golden color of a sunset, catching the light as it shifted to different angles, that stood out against her black coat. Her eyes too were the same golden color, and upon her head was a shimmering crown with curly filigree upon it and inlaid with amethysts.
"And you bring dreamers and this...thing with you?" asked Amalthea. Her voice was silvery yet stern, and possessed a commanding tone that the royal sisters also used to demonstrate their authority. "Have you come to bring us further shame?"
"Hey, nopony insults the princess!" shouted Rainbow, defending Luna. Luna however lifted a hoof to stop Rainbow from charging.
"She is right Rainbow Dash, I've already shamed the pride of the Nightmare kingdom by abandoning them and using the name of their race when I became the corrupted villain I once was." Queen Amalthea displayed an amused and self-satisfied expression at Princess Luna admitting that she'd been at fault. Luna continued.
"However, I've put that behind me. I've come here on a much more urgent, more serious matter." Amalthea cocked her head and arched an eyebrow.
"And what would that be?" inquired the queen.
"I have reason to believe that one of your Nightmares has kidnapped a dreamer from Equestria." said Luna. Amalthea's face stiffened, she frowned at the princess of the night.
"You accuse one of my own, loyal subjects of kidnapping? What proof do you have of this?"
"I felt the presence of a Nightmare, and felt the disturbance of one passing between the realms. Not to mention that Discord and I witnessed the kidnapping with our very own eyes." Luna pointed to the Draconequus as she said his name, surprising him that she considered him a witness. Queen Amalthea however, didn't seem impressed and scoffed.
"Hardly seems like you have any solid or reliable proof Princess Luna. If you are quite done with the accusations, I want you to leave me and my subjects alone." she said bitterly. Twilight cut between the two royals, injecting herself into the conversation.
"Your majesty, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, and trust me when I say that Princess Luna has no reason to accuse you or the Nightmares of anything. We just came to get our friend Fluttershy back." said Twilight, her violet eyes looking into the queen's. Queen Amalthea blinked at the name of the pony.
"Fluttershy you say?" she asked. Twilight nodded her head slowly.
"Yeah, she's our friend, a yellow pegasus." said Twilight, wondering if Amalthea knew something helpful. Amalthea stomped her hoof and cursed under her breath.
"The little fool! I specifically told her to leave that dreamer be! And yet she disobeys me."
"You said she." said Applejack. "Do you mean Dream Catcher?" Queen Amalthea shook her head and waved a hoof dismissively.
"That's just the alias she used to trick you dreamers. If there's one Nightmare I know who could possibly have done this, it's Moonlight Eve."
"Moonlight Eve?" asked Rarity questioningly.
"A young and foolish Nightmare." said Amalthea. "Ever since she was born, she was different from the others. She was afraid of the dark, and was extremely frail and weak. But then, she got into quite a bit of trouble many years ago."
"Why? What did she do?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"If you keep quiet, then maybe I'll be able to tell you."
"Sorry."
"It was during her fillyhood years, I'd begun to notice that during the nightly ride near the dream-scape, Moonlight Eve would disappear and wouldn't come back until daybreak. So one night, I followed her, and discovered her secret. She'd entered the dream of little dreamer, a pegasus filly named Fluttershy. I wasn't sure how long it had been, but the two had become friends. I couldn't allow Moonlight Eve to disobey my law, forbidding Nightmares from entering dreams, so I confronted her and ordered her to end her friendship at once, and that she was no longer to ever visit the dreamer ever again." There was a stiff silence once Queen Amalthea finished.
"Don't you think that was kind of mean?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Everypony needs friends to play with and to talk to." Amalthea waved her words away with a dismissive hoof.
"Moonlight Eve had all the Nightmares she could ever want to be friends with, it's not my fault that she chose not to." said the queen, as though it weren't her problem, which in her view, it wasn't.
"Amalthea, we need to find her, can you help us?" asked Luna. Queen Amalthea turned her back on them.
"I don't know, what concern is it for me? Why should I help you?" Princess Luna's face grew hot, but she said nothing. And she didn't need to, because Discord appeared in front of Amalthea, looking down at her angrily, his arms crossed.
"You listen here queen! Your Nightmare took my best friend away, and either you do something about it, or I'll turn you and everyone of your subjects into a daisy and pick you one by one. Or better yet, I'll lead a charge of angry bulls to trample all of you." He pointed a talon on Amalthea's chest. "So what will it be, your highness?" Queen Amalthea chuckled, which only further angered Discord.
"You are an amusing beast...Discord." she said. "I shall help, only because the Princess of the Night had to come here and beg for it."
"Great! So what do we do?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Nothing." answered Queen Amalthea.
"What?!" cried everypony.
"Moonlight Eve may not be strong, but she is crafty. If she should discover that I suspect her, or that all of you are here, then she'll undoubtedly lock herself away forever, and you'll never see your friend again." said Amalthea.
"Then how do you propose that doing nothing will solve our problem?" asked Applejack in a huff.
"I shall turn two of you dreamers into Nightmares, you will walk among my subjects, and gain the trust of Moonlight Eve. Then, once you have her guard down, you can follow her to where she's kept your friend. I will deal with Moonlight Eve myself."
"Wait a minute, what about the rest of us?" asked Pinkie Pie.
"The rest of you will be confined to the castle, where you aren't set hoof outside of."
"That's not fair!" exclaimed Rainbow.
"I'm being more than fair, this is my kingdom you've entered, and while here, you'll follow my rules." Queen Amalthea said steely. Princess Luna calmed herself and said, "We graciously accept your help and will follow your rules during our stay." A smug smile formed on Amalthea's face.
"Now then, who will become my new subjects?" asked the queen. Twilight raised a hoof, and Discord lifted a paw.
"I will," they said in unison, surprising one another. Queen Amalthea looked at Discord seriously.
"You understand that as a Nightmare, you won't have your usual magical power, right?" Discord's mismatched eyes shrunk, and he blanched before heaving a sigh and saying, "If it means finding Fluttershy, I'll gladly part with my magic for a few days." Twilight couldn't help but smile, proud of Discord and his decision.
"Then it's settled. Luna, if you'll assist me." A golden glow came from Queen Amalthea that merged with Princess Luna's own magic, as they converged they hit Twilight and Discord, changing their forms. They both accepted it, for the sake of their friend.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy was having a dream...no not a dream, more of a distant memory that had been rooted in the subconscious reaches of her mind. She was a filly, marveling at the natural beauty of a dreamy meadow. She felt more comfortable here than she had back in Cloudsdale. The, she heard the soft sound of crying. She followed the sound to a large willow tree, where she found another filly, a pony with a black coat and a wavy pastel green mane with a few lavender streaks, weeping into her hooves as she knelt onto the grass. Fluttershy tentatively reached out her hoof, and tapped the filly on the shoulder.
"Um, a-are you okay?" The filly let out a gasp, she stumbled onto her hooves and whirled around to Fluttershy.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, did I startle you?" The filly wiped the large tears out of her eyes and sniffed.
"Only a teeny bit." said the pony. "But I'm fine thank you."
"I'm glad, I would feel horrible if I'd upset somepony." said Fluttershy. "What is it that's made you cry like that?"
"Someponies were teasing me like they always do, telling me how I'll never amount to anything. So I ran away." The pony choked out through some remaining tears. Fluttershy knew just how she felt, and gently patted the filly on the back.
"Don't cry, if it makes you feel better, ponies make fun of me for being useless too." Fluttershy said in attempt to lighten her mood.
"I guess we're a both a couple of outcasts then." said the pony. Fluttershy gave the filly a friendly smile.
"My name is Fluttershy, what's yours?"
"Moonlight Eve, I don't really care for the Moonlight part, so most just call me Eve."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Eve." Eve smiled shyly, playing with the ends of her mane.
"Um, Fluttershy?"
"Yes?"
"Will you, be my friend?"
"Yes, I'd gladly be your friend." Eve beamed at her.
"Really? Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" The memory of the fillies faded away as Fluttershy began to wake up. She slowly sat up, a hoof to her head.
"What...happened...?" she asked to no pony in particular. She found herself in a giant gold bird cage, her floor mage of plush velvet. Outside the cage, was nothing but darkness and scraggly black thorn bushes that reached toward her, only to be repelled by the cage.
"Where am I? Where is this place?" Fluttershy asked frightened by her surroundings.
"You're in my world." Fluttershy looked up to see Dream Catcher, only her coat was now black and her cutie mark was gone. Fluttershy said her true name, as old memories came flooding into her all at once.
"Eve?! Is it really you?" Eve nodded.
"I'm sorry it's been so long." she said.
"What is this? Why did you bring me here?" Eve just smiled, and ran a hoof under Fluttershy's chin.
"This is our new special place. No pony will bother us here. It'll just be you and me Fluttershy." Fluttershy backed away, afraid that she wasn't going to be escaping the giant cage, or this forest of thorns.
"Best friends, forever and eternity." said Eve, as she grinned, a shadow on her face. By looking at her face, Fluttershy could tell that her old friend would not let her go. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 6 | Chapter 6
Daybreak was approaching, and so were the Nightmares. Twilight and Discord were in their new Nightmare forms. Their coats were just as black as the other Nightmares', but they possessed a simple pony's body, no horns or wings upon them. Twilight's mane had become a magenta pink (like her streaks that she usually had), and deep purple streaks, and had a light curl to them. Discord looked like his old unicorn disguise, completely black with his coat and mane, and a pair of golden yellow eyes.
"There's no turning back you know." said Twilight to Discord, as they exited the castle and walked into the town. Discord looked away and said, "I'm well aware princess. Just let me worry about finding Fluttershy so we can leave this place and never ever come back." Twilight dropped the subject. She knew Discord could be a lot of things, a lot of unpleasant things, but for all his faults he cared deeply about Fluttershy and his friendship with her. She could see how hard it was on him, having his first friend taken right before his eyes and was now trying to bottle up his feelings. For now she'd leave it alone, but after this was over, she'd need to discuss it with him. A his friend and the Princess of Friendship. They continued to stroll through the town, looking at the many homes that made up the town, not a store or establishment in sight. The houses themselves looked nearly identical, with their smooth stone walls, their neat tile roofs with brick chimneys, and the shingles around the windows. But the houses had their own little touches that made them stand out from one another. Like different colored roofs, flowers growing outside the house and other such things. Queen Amalthea had told them that there was an empty house in town that they could stay in temporarily, and that if anypony asked, they were servants who grew up in the castle and retired to live a more simpler life. Showing them that the queen didn't have much creativity when it came to cover stories. But the had little to no options and were just gonna have to roll with it. They stopped at the plain, empty house and stepped inside.
"This place could use some more appealing decor." said Discord, running a hoof over the dusty fireplace mantel. "I'm thinking clashing zig-zags, creaky floor boards, maybe a potted plant that ties the room together in the upper ceiling." Discord continued to muse over the chaotic changes that he viewed would improve their temporary living space. Twilight on the over hoof, was feeling tired, and curled up in a far corner of the room, trying to get some rest. She'd need it for tomorrow night, if the two of them were to blend in with the other Nightmares.
"Hey now, I was in the middle of a conversation." said Discord, miffed that somepony was ignoring him. He was the one who did the ignoring. Twilight groaned.
"Please Discord, let me get some sleep, in fact, why don't you get some sleep to?" Discord crossed his arms defiantly, but left Twilight alone. He looked out the window at the star filled sky. 'Oh Fluttershy, where are you?' he asked silently. How long would it take to find her? And when they did find her, what if she was still mad at him? He hoped that wherever Moonlight Eve was keeping her, she was safe.
In the golden cage, Fluttershy was crying in the far end, keeping her distance from Eve. The Nightmare took a small step to the shivering pegasus.
"Fluttershy-" she began.
"Go away! I want to go home." shouted Fluttershy from under her hooves. Eve frowned.
"Come on Fluttershy, can't you put that behind us?"
"How can I?!" Fluttershy turned to face Eve, her eyes narrowed angrily, but they were still wet with tears. "You stole me away from my friends, from my home! And now you've locked me up in this cage like a prisoner. Do you have any idea what that's like?!"
".....I do...." replied Eve. Fluttershy was silenced by this, her anger fading away as she saw Eve lowering her head sadly. "You remember about our time together, in the meadow when we were fillies, right?" Eve asked quietly.
"Yes." Fluttershy was puzzled, where was Eve going with this?
"I was a failure of a Nightmare. Everypony said so, and reminded me constantly of it. 'Oh, there's Moonlight Eve!' 'The poor dear is so frail, she'll be trampled before she can learn to trot.' 'What kind of Nightmare is afraid of the dark?' 'She's nothing but an annoying crybaby.' 'Who'd ever want to be friends with her?'" Eve's eyes glistened. "I've heard all the insults, and I believed them all. It became almost unbearable, all I wanted was to run and never look back. But where could I go? There was no place else for me, and I could never leave Aestas forever. Even with all those rotten Nightmares, this place is my home. But one day, during the nightly ride, I was lagging behind and accidentally strayed off the path and entered your dream." The ponies' eyes met.
"You know the rest of course. You were my first and only friend, and because of you, I gained a bit of confidence, I felt happy, and I ignored what everypony else thought. But it couldn't last. Queen Amalthea found out, and told me we couldn't be friends. I had to end our friendship and never see you again, or else I would get punished. Leaving you was the hardest thing I had to do. I was alone, nopony cared about me, nopony wanted to ever be my friend. I thought about you all the time, and I vowed that when I was older, I'd find a way to see you and we could be together again." Fluttershy knew she should be wary of the pony, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for Eve. In a way, they were the same. They'd both been ridiculed and felt so lonely growing up. But she had her friends now, and Eve had nopony except her.
"Eve..." she said quietly. She wanted to let Eve know that everything would be alright, but at the same time, she was still upset that she'd disguised herself as a normal pony and kidnapped her. Eve turned her back to Fluttershy.
"I didn't want it to be like this, but I had no choice. All those ponies, those friends of yours had taken my place. They made you forget all about me. I would be nothing, and I couldn't accept that." Fluttershy could hear Eve's voice cracking full of sadness as she tried to get out what she'd been wanting to say all these years.
"How can anypony accept being abandoned? Tossed aside by the pony you care about without a second thought! Which is why I decided to bring you here, to my home. Or rather, far outside my home. Think about it, just you and me, two lonely ponies together again as friends, living in an eternal dream. Free from worry, strife, and all the other troubles of the other world." Fluttershy shook her head.
"Eve, you know very well that that's not how it works." she said.
"Why can't it be?!" Eve demanded, anger edging her voice. "Why can't we do it? Why? Why?!" Eve broke down into tears.
"For the same reason you couldn't leave your home, I care about my friends, and you Eve. Please do the right thing, and send me back home." Fluttershy wasn't lying as she spoke, trying to plead with Eve, her fillyhood playmate. She needed to understand that what she was doing wasn't right. Eve didn't say anything, instead she turned to Fluttershy, her face hidden by her mane.
"You really want to go home?" she asked in a tone that sent chills down Fluttershy's back. "Not if I can help it." She tossed a hoofful of dust into Fluttershy's face once more, her head reeled as she began to lose contentiousness.
"What did you do?" asked Fluttershy helplessly.
"It won't harm you, by the time you wake up, you'll forget all about your friends." said Eve in a calm tone. Fluttershy's eyes widened, a wave of sleep threatening to take over.
"No..." Fluttershy whispered. She fell, reaching a hoof toward Eve before collapsing into another deep sleep.
"I'm the only friend you could ever need." Eve said, believing this to be true. Not realizing how misguided her actions were. To her it didn't matter, nothing mattered, because she had what she wanted. Her best friend forever and eternity.
Twilight let out a very long yawn. She felt a bit drowsy, getting up and ready to start the night. Discord was snoring on his side of the room. 'How is it I was able to sleep through that?' Twilight wondered to herself. She trotted to him, and shook him by the shoulder.
"Rise and shine Discord! We have a long night ahead of us, and we need to get moving." said Twilight. Spike was a heavy sleeper back home, so she had a bit of practice in waking up ponies who weren't in a waking mood. Discord shooed her off with his hoof, grumbled and turned to his side. Twilight tried to lift him into the air with a spell, but remembered she didn't have her horn. She let out an aggravated sigh and took Discord by the back leg (because his tail was too short) and dragged him out of the house. It was then, that Discord finally chose to wake up and move about on his own.
"I can wake myself up, thank you very much." he said. Twilight rolled her eyes, wondering how Fluttershy could put up with somepony like him.
"Hey, I haven't seen you two around here before!" The two turned to the speaker. A female Nightmare, with fire red mane and eyes. She looked at them suspiciously.
"Who are you?" she inquired. Twilight spoke for the both of them, using their cover story.
"I'm Dawn and this is my...er brother Dusk. We grew up in the castle, and thought it would be better to live an easier life with the rest of you." she cracked a nervous smile. Discord lowered his eyes, there was no way she'd believe a flimsy story like that. The nightmare smiled.
"In that case, it's great to have you here." she said. Then again, the gullibility of ponies never ceased to amaze him.
"My name is Starla, I'm the whose who if you catch my drift." she winked at them as if they were sharing a personal secret. "Have any questions, feel free to ask me." Twilight and Discord weren't entirely sure what to make of her, but the willingly followed her, as she led them to the other Nightmares.
"Hey guys, I'd like you to meet some new ponies!" said Starla enthusiastically. The Nightmares turned to Starla and saw the new Nightmares that she was introducing.
"This is Dawn and her brother Dusk, they're from the castle!"
"The castle?"
"That mean's they've lived with the queen."
"That Dusk fellow looks kinda cute." The Nightmares welcomed them with open hooves. One of the Nightmares, another girl with short pink and yellow mane walked up to them, shaking their hooves.
"Nice to meet you Dawn and Dusk! My name is Starburst, and let me tell you, it's nice to meet somepony new." Twilight and Discord quickly learned that Starburst was a chatter box. She went on and on, introducing them to all the Nightmares.
"That's Constance, Coal, Bellatrix, Cassandra, Lexie, Ganymede, Magellan, Andromeda, Nova, Calypso, ...." Discord tuned out her endless chatter as he scanned for Moonlight Eve, but there didn't seem to be any sign of her. He bit the inside of his cheek. She was probably reveling in how clever she was, and having a perfectly pleasant time with Fluttershy.
".....and of course you've met Starla, but, somepony seems to be missing." Starla rolled her eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh.
"Moonlight Eve, ugh, that lazy pony has been lagging behind lately, and I'm tired of having to wait for her to show up before we can ride out! Starla seemed to have some kind of distaste for Moonlight Eve. 'Join the club.' Discord thought. 'We should just leave without her, at the rate she gallops, we'll be here until midnight."
"Wait! I'm here!" Moonlight Eve came galloping toward them, out of breath. "Sorry I'm late."
"Well it's about time slowpoke." said Starla, lifting her head up in a snooty fashion.
"I said I was sorry." Moonlight Eve noticed Twilight and Discord and looked at them curiously.
Hello, have we met?" she asked. Their eyes widened, had they been discovered? Luckily Starla stepped in, covering for them.
"Very unlikely Eve, Dawn and Dusk are from the castle, someplace a Nightmare like you isn't worth even mentioning." said Starla. Some of the Nightmares laughed at Starla's mean joke. If it weren't for the situation they were in and the fact that she was a dirty, no good kidnapper, Discord would almost feel sorry for her.
"Now that everypony is here, let's head out!" The Nightmares lined up on the a shining, milky white path that cut through the grass, Moonlight Eve was way in the back with Twilight and Discord.
"And...go!" The Nightmares galloped down the path, the nightly ride had begun. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 7 | Chapter 7
In the castle, Princess Luna and the rest of the girls were in the guest room that Queen Amalthea had assigned to them. It was roughly medium sized, there were no windows, a couple chairs and a single bed, but other than that it was fairly cozy. The girls were settling down, getting comfortable in their temporary dwelling.
"I know these are plain sheets, but the material is exquisite!" said Rarity complementing on the bed sheets that shimmered almost like satin. "In fact a lot of things in this castle are absolutely fabulous!"
"And super shiny!" added Pinkie Pie rubbing the high polished floor that also shined to a glow with hooves. Making an occasional goofy face that made her giggle.
"Too bad the ruler isn't as nice." said Rainbow Dash, trying to get comfortable on one of the chairs that would serve as her bed.
"I hope Twilight and Discord are doing alright, if the Nightmares are anything like their queen, I can't imagine what kind of trouble that could happen to them out there." said Applejack, hanging up her hat.
"I'm sure Twilight's doing fine, " said Rarity. "Discord however, I can't say the same for. He's gotten better, I'll give him that, but he's still unpredictable."
"He better be careful." said Rainbow Dash. "We already lost Fluttershy, and I don't want us to lose any more friends."
"Worry not Rainbow Dash," said Princess Luna confidently. "I know that Discord will do whatever it takes to get Fluttershy back." But in her mind she thought, 'I hope.'
The nightly ride didn't seem like anything special. The Nightmares galloped along the milky pathway, scattering bits of light with each hoof beat as they stepped across it.
"It's almost like the running of the leaves." Twilight whispered to Discord.
"Never really cared much for it, the race was the only interesting thing about the whole thing." said Discord in a bored tone, further expressing his disinterest. His golden eyes looked around, trying to keep himself entertained despite the sheer boredom he was experiencing. They stopped and shot a hard glare at Moonlight Eve, who was doing her best to keep up with the group. It was all that pony's fault! He was just itching to grab her by the shoulders and force the answers out of her. Twilight followed his gaze and looked back at him.
"Not yet." she told him. Discord scowled. He wanted to go interrogate her, but Twilight and Princess Luna had made him promise not to take action without their permission. He cursed himself for making such a promise, why did he even make it? Twilight had explained that it was for his own good, saying it was because he was in a delicate, emotional state and could over react if not careful. That he'd give them away. He was not in an emotional state! He was perfectly and chaotically fine. 100, no, 200% completely and utterly utterly alright, if not bored. He didn't need the permission of some princesses to do or not do something. If he were in his normal Draconequus form he'd have no problem getting his answers. But Princess Luna had been quite clear that while in Aestas, they'd all obey the rules. An activity he didn't care for and would rather avoid. 'This is all kinds of humiliating! If Celestia or anypony else were to find out, I'd never here the end of it.'
There was only one thing that made him do all this, and it was not a promise to a couple of princesses. His mind thought of Fluttershy. Her quiet yet lovely voice, her teal eyes, the adorable way she'd blush and hide her face behind that silky mane of hers. He thought back to the time at the dinner party, where he'd been causing trouble and it was there that Fluttershy had declared him her friend. She'd shown him kindness while others might not have thought he'd deserved it. She even put up with him in her cottage when he'd contracted an actual sickness after being sneezed on by a giant worm, and nursed him back to health. She'd done so much for him, and it was time that he returned the favor. He'd do anything, even keeping a pathetic princess promise if it ensured further success of seeing her again, to giggle and talk with her once more.
"Okay, let's stop here and take a break!" announced Starla. The Nightmares slowed down and stopped at a patch of luminescent flowers. The Nightmares moved about, grazing on theses plants. Twilight sniffed one of the flowers and took a small bite.
"Not bad." she said. Discord also tried a flower.
"Needs more salt." he said. Moonlight Eve knelt down near the pair, quietly eating the flowers.
"Alright, I'll go and talk to her, and you'll stay here until I'm done." said Twilight. Discord narrowed his eyes.
"Now that's hardly fair! I want to interrogate her too, we could do a good cop, bad cop routine."
"I'll ask for your help when I need it." Twilight said. She turned and walked to Moonlight Eve. Discord rolled his eyes, wanting to do something other than be the princess' supervisor. Instead he would likely die of boredom before she got back.
"Hey, mind if I sit with you?" Moonlight Eve lifted her head, surprised that somepony was talking to her, much less asking to sit with her.
"Um...sure...." she finally said. The new Nightmare sat down beside her and began to eat some of the flowers.
"You're Moonlight Eve, right?" she asked. Moonlight Eve nodded a light.
"I prefer to be called Eve though, the Moonlight part isn't all that great."
"Eve's a nice name." she said, making some small talk.
"And you're Dawn, it's not often we get somepony new here, especially from the castle." said Eve. "You and your brother are sure to liven things up a bit." Dawn rolled her eyes.
"You have no idea. There are times when he can be nothing but a pain, but so long as he's here I'm gonna have to put up with him and keep him out of trouble."
"We could use a little trouble." said Eve. A small mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "It can get so boring and routine, that a little change is almost welcomed here."
"Best you don't tell him that, otherwise he'd go all out." Eve relaxed a little, finding herself enjoying this pony's company, but only a little bit. For all she knew, she just wanted something from her, or to tease her as the others had.
"So, how does this nightly ride work exactly?" asked Dawn casually, changing the subject entirely.
"Well, you know of course we can't directly interfere with the dreams of dreamers, so we ride down the milky pathway, scattering a special dust that helps bring good dreams to dreamers." Eve explained. Dawn's face filled with intrigue and curiosity.
"So you indirectly influence whether a pony er dreamer will have a good dream?" Eve nodded.
"Dreamers have the power to have either good or bad dreams, but good dreams are nicer, and we assist in helping dreamers have them."
"But, won't the dreamers be fine without us?" Eve lowered her head, and pawed at a flower.
"Maybe so, but the queen believes that we're helping them, that we are vital to the dreamers. But...I think she's just afraid."
"Afraid? Afraid of what?" asked Dawn.
"What else? Of becoming useless, of becoming forgotten. When Princess Luna abandoned us, we had no direction or leadership other than the queen's. She saw this as an insult to all Nightmares, and out of pride decreed that we would separate from the dreamers, that we didn't need them, but that they needed us." Eve became quiet, she looked over at the other Nightmares who were blissfully talking and eating.
"But that's not what's real." Eve continued. "The real truth is that we need dreamers. But unless the queen says otherwise, nothing will change." She looked up at Dawn embarrassed.
"Sorry, I'm probably talking your ear off, just like Starburst. I probably sound like a downer." Dawn shook her head.
"Not at all, you're only saying the truth, and there's nothing wrong with that." said Dawn. Eve looked away and bit back a small smile.
"Thanks." Eve mumbled. Dawn smiled at her.
"What are friends for?" Eve hid in her mane, and ran a hoof over her bangs, trying to hide herself.
"Excuse me, I...I have to go and...do something." she said, moving to another spot. Starla sat next to Dawn.
"Don't mind her, Eve's always been a little weirdo. Honestly, I don't see why she tries to make friends when she should know it's never going to happen." Dawn lowered her eyes at her.
"Isn't that a little...mean?" she asked. Starla scoffed, tossing her fire red mane over her shoulder.
"Maybe it is, but that Nightmare should buck up and start acting like a Nightmare." Dawn frowned.
"Excuse me, I need to check on my brother." said Dawn.
"It was good talking with you." Starla said with a wave good bye.
"I can't believe her!" Twilight said huffily to Discord. "That...Starla is nothing but a mean pony who bullies Eve around. What did she ever do wrong?"
"Um, how about kidnapping our friend?" said Discord matter-of-factly. Twilight shook her head.
I meant to the Nightmares! They just seem...awful, with ponies like these, who needs enemies?" Discord arched an eyebrow at her.
"You're not actually feeling sorry for her, are you?" he questioned. Twilight sighed.
"I don't know, maybe a little. Eve just seems to be lonely, and not really evil, maybe we can convince her to let Fluttershy go in exchange for friendship." Discord snickered.
"Oh yeah, I can see that going smoothly." he said sarcastically. "Excuse me Eve, would you mind terribly if we took back our friend? We promise that if you let us we'll show you the 'magic of friendship'." He used his hooves to make air quotes around 'magic of friendship'. Twilight groaned.
"Okay, okay, so we need a better approach." said Twilight.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." said Discord. He grinned as Twilight rubbed her forehead in irritation.
"Why couldn't I have been paired with Applejack or Rarity? Heck, even Pinkie Pie would've been better." Twilight complained.
"Well get used to it princess, because we're gonna be stuck with each other for a while, and in that time you're my only source of entertainment." Twilight's pupils shrunk. What had she gotten herself into?
Queen Amalthea was walking down one of her many long hallways, she enjoyed strolling down them whenever she needed to think. And she had a lot to think about. What with Moonlight Eve disobeying her and the return of Princess Luna, a pony she'd hoped never to see again. Was she being petty? Perhaps, but it was justified. 1,000 years with no word, suddenly appearing and demanding her help. As soon as this whole mess was over, the two would continue on with their lives and never have to speak to each other again. As the queen was nearing her chambers, she was stopped by the very pony that she'd been thinking about.
"Amalthea! We must talk." Queen Amalthea stopped and turned to look at Princess Luna trotting to her.
"About what?" asked Amalthea, trying to be patient with her, even though she didn't want to have any further business with her. Princess gave the queen a no nonsense look.
"You know exactly what I want to talk about, we need to talk about...the incident." said Luna. Queen Amalthea's whole body stiffened, her eyes turned to slits.
"We've already agreed to leave that in the past, and to keep to ourselves." she said through gritted teeth.
"We did no such thing." argued Luna. "You sent me one, one letter when I returned saying that you had cut all ties to the dreamer world, and haven't answered any of the countless letters I've sent to you." Amalthea's frown deepened with each word that left Luna. "I know what I did was wrong, which is why I'm trying to make up for it." Amalthea opened up her chamber doors and gave a quick glare at Luna.
"You're 1,000 years too late your highness." said Amalthea as she shut the door in Luna's face. Luna heard the click of the lock on the other side. Luna knocked loudly on the door, trying to call out to the queen.
"Amalthea, open the door! You can't avoid this forever! Sooner or later, we need to deal with this issue." No reply came. Luna heaved a sigh. "Very well, when you feel like talking, you know where to find me." Princess Luna stalked off, back to her room where the others were waiting. In the queen's chamber, Queen Amalthea leaned her back against the door, listening as the hoofsteps faded away. Though she wholeheartedly denied it, she felt a twinge of regret. All those years she'd believed that breaking away was the right course of action to take, and yet now, she was having doubts about her decision. Which was impossible! A queen was never wrong. And yet, she was beginning to feel unsure.
"We can't change the past Luna." she whispered. "I've accepted my actions, but have you truly accepted yours?" |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 8 | Chapter 8
Eve was glad when it was almost daybreak and the nightly ride was finally over, finally she could slip away to someplace more important, but first she needed to step inside her house real quick and grab a few things. She entered the house, which was a bit cluttered and untidy, it had been a while since she last did any house keeping. On a long table in the middle of the room, there were bowls and vials full of dust. Not the kind that you sweep under the rug (though she did have some of that lying around), but magic dust that she herself collected and created. each one of a different color and was imbued with different properties. When used correctly, they could have long lasting, potent affects, and she'd need to bring some of it with her. Shoving a few of the vials and grabbing a few essentials, Eve waited till she was sure that everypony pony had returned to their respected homes.
She opened her door just a crack and peeked out, to make sure nopony was still out and about. Quietly, she left the house. Making sure the door was shut firmly behind her, and journeyed over the northern hill that looked over the town. She stopped, having reached its peak, on the other side was a place most self-respecting Nightmares didn't dare go. The Garden of Shadows, a place of absolute darkness and once fabled to have been part of the dark side of Aestas, a place of bad dreams. But the nightmare creatures, the Tenebris, who once ruled over the bad dreams and had once lived there were gone, and all that remained that showed any faint trace of their existence was a forest of ginormous black thorns and briers, and tall dead trees. A hulking mass that looked like a monster.
Though she was older, there were times when she would feel her old fear of the dark creep back into her. She'd end up envisioning all sorts of monsters that could be lurking in that nothingness, waiting to reach out, and pull her in. Eve shook her head, she needed to buck up and start acting her age, she wasn't a filly anymore. She headed down the hill to the Garden of Shadows, as she drew near, the light wind whisked through the tree branches and other plants, sounding like a raspy whisper. She chose to ignore it, and plunged ahead. All around her, Eve saw nothing but pitch blackness, making it easy for one to get lost if they didn't know their way, and it was a good place for hiding. Eve reached into her bag and pulled out a vial of dust that had a faint glow and would serve as her guiding light. carefully, she stepped over twisted tree roots, ducked under over heading vines of thorns, and in no time made it to her destination.
The golden cage had its own light about it, a beacon in the dark and was covered by protective thorns to ensure nopony got in or out. She reached into her bag again, drawing some deep green dust, and tossed it at the thorns. As it touched them, the thorns parted for Eve. allowing her entrance to the cage door. The Nightmare entered the cage, a smile on her face at the sweet sight she saw. Fluttershy slept soundly on the cage floor, she looked so at peace it seemed almost a shame to wake her up, but she'd been waiting all night to see her again.
Everything was an unintelligible blur in Fluttershy's mind as she started to wake up. Like she'd been trying to holding onto some kind of dream that was important, but couldn't remember what it was or why it was important. She opened her eyes to find her friend Eve sitting next to her.
"So, you're finally up, about time." said Eve. Fluttershy sat up and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hoof.
"How long have I been asleep?" she asked, yawning.
"I'd say about all night, you must've been really tired."
"I suppose so..."
"Well enough chit chat, its time for a little breakfast." Eve reached into her bag and pulled out a couple of day old rolls, handing one to Fluttershy.
"I guess I am a bit hungry." she said. Her stomach grumbled as if in agreement. Eve giggled.
"More than a bit, judging by the roar your stomach just made." Fluttershy's face turned red and she put a hoof to her tummy. She quickly ate up the roll.
"So," Fluttershy began, "did anything interesting happen while I was out?"
"Actually yes, a couple of new Nightmares came to live in the village, from the castle." said Eve, eating her roll in one bite.
"Really? What were they like?" Fluttershy asked with curiosity.
"I'm not too sure, they seemed nice enough, but it's too early to tell."
"Well I'm sure they're very nice ponies, and they might not be too used to everypony yet. I know I get all nervous when I meet somepony new."
"One of them...Dawn, talked to me and I think she might want to be friends with me." Eve looked at Fluttershy hesitantly, unsure of what her reaction would be. But Fluttershy smiled politely.
"That's wonderful!" she said. Eve was surprised by this response.
"R-really? You don't mind?" Fluttershy shook her head.
"Of course not, I think it's a good thing, it'll give you a chance good to socialize and fit in with the others." Eve was silent and didn't meet Fluttershy's gaze.
"What if, I don't want to fit in? What if I'm happy with how things are?" asked Eve.
"If that's how you feel, then nopony will force you, but you never know when you might change your mind."
"Pfft! Like I'd ever change my mind." scoffed Eve. "What more could I want than my best friend?" Fluttershy wanted to press further, but judging by the uneasy look on her friend's face, she thought it best to drop the subject....for now. Eve's face brightened instantly as she leaned toward Fluttershy and said excitedly, "You want to see a magic trick?" Fluttershy smiled and nodded, wondering what exactly Eve had planned for her.
"Then prepare!" Eve boomed in a dramatic voice. "For the spectacular feats of magic and mystery that I have brought to you." Eve took hold of vial of bright blue dust, uncorking it, she blew its contents high up into the air above them. The particles of dust swirled around, as they hit the roof of the cage, they burst into the form of animal silhouettes. Fluttershy looked in wonder, applauding at the display, but Eve still had more tricks up her sleeve. With a pinch on hot pink dust, cast it over one of the thorn vines out side the cage. The vine turned from black to a healthy green and from it bloomed a beautiful pink rose. Eve plucked the radiant blossom and presented it to Fluttershy.
"A sweet rose for a friend that's just as sweet." said Eve. Fluttershy laughed at Eve's flattery. "And now, for the greatest feat ever witnessed or performed before pony eyes!" Eve procured what looked like a stuffed bunny from underneath a magician's cloth. The bunny looked to have been made out of lint and dust. For this trick, Eve used a full vial of lavender dust, pouring it onto the bunny. Imagine Fluttershy's surprise as the bunny let out a sneeze and came to life. Fluttershy applauded wildly, the dusty bunny looked up at her with great curiosity. Fluttershy fawned over the little dear, sure he was a bit dirty, but he was still a fluffy little bunny. It reminded her of...something....perhaps another bunny she knew once. But she couldn't quite place the familiarity.
"He's so sweet." Fluttershy stroked him behind one of his large, lumpy ears.
"His name is Lumen, I...made him when I was a filly, he was the only thing I had for a plaything." Eve said, a touch embarrassed. She'd never shown Lumen to anypony before. And with good reason, all the Nightmares would've laughed at her if they ever saw her carrying the little dust bunny around. But she knew how much Fluttershy loved bunnies, and thought it would be nice to give her a little extra company for when she was away.
"I was thinking, that, maybe we could share him, if you'd like." said Eve unsure.
"That would be lovely." Fluttershy replied, cuddling the bunny. The two of them played with Lumen until it was roughly midday. Eve let out a yawn, her eye lids started to droop a little.
"Are you feeling tired?" Eve shook her head, trying to keep her eyes open.
"No, no, I'm fine." she yawned again, even louder.
"Eve, if you're tired, you should get some rest."
"I don't need any rest, I can-" she yawned once more. Fluttershy helped Eve up, and walked her to the cage door.
"How long has it been since you last slept?" Eve thought for a moment, trying to recall.
"Let's see...what day is it again?"
"That settles it, you need to head on and get some sleep." Fluttershy said, handing Eve her bag. Eve shook her head in protest.
"I can't go yet, I don't want to leave you here."
"Don't worry about me, Lumen will keep me company." said Fluttershy. "Besides, you getting your rest is far more important." Eve tried to protest some more, but could only manage yet another yawn.
"Very well." said a defeated Eve. "I'll be back again later, and I'll try to bring more tricks with me." Eve opened the cage door and cleared a pathway for her.
"Take care!" Fluttershy called, she and Lumen waved goodbye to Eve a she disappeared into the shadows. "Oh, I hope she'll be alright." said Fluttershy worriedly.
Back in the Nightmare village, Twilight had been resting up when she was awoken by banging on the door. She let out a yelp as the door swung open,a frazzled Starla stood in the doorway. Her red eyes looked up and around the cottage, stopping on the ceiling.
"Aha! They've struck here too!" cried Starla.
"Huh?!" Twilight looked up at the ceiling in turn, finding it covered in muddy hoof prints. "What the-?!"
"Some prankster has been going around to everyponies' house, whoever it is they've been making a mess of things." Starla's eyes seemed to glow like two flames. Like uprooting flower beds and putting them on rooftops, or poor Calypso's house that's been splattered with garish paint, don't even get me started on what they did to my house. It's chaos I tell you, nothing but chaos!" As Starla stormed off, muttering to herself as she left to check on the next house. Twilight closed the door. Her eyes narrowed as she had a good idea of who the perpetrator could be.
"Chaos huh?" She turned to see Discord was also awake and whistling an innocent tune.
"Something the matter Twilight?" he asked in a silky tone he often used when he tried to sound casual but that instead made him seem all the more guilty.
"You can cut the act Discord, it's obvious that this is your doing." spat Twilight. Discord put a hoof to his chest and lifted hid head high.
"My dear Twilight, surely you're not suggesting that-"
"Discord!" She gave him an angry look. Discord rolled his eyes at her.
"Yes, yes, it was me. Happy now?"
"No! I mean...! Why did you...? How did you even get onto the ceiling?!" Discord smirked a devious smirk.
"That's a trade secret that I cannot indulge." he said, his eyes full of mischief. Twilight groaned, becoming increasingly more agitated.
"However, as to why I did it, would you really expect anything less from me? When you're a creature of chaos, you need to have a little harmless fun, otherwise you'll go stir crazy." He laid his chin on a hoof as he faced Twilight.
"And the best part of this is the amusement I get out of you knowing who was behind these little pranks, but are sadly in a position that makes you unable to tell anypony who did them." he said, laughing at the look on Twilight's face.
"Why you..." She wanted to scream at him, but Discord put his hoof on her mouth, cutting her off.
"Now, now Twilight. We wouldn't want to disturb our gracious neighbors, now would we?" Twilight bit the inside of her cheek.
"No, we wouldn't." she growled, resisting the urge to throttle Discord as he flashed a devilish smile and patted her on the head before leaving.
"That's a good princess. I suggest you let out that temper of yours before we head off, dear Twilight." Discord couldn't help but grin with glee, Twilight's reactions were always worth a good laugh. He knew he was on an important mission, but when has that ever stopped him from throwing out a needed bit of chaos among ponies? He was still set on finding Fluttershy mind you, but he'd also need to vent off as much boredom as possible in order to think up a marvelous plan. He stopped, peering from the side of one of the houses to see Eve exiting her house, stretching out her legs before noticing all the confused and angry Nightmares.
"Oh my stars! What happened while I was asleep?" Eve took in all the disgruntled faces and the craziness that had befallen all of the houses. All...except hers.
"YOU!" bellowed Starla, pointing an accusing hoof at her. "You caused all of this didn't you? As payback or something." Eve was speechless, her eyebrows knit in confusion.
"What? No! I would never do anything like this." She said defensively. "Even if you do deserve it." Starla's mane seemed to be glowing brighter, becoming actual flames.
"It's one thing to go around defacing our homes, but to deny it and act all innocent? Well, it's about time we teach you a lesson." Discord rubbed his hooves together, waiting to watch the fight go down. Sadly for him, Twilight had seen the action and stepped between Starla and Eve, whose eyes were widened in fear.
"What do you think you're doing?!" asked Twilight. The flames of Starla's mane quelled, but she stood her ground.
"Don't you see? It's all her fault! She's the one who went around causing all those little pranks." Twilight looked over her shoulder to see that Eve was shaking.
"There's no way Eve had anything to do with this." said Twilight boldly.
"Come on, it's obvious it was her. Besides, do you have any proof that she didn't do it?"
"Do you have any proof that she did?" challenged Twilight. The Nightmares looked back and forth between the two. The flames from Starla disappeared completely, she looked down at her hooves.
"No, I don't." she admitted begrudgingly.
"Then there you have it. For now, I suggest we put this whole mess behind us and prepare for the ride, we can clean up when we get back." Twilight then asked slyly, "Or would you rather I take this up with the queen?" That seemed to be enough to shut them up, and they all left.
"I didn't need your help." said Eve. Twilight smiled at her.
"I know, but I wanted to." Discord was disappointed. That Nightmare deserved every injury she would've received in the brawl, but instead Princess Twilight had to come to her rescue. An idea hit him, and he smiled. 'Enjoy your time while you can.' he thought, watching Eve. 'Because soon, you'll regret ever meeting Fluttershy.'
Princess Luna stood on the balcony of one of the castle towers, her thought turning to distant memories of the past. One day in particular played over and over in her mind's eye.
"Princess Luna, is what I've heard true?"
"That depends, what have you heard?"
"That you've been lurking near the Garden of Shadows, please tell me it isn't true."
"........."
"No. Do you have any idea what you're risking just by being near that cursed place?"
"It was merely out of curiosity! I've read how immense power existed there, and wanted to see if it was indeed gone."
"You of all ponies should know of the legend, your highness. It was that same power that upset the balance of Aestas and brought the Tenebris to ruin."
"Is it a crime to see for oneself if the legend was indeed true?"
"....I will only ask this once of you Luna, do not return to the garden. The creatures may be gone, but their influence still lies dormant, and should somepony happen to-"
"I am the Princess of the Night Amalthea, I will not fall victim to the garden's corruption."
"......See that you don't."
The princess sighed. 'Why? Why didn't I listen?' What she hadn't told Queen Amalthea, was that she'd gone to the Garden of Shadows for a more selfish reason. She'd gone in the hopes of discovering a magic that would help to strengthen her own, and would make her her sister's equal, or her better. She'd grown tired of watching the ponies bask in her sister's precious light, and jealousy took root in her. It was this that led to her corruption, to turning into Nightmare Moon. She couldn't escape the past, but the least she could do was face the future and accept the consequences for her actions.
"Princess Luna." said a voice. Luna turned to see the girls trotting toward her.
"What are you four doing here? Shouldn't you be back in the room?" she questioned. Rainbow Dash shook her head.
"We couldn't stand waiting around any longer. We came to help Fluttershy, and that's what we intend to do." she said. Applejack nodded in agreement.
"We're hoping to find something useful in this castle's library."
"Yeah, it's amazing what kind of helpful stuff we end up finding in a library." Piped Pinkie Pie.
"Would you care to join us?" asked Rarity. Luna gave one last look up at the sky before replying, "Alright, what do you propose to find?"
"No idea!" chirped Pinkie. "But we'll know it when we see it." Princess Luna followed the ponies as the headed off in search of the library. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 9 | Chapter 9
Fluttershy tossed and turned in her sleep, something that had been occurring a lot over the past few days. Lumen felt sorry for the pegasus and hopped to her side, rubbing his head against her cheek to comfort her. Fluttershy woke up and saw the dust bunny, she smiled kindly at him.
"Good morning Lumen." She reached out her hoof and petted his head. "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me, I just..." She paused and looked up at the cage ceiling. "I just keep feeling as though there's something important that I need to remember. I only wish I knew what it was." Lumen rested his head on Fluttershy's arm, to show that he was there for her.
"Thank you, maybe when Eve gets back I can talk to her about it." Fluttershy smiled as she thought of her. Dear Eve, her only friend and the only pony who made her happy when she was a little filly. They'd been together for how long now? It was a all a blur, not unlike her dreams. The only things she seemed to remember clearly were the memories of when she and Eve were little, all the times they played together, and nothing else. 'Nothing else other than Eve...somehow...that doesn't sound quite right. There should be more than just Eve, shouldn't there?' Fluttershy picked up the sound of the cage door rattling and turned to see Eve stepping inside.
"Oh, you're already up, I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." said Eve.
"No, not at all, in fact I woke up not too long ago."
"Good, are you hungry? I brought some more food this time."
"Yes please." As Fluttershy nibbled on a biscuit Eve had brought, she looked to her friend and asked her question.
"Um, Eve, do you ever have a certain dream that's trying to tell you something important, but no matter how hard you try you can't make it out?" Eve looked at her in bewilderment over such a strange question.
"I wouldn't know." she said, focusing on her own food. "Nightmares don't have dreams."
"Never?" asked Fluttershy. Eve shook her head.
"That's one of the reasons we call ponies dreamers, because unlike us they possess the ability to dream."
"Then, what happens when you sleep?"
"Nothing, it's all blank and empty. We close our eyes and see nothing. It's a time where we rest and wait till it's time to start our usual routine." Fluttershy couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"That sounds awful!" she cried. Eve shook her head.
"It's really not that bad."
"But dreams are important! They allow you to be who you want to be, to imagine the impossible. I can't imagine what it'd be like if were to suddenly stop dreaming." Fluttershy looked at her friend with pity. "I shouldn't have said anything."
"You didn't know, there's no harm done. It's just something we Nightmares need to live with." Even though Eve didn't seemed to be bothered by not being able to dream, Fluttershy couldn't help but feel pangs of sadness in her own heart. A life with out dreams, what kind of life must that be like?
"Why did you ask? Is something troubling you?" asked Eve. Fluttershy just looked down and sighed, "No, it's nothing really." She didn't bring up her dreams again after that for the duration of Eve's visit. How could she? As Eve said, she wouldn't understand. Right as Eve was about to leave, Fluttershy stopped her and said, "There's...one more thing I want to ask you Eve."
"Yes?" Fluttershy gulped, and let out her question.
"Well, I've been thinking, it gets a bit lonely and dull here, and I was wondering, if I can go outside the cage? Just for a bit?" Eve froze.
"Whatever for? You've seen those thorns outside, it's best you stay in here."
"Yes but," Fluttershy ruffled her wings against her sides, "I want to see what else there is. Something other than just this cage, other than you." Eve's face became almost a dark gray as she paled at those words. She'd gotten rid of those pesky memories of Fluttershy's old friends, and still she wanted to leave? How could this be?
"B-but we've been having so much fun!" said Eve, a wild look started to pass over her eyes and her voice raised in pitch as she frantically spoke. "Is it because I'm always leaving? I can stay here with you if that's what you want. I can use my dust to transform this place into a living dream, I'll surround you in a garden of roses and wonder. You don't need ever leave here." Fluttershy took a step back, somewhat alarmed by Eve's behavior.
"You don't have anypony else, just like me, so tell me what's missing. I can give it to you. Whatever it is, I'll give it to you." Fluttershy remained calm and replied softly, "It's not enough."
"What do you mean?! What's not enough?!"
"This, our friendship. I care about you Eve, as any friend does. But, there must be more than just you in my life. I've been feeling...empty somehow. I want to go out and see beyond this cage, to see and experience other things." Fluttershy then gave Eve a pleading look. "As my friend, then you know that this is true." Eve felt her body shaking. Her friend wanted to leave. Wanted to leave her. She...she couldn't! And yet, somewhere inside, Eve could hear a voice telling her that what she was doing was indeed wrong. She wanted her friend all to herself, but at the cost of her friend's freedom? No, this was all crazy. It was time to set things right.
"Alright," she whispered. "I'll...let you out." Fluttershy's face light up.
"Really?"
"But...not right now. I've run low on dust, and I'll need to make some more in order to get safely through the thorns."
"How long will it take?" asked Fluttershy.
"Just a day or two, I'll come back for you and we can leave together." Fluttershy smiled widely.
"Oh thank you Eve! Thank you!" Eve smiled sadly, and headed back out into the Garden of Shadows.
The walk back was taking longer than usual, for Eve was feeling downtrodden that Fluttershy wanted to leave, that she wasn't content with just their friendship. It was probably for the best. It was foolish to assume that she keep Fluttershy forever. And why can't you keep her forever? A chilling voice whispered, tickling at Eve's ear. 'Am I imagining things?' she wondered. Oh, this is no imagination, I assure you. The voice seemed to be reading her thoughts. She wanted to run, but something made her stay frozen to the spot.
You've waited for so long for your friend, you've showered her with attention, your friendship, and how does she repay you? By wanting to leave you. Poor Moonlight Eve, all alone for eternity. 'That's not true! Fluttershy's still my friend!' Perhaps, but friend or not, what should happen should you let the pegasus go? Eve's pupil's shrunk, she could feel the voice entering her, speaking directly inside her. You've disobeyed the queen twice now, what will she say or even do once she finds out? And what about those old friends? The ones you've made her forget about. What if they should find her, and she should regain her memories? She would never forgive you for what you've done to her. And you'd be all alone, forgotten, an insignificant spec to be tossed aside without so much as a passing thought.
With each word, Eve began to believe the voice. She believed everything it said, convincing her otherwise why not to free Fluttershy.
"Then what should I do?" she asked aloud. In front of her hooves, shooting up from the ground came a flower. It looked a bit like a lotus, with dingy gray petals. Pick the flower, and use its pollen. You shall find that it'll prove most useful.
"What will it do? she asked. The voice chuckled darkly. With this, your dear friend can't possibly refuse you. She'll be yours forever, just like you've always wanted.
"Just as...I've always wanted...." Eve said almost mechanically. Yes, now go on, take the flower. You don't want to lose your friend do you?
".....No....I don't...." Eve reached out and picked the flower, it's stem shriveled and died while the blossom remained healthy. Eve no longer thought about Fluttershy's wish or what was truly best for her, for in that flower, she only saw what she perceived as the answer to all her problems, to claiming her happiness.
A plan to get back at Eve had been festering within Discord's mind over the past few days, and now he was ready to execute that plan. He waited till Twilight had fallen asleep before he headed out of the house. For it to work, he needed somepony to do the dirty work (so as not to alert the suspicions of an already peeved Princess Twilight). And he knew just the pony for the job. He knocked on the door of the house, waiting for its resident to appear. Starla opened the door, and gave him a friendly yet confused smile.
"Oh, hello Dusk, what brings you here?" she asked. Discord gave her what he considered his most charming smile.
"I beg your pardon for coming here so late, but I wanted to come and apologize for the way my sister acted toward you during the, ahem, prank incident." Starla opened the door a bit wider, trusting in what he was telling her.
"You don't need to apologize, I've put it all behind me." she said. Discord smiled and gave an understanding nod.
"Yes well, I'm afraid she has a bit of a habit of talking without thinking things all the way through." The corner's of Discord's mouth curved into a smile as he saw that his deception was working. Now he needed to lure into his little plan.
"Though, and this is just my opinion mind you, you were right in suspecting that Moonlight Eve in being the true perpetrator. That mare just seems so shady, and so reserved. I mean, just what do we know about her? And if she were the one who did all those pranks, just what could she be planning to do next?" Starla tapped her chin thoughtfully, thinking about what he said.
"Of course," added Discord. "I really shouldn't be saying such things. I'd hate to tarnish the good name of your friend."
"She's not really my friend." said Starla. "She's not anypony's friend." Discord gasped, pretending to be astonished by what she said.
"No friends at all? Dear me, no wonder she seems so...so...what's the word?" Discord waved a hoof and said, "Oh never mind, it doesn't matter much. But in all seriousness, somepony really should keep an eye on her, just to be sure that no funny business happens again." Discord could see the glint in Starla's eye. He had her right where he wanted her.
"I'm sure nopony would object, considering it would be for everypony's own benefit." he said. He gave Starla a small bow and turned his hoof to leave. "I enjoyed this little chat, but I must be heading back. I wouldn't want my dear sister to worry about where I've been. Goodnight, dear Starla." Starla waved a little, a small smile on her face.
"Goodnight, Dusk." Discord allowed a devilish grin to curve upon his face. He'd given Starla a little suggestion, and it was up to her to handle the rest. 'This should be quite interesting.' he thought gleefully. He could just feel the trouble that would soon be brewing. He made it back inside the house, just as he was closing the door, a voice from behind spoke up.
"And where were you?" Discord whirled around to see Twilight looking at him suspiciously.
"Oh you know, just thought I'd go out for a walk to help clear my head. I mean, it's been days now, with no change whatsoever, and poor sweet Fluttershy is probably despairing somewhere right now. Wondering what has kept her so called friends from rescuing her." Twilight interrupted Discord's ramble.
"I'm sure Fluttershy is alright Discord." she said.
"How can you know that? Huh?! How can you be so sure that she's alright?" he narrowed his eyes, waiting to hear her answer.
"Because she has friends like us, like you, who won't give up till they find her." she said. Discord dropped the narrowed looked he'd been giving her.
"Well it would be a lot easier if I just used my own powers. This whole situation would be cleared up in an instant."
"We can't Discord, Princess Luna said that as long as we're here, we need to obey they queen's rules. Otherwise she'd never let us here again, and Fluttershy really will be lost forever. Do you want that?" Discord's face became hard boiled.
"Of course I don't want that! But you ponies with all your rules and regulations, all you're doing is making things needlessly difficult. If you were Fluttershy's real friend, you'd let me use my powers to get the answers out of Eve."
"Discord! That's enough. What would Fluttershy think if she heard you say that?" Discord wanted to retort, but instead he kept his mouth shut. He went to his side of the room, turning his back to Twilight. She just didn't understand. She didn't know Fluttershy like he did. He looked down at his Nightmare form and grimaced, wanting his own Draconequus form back. He was tired of all this waiting, and the thought of his dearest friend trapped and alone, waiting to be found, was almost too much for him to take. His mind guiltily recalled upon a few occasions in which he had let her down, one of which being the incident with Tirek. And of course, the last time they had spoken to each other, when she'd said that she was disappointed in him. He winced slightly at the memory of her angry face, and how that had probably been the last time he would ever see her. Well, not anymore. He wasn't going to let her down anymore. He'd find her, he'd see her sweet, dazzling smile and then everything would be alright. And Eve would pay dearly for what she'd done.
As all this was occurring, the girls, along with the assistance of Princess Luna, had been combing through the castle library. Searching the musty old tomes for any kind of clue that could stop Moonlight Eve and rescue Fluttershy. A task that only proved to be only more difficult considering that they didn't know exactly what it was that they were looking for.
"Ugh! This is starting to turn out to be a dead end." Said Rainbow Dash, tossing aside what felt like the billionth book she'd flipped through. Applejack nodded in agreement.
"I gotta agree with Rainbow, we've been at this for days now and we still haven't found anything useful."
"Perhaps it's best if we try a different approach." said Rarity, using her magic to place a book she'd finished back on the shelf. Princess Luna sighed.
"I'm sorry that I too could not be of more helpful assistance." she said.
"Don't be so hard on yourself your highness." Rarity said. "True, we haven't really been of much help to Twilight...yet...but what's important is that we're doing our best." Princess Luna didn't seem very uplifted by Rarity's little speech, so Applejack butted in.
"What Rarity means is, there's no reason to beat yourself just because we didn't find exactly what we're looking for. We'll try a new strategy, and see what turns up.
"What would be good right about now, is if we knew where Moonlight Eve is keeping Fluttershy. I mean, there can't be that many places to hide a pony." said Rainbow Dash, cleaning up the books by putting them into some scattered piles.
"You mean like this place?" asked Pinkie Pie, pointing at something in a long, thin book she'd been looking at. The girls and Princess Luna gathered around to have a better look. It was detailed map of Aestas that took up two pages. Pinkie's hoof was pointing at an illustration of a large black thorn bush that was labeled: The Garden of Shadows.
"Yep, that's definitely a good place to hide somepony." said Applejack. "Good work Pinkie." Pinkie smiled and batted a hoof.
"Aw, it was nothing." she said. Rainbow Dash picked up the book, examining it.
"Alright, now we're getting somewhere." Princess Luna however, was less than thrilled. The garden, why hadn't she thought of that? It seemed so obvious and yet, she couldn't help but fear dread. Dread of ever returning to that cursed place.
"Princess? Are you alright?" Rarity asked worriedly. Princess Luna looked up, her attention brought back to the girls whose eyes were all on her.
"I-I'm fine. I shall report this to Queen Amalthea personally, and perhaps, send you girls back to Equestria."
"What?! Why?" asked Rainbow.
"It's best that you all wait there until Twilight, Discord, Fluttershy, and I return. But this information we have could prove most helpful." said Luna calmly.
"Are you sure?" Applejack asked. "What if you need help?"
"I will be fine. When you return to Equestria, please inform my sister that it might take me a bit longer for me to return." The girls protested with the princess, wanting to continue the search for their friend, but she convinced them that their time was better spent else where. The girls gave in and agreed it to go back to Equestria. "Very good, now if you excuse me, I must speak to the queen about this." Luna left the library, hurrying as fast as she could to find the queen. If Fluttershy really was in Garden of Shadows, then they needed to hurry before it was too late to save her. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 10 | Chapter 10
Eve was hard at work, making sure that the pollen was mixing in well with the dust. The pollen itself had an almost intoxicating smell to it, and was dirty shade of yellow. There seemed to be a nearly endless supply of the stuff from the gray flower it came from. Her brow began to perspire as she worked, total concentration was needed is she was to avoid any unfortunate mishaps. Should anything go wrong, the results could be disastrous. She pulled her mane back to keep it from distracting her or worse, getting into the mixture itself. She was so consumed by her work that she didn't even notice that somepony had been watching her from the window. It watched her as she poured and mixed, satisfied with what it had seen, the figure hurried away before Eve would ever have time to notice.
"Just one more touch and...there! Finished at last." she declared, wiping her brow in relief. Her head felt a little fuzzy and dizzy, but that was okay, the dust was complete, and ready to be used. Grabbing an empty vial, she poured the contents that were in the mixing bowl into it, her gray eyes squinted carefully at the mixture, making sure not to spill a single speck of it. Then she secured it tightly with a cork. Her hard work was complete.
"And now with this, I can finally be happy." she said to herself. "I won't have to worry about losing Fluttershy anymore." She tucked the dust away, along with her other tools, it was late and she needed her rest tomorrow. She closed her window shutters, and blew out the candle that she'd been working under. Letting out a yawn, she moved to her little bed and collapsed onto it and its plush sheets. Falling asleep almost instantly. She almost couldn't wait till the next day, she'd leave the kingdom forever. She didn't mind if nopony didn't miss her, none of that seemed to matter to her anymore.
Outside her house however, the pony had been watching immediately went from house to house, spreading the news of what she'd seen through the window. Most couldn't believe what she was telling them, but she assured them that she knew what she saw, and what she saw was Eve up to no good. All of them could see how serious she seemed to be, and with her, they decided to show Eve what happened to those who try to mess with the peace of their village. Once a plan was devised, they all agreed to meet up in the morning at Eve's house, and confront her on what she was doing. Once everything seemed to be settled, the Nightmares returned to their home to await for nightfall, as they slept through the day.
Princess Luna was beginning to worry when Queen Amalthea had called her to her royal chambers. Did she want to finally sit down and talk? Or was this about the fact that Fluttershy was possibly being kept in the Garden of Shadows. The queen was most displeased when she'd heard such news, not liking the idea of one of her loyal subjects once again disregarding her warnings and go into that dreadful place. Perhaps this was about how Luna had done something similar, and had also gone into the garden, the queen might've had a lecture all planned out and everything.
She arrived at the chamber door, and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Called Queen Amalthea. Princess Luna used her magic to open the door for herself, and entered the large bedchamber. The queen was sitting at her dressing table, brushing out her golden mane in front of her mirror. Amalthea met Luna's eyes in the mirror and tilted her head to the large four-poster bed that was not far behind.
"You may sit on the edge of the bed if you wish." she said. Luna obliged and sat down upon the silken bed. Nopony spoke for a few moment, until Amalthea said, "I've heard that you've sent those other dreamers back to Equestria." Luna was momentarily confused, was this really what the queen wanted to talk about?
"Y-yes. I did." she answered.
"Why?" the queen asked simply.
"I felt that they would be more useful there than here."
"So you didn't want them to get in the way?" pressed Amalthea.
"What? No, it's just that, there's no telling what might happen considering that Moonlight Eve has gotten involved with the garden. Who knows what she might've picked up while there?" The queen went on with her questions.
"And why haven't you gone back with them? Shouldn't you be attending to your royal duties as Princess of the Night? Or is it because you feel some kind of obligation to keep an eye on those other two, Twilight and Discord?" Luna was becoming even more confused. What was Amalthea getting at? The queen waited for an answer.
"This has nothing to do with Twilight and Discord, I've come not only to see tat their friend is safely returned, but that I make amends for my past transgressions here." Luna paused for a moment, but saw that the queen wanted her to continue. "As for my duties, I informed my sister of the situation before I left, she's taking care of my role until I return. Though it's, needless to say that she already has much practice, filling in for me." Queen Amalthea set down her brush and turned to face Luna. Her face was serious and yet her golden eyes looked weary. But weary of what?
"So you are staying because you wish to redeem yourself to me?" she asked.
"Not just you, but to all the Nightmares. I want things to go back to how they were. When you and the Nightmares helped watch over and protected the dreamers." said Luna. "But most importantly, I want to ask an old friend for forgiveness, for my own selfish ambitions." The corners of Amalthea's mouth turned into a slight smile.
"That's all I needed to hear." Luna looked at her bewildered.
"What?"
"Since you came back here, I've been thinking lately. While you have made your share of mistakes in the past, I too have made my own. That perhaps, we are both no exception when it comes to having faults, and that it's about time to forgive and forget." Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Are, are you saying...?"
"I'm saying that, I am willing to forgive you, but I can't say the same for my Nightmares. I've grown tired of holding blame on you, and think that it's time to move on, to better things." Luna didn't know what else to say except, "Thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet, you still have a long way to go if you want to prove yourself." said Queen Amalthea.
"I figured as much." For the first time since her arrival, Luna exchanged a friendly smile with Amalthea, a smile that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.
"With that out of the way, there's something else I called you here to talk about." The queen said, conveying the seriousness of it all within her voice and expression. "We must proceed with caution if we are to find the pegasus in the Garden of Shadows. While the Tenebris may be gone, their influence can still affect ponies who possess even a speck of darkness in them, and they cause that darkness to spread and the pony is corrupted." Luna could feel a touch of shame weighing on her shoulders.
"I know." she said.
"I don't know if those two, Twilight and Discord, have succeeded in getting close to Eve or not, but they must be careful. And, for all we know, Eve may already be under the garden's influence." Queen Amalthea got up and moved to the door, opening it for Luna.
"You may go. Warn them now, and tell them of what you know."
"And what about you? What will you do?" asked Luna. Amalthea looked almost as if she was smiling.
"There are some things I need to do, especially where Eve is concerned." Luna didn't ask the queen what she meant, but instead left the bedchamber to inform Twilight and Discord. There was no time to lose!
It was a pleasant afternoon, as Discord and Fluttershy were laughing, having a good time in each others company. They were having an outdoor picnic, and yet, Discord felt as though he wasn't just experiencing it, but also that he was watching it from afar. He couldn't even hear his own conversation, like all the sound had been taken, and all that was left was the scene before him. The warm feeling of friendship filled through, as it did every time he was with Fluttershy, except now it seemed...different somehow. Like the feeling was a bit stronger than friendship. He looked at the pegasus as she brushed a strand of her mane out of her face so she could get a better look at him. She gave him a kind tender smile that made something in his chest beat a little fast.
He wanted to close it up, and not let go of this feeling.Her lips moved, Discord tried to hear what it was she was saying, only to feel as though something were pulling at him. Like he was being lassoed away, the scene started to fade away, and Fluttershy was gone once more. Discord tried to fight against whatever invisible bonds were holding him. He was promptly dropped like a sack of potatoes. He rubbed his rear end and turned his head in either direction, looking for the pony responsible. Another pony appeared next to him, it was none other than Princess Twilight herself, like him no longer disguised as a Nightmare. She was shocked by suddenly appearing in this unfamiliar void, and even more shocked to see him there.
"Discord? What's going on here? Where are we?" she asked, wild for some answers. Discord merely folded his arms.
"Perhaps our dear princess has some answers." As if on cue, Princess Luna appeared in a column of white light. Her dark flowing mane twinkling in it.
"There better be a good excuse for this Luna," he said. "I was in the middle of a particularly good dream."
"I'll get to the point then." Luna said. "We've found out where Fluttershy might be." That got Discord's attention, as well as Twilight's.
"Really? Where?" asked Twilight.
"Not far from the kingdom, over the northern hill, somewhere in the Garden of Shadows." Twilight and Luna then began to have some discussion that Discord had tuned out of. At last, he now knew where Fluttershy was. He could find her now.
"....and so, it is best to take precaution when entering the garden." said Luna.
"We'll be sure to remember that, right Discord?" Discord looked up, pulled out of his thoughts. He waved his lion paw dismissively.
"Yes, yes, of course." he said in a droll tone, not really caring what the two alicorns had been talking about.
"It's time to send you back, the Nightmares will be waking soon." said Luna. She waved her horn and sent Twilight back to her own dream, but left Discord. "Except for you." she said to Discord alone. Discord frowned, rolling his eyes.
"What is it now?" he asked already bored with the conversation.
"I want speak with you, and see how you've been feeling the past few days." said Luna. Discord snickered.
"You, want to talk about my feelings? Oh, that's rich." Discord snapped his talon, he appeared lounging on a psychiatry couch, while Luna wore a pair of round black rimmed glasses and was holding a clip board.
"What's next? Talking about my trouble past? How I didn't get attention as a youth?" He asked dramatically, a paw to his forehead. "Oh, woe is me!" Luna took off the glasses and tossed them and the clipboard away.
"I'm serious Discord."
"You're always serious, in fact, there's hardly a time where you or the other princess don't address me with anything but serious. It's really quite boring you know."
"I mean it Discord." Luna said. "The garden has a way of playing with a pony's emotions, trying to sway them to their influence. When you head in there, you need to not let your emotions get in the way. or let them cloud your judgement."
"And you're telling me this why?" he asked. "Really Luna, you should know by now that I can take care of myself."
"Yes, but with all this concerning Fluttershy, it might affect your judgement." Discord scowled, but said nothing. "I know you have strong feelings toward her, but the garden could use that to its advantage. You might act out, even more so than you usually do."
"So what, are you saying that I shouldn't care about what happens to her? That I shouldn't worry about her well being?"
"I'm saying, that you shouldn't be fooled while in the Garden of Shadows. Trust me when I say, it is a horrible, and if you'll pardon the phrase, nightmarish place." Finished with what she had to say, Luna waved her horn once more and sent Discord back.
Discord and Twilight were waken up, not because they'd been sent back by Princess Luna, but because there was some kind of ruckus going on outside. Twilight was the first to gallop out of the house to see what all the fuss was about. Nearly all the Nightmares were gathered around Eve and her house, yelling and arguing over something. Whatever it was, it only seemed to make them angrier. Twilight met Eve's eyes over the crowd, they didn't posses any sign of fear of timidness, but rather a twisted, almost crazed look.
"I could care less about this place, or what happens to all of you!" Eve spat. "It doesn't matter really, not anymore." She took out a round bottle from her pack. "Goodbye forever!"
"Eve! Wait!" But it was too late. Eve threw down the bottle, as it cracked open onto the ground, a billowing cloud of smoke rose up, covering her from sight. Twilight coughed on the smoke as she tried to reach where Eve had been. As the smoke cleared, Eve was gone without a trace. Everypony was dazed, murmurs rose from the crowd as to where Eve had gone, and what she'd just done. Twilight stood there, her temper starting to rise. Eve was the only pony who knew how to get through the Garden of Shadows, how to free Fluttershy from whatever prison she was kept in, and now she was gone.
"What happened?" she asked. She faced the crowd, anger plastered on her face. "What did you all do?!" Starla, who was at the head of the crowd, took a few steps forward.
"Us? We were only dealing a little justice to that Nightmare, showing her that she shouldn't get away with pranking us." The other Nightmares nodded in agreement.
"It wasn't her! She didn't do it!"
"Please, I saw for myself that she was mixing up all sort of strange potions or whatever. Using weird substances, she might've been planning to poison us, or worse!" said Starla.
"No, Eve would never-" Twilight couldn't finish though. She didn't really know Eve all that well. She tried opening up to her, but Eve would always turn away, not wanting her offer of friendship. Could she have been making a poison? Luna had said that the garden was capable of corruption, so who's to say she hadn't been thinking about it. Getting revenge on the Nightmares who mistreated her. Starla sneered and went on.
"Eve is guilty and you know it, so stop trying to fool yourself. Your own brother agrees with me." Twilight's eyes widened.
"My brother?"
"Yeah, he came to me to apologize for how you treated me, and said that I was right in suspecting that mare. That somepony needed to keep an eye on her in case she got into trouble." Twilight's face went slack, as she put two and two together. Discord arrived, taking in the large, and somewhat angry mob.
"What did I miss?" he asked. Twilight turned on him, her temper reaching its breaking point as she launched all her pent up rage toward him on him.
"You!" she said seething. "This is all your fault!" Discord wasn't sure by what she meant, but luckily she explained for him. Well, more like shouted it at him. "You did this, you got all these ponies to gang up on Eve and now she's gone!" Discord then saw what this was. His comeback against Eve had been put into action, he hadn't expected the Nightmare to turn up and leave, and he'd hoped to be there to see the look on her face as all the fellow villagers turned on her. Twilight was still ticked off.
"After all that's happened, you still result to such underhoofed tricks? I'd thought that with Fluttershy on the line, you'd be more serious, that you would put aside any petty hatred you have toward Eve. But I was wrong." Twilight stormed past him, and said as she passed by his ear, "I hope you're happy. I can only imagine how disappointed Fluttershy would be." 'I'm very disappointed in you...' Discord stood there, un-moving. The Nightmares weren't sure what was going on between the two, so they all thought it was best to leave. Had he really ruined things? No. He couldn't have. Everything he'd done was for Fluttershy, to not only get her back, but to get back at her captor for taking her in the first place. Then again...hadn't the same thing happened at the gala? He'd gotten so jealous that he was willing to get rid of the hippie pony by tossing her into another dimension, and ended up bringing Fluttershy's disappointment upon himself. He'd made many mistakes, and this was yet another one. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 11 | Chapter 11
There it was again. That feeling in the back of Fluttershy's mind, eating away at her, urging her to remember. But remember what? The question had been plaguing her nonstop. Maybe it was just her nerves. She'd been waiting for Eve to return, and in that time, had just become uneasy and restless. Lumen took notice of this and cuddled up close to her side.
"Thank you Lumen, but I'm okay. Really." Then she had an idea of how to lighten the mood. "I know, why don't I tell you a story? How does that sound?" Lumen nodded eagerly. "Yes, a little story to tide us over until Eve gets back." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. What sort of story should she tell? A lot of good stories often began with a monster, that's it!
"Once upon a time," she began, "there was a horrible beast. He went around the land playing mean tricks on everypony, and he enjoyed it!" Lumen put both his paws over his mouth, unable to believe there could be such a mean beast.
"Yes, he was a great big meanie. The ponies didn't know what else to do, so they turned to their princess for help, and she came up with the only solution she could think of at the time." She quickly thought of what should happen next, the rest of the story pouring out from somewhere in the back of her mind. "She turned him into a statue." Lumen gasped.
"Everypony was happy for a time, until the beast got out, and the princess had to seal him up again. But then, the princess got a better idea. An idea that could help both the ponies and the beast. She sought the help of a shy, kind-hearted mare, and asked her to take care of the beast, to reform him from evil to good." Fluttershy was on a roll, the words flowed out of her. "The beast caused all sorts of problems and nasty tricks, the mare's friends told her warned her that the beast was nothing but trouble. But the mare didn't give up on him, and showed him kindness and friendship. I was so happy when..." Fluttershy stopped herself. I? Why did she say I? And yet, this story....it was as if she were indeed a part of it. Lumen tapped a paw on her, she looked down to see making mimes and gestures. Asking what the beast was like and what happened next.
"The beast was tall, but also like a snake. His body was a mash of all sorts of creatures. But despite how he looked, and how horrible he could be, the mare could see the potential goodness in him. He wasn't any different from her other friends, especially the animal ones. She saw that underneath it all, he could be a real sweetheart once you get to know him. And ever since then, the two had been close friends." When she finished, Lumen applauded his paws, causing some of the dust to fly up into his nose and make him sneeze.
Fluttershy was lost in thought, she could just barely make out images of her with a creature not unlike the one from the story she'd told. What were these images? The more she thought over them, they became sharper, and she felt like she knew them. Her mind began to flash with what felt like memories, that had finally come loose. It wasn't much, only bits and pieces. There was one of her and the creature laughing over tea. One of her at a spa with a white unicorn with a purple curled mane. Another of her with her helping an orange earth pony harvest apples. A pink earth pony with a wild, curled mane throwing a party. A purple unicorn transforming into an alicorn. Lots of cute, little animals of all kinds, including a sweet, little white bunny. A cyan pegasus filly with a rainbow mane standing up to some colts, growing up and becoming a confident and supportive mare. Were these real? Is this what she was trying to remember?
The faces were all so familiar, they were all smiling at her, beckoning her to join in on their fun despite her shyness. She could feel their names on the tip of her tongue, but feared that if she said them, then they'd disappear again. These ponies...were they.....?
It was right around then, that Eve arrived, she was a bit frazzled and didn't seem quite like herself. She noticed Fluttershy staring off into space.
"Um, Fluttershy..." Fluttershy's head snapped up at Eve's voice.
"Oh, I'm sorry Eve, I didn't hear you come in. I guess I'm just a bit out of it." She did her best to smile, to assure her that everything was alright. Though inside, she wasn't sure if things really were alright. "I'm glad you made it here safely, Lumen and I ready to go."
"There's been a change of plans. We're staying right here."
"W-what?! Why?" Fluttershy let out a gasp. Eve's face was hardened, her eyes were so fearsome that they made her take a step back.
"E-Eve...what's wrong? You don't seem like yourself." Fluttershy stammered, a growing fear of her friend rising inside. Why was she afraid? She put a hoof to her head, she had a flash of Eve throwing some dust on her, putting her to sleep, in another flash, Eve threw some more dust on her, knocking her out and saying something about taking away her memories. She looked up at Eve with realization.
"I...I remember...you kidnapped me. You took me away from....from...." Eve became panic stricken. She was staring to remember. Was the dust wearing off? No, not now! Eve brought out the dust she'd been working on, she spit out the cork, and was ready to shower it onto Fluttershy. Lumen let out a squee and cowered into a ball. Fluttershy took a cautious step back.
"Eve, what are you doing?" she asked warily. There was no where to run, nowhere to hide. Her only hope was to try and talk Eve out of doing whatever it was she was planning on doing.
"I can't lose you Fluttershy." her voice sounded crazed. "I've worked hard to get you back, and with this, I shall build us a better world here. With just the two of us. Living in a dream for the rest of our lives." Fluttershy shook her head.
"Eve, please, don't do this. Think about this for a minute." she pleaded. But her pleas fell upon deaf ears. An inky shadow passed over Eve's eyes. Fluttershy's eyes widened in horror, whoever this pony was, it wasn't her friend Eve anymore.
"Our dream begins, now!" Eve yelled. Fluttershy cried out as the dust was flung onto her. The last thought she had was, 'Somepony....help!'
Twilight was filling a saddle bag with some food, water, and any other essentials that she might need for her trek through the Garden of Shadows. Princess Luna and Queen Amalthea had already wished her good luck on her journey. She had dropped the Nightmare disguise for her true alicorn self, and was just about ready to head out. That is, until her path was blocked by the looming figure that was Discord.
"Leaving so soon princess?" he asked casually. Twilight ignored him, stepping around him. Only to have him reappear in front of her again.
"Get out of my way Discord, I need to go." she said, not in the mood for his games. Discord stood defiantly in her way.
"Not without me you're not."
"What are you talking about?" Discord smiled.
"I'm glad you asked. You see, we began this pointless undercover mission together, and we're going to finish it together. And we'll be heading home with Fluttershy in tow." he said. Twilight was no longer frowning. She heaved a sigh and said, "Fine, you can come."
"Really?"
"It's not like you'd have stayed behind if I said no, you'd just come with me anyway."
"Right you are, still, it's nice to be invited to tag along." Twilight rolled her eyes.
"Let's get going." she said.
"Already ahead of you." Discord said, snapping his paw and teleporting them to the outskirts of the kingdom, at the edge of the Garden of Shadows. The branches of its trees reaching out for them.
"After you." Discord said with a gesture. Twilight didn't bother to say anything to his antics, as she was more focused on the path before them. She lit up her horn to serve as a guiding light. As the walked, they called out to Fluttershy, hoping for her to answer back.
"Fluttershy!"
"Where are you?!" The Garden of Shadows was not unlike a maze, full of twists and turns, making them get completely lost.
"This is just splendid!" Discord said throwing his arms up. "Mark my words, when we find Moonlight Eve...."
"You'll leave her alone." Twilight cut in. "We'll grab Fluttershy, and have the queen deal with Eve."
"You've got to be kidding! That mare deserves to be punished for what she's done."
"And she will be, by the proper authorities." Discord muttered under his breath, over the unfairness of it. Especially considering that he used unfairness lots of times before in his tricks. He felt that he had plenty of authority to punish Eve. And why shouldn't you? Discord cleaned out his ears with his pinkies. Was he hearing things? Then it spoke again. Why shouldn't you punish her? Why listen to a little alicorn that thinks she knows everything? You know your friend better than anypony, you should have a say in her kidnapper's fate. Discord shook his head, trying to clear the voice out of his head, even if it made a fair and intriguing point.
"Are you coming or not?!" Twilight called impatiently, prompting him not to dawdle. Discord continued on, and didn't hear the voice again all the while. There was a definite air to the Garden of Shadows, of something quite sinister. Like there was something sleeping here, waiting to be unleashed upon the two travelers that dared to enter its domain. It was rather unsettling.
"Are we there yet?" Discord sighed.
"We'll get there, when we get there." said Twilight.
"Not much of an answer."
"Well you try navigating through a dark forest and see for yourself how difficult it is." After much moaning and trudging, the two stopped, when they saw peering in the distance, a faint light. Like that of a house. They headed towards the light, and sure enough, it was a house. It had an old timey tile roof, gables, and looked remarkably like a giant old dollhouse, surrounded by large black thorns.
"This looks promising." Discord said. With a snap, he and Twilight were safely on the other side and on the doorstep of the estate.
"It's very strange." Twilight said, inspecting the floor boards, and railing. "How could Eve build all this?" Discord shrugged.
"I don't see how it should matter, considering we're here to kick her out." Discord said, rapping his knuckles on the door.
"You don't actually expect that to work do you?" The door opened up for them. Discord smirked.
"You're welcome." he said smugly, stepping inside. Twilight shook her head and followed him in. The door closed behind them on its own accord. Little did the two of them know, what it was they were actually walking into.
Twilight was sure to be cautious as she walked through the house. It looked very nice on the inside, and it seemed like the kind of place somepony wouldn't mind living in. Everything was neatly in place, and was decorated nicely with a couple of generic portraits, and some vases filled with flowers.
"This place is all wrong." said Discord with a frown.
"Why? Because it's so orderly?" asked Twilight.
"Well there's that, but it's also because this place shouldn't even be here. I know an altered space when I see one, and this is it." Twilight's eyes widened in surprise.
"So, this is all an illusion?"
"A pretty solid illusion." Discord wiped a claw over a small table and looked at it intently, as if inspecting it for dust. "I can feel a lot of dark magic at work here." Twilight nodded. She too could feel the dark magic emanating from every wall surrounding them. Discord pointed upward.
"It's strongest up stairs, he was about to snap them up there, when Twilight stopped him.
"Let's walk there, shall we? We don't want to rush in head first without knowing what we're about to face." Discord agreed, much to his personal dismay, and they began climbing up the tall, spiral staircase. At the top, there was a single door. Somepony's voice could be heard on the other side. Discord used a bit of his own magic to open the door just a crack for him and Twilight to peak inside. The room was large and so...fancy, and cute.
The room was full of dozens of adorable stuffed animals of every species and size, what's more, they were alive! Some were roaming around, some played with each other, and others slept, snoring sweetly.There was also a round table with a crisp white tablecloth, laid out for a tea party with tea ware and everything. The carpet was pink and had a rose print on it. The walls were lined with silk drapery. And in the center of it all was Eve, sitting on a circular canopy bed, and beside her was none other than Fluttershy. But she looked different. She was dressed in petticoats and a fine white dress, like an old fashioned doll. Her hair was tied into a braid that hung over her shoulder. But one look at her face, and you could tell that something was wrong. Her face was a blank, emotionless mask, neither happy nor sad. And those teal eyes of hers were glazed over, unblinking as she stared into the distance.
"No..." Discord whispered. What had she done to her? Eve put an arm around Fluttershy, and said, "I told you this would be wonderful. And this is just the beginning! Think of all the things we can do here. The two of us, together. Forever." Discord grounded his teeth, he couldn't take it anymore. He kicked down the door, and busted into the room.
"Get your hooves off her!" he cried. Eve was shocked to see them at first, but then she smiled hideously.
"Welcome dear visitors, to my dream mansion." |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 12 | Chapter 12
Discord's claw and paw tightened into clenched fists as he glared down Eve who in turn gave him an irritating smile, not fearing him in the slightest. It was rather irritating.
"What, in the name of all things chaos did you do to Fluttershy?!" he growled. Eve pulled Fluttershy closer to her, and Fluttershy showed no resistance to this. She couldn't move even if she wanted to, not even in the slightest.
"I needed her to see things my way, it was for her own good." Eve said. A possessive look taking over her features. "I'd hoped to have her all to myself, once I helped her forget about you lot." Discord let out a guttural growl at hearing that eve had made Fluttershy forget about him. Eve's smile was replaced with a bitter scowl. "But she was starting to remember! I would've lost her all over again. Well, not anymore, now she'll stay here with me, and not even you two can stop me."
"Try me." said Discord. He was going to snap his talons to get Fluttershy back, but Eve clapped her hooves, and the stuffed animals attacked Discord and Twilight, restraining them. It was hard to think straight while fighting off a squishy horde of plush playthings, that continuously swarmed over you.
"Hey! Get off me!"
"Watch it, that tickles!" Twilight bucked the animals off and faced Eve, dead set on the Nightmare and her almost sadistic smile.
"Eve, this isn't right! Do you really want Fluttershy to stay like this? Is this how you want to be, a lifeless doll?" Eve's smile faded.
"You don't know what you're saying." she said. Tugging Fluttershy even closer, not wanting Twilight to reach out and snatch her up from her grasp.
"I know that if you truly cared about Fluttershy, you would've let her choose what she wanted, instead of taking away her will and the ability to choose. Forcing her into this crazy delusion of yours." Eve bit the inside of her cheek. 'That's not true! This isn't a delusion, it's a dream made real.'
"SHUT UP! You don't know me, or Fluttershy. You don't know anything!" Eve screamed. Twilight didn't flinch away. She needed to think of something. Something that could convince Eve to relinquish Fluttershy freely. But how? That's when she had it. It was a long shot, but it could work.
"If you care about Fluttershy that much, then how about we make a deal?" Eve was intrigued by this, but tried to appear disinterested.
"What sort of deal?" she asked, her grip on Fluttershy still strong and unwavering.
"We have a duel, and the winner gets Fluttershy, the loser must give her up and never bother her or the winner ever again." Twilight waited for an answer, it was a good deal in Eve's mind. She grinned.
"Alright, I'll play you for her." Eve said, stomping her hooves onto the floor. The room transformed into a stone coliseum. Fluttershy was safely out of harm's way, sitting on a red, plush throne. Like a motionless doll. Twilight looked to her side to see Discord brushing himself up.
"I could've used a little assistance with plush hairballs." Discord said, somewhat irritated.
"You were doing just fine without me." said Twilight. The coliseum lit up, Eve was prepared to duel.
"How should we go about this?" asked Eve.
"We battle one on one until one is left standing, winner takes all." Eve cocked her head.
"Hardly seems like a fair fight, since there's two of you, luckily I have a fighting partner with me." By her side, a hulking, monstrous bunny made of lint and dust appeared. "And begin!" A gong rang out, and the monster bunny charged at Twilight. She blasted magic at it, but there was no affect.
"What the-?"
"Oh, did I forget to mention that he's magic resistant so long as he's in the ring?" asked Eve mockingly. Discord cracked his knuckles, causing the stone ground beneath him to turn into a checkered pattern.
"Let's see what you've got." said Discord. Eve smiled and narrowed her eyes, ready to face whatever he had. She felt strong, like she could take on the world itself.
"Bring it." Discord used his magic to make the stones collapse below the Eve's hooves. Eve managed to jump to safety before she could fall.
"Alright, try this!" she said. Discord was lifted up, in the clutches of a metal giant that was squeezing the life out of him. Discord teleported on top of its head and turned the giant into a bloby pile of goo. It was Eve's move next, and she conjured up a full-grown dragon. Discord snapped the dragon's wings into teeny bee wings and had put a muzzle on its snout.
"Is that the best you can think of? Really, such a lack of creativity." He taunted.
"You want creativity? How's this for creativity?!" Discord was hanging upside down, wrapped up in chains and a straight jacket, locked inside a tank full of water. The dragon's muzzle came off, and swallowed the tank whole. "HA! In your face! And I made sure that tank was magic resistant, so there's no escaping that." In a white flash, Discord reappeared, giving Eve a bow and with a wave of his claw he made the dragon disappear. Eve was both shocked and enraged.
"H-how?!"
"You should've made your locks magic resistant, otherwise it was a mildly amusing." he chuckled. Twilight tussled with her fighting partner until she had managed to trick the monster bunny into falling out of the coliseum, as it landed on the ground below, it turned into a smaller, much more harmless dust bunny.
"Phew! Finally." she said with relief, wiping sweat of her forehead. Twilight let out a cry of surprise as she was forced to sit down in a chair, watching the action from the stands. She tried to get up from the seat, but was unable to move. She could still talk, and blink, but other than that, she was as stiff as a board. Discord and Eve continued to duel, their moves becoming more and more wacky as they fought. Discord's barrage included a tidal wave of peas porridge, exploding pies, a piranha plant, etc.
She could see that Discord was eager to let loose on his magic, and at finally having a go at Eve, something he'd been dying to do ever since the day he was first introduced to the Nightmare. He stole a glance at the pegasus. It was horrible to see his friend in such a pitiful state. It was because of Eve, that Fluttershy was like this. Her lovely face would no longer smile or show any other emotion if he lost and she was left in Eve's care. Forever forced into fun and games, and one-sided conversations, when Fluttershy deserved better than that, It was these thoughts flooding through his head that filled him up with a fighting spirit, and his attacks all the more purpose. 'For Fluttershy.' Twilight also looked to Fluttershy sadly. What if they lost? What would happen to their friend then? Fluttershy....
Fluttershy's mind was fogged up, unable to speak, unable to move, she was nothing more than a lifeless doll. The world around her was clouded over, yet she didn't even attempt to make out the shapes and blobs that passed by her. Even sound was muffled to her. She however, could still feel faint changes around her. She'd felt herself being moved from one place to another. She continued to sit motionless, her eyes open, but unable to see what she could sense as a great commotion happening before her. Then, a change occurred. The fog cleared by a certain degree, and she was able to see a little bit of what was happening, though her eyes were still glazed. She watched, curious as to why a mismatched creature was attacking the pony while on the back of sea monster, wielding a foot-long sub sandwich as if it were a sword.
"Have at thee!" He cried. Fluttershy wanted to smile, or even giggle a little. She couldn't help but find it funny. Little by little, her senses cleared, she still was motionless, but she could see and hear as well as any pony else. The creature bonked the pony over the head with the sandwich.
"Hey!" yelped the pony, rubbing her head.
"That's just a taste of what you'll get for everything you've done to poor Fluttershy." he said. The creature knew her name. Was he fighting...for her? If so, why? That's when, as if a key had been turned in the lock of her mind, it all came rushing back to her. That pony was Eve, her old friend who'd kidnapped her from her home and her friends. Her eyes wandered over to the sidelines. And in the stands....was that Twilight? Her eyes locked on the Draconequus, she whispered his name in a voice only she could hear.
"Discord...." He was here, and it felt good to see him again. She watched as the two continued to fight, until they both paused momentarily, catching their breaths.
"You ready to give up?" Eve asked.
"I was going to ask the same of you." said Discord. Eve scoffed.
"As if, let's put an end to this, once and for all." she said. Discord grinned, liking the sound of that. The two began to generate massive amounts of power. Fluttershy's eyes widened in fear. They were going to get hurt, or worse! Two of her friends, one old, one new, ready to fight to the end.
"Stop..." she tried to shout, but was still weakened and her word came out as a barely audible whisper. Eve and Discord took a few paces back and launched the powerful blasts at one another. At that same instant, Fluttershy willed herself to move and managed to get off her chair. She flew in between the two sides, between the blasts as they were going to collide.
"Stop this!!" She shouted. Discord and Eve saw her, their mouths agape.
"Fluttershy?!" uttered a shocked Discord. He snapped his talons, and made the blasts fizzle out. A second later and Fluttershy would've been caught in the blast.
"No..." Eve said, flabbergasted. "It should've worked, the dust...how could you?!" Eve suddenly let out a cry collapsed, weakened by the power she'd tried to shoot out at Discord. It had drained her considerably. The coliseum faded into the mansion from before, the mansion faded into a giant cage, and the cage turned into shadows that also faded into nonexistence. A that was left was Eve, Twilight, Discord and Fluttershy standing in a clearing where the structures had been. The illusion had been broken.
"Fluttershy! You're alright!" Twilight cried happily, she pulled the pegasus into a hug, glad that the worst seemed to had passed.
"Twilight! It's good to see you, I missed you and everypony so much!" said Fluttershy. Discord also bent down and scooped the pony into a hug, looking beyond overjoyed, before setting her down and giving her a stern look.
"What were you thinking?" he asked. "I mean, I enjoy a little foolery of course, but what you just did was beyond foolish!" A smile sprang upon his face. "But I'm glad that you're well my dear." Eve had been watching the tender reunion from the sidelines. All the dark magic, all the anger, all the twisted craziness drained from her body, and was replaced with sadness and regret. It was over. She no longer had the will to fight or try anymore tricks, she was defeated. Fluttershy would never forgive her for as long as she lived, and soon she'd be punished by the queen for her crimes. What more was there left for her? She, she was a nobody, with nothing to live for. She wished...that she could just disappear right then and there. As you wish. Eve's head jerked up at the voice. Eve let out a cry as she was suddenly set upon by the thorn vines that were now wrapping around her back hooves and dragging her into the tangled thicket of brambles that surrounded the clearing. Discord and the girls heard these cries and looked to see her being dragged.
"Eve!" Fluttershy cried worriedly. She leaped into action, grabbing Eve's hooves, and began to try and pull her free. "Don't let go." she said, straining to keep hold. Eve was puzzled. Why was Fluttershy helping her? Fluttershy dug her hooves in, pulling with all her might. More vines strapped onto Eve, pulling her and Fluttershy further in. Twilight used her magic to assist in helping to keep the ponies from being dragged in, but the vines were too strong.
"I've had enough of this place." Discord declared. He picked up Twilight like she was luggage and snapped his talons, making him, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Eve vanish completely from the clearing. Hmmm. A shame that delightful Nightmare couldn't stay. Oh well, she served her purpose, and the power and negative emotions she generated were very...delicious. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 13 | Chapter 13
There was a bit of commotion from the servants as Discord and the ponies suddenly appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the hallway. A few of which, dashed off to inform the queen of the intruders.
"That was close." said Fluttershy. She gave Eve a look of concern. "Are you alright?" Eve was stunned, not knowing what else to say except, "Why? Why, after everything, did you save me?" Fluttershy looked down as she smiled.
"Even though you did those terrible things, you were and still are my friend, and friends don't give up on each other when they're in trouble."
"What?! Are you serious?" Discord practically hollered. "Are you feeling well my dear? Not still under this horrid mare's influence?" Fluttershy frowned at him and shook her head.
"Everypony deserves a second chance, and this is Eve's." she said, taking Eve's hooves in hers. "You were just misguided. And I don't blame you too much for wanting nothing but my friendship." Fluttershy then became serious. "On the other hoof, I want you to make up for all that you've done. Starting with an apology to my friends for what you put them through." Eve looked guiltily into the faces of the Draconequus and the alicorn. She bowed her head to them.
"I'm sorry for everything, for tricking you and making you fight me in that coliseum." Eve said sorrowfully. "But most of all," she said turning to Fluttershy, "I'm sorry for what I did to you Fluttershy. I lied, I made you forget about your friends, I forced you to partake in my illusion. All I ask is for your forgiveness." Eve shut her eyes, bracing for whatever Fluttershy might do or say. But what she hadn't expected was the pegasus hugging her warmly, and whispering softly, "I already have." Tears flowed freely from Eve's eyes as she hugged Fluttershy back. Discord made gagging noises.
"I hardly think that pony deserves any forgiveness from Fluttershy." he grumbled. Fluttershy scolded him.
"Discord! Don't be rude to Eve."
"Forgive me Fluttershy, but you really are too forgiving. One day that kindness of yours could be the end of you."
"It's that same kindness and forgiveness that made us friends, and remain friends to this day despite everything that you do or say." Discord was silenced. He sighed, and chose to drop it. He'd have to learn to get used to Eve, even if he didn't want anything else to do with her. But Fluttershy wished to forgive her, and be friends with her, and if that was her wish then he'd do his best to accommodate to it. Of course, he would see to it that Eve would keep to her place, and not try to steal all of Fluttershy's attention away again. He'd keep his eyes on her.
Queen Amalthea, followed by Princess Luna, approached them in the hallway. Eve dropped down and bowed to the queen.
"Your highness." she said. "I...I..." Queen Amalthea lifted a hoof, prompting her to keep quiet.
"Moonlight Eve, in light of your crimes, I wish to speak with you about your punishment, in private." said Amalthea. Eve paled, but kept her head lowered.
"Wait!" said Fluttershy. "Please, your majesty, don't be too hard on Eve." Queen Amalthea arched and eyebrow, puzzled by this.
"You've forgiven her?" she asked. "After she kidnapped you?" Fluttershy nodded.
"Eve...wasn't herself, she didn't mean for things to get out of hoof." The queen looked at her intently.
"That's all well and good, but Eve is one of my subjects, and there is much I wish to talk to her about." Eve trotted to the queen and followed her to the counsel chambers, looking over her shoulder back at Fluttershy, looking a little scared.
"I hope she'll be alright." Fluttershy said fretfully.
"Good riddance I say." said Discord. Twilight and Fluttershy both scolded, "Discord!"
"What?"
This was it, Eve was prepared to face her doom as Queen Amalthea closed the doors of the counsel room and locked them. She gulped nervously.
"Have a seat." Eve obeyed. The queen sat in front of her, Eve squirmed under her gaze, waiting to hear her punishment and be done with it. What would happen to her? Will she be banished? Thrown in a dungeon? Beheaded?! She felt herself grow faint at the thought. No Nightmare had ever went against the queen, because nopony knew what would happen or what she'd do if you dared to cross her. It was bound to be something unbelievably horrible. 'At least I got to see Fluttershy one last time.' she thought sadly.
"Tell me, when you were in the Garden of Shadows, what happened there?" Eve was stunned. She certainly wasn't expecting this. She took a deep breath and explained how she'd been experimenting with dust mixtures, hoping to find something that would make Nightmares useful once more (as well as to help her find a way to see Fluttershy again). She'd went to the garden to find ingredients to mix with. While in there, something had given her the power to produce solid illusions from her shadows. She also went on to how she created a giant cage, a mansion, and a whole lot of other illusions.
"There was something there, whispering to me, egging me on. I...wasn't myself anymore." Queen Amalthea nodded, listening carefully.
"Now, when you say your shadows-"
"It's...something I could do. I could travel through shadows like they were portals, but the power must've been enhanced by the garden or something." said Eve. The queen lifted Eve's head, looking deep into her eyes.
"Hmm, most interesting..."
"What is?"
"It's nothing, I will not hold you accountable for all of your actions. Even an alicorn can be tempted by that place's corruptible essence. However, you will be doing manual labor all throughout the castle. I will give you the most back breaking chores we have here, until I'm satisfied that your punishment has been served." Eve bowed her head.
"Yes, my queen." she said.
"I expect you to have all of your essentials packed up by this afternoon, tomorrow at the latest." Amalthea said. Eve's head shot up in surprise.
"M-my essentials?"
"You will be living here from now on."
"But, but why?"
"An old friend has made me stop and reconsider my actions. I'm allowing Nightmares to once more aid dreamers with Princess Luna. There is...some potential in you. I will merely ask for your suggestions and opinions from time to time." Eve couldn't believe it. The queen wanted to hear her thoughts? This couldn't be real! The queen retained a stiff expression.
"Let us be clear that you will not be receiving special treatment. I will work your hooves to the bone." she said. Eve nodded vigorously. She almost leaped out of her seat.
"Y-yes! Of course! Oh, thank you your majesty!" Eve said excitedly. She didn't even care about the labor she'd be going through. The queen wouldn't lock her up, or behead her, or banish her! And that alone was worth celebrating.The queen's lips curved at seeing the young Nightmare's enthusiasm. With everything she wanted to say out of the way, she let Eve leave, her golden eyes drifting to the empty space behind her.
"I take it you heard all of that Luna?" she asked. The illusion faded, the once empty corner now revealed the alicorn, looking at the queen perplexed.
"I don't understand. Why are you letting her live here?" asked Luna. "Why are you asking for her thoughts on the well being of your kingdom?"
"So many questions seem to be asked of me lately." Amalthea sighed. "I wasn't lying to her when I said that there was some potential in her, it is best that she remain here so I can keep a close eye on her. Perhaps I can teach her a thing or two."
"Potential for what exactly?"
"I'm tired Luna, I must get my rest if I'm to address my subjects tomorrow, maybe some other time I'll tell you. I hope you'll enjoy the helping hooves that I'm lending you.For course, it'll be good to give them something more productive to do with their time" Luna grinned a little.
"It'll be just like old times." said Luna almost wistfully. It would be good to have the Nightmares helping her again. Amalthea nodded, sharing a mutual feeling.
"Yes, like old times."
Eve had told the news to Fluttershy, and her friend congratulated her, asking if she needed any help in packing. Eve said that she could handle it fine on her own, but Fluttershy insisted on having Discord's help, the Draconequus begrudgingly conjured a few suitcases for Eve to use.
"Don't expect me to carry all that." he'd said. Fluttershy had thanked him for his help, and gave Eve a kind smile. Now Eve was in her house, finishing up all of her packing, when a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in!" Eve called. Twilight Sparkle stepped inside. Eve dropped her dust notes and bowed to her.
"Princess, what brings you here?" she asked. Twilight waved a hoof.
"You don't need to do that Eve, Fluttershy told me about how you're moving to the castle, and I came to see how you were doing."
"I'm fine thank you." Twilight suddenly looked anxious.
"I, uh, also came to apologize, for tricking you as well." Eve tilted her head.
"Huh?"
"Those two Nightmares, Dawn and Dusk, that was me and Discord in disguise." Twilight admitted. Eve's widened in surprise.
"Y-you mean...it was you two!?" Twilight nodded.
"Yeah, sorry about that. It was also Discord you pulled all those pranks and pinned the blame on you."
"I should've known."
"So, we'll be heading back to Equestria tomorrow, wanna come and see us off?" Eve looked away.
"I don't think so. It's best if I just, lay low for a bit, and get ready to move to the castle." Twilight laid a hoof on Eve's shoulder.
"If you change your mind, we'll be in the throne room." said Twilight. The princess turned to leave but was stopped by Eve.
"Wait! Um....Twilight, if it's okay, you don't have to but, could you....be my friend?" asked Eve. "I promise I won't go crazy, I didn't even know what came over me! I'll be-" Twilight stopped her there.
"I'd be glad to be your friend Eve." she said smiling. "And who knows, you might make even more friends." Eve smiled too. The thought of having more than one friend felt too good to be true. Such an idea made her feel, happy. Utterly and truly, happy.
"I hope you weren't too upset, about our fight from before I mean." said Fluttershy meekly. She'd walked alongside Discord to his guest room, the two talking to one another about what had happened during the past few days. Discord waved his claw.
"Oh, never mind that Fluttershy, all is forgiven. I'm just glad to see that you're safe and sound my dear." he said, almost tenderly. Fluttershy smiled up at him. Discord had missed that smile. His chest felt a pleasant warmth, like the one he felt from his dream, only it felt bigger, and spread all through him in Fluttershy's actual presence.
"It was strange, being locked in that cage, not remembering you, or the girls, or even Angel. But, Eve was there, and Lumen too, and they did their best to provide me with good company." said Fluttershy.
"Honestly, that Queen Amalthea is being too soft on that pony. She deserves to be punished severely after what she did to you!"
"Eve was just lonely, and jealous, and that made her lose sight of what was important. I'd think you of all ponies would understand, you've been jealous a couple times." Fluttershy teased.
"That's different. For one thing, I didn't force you into being my friend slash plaything, and how do we even know that Eve really has changed?"
"Now, now, if I'm forgiving Eve, then it's fair that you forgive her too. Other wise, how will you two ever become friends?"
"Me?! Friends with her?!" Discord asked skeptically. "That is a cruel joke my dear."
"It's not a joke, I think you two would be good friends if you gave each other a chance."
"But she-!"
"Please Discord?" Discord couldn't refuse Fluttershy's request, especially when she was giving him that adorable doe-eyed look.
"Very well Fluttershy, for you I will attempt to give her a chance." he said. Though in truth, he didn't trust the Nightmare as far as she could throw him. It would take a lot to convince him otherwise. Pleased with his answer, Fluttershy smiled and gave him a quick hug, a hug he'd wished had lasted a little bit longer.
"Thank you Discord." Discord's face felt a touch warm. What was the matter with him? This feeling, what was it?
"Anytime my dear." When they arrived at the guest room, they found Queen Amalthea standing outside.
"You're finally here, I wish to speak with you, Discord." she said. Discord looked down at Fluttershy who gave an understanding nod.
"I'll be with Twilight if you need me." she said. He watched as Fluttershy trotted back down the hall to Twilight's room. The queen cleared her throat and gestured for Discord to enter. Using his magic, he materialized into the room, lounging on the guest bed.
"What is that you want?" he asked idly, not really caring what her reason was for coming.
"I heard how you've pranked my Nightmares."
"Is everypony going to be on my back about that? None of you ponies seem to have a good sense of humor these days." he said. Amalthea shook her head.
"You are truly a strange and confusing creature." she said.
"Thank you!"
"It wasn't a compliment."
"I know. Is that all?" Amalthea nodded.
"I just came to warn you that there will be consequences if you even think to harm my subjects." said the queen in the usual droll that royalty seemed to use when addressing him. "I shall leave you now to catch up with your, marefriend." she said turning to leave. Discord's eyes widened, he laughed nervously.
"Marefriend? Why, whatever do you mean?" Amalthea tilted her head, her golden eye not unlike a cat's as she regarded him.
"I beg your pardon, I just assumed that you were in love with the pony, from the way you were looking at her and how happy you seemed around her." Queen Amalthea said. "But perhaps I was mistaken."
"Mistaken is right, we're just friends, nothing more." he said, his throat clenching nervously.
"Right then, have a good day. And remember, my Nightmares aren't to be tinkered with." As the door was shut, Discord felt his stomach go through almost literal knots. Love? Him? Preposterous! Fluttershy and him were just friends....weren't they? He put his claw to his chest, his heart seeming to beat even faster at the thought of the pegasus, and him actually loving her. Was he in love? Fluttershy was certainly a lovely little thing, and she was willing to put up with him, treating him like any one of her other friends. His beloved best friend, he'd fought against Eve for her (though Eve was hardly a threat), he'd do anything to see that she was happy. The warmth in his chest, that felt grander than friendship, there could only be one other word for it. Love. No, he couldn't be, but it was true. He felt love toward her. But he didn't have any romantic thoughts or any of that gushy stuff in romance novels. Perhaps this was just a slight crush? The door knocked.
"C-come in!" he stammered. Fluttershy opened the door a crack, then stepped inside.
"Ah, Fluttershy, did you need something?"
"Um, yes, I remembered that there was something, I wanted to ask of you."
"Name it my dear." Fluttershy smiled sweetly and spoke her request. |
MLP: Eternal Dream | Chapter 14 | Chapter 14
True to her word, Queen Amalthea had gathered all the Nightmares together, announcing to them that there would be some major changes. One of which was the return of Princess Luna. Everypony had gasped when they saw the alicorn, having only heard mentions and descriptions of her from stories. The initial surprise then turned to cheers and applause. Princess Luna almost blushed, not used to such attention. It was good that after all these centuries, she managed to patch things up with Amalthea. Even Amalthea seemed to be in a much better mood. The queen also announced that the nightly ride would now be done only once a month, and that they would be called upon to over see the dreamers, ensuring that their sleep was peaceful. Some of the Nightmares whispered, not sure about the change, but the others applauded enthusiastically at the news.
"Dreamers! We get to see actual dreamers!"
"Sounds like fun!"
"Sounds scary."
"Are dreamers cute? Are they nice? I hope they're nice. I can't wait to see all the dreams! I wonder-"
Yes, there was certainly a lot to talk about. It would take a while to get situated with the change, but it was certainly a good change from their old mundane routine. What's more they couldn't believe it when they heard that Eve was moving to the castle. The Nightmare herself was looking around her now empty house. She'd miss the village, and it's residents (a little bit). She then began to walk slowly to the castle, taking her time. She wondered if Fluttershy and the others were still there. 'If you change your mind, we'll be in the throne room.' It wouldn't hurt to say a quick goodbye. After all, they'd be leaving forever, and forever was an awfully long time. She picked up the pace, galloping to the castle, through the hallways and into the throne room. Luna had just opened up a portal, as Eve entered.
"Eve! You made it!" said Fluttershy happily. Eve nodded.
"I-I wanted to see you off, since you'll be gone forever." Fluttershy looked at her quizzically.
"Forever? Who said anything about being gone forever?"
"But I thought-"
"You're my friend Eve, and we always will be. Though, I do need a break from all of this, afterward though, I see no harm in having you over sometime. That is, if it's okay with the queen." Fluttershy said. Eve felt her heart lighten.
"And, can you come and visit me too?" Fluttershy giggled.
"Of course I will. Oh, I have something for you." Eve was curious as to what Fluttershy had for her. Fluttershy pulled out the dust bunny, who gave a friendly wave at Eve. Eve gasped, reaching out and hugging him.
"Lumen! Oh, I thought I lost you!" said Eve. "I'm sorry I turned you into a monster, do you forgive me?" Lumen rubbed his nose on Eve's cheek and Eve laughed.
"I asked Discord to conjure him from the Garden of Shadows. He was pretty shaken up but no worse for wear." said Fluttershy. Eve looked over Fluttershy to see a disgruntled Discord.
"Thank you." said Eve. Discord didn't reply.
"I thought he might be able to keep you company here." Fluttershy gave one last pet on the bunny's head before looking back up at Eve.
"You gonna be okay?" Eve nodded and hugged Fluttershy.
"I'll be good." Eve and Lumen waved goodbye as they started to enter through the portal.
"Goodbye!"
"Take care Eve!" Discord still didn't reply. He let Fluttershy go first, entering second, Twilight third, and Luna last. The portal collapsed and all was still in the throne room. Eve felt a hoof on her shoulder, she looked up to see the queen. Both exchanged a look. They'd see them again, some day soon. 'Goodbye Fluttershy.'
Fluttershy received a warm welcome home from the rest of her friends back in Ponyville. A chorus of happy and relieved cries as they all swooped Fluttershy into a group hug. Pinkie Pie insisted on having a welcoming party to celebrate and welcome Fluttershy home. Held at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie had fixed up all of Fluttershy's favorite foods and snacks. Everypony asked her questions about her time in Aestas, and and about Eve.
"What happened there?"
"You weren't hurt were you?"
"Did you have to fight any monsters?"
"What happened to Moonlight Eve?" Twilight helped Fluttershy recount what had happened over the snacks Pinkie had made. The girls listened with rapt attention. Not interrupting until they had finished their story.
"My goodness, sounds like you've been such an ordeal!" said Rarity.
"You sure it was wise to let Moonlight Eve go free like that?" asked Applejack. Twilight nodded.
"I think she's learned her lesson. With any luck she'll make all sorts of new friends."
"I just hope she finds the happiness she's been looking for." said Fluttershy.
"I'm sure she will." Pinkie Pie started up the music, everypony danced and mingled. Discord tapped Fluttershy on the shoulder, appearing quite flustered.
"Discord, is there something wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing's wrong my dear, I just wanted to... to..."
"Whatever it is, you can tell me." She took his paw and smiled. "We're friends after all." Discord looked away.
"Yes, well, I was wondering if, you're not doing anything, if I could treat you to a picnic." he said.
"A picnic sounds lovely! My animals would love to come." Discord tried to stop her, but she looked so happy that he didn't say anything, having hoped to have a picnic alone with her. Oh well, there'd be plenty of time for all that later. Right now, things were returning to their usual normality, and Discord was joining in with the others, swaying to the music. He'd tell Fluttershy, one of these days, how much she really meant to him.
In the Garden of Shadows...
Too soon....we must wait a little longer, and then we'll rise up again. And oh little Nightmare, what a tasty dish you shall make! I shall take great pleasure in feeding on you. Until next we meet.... |
Tantric Zebra Massage | pre | Dizzy, Alsvid places a hand upon the shower wall to steady herself, coughing and clearing her throat, breathing hard, her heart pounding within her chest with excitement, blowing bubbles from her mouth and her nostrils of a thin, filmy mixture of saliva, mucus, and Leo's own clear, slippery, fragrant precum. "Hah....hooooh...ah...that was amazing, my love!" she purred. Alsvid's voice was light and musical as always, pleasantly enchanting. "I thought I was going to come just from you fucking my mouth...why'd you stop? It was just getting interesting..."
She placed a hand between her thighs, running her fingers over the large, florid black lips of her juicy Zebra pussy slowly, shuddering with delight as the folds of her pussy quivered and spread wide. "I was just going to stick my fingers inside of here...while you watch...and make myself cum super hard while you were fucking my mouth and throat..."
Leo groaned with delayed lust at the sight of the Zebra mare playing with her own thick black pussylips, his rigidly straining cock arching furiously over the washboard hardness. "Fuck, Alsvid, just watching you makes me want to blow my fucking load all over your face..."
Alsvid grinned wickedly, narrowing her own glittering aquamarine eyes, and she reached out one of her elegant, long-fingered, agile hands to grasp Leo's straining, rigid pillar of cockflesh in her hand, eyeing him amusedly as he grunted wordlessly and bent over her, placing his powerful hands upon her shoulders as he manfully tried to prevent himself from letting her urge him on to his climax. "Then why don't you? You know how much I enjoy feeling your hot cum splashing all over my skin, Leo! Your cum is so thick and creamy and delicious...I can't get enough of it! I love to lick it up as it drizzles down my fingers and breasts and lips..."
Leo watched her with amusement, the studly Human male giving a low, sensuous laugh, his warm, velvety, rich tones laden with arousal. "Yes...yes...that's true, but I also know another thing you love much more than that, Alsvid."
The tempestuous Zebra temptress drew back from Leo teasingly, raising one of her elegantly curving eyebrows in a most mocking fashion. It was all part of her carefully calculated attitude intended to arouse the wildest of passion within Leo's heart, that youthful aura of pretended innocence. It pleased her greatly to play at being the shy Zebra maid, the sort of delicate mare who would not be caught even so much as saying the word "fuck", let alone letting someone touch her face or breasts, because she knew it drove Leo wild with the desire to violently rut with her, to defile her gorgeous, curvy Zebra body with his rampant, rock-hard, rigidly swollen cock, and to grasp her soft, yielding flesh with his powerful hands.
"Oh, really? What would that be, Leo?" Alsvid said, feigning ignorance.
It worked as always; Leo pulled her up to a standing position, and she cooed with pleasure on feeling his strong hands gripping her body, her pussy quivering and expanding with pleasure, the thick black folds of flesh glistening wetly with her desire for her studly, masculine Human male lover.
"Hrrrgh....you know what, Alsvid. You like having your big, round ass fucked even more!"
Alsvid's long, equine ears prickled up happily at this, and she cried out with pleasure. "Yes! Yes! Oh, god, Leo, yes! Do it...! Fuck me...! I want you to fuck my ass, Leo, please....please..." the Zebra mare begged him, her tail lifting eagerly over the large, round half-moons of her rumpcheeks. She gave her hips a shake, making her juicy rumpcheeks jiggle profusely.
Leo grasped Alsvid's back and neck, pressing her against the wall of the shower, forcing her to arch her back and thrust her rump skyward, presenting the fullness of her round, black-and-white striped rumpcheeks towards him entirely, the Zebra mare totally ready for him. Her swollen black Zebra pussy was glistening wetly with arousal, the tight, puckered ring of muscle surrounding her anal opening like a fat black donut of quivering, clenching flesh. "Oh, yes, mi amor....I'll do it, but first you have to tell me how much you love having your ass fucked! Say it...in your own words...tell me....say how much you love it!"
Alsvid moaned and gasped with pleasure, writhing with ecstatic pleasure, the muscles of her body tensing and twitching, taut like the strings of a finely tuned instrument, her nerves tingling, making her shiver. She swung her rich, black-and-white pennant of a tail back and forth over her fat round rumpcheeks, moving her hips in slow circles, urging her studly, masculine Human lover to take full possession of what was his - the expanses of soft, plush Zebra flesh, so warm and pliable and youthful.
Drenched in the warm water of the shower, every juicy curve of her body was highlighted in a wet-look, glossy sheen. Rivulets of water ran down her back, her belly, her luxurious black-and-white mane, gliding down the curves of her huge, round breasts, her prominent, big, wide, jiggly rump. "Nnnnnh....oooooh, yes! God, yes, please, I love feeling you fuck my ass, Leo! It's so good I feel like I'll lose my mind! I love your fucking huge cock fucking my ass so much, Leo! Please...please, do it...fuck me! I want it! Make me feel it....inside me!" the bewitching Zebra mare cried out, her voice raised in an impassioned plea, her heart beating rapidly, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She shivered underneath Leo's powerful, muscular, hard-edged body, and flung a heated gaze over her shoulder at Leo's face.
It was almost more than Leo could take; his tremendously swollen , veiny, hard, rigidly straining cock gave a strong lurch, the cum churning in his balls bubbling up his shaft with a violent cascading wave of pleasure shooting through his body, forcing a wordless, bubbling, grunting moan of pleasure out of him. "Hrgh....! Hngh....Oooooorgh.....fuck, that's good....! Get ready, Alsvid...! I'm going to fuck your big, round ass...!"
His juicy, arching, straining cock gave a convulsive throb, spitting a wad of slimy hot precum all over Alsvid's twitching, puckering donut of prominent, swollen black anal muscle flesh. Alsvid let out an eager moan, her tight anal ring spreading wide as Leo ruthlessly grasped a hold of her large, round rumpcheeks, spreading her wide open, plunging the slick, engorged, blunt, hard head of his cock into her anal ring.
Alsvid's large, bright aquamarine eyes widened in shock, surprise, and arousal. "Oooh! Oh, God, Leo, you're....you're really doing it...! I can...I can feel your huge dick stretching me apart, oh...oooooh! Fuck....so...big....I love it....! It's so hot! I can feel you throbbing inside of me! Feel like you're gonna cum, Leo? Do it! Blow that huge fucking load inside my ass!" She tightened her hands, firmly placed upon the shower wall, into fists and took her lower lip between her teeth as pleasure cascaded down her spine, and in spite of herself sjhe clenched her tight anal ring, her senses overwhelmed with the feeling of Leo's massively swollen, throbbing, steel-hard dark serpent of cockmeat plunging into her, stretching her anal ring apart relentlessly, the huge domed head burying itself so deeply within her as inch after veiny inch of Leo's shaft slid past her tight, clenching, quivering hole, reducing her to strained, urgent moans of pleasure. "Ahhhn....! Yes, Leo, do it...! Fuck me! Nnnngh...I want your huge fucking dick inside me!:
Leo's hard, athletic body loomed over Alsvid delicate form, the studly Human male panting hard, his hot breath misting on Alsvid's skin, his fingers digging into Alsvid's thick rumpcheeks as he pulled back, working his hips to slide his veiny monster of a fuck-rod back out of Alsvid's raw, juicy, tight, hot, wet hole, forcing the Zebra girl to shudder and moan with pleasure as inch after inch of his swollen, hard shaft slid up and out of her, the tight black donut of muscle comprising her anal ring quivering and puckering eagerly around the massive invading bulk of Leo's cock.
Then Leo pumped his hips forward, his hard abdominal muscles flexing powerfully, his hands clutching the large jiggly round half-moons of her rumpcheeks, his fingers digging into her black-and-white striped flesh. Alsvid's widened eyes bulged with shock as Leo's tremendously swollen, hot, hard cocktip pounded its way through her hole, stretching her apart, forcing wordless, guttural grunts out of her; it felt like Leo's gigantic cock was filling her entire belly up! She could feel every minute throb and twitch of his veiny shaft, the bulbous pink head of his cock. "Nnngh....! God....! Fuck...it's....just so big....Leo! I....feels like it's gonna split me right the fuck apart...! Unnnngh....!"
Leo began savagely fucking Alsvid's huge, round ass, obscene squishing and slurping sounds accompanying his urgent thrusts, his heavily laden, tingling balls smacking against Alsvid's soft rumpcheeks; she could feel the weight of them, and knew that a prodigious load of hot cum was churning within Leo's strained, arching body. His enormous cock pistoned back and forth through Alsvid's raw, stretched, juicy black anal hole, the swollen black donut of muscle and flesh slick and wet with a mixture of precum, Alsvid's own copious saliva from when Leo had fucked her mouth earlier, and her own freely flowing pussy juice.
"Rrrrrgh...fuck...! Hngh...! Hrgh....! Fuck, your ass is so fucking tight...Alsvid...!" Leo growled through clenched teeth, the muscles of his jaw and neck thrusting out under his skin. "Now...who does this ass belong to, Alsvid? Tell me! Say who owns this fat ass, you hot slut!"
Through a haze of pleasure, orgasmic thrills shooting up and down her spine and belly and pelvis with each urgent thrust of Leo's hard, thick, veiny, hot, swollen cock, an utterly silly look on her face - slack-jawed, mouth open, tongue hanging from her mouth, drool rolling down her lips - Alsvid pants out, in her decadent, musical, light feminine voice, honeyed with raw arousal - "Ahhhn....! Yours! I'm...yours! It belongs to you, Leo! Only for you...! My ass... annnngh...." She rolls her eyes with pleasure as Leo's gigantic, rock-hard, swollen shaft plunges so far up her anal ring her belly bulges out under the impact of the vast, domed pink head of his cock bumping against her abdominal muscles. Hot, slimy precum squirts copiously from his twitching, throbbing fuck-pole, soaking her inner walls. "Ngh....my ass is all yours, Leo! It belongs only to you, my sweet lover....God, I love it so much...! Duty! My duty, my life....it's all for you...Leo! Leo! Ahnn....!"
Leo clutched the small, beautiful, curvy Zebra mare to him passionately, holding her as if he would never let go, his hips shooting back and forth even faster, his gigantic cock pounding her juicy ass ruthlessly, stretching her open. "Yes...oh, yes, that's it, mi amor...you belong to me now. Mine," he whispered into Alsvid's long, equine ears, and that was enough to melt her beautiful heart. Tears poured down Alsvid's cheeks, and she pressed herself back against Leo's body, surrendering the totality of herself to her studly, powerful Human lover.
"You like that?" Leo growled, his voice guttural, dripping raw arousal, full of barely restrained passion, his eyes burning as they drank in Alsvid's elegant body. "You like being fucked like this, having your big ass spread open wide, like this? Say it...!
"Ngh...ah..." Alsvid writhed and moaned around the vast bulk of Leo's huge, swollen cock filling her ass, stretching her apart, rolling her hips eagerly. "Oh God....! Yes! Yes! I...can't get enough of your big cock fucking my ass, Leo! Ungh....so big! So hard....! I can feel it pulsing inside of me!"
"Feel like you're gonna cum, Alsvid?" Leo grated out, through clenched teeth, working his hips back and forth with even more speed, more raw, impassioned urgency, lewd sucking and slurping sounds accompanying his frenzied thrusts.
"Yes! Yes....! Fuck...Leo, I can't hold it...! I'm...I'm....unnnnngh...." Alsvid let out a strained, shuddering moan. "Oh, God, my pussy feels like it's gonna gush so hard....!"
"Do it!" Leo snarled. He was like some frenzied beast, teeth bared, jaws clenched firmly together, hands squeezing Alsvid's large, juicy rumpcheeks, fingers digging into her flesh like claws. His thrusts became even faster, his swollen cock pumping in and out of Alsvid's puckered, stretched, quivering anal hole ruthlessly, his veiny shaft gliding back and forth through the fleshy black donut of muscle comprising her anal hole. "Let's come together, mi amor...."
Alsvid raised up on tip-hoof, every single nerve within her body tingling violently, waves of pleasure cascading throughout the entirety of her being, radiating from the core of her marehood, her pelvis, her hips and belly. "Ah! Ah! Ah! I'm...I'm coming....! I...I love you, Leo! Ahhhhhnn!"
Leo gripped Alsvid's soft flesh even harder, squeezing his eyes shut, his hard, powerful buttock muscles clenching violently, his thighs, those magnificent columns of rock-hard muscle and bone, quivering with pleasure, explosions of orgasmic pleasure shooting through his body as his cock lurched violently within Alsvid's tight anal ring, within the confines of her juicy walls, rippling and clenching around his member. Drool ran down his lips, every muscle of his body taut, tense, bulging powerfully under his smooth dark skin. "Hrrrgh....! Hngh....! Rrrrgh...fuck! Gonna fucking come inside you...!"
And for a moment, Leo and Alsvid's burning hearts, so filled with passion and love for one another, pounded in their chests as one being, united entirely in their endless fascination with each other. Alsvid let herself be lost entirely to the power and strength of her masculine Human lover, feeling his powerfulk body above herself. She grunted wordlessly and raised up on tip-hoofs as she orgasmed with what felt like every single fiber of her being, pleasure exploding throughout her body. Juice poured from her quivering pussy, cascading down her thighs.
Leo's vast, swollen, thick cock pulsated within her ass, his balls pulling tight against his body, and he shuddered uncontrollably, his vision fading into bright, sharp colors, feeling as if the entirety of his being was alight with orgasmic pleasure. "Hrgh....ugh....! Ugh....!"
Cum rocketed up his shaft, his urethral tube swelling obscenely under the sheer mass of his load, his entire cock bulging from root to tip, the vast pink head of his member expanding within Alsvid's ass, and then, with unimaginable force, his hot ropes of thick, creamy cum shot from his twitching, straining, veiny member, flooding Alsvid's ass in seconds. He grunted and shot another volley of hot, thick, potent Human cum deep within her. Alsvid's belly actually began to swell slightly as she filled with cum, her eyes wide, her entire body shuddering. "Oooh....oh! Oh, God, Leo....so much cum! You came so hard...! I'm...it's leaking out, ah...."
Milky rivers of hot cum poured out around Leo's thick shaft, rolling down the cheeks of Alsvid's round, juicy ass, suffusing the tight donut-like ring of black muscle comprising her anal hole. The force and heat of his cum filling her forced Alsvid to the brink of another orgasm, her fat dark black nipples quivering, her breath coming in shallow, choked gasps, her arms trembling against the wall of the shower as dizzying waves of pleasure shot through her, the thick black folds of flesh surrounding her Zebra pussy throbbing; juice leaked forth copiously from her slit. "Ahhhn....oh! Oh! Oh, Leo...I'm....I'm....ungh.....!"
The force of her tightly clenching anal ring milked every last pearlescent drop of hot cum from Leo's twitching, throbbing, veiny monster of a cock, buried deep in Alsvid's round ass. He gave a great, shuddering gasp, utterly struck with orgasmic bliss, and then was still, clutching Alsvid's body to his own, as his pleasure gave way to the heavenly stillness of post-orgasmic glow.
The two beautiful lovers remained a while, simply drinking in the pleasure of each other, wreathed in the protective, otherworldly warmth and mist of the warm shower water.
Finally Alsvid stirred, glancing back behind her with a merry wink and a grin, playing at being the innocent Zebra maiden yet again. "Bloody hell, matey, that was well wicked! Can we do it again?"
Leo grinned, his eyes alight. "Oh, I'd like to take that big, fat, jiggly butt of yours out for another fuck, all right, but didn't you say Princess Twilight Sparkle had some business with you?"
Alsvid jumped slightly - as most as she could whilst being enveloped in Leo's strong, muscular arms. "Damn it! I totally forgot....damn. I lost track of the time completely! Ruddy hell...that's not somepony I'd like to keep waiting at all, even. She's very dangerous! Very powerful! I'm entirely at her mercy...I only hope she'll be good to me. Leo, I'm frightened," she confessed. Her lip trembled, and she looked as if she were on the brink of bursting into tears.
"Of Twilight?" Leo asked, gazing back at Alsvid's eyes, her brilliant aquamarine irises filling with tears. "Whatever for? She's just the bookworm Princess of Friendship...."
"And she's tremendously strong! Leo, she utterly obliterated her enemies on the battlefield! You know what she's capable of! I'm....I'm very frightened. I don't know if I could bear to face her....I never thought she'd confront me! Why me? Why now?" Alsvid gasped, beginning to sob. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she began to sniffle piteously.
Leo clasped her small, curvy body against his own. "Be strong, Alsvid. You must face her. You have no choice. I will protect you," he assured her, stroking Alsvid's soft black-and-white flesh.
Alsvid wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, dashing the tears from her face, and sniffled. "All right...I'll do it. She invited us to sup with her at a local restaurant...who knows? Perhaps she just wants to be our latest customer!"
And just like that, the Zebra mare was bright and cheery all over again, her crisis in confidence gone.
"That's the Alsvid we all know and love," Leo said, proudly, looking at her with great pride and love in his burning gaze. |
Your Human And You: The Wrath of Achilles. | pre | Closing his eyes in concentration, he felt the familiar and welcoming tug in the base of his stomach. He sensed the very flow of the water as it began to move and crawl its way up the waist and into his torso as if alive and sentient, following the command of the demigod.
The water began to boil and to weave as if exposed to great amounts of heat and, faster than anyone could blink, the water shot up into the sky like when a powerful geyser erupts from the depths of the earth, propelling Noah high into the sky like a rocket.
As he flew upwards to the top of the canyon, Noah concentrated once more on his surroundings, only this time, instead of the water on the earth, he commanded the very air and wind around him; willed it to propel him upwards even faster than before. Immediately after, the wind currents responded to the command,surrounding him like a shield, speeding him up like a bullet even further while also making him look more like a blur as he began to ascend faster than before, while leaving behind a trail of moisture, reminiscing of the one found in storms on the ocean.
it smelled like rain.
He continued doing this without haste or hesitation until he reached the very top of the ledge at maximum speed, were he stopped his concentration and allowed the winds to cease their help. The effect was instantaneous, as the momentum from the fast ascension stopped dead on its tracks and he began to float for a few seconds off the ground, only to fall like a leave, not making any sound nor disturbing the earth of the forest as his feet touched the green soil beneath them.
He was presented with the sight of a thick forest, from which the sounds of screams only became louder and clearer.
Searching with his senses, Noah was able to pinpoint the exact location of where the yells came from. not wasting any time, ,with an incredible display of speed, no different from the one he displayed before, noah made his way into the depths of the woods. if someone where to actually see him in action (if they could see such a fast moving object at all) they would swear his feet were actually glidning on the air, just a few centimeters above the ground.
Again, leaving a trail of moisture behind him.
As Noah moved expertly into the forest, dodging with skill the occasional log on the floor or in-the-way branch blocking his vision, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of familiarity to the situation at hand.
Playing hero is the one sure way to expose himself to the unknown elements of this land and that means that his chances of survival might be tested in the most unpleasant of ways.
It was not the wisest of decisions, but after all the mistakes he has done, all the people...the friends he has failed and let down, there has to be something he can do right, to make up for all of his sins.
Even if that means helping a complete stranger from an unknown danger in an unknown land.
This was the right thing to do. ...
At least...that is what he thinks Percy would say.
Celeste Dawn never, in all of her professional life, thought it would end like this. Sure, such kind of thoughts could be attributed to the innate hubris that the ones around her told her was her "character flaw", but she liked to think that she only acted the way she did because she was confident in what she was good at.
And in all of the scenarios that she could have foreseen related to how she would die, this was not one of them.
She could think of many other, "better", ways she would rather die. Painless eternal slumber due to old age, a painful beating, contracting a rare and incurable disease, calling Celestia fat.
So many ways to die, all of them with at least some speck of dignity.
All of them way better options than to be mauled alive by a savage human.
Thinking back to before all of this bullshit, maybe she should have seen this scenario coming, however miniscule the possibility was at the moment. But, as always, her damm hubris or whatever, prevented her from seeing it.
And it all started with the mission.
When she was first asked to go undercover into a caravan of human pit fighters by princess Luna herself, she was more than ecstatic, she was thrilled!
Finally! A chance to prove herself more than just the average lunar guard grunt, a chance to prove all of her other comrades in canterlot that she was more than just the upstart rookie, that she was more than just a gifted batmare.
This was her time to show all of her superiors that she was worthy of being a lieutenant, despite her young age.
This mission was her golden ticket into an ascension; after all, this was no walk in the park.
The leaders of the caravan she was after were among the most wanted ponies in all of equestria, famous for their illegal human trafficking, organizing most of equestrias pit fights and of illicit human experimentation and pit training.
They were the owners of most pit arenas around the land. Infamous for their cruelty, abuse and total disregard towards human life. And while it is true that their reach in cruelty is not limited to JUST human exploitation, it is their bread and butter.
They are the specialists. The absolute elite at being the worst.
What made them especially dangerous and elusive in comparison with other criminal organizations was their subtlety, their anonymity.
They couldn't be found unless they wanted to be found, that is were their strength laid.
That and the lack of evidence to incriminate them. They had their sticky hooves on pretty much everypony.
They were secure within the deep pockets of currently unknown corrupted nobles, giving them an almost perfect immunity and apparent innocence.
Bringing them down not only would be a massive hit towards the pit fighting business and illegal human trafficking, but it would also put a dent in crime AS A WHOLE!
They were no pushovers and this mission was definitely not for newbies or rookies.
Only the best of the best were allowed to take part on the mission, so imagine her excitement when she was selected to infiltrate the enemy ranks to gain their trust.
The concept of the mission was simple: infiltrate deep into the caravan, gain the trust of the main leader and trick him into operating a pit fight in the crystal empire where an ambush was prepared for them to arrive, allowing the crystal guard to catch them red handed.
Taking them down and everyone involved with them.
It was the perfect set up.
It took time, effort and a lot of sacrifice before she was able to enter the inner circle of the caravan, learning their secrets and tactics.
The leader of the group, Somber Shade, was a cold-hearted and slightly sociopathic Unicorn that believed in two things: human exploitation and in profit.
Everything else OR anypony else was either an inconvenience or a tool for him to use and discard when it pleased him.
She liked to call him sir ass-hat when he isn't near. She liked to think it was clever.
Gaining his favor was not a simple task (nor was she proud of how she gained it) but after a lot of ass-kissing and some really bad sex, she managed to get into his good graces and influenced him to hold a special pit fight in the crystal empire, which not only would be the biggest yet but also would include special guests, such as the majority of benefactors that allowed for said fights to take place.
When Celeste heard that, she couldn't believe her luck and had a very hard time keeping her cover. Not only would she aid in stopping a major crime syndicate but she would also help in exposing most of the noble ponies that were involved in protecting them!
Hitting two birds with one stone.
Forget lieutenant, after this she would surely become a Captain. Or even better: the personal elite guard to the princesses themselves!
Only the best of the best, the elite of the elite, could achieve such a thing.
However, before her dream could become a reality, she needed to make sure that the path to the crystal empire was a smooth one.
They were still a long way to go, just having left Apple-lossa two days earlier and making their way near the edge of Badlands, hoping to reach Baltimore before the week ended.
It seemed that their secret to avoiding the law's eye for so long resided in a combination of bribery, light traveling and some incredibly strong cloaking magic.
We are talking about ultra-high levels of magic that she only thought possible if performed by the unicorns in the elite guard, and those guys are only second to the princesses in terms of magic-aptitude, so it was no laughing matter.
Still, even knowing that she could be discovered by the slip of the tongue at any moment was not enough to dampen her good mood.
Just a few towns left and all of them would get what they so justly deserve, especially her (in the good sense of course).
And then shit went sideways in the most colossal way.
They were just about to exit the border of the desolate and unforgiving canyon that was the badlands when out of nowhere a massive tremor, that seemed to originate from the badlands itself, shocked the path they were in, tumbling the carts in which the humans where in, setting them free in the process.
The humans made a run for it into to the forest faster that any of them could blink and before they knew it, all of the ponies were chasing behind them as well, trying their best to catch them before they were out of their range.
Now normally, an ordinary human, be it male or female, would greatly struggle to keep up with the speed of the most common of ponies.
Even with their impressive stamina, they just couldn't outrace a earth pony , a unicorn, no less a pegasus or other winged creature.
Their bipedal physiology simply did not allow for them to keep up with the quadrupedal ponies.
However, these were no ordinary humans, these were pit fighters!
Trained in the most horrid and unforgivable conditions since birth, giving them an exceptional physical condition, allowing them to fight and kill not only themselves but also against the worst creatures equestria had to offer. This gave most the pit-humans an edge over other ponies, and Somber's humans were specially deadly; not only were they "equipped" with the latest in human alteration weaponry but they were also immensely savage.
She has seen many of them, in the pit fights she was forced to supervise, take on manticores, timberwolves, pretty much anything deadly with fangs and claws, with mindless savagery and primal fury.
And they were in their natural habitat.
She, alongside the rest of the caravn, were at a very high disadvantage that only seemed to increase with each day that they failed to find them.
Trying to look for them by air was pointless thanks to the forests thick flora that made it downright impossible to make out any other form of moving life.
Trying to use magic was another pointless effort thanks to the special magical brands etched into their skins that prevented them from being located from even the most advanced of tracking spells.
(they were not the most elusive human traffickers for nothing).
So basically they would have to find them the old fashioned way, or rather the earth pony way.
It was terrible.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
The real terror began once Celeste realized that, the moment they stepped into the thick and dark forest, they were being hunted by the very creatures they once subjugated.
One by one, ponies began to disappear, the only reminder of their existence being the loud cries for help and the horrifying sounds of chewing that penetrated the trees, cutting through the ominous silence that once reigned in the forest like a sword.
She didn't want to admit it but she was scared.
Scratch that, she was terrified!
Such horrid things...back when she was a rookie, her trainers had been pretty straightforward towards the kind of things she could witness on the job. She never actually took them seriously. She took the advices and recommendations to heart but was so confident in her skills, she never considered this outcome.
To feel actual fear on the job... it was a thought so many light years away from her mind it might as well not even exist.
But here she was, being hunted like an animal BY an animal!
By the third day she was pretty sure she was among the last 5 remaining ponies (out of 20) to still linger in the forest. The anxiety and fear within her was so grand that she was seriously considering just turning tail and running away, consequences be damned.
Fear can change even the proudest of ponies. She could see that now.
She was already heading in the direction the road was, completely prepared to explain her superiors how she failed to complete the mission they had spent months a investing on, when she stopped dead cold at the sound of it.
The sound of a low growl.
Celeste turned around slowly to find the source of the growling and was met with one of the humans she needed to find, but in this scenario, the human found her.
He was standing a full 6 feet tall, with no hair to cover its head, a bundle of thick and powerful muscles, horribly scared due to his exposure in all the pit fights he had survived, completely naked and with a horribly beaten up face that displayed his univen and terrifying facial features, resembling more a gorilla than anything else.
He was one scary looking motherfuker but even that was not the worst of it.
Where his right arm was supposed to be, there was instead a metallic prosthetic that had a very nasty looking spike-drill, rusted and with specks of dried blood from its previous victims.
But the drill in it of itself was not what made Celeste almost run away with all of her might, rather what was impaled in it.
Hanging from the end of the drill, with all of its hairs tangled in an uncomfortable way, forming some sort of knot, with its broken horn emanating small sparks and lights, was the blood dripping head of one of the members of the caravan.
If she remembered correctly, the unlucky mare was Lila love.
Despite being part of the organization, she was a rather sympathetic unicorn, respectful and surprisingly caring, even towards the savage humans.
In the few conversations she had with her, she discovered that the only reason she was part of the caravan was because she needed the money to treat her little sister who was fighting a rather powerful and seemingly incurable sickness.
Despite being far from innocent, she had solid reasons for being part of something so grotesque, and in her eyes that was enough to earn a second shot at redemption, in fact, celeste actually planned to spare her from the fate awaiting her other companions at the crystal empire.
Not like she could do that now.
By luna, those lifeless eyes and that face, stuck forever in a permanent soundless scream, would haunt her for years to come.
Celeste was so lost in thought towards the horrible deed and too shocked to move, that she failed to react to the bolting human that closed the distance between them in a matter of seconds with a bestial roar of animalistic desire, crashing into and knocking the wind out of her.
The next thing she knows, she is pinned against the ground, trying to regain her breath and doing all she can to push away the towering human who was using his legs to pin down her wings painfully across the earth, alongside the rest of her body.
The human, who was growling and drooling uncontrollably, began to activate the drill with a single thought, which still had the head of poor Lila tangled in the mechanism, and began to lower it towards the head of our terrified lunar guard.
Celeste bucked and struggled with all of her might but the strength and weight of the beast had her pretty much trapped with no possibility of release.
Desperate, and with the drill coming each second dangerously close to her forehead, Celeste threw away her warrior pride, casting away the hubris, and did the only thing that she could do at the moment:
-Please! Somepony! HELP ME!
How humiliating...her fellow guards back at home would be so disappointed in her. To resort to such pathetic pleading, but at this point what other choice was left?
With death apparently imminent, Celeste shuted her eyes in fear, ashamed of herself for being so incompetent, all the while awaiting the slow and painful drilling sensation that would no doubt send her in an uncontrollable fit of pain and torment. ... ... ...
Except it never came, as the grunting and growling of the furious human were replaced with the muffled sounds of choking and a strange tightening noise.
Opening her eyes with hesitation, Celeste was met with a rather incredible sight that, in her life, would have never thought possible:
The ferocious human, that was previously inches away from turning her head into swiss cheese, was locked in a strange hold by another, unknown human, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Her savior was using both his arms to immobilize the beast, using his right arm to grip the prosthetic one, moving it away from her forehead 90 degrees to the right, and his left arm grasping tightly around the neck with enough force to make the savage turn blue, his own arm trying, and failing, to pry the strangeling apendege off his neck.
Before Celeste could even blink, the new challenger stood up and, with the savage still in its grasp, spun him around and threw him like a ragdoll in a incredible display of strength, right towards a big tree almost 20 feet tall and 5 feet wide, snapping it in half with a resounding crack, as if the tree itself was made of weak little twigs.
Celeste forgot how to breath at that moment, her jaw comically dropped almost touching the ground. She was having a difficult time even accepting that what just happened actually happened.
That beast was among the strongest humans of the caravan, having won more pit fights that she bothered to remember. It took her all of her combined strength and might just to hold him off long enough to buy herself a few seconds more of life and yet, this human holds him off with little to no effort and just throws him around like a bag of potatoes and throws him into a tree, breaking it in the process.
Her savior, who had his back to her and looking straight into where he had thrown the beast to make sure that it was down for good, turned to look in her direction and-hamana hamana hamana hamana hamana hamana HAMANA!!
Hello there handsome.
It was as if all the tension, fear and anxiety of the last three days simply evaporated into the air and was replaced by curiosity, attraction and a little bit of arousal.
This was the most handsome human she has ever seen.
Wait, scratch that...
This was, without a shadow of a doubt, the most handsome anything she has ever seen PERIOD!
He was roughly 6 feet tall (give or take a centimeter), athletic yet strong with scars covering his muscled torso and powerful arms. His legs, which were covered by ripped pants, displayed a layer of muscles that practically screamed speed and agility. Strapped to his hip was an impressive looking sword that seemed to glimmer and shine despite the thickness of the leaves blocking almost all forms of sunlight. His face and, perfectly symmetrical, were complemented with a bundle of jet black hair and a very uncommon pair of pale green eyes, such a big contrast to the common human male. The scar on the side of his face was a little unnerving, but it didn't take away from the overall attractiveness of this fine specimen,
Not to say that cute or handsome human males are impossible to find, just very rare to find.
It was not something you would find just anywhere with anypony but there were cases nonetheless.
But this was different. She couldn't fully explain it but it was as if this new specimen was surrounded by an aura of power. Thick and imposing, his scent was overwhelming her senses. She couldn't possibly begin to describe that magnetizing smell, but if she focused hard on it, it would be like the smell of oceanic rain. Life a drift of marine winds, pulling her closer and closer towards the ocean and into the thundering storm in the horizon. She felt attracted to it, like a slab of metal being pulled by a powerful magnet. She couldn't keep her eyes away from him.
like a tiny boat being pulled in by a powerful whirlpool it didn't want to escape from.
In a way it reminded her of the royal sisters. Their mere presence alone spoke of the power they held, the life they had lived and of the knowledge they carry.
Every time she was next to Luna, the few fortunate moments she was assigned to be near her, just passing by or just standing to attention while she walked the gardens, she could feel it.
As if the moon itself came into the ground to grace her puny mortal life with its mighty shine of silver light.
Calming but very much superior and imposing to her in every way, a goddess in pony-skin.
This human was similar but different, and that is all she could make of it.
Besides, even with unnatural beauty and abnormal behavior this still was just another human.
It is not like he actually helped her because he knew she was in danger or anything.
Humans only aide and protect others to which they had bonded with or have been subjugated by them, and she highly doubted this was the case with this peculiar being.
Still, even knowing all that, she couldn't quite shake the feeling that in that pale green stare headed in her direction was filled with an understanding and empathy, so much beyond that of a mindless beast.
It was as if he could understand her situation, beyond the primal instinct of an animal. But it was more than that, as if he was seeing into her very soul, her very being. As if his eyes were seeing beyond the proud lunar guard, desperate for recognition and admiration, and was seeing the underdog batmare that wanted nothing more than to be somepony worthy of remembering.
Maybe that pit-human hitted her harder than she thought because there was no way that was the case right?
He was just another, albeitly, strong human right? ...
Right? |
Your Human And You: The Wrath of Achilles. | Chapter 3: The Wrath in Chains | Noah's mind was racing with all sorts of possibilities as he dashed into the forest, blade at his side and his senses on high alert, expecting to find the source of the screaming and to help with whatever situation he was confronted with.
He was preparing himself to any kind of situation, be it animal attack, monster attack or just plain human attack.
Being familiar to these three types of encounters, it was within his abilities to act accordingly to either of these situations.
What he wasn't expecting , as he entered the clearing from where the scream came from, was to find a giant of a man with a prosthetic drill-arm, grunting and growling in animalistic fashion, trying its mightiest to drill into the nuzzle of what appeared to be some sort of bat pony mare.
At least he assumed it was a mare due to the slight slender of its body and...well...the lack of male genitalia that he could see from his position behind the murderous man.
the pony couldn't be more than four feet tall, barely made it up to his thigh. It was such a tiny thing, fighting this behemoth of a man, who clearly lost all semblance of sanity by the way it was acting.
This...is a new one...
When he first heard the scream he assumed it belonged to a girl, that high and clearly femenate pitch yell for help could only belong to the voice of a woman, and yet, arriving to the place from which the wail came from, no sight resembling a girl could be seen anywhere, aside of the two individuals that were currently brawling on the forest soil.
It couldn't have possibly been the man, as his physical appearance and current position in the fight left little possibility of being in any kind of distress.
And there was no way the yell came from the bat mare.
Was it?
Not that he was questioning the impossibility of the existence of bat horses, he has long since discarded those kinds of close minded thoughts the moment he discovered his bloodline and entered camp half blood.
He was actually questioning the fact that it was most probable the mare (?) who spoke and that he UNDERSTOOD her without problem.
Noah has many abilities and skills but equine communication was, unfortunately, not one of them, that was more Percy's area.
He was more of an equine empath.
So either he has gained the blessing of poseidon without him noticing it...or that was a talking horse. ...
...yeah okay.
That seemed like the most reasonable and logical conclusion he could reach at the moment, he has definitely seen weirder so this was not so much a shock.
He has always loved horses even before he was aware of being a demigod so this was a plus in his opinion.
He was sure that, at this point with all of what he has seen and experienced, nothing could surprise him.
No doubt he would have continued to muse over this if not for the deadly reminder that this mare was in danger and in desperate need of help.
This would be good change of pace. For once he would save the mythical creature from the dangerous and savage human.
It was nice to change from his usual encounters with the monstrous kind.
Without wasting any time, taking advantage of his position behind the preoccupied brute, he leaped towards the struggling duo, clashing against the back of the now surprised beast-man and imposing upon him the wrestling hold he had practically perfected at camp.
All of this hapened in less than a second, the speed of his attack shocking the wild man into an unwanted submission in which every passing moment was one where less and less oxygen could make its way into his closing lungs, courtesy of the imposing arm crushing his larynx and esophagus.
Before he could could even try to free himself, Noah applied even more strength into his arms, stood up and threw the giant into the nearest tree with such force that the poor trunk fractured in two as if it had the durability of chinese chopsticks.
The savage rolled in the ground before coming to a stop past the now broken tree, giving the two spectators a rather comical sight of his body, with the butt in the air and the head facing the rough earth.
He looked like he was doing a poor imitation of a snail, which was made even more ridiculous due to the sheer size and musculature of the man, making this scenario all the more silly.
For a few seconds, silence reigned in the forest with the only sounds being the agitated breaths of the exhausted mare trying to catch her wind and the echo of the crash resonating in all directions, bouncing from tree to tree into the unknown depths of the woods.
Noah waited a to see if the muscled man would stand up to his attack with a counter of his own. Even if this man was a complete animal he still should act accordingly and lash out against him, however nothing of the sort happened and noah was slightly disappointed to see that supposedly strong man had been knocked out cold due to the force of his previous throw.
that was...easier than i thought. It seems all of those muscles didn't help softening the impact. Then again, i do tend to forget how strong i am compared to other mortals. I should be more careful with my strength. Didn't even gave him a chance to fight back.
With the apparent danger out of the way, Noah directed his sight to bat pony that until now was just starting to get back on its feet, so to speak.
Actually, now that he could take a good look at the mare, he realized that he was going to revoke his previous statement of "nothing can surprise him anymore" and start humbling his mind again because what he was staring at right now was most definitely nothing like the equines he has seen "back home".
It was a small pony, barely reaching up to his hips. Its slender yet strong legs showed that this pony was trained to handle all kinds of rough works, its coat was a beautiful midnight blue that reminded him of the clear night sky he would often see back in the camp. Its mane and tail were of a mint blue that seemed to shine against the few rays of sunlight that could get through the thick leaves. Her bat wings were of a darker color compared to her coat and on its backside he could see some strange tattoo that resembled two bat wings emerging from a small silver dagger.
The most outstanding feature of this mare however, was its face. The muzzle was incredibly short, completely different from all the horse muzzles he had seen before. Its eyes, which were a emerald green, were ridiculously huge, almost cartoonish like, which seemed to make up most of her face and yet displayed an impressive amount of emotion and intelligence.
This mare looked straight out of a kids cartoon and yet it didn't seem unrealistic or out of place with the rest of the world around him.
It was a strange thing to say but, in a way, that mare naturally belonged there with the rest of the world, as if it couldn't have been made or seen any other way.
In fact, it was strangely attractive in a way, alluring even.
It belonged there and yet it was so alien to his eyes.
yep, this is definitely a new one for me. And here i thought i had seen it all.
Noah was so enthralled with admiring and analyzing the pony's appearance that he failed to notice the uncomfortable stare he was receiving form the mare herself and, also, the shifting and russtiling of the bushes surrounding them both.
wait a minute, something's not right, what is that-
He couldnt even finish his thoughts as his instincts flared up to attention, snapping him out of his trance, allowing him to perceive the bolt of yellow energy that shot out from the darkness of the forest and incoming into his position; he barely dodged by throwing himself to the left and out of the way of the energy blast which left a small smoking crater in his previous spot in the ground.
He wasn't given the chance to understand what was happening as new multiple blasts of silver energy shot out in succession from different directions, making his situation all the more difficult.
Taking the sword from his hip, noah held the hilt with both hands and began to take action by deflecting the bolts with the blade with lightning reflexes , as if actually trying to redirect multiple flaming baseballs coming in at blinding speeds with a flat baseball bat.
Without realizing it, he had left the bat mare completely forgotten.
Each deflected blast left something akin to an after-heat in the blade that spread all the way from the tip to the hilt, as if he was actually deflecting balls of molten steel, making him feel as if he was holding a flaming steel rod.
It was becoming very difficult to endure such a pain constantly but he was capable to pull it off.
But it was all for nought.
The more he deflected, the more the bolts began multiplying in number, each bolt he reflected, three more would make their way to his face, making it all the more difficult to redirect the deadly energy with his xiphos, leaving him with no choice but to coordinate dodging with deflecting, a task that became more and more challenging as more and more attacks began to appear.
Before he realized it ,he was literally backed up to a corner, with his xiphos glowing red from the hundreds of magical impacts it had to withstand and with Noah himself, panting and feeling the strain in his arms growing ever so strongly.
And yet he couldn't help but feel a smudge of pride, making itself present in the form of a smug grin.
aaaand that was the two hundredth blast that failed to hit me.
The bolts stopped their constant firing and the forest returned to its sepulchral silence.
Whoever was attacking him, would have to try harder than that if they planned to kill him.
Many have tried and failed to do just that and he doubted that they, whoever they were, would succeed where others, way more powerful and experienced, have failed.
Ironically enough, that tiny display of hubris would result to be his undoing in this battle as ,unknowing to him, a figure literally cloaked in shadow had sneaked her way behind the unsuspected and slightly tired demigod, approaching ever so slowly with a glowing, sparking horn that lighted up the darkness in an electric blue hue humming with magical power.
He realized the trap too late, as he felt his neck hairs stand up to attention and his survival instincts yelling at him to turn around only to see the blinding light of a powerful blast being directed straight into his face.
He heard the impact before he felt it as the charged magical blast rammed with full force at the center of his nose, rocking him off the ground and propelling him into the trees, creating an explosion big enough to create a powerful shockwave that expanded all the way to the very edge of the forest, shaking and blowing all the trees outward with a blast of wind, creating such a blinding flare that if someone were to watch it from the sky they would have been rendered temporarily blind.
It was as if a solar flare was going off in the surface of the earth, nearly burning the forest down.
Then, slowly, the flare began to die down, revealing a very big crater in which our bruised and injured demigod resided, with his back facing the sky and his face getting intimate with the ground.
Whatever remained of his clothes was burned away by the explosion, leaving him in nothing but his birthday suit, which was thankfully covered in thin layers of dirt and furthered hidden by the resulting smoke emanating from the ground and blocking the sight of his full moon to the world.
The magical sword was nowhere to be seen, having been blasted away from his hands and into the penumbra of the woods.
As he felt his consciousness slip away, with the distant sound of clopping approaching his resting ground, all noah could think of right now was of how he could have been so stupid to let this rather incompetent defeat happen to him.
Such a rookie mistake, to let his pride take hold of his thoughts, it could cost him his life now; if the others at camp knew of this they would never live it down.
He was Noah Castellanos dammit! He didn't make rookie mistakes.
But it seems when it matter the most, he just can't make the right call, can't he? After all, he has certainly failed others before, hasn't he? Why would failing even himself be any different?
Before he could beat himself up even further, the edges of his vision darkened and everything went black.
-Celeste POV-
As celeste looked towards the smoking crater that once was the human that saved her life, she couldn't help but think that this current situation was the very definition of shit hitting the fan in the most colossal way possible.
When he first rescued her, she was undoubtedly relieved but a deep anxiety made its way to replace that relief, as he stared deeply into her own eyes.
After all it was not uncommon to see humans kill each other just so one of them could claim the same prey.
Humans could be possessive when it comes to their own hunt, so celeste was having a difficult time hiding her fear from him, especially after he disposed of that pit fighter in less than a second.
It wasn't that hard to deduce that she wouldn't stand a chance against him when he eventually decided to maul at her.
However, as the seconds turend into minutes, she watched as the human did nothing of what she expected him to do and just continued this rather one sided staring contest.
The way those beautiful pale green eyes stared at her almost implied a sense of facination and intrigue, almost as if he was analyzing her in a critical way to understand her.
And that was just downright impossible.
Humans came in two categories: they were either submissive and stupid or they were violent and savage.
There was rarely a middle ground between the two.
Sure, humans could be trained and domesticated but it takes a certain amount of effort to pull off depending on the human and the specific training implemented. When done properly they could prove be very useful and practical regarding the tasks they were given.
However they never display any form of conscience or intelligence besides basic survival instinct.
The pit humans she was trafficking were the best example of that. They were trained since birth to experience all kinds of battles and fightings, not to mention enduring all kinds of invasive and painful experimentations and forced augmentations.
They were arguably the best killing machines she has seen, and yet they were still as dumb as any other human, with the only knowledge and skill available to them being the ones taught to them from the beginning. They knew how to kill in an "entertaining fashion" and that's that.
The rest is just primal instinct.
And yet, this human was disproving everything she knew with just a simple look, displaying an incredible amount of docility she thought impossible for a human that just smashed another human into a tree with enough force to break it in half.
Little by little, the anxiety and fear left her and instead they were replaced by curiosity and gratitude.
She had no idea were this human came from or why he was here as it was very obvious that this was not one of their own pit humans, but somehow it heard her cries and actually came to her rescue.
Be it by sheer curiosity or an actual miracle in her favor, she wasn't going to look at this second chance with hesitation.
Regardless of intent, this human allowed her to continue her mission, albeitly with a few setbacks and for that she was glad.
He was her savior and that alone was worthy of praise.
And he was a total hottie too, so that was a plus!
Allowing herself to relax, celeste continued to admire her savior not knowing that things would go from bad to worse in the next few seconds.
While the human seemed rather preoccupied with his staring and failed to notice the signs, celeste was nowhere near as distracted and immediately noticed the multiple figures coming from the dark woods and into the bushes, preparing for what she could only assume was an ambush on the distracted individual.
Before she could even muster any kind of warning towards the human a volley of energy bolts came straight at him with enough force to break apart any other normal human into many pieces.
Again, faster than her eye could keep track of, the human drew his sword and began to deflect, with exceptional expertise and skill, the oncoming death volley of magic combining cleverly done rolls and jumps with professional strikes and swings from the blade.
It was unlike anything she has ever seen in her life. The average magical bolt, when fired, could move at speeds equal or above 1,700 miles per hour and these were no amateurs throwing around random spells.
These were the most wanted criminals this side of equestria, which mant those were no basic level magic they were throwing around.
At best those were advanced light bolts, which meant that not only were they powerful enough to knock out a manticore in a single blow, they were also among the fastest offensive spells known to pony kind, being at least thrice as fast as the average bolt.
Unless you were an elite wonderbolt, dodging this kind of attack might as well be impossible.
And yet this human was not only dodging them, he was reflecting the attacks! With his sword none the less!
The impact of the blows alone should have broken every single bone in his arms, blowing up the tendons and the ligaments like they were rubber bands.
Meaning this human was leagues and bound beyond even the strongest of humans. Hell, he was stronger than most other beings she has ever seen, and she has seen plenty.
There was something about him that just didn't seem human at all.
It just didn't make any sense.
Just what in the name of tartarus was this thing!?
She was knocked back into reality when a redirected bolt of energy nearly blew her hooves off, helping her realize once again that she was in the middle of a big ass battleground and her probabilities of survival would diminish if she remained sitting on the floor LIKE A FUCKING ROOKIE!!!
Allowing her training to take over her mindset, celeste did what she was trained to do: move out of the way and search for a good scouting position for the battle.
Once that was out of the way and the actual scouting began she could hardly believe her eyes.
Second by second, attack after attack, this human was surpassing her expectations (or what she thought her expectations were) and began to actually consider the possibility that his human maybe was no human at all.
It wasn't until the beams of magic disappeared and that the human seemed to relax that she realized what was going to happen.
Before she could muster any kind of sound resembling a warning, the unicorn hidden from the warriors sight made herself known by charging up a suspiciously familiar attack.
By the time the human turned in alert, it was already too late to dodge, as the bolt of light went straight for his forehead, creating a shockwave so big it knocked the caster, herself, and every pony within a 2 mile radius off their hooves as the blinding light obscured the entirety of the forest, accompanied by the familiar sensation of excruciating heat and powerful energy.
The telo lumen. A forbidden, highly volatile and incomplete spell, known only to those within the inner circle of the twin princesses or to those with knowledge of the spells of Star Swirl the Bearded.
Known for its powerful impact and explosive nature, the telo lumen was created as an offensive spell meant to eradicate all forms of defense with a mighty bolt of light.
It sounds like the perfect attack incantation, if it weren't for the fact that the spell was never completed, and there is nothing more dangerous and unpredictable that an incomplete spell.
It greatest drawback, besides leaving the caster completely drained mentally and magically, its the fact that the energy released by the attack is so great that maintaining control over it is impossible, causing great harm not only to the caster but also the surroundings, damaging indiscriminately anything within its predestined radius.
A very risky spell.
For somepony to use it...they must be really desperate or really stupid.
And since she knew that the ponies she was accompanying were no fools, at least when it comes to what they do, she can testify that whoever casted the attack was desperate enough to use it.
When the light and heat cleared up, all that remained of the human was a smoky crater with no apparent signs of life.
After a minute or so, celeste stood up from her rather awkward position in the dirt and began to make her way, slowly, towards the hole in the ground that was once the human who saved her.
Which leaves us to her current position, staring aimlessly at a gaping hole in the ground without the faintest idea on how to feel.
On one hoof, this human, despite all evidence and previous experience telling her otherwise, saved her from what would have been, a horrible death by drill. She should feel sad that her rescuer spared her from such a fate.
On the other hoof...well, he is a human, and humans do what they do, which means it usually doesn't end well for ponies. Especially such a violent specimen. She should feel relieved.
"Well...that was certainly interesting" a deep and cold voice snapped her out of her musings, sending shivers down her spine and tremors to her wings.
Glancing to the direction of the voice, she was greeted with the sight of her "boss" and leader of the caravan, Somber shade.
If she were to describe the stallion before her in one word, it would be "intimidating". His jet black mane contrasted heavily with his blood read coat in such a way that it almost made one uncomfortable to look at his general direction. As if he could actually hurt your eyes just by looking at him.
His single golden orb would stare coldly and indifferently while his white, scarred, left eye would seem to see into your very being. As if that single eye could see past the social masks and into the heart of a pony.
His cutie marks was of a black cloak being pierced by a silver dagger.
Cloak and dagger...just another reason for not trusting this guy.
If it weren't for the seemingly permanent scowl in his face though, he would be a very handsome face to look at.
"Yeah that is one to put it" her response sounded more forced that she intended to, which was easily caught on by him.
He arched a brow at her. "You don't mean to tell me you regret this outcome do you? This...thing could have killed you if it wanted to. It certainly seemed capable to do so"
"Well...yeah, but come on! Telo lumen!? You have to admit that is a little overkill!"
"I wasn't the one who casted the spell, though i will agree that this conclusion is a little...overdramatic to say the least".
"Wait...if you didnt cast off the spell...then that means..."
"It means i got the job done. Your welcome by the way!" a feminine and teasing voice interrupted her train of thought leaving her with a scowl and a bad taste in her mouth.
Two mare unicorns came into light entering the newly formed clearing. A pair of twins she knew perfectly well made themselves know.
Aura and Mare. The trouble maker duo that loved to be a pain in her ass.
Despite being twins, the one clear way to differentiate one from the other was, of course, the color. Aura had a silver mane with a teal coat while Mare had a teal mane with a silver coat.
And just like that, one was the opposite of the other. While Aura was stubborn, emotional and a complete bitch, Mare was silent, emotionless and a complete bitch.
...ok maybe she was biased but it was true nonetheless.
They were once part of celestia's school for gifted unicorns until they were expelled for...unacceptable behavior and prohibited practices.
They may look cute but their insides are just as rotten as their new career choice, lets just leave it at that.
But she never suspected that one of them had enough knowledge to cast such a taboo spell like the telo lumen.
" Oh yeah! Thanks alot for almost killing all of us while using a super risky, unstable and unfinished spell! Truly, we owe you our lives.it is not like we could have...oh i don't know...DIED a very painful death!"
Celeste hated the twins, no doubt about that. But if she had to play favorites then Aura was definitely her biggest annoyance. Her smug and arrogant attitude was terrible enough but her tendencies with humans were...disgusting.
"Oh give me a fucking break! You saw how that human was acting. He would have killed us all if he could. Didn't you see the way it was moving!? If given the chance he could have ripped us apart with his bare hands. That is not an ordinary human! I made the right call."
"So you just use a potentially lethal spell that could have killed us all just as easily? Oh yeah! Hell of a right call!"
Both sombre and mare rolled their eyes in annoyance while somber had to hold down a groan. They knew that once aura and celeste got into one of their famous arguments, it would take some form of divine intervention for them to stop. As it so happens, something similar was about to occur.
"I saved your life"
"I didn't need saving"
"Yeah right, so i guess i just imagined you, on the floor, screaming for help like a little bitch. Must be something wrong with my vision or you were actually crying like a little fillie."
"I wasn't crying!"
"Oh yes you were! The little baby celeste!"
"Oh that is very mature! You are a bitch!"
"Cunt!"
"Sadistic whore!"
"Useless ass!"
"Uh...girls?" the usually emotionless and indiferent voice of mare was laced with a tone of uneasiness and fear as she looked wide eyed towards the flaming hole in the ground that was, slowly but surely, getting clearler by the second,knocking both girls and stallion out from their fighting.
Mare rarely displayed any kind of emotion, so in the rare times that she did, it was always to express that something important was at stake.
One everypony was looking in the direction she was looking there were three surprised intakes of breath and one dissatisfied growl.
As the leftover smoke cleared from the crater one could clearly see the very much breathing and slightly bruised form of the human covered in a thin layer of dust and dirt, presented to the ponies with nothing but his birthday suit.
The sword was nowhere to be seen.
"That is impossible!" aura gasped indignantly. "That spell should have turned his body to ash".
"Then you casted the spell incorrectly" Mare responded trying to get her shocked expression out of her face.
"I have never failed when it comes to spells. You know that".
"Something happened. Whether you did the incantation wrong or this human is actually though enough to survive a magical blast created to turn manticores into dust"
Celeste was more than shocked. This day has dived right into the impossible and the bizarre but she couldn't help but feel glad that he was alive. Call it gratitude or whatever, but she was pretty sure she would not be alive right now if it weren't for him.
Before she could voice any kind of opinion towards this dilema, somber did something that shocked all three mares at the same time.
He smiled. While looking at the human.
" You know...this might be a blessing in disguise. Due to our little incident we lost more than half of our cargo with the rest just running for it into the forest. It is safe to assume that we won't be able to get all of our assets back, which means that we are left with 10 successfully captured humans. That is not good. We still have at least 20 more fights before the big one up in the crystal kingdom and with our current predicament, the humans will not last all the fights we have in stored for them until the big day".
The three companions gave each other worried glances. They had an idea of what was going to happen.
" This specimen has proved to be 20, maybe even 50 times more stronger, faster and smarter than the finest brutes we had before! As much as we might not want to admit it, if we are going to make a profit in the next week before our big score in the crystal kingdom...we need it".
"But sir...how do you plan to control such a beast?" Mare asked while circling the human with an analytical glint in her eyes.
"You let me worry about that. You, on the other hand, return to the caravan and make sure that everything is ready for us to move inmideatly.repair all you can and secure the assets in place. Tighten the chains so that this doesn't happen again down the road. This accident not only has left us short staffed but also has altered our schedule. If we are going to get back on the rails we need to make some adjustments to our plan".
Mare nodded diligently only to teleport back to the road. Somber then directed his now focused and determined glance to aura, who now had a conflicted and confused glance towards the human.
"Aura, it may be a longshot but use your scouting spell again. See if you can see any other cargo nearby. We have to salvage all that we can before we get out of here. It would be a shame if we lose anything else just because we weren't thorough".
It took a few second for her to recognize her order. "You got it boss-man".
Giving the human one last confused look, she shook her head while running back into the forest and disappearing from sight.
"Celeste, you and i will chain this human and deliver him into the caravan. Normally you would be able to do this on your own, but with this particular...something...i don't plan on taking any chances".
And so, it happened. As if nothing was wrong, everything went back on schedule. Some time passed( by then it was already dark in the forest) and they all eventually resumed their journey, with the human chained extra tight in the very back of the caravan, with some extra inhibiting spells just for good measure, also accompanied with a nightly watch, just to be sure.
Right now, it was celestes turn.
And as she watched the unconscious human dangle from the the wall with chains strapped at both his arms, all she could think of at that moment was:
well...shit. |
Your Human And You: The Wrath of Achilles. | Chapter 4: The Oncoming Storm | Contrary to what many ponies believed, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (Candace for short) was actually more ferocious and passionate than her loving and charming exterior would lead many ponies to believe. One could be fooled by the compassionate and kind demeanor that she showed to her subjects and underlings.
This display of genuine affection,which is as true as celestia's sun, would be enough to convince anypony of this act. However, below that beautiful and wise shell of a princess, there lays the strong spirit of a warrior and the heart of a true ruler; willing to do anything for her beloved kingdom and every single pony that resides in it.
Many would find that fact hard to comprehend, as such ferocity has barely made an appearance in the totality of her reign. Nevertheless it exists. Like the calm before the storm, her tenacity remains hidden until a moment arrives that demands it to be unleashed.
For only love could have such strength and resolve, empowering her to protect the ones she holds dear.
After all, her kingdom was like her family. A beautiful and enormous family that works everyday to achieve all of its dreams and happiness.
A family that helps and that seeks help from others. A family that laughs and that weeps. A family that knows the value of giving love and being loved.
And ever since becoming a princess, she has been a part of this family. She is the head of it in fact. And having such a big position, she has to carry all of the responsibilities that comes with it, all of it in her back. Sometimes it weighs her down, making her own life so much harder than it needs to be.
Sometimes she wakes up in the morning, wondering if she can truly go through the entire day without wishing she could just stay in bed, hoping that the day would just end right there and then.
But you know what? She wouldn't have it any other way.
After all, what kind of monster wouldn't do anything in their power to ensure the safety and prosperity of their family?
If the situation ever arose, she would gladly throw herself into the darkest pit in all of tartarus, just for the sake of saving one single member of her kingdom.
Or better yet, she would gladly throw her enemies into tartarus, relentlessly and without mercy.
For love could be brutal, unforgiving and cruel. If needed, candance can tap into these dark aspects of her element to unleash punishments to whoever dared threaten her domain, and righteous ruling over her land when it needed it the most.
And the most recent turn of events have created the opportunity for her to unleash this side of herself.
Recent news have been revealed to her, thanks to the messengers of her aunt, concerning the specific movements of a certain dangerous, and very much illegal, group that was making its way upward in equestria, with its final destination being her beloved crystal kingdom.
She has heard stories about this peculiar organization within her royal meetings and by talks with celestia and luna. Specializing in human trafficking and in the hosting of the most infamous and secretive pit fights all across the land, not to mention all their charges in illegal and invasive experimentation, extortion and abuse of humans; this group has truly outdone itself in being the best at being bad.
And that is just the crimes that they know off.
Who knows what other horrible and illegal deeds they have done to get in their current position today?
Arming themselves with political protection and immunity, this group was nearly untouchable due to the lack of concrete physical evidence pulled against them. You could think whatever you wanted about these scumbags but one could not deny that they are pros at what they do.
That was all going to change in the next weeks.
Thanks to the collective effort of their net of spies, the rehearsals and simulations of the totality of the royal guard, the secretive collaborations of loyal bureaucrats, and months of preparation have finally created the perfect scenario in which those criminals have no better choice than to enter her domain and set a pit fight right under their noses, just as planned.
She could hardly wait to put those criminals in their place for all the atrocities committed against pony kind AND mankind.
While she has never cared much for humans, she has read the reports on the previous pit fights this organization has been involved in.
To say they were brutal and unforgiving would be the biggest understatement of the world. She actually felt sick to her stomach just by reading the autopsy reports of the humans that were unfortunate enough to perish during the massacres they called pit fights.
The abuse and extortion were bad enough but these sons of whores just decided to turn it up a notch by augmenting their humans with very painful and invasive prosthetic enhancements. This group truly knew no mercy when it came to humans. No other being should be subjected to that kind of treatment and abuse, regardless of who or what they are.
It is just wrong on all the levels.
And so, she would play her part into putting an end to their activities once the day arrives, three weeks from now. Even now as she gazes into the pink skies of dawn from her balcony, she can't help but twitch in anticipation.
In many previous occasions, she has wondered if it was healthy for her to feel such a estatic sensation, considering the future situation she would find herself creating. Many nights and mornings, just as this one, had been spent thinking if she might be just a little wrong in the head for enjoying these rare opportunities to simply cut loose from her usual daily monotony.
To escape the boredom of royal daily life to enter the realm of crime and punishment, justice and victory. Just like the books she used to read when she was younger.
Nevertheless, duty came before pleasure.
The situation demands immediate action and as a respectable and dutiful princess, she will provide.
Regardless of how much she might enjoy it in the end.
"You really are a morning bird, aren't you?".
A soft and gentle voice broke her out of her train of thought, bringing a loving smile to her face and dispersing away all previous thoughts regarding future battles or anything like that. Right beside her, admiring the morning light, was her handsome husband shining armour.
Just like her, he seemed to just woken up from his slumber to accompany her in contemplating the dawn of a new day, or at least it was one of his reasons.
It hasn't been the first time he has done this too. Being captain of the royal guard for so long has trained him to awake ,or remain awake, at any time of the day, as a standard part of his training. Waking himself up just to keep his beloved company was way more easy to do. His unkempt blue mane moved with the cold morning wind, creating such an alluring scene for her to gaze at that she had to fight down the urge of pouncing at him and claiming him right there and then.
She really was wrong in the head, wasn't she?
"Well, you didn't have to accompany me you know. You could have stayed in bed for a couple more minutes before i had to wake you up". Candace said as she nuzzled in closer to her husband's neck, feeling the comforting heat of his body that welcomed her like a hot cup of delicious chocolate on a cold morning such as this one.
"And leave all here to you're lonesome? What kind of husband would do that to his beautiful wife?"
"A dumb one".
"Well, then you are one lucky mare for having such a dutiful and loyal, not to mention incredibly handsome, lover such as myself to keep you company", shining said as he puffed his chest outwards while speaking in an exaggerated tone.
"Oooh my hero...but it seems i have forgotten such a fact", candace said while batting her eyelashes at him while giving him that look.
"I sure hope this strapping...virile...and strong stallion can remind me of how lucky i am over...and over...and over again" she finished saying while ending her sentence with the tone that she knew drove shining mad.
And he didn't disappoint.
The moment she finished her sentence, armour went wide eyed and redder than a jalapeno. She loved her husband, truly, but sometimes he made it too easy.
He might like to tease her with this little bouts, but when all is said and done, he didn't stood a chance against the princess of love and the queen of teasing.
And now she will have her reward.
Recognizing the look she was giving him, a now mude shining armour understood what was about to happen and, quicker than a bolt launched from a crossbow, he ran straight to the bed in great anticipation for their...games, so to say.
Grinning and chuckling maliciously to herself, candace began to walk sensually into her room to claim her prize, only to be stopped by the sound of thunder accompanied by a harsh gush of cold wind that pushed her hair all the way to the front of her face, effortlessly slapping her muzzle with it.
A sensation akin to an electric shock crawled its way from the back of her spine, all the way to the back of her neck,making her shiver in an unpleasant way. She stopped in her tracks as she turned one last time to the outside of her balcony, gazing with narrowed eyes into the sky, trying and failing to find the flash of lightning that came along with the thunder. All she saw was the normal morning sky, just as before. She narrowed her eyes further, as if expecting it to come alive at any moment, dread filling her heat to the brim.
The wind smelled odd...like the breeze you'd expect to feel near the ocean, all with its distinctive salty smell.
Something...was about to happen.. Something big.
The sky looked just as normal as it has been for the last year, and yet she couldn't shake away the feeling that it seemed...wrong, for some reason.
As if the morning sky was an omen for the upcoming storm that would shake the earth and drown the land.
The calm before the storm, as the saying goes.
The voice of her impatient husband shook off the unpleasant feeling, making her realize that only her heard the thunder. Realizing she had been standing still while staring at the sky for more than a minute, candace shook her head to shake away the bad thoughts filling her head and, regaining her smile once more, approached her bed with the now clear intention of waking the entire castle with her moans of pleasure and his grunts of ecstasy.
Not that it would be very hard to do.
The mere touch of his skin on hers drove her mad, with the little nothings he whispered in her ears making her fall in love with him all over again.
She was truly addicted to her husband, and she thought of that with pride.
She really was lost without him. Her rock, her lover, her dear and precious shining armour.
Hers and hers alone.
But even the overwhelming pleasure of his constant penetrations, and the ever so rough love bites and kisses, all with different positions and stances (she was nothing if not flexible) , couldn't shake away candace's gaze at the window from time to time, or more specifically, at the sky, hoping that the ominous feeling overcoming her head was nothing but the anticipation of the upcoming ambush taking over her mindset.
She knew better though...
And she could only hope.
the minotaur was closing in on us both with a speed i thought impossible for a being that big and bulky. It didn't help that the extra weight on my already bleeding shoulders, courtesy of my unconscious brother percy, slowed me down as i ran through the woods, all the way from our spot in the beach, to somewhere down in the valley.
This "half-blood hill" better be the safe haven that was promised to us. Otherwise that goat boy is going to get it real good.
Following the instructions of that weird goat boy that wouldn't stop following us from all the way back "home" in manhattan didn't seem like a good idea at the time, considering all the encounters with the supernatural since our mothers death have been less than pleasant, but having a enormous bull monster trying to rip you to shreds with its bear hands, would convince anyone very quickly.
And the day had started with such promise...
Thanks to all of the extra hours i had done, plus all the tips i had saved from the last four months, i was finally able to buy an entire week on our favorite spot at the beach in long island sound. Percy was doing surprisingly well in his studies an d i decided it was a good time as any to give ourselves a little vacation. A little break from the constant running, fighting and working ourselves to the bone, it was going to be a nice change of pace. A week of relaxation in which we could create good and meaningful memories; a contrast to the shity hand that has been dealt to us in our life.
Or at least, that was the idea. While we never really expected our little vacation to be problem free, we also never expected to be chased down and hunted by a mythological monster this far out from the city. While monster encounters like this one have been to us somewhat of a "normality" ever since our mother was mauled by a giant lion, we have learned how to avoid them as time went on, and this trip was the perfect move regarding that issue.
But i was wrong.
I should have seen this coming. I always try to foresee this kind of things, it's my job, my responsibility to look after percy . To care for him. To train him for the unjust life he has ahead of him and incredible moments like this dont really help- the roar of the minotaur snaps me back to reality. It sounded closer than it was before but i are not to look back.
Focus Noah...focus on running. Don't think about the hulk reject closing on on you. Just think about the pine tree. That is your goal.
There! I can see it, just up the hill! We are so close now! We can do this, I can do this! There is no stopping us-why can't i feel the ground?
Oh..it seems the minotaur was closer than i realized and has decided that the ground is too good for us, so he punched us into the air.
On the bright side, there is surprisingly little pain...oh, there it is.
I hit the ground HARD, percy falling not far from me, still unconscious. He has lost too much blood. If i don't do something i...will lose all the family i have left on this world.
Come on Noah! Get up! Move your ass. You are so close now, the pine is just a few meters away, you can do this! Your life, percy's life depends on you!
The minotaur is roaring at me again, as it prepares itself to charge once more.
As i stand to my feet, arms to the side and head downcast, preparing myself for my own charge, i can't help but think that if this wasn't such a big life or death situation, this scenario right here? It would make for a very kickass comic book. Or a very good book chapter.
Shaking those thoughts away, i stare into the eyes of the beast as it stares back.
I clench my butt tight, lower my back until both my hands touch the ground and prepare my body for all the strength it has left.
Blood drips from my shoulder wounds, were the tip of the minotaurs horn remains incrusted almost all the way. It stings and burns a lot but i push through the pain.
As the monster charges with all that is has and as is do the same, screaming from the bottom of my lungs, i can't help but wonder if all of this craziness is all my fault.
That if i had not been picked up by sally jackson as i appeared on her doorstep that night, an infant just two years older than her newborn son, that she would still be alive and that percy would have grown in a somewhat happy life. Maybe... I am the reason for both our misery...maybe i should just die here and spare percy a lifetime of pain.
But it is too late for that kind of thoughts. What is done cannot be undone and the dead can't come back to life.
All we can do is move forward.
And hope that the future brings better joy than the past has brought.
But now is not the time for pessimistic delusions. Now is the time to fight a giant minotaur while protecting my brother, hoping that someone hears my screams of pain and its animalistic growls, and comes to help us.
I am not letting my hopes up though.
Besides, not to blow my own horn here...but i think i can take it.
What this monster has in strength, it lacks in brains, and while i am pretty strong myself, i am not willing to test my limits with this bull monster.
If i play my cards just right, i can actually kill this thing, or at the very least harm it ins such a way that it buys us some much needed time.
I have killed most monsters i have encountered so far, so i have the experience to back up my claims.
Let's just hope my plan actually works.
Well...here goes nothing...
It was the rocking of the caravan that woke noah up from his power nap in the small cage that he has called home for the last seven weeks.
It should have been impossible for someone to sleep while having both arms chained to a wall, dangling the rest of their lower torso off the ground ,but alas, noah has slept through more uncomfortable positions that this one before.
It helped that he had some clothes on this time. A very good upside considering the first few days of his imprisonment were spent with his naked butt dangling from the air.
He has been in many strange situations before in his rather unorthodox life, but even he had to admit that being chained to a wall, in a human trafficking caravan lead by a bunch of talking cartoon-ish ponies was a new one.
He didn't realize this at first though. It took him a while to wake up from his first blackout, which was...rather humiliating on his part. He has fought monsters, titans, gods, other demigods and more often than not he came out victorious. Then a bunch of painfully colorful unicorns take him by surprise and pretty much knock him out cold without too much of an effort. It was a terribly big hole to his pride.
To make matters worse his sword, his precious "star of thetis", was left behind in the forest were they beated him. While he knew he could recall the sword to his pocket, just like riptide, his lack of arm mobility and, well, pants, made it impossible to recall his desired weapon.
He was very close to giving in to his wrath the moment he regained his senses the first time, just about ready to rip open the bindings in his arms and to destroy his kidnapres with his bear hands.
However, he stopped himself right as he was straining his arms to rip the chains open, and took a big shaky breath.
It would do him no good to act on his wrath in what was, probably, a whole different and unknown world
Ever since percy, he has trained himself to better control his anger, as it tended to blind him from logic and common sense even when the situation demands more brain than brawn.
While he is no child of athena, he takes great pride in his own analytical skills and tactical thinking in dire situations. It's the maine reason he has kept himself and his adoptive brother alive before the years in camp half blood. Surviving and killing monsters was part skill, part intelligence after all.
And so, calming his mind and calling upon the blessing of athena he began to asses his situation. It was fair to assume that right now he was located in an entire different world to his own. The evidence of this laid on the fact that this was, most probably, the other side of chaos. While he lacked any real evidence to support that claim, noah assumed that to be the case the moment he encouintered the transformed humans and the multi-colored ponies. Both of these beings were completely different from the ones he was accustomed in his own world, even when taking into account different pantheons of gods and other supernatural beings. He could be wrong but his gut told him otherwise. Even if he could not prove this theory right away, he could just wait and see what his kidnapres would do to him and where they were taking him.
They wanted him alive, that was for certain.
If they wanted him dead they would have done so already the moment they knocked him out all the way back in the forest, so that meant they needed him for something of importance.
What that was however, was still unknown to him, adding another reason for him to just remain in place until he has more information.
Patience was key in this conundrum, and to survive he would need to adapt.
As time passed, the entrance of his cell would be opened , greeting him with the sight of the female bat pony that he saved from the savage mortal.
She wouldn't speak at all (not that he expected her to) and refrained from looking him into his eyes. All she did was readjust the chains, feeding him water and bread with a long distance spoon, cleaning him up with a sponge, which sometimes took more time than needed, and leaving as soon as she could.
He noticed how, sometimes, she would whisper to herself little things that were too silent for him to pick up, even with his enhanced senses. The things that he did pick up, where among the lines of: "stay on the chest girl. Go lower and you might just drool" and "just how ripped are you?" and also "why did you save me?", "just what in tartarus are you?" and finally "...thank you".
Usually in that order.
As if she was having a hard time deciding on whether she should be afraid of him, grateful him or just ignoring him, for her own safety.
It was as if his very existence brought confusion and disbelief to her very being.
It had lead him to the conclusion that humans in this world were either not sentient or just plain psychopathic. He was leading towards answer c: all of the above. This made things clearer for him, as it explains the way this bat pony reacts whenever she is near him.
It would be the equivalent of him meeting a sentient, talking horse...oh wait.
Still, it was a little funny to watch.
It was her who eventually dressed him up in makeshift rags which covered his chest and legs. They had no pockets and were barely comfortable, but it was a nice change from the usual nakedness.
Also he had the suspicion she only did it because his body...distracted her.
He honestly didn't know how to react to that.
A bat pony found him attractive...yep! Still nothing.
Time passed, or he assumed it did. It was hard to tell if time in this new world would function the same as it did in his own. They would stop from time to time, but only for a few hours, nothing really substantial. He couldn't see where exactly they stopped due to the lack of windows in his little prison but each time they resumed their voyage, he noticed how the caravan felt lighter and lighter with each stop they made.
It would stand to reason that in each stop they loaded off cargo, which was in this case human beings. For what purpose though, he could only guess but as the hours turned to days and the days into weeks he came to the revelation that the only human left on the caravan was him. "Saving the best for last" if the voices he sometimes heard outside in the latest stop were to be taken seriously.
Regardless, he began to grow anxious in the little space he had in the caravan. A demigod could only be patient for so long and his ADHD prevented him from getting too calm and collected, all while being chained with limited movement besides the little exercices he could do in his position.
If they didnt do...something with him soon, then his patience would run out. What would follow after that won't be pretty for anyone involved.
At first he was forced to take power naps in order to pass the time and to save energy. Not the most productive way to spend the hours in his little cell but thanks to it he has made an incredible discovery: ever since waking up in the desert, his voice had been robbed from him. Inhabilitating him from producing any kind of sounds that might display his intelligence. In return, he was capable of sensing some sort of disturbance in his throat.
Like a pressure constantly presente whenever he breathes, a constant reminder of his condition.
Regardless, ever since being defeated by those ponies he has sensed some sort of relief around his throat. As if the spell around it has weakened.
He hasn't been able to confirm this but he suspects that with time and patience, the magic preventing him from speaking will vanish.
Maybe if he can prove his intelligence to his capturers, at the very least towards the bat pony, he could appeal to their good nature.
But he highly doubted they had anything that even resembled good intentions, considering his current predicament as a prisoner.
But this still was unknown territory and it would be foolish to act without fully knowing the consequences. He had done enough reckless things in the past, so if he could avoid unnecessary confrontations, he would. Especially if it could lead to come clue along the way to get back home.
If such a way existed.
So his best plan would be to just wait until the foreign magic disappears from his body and work his way up from there.
It wasn't the best plan but it would be a good star if his communication skills returned.
The cart suddenly stops, mildly startling noah as they haven't stopped in quite a while. Had they reached their destination?
Was there a problem down the road? Was there danger nearby? The lack of any windows in his cell frustrates him to no end, especially now.
dammit! I hate not not knowing what the hades is happening! This is such bullshit! It would be better if i wasn't chained to the freakin wall but i swear this bindings must be infused with powerful magic. No matter how hard i pull they won't budge!
His frustrated thoughs were yet again interrupted as he hears muffled voices outside his cart again. Some he recognizes, some he doesn't as always. He can't pick up anything concrete but they sound...excited? The kind of tone he would hear in new campres when seeing the campgrounds for the first time back home.
Or the tone lady Artemis would get whenever she captured men that were doing less than grateful things to virgin girls.
It gave him a bad feeling up his spine.
Whatever was going to happen couldn't be good for him.
He has jerked around as the cart began to slowly spin on its own axis, as if they were a merry go round, but only for a few seconds as he soon found out that rather than moving forward or backwards, the cart was actually moving down.
As if he were on some makeshift elevator. Surprises never stop coming apparently.
Eventually, the moving stopped, leaving noah without any clue of where he was or what was going to happen.
No different from how he was just a couple of minutes if he was being honest with himself.
Without any warning, the door to his cell slammed open, greeting noah with the first real sight ever since his capture. He was greeted by a crystal cavern/tunnel,, not unlike the quartz caverns he had seen back home in magazines and in television; however, the crystals within this cavern were giving off an unusual blue hue as if they were imbued with...something, he wasn't quite sure what.
Not seeing any real point in remaining in the little cell he was in when a new path just opened to him, noah stepped inside the tunnel, always on high alert and prepared for any nasty surprises that may wait for him in the darkness. He couldn't sense any danger yet but it never hurt to be cautious.
As he walked forward, slowly but surely, he began to notice some sort of light towards the end of the tunnel.
heh.they always say to never go towards the light but i may just make an exception only this once -noah couldn't help himself as a tiny grin formed on his face. The situation was already very ridiculous on its own without metaphorical concepts taking form on the "real world".
Irony aside, the light wasn't very bright or substantial but it was clearly artificial. A great contrast to the light produced by the crystals around him. He could only deduce that the light was the product of intelligent life, meaning that whatever was expecting him at the end of the tunnel would be what the ponies that captured him were saving him for.
Clenching his fist in anticipation and preparing for the worst, noah made a little jog towards the exit, noticing that the sound of cheering and joyful screaming was becoming louder and louder by the second.
What he found on the other side stopped him to a halt.
It was some sort of underground colosseum made entirely out of crystal and black marble, with ascending levels of podiums that reached a massive crystal ceiling that somehow simulated sunlight, illuminating the massive arena where dried blood and strange body parts could be seen scattered around in the ground. It was impressive how it resembled the roman colosseum, only to a smaller degree and how, unlike in a normal colosseum in which the seats would be filled with human spectators, this area was filled to the brim with cheering colorful ponies, going from unicorns, to pegasus to "normal" ponies. By focusing his sight he could see that, at the very top of the colosseum, there laid the bat pony he saved, accompanied by three other unicorns he did not recognize but could only assume were her companions and fellow kidnapper's. Two females and one male, though due to the distance he could not see the looks they were giving him. He could only assume.
Now, as said before noah is no stranger to the supernatural or the divine. He has seen enough weird and fantastic shit to last up a lifetime. However...this right here...was the weirdest most fucked up shit he has ever seen. Period.
I...have no words. If i wasn't lost before then i am definitely now. Never in my life i would have thought that, even for a moment, i would end up as gladiator entertainment for a bunch of ponies. How low have you fallen noah castellanos...how far...
He almost felt the need to cry if it weren't for the simple fact that he had no more tears left to shed, but he did felt the need to curl up in a ball and just die.
It was just a fleeting thought though. He had to remain sharp for whatever was about to happen wouldn't be good for his health...or for the unfortunate soul that ended to be his opponent.
Suddenly, right above his head, a white and black pegasus began to circle around the arena, all the while addressing the crowd in an exaggerated, presenting maner.
"Ladies and gentle-stallions!! welcome back to the manslaughter you have been waiting for! i know it was fun to see the previous match end in a splat, but let me assure you folks: You ain't seen nothing yet!!! now i know...you might be asking yourselves: Just how will this match ever surpass the magnifency and brutalness of the previous one? Well my dear spectators...you're about to find out! Now, let's get this party started!"
His hyping was met with even louder cheering and screaming from the audience , nearly deafening noah with their volume.
before he could get his bearing, a bright light exploded right in front of him, forcing him to block it out with his hands to protect his eyes from the glimmer.
As the light subsided and the cheering somehow increased, noah was surprised to see, now in front of him, probably one the biggest manticore he has seen in recent times, easily 15 feet tall. Or at least he assumed it was one as the lack of wings made it a difficult to decide whether it was or not a manticore. Its yellow coat was covered in all kinds of scars and bruises and what once could have been a majestic red mane, was now unevenly shaved, with little smears of blood in the sides, accompanied by a glowing black collar that seemed to be inflicting some sort of pain to the beast, if the hot steam coming out of it was anything to go by.
Its scorpion tail, black and gross, was leaking green liquid that corrosed the soil as it dripped from the its aculeus.
Its scarred face was giving animalistic growling very distinctive and characteristic to a lion mix
This thing wanted to kill him badly.
It was just about ready to pounce at him to turn him into a bloody mess on the floor.
The feeling was mutual.
And so noah took a fighting stance and closed his eyes.
as the darkness greeted him everything went silent. the cheering became nothing but static and the announcer all but disappeared to him. The colosseum was gone, the cave was gone and specially the crowd was gone. All what was left was him and the tortured manticore. standing alone in a complete empty space, just the two of them, the hunter and the prey, the demigod and the oversized kitty, the true weapon and the mindless beast.
The hurricane and the tiny, little, defenseless,boat.
Ever since the death of sally jackson, noah had developed an almost irracional hate and distaste towards lions, anything that belonged to the feline family, and even independent beings resembling felines were subjects to his wrath. It was irrational, but that is how the mind works after being exposed to a traumatic and horrifying experience so young.
This beast was no exception. the moment it appeared on the arena, noah allowed any other thoughts that weren't related to disarming this monster, at the back of his mind, only permitting his warrior instincts and hunter sense to take over his mindset to allow better performance on the upcoming slaughter.
He almost felt giddy in anticipation, but did not allow himself to make the first move. the first rule about dealing with monsters, never make the first move. allow the beast to attack first. Get a glimpse at its attack pattern, understand the way it lashes out, watch the movement of its muscles to anticipate the direction of the attacks.
Once you understand how your prey hunts, hunting it would be child's play.
Each mythical creature noah has fought had fought differently from each other, all depending on anatomy, sentience, and overall strength.
No two different beasts fought exactly the same.
There was no warning (at least for the crowd) as the punished animal leaped for action in hopes of ending this match so it could get its reward.
Fortunately for noah, this wasn't his first fight with a manticore.
First, it would pounce at him, claws first, in an apparent attempt at opening his guts. this was a ruse attack. The real move would be made from its coiled tail, ready to stab him in the neck with its poisonous stinger.
Other tactics would be meaningless for it, due to the lack of aerial mobility.
It wouldn't get a second move ,however, for the moment the tail uncoiled itself like a metal spring, shooting out at blinding speed to meet its mark, it was stopped dead in its tracks by the hand of a very focused, very angry demigod.
Heh...cute.
If he cared to let the crowd in, noah would have heard the entirety of the spectators grow mude or loudly gasp at the spectacular, and very much impossible, sight. Everything was silent for a moment.
The stinger, just centimeters away from his face, struggled to move out of the death grip, with the lion hybrid in too much of a shock to do anything about it.
Deciding not to prolong this squabble more than it need to be,and to avoid wasting time, noah simply decides to end this barely started match with an incredible feat of strength. Using both of his hands, the wrath of achilles takes hold of the tail and begins to PULL with little to no strain.
The manticore is immediately yanked off the ground and begins to experience what it would be like to be inside a tornado, as it is spinned and spinned without remorse, losing any resemblance of direction and balance.
then, after what feels like an eternity, the monster is launched at the nearest arena wall creating a small explosion of smoke and rock as the wall is cracked by the seer impact of the blast.
The beast sees nothing for what feels like hours before it regains consciousness. It seems the impact knocked it out cold for a few seconds.
The manticore struggles to get up as the overwhelming pain of the impact messed with its senses, making it difficult to spot its prey. when it finally gains the strength to get up it notices it is still somewhat out of balance.
Odd...its tail usually prevented this sort of feeling from overcoming its...oh.
It seemed its tail was gone.
More accurately, it was ripped off its butt and was nowhere to be seen. Seemingly unable to hold back the pain, the creature rored in agony, shaking the walls of the cavern and forcing the very much shocked spectators to cover their ears, in pain and fear.
And they were sure it would have continued to scream were it not or the sudden impalement of a dimemberd scorpion tail on its very wide opened mouth.
Blood began to spurt out of the beasts mouth like a fountain, as its roars were muffled by blood and poison flooding its mouth all the way to the throat, making these disgusting gurgling and bubbling sounds that were as loud as the previous roar that filled the colosseum.
As the creature entered into shock and felt its consciousness slip away, this time for good, saw for the very first and last time, the eyes of its killer. They were unlike any pair of eyes it had seen on its previous preys. They held a glow that penetrated into its very being.
Those pale green eyes were like the ocean water during a storm, unforgiving and powerful. Those eyes held power and strength it never thought possible for human prey.
This was not a human.
This...was a god.
Then the beast stopped breathing and felt the peaceful embrace of death.
Unfortunately, its body wasn't granted the same peace, as noah yanked the tail out of its now deformed mouth and began to stab the rest of the corpse with such force that the ground beneath his feet was beginning to slightly shake. Blood and guts spew from every wound, posing deforming and melting both bone and muscle creating this now unrecognizable blob of meat and bone that once was a mighty manticore.
Panting slightly, but nowhere near exhausted, noah gave one final stab before finally standing upright to gaze and admire his work.
Seven times. He stabbed the best seven times, as it symbolizes the start of his misery back on his world. For it was at the age of seven that noah had to witness the death of his beloved adoptive mother at the hands of a nemean lion.
He felt it was a little poetic he delivered the same amount of punishment into the now former manticore.
poetic? a little.
petty and unnecessary? maybe.
With the fog of anger disappearing from his mind, the world began to return to noah, making him realize the scene he was in. There he stood, covered in blood from head to toe, standing at the edge of an arena, with what once used to be a massive manticore monster, with the now terrified spectators too scared to even breath, watching the human they thought wouldn't last a second in the ring, massacre the ever living shit of their monster champion in less than 18 seconds.
then noah did something that truly sacred them shitless: He smiled.
At them.
The human was "smiling" at them.
That was,for them anyway,physically impossible.
It was such a unique, charming and innocent smile too. as if the human didn't just destroy another living, much bigger creature with its bear hands but rather, just spent its day at the park chasing butterflies and smacking on trees.
It was such a strange, unique and bizzare sight that the ponies just stare in a mix of profound terror and pure fascination. As if seeing an upcoming hurricane.
Inevitable but beautiful in a destructive way.
The ponies really didn't know what to do now.
And noah was sure they would have kept staring at him, as if he was the very first human they had ever seen, if the ceiling didn't suddenly explode with energy, shocking the colosseum down to the arena, revealing the sight of a very bright, very prissed alicorn princess of love.
At that moment all noah could think of was:
...pink? |
Your Human And You: The Wrath of Achilles. | Interlude 1: A Glimpse Into The Forbidden | months before the pit fight at the crystal empire.
"Walking" through the shapeless realm of the dreamscape always brought a sense of peace within Luna. Feeling the loud colors brush her mane wild, and to feel the singing path beneath her hooves was true bliss for a pony in a big need of relaxation such as her. it was a much grateful break from the monotony of running a kingdom, with all of that detestable paperwork and other bureaucratic duties, but mainly the paperwork.
Seriously, luna often joked to her sister, in her much younger and naive years, that singing papers all day couldn't be that bad. There was no way that could even be considered a nuisance. If anything that should be the easiest part of ruling a whole country, right?
Now, as the co ruler of equestria, she was seriously considering banishing herself back to the moon. The crippling isolation and silence from that grey rock was looking more and more appealing than that accursed paper torture. At this point, actual torture is starting to look like a more attractive way of passing her time.
Sure, she was being a tad bit dramatic, but come on! You'd have to see those mountains of paper to understand her pain. On a good day, they were taller than her actual tower-chambers. On a bad day, well...the least the thought about that the better, least she starts to consider death as another escape route for such torment.
Not that what she was about to do was any better. Which is why she tries to, at least, enjoy her journey towards the deepest parts of the dreamscape.
Speaking of it, the dream realm was as busy as ever, never staying in a single form, always shifting and changing. Nothing new for the princess of the night.
Of course if you were said princess ,there was nothing bizarre or unpredictable in such place.
Then again, one wouldn't be able to see or sense the complicated patterns and connections that made up such a realm unless one were a multidimensional being capable of undertaking an ethereal transformation, such as the one luna was currently undergoing while inside said dimension.
It was frustrating thing, trying to explain to other ponies how such a thing was possible, even to the smartest and wisest of ponies. The best luna could to, in terms of explanations, was saying that this was the place everypony went after dark. The place where dreams and nightmares met and she, as the princess and ruler of the night, was the one in charge of maintaining harmony and order there. As such, she had special privileges in controlling such a domain, allowing her to do the things many others found incredible and downright impossible.
That was the simplified, mediocre, answer she gave to her subjects. The truth was way more complex and rather overwhelming, even to her.
To make a very, VERY, long story short, the "real" world and the dreamscape where intertwined. Inverted and twisted reflections of one another.The actions and events occurring in one could affect the other. Granted, the rates at which the effects take place between the two vary a lot. Time was irrelevant in the dreamscape after all. One cannot survive without the other. One representing reality, the other representing all that is not reality. All the things that transcend it reside there.
More than dreams, the dreamscape housed all manner of concepts, such as ideas, emotions, memories, stories and a bunch of other metaphysical crap she hadn't even begun to explore.
Those with more free time in their hooves than her have argued and theorized that, within the realm of dreams,magic itself originated, alongside the concept of the soul, and even the gods themselves, took shape within the non existent walls of the dreamscape. So far however, the evidence to support such a claim has yet to appear before her.
Moreover, it was thanks to her alicorn nature that allowed her to enter the realm, while also adapting to its ethereal nature. Physical bodies could not survive for long here without risking iminent deterioration and eventual fusion with the realm. She could imbue others with a protective barrier, protecting their corporeal bodies but it was impractical considering everyone could enter at any time in their sleep. It is a forever opened realm for everypony in equestria and beyond. But it wasn't without it's dangers, hence her responsibility and duty of maintaining some semblance of order in the dreamscape.
She dreaded to think of all the dangers and evils that lurked in the corners of the dream realm, nightmares being nothing but a minor inconvenience in comparison to what lurked in the shadows. Preventing such dangers from leaking into the waking world was just one of her labors.
One single drop of such evils escaped the dreamscape long ago into the waking world and it was one of her biggest shames and regrets.
"Speaking of evil things that bring me shame, it's about time i paid her a visit", luna bitterly said to herself, her voice echoing through the shifting mass of colors and shapes.
The deeper one went into the dreamscape, the farther one went from dreams and ideas, and entered into the domain of nightmares, obscure thoughts, and sealed up things, chained up by luna herself to prevent them from making havoc in the sleeping minds of her subjects or to escape into the waking world via her ponies.
Many of the trapped creatures here didn't have a distinctive shape to categorize them. They were simply shapeless accumulations of negative energy that only took shape once they entered into the nightmares and dreams of the sleeping citizens of equestria.
But this isn't where she wants to be. No... she must dwell even further.
Going beyond the captive creatures, into a space within the dreamscape devoid of even the resemblance of light, there she stood, chained with invisible binds, Nightmare Moon herself.
Of course, she wasn't on her alicorn form but it was easy to identify her thanks to her bright, serpentine eyes, glaring daggers towards her warden.
"Well, well...if it isn't the gracious princess luna! It must be a good day for the queen of the night to grace me with her presence! Lucky me!", the venom and sarcasm in her voice was obvious to luna, as it shook her to the core.
"Moon... still as energetic with your response i see. You should work on that sharp tongue of yours, now that you have all the time in the world". That last part she said with a little smirk at the corner of her mouth. She couldn't help it and while she couldn't see the scowl she knew would have formed on nightmares moon face, the narrowing on her eyes was the reward she got.
"Well, you know me. It is a little hard for me to work on my tongue when the only one i can talk to is myself. But you would know all about loneliness and isolation, wouldn't you?"
"It is exactly why i know of that that i tell you. You are trapped for good in here. No spell can free and no pony can break those bindings but me. At the very least you should try to change your attitude. You are not going anywhere".
"Is that a fact? Cause, if memory serves me right, there were those who thought that the peace brought by the sister princess would never fade. That their beloved rulers would never dare rase their hoof against them. You sure showed them though, huh?"
"It was your twisted, corrupted influence that changed me! If it weren't for you, my little ponies wouldn't look at me with so much suspicion or fright! Even know they keep their distance and distrust my words. The damage you did still lingers on!"
"Oh stop being such a drama queen! We both know that the whole 'it-wasn't-me-it-was-the-big- bad-shadow-demon' is a bunch of bull shit! You know exactly what i am, and of where i come from, so you should stop the whole innocent act while you can. You are as guilty as i am, if not more".
Luna remained silent for a few seconds, a deep frown forming as she dwelled on those words.
Yes, she knew that moon wasn't wrong in her accusation. The dreamscape is a reflection of the waking world, but not as exact and identical as an actual mirror reflection. It was more like a "funny house" reflection. The things found on the realm where always twisted and complete distortions of elements and ideas found in the real world. Nightmare Moon was no different.
It was thanks to her jealousy, her anger, that gave birth to moon in the dream realm. At first it was just a mindless idea. What if her ponies could always enjoy the bliss and beauty of her night? Surely such a gift would be loved and cherished by all her subject right? It would give her the recognition she so rightfully deserved.
And so, the idea began to grow and flourish under her constant nurturing, giving it a mind and soul that where all too identical to her own. But as the being became too infused by her hate and greed, it gained her power and might, making it very difficult to tell which was the one that controlled who. Was it luna the one who dominated the idea or was it the other way around?
Eventually, the idea gained such power and consciousness that it came to impose its will over the princess of the night, succeeding in switching place between them, such that it was luna in the end, who was trapped at the dreamscape, with the idea herself, nightmare moon ,as she got to call herself, at the other side of the wall, running wild with her body.
As you all know, the rest is history.
If only she were a little more strong willed at the time.
If only she wasn't so jealous of her sister and learned to appreciate her duties and privileges more.
If only...all that remained where the "what ifs". One can't change the past, regardless of their desire to do so.
All a pony could do was to learn from their mistakes and move on, onwards towards a better tomorrow
Yeah! Easier said than done.
"All i wanted was the best for them".
"Huh?".
Luna snapped out of her self-hating to look towards her prisoner. The floating eyes seemed to go soft for a fraction of a second, revealing all of the pain and grief she knew she felt.
For a split second, they both connected.
"All i ever wanted to do was give them something that they could enjoy and to call truly my own. A gift that could last forever without losing its charm or beauty. Something truly worthy of the ponies whom i loved so much..."
"I know that is what you wanted...because that is exactly what i wanted. I still do. Even now i wish my subjects could bask on the magnificent shows i put out every single night. Some ponies do enjoy them and i am grateful for that, i really am...but...".
"It is never enough with just a few...it has to be all of them".
"Right".
Silence reigned in the dreamscape for a couple of minutes...or where they hours? It didn't matter. Time didn't matter here.
It was all irrelevant.
"Still...You are awfully talkative today! You usually tend to just...glare angrily towards me. This is real improvement! You might not believe me, but i am glad we have this moments. that you are talking to me in such a cordial matter. This tiny windows are proof that the magic of friendship just might be within our reach after all!"
"Fuck you".
And just like that the moment was gone and the hate was back. With a vengeance!
"...really? You're going to be like this? We were having a moment!".
"The only moment i want is the one where i step on your tits while you yell 'harder master! Harder!'. Mark my words, my day will come!"
"Well, joke's on you! You don't have any tits!".
"Joke's on me!?! Joke's on you, cause even when i don't have any tits, they are still bigger and better than yours!"
"You take that back you egocentric fart!".
"Who are you calling fart, you worthless cunt!"
"Better to be a cunt than a formless shit!".
"You sadistic whore!"
"Evil bitch!".
"Fuck you!"
"Fuck YOU!".
Then it happened.
It was hard to describe the sensation but to the two bickering beings in the dreamscape, it felt like a massive pulse resonated all through the realm. Like a powerful heartbeat or a massive wave that clashes against the shore of an island. It sent shivers and tremors all over lunas body, silencing her immediately. Apparently nightmare felt the sensation as well, for her insults halted and instead the two floating orbs winded in surprise and shock.
Not much after the pulse, another thing clashed against the two ponies, just not in the way they expected it.
It was as if her mind ignited into flames, bringing an incredible pain too great to describe.
Her ears began to ring painfully and it was then that she became aware that she was screaming from the top of her lungs.
She was not alone in it, for nightmare was also screeching painfully to the dreamscape, alongside all the trapped creatures alongside her. Their screams, however, were not of pain but rather of excitement.
Like the welcoming salutations of an awaiting army towards their commander.
Images began flooding lunas mind, blinding her eyes and numbing her senses. Images with no apparent or coherent sense.
A meteor falling into a canyon.
A typhoon forming on the horizon.
Ponies of all races battling each other.
A peculiar and strangely familiar bat pony, nursing and caring for a chained human.
A special lavender alicorn adopting that said human.
Humans falling to the ground, dying.
Monsters running wild and fearful into the towns and cities.
And a human in armor, with the same lavender alicorn, fighting an unseen force which consumed all light into its corrupted belly.
Many more visions passed in front of her and, before she knew it, it was over.
Stumbling into the "floor" of the realm, it took luna everything to stand on her legs, her body weak and frail.
Nightmare moon looked even worse for wear, especially considering she was just a mass of energy.
No words where needed. They both knew what each other saw, and neither of them could make any sense about it, even if they tried. The images where already fleeing from their memory, like breath on a mirror.
No amount of magic could bring those visions back. They just knew it.
At that moment they both came to the unnerving realization that their shared space and supposedly private conversation was no longer private.
Even if it was impossible, even if everything within her told her otherwise, luna knew exactly what was wrong.
They were not alone right now.
"You k-know what moon, i... i think this is enough banter for today. I believe it is time i return to my the castle. It is time for Tia to raise the sun". Luna couldn't keep her voice from shaking or from giving up a sense of fear. It took everything just to keep herself from eying her surroundings suspiciously.
"...yes, that is right. I grow bored of hearing your voice anyway. It takes away from the cold embrace of solitude". Moon was far better than her in keeping her emotions in control, but even she was eyeing her surroundings in suspicion, her slit pupils becoming even more thinner and pronounced.
Luna nodded to her counterpart, turned around slowly and began her usual way out of the dreamscape, leaving her other half alone with a force she didn't understand. But now was not the time for doubting herself.
Eyes where upon her now and who knows for how long. She needed to act as natural as she could, as to not lose the element of surprise. Whatever was in here, couldn't know they knew about it. Nightmare was perfectly capable of defending herself of what may be lurking in the realm, even if part of her magic was sealed away.
That is just how powerful she was in her place of birth.
Talking to celestia was also a no-no. She needed to handle this quietly, with the least amount of intervention or attention possible. She was the princess of the moon for faust's sake! She could handle this...whatever this was.
And if not...well, the elements of harmony where not too far away from her reach.
"Luna"
The calm voice of moon stopped her in her tracks, but she didn't turn around. She patiently waited for her shadow to continue.
"Do you remember that bat pony rookie you talked about on your last visit? What was her name?...Celeste Dawn?"
Luna blinked in surprise. That conversation was ages ago. She was surprised nightmare even remembered that. She guessed she really listened to her when she came to visit.
"You should probably send her on a mission far from canterlot. I suppose she has had enough of waiting and training in the castle. It is time to give her some action"
Luna's eyes winded for a single margin. She knew what moon was doing. That bat pony of her vision looked almost identical to celeste dawn!
But...why? Why her? What did that vision even meant? what relation did it have with whatever was lurking near them as she spoke? Dawn was still a rookie. Granted she had potential and a strong attitude to prove herself but that just might be her hubris, that could very much cost her life in any mission she assigned her.
It was foolish to do such a thing. And yet...
"I'll see what i can do". And with that, luna banished from sight, and the prison of nightmare moon became lonely once again.
With the the loud colors brushing against her bindings and the singing path beneath her to keep her company, Nightmare began to feel an emotion she had not felt in a very long time, and she doubted it would be the last time she felt it.
Fear.
"I have a bad feeling about this" |
Your Human And You: The Wrath of Achilles. | Chapter 5: "Amor vincit omnia" | Noah watched them go as they approached the camp borders, the silver light of the moon guiding their path to the wilds with the warmth of a friends embrace. Not once did they turn back, their gazes ever forward, as they went further and further away from his sight until they were nothing but silver specks, blending in almost perfectly with the greenery of the forest. As they completely banished into the depths of nature he couldn't help but feel a heart wrenching pain in his chest.
He had no mirror for reference but he was positive that he was making a face. His eyes spoke of yearning and shameful desire, his brows were knitted together in frustration and his mouth tightly pressed, but twitchy, as to avoid turning into a scowl.
A typhoon of emotions and Noah was caught right in the middle of it, being swallowed by them and brought right into the depths.
The reason for his torment? The hunt was leaving Camp Half Blood to resume their journey into the wilderness of the world. He wouldn't see them again for a long while but he didn't care about them. At this moment, he could care less about lady Artemis or her all-girls-no-boys-allowed-posse. No, he only cared only about one person, one huntress, one lieutenant, one two-thousand year old girl. It was all so incredibly bizarre when you thought about it, and it only got worse when he began to recall all that had happened since his arrival back at camp, after a year of absence: meeting a resurrected daughter of Zeus- which had been, as far as he understood, a giant tree for a very long time-, a pair of stray demigod siblings way out of their time, along a group of men hating huntresses (wich, at their helm resided the previously mentioned, and beautiful, lieutenant), partake into a very competitive and not so friendly game of capture the flag against said group, stop a petty fight between his reckless brother and previously mentioned zeus spawn, receive a prophecy right at the end of it that involved him partaking on a quest to rescue the biggest man hating goddess of all time, fight a powerful titan, save the world (again) and receive an ominous warning about how a child of the big three would fuck the world in the ass or some crap like that; if you had told him ALL of that before it happened, Noah would have straight up punched you in the face and then proceeded to walk away laughing his ass off.
Now...now there is nothing funny about his situation. Not only does he have to keep an extra eye on his brother Percy but now his heart was more conflicted than ever before. Never in a million years would he had ever expected for something as unreliable as love to strike his heart, even less so in the middle of a quest. And yet, at this very moment, he wants nothing more than to abandon everything, the world be damned, and follow that stubborn and old fashioned huntress to the ends of the earth. That was...a very scary thought. Never before had he felt something quite like this; something so strong and powerful nesting at the core of his heart. You could make an exception with Percy in mind, but the love he feels for him and the... whatever he feels for Zoes Nightshade are hardly the same.
One is the bond of family and the other is...he doesn't even know what it is!!
He feels weak yet strong. He feels as if a storm raged in his mind, yet he couldn't be any more calm. He hated feeling this vulnerable, and yet he yearned for it minute by minute. He loathed this and yet...well, he wanted nothing more than to feel this for the rest of his life. For the first time in years he was completely lost and didn't have the slightest idea of what to do.
And then she appeared.
He didn't even need to focus to feel her aura. It was thick and imposing, but not completely unpleasant. Just the opposite in fact... it did nothing to ease his growing nerves.
"A drachma for your thoughts?" her voice rolled into his body like sweet, delicious, honey. It made his body shiver and tremble in anticipation. It didn't help that her voice sounded almost, if not exactly, like her voice.
He hated hearing her.
He loved it and couldn't get enough of it.
God, being in love is so frustrating.
"Lady Aphrodite", he responded her as emotionless as he could, trying his mightiest from giving anything away, even though it was an utterly pointless effort. He didn't even turned around to greet her eyes, which he suspected would be a perfect pair of brown orbs. His stomach twisted into knots and his palms began to sweat.
"It is highly unusual for you to show such an expression out in the open like this. You are usually far more composed. I wonder what could possibly be eating you right now...". The way she said that last part... Her words were practically dripping with mischief and delighted sarcasm. Of course she knew what was wrong with him. Leave it to the goddess of love to know when someone else was in love.
Shocker.
So instead of dignifying her with an answer he kept his eyes forward, even at the risk of insulting an olympian. He might have to respect them out of his desire to live, but he sure as hell didn't have to give them any sort of satisfaction, screw the consequences. If she was insulted by this she didn't show it.
"You know...for the longest of time i was positive that the only love you felt in your heart would be reserved solely for your dearest brother. Now don't get me wrong, it has been quite a long time since i have felt such a powerful bond. In all honesty it is quite refreshing to see that in this day and age. The last time i felts such a love was between Achilles and Patroclus, or Hector and Paris. Unlike those however, you seemed considerably distant towards anybody else, even when others consider you their friend, even when you do care about them; you would keep them at arm's length, never quite close enough to be meaningful. That is, until now!"
"My lady, if you would be so kind to get to the point of your visit"
"Oh come one Noah! You can't expect me not to get excited when you suddenly go from a second Hippolytus to the love starved child you are supposed to be! I thought you were lost for sure!"
"Ok, first of i think calling me a "love starved child" is pushing it a little too far, second-"
"Nu-uh! It isn't. You can't hear it because you are not a god of love like me, but your heart is practically screaming to me for help. As if it were in a cage, completely isolated from the rest of the world. Rotting and growing cold; the only thing keeping it beating was the love you have for Perseus Jackson".
Noah grew stiff. Not because of what she said, no one knew those fact better than himself, but rather how she said it. She began speaking with the same characteristic confidence he has heard in all the other olympians, but near the end her tone became soft. Almost hurt, as if she was the one suffering from aches in the heart. It was a most unusual thing to hear on a goddess that has almost never known heartbreak in her inmortal lifetime.
Then again, what would he know about that...
"But now all is right in the world! You sir, at long last, have been smitten by the golden arrow of love, or maybe should i say the "silver arrow" of love! You have some very good taste if i do say so myself".
...And we are back to the teasing. Bad enough that he couldn't make heads or tails about all of this, the last thing he needed was an olympian messing around with him, making everything worse...
"And she has excellent intuition as well! Who would have thought a hunter of artemis would be so proficient when it comes to choosing her...interests. But now that i think about it, it is not that surprising. I mean, look at you! Reliable, caring, strong, very powerful, determined, not to mention a total eye candy! If only you smiled more often... I could make a total heartbreaker out of you. All in all, is no wonder she is so smitten with you!"
"Look lady Aphrodite, i am very honored that you have decided to grace me with your presence, truly, but if you would be so kind to just..." Wait.
Wait.
WAIT. ... ...
What?
"What?"
"Oh, oops! I think i was not supposed to tell you that". Her melodious, almost mocking, voice was really starting to get on his nerves. He felt the familiar, almost uncontrollable, anger bubble up to the surface. He clenched his fists until the knuckles turned white and his palms began to bleed. It hurt, but it was better than blowing up on an immortal goddess. They really knew how to get on his bad side very easily. It was like they weren't even trying.
Either that or he had a very short fuse.
He turned to met her for the first time since the start of the conversation and then immediately regretted it. He knew that this particular goddess had the tendency of changing her appearance based on her specific targets desire. She would always be attractive because she would always be whatever you wanted her to be. Right now she was tall, graceful, and gorgeously beautiful. She had dark brown eyes, a slightly upturned nose, copper-colored skin, and even the same characteristic silver circlet braided into the top of her long, dark hair. If he didnt knew any better, Noah would assume that he was in the presence a Persian princess. Any words he had in his mouth evaporated into nothing, along with his anger. He felt his mouth openly gape at her and his eyes widen in admiration.
Based on her satisfied smirk, he could tell she was very pleased with his reaction.
Noah almost slapped himself to snap back to reality. Get it together, he yelled in his mind. She is not her! She will never be Zoe.
It did little for his racing heart.
"Oh fine! Since you are so persistent i will tell you". He hadn't uttered a word.
"Alright, here is the deal. No secrets and no deceptions. I am going to be as clear as i can possible be for this to get through your thick head: She may try to avoid it, she may try to distract her thoughts with the sense of duty and loyalty she has developed over the decades, she may even remind herself of the severity of her oath, but rest assured that what you are feeling for her right now, she feels twice as strongly towards you!" ... ...
All of the what...
How...how could this be. He understood Aphrodites words but he couldn't assimilate them. They didn't make a lick of sense. Ever since meeting her, Noah became aware of a connection between him and Zoe. Somewhat akin to what one might call "kinship". It was inevitable of course, even if he didn't found out about it at first. Both their lives could hardly be considered normal, ordinary or easy, despite the differences between them. He couldn't help himself from relating and reaching to her when she was among the few that could really understand what it was like to truly live with violence. As their quest progressed and he learned more about her, it became clear to him that this connection was something much much stronger and powerful. Nevertheless, he never once considered the possibility that she might feel the same, mainly because he never once saw any indications that she was as troubled or conflicted with her own emotions as he was. If anything she seemed as confident as always.
"That cant...you are lying to me..." Noah grunted in frustration and with a barely contained and resurfacing anger.
"By olympus you really are dense with this sort of thing. Not that i can blame you, that Zoe really is good at masking her true emotions. But do not fret my dear Castellanos, for i swear to you that all of what i am saying is nothing but the truth".
"As if i could trust the word of an olympian god" Noah all but spat as he glanced away from the brown orbs in front of him. He felt judged under them; as if they were mocking his uncharacteristic indecision. If he weren't already still as a statue he would have slapped himself hard in the face for being so defiant and downright insulting towards THE GODDESS in front of him. There were easier ways to kill oneself, and all of them would be more quick and painless compared to what one would experience when faced with the wrath of an olympian, if the myths are to be believed; and he believed them.
There was an uneasy and thick silence after that. How long it lasted he couldn't tell. Was it seconds? Minutes? Hours? It sure felt like hours.
And then it ended with the words of the goddess of love.
"Noah, look at me" she ordered. Lost were the mirth, the teasing tone or the joyful charm. This was a different tone: the tone of an olympian god, a true divine being that has lived more than he could ever expect to live and has power beyond the physical realm. If she really wanted, she could drive him mad or turn him to dust with nothing but a flicker of her pinkie. He might be defiant, he might not like them, but the gods, regardless of their attitude and lack of empathy towards the world and its inhabitants, they deserve to be respected. If only because he values his own life. Slowly, Noah turned to meet her gaze.
He was welcomed by two bright pink emeralds that shined with great intensity, as if he were glancing at two stars plucked right out of the night sky and placed on this feeble earth for him to admire. He almost forgot how to breathe, captivated by such beauty. But there was more to it beyond aesthetic perfection. There was power behind that stare, a power older than man and even gods. Maybe the right term for it would be "primal" or "primordial". The power considered the impulse, even the driving push of creation itself.
Love.
What a terrifying power...
"Listen to me very carefully Noah son of Thetis, because i am only going to say it once".
She had his complete attention.
"I swear on the river Styx that i am not lying to you regarding the romantic feelings that Zoe Nightshade, huntress and lieutenant of Artemis, has over you".
Her voice boomed with the strength of thunder, equal to the actual booming, courtesy of the thunder that resonated under the night sky. Noah eyes might as well had been dinner plates from how wide they were as he heard such words. An oath on the river Styx is not something to be taken lightly.
She was not lying. She couldn't lie.
Which meant that Zoe does really...
Noah felt his legs weaken and tremble. In fact, all of his body was trembling. Weather from excitement or anxiety he could not say. Regardless...
"This doesn't change anything. In fact, things may be even worse for the both of us. She has lived for over hundreds of years and in that time she has forsaken men and their world, not to mention all other forms of romantic bonds. What could i possibly offer to her that would make up for the only life she has ever known? And that is not all: even if she were to..."indulge" herself to the love you say she has in her heart, the consequences would be huge! Exile, discrimination, torture... I have no idea what kind of punishment lady Artemis would impose upon her if she found out about it. She has done worse things for less, so can i can only imagine what she would do to Zoe if she broke her oath... she is her most trusted huntress after all. Her crime would be fueled by the sting of betrayal. I would never forgive myself if my own desires brought her any form of repercussion".
"Even after such a brief encounter? You both barely know each other" the goddess said as if she didn't knew the answer to that already. He knew that she knew. She just wanted to hear it from his mouth, to confirm it
If he said spoke it out loud...it would be real. And making it real would mean having to deal with it.
And now, with a goddess as his witness, he had no other choice but but say it.
"I know it does not make any sense. I don't believe in the concept of love at first sight. There is no such thing. But i can't deny that what i feel in my heart is real. More real than anything in my fucked up life. More real than any prophecy the oracle could provide. I may not understand all of these emotions swirling around inside me... I might not know if all of this can end happily for the both of us...but i know that it is what i want. For the first time in a long time i want something for myself. Something i can belong to other than my brother. Someone i can be with that can make me happy. I guess...that sums up everything i am trying to say..."
"I want to be happy... I want to love and be loved".
And then the goddess of love beamed at him with such a smile for a moment Noah thought it was the sun. Such a happy and selfless smile; he didn't know a god could make such a face.
"Thank you Noah...that is exactly what i wanted to hear. A hard and dangerous path lies in front of you. It might not end well for you. In fact, there is a very high chance that all of this will end badly for all parties involved. Are you positive this is what you want? Are you up to the task? Are you willing to risk it all on this one chance?"
"I am".
"Then i will be your guide Noah Castellanos, your guardian goddess! I will not directly interfere but you can be damn sure i will guide you towards your hearts desires. It will be hard, impossible even, but don't you ever forget that in the end..."
LOVE CONQUERS ALL...
Despite the uncertainty of the future, at that precise moment, Noah Castellanos felt his insecurities dim away just like the fading light of the moon that gives way for the first rays of the morning sun. The makings of a brand new day. He couldn't deny that something wicked was brewing in the horizon; what he experienced in the last few days being nothing but mere echoes of the drums of war. There would be no rest for his brother, for he will be key into either bringing fortune or ruin to the world... or so the oracle says. Noah was never one for believing blindly in ridiculous "fixed fates" or such silly thing as "destiny". No...what Noah believed in, more than anything-more than his brother- was in his own strength.
So hearing such words from the mouth of the goddess of love herself, despite his discomfort towards the divine and their realm, despite the upcoming battles that would test him in the future, Noah could feel one particular emotion swelling within him and twisting his face into a small smile:
Determination.
Thanks to a lifetime filled to the brim with constant fighting and struggles for survival, with rare instances of rest in between, Noah has developed a wide arrange of skills and abilities to aid him in evening the odds. Among those skills, one he is especially proud of is his advanced awareness to the "presence" that surrounds certain mystical beings. The best way to describe it would be to referring is as an "aura". Reflections of the inner essence within a being -the mind and soul of an individual- made bare in the physical world but concealed through barriers than most can't see through. Veils like the mist would keep them hidden, preventing them from overwhelming the minds of common mortals. To demigods however, detecting such presences is a fundamental ability when in combat; helpful when avoiding surprise attacks or detecting any hiding monsters.
Naturally, gods have the thickest and most powerful auras. So mighty in fact, that they have to limit their physical form, as their true nature, their true aura, can turn mortals and demigods alike into nothing but dust with a mere look. However even when limited, Noah was able to tell apart the energies surrounding them and other supernatural creatures. He can distinguish between them, even if he is not directly looking at them. For example, Zeus, being the skyfatther that he is, gives out an electric aura that always seems to charge the air around him. His aura makes the hairs on his arm and neck stand up, as if a current of static electricity went through his body. Hades aura on the other hand, always sends up a chill up his spine. As if someone where standing on his grave.
The point is, Noah trained this sense of his and became a natural at detecting auras. This made him an excellent tracker, helping him out in more than one hunt or two. Didn't matter if it were demigod, monster or god; with enough focus and a little of controlled breathing, Noah became quite a master of detection with this skill.
He was so good in fact that it was very hard to deceive Noah into thinking you were someone different than what your very aura entailed. Of course, it was not a perfect technique as he could still be caught off guard when his focus weavered or when the situation simply didn't allow for him to gain said focus, just as it happned back in the forest with those...ponies. Still, it was an ability that guaranteed accuracy whenever he used it. Which is why he has a very hard time coming around the fact that the pink flying alicorn that just smashed the roof of this underground colosseum in a bright pink light, like it was nothing but paper mache, has the same exact aura as the goddess of love Aphrodite.
Nevermind how ridiculous that statement sounded when he thought about it. His life was ridiculousness incarnate.
His dwelling didn't last long however, as the debris and crystals that fell from the ceiling nearly crushed him under their weight. if it weren't for his body acting on its own, dodging the massive falling rock with practiced ease, he would have been trapped beneath said stone. As the pieces of falling rocks spread across the arena, a cloud of dust rose with their impact all the way up to the stands, blocking the sight of the arena for the shocked and very wide eyed spectators who long had lost their interest in him and now had their stares directed towards the royal newcomer.
Shaking his head in frustration, Noah berreted himself for allowing that alicorns arua to overwhelm his senses. His situation was severe enough on its own and what he definitely didn't need was to lose his valuable focus on some unnerving similaritie. He simply couldn't waste his time into staring at a magical pink alicron and wonder on the likeness between her and a certain love goddess. It would cost him his life, and he would not go down to hades knowing it was a pink pony that sent him there, be it directly or indirectly.
Thank god for ADHD. Saving the lives of demigods when they are too busy being awed by whatever bullshit comes their way, Noah thought as he covered his mouth and nose from the great deal of dust, sand and dirt that rose from the ground, clouding his vision. The temporary silence that reigned after such an impact, was immediately broken apart as the all too familiar screams -both in panic and in righteous fury- filled the grand coliseum. Accompanying them were the indistinguishable sounds of doors breaking apart violently, hooves desperately running across the upper floor, wings flapping and whizzing across the air in a hurry and the clashing of blades. Another peculiar sound that he could distinguish vaguely, reminded him of the firing of lightning, and if he were to take a guess -and based on his own experience back on the wounds with his captors- he would say that magic was being used at the moment. Not a too far fetched idea as he clearly recalled seeing unicorns (the now established magic users of this strange land) alongside the other ponies and pegasi in the stands, watching his fight.
It was clear that whatever was happening right now was the result of a bigger, more complicated operation. What it was and what was its purpose are questions irrelevant and unimportant to Noah at the moment. Whatever operation these ponies had been running was now on the midsts of being ruined thanks to this newcomer and her forces. Not that Noah would be very sad to see it end, as he is not very happy with being used as a means of entertainment for anybody. He didn't enjoy it back then when his life was little more than a plaything for the olympians and he certainly didn't enjoy it now.
For a very brief second, Noah wondered if the bat pony that became his "caretaker" on the train was doing ok. Being caught in this crossfire was bound to end badly for her. Despite her apparent kindness (or at the very least, lack of apathy and cruelty towards him) she was still very much involved in this whole scandal and there was no scenario in his head in which she would get out of this unscathed.
Of course, he could still be wrong and she may find the opportunity to escape amidst all this chaos but that didn't matter to him in the end. In fact, as quickly as that concerning though came into his mind it vanished, as Noah couldn't give himself the luxury of caring for potential enemies when his own survival and freedom where on the line. It was irrelevant, not to mention illogical to put himself at risk for some...pony that had a hand in his capture and detainment on that jail-train. The time he spent in chains there was humiliating and degrading. An experience he wished NOT to repeat.
What he had to do NOW, and what should be his absolute focus, was to answer one important question: What to do know?
If the pandemonium around him was any indication, it would seem that the attention the spectators had on him has been shifted towards their attackers. They in turn are responding to that attention, if his suspicions are right, by detaining them just as any other officers of the law would. All of this works in his favor as it means no one has any eyes on him at the moment. Add to that the fact that he is even more concealed thanks to the thick cloud of sand surrounding him and you got yourself a perfect escape route. If Noah played his cards right he could exit this madhouse the same way he came in, through the same tunnel he arrived into in the first place. He could be out of here right before the dust begins to seattle.
Simple but perfect for my current situation, just how i like it. It is time for my ultimate move: the strategic retreat...
Noah squinted his eyes, his head quickly scouting his surroundings in an effort to find the whole of the tunnel hidden underneath the thick cloud around him. It took him a few seconds but a shadow on a wall could hardly be missed as something else but an entrance. A quick look around just to make sure no one was watching and a quick dash forward was all it took for him to reach his precious exit. Everything was going according to his hasty and totally convenient plan; now all he had to do was step inside...
Only to sigh in frustration as the whole hole had been blocked by a thick slab of wood, separating him from his well earned freedom.
Tch...figures it wouldn't be that easy. Still, it really shouldn't surprise me. No one would come to this arena just to watch a naked man run around from his opponent, only to see him run away towards a literal gateway to freedom wide open behind him. I was kind of hoping though...
Still, nothing to worry about. The wood was thick but didn't look particularly well cared for. It looked old and a little rotten, a few well placed strikes should break it apart easily. if there was one thing Noah excelled at was breaking stuff up, just ask any of the Hephaestus kids...
Noah took a deep breath, coiled his fist, and drove it towards the makeshift door with a speed and strength that would give a professional boxer a heart attack out of sheer jealousy...only for it stop stop dead a few centimeters away from the surface.
Wait a second, is this really what i should be doing right now? Say i do get out of this pit in one piece. I go outside into wherever i am easy enough...but then what?
This was something that had plagued Noah in his past. He followed his instincts and used his head to think things through, but in the heat of battle he never saw beyond what he needed at the moment. That kind of directive has its own merit but it was never useful in the long run. His mindset was fixed to only work things out in the very moment they happned, never bothering with trying to think in the long term of the situation; never quite trying to see "beyond the fog" of the present. This was why he and Percy had a hard childhood. Noah was so preoccupied with what they both needed that very instant but never bothered into thinking into what they might need and the consequences those needs might bring.
He has been working on it though, as this exact moment is prove enough of his maturity and critical thinking.
Ok, first things first, i have to gather everything i know of this place. i have to accept the reality that whatever heppened to me by entering Chaos, brought me to a world of colorful ponies, pegasi and unicorns that use primitive humans as a means of entertainment. Based on what little i have seen, those very same humans are either incredibly primitive or otherwise savage and ferocious. It could be the signs of slavery if it turns out that a small part of humanity is like this, but if that turns out to be false then it means that humans here are not sentient in the same way most life on my world is. To them, i may seem little but a fighting dog to be used and then thrown away. At least... that may be the case with my captors and to these spectators. To this newcomers i might be the equivalent of a wounded and abused animal. I have to assume that the two forces at play here are the equivalent of organized crime the respective officers of the law. To them i am the equivalent of an "innocent bystander" or at the very least a case of animal cruelty. It all depends on the viewpoint these "officers"-that pink alicorn couldn't possibly be acting alone- have on my species. It helps that none of them have actually bothered to restrain me in any way, which means that not only i am not a priority at the moment. all of that can change though, if i make the slightest of mistakes. I am going in blind here, which means that now i have to ask myself: What is now the best possible course of action?
If anyone bothered to watch noah at that very moment they would have found the scene quite humorous. A naked young adult frozen in what appeared to be an attacking position towards a wooden slab with a deep and conflicted look upon his face with a thick fog of dirt slowly reverting back into the ground. Time seemed to come to a halt as Noah's mind began to brainstorm ideas and predictions. He was no Athena, but right now it was just a matter of logic and problem solving.
Time resumed as he began to pull his arm away from his only means to escape, going back to his side. The chaos around him was receding, meaning it was coming to a violent close very soon. If Noah was to make a decision on how to act, now would be the only time to do so.
Slowly the concerned and focused look on his face banished, his eyes closing for a couple of seconds. Noah took in a deep, slow breath from his nose and then proceeded to exhale just as slowly from his mouth. He couldn't see this, but the dirt cloud around him was already gone, reverting into the thin layer of dirt beneath his naked feet. He was now exposed to the eyes of everyone around him.
Pale green eyes, like twin rough emeralds, filled with determination opened after what seemed like an eternity. Noah knew the answer to his question.
He now knew what he had to do. |
Lost Legacies | pre | "Fireworks?" the pegasus stallion managed between giggles as he wiped away a solitary tear. "You are so very lucky that they didn't have a unicorn of their own." He smiled broadly. "D'you think you could have passed for a Sorceress?"
"I don't depend on luck," the mare replied, drawing the folds of her navy cloak about her. "I'd have left you here if the spell failed to impress."
"Don't put on airs, Feather," said Cross as the hilarity in his voice began to die down. "You'd be bored silly without me."
"And I'll starve with you," the one called Feather continued. "Where are your saddlebags?" She raised an eyebrow. "More importantly, where are the supplies that you were supposed to bring back in them?"
"With that lot," Cross answered, gesturing in the direction of the retreating stallions. The smile left his face. "They're slavers, Feather. You ought to know by now that those blighters trade in death, not groceries." He cleared his throat. "Wish I'd seen through their ruse 'fore they pinched my bags. They'd have had me in shackles too if I wasn't so quick on my hooves."
Feather sighed. "Is it too much to ask that we have just one uneventful supply run?"
"I'd settle for a prosperous one," Cross amended, moving toward the river. "Let's get back to camp, shall we? Make the best of what we've got tonight and strike out in search of better fortune on the 'morrow."
Feather began to follow, her shoulders in a slump and her head held low. "Leftovers with crushed hopes for seasoning . . . my favorite."
Hope you don't mind this state of affairs, Cross thought. Wish I could offer something besides thrice-heated soup for your first meal.
Derpy snapped out of her depressed silence at the voice that had directly addressed her. You can hear me?
That I can, Cross replied. Though I'm not sure whether it's a blessing or a curse at the moment. The voice of his thoughts became openly jovial, despite his words. My name's Silver Cross, little fairy. What's yours? LL
So, I'm a fairy now? Derpy Hooves questioned, still not quite able to accept the term.
Why is that strange? Have you ever been anything else? Cross replied as he tied a string around a nearby tree branch, a strangely contorted crystal hanging from its length. He tapped the crystal, causing it to swing evenly like a metronome and issue forth a barely audible humming noise.
Night had fallen in the time since Derpy had begun her conversation with Cross, and Derpy had found it very difficult to wrap her head-if she even had a head of her own anymore-around the idea that she now shared a body with this pegasus stallion. According to Cross, a similar thing had happened to his grandmother. She would often speak to voices in her own head and told her grandson that she'd been blessed by the faeries with eternal companionship for a life well-lived. Ancient lore described the faeries as mystical creatures who drifted in and out of the minds of mortals and offered them wisdom in times of need, but Cross had always seen the legends as mythical until today.
Why didn't you answer me in the first place? Derpy had asked him upon hearing that. It sounds like you were surprised.
Either faeries are real, or I'm going crazy, Cross had replied. Whichever is the case, panicking surely wouldn't have helped matters.
Silver Cross and the unicorn mare, whose full name was Feather Quill, had set up camp in only a few minutes' time. The campfire crackled and snapped as it illuminated the clearing they'd found with a warm orange glow. An iron pot sat suspended over the flames, whatever was for dinner gurgling away inside. It couldn't have been too appetizing; Feather Quill's expression remained blank except for a mild scowl as she stirred at the mixture with an enchanted ladle.
Does she ever smile? Derpy asked.
She used to, Cross answered as he strung up another humming crystal. Hasn't really done it much since we left the homeland.
Where are you two from, anyway?
Cross tapped the newly-strung crystal, the last in a ring of them that encircled the campsite. Not a subject I enjoy discussing, little fairy. Having finished his task, he sat down next to the campfire. "Parasprite wards are in place, my lady," Cross announced with more flair than necessary, gesturing to the nearby trees with red sacs that Derpy hadn't recognized. "Though I'm not terribly sure how much we'll need them, what with all the eater trees hanging about."
"There's no sense in taking risks that we can avoid," Feather Quill remarked impassively, her pale lavender eyes fixed on the task in front of her. "Besides, those trees are about as much of a blessing as the rest of this stretch of woods has been." She prodded a nearby water gourd to show how easily it rocked back and forth. "The parasprite eaters have polluted the groundwater; even the river was somewhat rainbow-colored." Her frown grew slightly. "And now our fresh water supply is low. Color me surprised."
Was that a pun? Derpy wondered.
Silver Cross chuckled. "Sure you didn't hit up a bit of the rainbow water while I was away? Almost sounds like you've contracted a mild sense of humor."
Feather's eyes narrowed as she looked up from her task. "If that's the case, then I'll have to shove you into some Poison Joke tomorrow to nurse it. There's bound to be heaps of it growing somewhere around here with a river full of rainbows."
"Sorry I asked," Cross remarked as Feather levitated a wooden bowl from a nearby haversack. "So, what might be the name of this evening's repast?"
"Leek broth," Feather answered as she filled a bowl and passed it to Cross. "For lack of normal seasoning, I've added some essence of 'Doubt in our General Direction' and a pinch of 'Regret for Opportunities Missed'."
Cross received the bowl with a questioning gaze. "Good Lord. Those aren't real flavors, are they?"
Derpy suddenly discovered that she shared Cross's sense of taste when he took his first sip of the tan-colored leafy mixture. The intensely bitter sensation would have wiped out her own taste buds, but Cross seemed to take it in stride. I sure hope that it's full of vitamins, Derpy commented.
"More like genuine concerns," said Feather as she made a bowl for herself. "We only have enough drinking water for another day's travel. I'm fostering a growing distrust for the viability of the local vegetation. We're fresh out of hardtack, and we're more than a week's travel from the last trading post." She took a draught from the bowl. "No offense intended, but I'm seriously considering taking a risk on the trek back to civilization rather than on promises in a book of fairy tales."
You're here 'cause of a book? Derpy asked. You're supposed to read those, not base your life on them. A new thought entered Derpy's mind. Are you going to a convention?
If Cross had an answer for that question, he failed to volunteer it as he looked up from his meal. "I didn't hear you complain when it served us well."
"That was then," Feather replied. "And 'then' was quite some time ago. It seems like we've been living on the edge of starvation for the past few months. Looking back, I can only blame your stubbornness for this state of affairs" Her voice took on the tone of a considerate appeal. "We've passed up plenty of decent towns and villages over the years. For a while, I actually believed that these 'Green Pastures' of yours were just over the horizon. It's different now. We're way beyond the borders of civilization; I don't think anypony's ever journeyed this far. Did those slavers even have any captives?"
Cross shook his head.
"See what I mean?" Feather continued. "They were probably ready to give up and head back the way we came before they ran into you, and I'm starting to think that they've got the right idea."
Cross put down his empty bowl and looked straight into Feather's eyes. "I didn't leave the homeland in search of a 'decent' substitute."
"Did you leave it in search of death?" Feather asked bluntly. "Because that's all that's left in the place that we called home, and that's all we're going to find out here in the wilderness if we keep pushing our luck."
Cross smiled, which caused a bit of surprise to show on his friend's face. "You don't believe in luck, Feather," he said in a measured tone. "And I don't either. I only believe in the words of the Tome, and according to them we are closer than ever to the paradise of Green Pastures." He rose to his hooves and began to retreat to his bedroll. "Faith had in times of plenty has little value. You should try having some now."
"Faith and an empty sack is worth the sack," Feather retorted, reaching for her bowl to finish her largely untouched dinner. "Just wait until we have to burn that book to make a fire; then we'll have a talk about faith."
"Good night, Feather," Cross said with a yawn as he tucked himself in. "'Twill be a better day tomorrow."
"For how many tomorrows?" Feather Quill muttered under her breath before returning to the broth.
Derpy felt a chill run through her. Do you feel that?
Feel what? Cross replied.
It occurred to Derpy that it might simply be her own reaction to the words of the unicorn mare. I don't know if I trust Feather, she began. But what if she's right? What if you starve out here?
Derpy felt Cross smile as his mind began to fade into slumber. It'll come to something worse before it comes to that, my little fairy. LL
With the dawn came a rolling fog bank from the south. The land-bound cloud consumed the forest in a thick, coiling mist that reduced visibility, made the air feel muggy and stagnant, and even seemed to swallow up all the sounds of the forest's wildlife. The sea of trees took on a haunting, dreamlike quality that didn't seem to affect Silver Cross at all as he trekked along the side of a river that shone faintly with the full spectrum of a rainbow.
You sure you don't want to wake Feather up? Derpy inquired.
Why? said Cross. D'you miss her already?
No way, Derpy replied hastily. But isn't she your friend?
Cross sighed. She's a very depressed friend at the moment. I thought I'd find something to cheer her up before we set off this morning.
Derpy thought for a moment before responding. What if she wakes up while we're gone?
We, huh? thought Cross with a small hint of amusement. I don't know what she'd think about you, Miss Derpy Hooves, but Feather knows that I won't keep her waiting.
The river's pace had been increasing as they walked, and the noise that it produced was beginning to near a roar. Derpy soon saw the reason why; the flowing water dropped off a sudden cliff just a few yards ahead.
What are you looking for, anyway? Derpy wondered.
Silver Cross walked up to the edge of the cliff and gazed down into the narrow valley. Across from their position, Derpy could see a range of steep mountains, their bases obscured by the morning fog. The distance between the cliff and the mountains was so short that it was not hard to imagine a rope bridge of sufficient length connecting the two. The valley itself was less of the expanse that its name implied and more of a gash in the landscape, appearing as if some gargantuan knife had cut it into the surrounding terrain. Patches of trees grew on ledges of varying height, and another waterfall could be spied on the opposite side, suggesting that the resultant river below probably ran out to the ocean. The cascades of falling water combined with the pervasive mist cast multiple tiny rainbows that almost appeared to be the very bridges that the small canyon lacked.
The sight was quite beautiful to look at, but it only added to Derpy's confusion. This will make Feather happy?
Probably not, Cross quipped before pointing directly down. But that will.
Derpy looked in the direction of Cross's hoof to see a substantial ledge just below. In fact, it was wide and consistent enough that it obviously served as a trail down into the valley. Currently traversing that trail at a snail's pace was none other than the band of armored stallions from the previous day. Derpy would have recoiled from the edge if it were possible. Whoa! she exclaimed. I thought you wanted to get away from these guys!
Cross smirked. We're not going after them, Derpy. Can you tell what this means?
Derpy tried to think past her initial reaction. That we should go back?
They're moving south, Cross continued with not the slightest hint of condescension. Further into uncharted territory, at least by our reckoning. I got a good look at them yesterday too. They were gaunt, hungry, tired even. Their supplies are probably in about the same shape that ours are. He smiled. Now why would they head away from known civilization if they're in that state?
There's something down there, Derpy replied quickly.
Aye, Cross affirmed. Probably a small village, or at least a trading post.
No, Derpy corrected. I mean there's something yellow down there.
Cross looked more closely at the band of slavers to see a golden-hued mare on the shackle line being tugged along cruelly and prodded onward by a riding crop. Derpy felt Cross's throat tighten.
"Bleeding vipers," Cross muttered aloud. "They've got themselves a prisoner."
Both observers felt the sharp prick of a blade poking Cross in the backside.
"That they do, matey," said a raspy voice from behind. "That they do."
Derpy yelped inside his head at the sensation, but Cross's voice came out calm and a bit curious. "Rat Fink?"
"Got it in one," came the reply. The thin blade tapped Cross with its flat. "On yer hooves now; no funny business."
Cross rose and turned about slowly, the point of the blade at his throat every step of the way. He found himself staring at a swamp-green earth pony wearing a black eyepatch and a burgundy do-rag that partially covered his filthy graying mane. A brown vest hung off his wiry frame in tatters. His Cutie Mark resembled a wooden stool with a gray bird on top. The rapier against Cross's neck remained aloft by way of a hoof harness.
"Fancy that," Cross mused. "You actually lived through that mess in the catacombs."
"Aye, but not all in one piece," the one called Rat Fink elaborated while flashing his eyepatch. "An' certainly no thanks t' you."
You know this guy? Derpy asked, partially calmed by Cross' mannerisms.
'Know' is a strong word, Cross answered to Derpy's question. More of an unpleasant acquaintance, although even that is a bit flattering. He smirked. He's not much of a problem, really. Watch this.
"What're you grinnin' at?" Fink snarled, the variance in his tone suggesting the presence of a bold front.
"It doesn't seem that you've thought this one out well at all, matey," Cross replied, staring directly into Fink's remaining yellow eye. "D'you really suppose that you can do me in with that tiny thing 'fore my claymore makes your head into a souvenir?" His smile grew wider. "And don't tell me that you've forgotten 'bout my partner."
The tip of a stylized dagger prodded Cross's midsection as a familiar voice said, "He didn't."
Wha?! Derpy exclaimed.
Silver Cross glanced to his left to find Feather Quill using the pinkish glow of her magic to hold the weapon at his side. The same magic began to pull his claymore out of its scabbard and out of his reach. He sighed heavily. "Feather dear, I thought we had a talk about finding the right kind of friends." He raised an eyebrow. "I told you not to bring home anything scruffy."
Feather Quill's expression remained characteristically impassive. "You should have seen this coming, Cross."
"Mayhaps you can call yerself 'Double Cross' from now on," Fink jeered. "That is, if yer called anythin' at all after yer new chums down there are done with ye."
"Wouldn't that be 'Double Crossed'?" Silver Cross shot back, although Derpy could feel actual fear creeping into his mind. "Shame on your teachers, snotnose."
Fink prodded Cross's neck with the rapier and drew blood. "I'll teach you somethin' alright if you don't move that flank."
Whatever it is, Derpy cautioned. I don't wanna learn it. LL
The path below did in fact lead to the canyon floor, its winding road becoming ever more obscure as the fog grew thicker. By the time that it began to widen out near the bottom, Silver Cross could barely see for three feet in any direction. The sharp blades of the two ponies to either side of him poked and prodded as they moved, both of them wary of any false moves.
Not much of a problem, huh? Derpy commented. What're we gonna do now?
Stay calm, for the moment, Cross replied before turning to the stone-faced Feather. "Y'know, it puzzles me, dear comrade. How on earth can you stomach the thought of teaming up with this miserable blighter?"
Fink pressed his dagger against Cross's neck. "I thought I told you to keep that gob shut."
"Take it easy, Fink," said Feather. "He's no more threat to you."
"I'll take it any way I darn well please," Fink shot back with a wave of his rapier. "We're partners in this, 'member? Equal cuts."
Cross ignored Fink and kept his gaze on Feather. "So, it all comes down to a matter of bits then?"
"A matter of preference, actually," answered Feather, her hair ornaments tossing about as she walked. "I'm done risking my life on the words of dead ponies. Besides, this way we both get what we want. I get enough supplies to make it back to civilization while you get to travel further south with these fine chaps." She gestured ahead.
The three ponies had reached the canyon floor, and the vague outline of slavers' encampment could be seen at the base of the cliff. Even with the limited sight distance, Cross could tell that the flora here was much thicker and more lush than in the forest above. He also spied a faint blue glow coming from thickets of unearthly flowers nearby.
"Oh, fantastic," Cross quipped. "I get to go on a field trip with bunglers who make camp in the middle of Poison Joke gardens."
"They don't got much choice; stuff grows everywhere down here," Fink growled, smiling wickedly. "Watch yer step. Wouldn't want anythin' bad to happen to ye."
A rust-colored pegasus strode forth from the encampment, tipping his wide-brimmed hat to the party. "I don't believe it," he declared. "How did your mangy hide actually manage to deliver where this whole mess of hooligans failed?"
"All in the skill, Mr. Bound," Fink crooned as he brought Cross to a halt. "'Tis all in the skill."
Iron Bound stopped suddenly. "Why haven't you trussed up that unicorn wench?"
"Because I'm the 'skill' he's referring to," Feather answered, cutting off Fink's reply. "We've agreed to equal shares of the bounty, although I'd like to substitute half the bits on my end for five days' water and hardtack."
Iron Bound looked her in the eye for a moment, then said, "Well, 'never let a bit of bad blood sour a good deal' I always say." He made a sharp clicking sound with his teeth. A stallion rose from a nearby cooking fire. "Fetch me 75 bits and five days' trail rations." The stallion dashed off into the mist. Iron Bound walked right up to Silver Cross. "You had a good laugh at my expense yesterday," he seethed. "But I suppose that the joke's on you after all."
"Not sure I get it if that's the case," Cross retorted, a defiant smile on his lips. "Is the funny part where this piece of pond scum somehow outdid you and your whole crew?"
CRACK!
Iron Bound's full-hoofed haymaker smashed into Cross's face and sent him sprawling on the ground. "No," he vented, his voice full of unrestrained anger. "The funny part is where you get the will to live beaten out of you and I sell your soulless husk to the Diamond Dogs as a chew toy." He turned toward the encampment. "Halfnose, Hope Dasher!" A pair of tough-looking stallions approached wordlessly. "Get this flankface on the shackle line."
The muscular henchmen hauled Cross's half-conscious form from the forest loam and roughly dragged him toward the main encampment, passing a stallion carrying the bounty in a pair of haversacks on the way. They dropped him back to the ground next to the yellow earth pony mare he'd seen earlier and tightened a pair of iron shackles around his joints.
Okay, Derpy commented. Do we panic now?
The voice brought Cross back from the inky blackness. He swiveled his eyes back to where he'd stood a few seconds before to witness a minor disagreement unfold.
"One condition," Iron Bound stated as he deliberately withheld Feather's portion of the bounty. "Supplies are worth more to us right now than money." He gestured to the object slung across her back. "I'll be taking his sword too."
Feather's gaze narrowed. It occurred to Cross that this was the most emotion that he'd seen from his traitorous partner all morning. Whatever she considered in that moment though, was quickly dismissed. She levitated the sword & scabbard, laying them to rest at Iron Bound's hooves. "May I leave now?" she asked discourteously. "I've got a lot of ground to cover."
Iron Bound relinquished the haversack to her possession. "I like your professionalism, Miss Unicorn. Perhaps one day we'll do business again."
"I doubt it," Feather stated coldly as she disappeared in a flash of pink light.
Both Fink and Iron Bound recoiled a bit as she did so. Iron Bound spat contemptuously. "Hornmongers. Never did have a taste for their kind."
Fink chuckled darkly as he retrieved his share of the bounty. "Can't argue with they handiwork though."
Another sound much closer to Cross summoned his attention.. The earth pony mare shackled in line next to him was sobbing softly, clearly muting her voice so as not to anger the slavers. Her coat of brilliant yellow complemented her curly but well-kept mane's shade of auburn. She bore a Cutie Mark that resembled a pair of wheat tillers with floret spikes at the tips, and it shook along with the rest of her form as she tried to hide her sorrow from those who might beat her for it.
Seriously, Mister Cross! Derpy lamented. That's gonna be us if you don't do something!
"What's your name, lass?" Cross half-coughed around the swelling of his left cheek.
The earth pony mare looked up at him for the first time. When she spoke, her high-pitched voice sounded much younger than her appearance let on. "What does it matter now?"
"They've taken your freedom," Cross admonished. "They can't take your name; 'tis yours to give."
The mare studied his bruised face with tearful eyes. "Golden Harvest," she whispered.
Cross smiled. "You have a beautiful name, Miss Harvest, but you should try having a bit more faith." He closed his eyes. "That which is beautiful in this world does not suffer needlessly."
Golden Harvest looked away from him as if angered somewhat, but she did not return to sobbing.
You say that a lot, Derpy observed. Does having 'faith' really make a difference?
Certainly not on its own, Cross responded. But knowing in your heart that everything will turn out as it should clears away many stumbling blocks that we set before ourselves.
"What d'you mean yor not gonna kill 'im?" Fink shouted.
Cross turned his attention back to the bottom of the cliff, mildly surprised that Rat Fink had remained.
"Why did you assume that I would?" Iron Bound rebuffed. "I happen to be in the slave trade; I never waste a good set of working muscles."
What does this guy have against you anyway? asked Derpy.
He's got quite a few reasons to dislike me, Cross answered in mental monotone. It's just that most of them are his own bloody fault.
Fink stomped his front hooves. "I thought you was out fer revenge after he made fools outta you n' yor gang."
Iron Bound waved dismissively. "To my mind, a lifetime of slavery is far better vengeance than a quick execution." He stared dangerously at Rat Fink. "I think you'd best be on your way, friend. You've got what you wanted."
Fink's contorted expression made his dissatisfaction plainly apparent. He cast about as if in search of something as Iron Bound began to walk away. Before the rust-hued pegasus had gotten too far out of earshot, he found it. "You're not gonna want to keep him alive, Chief," Fink shouted with a hint of smugness. "He's a stinkin' Topian."
Iron Bound whirled about in an instant. "He's a WHAT?!"
What's a toh-pea-uhn? Derpy wondered.
Cross groaned. "That moron . . ."
Iron Bound marched right back to Fink's position. The green stallion's smugness faded from his face. Open-mouthed dread replaced it as Iron Bound grabbed him by his vest's collar and nearly lifted him bodily. The chief's voice dripped with anger. "You mean to tell me that you brought a bleeding TOPIAN into my camp and didn't think to tell me about it?!"
Fink's pupils had narrowed to pinpricks. "I- Um- I didn't think you'd try to . . . y'know . . ."
Iron Bound hauled Fink by his collar and flung the unlucky wretch through the air. Fink came to a harsh landing several feet away as the chief barked orders. "Halfnose, Hope Dasher! Put this piece of filth on the shackle line! Bring me the Topian!"
"WHAT?!" Fink screeched, all pretense at hiding his naturally high-pitched voice now gone. "You can't do that! We had a deal!"
"We did indeed," said Iron Bound. "One viable slave for 100 bits. Since the one that you brought me is no use, I'll have to take your sorry hide instead."
Rat Fink tried to fight back against the slavers, but a single strong punch to the jaw was all that it took to reduce him to a whimpering invalid. They stripped his gear and dragged him toward the next set of manacles on the iron chain. Cross felt his own shackles released for a moment only to feel a similar, portable pair lock tightly into place. The two goons dragged him roughly before their chief and forced him to kneel.
Iron Bound snorted angrily, but a hint of curiosity shone through in his voice. "So you're one of those rotten plague-carriers as well?"
Cross looked up at him with a half-grin. "Is that what you heard about my people?"
"'Tis all one needs to hear," Iron Bound responded, taking Cross's claymore off his own shoulders to examine it. "I never thought I'd see one for meself. Who knows? Maybe I still haven't." A dark scowl crossed his face. "Not that it matters; I won't take the risk of spreading pestilence this far from civilization proper." He handed the sword and scabbard to one of the two subordinates holding Cross down. "Hope Dasher, take this diseased filth ten minutes' march north to the clearing at the other end of the canyon. Snuff him out with his own pigsticker and burn the corpse."
Hope Dasher received the sword with reverence. "It'd be mah pleasure, Chief." LL
Silver Cross wound his way between thick patches of poison joke at a slow but steady march. He moved with more care than usual to avoid tripping over the clinking chain between his manacles, but the impatient pair of slavers to his rear took turns prodding him with the point of his own sword in an effort to get him up to a trot. They might have even had the wherewithal to issue some creative threats if they weren't so busy arguing over who would get to hold the beautiful blade and for how long. Cross couldn't understand exactly what they were saying due to their unusually thick accents, and it didn't help that one of them always had the sword handle in his teeth.
The morning's fog drenched the entire world in a haze of white that was only countered by the faint blue glow coming from the Poison Joke flowers all around. The setting looked positively ethereal, as if the three ponies had crossed into a mystic realm between life and death.
Are you crying? Cross asked with his thoughts. The sound of Derpy sobbing within his mind had been growing steadily louder for a while now. It continued unabated in spite of his question. You know you're not in any danger, don't you? he continued. A fairy's life is surely beyond mortal reckoning. You'll likely go back to the place from whence you came, or perhaps to the side of another-
I don't care about that! Derpy cut him off. You're about to die! Why don't you do something?!
What can I do, little fairy? Cross responded. I won't stand much of a chance against these two bounders with my hooves tied, not even counting the fact that they've got my sword.
Derpy considered this for a moment. Well, kick them into the Poison Joke or something!
Cross chuckled inwardly. With the point of a blade betwixt my shoulders? I'd impale myself.
Derpy searched her brain for other possibilities but came up with nothing more reasonable. When she spoke again, her voice had gained greater stability. How can you be so calm? Nopony's okay with something like this happening to them. Derpy stopped to allow Cross to give an answer, but none came forth. For half-minute, the only sounds to be heard were soft hoofsteps, the rustling chain, and Halfnose trying to mumble something around the claymore's handle.
I was once a soldier, Derpy, Cross suddenly began. Spend enough time with death all around you, with the taste of it on the wind every morn, and you become numb to the fear of it. Most ponies in this situation would react exactly the way that you are; I can only feel as if I'm walking into the presence of an old friend.
Derpy felt a twinge of horror at Cross's reasoning but tried to power through it. What about those 'Green Pastures'? I thought you wanted to go there; are you giving up on them?
Cross smiled despite the pain it incurred from the wound on his cheek. The Tome never guarantees that you'll see the Green Pastures in this world. In my long travels, I've become used to the idea that my paradise may indeed lie beyond the boundaries of this life.
The clearing that Iron Bound had mentioned was just up ahead. The sun shone through the fog overhead, casting a pale golden light on the grass therein. The beautiful sight brought a wave of hopelessness over Derpy's mind, causing her to cry again from the stress.
Please--weep no more, little fairy, Cross requested. I do not want it to be the last sound that I hear before passing on. Truth be told, I've enjoyed our time together.
But I wasn't any help," Derpy sobbed.
Nonsense, Cross chided as he crossed the treeline into the clearing. Just having somepony I could talk to in the lonely moments, somepony who I didn't have to watch my tongue with granted me one of the only wishes I've ever had for myself.
"Alright, on yor rump," commanded Hope Dasher, pushing on Cross's backside as he did.
Cross sat calmly in the damp grass as the faint rays of the sun warmed his back. He felt the edge of his own blade against the back of his neck.
"Oi," Halfnose shouted. The feeling of cold metal departed. "Who sed you git t'do it?" Another petty argument began to unfold.
It's not fair, Derpy continued. I don't want you to die. You're a good pony.
Is that so? Cross retorted. Would you still say such a thing if you knew how much blood is on my hooves?
What?
I've taken many lives, Derpy, said Cross as gruesome images flashed through both their minds. As a soldier, it was my duty. After that, it was a necessity. I've probably killed more ponies than this entire band of slavers ever has, and I'm not even sure if all of them truly deserved it.
Derpy remained dumbstruck as image after gory image and the cries of the fallen assaulted her senses.
If I escaped from this retribution, do you understand that not a single slaver would leave this valley alive? Cross elaborated. A warrior stallion can only give death to those who threaten him with it. Could even one so innocent as yourself willfully exchange their lives for mine?
Cross ceased the showcase of his sins, and Derpy said nothing.
"Right then," said Halfnose. "You git to do 'im, an' oi git first dibs on what's in 'is pockets."
"Fine," responded Hope Dasher. "But if you find that weird book those Topians carry 'round, we're still burnin' it."
The argument had ended, and the blade settled back onto Cross's neck once again.
"Now don't you get any funny ideas," Hope Dasher threatened in a low voice. "I'm gonna do this in one stroke, but if you even move a muscle, my friend an' I are gonna make you beg for death 'fore 'tis all said and done." The blade rose. "On three."
Halfnose giggled. "Make it slow, Dashie! Let 'im savor it!"
A moment of silence hung on the misty air.
"One."
You big dummy! Derpy suddenly yelled. I don't care what you say! Life is worth living!
"Two."
I don't care what some dumb book says either, and I don't care what happens next! I just want you to live!
"Three." LL
Golden Harvest watched a flock of birds rise from the trees to the north and felt tears welling in her eyes at the sight.
One space over from her on the shackle line, Rat Fink sighed as if he'd just finished a large meal. "Well, least somethin' good come out o' all this."
Golden whirled on her fellow captive, her wide eyes ablaze with anger.
"Whoa missy," Fink responded, trying to hold up his chained front hooves. "Don't ye begrudge a man the satisfaction of 'is enemy gettin' 'is due. Ye only knew 'im for but a moment." His gaze became distant. "I knew 'im fer years 'fore now, an' he was a regular villain thru n' thru."
Golden's emerald eyes narrowed. "I know a villain when I see one, Mr. Fink."
Fink smiled. "Seems it didn't help ye much in avoidin' this lot." He edged closer, rattling the shackle line. "But let's not have bad blood come 'twixt us. We're mateys on the line now; 'tis almost like bein' bunkmates." He licked his lips.
Golden shuddered. "You lay one hoof on me and I'll throttle you with your own chains," she seethed.
Fink had wanted to come across as confidently sly, but his true nature showed when the smile on his face vanished amid a round of shivers. "Perish the thought," he muttered quietly. He began to turn away from the hateful mare when he felt a tingling feeling in his front hooves. He looked at them just in time to see his manacles unlatch. Thinking quickly, Fink caught them before they hit the ground and began to snigger. He turned back to Golden. "Looks like it really 'tis my lucky day." His joyous tone died in his throat when he saw the mare lift one unchained hoof to her face in shock. He gulped. "You too?"
Golden Harvest nodded slowly.
"Help!" came a sudden shout from across the fog. "It's the Topian! He's escaped! He's over he-AAUGH!"
Rat Fink dropped his chains and dusted his hooves. "Well, that's that then."
"What do you mean?" Golden Harvest asked unthinkingly, casting about to see the slavers' reactions. She focused on Fink to see him plotting a course. "You're going to try to run through all these hooligans?"
"I mean to say that I'm gettin' while the gettin's good," Fink replied. "And ye'd best do the same." A look of wide-eyed terror arose from his face. "I've seen wot comes next before. Just gets messier from 'ere."
When the shout regarding the Topian rang through the mist, Iron Bound looked up with alarm from a map spread over a makeshift log table.
"That sounds like Yellow Belly," said the tall earth pony sitting across from him in his gruff, no-nonsense voice.
The entire camp listened collectively, not entirely believing what they'd heard and waiting for a continuance. The next sound that came through the fog was the panicked clucking of a chicken.
The earth pony at the table raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think we had any of those along."
"We don't," Iron Bound replied just before another cry sounded, closer this time.
"No! I'm just the bookkeeper! No, don't- AAAAUGH!"
An earth pony suddenly came into view as his body hurtled through the air toward the table and landed squarely in a patch of the glowing blue flowers a few yards away. He picked himself up and immediately doubled over, holding both front legs around his gut. Most who were watching expected to see a grisly wound, but the earth pony instead began vomiting heaps of golden coins.
Iron Bound spread his wings toward the ground, the blades held underneath sliding out as he did so. The weapons clicked as they locked into an extended position. "Rally to me!" he shouted. "Kill the Topian; don't bother taking him alive! And for crying out loud, don't let yourself touch the Poison Joke!"
The chief looked about wildly as fresh screams rang out from multiple directions. At first, it seemed as if the Topian -- who'd somehow survived his execution -- was moving fast, striking quickly and dashing to the next target before he could be pinned down. However, as the panicked cries increased in multitude, Iron Bound realized that there had to be more than one assailant. But how? Iron Bound's wondering ceased when the form of Silver Cross charged through the mist, brandishing the beautiful claymore in his powerful jaws and headed straight for his companion's position.
"Big Melon," Iron Bound signaled to the burly earth pony. "Put an end to this."
The large stallion, whose battle gauntlets showed a preference for hoofticuffs, reared up on two hooves and assumed a fighting stance. "Don't worry; I got him, Chief."
Iron Bound readied his own blades, planning to slice the Topian to ribbons when either of the two combatants fell. However, the second that Melon's hooves hit the charging pegasus, Cross's form exploded into a plume of pinkish smoke. The earth pony stallion overbalanced and toppled into a nearby patch of perilous blue flowers with a resounding thud. Iron Bound watched in awe as Melon's head grew to twice the size of his body. The now impossibly deformed earth pony struggled to get up, but it was no use; his legs could no longer even touch the ground.
"I don't got him, Chief," Big Melon said in his gruff, no-nonsense voice.
"IDIOTS!" Iron Bound howled above the screams from the fog. "Stand right where you are! The Topian is dead! You're seeing illusions! It's a bloody magic trick!"
The shouts and cries did not cease. Another Silver Cross appeared from the fog, this time charging for the chief himself.
"Find the unicorn!" Iron Bound shouted, standing his ground and staring down the illusion that didn't return his gaze. "She's got to be behind this!" The image was almost upon him. From this close, the chief could spot the lack of detail that gave the slightly hazy image away as a fake. He smiled confidently. "It's a trick!" he repeated above the din. "The Topian isn't here!"
The image of the charging pegasus exploded into pink mist just three feet away. A very real Silver Cross emerged from it, the broken chain of his manacles dragging the ground as the point of his gleaming blade moved with lightning speed. Iron Bound didn't even have time to look surprised before the sword buried itself to the hilt in his heart. The slaver fell to the ground in a patch of Poison Joke, a confident smile forever transfixed on his lifeless visage. Even after the claymore had long withdrawn from his chest, the glowing blue flowers changed nothing, apparently satisfied with what had come to them. LL
From the very moment when Cross had broken his bonds and turned his blade back against his would-be executioners, Derpy had found it a struggle to keep her eyes open. Even though Cross controlled his own eyelids, Derpy found she could still shut out what he saw if she wanted to. Right now, she most certainly wanted to. However, even turning her vision away from the horribly violent scenes playing out around her did not shut out the noise. The blood-curdling screams and desperate cries of the slavers-turned-victims echoed in her ears. The wet slicing and chopping of the claymore at work would have sickened her if her stomach was her own. Derpy kept her eyes shut and tried her best to ignore the sounds, but the more she did this, the more she became aware of something even worse that was rising up from the inside of her currently joined consciousness.
Hearing a lull in the battle and feeling that Cross wasn't currently killing something, she cautiously squinted and hoped that the whole thing was over with. Perhaps Cross had decided to show mercy after all? What she saw immediately informed her that this was not so. Silver Cross dashed headlong at a pair of slavers who had seen enough of the Topian's handiwork to know that running was the only option. Cross used his wings to extend his jumps over the Poison Joke flowers and add bursts of speed to his stride; it was clear that the clumsy pair to his front only had seconds left to live.
One of the two, a lightly armored pegasus stallion panicked and took to the air, perhaps hoping that the grim-faced avenger behind would go for the easier kill. However, his trajectory had made him suddenly predictable. Derpy felt Cross turn his head mightily and fling his spinning claymore skyward. The whirling blade caught the pegasus in the shoulder with enough force to cleave down to his waist. A surprised wail died in his throat with a gurgle just before he dropped like a stone. Cross gave a powerful flap of his wings and rose into the air, tearing his claymore from the plummeting pony in a somersault and coming down hard on the other slaver in the next instant.
Derpy closed her eyes again, but knew from the sound and sensation of the handle in Cross's mouth that the earth pony slaver had just lost his head. In the darkness caused by her avoidance of the merciless violence that continued unabated, Derpy only had Cross's inner consciousness for company. What she felt and heard from it seemed completely unrelated to the pony she'd gotten to know so far. Given the way that Cross had described his past, Derpy had expected him to feel guilt and shame as he fought for his life. However, the mind of the warrior pegasus positively glowed with malevolent glee. His mind spun faster than his blade, constantly evaluating the battlefield and coming up with creative and satisfying ways to bring death to his foes. His lack of fear astounded Derpy; his enjoyment of the situation even more so. As she dared to look closer though, she realized that he was not reveling in the deaths of the slavers. Cross felt delight at the removal of complications. A single task was now before him and he was free from worry or consideration. All that was left was the chance to use his talent to its fullest extent, and Cross could not help but feel the same joy that an artist might feel when painting, or a singer when performing.
All of this Derpy had begun to understand as she effectively put her ear to Cross's heart, but it was not what worried her. Behind the workings of his inner mind, Derpy felt something else stirring. It was hard to identify, and she felt almost instinctively afraid of it. It was a mess, a whirling jumble of discarded thoughts that grew and grew as Cross's mind worked faster and faster. It was a tornado within the tornado, but it reeked of contradiction and a savage emotion that was a far cry even from the joy of combat. Derpy did her best to ignore the byproduct, but it grew ever larger with each passing second. She did her best to hide away in a corner of her mind and not think about the part she'd played in all this. LL
"You can open your eyes, now," said Cross.
Derpy followed the command and found herself staring directly into the tearful eyes of the yellow-furred mare who'd been on the shackle line.
"Is it over?" asked Golden Harvest, her voice wavering.
A unicorn mare became visible through the fog, using her magic to clear the mists away. "It is for them," Feather Quill responded as she hopped over a dismembered corpse.
Feather? Derpy thought. You mean she . . .
"Why hello, old chum," Cross remarked playfully as he cleaned his crimsoned sword on a patch of grass. "Made the routine a bit obscure this time, didn't you? One normally expects some kind of advance notice, what?"
You're kidding, thought Derpy.
"It was an act?" Golden Harvest said incredulously.
"Most of it was," Feather Quill half-coughed after inhaling a bit of smoke from an extinguished campfire. "Though I didn't count on them taking the sword." She grimaced. "Or on Fink to get you sentenced to death and himself put on the shackle line."
"Why not make a note of that one?" Cross joked as Golden Harvest's mouth hung open. "Next time, count on the idiot to be an idiot." He smiled ruefully. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to let your jolly partner know what's up before he gets beaten n' enslaved either."
If Feather was sorry, she didn't show it. "You can blame your friend Fink for that as well. He surprised me at camp just an hour after you went to sleep, and he wasn't in the mood for any tricks. Fink might be a dunce, but he knows us well enough. If I'd tipped you off to what I had planned, he would have known."
"Fair enough," said Cross as he sheathed the newly polished blade. "I think good old Fink's even been on the receiving end of the 'Number 5' before. Good call on your part, Feather."
Derpy could have sworn that she saw the beginnings of a smile on the gray unicorn's face.
"Mine always are," Feather replied.
"Amazing," Golden Harvest gasped, drawing the attention of her saviors. "The two of you are truly seasoned warriors."
"Campaigners, properly," Cross responded. "Although the greater error in this case is my own, young lass." He gestured with a flourish toward the yellow pony while facing his partner. "Feather, may I present Lady Golden Harvest, the only flower in this valley fit to adorn a bouquet."
"A pleasure," Feather Quill said impassively as Golden Harvest blushed.
Cross made the same gesture toward Feather. "And this, Miss Harvest, is Feather Quill - the stone-faced, stone-colored, stone-hearted-" He winced as something small impacted his side. "Stone-throwing Beauty of the Northerlands, Sorceress Extraordinaire."
"'Tis an honor, truly," Golden Harvest managed while stifling a giggle. "Only a Sorceress could have cast such a spell."
Feather Quill raised an eyebrow for a second before pulling back her cloak. Emblazoned on her flank was a Cutie Mark resembling a quill pen dipped into a red ink well. "Try not to take Cross too seriously," Feather advised. "I'm no Sorceress. Like all unicorns, my most powerful spell stems from my talent. I was a scribe before I became a traveler, and I can use my magic to bring the phantoms of my imagination to life, at least in the eyes of others."
Golden Harvest paid rapt attention as Feather spoke, but she quickly turned to Cross in the same instant that Feather ceased to do so. "And you, sir?"
The pegasus stallion stood a bit slack-jawed. "Didn't I introduce myself before?"
Nope, Derpy answered.
"Oh," said Cross, seemingly to no one. His confident smile returned as he reared up on his hind legs, one hoof resting on the handle of his claymore. As his cloak fell away, it revealed his Cutie Mark to be a whirling cyclone with a cross-like sword of gunmetal gray at its center. "Silver Cross, the upstanding citizen-soldier turned good-for-nothing vagabond at your service."
"Well, good for one thing anyway," Feather corrected as she glanced about at the destruction revealed by the clearing mist.
"Now then," Cross began as he came back down from his pose and walked toward the now-visible supply cart of the slaver band. "With our supplies replenished, we can venture wherever we wish." He paused to look the items over before turning back. "Though right now, I really wish I knew where the nearest town is."
"My hometown is just a day's journey to the southeast," Golden Harvest volunteered enthusiastically.
"Truly?" Feather remarked, her voice suddenly full of obvious curiosity. "Did you tell the slavers this? Was that why they made the trek into this canyon?"
Golden Harvest looked to the side for a moment before responding. "I'm afraid so. They beat it out of me when I was first captured last night." Her gaze fell to the ground. "I'm not as strong as the two of you; I blurted it out without thinking."
"Say," Cross ventured, taking a step toward the yellow earth pony. "This hometown of yours, it isn't overrun with this Poison Joke stuff, is it?"
"Oh no," Golden Harvest replied as a smile returned to her face. "It's a beautiful place, Mr. Cross, and I'm sure that all the townsfolk will be so very grateful when they learn that you took care of these nasty villains."
"Gratitude is good," Feather mused.
"Just wait 'till you see it," Golden Harvest continued, a faraway look in her eyes. "Have you ever been to a place where green pastures just go on and on as far as the eye can see?"
Silver Cross turned slowly to Feather Quill with a massive grin plastered on his face. "Can't say that I have. Sounds like a veritable paradise though, right Feather?."
Feather stared back coldly. "If I hear anything even remotely resembling an 'I told you so' come out of that mouth of yours . . ." LL
The midday sun shone down from high above as the trio of ponies left the canyon to find a simple wooden bridge that crossed over the wide river flowing from the north. A well-traveled dirt road curved its way across the landscape to either side of the bridge. As they casually took to the southeast, Feather Quill occupied herself with asking pointed questions of Golden Harvest, leaving Silver Cross to tow the supply cart at the rear. All about the three of them were emerald waves of grass that flowed over the hillocks to dark treelines and mountains in the distance.
Are you quite alright, little fairy? he asked. You've been terribly quiet since the battle. There was no answer. Were you frightened?
Yes, came the timid response.
Of the slavers? Cross questioned. Or of me?
Both, I think, Derpy replied.
Cross smiled. 'Tis nothing to be ashamed of. I wish that more ponies had a distaste for violence. The world would be a better place, no doubt.
I'm not ashamed, Derpy corrected, though she hadn't really thought about it before that moment. I just- You could have broken free any time that you wanted to, right?
Of the shackles, you mean? thought Cross. Yes, I suppose.
Why did you wait? Derpy asked. If you planned on- She found the next word hard to utter. If you planned on killing them, why did you wait for me to say something?
Cross's gait became a bit slower. I hadn't planned on it.
You what?
His smile disappeared. I lost faith, little fairy. When Derpy didn't respond, he began to elaborate. When I reassured Feather by the campfire last night, I was going through the motions. As large as Feather's doubts had become, mine were deeper still. As I'm sure you can tell by now, she never puts on faces, so it was up to me to put on the brave one. One of the cart's wooden wheels bumped over a small pebble in the road. I was tired, to be frank. Years of searching for the Green Pastures had turned up nothing even close, and the promise of finding them beyond the grave became more appealing with each passing day. The only reason that I appeared resolute was for Feather's sake. When it looked like she had finally betrayed me, I felt free of the need to pretend any longer. I thought that my time had finally come.
Do you still think that?
The corners of Cross's mouth lifted once more. Not at all. You see, by idealizing my own end I'd overlooked something terribly important.
At that moment, Derpy felt a curious warmth embrace her. It reminded her of a hug, although she felt no physical embrace.
I hadn't found the Green Pastures, Cross continued. But I did find you, Derpy, and you bade me to continue. A fairy entered my mind just as I lost hope and told me to stand once more, regardless of my horrid past or even my despoiled present. I spent a long time looking for the land of miracles, only to nearly ignore the little miracle that practically fell into my lap. He laughed inwardly. I would never pull on your heartstrings for a bit of sympathy, little fairy. Before you spoke those strong words to me, I was ready to accept death. After you spoke them . . .
The feeling of warmth intensified. Derpy felt as if she were surrounded by clean sheets and a fluffy comforter.
Well, thought Cross. What I mean to say is, 'Thank you, little fairy.' Had you not been brave enough to confront me, I would have forgotten the joy of life and died on the doorstep of paradise.
You're welcome, Cross.
Cross raised an eyebrow. You sound sleepy, Miss Hooves.
Derpy yawned. I think I am.
Cross stopped in his tracks. Actually, you're starting to sound as if you're further away than before. There was no response. Are you there, little fairy? He remained still for a few moments, his wings spread lightly as he looked to the open sky.
"Cross?"
Silver Cross brought his gaze back to the path ahead upon hearing the voice of his partner. Feather Quill and Golden Harvest had paused to look back at him.
"Do you hear something?" Feather asked.
Cross smiled disarmingly. "Only the sound of tittering gossip. You don't have to start fighting over me just yet, you know."
Feather's eyes widened considerably. With only a single terrifying scowl shown to Cross she turned about mightily, nearly dragging Golden Harvest in her wake with the apparent intent of leaving her partner in the dust.
Cross resumed his forward pace with a renewed sense of vigor in his heart. See you again, my little fairy.
~E02 End~
NEXT
Amethyst 1B: "Locked Room" |
Lost Legacies | A1B: Locked Room [Ø] | Amethyst 1B: "Locked Room
Detective Liner stared down at the brutally dented door lying flat in the entryway of Room 208, then turned his gaze to the contents of the dormitory proper. "That's . . . interesting," he muttered in a husky baritone that carried faint traces of deliberate intimidation regardless of circumstance. The room's only occupant was Deputy Surefire, who had already begun turning out the furniture drawers in search of clues. Aside from the broken door, the place was spotlessly clean. Liner turned to Sheriff Badge. "Check with Deputy Warrant and the officers; make sure that the perimeter is still intact." Brass Badge departed without a word, leaving only Twilight and Spike standing next to the Detective.
Twilight cleared her throat. "You'd better get back to the library, Spike."
"Huh? Why?" asked Spike with a mixture of surprise and disappointment.
"Now we don't know where Three Strike is," Twilight elaborated as she stepped around the fallen door. "If she escaped, she may go after Derpy." The unicorn turned about to make sure that her partner understood her seriousness. "Someone has to make sure that she's okay. I can count on you, right Spike?"
Understanding that this wasn't the time to express his dismay at leaving the police work behind, Spike nodded. "You got it, Twilight."
As the violet-scaled dragon darted off down the hallway, Liner stepped around the fallen door. "Smart move, but can he really handle it? Perhaps I'd better send-"
"No," Twilight interrupted. "Spike's been working hard at learning how to defend himself, and he's certainly not a child anymore." She smiled a bit. "I'd actually feel sorry for Miss Strike if she tried anything with him on guard duty."
"Good enough," Liner remarked as he moved to check the windows. "Locked." He gazed about the room. "And no other exits. Magic?"
"I can check for that," Twilight volunteered, her horn beginning to shimmer. She closed her eyes as a glowing pink haze descended over the room. Deputy Surefire jumped at the sight of it, but Liner had a steady hoof on the officer's shoulder. A few moments later, the haze disappeared and Twilight's eyes snapped open.
"Well?" asked Liner.
"Nothing," Twilight gasped, more than a bit of surprise evident in her tone. "There's not a trace of magic in this room."
"Fan-tastic," Liner groaned, pulling the brim of his fedora low. "At least I can scratch 'teleportation' off the list of possibilities."
Sheriff Badge appeared in the doorway. His large mustache shook with the movements of his lower jaw as he made his report. "Perimeter checks out; nopony left this inn after the sighting of Miss Strike in the room. Even the civvy volunteer swears by it."
Detective Liner sighed and rubbed at the top of a short dresser with his hoof. "Stop wasting your time, Surefire. Look's like this place has been wiped down; I'll probably have to call in a C.S.I. unit just to get anything substantial. Now we just have to noodle out how an earth pony left a locked room."
Deputy Surefire sprang up from underneath the bed, holding a small object in his outstretched hoof. He smiled. "Not such a waste of time after all, eh?"
Liner took the small glass cylinder in hoof. It was clearly an empty bottle for prescription medicine. He read the name of the drug from the side label. "Ventium?"
"What?" exclaimed Twilight. "That can't be right."
Liner offered the bottle to her. "You've heard of it before?"
Twilight Sparkle confirmed the name on the label herself before looking back at Liner. "It's an experimental anti-psychotic that they tested at a few mental hospitals almost a year ago. I read about it in one of the library's medical journals."
Liner raised an eyebrow and scratched at his stubble. "So, what you're telling me is that you can't exactly pick this up at the local pharmacy?"
"Not even close," said Twilight, confusion beginning to dominate her tone. "This was only used on ponies with the most hopeless cases of mental illness in all of Equestria, maybe 20 subjects total and mostly criminals at that. What makes this even weirder is that Ventium was declared largely ineffective as a treatment option and disposed of." She looked hard into Liner's eyes. "As far as I know, nopony in the world should be able to get a hold of this."
Detective Liner walked slowly to the window and looked out at the golden streetlights of Ponyville.
"Even putting all that aside," Twilight continued. "Why would Miss Strike have it? She seemed pretty normal, all things considered."
"Two possibilities that I can think of," Liner replied in his husky baritone. "Either our perp's crazy," He removed his shades to reveal a pair of narrowed eyes. "Or she's crazy like a fox."
Sheriff Badge snorted. "Well, thank Celestia that we've got Detective One Liner on the job. Yeesh." LL
The wooden door to the Ponyville Library's guest room creaked open, pushed by the dull emerald pommel stone on the end of a sword handle wrapped in black leather. The gem captured only the faintest hint of the moonlight that shone from the chamber's round window. The extended arm of a violet-scaled dragon held the sheathed blade against the door. His emerald eyes and angular face emerged from the darkness as he stepped inside.
"Derpy?" Spike whispered, his slitted pupils scanning back and forth. A few moments of silence passed before he lowered the sword and scabbard to his side. Spike relaxed his tense form and exhaled slowly. The soft snoring of Derpy Hooves gave answer to his question. Everything else about the room appeared to be in order . . . with one possible exception. His eyes narrowed when he stared at the comfortable chair sitting by the bed.
Spike breathed in and shuddered slightly, his eyes widening. He sniffed deeply, hoping for another whiff of that pleasant and familiar smell that he'd caught on the air. When his efforts turned up nothing, he dismissed the event and took a few careful steps toward the sleeping pegasus mare.
Derpy lay on her side underneath the comforter with her back to the doorway. The covers rose and fell in steady rhythm with her peaceful breathing.
A blank and observant gaze had been the first expression on Spike's face when he approached. As he watched Derpy Hooves over the course of the next few seconds, his brow furrowed and his mouth transitioned into a frustrated scowl. Spike turned about and exited the room, careful to shut the door with as little noise from the aging hinges as possible. He leaned back against the wooden surface and gave his sheathed blade a pensive stare.
"Get your mind right, Spike," he whispered to himself. "There's no way that anything in the guest room smells like sulfur."
NEXT
Episode 03: "Cleaning House" |
Lost Legacies | E03: Cleaning House [/] | NOW
[Morning of Day 16]
Derpy Hooves awoke in the gentle warmth of the sun's rays that shone down from the round window at her bedside. She turned her sensitive eyes away from the bright glow to the conical spiral pattern cut into the wood of the ceiling, then sat bolt upright, sniffing furiously. She'd expected the usual pungent smell of burnt muffins to greet her. Instead, the enticing aroma of cinnamon wafted through the air, beckoning her to leave the peace of slumber behind and become a part of the day's sunlit glory. Derpy happily obliged the impulse, casting the blankets aside and giving a light stretch to her limbs before rolling to the side and promptly falling out of the bed.
THUMP!
"Derpy?" Twilight's voice sounded from the room beyond. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Derpy called back as she picked herself up off the floor. She'd told the truth; only her ego had been bruised. She made a mental note to remember that she wasn't sleeping on the floor anymore before opening the door to the library's spacious atrium. Her eyes scanned the chamber and quickly found the source of the wonderful smell.
Sitting atop the linen-draped table across from the kitchen was the morning's repast. Derpy could not remember the last time that she'd seen such a spread for a simple meal like breakfast. A small tower of oatcakes and cinnamon toast rose from the large plate at the center, accompanied by a wooden bowl filled with sliced apples just to the side. A ceramic sauce-boat filled with honey sat next to the butter dish while a light frost danced across the nearby glass pitcher of milk, indicating the effect of a mild cooling spell. Aside from the food, the table's only occupants were Twilight Sparkle and a stack of file folders to her left. The unicorn sipped at a bowl of milk and brushed back her slightly disheveled hair before turning to Derpy.
"Good morning," Twilight half-yawned. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah!" Derpy replied enthusiastically as she trotted up to the table's side, her eyes positively aglow at the sight. "How 'bout you?"
Twilight rubbed a bit at the dark spots underneath her eyes. "Sure, why wouldn't I?"
Derpy failed to notice the contradiction and stared hungrily at the meal before her. "Can I have some?"
Twilight smiled faintly. "Help yourself; I told you that Spike would make extra."
Derpy gave a small squeal of delight as she set about preparing a plate made exclusively of cinnamon toast drenched in butter and honey. It wasn't until she'd already wolfed down two sugar-laden slices that a further question occurred to her. "Where is Spike anyway?"
Twilight rolled her eyes and pointed to the front door. "Outside with Rarity."
Puzzled by the lavender unicorn's reaction, Derpy got up from the table and took a gander through the wide kitchen window. Her eyes first fell onto Rarity, the white unicorn mare whom Derpy remembered as the owner of the Carousel Boutique. The fashionista tossed her stylized violet hair and batted her eyelashes at the young dragon across from her as she spoke, though Derpy couldn't hear the conversation for herself. Spike rocked back and forth awkwardly as he responded, his face tinged slightly red as he gazed into Rarity's deep blue eyes. It was then that Derpy noticed the small bouquet of roses that Spike held at his back, skillfully hidden from Rarity's view.
"No way," Derpy gasped.
Twilight rose from her seat at the table and looked out the window with Derpy. She giggled. "Yeah, they've been doing this little dance for a while now."
Derpy turned to Twilight in shock. "I had no idea!"
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Really? It's only the worst-kept secret in Ponyville."
The gray pegasus returned her gaze to the window, shaking her head slowly. "It doesn't make any sense, though."
Twilight sighed. "I've been trying to tell him that for years. Spike's never even gotten up the nerve to-"
"Why would Spike want to eat flowers for breakfast?" Derpy interrupted. "I mean, I thought dragons liked gems and stuff." Her voice and expression became indignant. "And there's even a really good breakfast right here! What's wrong with him?"
Twilight placed a calm hoof on the pegasus mare's shoulder. "I think we'd better have a talk, Derpy."
My Little Pony: Lost Legacies
Episode 03: "Cleaning House"
[Four Hours Later]
Twilight Sparkle looked up and gave Derpy Hooves a cock-eyed stare. "That's not possible."
Derpy shifted in place next to the round table in the middle of the library. "But it's true."
The unicorn gave Derpy's posterior another cursory glance before turning back. "You can't get a Cutie Mark in your sleep."
Spike stood on a chair behind Twilight and craned his neck for a better view. "Maybe you've just never heard of it happening before."
"I'm a student of history and biology; I'd know," Twilight replied without turning around. "Also, quit staring at Derpy's butt, Spike."
The young dragon pulled a face, his fangs showing as he did so. "What gives? You're doing it."
Twilight turned her gaze to Spike, more to resist Derpy's infectious smile than for effect. "I happen to be a female professional and not a hormonally-imbalanced male dragon. Sit down, Spike."
Spike complied by whirling around and dropping himself onto the wooden seat unceremoniously. "Yeah, professional female student."
Twilight's eyes narrowed. "Last nerve, Spike."
"Roger that," the dragon answered with a wave of his clawed hand. "Shutting up."
Twilight turned briskly back to Derpy only to find that the pegasus mare's smile had widened. She backed off slightly from her position at Derpy's side, unable to keep the corners of her own mouth from turning up in response. "In any case, you're telling me that you don't even know what it means?"
"Nope," Derpy replied cheerfully with a flick of her tail. "I just woke up one morning and there it was - a buncha circles." She raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to know what it is?"
Twilight sighed and began to pace toward the opposite side of the table. "Yes, and you should have learned about this in primary school."
Derpy lifted herself onto the seat next to Spike and smiled apologetically. "I wasn't very good at school."
Twilight sat across from her, laying a hoof upon a large scroll of parchment. "That's okay, Derpy; we'll take this one step at a time if we have to." She cleared her throat. "Getting your Cutie Mark is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's supposed to happen at the moment that you realize the form of your special talent. Everypony is born with a talent for one thing or another, so having an epiphany about your own is basically the moment that you understand your purpose in life." She tapped a hoof on the table. "It's one of the most important events in any pony's life, and your mind has to be engaged for it to happen. Even if we were to suppose that you had a really intense dream where you came to understand your talent, you'd know it when you woke up. Do you see why there's no way to get a Cutie Mark without understanding what it means? You have to be thinking about its meaning to even get one."
Derpy shuffled back and forth in discomfort. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I don't know what else to say. It was just there one morning."
Twilight put a hoof to her chin. "Okay, let's try it this way. What does your mark look like to you?"
Derpy's eyes drifted for a moment before she responded. "Circles?"
"That's too indistinct," Twilight muttered, mostly to herself. "What would that even mean?"
"Looks like bubbles to me," Spike offered as he put his legs up on the table.
Twilight frowned when she caught sight of the young dragon's feet. She leaned forward and opened her mouth, but her eyes darted to the side in the next instant. She froze in place for a moment, then returned to a normal sitting position and refocused her gaze on Derpy with a bright smile. "Spike might be onto something, Derpy. What do you think? Have you ever tried anything with bubbles?"
One of Derpy's eyes turned upward in thought. "No, I don't think so."
"Not even a bubble bath?" Spike queried with a sideways glance. "You could be really good at them."
Twilight lowered her eyelids halfway and placed a hoof on the scroll once again. "Puerile fantasies aside, I think I've got just the thing to help you find out what your talent is, Derpy." She unrolled the parchment in a single sweeping flourish. The intricate diagram inked into the white paper nearly glowed in the light from a window above.
"Plan?" asked Spike in a slightly insecure tone. "When did you-"
"Wow," Derpy gasped, placing both hooves on the table and leaning forward over Twilight's handiwork. "You did all this for me?"
"Well," said Twilight, "a lot of the details still need to be worked out, but I came up with this plan so that you'd have a chance to try different jobs and find out what you're good at." She smiled broadly. "It works out pretty well, huh? If we focus on things that resemble your Cutie Mark, we're bound to find out what it means sooner or later."
Derpy's smile drooped as she examined the parchment. "There's a lot of ponies on here. Do they all want to help?"
"Of course!" Twilight chirped. "Once they realize that one of Ponyville's own is in trouble, I'm sure that anypony would lend a hoof."
Spike eyeballed an entry about halfway down the chart. "Fluttershy? Really?" He looked up at Twilight. "Good luck with that."
Twilight returned his statement with a mischievous grin. "I might have to twist an arm here and there, but I've built up plenty of favors over the years. Speaking of . . ." She touched a hoof to the top entry. "We're starting with the one who owes me the most. You're up, Spike."
"EH?!" Spike gasped, nearly falling out of his seat. "Why me?!"
"Bubbles, remember?" Twilight answered in a mockingly soothing voice. "What if they're soap bubbles?"
"Oh," Spike groaned, sitting as far back as the wooden chair would allow. "Oh no . . ."
"Oh yes," Twilight remarked as she began to roll up the parchment. "For the next week, Derpy will take on the role of Number Two Assistant with a focus on cleaning duties." She turned to the mare in question. "That okay with you, Derpy?"
"Yeah, boss!" Derpy barked, throwing what she hoped was a smart salute. The noise of her hoof smacking into her forehead resembled that of a wooden plank striking a hollow jug. "I'll do my best!"
"Boss?" Twilight repeated with a peculiar fascination.
"You're not supposed to brain yourself when you do that," said Spike. LL
[Morning of Day 17]
Derpy pulled open the flaps of the cardboard box before her and squinted at the contents. Her pupils slowly dilated as they adjusted to the darkness inside the closet. Piles of magazines lay within the box. She cocked her head to the side and tried to wrap her perception around the words and images on the covers.
"Sexy servants," she whispered as one eye scanned to the right. "A short skirt goes a long wa-"
"Derpy!" Spike shouted from the main library. "Are you upstairs?"
"Yeah!" Derpy called back in her chipper voice. She closed the box and shut the closet before trotting over to the second story interior balcony and poking her head over the edge. "What's up, boss?"
Spike stood in the center of the library with his toned and sinewy arms held akimbo. "'What's up?' she says." He sighed. "You're up, Derpy." His eyes narrowed. "As in 'upstairs'--you know--where the work isn't." He held out a clawed finger and made a beckoning motion. "Get down here already. We've only got an hour left 'till we're open for business."
"Roger!" Derpy replied with a bob of her head. She rushed for the nearby staircase and tripped on the very first step. Her mouth dropped open in surprise as she tumbled forward head over hooves. Her wings expanded reflexively to stop her descent but they only managed a moment's glide off the stairs before giving out letting her plummet to the floor.
Spike stepped forward casually and caught the pegasus mare in his outstretched arms.
"Wow," Derpy exclaimed, her hooves held tight against her body and her face very close to Spike's. "Thanks again, Spike!" Her smile persisted under the dragon's withering gaze. "You're getting pretty good at this!"
"It only happens every time you use the stairs," Spike intoned with heavy sarcasm. He deposited Derpy onto her own four legs and snorted. "Who's training who around here anyway?" He pulled a checklist and quill from the nearby table. "Okay, please tell me that you at least cleared the used candles out of the study."
"Yep!" said Derpy as she opened her wings and began testing the joints.
Spike raised an eyebrow and lowered the list. "Really?"
"Yeah, really."
Spike waved the quill a bit. "And nothing caught on fire?"
Derpy stopped surveying her wings and returned her gaze to the young dragon. "Nope." She smiled. "Aren't you proud of me?"
"I am," Spike replied with genuine awe. "I really and truly am." He brought the checklist back up and scratched on it with the quill. "Still, this wouldn't even be on the list if Twilight would pick up after herself once in a while." He turned about and walked toward the towering bookshelves.
Derpy Hooves followed after with a spring in her step. "Hey, Spike?"
"Yeah?"
"Why does Twilight leave in the morning and not come back 'till the afternoon?" Derpy's cheerful voice contained only the barest hint of actual curiosity. "I thought she was the librarian."
Spike froze in his tracks. "Well, she . . ." There was a long pause. Spike cleared his throat and turned about to face Derpy, his long tail swishing about on the floor behind him. "She's got a lot of work to do on this job training project, you know?" He gave a half-hearted smile. "I mean, you saw all the ponies on that list, right? That's pretty hard to organize."
"It is?"
Spike gulped. "Y-yeah. Plus, she's still working with the Sheriff's Department on"--he winced and gave a false cough--"you know, something or other."
Derpy's expression went blank for a moment before returning to a bright smile. "Oh, okay! That's pretty cool." She gave a slight tilt of her head. "So, what's next on the list?"
Spike let out a quick sigh before looking back at the parchment. "Let's see, there's only a couple of things left to do. First of which is . . ." The corners of his mouth turned down in a grimace of despair. "Upper shelf dusting."
"Ooh," said Derpy. "That sounds fun."
Spike set the checklist down and grabbed a feather duster from the nearby rolling ladder. His eyes darted back and forth for a moment between Derpy and the object in hand. "Look, I really don't need anything falling down and knocking me out right now. You wanna just hold the ladder steady?"
Derpy's ears drooped. "Okay."
Spike clambered up the wooden ladder, his movements becoming more careful as he neared the top of its three-story height. Derpy latched her hooves around the third step and stared upward with a carefree grin. Her stray eye glanced instead at the roses in a vase on the library's center table. She twitched visibly.
"Hey, Spike?"
The dragon leaned forward to extend the duster into the depths of the bookshelf. "Yeah?"
"Why do you buy flowers sometimes but not give them to Rarity?"
The duster hit a deep pocket of dust bunnies, sending a grey plume of particulate into Spike's face. He shut his eyes just in time, but he still had to cough his way around the offending mess to reply. "I know. Pretty silly, right?"
"It is?" asked Derpy with a tilt of her head.
"Totally," Spike replied. "It's so easy for me to get pumped up, buy some flowers, and make all kinds of plans." His shoulders slumped. "Still, when it comes time to actually do something I'm always wussing out."
"Why? Don't you want Rarity to know that you have a crush on her?"
Spike leaned back and cast a sideways glance at Derpy. "Does anypony not know about that at this point?"
Derpy blinked and beamed a smile back at him. "Twilight said I was the last one."
Spike groaned and returned to dusting. "Then there's your answer. Rarity's got to know what's up by now. Heck, I practically blurted it out myself about a year-and-a-half ago." He slid the duster about with greater force. "If she was interested, you think she'd bring it up at some point. You know, drop a hint?" Spike stopped his movements and stared at the books. "Saying it out loud like this makes it all sound so stupid. I've gotta stop kidding myself." He took a step down on the ladder. "A guy like me doesn't even have a chance."
Derpy's nose caught a whiff of burning pastries. Her brow furrowed. Her smile vanished. "Why not?!" she barked, giving the ladder a sharp knock with her hooves.
Spike yelped and gripped the ladder tightly. "Derpy! Watch what you're doing!"
Derpy blinked hard, the muscles in her face relaxing as she did so. "Oh. Sorry, Spike."
Spike sighed and motioned with the duster. "It's not a big deal. Could you move the ladder to the right a bit? I'm done here."
Derpy slowly walked the ladder to the side on its squeaking wheels. "What I mean is, why don't you just tell her how you really feel?" She put a hoof to her chest. "If somepony gave me flowers and said that they liked me . . ." She blushed and stopped short of her destination.
Spike raised an eyebrow at her.
Derpy glanced up at Spike and began waving her outstretched hoof wildly. "Well, I'd be surprised, but I'd be really happy too! You shouldn't give up before you try!"
Spike gave a dry chuckle and turned back to the shelves. "That's just it--I've been trying for a long time now. And I'm getting tired of not seeing anything change."
A sudden image of Silver Cross with his own sword held against his neck flashed through Derpy's mind. "Then try something new!" she half-shouted, giving the ladder a mighty shove.
The force of the direct impact caused the climbing implement to bounce outward with a clattering jolt, throwing Spike from the top and out into open air. Derpy watched in horror for the brief moment that passed before the young dragon's tail reflexively wrapped around the top step. He swung back, reaching behind with his forearms to prevent himself from hitting the ladder bodily.
Spike's palms hit the sides with a thud. He looked at Derpy scornfully from his upside-down position. "Okay, we're finishing this another day."
Derpy turned her gaze downward and pawed a hoof at the wooden floor. "Sorry, Spike. I just don't know what went-" She winced. "I'm sorry."
The dragon slid to the ground and sighed. "Apology accepted. Just try to think about what you're doing a little more and--you know--about what I'm doing a little less."
Derpy brought her head up swiftly, flipping her mane to the other side of her face in the process. "Seriously though, if you want something to change, then you should do something new." She smiled. "That's what I'm doing."
Spike looked upward. "Huh, I guess that telling Twilight about your problems was something new for you."
Derpy shook her head. "No, I did something new just 15 minutes ago."
Spike looked hard into Derpy's eyes. "What? You were here 15 minutes ago."
Derpy nodded. "Yep! I was upstairs."
Spike's eyes widened. "In the study . . . cleaning out the used candles." His irises had narrowed to pinpricks. "What did you do?"
Derpy rolled one of her eyes. "Well, I figured that she could still use those candles since they aren't melted all the way yet and I wondered why you'd want me to throw them away anyhow." She began to prance in place. "Then I remembered that Twilight wants everything in the library to be really clean. The candles were kinda dirty, so I'm cleaning them."
Spike shivered. "How?"
Derpy brought her hooves to a standstill and leaned closer, her voice descending in volume to a half-whisper. "I was kinda confused about that at first, but the candles are about the same color white that the toilet is, right?"
Spike's mouth fell open. "Oh no."
Derpy nodded proudly. "So, I'm letting them soak in some toilet cleaner for a while. They should come out good as new!"
Spike grabbed Derpy's shoulders and shook her. "Where? Where did you-"
BAM!
Spike looked around Derpy to see a plume of white gas erupt from the kitchen sink. Bits of wax bounced to the floor. Two seconds later, the decorative curtain on the window above the sink caught fire. Calm and cool, Spike took his hands from Derpy and walked across the room to the fire extinguisher.
Derpy turned about. "Something went wrong, didn't it?" she asked in a sullen voice.
Spike's voice sounded in a carefully measured tone as he unlatched the safety device from the wall. "Take a break for an hour or two, Derpy." He cast a baleful look back at the downcast mare. "Take it somewhere that isn't here." LL
[High Noon of Day 18]
Rainbow Dash whistled loudly. "Wow. Twilight gets you out of one mess and two days later you're stepping right into the middle of another one." She flashed a toothy grin underneath her work goggles. "Smooth, Derpy."
"It's not a mess," said Derpy with a frustrated hooftap. "Spike wants Rarity to be his 'very special somepony.' Rarity might like that--no, she should like that." She pushed out her bottom lip in a furious pout. "I think it's simple. He should tell her how he feels."
The hot sun beat down on the two ponies from high overhead as they worked to repair the damaged third story of the Ponyville Town Hall. Two of the ten exterior walls stood in raised positions, held fast to the structure by temporary support beams. Two more lay finished on the plywood floor along with various pieces of lumber and the assorted contents of Rainbow's toolbag. Both ponies wore safety goggles and had towels draped about their necks.
Rainbow Dash giggled. "Very special what? It's pronounced 'marefriend', Derpy." She waved a hoof and began digging through a pile of tools on her left. "You're talking like a foal again . . . and you're thinking like one."
"Am not!" Derpy exclaimed with a forward lean. The motion caused a trickle of sweat to run down her face. She used her towel to dab the offending rivulet away as she continued. "Spike is a great guy. Anypony would be happy to have him for a very special-" She stopped and looked to the side. "Um, marefriend."
Rainbow Dash pulled a hammer from the pile with her teeth and fitted it into a tool harness on her right hoof. "Okay, let's roll with that for a minute." She leveled the hammer at Derpy with a cocky grin. "Let's say that Snips confessed to you. Would you be really happy and want to be his marefriend?"
Derpy laughed at the sudden thought of the chubby colt offering her a valentine.. "Snips wouldn't do that."
Rainbow groaned and waved the hammer. "This is pretend, Derpy. I'm trying to teach you something; just play along."
Derpy considered this for a moment with a hoof to her chin before voicing her thoughts as they came. "I'd be really happy that he felt that way, but . . ." She gave a light shake of her head. "I wouldn't want to be his marefriend."
Rainbow Dash brought the hammer's head close to one of the nails on the support beam base in front of her. "Now why is that? Is it 'cause he's fat?"
Derpy's eyes narrowed at the question. "No."
Rainbow raised the hammer, not looking up from the nail. "Is it 'cause you think that you're a better pony than he is?"
"No way."
Rainbow Dash brought the hammer down on the nail with a resounding thump. She looked up at Derpy. "Is it because you have nothing in common with him?"
"No," Derpy answered with only half-confidence before slumping her shoulders in the next moment. "Well, kinda."
"Now isn't that interesting?" Rainbow intoned with a raised eyebrow. She selected another nail from the pile and began to work it into the base with a sure hoof. "Keep that in mind while I tell you a little bit about Spike." She tapped the nail lightly to set its position. "He hasn't just been fawning over Rarity for the past year--he's been working himself to the bone. He pulls long shifts at the library so that he can save up bits to take Rarity on dates. He does all of Carousel Boutique's landscaping by himself. He practically works there part-time with all the labor he puts in on Rarity's gem hunts. That's free labor, in case you didn't know."
Derpy's eyes widened a bit more with each addition.
"He's Twilight's live-in maid and personal chef," Rainbow continued. "And ever since that . . . whatever it was happened five months ago, he's gotten even busier. He does physical training with Iron Will on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He trains with a freaking sword on every other day. Last but not least, he's got something like a social life to manage on top of all that."
Derpy Hooves took a slow breath. "Holy cow. What happened five months ago?"
"Weirdness, that's what," Rainbow Dash muttered dismissively as she hammered down another nail. "The short version is this: everything went pear-shaped, Rarity got hurt, and Spike blamed himself." She put the hammer down and removed her goggles. She toweled the sweat away from her face and looked directly into Derpy's eyes. "That's not the important part though. What's important is, out of all of those things that Spike does, which ones have anything in common with Rarity or her plans for the future?"
"I dunno . . . all of them?" Derpy replied hopefully.
"Try 'none,'" Rainbow deadpanned. "Rarity designs dresses. She's in love with high society. She wants to have a picture-perfect life in Canterlot with a dashing Prince Charming where she doesn't have to worry about all the little things like sales and marketing anymore." She leaned forward. "That 'prince' has a name too. He's called 'Fancypants.'"
Derpy lifted one of her forelegs in apprehension. "What're you trying to say?"
Rainbow leaned back with a sly grin. "I'm saying that all those 'consulting' visits that Fancypants makes to Ponyville ain't got nothin' to do with business, at least not the way you and I understand it." She reveled in the blush that arose on Derpy's face for a moment before continuing. "I'm also saying that Spike missed the boat a long time ago and he's missing the point even now. If you're rooting for him, then you're missing it too. Spike may want to be Rarity's man, but he's just a confused kid at heart and he hasn't got a prayer. It's sad for sure, and I'm positive that Twilight's been trying to help him get over it." She pointed an accusing hoof. "What you're doing is trying to get Spike back on track for some heartbreak, and that's only gonna make a big mess in the end." Rainbow gave a shrug. "I rest my case."
Rainbow Dash's words landed heavily on Derpy's heart. She'd come to work on the town hall today with vigor and verve. She'd imagined herself a fixer of buildings and perhaps a helping hoof in a budding relationship. Tears welled up in her eyes. Was she still the same hopeless pony who'd let her entire life fall apart around her?
"Derpy?" asked Rainbow Dash. "You okay?"
The multi-hued mare's voice sounded distant to Derpy's ears. Another voice, familiar and masculine, sounded much closer.
I lost faith, Ms. Hooves.
Derpy's expression went blank.
As large as Feather's doubts had become, mine were deeper still.
Derpy sniffed and blinked away the wetness in her eyes.
I'd overlooked something terribly important.
Derpy Hooves stood straight up and frowned at her companion. "You're a jerk, Rainbow Dash."
The pegasus mare in question face-faulted. "What?"
Derpy removed her goggles. "Isn't Spike your friend?"
Rainbow Dash glanced to the side. "Yeah, but-"
"But nothing!" Derpy interrupted. She stamped a hoof down on the plywood. "Spike is working hard on something, and all you can talk about is how he doesn't have a chance. If you're his friend, then you should help him instead!"
"Derpy," Rainbow groaned. "Sometimes 'helping' really doesn't help."
The voice in Derpy's head spoke once more.
I spent a long time looking for the land of miracles, only to nearly ignore the little miracle that practically fell into my lap.
The wall-eyed pegasus mare smiled. "It helped Cross." Her smile grew wider. "I think I know what to do now."
Rainbow Dash tilted her head. "Who's Cross?"
Derpy backed up a bit and spread her wings. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I've gotta run an errand." A powerful flap lifted her hooves from the plywood. "I'll help out some more tomorrow, okay?"
"Wait a minute," said Rainbow. She rose from her sitting position and nearly tripped over a piece of lumber. "What're you gonna do?"
Derpy bolted off across the rooftops of Market Square, faltering a bit and knocking a few bricks loose from a chimney as she did so. The white towel trailed behind her neck like a scarf in the wind.
Rainbow Dash stood at the edge of the third story and put a hoof to the side of her mouth as she shouted after the departing mare. "You're just gonna screw things up again, Derpy! Don't say I didn't warn you!" LL
The violet door of the Carousel Boutique received the full brunt of Derpy's momentum, bursting open and jangling the bell above with fierce clamor. The pegasus mare skidded to a halt on the polished floor and flashed a brilliant cockeyed grin. "Hi!" she barked enthusiastically.
Rarity whirled about from the center of the storefront. Her curled bangs fell over one eye, but the other went wide to match her hanging lower jaw. The look of surprise only lasted for the briefest of moments before a practiced smile took its place. "Welcome to Carousel Boutique, darling." She squinted a bit. "You're . . . Miss Derpy Hooves, isn't that right?"
"Yeah," Derpy replied, her gaze dancing across the racks of clothing. "Except for the 'Miss' part." She turned one eye back to Rarity. "I can see how you'd make that mistake, though. It's a really popular first name."
"I-indeed," Rarity stuttered as Derpy trotted forward. The fashionista brought a hoof to her nose when the sweat towel-bedecked mare passed by. "Good gracious, dear. Do be sure to have a shower before you come in next time. I can't have the boutique smelling like a . . ." Her voice trailed off as Derpy neared the back of the store. "Like a . . ." Her eyebrows went up as Derpy passed behind a black curtain. "Now wait just a minute, Miss Hooves!"
"'Derpy Hooves,'" the pegasus mare corrected as Rarity rounded the corner.
Rarity's smile faded. "Derpy, this part of the store is sectioned off for a reason. I think you'd be much more interested in-"
Derpy pointed strongly at an article of clothing just past Rarity's face. "I want that one. How much is it?"
Rarity's uncertain eyes darted back and forth between the outstretched hoof and the item in question. "How old did you say you were again?"
"I didn't."
Rarity's eyelids fell halfway. "I know, dear. How old are you?"
"Nineteen*," said Derpy. "Why?"
Rarity looked at the dress and swallowed. "No reason." LL
[Afternoon of Day 19]
Spike strode briskly from the treeline at Ponyville's eastern border, sword and scabbard clattering lightly against his green dorsal spines with every step. He drew the strap across his chest a bit tighter and took in a deep breath of the crisp pine-scented air. The muscles in his arms burned slightly from the exertion he'd put them through over the past hour, but the rest of his body felt loose and limber. Perhaps most importantly, the daily training regimen had cleared his mind of the stress that the library's newest resident now caused him on a daily basis.
Even so, Spike gave a sigh as he left the soft grass for the dirt road of Stirrup Street. He'd imagined that dealing with Derpy Hooves would be no trouble at all compared to his experience in raising Peewee, the phoenix chick that he'd rescued from his own kin over a year ago. The first few weeks of rearing the adorable feathery bundle had quickly soured Spike's initial optimism. His cleaning duties had become split between things defecated on and things burned to a crisp. Every squeaky cry just a few notes off-key had torn Spike away from his comfort zone and had him worrying for hours. The bird's cute face and soft feathers had been little recompense for all the trouble he caused.
A pair of lanky unicorn stallions traveling toward the outskirts of town drifted close to Spike on the roadway. "Can you believe that Books & Branches carries stuff like this?" one of the two marveled as he waved a magazine about with his magic.
Still, Spike mused to himself. Things got better. Peewee benefited from the rapid maturation rate shared by all phoenixes, and within just three months' time, he'd become a glorious and regal bird fit to rival even Celestia's pride and joy. The weeks that followed had been a time of great elation and fulfillment for the young dragon. He smiled broadly at the memories that even his pet's tearful departure back to the wilderness could not dim.
Spike passed by an outdoor cafe on the corner of Stirrup and Bale as he turned toward the library. Among the various patrons, an overweight earth pony stallion gesticulated wildly to his friends across the table. "I'm telling you guys; it's all about the absolute territory! That hallowed ground between the skirt and the thigh-highs . . . it's too much!"
"Too much to be an accident, you mean," commented one of the others. "Best to keep it in your fantasies, man. Girls who dress like that are massive teases; I don't care how innocent they . . ."
Spike frowned as he drifted out of earshot. His thoughts returned to Derpy Hooves--impossibly innocent, hopelessly naive, tremendously clumsy . . . and a full-grown mare. Spike leaned back as he walked and stared at the open sky. Peewee was different, he thought. Between Fluttershy and Princess Celestia, I had all the help and advice I could ever need. When it comes to Derpy . . . The unyielding brightness of the blue sky began to hurt his eyes. I might be the first guy to ever deal with something like this. He squinted. Well, at least she didn't blow anything up yesterday. That's progress.
Spike brought his gaze back down to see the library directly ahead. He came to a complete standstill one second later. A crowd of stallions had gathered around the door and at every ground-floor window. They seemed to be intently observing the interior and making awestruck observations that were hard to make out at this distance. Spike frowned hard enough to expose his fangs. Jinxed it, didn't I?
The young dragon ventured forward with a confident stride. He cleared his throat loudly. "Okay, guys. Comin' through." Spike put his hands out to part the crowd and found himself immediately bounced back by the tightly-pressed bodies. "Hey!" he exclaimed. A whooping cheer from beyond the open doorway drowned out the sound of his indignant voice. Spike snarled and pantomimed the action of rolling up a pair of shirt sleeves. "So that's how it's gonna be, huh?" The stallions failed to notice him.
Spike gathered his resolve, hunkered down on his hands and knees, and began his journey down the low road into the library. The tight spaces between the stallions' shuffling hooves made navigation difficult. The overpowering scent of body odor threatened to obliterate his senses. He held his breath as much as possible and continued onward. He lost that breath when a familiar sight passed before his eyes. "MILFy Maids #39?" he gasped. The magazine exchanged hooves in front of him and was soon lost to view. Still, there were others. Spike's eyes darted back and forth as he saw the covers of his prized collection--his stash--drifting through the crowd. His blood ran cold. His throat dried up. His muscles surged with power and propelled him through the last of the ever-shifting cavern. Spike exited the last set of legs with a pop and came to a rolling halt near the library's center table.
A cheery voice that carried just a hint of boyishness rang out over the din. "Oh! Hey there, Spike!"
The stallions began to laugh. Spike looked up from his prone position. Derpy Hooves waved the feather duster at him from the top of the three-story rolling ladder. Spike's gaze drifted from the duster to the mare herself. What he saw caused the most peculiar physical sensation--he felt as if he'd started to fall through the floor and into a cold, dank abyss. White lace. Black satin. White apron. Black thigh-highs. A heavenly headband. A buxom bustier. And ribbons . . . ribbons everywhere. Spike gulped in stupefied horror only to be rewarded with a feeling akin to his Adam's Apple getting lodged in his windpipe. He coughed mightily and lost control of his facial muscles. The sudden absence of tension left behind something resembling a lopsided grin.
Derpy squealed with delight and spread her wings wide. "He likes it!" she cried.
"HE LIKES IT!" the crowd shouted in response before dissolving into chuckles.
Spike clambered to his feet and stared at the impossible sight above. His mouth moved as if to form words but sound refused to issue forth.
Derpy turned herself back toward the ladder, the folds of her short skirt swaying with every movement. "Hang on," she called out above the racket. "I'm coming down!" With the utterance of the word "down", she slipped and lurched forward to maintain balance. The back hem of her skirt flew up in dramatic fashion.
A chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" arose from the crowd. A pair of flashbulbs went off outside the windows.
"Derpy!" Spike shouted with a mixture of anger and concern.
"Whoa," said Derpy as she swung back again with a bit too much force. Her hooves left the ladder entirely and she plummeted earthward with a startled yelp.
Spike stepped forward with automatic ease and caught the frilly bundle, straining a bit this time with his tired arms.
A thunderous round of applause blasted forth from the crowd along with a few encouraging whoops.
"Thanks, Spike!" cheered Derpy with a clap of her stockinged hooves. "You're just awesome at this!"
The dazed dragon prepared to vent his rage and confusion only to have the words die in his throat. Derpy's eyes had centered for the first time since he'd met her. Unable to meet her focused gaze, Spike glanced instead at the next thing that caught his attention . . . her ponytail. His eyes widened. Derpy had tied her normally unkempt blond mane into a well-groomed ponytail with a black velvet ribbon. The gorgeous amber eyes and enticing ensemble hit Spike with their full effect. He dropped the pegasus mare like a hot potato, his face burning red with emotions that he dared not evaluate.
"Woohoo!" cried Derpy as she landed awkwardly on her hooves. She turned to the crowd with a toss of her mane. "Isn't Spike the best, you guys?"
"YEAH!" came the deafening answer.
"Derpy!" shouted Spike as he pointed an accusing claw. "Where did you get that dress?" His left eyelid twitched. Stupid question, he thought. Why did I focus on the maid outfit?
"This?" Derpy replied with a shake of her rump. The satin skirt billowed in response. "Well, I didn't have enough bits to buy it, so I just rented it for this afternoon."
Sympathetic "awws" rang out from the stallions. Charitable golden bits began to rain down on the center table.
"Cut that out!" Spike bellowed. He waved his hand in a great sweeping motion. "Never mind about the dress." His eyes narrowed. "Where did these . . . these magazines come from? Why do they have them?"
Derpy cocked her head to the side. "You told me to put any books that I found lying around back on the shelves. Can't anypony borrow the library books?"
"They were in my closet!"
"Yeah, I know," said Derpy with a nod. "I figured that you must really like them, so I thought I'd dress up like the mares in the magazines." She presented Spike with a demure smile. "How about it? Do you feel more sure of yourself yet?"
Spike stood slack-jawed. "W-what? I don't even . . ."
Derpy turned to the crowd in a whirl of lace and ribbons. "Hey, guys! Spike's not sure if he should ask Rarity out on a date or not!" She raised a hoof high in the air. "Who thinks he should give it a try?!"
Spike nearly choked in surprise. He fought for air and looked about wildly as a powerful chant began to build all around him.
"Ask her out. Ask her out."
Spike drew in a deep breath. Derpy began pumping her hoof up and down.
"Ask her out! Ask her out!"
Spike noticed an alarmingly familiar and feminine voice join in from just behind.
"Ask her out! Ask her out!"
Spike turned about and found himself staring into the grinning visage of Twilight Sparkle.
"ASK HER OUT! ASK HER OUT!"
"AAH!" Spike screeched at a higher volume than the chanters. He recoiled several feet from the librarian's position.
Silence fell over about half of the stallions present at the sound of Spike's panicked cry. The rest became increasingly quiet as they began to notice Twilight's presence. Within less than a half-minute, the room was devoid of any sound save for a light shuffling of awkward hooves.
Twilight Sparkle's grin continued in spite of the change in atmosphere.
Spike held up a shaky open palm. "Twilight, I know you're mad; but before you say anything, I just want you to know that this is not my fault."
A copy of Homegrown Hotties #42 slipped out from the crowd and landed at Twilight's hooves.
Twilight smiled wider. "Why would I be mad?" she mused in a singsong voice. "This kind of thing is great publicity for a library managed by an apprentice to the crown."
Spike dropped his arm. "You mean that?" he asked, his voice full of cautious hope.
Twilight's left eye twitched ferociously. "Not so much." She gave a fearsome scowl to the crowd and her voice rose to thunderous bellow. "EVERYPONY CLEAR OUT! WE'RE CLOSED!"
The grumbling mass of stallions pushed toward the doorway like mildly perverse molasses sliding through a wooden funnel. Spike's entire body slumped in embarrassment and defeat. Derpy Hooves cast worried glances back and forth between the room's occupants.
Twilight Sparkle frowned and looked down her nose at the young dragon, floating the magazine before her into the air with a pinkish magic aura. She waited until the last stallion had closed the door behind him before speaking. "First of all, I am very disappointed in you, Spike. I've expressly forbidden the presence of this sort of . . ."--she gave the magazine a look of utter disgust--"inappropriate literature in my library." An ethereal light burst forth from her glowing horn and reduced Homegrown Hotties to a smoking pile of ash. Twilight turned her disapproving grimace back to the downcast Spike. "I want every one of these that's still on the shelves disposed of. We won't be accepting any that are brought back, and you will write a personal letter of apology to every single parent who complains that their children got a hold of one of these today. Is that clear?"
"Yes, ma'am," Spike replied with utter resignation.
"Wait, Twilight," Derpy exclaimed. She trotted between the two, taking a wide stance suggestive of protecting a vulnerable target from dire threat. "Spike's telling the truth; this is all my fault." Her throat tightened up and took her volume down a notch. "I'm the one who put those weird books on the shelves. You should punish me instead."
Twilight Sparkle opened her mouth to speak but left it hanging open instead. Her eyes widened as she took in the full effect of Derpy's ensemble. She shook her head and continued in a confused tone. "Derpy, I don't even know where to begin. I can sort of understand the part where you decided to stock the shelves with Spike's 'secret stash,' but . . ." She reached out and tossed the end of the lace ribbon on Derpy's armband. "What is this about?"
Derpy bit at her lower lip before responding. "I wanted to give Spike some confidence."
Spike raised his head and gave a quizzical stare. "What?"
Derpy backed up to her right so that she could face the room's other two occupants at the same time. "Spike, you sounded so sure that Rarity wouldn't go out with you, but you can't know that. You said that you were tired of nothing changing too, but I don't think that's right either." She tapped a hoof down, her voice growing more confident with each statement. "I think that you've worked really long and really hard to be a great guy for Rarity. It's just that you've been working so long for such a far-off dream that you forgot what it's like to get something back." She gave the satin folds of the dress a demonstrative shake. "I know that it's not really me you want to see dress like this."
Spike's face turned stark crimson. He suddenly found it difficult to meet Derpy's gaze.
The pegasus mare gave a warm smile. "But I figured that if you got a bit of something that you really like, then you'd start to believe that your dreams can come true again."
Twilight nodded sagely. "I think Derpy's actually got a really good point here, Spike. You've come a long way in the last year or so, too long of a way to indulge in"--she grinned awkwardly--"juvenile fantasies while you moan and groan about your chances with the mare who got you this far." She crossed one arm in front of the other and gave her head a tilt. "Just hearing you complain about your feelings moved Derpy so much that she went out and did something crazy for your benefit."
"I'm sorry I got you in trouble, Spike," Derpy added in a sheepish tone. "But you really do have a chance. Don't say you know how it's gonna turn out. You never really know until you try."
The emotional roller-coaster ride of the last hour had rendered Spike's expression thoroughly blank. His gaze drifted uncertainly between the two mares.
"Well," said Twilight in the soothing manner of a big sister. "Clumsy expression aside, what do you think, Spike? Are you going to waste Derpy's sentiments?"
Spike's attention focused squarely on the satin-clad pegasus mare. Gone were the initial shock at Derpy's appearance and the uncomfortable arousal that had followed. In place of both now stood a deep sense of gratitude and obligation. He dropped his gaze to the floor, swallowed hard at the knot in his throat, and brought his head back up with a confident smile emblazoned upon his reptilian visage. "No," he answered. "No, I'm not." ~
[Evening of Day 20]
The trimmed blades of grass outside Carousel Boutique stirred and swayed in the cool breeze, their verdant green painted indigo in the fading light. The stark silence of the time between the workday's end and the nightlife's dawn drained all sense of reality and presence from the world; neither the birds fluttering back to their nests nor the golden light from the ornate building's windows could stave off the dream-like pall that had descended over Ponyville. A young violet-scaled dragon stood at the door that shared his primary hue. With his left hand he held a bouquet of a dozen roses, their ardent red undimmed by the sun's departure. With his right, he gave a gentleman's knock to the varnished wood. He took in and released a deep breath at the sound of trotting hooves within the boutique. Here we go.
The door swung open to reveal Rarity's stylish countenance. She greeted the sight before her with a brilliant smile and a coquettish bat of her long eyelashes. "Spike, dear!" she exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise! Whatever brings you over to the boutique at this hour?" Her azure eyes drifted down and rose up again to meet Spike's in the breadth of a half-second. Her smile widened. "Are those for me?"
A sarcastic response came to the forefront of Spike's mind. He gave it a vicious mental kick and reached instead for the simple truth. "Absolutely," he intoned, bringing the crimson flowers forward and up.
A magic aura of cornflower blue issued forth from Rarity's horn and lifted the bouquet underneath her muzzle. She sniffed deeply. "Oh my goodness, they're wonderful." She moved the flowers to the side to give the young dragon a view of her best sultry gaze. "Thank you, Spike. I hope you'll forgive me for asking, but what's the occasion?"
Spike locked his hands behind his back to keep them from fidgeting. He did his level best to return Rarity's playful expression in kind. "I didn't think I needed an occasion to see you smile, Rarity."
The barest hint of pink arose on the unicorn mare's white cheeks. Rarity recovered with a wave of her hoof and a toss of her violet mane. "Someone's working on a silver tongue to go with all that scaly muscle I see." She leaned forward and gave her companion a quick peck on the cheek. "Careful, Spike," she chided. "You'll turn a young filly's head with talk like that."
The brief physical contact threw Spike's train of thought about ten feet off the rails. He managed to keep his physical composure, but found himself wrestling with the potent mental stimulus. This has happened before, he thought. Don't go googly-eyed. You came here to do something new, didn't you? Is this really as far as you want to go?
Rarity turned about with a flourish of the coil in her tail. She floated the bouquet ahead of her as she stepped back through the open door. "You're in luck, you know," she said over her shoulder. "I've got just the perfect vase for these. Why don't you come inside and visit for a while?"
Spike remained standing in the doorway and drew a pair of colorful paper slips from his dorsal spines. "Actually, I came here to give you an invitation."
"Truly?" Rarity remarked as she lowered the thick stems of the flowers into a hoof-blown glass receptacle. She shook her head reprovingly and trotted back toward Spike. "Whatever has Ponyville's mail service come to that you should have to deliver an invitation by . . . hand . . ." Her voice trailed off. She blinked hard and stared at the shiny slips of paper in Spike's outstretched claws. "Spike," she gasped. "Where did you get these?"
The pair of tickets reflected the store's lamplight and cast glittery golden sparkles in Rarity's eyes. The dragon's heart skipped a beat, but he flashed a toothy grin anyhow. "I've got my connections."
"Two reservations for La Bouchee Desir," Rarity observed, all pretense gone from her expression. "One of the most scenic and expensive restaurants in Canterlot." Her gaze met with Spike's. "One of the most exclusive as well. It caters only to the nobility, and even they have to make reservations weeks in advance."
Spike flushed with pride. "I thought you'd be familiar with this place."
"I've never been," Rarity whispered with a hoof over her mouth. Her eyes darted to the side. "I've always wanted to . . ."
The powerful chill of adrenaline began to course through Spike's veins. He'd done it; he'd never seen Rarity this unguarded before. When he next spoke, he did so in a suave and masculine tone that--for the first time in his life--he felt comfortable using. "The reservation is for next Saturday, a table for two on the River Terrace." One last bit of icy hesitation clawed at his resolve. Spike proceeded to put that feeling in its place. "Rarity, will you go there with me as my date?"
The question that had been on Spike's mind for the last year came out more even-toned than the young dragon had thought possible. His heart fluttered with anticipation in the few seconds that he waited for Rarity's answer. The unicorn mare's slight blush turned redder than the rose bouquet. Her eyes grew moist; the corners of her mouth turned up in a warm smile. Spike's heart soared.
"I'm sorry," said Rarity with a crack in her tone. "I'm so sorry, Spike. I can't."
Spike's confidence shrugged off the blow. "Oh, are you already doing something next Saturday?"
Rarity shook her head slowly. "No. No, I'm not. It's just . . ." She brought her hoof back to the floor. "If we go there together, there'll be no walking it back. Everypony in Equestria will think that we're a couple."
Spike still felt as if he were on the verge of success. He decided to go for broke. "I don't mind that, Rarity. Ever since the first day I came to Ponyville, I've only had my eyes on you." Thoughts of his long struggle to attain masculinity for her sake entered his mind. I'm not here to put a burden on her. He pushed them aside and continued. "You probably know that already, but you knowing it isn't the same as me saying it." Spike clenched a fist to boost his resolve. He stared directly into Rarity's wavering eyes. "I know that I'm a dragon, but the only thing I've wanted to be for the past three years is your stallion."
Silence followed. Spike had imagined many potential responses to that statement ever since he'd first thought of it; the soundless bewilderment that had overtaken his chosen mare was one of the worst. After a time that felt far too long, Rarity sat back on her haunches with a heavy sigh. Spike waited patiently with a knot in his throat so large and painful that it threatened to choke him.
"Spike," Rarity began at last. "I don't want you to misunderstand me. You have grown up to be a wonderful young gentleman." She tapped a hoof. "You are the kindest, bravest, strongest, and most under-appreciated bachelor I know. You are going to make some young lady so happy someday that she won't know what to do without you, and you deserve every bit of the love that she'll have for you." Rarity hung her head low. "It's just that . . . I'm not that mare, Spike. I can't give you what you want . . . what you deserve."
A terrifying numbness eclipsed Spike's sense of touch. He felt completely disconnected from the physical world. "You already have a stallion," he guessed in monotone.
"No," said Rarity as she looked into Spike's unnervingly dry eyes. "No, I don't. You'll think I'm terrible, but I've known how you felt about me ever since you gave that fire ruby to me on your first birthday in Ponyville." Her own eyes teared up. "I should have spoken with you about it before now. I shouldn't have let you try so hard for my sake, but every time I gathered the nerve to say something . . ." She paused and bit at her soft lower lip. "I was scared, Spike. I am scared of losing one of my best friends." Rarity made a visible effort to read the young dragon's expression. "The longer I delayed, the harder it became. In the end, all I can say is that I'm sorry." A single tear streamed down her right cheek. "I've failed you, Spike. It's all right if you hate me for it."
In the void left behind by Spike's hopes and dreams, a consummate professionalism rose to the fore. Swallowing back every last emotion, he put on a practiced smile and opened his palms wide. "Rarity, you're being silly. I could never hate you." He bumped a fist to his chest scales and winked. "As long as you want this weirdo dragon for a friend, you'll have him."
Rarity wiped her tear away and gave a small smile. "You really mean that, don't you, dear?"
"Absolutely," said Spike with the very same inflection that he'd used when he first arrived. He gazed up at the sky to see that night had finally arrived. The golden streetlamps were coming to life in the distance. He looked back at Rarity and smiled in a manner that hurt his face. "And I think I've absolutely wasted enough of your time this evening."
"You've done nothing of the sort," Rarity corrected. She walked slowly forward and--after a moment's hesitation--put a single arm around Spike's neck in a brief, stilted hug. "I know how much this meant to you," she said as she backed away. "If there's anything that I can do to make it up to you, anything at all . . ." Her volume drained to zero as she realized that the smile on the young dragon's face hadn't moved. Worry entered her tone. "Will you be all right, Spike?"
"Yeah," Spike's voice said for him. "I'm sure I will be." ~
A pair of eavesdropping ponies watched Spike turn to leave from their hiding place behind a building across the street. Twilight Sparkle's horn glowed faintly with the last of a hearing augmentation spell. She frowned and whimpered sympathetically. "It's not like I didn't see this coming, but all the same it's . . ." She struggled to find the end to her thought before giving up with a sigh. The young dragon has disappeared from view. "Poor Spike. Even I didn't know how serious he really was."
Derpy Hooves stood just behind Twilight, her hair still held in a ponytail by the black velvet ribbon. Her eyes itched terribly, only becoming worse if she rubbed at them. Her throat had dried up and swelled painfully. She breathed through her nose to avoid antagonizing the sensation and nearly wretched. The oppressive and acrid smell of burning muffins hung thick on the night air. A faint ringing noise like that of an alarm clock began to sound in the far corners of her mind. An impulse burst out from that strange place and caused her hooves to move.
Twilight's expression widened in alarm as she watched Derpy launch into a brisk trot toward the boutique. "Derpy?!" she barely managed to avoid yelling. "What are you doing?! Don't!"
"Rarity!" Derpy barked at a volume that shattered the silence all around her.
The unicorn mare in question looked out from her open doorway with wide eyes and a lifted hoof. Her expression normalized as Derpy came into view. "Oh my. Miss Hooves, was it?" she called out in polite greeting. "I'm terribly sorry, dear, but we're closed. You'll have to-"
"My name is 'Derpy,'" the gray pegasus corrected as she slowed to a halt just a few feet from the entryway. "Why do you keep getting it wrong?"
Rarity sighed. "It's an honorific, Derpy. You put it before someone's name when you're trying to be polite."
Derpy's brow tightened. "Was what you just did to Spike polite too?"
Rarity's mouth moved soundlessly for a moment before her eyes narrowed. "W-were you eavesdropping?"
"I didn't drop anything," said Derpy with a shake of her head. "But I saw what happened." The light from inside the boutique danced in her eyes. "Why did you hurt Spike?"
"Hurt him?" asked Rarity, her voice indignant. She waved a hoof at the distraught pegasus. "Spike is not a child anymore, Derpy. It's better that he knows the truth now. All he needs is some time."
"What about the time he lost already?!" Derpy snapped. A hazy image of books falling from a white tower flashed through her mind. She bit her lip and looked away from Rarity. "He gave you all kinds of presents. He even spent a really long time making himself into a really nice present for you." Her gaze turned back and once again captured the flickering golden light. "You didn't even give him a chance."
Rarity raised an eyebrow and turned her nose up at the pegasus mare. "Not that it's any of your business, but a chance to what? I admit that my own procrastination made this worse than it had to be, Derpy. However, I've known for quite some time now that things between Spike and I simply wouldn't work out in the end."
"You don't know that!" Derpy shouted. "And you never did!"
Rarity recoiled in the doorway. "What are you-"
Tears of frustration welled in Derpy's eyes. "I keep hearing everypony say that they know what's gonna happen. It's so stupid. Even if you could know, who'd want a world where you'd never be wrong?" The lights in her pupils resembled flickering candle flames. "It's just a lot easier to say that what went wrong was gonna happen anyway, isn't it? That way, it's not your fault, and you don't have to do anything about it." Several images whirled about behind her eyes. Derpy frowned deeply. "I didn't want to admit that my life sucked because I made it that way. Cross didn't want to say that the real reason he wasn't going to see the Green Pastures was because he was giving up. Rainbow made fun of Spike's chances because Spike having a chance would have made her a bad friend for not doing anything." Derpy spread her wings out and touched the grass with the tips. "You just don't want to have to explain anything to Fancypants. Spike's not so important when he gets in the way of what you want, is he?"
The pause that came afterward lasted nearly a minute. Ponies leaving work began to file into the streets on their way to their homes or the pubs. A blue magic aura wrapped around the door of the Carousel Boutique. Rarity positively glowered at the pegasus mare on her doorstep. Her words came out in a deep and deliberate tone.
"I think it would be best if we didn't speak to each other for a while, Miss Hooves."
"That's fine by me," Derpy barely managed to get out before the oaken door slammed shut just inches from her face. She blinked as the breeze from its impact tousled her hair. "And quit screwing up my name!" she shouted at the wood. In the relative silence following her outburst, the nervous energy drained from Derpy's body. She trotted back to Twilight's position at a slower pace.
The unicorn's mouth hung agape. Derpy lowered her head in response. "I messed up again, didn't I?"
Twilight Sparkle's expression slowly transitioned into a knowing grin. "That's . . . debatable." She pawed at the dirt. "I mean, don't get me wrong. That was way over the top but . . . well, who knows?" She touched her front-right hoof to one of Derpy's. "Maybe Rarity really needed to hear something like that."
A breeze took hold of Derpy's ponytail and tossed it to the other side of her body. Her head came up swiftly. "Where did Spike go?" she blurted out with an odd degree of urgency.
Twilight retracted her hoof. "What? Why is that-"
"I've gotta find him!" Derpy interrupted, her hooves moving up and down.
Twilight sighed. "I wouldn't push your luck on the whole 'barging in headfirst' thing anymore than you already have, Derpy. We'll be there for Spike, but he probably wants some time to himself right now."
Derpy's face scrunched up in frustration. Her dancing about grew frantic.
Twilight stepped back, suddenly aware of the emotional bomb about to go off right in front of her. "On the other hoof," she added with a nervous cough. "I might know where he is . . ." ~
In a forest clearing just beyond the eastern border of Ponyville, a tranquil pool of water reflected the moonlight across its verdant surroundings. Enchanting patterns of faint turquoise wound their way across the rustling leaves of the trees and over the smooth faces of granite boulders that bore the scars of blade strikes. Small wooden logs hung from the branches of the trees by thick ropes and drifted lazily about in the gentle wind. The tiny stream that fed the pool gurgled peacefully, its impact on the water's surface casting barely a ripple.
Derpy Hooves took in a deep breath of the crisp air, the mischievous light playing about on her delicate features. "Spike?"
The dragon whose name she'd invoked sat with his back to her on a short cliff overlooking the pool. His dorsal spines shifted visibly at the sound of her voice. "Derpy?" He rubbed at his face with a tired forearm, but did not turn to face her. "How did you find this place?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Derpy moved slowly from the edge of the clearing. "Twilight told me where to go."
Spike shook a bit as he gave a forced laugh. "Secrets are for chumps, I guess." He paused. "Derpy, I really want to be alone right now."
"I'm sorry, Spike," said Derpy as she shuffled through the grass. "I thought I was helping you out, but you got hurt instead."
The dragon's form remained still. "Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known." He sniffed. "It was my decision to make, so don't beat yourself up or anything." He raised his head to look at the trees. "I'll be fine. You should head on back to the library."
For a long moment, the only sound was that of the gently flowing water.
Derpy Hooves reached over Spike's shoulders and draped her forearms across the front of his sullen form. Before the young dragon could react, she sat with her legs on either side of his and pulled him back. His spines folded instinctively as he met with the soft fur of Derpy's chest. The warmth of her body flooded into his own and silenced all protest therein. Her neck and muzzle rested alongside his own. The sound of her breathing filled his right ear. The embrace continued in silence as the two closed their eyes and felt the pulse of each others' rapid heartbeats.
It was Derpy who spoke after more than a minute had passed. "I said that a lot when I was little. I told other ponies that I wanted to be alone, but it was never true."
Spike rested against her wordlessly, neither resisting nor returning her gesture.
"What I really wanted was for somepony to just be with me, you know?" she half-whispered in a low voice. "Somepony who wouldn't laugh or tell me to get over it." She hugged the young dragon a bit tighter. "I wanted somepony to hold me like this and just stay with me, even when I was sad and no fun at all."
The light chirping of crickets sounded from the trees. The stream continued to gurgle in peaceful cadence.
Derpy's eyelids rose just enough to allow her to see. "Is it weird?" she asked in total innocence. "Do you want me to let go?"
A pair of wet teardrops fell against her arms. A clawed hand rose to hold them in place.
"Maybe in a little bit, okay?" Spike whispered, his voice and body shaking with repressed sobs.
Derpy said nothing. She closed her eyes once more and nuzzled the forlorn dragon, determined to stay by his side and--in a small way--happy that he needed her. ~
[Morning of Day 21]
"Ugh," Twilight groaned, her forehead resting on the edge of the wooden table. "This is killing me."
Derpy Hooves finished sipping down a bowl of goatsmilk and looked up at the librarian with a brand new cream mustache. "You're gonna die?"
Twilight cuffed the giant stack of file folders to her left with an irritated hoof. She brought her head up, sweeping her long mane back in the same motion. "If I have to read through the inventory records of one more hospital, then it's a very distinct possibility."
Derpy smiled and wiped the whiteness from her upper lip. She pushed the large bowl of sliced fruit at the table's center toward Twilight. "Sounds bad. You should just have some apples instead."
Thick clouds obscured the sun outside in preparation for the scheduled rainstorm later that day. The light that filtered through the library's windows cast the interior in various shades of pale blue. Twilight Sparkle and Derpy Hooves sat at the table across from the kitchen where Spike labored away on the morning's repast. Sliced apples and a pitcher of goatsmilk had been laid out to tide the hungry ponies over in the meantime.
Twilight absentmindedly floated an apple to her lips and opened another folder from the stack. "Thanks, Derpy. All this work for the police on top of organizing your training program is getting to me a bit."
Derpy fidgeted nervously. "So, how am I doing on that?"
"Training?" Twilight asked around a mouthful of fruit. "Well, you've put five days in as Spike's apprentice so far." She flipped open a large scroll on her right, scanning the information within. "And he reports that whatever your talent is, it has nothing to do with cleaning."
Derpy's ears drooped. "That bad, huh?"
Twilight swallowed and looked at Derpy over her red-rimmed reading glasses. "Not bad, actually." She tapped a hoof on the parchment. "Spike reports that you're a very hard worker and that you have a penchant for what he calls 'creative problem solving.'" She tipped her glasses down. "Sounds about right to me. Besides, we shouldn't have expected the very first thing we tried to work out." Twilight took a sip from her own milk bowl. "I think you'll like what I've got lined up next, and you'll especially like the pony that you're . . ." She looked up from the bowl to find Derpy observing the contents of one of the file folders. Her eyes darted to the now-lopsided stack on her left and back again to the curious mare. "Derpy!" she exclaimed, lifting the documents from the pegasus mare's hooves with her magic. "I had all of this very neatly organized."
Derpy Hooves shuffled in her seat. "Sorry, Twilight."
The folder opened in midair to allow the unicorn to examine its contents. "Where did you pull this one from?"
Derpy shrugged. "Somewhere in the middle."
Twilight set the folder down in front of her. She'd looked over the pages for only a second or two when her mouth fell open. She stayed like that for some time.
Spike walked up beside Derpy, cleaning flour from his hands on his pink apron. He gave the mare's ponytail a playful toss. "So, you're keeping it?"
Derpy pulled the length of hair and its black velvet ribbon and gave it the same hug that a filly might give a stuffed animal. "Yeah, I think it's pretty. Don't you?"
The young dragon only smiled in response. He nodded toward the flabbergasted unicorn. "What's up with Twilight?"
Derpy looked back toward Twilight's frozen expression and cocked her head. "I think the inventory just killed her."
"Not good," Spike replied lazily before shaking his head and turning back to Derpy. "Wait, what?"
"Dear Sweet Celestia," Twilight exclaimed. "She found it, Spike."
Spike placed a hand on his hip. "Found what?"
Twilight pushed a thumb-sized cylinder of brown glass across the table. "This is the bottle of Ventium that the police found in Room 208. I've been trying to match the inventory number on the label with the records from all the hospitals that received it, but none of the filing systems matched." She took off her glasses and looked at the two across the table with wide eyes. "It's Ponyville Memorial's system. They never received the drug, but the numbering system matches perfectly." Twilight put a hoof to her forehead. "It's such an obvious place to check, the nearest hospital to the scene of the crime. Why didn't I think of this earlier?"
Spike grinned and began to walk back toward the kitchen.
Derpy sheepishly drew a circle on the table with her hoof. "Did I help?"
Twilight tossed the folder on top of the stack and flashed a brilliant smile. "Of course you did, Derpy! Now we're one step closer to finding out how this bottle ended up at the inn!"
"Hooray!" Derpy cheered with a clap of her hooves. "That's good, right?"
"Absolutely," Spike called out from the kitchen. "And I've got just the thing to celebrate." Both ponies at the table looked back to see the young dragon nearing the table with a steaming tray bearing some sort of baked goods. The savory smell of wheat wafted through the air. Spike placed the tray at the edge of the table.
Derpy's mouth fell open. "Is that . . .? Are those . . .?"
"Blueberry bran muffins," said Spike. "I heard from Pinkie Pie that you were really into muffins, so I've been learning how to make them." He took one of the steaming treats from the tray and set it on Derpy's plate. "How do they look?"
Derpy raised a hoof to her mouth and looked at the muffin with uncertain eyes. "They look great, Spike. It's just that . . . well, the last time I had a muffin was pretty awful."
Spike folded his arms. "You're a pro at this, so I'd really like to hear your opinion on these." He glanced to the side. "But really, this is more my way of saying 'thank you' for last night."
Derpy swallowed hard. Would this muffin taste like the one she'd had back at the apartment? Her gaze drifted to the smiling faces of her friends. No, she thought. This is their present to me, and I don't know what it will taste like. Derpy put her hoof down on the table, leaned forward, and bit decisively.
"So, any good?" Spike asked as Derpy began to chew. His voice sounded flippant on the surface, but it carried a strong and dedicated undertone. If it isn't, I'll keep trying until I get it right, it seemed to say.
Derpy gulped down the savory morsel. Her eyes sparkled. A giddy smile exploded on her face. It had tasted wonderful. She really hoped that her unintelligible squeal had gotten that across.
NEXT
Amethyst 2A: "The Ward"
*See Appendix. |
Lost Legacies | Amethyst 2A: The Ward | [Night of Day 21]
Twilight Sparkle's hooves clicked and clacked on the white linoleum as she entered the waiting area of Ponyville Memorial Hospital's Neurological Treatment Ward. She squinted a bit, her eyes making the transition from the harsh white light of the hospital proper to the warm amber glow of the atrium's ornate chandelier. The plush, expensive rug at the area's center silenced the noise of her hooves. Twilight suppressed a chuckle at the sight before her. "Detective?"
Detective One Liner rested on an ottoman that matched the tan of his tousled mane, trusty fedora at his side. His head dipped low; his eyelids dipped lower. The wait and ottoman's comfortable cushion had taken their toll.
Twilight cleared her throat and repeated in a louder voice, "Detective?"
Liner's head snapped to attention, his blue-eyed gaze meeting hers. "Miss Sparkle." He quickly lifted himself off the cushion and proffered a hoof in greeting. "Thank you for meeting me here at this late hour."
Twilight gave the hoof a polite shake. "It's not a problem." She observed the reception desk at the far end of the room. The nondescript unicorn stallion manning the station seemed to pay no heed to her arrival, or anything else for that matter.
Liner motioned to the ottoman across from his own. "Please, have a seat. The director should be out to meet with us any minute now."
Twilight hopped onto the cushion and folded her legs underneath her body. Not a bit had been spared in decorating this room, and the ottomans were no exception. Twilight pressed her limbs against the velvety softness and gave a little hum of satisfaction. No wonder Liner had dozed off.
An orderly exited one of the two double-doors on either side of the reception desk and made his way to the oaken doors that Twilight had entered through. The lavender-hued mare watched Liner, who had remained standing, stare at the brown plaster walls behind her. She coughed nervously.
"So, why are we here this late? Did you have some work that you needed to finish first?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. "For that matter, why bring me along? I can't imagine that the Sheriff's Department didn't have anypony to spare."
"The director insisted that I come back after dark," Liner responded impassively, "and that I bring a unicorn with me. The P.S.D. doesn't have a unicorn under its employ."
"What about those two officers from the raid on the inn?"
Liner grimaced ever-so-slightly. "They returned to Canterlot the day after. Besides, neither of them were unicorns. The Canterlot P.D. won't field a unicorn agent outside the city without proof of criminal magic usage."
Twilight sighed. "So the C.S.I. team that you called in didn't find anything in Room 208?"
"Nothing outside of trace amounts of sulfur, which could have a lot of potential explanations this close to the frontier."
Twilight shook her head. "I can't believe that you're having to deal with red tape in a case like this."
"Actually," Liner replied with a hooftap on his shining badge. "The special dispensation I received from the princess has given me a lot more leeway than I usually have to work with. She even has the Royal Guard patrolling the countryside around Ponyville to keep the suspect boxed in tight, and if I were to press the issue, I'm sure that I could requisition a unicorn assistant." He bowed his head lightly. "Whose skills would be naturally inferior to your own."
Twilight stared at the floor. "Not that I'm much use when there's an earth pony who can disappear and not leave behind any magic residue."
It was Liner's turn to shake his head reprovingly. "Not so, Miss Sparkle. Intelligence is always an asset. After all, 'the fool's crime is the crime that is found out and the wise one's crime is the crime that is not found out.'" He smiled. "If Three Strike happens to be wise, I'd be in trouble without your assistance."
Twilight's mouth fell open. "The Mare in Mauve?"
Liner shifted his front hooves. "A personal favorite."
"Mine too," Twilight gasped, unfolding one of her front cannons and letting it hang over the ottoman's edge. A winning smile crept over her face. "How about Perry Neighson?"
Liner looked away, his voice reduced to an embarrassed mutter. "Childhood hero."
Twilight's grin grew wider. "I'm impressed, Detective. I never would have figured you for the literary type."
"It's just mystery novels," Liner remarked with a straightening of his coat. "I had a lot of time on my hooves as a kid."
Twilight brought her other foreleg over the edge and leaned closer. "Say, is that why you became a-"
"Detective Liner, Miss Sparkle," a stern voice interrupted.
Both the addressees turned to see a white earth pony mare clad in an equally white lab coat. At first, Twilight didn't recognize who she was looking at, but the pink mane wound tightly in a bun soon gave it away. "Nurse Redheart?" she asked.
The mare in question adjusted a set of black-rimmed glasses on her face and smiled. "Director Redheart now. Thank you both for coming." She sighed. "So, I assume that you're here to ask about the Ventium. Better late than never, I suppose."
"Late?" Liner asked as he turned to dig something out of his coat pockets.
Director Redheart nodded. "We gave notice to the Department of Health four months ago to send a team and clear out our excess inventory after the administrative shakeup." She snorted. "They sent the team straightaway, but left behind five bottles of this useless stuff. Legally, we're not even allowed to throw it away. It's just taking up space."
Liner fished the bottle from Room 208 out of his coat and placed it on a nearby table. "Has it been taking up a little less space lately?"
Redheart bent down and gave the labeling a studious glance. "This is one of ours all right. Hello, Number Six."
Detective Liner frowned. "No patient name and no hospital logo. This is sloppy, even for in-hospital use."
Redheart narrowed her eyes. "Why do you think the previous director is out of a job? I assure you, this isn't the only error resulting from his policies."
"You called it 'Number Six,'" Twilight interjected. "So this isn't part of your inventory?"
The director pulled a record sheet from her coat and laid it on the table. "Ten bottles in the initial shipment. One administered to patient. Five remaining in stock." She gave the table a hooftap. "Four unaccounted for. I reported this and the botched pickup to the Department of Health multiple times. I'm still waiting on a response."
"I'm not surprised," Liner muttered as he scanned the record sheet. "The D.O.H. didn't handle all of Ventium's distribution."
"They didn't?" Redheart responded with a quizzical stare. "The records say otherwise."
Liner looked up from the paper. "Yours do. I been doing some digging ever since Miss Sparkle notified me of her difficulty in tracking down this bottle's point of origin." He turned to Twilight. "Remember how the primary test subjects for Ventium were the criminally insane?"
"Yeah," said Twilight with a nod.
Detective Liner gave the barest hint of a grin. "Your medical journals had it right; the shipping records didn't. The Health Department only handled the distribution for normal patient testing. The distribution to criminal patients was handled by the Department of Corrections, presumably to avoid the controversy that goes with using experimental drugs on those with no right to refuse treatment. They had agents identify themselves as representatives of the D.O.H. on delivery."
"What a mess," Redheart groaned. "So that pickup team didn't even know that the Ventium was theirs to begin with, and the D.O.H. won't admit to any record of it being shipped here." She rolled her eyes. "When did politics become a part of my job description?"
"Back to the question of the four missing bottles," said Liner. "The most obvious answer is theft. Why wasn't this reported to the police?"
Director Redheart gave Liner a moment's stare before picking up the Ventium bottle and tossing it at the entrance to the ward. The glass cylinder bounced off of a sheet of green energy with a loud crackle, sending ripples along the surface of the magic barrier. The stallion at the reception desk looked up from his magazine with a smile. "Sweet," he mouthed before returning his bored gaze downward.
Redheart flashed a cocky grin. "They check in; they don't check out. Every incoming shipment of experimental medicine is enchanted with a repulsion spell. You can't get it past the field without removing the enchantment, and even a unicorn would need a magic device that's kept locked up in my office to do that." She shrugged. "As you just saw, the enchantment wasn't removed. The police know that the field has been in place ever since the ward was constructed; you can't shut it down without turning off the entire building's magic generator, and that hasn't been done in three years. Sheriff Badge couldn't get his mustache to figure out how the bottles escaped, so he had the case dismissed and told us to double-check our records." The corners of Redheart's mouth turned down in a disgusted scowl. "Looking back, he actually had a point."
Liner's expression soured considerably. "Our culprit must have a Cutie Mark in creating 'locked room' mysteries."
Director Redheart raised an eyebrow. "Funny you should mention that." She turned about and began to walk toward the double-doors on the right of the reception desk, the folds of her lab coat billowing behind her. "Follow me, please."
Liner grabbed his hat and motioned to Twilight, who promptly hopped down from the ottoman and trotted alongside the detective. As they passed through the doors and into a long hallway, her ears pricked up. "What about that patient who was taking Ventium? You said that one bottle had been used."
Redheart continued forward, answering Twilight's question as they walked. "We received a massive influx of patients after the Discord Incident a couple of years back. Half the rooms in this place had never even been used before that; suddenly we were overwhelmed. Ponies who'd been discorded, ponies who'd been driven nuts by discorded ponies, we had all sorts of fun patients to deal with after that brouhaha." Her gait slowed. "But none of them had anything on Screw Loose."
"Odd name," Liner remarked.
"It was the staff's idea to call her that," said Redheart. "She was brought in as a complete Jane Doe: nonresponsive to all questions, no form of physical I.D. and no resemblance to any pony reported missing at the time. We actually reported her to the police for a different reason. She was covered in blood, and it wasn't hers."
Twilight blanched. "She . . . she murdered somepony?"
"It sure looked that way," Redheart responded as she began to glance up at the room numbers. "But the violent crimes that resulted from Discord's rampage were actually pretty few in number, and none of them matched the severity of what Screw Loose seemed to have been a part of. She was never officially charged with anything, but the Sheriff's Department had her labeled as Criminally Insane just so that we could keep her under lock and key if she ever became lucid."
"Did she?" asked Twilight with more than a hint of trepidation.
"No," Redheart answered flatly. "She worsened every single day. The doctors initially diagnosed her as a violent schizophrenic with symptoms of severe schizophrasia. They were understating the matter. Screw Loose tossed words around like salad and vacillated between moods the way most ponies change conversation topics. Most of those moods came with her kicking, biting, and generally lashing about. Even after the straightjacket became her clothing of choice, she made a regular habit of writhing about on the floor as if in severe pain."
"What if she was really hurt?" said Twilight.
Redheart stopped for a moment and turned to give Twilight a withering glare. "What kind of facility do you think this is? We examined every square inch of that pony's body for what could be causing that kind of suffering. The only answer that the physicians could come up with was that it had to be psychosomatic--'phantom pains', in other words." She shook her head and continued walking. "There's no way to tell how much of it was real to Screw Loose either. At times, she seemed to be aware of her own symptoms. She even had an unnervingly common habit of picking apart the doctors' analyses before going right back to making animal noises or other such nonsense."
Liner coughed. "Sounds like the name fits, at least."
Director Redheart stopped in front of Room 401 and turned about-face. Any and all levity had departed from her expression. "She didn't get that name from her behavior, Detective. It came from her Cutie Mark; well, one of her Cutie Marks anyhow."
Twilight's eyes widened. "Cutie pox?"
"Nothing that easy," said Redheart, her eyes drifting across the three types of lock on 401's door. "Her mark changed on a near-daily basis. The only commonality between all the ones we documented was the image of a metal screw. Her coat and mane colors shifted back and forth too, though that was more gradual. We tested for changeling blood and had unicorn specialists screen her for every known form of curse." She sighed heavily. "Everything came up negative."
"This sounds crazy, even for an N.T. Ward," Twilight mused with a hoof to her chin. "Did you ever send word of it to Canterlot?"
"We did," Redheart responded. "They sent us the Ventium; we began treatment, and after one week of no measurable improvement . . ." She waved a hoof at Room 401. "Screw Loose disappeared from this very room. The windows were barred, all the locks were in place, and wherever she went she took the straightjacket with her." Redheart gave a wry grin. "We reported it, as always, but the sheriff and her doctors were so glad to be rid of her that nopony made too much of a fuss about it. She hasn't been seen since."
Liner gritted his teeth. "I'm beginning to think that my time would be better spent grilling Brass Badge for everything else he thinks isn't relevant enough to put in the case file."
"One more thing before you go," said Redheart as she fished a keyring out of her lab coat. "I want you two to have a look at this room; Screw Loose did a bit of . . . creative decorating in the week before she disappeared. Good ole 'Brass 'Stache' said he'd get a research team from Canterlot to have a look, but I'm sure you can guess that we're still waiting on that." She slid a long key into the first padlock.
"All right, Director," Liner acknowledged, slipping on his black shades as he did so. "I'll take what's behind door number one."
Redheart paused, turned to give Liner a confused glance, and sighed as she returned to working on the locks.
Detective Liner raised an eyebrow over his shades and looked to Twilight. "Too much?"
Twilight's jaw hung slightly ajar. "What kind of detective stories were you into again?
NEXT
Episode 04: "What You Wish For" |
Lost Legacies | Episode 04: What You Wish For | NOW
Motes of amber light danced across the ceiling of the Ponyville Library's guest room, cast by the pendant that still sat untouched on the table. Derpy Hooves lay on her back with the covers pulled up to her chest, snoring softly with a happy smile on her face. The gray mare with violet eyes stood on two legs at the bedside. Her giant leather-bound book rested in the chair just behind. Her expression remained completely impassive, even as she brushed a forelock of blond hair off of Derpy's face. She pressed her hoof lightly against the snoring mare's forehead. One corner of her mouth began to rise.
"The partition held for the most part," she whispered. "Minor outbursts notwithstanding."
The gray earth pony mare froze when Derpy's left forearm reached up to her hoof and pulled it down. The still-sleeping pegasus hugged the captured limb to her chest and snuggled it tightly. One second passed, then two. The mystery mare dared to exhale. She smiled a bit at Derpy's reaction, but the moment quickly soured. Her mouth returned to the form of a straight line. Her eyes watered and began to glow faintly.
"Just how much of you is still you, little sister?" With naught but a simple tug, the mare's outstretched forearm passed right through Derpy's, only a brief plume of pale white energy marking its ethereal passage.
Derpy brought her limbs close to her body to make up for the sudden emptiness, but her smile did not fade. The great leather book floated from the chair and settled onto the covers between the two mares. It opened without impetus, its pages giving off just the barest shimmer of white light.
The gray mare pulled her black mane behind her shoulders and sat in the familiar chair that she'd brought over from the desk. Her violet irises flickered as if a pair of candle flames burned just behind them. She drew in a deep breath.
"The reading is from the Lost History," she said as the energy within the book began to wreath itself about Derpy's head. "First Book of Kings, Chapter 18, Verse 17." The tone of her half-whispered voice became terribly somber. "Let us be attentive." ~
My Little Pony: Lost Legacies
"What You Wish For"
To the south and east of Poison Joke Gorge lies an alpine valley nestled betwixt a pair of mountain ranges. The Summer of Snow Glories has draped the depression in a cloth of verdant green, its hills and meadows uninterrupted by trees even up to the foot of the granite guardians encircling them. Small stone roundhouses and tracts of farmland dot the northern end of the valley, growing more numerous as they near the great sandstone building at the base of the tallest mountain. What resides above is wreathed in eternal mist. The flowers and fields below drift lazily in the morning wind that blows from the South Road.
In an unassuming thatch-roofed house overlooking golden fields of wheat, a hero's welcome is soon to begin . . . ~
Do it, said Derpy Hooves.
Silver Cross stood at the edge of an oaken four-poster bed. He'd already donned his shirt, leather harness, and claymore, but his cloak still hung from the post of a nearby hammock. Feather Quill lay asleep on the reddish-brown cotton duvets in front of him, her gray-furred body rising and falling with every slow breath. Her calm face had been engulfed by her long black mane in slumber. The rose-hued rays of daylight's first hour filtered in through the burlap-covered entryway. The savory aroma of wood smoke drifted from the fire pit and tantalized Cross's nostrils. An early morning chill still hung on the air.
Cross moved one of his partner's feather hair ornaments about in his teeth. You're sure about this, eh?
Positive, Derpy replied from somewhere within the warrior pegasus. She's so stuffy. It's like she's asking for it.
Cross rolled the ornament's bead back and forth with his lower jaw. Somepony stuffy get on your bad side lately?
Derpy couldn't stop the image of a white unicorn mare and her violet mane from flashing through both their minds. No, she lied.
It's a terrible idea in the first place, thought Cross. I'm surprised that a clever fairy like yourself can't figure out why.
Just go for it, Derpy goaded, unsure of what irritated her so much about the sight of the peaceful pony asleep on the bed. Harvest will be back any second.
Cross's partially open mouth turned up at the corners. If the lady insists . . . He rolled the feathered jewelry to the front of his muzzle and leaned forward, tickling the inside of Feather Quill's nose with the improvised tool. The sleeping mare drew in one quick breath, then two. She might have even sneezed if Cross had been able to suppress his sudden chortle. Feather's horn flared brilliantly. Her stylized dagger spun out from under the pillows and dove straight for Cross's throat.
CLANG!
Feather's violet eyes snapped open. She looked first into Cross's crimson irises, then to her blade grinding in midair against the hilt of his claymore, and finally to his foolish grin. "Cross," she began in an uncertain tone. "What are you doing?"
Cross let the hair ornament fall to the floor rug below, his shoulder pushing the sword handle back against the enchanted assailant. "Playing around," he answered simply. "How 'bout you?"
Feather's magic continued pressing on the dagger. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "Not playing around."
"Good morning, everypony!" came a cheery voice from the entryway. Golden Harvest emerged from behind the burlap with eyes closed in familiarity, a few dandelions sticking out of her saddlebags. "They're serving breakfast over at the Estate, and you two are more than wel-" She opened her green eyes and stared in slack-jawed silence at the two ponies locking blades over her bed. They both turned to look at her, Feather with an embarrassed blush and Cross with a sly grin. Harvest flashed a nervous smile and broke out in a light sweat. "Y-you two obviously n-need a minute to yourselves. H-how silly of me." She slowly backed out of the door with a forced and awkward laugh.
Cross looked back at Feather, unable to tell if the redness in her face was from shame, anger, or some lopsided mixture of the two. "Well, now that you're awake," he said over the sound of scraping metal. "Care to grab a bite?" ~
The Estate that Harvest had referred to was a walled-off building at the far north end of the village. Forged out of red sandstone and rising three stories into the air, it dwarfed the humble houses and farms around it. Only the watchtower at the southeastern corner rivaled the prominence of the primary architecture. The refectory, a cross-shaped vaulted chamber meant for communal meals, sat on the eastern side of the main building, its doors open wide to accommodate those in need of morning sustenance. A trio of ponies--two gray following one yellow--passed through the entryway.
I'm sorry about earlier, said Derpy as a series of clicks and clacks signaled their transition from the dirt path to ceramic tile. That didn't turn out like I thought it would.
Cross smiled, causing Feather Quill to throw him a curious glance. I thought it a good bit of fun, he replied, but I do hope you learned something. Just think if you'd been the one to wake Feather instead.
Golden Harvest pranced forward, the sound of talkative banter from around the corner muting the impact of her hooves. She turned about with a flourish in the creamy rays of light cast by the high arched windows. "Well, what do you think?"
Silver Cross's mouth opened to respond, but words failed him at the sight of the mare who rounded the corner from the main dining room just behind Harvest. The white pegasus cantered toward them on delicate hooves as if she weighed nothing at all, barely making a sound even on the stone flooring. A voluminous mane of deepest crimson flowed all about her, partially covering a Cutie Mark of two foreign-looking trees and an orange crescent moon. The matronly curves of her generous figure contrasted sharply with her height; she stood nearly a head taller than Cross himself.
She's- Derpy began.
"Gorgeous," Cross finished.
Harvest smiled broadly. "You mean to say, 'The room is gorgeous.' Right, Mister Cross?" A white-furred hoof came to rest on her shoulder, causing the yellow mare to flinch in surprise. Harvest turned her gaze upward. "My lady?"
The beautiful pegasus mare at Harvest's side gave a warm smile to all present before speaking with the clarity and precise sound of a finely-crafted instrument. "He said unto Abner, the captain of the host, whose son is this youth?" Her emerald eyes focused on Silver Cross. "And Abner said, as thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell."
What? was all that Derpy could manage.
Cross's own expression of shock lasted only a moment longer. He stepped forward in confident stride. "'Twas no giant that I slew in the wilderness, fair lady, and 'twas not a stone from a sling that felled he and his band." Cross took hold of the hoof on Harvest's shoulder and kissed it respectfully. "Your ladyship ought to save the Tome's praise for the deserving."
Feather Quill let out a barely audible groan.
The white pegasus mare withdrew her hoof. "Well met, Silver Cross," she intoned with a glance to the yellow earth pony at her side. "And to think that I doubted young Harvest's tale of a warrior-scholar and his mystic companion; after years of immersion in the Grand History, I should have known better." She bowed her head and curtsied. "I am Paradise, headmistress of the Estate and ranking member of the village council." Her wings flared open in grandiose fashion. Golden Harvest ducked reflexively under the spread. Paradise looked each of the two ponies before her in the eyes as she said, "Sir Silver Cross, Lady Feather Quill, welcome to the town of Sunny Stables--a haven for all ponies who wish to live in peace and harmony."
Cross and Feather both bowed briefly in return. The former couldn't have looked more pleased, and even the latter's mouth opened just a bit in awe.
Derpy Hooves felt her own heart flutter a bit in the presence of the majestic authority figure, but she found her attention drawn to the actions of another pony some distance away. Hey, Cross, she attempted to whisper, forgetting that no one else could hear her. Somepony's giving us a funny look.
I'd imagine so, Cross thought dismissively. We are strangers here, after all.
"I do not mean to be forward," said Paradise, "but it has reached my ears that the two of you have journeyed far in search of a place to settle down and start a family."
Harvest's eyes widened. "Wait, that's not-"
Feather Quill shuddered. "We don't have that kind of relationship."
Cross, Derpy prodded. That yellow pony way in the back is staring a hole in us.
Not now, Derpy.
"Oh dear," said Paradise as she looked to Golden Harvest. "Did I read a bit much into it?"
Harvest nodded vigorously.
"I hope you can forgive me, Miss Quill," Paradise implored with an expression of genuine worry. "I have a terrible habit of playing matchmaker even when it is perfectly uncalled for."
"No offense taken," Feather remarked impassively. "You're certainly not the first to get that idea."
Oh crap, Derpy exclaimed. She tried to recoil, but Cross's idle hooves budged not an inch. Um, Cross? She's charging.
Charging what? Cross replied, his attention divided. He flashed his most debonair grin. "Or the last, if Lady Feather continues to cling to me like an unnervingly sarcastic limpet." Cross glanced back at Feather to see a furious scowl. Satisfied, he turned back to a mildly bewildered Paradise. "All misunderstanding aside though, you do have a nugget of the truth there, Lady Paradise. We set out from the Northerlands in search of the Green Pastures, or someplace spiffin' enough to bear the name at the very least."
Paradise sat back on her haunches, a curious delight sparkling in her eyes. "I am familiar with the Tome's promised land. While I would never be presumptuous enough to declare your journey to be at an end, I would say that you are unlikely to find any place on this Earth so close to that ideal as Sunny Stables has become."
Heads up, said Derpy.
"Indeed," said Cross with an emphatic flick of his tail. "From the very moment that I entered this valley I-"
WHAM!
Cross had seen the yellow mare with a blue mane just a second too late. His attempt to sidestep the oncoming bull rush sent them both to the floor in a sprawling heap. The blue-eyed mare with a white blaze on her muzzle came out on top.
"Hi, Mister Cross!" she barked with a heaping helping of enthusiasm. "I'm Bubbles!"
Her face was too close, even for such a compromising position. Pinned to his backside by the uncomfortable prospect of wriggling his way out, Cross leaned his head back and gave Feather Quill an upside-down glare. "And here I thought you had my back, old chum."
"She got you from the front," quipped Feather with a fake yawn. "Besides, I'm not worth much as a lookout when I get woken up on the wrong side of the bed."
Cross looked back to the pony on top of him to find a pair of sultry half-lidded eyes studying his well-built form, a lust-ridden smile leaving no question about the mare's intentions. Struck by a sudden chill, he struggled against Bubbles's surprisingly wiry muscles only to confirm that there was no easy way out of this predicament. He gulped and did his level best to present a nonchalant attitude.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Bubbles," Cross ventured in a less-than-composed tone of voice. He gestured down then up with his muzzle. "Would you mind?"
"Oh, I'm more than pleased to make yours," Bubbles responded, her face and body drawing even closer. "And I don't mind at all."
She smells nice, Derpy commented.
"Bubbles!" Harvest exclaimed, her entire face glowing bright red. "Y-you get off of him t-this instant, you s-shameless hussy!"
Bubbles looked back over her shoulder at Harvest and swished her tail from side to side. "I'm shameless? I'm not the one who didn't tell anypony else what a stud she had staying at her house all night long."
Harvest's mouth fell wide open. "Wha?" she babbled as she attempted to get her facial muscles under control. "W-what are you implying?"
Bubbles turned back to Silver Cross, her voice and expression much calmer than a few moments before. "Don't worry, Mister Cross. I know you two weren't up to anything naughty last night."
"Oh good," said Cross as he continued to inch out from under Bubbles with his shoulder blades. "That's good to hear."
"Harvy's too much of a cold fish anyhow," Bubbles elaborated. "She wouldn't know what to do with a good time if it bit her on the rump."
The high-pitched whine of a boiling tea kettle began to emanate from Golden Harvest.
Do ponies explode? Derpy wondered.
Paradise cleared her throat. "Bubbles, would you be a dear and release our poor guest?"
"Yes, ma'am!" the mare in question chirped, bounding off of her prey and hopping to Paradise's side.
Silver Cross bolted upright with a nervous cough. "Well, that's an interesting way to go about introducing oneself."
Paradise stepped forward, her face the very picture of concern. "I do hope that our . . . eccentricities shall not cause you to reject the thought of remaining with us."
"This little trifle?" Cross replied with a confident grin. "'Tis nothing but a regular occurrence in the life of a ladies' stallion such as yours truly."
"Don't let him kid you," Feather remarked as she began to walk toward the dining area. "That's the most action he's gotten in years."
Golden Harvest stood slack-jawed as she watched Feather move past.
Bubbles grinned. "We're gonna have to do something about that."
Paradise cleared her throat loudly. "Why not try a simple chat over breakfast first?" She waved a hoof toward the dining room and smiled with a slight twitch. "Shall we?" ~
The discussion at breakfast, oft interrupted by heartfelt thanks and praise from passing villagers, had indeed been simple. Paradise had been quick to offer Cross and Feather citizenship and land as a reward for extinguishing the threat of Iron Bound from the countryside, but she would not hear an answer at the table. Instead, she had insisted on the two travelers experiencing the highlights of Sunny Stables while the residents of the Estate prepared a feast in honor of their great deed. Golden Harvest and Bubbles had been excused from their normal duties to serve as guides.
"With Bubbles?" said Harvest, one hoof lifted in confusion. "Surely you can't be serious, Lady Paradise."
"Touring the village 'Harvy-style?'" Bubbles pulled a face. "You do want these two to like this place, right?"
Paradise laughed knowingly. "And you wonder why I'm giving the responsibility to you both?"
One hour later, the group of four ponies ascended a long series of stone staircases set into the contours of the hills and cliffs at the village's northeastern edge.
What did Feather mean about you not getting any action? Derpy commented from the back of Cross's mind. There was plenty of action going on back at that Poison Joke canyon.
A powerful gust of wind whipped Cross's snow-white mane to the other side of his neck. There are many different kinds of action to be had in this world, little fairy. We should have a chat one day about the magic of context.
But I'm not a unicorn, said Derpy.
Cross sighed out loud. That's exactly what I'm talking about.
Bubbles had taken the lead in this guided tour at the outset. She turned about from her position in front and began to walk backwards up the stairs with a smile on her face and no visible increase in effort. "Don't get tired yet, Mister Cross. You've gotta have endurance to keep up with me!" She turned again, nearly swishing Cross in the face with her azure tail. "Besides, isn't the view great from up here?"
Silver Cross coughed nervously and averted his eyes. "Yes, quite."
Derpy turned her gaze out from the stairs to look at the village below. From this height, the dirt paths and cobblestone walls of Sunny Stables caused the fields and meadows below to resemble a green patchwork quilt of grand proportions. It really is a pretty sight, she observed.
Golden Harvest turned her nose up from her position at Cross's side. "Try to keep the entendres to a minimum, Bubbles. These are seasoned warriors and honored guests that you're escorting."
Bubbles giggled heartily as she continued her bouncy ascent. "Sounds like two ponies who could use some fun, especially my kind of fun!"
"Your kind of fun. . ." Harvest muttered. The words left her mouth as if she were spitting out rotten food.
"What sort of 'highlight' are you trying to show us?" Feather questioned with more than an undercurrent of irritation. "I can see the waterfall at the summit, and there were plenty of mills and flumes on the way. I'm guessing that you've got an embankment dam up here to manipulate the water flow, and it wouldn't be the first time that either of us has seen one. Wouldn't the product of this system be of greater interest than the system itself?"
The quartet reached another square landing, and it became immediately apparent that the next set of stairs was indeed the last. Bubbles gave out another cheery laugh as she bounded right along. "You're a silly filly, Miss Feather! Just follow me--we're almost there anyhow!"
Bubbles disappeared from sight over the top step. As Cross and Feather crested the final landing, their eyes met with a spectacle that stole their breath away.
"Oh," said Harvest as she arrived at their side. "I can't believe that I forgot about Bubbles's job." She turned to study the faces of her two charges, her own eyes wide in expectation. "So, what do you think?"
The waterfall that Feather had seen indeed emptied into a reservoir held back by a dam of compacted earth and stone that was a good distance away and still about ten feet above where the ponies now stood. Auxiliary spillways had been cut into the hillsides and funneled the flowing water into basins of varying size and depth, each resting on its own terrace with one or more wooden floodgates controlling the output. A complex series of wooden chutes sat above the spillways and relayed water directly from the reservoir down to the mills and fields below. Though an impressive feat of pony engineering, it was not this system that drew the attention of Cross and Feather.
The basin on the current terrace level possessed a starkly different appearance. Its' shape was that of a perfect rectangle cut into the solid rock, perhaps 80 by 40 feet. A deck of smooth stone and varnished lumber surrounded it and housed several ponies either sunning themselves on straw mats or just relaxing in general. A few even swam about in the astonishingly clear water, their movements indicating frivolous intent rather than anything relating to hygiene. The warm sun shone down on the whole affair from high overhead. The only sources of shade to be found rested with a set of cloth overhangs on wooden posts or what could only have been a thatch-roofed drink bar at the northern edge.
Oh. My. Gosh, Derpy exclaimed. They've got a swimming pool.
Feather struggled to keep her jaw from dropping all the way. She turned slowly to Golden Harvest. "You forgot about this?"
Harvest waved a hoof. "Not the pool, Miss Feather. I just forgot that Bubbles maintains it." She sighed and gave the glittering body of water a wistful look. "Still, it does sort of blend into the background after a while."
Feather looked at Harvest as if the mare had turned into a tomato. "You're kidding."
Both Cross and Feather felt the soft impact of red-and-white flower necklaces descending across their shoulders. Bubbles revealed herself as the adornments' point of origin by swinging around in front of two in a blur of motion.
"Isn't it awesome?" Bubbles exclaimed, her enthusiastic tone leaving no doubt as to her own opinion. "And it's all me too! Well, keeping it pretty, that is." She brought her smiling face uncomfortably close to Cross's. "Are ya impressed?"
"Rather," Cross replied in genuine fascination. He ignored the perky mare's proximity and moved close to the edge, his hooves thumping across the wooden deck and coming to a rest on the russet ceramic coping. He stared intently at the shimmering surface and straight through to the smooth stone at the bottom some five feet below. "How d'you manage this? It's barely even flowing."
Bubbles giggled. "It doesn't have to if you know what you're doing," she said with a sway of her hips that emphasized her Cutie Mark of nine bubbles, five green and four blue. She pranced over to a small three-sided wooden shed at the corner and pointed proudly at the devices arranged within. "Gravity pushes the water through the sand filtration. I can feed the water anything else it needs to stay clean from right here." Her eyes glazed over a bit. "Green-Out Flakes, Rust-B-Gone, Rock Food . . ."
As the list continued, Derpy's gaze wandered to a pair of foals on the far side. One of the two leaned over the edge only to find herself pushed in by her companion, who laughed heartily until he got splashed in return. That looks fun, she mused. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud gasp from Bubbles.
"Buff Powder!" the poolgirl pony proclaimed. Her expression seemed to have been shaped by a head-on collision with a startling epiphany. "I wonder if it needs Buff Powder?" She lowered her head to the water's surface and gave a curious sniff before rocketing back upright with a giddy smile. "It does need Buff Powder!" Bubbles disappeared behind the walls of the shed in a flash. Her excited visage poked back around the wooden panel just long enough to declare, "I love Buff Powder." As she whipped back around the barricade, her voice continued in a slightly muffled echo, "And other buff things."
Feather and Harvest had both walked forward to stand by the water's edge. "We noticed," they deadpanned in the same instant.
Derpy huffed inside Cross's mind. What's Feather's problem? Bubbles is a nice pony.
Silver Cross raised an eyebrow. Terribly so. The eyebrow arched further. Why just Feather?
Derpy took notice of how close Feather Quill was to the edge of the coping. She gasped. I've got the best idea.
A wooden trough that sat between the walls of the shed and the thatch roof tipped forward, dumping a copious amount of white powder into the pool. It cascaded down the shell wall and expanded across the bottom like a reverse mushroom cloud. A few seconds later, the entire pool began to bubble and fizz in the same manner as a shaken carbonated beverage. The foals squealed in excitement and swam toward the curious reaction. Even the adults who'd been caught in the cloudy bubbling tide looked about with momentary wonder.
Bubbles bounced out from behind the shed to admire her handiwork, pure delight writ large on her face. "I love this part!"
"Buff Powder?" asked Feather as she turned about from observing the additive's effects. "That's baking soda, not a sanitizer." Her voice dripped with a curious mixture of haughtiness and disappointment. "What does that even do besides make bubbles?"
Push her in, said Derpy.
Not this again, Cross groaned inwardly. What's got you on this kick, little fairy?
She's being such a know-it-all, Derpy complained. Just dunk her.
"It makes the water buff 'n tough!" Bubbles responded cheerfully with a flex of her muscles. "So buff that even bad stuff falling in does nothin' to it!"
That line is so perfect, Derpy began to plead. You can't not push her now!
Cross rolled his eyes. I'm not playing along this time, Derpy. If you want it done, go do it yourself.
"I remember hearing about this," Harvest chimed in. "The powder keeps the water from making your eyes itchy." She cast the doubtful unicorn mare a sideways glance. "Even simple things like leaves and bird feathers can foul up the chemistry if they just keep falling in."
No way, Derpy thought. She pushed with all her might against Cross's idle legs. You can't let that go; you just can't! It's like lightning striking twice!
The bait's got a hook behind it, Cross admonished. Best to leave it be. He walked forward to join the conversation. "Do feathers get dropped in that often?" he remarked.
Oh, come on! Derpy pushed with manic force.
Cross's right arm shot out at Feather's midsection. The unicorn mare toppled over the edge of the coping. As the next second seemed to extend into infinity, both the pushed and the pusher looked at each other in utter surprise.
"You son of a-" Feather shouted before disappearing beneath the foamy surface in a thunderous splash.
Golden Harvest stared at Cross with wide eyes. Bubbles trotted over to the edge as Feather broke the surface and began to flounder about.
"Why didn't you say you wanted to get wet?" asked Bubbles in an earnest voice. "All you had to do was ask."
"Screw off!" Feather managed before she went back under, her meager swimming skills barely keeping her afloat even in the relatively shallow water.
Harvest burst out laughing.
All right, Cross! Derpy cheered. You wanted to play along after all! Why didn't you just push her to begin with?
Cross joined Harvest with an intensely fake monotone guffaw as he backed away from the sputtering Feather. "Oh yes, it's gosh-darn hilarious until you realize that she's probably going to kill us all when she gets out!"
Harvest's merrymaking stopped abruptly. "Wait, what?"
I didn't do a thing, Cross thought with a strong emphasis. You failed to mention that you could move my limbs without my consent, Derpy. I don't appreciate being misled, and I like being used as a plaything even less.
Derpy's delight at the situation faded instantly. I . . . I didn't know that I could . . .
It was then that another pony walked in on the situation. The violet-furred newcomer bumped Bubbles aside and reached a hoof down to the flailing Feather.
"Galaxy!" Bubbles gasped. "I didn't know you were here today!"
"It's a good thing that I am," the pony named Galaxy replied in a sardonic alto, pulling Feather Quill over the coping by her arms. "Seems that nopony else around here knows any common courtesy."
"Thank you," Feather muttered. She turned her soaking wet face up to get a proper look at her savior and gawked at the orange, red, pink, and white of Galaxy's multicolored mane.
Cross whistled, both glad for the distraction and stunned at this new pony's appearance. He sauntered forward and gave a toss of his mane. Galaxy lifted a hoof in apprehension.
"Begging your pardon, fair lady," Cross implored, his eyes wandering from the blue bow on Galaxy's tail to the long set of eyelashes that blinked over the pony's rose-hued eyes. "If it's courtesy that such a beauty desires," he said as he took the lifted hoof and gave it a light ceremonious kiss. "Let it begin here."
An awkward pause followed. Only the fizzing of the pool water and the shouts of playing foals interrupted the silence.
Harvest tapped Cross's shoulder from behind. "Um, Mister Cross?"
Galaxy turned to Feather with his eyelids at half-mast. "Is your friend blind?"
Feather stared daggers at the confused Silver Cross. "Friend?" she seethed. "Where? I don't see any."
"Mister Cross," Harvest hissed with an aggressive shoulder tap. "Look down."
Cross's ignorant eyes descended to Galaxy's nether regions. They came back up to meet the violet stallion's own angry gaze very quickly. "Oh," he said, his face scrunching up as if he'd suddenly been struck ill.
Feather and Galaxy's angry stares persisted in silence.
"Well," Cross announced as he turned about and began to walk away at an uneven gait. "I'll be donating my breakfast to one of those bushes over yonder for the next couple of minutes. Everypony keep calm and carry on." ~
Galaxy's horn glowed with a faint orange light, the aura it produced adjusting knobs on a brass telescope at his side. "Almost there," he muttered.
By the time that Silver Cross had returned to the group, the tour through Sunny Stables had suffered a second hijacking. The four--now, five--participants sat at a short wooden table placed underneath a freestanding cloth awning near the edge of the pool deck. Bubbles sipped at a flagon of curious blue liquid that she'd obtained from the drink bar, her senses fully absorbed by the flavorful experience. Feather stared in rapt attention at Galaxy's activities, and as for Harvest . . .
Cross turned to look at the yellow earth pony mare just in time to see a quick blur of auburn. Harvest's gaze was locked on Galaxy and his telescope, but movement of her mane indicated that she'd just turned her head. Cross raised an eyebrow. Had she been looking at him?
Cross? asked Derpy. I'm really sorry about before.
"No offense, Mister Galaxy," said Feather, "But did you really call us over so that we could watch you stargaze? In broad daylight, no less?"
"Not stargazing," corrected Galaxy, his right eye firmly ensconced in the device's eyepiece. "Weather prediction. I'm checking on tomorrow's rainfall chances." A black knob higher up on the cylinder twisted in a magic aura. "Just a few more moments, Miss Feather. These windows in the clouds wait for nopony."
Cross? Can you hear me?
Silver Cross tilted his head to the side. "You really expect us to believe that you can bally well predict the rain 'fore there's even a dark cloud in the sky?"
Galaxy sighed and snapped the eyepiece shut. "I hadn't figured you for a backwater rube, Silver Cross." He posed in a manner that emphasized his Cutie Mark, a constellation of red stars. "As it is above, so it is below. In all of your journeys, you expect me to believe that you've never heard of astrology?"
"We have," Feather interjected. "Though it's always fallen into the 'believe it when we see it actually work for somepony' category."
Cross?
Galaxy stood up on his two hind legs, stretching a forearm out toward the valley below. "Then see, proud warriors," he intoned with a confident smile. "And believe."
"Oh boy," said Bubbles, her expression halfway between amusement and dismay. "Now you've got him all excited."
Galaxy pointed a bold hoof to the eastern edge of the valley, which sported a pine forest and several quarries cut into the ground. "Resources!" he exclaimed. "Both lumber and mineral." He swiveled about, his hoof now pointing to the crop fields betwixt cobblestone walls along the western side of Sunny Stables. "Agriculture with a diverse and bountiful yield." He pointed again at the mills along the river south of their present position. "The means of production for a wide variety of goods." His arm turned to the Estate and the houses that encircled it. "Culture, and a strong community." He extended both hooves upwards. "All of it is made possible by the magic of understanding. The past, present, and future are in the Grand History, the people, and the signs of the stars above." Galaxy turned his hoof to Cross and Feather, his mane billowing dramatically in a sudden gust of wind. "Sunny Stables should leave not a doubt in your minds as to the quality of its people and practices. After all, by their fruits, you shall know them." He smiled. "Isn't that what you believe?"
Bubbles leaned toward Feather and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "Gal-Gal's kinda insecure about how pretty he is. When he tries to act all manly like this,you should just nod and-" Her mouth stopped suddenly, its muscles frozen by an orange magic aura.
"Gal-Gal?" Galaxy growled, his horn aglow. "Whose stupid mouth came up with that nickname?" His angry gaze turned to Bubbles. The aura he projected began stretching the mare's cheeks back and forth. "Was it this one? Was it this stupid mouth?"
"Galaxy~" Bubbles whined, helpless before the unicorn stallion's magic. "Cut it out~ That huuurts~"
"Should I be counting Iron Bound among those fruits?" Feather questioned, ignoring Bubbles's plight. "If he was such a problem for this town, why were we left to deal with him? Doesn't Sunny Stables have a militia?"
Galaxy's expression calmed somewhat. "I'm sorry to report that we do not." He relinquished his hold on Bubbles's cheeks. "Consider it a casualty of a century's dedication to pacifism. We've no shortage of young able-bodied stallions, but not a single warrior capable of training them resides among us."
"And thus the red carpet," Cross quipped.
Galaxy raised an eyebrow. "Now that's the sort of thinking I expected from the mind of a swordfighter." He crossed his arms. "Paradise might believe that goose-stepping around the issue of your skillsets is prudent, but I beg to differ." He smiled ruefully. "Gratitude is temporary, after all. I doubt that you'd trust anything less than a genuine desire for your abilities."
Cross! Derpy shouted. I said that I'm sorry! Why won't you answer me?
"I appreciate the honesty," Feather sighed, "but it's not your intentions that have me curious." She leaned forward. "What is this 'Grand History' that I keep hearing about? Is it like our Tome, some sort of sacred book?"
Cross!
Galaxy's smile grew wider. "Much more than that, Miss Quill. You see . . ."
Seeing that the conversation had drifted away from his interests for the moment, Silver Cross leaned back against one of the wooden posts and closed his eyes. You can stop yelling, Derpy. Whatever hearing I've got betwixt my ears remains intact.
Then why didn't you answer me before? Derpy meekly inquired.
You haven't said anything worth responding to.
Derpy paused. You mean that you're not mad at me?
Of course I am, Cross replied. You've had nothing but disrespect for my best friend all morning and you took control of my body for the sole purpose of trying to humiliate her. How would you feel if I'd done the same?
But I said that I'm sorry! Derpy pleaded.
You did say that, Cross confirmed, but that's not how you feel.
What?
Cross shifted against the post. You do not believe your actions to have been wrong, Miss Hooves. You're simply afraid that you've angered me.
What's the difference? Derpy asked in frustration. I'm sorry either way!
Not so, Cross corrected sternly, and I won't accept an apology from any creature too scared or stupid to know the difference between regret and fear.
Derpy's temper flared. I am not stupid! she exclaimed.
Is that so? Cross raised an eyelid to observe Feather and Galaxy still conversing intently. Then you have the capacity to learn, Miss Hooves. Stop treating your time with me like a game that you can't lose. Observe yourself and others with care. Do that, and you're sure to understand. When you understand, you'll no longer be too afraid to see what you've done wrong here.
THUNK!
Cross's eyes snapped open at the sound of Bubbles's forehead hitting the table.
"Ugh," Bubbles groaned. "You two are so boring. When are we gonna actually do something?"
"Mister Cross?" asked Golden Harvest.
Cross turned to find the mare standing on his left. When had she gotten there?
Harvest's hooves shuffled a bit as she spoke with a nervous smile. "I was wondering: if you don't have any interest in what they're talking about, do you want to go swimming instead?"
Bubbles's head snapped up from the table, her right eyebrow raised. "With you?"
"Yes," Harvest answered, her green eyes not leaving Cross's gaze.
Bubbles cocked her head to the side. "But you hate swimming."
This time, Harvest looked around Cross to give Bubbles an angry stare. "I do not!"
Bubbles's eyes darted from the pool to Harvest. "You do when there's other ponies in the pool."
Golden Harvest blushed. "Well, I was bound to get comfortable with the idea sooner or later." She turned back to give Cross a sheepish grin. "So, do you want to?"
All eyes were on Silver Cross. Despite her intense frustration, Derpy felt Cross's surprise at the circumstance give way to the same warm feeling that had encompassed her at the end of their first adventure. It was impossible to ignore, and Derpy's confusion over her rejected apology began to fade in its presence.
Cross smiled at Harvest. "Last one in is a filthy parasprite." He whirled to his hooves with a flare of his wings and bolted into the water, pulling a stylish backflip as he did so.
It's so easy for him to set aside bad feelings, Derpy thought to herself. Flashes of her lashing out at Rarity entered her mind. She shivered inwardly. Why can't I do that? Is it really because I'm scared? As a happy Golden Harvest splashed into the water beside her with an excited whoop, Derpy swallowed her bewilderment and decided not to say another word until she knew precisely what to say. Besides, the cool water felt amazing after spending such a long time in the sun.
"Ah, the joys of simpletons," Galaxy sighed. "Well, Miss Quill. Perhaps you'd enjoy a more detailed look at-"
"Uh-oh," Bubbles interrupted. "Looks like I'm gonna be the last one in." She gave a sultry look to Galaxy and swished her tail about on the deck. "That means I'm filthy. Wanna help clean me up?"
Feather stood up from the table with a jolt. "Why yes, Sir Galaxy. I'd be delighted to take a look at . . . whatever it is you're talking about. It's got nothing to do with Bubbles, right?"
Galaxy ignored the salacious request from his fellow resident and rose to walk alongside Feather. "Not one thing, as far as I know. Shall we?"
Bubbles stuck out her lower lip at the two retreating ponies. "Party poopers."
In a drainage basin several feet below Bubbles, a dead sparrow floated toward the overflow line, its carcass bloated and eyes bleached white by the powerful chemicals. Nopony in the swimming pool realized that it had died there just hours earlier. Nopony observed it now as it disappeared into darkness. ~
Silver Cross spent the rest of the day in the company of Bubbles and Golden Harvest, though the poolgirl pony was eventually forced to leave their side and apply her expertise to a complaint of mold in the baths at the Estate. Though they feigned disappointment, both Cross and Harvest were glad to be separated from the source of constant innuendo. The pair got along famously as they cut a slow and meandering path on their way back to the Estate at dusk.
Derpy Hooves, for her part, used the time to think of an apology that Cross would accept. However, her mind strayed constantly from the task at hoof. Even when she managed to set aside the stimuli from Cross's experiences, Derpy ended up fighting a losing battle between frustration at her failure to be mindful of her actions and fear of not being able to regain her companion's friendship. After a time of drifting between these depressing avenues of thought, it occurred to Derpy that this sensation was terribly familiar.
This feels like when I lost my job, she realized. Like I can't do anything right. Derpy's proximity to that miserable state caused her sense of panic to escalate. How did I do this to myself again? I thought I was changing. She wanted to cry, but she had no tear ducts to call her own. She wanted to call out to Cross for help, but the contrast between her depression and his happiness couldn't have been any sharper. I can't ruin this for him, she thought. He'll just hate me more.
Just as Paradise had promised, a tremendous feast awaited Cross and Feather upon their return to the Estate. Nearly the entire village of some 200 ponies turned out for the festivities, and the cooks and kitchens of the Estate were ready for them. Twelve varieties of salad containing all manner of freshly cut greens moved about the wooden tables of the refectory like ships on the open sea. Savory harvest loaves and slices of sweet spicebread disappeared into the gullets of hungry ponies almost faster than the servers could fill the baskets. Cheese wedges adorned the spread in red, yellow and white, each of them studded with all manner of nuts, herbs, and apple bits. Pitchers of cold beverage drifted back and forth in a veritable rainbow of unicorn auras. Milk, tea and juice floated right past flagons of ale, wine and cider, nopony caring quite enough to see that a few of the stronger drinks made their way into younger hooves.
Feather did her level best to shrink away from the merrymaking and simply focus on having a nice dinner with Galaxy, who she'd apparently become good pals with in their time exploring the Estate's massive library. Cross, on the other hoof, could barely be restrained from crowd-surfing as he reveled wholeheartedly in the gratitude of the masses. Many of those attending even offered to personally help him start a homestead if he should choose to stay. Some of the ponies were so generous and warm-hearted that even the normally glib Cross found himself at a loss for words.
Derpy's mood improved considerably once Cross began to wolf down the various assortments of tantalizing food, and she became doubly thankful when she noticed that Cross was deliberately avoiding the alcoholic beverages. Was it for her sake? She doubted that, but it made her feel relieved all the same. When she had a chance to take a mental step back from the party, Derpy felt terribly glad for Cross. After all that he'd gone through, he seemed to have finally earned his just reward.
This is how ponies should act when you do great things for them, Derpy thought. Not like what Rarity did to poor Spike. She looked over at Feather Quill to see the gray unicorn mare impassively sipping at a bowl of mint tea before wiping her chin with an enchanted napkin. Stuffy sourpuss, Derpy huffed. Even at a party in the middle of paradise you won't crack a smile.
A new thought stopped Derpy's rising temper dead in its tracks. This party's for Feather too, she realized, because Feather helped Cross get rid of those slavers. A cold chill enveloped her ethereal senses. Feather did something great. She deserves this just as much, right? An epiphany washed over her mind like a salty oral rinse. Why am I getting angry over a little thing like her attitude? That question made Derpy feel small and petty. All the wonderful food and drink in the Estate did nothing to erase that sudden and terrible sensation of emptiness.
She deserves to be here more than I do.
After a few hours of joyous celebration, the party at last began to die down. Ponies with full stomachs, inebriated senses, or both began to file out of the refectory one by one. Eventually, only about 50 of the original participants remained on the cushions and couches arranged all about in the flickering torchlights that adorned the dining hall.
"Everypony quiet down now," an elderly stallion eventually announced in a calm and clear tone. "We'll soon begin the Nightly Reading. Find a place and settle in if you wish to stay."
Golden Harvest had lost Silver Cross in the crowd earlier on, but had pulled up a cushion to sit beside him as soon as the number of ponies began to dwindle. She'd been inching closer with every passing minute, but she now found her efforts foiled by a curious fluffy bundle that snuggled in between her and Cross.
"Miss Harvest, Mister Cross," squeaked the white earth pony filly with a royal blue mane. "Can I sit with you?"
Harvest's momentary disappointment melted into a warm smile. "Of course you can, Sleepy Pie," she said with a reassuring nuzzle. "You don't mind, do you Mister Cross?"
Cross grinned. "The more the merrier, little one." His voice brimmed with confidence, but Derpy could tell by the shifting of his back hooves that Cross wasn't quite used to the presence of children. Even so, all four of them were soon distracted by the activities of Paradise at the far end of the tables.
The regal pegasus mare opened a large leather book on the wooden surface and spoke in a strong yet gentle voice. "I bid you good evening, proud ponies of Sunny Stables and honored guests." The pages in the book glowed with a faint white light and began to turn on their own. The torches in the room dimmed as trails of faint energy began to spill outward from the volume and wreath about the entire chamber.
Silver Cross looked to Harvest as a coil of smoke-like light trailed past him. "What is this?"
"Don't worry," Harvest whispered. "This is how it always goes. Trust me, you'll love it."
Paradise smiled warmly at those gathered before her. "I believe it fitting on this night of celebration that we look back to the origins of our fine community, for it was not so very long ago that such a feast would have been stolen from under our hooves before we had a chance to partake of our efforts. Join me, dear friends, as I pull back the curtain so that we might peer into the mists of time."
The white energy that had enveloped the room suddenly caused all light and detail to drop out of sight. In the perfect darkness that resulted, the only two sources of light came from the book itself, and a strangely identical glow in the eyes of Lady Paradise. "The reading is from the Grand History," she proclaimed in a tone of utter reverence. "First Book of Kings, Chapter 10, Verse 24. Let us be attentive."
From this point onward, Paradise's voice began to echo through the minds of all present, her mouth not moving in the slightest.
10:24 For a time in the Era of Chaos, the land of Southsward fell under the scourge of a great warlord. "Bring me the treasures of all the world," was his command, and his vast army raped and pillaged with total abandon.
10:25 A certain Black Stallion rose through the ranks, his ways more cruel and brutal than his master's, his mind desiring not a single treasure. "Who is this monster in the shape of a pony?" even those who served under him began to ask. "How can he have no Heart and yet walk the earth?"
As the story unfolded, an orange light like that of a roaring flame overtook the darkened chamber. The shadows of a great pony army moved across the stone walls, ransacking villages and killing innocents just as the Grand History proclaimed. In this way, history itself began to play out all around the awestruck listeners.
10:26 The warlord's reign seemed invincible in the eyes of his victims, but a great horde rose in the west and marched upon the land. Evil bred from evil, too numerous and insatiable for any one pony to command, they broke upon the warlord's army as a merciless storm.
10:27 Thousands upon thousands were slain in the great battle, and even the warlord himself fell by the sword. At the head of the surviving Hundred, with the treasures of his master his for the taking, the Black Stallion looked out over the land of Death and said, "Come, my brothers. Leave this place with me, and we shall find for ourselves the way of Life."
Derpy Hooves felt smaller than she ever had in the presence of a story so grand in scope and dark in nature. Was this the shape of the world beyond Ponyville, beyond Equestria? If not, had it been at one time long ago? Her mind reeled at the possibility. She'd become so engrossed in the tale that she nearly yelped in surprise when Feather Quill quietly pressed herself against Cross's left side in the darkness. The two ponies' faces were so close that the barest whisper became perfectly audible. Golden Harvest and Sleepy Pie remained oblivious to Feather's presence.
"Hello there, chum," said Cross, his gaze not wandering, his mouth barely moving. "Galaxy still with you?"
"He left," Feather responded in monotone. "Said something about having heard it all one too many times."
10:28 And the Hundred journeyed north, far from the borders of Southsward and deep into mountains and valleys untouched by war. It was there that they came upon the place called Sunny Stables, and a people besieged by a host of villainy.
10:29 "Let us take what remains of these farmers and their town," the Hundred said. "Let us kill them so that we may live a bit longer." The Black Stallion answered them, "Stay your hooves, foolish ones, lest we walk the path of the dead."
"So," Cross began. "What's your take? Can they be trusted?"
This surprised Derpy. Hadn't Cross been enjoying his time here?
"For once, I want to say 'yes,'" Feather replied. "None of the usual flags came up. If they're hiding something, then they're experts at hiding the fact that they're hiding something."
Feather's manner of speaking struck Derpy with deja vu. Hadn't a conversation like this happened before?
10:30 Then he spoke with the farmers of the valley. "We shall do what you cannot. We shall kill your enemies and free you from the grip of endless fear. In return, do for us what we cannot. Make a place for us to rest our heads, and free us from the curse of our barbarity."
10:31 And so it was that they reached an accord. From that day forward, Sunny Stables flourished, and its enemies wept bitterly. Those who stood against the Hundred were cut down. Those who fled were hunted, their fate sealed by the honest word of those who'd once been their prey.
Cross smiled. "If there's somepony that can train a town of 200 to pull the wool over your eyes, I'd like to shake his hoof." He nudged his companion. "Is this the Green Pastures or isn't it? I'll trust your judgement, Feather. I always have."
Feather sighed. "It doesn't match the Tome's description, not by a long shot. Even so . . ." She paused before returning Cross's nudge. "The land is rich, and there are good ponies here. If you're asking what I'd choose between a dusty fairy tale and Sunny Stables . . ." Her eyes looked into Cross's with an intense earnestness in the flickering light. "I'd choose this wonderful place in a heartbeat, old friend." With that, Feather pulled away to a comfortable distance.
It's another act,Derpy realized. Just as Feather had played the part of an unfeeling traitor to free Cross from captivity, she'd donned the role of a disinterested and jaded traveling companion to draw out any deception in the friendliness of Sunny Stables. In the room of dancing lights and shadows, Derpy Hooves came to an understanding. Cross? she said. I think I know what went wrong.
10:32 When a year had passed and the killing was done, those of the Hundred who'd survived returned to the promised land. There, in a place of plenty that they had fought and died to protect, the barbarians from the south were welcomed as conquerors and heroes.
10:33 "Do you see now?" the Black Stallion said to his loyal followers. "We had but to turn from the path of Death to win for ourselves the treasure of Life that the dead can never know." The Hundred answered him, "Evil is evil's reward. The good belongs to the good."
I'm listening, thought Cross.
Just a little while ago, Derpy began. A friend of mine named Spike worked really hard for months on end just to make this mare called Rarity happy. He really put everything he had into becoming the perfect stallion for her, but it was all for nothing. She just said 'no,' and that was the end of it. Spike was sad, and that didn't seem to bother her at all. Derpy fought with her temper to keep an even tone. I got so frustrated when that happened. I even yelled at her, but I couldn't do anything to make it right.
10:34 It was in this way that the heartless Black Stallion and his heartless followers found their Hearts in the town of Sunny Stables. Turning aside the blood-drenched blades of the past, they took up the tools of farmers and lived amongst their newfound family, their hooves firmly set upon the path of everlasting Life.
Then I came here again, Derpy continued, and even though you went through so much to find a nice place to live, Feather didn't seem to care at all. I mean, this place is as awesome as can be and she wouldn't even smile. She just stared at everything and complained. I thought she was acting just like Rarity, and I got mad all over again. I was so frustrated that I didn't think twice about using you to upset her, Cross. Derpy paused as the shadows on the walls began to fade into darkness. I was a big dummy though. Feather's your friend, and she really does like this place after all. I wasn't even mad at Feather; I was just frustrated because I wanted her to be happy too.
At the end of the reading, the normal torchlight of the room flickered back into view. The white energy from the book dissipated, and Paradise's eyes returned to normal. "Over time," she said, "the lineage of those warriors has faded, and we are once again beset on all sides with no real means of protection." She looked directly and Cross and Feather with a warm smile. "I believe that the arrival of these two heroes is no coincidence. If Silver Cross and Feather Quill should choose to leave behind the way of the wanderer and remain with us, let us welcome them in the same manner as our ancestors once did." She nodded sagely. "May the two of you find your true hearts in this land of plenty."
I'm so sorry, Cross, thought Derpy. Even though I want to be a good friend, I just keep messing up. I promise I'll try harder from now on. Can you forgive me?
As a round of approving applause coursed through the tile floor of the refectory, Cross smiled. Apology accepted, Derpy, though I fear I may have been a bit harsh with you. You were never in danger of losing a friend.
But I-
You weren't acting like yourself, Cross interrupted. I just wanted you to stop and think for a while. You can relax now, little fairy. Thoughtlessness is thoughtlessness, but it doesn't ruin anything if you put a stop to it. You have, and that's that.
If words were to attempt to describe Derpy's sense of utter relief at that response, they would fail miserably.
Even so, said Cross. You shouldn't get so worked up about what happened to your friend.
Huh?
Everypony's on a journey to the place where they can truly smile, thought Cross. Mister Spike and Miss Rarity simply aren't on the same road. As long as Spike doesn't give up on his journey, he's sure to meet a companion who'll joyfully walk by his side.
Derpy couldn't think of a proper response, but even considering the question made her feel a bit better about the whole ordeal.
Sensing this, Cross added, Besides, I think you misunderstand the way things are between Feather and I.
She's your best friend, right?
She is, thought Cross as his mouth creased into a frown, but her attitude has merit. You see, even though I've journeyed far and wide to find a place where we can both be happy . . . The pause was long and felt quite unnatural. I'm the one who stole Feather's smile from her in the first place.
A soft snore and a snuggling warmth at his side brought Cross back from his internal conversation.
"Oh dear," said Golden Harvest, looking at Sleepy Pie. "Well, now you know where she gets her name." ~
As Golden Harvest eventually explained, Paradise's primary job was to care for and educate the orphan foals of Sunny Stables. For that purpose, the Estate doubled as the town's orphanage, though its positively beautiful architecture and loving caretaker flew in the face of the title's depressing implications.
Quiet reigned in the Estate's dormitory. Moonlight filtered in through the narrow windows of the long chamber and cast slants of pale blueish-white across the clean well-made beds. Silver Cross used a hoof and a wing to guide the slumbering form of the filly named Sleepy Pie from his back to the soft mattress.
"Thank you so much for the help, Mister Cross," Golden Harvest whispered. "She just seems to get heavier every time. They grow so fast at that age." She moved forward to tuck the snoring filly in.
"It's my pleasure," Cross whispered back. "Though I wish you'd stop with the 'mister' business. Makes a chap feel older than dirt to have pretty young mares calling him 'mister.'"
Harvest pulled a soft cotton sheet up to Sleepy Pie's shoulders. "I didn't mean anything by it." A smile crept across her face as she watched the cover rise and fall with Sleepy Pie's every breath. "Do you really think that, or is it just another turn of phrase?"
Cross tilted his head to the side. "Think what now?"
Harvest looked at Cross with a completely open and questioning gaze. "That I'm pretty."
Cross grinned. "I seem to recall saying that you were downright beautiful when we first met. Opinions don't get any more genuine than what comes out of a poor bloke on the slave line."
"It's hard to tell with you," Harvest whispered as she rounded the foot of the bed to stand in front of the pegasus stallion. "How much of the way you act is . . . well, an act?"
Cross stared directly into her emerald eyes. "None of it when I'm in the company of ponies I care about."
Harvest blushed and fidgeted with her front hooves. "I hope that you enjoyed yourself today,Mist-" She winced. "I mean, Silver Cross. I probably wasn't the best tour guide."
Derpy sensed a curious intent rising in her shared mind. Um, Cross?
Cross didn't miss a beat. "Don't be silly, Harvest. A day with a new friend beats getting hauled around by a hired guide any day of the week."
Harvest's nervous smile faded just a bit. "Right, a new friend."
I knew it, Cross thought.
Derpy suddenly caught an unguarded glimpse of Cross's feelings. Whoa! she exclaimed. Wait a minute! I'm still here!
Cross used a gray-feathered wingtip to bring Harvest's gaze back to him. "Is that not enough for you?"
Harvest's delicate face flared with redness. "I . . . I don't . . . I mean-"
Cross's eyelids fell halfway. "Me neither." He leaned in.
Cross! Derpy yelled. I don't wanna kiss a girl! Cut it out!!
Harvest yelped and pulled away, a hoof over her lips in shock, her eyes wide with fear. Sleepy Pie shifted under the covers at the noise, but her snores continued uninterrupted. Cross, careful not to increase Harvest's sense of alarm, slowly resumed his normal stance, his smile locked in place.
Whew, Derpy sighed, her heart pounding right along with Cross's. Close one.
"I'm sorry," Harvest said from behind her raised hoof, her voice filled with undisguised fear. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to . . ."
"It's nothing you should apologize for, Miss Harvest," Cross reassured. "I was too forward. "
"'Miss?'" Harvest gasped, lowering her hoof. "No, I didn't mean it that way. I mean, I'd love to--really! It's just . . . I have this thing about . . . you know . . ." Her voice trailed off.
Cross bowed gracefully. "Far be it from me to push you into anything you're not comfortable with, Miss Harvest. It seems as if I'm taking advantage of simple gratitude." He shook his head slowly. "'Twas not my intent; I hope you'll forgive me."
Water began to well in Harvest's emerald eyes.
"Good night, dear Harvest," said Cross. " I'll see you on the 'morrow."
Cross turned toward the torchlight beyond the open doorway and managed only a few steps before a rush of air at his side gave him pause. Both he and Derpy felt a soft pair of lips press against his cheek. He turned to see Harvest's newly resolute face just inches from his own.
"Bubbles is right," she whispered. "I'm not good at things like this, but . . . I like you, Cross. I am grateful, but what I'm feeling right now is . . . different." The lights from the hallway danced in the moistness of her eyes. "You're different. I hate to ask anything of you, but . . . can you be patient with me?"
Cross answered by leaning forward and kissing the soft yellow fur of Harvest's right cheek. He pulled back to see what was quite possibly the brightest smile he'd ever witnessed.
"See you tomorrow," Harvest squeaked. She hesitated for a moment before walking off down the hallway. Cross fought back a chuckle. He could tell by the mare's gait that it was all she could do to prevent herself from skipping down the upstairs corridor.
Warn me before you do that next time, Derpy huffed. I'll try to go hide in a corner or something.
Cross smiled broadly. I'm terribly sorry, Derpy, but I'm sure you understand. A stallion has to answer when opportunity knocks.
Cross was trying to play it cool, but Derpy could feel the giddy elation behind his words. You really do like her, don't you?
A strong cough sounded from behind. Both Cross an Derpy turned about to find a bemused Feather Quill.
"Well," she said with an eyebrow arched high. "Glad to see that somepony's already making himself at home." She motioned with her head, causing her hair ornaments to clack together. "I told Paradise that we'd be staying for now. She's had a couple of guest quarters prepared on the third floor." Her impassive stare became razor-sharp. "Should I make sure that you've got a double?"
Cross flashed a deliberately foolish grin. "Not just yet. Good looking out though." He attempted to walk past his partner but found his hooves blocked by one of Feather's own.
"Cross," she said, her voice more serious than it had been just moments before. "I've still got my doubts, but either way, thanks for all those years of not letting me give up. For the first time I feel like . . . Like it all might have been worth it."
Cross exchanged his false and dopey visage for a genuine replacement. "Think nothing of it, dear friend. 'Twas for my benefit as well."
She didn't smile, thought Derpy as Feather turned to walk upstairs.
Cross stood in place. Sorry?
She was grateful, Derpy elaborated, and she sounded honest, but she still wouldn't smile. What's wrong with her? One possible answer suddenly jumped back into Derpy's mind. Did you really steal her smile? How? She felt a sickening sensation from Cross's body in response to the question.
I'd rather not discuss it in detail, Cross replied. It was a very long time ago, and it seems it will take a long time yet to make things right.
The rising contradiction became so apparent that even Derpy could no longer ignore it. How in the world are you two friends in the first place?
That's simple, thought Cross as he began to ascend the sandstone steps. I may have hurt Feather, but I've never lied to her. We trust each other, Derpy. When I said that I'd find the Green Pastures for her, she believed in me. I've done my best to live up to that trust every day since.
It looks like you kept your promise, Derpy replied, though she suddenly found it hard to focus on the sound of Cross's thoughts.
Cross smiled broadly. With a little help from a certain fairy, that is.
Derpy yawned as a warm and familiar darkness overtook her senses. Think nothing of it, Mister Cross. ~
The next thing that Derpy Hooves felt was the biting prick of a spearpoint prodding her thigh. Her eyes snapped open only to be greeted by darkness. She attempted to thrash about, but her limbs would not obey. A few moments later, it dawned on Derpy that her limbs were not yet her own.
Cross! she shouted. Cross, are you there?
Derpy, Cross responded. She felt him wince. I'd been hoping that you returned home.
What's going on? Why can't we see anything?
They surprised us before we left the bedchambers this morning, Cross replied. We're outnumbered.
"Gentlemen, please," a confident male voice exclaimed from not too far away. "I don't see why those blindfolds are necessary. Remove them at once."
With the departure of the offending black cloth, Cross's eyes met with the gray ocean of clouds above. He brought his gaze down to see the entire population of Sunny Stables crowded into the walled-in yard of the Estate, each of them wearing nearly identical expressions of worry and dread. There were many among them who had not been at the feast last night. These ponies wore matching sets of burnished bronze armor and the stolid gazes of career soldiers. Their spearpoints reached high into the air over the crowd; Cross counted at least fifty within the walls. He turned to his right to see Feather Quill blinking after having her blindfold removed, apparently none the worse for wear. For the moment, all of the spears had been turned away from the two of them.
Whatever happens, Cross thought, don't panic.
Derpy, on the verge of that very behavior, sought out a bit of relief. Because everything's going to be all right?
No, Cross answered with dead seriousness. Because that's only going to make what's coming worse.
"Sir Silver Cross, Lady Feather Quill," sounded the same baritone voice that had asked for the removal of the blindfolds. "I feel that I owe the two of you an apology."
Cross's gaze found the source of the voice to be a unicorn stallion sitting in an ornate wooden chair with a red cushion that had been placed just outside the entrance to the Estate. His close-cropped mane and well-brushed coat bore the same shade of deepest black. All that he wore had been made to match his dominant color; everything from his finely-crafted leather armor to his long billowing cloak blended in with his physical from so perfectly that Cross had difficulty telling where the clothing ended and the stallion began. He wore no jewelry, but the gold trim of his cloak and the intricate silver designs winding their way across his armor indicated that this was a pony of no small stature.
The black stallion smiled warmly. "This was not how I intended to welcome you to our fine community."
Cross found it difficult to look the stallion directly in the eyes. The irises were as gray as the sky above, bearing not a hint of actual color. "You seem to have us at a disadvantage," he stated in calm and careful fashion. "Mister . . ."
"Deeds," the stallion replied, his thick-bearded chin resting upon a booted hoof. "I am Fell Deeds, Lord and Master of Sunny Stables."
Feather Quill gave a light bow. "We were not aware."
"Of course you weren't," said Deeds. "I'm sorry to say that the two of you have become lawbreakers by means of a terrible fraud."
Derpy Hooves used her 360-degree vision to scan about for familiar faces. She only found Paradise just a few ponies to the right of Fell Deeds, her head lowered and her face full of terror. To see the once smiling visage of regal beauty in this state caused Derpy's heart to sink further than anything else she'd seen thus far.
"Lawbreakers?" Cross inquired.
Lord Deeds pointed a hoof at the two travelers. "Those weapons of yours, have you seen the like carried by anypony in this valley with the exception of my soldiers?"
Feather brought her gaze up to meet that of Fell Deeds. "We were told that this land follows the ideal of pacifism."
Deeds's smile grew wider. "Not quite." He cleared his throat loudly and closed his eyes. "Dearest subjects," he bellowed. "I shall start and you shall finish."
There was an audible shuffling of hooves, but nopony in the crowd dared speak out of turn.
"In our Sovereign Contract there is the Law Regarding Armaments," said Deeds. "It says therein that within the borders of Sunny Stables . . ." He paused, awaiting the passage's completion.
When it became clear that Deeds had finished, the crowd chanted the rest in perfect unison. "Nopony shall bear arms with the exception of the Hundred under pain of death."
"You see?" said Deeds, opening his eyes once more. "They know the law. Why do you suppose that they wouldn't bother to inform the two of you?"
What's he going on about? Derpy wondered. Are we in trouble? Why didn't anypony tell us that this place had a . . . a king or whatever?
I don't yet know, thought Cross, but I think his question was rhetorical.
Fell Deeds sighed heavily. "They want you and Miss Feather to kill me, Mister Cross. These ponies hoped that my guards would attack you for breaking the law and that the ensuing conflict would escalate to the point where neither of the two of us could rightly leave the other alive." Seeing his statement met with only a pair of quizzical stares, Deeds gave a light chuckle. "I know what you're thinking. These townsponies outnumber my stallions more than three to one. If they wanted a revolution, why not simply grab the torches and pitchforks and be done with it? Am I right?"
Cross raised an eyebrow. "'Twould seem the simplest course of action, if that is indeed what they want." He looked about at the ponies who met his gaze with naught but pleading eyes. "I suppose that there's something stopping them from doing that."
Fell Deeds leaned forward in his chair. "In the most literal sense, Mister Cross. Here, let me show you." The Lord of Sunny Stables stepped down from his seat and raised his head high. The horn at its peak shone with a deep violet aura and the mists that covered the mountaintops above the town began to part. Slowly but surely, the shape of another tall building on the mountainside high above became visible through the fog, this one more than thrice the height of the Estate. It was a tower in the shape of a perfect obelisk, the edges of its form so sharp and color so impossibly black that it appeared as if the mountain itself had been impaled upon it.
Feather's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. "That's impossible," she gasped. "We're too far from Equitopia. That can't be here."
Cross's brow furrowed at the familiar and most unpleasant sight. "There's no mistaking it, Feather. Sure as I live and breathe, that's an Arcane Spire."
When Derpy looked to the tower, she only saw the ominous structure for the briefest of moments before a sudden and terrible pain overtook her, not unlike the sensation of being stabbed with a blade of ice. She shut her eyes reflexively and cried out within Cross's mind.
Derpy? Cross asked as a strange brownish-yellow whirlwind left the top the tower.
It's the wrong color, Derpy gasped, her mind's eye darting between a myriad of distorted images. A white tower of the same design, endless grassy fields, and books falling from a sky of swirling rainbows appeared and disappeared within her shared consciousness like cresting waves on a turbulent sea.
Cross struggled to keep his own perspective straight as the strange cyclone drew closer. You've seen one of these before?
It's supposed to be white, Derpy answered, though her tone suggested that she was talking to herself.
Where? asked Cross. Have you been to Equitopia?
Derpy wanted to know the answer to that question as well, but her attempt to recall only made the pain stronger. I . . . I don't remember.
The whirlwind from the top of the Arcane Spire flew overhead and came to rest above Fell Deeds. It spun slower and slower, revealing itself as a magically suspended storm of yellowed parchments and falling into a neat pattern of concentric circles. When the array of papers came to a halt, they formed a series of odd halos two feet above the head of the smiling black unicorn. He was alone in his mirth--the townsponies greeted the sight of the parchments with wide-eyed dread.
"These are the Sovereign Contracts," Fell Deeds began to explain. "One for every pony in Sunny Stables, each bearing the sum of our laws and each bound to the life of the pony who signed it." He swept aside his cloak to expose his Cutie Mark, a paper much like those over his head stained with a crimson splotch at its center. "My specialty, if you couldn't guess." Deeds let the gold-trimmed cloak fall and strode to the middle of the clearing in the crowd. The Contracts followed above his head in their perfect circles.
Cross looked about. "They fear these things?"
Deeds raised an eyebrow. "Not so much as the one who enforces them. If everypony abides by the laws on the Contract, then they are nothing more than silly pieces of paper. However, once those laws are broken . . ." The parchments began to glow with a faint red aura. The crimson light reflected clearly in Deeds's colorless eyes. "They become something more."
The perilous comment hung on the still air for a moment before the Lord of Sunny Stables cleared his throat and continued. "Now, these ponies still have some hope left for conflict between you and I, Sir Cross. It is my duty to enforce the laws of the Sovereign Contract, and in all the long years of my gracious rule I've dealt punishment to lawbreakers with neither mercy nor consideration." He gave an exaggerated shake of his head, clearly meant for show. "However, while ignorance of the law is no excuse for lawlessness, a pair of offenders who've been purposely kept in the dark are a different story altogether." Deeds made a sweeping gesture with a front hoof toward the two ponies before him. "Silver Cross, Feather Quill, I hereby pardon the two of you of any behavior not in accordance with our laws. Provided that you follow them from here on out, you are welcome guests within the land of Sunny Stables."
Derpy could not make sense of the images dredged up by the sight of the Arcane Spire without incurring the same biting pain as before. She pushed the offending mess to the back of her mind just in time to experience a curious sensation from Cross. He watched Feather--who'd been staring at the Spire and Contracts in silent horror--bow her head and utter the appropriate response in an unsteady voice.
"W-we thank you for y-your understanding, Lord Deeds."
She sounds like she's about to cry, thought Derpy. Why? Isn't everything okay now?
Cross stared with cold unblinking eyes at the smiling ruler. We're not the only lawbreakers. He glanced momentarily at Feather's still-shaken expression. The Green Pastures are about to disappear.
Deeds nodded in satisfaction before turning to the crowd. "Now, as for my beloved subjects," he declared in a loud trumpeting voice so that all could hear. "In our Sovereign Contract there is the Law Regarding the Unsigned. It states that non-citizens are to be . . . what?"
A few seconds passed before the gathering of ponies responded. "Informed of the laws in that govern Sunny Stables at the first viable opportunity."
Fell Deeds touched a booted hoof to his chestplate. "I'm hurt, dear friends. You know the law that holds this community together by heart and yet you break it so heedlessly." He stretched the hoof out to the crowd. "For what? For the slim chance that a stranger could be tricked into attacking a ruler you begrudge for carrying out his duties?" Deeds shook his head dramatically. "How terrible. I truly thought better of the ponies who wrought this wonderful town from what just two centuries ago was naught but an untamed wilderness." His smile faded at last. "What's worse is that this crime is also punishable only by death." Deeds stood up on his hind legs and threw his arms open wide. "What would you have me do? Should I put this town full of criminals to the sword as the law commands?"
The townsponies drew back a step from Lord Deeds, uncertain whether or not he desired a response but certain that their ruler was becoming more dangerous by the second.
Fell Deeds dropped back to a casual four-legged stance. "Of course not," he assuaged, his voice practically dripping with undue reassurance. "The law exists for the people. I could never allow it to destroy the community that it protects." He let a bit of relief sweep through all present before continuing with an arched eyebrow. "But the letter of the law must be kept, and the guilty must be punished. One law was broken. Therefore . . . one life shall be taken from you."
"Cross!" Feather whispered urgently, her eyes still locked on the Spire. "This whole village has been press-ganged into an Experiment. We can't let this happen."
"Agreed," Silver Cross whispered back. "He'll target Harvest. She's the most directly responsible. Help me find her."
Feather gave the barest of nods.
You too, little fairy, thought Cross. We've a stand to make.
Derpy resumed her earlier search with renewed vigor. Cross, he's not really gonna hurt Harvest, is he? She laughed nervously. Why would he do that? I'm sure that they're sorry.
Cross's eyes scanned the faces around him at dizzying speed. Derpy, if you'd like to keep believing that we're not staring evil dead in the face then I suggest you focus on helping me stop this.
Fell Deeds failed to notice the activities of the two travelers, largely due to the fact that he was engaged in the same behavior. "All of you are equally at fault. How am I to determine the one who will receive judgement?" He ceased his casting about and closed his eyes. "Perhaps I'm going about this the wrong way. If all are at fault, then all should be punished, even if the sentence is carried out on one individual." Deed's horn began to glow with its dark violet aura, and the contracts above his head rotated in response, their myriad circles resembling a crude roulette wheel. "Which pony would you hate to see judged the most?"
The crowd gasped in unison.
One corner of Deeds's mouth turned ever-so-slightly upward. "Let's have the Contracts show us the answer. They see with eyes better than my own."
Feather's roving gaze came to rest on the spinning Contracts. "I don't think he's going for Harvest."
Cross's eyes continued to dart back and forth. "Watch the guards. They'll have to grab whoever he picks."
The Contracts stopped spinning, and a single parchment floated down from the circles. Fell Deeds read the name signed at the bottom. His expression lost all character. His voice sounded in monotone. "So be it."
Feather's horn crackled unexpectedly. Her eyes went wide. "Cross, those contracts are--"
The aura around Deeds's horn flared brilliantly. The Contract before him erupted into a sudden gout of violet flame before vanishing altogether. All eyes were on the Lord and Master of Sunny Stables.
Derpy Hooves felt the icy chill of dread. What did he do?
There was no ceremony in what happened next. The fluffy filly named Sleepy Pie stumbled forward from the edge of the crowd. Cross watched in stupefied horror as her wide tearful eyes gave him one last pleading look before glazing over. Her small body toppled forward into the grass, never to rise again. A nightcap-wearing teddy bear, her stuffed defender against bad dreams in the dark of night, lay at the hooves of the dumbstruck townsponies where it had fallen from her back. In the stunned silence that followed, a light drizzle began to fall from the sunless sky.
This isn't happening, Derpy whispered. Oh Celestia, this isn't happening . . .
Fell Deeds, for his part, looked equally disturbed. "Paradise," he said in a calm voice. "I believe she's one of yours. You may approach."
Lady Paradise, tears streaming down her despair-ridden face, walked forward in a slow and stilted gait. She splayed her wings and collapsed at the side of Sleepy Pie's fallen form, cradling the sad bundle against her cheek and heaving with quiet sobs.
"I endeavor to maintain this society," Fell Deeds announced in a slow and careful fashion. "A society in which only the hooves of myself and my Hundred must be stained with blood." He gestured toward the crying Paradise and the body that had just moments ago been an awestruck little filly. "When you imagine that a better society by rebelling against those who dirty their hooves for your sake, I want you all to remember this." His expression had become hard and cold. "This filly's blood is on all of yours."
Feather Quill turned slowly to Silver Cross. "Those contracts are soul-bound. H-he could kill them all with a thought." Her fear-stricken face held no pretension. "W-we have to go. There's nothing we can do now. This . . ." She swallowed hard. "This isn't the place we were looking for."
Cross turned to look at her as well. He was smiling.
Derpy felt it approach from below. She looked into Cross's mind and saw plainly the dreaded presence that she'd only gotten a glimpse of before. Its disgusting form defied all description. It was a writhing contradiction, at once a seething hatred, a repulsive glee, and an all-consuming despair. It clawed desperately at the border of their shared consciousness, sensing that its time was near. It was all Derpy could do to keep herself away from the festering mass. Fear and sadness washed over everything within her and strangled even the tiniest cry for help.
By the look on her face, it seemed as if Feather were seeing the very same thing. "Cross?" She shook her head very slowly. "Cross, no."
Silver Cross's bitter smile stayed locked in place. "I'm sorry, Feather," his mouth said quietly. "You know what to do." With that, he stepped forward to face the Lord of Sunny Stables.
"Well," said Deeds as he turned back to the two travelers, "now that we've got that unpleasant business out of the way, I'll be needing the both of you to hand over your weapons on a temporary basis at the very least. Otherwise--"
Fell Deeds stopped and stared, interrupted by the sound of sliding metal. Cross had drawn his claymore. Deeds coughed and offered a winning smile. "Of course, you're free to hold on to the scabbard, but . . . " He arched an eyebrow. "That's not what you have in mind, is it?"
Silver Cross planted the blade point-first in the lawn and wordlessly undid the clasp on his cloak.
Deeds's colorless eyes scanned the crowd. "You're really going to follow through with their half-baked desire? Even though they deceived you?"
"They never had to," Cross replied as he shrugged off the cumbersome cloak. "All they had to say was that they had a child murderer on their hooves."
"I see," said Deeds, his tone one of admiration. "He motioned to the crowd with a single hoof. "Leave him be, my Hundred. Let nopony interfere."
The armored soldiers backed away from the center and stood at ease.
Fell Deeds simply stood in place, drawing no weapon of his own even as his opponent assumed a ready stance. "I won't tell you that this is foolishness," he said, "and I cannot say that you're wrong."
"Good," Cross answered curtly. "Saves us an argument."
"However," said Deeds with a tilt of his head. "I will say that your idea of 'justice' is but one of many, just like my own." He made a great show of stretching his arms and neck. "In this world, power stands at the top of every ideological food chain. The strong, therefore, determine what is righteous." Deeds shook his head with a whicker. "Let us see then whose justice is correct. You may even benefit from the help of Lady Feather, if you like." He sneered. "But do not imagine that your adherence to the Tome of the Forefathers will aid you. There is no power in the law but for the everlasting victory of its enforcers."
Cross, thought Derpy even as she continued to reel from the horrid shape hammering away at the walls of their common mind. Stop it, okay? Y-you can't make this better. You can't . . . She shuddered. You can't help Sleepy Pie.
You're right about that, little fairy, Cross replied. He glanced at the ghastly form of the unnervingly black Spire high above. But I've just journeyed for over a decade only to come full circle. This was never a fight that I could run from. He stretched out his left wing in a manner that caused three pinion feathers to stand out from the rest. He did not look back to see if the distraught Feather noticed the signal. If there's even one tiny chance that I can salvage Feather's smile from this godforsaken place . . . The creature at the edge of Cross's mind recoiled a bit. I'll take it.
High above the town, a ray of sunlight parted the clouds. Silver Cross smiled, pulled his claymore from the earth and launched himself skyward with a mighty flap of his powerful wings. Up and up he went, his aim for the bright sliver of sunshine proving straight and true.
Derpy felt dizzy as Sunny Stables grew smaller and smaller below; she'd never flown this high without hitting something. How are you gonna do this? she tried to shout, forgetting that the wind couldn't muffle her voice. He's got magic--you don't.
Not a problem, Cross shot back as he entered the beam of light. Unicorns distract just as easily as any other pony.
You mean he can't look right at the sun?
There's that, thought Cross as he hung in the air for a moment, his blade poised for the dive. But there's also the fact that Feather's making her horn glow down there. The way Deeds talks, I'd bet any money that he and his crew got wind of us from Fink. He knows how I fight. A powerful gust of wind nearly pulled Cross out of position, but he righted himself quickly. Even if that rotten bastard sees me coming, he'll think that the first 'me' he sees is a fake.
With one last beat of his wings, Cross rocketed downward, swordpoint first. He gave a few more flaps to put on speed before folding his wings in and letting gravity do the rest. The wind whipped fiercely around the living projectile. The patchwork fields below grew in size at an alarming rate. Fell Deeds came into view, ballooning from a black pinprick to a full stallion in the breadth of a second. He saw Cross coming, but looked away into the crowd in the next instant.
Got you, thought Cross. The gleaming sword dove for its target with the force of a meteor strike. Both it and Silver Cross froze just three inches from the black unicorn's face.
Fell Deeds turned to look at his assailant slowly, his horn aglow and face expressionless. Feather Quill put a stop to the glow of her own horn, her mouth wide open in shock. A dark violet aura held Cross firmly in midair--he couldn't even move a muscle.
Deeds's eyes looked like those of a dead thing. "Got you."
CRACK!
An unseen force split the blade of the claymore from tip to hilt. A magic fireball spawned at its center for no more than an instant before exploding with terrible force. Cross's sword shattered into pea-sized fragments. The detonation hit Cross like a battering ram, throwing him several feet back into the air. He landed on the far end of the clearing in a crumpled heap.
Derpy had felt Cross's body fold like paper against the initial impact. Now, even though the unfortunate pegasus's mind had gone silent, she felt gashes open up all over his body with a brutal series of burning stings. The pains caused by Deeds's magic were more than Derpy had imagined possible. Even as they hit her one after another, she still cried out to her friend.
Cross!
No answer.
Cross! Can you hear me?!
Again, no answer. Furthermore, her senses were beginning to dull. This time, Derpy was sure of it--she was about to leave.
Cross, answer me please! Please don't die!
The pain of Silver Cross's broken body faded, and Derpy's ability to form cohesive thoughts soon faded with it. Even as darkness began to close in, she heard the voices of those who stood over Cross's fallen form.
"Where's Feather Quill? I told you to keep an eye on his unicorn."
"Sorry, sir. She blinked out right when you blew up this fellow's sword. Probably teleported."
"You idiot. Light the anti-magic barrier."
"Sir?"
"She's an illusionist, not a damned Sorceress. It's just a fancy invisibility spell, and she can't outrun the barrier."
"That still leaves us with a lot of area to cover, sir."
"Not to worry. She'll come to us--I'm counting on it."
"What about this guy?"
There was a pause.
"Throw him in the Spire." ~
Tears streamed down the sides of Derpy's upturned face in the amber light, making wet spots on the pillow beneath. Her body shook with sobs, but her eyes remained shut, her mind imprisoned in the pain of a happy dream that had turned into a nightmare.
The gray earth pony mare with violet eyes stared down at her, one hoof resting on the closed leather book. "There was a time," she whispered, "when I would have given anything to keep a smile on your face." Her impassive face tightened perceptively. "It seems the only thing I truly have a talent for is making you cry."
The room's amber light brightened to full illumination for a moment before fading back to motes on the ceiling. The mystery mare cast a curious glance at the pendant on the bedside table. A barely noticeable smile appeared on her face. "Whatever the case may be, this is working," she said as she sidled toward the curious object. "You've passed the threshold." She picked up the necklace by its silver chain and gazed at the dancing lights within. "Pearl?"
Another necklace, identical to the one she held but for a creamy white jewel at its center shimmered into existence around her delicate neck. "READY," it said in a quiet feminine monotone, the word appearing as letters of white light in midair just above the jewel's domed surface.
The mystery mare looked pensively at the object dangling from her raised hoof and took a deep breath. "Access Amber's basic functions array."
"WORKING," the pearl pendant said and displayed at the same time. A few quiet seconds passed. "ACCESS GRANTED."
"Change the default mode to Bonding State."
Three small slots opened up on the back of the amber pendant, a tiny wisp of golden light escaping from each.
"COMPLETE."
"Set activation parameters to 'Auto-Guard' and 'Manual.'"
"COMPLETE."
The gray earth pony mare leaned forward onto the bed and set the amber pendant on Derpy's heaving chest. She pushed down lightly, and the pendant disappeared into the body of the crying pegasus mare as it would into the surface of a pond. The mystery mare nodded her approval. "Reset the partition to match the new settings."
Derpy's tears suddenly ceased. Her breathing became slow and normal.
"COMPLETE."
The earth pony placed a hoof on Derpy's forehead. "I don't need you carrying around something like what happened to Cross right now. Bonding State makes the partition stronger, it should hold better this time." She glanced to the side. "Pearl, retrieve Icon."
The leather volume dissolved into a cloud of white energy that quickly disappeared into the gem of the same color. The mystery mare began to dissipate in much the same fashion.
"I'll fix this, little sister," she whispered. "That much I can promise."
NEXT
Amethyst 2B: "Room 401" |
Lost Legacies | Amethyst 2B: Room 401 | The interior of Room 401 was a barren cube of white walls and linoleum flooring. It had not a single defining feature save for one barred window of textured glass.
One Liner looked about the empty chamber with a skeptical glare. "Creative decorating? Am I missing something, Director?"
Director Redheart fished a thick black cylinder out of her coat and set it on the linoleum. "Twilight, I believe you know how to light one of these."
"A blackflame candle?" Twilight asked with a tilt of her head. "Sure, but that would only reveal . . ." Her voice trailed off as the realization dawned on her. She looked at Redheart with wide eyes.
The director shut the door, drowning the room in total darkness. "Go ahead."
Twilight Sparkle gulped and did as she'd been instructed, summoning forth her magic and its pinkish aura. A flame of deepest violet flickered to life on the candle's wick. One second later, the walls of the room erupted in swatches of neon blue.
One Liner let out a loud whistle.
Twilight stared at the myriad strokes and symbols that now coated the walls in open-mouthed horror. "Is that . . . Was this all . . ."
"Blood," answered Director Redheart. "Screw Loose left us a room painted red the night she disappeared. It was cleaned after the investigation, of course, but we'd have to repaint the walls to get out the stains that blackflame can see." She gave the chamber's other two occupants a sideways glance. "Do I need to remind you that she was wearing a straightjacket in a bare room with no sharp objects?"
Twilight swallowed audibly. "What if she bit her tongue?"
"Seems unlikely," Liner responded. "Look down."
Twilight did just that. "It's clean."
Liner began to pace about. "Just imagine trying to keep a mouthful of water from dripping while sticking out your tongue. All you'd do is make a mess." He sighed. "One scenario after another of earth ponies doing things that earth ponies can't . . ." Liner noticed Twilight move closer to one of the walls. "Miss Sparkle?"
Twilight looked up and down at the rows of symbols before her. "I know this," she said quietly before turning about and repeating herself in a louder voice. "I know this!"
Redheart squinted. "Know what?"
Twilight tapped a hoof to the wall. "This is Ancient Equestrian."
"Ancient?" asked Liner. "As in the way Princess Luna talks?"
"No, that's just an old dialect," Twilight corrected as she returned her attention to the symbols. "This is the earliest known form of written language in Equestria--it hasn't been seen outside of historical documents in over two millennia." Her voice had taken on the tone of an enraptured scholar as she continued to examine the markings. "Director, do you have something I could copy this down with?"
Redheart nodded. "I'll go get my clipboard."
Liner scratched at his stubble as the director left the dimly-lit room. "What sort of pony would write in a dead language?"
Twilight turned back to the wall. "To the best of my knowledge, only three or four of Equestria's top linguists can write in Ancient Equestrian. It's not as hard to read it, though. There's at least ten scholars I know of who could manage that."
"Can you read it?"
"That depends." Twilight walked over to the left wall and stared hard at a large section that seemed to be little more than random smudges. "Normally I'd just need to get a copy home to the library and dust off my old reference books, but the exordium is missing."
Liner raised an eyebrow. "The what?"
Twilight sighed. "Ancient Equestrian is written in characters, not letters. It stems from a logographic system of writing that was developed as a means of communication between disparate pony tribes, primarily for trading purposes. The image-based characters were easier to understand for ponies who spoke different native tongues, but that lead to the use of thousands of unique characters instead of a simple alphabet of 26 letters." She tapped a hoof to the smudges. "Because it was such a pain to remember and write out all these characters, every piece of writing had an introductory portion called the 'exordium.' It contained all of the nouns referenced in the rest of the piece so that they didn't have to be written over and over again." She shook her head. "I'm sure it made things quicker back in the olden days, but it also means that if you don't have the exordium, the rest of the text just reads as gibberish." She giggled a bit. "This language died out for a reason, you know?"
Twilight's mild chuckle stopped abruptly. She looked down at the floor.
"Miss Sparkle?" asked Liner.
"Sorry, it's just that I--" Twilight sniffed heavily and gave Liner an uncertain smile. "I'm looking at blood-covered walls in a psych ward so that we can track down a criminal who wants to hurt my friend, but the minute I see something that piques my interest I just start rambling on like a zoned-out university professor." She averted her eyes. "Is there something wrong with me?"
"Not at all," answered Liner. "The ability to bypass one's emotions and focus on the task at hoof is an advantage in any line of work. Besides, what you call 'rambling' has impressed upon me just how unusual the appearance of this language really is. I think I'm starting to put some of the pieces together."
Liner's mild praise seemed to clear the doubt away from Twilight's expression. "Really?"
"Let's start with a question of quantity," Liner said as he began to pace about. "Putting aside the fact that an earth pony seems to be waving around feats of magic that would flummox even Princess Celestia's brightest student, which is more likely, that one pony has this capability, or two?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "One, of course."
"Screw Loose disappears from a locked room after one week of treatment with the experimental anti-psychotic Ventium," Liner continued. "About one-and-a-half years later, a pony calling herself Three Strike disappears from a locked hotel room and leaves behind an empty bottle of the same drug. At some point between these two events, several bottles of Ventium disappear from the inside of a magic barrier in the hospital where Screw Loose was kept." He stopped and dusted off his fedora. "I believe that we're dealing with one pony here, not two. The color-shifting that Director Redheart described could easily explain any differences in appearance." He tucked the hat underneath his arm again and narrowed his eyes. "If Three Strike hadn't been wearing that uniform, we might have seen the unchanging screw of Screw Loose's Cutie Mark." He scratched at the stubble on his chin once more. "If I'm right, then that was deliberate on her part."
"Whoa, hold on a second," Twilight interrupted. "Three Strike may have had some anger issues when she came by the library but she seemed pretty composed otherwise. How could the Screw Loose that Director Redheart told us about manage that kind of self-control, especially over the year-and-a-half since she escaped?"
"Good question," said Liner. "I think that's where Ventium fits into the equation."
"The failed anti-psychotic?"
One Liner shook his head. "No drug makes it through to the testing phase without some expectation of success. Ventium was made to work."
Twilight sat back on her haunches. "Okay, then why would it only work on one pony? Isn't that kind of a stretch with only one event to base it on?"
"Not one event--four events."
Twilight cocked her head to the side. "Huh?"
Both of Liner's eyebrows went up. "I thought you'd pick up on that one, Miss Sparkle. Tell me, why is there no such thing as a Teleport Potion?"
Twilight's mind automatically reached back to the appropriate magic text in her memory. "Teleportation is one of the most mentally strenuous forms of magic, to the point that unicorns without a matching Cutie Mark are incapable of teleporting anything other than inanimate objects. A high degree of active control is needed to move every molecule of a living creature from one place to another in the same arrangement and with the same starting inertia. Even a small mistake could . . ."
"Exactly," said Liner. "Neither invisibility nor incorporeality could explain these disappearances, so this pony is teleporting by some method. Do you think that Screw Loose could be capable of such a feat in her original mental state?"
Twilight blinked hard and let out a loud groan. "Oh, this is so confusing! How would she be doing this anyway? An earth pony can't cast magic! Even if she had help, there still would have been magic residue!"
Liner walked over and placed a sure hoof on her shoulder. "Calm down, Miss Sparkle. Did you notice that I haven't mentioned anything about Ancient Equestrian yet?" Seeing Twilight look up at him with open questioning eyes, Liner coughed and lowered his hoof. "I was simply introducing the quandary that I had no answer for before your lecture. Now it seems fairly clear to me that there is one unsavory hypothesis that fits all the facts gathered thus far."
A grave silence hung on the air for a few moments afterward. Twilight felt the hairs on the back of her neck rising. Something about Liner's ominous tone and the ethereal image of a room swirling with dark violet light and neon blue symbols unsettled her deeply.
"Consider the following," said Liner. "One, Screw Loose has made use of abilities that resemble the effects of magic but conform to none of the limitations that we know to bind magic."
Twilight nodded.
"Two, Screw Loose appears to be fluent in Ancient Equestrian, a dead language that has served no functional purpose in over 2000 years."
Twilight nodded once more, though she felt a chill run through her body. Some part of her knew exactly where Liner was going with this.
"Three," said Liner, his face more serious than Twilight had thought possible. "Screw Loose was brought in to the Ponyville Memorial Neurological Treatment Ward mere days after Discord, a tyrant from ancient history, turned the country upside-down with magic that seemed to have no limitations whatsoever."
Twilight's expression transitioned from alarm to skepticism in the breadth of a few seconds. "You think that Discord is behind this? You think that he . . . I don't know, empowered Screw Loose? That he gave her the ability to write Ancient Equestrian?"
Liner gave a grim smile. "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Can you think of another line of reasoning that connects all the available facts?"
Twilight's mouth opened as if to respond, but she halted the motion and shook her head slowly.
"Well, it still leaves a lot of unanswered questions," said Liner. "Why would Discord bother with such an indirect strategy when he appeared to be victorious? Why just one pony and not all the ones he discorded? Could such a transfer of power and information have been accidental?" He sighed. "And let's not forget the most important question: what would a pony empowered by Discord want with your friend Derpy Hooves? The theory fits, but it's full of holes."
Twilight smiled softly in the dim light. "Even so, that's a pretty amazing theory to come up with in such a short time."
Liner looked taken aback by the compliment. "That's kind of you to say, Miss Sparkle, but everypony has their special talent." He pulled back the folds of his trenchcoat to reveal the Cutie Mark emblazoned on his brown-furred flank, a single vertical line of deepest black. "The surest line from question to answer is the one that requires the least deviation. Finding that one straight line among infinite possibilities is my particular gift."
"Really?" said an older feminine voice. "That's why you're called One Liner?"
Both ponies in the room turned to see Director Redheart standing in the open doorway.
"Yes," Liner replied. "Why would you think my name meant something else?"
Redheart shrugged and put on a disarming smile. "No reason. Here you go, Twilight." She pulled a paper-laden clipboard and quill pen from the folds of her lab coat and released it to the unicorn's magic. "Sorry that took so long. I ran into a minor emergency on the way. So, have you two managed to make any sense of all this?"
"Quite a bit actually," said Liner as he straightened his coat, "but nothing conclusive just yet. I hope you don't mind if the information stays with my team for the time being--this isn't the kind of thing we want spreading around until we have all the facts."
"Fine by me," quipped Director Redheart. "I wasn't exactly burning with curiosity in the first place. I just thought this might help with your case somehow."
Liner gave a courteous bow. "And it has. Thank you, Director." He began to rummage through in the pockets of his trenchcoat. "I'd also like to have my forensics expert give the room one last examination, just in case."
Redheart shrugged once more. "Not a problem. This whole section hasn't been used in months. It'll be waiting for you."
One Liner found the object of his search: a notebook overflowing with multicolored documentation. He flipped it open on the floor. "Miss Sparkle?"
Twilight looked up from the floating clipboard and turned back to the detective.
"I'm terribly sorry about this," said Liner, "but I need to get in contact with the V.C.U. and start following up on these new leads right away. I don't think I can trust in Sheriff Badge's competency any longer." He reached down and pulled a yellow notice from the book that read "Crime Scene -- Do Not Enter" before speaking around the piece of paper now held between his teeth. "It's a lot to ask and I know the exordium is missing, but could you take a stab at translating this once you're done?"
"Of course," Twilight replied amicably. "I'm the best you've got, right? I'll let you know as soon as I have something."
Liner flipped the notebook back into his trenchcoat. "I can't thank you enough, Miss Sparkle." He nodded to Redheart. "Director."
As he made to leave the room, Twilight called after him. "Detective Liner?"
Liner stood still in the doorway.
Twilight smiled. "You can call me 'Twilight' if you want. Nopony calls me 'Miss Sparkle.'"
Liner nodded. "Very well, Miss Twilight." He leaned forward and pressed the adhesive yellow notice to the door with a sure hoof. "Keep me posted."
Director Redheart watched Liner leave before shaking her head. "That guy's a real piece of work, huh?"
Twilight gave a light chuckle and turned back to her work. "You'll get no argument there."
As Redheart watched the unicorn mare copy down symbols for a few moments, her expression grew increasingly pensive. Eventually, she retrieved her composure and spoke in an officious tone of voice. "Twilight?"
"Yeah?"
"I know this isn't exactly the time, but I've been meaning to pull you aside for a while now."
Twilight gave Redheart a momentary glance. "I can multitask. What's going on?"
Redheart's blue eyes narrowed. "We need to have a talk about Rainbow Dash."
NEXT
Episode 05: "The Buck Stops Here" |
Lost Legacies | Episode 05: The Buck Stops Here | THEN
[Night of the Harmony Storm - Five Months Ago]
Twilight Sparkle screamed. It was a howling wail, frustrated and desperate. It was unlike any sound she'd made in her life, and she continued to make it until her breath failed her at last.
Twilight's mane was frayed and unkempt. Her coat had been singed black in a dozen places Those by her side--Applejack, Fluttershy, and Iron Will--had fared no better. Iron Will in particular had gotten the worst of it. Fluttershy looked up from wrapping bandages around his charred hands, her eyes wide with alarm.
Applejack was the first to speak when the unicorn's voice gave out. "Twi?"
Twilight put a hoof between her mane and the Element of Magic resting atop her head. "This thing is worthless!" She tore the golden coronet from her scalp and threw it to the ground. The Element twanged as it hit the dirt but remained unbent and unblemished. The amethyst jewel at its apex reflected a sight that did not belong in this world or any other.
Just a few yards away, a dome made of raging fire burned with all the colors of the rainbow. It rose over ten stories into the night sky, a sky that flickered back and forth between its natural star-laden darkness and a transparent hexagon pattern of pale green. The dome might have resembled an earthbound sun if not for its prismatic hue. Its center resided somewhere in the depths of the Everfree Forest. The edge now stretched across the border of Ponyville and consumed the horizon, tongues of its iridescent flame licking and leaping across a deep trench that just moments ago had been the town's last line of defense. Ponyville's residents had been evacuated as far away from the fire dome as the magic barrier that encapsulated the surrounding countryside would allow. The nearby buildings stood empty. Only Twilight, four of her friends, and their respective Elements remained.
Iron Will looked at the patterns seared into his open palms by the Elements of Generosity, Laughter, and Loyalty. "Rainbow Dash and the others will see the Elements," he said with a voice that exuded rugged calmness. "You have to keep tryin', Twilight. We know they're in there."
"I can't reach them!" Twilight shouted. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving bright lavender streaks in her soot-stained fur. "I can't feel any connection at all! They're . . ." She shuddered visibly. "They're already . . ."
"Don't say it, Twilight," Fluttershy pleaded in a quiet voice. "Please don't . . ."
Twilight dared not face her loved ones at that moment. Instead, she turned her angry gaze on the Element of Magic. "This fire sphere is a storm of harmonic energy. The only weapon in Equestria that can cancel it out is the Arc Prism from the Elements of Harmony."
Applejack walked up beside her. "But we cain't use it if we're all divvied up like this. We gotta think of somethin' else, and fast."
Twilight whirled on her friend, the light of the fire dancing in her eyes. "There is nothing else! What do you think I was looking for while you were out here digging the trench?!" She shut her eyes and turned away, unable to continue looking into Applejack's honest emerald orbs. "Why is this happening?! Why are there six Elements? Why do they have no power when they're not together?" Twilight drew in a sharp breath only to cough and sputter on the smoke in the air. When she looked to Applejack once more, the anger in her expression had been replaced by utter hopelessness. "What good are the Elements of Harmony if they do nothing when my friends are in danger?"
Applejack looked down at the apple-shaped citrine gem of her own Element. She had no answer and, in truth, feared that there might not be one.
It was then that a familiar voice sounded loud and clear above the roaring blaze. "Do not despair, Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight's ears pricked up and cast about. Her eyes went wide. "Princess?" She turned left and right. "Princess Celestia? Where are you? I thought you couldn't get past the barrier in time!"
Celestia's regal voice rang forth once more. "I haven't, Twilight. Look to your discarded hope."
In this situation, the princess could only have meant one thing. Twilight turned back to the Element of Magic. The amethyst gem shone with brilliant inner light, a light that pulsed brighter with Celestia's every word.
"Do you see it, Twilight Sparkle?"
Applejack removed her singed Stetson. "Whoa Nelly."
Twilight approached the fallen Element, her eyes full of questions. "I see it, Princess. Why didn't you tell me that the Elements could be used like this?"
"The Elements of Harmony hold many secrets," said Celestia's voice. "Secrets that I have kept from you for your own good." She paused. "There is a greater power within the Elements, power enough to deliver your friends and all of Ponyville from this crisis, power that can be used even when the Elements stand apart."
"Tell me!" Twilight blurted out as the flames drew closer. "Tell me how to use it!"
The princess's voice came back sterner than before. "This is not a decision to be made in fear, my student."
Twilight winced at the criticism and did her level best to attain some sort of composure.
"To release this power is to become one with the Elements," said Celestia. "You will never be able to discard them as you did moments ago. Their destiny will become yours and they will be with you wherever you tread. This is an oath that cannot be undone."
Struck with sudden uncertainty, Twilight looked to her friends. Although their eyes wavered for a moment, each of them returned a nod of acceptance.
"Will you accept this burden, the weight of friendship's true power?"
Twilight did not hesitate. "I understand the consequences, Princess, but I've got a promise to keep. My friends are waiting for me, and I won't fail them!"
Silence followed, backed only by the dull roar of the Harmony Storm. Twilight wondered for a moment if she'd said the wrong thing when, to her surprise, Celestia began speaking to the Element.
"Magic, enable audio input, authorization Prime Aspect."
Everypony present recoiled a bit when the Element replied in a flat masculine tone, its words appearing in midair just above the surface of the gem as it spoke.
"PRIME ASPECT CONFIRMED. AUDIO INPUT ENABLED."
"Release limiter. Open all related function arrays to First Aspect and display activation key." With that, Celestia's voice regained its characteristic warmth. "You have proven many times over that you believe in the bonds of friendship, Twilight. Now, take that belief and turn it into power."
The Element of Magic's core gem receded slightly into its golden crest, exposing a tiny sliver of shining circuitry beneath. "LIMITER RELEASE," it said and displayed at the same time. However, the next words to appear had no voice to accompany them.
ACTIVATION KEY READY
SHOUT NOW
The key the words referred to appeared not in midair, but in the midst of Twilight's swirling thoughts. Her heartbeat quickened and her voice threatened to seize up with fear of the unknown. However, the thought of her friends still in danger erased all doubt. She took hold of the Element of Magic and set it once more atop her head.
The Harmony Storm drew closer. The searing wind from its rapid rotation buffeted and battered at everything in its path. Twilight Sparkle stood her ground. With one deep breath, she shouted at the top of her lungs.
"All Crests Open!"
The gems of Honesty, Kindness, and Magic flashed and spoke in unison.
"OPEN UP." NOW ~
My Little Pony: Lost Legacies
"The Buck Stops Here"
[Morning of Day 23]
Derpy quickened her already brisk trot as she rounded the stretch turn of the Sweet Apple Acres racetrack. The dull, steady thumping of her hooves on the dry dirt formed a strange rhythmic beat with the clattering of the wagon that she had in tow. The sun shone down from a clear blue sky, warm but not overbearing. In fact, to Derpy's great surprise, she'd barely broken a sweat during the entire exercise.
Her initial reaction to the news that she'd be working for the esteemed Applejack on Ponyville's original farmstead had been one of optimistic curiosity. That had transitioned to apprehension earlier this morning when she realized that everypony who wanted to work at the farm, even those hired for temp jobs, had to pass a physical test. Sports had never been her forte, but this particular form of evaluation had turned out to be nothing short of enjoyable.
A cool breeze whipped through Derpy's mane as the finish line came into view. Even strapped to the breast collar and harness needed to pull the apple cart, she still felt nearly weightless as she charged forward. Her heart was clear of worry and doubt. A carefree smile adorned her face. Had the simple act of running always been this fun? Derpy thought on that for a moment as she entered the final stretch. Actually, she couldn't recall the last time she'd tried something like this. Had she ever?
The question left Derpy's mind when her hooves crossed the white chalk line. She came to an easy stop and tossed her mane back with a short chuckle. "How's that, Applejack?"
The orange-hued earth pony mare in question stood on her hind legs, leaning against a nearby fence post. She tipped her signature Stetson back over her blonde mane and lifted up a stopwatch strung about her neck. Her green eyes looked first down then up at Derpy A cocksure grin formed around the hayseed that she held between her teeth. "Better than some."
Derpy raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of the comment before she became aware of the sound of ragged breathing. She turned to her right to see Twilight Sparkle, similarly bound to an apple cart, trudge painfully across the finish line. The normally composed unicorn mare collapsed into a sweaty, exhausted heap, an action that tilted the cart forward and sent a few wax apples tumbling down on top of her.
"There," Twilight gasped. "I did it."
Applejack's grin grew wider. "That you did, Twi." She put all four hooves back on the ground and sauntered toward the two cart-pulling candidates. "One solid lap 'round the track to Derpy's, uh . . ." Applejack counted out the number with hooftaps, but it was clear from the look on her face that she knew the answer already. "Fourteen." She nodded briskly. "That's actually pretty good for you."
Twilight cast a withering glare at her friend as she used her magic to undo the harness. "Bite me, AJ."
Applejack shook her head. "No thanks, Twi. You're lookin' a mite overcooked there." She tapped the stopwatch and turned to a concerned-looking pegasus. "Derpy, on the other hoof, did mighty fine. Even managed to break one o' my old apple cart'n records."
The smile returned to Derpy's face. "Really?"
Applejack looked back over the course to see Big Macintosh, Snips, and Snails collecting wax apples in bushels. "Or ya would have if you'd actually kept the apples in the cart."
Derpy looked back into her empty cart and then back to Applejack, her face the very picture of shocked innocence. "I was supposed to keep them in the cart?"
The good-natured Applejack shook a bit with silent mirth. "Well, we'll have to work on your list'nin skills but you've definitely got the speed 'n endurance we're lookin' for." She gave Derpy a playful shoulder punch. "'Course, that's no surprise given your line of work."
Derpy tilted her head in confusion. She didn't see the wide-eyed alarm that crossed Twilight Sparkle's face behind her.
Applejack coughed. "Oh, ah mean, you havin' been a mailpony 'n all."
A haggard-looking Twilight stepped between Derpy and Applejack and laughed nervously. "Could you give us a moment, Derpy?"
"Sure."
As Twilight pulled her new employer for the week aside, Derpy fiddled with and eventually started to loosen her harness straps. She was glad that Twilight had chosen to accompany her to Sweet Apple Acres and even gladder that her unicorn friend had gone out of her way to share the experience. Still, Derpy thought as she slid out from under the loosened harness, I wonder what she's been so worried about all morning. Did she think I was gonna screw up? Derpy looked down at the dirt. I guess that wouldn't have been a big surprise. Her ears pricked up as the two mares' conversation increased in volume.
"Maybe I should stay after all," said Twilight in an earnest tone. "You know what will happen if--"
Applejack interrupted her friend with a hoof across the shoulder. "Twilight, ah got this."
Twilight continued as if she hadn't heard. "And the best idea for her Cutie Mark that you could come up with was some half-rumped thing about morning dew--"
"Twi!"
Twilight stopped mid sentence.
Applejack looked her dead in the eye and flashed a confident grin. "Ah. Got. This." The firm statement resulted in a moment of honest reassurance made evident by the calm that descended over Twilight's expression. However, Applejack ruined it one moment later as she turned back to Derpy and gave a swish of her tail. "Now why don't you get yourself back to the ol' book fort before you strain somethin'? Derpy, you good to go?"
"Yeah!" Derpy replied in chipper fashion, letting the collar, harness, and shafts fall to the ground.
At the moment of impact, the entire apple cart fell to pieces. Every single bolt, plank, spoke and wheel came apart from one another, leaving naught but a pile of unassembled cart components and a cloud of dust where the final product had once stood.
Derpy's jaw simply dropped open at the sight.
Applejack struggled to keep her composure. "T-that's okay, Derpy." She shook her head, eyes wide open. "Impossible, but okay." A somewhat bashful tone entered her voice. "Uh, Twi? Wanna give us a magic helping hoof here?"
Twilight smiled and backed away from the scene in the direction of the library. "Oh, I don't see why. You've clearly got this handled, A.J." She turned about and walked off in confident stride. "Good luck, you two!"
"Thanks, Twilight!" Derpy Hooves shouted after her. "See you later!"
Applejack pulled her Stetson low and grinned ruefully. "Me 'n mah big mouth." When she raised the hat once more, her smile had never looked brighter. "Well, Derpy, it's like Granny always says--ain't no use cryin' o'er spilled milk."
The torrential rain fell in sheets on the roadside ditch, visibly only where it reflected the flickering torchlight in the dead of night. The crumpled body of a brown-and-white border collie lay still in a shallow mud puddle. Its red collar matched the shade of the blood that flowed from its broken jaw and fatal wounds. That same blood adorned the hooves of the orange farmpony Applejack. She stood quivering in the downpour over the dog's fallen form, her face a mask of terrible anger.
A massive red stallion stood by her side, his face solemn and unyielding. "Are you all right, A.J.?"
The hatred in Applejack's eyes was only rivaled by the murderous intent in her low, rasping voice. "I will be."
"Derpy?"
Derpy Hooves blinked hard and flinched at the sight of Applejack's honest green gaze.
"You okay?"
"Yeah," Derpy replied with a smile on her face.
"Well, come on then," said Applejack as she turned toward the orchards. "We got plenty o' work to get done 'fore sundown."
Derpy followed after the farmpony, doing her best to ignore the pounding of her rapid heartbeat.
What the hay was that? ~
[Night of Day 24]
Twilight Sparkle pushed the book in front of her down from its vertical position and peered over the brim with a suspicious glare. "What the hay was what?"
Derpy thumped a hoof lightly on the dining room table and returned Twilight's expression with an air of utter seriousness. "You know, what they did with the weird barrels." She paused before cocking her head to the side. "Are you listening, Twilight?"
The unicorn in question nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm listening. You're trying to tell me that Applejack . . ."
Derpy nodded.
Twilight's right eyebrow began to arch. " . . . the living Element of Honesty . . ."
Derpy nodded again.
Twilight's eyebrow climbed higher. " . . . and her whole family are lying to us about what they do at the farm?"
Derpy nodded vigorously enough to shake her mane about.
Twilight's eyes narrowed. "This sounds like Spike's department."
Spike the dragon approached the table at that very moment, carrying a tray with three steaming bowls of a vegetable stew commonly known as Hoofton Hotpot. "My department?"
The aroma of choice vegetables and savory herbs was so delicious that even the marginally perturbed Twilight couldn't deny herself a few whiffs. "Yep, this theory sounds just right for File 13."
Spike shook his head and began setting the bowls on the table, careful to slide them around the towering stacks of books and parchments. "I don't know about any 13th file."
Twilight reached out a hoof rendered dexterous by years of intense study and maneuvered one bowl through her literary defenses. "Sure you do, Spike. You'll find it in several tin buckets throughout the library, including the one next to my desk."
Spike brought a thoughtful claw to his chin as the implication sailed just over his head. "Huh, never thought to look there."
Twilight propped her book back up against its stacked counterparts with a swift thump. "Get to it, department head."
"Right!" said Spike. He puffed his chest out proudly and withdrew the tray behind his back. "So, Derpy, what's this 'theory' that you were telling Twilight about?"
Derpy drew in a breath, unintentionally sampling the powerful fragrance of the Hoofton Hotpot and the apple fritters in the oven an the same time. Her eyes glazed over and her jaw went slack.
Spike fidgeted in the awkward silence. "Uh . . ."
Derpy's eyes suddenly refocused. She leaned forward over the table. "It's not a theory! There's some seriously creepy stuff going on at Sweet Apple Acres."
"Uh-huh," Spike responded with more than a little doubt evident in his tone. A possibility dawned on him. "Derpy, are you causing-- I mean, having problems with working for A.J.?"
Derpy's eyes searched the ceiling for a moment. "I don't think so. She says I'm 'doin' a mighty fine job.'"
Spike's eyes went wide. "She does?"
Derpy thumped her hoof down once more. "Yeah, but I think she's saying that just so I won't get suspicious."
Spike looked away. "I dunno. That kinda makes me suspicious."
Derpy pointed the hoof at him. "See what I'm talking about? And from what I've seen, you should be."
Spike gulped. "Should I?"
A low groan emanated from behind the stacks of books.
Spike coughed nervously. "Um, maybe you should tell me what you saw. I bet it's nothing too crazy--this is A.J. we're talking about here."
"That's what I thought at first," Derpy replied in the same manner that Rainbow Dash would impart a ghost story. "But then I realized that being the Element of Honesty is a perfect cover." She paused for effect, though a slowly straying iris thwarted her effort. "For evil."
Spike's voice exuded genuine wonder. "What kind of evil?"
"Well," said Derpy. "For one thing, there's these funny barrels with letters I can't read on them. They're stacked by the barn when I leave at sundown, but they're always gone when I go to work in the morning."
"Barrels with strange markings leaving under the cover of night," Spike paraphrased. His eyes widened. "You're thinking some kind of contraband?"
Derpy smiled confidently. "I'm thinking alien cow milk."
A sputtering noise came from behind the book fort.
Spike raised a single claw and opened his mouth to respond but found himself quite speechless.
Derpy nodded. "I checked one of the barrels--they're full of milk from the cows in the barn. There's no way that they can move that many barrels with just the ponies who work there, and the Apples won't give away stuff they make for free. It was confusing at first, but then I remembered this one book that Rainbow Dash gave me. Farm stuff with weird letters that disappear in the night? It's gotta be aliens with a flying saucer--they could move those barrels, and they probably need it to survive or something."
Spike found his voice and a smidgen of skepticism along with it. "And they pay in bits?"
Derpy shook her head. "When they invade, the Apple family lives."
"I--" Spike began to say before falling silent. He scratched absently at his dorsal spines. "I've got no idea what to say."
"Oh, it gets worse," Derpy continued. "I talked to Snips and Snails about it. They say that sometimes, when they have to work past sunset, they hear loud noises and see lights coming from the barn."
"Wow," Spike said in a small voice.
Derpy sat up straight on her stool, her head held aloof. "I'm not saying it was aliens . . ."
Spike swallowed audibly. "But it was aliens?"
Derpy nodded with great severity.
"Holy cow, Twilight," Spike exclaimed. "I think she's onto something. I mean, what if--"
"Spiiiike," came a singsong version of the dragon's name from behind the mountain of manuscripts.
"Yeah?" he answered.
The front book fell forward to reveal Twilight Sparkle smiling dangerously from behind her reading glasses. "You're demoted."
"Oh," Spike groaned sheepishly.
Twilight tipped over a book on top of the stack to her left. It fell open to reveal a symbology chart.
"Hey!" Derpy shouted in astonishment. "These are the letters on the barrels."
"That is Ancient Equestrian," said Twilight. "It's common for farming families that have their roots in Equestrian pre-history to use the old icons for marking produce--it uses less ink. As for how the barrels leave the farm, the milkstallion and his crew pick up the milk before dawn so they have time to package and deliver it during the day."
"Well, what about the--"
Twilight tipped another book over the edge to reveal the contents of a Farmer's Almanac & Planting Guide. "Winter wheat is harvested in the spring, and I heard from Big Macintosh that the crop yield is nearly double what they expected. The Apple family grinds their own flour for homemade bread products that they use in a lot of different ways, like those apple fritters in the oven. With that kind of overabundance, they're probably having to work into the night to get it all processed. The grinder is noisy, and as for the lights . . ." She waved a hoof at the oil lanterns around the room. "It's nice to have light when you're working."
Spike pointed at the almanac. "Why did you even have that at the table?"
Twilight cast him a withering glare. "The point is that nothing strange is going on. Especially not aliens."
Derpy shuffled her hooves and looked at the table. "Well, that does sound a lot simpler than what I came up with."
Twilight nodded sagely. "The truth usually is."
Derpy raised her head and looked Twilight in the eye. "But what about her dog?"
Twilight's mouth fell open in shock.
Even Spike hesitated before speaking. "You mean Winona?"
"Yeah," said Derpy. "Something bad happened to her, and I'm pretty sure that Applejack had something to do with it."
A rattle from the other side of the table caught Derpy's attention. Twilight's body began to shake ever so slightly. Her teeth were gritted. Her eyes were alight with anger. Derpy felt her own body recoil as an instinctive response, even though she was sure that her unicorn friend wouldn't harm her. She was proven right a moment later, but when Twilight spoke, her voice was nearly a full octave lower than Derpy had ever heard it.
"Why do you know about that? You weren't even there."
Derpy felt a lump forming in her throat. She hadn't thought about a way to explain what she'd seen. Twilight's question was one that she hadn't found an answer for either. "I . . . uh . . ."
Twilight closed her eyes and focused on calming herself down. It was several seconds before she spoke again. "If you'd asked anypony in Ponyville you would have known better than to say something like that. Let me make this clear: what happened to Winona was not Applejack's fault, and if you say that it was, or if you even say that you think it was to anypony again I . . ." The statement had been leading to some sort of threat, but the powerful anger behind it had already left Twilight. She slumped back on her stool and shook her head, seeming almost ashamed of her outburst. "I just don't know what I'd do."
Derpy was uncertain whether or not to voice a question considering Twilight's mood, but she chose to risk it anyway. "Then, what did happen?"
Twilight began to reorganize the books. "Ask Applejack."
That idea caused a chill to run through Derpy's form. "But what if--"
"It's what you should have done to begin with," Twilight interrupted in a measured tone. "You cooked up these hare-brained alien theories because you're scared of the truth and you want us to ask her for you."
Derpy chafed at the criticism. "I'm not scared."
Twilight poked her head over the reborn book fort. "Then do us all a favor and ask the Element of Honesty for the truth, okay?" ~
[Night of Day 25]
The next day brought a sheet of gray clouds that covered the sky from end to end. They lent a depressing air to working outdoors, but provided near-total darkness with the fall of night. Derpy couldn't have asked for better. It was the perfect night for reconnaissance.
She pressed her back against a line of shrubbery that provided ample cover and touched a nervous hoof to the borrowed camera at her side. True to her suspicions, flickering lights shone through the windows of the Sweet Apple Acres barn and the clanking of machinery clashed against the chirping of crickets in an unnatural cacophony. Derpy swallowed hard. The cool night air and perfect cover did nothing to calm her pounding heart nor stem the flow of adrenaline through her veins.
"I'm not scared," she whispered. "I'm right is what I am. There is something fishy going on here." She kept her hoof on the camera so as not to lose it in the darkness. "All I need is a picture. Just one. Then Twilight'll understand and help me put a stop to it." The self-reassurance wasn't working, but Derpy pressed on regardless. "Why be scared? What's the worst they could do?"
An image flashed through Derpy's mind. She saw a little filly fall dead in the midst of a crowd with not a single wound on her body. Her heart skipped a beat. She drew in a sharp breath as it resumed. "W-what's the worst that they could be hiding?"
Another image placed itself over Derpy's vision. A black stallion clad in regal finery stared down at her as floating papers filled the air. The troubled pegasus began to have difficulty breathing. What is this? she thought. What's wrong with me?
"Who goes there?!"
Derpy froze. She recognized the voice as Granny Smith's, and it was close. She dared not look and she wanted to flee, but her body simply wouldn't obey. Her apprehension had turned to ice-cold terror.
"Come on out! I's seen ya already. It ain't no use tryin' t' hide."
Derpy's mind considered doing so, but her terrified form remained rooted to the spot. Seconds passed that seemed like minutes. If they were minutes, they might as well have been hours. Derpy began to lose herself to the hollow feeling in her chest. She wondered if this was what it felt like to pass out.
Finally, Granny Smith spoke once more, though her voice had changed direction. "Well, I guess it was nothin'. Good night, you two. Make sure y'all git to bed in'n hour or so, y'hear?"
Somepony gave a muffled response from inside the barn, but Derpy couldn't identify the speaker. The heavy barn door creaked shut, followed soon after by the receding sound of uneven hoofsteps and a wooden cane on the hard-packed dirt. Blessed relief washed over Derpy's senses as she let out a long exhale.
Maybe I really am sca-
"Wow. That was close, huh?" whispered a voice right next to her.
Derpy tried to scream but found herself pushed back against the bush by a hoof jammed against her muzzle.
A melodic giggle emanated from the assailant. "Don't do that, silly. Granny Smith'll hear you."
Derpy's left eye spied the curly silhouette of the other pony's mane against the dark gray sky. "Ponky Puh?" she managed to mumble around the hoof.
It withdrew, and its owner giggled once more. "Nope. It's just regular old Pinkie Pie. Whatcha doin' here so late?"
Derpy wiped a forearm across her lips to rid them of the grassy taste left by the pink pony's appendage. "Boy am I glad it's you, Pinkie. I'm just trying to get a picture of what's going on inside the barn."
"Ooh," Pinkie exclaimed quietly with a subdued bounce. "Is it for the Apple Family photo album?"
"No, not exactly."
Pinkie's head tilted to the side. "Aw, that's too bad. I'm pretty sure they don't have one of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle with their Cutie Marks."
Derpy's ears pricked up. "It's just those two in there?"
"Yep," said Pinkie Pie before leaning in. "Can I help?"
Derpy gave the idea a moment of thought. She actually felt a bit foolish for being afraid of two ponies younger than herself. "No. I'll probably be fine. Thanks though."
"Okie-dokie-lokie," Pinkie whispered in response. She'd already started to bound off down the line of shrubbery when Derpy called after her.
"Hey, what are you doing out here?"
Pinkie Pie glanced back. "Picking some special mushrooms for Gummi. I have to come get 'em at night 'cause A.J.'s being stingy. She thinks they're no good for him, but what does she know? Gummi's gotten a lot bigger since he started eating them."
The thought of a ten-foot perpetually-tweaked alligator gave Derpy mixed feelings. "Are you sure that's a good thing, Pinkie?"
"I don't see the harm," whispered Pinkie. "He'll probably just shrink back to normal if he gets hit."
Derpy's follow-up question was cut off by a sudden silence from the barn.
"Gotta go," said Pinkie Pie as she turned about to leave. "See ya later, Derpy."
The interruption caused Derpy's mind to return to the task at hand. She couldn't think of any reason for the noises to stop unless the two ponies inside were finishing up.
Ponies? thought Derpy. Truthfully, it hadn't been long at all since Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had come of age. No matter how Derpy looked at them, they still seemed like foals to her. That line of thought came with the smell of burning muffins. Could that smell be coming from the barn?
Which pony would you hate to see judged the most?
Derpy's eyes narrowed. Whatever the smell's origin, she didn't like it any more than the thought of the Apple family involving children in their schemes. Brimming with newfound confidence, she draped the camera's strap around her neck and marched swiftly toward the barn. ~
[Morning of Day 26]
The dawn of the following day revealed a clear sky of royal blue and lavender hues that made the memory of the cloudy night seem more distant than it really was. The first hints of red and yellow on the horizon irritated Derpy's eyes. She hadn't gotten much sleep after her encounter in the barn, but aside from slightly bloodshot eyes her body showed not a hint of lethargy. She turned her gaze to the farmhouse in an effort to spare her vision. The movement felt insubstantial--almost weightless. Derpy was filled with a nervous energy and her feelings about what she'd learned the night before had coalesced into an unreadable mess. She didn't know how to feel about something like this, but she did know exactly what to do about it. And so she wore a practiced smile. After all, having a sense of direction was something to be happy about, wasn't it?
At long last, her target emerged. Applejack closed the front door of the red farmhouse with a stifled yawn and turned to walk down the porch steps. She froze in place when she saw the pony waiting for her on the lawn. Her eyes widened in shock for a moment before a warm smile lit up her homely face. "Well good mornin' to ya, Derpy."
"Morning, Applejack." Derpy responded cheerily.
Applejack yawned once more as she walked forward. "You're here pretty early, y'know? The part-time shift don't start for another couple o' hours."
Derpy continued smiling. "I know what's going on."
"Do ya now?" said Applejack as she gave Derpy a playful nudge. "Okay, lay it on me. What's goin' on?"
Derpy decided that it was time for her smile to go away. "You're lying to me, Applejack."
Alarm crossed Applejack's features but was soon replaced by a questioning stare. "Now who told you somethin' like that? Did Apple Bloom--"
"Sweetie Belle told me everything when I went to the barn last night."
This time the look of alarm stayed. Applejack pulled the brim of her Stetson down and grimaced. "Oh."
As Derpy continued, her tone never once ventured into anger--only disappointment. "Apple Bloom was gonna keep lying because you told her to, but Sweetie Belle was mad at me. She said it was all my fault that they were having to work so late. They were making flour, just like Twilight said, but not 'cause they have too much wheat." Derpy's throat started to tense up. "You said I was doing a good job here, even though I make a lot of mistakes. But Sweetie Belle says that your family doesn't have time to do all the work you need to get done during the day because you're too busy cleaning up after me."
Applejack pulled her Stetson lower.
"And that's not all. Sweetie Belle had to come help out because you can't stay up that late--you need a good night's sleep to work the way you do. And even with her help, my screw-ups are still cutting into your . . . you know, the money your family makes."
"Profits," mumbled Applejack.
"Right, prophets," said Derpy with an affirmative nod. "Everypony's having to pay for my mistakes, you're losing money on me, and you even had me thinking that y'all were makin' deals with aliens or something. Why would you tell me that I'm doing fine?"
Applejack raised her hat a bit. "Aliens?"
Derpy stared back unblinkingly.
Applejack sighed heavily and pulled her hat back to its normal position. "Okay, okay. Ya got me. I'm sorry I told ya a fib, Derpy. I just . . ." She paused, uncertain of how to say exactly what she wanted to. "Well, I heard about the hard time you had workin' for Spike n' the Post Office and I didn't want ya t' feel like ya couldn't do nothin' right." She waved a hoof out at the rest of the farm. "Everypony else who's got a job here works hard, but they have a pretty fun time doin' it too. That's just the way we do things the way it's supposed t' be on Sweet Apple Acres and . . . I just didn't want you to feel bad, Derpy. It didn't seem fair, especially since you're just lookin' for what your talent is."
At that moment, Derpy was glad she'd given the issue a lot of consideration last night. "And what if I ended up thinking that this was my talent? Would you hire me or would that force you to tell the truth?"
Applejack looked at the dirt. "Honestly, I hadn't thought that far ahead."
Derpy read the farmpony's body language incorrectly and nearly turned her head upside down as she attempted to look her temporary boss in the eye. "Applejack?"
"Yeah?"
Derpy held the position, no matter how uncomfortable. "What Sweetie Belle said last night really hurt. Part of that was 'cause I felt silly for thinking you and your family were up to no good, but it mostly hurt because I had to hear it from her. Finding out what I'm good at is really important to me, and I'll never find out if other ponies don't tell me the truth about how I'm doing." She drooped her own head low. "I've been causing problems around here, I get that now." Derpy angled her head so that only one eye and a slight grin was showing. "But if you're up for it, I've got an idea."
Applejack grinned in return and straightened up. "All right, let's hear it."
Derpy snapped to attention. Her grin transformed into a bright smile. "Give me a real shot at this. If I'm doing the work wrong, then teach me how to do it right. If I do my best, and I still mess up too much, then I'll know this farmin' stuff's not for me. Deal?"
Applejack snorted and began to snicker.
Derpy tilted her head to the side. "Did I say something funny?"
Applejack waved a hoof. "Nah, it's just that you said you had an 'idea.'" She recovered from her mirth but still had a wide smile on her face. "That's not an 'idea', Derpy. That's what ah shoulda done in the first place!"
"Hm," replied Derpy. She didn't understand what Applejack meant by that, but she didn't see any reason to worry about it. She put her right hoof forward. "So, deal?"
Applejack pressed one of her own front hooves to it. "You got it, sugarcube." ~
[High Noon of Day 28]
"Rainbow Dash!"
The pegasus pony in question lowered her hammer and pricked her ears up. She stood on a ladder inside the eight raised walls of the town hall's newly-built third story, just under a half-affixed "M" truss that would soon support the currently-missing roof. Rainbow Dash groaned and wiped her face with the towel around her neck. She knew that voice. She let the seconds pass in silence.
"Rainbow Dash! Look outside!"
Seeing no way out of the encounter, Rainbow Dash slid down the ladder and trotted to the closest window space. "Derpy, if you're gonna-- AAH!" She recoiled and fell on her rump. Derpy Hooves was hovering right outside the open window. If Rainbow Dash had taken one more step she would have knocked heads with her.
"Hi!" Derpy managed around the basket handle in her mouth.
Rainbow Dash coughed and got back on her hooves. "You could try using the stairs next time." She fully intended to carry the criticism further but was distracted by the contents of the basket. "Wait a minute. Are those . . ." The tangy yet savory odor of the fluffy treats inside was unmistakable. "Are those redcurrant pancakes?"
"Uh-huh," said Derpy as she set the basket on the floor. "I helped Spike make them. He said they were your favorite."
"He was right," Rainbow Dash said in awe. She approached and laid a grave hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "You have no idea how much I need a good lunch right now. You're a frikkin' lifesaver!"
"You're welcome, Rainbow." Derpy smiled and reached back to pull a thermos and picnic blanket out of her saddlebags. She paused with the thermos handle in her mouth. "I don't have any syrup, but you like them plain, right?"
"You bet your rump I do!" Rainbow Dash reached forward and gave the top pancake a mighty flip. She watched it as it soared into the air, tilted her head back, opened her mouth wide, and made a perfect catch. A noisy, almost herculean chewing effort followed and ended with an audible swallow. A look of intense satisfaction played havoc with Rainbow's face before transforming into her usual cocky grin. "Syrup's no good for the feathers of a true athlete, you know?"
Derpy fixed the last corner of the blanket and smiled. "Nope, but now I do."
Rainbow Dash did her part by lifting the basket onto the blanket, but looked up from the task with a puzzled expression. "Uh, I really appreciate this, Derpy. It's just that . . . uh . . ." She scratched at her mane nervously. "Is there a special occasion that I'm forgetting or something?"
Derpy shook her head and lowered it a bit. "No, I'm just trying to say that I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called you a jerk before."
Rainbow's face flushed red. "I-it's not that big of a deal."
"Yeah it is," Derpy responded as she twisted open the thermos cap, "'cause you're not a jerk. You're a good pony--I was just mad." She poured a cup of ice-cold water and pushed it toward her companion. "Will you forgive me?"
Rainbow's face was beet red. She laughed and waved a hoof. "C'mon, Derpy! You're killing me here! Of course I forgive you--quit bein' so mushy!"
"Oh, that's a relief," sighed Derpy, clearly happy not to have the deed tugging on her conscience any longer.
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash uttered awkwardly. She very much wanted to snag another pancake, but decided to keep her hooves where they were for what she needed to say. "Actually, I kinda owe you an apology too."
"Huh?" asked a wide-eyed Derpy. "For what?"
Rainbow avoided Derpy's gaze. "Well . . . You see, I . . ." She let out a frustrated groan, stood up, and pointed a hoof at the gray pegasus. "Okay, look. I don't do this . . . 'feelings' stuff, so open up your ears 'cause I'm only sayin' this once!"
Derpy sat up straight with a smile. "Okay."
Rainbow's hoof wavered. "Y-you were right. I was being a jerk. I mean, don't get me wrong--I was pretty steamed at you when you left, but . . ." She lowered the hoof and looked away. "The more I thought about it . . . you were just standing up for Spike. I mean, a year ago that might've been me yelling at Rarity or something. Anyway, I totally get where you were coming from and . . . I kinda respect you for it. Heck, I intimidate most ponies around here, so standing up to me is pretty . . . I dunno, heroic or something." The hoof came up once more, accompanied by a welcoming smile. "So, we cool?"
Derpy giggled and gave her the high-one she may or may not have been looking for. "Yeah, we're cool, Rainbow Dash."
"Okay, good," Rainbow declared as she flopped back to a sitting position. "Touchy-feely time is over. Pancake time starts now!" She reached over to her cup and paused, looking at the object inquisitively. "Say, that's actually pretty impressive."
"What is?"
Rainbow pointed at the thermos. "Half the ponies I know ask me to get those caps off for them. You did it on your own and poured two cups."
Derpy nodded. "Uh-huh."
Rainbow smiled brazenly. "No offense, but you're usually a walking disaster, especially with delicate stuff."
"I was just being careful," said Derpy as she reached for a pancake. "Applejack thinks that the reason I make so many mistakes is 'cause I don't think enough when I do things. So, I'm practicing being extra-careful all the time."
"Sounds like everything's workin' out over there."
"Mostly," Derpy replied with a half-yawn. "I just get really tired toward the end of the day. I'm working twice as long now."
Rainbow waved a hoof at the wooden trusses. "You still got energy for this, right?"
Derpy wolfed down half a pancake and imitated Rainbow's grin. "I won't know until I try."
Rainbow's grin got noticeably wider. "That's what I like to hear." ~
[Afternoon of Day 30]
Applejack leaned against one of the many trees of her orchard and stared off into the bright oranges and pinks of the sunset. It was a sight that she'd never tired of--not once since her youth--but she couldn't stop her eyes from drifting to the lonely stone edifice on the far-off hillside. She took a sip of cider from a nearby mug and frowned a bit. Her thoughts didn't get far before they were interrupted by the sounds of heavy trotting and gasping breaths.
A sweaty Derpy Hooves approached from the side, swaying back and forth with an unsteady enthusiasm. "H-hi, Applejack!" she blurted out around ragged breaths. "T-they told me come meet you here." Uncertainty arose in her expression. "After work. To meet you here after work, that-that's what they told me."
Applejack smiled and held up a front hoof. "Hold up a minute, Derpy. Sit down and catch yer breath--nopony told ya t' bust a lung gettin' over here." She cocked her head toward the mugs of cider at her side. "You're not on the clock right now. It's just you n' me relaxin' after a hard day's work."
Derpy followed Applejack's instructions to the letter, plopping herself down under the apple tree and pulling over a mug of liquid refreshment.
"Slowly now," cautioned Applejack. "Don't want t' make yerself sick."
Derpy took a few moments to calm down from her headlong sprint across the farm before asking, "Am I really just here to hang out?"
"Eh, not exactly," replied Applejack. She pulled a small stack of papers from the grass and let them fall to her lap. "Yer results are in."
Derpy's face lit up with excitement. "Oh my gosh. How'd I do?"
Applejack sifted the papers with a cursory hoof. "Huh."
Derpy leaned forward. "What's 'huh?'"
Applejack raised an eyebrow, her gaze locked on the papers. "It's funny. If you'd told me a year ago that we'd have official Sweet Apple Acres Stationary ah woulda looked at you like ya had three heads. This was all Apple Bloom's idea, of course--"
"Applejack!" Derpy whined.
Applejack turned to Derpy with a wise-guy grin. "Just kiddin'." She tossed the top paper over to Derpy.
The pegasus mare looked down at the report, but the various charts and graphs meant little to her. "So, is this good?"
"I'd say so," replied Applejack. "You broke even, sunshine. Maybe even made a little on top."
The words were as indecipherable to Derpy as the paper before her. "Um . . ."
Applejack leaned toward her, making her tone bright so that her companion was sure to understand. "You were costin' us money before, remember? Well, now we're back up to just a tiny bit o' profit for this week. There ain't nopony else around here changin' work habits anymore, so that's all you." Seeing an ever-widening smile on Derpy's face, Applejack decided to temper the good news. "Now don't misunderstand--that don't make ya a farmpony all-star. Still, with that kinda improvement over just a few days of good solid effort, it really is somethin' to be proud of." She leaned back against the tree once more. "Heck, if ya want to stay on, I wouldn't mind hirin' ya."
Derpy's mouth fell open. "Really?"
Applejack tipped the brim of her Stetson up. "Is that what you'd like to do?"
The inquiry reminded Derpy of a similar question that Twilight had once asked of her. She thought hard for a moment or two, but it didn't take very long. "Thanks, Applejack, but I don't think this is my talent. I'd really like to find that out while I've got the time."
Applejack smiled at that answer. "Well, you're welcome anytime." She took a sip of frothy beverage from her mug. "And remember, that's an Apple family rule--friends are always welcome."
If the smile that appeared on Derpy's face had been made of sugar, Applejack would have contracted a case of diabetes on the spot.
Applejack cast her earnest companion a sideways glance. "I know ah said t' take it slow, but that cider ain't gonna drink itself."
"You're serious?" asked Derpy as her train of thought careened right past her new friend's advice. "You and me are . .."
"Well why not, sugar? I've taken a likin' to ya--don't need t' be more complicated than that." Applejack looked Derpy right in the eye. "Less'n that don't meet with your approval."
Derpy looked genuinely shocked. "Of course it does. I just don't really get it. All I did was work hard and be careful."
Applejack's smile took on a wistful quality. "See that headstone on the hill over yonder?"
Derpy looked in the direction of Applejack's gaze to find a single stone monument silhouetted against the setting sun. "Yeah."
"That's where I laid my first friend t' rest."
Derpy felt a sudden knot form in her throat. "You mean . . ."
"Winona," said Applejack. "That dog was right by my side ever since I was no bigger than a watermelon, and I loved her just for that. It was only when ah went t' get my schoolin' done that I understood somethin' about that love. The other fillies and foals didn't know any better, but they could be as two-faced n' cruel as a starvin' hydra. Winona was different. From the tip of her ears to the tip of her tail there wasn't a single lie t' be found." Applejack gave a light chuckle. "Now that's not too unusual as far as dogs go. Still, she was the one who taught me that bein' honest is worth a whole lot more than just doin' what your granny tells you." She turned her gaze back to the intently listening Derpy. "It's been two months since I had t' say goodbye, but I didn't realize just how much I missed that kind of unfailin' honesty comin' from somepony besides me."
Derpy's face flushed at the compliment, but the knot in her throat stayed and wouldn't allow one question to go unasked. "How did it happen?"
Applejack's smile faded away. She turned back toward the grave in the distance. "I lost sight of Winona when we were out herdin' cattle one evening. Didn't worry me too much at first--happens sometimes when there's a wild stray. It was already dark and pourin' down rain by the time I realized she was gone. I went lookin' for her even so, and when I found her . . ." She bit at her lower lip. "She wasn't my dog anymore."
Derpy whickered in response. "What?"
The fading red of the setting sun reflected in Applejack's eyes. "Timber wolves carry somethin' that acts like rabies at first--turns a perfectly good dog into a bloodthirsty monster. Give it a few more days and there won't be any difference left between your little pal and a real timber wolf." Applejack sniffed and pulled the brim of her hat low. "Once I saw Winona like that . . . There ain't no cure, y'know?" She paused before saying, "Ah did the only thing I could."
Derpy bowed her head, ashamed for her earlier suspicions. "I'm sorry."
Noticing her friend's somber mood, Applejack quickly restored a smile to her features. "Ain't nothin' for you t'be sorry for, sunshine. It's just hard for me to let go, 'specially when what happened don't make no sense."
Derpy looked up. "It doesn't?"
Applejack took another swig from her mug. "Y'know that stuff that got to Winona? The wolves carry it in their blood--well, sap really. Now how would Winona get that in her? They don't bleed out their snouts, and their skin's made o' wood. She'd have to chew on one of those wolves for a good half-hour to get down t' the veins." She shook her head. "Winona knew better than that anyhow. I lost count o' the number of wolves we'd tangled with over the years." A moment of silence followed, but Applejack soon dispelled it with a dismissive sigh. "Well, I didn't figure it out then and I aint' gonna figure it out now sippin' cider under the apple trees." She cast a playful glance at Derpy. "Would you take a sip o' that mug I saved for ya before I have to force it down your gullet?"
The enraptured Derpy had completely forgotten her thirst. She wordlessly lifted the cider off the ground and began to drink. Several seconds later, she was still going.
Applejack's eyes grew wider with every gulp. "Are you really gonna--"
Derpy planted the empty mug on the ground and wiped the froth mustache from her face.
"--finish the whole thing?"
Derpy beamed a smile back at the now-redundant question.
Applejack exhaled sharply through her nose. "Good, ain't it?" She quickly finished off the last of her own cider and stared at the Sweet Apple Acres logo on the mug. "We found a way to serve it year-round after Apple Bloom got her Mark. The farm's been goin' through a lot of changes thanks to her."
Derpy suppressed a small burp. "Good ones, right?"
Applejack looked surprised by the question. "Course they are--came from my little sister, didn't they? She's always been a brighter bulb than most ponies gave her credit for." Her eyes drifted downward. "Still, the way it's all happening so fast . . ." She looked back at Derpy. "Do ya ever feel like you're waitin' for the other horseshoe to drop?"
"Applejack!" came a masculine voice from some distance away.
"Oops," said Applejack as she jumped up from her sitting position. "Looks like they sent out a search party."
"A party?" Derpy asked with obvious confusion.
Applejack chuckled. "Nah, it's just Big Mac."
The well-built red stallion named Big Macintosh closed the distance quickly, coming to a skidding halt just short of the two mares' position.
"Hey, Mac," Applejack offered in greeting. "I'm not due back already, am I?"
"Timbersign," Macintosh grunted out between breaths. "South orchard."
All traces of joviality disappeared from Applejack's face. "Same pack?"
Macintosh nodded gravely.
Derpy rose to her hooves as well. "What's going on?"
Applejack turned to her and explained the situation in a calm voice. "We got a pack of timber wolves in the south orchard, Derpy. I think me and Mac can handle 'em, but this could be dangerous." Her eyes moved back and forth in thought for a moment. "Can I ask you for a favor?"
Derpy nodded.
"Apple Bloom is inspectin' an old wheat field just north o' here that we're gonna burn down in a couple o' days. I need you to go there, find her, and get yourselves back to the farmhouse." Applejack laid a solemn hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "I'd go myself, but Mac's gonna need some help with a whole pack down there. Can you handle this, Derpy?"
Derpy's heartbeat began to quicken. The sense of danger was palpable, but she was familiar with the layout of the farm by now. "I can do it," she responded.
"All right," said Applejack. "I'm trustin' you. When y'all get back to the house, lock all the doors and windows. Don't open 'em for anythin' till me n' Mac come for you, got it?"
"Got it."
Applejack pulled her Stetson tight on her head and flashed a grim smile. "Okay, Mac. Lead the way." ~
Minutes later, Derpy Hooves charged across the dirt paths between towering fields of wheat that blocked her vision. A chill wind whipped about in the dim twilight, filling the air with the sound of rustling leaves.
"Apple Bloom!" Derpy shouted above the noise. "Apple Bloom, where are you?!"
She arrived at a four-way crossroads and suddenly realized that she'd lost her sense of direction. Each of the paths through the near-solid walls of wheat looked identical under the sky of pale lavender. Derpy spun about in place, unsure of where to go next or how to stop her slowly rising sense of panic.
"Apple Bloom!" she shouted even louder than before.
"Hey! Is that you, Derpy?"
Derpy Hooves swiveled about to see Apple Bloom emerge from one of the walls of wheat, her cream-colored coat and fire-red mane easily visible even in the low light. She stood about six inches shorter than Derpy, but very nearly had the proportions of a full-bodied mare.
"Whatcha doin' up here?" asked Apple Bloom in her countrified cadence. "I thought you were meetin' A.J. after work."
"Apple Bloom!" Derpy exclaimed as she rushed to the earth pony's side. "There's timber wolves on the farm!"
The younger mare looked a bit skeptical. "Seriously?"
"Come on," said Derpy, prancing in place. "She said to go back to the farmhouse and lock the doors."
Apple Bloom giggled. "Aw, calm down, Derpy." She gave a powerful kick with a rear hoof. "Just show me where A.J. and Big Mac went. I'll help 'em give those doggies a good clobberin'."
Derpy's mouth fell open. "No, Apple Bloom. Applejack's trusting me to get you to a safe place. If something happens to you then . . ."
Apple Bloom looked a bit disappointed, but a tiny smile crept across her face. "You forgot the way back, didn't ya?"
Derpy looked away. "T-that too."
Apple Bloom gave a light chuckle. "Well don't you worry. I'll get ya t' the farmhouse in one piece." She strode confidently past Derpy for a few steps before stopping in place and looking about. "Wait, what the hay is this?"
"What's what?"
Apple Bloom continued casting about, her expression growing more frustrated by the moment. "I know this field like the back o' my hoof but . . ." She turned to Derpy. "The paths are all pointed in weird directions, like somepony jumbled them up." She squinted. "Hey, is it getting dark a lot quicker than usual or is it just me?"
It was true--the sky had transitioned from lavender to dark gray in a matter of minutes. Derpy was about to agree verbally when another voice interrupted her.
"We meet again, Ms. Hooves."
An earth pony mare materialized out of the wheat fields. She seemed unfamiliar at a glance, but recognition began to dawn on Derpy when she imagined the mare in uniform. Her magenta coat, crimson mane, and stern blue eyes brought her name to the forefront of Derpy's mind. "Ms. Strike?"
"Strike?" asked Apple Bloom. "You mean Three Strike?"
Three Strike ignored the inquiry and sauntered forward in haughty fashion. "You're a hard pony to reach, Ms. Hooves, but I told you that this wasn't over. No matter what these ponies have told you, you're nothing more than a burden on each and every one of them."
"That ain't true!" shouted Apple Bloom.
Three Strike frowned. "It would be wonderful if it weren't, but we both know the truth. Don't we, Derpy?" Her eyes narrowed, bright blue even in the dim light. "You can either continue to bother them and be reviled behind your back, or you can come with me."
Derpy had never expected to see the unpleasant mare again. The words hurt more than Derpy thought they would, and she could only stammer in response. "I . . . I uh . . ."
Apple Bloom leaped between the two mares. "Don't you listen to her, Derpy! She ain't no agent o' the crown--she's a fraud! Twilight told me so!" She glared daggers at Three Strike. "You ain't nothin' but a common crook. Now git off my farm before I have to buck you off it!"
Three Strike sighed heavily. "Well, Derpy? What will it be?"
Derpy's words were failing her. She began to move behind Apple Bloom to indicate her decision, but stopped as something caught her eye. "What's wrong with your mane?"
Three Strike pulled her red mane into view. Deep orange streaks were starting to run through it like water pouring down a rock face. Her eyes closed and a smile played across her lips. "Had to run out sooner or later, I guess." Then she began to laugh.
Derpy and Apple Bloom backed away slowly as Three Strike's laughter vacillated between sniggering fits and maniacal cackling. When the strange pony's eyes opened once more, the laughter ceased. The round pupils had narrowed to reptilian slits, and her blue irises gave off an intense ethereal light. A black cloak swirled through the air above and descended like a cascading wave over Three Strike's form. In the next moment, it pulled tight around her neck and covered everything but the tips of her hooves, muzzle, and a few wisps of her now-gray mane. Her coat had changed to a shade of royal blue, and the light of her eyes shone from under the cowl over her head.
A droplet of yellowish discharge escaped from her lips as she smiled. "Hi there."
Derpy had gone slack-jawed at the surreal sight but quickly clamped it shut and covered her nose. "What is that smell? It's awful!"
Apple Bloom coughed and covered her snout as well. "That smells like sulfur." She coughed once more and stared at the pony that looked more like a living shadow than anything else. "What the heck are you?"
The cloaked pony's voice had changed completely from the stern authority of Three Strike's pronouncements. Her next words had a guttural, uneven tone. "Sissy says I'm an Emissary." She giggled and blew at the brim of her cowl. "But you half-lifes like to call me Screw Loose. Take your pick."
Derpy felt a pressure growing in her head and chest. A primal fear rose within her, unlike anything she'd felt before. There was no suspicion this time--she knew that Screw Loose was dangerous. She wanted to warn Apple Bloom, but the words stuck in her throat.
Apple Bloom kicked at the dirt. "I don't much care for either one. Now I warned ya once, I won't do it again. Git off my farm!"
Screw Loose advanced on the pair with a malicious grin. "Or what?"
Apple Bloom wasted not a second. She turned and lashed out with a powerful hind leg in one swift motion. No creature standing where Screw Loose did could have avoided the blow. However, Apple Bloom's hoof caught nothing but thin air. Screw Loose's form dissipated into black smoke on impact, causing the young farmpony to overbalance. Within the breadth of a second, Screw Loose's cloaked form reappeared at Apple Bloom's vulnerable flank and punched hard. The attack caught Apple Bloom full across the face with enough force to send her skidding across the dirt in a cloud of dust.
Derpy looked to where the dust cloud stopped in shock. Apple Bloom was splayed out on all fours, clearly knocked out of consciousness. She turned back to Screw Loose to find the unearthly pony leaning into her face.
"Gosh, I've been wanting to do that for two whole months."
Derpy recoiled with a yelp, but Screw Loose stayed right with her.
"Playtime is over, Derpy Hooves. You're coming with me, one way or the other." She stopped moving forward and looked around Derpy at the fallen protector. Screw Loose grinned wickedly. "In a minute, anyway." With that, she moved toward Apple Bloom.
Derpy felt as if sirens were blaring inside her head. She turned about and forced her vocal chords to cooperate. "W-what are you doing?"
Screw Loose let out a harsh laugh. "Just a little fun before we go. I'm gonna leave dear old Applejack a present." She looked back at Derpy. "I can make monsters y'know. I can make 'em out of anyone or anything." She tilted her head up. "That's why I have so many friends."
It was then that Derpy noticed them. Red eyes situated on snarling wooden faces littered the walls of wheat--they were completely surrounded by timber wolves, or at least, what had once been timber wolves. A black sludge oozed from their joints and odd antler-like growths stuck out from their otherwise smooth skin at crazy angles. The creatures waited patiently, apparently at their master's beck and call. Conscious thought began to fade from Derpy's mind. Every fiber in her being was screaming at her to run like the wind.
Screw Loose cackled madly, her voice dripping with mirth. "Oh Applejack was so broken up over what happened to that stupid dog! Just imagine how she'll feel when she has to kill her own little sister!" She let out a squeal of delight. "I can't wait to see the look on that bumpkin half-life's face!"
Screw Loose's words came together in Derpy's terrified thoughts. She gasped. "You did it. You made Winona sick."
"Duh," remarked Screw Loose as she neared Apple Bloom's fallen form. "It was either that or let her lead the Apples right to me. But that was sloppy improv. This . . ." She giggled. "This is gonna be a work of art!"
The fluffy filly named Sleepy Pie stumbled forward from the edge of the crowd. Cross watched in stupefied horror as her wide tearful eyes gave him one last pleading look before glazing over. Her small body toppled forward into the grass, never to rise again.
The vision caused Derpy's body to move. She threw herself between Screw Loose and Apple Bloom, standing her ground in silence.
Screw Loose smiled. "What's this?"
"I'll make you a deal," said Derpy. "I'll go with you, and I won't cause trouble." She withered a bit under Screw Loose's glowing half-gaze but steeled herself for whatever was to come. "Just don't hurt Apple Bloom."
"Aww," cooed Screw Loose. "That is so sweet of you." She gave a tilt of her head. "But it's really no trouble for me to knock you out and do what I want."
WHACK!
Screw Loose's hoof hit Derpy's cheek so hard that she felt her jaw loosen. Pain seared through her head and her body lurched to the right, but Derpy forced herself to remain standing. When the taste of copper filled her mouth, she simply swallowed and stared back at her assailant.
"Wow," said Screw Loose. "You're tougher than you look." The glow from her eyes shifted from blue to a nearly black shade of violet. She raised her hoof once more. "Lucky for you, I love doing things the hard way."
A familiar voice rang out over the wheat field. "I'd put that hoof back where it belongs if I was you."
Both Derpy and Screw Loose turned to see Applejack trotting her way along the dirt path past growling rows of timber wolves waiting for instruction.
"A.J.!" exclaimed Screw Loose as she lowered her hoof, her eyes returning to their previous blue coloration. "I left you at the south orchard. Now how'd you get here fast? I was sure that I had at least a few minutes to play."
Applejack smiled as she neared their position, looking for all the world as if she'd happened upon a Sunday picnic. "I gotta give ya credit, Screwy. Magic'n yourself up as Big Mac and teleportin' away after gettin' me surrounded was pretty clever." Her smile arched up to show her teeth. "For a scumbag."
Derpy Hooves could only give a teary-eyed smile at her friend's arrival. She felt sure that she would vomit if she dared to open her mouth.
Applejack laid a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "Thanks, Derpy. Now stand back, y'hear?"
Derpy nodded and stuck close to Apple Bloom as Applejack stepped forward.
"This is touching," quipped Screw Loose. "You're like a hillbilly knight in shining armor, or at least you would be if you could actually do anything." She waved at the canine faces in the wheat fields. "Why don't you get out of my way before I let my friends turn you into a chew toy?"
Applejack looked left, then right, and whistled. "So, lemme guess. Your plan's to get me tangled up with more timber wolves while you run over to Derpy, grab her, and then teleport outta here while I'm occupied." She swished her tail mockingly. "Right?"
Screw Loose snorted. "And if it is?"
Applejack's expression took on a malicious quality. "Too late."
Flickering lights began to appear at all points on the dark horizon. The wheat fields were completely surrounded by distant flames with an odd tinge of crimson.
"Well, go on," said Applejack. "Try to 'port outside of it. You could always just come right back."
Screw Loose sighed. "Only for you, A.J." Her blue eyes flashed brightly, but nothing happened. The flashed once more, producing nothing at all. She gave Applejack a sideways glance. "How did you--"
"Anti-magic barrier," answered Applejack with obvious pride. "The recipe's been in our family since before anypony cares to remember, and when Twilight warned me about you havin' weird magic, I figured it might be nice to set the table in case you came by t' visit." She made a counting motion with a front hoof. "Works on ponies, works on monsters," She pointed the hoof at her adversary. "And I guess it works on you, stinkbreath. You'll never get outta here before the royal guard shows up."
The timber wolves began to move onto the dirt paths. Screw Loose threw a forearm to her brow in mock despair. "Oh no, I suppose you're going to put me in hoofcuffs now."
"Depends," Applejack replied, letting the smile fade from her face. "What you said you did to Winona, is it true?"
"It sure is," Screw Loose shot back. "And the same's gonna happen to--"
"Now that's a problem for me," Applejack interrupted. She stepped forward slowly, ignoring the danger all around. "See, Twilight wants ya alive, but you got a lot to answer for. On top of all the stuff the police are after ya for, ya bring a pack o' timber wolves on my farm, threaten my whole family, and ya even try to cast some crazy voodoo on my sister." At this point, she was inches from Screw Loose's face. "I mighta been able to swallow all that, but you took my dog from me too." Cold light danced in her emerald eyes. "I don't care if I have to bust through ev'ry timber wolf in the Everfree Forest--you are not leavin' this field in one piece."
Screw Loose stared right back at her in unrepentant mirth. "You and what army?"
"Who needs one?" Applejack whispered. She took one step back and shouted at the top of her lungs. "HONESTY!"
Derpy had no idea what her friend was thinking. One pony against all this? She trusted Applejack, but all she could think about were the innumerable timber wolves moving all about and their unfathomable mistress. It was in the midst of this hopelessness that she saw it. The ground beneath their hooves rumbled and split open, revealing a night sky beneath filled with stars, auroras, and swirling rainbows. At its center of the abyss that could not possibly exist where it was, there stood a single ivory monument that shone forth in stunning radiance.
Derpy's lips moved of their own accord. "The White Spire . . ."
The wondrous crevice closed as quickly as it had opened, but not before a single object rocketed up from the depths. It flew through the air and latched itself around Applejack's neck, revealing itself by the golden crest and citrine gem as the Element of Honesty.
The gem blinked twice with an inner light and spoke in a flat, masculine tone. "READY."
"Really?" Screw Loose laughed. "What good will that do?"
Applejack ignored her and shouted once more. "Crest Open!"
The gem blinked three times. "OPEN UP."
As Derpy watched, the apple-shaped core gem receded slightly into its crest. Swirling orange lights escaped from within and surrounded Applejack in a glowing whirlwind, followed by two pieces of the crest that broke off and sailed behind her head. The two fragments of golden alloy realigned themselves into a pair of apple-shaped ornaments that dove into the midst of Applejack's floating mane and began to restyle her hair. Aided by the glowing lights, they fashioned a pair of braided ponytails and snapped themselves to the tufts at the ends in the breadth of a second. And, as the orange lights began to fade, an inner light shone forth from Applejack's green irises, an unmistakable sign of the magic power that now coursed through her body.
Screw Loose recoiled from the spectacular display and moved into the walls of wheat, flashing a devilish grin as she did so. The timber wolves closed in from the rear only to raise their heads in alarm at the sound of thundering hoofbeats. The heroic form of the real Big Macintosh barreled across the dirt path from one wheat field to another, busting some of the wolves to pieces with the force of his impact and scattering the rest like ninepins.
Applejack turned her glowing gaze to Derpy Hooves. "No matter what happens, stay right there, sugarcube."
Awestruck and feeling completely out of her depth, Derpy could only nod briskly in return.
Applejack moved back toward their position as smoke from the spreading fires at the edge of the wheat fields drifted in all around them. Nearly half of the timber wolves raced off to deal with Macintosh while the others filed in to get at what looked like the easier targets. Upon seeing the pony with the glowing eyes look away, the most courageous of the group leapt at Derpy and Apple Bloom, who were both to Applejack's rear. The farmpony struck out and scored a clean hit on the assailant without looking in his direction.
Normally, Derpy would have expected this kind of blow to send the wolf reeling. Instead, the wolf exploded into chunks and splinters on impact, as if he'd swallowed a lit stick of dynamite.
Several more wolves rushed forward at the vulnerable Derpy only to meet grisly ends. Applejack's movements were almost too quick for the eye to follow--she was effectively defending their position from all angles with only two back legs. Stranger still, Applejack wasn't looking at the attackers when she struck. Her radiant eyes seemed to be searching for something else, even in the midst of battle.
When another wave of vicious canines advanced on the three ponies, there was an explosion of black smoke overhead. It was Screw Loose, whose teleportation ability within the barrier seemed to work just fine. There was no delay at all between the appearance of the smoke and Screw Loose dropping down for the kill. Even so, Applejack proved faster. She dropped onto her back and lashed out with both hind legs at a timber wolf aiming for her flank. The wolf's limbs shattered with a resounding snap as the body shot up and hit Screw Loose like a cannonball, knocking the wind out of her. She vanished into another puff of smoke as the two timber wolves coming from the front raced forward to take advantage of the prone Applejack. The farmpony used the momentum from her kicks to stand up on her two front legs, striking out at the would-be killers and hitting them both in faces that turned to sawdust before their bodies hit the dirt.
Derpy could barely keep up as Applejack whirled about like a pony gone mad, attacking and defending in all directions with lightning speed and flawless accuracy. Screw Loose continued to teleport into the battle from odd angles only to be smacked back into a cloud of smoke as quickly as she'd appeared. Throughout the lunatic dance of death, not a single wooden claw touched the crouching Derpy or the unconscious Apple Bloom.
It wasn't long before Screw Loose began to run out of "friends." When she observed that only a few timber wolves remained, she reappeared on the edge of combat with the dark violet glow once again present in her eyes. Five flames of the same color sprouted in the air around her. "Burn pretty for me, A.J.!" she screamed as the flames shot out in different directions before lancing toward Applejack.
As with the other attacks, Applejack saw them coming. She thrust out mightily with both front hooves at the last two timber wolves, impaling them both. She then swung the unfortunate creatures at the oncoming flames and rolled into a nearby wheat field. What was left of the wolves collided in midair with three of the violet flames in a thunderous explosion and brilliant fireworks. The other two splashed upon the near-solid carpet of wheat, only embers reaching the ground below.
One second later, a bright-eyed Applejack emerged from the field and advanced on Screw Loose. "I'm as good as my word, Screwy!" she yelled. "Let's see if you go 'crunch' the same way yer pets do!"
A confidently-smiling Screw Loose, battered though she was, thrust her right arm out to the side. "Sorry that I won't be here for the beating, A.J., but I know when I've overstayed my welcome." A ball of violet flame appeared at her side, growing larger by the moment.
Applejack halted her charge and prepared to dodge the projectile. "How's that gonna help?!" she shouted. "You can't bust through the barrier with magic!"
Screw Loose sneered through her bruises. "I know." The ball of flame had grown to the size of an apple cart. She lifted her right hoof high in the air and brought it down, pointing at the now-exposed Derpy Hooves and Apple Bloom.
As the orb of fire shot through the air, Applejack realized that she'd made a fatal mistake. There was no way to get to her charges in time. "Apple Bloom!" she shouted in desperation. "Derpy!"
Derpy saw it coming, and as the flaming violet projectile began to fill her vision, everything seemed to slow down. If I jump to the side now, she thought, I'll probably live. But Apple Bloom will . . . With the time for only one swift action left, Derpy threw herself bodily over Applejack's sister. Applejack trusted me to keep you safe. She felt the heat of the descending spell, and yet felt sure of herself and at peace. I don't care what happens to me, I won't break my promise!
At the moment of impact, Derpy did not feel pain. Instead, she felt a curious sensation. Something left her body, something that was both part of her and not part of her at the same time. Everything else began to fade away.
Somewhere in the distance, she heard the roar of a lion . . . ~
[Night of Day 30]
When Derpy regained consciousness, she found herself on a cot surrounded by doctors, police officers, and even a few royal knights in full armor. From the pungent smell of burning wheat and the night sky above, it seemed that she wasn't too far from where she'd been. Twilight Sparkle and Spike were nearby, both looking very worried. Twilight was talking to one of the doctors while Spike fidgeted nervously with his sword.
The doctor nearest to her noticed her open eyes and immediately called over his colleagues. The next few minutes were filled with medical instruments moving back and forth and a battery of questions from the physicians. Derpy nodded and shook her head in response, but her vocal chords felt like they were caught in a vice. Not painful, just not working either. When the ponies in white coats were at last convinced that she was in no danger, they allowed her to sit up. Twilight and Spike rushed to her side, each expressing concern and regret that they hadn't been there, but that seemed silly to Derpy. After all, they couldn't have known that something like this would happen.
Those around her kept talking and gesturing, but Derpy started to tune them out. Her thoughts about what had happened were a jumbled mess. She wondered whether the place that was burning was called Sweet Apple Acres or Sunny Stables. She saw Applejack and Apple Bloom in the care of other doctors, both apparently none the worse for wear. It made her glad to see that they'd both made it, but she couldn't stop worrying about Silver Cross. Had he escaped his brush with death as well? The more she thought, the more it hurt to think.
How did I live? That thought survived her confusion. She focused on it and found no answer. She felt fine. The doctors said that there was nothing wrong with her aside from bruises and a dislocated jaw. Then what happened to the ball of fire? What happened to Screw Loose? A chilling fear crept back into her senses. I almost died. She felt cold and hollow at the thought and drew her limbs about her. Spike grabbed a blanket from a supply cart and draped it over her, but it did nothing to stop the feeling.
It was then that a brown earth pony stallion in a tan trenchcoat made his way through the crowd. He greeted Twilight and Spike before sitting down to bring his gaze level with Derpy's. Derpy stared back at him, transfixed by his blue eyes. They were the same color as those of Screw Loose.
"Hello, Derpy," he said in a calm voice, as if nothing unusual had transpired. "My name is One Liner and I'm a detective with the Canterlot Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit." He pulled a legal pad out of his coat and set it on the ground. "I need to ask you a few questions about what happened here tonight, but I'm not sure if you're ready yet." He placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. "Will you be all right?"
Derpy stared at him unblinkingly, images of the violence in the wheat fields flashing through her mind. "I don't know," she whispered.
SOON
Amethyst 3A: "Down Under" |
Lost Legacies | Amethyst 3A: Down Under | [Night of Day 30]
By the time that the fire in the Sweet Apple Acres wheat field finally burned out, nearly half the idle crop had been reduced to piles of gray ash and blackened stalks. The clouds of smoke that wafted about in the air parted before a magic force traveling through them. Twilight Sparkle and Applejack moved around the debris, guided by a pale glow emanating from Twilight's horn.
"Applejack," Twilight began in the tone of a complaint. "Do we really need to be out here? I'm sure the knights will find whatever it is Apple Bloom saw in the morning."
The farmpony in question waved her Stetson at the smoke reflexively. "Prob'ly so. Still, why would my sister find anythin' made o' wood in the middle of a wheat field? 'Scuse me if the thought of somethin' bein' where it don't belong on my farm don't sit well with me." She turned about with a smirk and pointed a hoof at her eyes. "I could always just summon Honesty, y'know. Then I'd see everythin' just fine."
Twilight shook her head in response. "We all agreed that summoning the Elements for trivial matters was a bad idea, remember? I'm surprised you're even standing this soon after using it--the magic that courses through your body when you link with the core gem is no joke."
"Well, maybe the third time's the charm," quipped Applejack as she continued to look about. "I feel right as rain."
Twilight tilted her head and offered an inquisitive gaze. "How about when you were using it?"
"I think I'm gettin' the hang o' the magic boost," said Applejack, "but that whole seein' everythin' at once deal?"
"Perfect spatial awareness," corrected Twilight.
Applejack lifted a pile of charred stalks up with a hoof, finding nothing. "Yeah, that. I'm still gettin' used to that part--feels like goin' cross-eyed n' stayin' that way." She whistled. "Even with that 'perfect spaceware' thing, I could barely keep up with weird earth pony flickerin' here n' there like a will o' wisp."
"Well, at least we know for a fact that she's using some kind of magic now." Twilight sighed and peered into the misty gloom all around. "You know, the knights weren't exactly clear on how Screw Loose even got away. Wasn't that barrier you told me about supposed to stop her from teleporting outside of it?"
"It did," said Applejack. "Stuff worked just like Granny Smith said it would--just pour it in a ditch, light a match, and nothin' magical gets through till it burns away." The untouched part of the field became visible through the smoke. "To tell the truth, I don't know how she got out, or even how Derpy n' Apple Bloom are still with us. When Screw Loose shot that big honkin' ball o' fire at the two of them, I thought I'd lost 'em for sure. But the moment it hits, there's this explosion and a blindin' flash of light. I open up my eyes a second later, and there's Derpy n' Apple Bloom, safe and sound, and a big gapin' hole in the barrier. Ole Screwy 'ported out before I even had a second t' think."
"But you said that magic can't put out fire made of anti-magic."
Applejack stopped and turned to Twilight. "I'm tellin' ya, it can't. What happened don't make a lick o' sense."
Twilight put a hoof to her chin and glanced at the ash-laden ground. "Maybe not, but it might answer another question that's been bothering me ever since this started."
"What's that?"
Twilight's gaze narrowed. "I think it's important to consider that Derpy and Apple Bloom were completely unharmed by a powerful offensive spell. Up until now, we've never had a clue as to why Derpy is being targeted, but the potential ability to deflect giant fireballs and break through anti-magic fire? That could begin to explain things . . ."
Applejack whickered. "You think Derpy did that?"
"Well, you just said that it couldn't have been Screw Loose."
Applejack processed this for a moment before shaking her head. "Derpy's just a normal pegasus pony, Twi. You took a look at her yourself."
"True," said Twilight, "but I can't detect Screw Loose's magic either. I didn't feel a thing in that hotel room even though she definitely teleported out of there seconds before."
Applejack turned about once more. "Well, this conversation just went way past my pay grade. I'm sure you n' that detective'll figure somethin' out." A slow smile crept across her face. "Speakin' of, you two seem to have gotten to know each other pretty well."
"Yeah," responded Twilight, still deep in thought. "We've worked together a few times."
"He's pretty cute, don'tcha think?"
Twilight's eyes drifted back up. "Um, I guess."
"You guess?" echoed Applejack.
"I-I mean yes," Twilight stammered. "He's a very attract-" She paused. "Handsome stallion. What are you getting at?"
Applejack continued to sift through piles of burnt vegetation. "I'm gonna take a shot in the dark here and say that you haven't noticed the way he looks at you when he thinks you ain't payin' attention."
Twilight gave a nervous laugh. The light on her horn flickered. "Come on, A.J.! You're making that up."
"Makin' things up?" Applejack asked indignantly. "Maybe you don't put much stock in this, Twi, but you're one of the prettiest mares around. I'd be worried about this Liner fella if he wasn't checkin' you out."
The light sparked and flickered once more. "Applejack! One Liner is a professional! I seriously doubt that he's-"
"A stallion?" interrupted Applejack. "Single?"
Twilight blushed heavily. "We're just working together to find Screw Loose. That's it."
Applejack backed away with a giant smile on her face. "Whatever you say, sugarc- OW!" She leaped away from where she'd stood a moment before, one hind leg held aloft. "What the hay was that?!"
Twilight rushed to her side. "Are you hurt?"
Applejack tested the limb and stood upon it once more. "Naw, somethin' just stung me over there. Think there's embers still burnin' under some o' the piles?"
The unicorn mare pushed aside the debris with her magic, her eyes growing wide at the result. "Maybe, but not this one."
Embedded in the ground before the two ponies was an object made of wood and iron. Strange glyphs on its worn surface shone with a dull prismatic glow.
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't here when we planted the field." She tilted her head. "Does it look like a door to you?"
"It does," replied Twilight. As a test, she lifted a nearby pebble and dropped it onto the object. The tiny rock bounced off on impact with a snap, revealing a shimmering force field of the same multi-hued color as the glyphs. "A locked one. Do you still have any of that anti-magic brew?"
Applejack lifted her Stetson and presented it to Twilight upside-down. "Right here."
Twilight levitated a vial of viscous orange liquid from within, uncorked it, and shook loose a single drop over the door. The force field flashed once and dispersed, leaving behind a normal door in its wake. Twilight's magic aura grabbed hold of the now unguarded object and lifted it on its creaking hinges, nearly letting it fall back to the dirt when the air from within hit her nostrils.
"Hoo-wee!" Applejack exclaimed, fanning away at the entrance with her hat. "It sure smells like Screw Loose, I can tell ya that much."
Following that pronouncement, the two friends stared down the hole in silence. A featureless stone stairway led down into darkness, accompanied only by the strong smell of sulfur and a continuous echo not unlike the sound one hears when holding a conch shell to their ear.
Transfixed by the haunting sight, Twilight nearly jumped out of her skin when she noticed the trenchcoated One Liner standing right next to them.
"Huh," Liner said around the flashlight in his mouth. "That's interesting." He gave the two jittery mares an innocent glance each before pointing at the hole. "You ladies going down, or should I catch the next one?"
NEXT
Episode 06: "Imaginary Place" |
Lost Legacies | Episode 06: Imaginary Place | Coarse Thought designed by Therrizen
Young Feather Quill designed by Ponky
Edited by Cynewulf
In the cozy guest room of the Ponyville Library, a pale white glow pushed back against the all-encompassing darkness of night. At its center was the mystic necklace known as Pearl, floating over the exposed chest of the slumbering Derpy Hooves. Letters made of light danced in the air just above the surface of its gemstone as a familiar observer looked on in dismay.
"It's gone," whispered the ghostly mare who stood at Derpy's bedside. "The partition . . . it's been totally destroyed." She looked on with wide eyes for a moment or two longer before falling back into her armchair and letting out a heavy sigh. "There's no longer any room for doubt." Her violet eyes narrowed. "Amber has the Lion's Sigil. That's the only possible explanation."
The mare bowed her head and closed her eyes in thought. Even so, those thoughts soon began to spill over into words. "This is paradoxical. Screw Loose wouldn't dare take your life, yet she threw that fireball without even knowing if Amber was inside you, much less the Sigil." Her eyes opened once more. "But she had to know. That fireball was a bid for freedom, not an attack. Only a defensive reaction from the Sigil could destroy Applejack's barrier, and it could only be there if it was inside you. Screw Loose couldn't have had anything else in mind." She raised a single eyebrow. "How would anypony know all of that? Even I didn't recognize the Sigil . . ."
The mare pondered her questions in silence for a while longer before reaching a verbal conclusion. "No matter--it changes nothing. Pearl, Bonding State." The necklace floated across the room and into the ghostly mare's chest as if it were falling into a body of still water. The glow of its magic now flickered from behind the irises of the earth pony mare, as it had before. "You're in more danger than I'd at first believed," whispered the mare, genuine concern evident in her voice, "but there's only one way to undo what I've done."
The pages of the mare's giant leather-bound book flew open on the bedspread. The light from within emerged once more and wreathed about the form of the softly snoring Derpy Hooves.
"The reading is from the Lost History," intoned the monochrome mare. "First Book of Kings, Chapter 18, Verse 28." The shadow of her armchair grew longer, though the lights in the room remained the same. "Let us be attentive." ~
My Little Pony: Lost Legacies
"Imaginary Place"
Derpy Hooves awoke to the sound of dripping water. The air around her felt moist and tasted stale. When she opened her eyes, however, she saw the back of another pony's lids and soon realized that she wasn't in control of her breathing either. The nature of her situation dawned on her quickly.
Cross?
The response came back slow and groggy. "Is that you, little fairy?"
Cross! Derpy exclaimed, her spirit soaring. I was so worried about you, but you're alive! You're okay!
Cross coughed twice before he spoke again. "Yes to the first. As for the second . . . well, see for yourself."
Concern entered Derpy's heart when she felt the sharp pain caused by Cross's cough. That concern did not depart from her when Cross opened his eyes. The room was just as dark and dank as Derpy had imagined it, illuminated only by a faint greenish glow coming from somewhere out of sight. All four walls plus the floor and ceiling were composed of uneven stones, black as night in color and rough to the touch. Water dripped from the gaps in those stones at random locations, almost as if the entire room were submerged and leaking. Considering the lack of windows, that might very well have been the case. The only other visible feature was a barred metal door on the opposite wall.
Cross moved his forelegs, causing the chained manacles that encircled them to rattle in response. "I don't know about you, but being locked up in a place like this is a tad far from my personal definition of 'okay.'"
Where are we?
"Can't say for sure," Cross replied. "I woke up here same as you, though--if I had to guess--I'd say we're probably inside the Black Spire. The Hundred own the place, and this doesn't look like the Estate." He laughed weakly. "Cheeky bastards must like playing with fire. I do dearly hope they get what's coming to them."
Cross? asked Derpy, unsure of how to say just what was bothering her. It feels . . . different in here. Inside you, I mean.
"I imagine that I'm still on the mend from Lord Deeds's handiwork. Don't mind the pain, little fairy. 'Tis nothing that won't heal in time."
That's not what I mean. You feel . . . Derpy searched for the right word. It scared her when she found it. Empty . . . lost even.
Cross smirked. "Well I have lost, Derpy. These are some decent restraints holding me down, nothing like those rusty relics that Iron Bound thought adequate. Even if I could break free, I'd never be able to contend with nearly a hundred adversaries unarmed. And as for Deeds . . ." He breathed a heavy, painful sigh. "I'm not the type of stallion that he'd suffer to live. I believe this is where my story ends, little fairy. Even if you're here for me, I'm afraid there's not much for you to do but offer a bit of comfort for my final hours."
Cross! declared Derpy in a reproving tone.
"I know," said Silver Cross. "Not the most enjoyable task . . .or the easiest, all things considered."
I don't believe you! Remember when you thought everything was hopeless back at the canyon? Derpy huffed indignantly. If you'd died there, you would have never met Harvest or ate that awesome dinner at the Estate! You can't give up just because the going got tough again! You've gotta fight through it!
"Until what?" Cross replied. "And for how long?"
Derpy had to think on that for a moment. "U-until things get better! Until you get to those Green Pastures . . . right?"
Cross chuckled darkly. "It's been a while since somepony used that promise to give me strength. Feather certainly knows better than that."
Huh?
The imprisoned pegasus stallion sunk low, coming to rest on the bunched iron chains holding him to the floor. "You don't know what it means for there to be a Black Spire here, do you?"
Derpy tried to shake her head but soon realized the futility of the impulse. No, not really.
"Do you have time for a story, Miss Hooves?"
A vortex had appeared in Cross's thoughts. Derpy moved away from the black abyss, but found herself pulled toward it regardless. W-what kind of story? she stammered, fearful of the open maw. Cross?! ~
Back in the Ponyville Library's guest room, the ghostly mare recoiled from the Lost History. Shimmering sparks flew from the pages as its pure white aura began to run black and violet. The dark colors coursed through the magic stream like blood in water. The pages themselves turned back and forth in chaotic fashion, the shadowy magic tendrils drew closer to Derpy's head, and the mare at her bedside could only stare in fearful disbelief.
"W-what is this?"
A cloaked form, blacker than night, rose up beside her. A pair of luminescent violet eyes shone forth from underneath the cowl. "Hi, Sissy."
The monochrome mare yelped and fell out of her armchair, landing on the wooden floor with a dull thud. She lurched away on her back, too rattled to properly stand up. "Screw Loose!" she exclaimed when her voice caught up with her thoughts. "How did you get in here?!"
The shrouded pony sauntered around the armchair and flashed a brilliant smile beneath her reptilian eyes. She lifted a glittering object from the folds of her attire. "Same way you did."
Suspended from the silver necklace draped about Screw Loose's hoof was a pendant identical to Pearl and Amber, save for the black obsidian gem at its center. Light of the same violet hue as the cloaked pony's eyes shone from within, easily identifying itself as the source of the magic stream's corruption.
The owner of the Lost History's mouth fell open. "You found Obsidian?" Her eyes grew even wider. "Then you have the Spiral."
Screw Loose nodded briskly, allowing the pendant to fall back into the depths of her cloak. "And you said I'd never amount to anything."
The monochrome mare rose to a standing position at last, using the wall as support. "I should have guessed--there's no other way for you to know the things you do. How long have you had it? Since we met?"
Screw Loose grinned defiantly. "I'll never tell."
The monochrome mare deliberately slowed her breathing in an effort to regain composure. If Screw Loose is projecting through Obsidian, she thought to herself, then she can't remove Derpy from this room--she'd have to be here to teleport. The mare felt her heartbeat normalizing. She won't risk a fight with me either, not here at least. So . . . She regained control of her expression and glared at her opponent. "Why have you come?"
Screw Loose giggled. "I've been watching you play this little game with Derpy Hooves for a while now." She rolled her eyes. "It's the only thing on the Spiral tonight and it's boring me to tears."
Apprehension tugged at the monochrome mare, though her face showed nothing. Her enemy was too casual, too playful, even for an eccentric monster. "Go find some royal knights to play with then, unless you'd like me to alert the two standing outside."
Screw Loose whistled. "Ooh, gutsy. You'd blow your own cover just to get rid of little old me?" She turned about with a laugh and approached the Lost History. "Relax, Sissy. I was just about to leave anyway."
The mare raised an eyebrow. "You were?"
"Yep," said Screw Loose as she examined the rustling pages of the magic tome. "I've gotta spice up your lame vision-quest-thingy after all. Can't do that if I'm standin' here chattin'."
A dread realization dawned on the monochrome mare. "Wait!" she exclaimed.
"The reading is from the Lost History," declared Screw Loose. "Book of Origin, Chapter 11, Verse 1." She sneered at the mare moving to stop her. "Let us be attentive."
The cloaked intruder dissolved into a cloud of black smoke that dove into the glowing pages of the Lost History. As soon as the last wisp had vanished within, the cover snapped shut to show the shining glyphs of a magic lock on its surface. The shadowy violet aura did not fade with the book's closing--it wreathed about Derpy's sleeping form just as its white counterpart had when the book was open.
The remaining mare reached for it reflexively only to find her hoof repulsed with a loud pop. She winced at the foolish mistake, and a sense of panic began to rise within. The wrecked partition inside Derpy's mind was problem enough. Now, she'd have to try and force Screw Loose out of the Lost History. Was this an expenditure of magic that she could afford? She swallowed audibly. "There's no other choice," she declared, bolstering her resolve for the task ahead. "Screw Loose doesn't have the mental stability to control the Lost History. It's probably tearing itself apart right now. If I don't get in there, Derpy might . . ." That thought wasn't helping. "She might . . ." Her voice trailed off as she felt the keen edge of a blade against her neck.
Spike the dragon, stalwart guardian of the library, held his sword to her throat and stared at her with a mix of fear and anger. "Who are you, and how did you get in here?" he growled. The blade pressed harder. "Answer me!" ~
When Derpy had--with some difficulty, it must be said--finally fallen asleep that night, the last thoughts on her mind involved fear of the coming morn. She would have to live with the threat of violence hanging over her head. She would be expected to go about her business while a dangerous criminal lurked in the shadows, waiting for her guardians to slip. Derpy could scarcely imagine such an existence, but her current predicament dwarfed even those concerns.
Derpy had dreamed of Silver Cross--she could remember that much at least. She'd woken up just before falling into deep, dark hole in his mind, but not to the comforts of a warm bed. Presently, Derpy fell through the open air underneath a sunlit sky. Cold wind whipped at her mane and tail, buffeting away any sense of grogginess from her sudden awakening. She spread her wings to try and slow her rapid descent, only to hit the grass with a resounding thump in the next instant.
Amazingly, Derpy felt no great pain aside from having the wind knocked out of her. She remained flat on her back, coughed, and drew in a deep breath. The sky above was a picture of pristine beauty, its sapphire expanse unmarred by the presence of clouds. The sun in particular shone forth with a glittering prismatic splendor that warmed Derpy's chilled body even by its appearance. The pegasus mare squinted. Had the sun always looked like that? She squinted harder. Something was blocking her view--something spear-shaped.
"Stay right where you are, young lady," said a gruff voice.
Derpy pondered that instruction for a moment. The spear-shaped thing blocking out the sun was indeed a bronze-tipped spear. So were all the other pointy objects hovering about, each of them held by the ponies that had her completely surrounded. They were clad in matching sets of burnished bronze armor and stared at her with a variety of expressions, though most of them were quite serious. Derpy took another look at the razor-sharp blades and reached a conclusion. It was probably a wise idea to remain still after all.
"Wow," she said with a smile. "Y'all are really good at sneaking up on ponies. Are you royal knights?"
A whisper arose from somewhere out of sight. "Royal? What, like the Patriarch?"
An imposing earth pony stallion with a salt-and-pepper coat responded. "I'll be asking the questions here. Now, what sort of barbarian are you?"
The dangerous situation might have frightened most ponies, but Derpy felt no fear. It was the middle of a bright and sunny day, and these ponies didn't look like villains at all. Because of that, she returned an indignant frown. "That's rude! My name's Derpy Hooves, and I'm not a barber . . . thing." A look of innocent curiosity arose on her features. "At least, I don't think so."
A palomino unicorn stallion bearing a short chestnut mane snickered. "Watch yourself, Legate. She's a quick one."
The massive stallion referred to as "Legate" remained stone-faced. "If I desire your opinion, I shall ask for it, centurion." He continued to stare down at Derpy with fierce hazel eyes. "Allow me to make this easy for you, little mare. I am Hind Sight, Legate of the Fifth Legion and loyal defender of Equitopia. The hill you rest upon is part of the capital's final defensive line; it is not a place where you should be. The civilians are safely ensconced within the city walls, and you look nothing like our foes." He snorted. "If you are not a traitorous spy, then what are you?"
Derpy failed to follow most of the Legate's words, but something about the way that Hind Sight called her "little mare" sounded awfully familiar. "Um, I'm a pony . . . but Silver Cross said I'm a fairy too."
More snickering emerged from the ranks, but one pegasus stallion lowered his spear. His coat and mane bore deep shades of brown and black respectively while his pale eyes looked at Derpy in shock. "My apologies, Legate," he blurted out, composing himself quickly. "This is my doing."
With a nod from Hind Sight, the spears rose up and away. He turned his stolid gaze on the pegasus stallion. "What is the meaning of this, Silver Cross? The battlefield is a place for noble conquest, not . . ." The barest hint of a smile tugged at his grimace. "Personal conquests."
The stallion called Silver Cross flushed red with shame. "She is . . . an overzealous admirer, sir, nothing more. I shall return her to the city."
"You shall not," declared Hind Sight. He motioned for the rest of the centurions to return to their duties. "Our enemies lurk just beyond these hills--they might descend on us at any moment. I need each and every able-bodied warrior at my command, and that includes my best swordspony." Hind Sight turned about and began to march away. "Miss Derpy Hooves is your responsibility, Centurion Cross. I expect you to manage her and your post until we reach the Green Pastures, understood?"
Silver Cross returned a smart salute. "Yes, sir!"
The palomino unicorn stallion had remained in place. He leered at Derpy with a look that made her feel very uncomfortable. "Damn, Cross," he sighed. "First Purity and now rabid fangirls? I've created a monster."
Cross's eyes narrowed. "Back off, Coarse. I don't have the patience for you right now."
Coarse Thought offered a broad smile and did as he was instructed, albeit with dramatic flair. "Nod's as good as a wink, old chum. Don't be a stranger if you need any . . ." He glanced at Derpy as he passed. "Help."
Derpy rolled onto her hooves, a look of pure disbelief on her face. "Your name's Silver Cross?"
The brown pegasus stallion looked back at her with apprehension. "It is."
Derpy shook her head. "You don't look anything like him, though." She stared at his side only to find a blank area that increased her confusion. "And where's your Cutie Mark?"
A hesitant smile appeared on the stallion's face. "I don't know what Silver Cross you're used to, little fairy, but this one has a job to do." He offered a hoof to help her up. "Let's find some dinner--I make it a point never to be grilled for information on an empty stomach." ~
The hillside that Derpy had fallen upon turned out to be a difficult location for the pegasus mare to wrap her head around. It was one of many such hills that surrounded Equitopia, the capital of a once-great empire. The city rested at a lower elevation, contained within a roughly triangle-shaped depression that rendered the skyline invisible to the plains and forests beyond the hills. The capital's buildings reminded Derpy of Canterlot, shining brilliant white in the sun and at one with the natural geography. Meticulous waterways and lush gardens could be seen at every elevation while crisscrossing roads and bridges indicated that the city had a layered infrastructure several levels deep.
Upon the hills surrounding the capital was what the Legate had called the "final defensive line." The ten legions of Equitopia formed a wall of soldiers at the highest elevation. Barriers of wood and iron faced out to the plains and forests of the countryside beyond, both they and their makers standing ready to protect their home. For now, however, the flatlands beyond the hills seemed calm and empty, though an attack was expected to come at any moment.
"Every nation that bordered the Empire launched an invasion at the same time," explained Silver Cross as he placed a crabapple core in a nearby basket. "They'd become allies in secrecy and attacked without warning. We did our best to repel them of course, but our armies never stood a chance fighting a war on that many fronts."
Derpy Hooves sat across a small campfire from him, munching on a stick of wild celery that the foragers had gathered and listening with rapt attention.
The oddly-colored Silver Cross looked out to the sun as it neared the horizon. "The decision was made early on to pull the legions back and tighten the empire's defenses. Still, none of us imagined that we'd have the capital at our backs before the end."
Derpy tilted her head to the side. "The end?"
Cross smiled. "Our enemies attacked for a reason, you know. What do you think those are?"
He waved a hoof in the direction of an obelisk that stood at the edge of the depression, black, smooth, and geometrically perfect all the way to its pointed tip high above the white buildings. It was one of eight identical structures, each of them strongly resembling what Silver Cross--the gray-and-white Silver Cross--had called the Black Spire.
Derpy had been trying not to look at them; her head hurt whenever she did. "Why would they be afraid of Black Spires?"
Cross held his head high, proud of what he was about to say. "'Tis natural for unbelievers to fear the Experiment. It has ever been the divine cause of Equitopians to forge an earthly paradise from this broken world. When the Spires are lit mere hours from now, their holy flames will wash away our enemies and transform this land into the Green Pastures, a place where unhappiness will be naught but a memory."
Derpy struggled with an inner sense of dread brought on by Cross's proclamation. "I thought you were supposed to find the Green Pastures."
Cross stoked the campfire with a blackened twig. His expression darkened considerably. "There was a time when I tried to, little fairy. Now I fear that I may not see them at all."
"Why not?"
Cross stared into the flames wistfully. "My grandmother said that fairies only appear near the end of one's life, a final gift for a life well-lived." He snorted. "Grandmother was the only one who could see hers, but she certainly passed away soon after. I can't say that I've lived my own life well at all, yet here you are, a sure sign that the end is nigh."
Derpy's expression soured. "Don't say that. I think you've done a lot of good things, and you're not gonna die. You're the toughest guy I know!"
Cross smirked and brought a hoof to his chin. "Toughest guy you know, eh?" He paused and stared at her for a moment. "Would you like to know a thing or two?"
Derpy looked back at him quizzically.
"About my life of doing good things?"
"Yeah," Derpy replied, missing the sarcasm completely. "You never really talk about what happened before we met."
"The other me?" asked Cross.
Derpy winced. "Something like that." The future you, she thought. An earlier mental debate over just where she was and who she was speaking to had led her to the plotlines of several time travel novels she'd once read. A younger Silver Cross who was still a soldier and a bunch of Black Spires that he wasn't afraid of? That sounded like time travel to her, strange coloration or no. Derpy hadn't come up with a reason for her going back in time yet, but the explanation sounded better to her than anything else that came to mind.
Cross whickered playfully. "The ways of fairies are strange indeed. It surprises me that my past eludes your knowledge, but if you wish it, I can remedy that." He placed a hoof on the bronze helmet at his side and watched the sun touch the tip of a far-off mountain. "I was born right here in the capital to a small family of just my father, mother, and grandmother. My father died before I was two seasons of age, killed in a border skirmish as a loyal soldier of the empire. I can't even remember his face. Grandmother died about a year later, and my mother disappeared soon afterward. Somepony once mentioned something about the stress of raising a child on her own, but I never saw it coming. A state orphanage took me in and sent me to school. That's where I first heard about the Green Pastures . . ."
Derpy's vision began to blur as Cross told his story. She blinked several times to clear it, but found herself looking at something that couldn't possibly have been before her.
[Temple of the Forefathers - Seventeen Seasons Ago]
An elderly earth pony stallion bearing a thick white mustache underneath a pair of large round spectacles paced back and forth in front of a blackboard at the front of the room, the various colors cast by the stained glass windows at the back playing across his features with every step. "The Green Pastures of the Tome are easy to mock. Who could imagine a paradise on Earth? Who can believe in a place where nopony will ever cry again? Indeed, it is hard to believe that such a place exists. Even so, since the time of the founding, Equitopians have believed not that it must be found, but that through adherence to the wisdom of our sacred Tome, it can be made." He pointed a hoof at the colts and fillies sitting behind rows of joined wooden desks. "Do you remember, children, the tale of Hearth's Warming Eve?"
"Yes, Mister Scroll," answered the students.
Dusty Scroll began to tell the tale he'd spoken of, seemingly ignorant of the affirmative response, but the children listened anyway since they always preferred a story to a lecture. There were, however, a few exceptions.
A unicorn filly with a bay coat and white mane winced in pain. Somepony had pulled on one of her pigtails . . . again. She turned about to find the culprit, a stocky earth pony colt, looking straight at the blackboard, his face the very picture of attentiveness.
The filly gave the colt an angry glare. "I know it's you," she whispered. "Stop it."
The auburn colt didn't take his eyes off the front of the room. "Stop what?"
The filly felt her throat tighten up. She knew that she couldn't prove anything if she told the teacher, and confrontation wasn't exactly her strong suit in the first place. "You know what," she shot back before turning back to her desk.
Not two seconds passed before she felt it, a sharp painful tug on her other pigtail. Tears welled in her eyes. What could she do? This bully wasn't scared of her or the teacher. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? She even heard him snickering at her for not turning around this time.
"Stupid hornmonger," said the colt.
"Hey," whispered another colt, this one a brown-and-black pegasus. He turned from his position next to the distressed filly and raised an eyebrow at her assailant. "Is that fun?"
The auburn colt looked him in the eye with an arrogant smirk. "What do you care, featherbrain?"
The pegasus colt responded with lightning quickness, pulling the quill pen from his desk and stabbing it into the offender's hoof. The would-be bully yelped in pain while the pegasus colt threw a quick smirk his way before turning back to the blackboard. "Just curious," he quipped.
The auburn colt forgot himself and stood up from his desk shouting, "Why I oughta--"
"Mister Fields!"
The earth pony colt twitched upon hearing his name. "Y-yes, Mister Scroll?"
Dusty Scroll stared down his muzzle at the miscreant from the front of the room. "Is there a problem here, young sir?"
The brown-and-black pegasus colt raised his hoof. "Actually, Mister Scroll, he just stole my pen."
The auburn colt froze. He'd been in the middle of pulling the pen out of his hoof and now stood there with the object between his teeth.
His accuser radiated solemn innocence. "He's been making fun of your mustache this whole time too, Mister Scroll. I think he should go to the headmaster's office."
Fields sputtered incoherently. "N-no I . . . You filthy--"
"Mister Fields," interrupted Dusty Scroll. "You can either march down to the headmaster's office and explain yourself or take a whooping from my cane in front of your classmates. Your choice."
Giggles coursed through the classroom as the sullen auburn colt made his way to the door. The filly he'd been pestering stared in shock at the pegasus colt, who already wore a look of studious attention as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you," she whispered as Dusty Scroll resumed the tale.
Only the pegasus colt's gray eyes turned to her. "No problem. He was annoying, and I really like this story."
The filly blushed and returned his gaze with her own green eyes. "My name's Feather Quill."
"Silver Cross," said the pegasus colt with a cocky grin. "Hoof-stabbing extraordinaire at your service." ~
"Miss Hooves?"
Derpy blinked and found herself once again sitting across the campfire from Silver Cross.
The pegasus stallion leaned forward. "Are you quite all right? You've been listening this whole time without saying one word."
Derpy glanced at the sun which had dipped a bit lower on the horizon. "I was there."
"Beg your pardon?"
"I could see what you were talking about," said Derpy. She recalled this sort of thing happening before with Applejack, but it hadn't been anywhere near as vivid or complete. "It was like I was standing there watching it happen."
Silver Cross whistled. "Truly? And here I was lamenting the absence of a bard."
Derpy Hooves giggled.
Cross stoked the fire and smiled. "Oh come now. That was barely even chortle-worthy."
Derpy waved a hoof. "No, it's just . . . I never thought that you and Feather would be so cute together."
The flames reflected brightly in the almost colorless eyes of Silver Cross. "She was my first real chum, and the daughter of a Legate as it turned out." His smile faded a bit. "A stallion among stallions that one, he took me under his wing and very nearly made me a part of the family. Those were good times."
The statement reminded Derpy of the turn her own life had taken after moving into the library, before she had to worry about Screw Loose.
Cross stared directly into the fire as he continued. "A few seasons later, he returned home from a campaign in the north stricken with an incurable illness. Feather and I had to watch as this mighty warrior, a stallion I'd come to idolize who'd slain scores of battle-hardened foes in the course of his lifetime, fell by the hand of an invisible enemy. That stallion deserved a better fate and Feather deserved to grow up with her father at her side, but it was not to be . . . not in this broken world."
[Florentine Aqueduct - Twelve Seasons Ago]
The high arches of the Florentine Aqueduct towered above the capital of Equitopia, running straight through the northern half of the city before terminating in a series of distribution channels at its center. Feather Quill sat on the marble edge of the lower channel, looking out over the metropolis bathed in moonlight. Tiny orange torches dotted the darkness here and there, looking for all the world like a cloud of fireflies drifting about on a summer evening breeze. Water lapped gently against the sides of the channel behind her, disguising the hoofsteps of an approaching pegasus colt.
Silver Cross sat beside her in silence, staring off at the lights of the city same as she. Minutes passed before he decided to speak. "'Twas a good sendoff they gave him. Nearly the whole city turned out to pay respects."
"Doesn't matter," said Feather Quill. Her horn shimmered as she spoke, evidence of a lack of inner composure. "Dad's gone, and there's nothing they can do about it."
Cross sighed. "But they did want to, Feather. All of Equitopia grieved with you today, and I know they'll stand by you in the days ahead." Cross stiffened as he saw a tear roll down Feather's cheek. Truthfully, he was repeating things he'd heard her father's friends say at the funeral. Cross himself felt just as lost, sad, and angry as his friend at what had come to pass, but believed that it was his responsibility to make things right. Unfortunately, he hadn't the slightest idea how.
"What am I gonna do, Cross?" Feather sobbed, tears streaming freely from her emerald eyes. "Everypony's looking at me now, saying that I need to 'honor his memory' and 'live a life that would make him proud.'" She shuddered visibly. "And all I want is for him to hold me just one more time, to tell me everything will be all right." She shook the tears from her face and turned away. "It won't be! And even if it is, Dad won't be here to see it!"
Her words numbed Silver Cross to the core. He felt hollow, weak, and helpless in the face of his friend's sorrow. He was mad at himself besides, for being nothing but a colt like any other with only words at his disposal to confront feelings that were far beyond their reach. However, a tiny flame burned in his heart. Watching Feather's suffering over the past few months had sparked it, and the fire caught at last when he heard the eulogy given for this stallion that had been a father to them both. He'd realized then that no speech, no matter how impassioned, could be a fitting farewell for the passing of a hero. There was only one thing that he could think to do, and Feather's tears pushed away the last of his hesitation.
Cross rose to his hooves, walked to Feather's side, and wrapped a foreleg around her shoulders, pulling her close to his chest. She cried harder as he did so, but made no attempt to pull away. "Everything will be okay," Cross said with as much certainty as he could muster. "I'll make sure of it, even if I have to go away for a while."
"W-what?" Feather managed between sobs.
"I'll make the arrangements in the morning to have one of your father's friends take you in. After that, I'm signing up with the legion." Cross fought back against his own trepidation at the thought and soldiered on. "They'll send me abroad for field training before the week is out. Actually, it might be a few seasons before we see each other again." He looked down into her questioning eyes with utter seriousness. "But I will inherit the legacy your father left behind. I won't allow his death to be meaningless, and I will become every bit as great as he once was . . . no, even greater. So . . . " Cross couldn't avoid tearing up himself as he stared at Feather's glistening face. "Don't feel bad anymore, Feather. Just live your life the way you want to, and one day I'll be back to live it right by your side."
Feather seemed overwhelmed by his words, her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. However, a moment later, she pressed herself close to him and wrapped her arms around his back, weeping softly into the fur of his chest. Cross held her in return and the feelings of weakness and hopelessness that had plagued him just moments earlier vanished from his heart. In that moment, he knew that he was himself. In that moment, though he had not the words to describe it, he knew that he loved her. ~
Derpy's face flushed bright red as Cross continued his story. She'd never even imagined that her companion felt that way about Feather Quill. In fact, if his future self still held those feelings at all, he hid them very well. That thought brought on a slew of other questions. If these two were so close in the past, what happened to make Feather so acerbic toward him in the future? For that matter . . .
"Where is Feather anyway?" Derpy wondered aloud.
"In the Legate's tent, most likely."
Derpy cocked her head to the side. "Huh? Why isn't she here with us?"
Cross looked up from the fire as if hearing Derpy for the first time. "I never promised a happy ending, little fairy. You see, the day of her father's funeral was the day I decided on my purpose in life, and I pursued it like a stallion gone mad. I spent my recruit phase under the instruction of Hind Sight, who wasn't a legate then. To this day I think only an officer as patient and stern as he was could have fashioned me into a proper soldier. Thanks to him, I made centurion in just two seasons, earning a reputation as a prodigy of the blade along the way. Even so, it was some time before my unit returned to the capital. I didn't see Feather Quill again for another year-and-a-half. We were recalled after our commanding officer died in battle against a griffin scouting party. The word at the time was that Hind Sight, who transferred soon after my training was complete, had not only become a legate, but would be taking personal command of the Fifth Legion."
Derpy felt another vision coming on as she listened to Cross, but she began to feel nauseous and lightheaded. One of her eyes drifted to the setting sun on the horizon and noticed celestial object blink out of existence for a moment before reappearing in the next. Cross continued with his story, apparently unaware that anything strange had taken place. Derpy felt a chill run through her body. What if this isn't time travel? she thought. Am I going crazy? ~
From the viewpoint of the two creatures standing in the Ponyville Library's guest room, only a few seconds had passed.
"Well?" growled Spike, still holding his sword to the monchrome mare's throat. "Out with it!"
The panic in the mare's face drained away, leaving only despondence in its wake. "I'm sorry, Spike." Her eyes flashed pure white for only a moment, but it was enough.
Spike stepped back as if he'd been punched in the face, dropping his sword in the process. His eyes rolled around in their sockets before he groaned and toppled over with a muffled thump.
The mare regarded the newly-unconscious dragon and sighed. "I hate taking the memories of others, but I can't have you knowing about me just yet." She whirled back on the locked Lost History and thrust out her chest. "Pearl, assume Servant State."
The silver necklace and it's smooth white pendant emerged from her body and hovered in midair. "READY," it said in its quiet feminine tone.
"Release magic lock on Icon," she whispered. "Employ Obsidian countermeasures."
"WORKING," said Pearl as it hovered over the Lost History.
The mare walked further up the bedside and placed an ear close to Derpy's chest. "Estimated time to completion?"
"UNKNOWN. LOCK STRUCTURE INCONSISTENT WITH OBSIDIAN SIMULATION DATA."
The mare listened intently and realized that Derpy's heartbeat had become erratic. Her own heart skipped a beat in response. "I don't care how you do it, Pearl, but do it fast!" ~
[The Forum - Six Seasons Ago]
On the eastern edge of Equitopia's capital city rested the Forum, a giant circular plaza of paved travertine surrounded by massive colonnades four columns deep. At midday, the area was packed with shoppers perusing the stores betwixt the innumerable columns, open-air vendors who may or may not have had permits, and orators who preached the gospel of the Sacred Tome or argued about its particulars in equal measure.
A finely-groomed Silver Cross stood in the shade of the colonnades near a cafe prized for its casual atmosphere. He'd grown into a fine stallion in his time away. Wiry muscle rippled across his rugged features, his long black mane and tail swayed in the breeze, and his stance remained at the crossroads between relaxation and readiness at all times. The golden laurel of a centurion adorned his head, shining not quite as brightly as his expectant smile. Today was the day, after all.
"I'd settle in for a long wait, Cross," said a voice from outside his field of view.
Cross turned about to see the palomino unicorn stallion named Coarse Thought sitting at one of the ornate stone tables.
The unicorn waved a joking salute. "I don't care who you're waiting for--nopony's going to recognize you with that smile on your face."
Silver Cross returned the jest with a raised eyebrow. "Don't you have other ponies to bother, centurion? I've never seen you wanting for company."
Coarse Thought bounced out of his seat, ran a hoof through his chestnut mane, and offered a roguish grin. "I am shocked that you think I'm here to rain on your parade, old chum. D'you have any idea how long we've been marchin' around the countryside together?" He gave his well-groomed companion a playful punch. "I'm here to show some support for my main stallion on his big day! Now what's so wrong with that?"
Silver Cross's eyebrow never faltered. "You just want to know who it is that I'm meeting."
"That's where you're wrong, bucko," replied Coarse Thought. "I couldn't care less who she is, but I've got to see the mare that can turn the head of Cross the Markless." Silver Cross glared at him, causing Coarse to cough nervously. "Sorry about that, chum. Bad habit. Still, I never thought I'd meet a blankflank hailed as the best swordsman in Equitopia, much less serve in the same unit with him. D'you think your girl's into that sort of thing?"
Cross motioned with his head toward the crowd. "Why don't you ask her?"
A vision of beauty advanced toward them, a unicorn mare with a coat of deep orange and a shimmering white mane. Her green eyes were of a shade so strong that they could be seen even at this distance. Her graceful gait radiated an air of refinement laced with the barest hint of sensuality.
Cross's wings shuffled nervously as his smile grew helplessly wide. "That's Feather Quill, I'm sure of it."
"That's who?" exclaimed Coarse Thought. His expression jumped straight from amusement to horror. "Oh crap."
Cross gave his "chum" a reproving look. "Is there a problem?"
Coarse looked into Cross's eyes and flashed a smile that looked terribly fake. "No! No, why would there be?" He began to back away. "I've got to . . . uh, there's a . . . um . . ." He let out a faux cough. "Excuse me."
Cross barely had time to think about his rapidly departing compatriot before hearing his name called by the sweetest voice he'd ever known.
"Cross? Silver Cross, is that really you?"
Cross turned around to stare directly into Feather Quill's radiant emerald orbs. It was a good thing that he'd prepared himself for this moment--seeing the object of his affections after so long would have stolen his breath away otherwise. He allowed his joy to escape only in a warm smile as he announced, "'Tis I, fair lady. And you--OOF!"
Feather Quill interrupted him with a giddy squeal and threw her arms around his neck. "Good Lord, it is you! It's been so long, I was afraid I wouldn't recognize you!"
His childhood friend's perfume carried the brisk airy scent of Lunar Tear flowers, and the warmth of her sudden embrace made the last six seasons feel like a fleeting dream. Cross was about to return the gesture when she pulled away and gave a playful bat of her eyelashes.
"You do remember me, right?"
Cross barely stopped himself from laughing. "Of course I do, Feather. I'm the one who sent for you in the first place, which was not the easiest of tasks." Seeing obvious confusion on Feather's face, he elaborated. "It's been more than a year since you stopped responding to my letters. I had to send a singing telegram just to get your attention."
Feather giggled. "That did seem weird even for you, Cross, but your letters stopped coming. If you were still sending them then . . ." She put a hoof to her chin in thought, but the answer she found brought obvious displeasure to her expression. "He must have thrown them out with the junk mail." Feather huffed. "I'll have to have a word with him when I get back."
"Him?" asked Silver Cross. The word disturbed him in this context, as did Feather's glib response to a year of missed letters.
Feather Quill waved a dismissive hoof. "Oh, nothing you need to worry about. Is this the cafe you wanted to try?"
Cross nodded.
"Seems nice," commented Feather as she walked toward it. "Well come on then, slowpoke. I don't have much time before my next appointment and we've got a lot of catching up to do." ~
Coarse Thought waited in the colonnade for all of the 15 minutes it took for Feather Quill to leave at a brisk trot. He grimaced. This kind of situation wasn't his cup of tea, but he couldn't leave a fellow centurion hanging. When Silver Cross exited the cafe, he stepped boldly forward. "So, how'd it go?"
Cross shook his head. His wandering eyes and wavering mouth were textbook signs of confusion. "She didn't remember. I mean, she remembered who I am but . . ." He caught himself and gave Coarse a sour look. "What do you care anyway?"
Coarse Thought laid a solemn hoof on the bewildered stallion's shoulder. "Cross, my friend, you should have told us who she was. Anypony in the unit could've warned you."
Cross's expression waxed uncertain. "Warned me about what?"
"You know how your old pal Hind Sight is taking command of the Fifth tomorrow?"
Cross nodded.
"Well Miss Feather Quill is our new scribe. You know, the pony who writes down all our splendiferous deeds?"
"I know," Cross replied. "She told me as much."
"Did she tell you she's sleeping with the Legate?"
Cross's mouth fell open. "Y-you mean Hind Sight?"
Coarse gave his comrade's shoulder a sympathetic pat. "It's worse than that, but like a good solid arrow wound I suppose it's best to get it all out at once." He gave Cross the most serious expression that he'd ever managed. "She's his adoptive daughter too."
Cross backed away and smiled half-heartedly. "You're joking. I left her with a friend of her father's. That can't be right."
Coarse shrugged. "Her father's friends have got friends of their own, you know. Now I don't have the whole story, but the scuttlebutt is he took her in pretty young. In fact, it would've been right around the same time that he transferred out of the Fifth." He sighed heavily. "I hate to break it to you this way, Cross, but rumors about those two have been flyin' around for a couple of months now. If you'd spend less time training and a little more time with your jolly old messmates you'd have already heard."
Cross could only stare at his comrade in disbelief. He wanted to latch onto the fact that this was all rumor, but he knew in his heart that it explained Feather's attitude perfectly. That same heart sunk low with the realization, and even in the familiar arches of the Forum, Cross suddenly felt completely lost.
Coarse put a comforting arm around his shoulder. "All right, come on, chum. Like any honest field medic would say, I can't cure you, but I know a way to dull the pain. The pubs are ready to receive thy woes and I shall not let you drink alone."
Cross allowed himself to be pulled along by the earnest but misguided stallion, all the while wondering why the sun didn't seem as bright in its cloudless sky. ~
Derpy Hooves looked at Silver Cross with watery eyes as the campfire burned low. "I don't believe it. She forgot your promise?"
Cross shrugged and stared off toward the fiery red colors of the setting sun. "I was a fool to think that it meant the same to her as it did to me. Feather never wanted me to live up to any sort of legacy, she just wanted somepony to be there for her. I wasn't, so she found somepony else."
Derpy's feeling of nausea intensified. "But your teacher? Her . . . kinda-sorta dad?"
"Oh I was hurt, little fairy--don't get me wrong," said Silver Cross. "But Feather was happy. From the time she began serving in our unit right up till today, I've never seen a happier mare in my life. Who am I to pass judgment? I set out to return a smile to her face and that's what happened. It's just that I wasn't the one responsible."
He turned to Derpy with a casual smile. "Of course, as a soldier I was expected to suck it up and carry on. So I did. I threw myself into my duties, determined to make a name for myself as one of the greatest soldiers who ever lived. And I kept at it, hoping that somehow, someday Feather would change her mind. I hoped that every time I saw the Legate's arm around her shoulders. I hoped that every time she called me by a foalhood nickname and then did the same for the next centurion she passed." He gave a snort and looked into the receding flames. "I hoped that every time I passed by their tent on night patrol and couldn't get the sounds of their lovemaking out of my head."
Derpy shuffled her hooves. "I . . . I don't know what to say, Cross. That sounds horrible."
"Oh, it wasn't as bad as all that," Cross replied. "I still had my integrity after all. My heart loved only one mare, and I lived my life by the commandments of the Tome. It was a great comfort, so much that I believed it was all I would really need." His smile faded. "I had no idea how far out of its way this world would go to pull one of its enemies down."
Derpy opened her mouth but stopped short of speaking. The grass was blowing against the wind. A nearby tree had different kinds of fruit on the same plant. The celery stalk she'd eaten earlier was whole again and at her side. Cross's ominous statement was foreboding enough, but the impossible changes in the environment were making her very afraid.
"It happened on the night that Hind Sight and Feather announced their engagement," Cross continued, oblivious to his companion's discomfort. "I did a poor job of hiding my depression at the news, which of course prompted Coarse Thought to think he had a friend in need. He invited me to a tavern that same evening to meet another friend of his, an earth pony mare named Purity. I knew what Coarse was trying to do, but I went along with it out of respect for the kind gesture." He shook his head. "I just wish I'd known that he paid a prostitute--who just happened to be his childhood friend--to make that gesture."
[The Aquarius Tavern - Two Seasons Ago]
Silver Cross marched out the curtained entryway of a tavern on the outskirts of the Equitopian capital, his feathers ruffled and teeth gritted in righteous indignation. "How dare he," the pegasus stallion seethed, unable to contain his thoughts as he made for a nearby alleyway. "How could he sit there and act like the Vow of Preservation carries no weight with me? Coarse is the one soldier in the entire centuria who should know better!" Cross stopped amidst the tall buildings that rose in dark columns on all sides, his position faintly illuminated by the flickering candlelight of an aging streetlamp. His legs shook and he felt hot even in the cold night air. The sensation worried him greatly. Coarse's prodding was to be expected, however extreme it had proven tonight. Something else was eating at him, something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Mister Cross!"
Silver Cross turned to see that the earth pony mare named Purity had followed him into the alleyway. The luscious tresses of her stylized mane tossed about on her shoulders as she ran, their pink and crimson colors contrasting sharply with her cream coat even in the dim light. Her gorgeous body deftly straddled the line between athletic and voluptuous while her eyes, resembling nothing more than a pair of glittering amethyst gems, looked straight into Cross's as she caught up to him.
When she spoke, her voice carried the cadence of a country-born noblewoman, equal parts rustic and refined. "Why the sudden departure, centurion? Coarse said you could use some company tonight."
Cross snorted and turned his head away. "I've no need for your services, madam. Even if I did, I'd seek them myself--I've no need of thoughtless intermediaries either."
Normally, a woman of the lower class would heed the wishes of a soldier. Thus, it surprised Cross when Purity sauntered back into his field of vision, her gaze never leaving his. "Now listen here a minute," said she, her expression one of stern reproval. "You're right about Coarse--he did offer payment for this evening, and he's an oaf besides." She lifted her fine-featured head and actually looked down at Cross. "But I refused to take it. I'm here as the friend he promised you--anythin' else I get up to is my own decision."
Cross stepped back. The feeling of heat was stronger now, but he did his best to ignore it. "Be that as it may, you'll not be 'getting up' to anything tonight, Miss Purity. As a follower of the Sacred Tome, I hold myself to a higher standard."
"So I've noticed," Purity replied, closing the distance he'd gained with confident stride. "Coarse underestimates you, just as you underestimate me."
Cross's buttocks touched the wall, forcing him to stop lest he assume an undignified position. He felt embarrassment at the show of cowardice and chose to express it as anger. "I don't see how. You're a whore. You sell your body--a sacred treasure--for monetary gain when it should rightfully belong to your chosen husband. About which part of that am I mistaken?"
A smile played on Purity's full lips. "Oh, you're pretty much right on all counts, sugar." She raised a hoof to his chest. "Now that you've told us what we both know, how do you think I feel about that?"
It had been years since another pony touched Cross there who wasn't punching him. He lost himself in her soft touch for a moment before stammering, "H-how you feel?"
"Well I'm the one who chose to live this way, aren't I? Do I look like a lowborn to you?"
Cross shook his head, unsure of how to deal with the beautiful mare's actions. "N-not in the least, madam."
Purity continued her exploration of Cross's form by tracing the muscles of his upper arm. "It's said that mine is the oldest profession. Do you know why that might be?" The question was rhetorical. She gave Cross no time to respond. "Ladies of the evening exist because there's a need for us, centurion. There always has been and always will be." She pressed against Cross's left bicep with gentle force. "Are you going to tell me that you're not a stallion in need?"
Everything in Silver Cross's moral code instructed him to flee from this situation, but Purity had managed to pique his interest. He'd never imagined that such a mare could be this well-spoken, and his logical mind wanted to know what sort of point she was making. The rest of his body certainly didn't mind the attention either. "I have a feeling I'd be insulting your intelligence if I said that I lack the same desires that torment the hearts of lesser men. Even so, I pride myself on controlling them."
Purity removed her hoof and looked at Cross with serious eyes. "Coarse told me what happened today. How much of that perfect control of yours rested on your hopes for Feather Quill?"
Cross chafed at the mention of Feather's name. He felt a sense of mild betrayal at the thought of this mare knowing his secret, but more than that it simply hurt. The conscious thought of Feather marrying another stallion cut through to his isolated heart like a meat cleaver, crude but effective. He lowered his ears. "I'm not looking for pity."
Purity gave a coquettish tilt of her head. "Does a doctor pity her patient, or does she heal him?"
Cross opened his mouth to respond but found himself cut off as Purity stepped forward and nuzzled his neck.
"Does a priest pity his charges, or does he offer them comfort and rest?"
Cross's inhibitions were melting before her touch, but nothing about the sultry mare's tone had changed at all. He knew it in a way that scared him. He knew it in a way that excited him.
"Does a mare who sells her sacred treasure leave behind the desire to give it to a stallion truly deserving of her?"
He knew that between the two of them, she was the one in control.
Purity nibbled daintly on his ear and whispered into it, "Do you desire me, Silver Cross?"
A savage voice answered inside him, making his lips press against hers.
That voice answered, Yes. ~
The evening sun set lower on the horizon, only a sliver of its golden majesty still visible against the rapidly-descending night. Derpy Hooves breathed heavily, her eyes wide in astonishment.
Silver Cross stared right back at her from the other side of the campfire's smoldering embers. His displeasure made itself plain in his half-lidded eyes and tight-lipped frown. "You saw that too, did you?"
"Purity wanted to do something nice for you," Derpy gasped. Her mind was reeling from a brush with Cross's innermost thoughts, laid bare by Purity's advances. Whatever connection enabled these visions was growing stronger. "But you felt . . . you felt . . ." Derpy couldn't believe the word that leapt to the forefront of her thoughts, but voiced it anyway. "Hollow."
Cross toyed with his sword and scabbard, rocking the weapon back and forth on its tip as he spoke. "For a moment's respite, for carnal pleasure, I gave up all that was left of me. By doing something that means so little to so many, I violated myself to the core and condemned my future to life as a living blade. The world had victory over me, and what's worse . . ." He stared at pommel stone with cold, angry eyes. "I delighted in it."
Those words made the situation crystal-clear to Derpy Hooves. The way Cross felt and the reasons why were familiar to her. She regained composure, finally able to reduce the cyclone of chaotic thought to a few simple words. "You hate yourself," she whispered. "And not just 'cause you made a mistake." An image of her old apartment flashed through her mind. "You hate everything you are."
"Perhaps," Cross droned as his eyes followed the sword. A smile crossed his sullen features. "But it hardly matters now. Behold." He waved a hoof toward the city.
In the darkness of nightfall, the Black Spires surrounding the capital glowed with a faint violet light. As the sky grew dimmer, the glow replaced the sun, turning the city and all that surrounded it into purple silhouettes on a ever-blacker canvas.
Derpy felt her heart gripped by fear, as if a predator were about to swallow her whole. "Why are they doing that?"
Cross stood up from his seat, one hoof still resting on the hilt of his upright sword. "The Spires are magic beacons, the means by which Equitopia shall reshape the world. Every generation of our people from one to the next dedicated their lives to their improvement and refinement, all for this day." His smile was genuine, as was the pride in his voice. "That light means that the fires within them have been lit. At any moment, a roaring blaze will catch and the old world will burn away, leaving nothing but perfection in its wake." He turned to Derpy. "You and I will soon be standing in the midst of the Tome's promised land, the Green Pastures."
Derpy couldn't believe what she was hearing. This didn't sound like the Cross she knew. "You think these weird towers will fix you? That they'll make things okay between you and Feather?"
"Of course they will, little fairy. There is no unhappiness in paradise, and that includes my own." Cross laughed. "It seems I was wrong about you, Miss Hooves. You're not here for my demise." His wings spread wide. "You're here for the world's."
The wind picked up, blowing grass, manes, and tails about as it gained speed. The light of the Spires began to swirl about the capital, forming a cyclone of magic energy in just a few seconds time. Ponies all across the defensive line laid down their arms and began to cheer. Some jumped for joy, others embraced, and still others ran to and fro, wanting to be with those close to them as the moment of truth drew near.
"Cross!" shouted Coarse Thought as he ran to their position. The unicorn stallion stopped just short of running into them, breathless with excitement. "Can you believe this? We're living the dream of all our moms and pops, all the way back to the founding! This is really happening! We made it, chum!"
Cross turned to the horizon and shouted above the wind. "Do you see this, enemies of paradise?! Do you laugh now, here at the end?! We have beaten you and the world you love so much! Bear witness to the birth of a new world, the world we rightly deserve!"
As Derpy looked on, the whirlwind of violet light compressed inward. Tighter and tighter the cylinder grew as it neared the city center, ending in a tiny ball directly above the Florentine Aqueduct that shone like a second sun. Derpy shut her eyes, unable to watch.
"VICTORY!" shouted the masses.
OMMMMM
The noise was loud, louder than any thunderclap Derpy had ever heard. It hit with physical force, shaking the earth and knocking everypony to the ground. When Derpy opened her eyes, she saw nothing at first. The grass was still beneath her hooves, but the ball of light had disappeared, leaving total darkness in its wake. What next appeared in this black void was fire. An otherworldly flame of stark crimson spread from the city's center, coursing its way through the many layers of roads and terraces as water spills forth from a broken dam. Only seconds passed before the entire capital was wreathed in its embrace.
Cross rose to his hooves, a look of euphoric glee on his face. "A new world is being born before our very eyes," he gasped. "It's . . . I can't believe how beautiful . . ."
Then came another sound, faint and unrecognizable at first. Derpy strained her ears to get some idea of what she was hearing. Upon success, she immediately wished she hadn't. It was not one noise--it was many. They were hearing a chorus of screams, a wailing choir of shrieking souls. Derpy could see them now, the shadows of ponies burning in the streets. Hundreds of them. Thousands of them. Her stomach turned in on itself at the hellish sight, causing her to double over in pain.
"H-have no fear, little fairy," said Cross, uncertainty having replaced the pride in his tone. "The s-spell is running its course. Just another moment or two and . . . and . . ."
Derpy saw it for only the moment that Cross had mentioned, a black ball of swirling liquid rising up from the aqueduct. With an earth-shattering CRACK it expanded, covering the city and snuffing out the flames in less than a second. It spread onward regardless of what stood in its way, forming an obsidian tidal wave that rushed out from the capital in all directions. Nopony even had time to brace themselves. Derpy cowered in fear as the wall of black water washed over her and everything within reach, but found that she had no trouble standing in its midst. Though it appeared to be water, the substance had little mass, and its passing had all the impact of a strong drizzle. Derpy felt next to nothing in its presence, but Silver Cross and his compatriots were another matter.
Derpy watched in astonishment as the color drained from their bodies. Reds and blues. Greens and oranges. Every shade of color washed away from the Equitopians, leaving only white, black, and gray in their wake. By the time that the wave had finally passed, the only color that remained was in the irises of their eyes--they had all turned red.
Silver Cross stared at his gray coat and white mane in the flickering torchlight, turning about in place as he did so. "What . . . what is this?!" he shouted, though the sound was lost among the nearly identical panicked cries coming from all around.
"This isn't the way it's supposed to be!"
"Where's the city? I can't see it!"
"I feel sick! Oh Lord, I'm gonna throw up!"
That last exclamation wasn't unique. Derpy and Cross watched in horror as monochrome ponies all around them began vomiting, but what came out wasn't the contents of their stomachs. Black sludge, very much like what had just washed over them, spilled forth from mouths howling in pain.
Coarse Thought was one of them. He reached out with a shaking hoof and gurgled around the viscous ooze splashing from his lips. "H-help! Help me, Cross!"
Silver Cross backed away slowly. His own mouth had fallen open in sheer terror, but nothing issued forth from it.
The black sludge kept coming, each pony disgorging more than could have possibly fit in their stomachs. The vile material did not rest on the ground where it fell. It reached out with thick oily tendrils, latching onto the colorless bodies from whence it came. It covered them inch by squelching inch, forming a second repulsive skin as it seemed to devour its victims. Derpy recognized it now. This was the very same substance that had been leaking from the bodies of the timber wolves at Sweet Apple Acres.
The shrieks of torment reached a fever pitch. One by one, the red eyes of the consumed ponies burst into gouts of crimson flame. The effect was taking place all over the final defensive line, evidenced by a circle of red lights several miles in diameter that now surrounded the lifeless city. After several seconds had passed, the fires burned low. However, they did not die out.
Derpy looked at what remained of the Equitopian legions, frozen stiff in absolute terror. Their bodies slumped forward for a moment, red flames flickering from their eye sockets. When the newly-formed creatures stood up straight, they only vaguely resembled what they'd been just a short time ago. The shambling four-legged monstrosities now seemed composed of nothing but the black sludge. Gaping maws with jagged teeth opened and closed in places where they shouldn't have been. Sheer white claws and crooked blades pushed through their liquid flesh at impossible angles. As for their dispositions, they did not simply look hungry. They were the very embodiment of hunger.
In the distance, Derpy saw one of the abominations dive on a surviving pony, engulfing the poor creature fully before it even had a chance to scream. "Cross?" she managed with a tension-locked jaw. "Cross, we have to run! They're gonna kill us!"
Silver Cross stood stock still, his eyes fixed on the transformed Coarse Thought, who was now identical to the rest. "They failed," he whispered, watching the myriad mouths on the surface of Coarse's slick skin snap at thin air. "We all failed."
"Cross!" Derpy shouted, wanting very much to snap him out of his daze but unwilling to move an inch closer to the writhing sludge-beast. It did her no good. What had once been the unicorn named Coarse Thought turned toward her and advanced with alarming speed.
Cross stared at the sheathed sword on the ground before him, his eyes wide and face blank. "The Green Pastures were never . . ."
Derpy Hooves realized that she was in danger and very much alone. The frightened pegasus mare turned to run, but she wasn't fast enough. A black tentacle lashed out from Coarse Thought and snared her hind leg. It pulled hard, slamming her body to the ground and dragging her back to its grisly embrace. Derpy didn't even feel the impact. Every nerve in her body had gone numb with panic. She rolled to her back and dug in her other hooves, but the creature loomed ever larger. Its dripping mouths opened wide for their first meal. And suddenly, they were gone.
Coarse Thought vanished in a cloud of black vapor, cloven from existence by a luminescent crimson blade. Silver Cross stood where the creature had been. A sword possessed of faint red light rested in his powerful jaw. His eyes shone with barely-contained magic power. "I'm sorry, friend," he whispered around the leather-wrapped hilt.
Derpy stared at the heroic image before her, mouth open in surprise. "Cross?"
Silver Cross planted his sword in the dirt as a mass feeding began all around them. "I think I understand now," he said, his tone unwavering. "It was never any more complicated than this." He offered a hoof to help Derpy up. "Fly as far from here as you can, little fairy. There's nothing left for you to see."
"What are you going to do?" asked Derpy.
Cross's expression grew resolute. A Cutie Mark flashed into existence on his flank, a silver cross-shaped sword in the midst of a whirlwind just as Derpy remembered. "I'm going to find Feather Quill," he said. "And if she yet lives, I'll protect her at any cost." With that, he pulled the crimson sword from the earth and charged into the horde of sludge-beasts, a single light of hope in the thundering darkness.
The thought of leaving Cross to his fate seemed wrong to Derpy, but she knew for sure that she couldn't keep up with him. She immediately ran from the remaining torchlights, passed numerous distracted monsters, and made for the flatlands shrouded in darkness. The mild slope of the grassy hill offered no real obstacle to the fleeing mare. Nonetheless, she was forced to come to a skidding halt by the sudden appearance of radiant blue eyes ahead.
Screw Loose stepped forward from the blackness, still shrouded in her familiar cloak from top to bottom. Her broad smile and welcoming gaze showed not a hint of malice, nor did her high-pitched giggle. "Hi there, Derpy!" She threw back her cowl to fully reveal her blue coat and frazzled gray mane. "Looks like I made it just in time!"
Derpy Hooves stumbled backward in shock. "You?! What're you doing here?"
"What am I doing here?" mimicked Screw Loose. She advanced on Derpy at an oblique angle and began to circle around her. "Better question: what are you doing here?" She waved a hoof toward the carnage on the hilltops. "All of this happened something like twenty-five-hundred years ago. Call me crazy, but you don't look that old."
Derpy froze with indecision. She wanted to be nowhere near this evil mare, but doubted that she could outrun a teleporter. Even if she could, there was the unpredictable pony's wrath to consider. Thus, she allowed herself to think on Screw Loose's question. The implication contained therein astounded her. "Wait, you mean this is all really happened way back when? I'm not in, like, another world or something?"
"Bravo," Screw Loose replied. "And the last pony crosses the finish line."
Derpy shook her head. What surprised her even more than the realization that she was walking about in the distant past was the fact that she'd never considered this strange before. She could recall her previous visits with Silver Cross, but the memories felt buffered somehow, as if the last vestiges of some sort of blockage encircled them. "This doesn't make sense," she whispered. "I-it never did! Why didn't I . . . ?"
Screw Loose leaned close from the side, causing Derpy to flinch. "Don't sweat the particulars, bright ace. Good thing I don't want you for your brains, huh? The important part is who sent you here. After all, ponies don't just fall asleep and wind up in the past for no reason at all, right?"
Derpy shivered. "Was it you?"
"This time it was," Screw Loose confirmed, taking a step back as she did so. "But I'm getting into the game pretty late. Truth is, I'm not the first pony in your life to have an agenda. I just happen to be the most honest." Her eyes rolled up in thought for a moment. "About wanting to use you, that is."
"I don't get it," said Derpy. "Why would anypony come after me? What did I ever do to you? Or anypony else?"
Screw Loose cackled in response. "You really think you're innocent, don't you? You think you've got nothing to do with a pony like me? Heehee, that's too much!"
Derpy simply stared at the laughing mare, having no idea what to say.
"Tell me something then," Screw Loose managed between guffaws. "Where is Rainbow Dash?"
Derpy didn't have time to think about the strange question. A gleaming white fireball hit Screw Loose in the side, sending the cloaked mare careening through the grass in a smoking heap. Another mare--ostensibly the source of the spelll--walked toward them, her face a mask of great displeasure. As for her appearance . . .
"Feather Quill?" Derpy whispered.
"Making sense was never your forte, Screw Loose," declared the newcomer, "but you should have known better than to invade my domain."
Screw Loose stood up on unsteady hooves some distance away, laughing like a madpony. "Oh no," she wailed in mock despair. "Guess I should have left a better lock behind."
Her adversary's violet eyes glowed white. "You have a bad habit of underestimating your enemies." Her eyes narrowed. "Get out of the Lost History or perish where you stand."
Screw Loose smiled back defiantly. "I was hoping we could spend some time together, but . . . eh, all's well that ends well. I got what I came for." Her cloaked form vanished in a cloud of black smoke as her last words echoed in the still night air. "See you soon."
The monochrome mare across from Derpy Hooves breathed a sigh of relief. The light faded from her eyes.
"Feather Quill?" Derpy repeated, louder this time. "Is that you?"
"What?" asked the mare. Confusion dominated her expression for a moment, but was soon replaced by annoyance. "Oh, of course you would think that."
"I would?"
The gray-and-black mare put a hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "Listen here, Little S--" She cleared her throat. "I mean, Derpy. You're in grave danger. Screw Loose pulled you here without any regard for your safety, and the connection is breaking down."
"Connection?" asked a thoroughly lost Derpy Hooves.
"The one between your body and soul," said the mare. "I don't have time to explain it properly, but I need you to trust me. I'm here to return you to the waking world. You want that, right?"
Derpy nodded emphatically.
"Very well then. Hold onto that thought," said the mare as she pulled back her hoof. It remained raised. "Normally, I'd just pull you out, but Screw Loose separated you from your conduit, Silver Cross. I have to put you back in him first. Are you ready?"
Derpy nodded, slower this time.
The mare pulled back her hoof even further. "This might hurt," she said before punching Derpy straight in the face. ~
It did hurt, but in the very next moment, Derpy found herself in a familiar place. She felt the sensations that belonged to Silver Cross. He was bruised, battered, and cut in a dozen places, but still very much alive. Black clouds of dissolved monstrosities drifted all around as the warrior stallion made his way to the Legate's tent. A magic energy coursed through his body, completely absent from Derpy's previous habitations. It was frightful in its strangeness, and yet comforting in a vague and intangible way.
Gripping the sword firmly between his teeth, Cross pushed through the tent flap to find Feather Quill alive and well. Relief washed over him at the sight of her, plainly recognizable even in her new colors of gray and black.
Feather turned to Cross, her face full of fear. "Cross!" she shouted, rushing to his side as if she were a filly hiding from a parent's wrath. "Thank the Lord you're here! You have to help him!"
Cross looked across the tent at what his childhood friend had fled from. One of the sludge-beasts stood there. Its eyes were alight with crimson fire, and the mouths and blades on its slick skin moved about in a sick parody of life itself. Silver Cross readied himself to fell the abomination, but stopped when--of all things--it spoke.
"Cross," the creature groaned, its voice distinct and familiar. "Stay your blade, old friend."
At the sound of a voice that he'd obeyed for many seasons, Cross very nearly dropped his guard. "Hind Sight?" he gasped. "You still live?"
"We all do," replied the transformed Legate. His voice was the same, but it carried a wheezing quality, as if he'd aged decades in mere minutes. "You made a terrible mistake, Cross. Those were your comrades you slew out there." Hind Sight held up a dripping hoof. "But you couldn't have known. We forgive you for it."
The Legate's words horrified Derpy. It had been awful enough thinking that the ponies of Equitopia had been turned into vicious monsters. The thought of their normal selves living within all that putrid slime sickened the mare, and Cross as well. Had he really murdered his friends?
Cross kept his blade up. "How do you know what takes place beyond your sight? What have you seen of the hell outside your tent?"
"The Experiment was a success," coughed Hind Sight. "Our minds are becoming one, and our bodies will soon follow. We were warned that the Green Pastures would be unlike anything we've seen before, that their beauty would surpass our understanding." His many mouths spoke the words in unison. "This is a time to rejoice, Silver Cross. This is what we wanted." He reached out his hoof once more. "Feather, dearest Feather. I know we were to be wed in the Pastures, but this bond that has been offered to us goes beyond a simple marriage. We will truly become one body, one soul, in every sense of the word."
Feather Quill shifted. Her expression grew uncertain.
"And Cross," Hind Sight continued. "Forgive me, friend, but I know how you feel for Feather. There is no property here, not in this divine union. You can be one with Feather as well, just as you've always wanted." The creature shook its head, splashing steaming bits of its melting flesh across the ground. "I know how you've suffered, how alone you've been. There's no longer any need. All you have to do is cast aside your fear, and you will be welcomed with joy."
"I can't do it!" Feather Quill exclaimed. She stood apart from Cross and looked him in the eye. "I can't live without him, Cross! Maybe . . ." Her eyes had a crazed look to them. Her tongue lolled about in her mouth as she spoke. "Maybe we should . . ."
Silver Cross moved slowly between his charge and the blighted form of Hind Sight. "You use words of the Tome and promise me salvation, but I look upon you and see the gibbering shape of madness incarnate. The fruit of our beliefs is plain to see."
Hind Sight inched forward. "Cross, please . . ."
"It is written," said Silver Cross. "Beware of false prophets. Ye shall know them by their fruits." He pointed the glowing crimson sword directly at his Legate. "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Strange magic danced in his eyes. "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
"Cross, no!" yelled Feather Quill.
Hind Sight's mouths opened as well, but were silenced. Silver Cross bisected the creature with one powerful stroke, leaving nothing but inky residue and black smoke in his wake. Feather Quill shook with horror as Cross sheathed his sword. Her teeth chattered, and her red eyes glared in anger.
"We need to go," said Cross. "I've cleared a path out of here, but--"
Feather Quill slapped him across the face with every bit of force she could muster. She had to have know that she couldn't really harm the warrior stallion, but that was not her intent. "I will never forget this," she seethed. "I will never forget what you took from me!"
Cross looked down at her impassively. "I saved your life, Feather. I'm sorry that I couldn't do it in the way that you desired."
"Don't give me that!" shouted Feather Quill. "I know you wanted this! You would have taken any excuse, wouldn't you?! You enjoyed killing him! We were . . ." Tears poured down her cheeks, and her voice became wracked with sobs. "We were going to be happy! We still could have been!"
Silver Cross walked past her. "I won't defy you any further. Come with me or don't, but understand that I'm your best chance of staying alive, of finding another happiness."
Feather Quill glared daggers at him. "It won't be with you, Cross! I'll never forgive you, not ever!"
Cross looked back at her, unable to hide the sorrow in his eyes. "And I'll never ask you to." ~
Everything around Derpy suddenly faded away, as if a shroud had been pulled from her eyes. She was still inside Cross, she could feel that much. However, they were now back in the prison cell where they'd started.
"Well, little fairy?" asked Cross in a weary voice. "You've been very quiet. Has my story bored you?" A few moments of silence passed. "Have I scared you away?"
Derpy was scared, scared enough to remain silent. The last thought on the young Silver Cross's mind had been gleeful--he had enjoyed killing Hind Sight. Meeting that Cross, witnessing the destruction of his homeland, and knowing now just how it was that he "took Feather's smile" had made her uncertain of the stallion whose body she currently shared. She'd always supposed that Cross never really did anything wrong, that he was a good pony. Derpy shivered inwardly. Between the fanatic she'd met and the jocular mercenary . . . which one was the real Silver Cross?
Little fairy? asked Cross, his inner voice tinged with sadness.
A knock came from the barred iron door. Silver Cross looked up from his shackles to see a familiar and welcome face. "Feather?" He smiled. "I thought you'd be halfway back to the Northerlands by now."
"Not an option," Feather Quill deadpanned. With a glow from her horn, the lock on the door burst into a shower of sparks. "They've got a barrier surrounding the whole valley." She pushed open the creaking iron obstruction and walked inside, her face impassive as ever. "Sorry this took so long--I had a tough time losing them." Her horn shone once more, causing the manacles about Cross's limbs to fall apart.
Silver Cross stood up, stretching his sore body as he did so. "Many thanks, old chum. Now, shall we get going?"
Derpy felt a curious sensation from Cross. His mind was reflecting on the events she'd witnessed, drawing lines of comparison and--slowly but surely--a new conclusion.
Feather raised an eyebrow. "We'll have to wait a while for the barrier to die down. If we get out of the Spire safely--and that's a big if--should we make for the forest or the mines?"
"I'm not leaving."
This drew genuine shock from Feather's expression. "What?" She brought herself closer to Cross, the feathered beads in her hair clacking as she did so. "Sunny Stables isn't the place we were looking for, Cross. What do you hope to accomplish?"
"I'll help you escape if that's what you desire," Cross replied. He walked past her and headed for the door. "But I won't let history repeat itself." He turned back to Feather. A battle-light shone in his eyes. "If Fell Deeds wants to create another Equitopia, then I'll bring this Spire down on his head before he gets the chance!" ~
It was then with a sharp tug and a whoosh that Derpy Hooves landed back in her bed. It felt just like when she'd fallen from the sky, but she could tell that her body really hadn't moved at all. Above her was the monochrome mare, panting and sweating, with one hoof resting on a giant leather-bound book.
"Thank goodness," the mystery mare gasped. "I made it in time."
Derpy pulled back against the headboard with a thump, wings spread in alarm. "W-who are you? Why is this happening to me?"
The gray-and-black mare's face tensed up. "That's going to be difficult to--" Her body flickered and became ill-defined for a moment. Her eyes went wide and looked to the pearl pendant next to the book. Its own light flickered as well. "Pearl, resume Bonding State." The object flashed once and dove inside her chest.
Derpy drew in a sharp breath. "How did . . . What are you?!"
The mare leaned in close, her expression stern and unyielding. "Listen to me very carefully. I used up most of my power to save you from Screw Loose, so I can't remain here much longer. It's clear to me now that I can't separate your thoughts between the past and present, so I promise that next time we meet I will explain everything." She pressed a hoof against Derpy's shoulder, though it didn't have any force or mass behind it. "For now, you are to tell nopony what you've seen in your dreams. Tell them nothing about Silver Cross, and nothing about me. I'll know if you do. Promise me that you will keep quiet."
Derpy shook her head. "Why? I don't understand any of--"
The mare's gaze narrowed. "Promise me that you will tell nopony or I will disappear forever. You'll never know what transpired here, you'll never see Cross again, and the only one you'll have left to deal with is Screw Loose. Promise me!"
Derpy nodded fearfully, struggling to hold back oncoming tears.
The mysterious mare sighed with relief. "Thank you, Derpy. I wish . . ." Her body flickered once more. "I wish there was a better--" Her voice cut off midsentence, disappearing along with her body into thin air.
Seconds passed in silence. Derpy's heart hammered in her chest. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She couldn't help going over all that she'd seen in her head, but couldn't make sense of any of it. All that she knew for certain was that she feared it. She feared Screw Loose, she feared this new interloper, and now, she even felt fear of her friend Silver Cross, to say nothing of his nightmarish foes.
Spike groaned and picked himself up off the floor, rubbing his temples as he did so. "Oh man, I feel like somepony hit me upside the head with Rarity's giant rock." He looked at Derpy with innocent eyes. "Derpy? Hey, are you okay?"
Derpy looked at him with watery eyes. She wanted so desperately to tell him what had happened. She wanted somepony, anypony to tell her what it all meant, but there was only one pony who could. Unable to say what she wished, she threw herself from the bed and dove at the young dragon.
"Whoa!" Spike exclaimed.
Derpy wrapped both forelegs around him and sobbed openly into his chest, taking comfort in the presence of a true friend since she could do nothing else.
Spike, shocked at first, put one arm around Derpy's back, asking "What happened, Derpy?" as he did. When his question only brought forth more tears, he used his spare hand to stroke her mane. "It's gonna be all right, Derpy. We're all here for you." He looked about, uncertain when he'd even entered the room in the first place, but his attention soon snapped back to the distressed mare in his arms. "Doesn't matter what happened," he said with a grim voice. "I'll stay with you until you feel better." His eyes narrowed and drifted to the sword on the floor. "And I'll make whoever did this to you pay for it," he muttered under his breath.
NEXT
Amethyst 3B: Blood Song |
Lost Legacies | Amethyst 3B: Blood Song | Edited by Cynewulf
It was some time after they'd lost sight of the entrance that Twilight began to grow nervous. The stone staircase underneath Sweet Apple Acres extended into darkness in both directions. Pale light emanated from Twilight's horn, only bright enough to reveal One Liner to her front, Applejack at the rear, and the crusty walls of packed dirt that seemed to close in all around them. The presence of ancient timber supports every few yards did nothing to assuage the unicorn's trepidation. She could hear the thumping of her own heartbeat even over the clip-clop of their hooves on the roughly-hewn steps. The putrid smell of sulfur that suffused the narrow cavern wasn't helping matters.
"So, Miss Twilight," said One Liner, his calm voice reverberating off the walls. "How goes the translation?"
"Translation?" Twilight echoed, distracted by an evil-looking snarl of roots.
Liner turned his head back for a moment as he continued onward. "You know, the literary pursuits of our good friend Screw Loose? Room 401?"
"Ugh," Twilight groaned. "Don't remind me. I consulted every book ever written on the subject of Ancient Equestrian and every other book even marginally related to the first set." She rolled her eyes. "I figured out a few common pronouns and conjugations, but even those didn't make sense in the order they were used. The only thing I learned from that mess is that we're not going to understand it without the exordium. And speaking of things I don't understand . . ." She turned to the orange earth pony behind her. "What the hay is something like this doing under your wheat field?"
"I dunno," answered Applejack, her tone quiet and thoughtful. "I feel like I should though, like there's somethin' important that I plum forgot about."
Twilight shivered. "Well, it's a crazy thing to forget if you did. I know I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if there were something this creepy underneath the library." Her light flickered briefly. "I mean, who knows what's at the bottom?"
Applejack grinned. "Aw shucks. Are you scared, Twi?"
"Scared?" Twilight flushed at the accusation. "O-of course not! It's just an underground passageway, after all." She gave a fake laugh. "A pony of science knows that there's no such thing as ghosts or bogeymen."
Applejack shook her head. "I didn't say anythin' 'bout ghosts."
"And why would you?" babbled Twilight. "The only thing weird about this staircase is where it is, right? I mean, imagine if it were underneath a castle, or some ruins in the Everfree. Why, that would be perfectly-- AAH!" The light from her horn flared brilliant white with a shower of magic sparks. Something had scratched at her right shoulder. Twilight yelped, dove for the nearest pony, and latched on with all her might. "Get it away from me! Kill it with fire!" she shouted, eyes screwed shut in fear.
A short time passed in silence before a cough issued forth from One Liner. "Miss Twilight?"
Twilight recognized the smell of cologne and the smooth feel of the detective's trenchcoat. She opened her eyes and stared right up into One Liner's blue irises.
Applejack prodded at a claw-shaped branch and whistled. "I guess ponies o' science aren't much for watchin' where they're goin'."
One Liner offered a nervous smile. "I'm afraid it's going to be pretty hard to protect you with your forelegs wrapped around my neck."
Twilight released her stranglehold on the detective, blushing furiously. "Oh goodness! I'm so sorry!"
"Not a problem," said One Liner. He nodded toward the descending stairs. "Shall we?"
Twilight watched as Liner pressed on and couldn't help but notice a strange movement in the folds of his coat. There was no mistaking it--his tail had to be swishing back and forth underneath. Twilight's face felt very hot. Her thoughts drifted to Applejack's earlier comments. Did that . . . excite him?
"Ahem."
Twilight turned back to find a smirking Applejack. "What?" she asked.
"Nothin'," quipped the highly amused earth pony mare. "Want me to hold your hoof the rest of the way?"
Twilight frowned and marched off in a huff.
"Huh," Applejack mused with a nudge to her Stetson. "Guess I'm not the one you wanna be holdin' hooves with . . ."
Applejack was thankful when the stairs finally ended, but was unimpressed by the view. She trotted forward onto the odd stretch of cobblestone flooring, peering out into the blackness of what must have been a wide-open space. "Hey, Twi?" she called to her unicorn friend. "Mind turnin' on the lights?"
Twilight Sparkle obliged by putting more effort into her illumination spell. The light from her horn spread outward and revealed what lay hidden in the darkness bit by bit. The cavern they'd stepped into rose two stories high and measured several yards across in all directions. A complex series of aged wooden supports held the uneven ceiling aloft. Both they and the half-finished stonework on some of the walls bore grisly swatches of sloppy crimson writings. Piles of white bones in various corners left little doubt of the scribbler's choice in art supplies.
One Liner grimaced. "This could give me a new appreciation for leaving the lights off."
The dirty, disheveled remains of what had once been a bed adorned one corner while a grouping of empty iron cages adorned the other. Bits and pieces of ruined wooden furniture rested at odd intervals throughout the cavern, and other tunnels and stairways--much like the one they'd descended--branched off in all directions. It was that last detail that finally jogged Applejack's memory.
"I don't believe it," gasped the farmpony. She removed her hat and held it to her chest.
"Me neither," Twilight responded as she gazed about. "Who would live in a place like this?"
Applejack shook her head. "Ain't nopony supposed to, Twi. This here's the Storm Hollow."
One Liner looked up from the rotting form of a half-demolished desk. "Care to elaborate?"
Applejack looked up at the ceiling in wide-eyed wonder. "Y'know how the Apple family were the ones who founded Ponyville in the first place? Well, for a long time there was no Ponyville--just my granny and her folks on the border o' the Everfree, tamin' the land as best they could. It was 'round the time o' the first timber wolf attacks that my great-grandpappy decided that the family needed someplace to run to if they came up against somethin' they couldn't handle. So he set every able-bodied pony he could spare from farmwork to diggin' some great big hole in the ground with lots of narrow ins n' outs. When it was finished after a few seasons, he took t' callin' it the Storm Hollow."
"Why 'Storm Hollow?'" asked Twilight.
Applejack chuckled. "'Cause he wasn't too creative. My great-grandpappy figured that the place was a great big hollow space and that it'd be mighty useful if one o' those tree topplin' Everfree storm systems came rollin' through."
One Liner began pulling drawers out of the desk. "And you forgot about this?"
Applejack shrugged. "Well, I heard about it when I was a little 'un, but nopony could remember where it was. Our family never used the place, and there wasn't much need after other ponies started movin' here. Once the pegasus ponies got the weather in workin' order n' scared off most of the critters, the Hollow just got sorta buried as the years went by. I even went lookin' for the old entrances once upon a time--never found a darn thing till now."
One Liner stuck a cursory hoof into an open drawer. The sound of rattling glass filled the cavern. "Unless your ancestors were into magic locks and stockpiling drugs from the future, I'd say that this is Screw Loose's hideout."
"The missing bottles of Ventium?" asked Twilight.
Liner nodded. "All but two by my count."
Applejack wandered close to the rusty cages, each big enough to hold a pony inside. "You mean that whacked-out pony was livin' underneath us?" She paused for a moment to think that through. "That's why she had to take out Winona--poor puppy-girl woulda sniffed her out in a heartbeat if she hadn't." Applejack's eyes widened. "So she's been under us for two months now?"
"Makes sense," answered One Liner. "The knights must have covered every inch of the countryside by now. This is the only place they might have missed."
Applejack retched in disgust. "And I thought nothin' would ever make me wanna move out." A metal engraving on one of the cages caught her eye. "Hey, what is this? Property of . . . Ponyville Memorial?"
Twilight walked over to have a look for herself. "Interesting. Cages like these were used for animal test subjects until the practice was outlawed about a hundred years ago. I don't even know where you'd find these anymore." She pawed at a clump of dried resin one one of the metal bars. "Was she keeping timber wolves in here?"
"The shoe seems to fit," quipped One Liner as he gazed at the red marks on the wall. "I'm more curious about these scribblings. Is this red paint, or . . ."
Applejack spied a familiar-looking set of bones amongst the cages and shivered. "No, I think that's cow blood."
Twilight flinched. "Are you serious?"
Applejack began to sweat, unable to take her eyes off the grisly pile. "I thought we were losin' a few to timber wolves after Winona died, but . . ."
"You may very well have been," interrupted Liner. "Screw Loose had to feed whatever was in the cages, after all. Looks like she's the sort of pony who lets nothing go to waste."
Applejack grimaced. "As if I needed another reason to strangle that monster."
One Liner noticed that Twilight had locked her eyes on a particular set of blood smears. "Miss Twilight?"
"It's the exordium," said Twilight. "I don't believe it, but Screw Loose wrote the whole thing down again!" She extended a hoof toward Liner without looking his way. "Liner, you still have that notebook and pen?"
The detective fished the objects out of a coat pocket and tossed them toward the unicorn mare. "Think fast."
"I don't get it though," said Applejack as Twilight began copying down the writing on the wall. "Why's that one wall covered with weird letters? I can read most of everythin' else in here." Her eyes scanned the walls and supports. "Not that I really care to."
Liner tipped up the brim of his fedora. "I imagine that's one of the questions we'll have to ask Screw Loose herself. Shouldn't take long to find her now that we've uncovered her base of operations."
"Done!" chirped Twilight, happy to have found the key to a frustrating puzzle. She turned to One Liner. "Want me to write down the rest?"
"That will do for now," said Liner. "I'm about to turn this crime scene over to the Sheriff's Department. Priority one is finding Screw Loose before she has a chance to go to ground, and I have a feeling that Captain Soarin will want me to join the search party."
"Okay, mind if I tag along?"
Both Applejack and One Liner simply stared at Twilight for a moment, the detective with a look of uncertainty and the farmpony with a knowing smirk.
Liner coughed. "This isn't a picnic, Miss Twilight. We'll be in real danger out there."
"Yeah," Twilight answered at a lower volume, clearly a bit embarrassed by her sudden offer. "But it sounds like just the sort of situation where your favorite unicorn might come in handy."
Applejack's smile grew wider. "Um, not to rain on your parade, sugarcube, but weren't you gonna help Spike look after Derpy?"
"I was just about to take care of that," said Twilight. She closed her eyes for a moment, causing the orb of light generated by her horn to rise halfway to the ceiling. It hung there like a lantern, making the cavern visible even without Twilight there to cast it. The unicorn mare smiled. "Somepony owes me a favor, and I can't think of a safer place for Derpy to be right now than her cottage."
One Liner shook his head. "Looks like I haven't got much choice in the matter. Can you make it to the knights' base camp in, say fifteen minutes?"
Twilight nodded. "See you there!"
As the curiously upbeat unicorn mare trotted off toward the stairs, Applejack placed her Stetson once more atop her head. "Well, I figure I'm not gonna be of much further use 'round here. Guess I'd best go and tend to the family. Nice meetin' ya, Detective." With a courteous nod and a winning smile, she made to follow her friend above ground.
"One moment, Miss Applejack."
Applejack stopped and turned about. "Somethin' I can do for ya?"
The expression on Liner's face and the tone of his voice had become more serious. "I've been thinking about the statement you gave regarding your encounter with Screw Loose and I get the impression that you're . . . holding something back."
Applejack's smile took on a nervous twitch. "Now why would I--"
"Please," said Liner. "I'm not accusing you of anything in particular. I just want to remind you that every piece of information related to our prime suspect, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is crucial to finding her and establishing guilt." He stepped forward. "So I'll ask you this one time, Miss Applejack. Is there anything you'd like to add to your statement before it becomes a matter of public record?"
Applejack gulped audibly. "Well . . ."
"What did you do?!" yelled Applejack. Magic coursed through every fiber of the farmpony's body, yet she'd never felt more powerless as she stared at the smoking crater where Derpy and Apple Bloom had been. She whirled on Screw Loose. "How could you?!"
Then, before Applejack's very eyes, her panting and battered opponent began to change. The visible parts of Screw Loose's coat shifted from cobalt blue to cotton-candy pink. Her mane curled up into brilliant strands of magenta, and her blue eyes regained their familiar round pupils. The cheery voice that said her next words sounded awfully familiar as well.
"Party's just getting started, A.J."
One Liner put a thoughtful hoof to his chin.
Applejack laughed nervously. "N-now I wouldn't put much stock in that. Screw Loose can look like whatever she wants to, right? Maybe she was just screwin' with me, if you'll pardon the expression." She waved a hoof. "I mean, who knows what that crazy pony is thinkin' anyway?"
One Liner looked her dead in the eye. "Work in my profession long enough and you'll realize that there's no such thing as crazy. There's just lines of reasoning that we don't understand . . ." His eyes drifted up toward the ceiling and read a few curious lines written in blood.
I have to tell them!
She can't get away with this!
I have to deliver these letters!
Liner's eyes narrowed. "And the ones we refuse to consider . . ."
NEXT
Episode 07: "The Kindness of Others" |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [1/9] | Edited by Cynewulf
THEN
[Five Months Ago]
A dense morning fog hung on the Everfree Forest, bathing all that could be seen amongst the tall trees in white and gray. Unnatural silence and stillness pervaded the area in the wake of the previous night's Harmony Storm. All that remained was a young dragon of colors violet and green, who rent both the silence and the stillness in careless fury.
"RAAAGH!"
With shouts, yells, and fearsome growls he punched at the side of a pine tree. Blow after blow shredded the bark, but the trunk beneath resisted every strike. The dragon's hands were not so lucky. Scales chipped, claws cracked, and eventually, seeping blood began to smear the timber. Even so, the dragon showed no signs of stopping his relentless assault until the pop of a dislocated bone sounded in the misty air.
Spike raised his bloodied fist yet again, mindless of how it shook. His face contorted in anger. His breath came out in ragged snarls, and his bared fangs shone with spittle. The rage had not left him, but his raised arm would no longer cooperate. Searing, debilitating pain lanced through every muscle as he tried to will one last punch out of the abused appendage. However, it was no use. Spike let the arm fall to his side and began to weep bitterly.
"For what reason do you punish yourself?" asked a strong feminine voice.
Spike whirled in the direction of the voice to find a unicorn mare towering over him. She stood nearly a foot taller than the young dragon, but her features were refined and delicate in the manner of a Canterlot noble. From her coat of phthalo blue and mane of light azure to the pure cyan of her inquisitive eyes, not a single detail of her appearance struck a note of familiarity. The brown traveler's cloak covering most of her body below the neck prevented Spike from seeing her Cutie Mark as well. Defenseless, exhausted, and quite embarrassed, he found himself wilting in the presence of this imposing stranger.
"W-who are you?" asked Spike.
The mare stared down at him with a stoic sort of curiosity. "I am Midnight."
"Oh, Midnight," Spike said casually. He'd expected the answer to bring to mind a resident of Ponyville, but his brain caught up with the oddity of the name a few seconds late. "Wait, Midnight what?"
Midnight raised an eyebrow. "The one name serves me well. I have no need of a second."
"I guess that makes sense," Spike replied. Caught in a personal moment, he could think of nothing else to do but play it off as an everyday conversation. His shaking arms and bloodied hands made that a tall order.
"I say again," declared Midnight. "Why do you attack a tree in the midst of these woods? Why inflict pain upon yourself to no avail?"
Spike looked away. "I don't see how it's any of your business."
"Is the reason a guarded secret then?"
That question made Spike feel more than a little foolish. "No, not really. Everypony in Ponyville knows about it by now." He sighed. "I . . . screwed up. A pony I care about got hurt last night."
Midnight tilted her head. "Will this pony live?"
"Yeah," Spike shot back quickly, surprised at the severity of the question. "The doctors say she'll be fine in a few days, but . . ." He clenched the one fist that he still could. "I was right there when that monster went after her and I couldn't do a thing. I promised to protect her a long time ago, but every time something happens I'm completely useless." A tear made its way past his defenses and down his cheek. "I'm the only fire-breathing dragon alive who can't even hurt a stupid tree."
Midnight nodded. "Then you are frustrated by your inadequacy. You desire power."
Spike chuckled darkly. "See it growing on a tree anywhere?"
"I know of no such plant," Midnight replied, "but I am one who can bestow what you seek." Her horn shone with a cobalt aura and opened the folds of her cloak. A sword in its scabbard floated from within, coming to rest in midair between the two of them.
Spike gazed at the emerald pommel stone and brass cross-hilt of the pristine short sword in open-mouthed awe. "Where did you get this? It almost looks like the one the knights carry, but . . ."
"It is an older blade," said Midnight. "The hilt lacks a mouthguard and the handle is rough on the jaw. Even so, I doubt such flaws would present a problem for a creature with hands." One corner of her mouth rose. "Provided said creature bothers to preserve his hands, that is."
Spike had never seen a weapon this close before. As far as he knew, only the royal knights carried swords of this caliber, and nopony in Ponyville even owned a bladed weapon of any kind at all. He reached out for the handle with his functioning hand.
"Be warned," cautioned Midnight, causing the young dragon to freeze in place. "Though the blade is itself an expression of power, whether to harm or to protect, this one is but a key to the power of which I speak. To take hold of this sword is to make a vow that one day, you shall use it to prove your worth. At that time, should I deem you deserving, you shall inherit another sword entirely--one that has no equal in this world."
Spike continued to stare at the weapon. "And if I fail?"
Midnight's expression remained stoic. "Then I shall claim your life, young dragon."
"My life?" Spike exclaimed. He took a step back, but did not lower his arm. "Why?"
"Because the world to which both this sword and its better belong makes no allowance for failure," answered Midnight. "Some would say you are wise to hesitate in the face of such a risk."
Spike's thoughts drifted to the shambling horror he'd encountered in the midst of the Harmony Storm. "What would you say?"
Midnight looked him directly in the eye. "That it is impossible to protect the life of another without risking your own."
A fleeting image of Rarity, bruised and bleeding, raced through Spike's mind. He drew in a deep breath, reached out, and pulled the sword from its scabbard. The gleaming white metal of the blade sung as it was drawn in a low and solemn tone. The sound brought only one word to Spike's mind as he held the weapon before him. Death.
Midnight allowed the scabbard to float to the ground and bowed her head in respect. "Very well, young one. Carry it with you always. Train yourself in its use, and one day I shall return to test you. That day may be a year from now--it might be tomorrow. Never allow yourself to grow complacent. You will need each and every day that I give you to have even a prayer of success."
Adrenaline rushed through Spike's veins, washing away his uncertainty. A smile crept across his tear-stained face. "I will, but why give this to me?" The smile faded a bit. "What's in it for you?"
Midnight lifted her head and used magic to push aside stray locks of her silken mane. "Just as I give unto you the key to what you desire, so shall you--in learning to use it--discover the key to what I desire."
Spike had no idea what the mare's cryptic statement meant, and somehow, he didn't care. The weapon in his hands mesmerized him. It made him feel, for the first time in a long while, that anything was possible. Anything, that is, except for the movement he spied out of the corner of his eye. As Midnight turned to leave, her cloak moved about her midsection in a way that it shouldn't have, as if there were another pair of appendages under there besides her four legs.
Spike had a sudden sinking feeling as he watched the strange mare disappear into the fog. What had he just gotten himself into? NOW
[Dawn of Day 31]
Screw Loose examined the side of a pine tree that had caught her attention. Pockmarks, scratches, and chipped bark all told the tale of the damage done to it five months before, even in the dim pinkish light of early dawn. The cloaked mare's blue eyes swept back and forth over the battered trunk. Her chapped lips stretched into a crooked smile. "Looks like somepony was having fun."
WHACK!
The metal butt of a spear hit Screw Loose square in the jaw. Stars exploded in her vision and she toppled over, landing flat on her back in the dew-soaked underbrush. Waves of pain rushed through her cranium and, when her eyesight finally cleared, she found three sharpened speartips ready to do the same.
Three stallions wearing the familiar golden armor of royal knights held their weapons at Screw Loose's face by means of side harnesses. The shortest among them declared, "Stay right where you are, missy. One false move out of you and you'll never make another. Are we clear?"
"As a bell," answered Screw Loose. She rubbed at the fresh welt on her cheek and smiled seductively. "That feels amazing. Do you give it to your marefriend this good?"
The stallion snarled and made an emphatic movement with his spear. "Watch your mouth, villain."
Screw Loose shook with a bit of silent mirth. "I can't."
An armored pegasus stallion bearing the plumage of a captain trotted into view flanked by several others. He snorted and grinned with pride. "I do love it when an ambush goes off without a hitch." He looked down his nose at the prone mare before him. "Pardon our intrusion into your morning constitutional, miss, but you look an awful lot like the wanted criminal Screw Loose. Might you be that very mare?"
"Uh-huh," said Screw Loose in the tone of a playful filly. "That's me~ I enjoy chocolate rain, long walks in the Etheria . . ." Her eyes turned violet. "And I love--" Her voice stopped suddenly. Her mouth went slack, and her eyes drifted down to the spear sticking out of her chest.
"They warned us about your eyes," said the shortest stallion as he jammed the blade in harder. "Castin' some magic, huh? I bet you can't teleport so easily with somethin' inside you that don't belong."
Screw Loose simply looked at the wound in silent stupor. Blood seeped past the blade and coursed down her side.
"What have you done?!" shouted the captain. "Our orders were to take her alive!" He advanced on the culprit with a raised hoof, but paused at the sound of laughter.
Screw Loose giggled madly and began pushing the spear around in the wound. "You interrupted me," she said as the red blood flowing from her injury began to run black. "I was . . . I was trying to tell you what I love . . ." Her giggles transformed into riotous laughter that echoed across the dense woodland.
The soldiers shouted in surprise as lines of red light traced themselves along the ground. They recoiled from the strange phenomena, but it was no use--the intricate patterns of light overtook them in a trice and continued to spread. The ground cracked along the lines with the sound of snapping bones. Red light poured forth from the depths.
Screw Loose pulled herself up and latched onto the stallion who'd stabbed her, heedless of the weapon plunging further inside her. "You know what I love?" she managed in the throes of her hilarity.
Several soldiers dropped their gear and ran only to be snagged by black, oily tendrils that leapt out of the glowing crevices. Their screams as the substance welded itself to their bodies drowned out the sound of laughter.
Screw Loose put her smiling visage so close to the stallion's that they could see nothing but each others' eyes and coughed, hacking up a mixture of blood and black sludge onto the unfortunate soldier's face. The stallion cried out in pain and terror, but Screw Loose held him tight and shouted directly into his ears.
"I LOVE IT WHEN I CAN JUST BE MYSELF!"
My Little Pony: Lost Legacies
The Kindness of Others ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [2/9] | [Morning of Day 31]
At a homely cottage forged from an oak tree on the border of the Everfree Forest, spring reigned supreme. The sun shone down from its domain of aquamarine, undimmed by the passing of fluffy white clouds. Patches of multicolored flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, nourished by the clear waters of a babbling brook. Birds twittered in the trees, hares scampered across the fields, and a confused Rainbow Dash hovered outside the window of the cottage's second-story bedroom.
"Are you serious?" asked the cyan pegasus mare. "You're really gonna leave me hangin'?"
Derpy Hooves sat on the checker-patterned comforter of the bed just inside and gazed up at Rainbow Dash with half-lidded eyes.
"Hush, Spike! We can't let Pinkie know we're here, remember?"
"Someone's gonna fall, something's gonna fall! Run for your lives!"
Derpy shook her head and blinked hard. The flashes came to her now whenever she tried to think, and they made less sense than ever. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash. I just don't feel up to working on the roof today."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Aw, come on. I know you're bummed about what happened last night, but we're so close to being done. Can't you just give it a try?"
Derpy opened her mouth to respond . . .
"While y'all here, ya' feel like bobbin' for an apple?"
. . . but the offending thought caused her to simply twitch instead.
Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs. "I mean, are you scared or somethin'? Half the royal army is cruising through the Everfree, the sheriff's department is out in force, and you'll be hangin' with the fastest flyin' fighter in Equestria." She punched at thin air for emphasis. "Come on, what could possibly go--"
"I just don't know what went wrong."
"Yeah. It's a mystery."
Derpy squinted. "Wait, what did you just say?"
Rainbow titled her head to the side. "Um, what could possibly get through all that and hurt you?"
Derpy Hooves groaned and flopped down on her stomach. "I'm serious, Rainbow Dash. I don't feel good."
"I can't believe that Princess Celestia chose us to put on the most important play of the season!"
Derpy grabbed a nearby pillow and pulled it over her ears.
Rainbow Dash sighed and looked away. "I get it, Derps--I really do. I just don't know how else to cheer you up. I've never seen you this down before and it . . ." She winced. "Really makes my head hurt."
"Maybe we should both take the day off," suggested Derpy from underneath the pillow.
"Yeah," Rainbow replied, her expression uncertain and forlorn. "So, I guess I'll see you later then?"
Derpy nodded.
Rainbow Dash turned to leave but paused long enough to say over her shoulder, "Seriously, I hope you get to feelin' better, kiddo."
The flap of powerful wings and the sound of rushing air told Derpy that Rainbow had at last departed. She breathed a sigh of relief--the flashes seemed to subside in the cyan pegasus's wake. Relative peace and quiet descended over the room, emptied even of the animals that normally occupied its many birdhouses and cubbyholes. Derpy wanted to drown herself in the silence, to not do or say or think anything at all. A part of her even longed for her old apartment, much to her surprise.
Derpy flipped the pillow over and rested her chin on the cool fabric. Every bit of what had happened in the Dream World--as she'd decided to call it--absolutely baffled her, and her inability to understand scared her even more. It all felt so far beyond her that she didn't even want to try to understand it, much less wait in silence on some stranger to reveal the truth at her own whim. Derpy felt a headache coming on. Why was any of this even happening to her?
"You really think you're innocent, don't you?"
"Tell me something then: where is Rainbow Dash?"
What a stupid question, thought Derpy. She was right here.
"Oh dear, I don't think I can do this after all."
Derpy's ears pricked up and swiveled toward the closed entryway across the room. The conversation taking place just outside clearly wasn't meant for her to hear, but . . .
"Now that's not like you, honeybun. When the goin' gets rough, you show 'em your stuff!"
"Um, are you sure that's how it goes?"
"Instead of tryin' to stall, why not give it your all?"
Derpy Hooves grimaced. She'd met the owners of this cottage when she and Spike had arrived last night. They clearly meant well, but something about these two rubbed Derpy the wrong way.
"Did you even see her eyes? How am I supposed to help her if I can't even look straight at her?"
Derpy's frown grew exponentially.
"Okay, enough's enough. On three, sunshine. One, two . . ."
The door burst open to reveal the pegasus mare named Fluttershy, who stumbled into the room with a breakfast tray barely held in place on her back. She flashed an uneasy smile and struggled to regain her footing. "Oh! Good morning, Miss Derpy Hooves." The deep cyan of her eyes stood out against the pastel colors of her pink mane and pale yellow coat, even moreso now as they shifted back and forth in a reflexive search for an escape route. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah," lied Derpy.
"Oh good," replied Fluttershy as she sidled forward. "I mean, if you hadn't gotten a good night's sleep then I . . ." She stopped in place for a moment, her face a mask of worried confusion. "Oh, I don't know what I'd do. Maybe give you a glass of warm milk?"
Derpy raised an eyebrow. She didn't credit herself as a good judge of character, but this mare was clearly trying too hard.
Fluttershy shook her head, causing a tiny golden bell that she wore on her on her left ear to jingle. "That's beside the point, I guess. Here." She walked up to the bedside and deftly slid an ornate wooden food tray onto the comforter. "I made some breakfast for you. Are you hungry?"
Derpy eyeballed the meal. "No," she answered. The steaming hot redcurrant pancakes and crisp apple juice might have seemed appetizing on any other morning. However, her growing headache and the awkwardness of her new benefactor combined to kill Derpy's appetite.
"Oh dear," gasped Fluttershy. "I thought these were your favorite. Did I make them wrong?"
"Rainbow Dash's favorite," Derpy muttered around her pillow.
Fluttershy looked at the floor. "R-right, I knew that." She looked back up sheepishly. "Does that mean you don't like them?"
Derpy sighed. "It's not that. I just--"
"How could I be so inconsiderate?" Fluttershy interrupted. With a flap of her wings she ascended onto the bed, touching down so gracefully that Derpy barely felt a thing. She did feel it, however, when Fluttershy began rubbing her side. "Is it your tummy? Do you need some medicine?"
Derpy recoiled from the touch and sat up straight against the headboard. "No! I just . . ." She cringed. That movement had not been good for the pain in her head. "I just . . ."
Fluttershy sat down on the comforter. "This is about last night, isn't it?" A very fake smile spread across her face. "Well, I don't think you've got anything to worry about. There's lots of big and tough royal knights out there, the sheriff and his deputies actually got out their batons for once, and--"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it," moaned Derpy with a hoof to her forehead. "I'm safe as can be. Now all I have to do is wait around for everypony else to do stuff for me." She stuck the hoof up in the air and waved it around. "Whoop-te-doo. Even if they catch Screw Loose, that just means I go right back to being Ponyville's big screw-up and having everypony help me with that instead." She grabbed the pillow once more and hugged it. "I don't know why I even bother. I try hard to fix one problem and a worse one pops up before I'm even done with the first. What's the use?"
Fluttershy looked genuinely taken aback. "N-now you're just being a Negative Nancy." She got up and walked toward her charge with an outstretched hoof, concerned by the way Derpy had been holding her head a moment before. "You'll never feel better if you keep thinking like that. So something bad happened last night and caught you by surprise--who's to say that something good won't do the same today?"
At that moment, Derpy felt the acute sensation of a white-hot stake being driven into her skull. ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [3/9] | [Ten Months Ago]
"I just can't believe it," sobbed a teary-eyed Fluttershy. "I can't believe Angel Bunny's gone." She'd meant to yell but, as usual, she just couldn't get her voice all the way to the desired volume.
The stocky mustachioed bartender across from her gazed at the far wall impassively, scrubbing a glass by way of unicorn magic. However, the huge blue minotaur in the next seat over offered a sympathetic hoofkerchief.
"There, there now," said Iron Will in his ever-deep masculine voice. "Critters are given to wanderin' sometimes. Iron Will knows he'll turn up sooner or later--satisfaction guaranteed."
Fluttershy took the kerchief, sniffled, and dabbed at her cheeks. Part of her couldn't believe that she'd even come to this basement-level bar in the first place, much less that she'd run into an old acquaintance like her former personality coach. The other part wanted to explore the possibilities of drowning her sorrow in potent beverage. Given that the dim multicolored lanterns hanging throughout the establishment had grown hazy in her vision, she believed herself to be at least part of the way there. "He's been gone for a -hic- whole week already," she babbled. "That's never happened before. I just don't understand it." A flash of anger crossed her delicate features. She glared at the bartender and tapped the empty glass in front of her. "More Roamin Milk, if it's not too -hic- much trouble."
The bartender raised a scruffy eyebrow. "Don't you think you've had enough?"
Iron Will gave an easy smile. "Don't you worry, barkeep. Iron Will's got this well in hand, or your money back."
The bartender shrugged and redirected his magic aura to the taps. Into a waiting vessel poured the infamous milk of the island-bound Roamin Ranch. Brewed in the udders of rare Apollon cows and refined by the secret techniques of the reclusive Roamin family, the prized milk bore a flavor once described by its creator Roamin Round as "somethin' like takin' a sledgehammer to the gut n' gettin' a kiss on the cheek for yer trouble." However, the milk had become a treasured beverage across Equestria not because of its flavor, but rather its potential for intoxication, unrivaled by any known form of alcohol.
The bartender floated the dangerous milk over to Fluttershy, who downed it in an instant.
Iron Will let out a low whistle.
"It doesn't make any -hic- sense," continued the inconsolable pegasus mare. "I loved Angel Bunny more than any other critter I ever met. He could be mean to me sometimes, but I always looked after everything he could possibly want." She sniffed mightily to try and stop the oncoming tears. It had no effect. "Why did he go and leave me alo-ho-hone?!" she wailed quietly. "What did I do wrong?"
Iron Will reached over with a blue-furred hand. He hesitated for a moment, but chose to follow through and patted Fluttershy on the back. "Come on now, it's not as bad as all that. You said it yourself, right? You did a bang-up job raisin' the little fella, and I'm sure he appreciates it. Besides, you're not really alone, are you?"
Fluttershy brought the kerchief to her nose and blew so softly into it that her sinuses couldn't have even budged. She looked up at Iron Will with wide eyes, almost as if what he'd said had really hit home. However, not a second passed before her gaze waxed angry and turned on a passing stranger. "And what are you looking at, buster?" she squeaked.
"Fluttershy," said Iron Will as he snapped his fingers next to her face. "Front n' center."
Fluttershy whirled back to him, looking for all the world as if she'd gotten caught passing a note in class. "Uh-huh?"
Iron Will put his smile back on. "Iron Will says you're not alone. You've still got the rest of your woodland pals, right?"
Fluttershy nodded slowly and hiccuped. "Yeah."
"And what about your friends Pinkie Pie and Rarity? Aren't you three still a collector's set?"
"Yeah. -hic-"
Iron Will put a thumb to his chiseled chest. "And hey, for a limited time only, you've even got Iron Will by your side."
A tiny smile arose on Fluttershy's face. "Really?" She turned back to her empty glass and cupped it with both hooves. After staring into it for a moment, she said, "You're right. You're one-hundred-percent absolutely positively undeniably . . ." She squinted. "Uh . . . completely . . ." She'd lost whatever it was she was trying to say and simply smiled a fragile smile. "Still hurts though." She tapped the glass. "I need more of this stuff."
Iron Will grinned and waggled his eyebrows. "Iron Will is right there with you, Flutterhoney." He failed to notice Fluttershy blushing at the random nickname and stuck out two fingers toward the bartender. "Hey, barkeep?"
The bartender looked up from his duties.
Iron Will scrunched his fingers like a pair of bunny-ears. "Dos mas, por favor." ~
It was some time later that a pair of mismatched figures stumbled down the narrow dirt path to Fluttershy's cottage under a starlit sky.
"Thank you so much for walking me home," said Fluttershy as she leaned against Iron Will for support. Despite her apologetic words, her voice remained giddy from what had escalated into a full-blown pub crawl. "I swear I've never done anything like this before." A wave of mild nausea washed over her. "Ooh. I probably shouldn't have."
Iron Will chuckled and patted Fluttershy's side with the same arm he was using to hold them both steady. "Well Miss Fluttershy, Iron Will is honored to be your partner in crime. Just--" He brought a closed left fist to his mouth to suppress a burp. "Just take along a friend first next time. You can't count on running into mean old minotaurs who owe you a free trial. You've only got one of those, far as I know."
Fluttershy gave Iron Will her idea of a playful shove. He barely felt it. "You are not old!" she squeaked. "And you're not mean either." She paused to think on that last bit. "Actually, you're a lot nicer than I remember." That thought quickly lead to another. She looked up at her companion with wide eyes. "Wait, what free trial? I don't think I did anything for you before."
"Is that so?" replied Iron Will as they drew near to the cottage. "You think that anypony ever had the guts to tell Iron Will how full of it he was before you came along?"
"Oh," Fluttershy answered meekly. "Um, was that a good thing?"
Iron Will put a hand to his chin in mock thoughtfulness. "Let's see now. Is it a good thing when the prettiest mare you ever met gives you a bad review and sends you off to rethink your life?" He let the question sit for a moment, taking notice of the trepidation on Fluttershy's face. He smiled. "Iron Will thinks so. Either way, you sure made an impression--I haven't stopped thinkin' about you ever since." The redness on his cheeks, due mostly to mild inebriation, deepened. "That's why Iron Will's here, really. Just thought I'd see how you were doin'."
Fluttershy gave a bashful smile, but couldn't think of anything to say. At the very hour when she'd felt her life of kindness most futile, along came this hunk of a minotaur--a man she'd admired but always thought unreachable--to let her know that she'd made a difference in his life. He thinks you're pretty too, her brain reminded her. Fluttershy wanted to say something back, to tell him how much she appreciated his visit. However, none of the pleasantries that came to mind seemed adequate, not for expressing the curious warmth spreading through her, entirely separate from the effects of strong drink.
At last they arrived at Fluttershy's doorstep. Iron Will knelt down to her face level and gestured toward the door. "Here we are, princess. Feel up to goin' it alone from here?"
Fluttershy did feel up to the task of getting herself to bed, but she did not want to be alone. A strange idea occurred to her, a technique Rarity had once pontificated on. The usual dread of possible consequences assailed her, but she found the feeling easier to slip past than ever before. "I t-think I'll be okay," she stuttered. Fluttershy took one step forward, shook intentionally, took another, and finally allowed her legs to buckle completely.
Iron Will caught her easily with a steady hand across her chest. "Whoa now," he exclaimed. "Looks like you could use some shipping n' handling after all."
Fluttershy looked back at him sheepishly. "Um, if you don't mind." Her heart raced at her successful deception, but she'd failed to anticipate what happened next. A stallion might have thrown a foreleg about her and awkwardly helped her inside. Iron Will, however, pushed up on her chest, slid his right hand around her hip, and bore her aloft. In an instant, she was cradled in his arms, staring up into his handsome smile and gentle eyes. "Oh goodness," she gasped. It was sudden, unusual, and possibly inappropriate--all things that might normally have sent her reeling. Instead, she drew her forelegs close to her chest and locked her gaze on his. Her mind warned her of danger, but her heart felt as safe as it did with any of her friends.
Without another word, Iron Will pushed through the door and into the darkened cottage. Sleeping animals rested all about, but the minotaur avoided them deftly as he wove a slow path to the master bedroom. Of all the rooms in Fluttershy's cottage, only this one was devoid of critters. Iron Will walked up to the side of a bed, cast an uncertain glance at her borderline-obsessive collection of pillows, then smiled mischievously.
"And so ends the adventure of the pub-conquering heroine," he whispered.
Fluttershy did not want it to end. The impulse ran through her like an electric shock, and she offered no resistance. In one quick motion, she turned her muzzle up and pressed her lips to those of Iron Will. The kiss was dainty at first, both inexperienced and a bit uncertain. However, when Iron Will brought his free hand up to caress her cheek, Fluttershy left all hesitation behind. Her kisses became forceful, almost hungry, evocative of a deep and terrible loneliness inside her that friendship had never reached. It was not long before her tongue dove between his lips. They parted easily before her advance, and she tasted the bittersweet flavor of the drinks they'd shared. The action was not playful, but needy. She wanted him, and she wanted him to know that without a shadow of a doubt.
The time for which the kiss endured seemed like an eternity to Fluttershy, one that she felt happy to lose herself in. Eventually though, the strain on her neck became too great and she pulled back with a slowness that spoke of her wish to continue. She pushed on his upper lip as she withdrew her tongue and planted one last kiss, light as a feather, on the corner of his mouth before settling back into his arms. Every shallow breath still carried the taste of Iron Will. She looked up at him with half-lidded eyes, completely lost in surging emotion. "I'm sorry," she lied. "Um, I didn't mean to be so . . . so . ."
Iron Will looked very much surprised, but it wasn't long before a confident and happy smile adorned his face. "That'd be a cryin' shame, Flutterhoney. Somethin' that feels that good shouldn't be no accident."
As he laid her down amidst the pillows and reached for the edge of the comforter, Fluttershy unfolded her wings and did her level best to look inviting. "D-do you want to stay?"
"I do," said Iron Will, though he pulled the covers up and began to tuck her in. "But Iron Will never takes advantage of a mare, especially one he cares about." Noting Fluttershy's look of disappointment, he added, "Still, Iron Will might be in town for a few days longer than expected." He leaned down and gave her a kiss of his own, controlled but affectionate. "Good night, sunshine."
Derpy Hooves recoiled from Fluttershy and thudded against the headboard.
"Oh goodness," gasped Fluttershy. "Is something wrong?"
Derpy felt a sweat coming on. Her headache pounded, her mouth panted, and her mind reeled at what she'd just seen--what she'd just felt. "Get away from me," she whispered.
"What?" asked Fluttershy, utterly surprised. "What did I do?"
"Nothing!" Derpy shot back. The pain in her head was nearly unbearable. "You just sat there and cried about your problems until the guy of your dreams came along and fixed everything! You're a failure just like me. The only difference is that you got lucky."
Fluttershy's mouth fell open and her brow furrowed. "N-now just hold on a minute. That's not fair!"
Derpy groaned in frustration and pushed her head into a nearby pillow. "I don't care! Just go away! Whatever it is that I need to do, you wouldn't know the first thing about it!" ~
A few moments later, Fluttershy stepped into the upstairs hallway and shut the door behind her. "Oh fiddlefeathers," she exclaimed in an emphatic whisper. "This isn't working at all, not one bit."
Iron Will leaned against a nearby wall with a knowing smile. "Sounds like it's time for Plan B."
Fluttershy looked up at her husband, aghast at his suggestion. "Oh dear, are you sure? I've never used that on a pony before."
Iron Will leaned out from the wall and began to walk downstairs, causing the tiny bell on his left ear to ring its melodious tune. "There's a first time for everything, honeybunch." ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [4/9] | In the tall grass between Fluttershy's cottage and the border of the Everfree Forest, Spike walked alone. He sniffed at the sweet-smelling breeze and his eyes scanned the woods for motion. He looked to be the very image of a knight on patrol, but Spike had no illusions about his purpose here, or lack thereof. Twilight had sent Derpy to this cottage for two reasons: the kindness of Fluttershy and the protection of Iron Will. Spike had been forced to ask for guard duty. After five months of training, he thought, I still have to ask.
His eyes spied movement in the grass. He reached back, flicked the safety strap off the hilt of his sword, and pulled it from its scabbard. When Spike blinked and looked again, it was nothing--perhaps a trick of the light. He kept the sword drawn, however. Just holding it at the ready eased his irritation, and he very much wanted to find something out here to use it on.
A thistle shifted in the breeze. Spike whirled about and nicked the tip away, smiling in satisfaction. He held the blade level with his imaginary foe and gave what he felt was a cocksure grin. "Screw Loose. Thought you could sneak up on me, eh?" He turned and lashed out at an overgrown dandelion, scattering its seeds in the wind. "No such luck, you flower--ahem! I mean, foul creature. You'll never get past Spike, Captain of the Guard!" He struck out at something at the edge of his vision, only to find the blade arrested by a skillful pair of hands. Spike's mouth fell open. "Iron?!"
Iron Will held the blade between his palms and smiled. "Looks like even the Captain of the Guard is no match for Iron Will."
Spike loosed his grip on the blade and backed up. "Gosh, I'm sorry! I had no idea it was you."
Iron Will chuckled. He flipped the blade over and offered it back to its owner. "Be more careful from now on, Spike. What if I'd been Derpy Hooves comin' to pay you a visit?"
"Yeah, no kidding," Spike affirmed as he sheathed the sword. "So what are you doing out here? I thought you'd be helping Fluttershy."
"Flutterhoney don't need no help doin' what she does best," Iron Will replied. "So Iron Will decided to check up on his purple homeboy."
Spike shrugged and gestured toward the open field. "Nothing much going on out here."
"Is that so?" Iron Will replied. He flexed his brawny arms and made a playful jab. "Well, if you've got nothin' else to do, why not get in some practice? Work off a little steeaam?"
Part of Spike questioned whether that was a good idea when they were supposed to be protecting the cottage, but he quickly realized that between the two of them they had a total view of the approach from the forest side. He drew the sword from his back, this time with the scabbard on so as not to inflict injury. "Not a bad idea. So, offense or defense?"
Iron Will responded by assuming a boxer's orthodox stance and throwing a powerful left cross.
Spike reacted instinctively, blocking just in the nick of time. "Whoa!" he exclaimed as the force of the blow rattled his sword and caused him to backpedal. "Okay, defense it is." Iron Will's punches came hard and fast, but in familiar patterns. Spike was used to this by now. He focused on dodging--blocking all the attacks from an opponent of Iron Will's strength and mass would only wear him down.
"Doin' good," grunted Iron Will as he pressed the assault. "Been a while since Iron Will's seen you this serious. Ya! When was the last time, about five months ago?"
"So what?" Spike barked defensively. "I've got a -ugh- good reason to be."
"Do you now? Ha!" Iron Will smirked and masked the movement of his rear hand. "Did Miss Rarity reconsider?"
"Wha?"
Iron Will saw an opening and took it, delivering a fierce overhand to Spike's forehead.
"OW!" Spike exclaimed. He stumbled backward and brought a hand to his head.
Iron Will opened both palms. "Whoa! Sorry, Spike. You usually block that one." He smirked. "Got somethin' on your mind? Wanna take five?"
Spike shook his head and resumed his defensive posture. "Nah, I'm good. Better watch yourself though--I might just bite next time."
"Touchy subject, huh?" jeered Iron Will. He closed his fists and advanced once more.
Spike scowled. "I'm over it."
"Are you now?" Iron Will emphasized his question with a right hook. "Iron Will hasn't seen that look on your face since--ya!--since you first asked him for help with learnin' how to fight." He threw a one-two combo, happy to see it hit thin air as Spike bobbed and weaved. "Back then, any fool could've seen why. Ha!" He delivered an uppercut that met with Spike's scabbard. "Your lady Rarity got hurt, and that didn't sit well with you." He mixed up his hoofwork to get his opponent guessing. "But Rares ain't your main squeeze anymore, and here you are truckin' along full speed like nothin's changed!"
Spike, who sensed a curve ball coming his way, grasped the sword at both ends. "What are you getting at?"
Iron Will relaxed his stance just a tad. "Not what--who? Who're you fightin' for, Spike?"
Spike relaxed his stance as well. "Huh?"
CLANG!
The head fake worked. Iron Will delivered a quick jab directly to the sword which, due to Spike's momentarily weakened grip, popped out of his hands and smacked him in the face.
"Aw, come on!" declared Spike as he checked for a nosebleed.
Iron Will raised an eyebrow. "Wanna quit?"
"To heck with this," said Spike. He changed his stance and raised the sword high. "Time for offense!" The young dragon closed the distance in a flash, swinging left, right, and center in a furious assault.
Iron Will blocked and deflected every blow, whistling as he did. "Good energy, Spike, but where's it comin' from?"
"Who cares?!" Spike exclaimed. He redoubled his efforts.
Iron Will's arms moved in a flurry of defensive motion. "You should, idjit! Say it was Rainbow Dash instead of Derpy in trouble now."
"What about it? Ya!"
"Wouldya get this worked up over her?"
"You're full of it, Iron!"
"Okay then! Go ahead and say it!"
Spike brought down a furious overhead cut that bounced off of Iron Will's forearm. "Say what?!"
Iron Will slid his arm back and grabbed hold of the scabbard. "Say you don't care if Derpy ever holds you in her arms again!"
Spike grinned. Iron Will had underestimated him. He pulled on the sword handle and shouted, "I don't--" The memory of Derpy's embrace hit home. His voice locked up and his grip faltered. "I don't . . ."
WHACK!
Instead of retrieving his sword, Spike received a hard punch to the gut. Coughing and sputtering, he let go of the weapon, doubled over, and fell to the ground.
Iron Will whistled. "Boy, Iron Will hasn't whooped you that good in months." He knelt down and offered an open hand. "Are you startin' to get the feelin' that you're not on your A-game, Spike?"
"To say the least," Spike gasped. He took the helping hand and got back on his feet. "How did you know?"
"You don't need a mention if you're payin' attention," quipped Iron Will. "Looked to me like you had more than protectin' your friends on the brain. Guess Iron Will was right on the money."
Spike rubbed at his bruised gut and made for his fallen weapon. "It's crazy, right? One hug and I can't get her out of my head." He picked up the sword and stared at his warped reflection in the brass hilt. "Am I that pathetic? Do I need Rarity so much that I'll latch onto anypony just to keep going?"
Iron Will sighed. "Look at you, already treatin' this like a bad thing."
Spike raised an eyebrow as he slung the sword across his back. "Now I know you're joking. We were both there when Twilight warned us about what could happen."
Iron Will folded his arms. "In case you missed the point of this little lesson here, Iron Will's gonna give it to you straight n' clear."
Spike looked up at the minotaur. "Okay, shoot."
"First," said Iron Will as he raised one finger. "Quit lookin' for ways to not think about what you're feelin'. You're gonna have to think when you fight, and if you got a lotta thinkin' that hasn't been done, its gonna trip you up."
Spike realized the truth in his friend's words, but didn't feel like congratulating Iron Will for hitting the nail on the head. Thus, he frowned fiercely when he said, "Okay, got it. What else?"
Iron Will pulled his own mouth down at both corners. "Take this off your face, at least when you're around the ladies."
Spike touched a claw to his lips. "My mouth? Really?"
Iron Will let his hands fall to his hips and grinned. "What's a gentleman always got for a lady?"
It dawned on Spike that he'd made an actual error. "A smile?"
Iron Will walked over and clapped Spike on the back. "See? You know a profit from a profit margin. If you're gonna fight, then do it right. And if life treats you vile . . "
Spike nodded and forced a grin. It was genuine, even if a bit lopsided. "Give it a smile." He did so for a moment longer, but soon replaced it with a slack-jawed stare.
"Come on, Spike, you gotta try harder than that. Show me those teeth."
Spike pointed behind Iron Will. "Um, are those beavers chewing on a piece of armor?" ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [5/9] | [High Noon of Day 31]
Derpy Hooves gazed out the open window at the clear blue sky. A few hours rest had gotten rid of both her headache and the strange flashes, but it had done nothing for her sense of unease. Even in this wonderful room where nothing talked, nothing moved, and nothing threatened, she still felt tense. Derpy's eyes stared directly at different parts of the sky. She wished fervently that her mind could be like what she saw, beautiful and carefree.
"No matter what these ponies have told you, you're nothing more than a burden on each and every one of them."
So what? thought Derpy as she snuggled down against the comforter. Maybe that's all I can be.
The door to the room opened with a tiny squeak from its hinges.
Derpy grimaced. "Not again," she groaned. "I told you I'm not hungry."
"Okay then," said Fluttershy. "Are you thirsty?"
With that, Fluttershy delivered a powerful double-hoofed kick to the bed frame. The bed upended, sending the unsuspecting Derpy Hooves sailing out the window with a startled yelp. She fell through the open air in a perfect arc and landed in the brook below with a resounding sploosh.
Derpy broke the surface of the crystal waters, shocked and chilled to the bone. She gasped for air and looked about only to find three squirrels watching her from the top of the tiny bridge nearby. "W-what are you--" she began to ask when the three rodents answered the question for her. Each of them held up tiny scorecards that read 10, 10, and 9 from left to right. Derpy's mouth could only hang open at the sight.
Fluttershy exited the cottage through the front door and offered a saccharine smile. "Rise and shine! up and at 'em," she declared.
"Why?" the sopping-wet Derpy exclaimed. "I was having such a good--"
"I saaiid," interrupted Fluttershy. "Up, up, up!"
A pair of obedient otters swam up underneath Derpy and pushed her ashore in an instant. The beleaguered pegasus mare pulled herself to her hooves, if for no other reason than to get out of the ice-cold water. "What is this?" she moaned. "I don't even . . . ugh."
"Red Leader," Fluttershy called out in a singsong voice. "Your turn!"
A flock of birds led by an oversized cardinal descended on Derpy. She recoiled from their sudden appearance, but soon found herself buffeted from all sides. The birds beat their collective wings in furious rhythm and, within mere moments, they'd thoroughly blow-dried their target. They rocketed back into the sky, leaving Derpy Hooves looking less like a pony and more like a puffball of gray and blonde hair with a pair of angry amber eyes.
"Good job, little birdies," said Fluttershy. She waved goodbye, then wasted no time in grabbing a nearby bucket and plopping it in front of Derpy.
Derpy Hooves looked inside. This was clearly animal feed. She looked back up at Fluttershy. "What are you doing?"
"Wrong question," answered Fluttershy. She pointed a hoof at Derpy. "The right question is, what are you doing? You want to stay cooped up in my upstairs room all day? Well, that's fine by me."
Derpy raised an eyebrow. "It is?"
"Sure," said Fluttershy. She tapped the bucket. "But rent isn't free."
Derpy balked. "You're charging me?"
Fluttershy leaned in close, sugar-sweet smile unwavering. "Um, look at it this way. You want to find out what your Cutie Mark means, right?"
Derpy's eyes narrowed. That motivation felt more distant than it should have. Hadn't it been only yesterday that she'd decided not to accept a job on Sweet Apple Acres for that very reason? Derpy sighed and nodded.
"Good," chirped Fluttershy. "Then why don't we find out if you've got a knack for taking care of animals? Shall we?" ~
[Afternoon of Day 31]
Within a matter of hours, Derpy had fed and handled more animals than she'd seen in her entire life. From the tiniest mouse to the strongest bear, it seemed that every single critter for miles had some sort of dependency on Fluttershy. Derpy found it hard to keep up with the caretaker's practiced pace, and not simply due to the number of her charges. Applejack's training had come to naught. No matter how careful she tried to be, Derpy made mistakes at a rate even she was unfamiliar with. The irrepressible Fluttershy took her failures in stride no matter how amateurish the error, but this only made Derpy's bad mood worse.
I don't want to do this, Derpy thought to herself over and over again as the laborious afternoon wore on.
Eventually, the question met with an internal rejoinder. Then what do you want to do?
Go home, thought Derpy, but that thought troubled her. Where was "home" anyway? The library? No, even though she was welcome there, that was conditional on her continued progress. The apartment, then? No, although the peace and quiet of that desolate place seemed an appealing choice at the moment. When Derpy thought of home, her mind reached out for something it couldn't grasp. There was something intangible, hazy, and half-forgotten at the edge of her memories. It was warm, it was inviting, and Derpy was certain that she'd called it "home" once upon a time. When was that? she wondered. What was it?
A squirming motion underneath her called Derpy's attention back to the task at hoof. Fluttershy had charged her with checking a half-score of rabbits for ticks while she attended to another ten. The specimen currently in her hooves, a reddish-brown cottontail buck, had taken it upon himself to be uncooperative.
Derpy's eyes narrowed in frustration. "Hold still, you."
The rabbit glared back at her with equal annoyance and resumed kicking and squirming. No matter how Derpy tried, the cottontail deftly defied her every attempt to roll him over. The other rabbits in her set wiggled their noses in amusement.
Derpy did not share their mirth. My search for my talent is going nowhere, she thought, there's a crazy pony out to get me, and my dreams are . . . I don't even know what's going on there! She gritted her teeth. And on top of all that, you're making things hard on me for no reason! Her mind knew that the proper course of action was to ask Fluttershy for help. Her body decided that more pressure would solve the problem. Beneath her, something snapped.
The cottontail let out a deafening squeal. Derpy recoiled and watched the injured rabbit flop about on the lawn, unable to use its left hind leg. Her mouth dried up and her heart raced. Did I really just . . . ?
"Oh my goodness!" declared Fluttershy as she descended on the scene. "What happened, Russet Bunny?" She knelt down and listened to the rabbit's painful grunts before turning to Derpy with a stern gaze. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself. How could you hurt such a poor defenseless bunny?"
Derpy shook her head. "I . . . I didn't mean to, honest!" She couldn't believe the next words that came to mind, and similarly, she couldn't stop them from coming out. "I just don't know what went wrong!"
"Well I do," responded Fluttershy as she rummaged about in her saddlebags. "When you bottle up bad thoughts, they find a way out sooner or later. How about all that bad stuff you've been moping about today, the stuff you don't want to talk about?" She looked up from her search. "Is this how you want to deal with it? Is this who you want to be?"
The question shook Derpy to the core. She remembered the last night she'd spent in her old apartment, the night she realized that she'd "gone bad." The truth then had been plain as day, but she'd never asked herself why that had come to pass. Am I doing the same thing to myself again? she wondered. A knot formed in her throat as she stared at the injured rabbit. No, it's worse this time.
At last, Fluttershy found the object of her search. She pulled a bottle of tiny green translucent capsules from her saddlebag and set about opening it. "There there, Russet Bunny," she soothed. "Everything's going to be just fine." She took one of the capsules in her mouth and bit down on it with an audible pop, then knelt once more and kissed the cottontail's broken leg. A wave of luminescent green energy spread from the kiss and wreathed about the injured limb, soaking into it as butter into toast. By the time that Fluttershy had risen to her hooves, the rabbit was already testing out its apparently functional leg.
Derpy stared open-mouthed at the sight. "What was that?"
"A gem seed," answered Fluttershy. "Twilight made them for me. Every seed has some of her healing magic inside."
The mention of Twilight Sparkle and the sight of her good works only enhanced Derpy's feelings of guilt. Right now, at this very moment, the unicorn mare she admired was out in the forest hunting for the cause of her woes. And as for me, thought Derpy. What am I doing?
The sternness returned to her face. "Now what do you have to say for yourself?"
Derpy bowed her head. "I'm sorry . . . for everything, really. I shouldn't have been so rude to you and--"
"Oh, I don't mind that at all," interrupted Fluttershy. She pointed down at the cottontail who'd turned his back on Derpy. "I meant, what do you have to say to him?"
Derpy swallowed, walked forward, and brought herself down to the rabbit's level. "I'm sorry, Russet Bunny. I wasn't thinking straight. I'd never want to hurt you or your friends." Her eyes teared up at the very thought. "Can you forgive me?"
The rabbit kept its arms crossed and its back turned.
Fluttershy brought her face close as well. "Now now, Russet Bunny. I know that you were pestering Miss Derpy too." She poked the rabbit in the gut. "Take a look. Don't you see how much she wants to be your friend?"
Russet Bunny sighed and turned about to find a splayed-out and watery-eyed Derpy Hooves on the point of breaking down. Unable to maintain his air of righteous indignation, the cottontail hopped forward a step, reared up on its hind legs, and offered a paw.
Derpy felt ecstatic that this failure hadn't cost her the fluffy critter's affections. She smiled brilliantly and shook the tiny paw with her hoof as carefully as she possibly could.
"See?" asked Fluttershy. "Wouldn't you rather be the kind of pony who . . ." Her voice trailed off as her eyes spied movement from above. The flock of birds from earlier descended and whirled about their caretaker, each of them twittering madly. "What?" exclaimed Fluttershy. Genuine worry crossed her face. "Are you sure?"
Derpy sat up. "What's going on?"
Fluttershy spread her wings in alarm. "Red Leader says he can't find Spike or my Willykins anywhere!"
Derpy raised an eyebrow. "Uh, Willykins?" ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [6/9] | Within minutes, Derpy Hooves found herself staring up at the imposing treeline of the Everfree Forest. Horrible stories about this place were practically a food group in the town of Ponyville. Even in her time as a comparative recluse, she'd heard the tales of strange weather, moving plants, and ferocious creatures that consumed those foolish enough to breach its borders.
Fluttershy stood amidst the wide tree trunks and waved to her hesitant companion. "Come on, Derpy!"
Derpy gulped. The line of foliage awash in verdant green looked inviting enough, but the stories filled her head with fear. "Really, Fluttershy? You're sure they didn't go out for a . . ." Wait, she thought. What is it that guys like to do? She pondered that for a moment. Oh, right. "A drink or something?"
Fluttershy shook her head emphatically. "I'm positive. Those two would never leave us unguarded, and this is the last place that Mister Beaverton saw them." She cast a worried glance into the woods. "They're not anywhere near the cottage, so they must have been attacked." She gasped. "Or maybe even taken." Fluttershy began to prance in place. "Who knows what's keeping them in there? We have to go after them, Derpy!"
Derpy raised an uncertain hoof. "But, I . . ."
Realizing that her body language wasn't doing her any favors, Fluttershy stopped prancing. She breathed in deeply and let out a slow exhale. "You know, there's no reason to be scared," she said with a fresh smile. "You'll be perfectly safe with me in there. I'm a lot tougher than I look."
Derpy's eyes narrowed. "I'm not scared." She most certainly was, but the idea of being somehow less brave than Fluttershy didn't agree with her one bit.
"Good to hear," chirped Fluttershy. She turned and trotted forth into the underbrush. "Stay close and try to keep up, okay?"
The path that Fluttershy cut through the towering trees grew dark and narrow within seconds. Overgrown trees with spindly claw-like branches leaned in from all sides. Light seemed to disappear between their interlocked branches. Inequine eyes peeked out from every shadow. However, none of this compared to the sound. All the twitter and buzz of spring in the fields of Fluttershy's homestead gave way to an oppressive silence here, as if nothing within these woods dared make any noise at all.
Derpy breathed in the overwhelming smell of pine and concentrated on the crunch of twigs underneath her hooves in an attempt to steady her nerves. It didn't work as well as she'd hoped, so Derpy decided to give voice to the thoughts drifting through her mind--the ones that didn't have to do with scary-looking trees. "You really care about them, don't you?"
Fluttershy continued on without looking back. "Um, about who now?"
"All of them," said Derpy. "Iron Will, Spike, your animals . . ."
"Of course I do! Why wouldn't I?"
"What if you get hurt because you care?" asked Derpy. "What if that's what's about to happen? Is it still worth it?"
Fluttershy glanced back with genuine curiosity in her cyan eyes.
Derpy bit her lip, suddenly aware of the awkwardness of her question. "To care that much, I mean."
Fluttershy smiled. "It sure is. If there was no danger in caring for others, then what would kindness be worth?"
That gave Derpy some food for thought, but a stray bit of her earlier resentment leapt to the fore. Isn't she still just lucky? Derpy wondered. What if things had gone bad from the beginning? What if she was alone?
"Um, why'd you leave yourself off the list?"
Derpy refocused her gaze. "What?"
A hint of blush appeared on Fluttershy's cheeks. "I care about you too, you know."
Derpy frowned and averted her eyes. "All I did was mess up, call you names, and hurt your critters." Her throat tightened up. "Why would you?"
Fluttershy turned her eyes up toward the evergreen canopy above. "You'll never make a lot of friends if you're always waiting for a good . . . reason." She stopped in her tracks and looked about. Her eyes widened. Her jaw hung ajar. "W-what in the world?"
Derpy saw it as well. A dead forest stretched out before them. Trees full of brown leaves, a carpet of rotting vegetation, and a dense fog were all that remained ahead.
"This can't be," whispered Fluttershy. "Not in the spring. Who could do this?" Tears welled in her eyes. "All those poor trees . . ." She lifted her head and raised her voice as far as it would go. "Iron! Spike! Where are you?!"
Derpy coughed on stagnant air that smelled of refuse, but lent her voice to the cause. "Iron!" she shouted. "Spike?!" Only silence answered her call. Derpy turned to shout in another direction and found herself staring into a gaping maw. It was one of several on the creature that stood before her.
Derpy froze. Her heart skipped a beat, and her vocal chords seized up. Standing before her was the living form of her nightmares. Its shape barely resembled that of a pony. Its black sludge-like skin oozed down its sides. Mouths full of teeth snapped and drooled from points all over its body. Derpy locked eyes with the creature. It had none, only twin crimson flames that burned in dripping sockets. Only one thought made its way past Derpy's abject fear: a single word, one she'd never before uttered in her life. Phage.
Fluttershy let out a sigh. "Maybe we should go further in. What do you think, Der-- AAH!"
Her companion's shriek snapped Derpy out of her paralysis. She jumped back from the monster and bumped into Fluttershy, only to have her caretaker push back. Derpy soon saw why. The creatures, the sludge-beasts from her dreams, were all around them.
"W-what are they?!" Fluttershy asked in a shrill voice. "T-they're h-hideous!"
Derpy spied plates of golden armor underneath the black goo. She knew what they must have once been, and her mind reeled at the thought. "This can't be happening," she whispered. "I'm dreaming. I have to be! They're not supposed to be here!"
A thick tendril sprung forth from the nearest creature and lashed out at Derpy. It would have made contact if not for Fluttershy. Derpy found herself pulled to the ground by her friend's hoof and staring right into her eyes.
"I hate to be the one to say it," gasped Fluttershy, "but they look pretty real to me!" She pulled Derpy with her in a fearsome roll that sent the gray pegasus mare barreling across the forest floor. Derpy came to a skidding halt well outside the circle of sludge-beasts and watched as Fluttershy spread her wings, propelling herself into the treetops.
"G-good idea," stuttered Derpy as she spread her own. "We need to get out of here!"
Fluttershy, however, landed next to her and folded her own wings back. The look on her delicate face was one of stolid determination.
"What are you doing?!" Derpy exclaimed. "You can't fight them!"
"Fight them?" asked Fluttershy. She smiled. "Oh goodness, no. But Willykins and Spike are still out here, and these things might have something to do with it."
"Right," affirmed Derpy with a tug on Fluttershy's arm. "That's why we need to go get help! We can't do this on our own!"
Fluttershy's smile remained. "I couldn't have said it better myself." She raised her head and shouted into the still air. "KINDNESS!"
The rotten ground between the two ponies and the horde split open with a thunderous crack to reveal a cascade of rainbow-colored light. The sludge-beasts hissed and pulled away, allowing a golden necklace to rocket forth from the depths. The gap closed as quickly as it had appeared, and the Element of Kindness spun through the air, latching itself around Fluttershy's neck with an audible click.
The butterfly-shaped morganite gem at its center flashed twice. "READY."
Fluttershy looked down at the necklace. "Um, Crest Open please."
"OPEN UP."
The core gem receded and exposed the glittering innards of its golden crest. A whirlwind of pinkish light cascaded from within, wreathing Fluttershy in its glowing embrace. The engraved wings on either side of the center jewel split off of their own accord. They reshaped themselves into a pair of golden butterfly ornaments that ascended to Fluttershy's ears. As the curl in her mane straightened, the ornaments pulled aside two flowing locks and latched on, causing them to fall in front of her ears rather than behind. When at last the whirlwind ceased, Fluttershy's mane rested in a princess cut with a pair of sidelocks that nearly trailed the ground. One eye remained covered by her straightened bangs, but the other shone with an inner light--a perfect match for her serene smile.
Derpy simply gawked. "W-what's that gonna do? If you touch them then you'll--" The thought of ponies vomiting black sludge grabbed hold of her vocal chords. "You'll . . ."
Fluttershy shot her a questioning gaze. "Touch them? Why do you think that . . ." Understanding dawned on her radiant features. "Oh, I see. You're thinking of how Applejack uses Honesty, aren't you?" She smiled. "I'm different." Fluttershy turned to face the advancing sludge-beasts and assumed a wide stance. Her wings spread open, accompanied by the sound of her unmistakable voice.
"Those who are able, those I've made strong, stand now by my side, and right this awful wrong!"
The light of the Element's gem and that of her eyes strobed from left to right, resembling nothing so much as the rotating candlelit beacons on police wagons in Canterlot. And . . . nothing else happened.
Derpy's eyes drifted from Fluttershy to the sludge-beasts and back again. "Are you rhyming them to death?" she asked with a voice cracked by rising panic. "'Cause it's not working!"
Fluttershy's smile remained steadfast. "Go ahead and get behind me, Derpy."
Derpy did as she was told, feeling that she had little choice but to trust in her companion's confidence. As she ducked behind Fluttershy's wings, the ground shook beneath her. "Oh Celestia," she squeaked. "What now?"
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
The quakes came one after another with the sound of distant thunder, growing louder and more powerful with each successive impact.
Fluttershy swished the tip of her tail around Derpy's hooves. "You're about to meet a very special friend of mine."
BOOM!
Fluttershy's friend was an ursa minor. Deadened trees parted before the towering beast with earsplitting cracks. Its form was that of a bear measuring several stories tall. Its coat was a perfect replica of the starry night sky. Its deafening roar pierced the stillness with the very essence of wrath. Even the sludge-beasts froze in place at the sight.
"Hi, Brutus!" Fluttershy exclaimed with the chipper joy of a cheerleader.
Derpy Hooves stared in slack-bodied awe as the massive creature stared at them with its yellowed eyes, each the size of a basketball. Drool and froth oozed from its copious set of fangs. Brutus responded to Fluttershy with a ferocious snort, but something about the ursa minor's expression carried the barest hint of subservience.
Derpy couldn't believe her eyes. Is that . . . gratitude?
Fluttershy pointed at the sludge-beasts. "Um, could you pretty please wipe the floor with them?"
Brutus needed no second bidding. With a fearsome bark and a teeth-chattering snarl, it bent low and swiped at their enemies. Claws the size of ponies ripped through the sludge-beasts, whose bodies squelched and clanged as they were torn asunder. Another blow followed, then another, scattering the foul creatures and much of the dead forest to the wind.
Fluttershy pumped a hoof skyward and flapped her wings back and forth. "Go, Brutus, go!" she cheered.
In spite of her overwhelming sense of danger, Derpy Hooves found herself quietly joining in. "G-go, Brutus."
The sludge-beasts fell one by one to the ferocious assault, yet they simply stood in place as if nothing were happening. However, when it came time for the last few survivors to receive the business end of the ursa minor's rage, Brutus's attacks came to a sudden halt. The claws of his right paw were stuck in one of the creatures.
"Come on, Brutus!" exclaimed the enthusiastic Fluttershy. "You can do it! There's nobody stronger than you!"
Brutus roared in frustration and pulled with all its gargantuan might, but the sludge-beast's hold on his paw rooted him to the spot. Without warning, remains of the scattered former knights exploded into gross blossoms of swirling black tendrils. They latched onto Brutus's skin wherever they could find purchase, further anchoring him to the spot and pulling him earthward as they expanded their grip.
For the first time since she'd summoned her Element, Fluttershy looked uneasy. "B-Brutus?"
The ursa minor roared in dismay. With one last shudder of resistance, he plunged to the ground. The force of his titanic body's impact shook the leaves from the trees. A cascade of red and brown color fell all around the combatants, as a net of oily blackness cast itself over Brutus. He roared again--this time it resembled a cry for help.
"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy gasped with one shaking hoof held to her mouth in horror. "Oh goodness, no!"
Derpy knew why her companion shook. She was quite familiar with it--the need to act colliding with sheer helplessness.
Brutus managed one last bellow before the black sludge plunged into his mouth. His eyes had turned to solid red orbs of sheer panic, and very little of his brilliant coat remained visible through the expanding blackness. With a sputtering whine and an explosive bang, his eyes burst into crimson flame. His own mouth closed forever, sealed shut by the warping touch of the sludge-beasts. New mouths full of jagged fangs opened up everywhere on his oozing skin. His claws splintered, tearing themselves apart to form warped, evil-looking blades. More of the same sharp-edged bones sprang up between his numerous maws. And, as what had once been Brutus lifted itself off the ground, golden plates of royal knight armor surfaced from the sludge, completing the horrific picture of a towering abomination wielding all the implements of the lives that composed it.
Ice water ran through Derpy's veins as she watched the conjoined monstrosity thrash about. Her mind had a name for this too. Amalgam, Derpy thought in sheer terror. Phage Amalgam.
Fluttershy touched a hoof to the jewel of her Element. "Brutus?" she whispered.
The Amalgam let out a warped scream from its many mouths, the sound of flesh defiled and life desecrated. It swung out at the two ponies with the wicked bone-blades of what had once been Brutus's arm. The appendage extended far beyond its previous physical limit in pursuit of its prey.
Fluttershy reacted fast. She grabbed hold of Derpy and spun the both of them out of harm's way in a dance-like evasion that, unfortunately, brought their backs up against a precipice. Derpy looked over the edge and suffered momentary vertigo. In the fading light of sunset, she couldn't even see the bottom.
"What do we do now?!" Derpy exclaimed.
Fluttershy took in shallow breaths and fought the tears welling in her glowing eyes. "We . . ." She gulped and steadied her grip on Derpy's shoulders. "You're gonna run for it."
Derpy's heart sank in her chest. "Just me?" The thought repulsed her. "No! We'll go together! I don't wanna go alone!"
Fluttershy's gaze grew stern. "I can't . . . No, I won't let this happen to poor Brutus!" She tensed up as she witnessed the Amalgam begin to move. "Get your wings ready."
"No!" Derpy shouted back. She pulled away from Fluttershy, but the superequine strength granted by her Element made premature escape an impossibility. "I don't wanna go alone!" At the sight of the advancing black terror and the determined eyes of her caretaker, Derpy's defenses dropped completely. "I don't wanna lose you, Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy sensed that it was now or never. "Fly, and don't look back!" she shouted. Then, with one swift push, she sent Derpy Hooves careening over the cliff. The Amalgam lunged for the kill.
Derpy's wings locked up and she plummeted through the air with one hoof still outstretched toward the receding cliffside. She opened her mouth to cry out the name of her protector, to wish with the sheer force of her vocal chords that what had just transpired was not so. However, the back of her head connected with a tree branch. The branch splintered into pieces, and the unconscious Derpy Hooves fell into the darkness below. ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [7/9] | [Evening of Day 31]
Derpy came to her senses on a soft bed of moss amongst the towering trees. She opened her eyes to the sight of tiny white flowers, beacons of flourishing life in the midst of grayish gloom. A terrible ache pulsated through her head. Derpy brought a hoof to the back of her skull, then brought it forward to find the appendage stained with blood. That worried her, but there was little she could do about it.
Derpy pulled herself to her hooves and gazed back up the sheer cliff she'd fallen from. The top remained obscured by fog, but distant thuds spoke of a continuing conflict above. Derpy unfolded her wings on an impulse, then reconsidered and allowed them to fall flat. Her face grew hot, her eyes itched, and her nose drew in the pungent odor of seared muffins. She wanted to ascend. She wanted to save Fluttershy, but knew that it was impossible. Nothing had changed. Whether she stood in the midst of the Everfree Forest or a run-down apartment complex, she was equally helpless. She knew this, that there was nothing she could do, and yet . . . Something inside her pounded against that knowledge. Like a closed fist pounding against a cast-iron door, a desire as powerful as it was indiscernible railed against her misgivings.
A rustling in the foliage drew Derpy's attention. She spun about to find the diminutive form of Russet Bunny gazing up at her from the midst of the white flowers. "Gosh," Derpy exclaimed with a hoof to her chest. "You scared me."
The rabbit brought a hind leg up to give its floppy ears a momentary scratch. It wasn't capable of smiling, but something about its innocent eyes soothed Derpy's fears a bit. Unfortunately, the effect was only momentary.
"Wait, what are you doing here?" Derpy asked. "You've gotta run back to the cottage, Russet! There's awful things out here and . . ." Her voice trailed off at the thought of her next words. "Fluttershy, Iron Will, and Spike . . . They're probably . . ."
Russet Bunny did not answer, but another rabbit popped up at his side. Then came another, and another. Within seconds, over a score of fluffy rabbits occupied the moss bed.
Derpy had no idea what to make of this. "You've all got to run away! You'll get hurt, or worse!"
Russet Bunny simply cocked his head and turned away. He lifted a tiny paw, gesturing into the fog. One after another, the rabbits hopped into the underbrush, each in the exact direction indicated by Russet.
Derpy stared in awe at the sight. "You . . . You want me to go this way?"
Russet Bunny nodded and bounced off. Derpy, realizing full well that she had no idea where to go in the first place, followed after him. She found the pace at which the rabbits ran through the foliage difficult to match. These harmless-looking critters could run as the crow flies, no matter what was in their way. The appeared to swim through the loam and debris rather than run. At first, Derpy lagged behind, but the scene called to mind the movements made by Silver Cross as he'd chased down Iron Bound's slavers.
Derpy expanded her wings and gave a powerful flap, resulting in a noticeable burst of speed. She stumbled and nearly crashed headlong into a fallen beech, but another reflexive flap propelled her over the obstacle. Derpy tried again and found her rhythm. In no time at all, she ran right alongside Russet Bunny in their dash through the woodlands.
Trees whooshed by in a blur of motion on all sides, and Derpy again became uncertain. "Where are you taking me?"
One by one, the other bunnies disappeared into the underbrush. Russet Bunny remained right by her side as they continued their sprint, and Derpy soon saw the reason for his friends' departure. The silhouettes of sludge-beasts moved aimlessly through the trees, more of the former knights that Derpy's mind had called "Phage."
"Russet Bunny?" she whined.
The cottontail in question threw a comical midair salute and disappeared into the forest loam. Derpy fell head over hooves in her attempt to stop, landing in a heap on the level dirt of an old logger's trail. The splashing of a nearby waterfall drowned out all other sounds. Thus, Derpy could only stare in horror at the shambling forms moving silently through the mist. She pressed her teeth together to stop them from chattering. Had she made a mistake?
"Derpy?"
Derpy turned in the direction of the familiar voice only to gaze at the waterfall. She cocked her head to the side and had no time to react when a blue-furred arm broke through. The arm grabbed hold of her right leg, then pulled her past the curtain of water in surprisingly gentle fashion. Freshly soaked and shocked once more, Derpy found herself inside a small rock cavern with two very welcome companions.
"Iron!" she exclaimed with a brilliant smile. "Spike!" She lunged forward and grabbed hold of her dragon friend. "I'm so glad you're alive!" After a moment's firm embrace, she pulled back a bit to look at them properly. "What happened? Why are you in this weird cave?"
Spike raised a solitary claw. "That would be my fault. Me and Iron found a bunch of knight armor on the ground near the cottage. I saw something moving in the trees and went after it, but it was a total trap. Iron dived in to save me and . . ." He scratched at his dorsal spines.
"Those things out there boxed us in," said Iron Will. "You can't cut 'em, you can't punch 'em, and you can't burn 'em--we figured that much out pretty darn quick. They're not too fast, but they close ranks every time me n' Spike make for an opening. We couldn't fight 'em n' couldn't get past 'em, so they just kept pushin' us back. We came in here to try and lose 'em, but all they do is circle around." He touched the falling water. "They don't seem to be much for walkin' through this, so we're in a good old-fashioned stalemate. Iron Will n' Spike were just thinkin' about what to do when you came along. Wait . . ." His eyes narrowed. "Where's Flutterhoney?"
Derpy looked down at the ground. "We were together until the Phage attacked us."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "The what now?"
"The Phage," Derpy repeated. "I . . . I think that's what those black things are called." A wave of pain rushed through her head. She winced and brought a hoof to her wound. "Fluttershy and a big bear of hers tried to fight them, but it didn't work. She ended up throwing me over a cliff to . . ." She felt woozy and struggled with the last words. "To save me."
"Whoa, kiddo," cautioned Iron Will. He walked over and sat behind the dizzy pegasus mare, letting out a low whistle as he parted her mane. "That's some nice battle damage you've got there." He snapped his fingers. "Spike, toss my bag over." When the young dragon had done so, Iron Will fished out a roll of gauze and set about wetting his hands to clean the wound. "This might sting a bit, Derpy, but Iron Will's gonna have you fixed up in no time."
True to the minotaur's word, the cleansing did hurt, but not as much as Derpy thought it might. Quite the opposite, in fact--Iron Will clearly had experience in the dressing of injuries.
"Now what?" grumbled Spike. "These things took out an ursa minor? We're screwed."
"No," said Iron Will as he unrolled the gauze. "If Fluttershy's here, then there's somethin' we haven't tried yet."
"Is it worth trying?" asked Spike.
Iron Will flashed a grim smile. "Let's put it this way: if Iron Will's plan don't work, we should move right on to evacuatin' Ponyville." He twirled the bandage around Derpy's head and closed one eye in thought. "Gotta save my honeybunch first though, and those Phage bozos aren't gonna make that easy on us."
Spike drew his sword from its scabbard. He held it in his hands for a moment before tapping it with a cursory claw. He pondered the resulting sound for a moment, then said, "What if I can make a distraction?"
Both Derpy and Iron Will gave him worried looks.
"You know, draw those things off so you two can go after Fluttershy?" Spike elaborated. He waved the sword about. "I may not be able to hurt them, but I am faster than they are."
"You sure about that?" asked Iron Will.
Spike shrugged. "Sure as I can be without trying. You got a better idea?"
Iron Will sighed. "All right, Spikearoo. Whenever you're ready."
Spike turned to the waterfall. His expression waxed uncertain, but he tightened his grip on the sword handle and bent low for a headlong dash. "It'll take me a minute or so to clear them out," he warned.
Seized by a sudden sense of foreboding, Derpy reached out and touched a hoof to the young dragon's hand. "Spike?"
Spike turned to face the watery-eyed pegasus mare.
"You're gonna be okay, right?"
Spike wasn't sure, but he flashed a toothy grin all the same. "You won't even know I'm gone." With that, he burst through the curtain of water and began rapping his claws against the sword blade. "All right, you slimy good-for-nothing creeps!" he shouted above the clamor. "There's a big scaly hunk of dragon for you right here! Come on, move! I bet I taste delicious! Let's see you try and catch me! Yeah!"
Iron Will chuckled as he tied off the bandage around Derpy's head. "Can't call him a liar, can you? If he carries on that loud the whole time it really is gonna feel like he's right here."
Derpy simply shuddered in response, overwhelmed by worry and stress.
Iron Will walked over to a spot across from Derpy and sat down once more. He folded his hands in his lap and looked at her with absolute severity. "Now Derpy, Iron Will needs you to listen carefully to what he's got to say."
Derpy nodded wordlessly.
"Good girl," replied Iron. "Do you think you can lead us back to where Fluttershy is?"
"Yeah," said Derpy. "It kinda looked like that trail outside runs back up the cliff."
"Then that's where we'll go," said Iron, his voice low and soothing. "When we get out there, you need to stick close to old Iron Will, but I can't guarantee anythin' this time. If things go south, if it looks like Iron Will can't protect you anymore, I want you to spread your wings and fly back to Ponyville without a second thought. Once you're there, you go right to the Sheriff's Department and tell 'em what happened." He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Can you promise me you'll do that?"
Derpy almost responded in the affirmative, but the regret of leaving Fluttershy behind still coursed through her mind. She bit at her lower lip and looked away.
Iron Will tightened his grip. "Promise me, Derpy. We aren't gonna have time to argue once we're out there."
Derpy looked upon the minotaur's weathered features and remembered that she was in the presence of one with a great deal of experience. She decided to trust his judgment, and nodded. "I promise."
The sounds of Spike's sword-rattling and coarse language grew distant. Iron Will watched the shadows moving outside the waterfall cave. He clenched and unclenched his fists in anticipation. "One more thing," he said. "I don't know if this is the right time to say this, but I might not get another chance." He looked back at Derpy. "You're wrong about Flutterhoney."
Derpy realized that the last thing Iron Will must have heard from her was her outburst in the cottage's upstairs room. She bowed her head. "I'm sorry."
Iron Will nodded. "I know you're sorry you said it, but you don't think you're wrong either, do you?"
It was true, but Derpy didn't want to say as much. She continued to stare at the floor, allowing the contradictory mixture of guilt and resentment to swirl around inside her.
"Truth is, Iron Will's the lucky failure."
Derpy looked up at him in disbelief. "Huh?"
Iron Will turned his eyes back to the moving shadows. "Iron Will was a wreck when he came back to Ponyville--spent his whole life thinkin' he was helpin' ponies with his seminars, but it just wasn't so. The money dried up when word got around, and Iron Will didn't know what to do with himself." He grimaced. "I came back to Ponyville to see the first pony who told me the truth, but I went to that bar where we actually met to get sloshed." His gaze returned to Derpy. "Iron Will didn't save Fluttershy from nothin'. She was the one actually helpin' others, and she was the one who helped me--helped me to see what I really wanted, who I really am. It just so happened that right then n' there, she needed me too."
Iron Will tensed up as the shadows beyond the curtain of water grew fewer in number. "Point is, Iron Will knows what its like to feel hopeless, to feel like everythin' you've done is a waste. It was Flutterhoney who showed me that what you've done before--the person you've been--isn't half as important as who you want to be tomorrow, and what you're gonna do about it right now."
Derpy stared back at him in open-mouthed awe. The reasoning seemed simple to her now, but she'd never thought of it that way before. "I . . . I don't know what to say."
Iron Will rose to his hooves and scanned for remaining shadows. "There's nothin' wrong with not havin' the words--just make sure you do what you think is right. One way or another, that's how you find the real you." He smiled. "And Iron Will can't wait to meet her."
Derpy stood as well. The minotaur's words had broken through her stupor. Right now, she wanted very much to live through this ordeal--for all of them to live through it.
"Ready to move?" asked Iron Will.
Derpy nodded.
Iron Will had never looked more resolute. "Okay, on three . . ." ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [8/9] | By the time that Derpy Hooves and Iron Will reached the place where Fluttershy had last been seen, a massive clearing was all that remained. Felled trees rested on a carpet of leaves. The dense fog had turned pale orange in the light of sunset. Silence hung on the air.
Iron Will cupped both hands to his muzzle. "Fluttershy! You out here, honeybunch?!"
Derpy piped up as well. "Fluttershy! Are you okay?!" She heard nothing in response, but Iron's ears pricked up.
"Fluttershy?" he whispered before dashing off into the clearing.
Derpy followed after as best she could, her every motion hindered by the knee-high carpet of leaves and branches. When she caught up with Iron Will, who now stood stock still in shock, a fearful sight lay before them. Fluttershy hung from a still-standing tree near the edge of the battleground, lashed to its trunk by a glob of black sludge that covered her midsection. Derpy could see that she was still breathing, but Fluttershy's head hung low, unresponsive to Iron's voice.
Iron Will stepped forward regardless. "Here, honeybun. Lemme get this thing off of you." He reached out with both hands.
"Don't!" Fluttershy barked, causing Iron Will to freeze in place. She raised her head and gazed upon them, pain writ large on her fragile features. Her irises had turned stark violet.
Derpy recoiled. "What the . . ."
"It wants you too," Fluttershy whispered, struggling with every word. "Both of you, everything alive. It--" She winced. "It keeps talking to me--talking without words. I'm trying not to listen but . . . but . . ."
Iron Will advanced slowly, still convinced that his was the correct course of action.
"It'll take you if you touch me!" Fluttershy sobbed. Her eyes watered in frustration. "Just run."
Iron Will's eyes moistened as well. "Honeybunch?"
Fluttershy strained against the sludge. "Go, before it's too late!" she shouted, then her form went slack. It began to giggle. "But it's already too late." said a different voice from Fluttershy's mouth.
Derpy drew in a sharp breath. "Screw Loose?"
A flurry of black tendrils whipped through the trees all around Fluttershy. Iron Will reacted fast, sweeping up Derpy in a headlong dive back to the clearing. He deposited her neatly on all four hooves and reared up into a perfect fighting stance. They both watched as the creature called Phage Amalgam slid out from between the trees. It grew more substantial as it entered the clearing and again assumed the approximate form of an ursa minor. It bristled with blades of bone. Its mouths snapped hungrily at the air.
Fluttershy's body laughed wickedly and smiled at the sight. A face formed in the sludge surrounding her abdomen, the face of a familiar earth pony. "You two have no idea what you're missing," both Fluttershy and the face said in Screw Loose's voice. "Come on in! The water's fine!"
"That's why they're here," Derpy whispered. "It's her fault--it's gotta be!"
"Fluttershy!" Iron Will bellowed. "Where's Kindness?!"
Fluttershy's face smirked. "You want a hug? Why didn't you say so?"
The Amalgam charged forward, scattering debris into the air. Iron Will jumped out of the way and called out once more as the creature rushed past. "Flutterhoney!"
Fluttershy's body laughed with the voice of Screw Loose, but the laugh soon turned to choking. The face in the sludge gained greater definition while Fluttershy's eyes returned to their normal shade of cyan. "That thing covering Brutus has it!" she croaked, this time in her own voice.
Both Derpy and Iron Will saw it as the Amalgam rose from its charge, a glint of pink morganite high atop its right shoulder.
Derpy balked. "How are you gonna get that?" she exclaimed, but Iron Will was already on the move.
"HEY!" the minotaur bellowed with tremendous volume. He clapped his hands over his head and let out a high-pitched whistle. "Get over here so Iron Will can show you who's boss!"
The Amalgam roared and shambled forward.
"Oh, come on!" jeered Iron Will. He poked at his own head. "You can do better than that, sludge-for-brains! Pick up the speed or get ready to bleed!"
The Amalgam obliged, charging toward the minotaur once more in a torrent of leaves and bits of goo. Derpy looked on in wonder as Iron Will taunted the creature and backed away. He clearly had something in mind, but what?
The sludge with Screw Loose's face cackled. "The bullfighting bull thinks he's got this in the bag!" She sneered. "I wonder about that . . ."
Both Iron Will and his towering opponent neared the edge of the clearing. Suddenly, Iron broke off his verbal assault and ran straight at a nearby tree trunk. With a leap and a bound, Iron Will ascended the branches, rising to the Amalgam's head level in a flash. Before the creature could possibly turn his way, Iron jumped clear from the treetop, hand outstretched to grab hold of the captive Element.
"Gotcha~" said Screw Loose in a singsong voice.
One of the Amalgam's bone-bladed arms whipped around its back and rocketed upward. Miraculously, Iron Will grabbed one of the oncoming blades and ascended with rather than on the weaponized appendage. Even so, a quick splash of red in the air made it clear that damage had been done. Iron Will dropped to the ground and rolled away as the Amalgam lashed about in all directions with feral screams.
"Aw darn," moaned the sludge that was Screw Loose. "Thought I had him that time."
Fluttershy's lips formed a torturous grin. "You can't beat my Willykins. Why don't you just give up?"
Screw Loose tightened around her prey, causing Fluttershy to cry out in pain. "Why don't you give up, honeybunch?"
Derpy couldn't stand to see these events transpire, but neither could she think of anything to do. She simply stood there with gritted teeth and shaking limbs as her caretaker's words coursed through her brain. Who do you want to be tomorrow? What are you going to do about it right now?
"Derpy, look out!" Iron Will shouted above the fray.
The distracted pegasus mare turned to see spikes of bone launch from the Amalgam's back--they were headed right for her! There was no time to react, nothing to do but watch in horror as the projectiles loomed ever larger.
CRACK!
CRACK!
Derpy's mouth fell open as she witnessed a blur of motion. Spike the dragon had rushed to her aid, deflecting both on-target bone spikes with his sword. The others stuck in the ground all around them like a morbid version of Triangle Peg.
"Spike!" Derpy exclaimed in utter relief. "Wait, why are you here?"
Spike kept his sword up and grimaced. "Those things doubled back. Look."
Derpy turned her eyes to the Phage Amalgam and took in a gruesome spectacle. The remaining individual Phage that Spike had tried to lead away now slid toward their conjoined brethren with alarming speed. As the piles of sludge unified, the Amalgam grew ever larger, rising above the treetops and putting the Element far out of reach.
Iron Will used the distraction to duck and dodge his way to his allies' position. He arrived at Derpy's side, bleeding a good bit from a cut across his chest. "Derpy," he gasped. "It's time to go."
Riotous laughter issued forth from Screw Loose as the Amalgam neared completion. The creature itself let out a deafening squeal and plunged its arms into the ground. It's oily skin shook and pulsated, giving off the appearance that it was pumping something into the soil.
Iron Will's instruction caught Derpy unawares. "What?" she gasped.
Bone spikes exploded from the ground in showers of leaves and dirt. They shot up from the underbrush one after another in rapid succession, forming a perfect and insurmountable circle within a few short seconds. The tendrils on the Amalgam's back grew larger and longer--its mouths licked greedily at the air in horrid anticipation.
Iron Will gripped Derpy's shoulder. "You promised, Derpy! I can't protect you anymore!"
Spike smiled back at her. "Don't worry about us. We'll be fine."
"Get out of here!" Fluttershy shouted from across the clearing. "You can't stop it now!"
Derpy shuddered in place. She knew what she'd promised Iron Will--she knew that she had to flee. Her body wholeheartedly agreed with the sentiment, but her mind was on the warpath. Which me is the real me? Who did Iron Will want to meet? As the shouts, screams, and roars echoed in her ears, her eyes once again spotted the morganite gem on the Amalgam's shoulder. She looked at Iron Will and Spike, hearing her own voice in place of their words.
Who are you?
Are you the pony who hides in her room and yells at Fluttershy?
Or are you the pony who risked her life to save Apple Bloom?
Derpy saw the gem glint in the sun's red light and ruffled her wings. She knew that it was possible--that she could fly up and retrieve the means to win this battle. Despite this, she froze once more. I could die, she thought. Screw Loose could really kill me this time. The icy terror of that thought gripped every inch of her body and rooted her to the spot. Frustration, shame, and abject fear engulfed her mind and paralyzed her to the core.
The Amalgam readied its blades and tendrils, coming about to face the trio. Both Iron Will and Spike stood ready to defend Derpy, no matter how futile the gesture against a threat of this magnitude.
"Fly, Derpy!" shouted Iron Will.
"Get out of here!" yelled Spike. His smile wavered. "If something happens to you . . . I . . ." He gritted his teeth.
"Run!" Fluttershy cried. "All of you, just run!"
The Amalgam bent low for one final charge. Over a hundred mouths opened wide for the feast.
Why can't I do this?! Derpy screamed inwardly. I want to save them! I know what to do! What's wrong with me?!
"Derpy!"
"Derpy, run!"
Derpy clutched at her head as a searing pain entered her mind. Another vision of the past blossomed in her thoughts. This time, it was her own.
[???]
Derpy pushed hard against the gargantuan doors of the White Spire, digging her back hooves into the soft grass and crying tears of frustration as she did. "You said I could go there too, Big Sister!" she wailed. "You said the Spire leads to the Land Past the Sky!"
Derpy had been throwing herself against the massive ivory doors for some time now, but they wouldn't budge, no matter how hard she tried to open them. When at last the futility of her actions became utterly clear, she slumped down against the doors and wept. "I lied," she sobbed. "I said I'd be brave, but . . . I'm so afraid. The voices are scary, and they won't stop. Being by myself is even worse!" She tried to cradle herself with her own forelegs, only to find them inadequate. "I wish you were here. I wish you'd tell me it's gonna be okay."
One of Derpy's eyes looked up from the grass and spotted a dark silhouette against the rainbow-colored sky. She yelped in surprise and pressed her back to the door. Against the brightness of swirling constellations, the figure had no definition. All it seemed to be was an ominous black shadow, growing larger as it advanced upon her.
Derpy closed her eyes and cowered on the spot. "No!" she whimpered, her body quaking with fear. "Get away from me! I've got nothing to do with you!"
The shadow now stood directly in front of her. "You have nothing to fear, little one," it said in a masculine voice. "For if you are here, you've nothing left to lose."
Derpy opened her eyes. What had been an indiscernible shadow at a distance was now clearly a stallion, clad from head to hoof in black cloak and cowl. She could not see his face, but the stallion reached out with a gray-furred foreleg and pressed on the door behind her. It slid open just a crack, revealing a sliver of brilliant light from within.
Derpy's mouth fell open, and she forgot her trepidation. "How did you do that?"
The stallion chuckled and placed his hoof on her shoulder. "Doors remain shut as long as you fear what's behind them." The shifting lights in the sky revealed his crimson eyes. "Courage is the key to victory, little one. You must believe . . ."
Derpy's eyes refocused, and her consciousness cleared of all things but the last few words of the stallion's wisdom. "Believe in victory," she whispered. In her mind's eye, the Element of Kindness high atop the Amalgam's shoulder became the shape of a pegasus slaver in flight. Her body remembered what to do. With one powerful flap of her wings, Derpy sailed into the air, right over the heads of Iron Will and Spike. Both of them watched open-mouthed as she rocketed upward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
The Element of Kindness surfaced from the undulating sludge of the Phage Amalgam. Just as Silver Cross had once pulled his sword from the slaver, Derpy opened her jaws and snatched the golden necklace from the ooze, sailing right over the creature's "head" in the process. The Amalgam roared and lunged after her. To make matters worse, the gnarled branch of a nearby tree blocked Derpy's descent. She nearly collided with it, but flapped her wings just in the nick of time, kicking out reflexively to clear the object from her path. The powerful kick sent the branch plunging into the Amalgam and, stupendously, the abomination snagged on the offending tree limb.
As the ground drew near, Derpy imagined herself making a perfect landing. However, her mind drew a blank, and she hit the ground in a tumbling heap.
"Derpy?!" Iron Will shouted from across the clearing.
Derpy Hooves popped up from the loam in a shower of leaves. She looked back at the struggling Amalgam, felt the cold metal of the Element in her grip, and was overcome with elation. "I got it!" she exclaimed. "I got the Element!" What was I supposed to do with it again? she thought. Oh, right. Derpy spun around and flung the necklace through the air, shouting "Catch, Iron!" as she did.
The toss was right on target. Iron Will reached up and caught the spinning necklace with a knowing smile. "Nice to meet you, Derpy Hooves."
"What good is that gonna do?" jeered Screw Loose as the Amalgam wrenched free from its entanglement. "I've got your precious Fluttershy all to myself!"
"Um, I don't want to be a bother," squeaked Fluttershy with a tiny smile, "but I think you just lost."
Iron Will donned a mask of grim determination. "KINDNESS!"
The Element's gem flashed and spoke at the same time. "SECOND ASPECT CONFIRMED. HARMONIZING." The golden crest surrounding the core gem shifted and expanded, turning itself from a necklace into a shining metal belt before their very eyes. "COMPLETE."
Derpy face-faulted. "Huh?"
Iron Will grabbed the belt with both hands and latched it around his waist. "Didn't you know?" His mouth turned up at the corner. "We're a two-for-one special."
"READY."
Iron Will pumped his right fist in the air at a straight diagonal across his chest and let out a low growl as he brought the extended arm around to the opposite side. With a parallel punch from his left and another from his right, gave a mighty roar. "Crest Open!"
The butterfly gem flashed in response. "OPEN UP."
The cyclone of pink light burst forth once more and swirled about. Two golden plates jumped off the belt and latched onto Iron Will's wrists, forming a pair of metallic wristbands. Both his nose ring and horns took on the same golden hue. With finishing touches in place, the cyclone dissipated to reveal a combat-ready Iron Will--arms up and eyes aglow.
Iron Will threw a pair of practice jabs and flexed his prodigious muscles. "Feast your eyes on the powers of yore!" He kissed a curled bicep. "Iron Will takes the floor."
Even the Amalgam recoiled from the ostentatious display.
"Ooh, shiny," mocked Screw Loose. "You gonna summon some more critters for me to absorb?"
Iron Will ignored her and brought the two wristbands close to his face, whispering to them in a low voice. "Give unto me the likeness of love's form, to strike away evil from hearts deformed." He looked up from his prayer and shouted, "Derpy! Spike! Get ready!"
Derpy cocked her head to the side. "Ready for what?"
Pink fire erupted from the wristbands and wreathed about Iron's fists. "For this!" he bellowed. Iron Will threw a left straight in Fluttershy's direction. A brilliant pink fireball exploded from his fist and shot across the clearing.
Derpy saw Spike dash for their imprisoned friend out of the corner of her eye and chose to do the same. The ball of rose-colored flame hit the corrupted Screw Loose dead in the face and exploded all over the tree trunk. Miraculously, the yellow pegasus fell out of the blaze without a single charred feather. Spike made it just in time, catching Fluttershy in a diving save. At the same instant, a glob of black sludge hit the ground near Derpy, Screw Loose's pained expression still emblazoned on its oily surface.
Screw Loose seemed disappointed, more than anything, as pink flame burned her away into nothingness. "That sucks," she gasped. "I just wanted to have fun." Strangely enough, her last expression before she disappeared entirely was a smile. "Oh well, at least I have some company . . ."
The sight of her enemy's demise brought Derpy a slew of mixed feelings, but the Amalgam's vengeful roar snapped her out of the resulting daze. She rushed to her friends' side as Iron Will drew the attention of their remaining foe. "Fluttershy!" she gasped. "Are you okay?"
Despite her ordeal, Fluttershy looked to be completely unscathed. "Oh, I feel a little dizzy," she said as Spike lowered her onto her hooves. A sweet smile blossomed on her face all the same. "But I think I'll be just fine. Thank you, both of you." With that, she looked toward the combatants. "Now, if we can just save poor little Brutus too."
Spike raised an eyebrow. "Little?"
The battle was underway between the minotaur and the Phage Amalgam, but already it looked to be completely one-sided. Without the benefit of Screw Loose's guidance, the Amalgam lashed about with every blade and tendril at its disposal, seeking to overwhelm its smaller opponent. Iron Will, however, neither touched the beast nor let it touch him. Punch after punch thrown at thin air shot a cascade of pink fireballs at the Amalgam, repelling its every attack and, eventually, sending it reeling. The rose-colored flame dissolved black sludge wherever it made contact. Only a matter of seconds passed before the starry coat of an ursa minor began to shine through holes in the ooze.
Derpy shook her head and looked on with wide eyes. "What is he doing? How is he doing it?"
Fluttershy tapped the tiny bell on her ear. "It's a bit embarrassing, but . . ." She blushed. "The bond of marriage is very powerful. Two bodies become one--two souls become one. Iron Will is my other half, the other Element of Kindness." She smiled wistfully as her husband battled on. "The Element's shape and powers depend on the one who wears it. Mine draws on the ways I've been kind to others and asks them very nicely to help me when I'm in need."
"Compels them to, actually," Spike corrected.
"Iron Will's is different," continued Fluttershy. "He's very assertive, even mean sometimes, but that's how he gets through to others--to what's really bothering them. That's why his Element can burn away bad feelings." Her smile grew wider. "That's how my Willykins wins his battles--he attacks the will to hurt others."
By this time, there was little left of the Phage Amalgam. Dented plates of armor and burning piles of sludge littered the forest floor. The creature Iron Will fought bore the form of an ursa minor once more, save for a single undulating Phage that enveloped its head.
Iron Will drew back his rear hand and focused his power for the final attack. "Hey, Phage!" he barked. "Or whatever you call yourself, listen up!"
The creature he addressed actually lurched back at his words.
Iron Will smirked. "Looks like you're missin' the point of this little bout, so Iron Will's gonna spell it out!" The flame of his lead hand receded, causing the one on his rear hand to flare brilliantly. "Next time you feel like bargin' into my kitchen, make sure you can take the HEAT!"
On the last word he threw a powerful straight punch, propelling a massive ball of pink fire into the air. The Amalgam only had time for one last screech before the flame vaporized it on contact, leaving only the unmarked, glittering form of an ursa minor in its wake.
"Brutus!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
Free from his captors, the ursa minor let out a massive groan and toppled forward, hitting the underbrush with a gut-churning thud. Fluttershy was at the giant bear's side in an instant, though Derpy and Spike hung back for a moment to check that their teeth hadn't come loose. All around them, the circle of bone spikes crumbled to dust.
Iron Will, his mission accomplished, let out a slow exhale and brought his arms to rest. "Kindness?"
The morganite gem on his belt flashed once and rung out a neutral tone of acknowledgement.
"Good job. Close Crest."
"STAND DOWN." With that, the core gem locked back into its starting position. The belt and wristbands unlatched of their own accord, merged back into a single golden object, and rocketed off into the sky on its way back to the library.
The golden hue and magic light faded from Iron Will's features, replaced by a smile of great relief.
Derpy Hooves trotted over to Fluttershy as the caretaker examined her charge. "Is he gonna be okay?"
Fluttershy pulled her ear away from the ursa minor's flaring nostrils and nodded cheerfully. "I think so! I checked all over, and he's in such good shape that he might as well have been taking a nap this whole time!" She spread her wings out parallel to the ground and knelt down on one knee, giving the traditional curtsy of a pegasus mare. "Thank you so much, all of you. You were all so very brave."
"That they were," said Iron Will. Despite his words, he approached the group with the body language of a disapproving father--hands folded behind his back and a stolid grimace on his face. He fixed an angry glare on Derpy Hooves. "But somepony broke her promise to make it happen, and by Celestia she's gonna get what's coming to her."
"Wait, Iron!" said Spike. "If Derpy hadn't done that, we'd all be--"
Iron Will interrupted Spike by kneeling down and offering an open hand. "Thank you, Derpy," he said with a gentle smile. "Thank you for giving me the power to save my honeybunch." As Derpy extended a cautious hoof, Iron Will took it in his hand and shook firmly. "No matter where life takes you, you will always be welcome in our home."
Derpy's bottom lip quivered. Happy tears formed in her eyes. "I don't know what to say." She was happy, genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart for what seemed like the very first time. Even so, a shadow tugged at the edge of her thoughts. "But I . . ." Her expression became uncertain. "Did we really just get rid of Screw Loose?"
All of them looked out across the clearing in the fading light, a sight that spoke clearly of damage wrought, but said nothing of the cause behind it.
Spike grimaced. "What do you think she meant when she said she had 'company?'"
Derpy looked upon a dented piece of golden armor and realized that for all she'd gained from this battle, for all those she'd saved, something else--perhaps equally precious--had just been lost. ~ |
Lost Legacies | Episode 07: The Kindness of Others [9/9] | [Night of Day 31]
Oblivious to the dire events that had taken place in the Everfree Forest earlier that day, the streets of Ponyville came alive once more as night descended, bathed in golden light and scored by the cheers of partygoers.
Twilight Sparkle groaned as she, Spike, and Derpy Hooves made their way back toward the library. "I cannot believe Captain Soarin expanded the perimeter after we got word of the missing patrol." Her expression took on an apologetic quality. "I'm sorry, Derpy. We should have been the ones to confront that awful thing, not you and Spike."
Derpy smiled back. "That's okay." She remembered the sorrowful face of Soarin as he'd picked up the armor of his fallen comrades. Her smile lessened. "I just wish we could've saved those knights too."
Twilight bit at her lower lip. "We all wish that.""
Spike gave her a playful elbow to the shoulder. "Hey, cheer up! It is over, after all--we got rid of Screw Loose this time." He mimicked Iron Will's final straight. "Wham! One harmonic fireball right to the kisser!"
Twilight raised an eyebrow as they trotted onward. "It sure seems that way. Liner and I took a look at the place where the knights confronted Screw Loose--no tracks leading away and no sulfur. All that was left were bloodstains, a bunch of broken equipment, and her weird black cloak." She nodded and offered a tiny smile. "If you two saw Screw Loose burn up, then that was probably the last we'll see of her."
Derpy shivered. "I sure hope so."
"Of course, it is a bit disappointing," said Twilight. "Now that she's gone, we may never really understand what she was up to, or what in the world that 'Phage' monstrosity really was to begin with." Upon noticing Spike's disapproving stare, Twilight let out a fake chuckle. "Oh well. Good riddance to bad rubbish, I guess. I might just figure something out from those wall writings she left behind, and I know Liner's not leaving until he's got everything pinned down." Her fake smile turned genuine at the thought.
"Hey," said Spike with a sly grin. "When did you stop calling him 'Detective?'"
"Huh?" asked Twilight.
Spike made comical gesticulations with his claws. "All I'm hearing now is 'Liner this' and 'Liner that.'" He shrugged. "I guess things get familiar pretty quick when you put two eggheads in a room together."
"Or in the woods," Derpy added helpfully.
Twilight blushed, but otherwise retained her composure. "You know, Derpy, you're a lot tougher than I thought."
"I am?"
"Yeah," Twilight responded with an incredulous tone. "You've been a part of two major brawls in less than forty-eight hours and here you are with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. I guess my friends and I have gotten used to it after bearing the Elements for so long, but what about you?" She turned about and blocked Derpy's path, the library standing tall behind her. "Are you sure you don't have prior combat experience?"
Derpy swelled with pride, even as the events of the Dream World raced through her mind. Twilight's words made her feel, for the very first time, as if the two of them were equals. As she pondered how to answer the question while keeping her word to the phantom mare, she noticed a distant expression on Spike's face. The dragon maintained an easy smile, but his eyes reminded Derpy of how he'd looked when Rarity chose not to return his efforts. It dawned on her all of a sudden that the horseshoe was now on the other hoof. What kind of pony do I want to be? she asked herself, and--in another historic first--the answer came quickly. A pony who's not afraid to show gratitude.
"W-why ask me?" Derpy stuttered, pointing a hoof at Spike. "You should have seen Spike out there--he was so cool!"
Spike's eyes widened for a moment, then he waved a dismissive claw. "Nah, I was just protecting you like I said I would."
Derpy nodded hard enough to shake her ponytail about. "He sure did! He was like a . . . like a . . ."
"Knight in shining armor?" Twilight volunteered.
Derpy clicked her tongue and pointed at Twilight. "Yeah, that's it! Although . . ." She put a hoof to her chin. "Something's off about that."
"The 'knight' part?" Spike asked in self-abasing sarcasm. "The 'shining' part?"
Derpy shook her head as her mind perused several stories on the subject. "No, the other part."
Spike poked at his scales. "Can't be the 'armor' part. I've got plenty of that."
Derpy shook her head once more. "No, the other other part." Her brain finally locked on to what she was searching for: the end of those stories. "The 'reward' part! Knights always get something in return when they . . ." The fullness of the realization caused her to gulp audibly. "Save a princess."
Twilight, sensing a strange atmosphere, coughed nervously. "Um . . ."
Derpy stared at the bewildered Spike. She thought about his selfless actions for her sake, even though all she'd ever done was cause him trouble, and her face grew hot. What are you going to do about it now? she asked herself.
Derpy smiled through a face twitchy with excitement. "I may not be a princess, but . . ." Courage is the key, she thought. Without one moment's hesitation, she stepped forward and pressed her lips to Spike's cheek.
Twilight's mouth fell open. "Uh . . ."
Derpy put a bit of pressure behind the kiss, just enough to make sure that the young dragon could feel it through his scales, then pulled back to where their noses nearly touched. She gave her best smile and an unintentional half-lidded gaze. "Thank you, Spike."
Even Derpy could tell that she'd rendered her friends speechless. She herself felt like a furnace ready to explode and knew with perfect clarity that she needed a quick exit. A possibility occurred to her, though one tinged with regret. She turned toward the shocked unicorn at her side. "Hey, Twilight?"
"Y~eah?" responded the dumbfounded mare.
Derpy blushed furiously. "I need to make out--" She hit herself on the side of the head. "Make a stop before we get back to the library."
Twilight pointed back over her shoulder. "We're already there."
Derpy began to twitch. "Please? I'll just be ten, maybe fifteen minutes tops."
Twilight attempted a nod of cautious assent, though the motion sent Derpy dashing off toward the marketplace before she even finished it. She looked to her draconic companion, who seemed ready to float off the ground at any moment. As she examined his growing smile, her expression soured. "Do we need to have a talk?"
The question hit Spike like a ton of bricks. He gave her a blank stare, then frowned darkly. "No," he grumbled. The sword on his back felt heavy all of a sudden. "I heard you the first time." As they both turned to walk indoors, Spike voiced a question of his own. "Doesn't it bother you, though?"
"Does what bother me?"
"You know, pretending to be her friend? ~
The familiar jingle that accompanied the opening of the front door sung its merry tune within the lush parlor of Carousel Boutique, followed shortly by an equally recognizable voice that sounded neither truly masculine nor feminine.
"Hi, Rarity!"
Rarity, with her back to the door, finished hanging her latest exercise in fabulosity on the appropriate rack and allowed herself a positively indecent frown. Why do I even bother with the 'We're Closed' sign? By the time she turned around to greet her guest, however, Rarity's dainty features showed nothing but a polite smile. "Why hello there, Miss Hooves. Now far be it from me to discourage your interest in my latest wares, but you'll have to wait until morning like everypony else." The smile remained fixed in place as she nodded toward the door. "Go on, then. I'm sure Twilight has--"
Derpy interrupted the icy mare by kneeling and lowering her head.
Rarity lifted a single hoof in apprehension. "Miss Hooves?"
"I'm sorry," Derpy blurted out, still facing the floor.
"W-whatever for?" Rarity asked, though she knew perfectly well.
"I said a lot of mean things to you," Derpy replied. "I even made it sound like you were going out with Prissypants--or whatever his name is--and I'm really sorry for it. I wasn't thinking at all back then; I just felt bad for Spike and took it out on you." She looked up, but averted her gaze. "I didn't think about your feelings until just a little while ago--about how much it must have hurt for you to tell the truth. I still don't like the way you did it, but . . ." One of her eyes met with both of Rarity's. "I do feel like I understand now. Telling Spike the truth was actually pretty brave, and I think that makes you a good pony either way."
The profuse apology demolished Rarity's defenses. She blushed and tried to maintain composure, but her face only partially cooperated. "Darling, why would this ever occur to you after that awful business in the Everfree Forest?"
Derpy stood up, shuffling her wings as she flashed an awkward smile. "'Cause Iron Will asked me what kind of pony I want to be, and I don't wanna be a pony who holds grudges." She blushed a bit herself. "Actually, I really wanna be your friend too, if that's okay."
Oh good, thought Rarity. Familiar territory. She placed a comforting hoof on Derpy's shoulder and offered a demure grin. "Derpy, you've got nothing but friends in Ponyville. Haven't you realized that by now?" The pegasus mare's brilliant smile shamed Rarity a bit, and she almost regretted using the canned line. Still, 'twould just rot in the pantry if I never used it. She gave Derpy a good-natured push, making sure to keep her tone as reassuring as possible. "Now run along home, dear. I wouldn't dare keep you from one of Spike's home-cooked meals."
"Okay, Rarity," Derpy replied. She backed away toward the door, bumped into it, blushed, then reached for the door handle. "So I'll see you soon?"
Rarity waved goodbye, though her eyes were on the clock above the door. "Yes of course, darling." She breathed a sigh of relief as Derpy slid out the open entryway only to nearly jump out of her skin when the pegasus mare's head popped back in.
"We're really okay?" Derpy asked in a plaintive voice.
Rarity waved goodbye more emphatically this time. "Yes, we're right as rain, dear. Go on now, shoo."
Derpy gave her one last sugary-sweet smile before departing at last, and Rarity found herself playing host to a confounding mixture of emotions. The fashionista pondered it for a moment, wondering whether to side with her annoyance at having to deal with the bothersome pegasus off-schedule or to give in to the heartwarming appeal of a well-orchestrated apology when the door opened once more. This time, it was not Derpy Hooves.
"Fancypants!" Rarity exclaimed. Her eyes roved to the clock, then returned to the unicorn stallion at her doorstep. "You're late."
"Quite so," responded Fancypants as he brought himself fully indoors and brushed at his dinner jacket. "Thanks in no small part to a giddy wall-eyed pegasus mare charging forth from your very abode." He raised an eyebrow and displayed a debonair grin beneath his well-groomed mustache. "Somepony I should be familiar with, love?"
Rarity sighed, masking her anticipation with practiced ease. "Not unless you enjoy headaches, darling."
"Hmm," mused Fancypants as he strode up beside her. "Not my particular cup of tea." His horn shone with a golden aura. "I'm more partial to pleasant sensations myself."
Rarity felt the ghostly touch of his magic on her belly and shivered. Fancypants had never been so straightforward in their previous encounters, but the destination was a familiar one by now, as was what he expected of her. She did her level best to maintain poise as the smooth, probing aura drew back toward more sensitive places with agonizing slowness.
Fancypants nibbled at her ear and whispered into it. "And you, my dear?"
The experienced ministrations of his well-honed magic cut off Rarity's intended reply, eliciting a powerful moan instead.
"That poor girl," Fancypants commented in cavalier fashion as he removed his coat, simultaneously turning his projected aura to purposes most indecent. "Got no idea what she's missing, does she?"
Rarity, unable to maintain composure for one moment longer, allowed the fullness of her lust to enter her gasping voice. "Not a clue."
~E07 End~
NEXT
Advance to Zero |
Lost Legacies | Amethyst 4A: Invitation | Edited by Cynewulf
[Night of Day 32]
A quill pen danced across the parchment on Twilight's oaken desk, guided by her magic in the flickering candlelight as it jotted down letter after perfectly-formed letter. Twilight Sparkle gazed at the results with a furrowed brow and terse frown.
Knock, knock.
Twilight flinched, then breathed a little sigh of relief--she'd lifted the pen before her sudden movement. "Who is it?" she asked as she turned to face the door.
Spike stood at the threshold to her bedroom, silhouetted by the lanterns of the main library. "Just me. Can I come in?"
"Sure," Twilight replied. She set the pen back in its inkwell and relaxed her stiff posture. "I thought you were Derpy at first."
Spike offered a smile as he stepped inside. "Nah, she's asleep."
Twilight looked to the moon outside her eye-shaped window; it had barely risen above the treeline on the horizon. "This early?"
"She hit the sack pretty quick last night too," said Spike. He glanced over the parchment. "Maybe she just needs some rest after the last couple of days."
"Hmm," mused Twilight. "Odd, considering how chipper she's been since the fight with the Amalgam."
Spike's eyes widened. "Hey, are you done with the translation?"
Twilight's frown returned. "Yep."
"Did you get anything about Screw Loose from it?"
Twilight tried to smile--the first step in a planned sarcastic retort, but only partially succeeded.
Spike shuffled his feet. "Um, why do you look like you're gonna eat my face?"
Twilight's horn shone once more, lifting the parchment off the desk and bringing it in front of her. "How about I just read it to you--second opinion and all that?"
Spike nodded up and down. "Go for it. I'd wanna hear it anyway."
Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat and obliged the young dragon's curiosity, albeit with the driest, most unenthusiastic reading she'd ever done in her life.
"You who wish for blood most true,
To regain the smile you knew,
Listen close, for you will see,
Tearily, your enemy.
Vanquish it? Indeed I can,
But I am a shackled man.
Bound am I by lock and key,
Not by cage of royalty.
Capture both within your hooves;
Tearily, it then shall move.
Seek the key where, much like you,
It's inside of blood most true.
Golden glow of corpse of life,
Is the key that is the knife.
Tearily, it will defy,
With the doll that cannot die.
Do whatever must be done,
For the rest are six, not one.
Fly them off, as would a hawk,
Pieces of the broken lock,
Five at least about the neck,
'Tis the seventh they bedeck.
On the road the witch destroyed;
Tearily, you must avoid.
Key in lock you must not turn;
At the seventh it must burn.
If all's foe should pass you by,
Unseen by your careful eye,
Four names, four thirds, three a lie,
Lead the way when you must cry.
When at last from sun they're shorn,
Turn to face the jumbled thorn.
Spurn them all, those misnamed trees,
Find the place called Everfree.
Towers plunge into the ground,
Many colors all around.
Keep to shadow, watch your back,
Lest the stones you do attract.
Up the stairs that run you down,
To the treasure trove in brown,
High atop the place you dread,
Take the road they fear to tread.
Look to heaven from the grave,
Of the many happy slaves.
See the fountain that does rise,
From the rock to sunless skies.
At the forge of blackest stone,
There the witch you must dethrone.
Bid farewell to what you've known,
Empty arms thereby disown.
Thus the truth you do unfold.
Who would dare?
None but the bold."
Twilight lowered the parchment enough to give her awestruck companion a knowing look. "So, did you attain enlightenment? Divine any cosmic truths about our favorite madpony?"
Spike pointed a solitary claw at the paper. "Dude, that's creepy."
"Creepy? Try 'frustrating,'" declared Twilight. She tossed the scroll back onto the desk and snorted disdainfully. "Almost two weeks of translation work on top of everything else I have to take care of just to find a riddle?" She growled. "Why can't anything about this situation be simple? You know, easy to figure out?"
Spike watched her fume in silence for a moment, then folded his arms. "How long has it been since you've had a good night's sleep?"
Twilight blinked. "What? Why?"
Spike counted off the answers on his claws. "Two nights ago you were out in the woods looking for Screw Loose. Last night you were still tearing up the library for Ancient Equestrian books when I went to bed." His expression softened. "Screw Loose burned up, remember? Maybe you should relax a bit."
Twilight turned to the mirror at her bedside with the full intention of lecturing her companion on the importance of her task. The sight of her bloodshot eyes reduced her to silence.
Spike walked forward to face her. "Besides, the Princess is looking for answers too. You're not all alone in this."
Twilight looked at the floor. "Is there still no word from her?"
Spike shook his head, but smiled and let out a puff of green fire. "We could always ask for an update, I guess."
The mere mention of the idea brought a great sense of comfort to Twilight. However, this only served to shame her. She blushed and stamped a hoof. "No, she'll just think that I can't handle this myself. Princess Celestia is pretty busy after all; she must not have the time to deal with this problem like I can." Despite her self-reassurance, Twilight ended up slumping her shoulders. "I wish I had something helpful to show One Liner at least."
Spike sucked in air through his teeth. "Oh, right." He pointed a thumb toward the entryway. "Liner's at the front door, actually."
Twilight's mouth fell open. "That's why you came up here?!"
"Yeah," Spike barely had time to mumble before his panicked companion galloped out the door. "Kinda skipped my mind?" he said to the empty room. As the noise of Twilight tripping over herself on her way to the front door echoed from the main library, Spike's eyes drifted toward the candlelit desk and, overcome by curiosity, he decided to give the riddle another look. However, in shifting the parchment closer to the light, he revealed the cover of a book underneath.
"The Good Stallion," Spike read aloud. "How to Tell the Difference Between Mister Right and Mister Right Now." His left eye twitched. "Seriously?" ~
At the southeastern tip of Ponyville--some distance into the woods, in fact--stood a shuttered farmhouse. Clad in pale white paint for the purpose of resale, it appeared ghostly and ethereal under the light of the full moon. Two more lights of faint orange flickered in the night--one from inside the house's boarded-up windows, the other from a lantern at the edge of a dilapidated barn several yards away.
"Liner," whispered Twilight Sparkle.
The trenchcoated stallion seemed not to hear and maintained his vigil, a lantern that she'd insisted he get rid of still held in his teeth. They stood in the shadow of the barn opposite the farmhouse, with One Liner leaning around the corner, looking for all the world as if he expected unicorn snipers to have their sights on him. All except for the giveaway lantern, that is.
Twilight summoned her magic, created a pair of small planar auras on either side of the candle flame, and pushed them together. The light went out, causing One Liner to hold up the snuffed lantern and look for the cause. His expression turned positively baffled when a glowing arrow appeared above the wick, pointing directly behind him.
"Liner," Twilight whispered louder.
At last the earth pony stallion turned about, sheepish grin showing beneath the brim of his fedora. "Sorry, old habit," he mumbled before lowering the useless lantern to the ground.
Twilight pawed at the dirt. "Um, why did you bring me out to the old Carrot farm?"
Liner coughed and straightened his jaw. "My apologies, Miss Twilight. I should have explained myself a bit better on the way." He took a quick peek around the corner. "Do you remember the pony cages in the Storm Hollow? Did anything about their presence seem terribly unusual to you?"
Is this a trick question? was the first thing Twilight thought to say. However, she decided to trust that Liner wouldn't waste her time. "Well, that they were from Ponyville Memorial certainly qualifies." She sighed. "Still, if Screw Loose could get the Ventium out of there, then I guess it's not all that surprising."
Liner turned back around to meet her gaze. "Those two items have more in common than their place of origin. A question occurred to me as I thought on it last night: how would Screw Loose know where to find either of them?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow. "She was in the N.T. ward for a few months, right?"
Liner shook his head. "Patients aren't shown where the drugs are; I double-checked that with Director Redheart earlier today. Furthermore, outdated equipment like those cages are stored in a basement that doesn't even have a conventional entrance. How would any patient, much less a patient like Screw Loose, know to lift the tile in a first-story storage closet to uncover the trap door leading down there?"
Twilight shrugged. "It's not exactly the first thing she's done that we can't properly explain."
One Liner grimaced. "If we chalk it up to her magic, we're left with a picture of her walking through walls, diving through the floor, invisible to all, with no mistakes made at any time." His frown grew tighter. "It's possible, of course, but that line of reasoning zig-zags all over the place." The corner of his mouth turned up. "Now, suppose that it was a matter of convenience instead."
"Convenience?"
Liner pointed a hoof at her. "How would you normally take the Ventium bottles out of the building?"
Twilight had to think on that for a moment. "You'd . . . have to use that tool from the director's office to remove the repulsion spell first."
"You'd use the tool from the director's office," Liner paraphrased. "And the director would certainly know the locations of both the medicine and the basement."
Twilight's eyes widened. "You're suspecting Director Redheart?"
Liner shook his head once more. "She wasn't the director when the thefts occurred. Remember the sloppy labeling on the Ventium?" He tipped up the brim of his fedora. "The line of reasoning that connects the items in the Hollow back to their point of origin straightens out if you include the previous director, Mister Fever Dream, as an accomplice."
Twilight's mouth fell open. "Why? Why would anypony help her like that?"
Liner turned back to the corner of the barn. "That's the missing piece we're here to fill in."
Twilight Sparkle joined him this time, leaning around his cologne-scented form to gaze at the flickering orange glow emanating from the farmhouse. "You think Fever Dream ended up here of all places?"
"I spent all morning canvassing low-income residents," Liner replied. "He has no registered address with the post office, and there's no record of him crossing the Shining Circle at any time since its activation."
Twilight winced. "The Shining Circle? I thought they'd never turn that thing back on after the Harmony Storm."
Liner gave a soft chuckle. "The knights can be abrasive at times, but they'd never risk exposing Ponyville to changelings any longer than necessary. To answer your question, though, a pair of eyewitnesses recognized Fever Dream from a photograph as a drifter they've seen moving in and out of this location." He smiled. "They said they hadn't seen him in a while, but it looks like we're in luck."
A tiny smile appeared on Twilight's face as well. "Actually, you didn't answer my question."
Liner turned to face her with the wide-eyed expression of a valedictorian receiving a failing grade.
Twilight tapped a hoof on the ground. "I asked you why you brought me out to the old Carrot farm. After what happened in the Everfree Forest, I can't imagine Canterlot refusing to send you magic support." She tilted her head to the side. "And then there's the knights. I know they don't take orders from the police, but there have got to be more than a few skilled unicorns among them who'd be happy to help out."
One Liner coughed and looked away. "Can I be frank with you, Miss Twilight?"
Twilight gave a swish of her tail. "Why wouldn't you be?"
Liner frowned in discomfort. "I'm not what you'd call . . . well-liked. The Canterlot V.C.U. is a small department, and cases are infrequent at best. My colleagues revel in the downtime, but I try to keep myself busy by helping out other departments. I think it's the right thing to do as an officer of the law. Even so, I've gained a reputation as something of an annoying busybody. The fact that I don't usually socialize well hasn't helped matters." He returned his blue-eyed gaze to Twilight. "You're right, of course. Under these circumstances, no department in Canterlot could legitimately table any request I make. Even so . . ."
One Liner shuffled his front hooves. "In a case with so many unknowns, I'd rather work with somepony I trust and respect, somepony who wants to do the right thing, not a begrudgingly tolerant office worker here to collect a bonus." He turned back to the farmhouse. "But it seems I've made myself an annoyance here as well."
Twilight walked out in front of him and offered a playful smile. "No, you made the right choice."
It was One Liner's turn to tilt his head to the side. "I did?"
"I was trying to figure this mess out before you even got here, remember? If you'd left me behind on this one, you'd have been due for an earful in the morning."
Liner tipped the brim of his fedora low and smiled. "Glad to hear it, Miss Twilight."
As they ascended the hill toward the farmhouse together, Twilight asked, "So, ready to get to the bottom of this?"
Liner slipped on his shades. "As I recall, we've already been there. Let's take it from the top this time."
NEXT
Episode 08: Falling Water |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | pre | My brother Jasen had wanted to be a cop, just like Daddy. We'd both gone up to him and told him what we wanted to be when we grew up, and when Jasen uttered those words I had never seen my father so proud. Then I'd said that I wanted to be a bookkeeper. It was a lot more peaceful than police officering.
I'd never seen Dad so disappointed in my whole life.
Smegging blimey, it seemed like forever ago. I was a completely different person back then. More than that, I was a completely different genus.
In all my days of existence, I've never felt more comfortable than when I'm around books. I'm a lot like Twilight in that respect. Hell, when we first met, I thought she might have been a parallel version of me - intelligent, strong willed, witty, and cool as a cucumber no matter how serious the situation may be; she's more like me than I ever was.
Only, she's so much stronger than me. Right now I could barely lift a crowbar, and from what I'd heard she'd saved the world from eternal night, single-hoofedly lulled a raging Ursa Minor back to sleep, saved her friends and defeated the chaos god that had corrupted them all... I could never hope to be half the pony she was.
I didn't deserve Twilight. She was everything, and I was a big streak of nothing. I mean, 'I don't blame you"; what kind of a catchphrase is that?
This big streak of nothing emerged into a large open area, in the shape of a very large T. There was a tunnel to my left, but it was blocked by another pile of cars and stuff. A walkway ran along the wall ahead and appeared to lead over the heap, but part of it was a raised sheet of aluminium. To my immediate right, smack on the corner, was a large pipe with a metal grate over it.
A stallion I didn't recognise ran up to the grate and started to slam his hooves on it in a desperate attempt to get it open. He didn't see me because he was too preoccupied with the CPs who were chasing him down.
"Wait," he said, "what are you - no, please, don't shoot!"
Those were his last words. The CPs gunshots echoed through the pipe and the stallion slumped against the grate and slowly slid down to the curved floor. The CPs then moved on to slay the rest of the resistance ponies in the station.
I looked around the corner and saw a raised platform of concrete. On the top were the two CPs and a mounted machine gun. Also, I saw a pipe entrance which presumably led to the same area they'd had investigated.
I examined the area under the platform. If I could teleport under it like I've seen Twilight do, then I might just be able to get into that pipe without being seen by the one that was manning the mounted gun. On the other hoof I could run straight out there and get turned into Swiss cheese, which was a thought with all the appeal of curried chocolate (I wouldn't put it past Pinkie Pie to come up with a foodstuff like that, and she'd most likely enjoy it).
It couldn't be too hard - apparently it's a spell Twilight could do in her sleep. I fixed the image of my destination firmly in my head and concentrated. I felt the power growing, welling up inside me like an erupting volcano-
-and when I opened my eyes again I was right underneath the mounted gun, and neither of the CPs had seen me. Celestia be praised, it had worked!
Now I just had to get to that pipe. The reason I hadn't teleported there in the first place was because I hadn't known what the inside looked like.
I galloped hell for leather into the pipe and got out of the way just as the bullets started, and I didn't stop moving until I reached the station the two had been defending. Apparently it hadn't occurred to them to leave a guard or anything.
Then I froze.
A deep red puddle was slowly spreading across the floor underneath me.
In the adrenaline rush of running from the CPs, I hadn't noticed being shot in my back ankle, and when I looked I saw a gaping hole which was happily pumping blood over my hoof. I most likely hadn't felt it because of the suit's automatic morphine administration. For the first time since leaving Sweet Apple Basement, I checked the PFM (Physical Functions Monitor) that was built into my suit.
It was telling me that I had a major laceration in my right hind leg, multiple contusions to the facial and chest region and a fractured foreleg. In short, I had a nasty bullet wound in my back leg, bruises on my chest and face and another broken foreleg. I was also suffering from massive fatigue due to the teleporting spell. And it wasn't even 3pm: not a bad day.
Not a bad day to die of blood loss, that is.
I was never going to see Twilight again. That was my one and only regret: I was never going to be able to tell her how I really felt about her, how I loved her more than I had ever loved anything or anypony in my entire life. I knew crushes - I'd had a few, been under a few, and never wanted to go there again - and this was definitely not a crush. I loved her with all my heart. And I'd never see her again.
Then I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a small vial of luminescent green fluid. I telekinetically pulled it over and almost collapsed in relief.
Nanites! Precious nanites! Celestia and Luna bless you, Twilight Sparkle, you magnificent mare, you! She'd nicked my copying spell and used it on the nanites, and I didn't blame her because it meant I could inject them into my flank like this.
Almost immediately, I felt the freezing microscopic miracle workers doing their job. See, nanites are miniscule robots that can repair a broken finger in ten seconds and a broken spine in less than sixty. They don't exactly heal: more rebuild and reconstruct any kind of trauma to the body, equine or otherwise. The fluid is to keep them below 0° Celsius, which is the temperature at which they have to be to be dormant. Once they enter the body they activate and start to get to work, and if the dose is large enough then within five minutes even somepony as large as Big Macintosh would be back in working order.
There were also some things which rather looked like asthma puffers which were black and had glowing blue lines on them, but I knew that they were actually batteries. They must have been how the CPs managed to withstand three bullets in the chest and still live; they had HEV suits similar to mine, but obviously a lot less powerful. I hooked them up to the charging unit and let them power me up.
"Station 12, come in! Station 12, do you read?"
I almost jumped out of my skin, but it was only a radio which stood on a table at the far end of the room. I cantered over to it, but before I reached it the mare on the other end had fallen silent.
Then another voice started to talk, this time a stallion.
"This is station 8!" he said. "We heard station 12 go down and out! Surgical strike units are targeting the railway stations! Repeat, Civil Protection is coming down on the stations! We're already getting refugees from 9 and outlying, looks like-"
Static. Then a mare's voice.
"Station 8, do you copy? Station 8, are you there? We have confirmed reports of ponyhacks. Repeat, they are filling the underground with ponyhacks!"
I had absolutely no idea what ponyhacks were, but from the tone of that mare's voice it couldn't be anything pleasant. There was a ladder on the wall, leading to an open area above: I climbed up and fell silent, having just come up behind the two CPs who were manning the mounted machine gun.
Four shots with my trusty pistol changed that - I had found that two shots to the head were equal to four shots to the body, but I avoided using the pistol as much as possible because it was hard work to lift it.
The mounted gun, however, was a different matter entirely. Endless ammo and plenty of things to shoot; all I needed to do was mentally place myself in a rail shooter and I would be alright. That raised part of the walkway had a barrel of flammable liquid on it - I shot it and the walkway was complete once more.
Now I leg it like this, and I don't look back. There were a few barrels blocking my way but I easily pushed them over and slid down into the tunnel beyond, narrowly avoiding being devoured by a barnacle which made a snack out of an unlucky crow that hadn't been looking where it was going. I carefully sidestepped around the drifting feathers and the slowly descending tongue and made my way through the tunnel, lined with stacks of cars and heaps of dirt.
Yuck.
I emerged into yet another large open area, thankfully free of CPs and their devices. However, there was a pair of large gates blocking my way through. I cantered over to them and tried to move one, but it was too heavy.
"Over here!"
When I had finally come down from the clouds, I looked around and saw a cream coloured earth pony with a pink and indigo mane sitting in a piece of concrete pipe. I heard approaching CPs above and quickly ran over and out of sight.
"Keep going, friend," said the mare, and pointed at an open pipe to the right. "That station was raided, but there are still others up ahead. I'm staying here in case any others come through; somepony's gotta keep the railway alive."
"Thank you," I said, and I jumped into the pipe.
You know what? I'm going to fast forward a bit here. I've already spun this out for much longer than was really necessary, and I'm sure you don't want to hear every single detail about my trek through the sewers and how I somehow managed to avoid being destroyed by the CPs, although I had quite a few close calls: one bullet scored my cheek and left a burn, another went right through the tip of my ear, leaving a neat hole which would never heal completely without nanites - those things where pretty hard to find.
Suffice it to say that after almost getting blown up and killed multiple times, I eventually came across a door with a slot in it. I tried to open it, but it was locked. Luckily the slot was opened and I was faced by a stallion.
"Get in here, quick!" he said, and let me into the room beyond. It was piled high with ammunition and nanites, but I wasn't hurt too badly and didn't really need them. The guy who'd let me in was a yellow earth pony with a golden mane, a cowboy (cowpony?) hat and a brown leather vest. I guessed that he was related to Applejack in some way, due to the fact that his cutie mark was a single large red apple.
"Civil Protection's hot on our trail." Gods, he even had a similar accent. "We're tearin' up the railroad, coverin' our tracks. Looks like you're gonna be the last one through. Be glad you're not the colt they're lookin' fer - poor guy don't stand a chance."
"That's... reassuring," I said, but my sarcasm fell on deaf ears. "I swear I met every CP in the smegging city on my way here, and apparently they're using these things called ponyhacks."
"Ponyhacks?" the yellow pony exclaimed in alarm. "You'd better scoot before they get here!" He opened a slot on another door over to the left, and closed it just as quickly with a cry of "Oh, horseapples!"
The door was broken down and three ponyhacks buzzed into the room. They were small lumps of machinery which hovered in the air apparently supported by the blades which spun around the body of each of them. The other pony grabbed a handy length of pipe, and I prepared my crowbar.
When I was a kid and living in dimension 1 I'd been on the school cricket team. Hate to brag, but I was the best batsman of the lot of them, mostly because everyone else just messed around. I've never seen so many people hit themselves on the head in a single game, and don't even get me started on the bowlers and fielders.
Apart from the blades, this situation was almost exactly the same. One of them sliced my neck, but it was only a nick and didn't hurt too much. I whacked it out of existence with my trusty crowbar while the other guy took out another. The third I seized with my telekinesis, intending to slam it into the wall or against the doorframe, but it was tough work just holding it still. I was relieved when the pipe slammed down upon it and fizzing wires were scattered all over the room.
"Thanks for your help," said the earth pony as I caught my breath.
"You're welcome," I said, and he came back with "Look, it ain't safe here. Take whatever ammo ya need, but then you gotta skedaddle."
I gratefully reloaded my pistol and grabbed some extra ammo before leaving via the ponyhack's entrance. I heard the earth pony yell "Good luck out there!" as I left.
I'm gonna fast forward a bit more to the part where I emerged, panting and slightly more shell-shocked than I already was, to an area which set my Geiger counter ticking (I know, I should have said at the start that there were all these extras, but hey - it's done now). I carefully avoided the obviously irradiated sewage (no easy task) and found myself in a sheltered area with some nanites, ammo and a radio on a table, face to face with a turquoise unicorn with a cyan mane and a lyre for a cutie mark.
"Hey!" she said. "You're Hex, aren't you?"
"For a post-apocalyptic world, news sure does spread fast in this place," I said.
"We got word you were coming," said the mare, "but you got here at a pretty bad time."
The radio buzzed and the perfectly rounded words of Rarity started to flow out of the speakers. Tell me, how is it even possible to make 'desperate' sound glamorous?
"New TARDIS to station 6, do you read?" she said. "Hex is making his way downriver, so you're going to have to lend him the airboat and assist him in any way possible. I repeat, Hex has returned and it is imperative that he reaches New TARDIS."
"Sounds like you better get going," said the turquoise unicorn.
I nodded and left the station, and as I was crawling under another fence:
"Look out, they're shelling us!"
A huge missile-like object landed in the soft ground almost right in front of my face. I pulled myself upright and started to examine it when the back opened and a headcrab leapt out, barely missing my face.
I galloped through that place as I had never galloped before. Headcrabs lunged at me, a few newly-zombified ponies tried to make mincemeat of me and my Geiger counter went crazy, but eventually I came to a small sheltered platform right next to what could hesitantly be called the water. The airboat was there - it looked like a cross between a jet ski and a hovercraft - and it was being fuelled up by a white unicorn with a music note for a cutie mark and the craziest blue mane I had ever seen.
"Hey Hex, been hoping you'd show up," she said as she put down the petrol tank. "Got this airboat all gassed up and ready to go. Gonna be tough dodging CPs out there in the open, but drive hard and you'll make it. There should be more help at station 7 just up the river - can't miss it, it's the red barn. You'd better get going."
"Thank you," I said, and I climbed into the airboat.
Revving it up and speeding away from the city, the wind in my mane and the buzz of the airboat beneath and behind me, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time, and I never thought I'd feel it again.
I felt... human. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 4 - Water Hazard | Fancy that. Human.
The word seems almost alien to me now. I had a lot of memories of before I became a pony, but not very many when I had actually felt completely and totally human. Not even those few hours I had spent in dimension 33 with Twilight and we had both become Homosapien, and got back to Equestria to find we had been gone for a grand total of six months.
What bothered me was how that diamond dog that had been with Big Macintosh knew what my human name was. The only ones who knew were the Elements of Harmony (and Spike, of course) and I had only ever heard about the diamond dogs from what Spike had told me. Weren't they all grey and brown and hairy, not unlike actual dogs, only obsessed with gems? That thing back there had looked more like a demonic lizard - it could probably be put down to the Combine, but still, weird.
This airboat looked almost like it was meant for a human. So did almost everything in Equestria. In fact, come to think of it, practically this entire world was amazingly human. I mean, how the smeg to we open doors? No.
This wasn't me anymore. Haydon Baxter was gone, Haydon Baxter was DEAD. I'm HEX now. HEX, godsdammit! Could you imagine me lifting a sword with hooves? I know, I know, unicorn magic, but swords are useless in Equestria.
Got to put this out of my mind, for the love of smeg! Think about... think about... think about...
Twilight Sparkle.
She rose like an iceberg out of mist through the fog and mess of my mind. Her twinkling eyes, her gorgeous mane, her jaw-dropping smile, her endless and undying optimism, her... perfection. That's it. She's perfect, in every possible way. Any naysayers can bite my furry terracotta arse. I wonder if Princess Celestia ever found out about what happened at the mountain.
Yeah, there's a point. What happened to the princesses? The sun had visibly moved since I had first arrived in City 17, so presumably they were still operating, but where?
I was so deep in thought I barely noticed the CPs shooting at me, and when I finally came out of my stupor it was to find that a small crate had just impaled itself on my horn.
"Hey down there! Supplies! Look out below!"
'Bit late to say that,' I thought as I pulled the box off my head and showered myself with ammunition. I think I forgot to mention that in the sewers of City 17 I'd picked up an SMG, and thankfully there were some bullets for it, as well as a couple of HEV batteries and a tube of nanites. I reloaded the SMG, charged my suit and put the nanites away for later, because I was bound to need them.
I noticed that there was a ramp in front of me, but the vital and essentially "ramp" part of it was raised off the ground and it was balancing like a seesaw, teetering tentatively on the crease which split it evenly into two halves. I climbed out of the airboat and saw that it was being supported by its other end, which was hanging over water and had a basket on its underside which had a presumably empty barrel in it. It was that barrel that was stopping the entire ramp from sliding into the deep pool of water it was hanging over.
There were more barrels drifting aimlessly around in the water, and another standing at the mouth of a pipe which I pulled into the pool with my magic, considering myself lucky it was empty and therefore reasonably light. It wasn't easy work, pulling the barrels under the water and depositing them in the basket, but I managed it, and soon after I revved up the airboat and cannoned over the ramp like a pegasus.
Looking around I guessed that once upon a time this river may have been considerably higher. There were water marks right at the top of the banks on either side, and surely it was no coincidence that there were these irregularly placed sandbanks all over the river.
Hey, Equestria? Take back your trains and your horse drawn carriages and your horse drawn horse drawn carriages, this is the way to travel! I couldn't remember the last time I'd experienced speed like this - was this how Rainbow Dash felt all the time? No wonder she preferred her head in the clouds to her feet on the ground, this was awesome!
Alright, she probably doesn't have that annoying buzz and the vibrating seat, but I completely understand why it's so appealing.
Oh, smegory. CPs, and they'd closed a floodgate that was my only way forward. And now they were shooting at me. I jumped out of the airboat and took out all the police I could see, glad to make use of the SMG. Then I proceeded to enter the building which would lead me to the floodgate controls.
On the wall next to me was a monitor, not unlike the ones I had seen dotted around City 17. It was showing the concerned and worried face of the Great, Powerful and Vomit-inducing Trixie (Did you like that? Just made it up).
"We now have direct confirmation of a disruptor in our midst," she declared, "one who has acquired an almost messianic reputation in the minds of certain citizens. His figure is synonymous with the darkest urges of instinct, ignorance, and decay. Some of the worst excesses of the GLaDOS incident have been laid directly at his feet. And yet unsophisticated minds continue to imbue him with romantic power, giving him such labels as the One Free Stallion, or the Cleanser of the Hex. Let me remind all citizens of the dangers of magical thinking. We have scarcely begun to climb from the dark pit of the evolution of our species. Let us not slide backward into oblivion, just as we have finally begun to see the light. If you see this so called Free Stallion, report him. Civic deeds do not go unrewarded and likewise complicity with his cause will not go unpunished. Be wise. Be safe. Be aware."
I don't know how long I stood there, staring at the now blank screen.
The One Free Stallion. Cleanser of the Hex.
Who was it that started this? All of a sudden I was a hero. But then, I didn't blame the citizens for needing hope. I knew full well what the Combine liked to do with their worlds and the people who lived there.
How many CP ponies had I put down since I arrived in this godforsaken hellhole? I couldn't recall.
I wouldn't put it past Twilight to have started this up. If there was one thing she knew it was how to accidentally get noticed. But what if it was deliberate and somepony had told Trixie about my presence?
Mind you, a pony that cuts through CPs like a light sabre through a Jedi's wrist is never going to stay invisible for long. Gods, I was like a pegasus who hadn't noticed they had wings, or a serial arsonist who didn't notice that they left a trail of ash in their wake wherever they went (These 'obvious' jokes doing anything for you?).
I felt a bit numb, really. I was...
I was in trouble. I heard the crackling of a CP walkie-talkie, but thankfully they hadn't noticed me. Maybe if I kept quiet enough...
Or not. Nothing for it. I poured all my energy into levitating the SMG and fired it all the CP faces I could see. I was rather counting on the fact that they would rather shoot at me than my gun - can you actually do that? Can you destroy a gun by shooting at it?
I digress. Anyway, what I hadn't been counting on was the flood of ponyhacks which suddenly started to whir their way towards me.
I crouched in a corner with my crowbar held in my teeth, and when they came in for the kill I smashed them against the wall. It was a lot easier than trying to jump around and having them slicing at me from behind. I was about to move on when something caught my eye, and I gave a fallen ponyhack a closer inspection.
What the smeg was that round, brightly coloured thing with the wires sticking into it?
Was that-was that a parasprite? Were the ponyhacks actually mutilated parasprites? That was horrible beyond comprehension. Even Rainbow Dash, who wasn't on very good terms with the little things, would have to agree that this was nothing short of NASTY.
I didn't have time to dwell on this. How long before my display here got noticed? I headed through the nearest door into an open area to find OH SMEG THERE'S ANOTHER MOUNTED GUN OVER THERE AND IT'S GOT A CP AT IT AND HE'S SHOOTING AT ME!! QUICK GET BEHIND THAT OUT OF PLACE SHIPPING CONTAINER HE'S GONNA SMEGGING KILL ME!!!
Okay, so let me work this out. There was a CP at the other end of the yard, it had a mounted gun and would turn me to Swiss cheese if I put so much as a tail hair in his sights. What I really needed was something small and lightweight, easy to throw even with suppressed telekinesis, but with enough explosive power to kill a lightly armoured pony that may or may not be cybernetically enhanced. If only I had something like these grenades I'd been carrying. Oh wait, I was carrying grenades! What are the odds of that?
See, I'd discovered that my HEV suit had only one gun holster, on my right foreleg, and it stored other weapons as data until I needed them. Don't ask me how, it just did. Except for my crowbar. I had to carry it in my teeth, which wasn't very pleasant - ever since I swallowed Dad's keys when I was three I've never liked the taste of metal, and not just because the things took four smegging days to come back out again.
Whatever. I pulled the pin out of a grenade with my teeth (ow!) and telekinetically tossed it over the shipping container and heard it land on what sounded like the edge of a mounted gun barrel, bounce off and clatter on a floor of concrete, but I waited until I heard the explosion to check and see if the coast was clear.
Hadn't that guy even noticed that grenade? It was like he hadn't even bothered to move! These CPs might have some pretty tough weaponry, but they weren't exactly about to discover the meaning of life or the theory of relativity.
I galloped past the dead CP and the somehow undamaged mounted gun, opened the door behind it and promptly closed it again when the CPs inside started to shoot at me, but some quick action with the SMG soon took care of them, and anyway there were only, like, three. Honestly, did these guys even bother? The armour wasn't even very strong. No wonder Lightning was blending in so easily, these guys were dumb.
Smeg! Not only had they closed the floodgate, they'd also busted up the controls! Still, no worries. What the CPs hadn't counted on, amongst other things, was the fact that there was a crane with some very heavy looking steel girders hanging off it. All it would take was a single grenade in the explosives very wisely stacked underneath it and the girders would go CRASHING through the floodgate.
Sorta like that. Job done!
It wasn't too hard to fight my way back to the airboat. Sure, there was a load more CPs headed my way, but hey: I had a smegging mounted machine gun this time, mate. I kicked flank! Okay, okay, easy on the exaggerating.
A little way down the river I found that the Combine were still firing those shells of theirs and one of them struck the base of a huge chimney, which collapsed, almost in slow motion, across my path. Hell, it almost fell on top of me! I noticed that one of the pieces was curved like a ramp, and I sped towards it and caught some epic air time before hitting the water again.
Rollin' on the river. I could see what the attraction was - I was cruising like never before - but I guessed that Tina Turner had never tried to perform that number whilst being shot at by something that looked like a Black Hawk. I've being very relaxed while writing this: it's my faith in my orchestra of singing light globes that's keeping me from going completely insane just remembering this stuff (they're all different sizes, so they buzz at different tones and I can make music with them. Pretty neat, huh?).
I could hear the bullets thudding into the water behind and beside me. Several of them PINGED off the metal framework of the airboat, but a few more minutes and I wouldn't be so lucky.
Oh, thank Celestia; there was a tunnel up ahead! I sped into it and heard the chopper's bullets thud uselessly against the concrete above.
Whoa, that was a close one! I almost crashed into that gate!
"Hey! You're Hex, aren't you?" somepony shouted.
"I was the last time I checked," I said.
The speaker was a pink earth pony mare with a purple and white mane and a tiara for a cutie mark. By the looks of things, she and her friend - an all over grey earth pony with a fancy-looking spoon on her flank - must have been rather posh once. I could tell by the way their manes were styled and the fact that they both held their noses rather high in the air, as if the ground were offensive to them. Or it may just have been the... what was it Big Macintosh had called it again? Demon dog? Damn, that sounded way more badass than diamond dogs. Where I come from, it's just an album by some weird singer guy who looks like a girl.
"Well," said the grey one, "I wouldn't believe it if I like, couldn't see it with my own eyes. Hex himself! This is, like, such an honour!"
"And you got here, like, just in time," said the pink one. "We gotta, like, tear this place up and pull out before the Combine gets here. Come in here and I'll show you what we're up against."
I was glad of a chance to get out of the airboat which was starting to feel like it might be my doom, and followed the mare into a shack-like structure. As I passed the demon dog it bowed and said "Greetings to the Baxter."
Okay, how did it know my real name?
There was nothing inside the shack, saving for an illuminated map pinned to one wall. I could tell it was a map of the city, and there were several places circled in what looked like red pen. At least, it wasn't blood. Sometimes I hate having an overactive imagination.
"Here, take a look at this," said the mare, pointing at the map. "New TARDIS is here, past the dam and nestled in an old warehouse. But getting there with that hunter chopper on flank is gonna be, like, next to impossible. Good news is the demon dog should be working his magic on your airboat. In fact, he should be, like, finishing up about now."
I did my best to ignore the fact that she was the type of pony who was guilty of excessive use of the word "like" and headed back out into the tunnel, where a demon dog was holding a glowing green paw over the airboat.
The vehicle now sported a machine gun, and it looked like I would be able to drive and fire at the same time. Sweet!
"That gun came off the same, like, type of chopper you'll be facing," said the grey mare. "It's always good to like, have a little irony."
"The Baxter will accept this weapon, or suffer greatly on the road ahead," said the demon dog once it had finished. Okay, this was officially beyond weird and moving right on down to Freaky Town...
"Thanks, ladies," I said as I climbed into the airboat.
The mares said "Farewell, Hex" and "Give 'em hell!" respectively, while the demon dog shouted "For freedom!" and with that I zoomed out and into the canals again.
Right. Now I was beginning to question whether or not this whole thing was a massive, extremely vivid and real sounding/looking hallucination. For one thing, how the smeg did the demon dogs know my name? And what the smeg made them look like that? What had happened to the remaining Elements of Harmony? Where were the Princesses?
As soon as I got to the Doctor's lab, me and Twilight were going to have a little talk about all of this.
Twilight...
I wondered what kind of relationship she had with the Doctor. And how did they all meet, anyway? He obviously knew everypony: Rarity, Applejack, and Twilight, and I'm guessing he knew the others as well; did he rescue them or did they just run into him or what? Man, I had so many smegging questions! Would I even be able to keep my mouth shut once I got to New TARDIS? Dammit, there's another one!
What was that?
Oh yeah, the chopper.
I pressed my hoof on the accelerator and fired the gun like crazy into the chopper's underside. Its wings exploded into flame and the vehicle ignited on its underside, but it steadfastly refused to fall, so I just sped on. Into a pipe large enough to house an elephant with room to spare for a house, and soon enough I reached a huge open area, a massive expanse of crystal clear water, studded with the occasional barrel of explosives. There was a dam over to the right - presumably the one that pink mare had been talking about - and a floodgate with a wheel next to it to the left. I guessed I would have to open it to get to the controls for the dam, which were bound to be either in or around that red barn-like structure on the hill.
Next to the barn was a helipad, and a second hunter chopper was just taking off as I saw it.
This wasn't going to be easy.
It opened fire on me and I only just moved out of the way in time. Rather than shooting at the chopper straight away I destroyed the explosives floating in the water. I didn't want to accidentally drive into them and blow myself up now, did I?
Then I opened fire and scored a direct hit on the chopper's left wing. Bullseye!
The chopper promptly responded by bombing me with these weird black metal ball things with a red light that would blink for a few seconds and then it would go BANG! I managed to avoid most of them, but drove over one and temporarily deafened myself for a few seconds. When the ringing finally stopped I checked my PFM and found I had minor hearing damage (you don't smegging say) and thankfully not much else, apart from the new ear piercing and bullet burn on my neck next to the small nick which had been carved by the ponyhack.
I fired again at the chopper and managed to ignite its other wing. I was halfway through considering that I might be getting pretty good at this when the smegging thing started bombing me again and I was forced to zigzag crazily around the water and once or twice I swear I came close to capsizing.
My thought process at that moment?
Left! No, right! Left! Left again! Now right! My other right! SMEG IT!
Getting a little tired of this!
Once that particular attack was over and the chopper went back to just shooting at me, I put several dozen bullets into its underside and the thing damn near exploded. If I could just get a few more shots I might be able to take it down.
Oh smeg. AIR RAID!
Three years of fighting and training could not have prepared me for the bombardment of bombs which sprayed across the whole area. I shot at a couple for an opening when I was surrounded and sped the smeg out of there before I got blown to pieces.
That's it. Those Combine bitches were TOAST!
I didn't even look where I was shooting anymore. I closed my eyes and fired in the direction of the chopper's propeller noise, my own rage-fuelled screams filling my ears to the brim.
I only stopped shooting when I ran out of bullets and heard an explosion which sounded incredibly like a bunch of Combine bastards and their fancy shmancy helicopter thingy crashing into its landing pad, and when I finally opened my eyes, that was exactly what I saw.
YES! Oh yeah! Stick that up your flankhole and chew on it!
Okay, I'm getting a little bit off track here.
Turning the wheel and opening the floodgate was by far the easiest thing I'd done in the past couple of hours. I mean, it was just turning a wheel, wasn't it? I still had to use the airboat to get up the hill to the barn, but that was just a walk in the park. Apart from when I got into the barn to find it was occupied by the Combine.
Let me tell you something about the .357 Magnum. It is by far one of the best guns I have ever had the privilege of using. I'd picked it up earlier when - I can't really remember when, but I know that a single shot in the right place is enough to take out even the toughest of soldiers. That right spot is usually somewhere between the left eye and the right eye.
Once the barn was devoid of all life except me, I recharged my HEV suit from a handy charging unit on the wall, restocked on ammunition and headed outside to see what I was up against now.
The dam was pretty big and solidly built - only a complete retard would try to destroy it. I noticed that it had smaller, corrugated iron openings running along it, and a bit of searching produced a set of controls. I pulled a lever and one of these iron thingies dropped out of the way, leaving a handy way through just after a pile of logs stacked in a fashion similar to a ramp.
Starting to feel like I might be living inside a video game (this was all starting to feel very familiar) I headed back to the airboat.
I had seen what was beyond that dam. There was the warehouse, which was presumably what everypony was calling New TARDIS, but the level of the water leading up to it was a long way down.
This was not going to be easy.
I climbed into the airboat, left enough room to build up a good speed, and slammed my hoof down on the accelerator. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 5 - New TARDIS | "Intruder alert! Intruder alert! Break in, level one. Code Blue."
The bored CP pony watched with disinterest as a pair of foolish pegasi were surrounded by his comrades, who readied their artillery and trained their gun barrels upon the intruders.
'Idiots,' he thought. 'They'll be dead in a couple of minutes.'
He turned off the screen showing the building lobby, and his walkie-talkie, and instead turned his attention to a different screen; this one displaying an alleyway next to Canterlot Mall. He watched as a terrified looking young pegasus cantered into the alley, huddled next to a large bin and started to talk to and cuddle something she had clutched in her hooves. He turned his walkie-talkie back on.
"Ready the dispatch teams," he said, "we have a curfew breaker by Canterlot Mall, suggest mid-level firepower."
There was no response.
"Dispatch?"
Still nothing.
"RED ALERT. RED ALERT. INTRUDERS ON LEVEL SIX. APPROACHING SURVIELLANCE ROOM."
The CP turned the lobby screen back on, and was greeted by the sight of his comrades lying dead all over the floor (except for one, who was slumped over a desk). He then glanced at a second screen and saw the intruders from earlier galloping through corridors and definitely heading in his direction.
There was a polite knock on the door.
He picked up his gun and was about to open the door when it flew back in his face and he was trapped underneath with only his head and forehooves protruding, and he would have leapt straight back up again had a rather furious looking yellow mare not slammed down on top of him and said "Don't even THINK about it."
The CP looked to his left and saw a second pegasus, this one a pale blue stallion, examining the CCTV screens, and his green eyes widened when they fell upon the one displaying the Canterlot Mall alleyway.
"Canterlot Mall, there she is!" he cried. "Take care of that one and let's get outta here!"
The last thing the CP saw before everything went dark was an angry yellow pegasus aiming a gun barrel at his forehead.
"So tell me again what Rainbow was doing outside," said Spitfire as she and her friend galloped through the ruined streets of the city.
"Lightning Strike was getting edgy," Soarin' explained, "so Rainbow volunteered to take him out for some fresh air. I guess they must've been spotted."
"And now we're running through Canterlot to find her, most likely with half the Combine on our trail now that we pulled that little stunt in the CPs' place."
"Well, what would you have me do, Spitfire?" asked Soarin' as he drew to a halt. "My son and his mother are hiding somewhere near Canterlot Mall, potentially scared out of their lives, and they could be found by Civil Protection at any moment! And you expect me to just leave them there?"
Spitfire sighed. "You're right," she said, "that was thoughtless of me. I'm sorry, Soarin', but we really have to get moving!"
Before she had finished that sentence, a group of CP ponies came galloping up the street. One of them fired an energy ball, which zoomed through the air and slammed into the side of a pegasus' face.
Soarin' screamed in agony.
Spitfire supported him across her shoulders while firing at the enemy, using her feathers to pull the trigger on her various guns, and backing into a ransacked shop once every CP lay dead on the tarmac.
Her comrade sat on his haunches, his breathing unnaturally fast and shallow as he clutched both forelegs to the side of his face, while she started to tear off strips of her Wonderbolts uniform for makeshift bandages.
"See, this is why you should've worn your flight goggles!" she pointed out, indistinctly because of the material in her mouth. She removed her own goggles to get a better look at the damage.
"Could you please stop criticizing everything I do?" said Soarin'. "I feel like my face is on fire! Is my face on fire? Be honest with me! My face is on fire, isn't it?!"
"Your face isn't on fire," said Spitfire as she tended to her friend's injury, "but you might want to keep that eye closed for a while."
"If it ever works again," said Soarin'. "But at least we won't end up like Rapidfire. Or Fleetfoot, for that matter."
Spitfire bound his face in the blue material as she and Soarin' shared a moment of silence for their fallen comrades. She went to help him stand, but he said "My legs work fine; it's my face that's hurt."
"Fair enough," said Spitfire, and the two companions resumed their canter through the empty night time streets of Equestria's capital city.
After a few more streets, they slowed to a steady trot.
"I don't like this," said Soarin'. "It's too quiet."
"Be glad this isn't Fillydelphia," said Spitfire. "I heard there's nothing left of that place except-"
She was cut off by a volley of gunfire. A CP emerged from the shadows of a doorway and shot his SMG at the pair, but was stopped when Soarin' unloaded a pistol into his mask-obscured forehead.
"Soarin'?"
The pale blue Wonderbolt looked around at his friend.
At the fear in her eyes.
At the slowly spreading patch of dark red on her chest.
She fell to the ground.
"SPITFIRE!"
Soarin' galloped desperately over to his fallen friend and cradled her head in his hooves.
"No, no, NO!" he cried. "Spitfire, stay with me! You have to stay awake! STAY AWAKE!"
"Soarin'..."
"Don't you dare die on me," said Soarin'. "For the love of Celestia, STAY THE BUCK AWAKE!"
"Soarin', remember the Rule."
"Spitfire?"
There was no response. The golden pegasus stared into the dark sky with dull, lifeless eyes which would never see again. Soarin' reached up and tearfully closed them, then sobbed shamelessly into her mane.
He didn't know how long he lay there, face buried in his fallen comrade's neck, just that the tears only ceased because he had run out. He had nothing left to give.
He would have to leave her. There was nothing he could do for her now, and his family was waiting - no, depending on him to come and find them.
"Don't stop. Don't think. Just run."
His ears informed him that he'd just spoken the Rule aloud.
"I'm so, so sorry, Spitfire."
It killed him inside, but he had to leave her. He stood up, wiped his face on his foreleg, and galloped down the street in the direction of Canterlot Mall.
Soarin' looked back, just once, at the hunched shape of Spitfire's body.
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Lightning," Rainbow Dash whispered to the infant colt in her hooves, "it's okay. Daddy's... Daddy's coming. We're gonna be okay, I promise." She guessed her son must have sensed the uncertainty in her voice, because he refused to end his fearful moaning. She held him close as once again her eyes filled with tears and she rocked back and forth, sobbing and chanting "We're gonna be okay, we're gonna be okay, we're gonna be okay..."
"Rainbow?"
Her heart leapt over the moon when she heard that voice.
"Soarin', is that you?" she asked as he galloped into view.
"Rainbow!"
"Soarin'!"
The two pegasi met in a warm, loving and above all tearful embrace, which both of them were extremely reluctant to break.
"Are you okay?" asked Soarin'. "How's Lightning Strike?"
"We're fine," said Rainbow Dash, "both of us, but what about you? What the hay happened to your face?" She indicated the now bloodsoaked bands which were wrapped and bound tightly around his head.
"Have you ever been hit by one of those energy balls?" he asked. "It's not very pleasant."
"You're gonna be alright, aren't you?"
"I'll be fine," said Soarin', "I just wish I could say the same about Spitfire."
"Why?" asked Rainbow Dash. "What happened?"
She looked into his green ocean of an eye, and suddenly understood.
"Oh my gosh," she said, "Soarin', I'm-I'm so sorry."
"And that's not all," said her coltfriend. "We... may have slightly broken into the Civil Protection base and kinda led them on."
"You were followed?!"
"Don't worry, I think I lost them."
As he spoke, a trio of dropships flew overhead. Two were carrying containers, which would be packed with Overwatch ponies, but the third held a Strider to its underside.
"But we're trapped," said Rainbow Dash, "and it's all my fault. If I hadn't come out here with Lightning, you wouldn't have had to come after me. Spitfire would still be alive if it wasn't for me."
"Don't say that," said Soarin', "don't you ever say that. None of this was your fault."
He wished he could do something else to halt the tears which flowed freely down his marefriend's face.
"I'm so - I'm so sorry, Soarin'."
Lightning Strike joined his parents as they both began to weep helplessly.
"Wait a minute," said Soarin' after what felt like eons, "what's that noise?"
Rainbow Dash sniffed and wiped her muzzle on her foreleg.
"What noise?" she asked.
"If I didn't know any better," said Soarin', "I'd say it was like a coin being scraped on a piano wire..."
It took me a full five minutes to catch my breath.
I looked back and up at the dam I had just come through. It loomed over me like a monster of concrete. I'm not usually intimidated by tall buildings, but at this moment I was ready to believe an ant was fifty feet tall.
The airboat creaked threateningly underneath me, so I pressed onward and came to a sort of dock-like area and had to depart the airboat to climb up a ladder and onto the raised ground upon which the warehouse was situated, but first there was something I had to do.
I rolled out of the airboat and started tossing and turning in the crystal clear water. I know, I know, it sounds kinda weird, but wouldn't you do that if you were me and you'd just spent the past hour or so running through a city and its outskirts with almost everypony trying to kill you? I could feel it washing the dried blood away from my ear and neck, and dirt and grime was peeling away from my body in every direction. I ruffled my mane and tail with a hoof, washing out the caked up mud and filth which I knew would give Rarity a heart attack.
As you might imagine I was very disinclined to leave the water, but I did even so. Smeg, I'd never felt so clean...
It took me a while to work out that the entrance to New TARDIS wasn't in the warehouse itself, but in a small fenced off bit behind it. When I went in I was met by a pair of doors which looked like the sides of shipping containers, and would have tried to open them had a similar pair of doors not closed behind me.
Anything else like this and I was going to go smegging claustrophobic.
"Something's in the airlock," said a familiar Mid-Atlantic voice. "Okay, it appears to be of equine origin. Hello in there?"
"Um, hello?" I said nervously.
"Take it easy in there, you're safe now," said Rarity's voice. "You will have to forgive the scanning process, I'm afraid that we cannot afford to take chances."
The sound of whirring filled the air, and some kind of scanning laser thingy started to descend from the ceiling. Also, some kind of shutter opened in the wall, and I got a view of a white, purple-maned unicorn I knew all too well.
"Hex?" she exclaimed. "Oh my stars, darling! Whatever happened to your coiffure?"
I glanced up at the dripping strings of dark brown draped over my forehead.
"Oh," I said, "you mean my mane? Hang on a sec." I telekinetically held my glasses on my face (lucky they're so lightweight, eh?) and shook myself dry, and soon my mane had returned to its original state: scruffy.
"I simply cannot believe you made it here this quickly!" said Rarity, apparently satisfied with the state of my hair. "The Doctor and Twilight are going to be amazed, not to mention relieved. Let me tell you, I am ever so envious of you knowing the Doctor before any of us even met him! Ah, there we are. You can come through now."
The scanners stopped and turned off and the door in front of me opened.
I stepped through into a surprisingly large concreted area. There was a lift over to the right, and beyond the chain link fence in front of me I could see various other ponies sitting on boxes and crates and things. A door behind me opened and I looked around to see Rarity emerging.
She was just as glamorous as ever, but for some reason she had some kind of metallic ring on the base of her horn.
"Allow me to escort you to the Doctor's laboratory," she said and motioned for me to follow her, "I doubt that he would ever forgive me if we kept him waiting for you. We could most definitely use your help in this place. We've covered a lot of ground in the past few months - however, we would progress at a greater speed if we had more ponies with your kind of abilities and experience."
As she spoke, she led me into a lift which started to take us down. I saw demon dogs cooking in some kind of kitchen thing on the way, how weird is that? And all the time Rarity kept talking about teleporters - it seemed that science had served as a suitable replacement for fashion - but I think my ears must have been ringing or something because I barely picked up on a single word she said.
"Oh, listen to me," she said when I eventually tuned in again, "I sound just like dear Twilight! I do apologise, I am simply thrilled that we finally have you back with us once more."
"You know," I said, "I've had a look around, and if I didn't know any better I'd say Equestria was turning into dimension 33."
"Why, that is almost a word-for-word quotation of Twilight," said Rarity. "You two are so alike; no wonder her heart went out to you. Ah, looks like the Doctor's here already."
And he was. The Doctor, wearing a bow tie and a fez for some reason, was standing in the middle of his lab (which was a smeg of a lot like the one back at Sweet Apple Basement, but it was considerably more spacious and less cluttered) talking to a demon dog. Neither of them had seen us yet.
"Alright then," said the Doctor, "you keep right on it."
"Oh, Doctor!" Rarity sang. "Look who I found in the airlock!"
As the demon dog left, the earth pony caught sight of us for the first time, and his entire face split into a massive cheesy grin.
"Well, pull off my mane and call me Gerald," he said (and I just thought 'What the smeg? That is the weirdest thing I have ever heard'), "Haydon Baxter! Come on over here and let me get a look at you."
I couldn't help but smile as I stepped out of the lift. He hadn't changed a bit since I'd last seen him. Well, his personality, anyway - couldn't say the same about his physical state. Maybe his mental state as well, but I'd leave that for time to decide for me.
"Good grief, I never thought I'd see you again," he said.
"I could say the same thing about you, Doctor," I replied. "I see you've got a new fez. And a... bow tie."
"Yes," said the Doctor, "I have a bow tie. Bow ties are cool. Now let's see; the last time I saw you, you and the lovely Ms Amber were distracting a platoon of Judoon for me, and you know I never got a chance to thank you for that."
"Think nothing of it, Doc," I said. "Quite a place you've got here." It was as well. It felt a lot more homely than Sweet Apple Basement. The desk was a little better kept (although there was what looked like an alien head in a jar which looked rather disturbing), the teleporter was tucked neatly away in a corner rather than being smack bang in the middle of the room, and there was a notice board covered in newspaper clippings which all ran along the same lines: Equestria Under Siege, Equestria Surrenders, Stage Magician Appointed Liaison to Combine. I gagged at the last one.
Why is that? Why is it that when I hear the word Trixie I want to puke? Smeg, even thinking about it now makes me want a bucket.
"Yeah," said the Doctor, "it's not the TARDIS - poor girl had her lot years ago - but it serves its purpose well enough. I 'spose it's nothing compared to the stuff you could conjure up."
"When you ladies are finished," Rarity interjected, "I think I should say that everything is going to change for the better now that we have Hex back. I just have a few things to finish, but Hex," she turned to me, "it's been a pleasure."
She kissed me on the cheek.
Man, if Twilight had seen that, she'd be sooo jealous. I'd have sold tickets to see the look on her face.
"Hex?" asked the Doctor once she had gone.
"Yeah," I said, "me and Amber found that travelling the multiverse may occasionally require a codename, so I stole the name of a computer in dimension 41."
"Interesting," said the Doctor, in the kind of voice that says 'That is the most unusual and unnecessary thing I have ever heard, but I like you and you're my friend, so I'm going to humour you as well as I can.'
"Feel free to take a look around," he said, "but stay away from that head. Twilight brings in all kinds of rubbish from outside and I have yet to discover what it does, if it does anything at all."
So I decided to steer clear of the head and found my attention instead being drawn to a black-and-white photograph, this one in a fancy silver frame. It showed Twilight, but she looked so young, so innocent, that I had to do a double take to make sure it was the same pony. There were three other ponies in the photo with her - an older mare and stallion who could only have been her parents, and another young stallion, pale in coat and dark in mane, who could possibly have been her brother.
Strange. Twilight had never told me about her family. Why?
"I'd be careful with that photograph if I were you," said the Doctor, even though I was sure he hadn't looked. "It's all Twilight has left of her family."
"Oh," was all I could say. Smeg; that actually hurt. "So they..." I didn't want to say it. I didn't want to say the word 'died'. Twilight's already been through so much, please let her family be okay...
"Worse."
I gulped. Of course the Combine of all people would come up with something worse than death.
I turned instead to the notice board, my interest piqued by the various headlines and images. One showed a superportal in what looked like downtown Canterlot (that would bring those snob's snouts out of the sky, wouldn't it?). I didn't like the look of one in particular which said "ROYAL SISTERS VANISH" and not just because of what it implied. Were they dead, or imprisoned, or just plain missing? I tried to keep my eyes from wandering towards the one about Trixie, but it wasn't exactly easy. She was as charismatic as a cat and just as slimy.
Wait a minute; that made no sense whatsoever.
Oh well.
"Ugh, Trixie." Okay, how did the Doctor know what I was looking at? "The only reason she is where she is now is because when Celestia and Luna vanished, she managed Equestria's 'surrender' and the Combine rewarded her with power."
"I've only seen her on those broadcast thingies," I said, choosing to forget the brief excursions into her office, "but I already hate her completely."
"She does that, doesn't she?" I could tell from the tone of his voice that the Doctor was smiling. "Even before I crashed in this incredible world, I knew people who could make you hate them just by looking at them. Like the Slitheen: nasty pieces of work they were. And not just because they looked like obese green Teletubbies. The Teletubbies in fact were rather offended when I said that."
Smeg, why does some of that stuff have to be so funny? This is a serious situation, I can't be laughing!
A door behind me opened and I straightened up instinctively.
"Hex, you're here!" said Twilight, and she pulled me into a hug. "The demon dogs said you'd arrived, but I didn't want to believe you'd made it here so quickly. And on foot, as well. Thank Celestia you're safe!"
"To tell you the truth," I said into her shoulder, "I almost didn't make it. Lucky you've got those friends of yours all over the city or I might not be here now."
"I hate to tell you, Twilight," said the Doctor as he gave her a tap on the foreleg, "but I think he may have broken your speed record."
"Well, if you ask me you've earned it," Twilight said as she released me. "If anything, you've proved you can handle just about anything."
"With the sole exception of you," the Doctor murmured.
"Doctor!"
"What?"
"Hey guys," I said, "I hate to interrupt your little discussion, but I don't suppose there's a *ahem* bathroom anywhere around here?"
"Oh, of course," said Twilight, "it's just through that door and to the left."
"Thanks," I said.
I don't think even Rainbow Dash could have left that room as quickly as I did. Do you know how many toilets there are in Limbo or wherever I was after... what happened? None. Zero. Naught. Zilch! I'm good at hiding it, but I'd been busting for the dunny ever since I'd left Sweet Apple Basement. And I mean good at hiding it. But I'm not gonna get ahead of myself.
Ah, sweet relief.
When I got back the Doctor was busy with something (how am I supposed to recall what? This was all ages ago) and Twilight was working on the teleporter, or at least the components above my head. I had a clear, unobstructed view of her flank, which I didn't partake in because I'm not a pervert. I considered that one quick glance couldn't hurt, but at that moment Rarity re-entered and derailed my train of thought, if ever I had one.
"Twilight," she said, "I thought you were on watch."
"The demon dogs relieved me so that I could come and see Hex," said Twilight as she descended. "And anyway, I should be working on the teleporter."
"Oh, not to worry, dear," said Rarity, "I have the repairs completely taken care of. It's just that somepony misjudged the capacity of the Combine thyristor-"
"Are you blaming me?" asked Twilight. Ooh, mare-on-mare conflict, this could get interesting. What? I'm a teenager; I'm allowed to have these thoughts! And they were both still young and extremely good looking- Okay, okay, I'll stop!
"Oh, no!" Rarity said hurriedly. "It was a simple calculation error, nothing major."
"Well, I suppose I should be the one to do the calculations next time," said Twilight. "It wouldn't be any trouble, even with the installing."
"You know, Twilight," said Rarity, "I have no idea how we ever got along without you."
"Yes, yes, everyone loves everyone else," said the Doctor. "Twilight, I think Hex could use a little 'boost' don't you?"
Twilight looked at me, and her face lit up in comprehension. Eh?
"I'm sorry, I almost forgot!" she said. "Follow me Hex, there's something I need to give you." And she started to lead me out of the lab.
"The magical enhancement rings are not toys, Twilight," said Rarity.
Okay, now I'm lost. What?
"Can you please tell me what you're talking about?" I said, before my frustration got the better of me.
"Just follow me," said Twilight. "I kinda wanted to talk to you in private."
I followed her through sculpted hallways of concrete, but she paused in front of one passage which looked particularly dark and foreboding - the kind of place which you want to go down, but you're terrified of what you might find.
"That's the old passage to Trottingham," said Twilight, and I could tell she was uncomfortable. "We don't go there anymore."
I looked from the passage to her, and back again.
"Do I want to know?" I asked.
"No," she said, "you don't."
Thank smeg. I seriously don't want to know what happened in Trottingham. Knowing the Combine, it was something sickeningly sadistic.
So instead I followed Twilight out another airlock and into a massive open area piled high with all kinds of junk. Wow, was it night time already? I could have sworn it was the middle of the afternoon. I guess with the royal sisters gone, a whole load of stuff must have been screwed up, like nature taking back what was hers.
"Welcome to the scrap yard," said Twilight.
I looked around. There was so much junk there I could list it for days and still not cover it all.
"Lots of stuff," I commented.
Twilight produced a small silver ring, which split open on a tiny hinge.
"The Combine's suppression field may prevent pony reproduction," she said (with a small blush), "but it also represses unicorn magic and prevents pegasi from flying. The Doctor and I managed to reverse-engineer one of the magic-blocking rings Deluminata put on my horn, and they cut through the suppression field. Sweet Apple Basement was in a blind spot, in case you were wondering."
She snapped the ring onto the base of my horn.
Wow, that actually felt a whole lot better. I gave a nearby barrel an experimental tug, and I had to duck as it flew over my head and smashed into a wall. The fact that it was empty had nothing to do with it, I swear.
"How did you do that?" I asked. "That was magic, I mean-"
Twilight pulled her mane aside and revealed a short horn, about half the length of what it would have been, with another ring clipped onto the base. Huh. Looks like unicorn horns grow back by themselves. I guess it's because they're naturally magical, and if you try to contain too much energy in a single thing it'll make a mess.
"Hex," she asked, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead." Was that too casual? I kinda feel like it was too casual.
"What happened to you?" asked Twilight. "You threw yourself into the portal to try to overload it. I did the math afterwards, and it should have worked! But why didn't it? What happened to you after I... lost you?"
She-she thinks she lost me? Ouch. The tone of her voice, and that heartbroken look on her face... this could be an answer which would make or break our relationship.
So I explained about how just before I'd entered the portal, the G-Colt (who as you may have guessed came from the same place as the Combine) pulled me out, and I had a choice between dying or accepting "employment" with a slight possibility of returning. And returning was on top of my to-do list.
"I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive myself," I told her. "If I'd had just a bit more time, I could have worked something out, but as it is..."
"It's okay," said Twilight, and she put her hoof on my shoulder. "You did what you have to. I don't blame you at all."
"And now she's stealing my catchphrase," I said sarcastically, and that set us both giggling.
I wished at that moment that time could have stood still. That it could just have been the two of us, in this place, until the end of the universe. This moment, when we were freshly reunited after seventeen years, and yet were still completely unchanged.
"I..." Twilight looked nervous. I wish she'd do that more often, it's so adorable.
"Yes?" I asked.
"When you were gone," she said with another blush, "I had dreams about you almost every night."
"Were they good dreams?"
She wiped her eyes.
"I never wanted to wake up," she confessed. "I wanted to sleep forever if it meant I could stay with you, I..." She smiled and rubbed the back of her neck in the way people do when they're nervous or embarrassed and trying to regain their composure.
"I suppose you have a lot of questions," she stated.
How would you feel? I don't know about you, but to me it felt like my questions were an overflowing reservoir, and Twilight had completely demolished the dam which had been holding it back.
"How come the Doctor's here? How did he get here? Where's Spike? And Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie and Fluttershy? What the smeg are the demon dogs and why and how do they know my name? And I don't mean my fake name, they know my real name! They call me Baxter! How is that possible? You and your friends are the only ones I've ever told my real name, so how did-"
"Whoa, whoa, too much!" Twilight placed a hushing hoof on my lips and I stopped talking. "One at a time, please."
"Okay," I said, and I tried to get my breath back. "First of all, what is with the demon dogs: what are they and how do they know my real name?"
"They used to be diamond dogs," Twilight explained, "but the portal storms mutated them into the things you've been seeing around the city. I don't know how, and quite frankly I don't want to know, because it's bound to have been horrible. They probably know your name because they overheard us talking, but I can't be certain about that."
"Oh." I guess that makes sense. Kinda. "Well, what about-"
You know, someday I'd like to finish a sentence without being interrupted, be it by the pony I love or by some kind of monster swooping down from the sky causing us to duck for cover. Seriously, I really thought my number was on that one!
As the creature flew over, Twilight raised her head and yelled "SPIKE!" in a loud and objective voice.
"Wait a minute," I exclaimed by way of voicing my thoughts. "That was Spike?!"
Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Ever since he got his wings, he's been acting like a real jerk," she said. "Spike, you get down here right now or so help me, no ice cream for a month! Get down, now!"
Spike just flapped overhead and laughed. Odd. His voice hadn't changed. I guess dragons age differently to ponies. He was a lot bigger though, probably one-and-a-half times Twilight's height, and he had wings. If I had to, I'd say he was the dragon equivalent of early teens, like maybe thirteen or fourteen. I don't know much about Equestrian dragons, so I'm sorry I can't be more accurate.
"Hey, who's that?" he asked. "Is that... is that Hex?"
"Hi Spike!" I gave him a cheerful wave, and he landed in a different part of the scrap yard. Twilight and I galloped through the piles of junk to greet him.
"Oh my gosh!" he cried when he saw me. "It is Hex! I can't believe you're here, you're finally back!" He pulled me into a suffocating hug.
"Tell you the truth," I said through a mouthful of scales, "I couldn't believe it either."
"Spike, I think he needs to breathe," said Twilight.
"Oh, right, sorry," said Spike, and he released me so that I could suck in some oxygen.
"I'm glad I'm back too," I said.
"But what happened to you?" Spike asked. "I mean, seventeen years ago Twilight came back to the library, and she was crying and she just said 'Take a note'. The letter I wrote for her made it sound like you'd died! Seriously, what the hay happened?"
"Um..." I didn't want to go over it again. It was hard enough the first time around.
"I don't think Hex would want to tell us that again," said Twilight. Thank you!
"What, you mean he told us already?" Man, Spike did not sound happy. "And I missed it? That sucks!"
"You're telling me," I said, "and you're not the one who had to go through it all. I think I should tell you both that it was literally the hardest thing I have ever had to do."
"Shhh."
I just got shushed by a dragon.
"Spike," said Twilight, "what're you-"
"Shush!"
She gave me a quizzical look. I just shrugged: how the smeg was I supposed to know what was going on?
Then it all became clear. Innumerable camera thingies flew over the scrap yard, causing a cacophony of bleeping which could rival Angry Dogs At Midnight, Nails On A Blackboard and Supermarket Radios for the Most Annoying Sound award.
"Oh horseapples," Twilight swore, "the Combine's sweeping the area! We gotta get back to the lab, fast!"
We started running, but Spike grabbed us both and took off. If I had been a couple of years younger I would have screamed no end, but I wasn't a couple of years younger so I kept my mouth shut until we were back in the airlock...
...which wasn't opening.
Twilight turned on an intercom thing and the Doctor's face appeared on the screen.
"Doc, it's Twilight," she said, and I could feel the desperation in her voice. "Are you there? What's going on?"
"Right here," said the Doctor, "but where are you?"
"We're in the scrap yard airlock," said Twilight, "but I think it's stuck."
"Is Hex with you?"
"Right here." I gave another little wave.
"Good," said the Doctor, "now listen carefully, I want you two to-"
The screen flashed into a snowstorm of static. Twilight tried to get the signal back, and I looked at Spike in what I hoped was a questioning fashion. He just shrugged.
The Doctor reappeared.
"Take Hex out of here, and head for the coast!" he commanded. "Whatever you do, do not go to Trotti-"
Before he could finish the power went out completely, and we were left in darkness.
"Doctor?" Twilight banged uselessly on the intercom. "Doctor! Horseapples... Spike, open the airlock and get us out of here! Hurry! Tear it apart if you have to, just get it open!"
"Okay, okay!" Grumbling under his breath, Spike wrenched the airlock doors open and let me and Twilight gallop through, and he didn't take long to follow us. We were about halfway down a corridor when the roof caved in - Spike pulled me out of the way, but Twilight was stuck on the other side.
"Hex, Spike, are you okay?" she asked when she appeared at a hole.
"We're fine," I said, "well, I am, thanks to Spike."
"You're welcome," said Spike. "Twilight, what should we do? Should I try to clear away-?"
"No, don't!" cried Twilight. "If you try to move these rocks you could bring the whole tunnel down on us, and then we'll all be in trouble! There's no way I'm leaving the Doctor: Spike, take Hex to the Trottingham tunnel, he has to get out of here!"
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, because I most certainly was not. "I think the Doc tried to say-"
"Hex," said Twilight, her voice considerably softer, "you'll be okay."
I would. For her sake, and for the sake of Equestria, I would be okay. I would be okay!
"I'm gonna hold you to that," I told her. "I'll meet up with you later."
With that, I followed Spike back to the foreboding-looking tunnel, and he led me to a massive door which he pulled up to allow me through.
"Wait a sec," I said before he dropped it again, "is Trottingham... bad?"
"It's awesome," Spike said sarcastically, and he dropped the door almost on my hoof. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 6 - We Don't Go To Trottingham... | Okay.
Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can NOT be happening, this CAN'T be happening.
Okay, okay, okay, find a happy place, okay, find a happy place, find a happy place...
"It's cold outside, there's no kind of atmosphere; I'm all alone, more or less, let me fly far away from here..."
Smeg, it's not working!
"It seems today that all you see is violence in movies and sex on TV, but where are those good old fashioned values on which we used to rely..."
That's not working either!
I've just got to try to avoid thinking about. Try to avoid thinking about the fact that I'm in a town which I've been told... I haven't been told anything about it, so it can't be good.
Oh smeg, oh smeg, oh smeg...
Gah! Smeg it, Hex, get a hold on yourself! Calm the smeg down! There has to be somepony here, right? It can't just be that half a pony hanging from a tree, and that-that inanimate zombie slumped on that doorstep.
Wait a sec, it was getting up!
DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE YOU SCUMMY SMEGHEAD DIE!!
Okay, just relax and catch your breath. It's dead, it's dead, it's dead, it's dead, it's- THE HEADCRAB'S STILL ALIVE!
How is that even possible?
It's okay, it's okay, it's dead now. Unless a headcrab can survive being impaled on a crowbar, of course, but that's impossible. Right? Right?
This was all feeling hauntingly familiar. Like my favourite game when I lived on Earth, which I had discovered was actually dimension 33. It must have something to do with resonance or something: two dimensions colliding will start to take on each other's appearances and physical aspects.
No, just calm down, Hex, calm down...
I am FREAKING out!
Holy smeg, I've made a mess. I tried to pick up the zombie's body and move it somewhere else, but I couldn't hold it even with my telekinesis. I guess the horn clip thingy gives me enough power to pick up inanimate objects, but not bodies or living creatures. It might penetrate the suppression field, but doesn't boost magic or anything like that.
That plank wall over there looks awfully fragile. Like, if somepony was to throw a cylinder filled with flammable gas at it, it might just disintegrate.
Like that.
Hey, that wasn't so bad! Alright, I've just had to chuck in another cylinder of gas to take care of the other zombies in there that I didn't trust even though they were lying around playing dead, but...
Oh smeg.
Those ponies may have been dead, but they certainly weren't unconscious. One of them was staggering towards me, covered in flames, and it was screaming. This is... This is nightmare fuel! It was horrible on the computer screen, but it's even worse in real life!
Okay, I need to find a way out of here. There's no way I can go back the way I came in, so I guess I'll have to go through... the carpet of dead bodies. Oh smeg, that's nasty!
Well, at least there's a buzz saw blade. That could come in handy.
Keep your cool Hex, just keep your cool, there's no reason for you to- SOMETHING MOVED!
Smeg, smeg, smeg, smeg, smeg... it's dead. Thank smegging smeg, it's dead, it's dead. Chopped clean in half, nerves completely severed, I'd like to see anypony survive that.
Sorry about this. When I freak out I swear. A lot.
All these zombified ponies - none of them have any wings or horns. They're all earth ponies. Interesting. The Combine usually has three breeds of headcrabs, but I suppose with three breeds of ponies they don't need them. And anyway, all this stuff was meant for humans: the guns, the armour, the suppression field, all of it.
This place looks like it could have been a timber mill or something, what with all the buzz saw blades and stuff, or maybe a mining town.
Okay, I can get through this. There seem to be plenty of blades and pickaxes and things, so as long as I stay alert I'll stay alive. I know zombies, and they're pretty slow and lumbering things so it shouldn't be too hard to take them down. And the headcrabs can never attack without making a bird-like screeching noise which is very obvious and gives them away.
Hang about.
What's that thing? I'm outside now, and there's a cool, pleasant breeze blowing in my face, but there's this engine thing with a hacksaw blade stuck above it, spinning around like a helicopter rotor.
There're some zombies coming down some steps to the left. If I crouch under that blade they'll be chopped to pieces. Gory, but effective.
Ha, I knew it; they don't even know it's there!
"Arrgh, these zombies be gettin' on me nerves! Git offa me poop deck ya lily-livered landlubbers!"
Okay...
So at least I wasn't the only pony with a heartbeat in this place. Although it sounded like the other occupant was a complete and total nutter. Either that or a senile pirate - my money's on the first one.
He didn't sound particularly old, though. Like, late twenties or early thirties maybe. Although he did sound crazy.
Whatever, time to move on.
I avoided the freshly chopped up corpses and crawled towards the steps - I didn't dare get up until I'd reached them, but I'm still pretty sure I lost a lock of my tail. A headcrab tried to get me, but it jumped straight into the spinning blade.
The doorway ahead was boarded up, but my crowbar made short work of that. I went through and into an alleyway, and took care of a zombie which was coming at me. I grabbed a barrel of flammable stuff (they had them just stacked randomly all over the place, how careless is that?) and it was lucky I did because there was a zombie in the next building, coming at me like they all did for some reason, and when I threw the barrel at it I was almost blown away by the explosive chain reaction.
When I looked inside it was at a scene rated R for mature audiences for violence and gore. Okay? That means I'm not going to describe it!
But there were some undamaged medical supplies and ammunition, which I grabbed gratefully - ignoring the fact that they should have been destroyed by the explosion - and moved on. There was a zombie lying outside the exit which I didn't trust, so I fired a buzz saw blade into it just to make sure.
"Somepony swab the deck and bring me bottle o' rum, or I'll keel haul ye and use ye guts fer garters!"
Thank you, Admiral Pancake.
What? I don't know what his name is and I have to call him something!
I think I went through the next couple of minutes in a daze, because I can barely remember a thing that happened. All I know is eventually I came to a place where one end of the street was blocked off and the other had a large building with a massive pile of flames in front of it, and there were burning and screaming zombies everywhere.
Nasty.
"Back to hell with you, ye scallywags! The lot of ye belong in Davy Ponies' locker!"
Good, I could finally see who it was that was doing the talking. As I had thought it was a stallion, probably in his late twenties, but rather than being one solid pastel colour, like just about every other pony I've seen, his coat was a patchwork of white and brown. His mane was scruffy, sorta orangey-brown, but I couldn't make out his eye colour or cutie mark. All I could see was that he was firing a shotgun at the zombies in the street and laughing his flank off.
Then he saw me.
"Arrgh, what have we here?" he asked nopony in particular, and then gave me a wave. "Ahoy there, me hearty! Nice to have fresh meat aboard this vessel! Let's see if you're worth yer salt, shall we?" He disappeared back inside the building still laughing.
...Right.
I think I'll do what I did earlier and fast forward a little. The fear/novelty of being stuck in a zombie-infested town had worn off when I had learned I wasn't alone, and the most eventful thing the happened was when a headcrab managed to latch on and almost zombified me, but I managed to get it off before it got to me. However, it did manage to tear a nasty gash in my muzzle, but I took care of that with some handy nanites. How they got there I have no idea...
Eventually, after climbing onto a rooftop, I was faced once again by the stranger. He had put on a tri-corner hat and an eye patch, and I could just make out his cutie mark: a compass.
"Wind in yer sails, me hearty!" he cried with a salute. "You're welcome to make use o' my traps, long as you stay out of 'em yerself. Man overboard!"
He fired his shotgun above my head. I heard a screech, and when I looked around I saw a dead headcrab lying behind me.
"In Trottingham, you do well to be vigilant," he said in a surprisingly solemn voice, and then he turned around and left.
I knew I had important stuff to do - I needed to get out of here and see if Twilight and the Doctor and Spike were okay - but as I pressed onward I couldn't help but feel sorry for that guy. He must have only been a foal when the Combine invaded. He probably hadn't even got his cutie mark yet!
I found my thoughts wandering away from me (I always get worried when my mind wanders - I'm afraid it won't come back) and coming to a rest on the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I didn't know them very well, but I knew of them. They must be about the same age as that guy now. I wonder if they actually figured out what they should have cutie marks of.
Hmm, this could prove interesting.
I had come to an area with a car blocking my way back out onto the street, but at the pull of a lever it was hoisted into the air, and I could see some zombies wandering towards me.
They were gone at the drop of a car.
Call me sick, if you will, but this was starting to feel rather enjoyable. It was like those zombie games back home where the entire point of it was ploughing through hordes of squishy dead things with a variety of sharp things on the ends of sticks - psychotic, but thrilling.
I took care of some other zombies with another falling car, and climbed up on top of it so that it could hoist me onto a walkway overhead. When I was up, the stranger reappeared.
"Better and better!" he declared, and gave me a salute. "Pipsqueak the Pirate, at your service! I see you've already met my... skeleton crew." He burst into more maniacal laughter.
"Wait a minute!" I called after him. "What're...?"
But before I could ask him what he was still doing here rather than just finding a way out, he had run away. Seriously, how could anypony in their right mind actually decide to stay in a hellhole like this? It was awful! People play zombie games and stuff where I come from, and they think it would be fun in real life, but then the moment they get there it's their biggest regret.
Then again, that guy - what did he say his name was? Pipsqueak? That's rather unfortunate - was obviously not in his right mind.
Okay...
I need a plan. While moving through this place, putting down the ponies that obviously desperately need it, I need to formulate a plan of action.
Right. Top of the list; find a way to meet up with that Pipsqueak bloke, because if the two of us were together then we'd do twice as much damage as we would while separated... I hope. I don't care much for his mental state, though - there was a pretty good chance he'd go Dick Cheney on me. Not that he could hurt me in this HEV suit, though. He'd probably do some damage with that shotgun, but nothing I couldn't take care of.
And after that, try to find a way out of this place. With any luck that guy will have been here long enough to know a good escape route.
Then...
What?
Holy smeg, it just hit me. Once I get out, what will I do? The Doctor said to head for the coast, but i on the coast? Where would I meet Twilight? Are they even still alive? Are they dead? Or worse...
Smeg it Hex, get your head in the game! You can destroy that bridge once you've crossed it. Focus on there here and the now. Here was a zombie infested town, and now...
Now zombies were flying.
Well, not so much flying as jumping really, really high. I recall the "fast" headcrabs could make a person really agile and fast (hence their name) at the cost of their skin, flesh and internal organs. I guess that rather than using fast headcrabs, it was just headcrabs on pegasi.
I heard a gunshot literally a few metres away from my head.
"Ah, it's you, me hearty!" Pipsqueak. Who else? "Aye, these streets be tough, my apologies fer nearly spreadin' yer brains 'cross the pavement. And all the foals at school called me crazy!"
"I wonder why," I muttered, and thankfully he didn't hear me.
"Catch!"
Thanks for the warning, that shotgun almost hit me on the head. But thanks anyway, even though you have all the sanity of a box of frogs in a bag of cats which has been tied up and thrown into a river.
"Hit 'em in the head!" Pipsqueak advised.
"Um..." I wasn't sure how to respond. "Thanks."
"You are most welcome, but hush! They come! There is no rest in Trottingham. Move on, me hearty, and I shall meet you at the tavern on the green!"
Okay, so now we have a rendezvous point arranged. I just have to find this 'tavern on the green' and meet this loony before we both go the same way as Thomas and Martha Wayne.
What? Too soon? I'm allowed to make pop culture references if I want to, and I don't see any lawyers leaping to attention to stop me. They did it all the time in dimension 80 and no-one cared a bit, but then again there was a baby with an IQ of three hundred or so who was friends with a dog which walked on its hind legs and drank martinis (and was a smegging awful writer). There, see? I just made another. Points to anypony who gets it.
Maybe I should think about something other than the fact that I could be torn to pieces at any second. How does that song go again?
Drugs, gimme drugs, gimme drugs, I don't need it but I'll sell what you got, take the cash and I'll eat it, eight legs to the wall, HIT THE GAS kill 'em all and we crawl and we crawl and we crawl GIMME MORE DETONATOR. Love, gimme love, gimme love, I don't need it but I'll take what I want from your heart and I'll keep it in a bag (in a box) put an X on the floor, gimme MORE, gimme MORE, gimme more SHUT UP AND SING IT WITH ME!!
From mall security to every enemy, we're on your property STANDING IN V FORMATION. Let's blow an artery, eat plastic surgery, with no apology GIVE US MORE DETONATION!!
More, gimme more, gimme more!
Well, let me tell you 'bout the sad mare. Shut up and let me see your jazz hands! Remember when you were a madmare? Thought you was Batmare? And hit the party with the gas can KISS ME YOU ANIMAL.
You run the company, @#$% like a Kennedy, I think we'd rather be burning your information. Let's blow an artery, eat plastic surgery, with no apology - give us more detonation-
And right here, right now, all the way in Battery City, little foals raise their open filthy hooves like tiny daggers up to heaven. And all the juvie halls, and the Ritalin rats, as angels made of neon and @#$%ing garbage SCREAM OUT "What will save us?" And the sky opened up - everypony wants to change the world, everypony wants to change the world but no-one, no-one wants to die - wanna try, wanna try, come on let me see you die, see you die, see I'LL BE YOUR DETONATOR!
Guitar solo! This is making the situation a lot more fun than it was.
Make no apology: it's death or victory on my authority, crash and burn, young and loaded. Drop like a bullet shell, dress like a sleeper cell, I'd rather go to hell than be in purgatory. Cut my hair, gag and bore me. Pull this pin; let this world ex-PLODE.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! Kicking zombie ass to Killjoys, BITCH!
Well, that was fun.
"Ahoy, matey!" Okay, how is he doing that? I'm pretty sure I'm moving faster than he is, and yet he's still ahead of me. "Ye be headin' fer port when ye need be headin' starboard! Git yer sails hoisted right, me laddie!"
What? I'm going the wrong smegging way? But it was so awesome getting here! Okay, I'm gonna fast forward a little more to the point where I found myself on a rooftop, looking down at what appeared to be a pub surrounded by a tall chain link fence. There was a small cable car on the far side which led to my rooftop, and Pipsqueak was waving at me.
"Ah, there ye be!" he shouted. Honestly, that pirate speak was starting to get on my nerves. "I'll be sendin' ye the cart so's ye can join me! Keep yerself save while it goes!"
He pulled on a lever and the cable car started slowly making its way up the cable towards me. Seriously, if it was going any slower it would be going backwards.
Oh. Did I mention that there were drain pipes on either side of the roof I was on and bands of pegasus zombies heading my way? Yeah, I probably should have because now I was not only waiting for a cable car which was slower than a slug with a broken foot, but I was also defending myself against these.
It was almost like a twisted, sadistic spin on Whack-A-Mole - I had to run from pipe to pipe, gunning down the zombies as they tried to climb up.
"Almost there!"
"Could it go any slower?" I asked myself as I put down another monster.
I think this must have gone on for about five full minutes - or five hours, I wasn't really counting - but eventually:
"Now, mate! Release the handbrake and join the crew!"
"FINALLY!" I couldn't help but shout. I leapt into the cart and started sliding down the cable. Surprise, surprise, it went down faster than it came up. It may have been my added weight making it slide faster than it would have done otherwise, but it was still rather annoying. It was like the car had a mind of its own, and it didn't want to give me a lift so it decided to take as long as possible coming in the hopes that I would suffer unjust execution by zombie before it got to me, and now that it was carrying me it wanted to get me off as quickly as possible.
When it eventually stopped it was at the roof of the pub, and I descended a ladder on the wall and was finally faced with the insane pirate wannabe.
I had been right - he was pretty young.
"So, we meet at last, me hearty," he said. "Ye deserve extra gruel fer avoidin' me traps."
"Well, this whole day has been nothing but gruelling," I commented. "I just want to get the smeg out of here. But-but why are you here? There must be loads of ways out, why did you decide to stay?"
"A shepherd must tend to his flock," said Pipsqueak, "especially when they become unruly. I shall show you to the mines - they are the most direct route to the outside. Follow me."
As he spoke I reloaded my guns and picked up some extra ammo, and once I was done I started to follow him around the back of the pub when he suddenly whipped around with a manic look in his eye.
"BUT follow only if ye be a stallion o' valour!" he growled. "For the path to the mines is guarded by monsters so foul, so cruel, that nopony has ever duelled with them and LIVED!! Bones of four-fifty ponies lay strewn about their lair, so if you do doubt your courage DEATH awaits you, with nasty big pointy teeth!" He made a motion as if scratching at the air.
Eccentric performance.
He led me around the back, up a plank and over a bent chain link fence, and we started moving through a gully towards a graveyard, and I swear we hadn't gone five centimetres before zombies leapt down from above and started attacking us.
And once we got to the graveyard there were all three kinds of zombies lumbering towards us: the ordinary earth pony zombies, the fast pegasus zombies, and a couple of the ones which had headcrabs crawling all over them which I presumed were the unicorns. Or had been unicorns.
Nasty.
There were plenty of buzz saw blades and cinder blocks lying around (for some weird reason) so I never ran out of stuff to throw. I'll even admit that it was fun in a psychotic kind of way. What rather spoiled is was that the entire time we were fighting, cutting through the half-rotted hordes like a hot knife through butter - that Pipsqueak bloke would not stop laughing. It was borderline disturbing.
The most memorable part of the battle was when we stood on a concreted area, raised above the ground and surrounded by a wrought iron fence, and I fired a shot into a gas canister which left us surrounded by roaring flames: obviously there was a leaking pipeline somewhere near here.
And the zombies and headcrabs, ever ignorant, still tried to get at us and died screaming in flames.
Again, nasty.
I am not at all proud of anything I did that night. At least it wouldn't be night for much longer, because I could see the sky turning purple around the edges. Everything is less scary in daylight. Haven't you found that to be true?
Once the flames died down Pipsqueak and I galloped over to a mausoleum, and the crazy stallion pulled on a rope and a gate opened behind me. It was raised vertically, and obviously couldn't be held open for very long.
"Hurry!" Pipsqueak shouted. "Go while I hold the gate!"
I slid under the gate and it slammed closed behind me, cutting a headcrab clean in half.
"Farewell, me hearty!" Pipsqueak gave me a cheery wave as he unloaded his shotgun into another zombie's head. "May the Black Spot never stain your coat! GOODBYE!" And with a final maniacal laugh he set the ground ablaze and ran into the mausoleum, firing his shotgun like no tomorrow.
"Thank you!" I shouted. "Thank you for everything."
What an interesting stallion. Completely out of his mind, but that was justified in that everything he'd ever known had obviously been destroyed. All over Trottingham I had seen these massive hunks of metal - the same kind of shells that had destroyed that station in City 17. At least I know how the headcrabs got there.
But that didn't explain how it had got so... out of hand (out of hoof?). That place was infested beyond belief!
And I don't trust this. At the entrance to the mines I had found a flammable barrel (again, they're all over the place! It's just plain careless) and I threw it down the shaft just in case. Then, because of the distinct lack of lift, I had to jump from support strut to support strut until I got to a cavern at the bottom and jumped down onto a catwalk.
The floor was crawling with headcrabs. Lucky I'd picked up some extra grenades, I needed them.
Hmm, I wonder... There's a tunnel over there which looks free of headcrabs.
This wasn't going to be easy.
I concentrated on pouring every drop of magic I had into my horn, levitating not any object but my own body. I strained and felt sweat pouring off my forehead in buckets as I drifted slowly towards the beams which supported the tunnel roof.
Made it! And now I collapse like this because that was the most exhausting thing I've ever done.
I can't be bothered to get up, so I think I'm just going to roll through this tunnel until I get my strength back. Yeah, roll like a log - that sounds incredibly immature, but I'm smegged if I'm gonna drag myself across the floor like my legs don't work. Which they don't at the moment, but that's beside the point.
Ah, a flooded pit. Gonna have to swim this one. It looks like it'll be hard to see, but if the name of the game is freedom then it'll be well worth it.
Here I go!
Smeg, it's dark down here. I can hardly see my own hooves in front of my face, and it's pretty hard to hold my breath while holding this crowbar in my mouth, but I don't have anywhere else to put it, and I'm sure as hay not sticking it up my arse.
Oh smeg...
I need to breathe!
Thank god this is an old mine, and there are still plenty of vertical shafts with loads of air in them. This one will have to do, even if there's a barnacle hanging from the ceiling with its icky tongue dangling right next to me.
Right, here we go again.
Again, this water is disgustingly murky, and I have to suck on my crowbar to avoid having my mouth open. Not pleasant!
Ah, finally, a way out. And there's a fire, which means light!
Why does swimming have to be so smegging exhausting?
I rounded a corner, and saw a long diagonal mine shaft (with little hollow bits carved into the sides) with a mine cart sitting on a rail at this end. The cart was connected to some kind of pulley system, and sitting in it was another one of those engine helicopter-blade spinny things.
There was also a lever.
I see how this works. I pull the lever, the spinny thing goes up to the top of the shaft and back again, slicing any unsuspecting zombies in half, and I get up safely by going into the hollow bits (or just ducking) when the spinny thing goes past. Easy enough.
And there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Literally!
Unless I'm dead, but I'm pretty sure I would know if I was dead. Everyone knows when they're dead, right?
Right?
That spinny thing just grazed the tip of my horn, and it hurt.
I'm not dead. That's a relief.
Yup, as long as I crawl like a worm up the entire length of the shaft, I should be okay. Ew, look at those zombies getting sliced! That's gross but satisfying at the same time, it's weird.
Here we are, right at the top. And there's a group of zombies obviously too smart to fall for the spinny thing. A few shotgun blasts and they were taken care of.
There was also a headcrab waiting for me outside, but I soon took care of that.
I never thought I would be so happy to see the sun in my entire life. For several minutes I did nothing but lie on the cold concrete and let the light warm my face, metaphorically washing away the horror of the past few hours. I could seriously have fallen asleep right then and there, because I'd been awake for eighteen full hours and I was so, so tired...
...but I had to get up. I'd have bet anything that Twilight needed my help.
Question is; where the smeg am I? There's a railway track, and some freighters just sitting there, so it's obviously not in use, but is this City 17 or what? The air tastes kinda salty - I must be near the coast.
I started to make my way down the tracks in the confidence that-
What was that?
Sounded like a gunshot.
And is that a laser up ahead? Dear sweet smeg, it's a sniper!
It's okay, I've got grenades, so I can take care of this. All I have to do is throw one into the window the sniper's shooting out of and I'll be on my way.
Like that, see? Easy peasy one-two-threesy.
Unless of course there's another one on another bridge up ahead which is facing the other way and therefore has a clear shot. That one almost hit me in the nose, for crying out loud! Take that, you son of a parasprite!
Yeah, you take that. And you make the most of it while it lasts, you bloody smegging bastard.
Oh smeg, that looks nasty. There's a train carriage blocking my path, and the flickering of the light behinds it suggests that there's fire, plus I can hear gunshots which by the sounds of it are coming from machine guns AND shotguns.
I entered it in pretty much the same way I had entered the carriage which had contained Big Macintosh and his demon dog friend, but rather than a scrap yard it was a warzone on the other side. At first I thought it was another CP vs. Resistance battle, but these guys were gunning down zombies and they weren't CP. Their armour was completely black except for the eyes, which were glowing either blue or orange, and their uniforms declared that they were Overwatch.
Smeg I hate the Combine. The Overwatch are so much tougher than the CPs, and they have better weaponry as well. HEY! YOU! DIE!
There, now he's dead I can take his weapon, and it's a real machine gun as well. Plus it looks like it can fire those energy ball thingies. Sweet! But they can't hold as much ammo as the SMG... oh well.
Just as the mines had been crawling with headcrabs, so was this tunnel crawling with Overwatch. Deep down they might still have been ponies - innocent ponies who'd had this horrible thing done to them to make them evil - but that part was buried deeper than the centre of the Earth, and you can't get much deeper than that, can you?
The tunnel emerged into a train yard with another warehouse nearby, and again there were Overwatch all over the place. I was pretty quick in taking care of them, but it sounded like somepony else might need my help.
Inside the warehouse was another battle, but this one was between a squad of Combine soldiers and three young mares who appeared to be about the same age as Pipsqueak. And they were losing.
One of them, an orange pegasus, cried out in pain and clutched her side. While her two friends (a white unicorn and a yellow earth pony) rushed to her aid, I gunned down the rest of the Overwatch and tried to catch my breath. What? Adrenaline can leave you panting, okay?
"Scoots, are you okay?" asked the unicorn.
"Am I okay?" the pegasus asked sarcastically. "I've just been shot in the wing and you're asking if I'm okay? Of course I'm not okay! I'm in massive amounts of pain, if that's what you mean!"
"Okay, just calm down, Scootaloo," said the earth pony with a familiar accent. "We'll get you to the infirmary and they can patch you up."
"Let's hope so," said Scootaloo, "because if they can't, somepony's getting shot over this."
"Hang on," said the unicorn when she saw me for the first time. "Who are you?"
"Well," I said, "you see, I'm, er-"
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The shout continued long after I was bowelled over by a pony-sized ball of vibrant pink energy which could only mean one thing.
"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh I can't believe you're BACK! Everypony who was anypony was sooo so sad when we thought you were dead but now you're not dead and you're okay and now you're back in Equestria! And everypony's calling you the One Free Stallion and Trixie is sooo so mad that you're taking out so many of the Overwatch and the Civil Protection which is good because they're really mean but I'm glad you haven't taken out Lightning Strike because he isn't mean at all! And oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh I'm just so happy I can't believe you're finally back and now we can have a PARTY!!"
"Pinkie!" I interrupted before my brain exploded. "I'm really glad I'm back too." And I stood up so that I could give her a proper hug. She squeezed me a little tighter than I would have preferred, but I didn't mind because I was just glad to be alive.
"Did you have to go through Trottingham?" she asked.
"Yeah," I said, and I explained about the zombie infestation and Pipsqueak the Pirate.
"Oh my gosh, that poor stallion!" she cried when I was done. "And I expect everybrony wanted Pipsqueak to be in the previous story, but the author decided not to include him so that he could replace Father Grigori, which was a position she was considering giving to Gilda but Pipsqueak seemed to make more sense and presented the possibility of Trottingham replacing Ravenholm."
What. The smeg.
It's Pinkie Pie. Duh! And the whole concept of Trottingham had seemed rather recycled, come to think of it... but that was irrelevant right now.
"Apple Bloom, is everything okay?" Pinkie asked somepony else.
"Scootaloo got hit in the wing," said the earth pony who was apparently Apple Bloom, "but apart from that we ain't got no casualties."
"Great!" said Pinkie, and then she turned to me and said "Twilight's been calling for like, the past ages and she said you were back but I didn't want to believe her but-"
"Wait a minute," I interrupted her again. "Twilight's been calling?"
"Yeah, for like, the past hour!" said Pinkie. "And she's been really worried about you, but the reception's being naughty and Twist's trying to sort it out. Shall we go and see if it's fixed?"
"And talk to Twilight?" Of course I wanted to see if it was fixed!
So Pinkie led me (bouncing, of course) to the back of the warehouse, where there was a concreted room filled with injured ponies lying on bedrolls. And every single one must have been a school foal when the Combine invaded. I realise now that the white unicorn who had been fighting with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo was Sweetie Belle, and that they were the Cutie Mark Crusaders - emphasis on were.
Pinkie knocked on a door, and it was opened by a cream coloured mare with glasses and an incredibly bushy red mane.
"Hi Twist!" Pinkie chirped. "Any luck with the reception?"
"Yeth, it'th cleared up," Twist lisped (rather unfortunate in my opinion), "but it'th not good newth. Twilight thayth... Twilight thayth the Doctor'th been captured."
"Oh, that's not good," said Pinkie.
"Is Twilight there, can I talk to her?" I asked.
"Thure," said Twist, and she walked out past me and Pinkie as we entered the next room.
There was an old radio sitting next to a very static-y TV set, displaying the worried face of Twilight Sparkle. There were also some crates off to the side which appeared to contain extra ammo and health stuff, but that's irrelevant right now.
"Hey Twilight!" Pinkie squeaked. "Guess who just came from the train yard!"
"Hex, you're alright!" Twilight sounded and looked both overjoyed and relieved at the same time. "You made it through Trottingham, thank Celestia. Listen, I need your help - the Combine's captured the Doctor and they've taken him to Nova Discord."
"I know what both those words mean," I said, "so the name is literally 'new chaos'. Not good, am I right?"
"You're extremely right," said Twilight. "It used to be a high security prison, but it's something a lot worse now. It's also on a cliff, so I'm afraid you're going to have to get there via the coast road."
"The coast road?" said Pinkie. "Have you gone loco in the coco, Twilight? It's spawning season for the antlions! Ever since those things crossed over from the other dimension they've been nothing but trouble. Not even Fluttershy likes them very much!"
"I know, Pinkie," Twilight replied, "which is why I want you to lend Hex the rover. You know, the one the Doctor fitted with a tau cannon just in case?"
"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie chirped, and pressed a button on the radio and said "Dinky, could you get the guys to bring out the buggy? Hex is gonna be driving it."
"Will do," said a feminine voice on the other end.
"Hex," Twilight addressed me directly, "I haven't driven the coast road in over a year, but I doubt it's got any safer in that time. I'll meet you at Nova Discord. And... be careful."
"Don't worry," I said in what I hoped was a reassuring voice, "I made it through a zombie infested town, I can make it to Nova Discord. I'll see you when I see you." And with that, I reached forward and turned the television off. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 7 - Highway 17 | Psst. Hey!
The Game.
You just lost it.
Anyway, Pinkie let me out the back of the warehouse (after I'd had some water of course, I was smegging thirsty) and it was only then that it actually hit me how long I'd been gone.
In dimension 33, the Combine had been draining the Earth's oceans for whatever reason, and they were doing the same to Equestria. They'd had seventeen years for this jetty I'm standing on to not only be at least twenty feet above the level of the water, but also about a quarter of a mile away from it. Seriously, there's a ship right there in the middle of the beach! That'll totally ruin somepony's tanning session.
Oh right, and there's a dune buggy right in front of me and a giant magnet overhead, dangling off a crane. Plus a group of ponies fighting off these bug-like things which I presumed were the aforementioned antlions.
"You down there! You're Hex, right?" said an obviously amplified female voice. I looked up and saw a unicorn mare sitting in the cab. I could make out a greyish-purple coat and a pale yellow mane, but not much else because it was pretty high up.
"Yeah, that's me!" I gave her a wave. Damn, it really hurts when I shout that loud.
"Well, climb into the buggy and I'll lower you down! Shouldn't take a moment!"
Umm... okay. I wasn't completely sure about this. Not because a giant magnet would mean me straining to keep my glasses on my face and I still wasn't entirely used to my new and improved magical powers, but because giant magnets can and do fail, and I wouldn't quite like falling and breaking my anything.
The seat was surprisingly comfy - it felt like it was stuffed with hair, which considering Equestria's current situation was probably the case - yuck. The feeling of the wheel under my hooves and the weight of the freshly loaded ammo case on the back was incredibly reassuring, but what wasn't reassuring was the fact that my stomach dropped into my hooves when the magnet gripped the metal running over my head and lifted me into the air. Seriously, I've never held onto anything as tightly as I held onto that steering wheel, and it didn't help matters when the mare at the controls (What did Pinkie say her name was? Dinky? Pinkie and Dinky... dear sweet smeg on a bicycle) said "Oh, hang on; I'm having some trouble with the power."
And I swear, less than half a second after she said that, the power of the magnet failed and I crashed, upside down, onto the beach and was almost instantly swarmed by antlions.
"Sorry!" yelled Dinky. "I guess I've got my mom's clumsiness, I'm sorry!"
I gave her as cheery a wave as I dared and yelled "No worries!" which is my special way of saying "I'm never going to forgive you!" I nailed the nearest antlions with my shotgun, which would have been satisfying had I not wound up with brains in my hair and thorax splattered on my HEV suit.
This is gonna be tricky...
I climbed out of the buggy - hacking at the attacking bugs with my crowbar, which was clutched between my teeth due to the fact that I would need my horn free (not exactly easy) - and gave the buggy a quick burst of telekinesis which flipped it the right way up, before climbing in and hitting the gas.
You know what I said about the airboat earlier? Well, that comment can eat. My. ARSE! This was awesome! This was- this was so cool! I could fall out of this thing at any moment and that's what made it so... I don't think my heart has ever pumped so hard in my life - apart from, you know, every single time I see or think about or think about thinking about Twilight.
There's got to be more ridges and bumps on this beach than an unwashed teenager's face, and obviously they've got cars but not seatbelts in Equestria, but at least they have suspension so I can't feel every bump, but it still feels like I'm riding a skateboard down a mountainside. And it's fun as smeg! It's the thrill of knowing you could fall out at any moment that makes this so exciting. It's just... the antlion gore splattering against the windscreen free bonnet is rather off-putting. Other than that it's the dodgem car most kids could only dream of.
Well, I think that's enough faffing around on the beach. Time to hit the road!
Yes! This is what it feels like to be ALIVE!
"BORN TO BE WILD!!" There's nopony out here to hear me, so that means I can sing and scream all I like! I'd like to see Amber tell me off for making a racket now!
Hmm. Amber.
I wonder how she'd cope in my situation. She'd probably be twice as far along as me by now, because she's completely used to this sort of thing. I recall on the very same night she met Justin they were both imprisoned in a time-locked mountain fortress. Justin had been there for a full fifteen years, and hadn't walked for all that time due to being chained to the wall, so when he got out he could hardly stand up without help.
From what she told me, he and Amber used the chain connecting their shackles through the wall to saw through the soft mortar and bust out. Did I mention the fortress contained a very large stock of artillery, live ammunition, weaponry and explosives? Maybe I should have, because she chucked a grenade into the works and became the very first person in the entire multiverse to single-handedly cut an entire mountain in half.
U mad, Mythbusters?
Yeah, they mad.
Seriously, I don't think anyone - pony, human, humanoid or otherwise - could ever pull off something like that again. I mean, half a smegging mountain?! Smeg's sake! You know, Amber actually told me that it was the single most awesome thing she had ever done in her entire life. And she'd had a LOT of life. How in smeg's name am I supposed to compete with that? You tell me, 'coz I would really like to know.
Yeah, yeah, I should get back to the story. It's just that it seemed relevant at the time.
So I'm heading down the road, and there are several houses along the side of the highway which I know could have med kits and ammunition in them, but they also have pretty massive holes in the roofs and walls which indicate headcrab shells so... no. I won't.
Plus, I encountered a few Overwatch pit stops, but I managed to clear them out (I won't go into detail - this fic has a Teen rating and should be kept that way as much as possible) and picked up some health and ammo. I'm making this sound like a video game.
But that's what it is! Half-Life was my favourite game when I lived in Australia. Could you imagine how a teenage boy with little-or-no social life would react when he found there was a way to enter his favourite computer game? It's awesome! But then you find out that being in a world constantly under attack by alien douchebags isn't as fun as the production companies make it out to be, especially when said alien douchebags appear to have only let the world be ruined because they lost the instruction manual or something.
Seriously, I don't think the Combine know that I'm the One Free Stallion, so if something happens to me (which it hopefully wouldn't) the Resistance could just as easily send some other guy in another hazard suit with another crowbar and call him the One Free Stallion in my place...
You're right, that's stupid. I'm being stupid.
Hullo, what's this?
Looks kinda like a settlement or something. And there's ponies running around - it kinda looks like they're getting ready for something. I can feel the anticipation in the air... and that sounded like a line from a corny love song. You know, the ones about some bloke meeting a hot girl in a club and trying to chat her up? Those really smeg me off, because they're really generic and unrealistic. So you fancy some girl you've never even met and you're most likely never going to see her again in your whole life, so what? You can call me heartless if you like, but get the smeg over it, you pretentious... things!
Anyway, back to the point. Everypony was running around and grabbing weaponry - mostly guns, although I did see the odd bit of building here and there. There was a large house with a huge chunk missing from the roof set into a bank over there, and to the right there was a small sign that said "Little Flimflam". Eh?
The smeg does that mean?
"Hey, Hex!" The speaker was a chubby looking grey stallion with a dark mane and tail and... a knife and fork for a cutie mark? How the smeg does a pony get a knife and fork cutie mark? What's his special talent; eating? Holding stuff still and cutting it? I have no smegging idea... do you? Do you know how a pony is supposed to get a knife and fork for a cutie mark? Please, 'coz I'd really like to know.
What? You don't know?
Never mind.
"Better get down in the basement, quick!" he cried. "Gonna be gunships all over this place any second, and Mr Flim will be glad to see you made it."
Um... right. Basement. Glad we got that sorted out.
When I went down there I found a small group of ponies listening to a... was that a unicorn or an Earth pony? He was very tall and thin, and his mane looked like bacon (or maybe toothpaste - I dunno) and it looked like he'd- he'd cut off his own horn?! I could tell by the way it had been cut, but then again, I hadn't seen any unicorns in the Overwatch or CP: smeg knows what happens to them.
Back to the point: he was holding a rocket launcher (NICE) and describing it thus:
"This steerable rocket launcher is our best bet for taking down a gunship." Then he saw me. "Oh, greetings! Be with you in a moment. Where was I... oh yes. Using the laser guide, you can steer your rocket around the gunship's defences and prevent it from shooting down your rocket. Now bear in mind that this will only anger it at first, but if you can survive for long enough to make several direct hits then you shall be rewarded with a prize worthy of even the most regal mantelpiece. Now, who is to be the lucky one to carry it into combat?"
I raised my hoof to ask a question.
"Ah! Hex, I believe! I could not have asked for a finer volunteer."
He handed me the rocket launcher. Naturally I was in awe - I mean come on, it's a smegging RPG for crying out loud - but now it seemed I had to fight a gunship.
Great.
The ex-unicorn gave me a salute.
"The name's Flim, at your service-"
He was stopped in mid-sentence by a siren which cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.
Somepony yelled "Gunship!" and I caught myself thinking 'Really? I would never have guessed: I thought the dolphins were invading.'
"Damn!" Flim swore. "Allow me to send a warning to Lighthouse Point and I shall be right up to lend a hoof!"
As I was leaving, I caught sight of a photo frame on the wall, which showed that Flim bloke and another stallion who looked exactly like him save for the moustache and solid red mane.
This guy had a twin brother?
Ouch.
Right. Let's get this party started.
I ran outside, picking up some rockets on the way, and up into the house with the missing roof/wall - it'd give me a clear shot while still providing cover, so it kinda made sense.
Here it comes!
I can never get my head around what the gunships are, exactly. They look like really big crabs - really, really big crabs which have been turned into cyborgs (if that's the case then I don't want to know what they're shooting) but I felt one of them once and it was definitely fleshy. So what in smeg's name are they? I'm not gonna start this again because you probably already have too much on your mind.
It started shooting at the ponies who were outside and firing at it with varying shotguns and SMGs, providing ample distraction for me to fire a rocket and guide it right into the gunship, knocking it off course.
Bullseye, BITCH!
Oh smeg, now it's seen me!
I dived behind a door, and felt if being pounded over and over again by bullet after bullet after terrifying bullet. When it finally stopped I heard more gunfire, this time from the other Resistance ponies, and took another shot at the gunship.
And again, BULLSEYE!
And it's seen me again. That door's not gonna hold out, so I hid behind a section of wall, and again I felt the bullets slamming into it, but I also saw them hitting the floorboards in front of me and pounding them into Swiss cheese. Gonna have to jump that on the way out.
I stepped very carefully out of cover and took aim again.
Smeg! Missed. And that was my last rocket!
"Hey, take this ammo!"
I don't know who that was, but I'm very thankful for their contribution. I grabbed the rockets, slammed one into the launcher, and took aim...
"YEAH!!!" I screamed so loud that I hurt my throat. "THAT'S HOW WE DO IT IN MELBOURNE, BITCH!!!!"
Wow, I could actually feel the extra punctuation in my voice. Still, better than zero punctuation, eh?
My heart was pounding and felt like it was in my mouth, and I was panting despite the fact that I'd hardly even moved besides sidestepping a bit and pulling a trigger. I guess adrenaline can do that to a pony. I wonder what effect it has on magic...
I'll start an experiment as soon as this is over. Maybe I can even get Twilight in on it.
No, not in that way! Get those thoughts out of your head, you pervert!
I slung the rocket launcher across my back and left the ruined house to return to my buggy.
"Your reputation precedes you, Hex," said that Flim bloke, "I shall send somepony to open the gate for you momentarily."
"Thanks," I said.
Yeah, I wasn't feeling very talkative at that time. I got into the buggy and when a pony opened the gate I drove up the road and OH SMEG THERE'S ANOTHER GUNSHIP AND THE CLIFFSIDE HIGHWAY IS FULL OF BUSTED CARS SO I CAN'T OUTRUN IT.
BOLLOCKS.
Oh, wait, that van has a crate of rockets in the back for some reason. I climbed inside through a busted out window and crouched (hopefully) out of sight. The crowbar made quick work of the lock on the crate, so I took out a rocket, loaded my RPG and, once again, scored a bullseye.
This really was like playing Half Life 2. Except for the fact that I could die at any second, of course. Thank smeg it can't tell where the rockets are coming from or I'm deader than a dead thing in Deadsville in the International Year of Death, when it's feeling particularly dead.
Two more shots and it was history. I don't really feel like going into detail right now. After I punted the busted cars off the highway and into the ocean - seeing as the world's a dump now, I don't think a few extra bits of rubble in a lowering ocean will make much difference - I climbed back into the buggy and headed off again. And I swear I hadn't got one kilometre before I had to get out again.
You know what roller mines are? They're little electrical things, about the size of soccer balls (It's weird; every country calls that sport soccer except England, and those guys call it football because it's... I dunno) and they roll about disrupting electrical things and hurting things. They're rather annoying - not just because they're clinging to the buggy - but because when you take care of one, chances are there's two more behind you, bleeping and zapping and being generally, you know, annoying.
And the worst part is that they hide in the ground and you can't see them until you're almost on top of them, at which point they jump up and start being annoying in your face. They're like electric footballs crossed with piranhas.
I ran into three at an Overwatch outpost where they had set up a force field across the road, which by the looks of things was drawing power from a van hidden behind a building. After taking out the soldiers, I punted the van off the side of the cliff and it slid into the sea, at which point I grabbed the Overwatch's leftover ammo and hopped into the buggy.
Again, I'm going to fast forward a bit. I spent ages on that road, and honestly I don't remember most of the trip, but I think my memory gets a lot clearer when I reached the rail bridge.
Yes, the rail bridge.
The Overwatch had a surprisingly well organised set-up: I would take out one soldier, and find myself being shot in the flank by another. Once they were taken out I pulled out my PFM, but the worst damage was a few bruises and some minor shock. Nothing too major.
One of the houses had a set of binoculars in a broken window - the kind you find at the seaside where you put a coin in and make out the markings on the yachts on the horizon. There was one major difference here: rather than a nice ocean view, I could see what looked like a major Resistance base. Maybe it was that Lighthouse Point that Flim guy had mentioned, because there was definitely a lighthouse. There were ponies everywhere, one or two were shoving dead antlions into the ocean, and I could swear I saw the G-Colt in one of the upstairs windows.
I looked up at the bridge. I could tell I would have to drive across it, but there was another force field across it, and by the looks of at least two more at intervals. I saw that the cables ran along the bridge and...
...across to the other side?
Come ON!
Okay Hex, stay calm, you can do this. Just keep your cool.
There was a pathway carved into the cliff side, with a door leading into the bridge. A little bit of careful navigation and I was facing the massive arrangement of steel girders which kept the railway from falling into the shallow sea below.
Okay, nothing to worry about. I got through Ravenholm, right? I can do this. I can do this!
Smeg, those things are steep...
Here goes.
EEK! Slippery!
Okay, I think I've got a grip now. My hoof squeaked and slid off when I put it down the first time, but I think I'm okay. Were it not for the HEV suit, I would probably have slipped and fallen to my doom.
You're probably wondering "Why doesn't he just take the walkway? Don't all big bridges have them for maintenance and stuff?"
Well, there wasn't one. There were pieces here and there, but nothing really big. The only worthwhile stretch of trustable walkway was about halfway up, and in order to get to it I'd have to step outside the confines of the girders and there's Overwatch shooting at me now.
Hang on. Is that a crossbow? With a sniper scope?
Nice.
Rather than bolts it looked like it used rods of steel, and when I loaded it something magical in the crossbow made them heat up until they were glowing red. I don't know about you, but that is just... just so cool.
A few barnacles were hanging onto the underside of the bridge like evil lampshades, but I quickly took care of them - not with the crossbow though, because it can only hold five shots at a time. The entire bridge scene is too terrifying to relive completely, so I'll skip to the part where I was on the other side. I came to a room where there were a couple of Overwatch guarding a generator for the shield. I was getting a little tired of these guys, so I telekinetically grabbed a can of paint and coloured them white.
Then I shot them and blew up the generator with a grenade.
When I got outside, there was another gunship waiting for me. Thankfully there were some spare rockets at the midpoint of the bridge, so it was easy to take down so long as I dodged from girder to girder, hiding from the bullets, and avoided being shaken off by the rumble of a train passing overhead.
When I finally got back to the other side of the bridge, I found that the walkway back to my buggy was blocked by a headcrab unicorn zombie. I put it out of its misery and charged back to the buggy whilst trying to avoid being shot by Overwatch. I couldn't be bothered to shoot them all, so I drove past them and onto the bridge.
OH SMEG THERE'S A TRAIN COMING!
Okay, just concentrate...
I poured every droplet of energy I had into my horn, and struggled to levitate the buggy. Maybe if I did enough, I could lift it up and over the train.
Yes! Yes, it's working! Oh smeg, it hurts, but it's working!
Oh smeg, I just... I can't keep this up.
The buggy fell with a crash onto the roof of the train. Instinct kicked in and I slammed a hoof down onto the accelerator. The speedo climbed to 100kmph, 125, 160...
And finally the train ended, and I shot off the end like a champagne cork.
Any more like this and I was going to fall asleep at the wheel.
But I had a job to do, and by smeg, I was going to bloody well do it.
Lighthouse Point couldn't be too far away, could it? |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 8 - Sandtraps | "Unhand me this instant! Release me, you dogs! You brutes!"
She struggled and strained against the ponies who held her, but it was no use: they were just too strong. Every time she managed to get a limb free, another ghastly pony would seize it and hold it still.
It wasn't long before she was held without a single hoof touching the floor. She still struggled though. Her mane could wait - in any other circumstances, she may have considered her appearance a matter of life or death, but now that she was in a real matter of such, all she wanted to do was run and hide.
"Get off me! Didn't you hear me, I said get OFF! Don't you know who I am? Let me GO!"
She looked up at the sound of that strangely familiar voice. It was a tall white unicorn stallion - they were always unicorns - who was battling the horrible Overwatch like a trained warrior. He bucked and punched and kicked and threw one of them off the catwalk, where it hit the concrete in front of her and sprayed blood everywhere.
It was all she could do not to vomit on the floor.
She watched until the stallion was finally restrained, every one of his hooves suspended in the air, and they threw him roughly into the tall, pillar-like machine.
His scream was deafening and blood curdling.
As she watched, a horrible creature walked out of the other side. It was barely even recognisable as a pony anymore, let alone a living creature. She felt her blood ran cold in her veins.
That... that was going to happen to her?
But-but she was only just starting to live her life. She had spent so many years believing that appearance - the strict following of fashion and painstaking care in one's make-up and hair styling - was the most important thing a pony could worry about.
And then she had met him. The gentle golden stallion, the most kind and handsome pony she had ever met (when he wasn't talking about his town, of course) and the only one who had cared for her in the way she had dreamed since she was a little filly.
He didn't even know she was missing. Nopony did. She would disappear and nopony would notice. And after all the awful things she had done in her life, would anypony even care that she was gone?
Then they started to carry her towards the machine.
She twisted her body this way and that, trying to pull her legs out of her captor's grasp, and screamed blue murder (even though she was white, not blue) but it was useless.
"Hey."
It wasn't a shout. It wasn't even particularly loud. The voice was barely more than a whisper, but it was enough for the thugs restraining her to freeze, and all of them turned around slowly.
They were faced by the angriest pegasus she had ever seen. His overall appearance was more rugged than infuriated; 5 o'clock shadow, ragged mane, bandages covering most of one side of his face and the tattered remains of a blue and yellow uniform.
The rage was concentrated into his left eye. It almost glowed with undiluted fury, and it had been so long since she'd seen such a soul-piercing shade of green.
And the feathers of his right wing were curled around a minigun.
"Now listen guys," he said to her captors, "we can do this the easy way... or the Wonderbolt way."
The thugs dropped Rarity to the floor and took hold of their own firearms, but rather than fear, Soarin's expression became one of satisfaction which could almost pass for pleasure.
"I guess it's gonna be the Wonderbolt way."
Hell hath no darker smile than the one that split his face at that moment.
"Hex!"
I remember this guy. It was the same stallion who had let me through into the second half of the underground and told me that the guy the Combine were hunting (read: me) was boned. Apparently he's at Lighthouse Point now. Smeg knows why.
"If Ah had known who you were," he said as I pulled to a stop, "Ah swear I would have given ya all the help ya needed. Ah've heard so much about ya!"
"Uh," I said, "well, there isn't much to tell, really."
"Anyway, the Combine's on the hunt for ya," he said, "and they know you've got the buggy so yer gonna have to go on hoof from here."
"Where should I put it?"
"Garage, over there. And make it quick, we're expectin' dropships any second!"
So I parked the buggy in a nearby garage and quickly jumped outside again. Dropships? That couldn't be good.
"You know," I told the other guy once I was outside again, "this is going to be a lot easier if I know your name."
"It's Braeburn."
An apple breed. How did I guess? The country accent was a good clue, along with the apple cutie mark... whatever. I'm too tired to be worrying about this right now. Besides, there're dropships on the way. I don't have time to be making snarky comments.
What am I saying? I've always got time to make snarky comments!
Okay, right. It looks like I'm going to have to use my guns for this one. Something I've noticed about the Overwatch is that the ones with blue eyes usually have machine guns, and the ones with orange eyes always have shotguns, so I'm not about to run out of ammunition.
But what's not very comforting is that I've seen loads of the guys, but I haven't seen a single unicorn...
I don't know what happens to them, and the truth is I don't want to know.
Here they come!
Everypony else is hiding, and I don't want to sound arrogant but it kinda seems like a rather dumb thing to do. There's going to be more than one, and they're bound to have at least fifteen or twenty troops on board, so why wait for them to pile up? Take 'em out as soon as you can and get it over with.
Like this.
Welcome to Hex's Combine Resistance for Kiddies Who Want to Live to be Eighteen! Today, boys and girls, we're going to learn how to defend a small town from a group of complete smegheads who want to wipe out a bunch of innocent civilians for no reason whatsoever!
Now kids, you may need to get your mummy's and daddy's permission for some of the things we're going to be using today, but don't worry! Once we get started you can have hours of harmful fun!
As you can see, I already have all my tools prepared, but you will need to scavenge the remaining items for yourself. A friend will give you a crowbar, but as you travel through the underbelly of City 17, a zombie infested town whose only inhabitant is a nutcase pirate wannabe, and a coastline infested with Combine and weird bug things that want to eat you, don't miss any opportunities to pick up extra weaponry.
So, you will need a crowbar, USP Match, a Heckler & Koch MP7, a .357 Magnum, several MK3A2 Grenades, a Combine SPAS-12, an Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifle, an RPG, a roughly cobbled crossbow, and possibly other weapons that I can't remember right now.
Now, what you need to do, boys and girls, is to wait until the dropships are coming into land, because then you'll know where the troops are coming out. Then just as the dropships are landing you hide nearby where they can't see you, because that will give you the element of surprise. Remember kids: they can't see ya, they ain't gonna beat ya!
And want you want to do now is to jump out, right as the Overwatch are getting their bearings, and slam five consecutive bullets into their foreheads. Just like that. See? It's easy. Now you try it!
Okay, I'm sorry.
But that does seem to be the best strategy. Wait until they've only just been dropped off and waste the smeggers right there and then before they've got a clue what's going on.
"They're comin' in over the road!"
Great. You know, the Combine are really inconsiderate. Couldn't they have landed somewhere other than the other side of the town... village... thing?
You're right; I should focus on the job at hand.
Hoof?
I dunno.
Once I was done with the ones coming over the road, Braeburn shouted "Another one comin' in at the lighthouse!" And then when I had dealt with those guys, a gunship raised itself out of smegging NOWHERE and started strafing at me, so me and some other ponies took shelter in the lighthouse.
"I'm gonna have to take that thing out, aren't I?" I asked.
"Sorry, but you're the fella wit' the RPG," said Braeburn. "There's a crate o' rockets up the top 'case ya run out."
"Thanks," I said, and this time I actually meant it. I got the feeling that Braeburn was a pretty decent guy - certainly a guy I wouldn't mind having a beer with. And hey, Rarity said she fancied him before the invasion, and any friend of my friend is a friend of mine.
Well, probably more than a friend by now, but that's beside the point.
Hey, do you ever get these weird impulses whenever something dangerous is nearby? Like, say you were heading to school one morning and you got the sudden urge to jump in front of a car just to see what would happen. Or when you get up to the top of a lighthouse, you start to feel like jumping off. Do you ever get that? I do. It's so weird. I scare myself sometimes.
I wonder what it's like to get hit by an RPG. Judging by what happened to that one Overwatch soldier who just WOULDN'T SMEGGING DIE, it can't be very pleasant.
Of course, it's okay for the gunships, because they can take three before they go down.
Speaking of which...
Triple check and mate, sucker!
Oh smeg, did I seriously think that? I gotta calm down; I don't want to turn into a smegging serial killer!
Deep breaths... that's better. Urge to kill lowering. Heart rate returning to normal. That's better. You know, I feel curiously better for that.
Thing is, what if another one comes along?
I grabbed some extra rockets and headed back downstairs, to where Braeburn was waiting for me.
"Y'all okay?" he asked.
"I've been better," I told him, "but I think I'll live."
"Good ta know," said Braeburn. "Twilight's gonna need all the help she kin git at Nova Discord."
"How far is it?"
"Lighthouse Point makes the two-third point from City 17, and Little Flimflam makes the one-third point, so you ain't got far to go. But since the Combine's on the hunt for ya, y'all will have ta walk from here."
I cursed something horrible in my mind.
"Ah'll let ya out onta the cliff path," said Braeburn, "but Ah'm 'fraid from there y'all will be alone."
"I understand," I told him, "but I think I'll be okay. Let me just grab some extra ammo."
He nodded, and I ran up and out of the lighthouse. Raiding guns for ammunition is a lot easier when you can actually use your telekinesis to lift something heavier than a feather. When I got back in Braeburn was in the basement, and had opened a door which led out onto a cliff path, like he'd said. I thanked him for his help and left Lighthouse Point.
The cliff path was very narrow and broken in places which were hardly reasonable, but I made it across and into a sheltered tunnel bit. I considered curling up and taking a quick nap - seriously, I'm starting to get really tired - but I had a job to do and by smeg I was going to get it done.
On the other side of the tunnel I came to a bit where there was a ring of wide, flat rocks protruding from the ground. They cut off the grassy bit I stood on from a bit which was sand as far as the eye could see, surrounded by walls of rock which weren't quite tall enough to qualify as cliffs.
On another couple of flat rocks, cut off from the rest by a ring of sand, where two pegasi. Mares. One (unconscious) grey with a blonde mane and bubbles cutie mark, the other amber with a turquoise mane and triple raindrop cutie mark.
"Stop!" she commanded. "Don't come any closer! Whatever you do, don't touch the sand, it drives the antlions crazy!"
"Well, can I help?" I asked, because there had to be something I could do, but then the grey mare began to stir.
"No!" cried her friend. "No, Ditzy, don't get up-"
Too late. The grey mare, apparently named Ditzy, rolled off the rock and onto the sand, and as soon as she did a group of antlions sprang out of the ground and started to savage the two mares. I shot them all and blew them to smithereens, but like I said, it was too late. The grey one was dead.
"Ditzy," he friend moaned, "no..."
She turned to me.
"You should go," she said, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Fluttershy's camp is up ahead, but whatever you do, stay off the sand. There's nothing else you can do now."
Easier said than done. There're plenty of rocks raised above the sand, and lots of big sheets of steel and stuff for me to haul around and make temporary stepping stones (even though they weren't stones) but it was still quite a challenge.
And even though I know I'm supposed to be focused on the task at hand (hoof? I can never figure this out) there was so much pain in that mare's eyes. It was obvious those two had been friends for a very, very long time, and now that grey one had just been killed...
What was her name? Ditzy?
I didn't even know who she was, and now she's dead... and now that's got me thinking.
How many innocent ponies - ponies I didn't know, had never or would never or could never know - were killed by the Combine? 'How many ponies were there in Equestria' would be a more useful question really, because I suspect that about 90% were taken in by the Combine, so that would leave about 10% of the population remaining: still a significant number, and maybe 0.75% if not 1% were Resistance...
Why the smeg am I trying to turn this into something mathematical?
Because maths is something I understand, along with science, technology and how to not die. Those are the few things I really and I mean truly know, along with how to make a fool of myself in front of the mare I love.
And everypony's acting as though I'm some big hero, like any second I'm going to pull a machete out of my arse and go Jason Voorhees on the Advisors while shooting Trixie in the forehead with a .44 Magnum (the most powerful handgun in the world - do ya feel lucky?) and summoning smegging Cthulhu to devour the Citadel and poop a rainbow to cleanse the world and free all the little bunnies.
I am not a hero. I've learned a lot about being a hero, having practically been the substitute brother of one for the best several years of my life (and no, she didn't friendzone me; we just never thought of each other in that way) but there's no way I'm ever going to be a real one.
Although...
Brown hair? Check. Green eyes? Check. Glasses? Check. Powered armour? Check. Ridiculous amounts of firepower? Check. Crowbar? Check.
Fighting the Combine while trying to assist love interest and not be killed myself? Check.
Holy smeg... I'm turning into Gordon Freeman!
The reason I'm rambling like this is because, again, I'm sure you're not interested in every single little detail of my trek across what used to be the beaches of Equestria, and was now a breeding ground for these antlion things. The worst part is that if I put so much as a hoof on the sand they spring up like a jack-in-the-box, but don't seem to notice if I stand on a steel door or sheet of corrugated iron which somehow wound up nearby.
Seriously, how did this stuff even get here? I'd understand if it came along with the Combine - with just about everything else, it would seem - but how did it end up all over the beach?
WHOA.
That was too close. Almost fell off.
Okay, how am I going to do this? This sort of seesaw thing. I'm gonna have to try and put as much weight as possible on one end so I can use it as a slope to get onto that big rock up there.
I think that should be enough. If not...
SMEG!!
Gotta run gotta run gotta run gotta shoot the antlions, and stop them from eating my head.
There. Safe- Not safe and sound!
Whew. That was close. One of them landed on my back. My back, for smeg's sake! I only just got my crowbar out in time. And now I've got antlion brains on the back of my neck.
Yuck.
Second time lucky.
As I was saying...
Because of me all of Equestria has fallen into complete and total ruin. I'm pretty sure the Cutie Mark Crusaders weren't supposed to be freedom fighters. Who the smeg wants an SMG on their flank, anyway?
Although that would be kinda cool...
But that wasn't what they were supposed to be. They were supposed to grow up with normal lives, not having to battle and wage war just for the right to breathe. And even worse: I know what the Combine do to children. It isn't nice, and I'm not going to tell you what it is, just that they don't come back.
Or if they do, you can't recognise them.
Sometimes, I wonder how any creature could be so evil. When I was travelling with Amber I came across the most unspeakable horrors in the multiverse, and somehow I retained my sanity... I think. Quite often I rely on others to tell me about my mental state, because I'm sure you'll agree that your own self can't be very good for that kind of evaluation.
For example, I once asked Amber to tell me if I snored, and she told me that I did, but I didn't believe her, so I set up a recorder just in case. Turns out she wasn't just right: I snored like a pig with pneumonia.
See what I mean? Judging yourself can only lead to trouble, and thanks to Amber I spent nearly ten days in the Chasm of Sar.
I'm not saying you should never think about yourself - it can save your life.
Like...
Equestria isn't just a world anymore. It's MY world. It's the world I chose to live in, and I'm going to take responsibility for it.
How dare the Combine come here and try to destroy it. How DARE they! These were innocent ponies. I bet some of them had never even heard the word 'war' before. And... How many ponies were there in Ponyville alone who hadn't left school yet? How many didn't have their cutie marks? How many... How many weren't even old enough for school?
All those ponies...
Oh smeg it, I can't afford to think like this right now. But...
I know I have a job to do. I know I have to get to Nova Discord and help Twilight get the Doctor, but that doesn't mean I can't think about stuff.
Okay. Better get my head in the game.
I can see a thumper up ahead. I think it's something to do with vibrations: they thump really heavy weights into the ground and antlions can't go within about fifteen metres of them. But it's turned off, and there aren't really any easily accessible and large enough pieces of debris for me to form stepping stones with.
I'm just gonna have to leg it.
Time it right... three, two one-
RUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNRUNPRESSTHEBUTTONQUICK!!
Phew. Turned it on just in time. Thing is now I'm surrounded by the smegging things, and every time I shoot one two more take its place. There's a massive mound of rocks over there, and I don't need X-ray vision to see there's something on the other side. I can hear something moving as well. And it... kinda sounds like it's... pretty big.
But in the words of Prince Vultan and Freddie Mercury, who wants to live forever?
This shouldn't be too hard. I can levitate myself and a buggy at the same time, so just levitating myself shouldn't be too hard. Heck, if I do this enough times it should be as easy as lifting a feather.
Here we go. Give me some dramatic music for atmosphere, would you?
Dundundun dundundun dundundundun DUNDUN dun dun ditdit DAH DAH DAH. Dundundun dundundun dundundundun DUNDUN dun dun ditdit NAH NAH NAH badadah badadah badadadiddlelat-dah... badadah badadah bedah-daddle-lah!
The shadows are getting rather long. I wonder how long I've been doing this, and yes, that is the fighter music from Star Wars, from the scene where Han Solo and Luke Skywalker battle the Empire after rescuing Princess Leia. Before that franchise became more overused than primary school sports equipment.
Pretty good music for flying by magic, don't you think?
And it worked, too!
Antlions can fly.
Sorry, but when I'm annoyed I quite often state the obvious in a sarcastic deadpan voice, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who does.
OH SMEG. I was right: on the other side of this rock wall there's an enormous empty basin of sand. Pure sand. It's covered in tiny little bits of litter and for some reason, barrels of explosive liquid.
Heh, it's okay, I wasn't planning on living today. HO. LY.
SMEG.
GING.
HELL.
That thing is absolutely smegging HUGE!!! It looks like the mother of all antlions! And it's coming right for me like a charging bull. Holy smeg, I am done for.
GAH! It almost hit me!
I think I know the reason for those barrels of explosive stuff now. Let me just pick one up...
There we are.
Right. I've got to wait until it's charging at me again. Then I've got the best chance of a good shot, even though it sounds like the most terrifyingly bad plan in the history of terrifyingly bad plans. Counting down to one...
ONE!
It hit, but I think I just made it angry. Let me just try again. Okay, okay, deep breaths, stay calm...
ONE AGAIN!
It kinda looks like it's bleeding now. It's got stuff pouring off it in buckets, and it's absolutely disgusting. Were it not for the sand I would be swimming in the stuff. I think one more shot should do the trick.
Just stay calm, you can do this, Hex...
And, for the third time, ONE!
There. I've done it. It's dead. I hope.
"Thank you, Hex."
Wait a sec- it can't be!
"That monster wasn't letting anypony leave."
I turned around, and saw that it was indeed who I thought it was. Or maybe it's some other yellow pegasus with a long pink mane and greenish-blue eyes.
"Fluttershy!" I cried, and she ran over and gave me a great big hug. Suddenly, I didn't feel so bad. If she charged money for hugs, this girl could quite possibly be the richest mare in Equestria.
Seriously, for the fifteen seconds I spent hugging her, I felt considerably better about myself.
"You might want to stand back a little," she said when she released me, and approached the dead giant antlion. "Getting the pheropods out is... not very clean, I'm afraid."
Pheropods?
She took a knife out of a saddlebag and slit open the monster's abdomen (yuck) before reaching in (double yuck) and pulling out some small pod-like things about the size of cricket balls, which squeaked like two inflatables being rubbed together when she gave them to me.
"Follow me," she said, and headed through a door in an artificial wall in the rock.
She seems to have got a lot more confident since the invasion, but I don't really want to know how that happened. It was probably some horrible experience she had to live through. And she seemed totally fine with me killing that giant antlion thing, which means she's lost a little of her love for animals.
And... her love for animals was what made her Fluttershy. It's what made her who she was. If she's lost that...
Wow, it's nice and shady in here. Cool too. Apart from the shelter and the fire over there with the group of demon dogs and the... is that a zebra? She's white with black stripes, so I guess she is, but what is one of them doing in a place like this?
"Greetings Hex, and have no dread," she said when she saw me, "Nova Discord is just up ahead, but if in this life you wish to stay, you must let Miss Fluttershy show you the way."
Um... "Thanks."
I guess zebras in Equestria speak in rhyme. Wish somepony had told me so it didn't seem so weird.
Fluttershy led me up a narrow path and through a small opening into a much larger cave which looked like it was split into two levels, one considerably lower than the other and with a pit in the middle, and on the edge of that pit a dummy of an Overwatch pony (at least, I sincerely hoped it was a dummy) was tied to a large post.
"This is something you'll have to remember, if that's alright with you," said the yellow pegasus, and she sounded like her old meek self again. Maybe she hasn't changed as much as I'd thought.
"What is it?" I asked. "It doesn't involve going onto the sand, does it? It's just that every time I do-"
Fluttershy promptly stepped onto the sand, and not one, not two, but three antlions sprang out of the ground.
"That happens," I finished unnecessarily.
The antlions focused upon me and her and started making a beeline. I drew my crowbar in preparation, but Fluttershy held up a hoof to stop me. Good thing she did, too: rather than attacking, the bugs swarmed around us as if we were their mother. It was kinda cute in a weird, slightly grotesque way.
"How are you doing that?" I asked. "No, wait: it's the pheropods, isn't it?"
"Um, yes," said Fluttershy. "The antlion queens use them to control the rest of the swarm. Poor things."
"Poor things?"
"Before the Combine came here, they used to be pony-like shape-changing creatures called Changelings. But the invasion happened, and the portal storms mutated the poor little babies until they didn't even look like ponies anymore. And, um, you probably already know about the parasprites."
"Yeah," I said, "and I really wish I didn't."
"So do I," Fluttershy said, and wiped away a tear. "I thought dragons were scary, but dragons would never mutilate innocent creatures just because they could. Oh, my poor little Angel..." She let out a small sob, but was quick to compose herself.
"Anyway," she said, "that's in the past now. Nova Discord is a dangerous place and you're going to need some help. And I think these little guys will be more than happy to help you."
She tossed a pheropod into the pit, and the antlions clustered around the point of impact and clawed at it as if trying to dig the spilt pheromones out of the sand. Gotta admit: that's rather impressive.
"Can I try?" I asked.
"Go right ahead," she said.
Just to experiment I threw a pheropod at what I had sincerely hoped was a dummy. You should have seen it: the antlions tore into that thing as if it had eaten one of their babies and they were trying to get it out.
"Whoa," was all I could say.
"That's what everypony else said when they saw what the pheropods do to the antlions," Fluttershy explained. "If you squeeze them, they'll follow you wherever you go."
I gave a pheropod a small squish, and true to the pegasus' word, the trio of bug things leapt to attention in a rather staggered flock by my side.
"Wait a minute," I said as something else caught my attention. "What if I run out?"
"Pheropods regenerate themselves," said Fluttershy as she walked over to a gate, "so you won't be running out any time soon."
She pulled on a lever and the gate was winched high enough for me and the bugs to pass underneath.
"Good luck," she wished me. "Celestia knows you're going to need it."
It was a lot darker on the other side, but there was a soft glow at the end of the tunnel. No, I wasn't dead. I think I would have noticed.
As I made my way out I was met by more antlions, and I gave a pheropod a squeeze to make sure they followed me, but I hadn't got ten metres from the other side when I ran into a thumper. It was within range of another thumper as well, which meant I could either continue on alone and get cheesed (like getting creamed, but takes a bit longer and is generally more complicated) or turn them off and risk getting detected.
There was a third option: turn around and high-tail it out of there.
But what kind of pony do you think I am?
So I climbed up the ladder and to where the controls were situated and turned the thumper off, and as I suspected a feminine if robotic voice declared that the antlion defences had been breached. I couldn't make out what it was saying, but I knew that I would have to make this quick.
I wonder if they had any world wars in Equestria, because then I would have a "storming the beach" to compare this too, but that seems unlikely so I'm going to compare this to the beach-storming at Normandy during WW2. Only I bet those troops didn't send a single smegging bloke in an HEV suit with a small horde of antlions at his flank.
But you know what the best part is? Everything's happening on the sand, so by attacking me the Combine are really just increasing the odds that are already stacked against them by my ridiculous amounts of firepower (and a crowbar - the crowbar is the important bit).
Let's DO this!
The last time I did this was exactly never ago. Yeah, you may find it hard to believe, but never before in my life have I attacked a large Combine depot with a swarm of mutated pony bug things.
But I should be able to work this out: run like hell, throw a pheropod here and there to lure the antlions into attack - they really will do ANYTHING to get that stuff - and shoot anypony who somehow manages to survive the hordes. I'm alternating between guns to save on ammunition, but I'm saving my pistol for any headcrabs that may or may not come along because it isn't exactly the most powerful weapon in my artillery.
Thing is, it's pretty hard to gallop on sand, because it's so soft. It's like it drains your energy or something and- OW! See, I just slipped and got a face full of sand. Ever got sand in your mouth? Not very nice, is it? And it's even worse when it goes up your nose.
I miss my fingers sometimes.
Hang on...
THAT'S how the non-unicorns fire guns! They have the handles in their mouths and use their tongues to pull the triggers. Except the pegasi: by the looks of things they use their prehensile feathers to both hold and shoot the firearms.
Glad I worked that out. But it would still be nice to see a unicorn or two. I'm starting to feel like they might be hornist.
That sounded really dirty, didn't it? Forget I said it.
Okay, it looks like I'm going to have to keep close to the watchtowers, because otherwise they've got a clear shot at my big brown head. Thing is, it's the one part of my body which is uncovered, but they all take pot shots at my body. It's really strange, and according to my PFM I'm getting nothing but bruises.
WOW.
That must be Nova Discord. I'd heard it was heavily fortified, but the other Resistance members could have spared a moment to tell me it was HUGE. I think it's built into the cliff, because it's absolutely massive. I don't really want to have to paint you a picture. Lots of spotlights too, but I doubt a place that gargantuan could ever have anypony breaking out. It's like Shawshank without the smeghead warden or the epic story.
Looks like I'm going to have to climb up this cliff. At least there's a good ladder. But why have ladders in a world populated entirely by creatures with no way of holding onto the rungs except for wrists and ankles? It's pretty hard - not impossible, but hard. At least I can throw some pheropods overhead so my antlion buddies can take out any Overwatch up above.
Huh, that was interesting.
See, my way in is going to have to be this massive pipe, and a pegasus zombie just jumped out, straight past me, and crashed into the ocean several hundred metres below.
That was very interesting.
In I go, then. Looks like it'll be a while before I actually get into the prison structure, so I'll have to take out the Combine troops still dumb enough to think they can take us all down - by us, I mean me and the antlions. Seriously, they may have been a bit murderous towards me before, but now their genocidal attitude is coming in rather handy. Look at that! That one just took out two of them as if it was nothing! Cool or what? And they're working in teams, too. This is, by far, the most interesting firefight I have ever been involved in.
What's odd is that it rather looks as if a few of the more intelligent soldiers are trying to reason with the bugs, or convince them to attack me instead. And they're getting clawed to pieces. I know this should be laughable, but in truth...
In truth, it's rather sad. It means those ponies have retained enough of their old selves to have a little intelligence. And that intelligence has just been snuffed out.
I should move on. They're dead, which means there's nothing else I can do for them, just like there was nothing I could do for that grey mare who I saw die in her friend's hooves.
Oh smeg, there's another gunship! It's okay, I've got a full stock of rockets and I can see a crate over there. I'll just- just hit it, like that. And again.
Whoa, it almost hit me that time! One more shot...
Just like that.
It's dead.
And hey, it blew up a pipeline and now there's a great big hole in the wall! Alright, it looks as if it leads into a maintenance area or something, but that's a start. It'll lead into the main prison structure.
Don't worry, Twilight. I'm on my way. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 9 - Nova Discord | "Attention citizens. Please evacuate the buildings and assemble in the main road in an orderly fashion."
Nopony left any buildings. One mare closed the shutters on her window, tumbleweeds drifted across the dusty street and somewhere in the distance, a hawk let out a piercing cry.
There was no other sound. There hadn't been any other sound ever since the dropships had landed, and it was for an extremely good reason: the Appleloosans had seen what had happened to the buffalo. Would any pony want to associate with such monsters after that?
No. They would not.
"Attention citizens. Use of live ammunition has been authorised. Please evacuate the buildings and assemble in the main road in an orderly fashion, or we will open fire."
Still nopony left. Even for a one-horse town, this place was extraordinarily quiet. A single face - that of a yellow pegasus with a long, flowing pink mane and blue-green eyes - looked around a door, but she squeaked in terror when she saw the Overwatch standing in the middle of the street and closed the door again.
"This isn't working," said the commander. With a couple of motions of his hoof, groups of black-armoured stallions and mares trotted casually into each of the structures and started dragging out the protesting ponies.
"Where's Rarity?" demanded one: a golden stallion with a two-toned mane, green eyes, a single apple as a cutie mark and most distinctively a large hat and a vest. "What in tarnation have y'all done with her?!"
The response to this demand was a whack across the face with the butt of a rifle.
"Hey!" yelled a Palomino mare in a Stetson. "You leave mah cousin alone!"
"Move it!" the Overwatch officers demanded, and it wasn't long before the entire town was assembled outside in the heat of the baking sun.
"You all have a choice," the commander declared. "You may join our ranks, become members of the Overwatch, and bring honour and glory to your family, or die at the hooves of our rifles."
"Neither."
The stallion who had spoken out now left the crowd and stood between them and the Overwatch.
"Oh no," whimpered a dull pink mare with a deathly straight mane, "he's going to die!"
"Yer not takin' anypony today," said Braeburn, "and yer not takin' any Appleloosan any day! We are proud ponies, and we ain't gon let ourselves fall! Y'all may've killed mah friends, but ya ain't takin' mah family!"
Rather than saying anything, the Overwatch commander simply nodded at the soldier who was nearest to the objective farmer, who seconds later was lying semi-conscious in the dust.
"Braeburn!" cried Applejack, and she ran forward and cradled her cousin's head in her hooves.
"Did... Did it work?"
That was the last thing he said before he passed out. Applejack looked up when she heard the cocking of a rifle, and found herself staring straight down a metal barrel at unseeing, glowing orange eyes.
"Let this be an example to all those who resist the might of the Combine," said the wielder of the gun.
Suddenly, from above, a single word pierced the tension of the atmosphere and cut through the heat like a hot knife through butter:
"SPITFIRE!!!"
And then, all hell broke loose.
Tell you what? You do this.
I've been talking for far too long. For a moment, put yourself in my armoured horseshoes. This is you, invading Nova Discord with a small army of antlions.
Here you go...
When you open the door to the inner Combine sanctum that is Nova Discord, you find your heart can't decide whether to pound in your throat or sink into your hooves. The good thing is that it isn't particularly evil or nasty looking: in fact, it looks just like any other prison, just a little older. Nopony's there to shoot your brains out and that reassures you.
The bad thing is that it isn't particularly evil or nasty looking: in fact, it looks just like any other prison, just a little older. If everything had been horrible - say, massive black metal things and ponies with guns all over the place - it would have felt like a challenge, a real boss fight. The fact that there isn't anything there is cause for worry, because you know it means the worst is still to come.
You proceed through the door, feeling the antlion's absence behind you. The missing sound of their claws rattling on the concrete floor reminds you that you're alone in this endeavour, but that they're on your side now and may turn up again. Although you consider that if too many die Fluttershy may never forgive you.
You're in a cell block. The floors, as already stated, are concrete and the walls bear a coating of peeling turquoise paint, further driving home the knowledge that you have been missing from Equestria far longer than you would have preferred. These cells are empty now. You wonder what happened to the prisoners that were already here, and come to the conclusion that whatever it was, it couldn't have been very nice.
Just for a joke, you wrap a toilet in your telekinesis and yank it off the wall. Who knows? It might come in rather handy.
Hoofy?
It's just that they don't have hands in Equestria and...
Whatever.
You descend to the lower floor, noticing a massive hole carved into the concrete floor, as if an antlion had tunnelled up from below. To the left, you see a cell with a light on and a massive hole in the wall leading through into some kind of office.
There's a headcrab in the hole. You shoot the toilet at it, and it is one of the most hilarious things you've ever done.
Crawling through the hole deposits you into the office, but once you leave it you find yourself diving for cover as more bullets start whizzing past. A quick scan of the area reveals no troops in the immediate area, but there is a turret which is shooting at you like no tomorrow.
So, as with the toilet, you wrap your telekinesis around it and push it to the floor. You leave the corridor and head up a set of stairs with a chain link fence at the top, but just when you consider that this may have all been worthless, you notice that one of the corners is drastically bent in so that you can climb over it and onto the other side into another corridor, punting the turrets that try to shoot at you.
You follow the corridor until you come to an office (or maybe it's a guard room) and take the opportunity to recharge your HEV suit at a handy charging station.
When you leave the office you follow the corridor to another stairway, and head upstairs to yet another hallway. In a dark room to the right, you find some more nanites and ammunition. Then you go to a nearby exit, and take out a couple more turrets before proceeding through the door, down a ladder and into a flooded basement.
You make your way across the basement to a stairway, taking out the barnacles clinging to the ceiling on the way, and find a small room where the roof has collapsed. So you climb through the hole and head towards a pair of double doors, but before you get there a skylight collapses and a pair of headcrabs fall out. Thankfully you can take them out before they can do any proper damage.
After the headcrabs are done and dusted, you proceed through the door and head down the cell block and then drop through a hole in the floor and almost land on a dead guard - nasty. In the next room, a couple of turrets have been stationed on the upper level walkway, so you quickly run to behind a pillar to get out of their line of sight. The turrets are easily dealt with thanks to a couple of grenades which you restock with some that you grab off the dead guard, and then head upstairs. After which, you yank some boards off a window to get onto the other side of the door, but all that's there is a cave-in of rubble...
...oh, and some supplies, which you thankfully grab. You exit this little hole, and head upstairs to the next corridor.
You're starting to feel like you're walking through a maze - or more appropriately for the situation, a labyrinth. You haven't encountered any major challenges yet, and start to wonder if you ever will. Like the Ancient Greek minotaur and that bloke who slew it. What was his name again?
Never mind. It's not really important. What is important is that you're in a fortified structure, formerly a prison, with a name which literally translates into "New Chaos".
After a while you come to another office thing, and a headcrab tries to eat your face so you indulge in a little impromptu cricket and it smashes into the wall. You collect the ammunition somepony conveniently left there, and head onwards into a long and empty corridor, which is rather suspicious considering the circumstances.
You come to a railing which is overlooking what are quite obviously the prison showers, or were the prison showers about twenty years ago. It's very empty and suspiciously quiet, and you consider high-tailing it out of there and searching for a different route, but wonder if you'd have time to do that anyway.
So you vault over the railing.
Almost instantly, a massive antlion thing comes charging around a corner. In a blind panic you levitate yourself off the ground and float back up to the railings, but by the time you do you've tired yourself out and hardly have the strength to pull yourself back up.
While catching your breath, you carefully weigh your options. It would be so easy to turn around and gallop back the way you came, and as stated before, find another way through Nova Discord, and it would probably be even easier to just leave this place altogether, forget about your mission and try to find a way to live with a dying planet and a conscience the size of the moon.
However, you notice that again, there's several conveniently placed barrels of explosive liquids (nitro-glycerine, maybe?) which appear to be readily available to throw at this monster. Plus, you have a recently restocked supply of rockets just waiting to be fired.
It takes you five seconds to work out what to do. You take out your rocket launcher, take careful aim and fire.
The rocket slams into the monster's side, sending it barrelling into a wall and stumbling out in a daze with a massive scorch mark on its side. After reloading the rocket launcher, you fire again and this time the thing starts bleeding profusely. The shower drains work harder than they ever have in all their existence.
You take aim for presumably the last time...
...but a Combine soldier shoots at you, hits you in the chest and knocks you off balance.
You take him out with a shot from the .357 Magnum, but you've now run out of rockets and are going to have to jump down into the belly of the beast - so to speak - to lob a barrel of explosive at the monster.
And you do exactly that, and end up with giant antlion gore all over your face.
Yuck.
You quickly raid the area for supplies and move on through a pair of double doors, which until that point had been barred with benches and planks and assorted rubble - including a couple of laundry carts for some weird reason. When you go through, the floor explodes and antlions erupt from beneath the concrete. It would have been better if they'd arrived a little sooner, but you're thankful for their company and the help they'll provide.
In the next hallway, you put the pheropods to good use and some grenades to take out the turrets which were otherwise mowing through your antlions like a hedge trimmer.
That's when ponyhacks descend from the ceiling. You seize one and hold it still, and use it to chop the rest into pieces. It's okay, little parasprites: the Combine can't hurt you anymore. When that's done, you press the final survivor against the wall and stomp on it. It breaks your heart, but the poor thing has suffered too much already.
Not long after this pseudo-nightmarish occurrence, you come across a room which could have been a dentist's office from hell. An electrical shield bars the entrance to where a demon dog lies slumped and every so often getting zapped by a small bolt of lightning.
You can see the plug which is fuelling this monstrous machine, so you wrap your telekinesis around it and wrench it from its socket. The demon dog falls limp, its long-lifeless body no longer supported by constant shots of electricity. You don't spend more time than necessary in that room - the stench of burning flesh fills the air and comes close to emptying your stomach. So you head through the next door, but upon entering the next office thingy you see that a gate up ahead is closed.
Luckily there is a switch on the wall, and when you throw it the gate bleeps and opens for you. Before you leave you grab some handy ammo that some considerate pony had left on the table and clear the junk away from the exit. You find your way upstairs to another office thingy, this one protected by lasers, so you let the antlions clear it out for you and take out the guards with your freshly reloaded Magnum.
As you leave and enter another walkway, your mind starts to wander again, this time coming to a rest on Soarin'. The last time you'd seen him was well over seventeen years ago (although it feels like seventeen hours ago) on the day before all of this began. The day before you activated your GLaDOS and inadvertently allowed the alien monstrosity to waltz in and almost immediately take complete control over Equestria.
He and Dash were visiting Twilight to see how she was recovering following her terrible ordeal under the mountain, and they had brought Lightning Strike with them. That's one of your most heart-wrenching memories: seeing a one-month-old baby pegasus do more to comfort the broken unicorn than you feel you ever could. That kid had just leapt up onto the bed and given her a hug. How many ponies could have done that? And he was one month old. Surely there was no way he could have empathised with her!
When you first encountered him, you'd believed that Soarin' was an arrogant jerk. You'd seen him on Twilight's windowsill after all, and it wouldn't have been the first time you'd found some weirdo perving on one of your female friends. It definitely wouldn't have been the first time you'd found some weirdo perving on a female friend you fancied like crazy.
Finding out who he was and the reason he was in Ponyville came close to confirming your suspicions - after all, what kind of stallion would just up and abandon a young mare the morning after declaring his love for her? Plus, you know these kinds of celebrities - these sports stars are all the same - stuck up, egotistical smegheads who don't care a bit about the general public and definitely not about the mares they knock up.
But then, when Dash introduced him properly, you found out that the ponies he'd come to love tended to die in some rather unfair fashion, and he had left Dash in an attempt to spare her from the fate he feared was meant for her. It seemed understandable when you really thought about it.
Plus chances are he still blamed himself for the death of his father, and probably the death of his mother as well. And what're the odds that his Wonderbolt friends survived the Combine invasion? Very, very low.
You know all about comfort eating, and you know that Soarin' likes pie - a lot - but it would take a massive smegload of pie to even slightly ease the pain and after that he probably wouldn't even be able to get off the ground, even if there was no suppression field.
Again, you find yourself wondering why the smeg you haven't seen any unicorns outside of the Resistance. What happened; were they all rounded up and slaughtered, or were they just hunted down like common sewer rats? If that's the case, then you feel like you might be sick.
And you hope you're not, because you've only encountered one toilet so far, and you threw it at a headcrab.
You're starting to wonder if you'll ever find where you want to go. From the outside, it looked like your best bet might be to head for the middle. It appeared to be a standard ridiculously high security prison, but you could see something tall, blue and glass-like in the middle: a huge rectangular structure not unlike the Citadel back in City 17, only a lot smaller and less intimidating.
With this as our goal, you continue to fight your way through Nova Discord, using the help of the antlions any way you can. Somewhere along the line, a stray bullet smashed right into your PFM, but you don't really mind because that thing was a bore. You're only glad the charging unit wasn't damaged.
Eventually you come to a rubble-filled area which appears to be right outside the blue building you saw earlier. And up close you can tell that it isn't glass, it's just steel, almost exactly like the Citadel in City 17. It stands mere metres from the wall of the prison, creating a narrow alley with concrete on one side and metal on the other. And you don't like the look of that steel: it looks as though it could close and crush you in the blink of an eye.
Still, at least you're outside, which means you're not breathing in the stench of rotting parasprite and antlion entrails. There's a zombie down below, but you take it out with a single shotgun round.
You see a hole in the prison wall up ahead, and decide that it'll be your next point of entry, but you spot some supply crates at the far end of the alley-thing. The question is, should you run across and empty the contents of the crates or just jump into the hole?
In this kind of situation, you need everything you can lay your hooves on, so you decide to make a run for it. You gallop across the broken concrete, dodging fires and for some reason a table, and smash open the crates with a well-placed blast of telekinesis.
HEV batteries and shotgun rounds. Yes!
At that moment, per your fears, the metal wall starts advancing on you. Your rational thoughts give way to adrenaline and you charge full speed towards the hole in the concrete. It takes a few tries but you get inside just before you're crushed, and drop down to the rubble below. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 10 - Entanglement | Right, have you had your fun? Good, because if you don't mind I think I'll take over from here. Sound alright to you? If it doesn't, then go smeg yourself.
The moment I landed I found myself engulfed in non-sound. Either the scraping of steel had come to an abrupt halt, or the extremely short drop had somehow been enough to completely blot out the noise. Rather odd, if you ask me.
There was another hole in the opposite wall, and through it I saw...
Twilight?
It is Twilight! And... she's wearing my dragon leather jacket. It looks good on her, too - chances are she got Rarity to make a couple of adjustments so that it would fit properly, but I don't mind. Plus, she's got a gun now, and by the looks of things she's pretty good with it. Can't blame her for doing a little training while I was gone: I've been running through them like a bullet through cheese, but I've got to admit they're rather tough.
And not just the Combine. The gash that headcrab tore in my muzzle hasn't been mended properly - my guess is faulty nanites. The pain is really rather distracting.
Twilight darted out of sight before I could get her attention, but even if I'd shouted she wouldn't have heard me, because there's a train rocketing past. Seeing no other way I jumped down out of the hole and ended up underneath the tracks, which thankfully were clear of trains and thus lowered my risk of hearing damage.
What? Trains are loud!
"Hold it there!"
Okay, Twi. Not gonna move.
"Hex?"
"No," I commented, "it's your other coltfriend from another dimension."
When I looked around Twilight had jumped down from the tracks, and she pulled me into a tight, heart-warming hug before planting a small kiss on my cheek.
"Thank Celestia you're alright," she said with a smile. "I was worried the antlions would kill you, but knowing you I guess I didn't really have anything to worry about."
"A little more warning about this place would have been convenient," I said, and looked up above, "but I don't think you'd have had the time."
Above the trains, the ceiling was so high I couldn't even see it: it was lost to a strange light which shone down upon the mass of metal pony-sized pod-like things which were moved about by arms made of wax (nah, just kidding, they were metal) and ran along metal rails to smeg knows where.
"The Doctor's up there somewhere," said Twilight. "Looks like it'll take some work to get him out. Let's move."
"Good idea."
We walked together in silence until we reached a security gate, which Twilight opened with a quick zap of her magic, and we got into a freight elevator which started climbing upwards at the press of a button.
"I'm afraid I'm flying blind here," Twilight said as we were winched upwards.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Every now and then a demon dog gets captured," she explained, "and it provides a little reconnaissance for us, but what we do know so far is all bad."
"Well, I hardly expected them to throw us a party," I quipped, "especially since that's Pinkie's job."
Twilight's so pretty when she smiles. Have I mentioned that?
"By the way," I said, "I notice you've adopted my jacket. What did Spike have to say on the matter?"
"He was a little upset that I wanted to wear the skin of another dragon," said Twilight, "but I think anypony would have problems with somepony wearing their skin."
"Technically it wasn't anything like him," I told her. "See, Aetherian dragons have much sleeker bodies than the ones in this dimension, because while dragons here seem to have evolved to be as intimidating as possible, Aetherian ones were designed by the gods specifically for fighting, so they were built a little more like birds, and they had feathers instead of scales which made them much more lightweight-"
I was effectively silenced by the purple hoof which was suddenly placed upon my mouth, which was followed by Twilight saying "And Rainbow Dash calls me an egghead."
Stupid me could only smile in response.
"Here we go," she said, and drew her gun as the lift ground to a halt.
The moment it stopped the gunfire started. We had found ourselves in a corridor and it was filled with Combine foot soldiers that started shooting the moment we stepped out of the lift. Twilight and I returned fire as we ran down the corridor, until we reached another door, which was quickly opened and closed behind us.
"Quite a rush, isn't it?" I said between panting.
"You're telling me!" Twilight replied. "I knew this kind of thing was dangerous, but I didn't know it could be so exhilarating too!"
"Come on," I said, and approached a nearby control panel. "We've got a Time Lord to find."
I was going to start on the panel, but Twilight pushed me aside and got to work on it herself, which seemed to make sense since she's had seventeen years to get to know the buttons and stuff. She tapped out a sequence, her concentration indicated by the tongue between her teeth, and before long images of ponies started flashing up on the screen.
They were all unconscious.
"Oh my gosh," said Twilight, studying a smaller screen set into the panel itself. "These poor ponies... Did you know that the Combine is experimenting on them?"
"Sadly, yes," I confessed. "I mean, they did it in dimension 33, so what's to stop them doing it in dimension 36 as well?"
I looked through the window at the innumerable metal pods. They all contained ponies? I guess this place still was a prison, but Twilight was right: it has got a lot worse.
"There he is!"
The sequence of images had halted on the slumbering face of the Doctor.
"I'll bring him in," said Twilight. "Won't take a second."
She tapped a few more buttons and one of the metal pods slid along a rail until it was right in front of the window. Two more metal arms reached down and pulled it open, revealing the Doctor strapped to some kind of board thingy. He was licking his lips with a curious expression on his face.
"Hmm," he said, "completely restrained, woke up in some place I don't recognise; taste of nerve gas on my lips... must be a Tuesday."
"Doctor!" Twilight cried joyfully. "Are you alright?"
"Twilight?" He looked from one of us to the other. "Hex? What're you two doing here?"
"What the smeg do you think we're doing here?" I asked. "We're here to bust you out!"
"No!" shouted the Doctor. "Listen, you two have to get out of here. Don't worry about me, just save yourselves!"
"We're not leaving you, Doctor," Twilight insisted. "I think Hex and I can recalibrate the Combine's teleporter."
"But where will you go?"
"Sweet Apple Basement seems to be our best bet," I suggested, "seeing as New TARDIS... I don't want to know what happened to New TARDIS, 'coz it probably wasn't very nice."
"Good idea, Hex," said Twilight. "I spoke to Applejack, and she says she's got hers fixed and probably working. If it's not, then... well, this situation couldn't get any worse than it already is."
"It's not worth the risk," said the Doctor. "I'm not going to lose yet another companion; they keep dropping off like flies. Get out of Nova Discord while you've still got all your hooves."
"We're not leaving you," Twilight replied, "and that's final."
"But we can't leave without Rarity either," the Doctor told her.
"Don't worry, Doctor," said Twilight, "we're going to find her. For the moment, I'm going to send you to the room with the Combine teleporter." She placed a hoof on the glass and added "I'm not going to say goodbye: we'll meet you there."
"You'd better," said the Doctor. "I'm not letting you die on my watch."
With that, the pod closed again and was lifted back onto the rails, where it quickly slid out of sight. Twilight let out a sigh and watched as it left.
"We'll have to move on," she said. "If you go on ahead and clear the path, I'll patch into your suit's radio and guide you through."
"My suit has a radio?" First I've heard of it.
"Yes, of course," said Twilight. "I should know. I installed it. That entire suit is actually copied from some blueprints I found in your shop. I added the radio in case the wearer needed to communicate."
She built the entire thing from scratch. Wow.
"I underestimated you," I told her, "you're even smarter than I thought."
Twilight smiled and blushed adorably.
"I'd be happy to clear the path," I said, "so long as you know what you're doing: I don't want to take a wrong turn and find myself in Trottingham."
"Celestia forbid that should happen," said Twilight, and she let me out through another door.
I headed through a small service corridor and found myself back in a cellblock.
"What do you know, it worked," Twilight's voice said through a small speaker situated on my collar. "Can you hear me?"
"Can you hear me?" I asked her.
"I'll take that as a yes," said Twilight. "I'll open all the gates as you go along; keep an eye out for Rarity and I'll get the Doctor through the prison as far as I can. I'll meet up with you later."
As I made my way through the prison, I suddenly became aware of a strange clopping noise. I looked around a bit, but couldn't find the source.
And then I realised: it was my own hooves hitting the floor.
"Are you hearing this?" I asked Twilight.
"Hearing what?"
"Exactly. It's so quite in this place. I know all the fighting's probably going on with the antlions in a different part of the prison, but still, it's pretty eerie."
"I wish I could say the same about this place," Twilight replied. "You think the silence is eerie, but the noise up here is even stranger. It's only the sounds of the Combine cells on the rails as they're taken... I don't know where they're taken, and quite frankly, I don't want to know."
"Don't blame you," I told her. "Whatever it is, it can't be pleasant."
I stopped, having come to a closed gate. I couldn't see anypony behind it, and I still hadn't heard anything apart from the clopping of my hooves in the tiled ground.
"Hang on," said Twilight, "I'll get that gate open for you."
Sure enough, I barely had to wait five seconds before the bars slid aside and allowed me into the next corridor.
"Ironic, isn't it?" I asked.
"What is?"
"A lifetime's worth of studying has led to you sitting in a security room opening gates for some daft bloke with a crowbar."
I heard Twilight snickering on the other end, and couldn't help but smile to myself.
"You're hardly a 'daft bloke' as you so bluntly put it," she replied. "You're the smartest guy I've ever met. And also the bravest, the nicest, and possibly... the most handsome."
Oh smeg, Twilight, I can hear your blush.
"You think I'm handsome?" I want to be sure.
"Well, yeah!" said Twilight. "Not only that, but you're the only colt I've actually formed a strong relationship with. Before I met you the only guys I really knew were Spike and..."
She trailed off. It was almost as if she was trying to avoid saying what was on her mind.
"...and my brother," she eventually finished. "Shining Armor, my BBBFF."
"BBBFF?"
"Big Brother Best Friend Forever," Twilight explained. "I haven't seen him since before the invasion, so I assumed that he- he-"
"Died?"
"Something like that."
We shared a moment of respectful silence, until I reached another gate. I heard it bleep, and it should have opened, but something stopped it.
"Horseapples, it's jammed," Twilight swore. "It's okay. Head back to that office; you should have passed an office on your way through."
So I about turned and indeed, there was a small guard room, complete with filing cabinets, a desk, a chair and a monitor hanging from the ceiling which showed Twilight's face.
"There should be an air vent behind those filing cabinets," she told me.
"Gotcha," I said, and threw the cabinets out of the way with a short burst of telekinesis before tearing away the vent cover and climbing inside.
"Speaking of missing ponies," wow, can you hear my voice echoing? Hello! "I met everypony on my way here, except for a noticeable couple."
"What do you mean?"
"The ponies I met along the way included Fluttershy and Pinkie, and I know Rarity's still here and AJ's in City 17; you're here, obviously, and Lightning Strike's spying for us in the CP, but what about Rainbow Dash? And Soarin'? I kinda thought I'd have encountered them by now."
Twilight sighed as I exited the vent.
"The only way you would have met Rainbow and Soarin' is if you'd come here via Canterlot," she explained, "because that's where they went a couple of months ago. They said they'd made a discovery which could change the course of the war, but they wouldn't tell anypony what it was. I think the Doctor knew, though, because he got a little upset about it."
"Why was that?"
"I wish I knew. They haven't made contact in weeks, and everypony's beginning to suspect the worst. I think they were looking for something, something important, but like I said: they wouldn't tell anypony what it was or why they wanted it so badly."
Odd. It's not like Dash to not let her friends in on something. Even more unlike her to leave her son behind, but then again he's practically a grown stallion now and seems to be able to take care of himself.
"But then again," Twilight continued, "considering everything that happened to them, I'm hardly surprised they wanted to get away. Oh, and be careful on the next stretch. I'm picking up a lot of soldiers ahead, so you might want to get your guns ready."
True to her word, I was attacked by a band of soldiers who came worrying close to hitting me in the head. By the light of the flares they'd lit, and also the light of my glowing horn as I levitated my weaponry, I managed to take them all out.
"A little more warning would have helped," I complained.
"Sorry," said Twilight.
"So, I continued, "about what happened to Soarin' and Dash..."
"They went to Canterlot to join up with the rest of the Wonderbolts," Twilight explained, "because they hoped they'd have the advantage of strength in numbers. I'm not sure what happened, but I do know that Soarin's the only Wonderbolt left alive, and he's not even a Wonderbolt anymore."
"Ouch."
"'Ouch' doesn't quite cover it. When we rescued them, Soarin' had just lost an eye to a Combine energy ball. I had to construct a bionic prosthesis so that he'd be able to shoot properly again. And... and there was an incident... a few years ago; I think Lightning was about five at the time..."
"What happened?"
"They were kidnapped by Commabies."
I paused in the middle of a corridor. In the distance I heard a brief volley of gunfire, and then silence reigned once more.
"What're Commabies?" I asked out of curiosity: I'd never heard of them before, not even in dimension 33.
"It's the term we use for Combine wannabes," said Twilight. "They're ponies - horrible ponies - who think that if they're evil and sadistic enough; the Combine will leave them alone. Soarin' and Dash... they were held for about a month, and they... they were tortured, and abused, and they wouldn't speak to anypony except Lightning for weeks once we had them back. They... they were almost dead when we finally found them."
I saw another office, with the purple unicorn's face on a screen in the corner, and she was wiping her eyes.
"If I were with you right now I'd give you a hug," I told her, "because it's pretty obvious you need it."
"Thanks," she said with a smile. "I know you would. You're that kind of pony, aren't you?"
I shrugged and said "I guess I am."
"I'll start working on this next gate for you," she said, and pretty soon I was able to continue.
"How did you meet the Doctor?" I asked.
"I got kidnapped by the worst kind of Commabies," said Twilight.
"What're the worst kind?"
"The smart ones. They put me in some kind of simulation and left me to wander around the Everfree Forest in the hopes that something would kill me, and it was only disabled by the TARDIS' artron energy. But Spike was the one who found him first. He was trying to escape from the Commabies and accidentally picked the TARDIS as a hiding place."
"Makes sense," I commented. "What was the simulation like? Was it bad?"
"Not really," said Twilight, "it was just... weird. I don't really want to talk about it right now."
"That's okay," I said. "I'm just glad I can talk to you again. It feels good."
"Feels good for me too," said Twilight, and I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was smiling.
I'm glad she found the Doctor, although I wish she could have picked somepony a little less dangerous. People who get involved with that particular Time Lord tend to wind up not dead, but changed. Hardened. It's unintentional, but he takes ordinary people and turns them into soldiers.
And it's reassuring to know that he tries to avoid getting romantically involved with companions.
I stopped in my tracks, having once more come to a closed gate.
"Give me a moment and I'll get to work on this one," said Twilight, and sure enough it wasn't long before I was on the move again.
"You're approaching another control room," I was informed, "and it looks like this one's still occupied, so watch yourself."
"Hey, this is me we're talkin' here," I joked.
Sure enough, I came to a control station, complete with staircases leading off both sides to a shielded corridor below and guards at the control panels and stuff. They weren't too hard to take out, and I harvested their ammunition once they were done with.
"Uh oh," said Twilight. "Check this out."
One of the screens flashed up a display of soldiers, all holding guns, presumably galloping in my direction.
"Let me guess," I said, "they're risking a frontal assault?"
"You guessed correctly, I'm afraid," said Twilight. "Tell me, are there any turrets nearby?"
I looked around, and indeed there were a pair of unmoving turrets stashed away in their electromagnetically protected closets. I could tell they were switched off, because they weren't trying to turn me into Swiss cheese.
"I can reprogram them remotely to attack the Combine rather than you or me," Twilight continued as I disabled the fields and got the turrets out, "so I suggest setting them up to protect yourself, but I can't deactivate the shields in the corridor from here so I'll have to catch up with you."
"Sounds good to me," I said as I set up the first turret on the left stairwell.
"I'm picking up a lot of incoming soldiers," said Twilight, "so you'll have to hold the fort 'til I get there."
"Just make it quick," I said, "I've been awake for about 36 hours and I'm starting to get a bit drowsy."
"I know how you feel," said Twilight. "Believe me."
Once the turrets were both set up I took up a position at a broken window with my SMG at the ready. This was my tactic: stay undercover and shoot at the Combine smeggers as they come through.
When they first entered, the turrets made short work of them, but I made sure they had some backup. Then I noticed the soldiers had dropped their guns, which I knew would still have ammunition in them. I didn't have a lot left, so I ran down with the intention of pulling the guns toward me with my magic, but they wouldn't stop coming.
Do you know how easy it is to reload a gun when you're under fire? Let me tell you this: it isn't. It is NOT easy at all. Somehow I managed it, but I don't know how.
I guessed that Twilight was already on the move, since I hadn't heard from her since this standoff began. Shooting as I ran, I made my way back up the stairs to the control room, but one of the soldiers knocked down a turret and almost got in with me.
It was a tough job setting it up again, especially while I was still under fire and running low on ammo. I held the crowbar between my teeth and used it to deflect most of the bullets that came close to my head, and telekinetically lifted the turret back to its feet, but then a whistling siren signalled that the other one had been knocked down as well, so I had to repeat the action.
And just as I was wondering how many of these smegheads there were, they stopped. Quite suddenly. And I was standing in the middle of the control room when the vent overhead opened and Twilight fell right on top of me.
"Oh my gosh," she apologised as we untangled ourselves, "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I said as I got to my hooves, "I'm alright. How about you?"
"I'm fine," said Twilight. "Sorry I took so long." She approached a panel and started tapping buttons, scrolling through security cameras.
"Let's see if we can find Rarity," she said. "It looks like this station will give me better access than the last one."
She scanned through several before settling on one which showed the face of a familiar white unicorn, and she was looking into an unseen screen with a face of concern and worry.
"There she is!" Twilight cried excitedly, and then became suspicious and said "Wait a minute..." as an unwelcome voice finished its sentence.
"...from your area."
"I am not calling for that purpose," said Rarity, "I am calling because you promised you were not going to harm the Doctor."
"What's she doing?" I asked.
"I-I wish I knew," said Twilight. "No, she... she can't be..."
"The soldiers were a little overzealous, I must confess," said Trixie from out of sight, "but he was simply far too precious a prize to turn down, especially with the absence of Hex."
"How the smeg does she know who I am?" I asked.
"You would have captured Hex had you simply been patient," Rarity pointed out.
"Well, my employers and I had our doubts as to whether or not you could produce as to this matter, taking into account the issues of equine loyalty," said Trixie.
"Great and Powerful Trixie," Rarity said with a small sigh, "as I have quite plainly stated before, you must allow the Doctor to come around on his own terms; you cannot simply-"
"I have conducted far more research into the Doctor's past than you have, Rarity," Trixie replied, with Twilight clearly growing more horrified with every passing syllable, "and I fear that your closeted feelings for him may have blinded you to your mission directive."
"Feelings?!" Rarity exclaimed. "This has absolutely nothing to do with feelings! It is simply a fact that when the Doctor starts to believe-"
"This is not open to debate, Rarity."
"Trixie, please..."
"I must apologise, Rarity, but I have matters of greater concern than this issue. Farewell."
Twilight switched off the monitor, unable to watch any more, and I was glad she did because I don't think I could have watched much more either.
"DAMN HER!" shouted Twilight, and punched the wall in fury. "I can NOT believe this! How could she do that? I thought she was my friend!" And in a far more resigned voice she added "Braeburn's going to be heartbroken..."
"So much for the Element of Generosity," I commented. "Seems like she forgot about that somewhere along the line."
"You're telling me," said Twilight, and sighed so deeply that I wondered if she might need a hug. "Hex, we really have to hurry now. You go on ahead: I'll disrupt the next levels of security and catch up to you when I get the chance."
I didn't wait another second before galloping down the stairs and along the next corridor.
I can't believe Rarity would do such a thing! I mean, she's supposed to be one of the Elements of Harmony. Her five best friends, not to mention her little sister and apparently her coltfriend, are all members of the Resistance. How could she have just shoved us - shoved EVERYHING - aside like that? The very thought of it makes me sick to the core.
Doesn't she care about us anymore? It just- it raises so many questions, like this one: if she lied about her loyalty to the Resistance, what else did she lie about? Did... did she lie about being friends with Twilight and the others from the get-go?
Was everything - her care for her family, her crush and now apparently her relationship with Braeburn, the future she had been battling for and the past she had been fighting to preserve - just a conjured ruse to conceal the fact that deep down she was as loyal and caring as a cardboard box?
How... How could she?
"Hex, stop!"
At Twilight's command, I ground to a halt in the middle of a cell block section with more turrets in closets to one side.
"Get those turrets set up right now! I'm picking up a buckload of soldiers heading in your direction and they don't seem to be in the mood for talking!"
"Gotcha!"
So I set up the turrets with pretty much the same arrangement I had before, and made use of some nearby nanites, which again failed to mend the gash on my muzzle (possibly because it had already started to heal). Seriously, this thing was really beginning to distract me.
It was another five minutes of fighting, bullets and bloodshed before Twilight finally caught up with me again, and this time her beautiful purple eyes were tinted with the cold glint of murder.
"You okay?" I asked.
"I'm fine," Twilight lied. "I'm not going to leave you again. Let's just do what we have to do and get the buck out of here."
Her language almost stunned me - I've never heard Twilight swear before - but you can probably guess that it was completely understandable. She had been wronged. One of her best friends and closest companions during my seventeen year absence had stabbed her in the back, and she seemed more than willing to return the favour. If necessary, I would help her.
After a short distance, we found ourselves in a service tunnel, and were halfway through when the lights went out.
"Oh smeg," I swore.
Per my expectations, Combine soldiers poured from everywhere. The only illumination came from the flares rolling across the floor and the faint glow from my and Twilight's horns. It was so dim that I could barely see. I used the obvious eyes of the soldiers to guide my bullets straight into their foreheads, and somehow me and Twilight emerged alive and relatively unharmed.
"You okay?" I asked.
"A couple of bullets hit the jacket, so I might have a bruise or two," Twilight reported, "but otherwise I'm alright."
"Good," I said. "Let's move: we've got a traitor to catch."
It wasn't long before we came to another security room, and Twilight used her magic to hack into the system.
"Alright, Rarity," she said quietly, "Where are you?"
She flicked through several cameras, until it came to one showing Rarity standing looking at a screen with an expression of worry.
"Ha! There she is!" I exclaimed in dark joy.
Twilight input another few codes into the system, and the door to Rarity's room slid closed and locked itself, much the posh pony's alarm. She tried to reopen it, but to no avail.
"Got you now!" Twilight yelled triumphantly. "Well, come on Hex. Don't want to keep her waiting, do we?"
"Heaven forbid that should happen," I said as we made our way through to the next room, and Twilight sealed the door behind us with a comment of "No turning back now."
It wasn't long before we found the locked entrance to Rarity's room, and there was a window next to the door through which we could see the worried white unicorn desperately searching for an alternative exit. Twilight reached up and with a small, almost evil smile, tapped on the window and caught the traitor's attention.
"Oh, thank goodness," said Rarity when she notice us, "Somepony's here!" Her face fell when she realised who it was.
"Twilight?" she asked. "And... Hex? How in Equestria did you get here?"
"It's over, Rarity," said a determined Twilight. "We know all about you and Trixie, and we know that you've been a spy for the Combine the entire time."
"What?" Rarity tried to play the confusion card. "What're you talking about?"
Behind us I heard the crackle of a Combine walkie-talkie, signalling that there were soldiers not far behind.
"Horseapples," Twilight swore. "Move back Rarity, we're coming in."
She opened the door and we both stepped through, and I wondered for a brief moment if Twilight was going to punch Rarity in the face, because she certainly looked that way.
"Now, Twilight," said Rarity, and I could tell she was starting to get frightened, "I know this may look bad, but you have to believe that I was only working with everypony's best interests at heart-"
"Shut the buck up and be glad you're still useful to us," Twilight growled. "We're going to reconfigure the teleporter and get out of here before you stab us in the back any more than you already have."
"See?" said Rarity desperately. "We're both working for the same goal! I have already-"
"You have stolen the Doctor's technology and passed it to the Combine on a silver platter!"
"It was my work as well, if you would remember correctly! And I had to prove to Trixie that the Doctor would be the most valuable member of any research effort going forward from this location."
"You know," I said to Rarity as Twilight hacked the system again to find the Doctor, "perhaps it would be best if you kept your sorry little excuses to yourself for the time being and just, you know, didn't say anything at all."
She gave me a look of surprise, shame and emotional pain, effectively silenced for the time being. And just then, the Doctor's face (once more unconscious) flashed up on the monitor before Twilight.
"Look Hex, here he is," she said. "I'm gonna bring him in."
"You found the Doctor?" asked Rarity.
"No thanks to you," I said back to her. "Just set it to send us to Sweet Apple Basement and let's make a move."
"But we don't have access to that particular room!" she pointed out.
Twilight gave her an "Are you kidding me?" look, and opened the door with a short burst of magic. She then drew her gun, and forced Rarity to lead us through to a room which had a teleporter in it. It bore a close resemblance to the ones in Sweet Apple Basement and New TARDIS, but it looked a lot more high-tech and futuristic.
"Oh my gosh," said Twilight. "And when were you planning on telling everypony about this?"
"I was not working on it until quite recently," said Rarity, "although I had a rough idea of what I could expect."
"I bet you did," Twilight said as a prison pod entered on a rail. "It almost looks as though it's waiting for us."
"Well, this particular machine takes quite a while to, in laypony's terms, warm up," Rarity explained. "It also has a rather long rise time, and the recharging period is almost ridiculous."
"So you got it warmed up for us!" said Twilight in a very indicative tone. "Just in time, too."
The prison pod was pulled open and the Doctor was looking out once more.
"Doctor, down here," said Twilight. "Sorry we took so long."
"That's okay," said the Doctor. "Wouldn't be the worst rescue I've ever had. And I see you set Rarity free too!"
"Not exactly," I muttered.
"Doctor, I am so glad to see you safe," said Rarity, and was about to gush some more when Twilight quite flatly said "Rarity. The coordinates."
There was a large BANG at the door on the other side of the room from where we had come in, but it was sealed and hopefully the guards wouldn't be able to get in until we were done. Made me jump, though.
"So this is the Combine's teleporter, is it?" asked the Doctor as he slid along the rail into the machine. "I've seen bigger."
That's what she said. Bazinga!
"Get a move on, Rarity!" Twilight commanded. She then turned to another control panel and said "Applejack!"
"Howdy, Twi!" said the voice of Applejack from the panel (I could only hear what was going on, because I was investigating the doors). "Nice to know you're still livin'. Where're y'all callin' from?"
"We're in Nova Discord, and we're testing the Combine teleporter for the first time," said Twilight. "Are you ready for us?"
"Ready and waitin'," said Applejack.
"Good," said Twilight as I made my way back. "We're going to send the Doctor through first; he's in position for-"
A siren scythed through the air, overriding any other noise and incapacitating me and Twilight. Rarity, however, took the opportunity to press a button and jump into the teleporter. When the siren finally ended, the electromagnetic guard rails had already closed.
"Rarity, stop!" I shouted.
"What do you think you're doing?" asked Twilight.
"I am sorry, Twilight, believe me," said Rarity, "but this is the only way."
"Only way to WHAT?" Twilight demanded. She tried to catch Rarity, but jumped back as the shield zapped her with electricity. "What in Equestria are you doing?"
The Doctor had been watching the unfolding events with growing shock, and finally found his voice as the platform started to rise:
"Rarity, I don't know what you think you're doing, but stop. Right now, do you hear me?"
"Doctor!" yelled Twilight, and finally...
ZAP.
"Applejack!" I shouted into the control panel when the world had stopped spinning and the ringing had left my ears. "Applejack, you have to stop them!"
"Stop who?" asked AJ. "What in the hay is goin' on in there?"
"Oh no," said Twilight, looking at a screen. "What coordinates are these? Where did Rarity take him?" She rubbed her face in exasperation, and I put what I hoped was a comforting hoof around her shoulders.
There was another massive BANG from the sealed doors.
"Smegging hell," I swore, "don't these guys ever give up?"
"Cover me, Hex," said Twilight. "I think I saw some turrets on the way in. Set them up to defend us, this is gonna take a while!"
I ran back to where we had come in, and indeed there were several turrets stashed neatly away, so I got them out and set them up near the doors, and stood guard in case they were tipped over.
Not even the two instances of the control room and the corridor were this hectic, because not only did I have to stay alive but I had to defend Twilight as well (not that she really needed it, from what I'd seen). I don't think I've ever fired so many bullets in such a short space of time.
I was really worried my HEV suit would run out of charge, and I'd start taking some real damage, because this thing was taking absolutely ages. After five full minutes of battling I heard Twilight shout "It's about half done! It's taking forever!"
"You're telling me!" I shouted back.
A high pitched bleeping signalled that one of the turrets had been knocked over, and I hurriedly set it back up again and shot the smegger who'd knocked it over and was trying to shoot Twilight. When I fired my SMG again, all I got was the telltale click of an empty gun, so I switched to the Combine pulse rifle and found it a lot more heavy duty than the sub-machine gun, which almost paled in comparison.
Trouble is, an SMG can hold 50 bullets with spare ammunition of up to 250, but the pulse rifle can only hold 30 with a total of 90 in spares. That's the only room the HEV suit will allow, I'm afraid. Luckily the soldiers mostly had pulse rifles with the occasional shotgun, so I didn't run out of ammunition for them.
"Why is this taking so long?" I yelled over the sound of the gunfire.
"I don't know!" Twilight replied. "I've never worked with this kind of technology before, but I think it's three quarters done at least!"
"Well, good! I don't know if I can hold these smeggers back much longer!"
I'm starting to get really exhausted now. I'm levitating two guns and firing them at the same time - not just that, but I'm deflecting bullets with my crowbar and resetting the turrets, and I'm beginning to understand all the time Dash spent napping.
"How're you holding up?" Twilight asked.
"I'm about to fall asleep where I stand!" I shouted.
"You can sleep later!" said Twilight, "but you can come back, because the teleporter's just about ready!"
And sure enough, as I re-entered the teleporter room, the platform touched down and the guard rails withdrew.
"Thank Celestia it's done," said Twilight, "now let's get the buck out of here!"
So we leapt into the teleporter and the rails closed behind us, and as the platform started to rise the doors were completely blown off and ponies I didn't recognise entered the room. Rather than black, they were clothed in white with a single large red eye, and carried pulse rifles which they fired at us as we ascended. One of them fired an energy ball which rebounded from wall to wall and almost hit us, but missed and smashed into the ceiling instead.
"I really hope this works!" Twilight yelled.
"So do I!" I bellowed.
She wrapped her hooves around me, and I would probably have choked were it not for the armour, and I clutched her as close as possible for comfort.
And as we screamed, eyes screwed shut, the world went white.
The whiteness eventually faded, and we found ourselves back in the teleporter in Sweet Apple Basement.
"We did it!" Twilight cried, and I noticed something... different about her. "I can't believe we did it!"
"Wait," I said. "What's with your mane?"
I pointed at the stripes of sparkling silver, which now sat alongside the bands of pink and purple. It was quite pretty really. Twilight eyed it with adorable confusion, and turned to look at her tail, which also sported a stripe of silver.
"Yours too!" she said, and pointed at my forehead. I pulled my mane down, and sure enough I too had a bar of silver cutting through the mess of dark brown. Same in my tail, too.
"It must've been the radiation," I theorised. "I've seen it several times before, but usually the hair is bleached white or light grey, not silver."
"My guess is that it has something to do with our magic," said Twilight. "If it were just an earth pony it probably would be just white, but as it is it's... pretty."
"Sparkle by name, sparkle by appearance, huh? Plus, you're right: it is pretty. On you, that is."
I love it when she blushes; it's literally the cutest thing I've ever seen.
"You're not so bad yourself," she said, and it was my turn to blush. She banged on the secret wall and shouted "Applejack, are you out there?"
The wall started to move, and Twilight backed away in the face of a shotgun barrel, which was followed by the rest of the shotgun, and then an orange earth pony with a headcrab sitting on top of her Stetson.
"Twilight!" she said, and pulled the purple pony into a hug. "Hex! How in tarnation did y'all get in here?"
"Through the teleporter just now," I said. "Why, is something wrong?"
"Is something wrong?" asked Applejack. "Ah'd about given up hope of ever seein' y'all again."
"I think we could say the same," said Twilight. "The teleporter must've exploded just as it sent us here."
"Ah know that," said Applejack. "Everypony felt it from here, but... but that was over a week ago!"
"WHAT?!" Twilight and I shouted in unison.
"What are you talking about?" asked Twilight. "Hex and I were just at Nova Discord."
"Well, unless y'all were teleported really slowly," said Applejack, "then Ah'm 'fraid Ah ain't got any idea what to make of this. Y'all should know that the blow y'all struck at Nova Discord was taken as a signal to start the uprisin', and boy howdy was everypony ready fer it."
"What about the Doctor, is there any news on him?" I asked, dreading what the answer might be.
"Ah'm 'fraid that ain't good news either," said Applejack. "If what the demon dogs say is true, he's a prisoner in the Citadel."
"We have to get him out," Twilight said with rock-hard determination.
"You may find the Lightning Strike's bin leadin' a force with that exact intention," Applejack explained. "Also, another old friend made it back a couple of days ago."
She led us out of the secret room through the main area, which was a lot more scuffed up than it had been when we were last here (Presley leapt down and scuttled away somewhere) and she opened the door which had led to the room where my HEV suit was kept. The new occupant at first appeared to be a mass of green and purple scales - that is, until it moved.
"Spike!" Twilight cried joyfully.
"Twilight!" shouted Spike, and swept her up in his claws in an incredibly tight and loving hug. "Hex! Thank Celestia, you're alright!"
"Same to you," I said. "How're you doing, mate?"
"A lot better now that you guys are back," said Spike. "I thought I was never going to see you again!"
"Not all doom an' gloom, is it?" asked Applejack with a smile.
"Well," I said, "considering the circumstances, I really wish we could share your optimism."
At that moment, a screen on the wall lit up and showed the face of a desperate and slightly battered looking young pegasus.
"Auntie AJ, come in, are you there?" asked Lightning Strike.
"Right here, Lightnin'," said Applejack to her 'nephew', "and you may wanna hear that I ain't alone no more."
"Why?" asked Lightning. "Who's there?"
"Who else do you think it would be?" I asked as I stepped into his field of vision.
"Hex, is that you? Thank buck, you're alive! I almost gave you and Aunt Twi up for dead. Listen: we're setting up a staging area for the attack on the Citadel."
"Okay," said Twilight, working out what to do. "Listen Spike, I want you and Hex to go on ahead and buy me some time to get Applejack someplace safe."
"What? No!" Spike almost yelled. "I'm not leaving you, Twilight!"
"It won't be forever," said Twilight, "I promise."
Spike sighed.
"Okay," he said. "So long as you also promise not to die, because I'm gonna hold you to that."
"Sounds good," said Lightning. "We need all the help we can get over here. Oh buck, INCOMING!" He ducked out of sight and the camera shook from an explosion, before popping up to say "Whatever you're doing, make it quick!" and the screen went blank.
"Okay," said Applejack, "Ah'll go, but first Ah need to find Presley."
"Oh dear," said Twilight. "Hex, you and Spike to on ahead."
"Okay," said Spike.
"Got it," I said, and as we were leaving I caught a snatch of Twilight and AJ's conversation:
"You do know you could easily get another headcrab, right?"
"There's only one Elvis." |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 11 - AntiCitizen One | Man, this place has really gone to the dogs.
When Spike and I emerged onto the street, the first and only thing I saw was rubble. Rubble here, rubble there- there was rubble everywhere! I haven't seen this much destruction since... well, since the last time I saw a city under siege by the Combine.
"This is what it was like in the other world," Spike said to me, "wasn't it?"
"Yeah," I admitted as he helped me over a dumpster, "but by that time everyone had just about fought themselves out, and the place was getting close to blowing up."
"I remember," said Spike, "you told us."
That's true. Twi and I had recounted everything upon our return to the library, but I guess if you have a lifespan in excess of several millennia you tend to develop a good memory.
The strange thing is that Twilight explained to me that she'd learned (complicated sentence) that when a dragon hoards things it grows bigger, and as it gets bigger its appetite does as well. So what exactly had Spike been hoarding to grow so big?
Up ahead, I could see a huge group of Overwatch and CPs complete with tanks and armoured cars, and I drew a couple of guns to take them down, but Spike pushed me back.
"Just let me take care of this one," he said.
I looked him up and down. I could swear he's got bigger since I last saw him - smeg; he's got to be twice my height now - and he was absolutely terrifying. Plus he was wearing a smug, fang-filled grin which appeared nothing short of evil.
"Fair enough," I replied, although to be honest it sounded more like a whimper.
As I sat back and watched, Spike completely went to town on those Combine bitches. They tried to shoot at him and he just swatted them away into the nearby buildings, and then when they tried to run him over he jumped over the tanks and they crashed quite spectacularly. When it was over, he gave me a claw up and I ran out into the now cleared street.
"That," I told him, "was terrifying."
"Thanks," said Spike, apparently flattered.
"Um," I said, to try to dispel the tension, "if you don't mind me asking, have you gotten bigger since I last saw you?"
"Yes," Spike replied, "yes I have."
"How is that possible? I thought dragons could only grow when they were hoarding things."
"I am hoarding things!"
"So... what is it you're hoarding?"
A drop ship took off and drowned out Spike's answer, if ever he gave one. He jumped into the air, flapped his wings twice, latched onto the underside of the drop ship and started tearing it to pieces.
Hang on... I recognise this street! This is the street I came down when I first left the station, when I arrived in City 17. I know that if I carry on in this direction, I'll find myself back in that plaza, with that huge screen displaying Trixie's obnoxious face for everypony to see.
And it's still there. She looks and sounds considerably more desperate than she was the last time I saw her - even a little panicked, to tell the truth - and I thought this: if ever I met her, I would definitely NOT tell her that Braeburn, Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom pulled her screen right off that column by the wires and then practically danced in the broken glass. They didn't seem to notice me, but I hid behind a hunk of rubble just in case.
"YEE-HAW!" Braeburn yelled triumphantly. "Six down, another eighty five more to go! Stick THAT up yer flank an' chew on it, Trixie!"
"Cutie Mark Crusader Freedom Fighters YEAH!" shouted Apple Bloom.
"Eeyup," said Big Macintosh simply.
Heh. I wonder if they enjoyed that. I notice Braeburn's switched his vest for a suit of Overwatch armour; that should give him about the same amount of protection as that thin... was it leather? Do they actually wear leather in Equestria? That's... a bit sick.
Still got his hat with him, though. Plus he's got a great big rifle hanging around his neck. And- and he's turned in my direction.
"Ah know somepony's there!" he shouted. "Come outta there before we blow you out!"
"We gotta great big stack o' grenades over here, so don't think mah cousin's bluffin'!" yelled Apple Bloom.
"And Ah gotta grenade launcher on this here machine gun!" came the deep boom of Big Mac. "Y'all come out now and we might go easy on you!"
Right. Well, I could just sit here like a mook with a 95% possibility of getting blown up by angry Apple ponies, run out really quickly with a 90% chance of getting blown up by angry Apple ponies, or walk out slowly with a slightly lower chance of getting blown up by angry Apple ponies. Call me smeg-for-brains, but I think the third option seems like the best bet.
Very slowly, I stepped out and slowly approached the three former farmers. And my cockiness instinct kicked into overdrive when Braeburn said "Hex? Is that you? We thought you were dead!"
How could I resist?
"Rumours of my death," I said, "were greatly exaggerated."
And I waited.
"No laugh?" I asked. "That usually gets a laugh or two. Mind you, that's with the other guys back in dimension 1, so never mind."
"Huh?"
"I said never mind."
"Well," said Braeburn once the confused expression on his face had faded, "in any case, it's good to have y'all back."
At that moment, a gate behind me opened and Overwatch started shooting at us.
"I'll say," I commented, and the four of us returned fire.
After the soldiers had been gunned down, the four of us ran on in silence. Well, near silence: there was gunfire in the distance, and the occasional moan of a Strider in operation. Somehow the eerie quiet gave the situation a sense of urgency, as if the fate of the world was depending on me.
Chances are it probably was, but that was beside the point.
So anyway, we continued on - somewhere along the line Apple Bloom and Big Mac got separated, so it was only me and Braeburn cantering through the city - until we came to a sort of alleyway thing where I could tell I'd have to drop down through the raised floor to the ground in order to continue. There was a sheet of corrugated iron over a hole, and another freedom fighter apparently guarding it, with a chain link fence on the direct right.
"Don't come any closer!" he commanded. "The Combine are dropping hopper mines all over the place, and they've been shelling us like crazy-"
"Listen," I interrupted him, "we'll take care of things over here; chances are you're needed in some other part of the city. Smeg knows there's some Strider that needs obliterating someplace."
Without another word, the stallion nodded and galloped away. Smegging hell, am I really that intimidating?
I pulled aside the sheet of metal and would most likely have died had Braeburn not grabbed me by the mane (OW) and pulled me back, because as it turned out there were about 6 or 7 hopper mines underneath.
I remember these things from dimension 33. They wait until you're right up close, and then leap into the air and explode on contact with the nearest... well, anything, really. The little lights on top switched from green to orange, signifying that they were alerted to our presence, and they blipped and beeped in anticipation.
"What now, science guy?" asked Braeburn.
Okay, let me look at this properly...
They don't look as if they've been attached to the ground properly. If I yank them hard enough they'll come loose, but considering how small this hole is, if I bring them up past Braeburn and I they'll activate and blow us to smeggereens (which are like smithereens, but generally leave you feeling a bit more smegged off).
Well, there's no ceiling on the other side of this fence, only sky. I could levitate them off the ground and up into the air without any danger - except to myself of course, when my energy runs out.
Here goes...
One by one, I encased each of the hopped mines in a jade coloured glow, and motioned for Braeburn to stand back as I too withdrew from the hole. I heard several small clanks as they were wrenched from the ground, and I levitated the mines into the air on the other side of the fence.
"Heh," said Braeburn behind me. "Coulda used a fella with your skills back in ol' Appleloosa."
"Bit late for that now, isn't it?" I asked him, having avoided drowning in his accent.
We jumped down into the whole and continued on our way, and encountered some flying robot things which were dropping hopper mines. I threw a hopper mine at one and it exploded into smeggereens, but the mine it was carrying started to fall and would have activated itself if Braeburn hadn't dived forward and caught it.
"Nice catch," I commented, and he just smiled at me in that cocky way that guys smile when they know they've done something cool.
We moved onward, shooting and fighting all the way. Sometimes other resistance ponies would join us in our moving battle and either departed to fight someplace else or got gunned down in a hail of alien-controlled bullets.
"Y'know," said Braeburn about fifteen minutes in, "I really wish the Blue Demon was here."
Blue what now?!
My ears informed me I had just said that out loud unintentionally.
"Y'all ain't heard o' the Blue Demon?" asked Braeburn. Goddamn he makes confusion look cute. I hope he isn't gonna be one of those guys who are so unreasonably attractive they make me question my sexuality.
"Well," I said, "seeing as I've not only been absent for seventeen years, but also only returned a few hours ago by my count, you can take that as a massive 'no I haven't'."
"Ah can't believe nopony told ya yet!" cried Braeburn as he finished unloading his rounds into the chest of a particularly large Overwatch soldier. "Cover me while Ah reload and Ah'll tell ya."
"Fair enough."
He crouched down and struggled to slide fresh rounds into his rifle while I shot every approaching Combine soldier dead between the eyes - I am getting good at this - I only have to fire three or four bullets at a time if I aim correctly. And usually, this 'correctly' is somewhere between the eyes and below the horn if there were any unicorns in this seemingly never-ending army.
I don't know whether to be annoyed or worried, to tell the truth. It's been ages, and I've seen soldier after soldier after smegging homicidal soldier, and yet I haven't seen a single smegging unicorn outside the resistance!
"You done yet?" I asked.
A blast just far enough from my ears to avoid damaging my hearing told me that yes, he was in fact finished.
"The Blue Demon is legendary," he fangasmed. "Ponies say he roams 'round Central Equestria, destroyin' every sign of the Combine he comes across: that's radio stations, train stations, hoof soldier conversion centres... you name it, he totals it by the next day! Some say he took out a whole ponyhack arcade just by pressin' a single button!"
Wow. I haven't seen anypony this excited since I met Pinkie. Whoever this 'Blue Demon' is, his reputation definitely precedes him.
"The last known sightin' of him was someplace round Canterlot," Braeburn continued, and paused with a thoughtful expression on his face. "Come to think of it, that was 'round 'bout the time Soarin' and Dash left."
"Do you think one of them might be the Blue Demon?" I asked.
It'd certainly fit, wouldn't it? Seeing as they're both blue and all. And who knows what kind of horrors they've been put through in the past decade and a half. That's what war does to innocent civilians, ponies or otherwise: it turns them into soldiers, forces them to fight, and eventually they die knowing what they did would have almost no impact on what was happening.
"Nah," said Braeburn, contradictory to my expectations. "The stories started at least ten years before they left. 'Bout the time they were captured by Commabies, actually. Mah guess is this fella is the reason we still have them alive in the first place."
"Well, um..." I was a little lost for words, actually. They didn't have anypony like this in dimension 33, that's for sure. "Are there any clues as to who he actually is?"
"Not one," said Braeburn. "Last Ah heard he was givin' them Canterlot bastards a real run for their money. And Ah tell ya this... if he's out there, Ah sure hope he saves mah Rarity."
I almost stopped in my tracks at that last sentence.
He... didn't he know?
I-I guess Rarity being captured by the Combine is easier to take than her actively collaborating with Trixie, and this poor guy already looks hurt enough as it is. But there is one question that's been bugging me ever since I first laid eyes on the CPs:
"Do you know why there aren't any unicorns in the Civil Protection or the Overwatch?"
There was no almost about this: the Apple pony really did halt for a moment, and gave me a look which said "You really shouldn't have asked that." I was relieved when he started walking and talking again.
"That's why Ah'm so worried 'bout mah Rarity," he explained. "They take the unicorns to Canterlot, but nopony ever sees 'em again. Ah've heard nasty things 'bout that place: ponies go in there and they come back changed. Mah half-cousin Apple Fritter got shipped there, and when Ah saw her again, it was like she was empty. Like they'd taken the spirit and emotion clean right outta her."
He turned to me again, the faintest tinges of hope sparkling in his eyes which weren't quite as intensely green as mine.
"Equestria needs heroes like you an' the Blue Demon," he told me. "Maybe then we could get back to the way things were."
I wouldn't have put it past Soarin' or Rainbow Dash to invent the Blue Demon persona. Maybe they were never actually captured by Commabies in the first place: maybe they faked it so that they could create this heroic figure.
But then again, why do that? Why abandon their little colt, nowhere near old enough to take care of himself, just to become Equestria's resident Dark Knight? It's highly unlikely, seeing as Rainbow Dash is the bearer of Loyalty and all, and knowing her she'd never abandon her son if she could help it.
And then of course, there was Soarin'. In the time I'd had to get to know him, he'd been plenty protective of Rainbow Dash - you should've seen his face when the Gabby Gums column about the three of them came out, he was horrified ponies were treating Dash like some cheap floozy left, right and centre, and when Lightning was born he was fawning over the little guy like crazy.
It was cute, but at the same time a little annoying.
"Ah buck, ponyhacks!"
Braeburn started shooting at the ponyhacks while I sucked them out of the air and whacked them to smeggereens with my crowbar. We had found our way to a rather ruined concrete tunnel, and by ruined I mean there was almost no ceiling and it had collapsed up ahead. Because of this, there was room for an almost continuous stream of ponyhacks to swarm into the tunnel and slice us up into nothing.
Then I saw an opening in the collapsed concrete up ahead, but closer inspection revealed that it was covered in twisted spokes of rusted wire and supports.
"Hello?" I shouted. "Anypony through there?"
No answer.
"Is anypony there?" asked Braeburn in between electrical explosions.
"Not as far as I can tell," I shouted back.
"Of course there's somepony through here, how could there not be? But I suppose we could all be dead, or does that not count? I don't think it counts, unless we were turned into zombies! That would be nasty! They're dead, but they're still awake, and they're screaming and screaming and it's so horrible and scary and I just want to scream with them and-"
"Okay, okay, I get it!" I shouted.
"Hexie?" asked Pinkie. "Oh my gosh, it is you! I thought you were dead; I'm so glad you're alive and okay!"
"Well, Braeburn and I won't be okay for much longer unless you help us get through this thing!"
"Hold on then, I'll get some charges set and blow this to smeggereens!"
What? How does she know about that word? I only just made it up! What the... how did...
"Ah could use a li'l help over here!"
At the Apple pony's request, I ran back into the fray and started attacking the whirring floaters of death. It would have made one awesome movie if anypony had been around to film it. There was one particularly awesome moment when there was one that was buzzing around just above our heads, and I noticed that Braeburn really wanted to get it, so I crouched down and launched him off my back, and the guy somersaulted through the air, blew the ponyhack to pieces and landed even more softly than a ninja cat.
"Cool," I commented.
I know, I know, that was kinda lame, but what the smeg.
BOOM.
The explosion and clattering of metal alerted me to the fact that Pinkie had successfully blown a hole in the rubble, and Braeburn and I darted through to safety before it could collapse again.
"Thank smeg you're okay," I said. Or at least, that's what I would have said if Pinkie hadn't glomped me the moment I emerged from the tunnel, which led me to say "Whoa, watch it!"
"Sorry," said Pinkie as she got off me. "I'm just so glad to see you again!"
Why does she have a chamber pot on her head?
Well, I guess she could use it as a helmet, for obvious reasons, but... why does it have a rubber chicken sticky-taped to it?
"What're you doing here, Pinkie?" I asked. This was the last place I would have expected to find Equestria's weirdest pony.
"He he, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "I had to wait here because otherwise who would have helped you get through to the other side? Plus that door over there-" she pointed at a door behind her "-is locked from the other side. Not even I can walk through walls. Well, Pumpkin could when she was a baby..."
"Ah think this is gonna take a while," Braeburn murmured to me as the peppy pink party pony performed her prattle to us patience-losing peace fighters. "Ah think Ah saw a hole in the wall back there; you think y'all could see ta helpin' us through?"
Smeg, dat accent...
"I'll see what I can do," I told him.
I left the way we had come in, and saw that there was a hole in the wall which I had somehow missed. I shot down a couple of ponyhacks as they tried to pursue me, leapt through the hole...
...and immediately voided my stomach via my mouth.
Dear sweet smeg, the STENCH. It smells like a used nappy full of Indian food, next to a turd covered in burnt hair, combined with Bigfoot's dick and-and carrots in throw-up. Seriously, this could gag a maggot! It smells like hot sick arse in a dead carcass. Even stink would say this stinks! You know when you go into an apartment building and you smell the other people's cooking on each floor and you go 'What are they cooking?' That, plus dung!
The point I'm trying to get across is that it smelt bad. I think a sewerage pipe must have burst and mixed with toxic waste. I can tell this tunnel is long since abandoned because of all the rotting vehicles and stuff, but I can hear zombies moaning, and there're fires here and there which account for about 10% of the reek.
I think I'll use my crossbow for this one.
I started hopping through the tunnel, using broken vehicles, the occasional patch of dry land and other assorted knick-knacks as stepping stones. As I had feared, zombies kept rearing up out of the disgusting ooze, the smell of which I was only just starting to get used to.
There are undamaged pipes running across the wall near the ceiling. They look strong enough to hold a pony, and if I get up onto them I can find a grate and open that door for Braeburn and Pinkie.
I wonder why nopony told Braeburn about Rarity's betrayal. Mind you, it doesn't take a genius to work it out: the poor guy seems so sensitive - he's almost more like a colt than a stallion - but surely it would have been easier on him if he just knew? Maybe it'd even give him a new reason to fight. Battle through the Combine forces to confront the mare he thought loved him. Perhaps, seeing as they apparently hooked up during my absence, she might tell him why she stabbed us all in the back.
Whoa! That was a close one. That headcrab almost latched onto me.
I think I can see... yes! The pipes are bent so that if I jump off that white car, I'll be able to hop on and make my way along the metalwork until- this is sounding an awful lot like exposition, isn't it?
Here goes...
Easy peasy, one two threesy. I could've made that jump in my- oh smeg, the car's smegging sinking! I hope those pipes aren't slippery!
Good. They aren't.
I must say; crawling along these pipes is a smeg of a lot easier than jumping from scrapheap to scrapheap to avoid this horrifying smooze. Makes me wonder why I had to go through all that in the first place.
There's a grate! Great!
A couple more minutes of crawling found me opening a door and smiling at the earth ponies on the other side.
"Thanks for waiting up," I said, along with "Sorry I took so long."
"That's okay!" chirruped Pinkie as she bounced past. Braeburn paused for a moment, staring after her.
"Do you know how she bounces on all four hooves at the same time?" he asked. When I shook my head, he added "And what the hay is that smell?!"
"Sorry," I said, I guess it's kinda contagious, but that place stank with a capital V-O-M-I-T."
We continued on.
I don't know when it was that I lost track of time. Maybe it was when the headcrab shell hit the ground and I set Pinkie the job of taking them out and keeping civilians safe, or maybe it was when I was about to enter a visibly-torn-up apartment building and told Braeburn to meet me down below. All I know is...
I don't. I honestly don't know what to think anymore. Is this what my life will be about from now on? Just endless torrents of guns, bullets, aliens and violence? I haven't slept for what feels like a millennium, I haven't had anything to eat in seventeen whole smegging years, I feel like I haven't had a drink since I was three, and Celestia knows what I look like right now.
I bet I have stubble.
Wow, the floor feels really unstabl- WHA! It just collapsed right under my hooves! I'm in an old room - it generally feels like an orange in here - and there's a turret in each corner. And wouldn't you know it; they've got plenty of bullets to spare! That's one... that's the other...
...and then the wall exploded.
I raised my crossbow, ready to shoot this new opponent right in the eye, only to find she was doing the same with her gun, and we both lowered our weapons once we both realised who the other was.
"Hex!" cried Twilight joyfully. "I'm so glad to see you're okay."
She kissed me on the cheek. She kissed me right on the cheek.
"Did you..." I struggled to find the right words. "Is Applejack safe?"
"Yes," she reported, "and I sent Pinkie to join her, plus I met Fluttershy too on the way here: we've got to keep the Elements of Harmony as safe as possible."
"Makes sense," I commented. "Does this mean we can link up with Lightning now?"
"Yeah, but there's an Overwatch command centre downstairs and I want to see what we can learn from it," Twilight informed me as I followed her into the narrow corridor. "There are dark energy generators dotted around the city which the Combine uses to power their machines and weaponry. If we can take them out, we'll definitely get an edge in this battle."
"And where would you be without my help?" I said, more as a suggestive remark than anything else, and yes, I regretted it soon afterwards.
However, contrary to my expectations, she smiled and winked at me. Winked...
"Follow me," she commanded.
"Aye-aye, captain," I replied.
And so we charged down the stairs, through the corridors, past the peeling walls and over the increasingly flimsy wooden floors, shooting Combine smegheads all the way, until true to Twilight's word we found a basement room filled with monitors, control panels and Overwatch.
More like Underwatch, since the only thing they'll be watching now is underneath six feet of earth and a gravestone. Bazinga!
Once we'd grabbed some extra ammo, Twilight set to work with one of the computers, tapping away with her hooves, her eyes fixed firmly on the screen before her. As she stood there on her hind hooves, propping herself up by her forelegs punching in the buttons, I got the sudden impulse to wrap my forelegs around her - pull her into a hug, sort of thing - and see what happened from there...
"We're in luck," she stated, snapping me from my stupor. "There's a generator in the square just outside. You wanna help take it out?"
"How can I do that?"
"Once I drop the shields surrounding it, you'll have to give it a really solid burst of telekinesis. I'd do it myself, but I'm afraid I exhausted all my magic teleporting Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy all the way to Ponyville. It's at least two hundred miles away."
"Fair enough."
Yes, I know there's not a lot of conversation happening right now, but bear in mind that this had been an increasingly dangerous situation from the moment I arrived in the hellhole formerly known as Equestria.
Speaking of which, when we got outside the square was practically empty. Streets led off to the left and right, and they were all littered with dead bodies of Overwatch and even a few apparently idiotic CPs here and there. Up ahead the generator with a sheltered CPU nearby, and a gate behind the generator. I think the piles of dead bodies may have something to do with the traumatised cowpony standing over an observantly still warm carcass.
"Braeburn?" Twilight seemed just as surprised to see him as he was to see her. "What're you doing here?"
"Ah... was..." He was still collecting himself by the looks of things. "Ah was followin' Hex, an' he told me to hold the fort down here 'til he 'rived... they came from everywhere! They came outta the walls! The BUCKIN' WALLS!"
Um... well, there's a lot of windows around, so I suppose to the non-concentrated eye it could look like there were ponies coming out of the walls, but all the same, poor Braeburn.
"I'm sorry," I said, although it didn't feel like anything near enough. "If I'd known how many-"
"Weren't your fault, partner," said Braeburn shakily. "Weren't your fault."
"I'm glad you're here, Braeburn," said Twilight. "You can help Hex give me some cover. I don't think the shields will take as long as that teleporter did, but it'll still be a pretty long time and I won't be able to defend myself."
"You got it, Twi."
At the shortening of her name, a small blush crept up her cheeks. I swear; if she gets any more adorable I might have a heart attack.
As she started tapping at the buttons, something must have clicked in the minds of every Overwatch soldier in the city, because the moment her hooves touched that panel they appeared at the end of each of the streets. Braeburn and I got to work, shooting and shooting like there was no tomorrow, while very slowly the outer shield around the generator started to withdraw into the ground.
"Why the smeg are these things always so slow?" I asked. "It's like there's some outside force that wants us to die!"
"There IS an outside force that wants us ta die!" Braeburn pointed out.
"Yeah, but you know what I mean!" I shouted in reply over the deafening gunfire. "You try to get an elevator, and it takes ages to come down! You try to activate a teleporter, and it takes years to charge! You try to open up a generator, and it takes ABSOLUTELY SMEGGING EONS FOR-"
"The outer shields have come down!" Twilight reported, thereby making what I just said almost redundant. A little annoying to say the least. But there was still an inner shield to come down, so I was right in a way.
Whoops, out of ammo. If I can just get close enough to that fallen clip...
What the smeg am I talking about? I can just pull it over telekinetically! Maybe I've taken too many bashes to the head.
"How's it going, Twi?" I asked.
"The shield's about halfway down!" she told me.
"Well, can't I just shoot it now?"
"No! The energy ball powering it might rebound off the shield and go back into the generator core! We can't risk damaging it or we might never get this thing shut down!"
She's got a point there. Unfortunately, this is one of those things where if you rush it, you ruin it. Just like with almost every other thing in life.
If you know what I mean...
Nudge-nudge.
Back in the world of non-sexual-innuendo, Braeburn and I were running low on energy. The poor guy had already been worn out when this battle began, and I was borderline exhausted, but now it seemed we were both about to drop down where we stood. I could tell just by looking at the guy and listening to his gunshots: dark circles and bags were rapidly expanding around his eyes, and the gaps of time between the firing of his gun were growing larger and larger with every passing second. I hardly noticed it at first, but then I remembered how lively and energetic he had been earlier.
Particularly when he was telling me about the Blue Demon. There's a name for what he is, and that name is "fancolt". I bet he'd go completely spare if he ever met this guy, whoever he is.
Me? I'd rather like to meet him too. Tell him thanks for keeping Equestria safe in his own terrifyingly destructive way.
"The inner shield is down! Now, Hex!"
In a split second, I took in the core of the generator - a single ball of dark energy, identical to that which could be fired from a pulse rifle, bouncing around in an electromagnetic shield - before a blast of magic shot out of my horn and almost levelled the whole thing.
"Great shot!" shouted Twilight as the aforementioned gate (hope you didn't forget about it) swung open and my friends and I cannoned through it, and Twilight gave a control panel on the other side a zap of what little magic she had left, which cause the gate to swing closed against the advancing forces.
Braeburn and I eyed each other, smiled...
...and, very carefully, fell over.
Twilight, with a sigh, was quick to follow, and she rolled over to rest a hoof on my armoured chest.
"Buckin' A," Braeburn swore (I think). "Ah ain't ever fought like that in all mah life!"
"You're telling me," I commented. "I think we could all do with a breather. You okay, Braeburn?"
"Ah think Ah'll be alright."
"How about you, Twi?"
"I'm okay," said Twilight. "I could use a rest, though; I'm still buzzing from adrenaline."
She reached into her jacket (formerly my jacket) and pulled out a small canteen, the contents of which sloshed around as she unscrewed it.
"Here," she said, and offered it to me. "There's - there was - a purifier in New TARDIS. The Combine puts something in the water that messes with your head, but this is safe to drink."
Holy smeg. The feeling of the cold, flavourless liquid trickling down my throat was the best feeling I have had in a long time. Almost immediately, I felt more awake and alert, but I could see that somepony else needed it too.
"Thanks," said Braeburn as he accepted the canteen, and I passed it back to Twilight after he had taken a swig. After she had taken a pull, we all stood up, ready to press on.
"Okay," said Twilight as we walked, "Lightning should be on the other side of this..."
She trailed off, staring in disappointment at the ruined concrete.
"...canal," she finished rather pointlessly. "Well, there used to be bridge here."
"What now?" I asked.
Twilight examined the surrounding buildings with inquisitive eyes.
"Aha!" she exclaimed, so suddenly I almost jumped. "You guys wait here: I'll see if I can scout a path."
She cantered over to a building with a sturdy-looking drainpipe attached to the outside, and started to use it, along with some windowsills and an awning, to climb up the side to the roof.
I watched her as she climbed, her tail swinging freely in the breeze, and made a conscious effort not to ogle her flank.
"You two datin' or somethin'?" asked Braeburn.
For a moment, I considered what exactly the definition of 'dating' is, and settled on "Sort of."
Up above, Twilight reached the roof.
"Not to worry!" she called. "It looks like there might be a way across over there! We just have to- oh no."
I could feel the italics in her voice, and heard the whirr of the ship's engines as it landed behind her, blowing her mane like crazy. She ducked out of sight, and my stomach churned at the sounds of gunshots.
Then she reappeared.
"Both of you get out of here!" she shouted. "Run! I'll try to hold them off!"
"You go that way," I said, pointing down one end of the canal, "and I'll go this way!"
"Gotcha!" said Braeburn with a small salute, and we ran our separate ways.
But before I re-entered the sewers, a sight was burned into my mind forever: that of Twilight clocked around the back of the head by an Overwatch officer, and her unconscious body dragged out of sight. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 12 - Follow Hex! | "You're Hex, aren't you?" asked the young mare who met me when I emerged from the sewers.
I looked her up and down. There was no way she was much older than Lightning Strike. She was a unicorn - yellow - with a twisting orange mane, decorated with a large blue bow that matched her eyes. She also had large scars on either side of her mouth, stretching right up to her eyes and twisting her face into a permanent, grotesque smile.
"That's me," I told her after overcoming my initial alarm at her horrific injury.
"Listen," she said, "Lightning said you were on your way, but we got separated by snipers and he's trapped in a warehouse up ahead. You'd better hurry; he's relying on you!"
And without another word, she cantered past me.
But I was finding it a little hard to concentrate as I continued on, and for this perfectly good reason:
I had failed.
Twilight Sparkle was the love of my life. And an Element of Harmony, one of the most powerful, most important ponies in the whole of Equestria. I was supposed to protect her, make sure this smeg-forsaken place could have a future, but instead I had just watched like a mook as the Overwatch dragged her away.
I had watched the ship as it took off. It had headed towards the Citadel.
Not to worry: I was getting pretty close. The streets were getting harder to navigate - there were a lot of soldiers around, and I'd heard the stretched moans of more than one Strider as they stomped their way through the rubble - I have to push on. I've got to do something about Twilight's situation, about Lightning's situation, about this whole world's situation!
Oh smeg. I'm in an alley, looking across at a warehouse with half the top two floors blown out, and I can see a scrap of deep blue mane poking up over the remainders of a wall on the top floor, but the blue laser of a sniper is dividing the road in half. I'm gonna have to make a run for it.
You know what they say. If you can't laugh at yourself... say goodbye to my dignity...
Undele! Undele! Ariba! Ariba! Speedy Hex, the fastest pony in all Equestria!
Ha, Looney Toons. That was one weird universe, and smeg was I glad to leave it behind.
Whoa, it's like the Combine had a competition to see how many zombies they could cram into a single warehouse (a little like my mouth and cheese puffs - my record is 33). Luckily there's lots of stuff to chuck at them- smeg! I thought that paint tin would slow them down, but all it's done is paint a couple of them yellow!
Oh well, nothing a good filing cabinet couldn't fix.
Looks like there's no way to get to the upper levels from here. Guess I'll have to go through the basement and see if it leads through to the stairs.
Wow, are there no basements that aren't flooded? At least this water's only knee deep, and there aren't any electrical wires turning it into a gigantic frying pan, but variety is the spice of life.
"Hello? Is-is somepony there?"
Who was that?
There's a raised pedestal over there, and a pony on it. He's about the same age as that young mare I met. Pegasus. Creamy yellow coat with a brown mane and eyes to match. And there's a pair of zombies crawling through the water towards him.
Well, not anymore.
When I got closer, I could see that he was hurt. Badly. As if somepony had torn a chunk out of his abdomen. Luckily there was a canister of nanites just behind him, so I injected them into the wound in his stomach in order to let him heal.
"What're you doing down here?" I asked as the tiny robots set to work.
"We thought we'd be safer down here," said the colt. "Little did we know the place was infested. Everypony else headed upstairs to take their chances with the snipers - except for my sister, she tried to find another way out - and I guess they're still up there. If they're still alive."
"Is your sister a yellow unicorn with rather grotesque scars on her face?" I asked him.
"Yeah, that's Pumpkin."
"She made it out. I passed her on my way here. Be careful following her; there's a sniper overlooking the street."
"Gotcha," said the pegasus, and he left the way I had come in.
I'm trying hard to remain aloof here. I can't let my guilt over Twilight's capture interfere with my actions too much. I'm going to save her. I have to. And I can't do that if I'm angsting all the time.
So I got to the other side of the basement, and wouldn't you know it, it led to the stairway! Pretty soon, I found my way up to the penultimate floor of the warehouse, the ceiling of which had been almost completely eliminated, and I could see Lightning Strike huddled in a corner of the upper floor clutching a shotgun to his chest.
"Hex!" he shouted upon seeing me. "Am I ever glad to see you!"
"Are you okay?" I called up to him.
"A little nervous, but apart from that, I'm fine!" he reported. "Listen, Hex, these snipers got me pinned pretty good! You got any grenades?"
I checked my digital stockpile. Luckily I had plenty of explosive devices of that description at my disposal.
"Chuck 'em in the windows; that should clear 'em out!" shouted Lightning.
Okay, I'm going to have to be very careful with what I do here. I'm fortunate enough for there to be this huge crate of grenades coincidentally placed about ten feet from my current position, but snipers have their jobs because they rarely, if ever, miss their mark.
With some well utilised telekinesis, I could get this done very quickly.
After sussing out where the nearest sniper was, I pulled out a grenade and removed the pin with my teeth (which, contrary to what you see in the movies, is actually a bit hard and rather painful). Then I wrapped the grenade in my magic and guided it into the window. There were the sounds of alarm from the operator of the gun, followed by a muffled explosion and a sudden lack of laser.
One down, three to go.
The next one was on the other side of the building, and I darted from rubble heap to rubble heap to avoid getting my brains blown onto the concrete. I had a near miss though: one bullet bounced of the grenade crate and ricocheted off the collar of my HEV suit before pinging away to wherever bullets go.
I carefully withdrew a grenade, removed the pin, and lobbed it across at the window. Even before it completed its graceful arc through the air I could tell it wouldn't make it on its own, so I gave it a small telekinetic nudge and it bounced off the windowsill and into the room where the now ex-sniper was stationed.
Two down, two to go.
Third sniper and I could tell this would be a tricky one. Unlike the others, this one and the next had decided not to play fair and choose a window on an upper floor rather than one nearer to the middle. Rather than a usual clean throw I would have to adopt some kind of weird, snake like route if ever I was going to nail this smegger.
Of course, being telekinetic makes the whole thing a lot easier. Three down, one to go.
Final sniper. This one was directly behind Lightning, and I would have to climb up to where he was huddled if I wanted to succeed.
"Any chance you could help me up?" I asked.
He laid down on his stomach, flat against the concrete, and reached down towards me. It wasn't long before I was lying next to him. I produced a grenade-
"Wait," said Lightning. "Let me deal with this dickweed."
-and passed it to him.
This next bit was just pure awesome. He pulled out the pin and without looking around threw the explosive right into the sniper's face. Literally, I heard that guy grunt as it bounced off his mask!
"Thanks for that," said the pegasus as he stood up, as if he did that sort of thing every day. "Any longer huddling there and my legs would have seized up. You okay?"
"Well," I said, "apart from being angry, in pain, hungry, thirsty, bursting for the dunny and feeling as if I could fall asleep at any minute I'm just peachy!"
Thank smeg having parents like Dash and Soarin' gave this guy a sense of humour. You know, it's weird: technically I'm seventeen years older than him, and yet we're physically the same age. But the same could be said about me and Twilight, and the rest of her friends as well. Biologically they've got nearly one and three quarter decades on me, and yet...
"Let's press on," said Lightning. "The sooner I join Mom and Dad, the better."
...and yet he's physically not that much younger than them. Weirdness to the max.
Rather than leaving the way I had come in, we descended to the next floor down and emerged onto the street via a heap of rubble which had been blocking my way earlier and now provided a helpful ramp down to the cracked tarmac. The road was blocked by another Combine gate up ahead, but luckily we were on the correct side of it, i.e. the one that the Overwatch weren't watching, and it was easy to take them out.
"Let me get this gate," said Lightning, and he cantered over to the controls. "My Civil Protection status still gives me limited clearance."
As he tapped at the panel, I noticed that he had sewn patches onto his CP uniform, and since they were on his flanks, I assumed the image on them was his cutie mark. It was a blood-red peace symbol, laid over a pair of crossed swords. A pretty cool cutie mark, I think you'll agree.
A Strider moaned somewhere in the distance, and Lightning turned to me with eyes full of horror.
"Did you hear a cat just now?" he asked.
"What?" I was really confused; it sounded nothing like a cat!
"I swear, that damn thing haunts me!"
The gate swung open and we ran onwards, shooting down Overwatch troops on the way. We found a building which must have been some kind of office block once - the pale blue wallpaper was peeling, and there were lots of large spiralling staircases and ruined desks and stuff like that - but Lightning paused when we reached the end of one room, so I did too.
"Listen," he said. "There's this big old building up ahead; a bank or a museum or something like that. Whatever the hell it used to be, it's now some sort of nexus for the Overwatch - in City 17, anyway. Long story short, it's the main source of pain for this part of town, thanks to this massive suppression device that's raining down hell from the roof."
"And we have to stop it?" I asked, even though I knew full well what the answer would be.
"I'm afraid so," said Lightning, as per my expectations. "We're the best armed ponies in the area, I expect. Plus a small elite group would stand a better chance than a horde of rookies, don't you think?"
I cocked an eyebrow at that last statement.
"We're elite?" I asked with a smile.
"More or less," said Lightning, and he smiled too.
We proceeded through the nearest door into a corridor, the right side of which had broken windows set into it. Through the holes I could see a massive domed building - think the Capitol building in Washington, only a dirty golden brown colour with part of the dome collapsed, and a good deal smaller too, silhouetted against the darkening sky. I could make out electromagnetic shields barring at least some of the route, so we'd have to be careful where we went.
As I watched, a single pony trotted cautiously out into the open. And as I watched, a laser focused on his position and seconds later he was little more than a pony-shaped scorch mark on the concrete.
"That is something nopony should ever have to see," I stated simply.
"You're telling me," Lightning said grimly.
When we got to the next room, a camera identical to the one in the room where I had first met the pegasus colt flashed several times and retreated into the ceiling. Lightning shot at it, but too late.
"So much for stealth," I commented. "What now?"
"Now we run like crazy and don't stop for anything," said Lightning, "not even to shoot if we can help it."
And with that, we trotted down to the bottom floor, and paused at the door leading to the outside (more specifically, under some sort of veranda) and here and there I could see an overturned skip and several other means of shelter scattered around.
"Okay, you ready?" asked Lightning.
I shrugged and said "Ready as I'll ever be."
"Right," said Lightning, "On three."
I waited...
"THREE!"
The moment he spoke, the two of us ran at top speed to the overturned skip and took shelter underneath. We felt the metal shudder as the suppression device pounded into it again and again, but it was holding for the moment.
"Ready for another go?" I asked when both of us had finished panting.
"Where should we head to?" said Lightning.
I poked my head out the right side of the skip - tentatively for fear of being disintegrated - and I saw a door in a building over to the left. However, to reach this door we would gallop from here into a U-turn around a fence, avoid the electromagnetic barriers and basically cover the entire courtyard area in front of the nexus without getting killed.
"I've worked out where we need to go," I told the colt, "but I'm just wondering if you can keep up with me."
"Is that a challenge?" asked Lightning with a smirk.
"You know it is," I said. "Ready?"
"Ready."
"LEG IT!"
I've never run so fast in all my life! Mind you, it was the only time I've had any motivation to run that fast. The sound of my hooves on the ground was more of a low buzz than anything else, and I didn't look around (looking round while running? Irresponsible) but I could tell Lightning was flapping his wings to aid his speed. He wasn't flying, but he was definitely moving quickly.
The suppression device carved small craters in the ground behind us as we sped towards the door, and get this: five feet away from the door, I tripped over my own legs and ended up rolling in like a big ball of pony. I was quick to recover though, and shot the startled Overwatch before they could get over the fact that an orange-and-black-clad nerd had just rolled into their midst.
"You alright?" asked Lightning.
"You want a list of the ways I'm not alright?" I asked him. He nodded in understanding.
"What now?" he inquired. "I don't know if you noticed, but there's no other way out of this place."
"I'm thinking, okay?" I told him. "Let's just restock on ammunition first."
We wordlessly set to work reloading as many guns as we had ammo for, and when we were finished, I dared to poke my head above a windowsill and look outside.
"I think I see where we can go," I told Lightning.
"Are you sure?" asked the pegasus. "Because you're my friend, and I trust you with my life, but if I die because of you, I'll kill you."
It was my turn to nod at him in understanding, and I motioned for him to join me at the window or at least look through the one next to me.
"Do you see the far side of the building?" I asked, pointing.
Lightning squinted and said "Yeah, I think so."
"On my mark, we run smeg for leather."
"Got it."
Very carefully, I opened the door once more, and very carefully, we ran even faster than earlier across the courtyard, navigating the maze of electromagnetic fences and the old wrought-iron ones until we reached the wall of the nexus building. I could see the plug powering the smaller shield in front of us, and I wrenched it from its socket.
"I was right to trust you," said Lightning.
I was too out of breath to reply, so I just smiled.
We entered the building at that side, and I noticed a couple of drain-like grilles in the floor.
"Oh buck, turrets," Lightning swore. "You've got the HEV suit, you can deal with them."
When I stepped out from over, the grilles rose and there were indeed miniature turrets underneath. I ducked forward, out of their range, before they could shoot me, and they scanned the area with lasers, revealing their rather small firing area.
This is getting boring.
I rolled a grenade into each turret just as they were closing, muffling the explosion that destroyed each one.
Then we moved onward into the main building. Had I been a colt, of around 9 years old, I would have been the type to look up and gaze in wonder at the massive dome which stretched over the roof of the foyer. However, this was slightly ruined since I was 18 and the dome was only half there. Plus there were soldiers coming at me and Lightning from every which way.
"We need to find the rooms with generators in them," Lightning informed me. "As far as I know there're three of them, but they're dotted about the building and I don't think it'll be easy to find them."
"Better get searching then," I stated, and so we began.
This place must've been booming once. I can just imagine it: parents bringing their foals here on the summer holidays, and the foals coincidentally getting bored to death around the same time. I think it's a museum, because I've seen empty plinths where there might once have been exhibits or statues or something, but it isn't too easy to tell because of all the Overwatch troops.
And you know what? It's not just the Overwatch anymore. Do you remember when Twilight and I were about to teleport out of Nova Discord, and I said that white-clad ponies with one red eye appeared and shot energy balls at us? They've decided to put in another appearance in this place.
Can't complain. I can hardly blame the Overwatch for trying to protect their base of operations. Never mind that two of the best fighters in the whole city are ploughing through them like a jet plane through a flock of high-altitude hummingbirds.
Oh smeg, was that joke in bad taste?
I hope not.
"Back here!"
Did I just run right past one? Apparently so. I about turned and headed back to the fancy and surprisingly well-kept room where Lightning Strike was waiting for me. The generator was directly across from the door, and when I hit it with my magic it did exactly what I thought it would: the energy ball bounced around the room and then exploded against the ceiling.
"Nice work!" Lightning joyfully cried.
"One down, two to go," I said by way of commentary.
At that moment, we were joined by the Overwatch, but they were nothing that a hail of bullets couldn't take care of.
"Fifty down, eight hundred to go?" Lightning suggested, and I swear I almost laughed out loud.
We departed that room in higher spirits, felling that we were finally getting somewhere in this battle, and soon encountered a corridor where the door at the end was barred with boards of wood. Not that we wanted to go that way: there were laser traps that would have triggered more turrets.
So instead we turned back, and another corridor led to a room with more laser trips and hopper mines than I had ever seen in my whole life.
"With that kind of security, you know there's something good in there," I said to Lightning. "Shall we check it out?"
In another part of the building, something exploded.
"How about you check it out and I cover this corridor for you?" Lightning suggested. "That way only one of us will get blown up by hopper mines and/or shot to pieces."
It didn't take me long to realise that something was wrong with that sentence.
"You have just as much chance of getting shot to pieces as me," I stated.
"Yes, but I won't get blown up," Lightning pointed out.
Stalemate.
I entered the room, almost walking into a laser, and the door automatically closed behind me.
This room looks like some kind of power generation thing, and I can see the machine guns nestled in the corners of ceiling, just waiting for me to trip on a laser and set them off. And wouldn't you know it; the deactivation button is on the other side of the room, next to the exit.
I bet the Blue Demon doesn't have this kind of trouble. By what Braeburn told me, I expect he'd just blow this entire place sky high and never think about it again. Don't worry; I'm not jealous, just a little nervous about having to navigate a smegging maze of lasers and mines. It looks like if I can climb on the generator thingy and avoid touching the floor, I might just get through this unhurt.
Here I go...
Hmm, I can't help but feel like I need some theme music. Something to really represent what I'm doing. Dododooo, dododooo, dododooo, bedoodoo. Dada dadadada dada dododooo, dododooo, dododooo, bedoodoo.
Wawa wawawawa wawa-
Nanana, nanana, nanana, banana! Dada dadadada dadada- BADAAAAAAA!
Yes. That was the Mission Impossible theme. I once heard about some guy who hummed it while darting around a K-Mart store, and this among other things (such as leaving a trail of ketchup leading to the toilets and setting all the alarm clocks to go off at five minute intervals) resulted in him and his wife getting barred. Oh smeg, I laughed so hard at that!
WHOA!
Almost slipped. Just managed to catch myself with some handy self telekinesis.
All I have to do now is jump down and push that button, although something tells me I might be coming back here at some point. And strangely enough, it deactivated all the mines and lasers as well as opening the doors, which was all I thought it would do.
"Good work!" cried Lightning happily as he cantered in. "Although don't you think it would've been easier if I'd flown in?"
"Well, yes," I said, "but-"
"Yeah, I know," said Lightning, "suppression field and all. Is it annoying or what?"
"You're telling me," I commented. "But shall we move on?"
"Good idea."
It wasn't long before we came across a second generator room, and pretty soon that was taken care of too, and we disabled those turrets that had blocked our way earlier and found a bridge which led to another part of the building.
We found a room piled high with ammunition, nanites canisters and inactive hopper mines (plus some quite spacious holes in the walls) but the moment we entered the doors on both sides of the room slammed closed.
"Buck!" Lightning swore. "This is not good."
Then the sound of Combine communicators came in from outside.
"Ya think?" I asked.
It soon became obvious why we were locked in: the Overwatch were running around outside in the corridors and shooting at us as if we were fish in a barrel. This, funnily enough, is exactly what I felt like.
"BUCK!"
I whipped around at Lightning's cry of pain, and saw him clutching his foreleg, blood pouring off his hoof and spilling into a pool on the floor. Without pausing to think I grabbed him, pulled him behind cover and telekinetically pulled over a tube of nanites.
"I can keep going!" he insisted. "It's only a bullet!"
"Sorry, Lightning," I said, "but I don't think your parents would ever forgive me if I let you die."
Lightning tried to roll his eyes, and got about halfway through before wincing as I jabbed the canister's needle into his arm through a pore in his armour.
"Do you have to be so rough?" he demanded.
"Unfortunately yes," I replied, "and, um, you do realise that what you just said would sound terrible out of context?"
Watching Lightning Strike's face complete the complex journey through confusion, realisation and horror-in-hindsight was one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen, and I don't think I'll ever be able to forget it in my life. Oh smeg, it's still funny now!
The moment of hilarity (on my part anyway) ended when the two of us became aware of a strange hissing noise. When we deigned to look - the sudden ceasefire was also cause for question - we saw that the Overwatch had started to cut through the very doors they had closed with a blowtorch.
"Why bother closing the door if they're just gonna open it again?" asked Lightning.
"Indeed," I said, "I don't think they plan their plans very thoroughly."
"Well, whatever the case, get those mines set up!" Lightning ordered. "But don't put them all around that door, because they might try to come in through the other one."
"Gotcha."
I arranged the five-or-so hopper mines around the two doors, and both of us took cover and waited for the troops to enter.
I've heard plenty of things about going out with a bang, but if you ask me, coming in with a bang is so much cooler. However, this coolness can be somewhat tampered when the one entering is trying to kill you.
After the mines had done what they could, Lightning and I leapt out from cover like a jack-in-the-box and started to fire. We ran as we shot, and it wasn't long before that particular wave of troops had been slaughtered just like the rest of them. And not long after that, we took down the final generator.
"Nice work!" Lightning complimented.
"Couldn't have done it without your help," I told him.
"That'll have disabled all the force fields in and around this place," said Lightning. "The suppression device on the roof should be deactivated too. If we can get up there, we can use this place to start ferrying refugees out of this city, 'coz-"
"Nopony has to get hurt that doesn't need to," I finished for him. "It's a song I've sung before, I'll think you'll find."
"Really?"
"Take my word for it: I don't want to go into detail."
"Fair enough."
I must say this whole hero thing is a lot easier when I have someone to work with. I see now why all those stereotypical action heroes often come with the stereotypical action sidekick (although some of these aren't stereotypical): the Doctor and his never-ending stream of companions, Lieutenant McClane and that guy played by Samuel L. Jackson, me and Amber, Batman and Robin, Superman and Supergirl, Tony Stark and Rhodey... shall I end the list there? We're going to be here all day and you probably get the point.
When we got onto the roof, all hell broke loose if it hadn't already. It was flooded with Overwatch firing at us non-stop. But the thing about me and Lightning was that we were armed as well, and me? I was armed to the teeth. And all these attackers were just providing me with more ammunition!
But at the same time, it wasn't like the video game I know, remember and love, because it's real. Really real. I could die at any moment.
I'm not going to think about this. I'm going to focus on the task I apparently have to complete. I say apparently because I didn't choose to do this. It's almost like...
...like it chose me.
Heh, I wonder what I'd be doing right now if I hadn't decided to go travelling the multiverse with Amber. Probably be getting beaten up by some drunk with eyebrow, nose, lip and dick piercings in an alley somewhere in Melbourne's darkest corners.
I certainly wouldn't be attacking alien invaders in a dimension to which I myself am an alien.
And wouldn't you know it, there's a gunship!
"Lightning!" I shouted over the deafening gunfire.
"Yeah?" Lightning replied.
"I need you to cover me while I take down this gunship!"
"Shouldn't be a problem!"
I whipped out my rocket launcher, loaded it up from a coincidentally close crate of ammo - one of many I'd found scattered around in convenient places - took aim and fired, and three minutes later that gunship was no more than rubble.
But then I noticed something else: something that could hinder my progress even more.
Striders.
Three of them, tearing up the courtyard in front of the nexus.
This day just gets worse and worse...
"Hex!"
Lightning's shout broke me from my stupor and snapped me back into the rooftop battle. As soon as I entered the fray, the tide turned and Lightning and I were able to activate a bridge which ran from this rooftop to another building on the other side of the street (at the back of the nexus, away from the Strider battle) and other resistance ponies joined the fight.
It wasn't long before the nexus was officially ours, and I heard another familiar voice from the bridge.
"Hex! Sweet Celestia, it's good ta see yer alright!"
"Good to see you too, Braeburn," I replied.
"Listen," said the apple pony, "we dropped a crate o' rockets on the other side of the courtyard. If y'all c'n get over there, ya can start takin' out those Striders and make our job a whole lot easier."
"What is this job?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Evacuatin' civilians," said Braeburn. "We gotta get as many ponies ta safety as possible."
Sounds like a sound plan. To tell the truth, most of the faces I'd seen in the resistance were faces I'd seen in Ponyville at some point. I'm assuming from what Twilight said that Ponyville is safe - she wouldn't teleport her best friends to the middle of a warzone - and now I'm going to stop thinking about this because I have a job to do.
"I'm going to see if I can find Spike," Lightning reported. "Chances are he's torn half the city apart by now."
"Good idea," said Braeburn, and then turned to me and said "So, y'all think you're up to it?"
I winked and said "What do you think?"
Then I ran.
I ran across the bridge, down the fractured stairwell of the other building and out into the courtyard. Once there, I kept running, despite the Striders constantly firing at me and trying to turn me into Swiss cheese. I ran through the holes they had blasted in the ground, and I ran across the broken tarmac until I reached the far side of the courtyard and paused to catch my breath.
You can probably tell by now that the feeling of adrenaline pulsing through my veins is nothing new to me. I've had a lot of experience with this kind of thing, but normally there's someone with me. This time, I'm utterly alone.
I drew my rocket launcher and took as many rockets as I could hold, took careful aim, and fired at the nearest Strider.
Then I fired again.
And again.
And twice more, until the Strider let out one final moan and collapsed, its massive legs spilling out all over the ground. I kept doing the same until all three monstrous constructions of metal lay dead on the ground, and paused again for another breather.
Once I had stopped buzzing, I got up and left through a door which I was sure hadn't been there when Lightning and I first got to this place, and soon found myself in a dark tunnel.
Has night fallen already? It's hard to tell: maybe the sky is just really, really cloudy and dark-
HOLYSMEGHOLYSMEGTHERE'SASTRIDERRIGHTBEHINDMEIT'SSMASHEDTHROUGHTHETUNNELITHOUGHTITWASCAVEDINIT'SCOMINGRIGHTATMEREALLYREALLYFAST!!!!!!!!!!
Okay... okay... I think I got away... I didn't get away. There're Overwatch troops in this basement.
Not anymore.
Holy smeg, I'm so smegging tired...
Hmm?
What?
Did I just fall asleep? It seems like everything's slightly lighter and... Holy smeg, I feel like a mess. My brain has turned into a squishy lump of wood pulp.
Might as well press on for as long as possible. That is, until I drop dead, of course.
I made my way out of the basement and onto one of the upper floors. An Overwatch solder fired a shot at me, but I silenced him with a crossbow bolt before he could do any more damage. My greatest enemy at the moment is the floating cameras that I saw floating around when I first entered City 17: their flash is so bright that it has a temporary blinding effect.
My only way to get rid of them is to wait until they're close enough and then whack them to smeggereens with my trusty crowbar. I don't want to use a gun: that Strider is still hanging around and I can't afford to be found right now.
I can see a corridor over there. If I can get to it without being seen, I might just get away scot free. I'll have to be quick, but quiet at the same time.
Okay, I can do this. It's just one hoof in front of the other. No biggie, right?
Gently... gently...
There, made it. Thank smeg.
Now I just have to find a way out of this build- Oh look; a stairwell! How nice! Isn't it nice how in these kinds of things you get a Deus Ex Machina around every smegging corner?
Oh no.
It's even worse out this end. So much noise and destruction. The building up ahead is completely surrounded by rubble, and by the looks of the three or so Striders around it it's rapidly becoming rubble. They're not just using the machine guns anymore, but they're using their warp cannons as well. Those things can destroy an entire city if implemented correctly.
The Citadel is closer and more looming than ever, so at least I haven't got far to go. That's a plus.
The Striders are erupting out of the ground. Big minus.
"Hex!" somepony shouted. "Head for the memorial on the other side!" I don't know who it was, but they sounded feminine.
So there's a memorial on the other side that I have to head for. At least I have a goal now- SMEG! A Strider just erupted out of the road right in front of me! It went right over and didn't seem to see me, so I darted down the hole and found myself in a large sewerage pipe which led to the doomed building's basement.
There's more Overwatch down here and- wait, what's that bleeping noise?
SMEG! Those soldiers literally blew the floor right out from underneath me! I have to get out of this crater before I get cornered and shot to pieces. But now Overwatch troops are jumping down here to shoot me!
Oh smeg, this feels so wrong. Nopony should ever have to walk on a ramp of dead bodies just to get out of a pit. EVER.
Right. I'm out of the basement and in the building proper. If I want to get a clear shot at the Striders I'm going to have to get up as high as possible. But do you want to know what that means?
That means I'm going to have to run through this building as it's being torn to pieces around me. Very noisily too. I am going to need so much therapy after this.
Come to think of it, there're a lot of video game protagonists who'd need help after their experiences. I mean, the experiences they're put through on a daily basis are nothing short of horrifically traumatising. I'd make a list of all the protagonists who'd need a smegload of counselling, but I seriously don't have time right now.
Suddenly, everything faded out.
I can't explain what happened. Maybe it was the combined results of lack of sleep, hunger and thirst that triggered it, but all I could see was what was right in front of me.
I continued climbing through that building in a complete daze. The explosions of the warp cannons meant nothing to me as I finally reached the rapidly disappearing remains of the top floor.
Once there, I inserted a rocket into my launcher, fired at a strider and hit it right on the nose, but it didn't feel like me doing it. It felt like... I don't know. A stranger. Somepony with my name and my body, complete with my HEV suit, but not me.
It was almost as if I had no control over my body any more, and was doing these things automatically, like a robot programmed to do its job until it wears out and falls to pieces.
Load and fire, load and fire, load and fire... until the final Strider collapsed with a haunting wail of death, its broken body carving into the rubble, and the remaining resistance members quickly dispatched the Overwatch troops in the neighbouring buildings.
I felt my body slump against what remained of the wall, slide down until my haunches hit the floor, and only then did I regain control of my body.
I...
I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.
Just then, it-it felt like I was in a dream: a terrible dream and I was unable to wake up, no matter how hard I tried.
What if this conflict never ends? What if the Combine can't be defeated, and everything everypony's doing comes to no good?
What if I can never stop fighting...?
I feel so exhausted. Not just physically, but mentally as well. I know I can't keep fighting forever, but I also know that I just might have to. But at least I know what I have to do.
First, I have to save Twilight.
Then find a way to save the rest of the world.
And also, find the source of that incredible crashing noise before I fall asleep right here.
I crossed the beams which were all that remained of the roof, and jumped to the ground in a road which led to a square, the centre of which housed a large column with a stone statue of Celestia on the top. The street at the other end was being rapidly emptied of Overwatch, which probably had something to do with the screaming mass of purple and green scales charging down the street. Also the young blue pegasus following him.
"Spike, you have to stop!" Lightning shouted. "If you carry on like this you'll tear the entire city to pieces!"
"I WILL tear the city to pieces!" Spike replied. "And I'll sort through those pieces one by one until I find Twilight!"
He skidded to a halt in the square, sending the column toppling over and sending me flying out of the way to avoid being hit on the head by a stone sun goddess.
"Hex, could you give me some help?" asked Lightning.
"What's the problem?" I asked, although it was pretty obvious what the problem was.
"Him," said Lightning, gesturing at Spike. "He's got it into his head that Twilight's been captured and she's in the Citadel."
I looked up at the towering mass of steel, the pinnacle of which was just visible behind the clouds.
"Probably because she is," I told him. "I should know: I saw it happen."
We both turned at the deafening cacophony of dragon claws gouging deep grooves into the massive metal shield surrounding the Citadel.
"Spike, just stop!" Lightning commanded. "There's no way you're gonna be able to get..."
He trailed off as the huge dragon (well, huge compared to us) grabbed a section of the wall and lifted it clear out of the ground, revealing a huge hole which looked as though it had a tunnel at the bottom.
It would lead whoever went down there straight to the Citadel.
"...in," Lightning finished unnecessarily. "Well, I've been wrong before."
"Uh, guys?" said Spike, sweat pouring down his face. "I can't hold this up for long, so one of you get down there!"
"Right," I said. By the looks of things, the hole wasn't very deep, and I had my HEV suit to protect me, so it couldn't hurt too much, could it? "Wish me luck."
"Good luck," said Lightning. "You're gonna need it."
I jumped into the hole, landing in the dusty ground, and the pegasus decided to tell me one final thing as Spike dropped the hunk of wall into the ground:
"And if you see Trixie, tell her I said f-" CRASH "-you!" |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 13 - Our Benefactors | Let me just check something...
Yep, yep, definitely. I definitely need to shave. I've been here for about two days, so of course I've started to grow a beard. I'm becoming more and more like Gordon Freeman all the time!
Ugh, those defective nanites are so annoying. My muzzle his hurting more and more all the time.
Wow it's dark in here. I wish I had some light globes. No matter; my eyes seem to be adjusting rather quickly. Plus there's light up ahead, and it sounds like something's moving outside the Citadel (either that or it's part of the Citadel).
Anyway I'll just go and...
WHOA.
Are you- are you seeing this?!
The Citadel itself is impressive enough - how could anypony not be intimidated by a tower of metal which stretches about two kilometres into the sky? - but the thing is it seems to go just as far down as it does up. Seriously, there's this huge pit surrounding the entire building and I can't even see the bottom of it!
I don't want to fall. I don't want to have come this way to die in such an anticlimactic way!
Okay, there's a broken walkway leading up the inside of this pit, and a piston thing going up and down on the outside of the building. If I can get up high enough and time my jump while it's at its lowest, there's every chance I'll make it with only a twisted ankle or something.
Or of course, I could just levitate across. But then again, that place is probably stacked to the gills with guards and soldiers, and I'll need all the magic I can get if that's the case.
Alright, I've given myself as much of a run-up as I can get when all I have to work with is a four-foot wide ledge. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this- I CAN'T DO THIS!
I... I made it?
I made it! I thought I wouldn't make it while I was in mid-air, but I'm okay! Phew. I'm okay. Good. Okay is good.
Now to find my way into the inner workings of this nightmarish thing. It shouldn't be too hard: I'll just follow this really thin, can't-be-OSHA-approved catwalk.
I hope Twilight's not been hurt. If she has, then somepony is going to be torn to pieces and the pieces are going to be eliminated one by one. After that, whatever remains will be personally teleported to dimension 63, and exterminated by Daleks.
Wow, what's that?
Those look like the carrier things from Nova Discord, only this time there's two rails of them. One's going to some kind of steriliser thing - it's electric - and the other rail is heading into some kind of portal.
I think I'll take my chances with the portal one. Let me just duck under this one so I can get in...
Alright, and I'm on my way!
Just trundling along, into a portal which leads to...
If you could see what I'm seeing right now, your mind would be all over the wall. When I look up, the ceiling just never ends, and the floor - it never ends that way too! The walls are just- the ceiling's just- the floor is just- you have to see it to believe it.
And the convenient thing is that this transporter is moving really slowly, so I've got plenty of time to take things in, such as the three Striders passing right underneath. If I could reach my rocket launcher...
Wait.
What the smeg is that?
It looked like a pony- there's another! I'll see if I can get a closer look. Yeah, it looks like a pony, only...
Holy smeg.
It doesn't have a single hair in its entire body - not even a mane or a tail. And it has completely lost its cutie mark, plus all evidence of its gender. Its skin, which under any other circumstances would be pinkish and tight, is now golden brown and sagging off it as if its body has shrunk, but its skin was burnt but remained the same size.
By the looks of things, its eyes have been removed and replaced with some sort of silvery camera thing, and its mouth has been sealed shut. The lower halves of its legs have been removed and replaced with metal bones with artificial hooves at the ends of them.
But to me, there's only one feature which is truly horrifying.
And that's the spike of bone protruding from the monstrosity's forehead, metal wrapped around it from base to tip, which it's using to conduct various tasks under the tight supervision of an armed guard.
That's what happens to the captured unicorns.
They get turned into those... things. I can hardly even recognise them as ponies anymore. I- I can't even- are they conscious? Do they actually know what's going on; do they know what's happened to them? Do they remember what they were before they became... that?!
I hope they don't. For their sake, I hope they don't remember who they were.
There's a new emotion coming over me. I can feel it as it trickles into my mind, making its presence more glaringly obvious with every passing second. It's warm - definitely warm - and growing warmer, and warmer, until it burned in my heart like a Bunsen burner. There's blood rushing to my face, and my teeth are clenching as redness starts to cloud my vision. My heart is pumping so fast that it might jump right out of my mouth and tap-dance on my forehead for all I know.
My body's starting to buzz as adrenaline is flooded into my system, in preparation for the expression of this emotion that I'm only just beginning to recognise.
It's not anger. It's what anger is when it drains every drop of power from a nuclear reactor in meltdown, sucked the sun of its heat and eaten a lightning bolt. It's an emotion that I've only ever seen experienced before once in my whole life.
Pure, unstoppable rage.
I hear it's selfish to think of things of your own - smeg, it's the definition of the word - but right now, selfishness may be my greatest weapon.
Equestria is my home. It's the first place where I've ever felt well and truly happy. And the Combine think they can just march in and disrupt everything I've strived to achieve for myself?
I usually quell my anger. I save it for when I need to use the Voice - that little trick for causing immediate fear and unquestioning obedience which has come in handy quite a few times in my life.
But now it looks like I might need this rage for something else entirely.
Alright, it looks as if I'm almost at the end of my ride. But why am I over a pit?
Whoa! This thing just opened and dropped me! What the... I'm floating. I'm floating in mid-air. Must be some kind of gravitational distortion.
Hey, it just disarmed me! It literally just pulled all my weapons away from me and they're floating around me. Even my horn clip's been removed!
What the- What? Something's destroying them! I'm hanging in mid-air watching my weapons being disintegrated one by one, right before my eyes. My shotgun, my Magnum, my crossbow, even my crowbar! And then it moved on to the horn clip-
-and it failed. I dropped out of the air and the small metal ring clattered to the floor at my hooves.
I knelt down and slipped the ring over my horn, then straightened up, and snapped it into place with a hoof.
Very slowly, I walked out of the room and into a corridor. A PA system similar to the one at Nova Discord announced my presence as some sort of malfunction in a weapon confiscation field, but I continued on undeterred.
It wasn't long before the first of many soldiers launched an attack on me. They stopped at a corner and fired their machine guns, but thanks to the dark energy in the confiscation field which had zapped the horn clip, I was more powerful than any unicorn in Equestria. I wrenched one of them towards me; his life force was instantly sapped from his body by the dark energy, and I threw his smouldering body at his comrades, who crumbled into dust along with him.
In my state of mind, I barely even noticed. I kept my gaze fixed only on what was straight ahead of me. As far as I cared at the time, nothing mattered except that the Combine suffered as much as was possible. The crimes they have committed against ponykind are nothing short of unforgivable, and it's about time they paid the price for them.
You know what they say: do the crime, do the time.
As I passed a monitor, it came on, and the face of a familiar and very obnoxious unicorn appeared.
"Well, well, well," said Trixie, and I swear she was looking right into my eyes. Once again, I felt nauseous, especially since she seemed irritatingly calm. "Hello there, Hex. Under other circumstances I'd like to think that we may have been able to work together for a better Equestria, in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect."
Unable to listen to much more, I tore the monitor off the wall and used it to kill three oncoming guards, and then I continued on my way.
She knew. Trixie had known the whole time what the Combine had been doing to her fellow ponies, and she had just swept it under the rug as if it were absolutely nothing. Simply by being a complete and utter sell-out, she had approved the death of countless innocent ponies whom she had never even met.
She appeared on another monitor and had this to say:
"Certainly, judging from your brief tenure in Ponyville while I was touring Equestria, you may have showed every promise of becoming one of the most fantastically powerful and brilliant unicorns in all of Equestria."
Again, I utterly destroyed the monitor, but she appeared on yet another and added:
"And yet... I'm not sure what spurred you to it... but there is really no place in modern day Equestria for a rogue scientist from another dimension."
For the love of smeg, Trixie, shut the smeg up! You're nothing but a showpony! The only thing you have to show for yourself is pissing off just about everypony in Ponyville by acting like a complete and utter bitch!
The thing is she's kinda right. I am universes away from home, and if I hadn't come to this place chances are the Combine would never have come here. They wouldn't have been attracted by the trace amounts of the energy that Amber used on me to get me to Equestria without having to use her ship.
And then I was gone for seventeen whole years, and the entire world slid into complete and utter ruin...
What have I done? What have I done? How could I have been so blind?
All is lost. Where was I? Spoiled all, spoiled all, everything's gone all wrong... what have I done? What have I done?
Find a deep cave to hide in. In a million years they'll find me only dust... and a plaque that reads "Here Lies Poor Old Hex".
But... I never intended this to happen. Never. And nopony really understood- well, how could they? That all I ever wanted was to bring them something great! Why does nothing ever turn out like it should?
Well, what the smeg? I went and did my best! And by smeg, I really tasted something cool. And for a moment, why, I even touched the sky! And at least I left some stories they could tell, I did!
And... for the first time since I don't remember when, I felt just like my old brainy self again. And I'm Hex, the science guy...
That's right.
I AM A SCIENCE GUY! HA!
And I just can't wait until Equestria's free, 'coz I've got some new ideas that'll really make them scream, and by smeg, I've really got to give it all my might!
But seriously, I hope there's still time to set things right.
Before the Combine cause the Aponyclypse.
Did you see what I did there?
"Tell me, Mr Hex, if you can," said Trixie again. "From what I have seen of you, you have destroyed so much. What is it, exactly, that you have created? Can you name even one thing? I thought not."
Once more, I ripped away the monitor and cast it aside.
The energy I was drawing from my built up rage was still burning nice and strong. I was cutting through the Combine troops like a hot knife through butter - an old saying, I know, but a good one nonetheless.
There's every chance you can't tell, but I can't stop speculating about this Blue Demon character. From what Braeburn told me, he's like a sort of Robin Hood type pony, only a lot more destructive and violent. Plus, rather than taking money from rich people and giving it to the poor, he takes their lives and gives the innocent an opportunity to live.
Mind you, I'm not sure what I'd do if I actually did meet him. Or her. 'Coz, you know, it could just as easily be a mare rather than a stallion. I mean, it's not completely and totally out of the question, is it?
Holy smeg, the conspiracy theories I could come up with. It could be Rainbow Dash, doing all that she can to uphold the spirit of her element and, in that respect, stay loyal to her country and those within it (who didn't come here through a portal). It could be Soarin', trying all that he can to protect his family from the destruction and death that always comes with the Combine, no matter where - or indeed, when - they go.
But then again, what if it isn't either of them? It could be somepony I've never even heard of before.
I'd heard of bronies when I lived in dimension 1. I wasn't one, but I knew about them and I respected their courage when being so open about loving a program intended for those one quarter their age and the opposite gender. And I bore no respect for those who hated them for no reason. At all.
I had heard they knew the names of every pony in Equestria. Which means that chances are they'd have a good idea who the Blue Demon is.
Like I said, I'm not a brony, nor was I ever. I passed through the dimension a couple of times, and I was spellbound by how peaceful and friendly it was compared to many other dimensions I'd been to. I vowed, even after seeing how they manually controlled absolutely everything down to rain falling from the sky, that no matter what it took, I would find a way to live in this place and make it my home.
So when Amber decided to quit the adventuring game, she lent me her ship and I used the dimension hopping equipment within to teleport myself to Equestria, using a meteor shower as cover.
I never really took any opportunities to explore Equestria, but I did do a little research before I got there - you know, learned all the place names and stuff, memorised the map as best I could - and it was supposed to be a whole new start. Away from all the adventuring. I wanted a quiet life!
But instead, it followed me. The adventure life followed me, and so did the Combine. It can't be a coincidence that they entered this dimension at exactly the same point I did.
Maybe they thought I looked like Gordon Freeman. Because I do. Uncannily so.
I continued my roaring rampage of revenge through the Citadel. Up ahead, soldiers were swarming around a Strider, and all of them were shooting at me. I dragged the troops towards me and threw them at the Strider, but it kept... uh, striding towards me shooting all the time. I pulled energy balls out of a transport channel nearby and fired them at the walking metal monster, which exploded after only two shots. Those things must be more powerful than I thought.
Trixie's face once again appeared, this time on a large screen behind where the Strider had been. This time, she was getting desperate.
"Your mentors are partly to blame, of course," she insisted. "My disappointment in Twilight Sparkle and the Doctor is far greater than my sorrow over your unfortunate choice of career path. In a way, I suppose you could not have done otherwise. Who knows what seeds of iconoclasm they planted since you are, of course, young and gullible. But while they certainly share a great part of the responsibility for the recent troubles, it is you alone who have chosen to act with such wilful disregard for ponykind's future."
I'm not even listening to her any more, or at least, I'm trying not to. It's amazing how fury can distract you sometimes. When I find her, I am going to kick her ass like no tomorrow. So what if she's a mare and I'm a stallion?
As I said before, the crimes she has committed against Equestria are such that if Princess Celestia could see what has happened to her subjects, that blue-coated bitch wouldn't be banished to the moon, she'd be banished to the sun.
Mind you, it shouldn't be too hot. I think it's almost night-time outside, but I can't really tell, of course, since I'm surrounded on all sides by towering walls of solid steel.
Good, there's more of those transport things. If I get in, I'll move to another part of the Citadel and continue my attack.
This one seems to run a lot more smoothly than the other one. But... wait a minute, some of these are occupied. By those ex-unicorns. And it's headed towards something that appears to be scanning them.
I think anger may have clouded my judgement a little.
Ah! Smeg! Another blinding camera flash! And... I appear to have moved onto a separate track from all the rest of the carrier things. I'm going up.
Oh well, at least I have a nice view. Even better than last time. I can see all the tracks with carriers running along underneath, and those pod things from Nova Discord hanging all over the walls.
I wonder if there're ponies inside them. I hope not. Poor smeggers.
Wow, such a view. I just saw a gunship leave through a huge window, and outside that window is (what's left of) City 17, spread underneath a darkening sky. It's definitely getting close to night-time.
Such a view... a nice... soothing... view... |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Chapter 14 - Dark Energy | Ugh, I have got to find more sensible places to sleep. I don't feel as tired as I was though, so I have that in my favour.
I was met by a pair of white-clad soldiers, and a pony who wasn't dressed in white, but was white. All of them were equally unwelcome from my point of view.
One of the soldiers reached up and removed my horn clip, but I was a bit too tired to argue. Then they moved towards me rather menacingly.
"Stand down, both of you," Rarity commanded. "I shall take him from here."
The two soldiers nodded, and both stood by a double door on the other side of the foyer.
I started tugging at the restraints which bound me so that I was virtually immobile, but I swear they only got tighter.
"Don't struggle," said Rarity, placing what was apparently supposed to be a comforting hoof on one of my exposed hind legs. "I'm so sorry, Hex, but until you're where she wants you, there's nothing either of us can do."
"You're a bitch, you know that?" I told her. "A great, big traitorous bitch! Call yourself the Element of Generosity? You should be ashamed of yourself for what you've done."
"Please, you must believe me," said Rarity. "I am working for the benefit of both of us. When I am finished with what I am trying to do here, everypony shall be better off-"
"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?" I asked. "I don't suppose you ever thought about your little sister, did you? Or about Braeburn? I met him down there, and he doesn't even know you betrayed him! Would you like to tell him? Would you like to explain to the stallion who loves you to the ends of the earth that the whole time you've been constantly stabbing him in the back?"
Rarity had nothing to say to that. She closed her eyes, and the smallest of tears trickled down her cheek.
"You make me ashamed to call myself a unicorn," I stated. "I thought Equestria would give me a new life away from all the nastiness, but it turns out there's more of that here than any other place in the multiverse. Thank you, Rarity. Thank you for systematically destroying my faith in Equestria."
Okay, so I may have been exaggerating a little, but what's important is that she realises that what she's done is wrong.
I started to slide along the rail towards some sort of office, and I heard two voices coming from the open doors. One of them made me feel nauseous. The other was one that pretty much anypony would be happy to hear.
"...ancient stars colonized by sentient fungi," said the nausea inspiring voice of a mare. "Gas giants inhabited by vast meteorological intelligences. Worlds stretched thin across the membranes where dimensions intersect... Impossible to describe with the Great and Powerful Trixie's limited vocabulary!"
"You know something?" said the welcome, English-accented voice of a stallion. "I've seen that too. Quite frankly, I've grown slightly bored with them. But I've also seen what lies beneath the surface of that wonder. Mostly it's genocide. Indescribable evil..."
The Doctor trailed off as I was carried into the office where he hung, restrained as thoroughly as I was, in another carrier supported by a mechanical arm. Trixie was facing him with her back to me, but turned around after the older stallion's gaze fell upon me.
"Oh, good grief," he swore in an exasperated voice.
Another mechanical arm grabbed my carrier, and I was roughly placed alongside the Doctor, where I finally got my first proper, up-close view of the Great and Powerful Trixie.
Once upon a time, she may have been attractive. She may have been rather pretty - I think beautiful may have been a step too far - but thanks to the ravages of time, stress and good old Combine puppeteering she could just about have passed as a moderately attractive elephant's arse. She has bags under her eyes that could carry a month's worth of groceries, and her purple eyes are so muddy that when I look into them, I want to shower until my skin falls off.
Plus her cutie mark, which I'm guessing is supposed to be a magic wand sprinkling pixie dust, looks suspiciously like the flag of the Communist party. And when she smiles, she looks like the wrong end of an elderly greyhound.
Oh smeg, she's smiling right now.
"Well, what do we have now?" she sneered. "We meet at last, Hex. Or should I say Haydon Arthur Baxter?"
I'm guessing that was supposed to get some sort of rise out of me. It didn't. I've got used to people I don't know somehow having knowledge of my full name. I'm a bit more interested in the prison pod on the far wall: I have a feeling it contains somepony I know.
"That's right," she said as if I had responded. "Trixie knows your true name, Mr Baxter. And might the Great and Powerful Trixie say it is a great pleasure to finally meet you in the flesh."
"Let me tell you," I said with a cocky smile, "the pleasure is all yours."
Rarity entered, telekinetically carrying my super-charged horn clip, and presented it to the middle-aged (though you wouldn't think it) mare.
"What in the world is that?" she demanded. "Place it on Trixie's desk for Trixie to examine it later."
Does she always speak in the third pony? It's starting to get a bit annoying.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie holds you with great gratitude," she continued. "Had she known that the One Free Stallion would deliver himself to her, virtually on a silver platter, she would not have bothered hunting you in the first place."
"That's true," I commented, "but I wouldn't have got a chance to kick your troop's arses so hard, would I?"
I can tell she's getting annoyed, especially since the Doctor's starting to laugh.
"Having not only the last of the Time Lords," she continued, "but also the greatest scourge of the Combine since the rising of the Blue Demon in central Equestria allows the Great and Powerful Trixie to dictate any bargain she may make with the Combine."
"Yeah," I said, "can you do me a favour: kill me and then talk? I'd like to die without covering the floor in vomit, please."
By the looks of things, the Doctor was doing everything he could to avoid laughing out loud. Even Rarity gave a small smile at her boss' growing irritation.
"Great and Powerful Trixie, if I may be so bold, the bargain we should be making is for Hex's life," she said, sidling a little closer. "With his assistance you could develop technology to ever tighten your grip on Equestria!"
"You may not have noticed, Rarity," said the Doctor, "but not everypony is as big a sell out as you."
He winked at her.
Is there something I'm supposed to know about?
"It is thanks to your collaboration that the Great and Powerful Trixie has everything she needs regarding those sorts of things," said the blue pony to the white one. "You, my dear Rarity, have seen more than enough of Mr Baxter's technology to continue with his work. However, what neither you nor Trixie are able to do is convince that lowlife rabble in the streets that their cause is not worth fighting for."
Just for a moment, Rarity's gaze flickered to the window, where City 17 was spread thousands of metres below us like a giant technicolour table cloth.
"And yet," Trixie said, turning back to me and the Doctor, "neither the Doctor nor the so called 'One Free Stallion' seem willing to speak the words that could save every one of them."
"Save them?!" The Doctor was aghast. "For what?"
"Yeah," I added. "Plus, is it any wonder they won't listen to you when you're so ugly, when little foals go to your house on Nightmare Night, they give you candy?"
The Doctor snorted with laughter, Rarity covered her mouth to hide a smile, and Trixie snorted in annoyance.
"Very well," she said with a sigh. "If neither of you will do it for the sake of the innocent population of Equestria, perhaps the two of you shall do it... for only one of them."
The prison pod split open and a mechanical arm brought the awakening pony into view and positioned her between me and the Doctor. Her lavender face filled me with joy, and at the same time, with despair, particularly the presumably non-reverse-engineered ring around the base of her horn.
"Twilight," said the Doctor. "Thank Celestia you're okay."
"Wha... Doctor?" Twilight said groggily. She saw me next to her and whispered "Hex? No..."
I bowed my head and said "I'm sorry, Twi."
"Celestia damn you, Trixie," said the Doctor with renewed anger, "You release her this instant!"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie does apologise," said Trixie with as much conviction as she had likeableness, "but that is all up to the two of you. Will you allow your short sightedness-" (I don't know about you, but I was particularly offended by that comment) "-to condemn your people to extinction..."
She started stroking the side of Twilight's face, almost as a lover would. It was very disturbing to watch.
"...or will you allow dear Twilight here the chance at life that her brother never got?"
Twilight spat in Trixie's face, her stunning purple face contorted with anger.
"How DARE you speak of him!" she roared. "How DARE YOU!"
"Well, Twilight," said Trixie, "it is plain to see that along with a few cheap parlour tricks you have gained Princess Celestia's steadfast nature."
Twilight wrenched her face away from Trixie's hooves and said "You haven't seen a bit of it yet."
Her voice dripped with pure poison. Remind me never to speak ill of Twilight's brother. I suspect the only thing keeping Trixie alive right now is the magic restrictor around Twi's horn.
"We shall see how it holds out," Trixie continued (smeg, I wish she'd just shut up) "when you are stranded on the far side of a Combine portal."
"What?!" I know I shouldn't have given in, but the thought of Twilight trapped in the same smeg-forsaken world as the Combine is one that I never want to dwell on. "You do that and I'll tear you to pieces, you stuck-up smeghead!"
"Fine then!" shouted the Doctor as Twilight writhed and struggled against the restraints binding her. "Show us the door to another universe, see if I care! It won't be the first time it's happened to me, and it definitely won't be the worst!"
"Oh, Trixie can do so much worse than that," said Trixie, "although you may find that hard to believe upon your arrival."
"Great and Powerful Trixie," said Rarity in a slightly pleading tone, "such a harsh punishment is hardly necessary-"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie does agree that it would be a total waste," said Trixie, and she turned to face me, "but those petty Resistance foals have shown that they are willing to accept a new leader, who has proven to be a truly valuable asset to those who control him."
"Excuse me," I said. "I am still here, you know, and unlike a certain other unicorn I'm not an absolute sheep."
"Good on you, Hex," said the Doctor encouragingly.
"Yes, don't listen to her!" said Twilight. "If you listen to her, I'm breaking up with you!"
"We were dating?" I asked hopefully.
"Trixie implores you to consider her offer, Mr Baxter," said Trixie. "Did you ever think that you may not have to work under the G-Colt's supervision for the remainder of your life?"
That was one question I had no response to other than:
"How the smeg do you know about that guy?"
"Let's just say that Trixie has her little ways," said the bitch with a smug smile.
"Hex would never make that kind of deal with the likes of you!" shouted Twilight. "Never!"
"Of course," said Trixie, "The Great and Powerful Trixie realises that this may not be a comfortable issue for us to talk about in front of your friends. They shall be sent on their way."
As I watched, the carriers holding the Doctor and Twilight were lifted into the air and stowed in a large hole in the ceiling. All I could see was the bases of their hind hooves.
"Twilight, try not to struggle," the Doctor advised.
"Doctor," said Twilight, "I'm sorry."
"So," said Trixie to me, "what'll it be?"
I leaned forward as much as possible and said in a steady voice the insult that I had been preparing since I first arrived in Combine-controlled Equestria:
"Suck my fat one, you cheap side-show tramp."
Behind her, Rarity was doing something suspicious. Her horn was glowing, and she seemed to be manipulating a console on the desk. When Trixie saw her, she smiled in disbelief.
"Rarity?" she said. "What in the wide world of Equestria do you think you're doing?"
"I am doing what I have been working for seventeen years to achieve," said the white unicorn, glaring straight into Trixie's eyes. "I'm bringing your regime to the ground."
"But-" For the first time since I'd seen her, the blue bitch was speechless. "But you're-"
"Darling, did you ever seriously believe that I would willingly collaborate with you?" Rarity demanded. "After all that you have done to this world?"
Trixie tried to talk, but all that came out was a strangled gasping noise. I could empathise: I was just as confused as she was. So what, Rarity was never bad in the first place?
"I really expected the administrator of this whole world - not to mention the ambassador of the Combine - to have caught onto me a little sooner," said Rarity. "You really are as unintelligent and shallow as you first appeared in your brief performance in Ponyville. I feel I must apologise at this point to Twilight and Hex, for being unable to inform them of my intentions."
"That's okay, Rarity," said Twilight. "I should never have doubted you."
"Could've told me before I gave you a complete verbal smackdown," I commented.
"What?!" said the Doctor in slightly less disbelief than Trixie. "Hex, I really expected somepony as intelligent as you or Twilight to have caught on sooner! Shame on both of you."
"That is completely alright," said Rarity with a small smile. "One must keep up appearances, must they not? And if I do say so myself, I was rather convincing."
Then she turned to the stunned Trixie to continue her speech.
"From the moment you approached me," said the posh unicorn, "all I have wanted was to bring you down. If the Princesses could see what you have done to this world, you would be banished to the moon AND to the sun! You would be torn to pieces for the express purpose of imprisonment on both! You have ponies of your own race hunted down like animals and corrupted into little more than mindless monsters! I could have forgiven you for what you did to my mane all those years ago - even if it took me five hours to correctly restyle your damage - but after what your followers to my family..."
She wiped tears from her eyes with the back of a hoof.
Trixie took advantage of the moment of grief by leaping forward and activating an intercom.
"Guards, get in here!" she commanded before Rarity reached forward and knocked her hoof away.
"They know what you've done," Trixie pointed out. "They know that you've betrayed them. They'll turn on you!"
"Oh please," said Rarity, "you cannot say that I betrayed them. That would imply that I was working with them in the first place. I apologise, so-called Great and Powerful Trixie, but your time has officially run out!"
However, true to Trixie's word the guards started banging on the door. Rarity ran over to me and started to free me from the carrier.
"You're never going to get away with this!" Trixie cried. "I can stop you myself!"
As I stepped out of the carrier, the insane blue mare slipped my overcharged horn clip onto the base of her own bony protrusion, and amidst our protests:
BLAM.
When I came to, Trixie had bolted into a lift leading off from her office, and Twilight and Rarity were picking themselves up.
"Oh boy..."
We all cantered over to the Doctor, who was bleeding profusely from a lump in his head. Rarity and Twilight helped to sit him up straight, and I held him steady when they let him go.
"Rarity, I don't know how I could ever make it up to you," said Twilight, and she embraced her friend who I now know is completely worthy of the Element of Generosity.
"Darling, don't waste your apologies on me," said Rarity. "Besides, it wasn't my idea to infiltrate the Combine."
"What?" Once again, I was confused. "Whose idea was it then?"
With a meek and slightly embarrassed expression, the Doctor raised his hoof.
"As if you weren't awesome enough already," I commented.
"You can shower me with praise later," said the Doctor. "Right now somepony has to stop Trixie from getting away!"
"I can take care of him," said Rarity, taking the stallion out of my hooves. Twilight helped me up, and then placed her hooves on the shoulders of the white unicorn and the brown earth pony.
"Both of you be careful, okay?" she told them.
"Don't worry about us," said Rarity. "Both of you go!"
That was all the convincing Twilight and I needed to about turn and gallop to the same lift Trixie had used to make her getaway. Once there, we stopped for a small breather.
"I did not see that coming," I commented.
"Neither did I," said Twilight. "But I understand why Rarity wouldn't have told us what she was up to: plausible deniability and all that."
We stepped into the lift, and the glass doors closed behind us.
"Hex, listen," Twilight said with a spreading blush, "I know that there's probably been plenty of mares like me before you came to Equestria, and I know that you didn't have to do this, but-"
She cut herself off, and pressed the button to activate the lift.
"Well," she continued, "thanks for coming after me."
"I did have to do this," I told her as we ascended. "You tell me what a stallion wouldn't do for the mare he loves."
Twilight blushed even more. Any more heat in her face and she would've caught fire.
"So..." she said cautiously, "does that mean... you love me?"
I inched a little closer.
"What do you think?" I asked.
She started to lean closer to me, and I could see every lash outlining her beautiful violet eyes, and each individual hair on her delicate muzzle...
"Hey, listen!"
Smeg. What does a guy have to do to get a kiss around here? All I can hear is Trixie talking- oh.
"...it is Trixie you should be concerned about! Trixie can still deliver each, but not without assistance!"
"Don't you think it's annoying that she only ever speaks in third pony?" I asked.
"I know, right?" said Twilight. "It's so ridiculous!"
Up ahead, Trixie continued talking.
"The portal location is unsustainable," she stated. "There is no possible way for Trixie to survive in that environment! A host body? You have to be joking; there is no way Trixie could possibly-"
The lift reached its destination with a small ding and up ahead Twilight and I saw Trixie facing a screen with a green elephant maggot... thing on it.
"There he is!" cried Twilight, more to intimidate Trixie more than anything else.
"Alright, fine!" Trixie shouted hurriedly. "Just make it fast, they're right behind me!" The doors opened and she swore "Oh horseapples." Then she cantered off to the side. The creature on the screen looked at the two of us, and then vanished.
"NO!"
At Twilight's enraged scream, I looked around just in time to see Trixie smugly waving at Twilight through a glass door before the lift she had entered carried her downwards into the Citadel.
"I can't believe she got away again!" Twilight cried, but then she saw the abandoned ring of metal lying on the floor. The purple unicorn picked it up in her hooves and examined it as it throbbed with an electric blue glow.
"This is so strange," she commented. "My horn clip was destroyed by the confiscation field, but if I didn't know any better, I'd say this one was supercharged. What in the world have you been doing with this thing?"
"Well," I said, rubbing the back of my neck as innocently as possible, "I did develop my telekinetic powers to the point where I can levitate my own body with complete ease. I expect it may also have something to do with my... unusual background. You know, being human and all?"
Twilight smiled and slid it back onto my head.
"Trixie doesn't have a clue what it's for, does she?" she asked.
"Not even the foggiest," I said in agreement, "but what in the world was she doing up here?"
As if to answer her question, the screen which had showed the maggot thing withdrew into the ceiling, and the metal shields behind it split apart to reveal what was outside.
A hole was opening in the sky right above the Citadel. Beyond it, I could make out a red and purple sky studded with stars, and towers of eldritch architecture similar to the Citadel. Underneath it, some sort of teleporter seemed to be charging up, and it had a large transparent pillar underneath it.
"Oh my gosh," said Twilight fearfully. "That's the Citadel's dark fusion reactor! It powers their tunnelling entanglement device!"
It didn't take me long to work out what that meant, although I bet you have no idea. In layman's terms, it's the technology the Combine used to enter Equestria in the first place. And now it looks like Trixie's going to use the same technology to enter the Combine's homeworld.
"We'll never get a chance like this again," said Twilight. "We have to stop her!"
She ran over to a console and tapped away like crazy, but stopped after only a few seconds.
"I can't shut it down!" she reported, her voice rigged with terror. "It looks like she's turned over control to the other side."
"I don't like where this is going," I commented. "Let me guess: I have to go down there and close it by myself. Direct intervention and all that."
"I'm afraid so," said Twilight. "You'll have to go right down to the core and go everything you can to shut it down. You get into the lift and I'll send you right down there. And don't forget to charge your suit, whatever you do."
"Okay, Mum," I joked as I entered the lift.
Twilight sighed and walked over to me.
"I know I might seem overly worried," she said, "but I just don't want you to get hurt."
She kissed me on the forehead, just below my horn.
"Come back safe."
"I will," I told her. "I promise."
The doors closed, and she placed her hoof on the glass. I placed my hoof on hers, but seconds later we were separated by the descending lift.
So strange.
Not the whole thing with me and Twilight, but... it kinda feels my whole life has been leading up to this moment. This one moment of my handing Trixie her arse on a silver platter.
If I should die here - if something should happen and I don't return to Twilight - she should carry on with what I was doing. She should escape and do everything she can to bring Trixie and the Combine down.
When the lift arrived, I stepped out into a small, foyer like room, and up ahead was a massive tower with the pillar I mentioned earlier at the centre. Trixie hovered in a glowing orb at the bottom, the energy balls powering her device rushing upwards towards the widening hole in the sky.
"Can you see her?" asked Twilight through my suit's radio.
"Yes," I replied. "And I sincerely wish I couldn't."
It was then that Trixie saw me, and her expression became one of abject triumph.
"Mr Baxter!" she cried joyfully, savouring every syllable. "You know, you really should not be out there. At the moment of synapse, as the Great and Powerful Trixie teleports away, this entire chamber will be bathed in deadly particles that have yet to be named by pony science. Perhaps, when Trixie has the pleasure to do some work of her own, she may name one after you. That way you won't be completely forgotten!"
Yeah, I get it, you're a bitch. You don't have to rub in in everypony's face!
"When the singularity collapses," she continued, "the Great and Powerful Trixie shall be far away from here. In another universe, in fact: a concept which I know is familiar to you! You, however, shall be destroyed in every way that is possible... and, maybe, some ways which are impossible too!"
Oh for smeg's sake, shut up! I'm well aware that if you win I'll be blasted to smeggereens; you've made it glaringly obvious! Now just! Shut! UP!
Wow, electromagnetic shields blocking my path. Whatever am I going to do? It's not like I could just telekinetically grab the energy balls powering them and throw them at the soldiers who've started to shoot at me, is it?
Oh, wait!
"Where did those soldiers come from?" asked Twilight. "Why are they still here?"
"I do not know what you could possibly hope to achieve," Trixie continued as I climbed ever further upward, "apart from your own complete and total annihilation!"
"Don't listen to her, Hex!" Twilight almost yelled into the radio. "I know you can do this!"
I didn't say anything in response. There wasn't really anything to say.
"I have warned you that this was futile," said Trixie.
"Will you just SHUT UP ALREADY!" I shouted.
"She's bluffing, don't listen to her!" Twilight commanded.
Having reached a sufficient height, I jumped onto the supports which were holding up the column in the centre of the tower, and started to climb them up to the top.
"Great work!" said Twilight encouragingly, followed by a slightly less encouraging "Oh no, Trixie's started her ascent!"
And true to her word, Trixie's glowing orb started to move up inside the tower.
"Hurry, Hex, before she escapes!"
"What the smeg do you think I'm doing?" I bellowed over the increasing noise of the teleporter above.
I was getting close. I could make out some of the finer details on the other side of the portal. Plus the teleporter was getting louder and louder the closer I got to it, and everypony had to shout to make themselves heard.
"I could tell you that this is pointless, Mr Baxter," said Trixie as she too drew nearer.
"WILL YOU STOP CALLING ME THAT?!" I screamed.
"Go, Hex, go!" cried Twilight.
Trixie still had a lot to gain on me. Her orb was rising a lot more slowly than I was, and I was only a single small lift away from the very top of the tower.
"Are you still with us, Mr Baxter?" asked Trixie. "Not for much longer, I think."
And with that, I finally reached the very pinnacle of the Citadel. Two gunships appeared and started to shoot at me, but with so much temporal distortion this close to an interdimensional portal, the bullets were slowing down and falling out of the sky before they got anywhere near me.
"Oh my gosh," exclaimed Twilight, "the portal's almost fully open!"
"I do hope you have said all your farewells," Trixie said mockingly.
Without any more hesitation, I grabbed energy balls from the transport channels nearby and started shooting them at the teleporter, which began to fall apart.
"Go BACK, Mr Baxter," commanded Trixie as if I would listen to her, "you have no idea what you are doing!"
"Yes I do!" I cried. "I'm stopping you!"
"You have no idea what you could unleash!" Trixie shouted. "You could bring down this whole citadel! Think, you fool! Think of the ponies below!"
"Oh yeah!" I shouted sarcastically. "They're really gonna be hurt by an explosion two thousand metres above the ground!"
With that, I kept shooting until only a single piece of the teleporter (but still enough to send Trixie to the other side of the portal) was left.
"I almost forgot!" I yelled to Trixie. "A friend of mine asked me to deliver a message!"
"What message would that be?" asked the blue bitch.
Deep breath...
"FUCK YOU!!!"
I fired the energy ball.
The teleporter completely shut down, and the orb carrying Trixie dissipated into nothing. She hung for a moment in mid-air, and then began to fall, screaming all the way down.
"YES!"
The shout came before the pony: Twilight, having removed the magic suppressor from her horn, teleported almost on top of me and pulled me into a hug which I was all too happy to return.
"I can't believe it!" I cried (and I was being honest) "We did it!"
"No, Hex," said Twilight, looking right into my eyes, "you did it."
She kissed me on the nose. Maybe next time, she'll move a little lower.
"Now come on," she said. "We have to get out of here. I think we still have-"
The teleporter exploded.
It happened in slow motion. I stepped back, and Twilight raised a foreleg to cover her face... and then it stopped.
"Time?"
Oh come on. Not now...
"Is it really that time again, Mr Baxter?"
He appeared, walking as if out of nowhere, and stood before everything else as if it were a backdrop.
"It seems as if you've only just arrived," said the G-Colt. "You have done a great deal in a short time span. You have done so well that I have received some interesting offers for your services. Ordinarily I would not contemplate them, but these are extraordinary times. Rather than offer you the illusion of free choice, I will take the liberty of choosing for you. If and when the time comes again."
Everything faded away except for him. The Citadel, the fireball... Twilight... within seconds, they were gone. Everything, save a small greenish light in the darkness.
"I do apologize for what must seem to you an arbitrary imposition, Mr Baxter, I trust it will all make sense in the course of... well, I am really not at liberty to say."
The greenish light disappeared, and all that was left was blackness with a door-sized area of white.
"In the meantime, this is where I get off."
The G-Colt straightened his tie and stepped into the light, leaving me in the lonely blackness until I was needed again. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Episode 1 Chapter 1 - Undue Alarm | "Tell me, Mr Hex, if you can. From what I have seen of you, you have destroyed so much. What is it, exactly, that you have created? Can you name even one thing? I thought not."
She's right. I had an opportunity to improve Equestria with my technology, but I turned it down for the sake of such selfish things as...
...as love.
I'm so sorry, Twilight. If I had been allowed to remain in Equestria, I would have tried my hardest to make it work between us. But as it is, I promise with all my heart that I will find you again.
I can see you now. You were raising your foreleg to shield yourself from the exploding teleporter; mere moments after Trixie had plummeted to her doom inside the Citadel's dark energy fusion reactor core. The fear in your eyes was such that I would never see again as long as I lived, and...
What?
I can still see you, Twilight, but you're not alone anymore. There's somepony else with you - a stallion, by the looks of things - and he's clad from the end of his horn to the bases of his hind hooves, and all the way to the tips of his wings, in silver body armour. His mane and tail are covered as well. The only exposed part of his body is the one eye I can see from this angle, and it's by far the greenest eye I've ever seen in my life.
Question is; who is it?
He placed his hoof on Twilight's shoulder, and she woke up. Despite everything else still being frozen, she became mobile again, and stared at him in confusion before both of them disappeared.
What was that about? Did that guy just save Twilight?
I smegging well hope so.
Everything else faded into blackness, and out of the dark came the G-Colt. He took a breath to speak-
-and stopped, glaring at something in front of him that wasn't me.
It was the same silver-wearing stallion. He stood between me and the G-Colt, and the pair were trying to best each other in a staring contest that even Fluttershy would be impressed with. I could tell they were both thinking the same thing: he is mine, nopony else's, and you can't have him.
The stranger said something that I didn't hear. However, it was well within the G-Colt's hearing range. He straightened his tie and appeared to admit defeat.
"We'll see... about that."
He faded into the blackness, and the silver stranger turned to face me-
-and then, just like that, I was back.
Owww...
I'm hurting in places that I never even knew could hurt.
Smeg, I'm hurting in places that I never even knew could exist. Where happened? What am I?
And why is it so... so dark?
Am I dead?
There's now a bright light up ahead of me, further reinforcing the theory that I'm dead. But... aren't all your lost relatives supposed to be waiting for you when you die, and coming to greet you through the light?
All I can see is this big scaly face with... with huge green eyes...
And the scales are purple.
Oh of course, now I remember! Ugh, so stiff...
"Spike, come away from there!"
The large purple-and-green dragon pulled chunks of concrete away from my body and picked me up out of the rubble.
"Drop what you're doing and..."
Twilight trailed off when she saw what Spike was holding (read: me).
"He followed me home, Mom!" the dragon cried in a mockingly whiny voice. "Can I keep him?"
"Oh my gosh," exclaimed Twilight as I was set on the ground. "HEX!"
She pounced on me in a hug which had never been so welcome in all my life, and I was extremely glad to return it.
"Are you okay?" I asked. "Are you hurt?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine," said Twilight. "How about you?"
"A bit stiff, but I think I'll be alright," I told her.
"Ha!" shouted Spike. "A bit stiff!"
It didn't take me long to figure out the joke, and the dragon and I laughed our arses off until a Look (not just a look, a Look) from Twilight effectively silenced both of us, and we simply shared a brohoof - or rather a brohoof-broclaw hybrid.
"Do you know what happened?" I asked, because I sure had no idea. Who was that guy?
"No, I-I don't," said Twilight. "I know we managed to take down Trixie, and the teleporter exploded, but after that... I don't know. I thought I saw somepony. Somepony wearing silver armour. For a moment I thought it was you because of the eyes, but I think he had wings and-"
"I saw him too," I explained. "He stopped the G-Colt from putting me back into stasis for smeg-knows-how-many years."
Twilight smiled.
"Well, we're lucky he took the time to save us, aren't we?"
"You can say that again."
Twilight turned to Spike and said this:
"Spike, could you go and set up those monitors? I want to check in with the others: they must be worried sick about us. Also, tell the Doctor he owes me five bits, because we DID find Hex after all."
I felt something slide over my horn, and looked up at it as Twilight snapped the metal ring into place.
"I always carry a few spares around with me for emergencies," she told me. "You know; just in case."
"Good idea," I told her.
We looked up at the Citadel as the large dragon left. Normally I would be a little annoyed that my marefriend made a bet with a Time Lord on whether or not I was alive, but I was a little distracted by the blood red clouds which were now swirling around the ruined roof of the gigantic tower.
"That place is falling apart at the seams," I commented, referring to the glowing lines which were also running up the length of the building. "I really hope we don't have to go back in there."
"You're not alone there," said Twilight. She stepped a bit closer.
"You sure you're okay?"
I thought about this for a moment.
"I'm hungry," I said, "I'm thirsty, I need the toilet and I'm aching all over, so all in all, just another average Wednesday."
Twilight sniggered.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "It could be a Sunday for all you know."
"Nah," I said, "it's definitely Wednesday. Wednesdays always turn out badly for me. I think it's something do with not being sure whether you should be tired from Monday or relaxing for Friday."
Twilight giggled.
"Well then," she said, smiling and moving closer until we were almost nose to nose, and my world was dominated by her beautiful violet eyes, "I'm just going to have to find a way to improve your Wednesday, aren't I?"
And just as I was getting ready for what would have been one of the greatest kisses in the history of the multiverse...
"Twilight, come in!"
Thank you, Doctor, for that not-so-timely intervention.
"Sounds like the signal might be more stable this time," said Twilight. Her horn glowed and in a flash we were stood in front of a large monitor. It was propped between a heap of rubble and the ground, and had a control panel in front of it. Spike was waving an aerial around in an attempt to get a better signal.
"Up a bit higher, Spike!" Twilight commanded, and Spike flapped into the air as high as the wire on the aerial would allow him.
"A little to the left," I directed.
"Yeah, and just a little lower," said Twilight. "Now hold it!"
It wasn't long before the screen was all but clear of static, and the face of a brown earth pony was frowning down on us.
"Twilight, you found Hex, good," he said. "Please tell me the two of you are out of the city."
"Well," Twilight now looked extremely awkward, "we're not, uh, out of the city... per se, um-"
"HEX!"
The Doctor was shoved out of the way by another earth pony, but this one looked considerably more excited than the other one.
"Thank you!" cried Braeburn ecstatically. "Thank y'all so much fer savin' her!"
"Braeburn, darling, I already explained it all to you," said Rarity as she entered, "I never even needed saving!"
"Frankly, mah dear," said Braeburn, taking her in his hooves, "Ah don't give a damn."
Then they started making out right in front of us.
"Nice to see they're still going strong, isn't it?" Spike commented from up above.
"Oh, get out of the way, you two!" demanded the Doctor as he shoved the two lovebirds out of shot. "Get a room!"
Then Braeburn's cousin came into view.
"Listen," she said, "y'all have to get outta the city! The Citadel could go sky high at any moment!"
"I'm afraid that's true," said the Doctor, opting to not shove Applejack out of the way, possibly out of fear of what she'd do. "In fact, there's no question of that being inevitable. Our remote sensors indicate the process is accelerating toward a dark energy flare. Anyone left in the vicinity will be subjected to energetic events-"
"Doc, stop!" cried Applejack. "Okay? Just-just... just stop!"
"-that are beyond our powers of speculation," the Doctor finished undeterred. "The ravages to cellular material are unimaginable."
"Will you SHUT YER TRAP?!" the farmer shouted.
"Look, Applejack," the Doctor said to the palomino pony, "there's no need for undue alarm. I'm sure Twilight and Hex are at least out of range by now."
"Well..." Twilight didn't look like she wanted to repeat what she said earlier, so I stepped in.
"We're still at the Citadel," I said simply.
"WHAT?!" yelled the Doctor. "But-but you'll never have time! The reactor core is this close to collapse. There is no way you could escape fast without- uh, see, nothing short of a direct intervention in the core could postpone the reaction, but not completely cancel it."
"You mean... going in?" asked Twilight fearfully.
"Into the core? Yes," the Doctor replied. "But it is FAR too dangerous to consider! That chamber will be swimming in radiation."
"Uh, I do have this hazard suit," I told him. "If we could find a way back into the Citadel there's a chance we could-"
"NO!"
The Doctor was once again shoved out of the way, this time replaced by an unusually terrified looking pink pony.
"Twilight, Hexie, you CAN'T go into the Citadel!" squeaked Pinkie.
"But Pinkie-" Twilight started, but Pinkie was replaced by yet another pony who was a good deal more scared, while the Doctor got more and more annoyed in the background.
"Twilight, you really mustn't! It's far too dangerous!" Fluttershy insisted. "Doctor, can't you try to talk to them?"
"What the heck do you think I've been trying to do since they connected?" asked the Doctor. "Look, I'm sorry girls, but I don't see any other way. And it would definitely help the Resistance in City 17 evacuate more civilians."
Twilight set her face and said "We can do this, Doctor."
"Alright then, Twilight," said the Doctor. "Just promise-"
"PINKIE promise!" interjected Pinkie.
"-Pinkie promise you won't take a single unnecessary risk," the Doctor finished. "Both of you."
I saw the determination in Twilight's eyes, and together we mimicked the actions of the famous unbreakable oath.
"We promise, Doc," I told him. "Wish us luck."
"Good luck," said the Doctor. "You are both definitely going to need it."
The transmission cut out, and Spike flapped down to the ground.
"I heard everything," he told us. "You're going back into the Citadel? Call me silly, but that doesn't really sound like a good idea."
"You're right, silly," I said, "but right now it's the only thing we can do."
"Well, I'm not carrying you over there," said Spike stubbornly. "There's no way I'm going within fifty feet of that place, there's no telling what that radiation might do to my wings!"
"I don't blame you," said Twilight, once again stealing my catchphrase. "Let's see if we can find another way in somewhere along the rim."
The dragon nodded, and lifted up a fallen gunship so that we could move onward.
"Thanks," said Twilight. "Meet us on the other side of that ridge, okay?"
And with that, Spike flapped off.
"I really, really wish we weren't doing this," I told the purple unicorn as we headed back towards the edge of the cavernous pit around the Citadel.
"Wishing never got anypony anywhere," she pointed out.
It wasn't long before we came to the edge of the pit. Not that it was hard to find of course, since it was of the suddenly-dropping-off-into-nothing breed. Another broken walkway ran around the inside, and up onto another clear patch a short distance around the circumference.
"Wow!" Twilight caught herself just before she went over. "What a drop!"
"Ladies first?" I asked.
She gave me another Look. I really should know better than to annoy girls, shouldn't I?
"You're right," I said, "That was a stupid idea."
We stepped out onto the path - the precarious, only-just-more-than-a-metre-wide path - and almost instantly I felt my hooves slipping on the soft ground. It was as if the earth itself was now trying to kill us.
Speaking of which, part of the edge crumbled and showered both of us with rocks and clumps of dirt.
"You alright back there?" I asked Twilight.
"I think so," she replied. "Although I do feel like the earth itself is trying to kill us now!"
Heh. I guess great minds think alight, eh?
With careful hoofwork and a lot of rebalancing, we made it to the patch Twilight had indicated, and I'd never been so glad to have solid ground below my hooves in all my life.
"I don't know about you," I said, "but I never want to do that again."
"I'm with you there," said Twilight. "Where's Spike? I told him to meet us here."
"I'm over here!" shouted Spike from the other side of a massive heap of rubble. "I- whoa!"
There was a massive crashing noise, and a huge chunk of rubble toppled over, followed by a horrible silence.
"Spike!" yelled Twilight, her voice strained with fear for her assistant. "Spike, are you okay? Can you hear me?"
After a few seconds more crashing, the purple dragon appeared grinning over the heap of rubble which until that point had kept us separated.
"Yeah, I can hear you," he replied.
"Don't scare me like that again, you hear?" Twilight commanded.
"I think it would be best if you stayed with us for the moment," I told him. "Could you help us find a way across?"
The three of us looked across at the tower of fracturing steel. Our goal was clear: some kind of inlet which was just about level with the rim of the pit. Usually there'd be a bridge stretching across, but all that was left was a few razor-like shards of metal jutting out of the ground.
"In any other situation I'd teleport us both over there," said Twilight, "but there's every chance that place is still guarded. I'd need as much magic as possible to get us to the core safely. There has to be some way to get across..."
"Oh, wait a second!" Spike cried suddenly, startling us both. "Both of you stay here!"
He jumped onto the rubble heap and flew up into the sky.
I guess the Combine suppression field affects pegasi, but not dragons. Maybe it's something to do with their physical structure or their wingpower, or maybe it's that the suppression field was designed for hominid control, not equine or draconian. It'd have some rather unpredictable effects on the residents of dimension 36.
"What's he doing over there?" I asked.
"I don't know," said Twilight, "but it seems he might have foun- LOOK OUT!"
She pushed me out of the way just in time to avoid both of us being crushed by the minivan which flew over the rubble heap and landed in our patch of clear ground. Spike came back into view, his expression now worried.
"Are you guys okay?" he asked. "I hope I didn't hurt you."
"Don't worry, Spike," Twilight said, "we're both fine."
"But I don't really see how a rusted old minivan is going to help us," I commented. "What's it supposed to achieve?"
With a small smirk (which was worrying to say the least) Spike walked over to the side of the van and yanked the door off, then stood offering the seat like a chauffeur.
"Oh, you're kidding," I said flatly. "Seriously?"
"Well, I don't see how it couldn't work," said Twilight. "Plus, Spike has done the math."
She turned to him and whispered "You did do the math, right?"
The dragon shook his head.
"Never mind," she said. "I want you to get out of here as fast as you can. Go and find the Doctor. We'll be safe, don't worry."
She yelped in shock as Spike swept her up in one monster of a hug. Then she tentatively climbed into the van, and I followed suit in the passenger seat.
"Okay, hold on!" the dragon commanded.
"Make it quick before I change my mind!" said Twilight.
"Better hold on tight!" I said rather unnecessarily, and propped myself between the dashboard and the back of the seat.
Spike lifted the van into the air, and Twilight and I almost fell out as he lined himself up, getting ready to throw.
"Okay, ready?" asked Spike. "One... two... three-"
He cut himself off and took a few steps back.
"That's a long way," he commented, "that's a really, really long way and counting to three just gives me way too much time to think about it."
"Spike, stop wasting time!" said Twilight.
"Right," said Spike, "I'll do it on one. Ready?"
"Well," I said, "now that you ask-"
"ONE!"
I think I should point out at this moment that there have been several occasions in my life already where I have experienced weightlessness. Most of them involved space travel, but there were several where I was flying through the air like an angry bird. Nevertheless, the dive across the chasm was one of the most terrifying rides of my life. I was too scared even to scream when the van crashed onto the metal grate of the Citadel's inlet in which we had landed.
Shaking, Twilight looked out and across the chasm.
"Good throw, Spike!" she called. "Now go, you'll be fine!"
And with that, the purple and green dragon flapped away over the ruins of the city.
"Okay," I said, "now let's..."
I trailed off. I'm pretty sure the floor isn't supposed to be ominously creaking. And this van is not supposed to be leaning forwards...
The grate snapped under the combined weight of a rusty van and two terrified unicorns who were then sent hurtling like the world's most dangerous rollercoaster in a mostly downwards direction. After a final leap of faith made completely against our will, Twilight and I came to a rest right in front of another sudden drop.
It was several seconds before either of us picked up the courage to speak.
"You alright?" asked Twilight yet again.
"Yeah," I replied. "In fact, good news: I no longer need the toilet."
Twilight stared at me for a second, before coming to the conclusion which both of us had been coming to:
"We'd better get out before the next ride starts."
We climbed out of the van, mere seconds before the floor beneath it bent downwards and the rusted vehicle plummeted into the bottomless pit which awaited it.
"Too close," I commented. "I am never doing that again."
"I'm with you there," said Twilight. "Also, you don't need to worry about hygiene: that suit has an inbuilt liquid purification system. You could drink that water."
And this time, it was my turn to give her a Look.
"Let's move!"
If the Citadel had looked badly damaged on the outside, it was absolutely nothing compared to the inside. Rubble was piled up all through the corridors, with more falling all the time, and sparking wires dangled dangerously from the ceiling.
"Wow," said Twilight as we ran.
"I know, right?" I said. "This place is really coming apart. I had no idea- WHOA!"
Again, not for the first time, I was weightless. I tripped and went sailing over an edge, and I would have fallen into the Doom-filled Bottomless Doomed Pit of Doomed Doom if Twilight hadn't wrapped me in a sheath of deep pink telekinesis.
"Told you that I might need my magic," she said, pulling me back over the edge.
"Thanks," I said when she'd set me down again.
"No problem," said Twilight. "It's what I'm here for. That and the occasional piece of constructive criticism: you could have been a little more careful."
"I will be next time," I informed her.
We had arrived at another electromagnetic gate. On one side of the passage was another very open room with a pipe dispensing roller mines, and on the other was a window. Through the window was some kind of control room - seeing as the shield was in the way, it was obviously where we needed to go - and the controls were all operated by...
...by those things. The things that used to be unicorns and now look more like maggots than anything else.
"Oh my gosh," whispered Twilight. "Stalkers!"
"Stalkers?" I whispered back. "I was wondering what they were called. Also, why're we whispering?"
"So that we don't disturb them," Twilight explained. "We should be okay so long as we stay out of their way."
She deactivated the shield with a zap of magic, but before we could get through it flashed up in front of us, and it almost singed our noses.
"What the-" Twilight tried again, but it was just a repeat.
"What's going on?" I asked. "Why won't it stay open?"
Twilight looked around for the source of trouble, and her eyes fell upon the control room, or more specifically a single Stalker who was busy pressing buttons and occasionally turning its head in our direction. I would say it glanced at us, but I'm not entirely sure whether they're blind or not.
"It's that Stalker," said Twilight. "That's what's keeping it closed. Let me just... do you think you could get me one of those roller mines?"
"Uh, sure," I answered.
I was a little nervous as to what she could want with one of those. Did she want to kill us both because of the ever so slightly hopeless situation? They surely wouldn't take out the Stalkers, because of which side they were on...
I jumped down to where the tube holding the roller mines was hanging from the ceiling, and I pressed the button to dispense one, but was instead showered with the things. They jumped around for a second, and a few of them attached themselves to my HEV suit.
Luckily there was a lift available, and I rose back up to where Twilight was waiting. Upon seeing me covered in mines, she started to laugh.
"I got one," I said unnecessarily.
"I noticed!" Twilight giggled. Once she was done, she zapped away all but one of them, which she held in mid-air in another telekinetic sheath.
"Could you hold it for me?" she asked.
"What're you trying to do?" I said while complying.
"The Doctor showed me how to reset the target systems in these things," she explained while examining the bleeping ball. "A little burst of magic in just the right place and it's on our side."
She apparently found what she was looking for, and true to her word applied a small burst of magic around the centre. The mine immediately switched from a brilliant blue glow to a bright orange one.
"There we go!" Twilight said cheerfully. "It's a lot more unstable, but it should take out those Stalkers before it explodes."
I took careful aim and punted the mine down the corridor, where it bounced into the control room and rolled around, bouncing off the Stalkers and apparently killing them. Good. Put them out of their misery.
"Nice work," said Twilight, and this time the shield stayed open.
Then we heard the PA system.
"Priority warning: sterilizers and containment fields compromised."
"Smeg, that creeps me out," I commented.
"What do you mean?" asked Twilight as we ran onwards.
"Voices with no emotion," I told her. "I don't know why, but robot voices like that have always been kinda disturbing."
"I know how you feel," said Twilight. "Believe me."
After a few more minutes of running and fighting through some guards who were still protecting the Citadel's inner workings, we found a hard light bridge. It was obvious we'd have to cross it to continue to the core, but just as more guards were running across to shoot us something malfunctioned in the wall and a massive vortex opened up, dragging the soldiers in and crushing them to little more than bloody pulps.
Twilight and I watched in horror.
"Well, screw that!" she exclaimed.
"We have to cross that?" I shouted. "I can't believe this! Who the smeg thought it would be a good idea to put that there?!"
"Exactly!" cried Twilight. "It makes absolutely no sense! Why is there something like this here?"
"Yeah!" I replied. "This chapter was badly thought out!"
We both stood and watched the swirling blue vortex of doom for a moment. It would swirl and suck for about three seconds at a time, and then leave a ten second gap in which it was silent.
"You think we can make it?" I asked Twilight.
"Why bother?" she asked in reply.
Half a second later, we were safely on the other side of the bridge, and yet we hadn't used it.
"Teleportation?" I asked. "Some ponies might call that an arse pull."
"Hey," said Twilight moodily, "if you don't like it, go on the internet and complain. Right now we have a job to do."
It wasn't long before we arrived in another room, which was rather dimly lit and made it difficult to see without eye pain. A huge console dominated one wall, while some kind of pneumatic tube occupied the opposite.
"What went on in here?" asked Twilight.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I can't help but feel like it we use that console, we might find out. Would you like to do the honours?"
Twilight nodded with a small smile, and started tapping away like crazy.
"Good idea," she said as she worked. "There's every chance this console has some useful information: we might be able to pin down a safer path to the core. Well, safer than the one we have already."
"You mean just running in any old direction and hoping it's the right one?" I suggested. "That usually works."
She glanced at me with a smile.
"Maybe in your world," she said, "but in modern Equestria it's better to be safe than sorry."
After a little more tapping, a horribly familiar face appeared on the screen.
"I beg you, please; it is Trixie you should be concerned about! Trixie can still deliver each, but not without assistance!" she cried.
"Trixie?!" Twilight yelped, leaping back. "But-but how?!"
"The portal location is unsustainable," Trixie continued. "There is no possible way for Trixie to survive in that environment! A host body? You have got to be joking; there is no way Trixie could possibly-"
"Oh, thank goodness," Twilight sighed in relief.
"Just an old recording," I said. "Just shows how big her ego was."
"Let me see if I can shut it down," said Twilight, returning to the control panel.
"Alright, fine!" cried the recorded Trixie. "Just make it fast: they're right behind me! Oh horseapples." And she cantered out of shot.
"What the-"
Twilight didn't have time to finish her shocked explanation, because the maggot thing that had appeared on the screen at the end of Trixie's conversation - Advisors, they're called Advisors - reappeared, and on every smaller screen surrounding the big one.
Then a pod appeared in the tube, the top half opened and the face of an Advisor was revealed.
Half a second later, it attacked.
My head has never hurt so much in my life. You want to simulate it? Then find a way to make your head implode. I don't care if such a thing is physically impossible, FIND A SMEGGING WAY. I swear there was blood trickling over the lenses of my eyes, and on one side of my glasses, the lens cracked as though it had been stamped on.
"Let's get out of here!" yelled Twilight.
She used her magic to open the next door and we both galloped through like greased lightning, only stopping to breathe when it had slammed closed behind us.
"What's one of them doing here?" asked Twilight.
"I-I don't know," I confessed.
I can hardly remember a time when I'd seen so much horror in Twilight's beautiful face. Her pupils had shrunk to pinpricks, her whole body was trembling in shock and a cold sweat had broken out on her forehead. So I did the first thing I thought of and wrapped my hooves around her, and she was glad to return the gesture. I could still feel her body shaking, though.
"You look as though you've been crying blood," she commented. "I don't look like that, do I?"
"No," I told her, "but I can tell you're pretty shaken up."
When we broke apart, we didn't say a word. We just continued running through the Citadel, and once or twice came upon a broken confiscation field thingy - the things that had destroyed all my weapons when I had first arrived here.
And then we found one that wasn't destroyed...
"Security alert: unregistered weapons detected. Confiscation field engaged."
I knew I was in trouble the moment my hooves left the ground. It held me in an almost immobile state. I could hear Twilight calling out to me from the now closed-off corridor, but I couldn't make out what she was saying.
Once more, the clip was pulled off my horn, and once more it was suspended before me before the field backfired and the clip became supercharged again.
"Warning: counter-resonant singularity device detected," declared the PA. "Confiscation field failure."
Finally, the field shut down.
"Security alert: illegal counter-resonant singularity device detected. Deploy; diagnose; dissect."
"I wish I knew why it did that," said Twilight, scrutinizing my horn clip.
"Tell you the truth, I do too," I told her, "but I guess we should be glad it's made me... say, about half as powerful as you?"
Again, Twilight blushed happily.
You may not believe this, but I never actually got a chance to be the Doctor's companion. However, I'm beginning to understand what it was like, because right now I'm doing more running than I ever have in my whole life. Sure, there was that bit where I was charging the Citadel in the first place to get to Trixie's lair, but I was walking almost the entire time. I was conserving my energy for what was to come, and anyway I didn't really need to hurry.
Plus, I think you'll find a psychopath is a lot more intimidating when they're calm than when they're screaming, because you know they're going to start screaming at some point: you just don't know when. And as time goes by it becomes more and more likely that you'll be the one screaming, and then he'll stab you in the face or something and I should really get to the point.
The point is Twilight and I were practically hurtling through the bowels of the Citadel. Pretty soon we found another lift, and this one was a lot bigger than all the rest: we could both fit on, but there would have been room for all her friends as well.
Like all the other lifts, it was a simple platform of glass held together by lead lining, and through it we could see just how far down the Citadel went. It was practically a bottomless pit.
"You think this could take us to the core?" I asked.
"Yeah," said Twilight. "We're definitely on the right track."
We stepped onto the lift. I snatched an energy ball from one of the channels running up the sides of the shaft, and threw it into a receptacle which immediately started glowing blue, and the lift began descending.
"Look out!"
I looked up just in time to see a lump of rubble falling from the ceiling up above. Luckily I caught it and threw it to one side, but then more started falling, and it got to the point where it wasn't so much an elevator ride as a sick, twisted, vertical game of dodge ball where dodging had the same consequences as getting hit in the face with a bowling ball.
Then the lift stopped.
"What the- Why did it just stop?" I demanded.
Without saying a world, my plucky marefriend pluckily plucked an energy ball from a channel and pluckily shot it into a second receptacle, which pluckily accepted it and we pluckily continued. Plucky, huh?
"Heads up!"
It wasn't long before we once again had to catch rubble as it fell from the ceiling. If the glass was indestructible, then it wouldn't have been a problem, but one well-placed chunk of girder and we're dancing with Death.
He's actually a really bad dancer.
Must be something to do with the bones.
Oh well.
"Doesn't this thing go any faster?" I asked.
"All the lifts in the Citadel are like this!" Twilight pointed out.
"If I didn't know any better," I replied, "I'd say it was some kind of conspiracy! Oh smeg, what now?"
The lift had stopped again. There was another receptacle nearby, so it was my turn to fire an energy ball into it, and we set off-
-for about half a second, because the lift stopped as if to say "Nope, not gonna work" and retreated back up.
"Why didn't that work?" I asked.
"Maybe you did it wrong," suggested Twilight.
"Twi, I'm shooting an energy ball into a thing which is powered by energy balls," I pointed out. "I don't think it's even possible to go wrong."
"Still, maybe I should try," said Twilight. I just shrugged and let her have a go, but it still failed.
Then I saw something else. A red laser had shot at the receptacle just as the ball had gone in, and it had come from a sort of office thing off to the side. More specifically, a Stalker. That's why they'd been left with their horns.
"It's that Stalker," said Twilight. "That's what's stopping it! Do you want to take it out?"
Odd. I'd have thought she'd jump at the chance of putting one of those things out of their misery. I'll have to ask about it later.
Nevertheless, I took careful aim and fired the ball.
It rebounded off the ceiling and walls until it bowled the Stalker over, and then bounced right into the receptacle.
"Nice work!" complimented Twilight as the lift started working again.
"Oh, stop it, you," I said with mock bashfulness.
The rest of the lift ride down was remotely uneventful, apart from us having to take out a few more renegade soldiers who were still hanging around.
"I don't know why they're still here," I said. "I'd have thought they'd be fleeing to the moon right now."
"Unless there's something else," said Twilight. "Some higher goal they're trying to accomplish which can only be achieved in the Citadel."
At long last, the lift completed its journey.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!!!"
I glanced up just in time to see a mass of metal the size of a small building falling from the ceiling. Twilight and I ran to safety into a nearby corridor, just in time to hear the deafening shatter of glass behind us as the lift was completely and totally annihilated.
"Promise me one thing," said Twilight.
"Anything," I replied.
"When this is over," she said, "you're taking me on a date. A proper one: dinner, dressing nicely, the works. Because I'm gonna need something to take my mind off this nightmare and going out with you seems like the best idea!"
Glad to hear I'm not the only one who's getting tired.
"You've got a deal," I said.
And with that, we moved on. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Episode 1 Chapter 2 - Direct Intervention | I could tell that Twi and I were getting dangerously close to the core. It wasn't that I could hear or see it - it was the kind of thing for every other sense in between. The air was getting difficult to breathe: it felt thick and greasy, almost as if Discworld magic was at work, and it tasted ever so slightly like metal.
Moving onwards though, it started to get weirder. It tasted like sunlight, smelt like yellow and sounded like wet dog stink.
"Ugh," I said. "You smell that?"
"You mean the smell of yellow?" asked Twilight. "I do. And the taste of sunlight - this is getting really strange. We're definitely getting- this could be it!"
She stopped at a single door at the end of a long corridor, opened it with a burst of magic, and revealed the group of white-clad soldiers who immediately started gunning us down.
One of them fired an energy ball, and I watched in horror as it headed straight for Twilight's face, but I needn't have worried because she caught it, twirled it around her head to keep the momentum going, and threw it right back in their faces. And get this: it rebounded around the room and killed every last one of them!
I... honestly, I couldn't think of a single thing to say.
"Where the smeg did you learn to do that?" I demanded.
Twilight shrugged.
"This old dog learned a few new tricks while you were gone," she said with a smile. "But I don't get why they're still hanging around here. What were they doing?"
I approached a console and examined it critically.
"If I didn't know any better," I told her, "I'd say that they were force-feeding data into the core. They were deliberately trying to blow it, but... why?"
Using another console, Twilight opened the blast shields which had kept the core hidden from us.
The chamber beyond was glowing with unnatural, bright blue light which seemed to be emanating from the very walls. Or maybe it was coming from the radioactive bubble which was throbbing right in the centre of the chamber, expanding and shrinking at the same time while glistening like the surface of a soap bubble - you know, how it swirls and shines and you can see the colours of the rainbow? It was like that, but it was different shades of greyish blue.
More vertical channels of energy balls stood in every corner of the huge Toblerone-shaped chamber. I could see doors and hard light bridges, and power outlets too - plus four huge turning rotors right above the core. I took in as much as possible because I had a feeling I would need to use more than half of those things.
"Wow," said Twilight. "It looks pretty far gone. I really hope the Doctor was right about this. Let's see if we can find a way through the control room."
I watched the core moving. The way it pulsed and throbbed in the metal rings surrounding it was almost hypnotic, and in the strangest way beautiful. I managed to drag myself away from it long enough to hook my HEV suit up to a charger on the wall.
"Oh my gosh," cried Twilight, "These readings are off the chart! Hang on, there's a lift; let me just call it. I really hope it's not too late to reactivate the containment field. Good thing you know what you're doing."
She looked round at me as my HEV suit reached 200% charge (I guess the confiscation field affected it as well as my horn clip).
"You do know what you're doing, right?" she asked nervously, clearly anticipating the answer to be negative.
I shrugged as I removed the cable from the charger and stashed it in the special cavity in my suit's collar.
"More or less," I said.
With a small ding, the lift announced its arrival.
"Here it is," said Twilight as I stepped in. "I really wish there was more I could do to help."
"There is," I told her. "You could try to find out exactly why they're trying to blow this thing into orbit in the first place."
She nodded.
The doors slid closed, and she tenderly placed a hoof on the glass. I did the same, so that we were just as we had been when I was going to battle Trixie. I must admit I knew this would be a little more pleasant, because the pulsating core was less likely to gloat at me.
"Hurry back," Twilight said.
"Don't worry," I said soothingly, "I'm gonna do what I do best."
And with that, the lift shot downwards like a bullet.
Every passing nanosecond led to the temperature rising by about a tenth of a degree, and by the time I reached the chamber I was sweating like a pig in an electric blanket. Not just that, but the air was glowing blue.
There was a control room across a chasm to my left - if I had a portal gun, I could do this whole thing in ten seconds flat. I snagged an energy ball and shot it into a waiting receptacle. It activated a hard light bridge which I gratefully crossed.
Bit of random trivia while I think of it: hard light bridges are made from sunlight pumped in from the surface and concentrated. If you were to rub your cheek on one, it would be like standing outside with the sun shining on your face.
It would also set your hair on fire.
Once I reached the other side of that particular bridge, I activated the next one, but the same thing happened as it did with the lift earlier: a Stalker deactivated it. I had no choice but to put the poor thing down. When that was done, I turned on the bridge and crossed to the control room-
-which contained a single button.
What- that's it? That's a bit disappointing, to say the least!
Oh well, I might as well see what it does.
When I pressed the button, the bridges rotated until they were facing the core. They led straight to it. And there's a ladder leading up the first ring, near the base of the throbbing bubble. I think this place is trying to tell me something, don't you?
So I left the smeggy control room and ascended to the next level. Careful not to actually touch the bubble, because I was worried it would melt me, I made my way across another hard light bridge and into a real control room, complete with real soldiers guarding it.
They weren't too hard to take out, though.
This room had a receptacle on the wall, so I ran back to the main chamber and grabbed an energy ball. When I shot it in, a machine rose out of the floor. Part of the wall opened, revealing the still-throbbing core, and the strange mass of electric mechanics fired a black beam right into its centre.
That's the containment field? Or at least, a third of it. From what I saw from where Twilight's waiting, there're two more of those things.
Not too hard.
Mind you, if I know this kind of thing - and I do - it'll only get harder from here.
Rather than heading back out into the main chamber, I instead headed through a gate which had opened the same moment the containment thingy had activated. More troops and a few ponyhacks appeared and made an attempt on my life, but again, they weren't too difficult to dispose of.
I kept following this corridor, and I found a long chamber, blocked off by an access panel, through which energy balls were travelling. Closer inspection revealed that they were in fact being created here... or something. Please don't tell me I have to go through here- smeg it! It's the only way through! The only other door I can see is right down the other end, where the balls are being spawned. It looks like I'll have to weave like crazy to avoid getting hurt.
This wouldn't be so hard if I was Twilight. Knowing her, she'd just teleport over there and think nothing of it. But I've tried it before and let me tell you that teleporting is rather difficult. The reason she wasn't able to teleport both of us straight to the core is that you have to visualise almost every detail of the location you want to go to in order for it to work, and we had no idea what this place would look like. For all we know, it could have been orange with blue polka dots with pink starts in the middle of them, and the core could have looked like a giant eyeball.
Dear sweet smeg, that would be creepy! I think I had a dream like that once... nah, this is way different. For one there's no sheep.
Here I go. If I had a little music this'd probably be a bit easier. Then again I was never any good at dancing. Still, it wouldn't hurt to lighten the mood a little.
Okay... duck, left, right, duck, right, duck, duck, left, duck, right, left, right, duck, left, duck, duck, right, duck, left, duck, right, left, duck... you can see where this is going.
So anyway, I finally reached the other end and when I exited the long chamber, I followed a walkway and hopped out onto a ledge. I followed this particular path until I came across a second access panel, which I punted off and quickly took out the troops left in the room. Then I snatched an energy ball from where it was powering a shield and headed back to the main chamber.
I couldn't really tell if the one working containment device was doing its job properly. All I knew was that the tips of my mane were starting to blacken and smoke, and the air was getting thicker and greasier all the time.
I crossed the next bridge and was once again right next to the pulsating core. Waiting until it contracted again, I ran around to the other side and onto another bridge, killed a few troops who came out of a corridor and grabbed another energy ball in preparation.
Sure enough, there was another receptacle, and I set up the second containment device.
Two down, one to go. Good thing too. If I sweat any more my suit's going to slide right off my body and slither away to start a new life.
A door opened to yet another corridor, so I followed it and took out more troops at the next junction. I continued along the corridor until I reached a balcony, overlooking the still-throbbing core which now had two black beams piercing its heart. Another balcony was on the other side of the room - the other side of the smegging room - and I could tell I would have to use those rotor things to get across. I'd have to ride them like a merry-go-round.
When the nearest one was available I jumped aboard, and almost immediately a swarm of ponyhacks descended from the ceiling. With my supercharged horn clip and the huge open area, they were a lot easier to take out than most of the earlier ones, but still highly annoying and painful. Especially when one of them grazed my horn.
I reached the next balcony and jumped down, then followed the corridor (taking out more foolish soldiers along the way) until I reached another access panel. I yanked it away and found myself in the same situation as earlier, only this time it was reversed. I went through the ledge, the walkway and the energy ball chamber until I found the third and final control room.
After slaying the guards - seriously, they're starting to get annoying now - I snagged and energy ball and threw it into the receptacle-
-which promptly rejected it, and I had to jump around to avoid getting disintegrated.
Oh smeg, what now?
The thing's already come up and moved into position, the lift which brought it up has descended again and the shield covering it is offline. Something must be wrong with what's underneath.
I jumped down and saw three things for holding energy balls. Each one of them was empty and glowing red. Knowing my luck the lift will go back up and the shield will close with me still down here. I've got to find a way to get energy balls into those things, because now I don't have any other way up.
Let me just... yes! There's a hole in the ceiling, and through it I can see that chamber with all the energy balls rushing across. That's one... two... I'd better stand on the lift thing...
THREE!
Phew.
Okay, now to activate this thing and get the smeg out of there. Back to the main chamber, getting an energy ball, taking it through- YES! I did it!
A black beam shot out of the machine, the core shrank down to a more normal size and refrained for further throbbing. The rotors I had rode on earlier descended as well, effectively containing the bubble for good. Almost instantly the radiation trickled out of the air, which became see-through again and I was able to manoeuvre with far more ease now that I no longer felt like I was running through hair gel. Severely overheated hair gel.
There was another lift nearby, and when I stepped into it, it took me back up to where Twilight was waiting for me. The moment she saw me she pulled me into a hug.
"You did it!" she cried joyfully. "The containment system's back in place!"
"Yeah, but it won't last forever," I pointed out. "It's only a matter of time before more smegheads come and disable it."
"But by then we'll have bought enough time to get pretty much the whole city evacuated," said Twilight, and she released me and turned back to the console. I noticed she had plugged her horn clip into it, and it was glowing.
"Looks like you did a little poking around while I was busy," I commented.
"You bet," said Twilight. "The Combine was trying to start a chain reaction and destroying the Citadel was only a side effect. Since we destroyed Trixie's reactor, this is the only way they have to send a transmission packet to wherever it is they come from. I can't tell what it contains-"
"-but it must be something juicy," I finished for her. "They wouldn't just sacrifice this whole, massive building for nothing."
"Exactly," said Twilight. "We need to get this thing analysed right away. I'll try to find a way to send it to the Doctor. I've been copying it onto this," she tapped the clip, still in the console, "and I have a feeling that it's bad news for all of us."
She'd been looking worried before, but suddenly there was another thoughtful side to this anxiety.
"I've got a feeling there's something else," I said.
"You're right," said Twilight. "It's... it's Rainbow Dash. Take a look."
She pressed another button and the familiar face of a blue coated, pink eyed and technicolour maned pony appeared on the screen, looking uncharacteristically nervous. It probably had something to do with the muffled explosions which appeared to be right outside the corridor she was standing in.
"Okay Rainbow!" shouted the voice of Soarin' from off-screen. "It's rolling, now go! Quickly!"
"Okay," said Dash, "so we're pretty sure we've pinned down the location of the Archives. It's hard to say how much of them might be left or if there's anything that could compromise our mission if they were discovered by the Combine. We're gonna have to take a closer look, but we should be able to give a better opinion in a few hours. If the site's where we think it is, it shouldn't be more than-"
There was another explosion - this one a lot louder than those before.
"Rainbow!" yelled Soarin'. "We're gonna have to cut this short, we might've been spotted!"
"Gotcha!" cried Dash. She turned and galloped away from the camera, a stallion that could only have been Soarin' following in her wake, and the tripod holding the camera fell over.
It then showed a hole being blasted in the wall it was facing, and another stallion entered. His entire body was covered in armour which was such dark blue it was almost black - including the spike which had been pressed into the mask, presumably to house a horn - except for his eyes, which were the most brilliant, chilling shade of blue I had seen in my whole life.
The camera cut out.
"What in Equestria are they doing?" asked Twilight.
"It's obvious they need our help," I stated. "We need to get that to the Doctor as well."
"I can do that," said Twilight, putting the clip back on her horn. She pointed at it and said "I've got it right here."
Heh. A USB function? Clever.
"What do you say?" she asked. "You want to get the buck out of here?"
"Buck yeah."
Less than a second later an alarm blared through the building, so loud that I was afraid my ear tubes might have melted.
"I think they felt that," I commented.
"Don't worry," said Twilight. "I secured us a lift. It's this way, come on!"
She led me to a lift, which started taking us in a predominantly downwards direction.
"I don't think they want us reading their mail," said Twilight. "Rather than taking it to the Doctor in person, I think it would be best if I sent it to him right now."
She removed her horn clip, slipped on an extra and her first one disappeared in a flash. I should have known she could master remote teleportation while I was gone.
"This lift will take us straight to the Citadel's train platform," she told me. "If we can hitch a ride we can get out of this place and to safety."
"I think my horn clip's gone back to normal," I said.
"I think it has," said Twilight after examining it. "It was fun while it lasted."
The lift arrived and we ran out into a corridor. Guards began pursuing us, and Twilight closed a door in their face, but it wouldn't hold them for very long. Long enough for us to get away, though.
Eventually we found a room where one wall was made entirely of glass - through which was some sort of control room with guards at all the consoles - and roller mines poured in from a pipe in the ceiling.
"Bring them over here," Twilight commanded. "I'll reset them!"
I brought them over to her, and one by one the glow switched from pale blue to bright orange.
"I wish I could see their faces," I said with a smile, "'coz I'm sure they won't be expecting this!"
Then the PA started up again.
"Warning," it said, "counter-stability force detected. Deploy internal stabilization teams; diagnose."
"You ready?" asked Twilight, as the mines bleeped in anticipation.
"Ready," I said.
Part of the glass wall slid aside and the roller mines charged in, bouncing around off the understandably alarmed guards. You should've been there, it was actually really funny!
"Priority warning: stabilization force disengaged."
"Oh shut up," I said to the tannoy as we entered the control room.
Twilight ran over to a console, and after looking it over she said "Okay, this is our train. Let's get in before more guards show up."
Another door opened, leading to an underground train platform. One of the carriages had a door open, and the two of us leapt inside. The door closed, and the train started to vibrate under our hooves.
The carriage we were in was lit with a dim red light. Pony sized, opaque cages lined one wall, and there was yet another console at the far end.
"I love a nice clean getaway," I said, "don't you?"
"Definitely," said Twilight. "I'm not entirely sure what was in that transmission package, but they're definitely not very happy about us copying it. But you know, all things considered, we-"
She stopped talking.
One of the cages had opened at the lid, and the burnt face of a Stalker poked out and gave an unearthly growl.
"Oh no," Twilight whispered. "It's a Stalker car."
Without a word, she reached up and stroked the creature's cheek. It shied away from the warmth of her touch, so she lowered her hoof and closed her eyes, a tear trickling down her face.
"I-I can't believe the Combine," she said, her breath catching in her throat. "This is what they do to you if you try to resist! Or... or if you're just in the wrong place at the wrong time..."
She reached up and closed the cage.
"I hope you don't remember who you were," she said quietly.
"Are you..." I wanted to ask if she was okay, but I wasn't sure if she'd be able to answer in her present state, so I decided to distract her. "Do you want to see where this train is heading?"
She nodded, wiped her face and started hacking the console. I could tell she was in need of comfort, so I walked up behind her and placed a hoof on her shoulder. She acknowledged my presence with a grateful smile, and turned back to the console.
"Alright," she said after a few seconds. "We're in luck: this thing is heading straight to Canterlot. We can meet up with Dash and Soarin' once we get there."
She was trying to avoid something. I could tell.
When she turned away from the console, Twilight walked to the other end of the carriage and sat down on the floor.
"We might as well try to get some rest," she said. "We'll need our strength if we're going to survive."
She glanced again at the row of cages, and turned away.
I walked over to her and sat down next to her.
"There's something about the Stalkers, isn't there?" I asked. "Something personal. Something you're not telling me."
Twilight's one of the emotionally strongest ponies I've ever met, so if something's upsetting her this much then I need to do something about it. She needs somepony to talk to. Now.
"Is it your family?"
Without turning around, she nodded.
"Were they..." Better tread carefully here; this is tender territory. "Were they turned into Stalkers?"
She nodded.
"My mom," she said quietly, "my dad... my brother..."
I laid a comforting foreleg around her shoulders, and she turned around and pulled me into another hug. Only this time, she was sobbing into my shoulder.
"I hadn't seen much of my parents since I began studying under Princess Celestia," she told me. "What with going to school and all the time I spent in libraries I barely had any time for them. Shining Armor, though..."
"Your brother?"
"My BBBFF. Big Brother, Best Friend Forever. He was promoted to captain of the royal guard not long before I moved to Ponyville, which meant he was at the castle pretty much all the time. We were so close, and I-"
She fell silent, and lay down on the cold metal floor. I lay down next to her and she put her hooves on one of mine. I put my other hoof on top of hers, and the gaze of her gorgeous purple eyes connected with mine.
"When I moved to Ponyville, we vowed that we would keep in touch. I wrote to him every week, and he would always write back, but I didn't get to see him. Not even at the Grand Galloping Gala: he was too busy making sure the guards were all doing their job properly. And I... I haven't seen him in over seventeen years. It'd be an absolute miracle if he was still alive after all this time."
I tried to wipe her tears away, but she lowered my hoof and put it back where it had been.
"You've still got your friends," I pointed out. "And the Doctor... and me. And you should know I love you - although, not as a brother, so-"
I was cut off by her lips connecting with mine. The kiss lasted for longer than I can remember, and when we broke apart all we could do was look into each other's eyes.
Eventually she found the courage to speak again.
"I know you love me," she said. "And I... I feel the same... I think. I spent months studying friendship, but I never took the time to learn about love."
"Well then," I said, "you may find me to be a more than capable teacher."
I know, it's one of the lamest lines in the history of romance, but can you come up with anything better to say?
Didn't think so.
She kissed me again, and I permitted her entry when she ran her tongue along my lips. It was one of the most magical occurrences in my entire life, and one I had been waiting for since I had arrived back in Equestria. When we broke apart, I lost count of how many minutes we spent gazing into each other's eyes, simply delighting in the comfort of just having somepony else with us.
"We should sleep," she repeated. "I haven't had a chance since I was drugged in that pod in her office. And anyway, Canterlot was the first place the Combine conquered, so I highly doubt it'll be safe."
I knew exactly who she meant by "her".
"Then sleep," I told her. "I'll be with you."
She nuzzled my cheek and rested her head on my shoulder. It wasn't long before her breathing became slow and quiet, and she practically stopped moving altogether. She was fast asleep.
I stroked her mane, which was still silky and soft, even after all this time. The silver stripe was shining, even in the dim light of the carriage and what little starlight came through from outside. I should probably sleep too, but for some weird reason I don't feel tired anymore. I've got far too much on my mind, and now I'm wide awake.
If Canterlot had Rainbow Dash as scared as she had been in that video, then I wonder what it's actually like. The biggest cities are always the worst when it comes to invasions and alien occupation, so why the smeg would she and Soarin' leave their son to set themselves up in the capital city of Equestria? Did they ever tell Lightning what they were doing up there?
I must admit, the low rumble and gentle shaking of the carriage is very relaxing. It's no wonder Twilight was able to fall asleep so easily.
But... but who was that pony that turned the camera off? He was a unicorn, and definitely big, but I went to the Grand Galloping Gala once - well, snuck in and hid in the castle foyer, actually - and I lost count of how many male unicorns there were. And how many of them were built up with muscle. There were loads! And how many of them do you think had blue eyes?
Still, I can't remember the last time I saw any two eyes so icy.
Wait...
Was that the Blue Demon? His armour was blue - almost black, but still blue - and his eyes were blue, so there's every chance he was.
I hope Dash and Soarin' are alright, because that video made it look like he was attacking them. If he's hurt them in any way...
I closed my eyes and tried my best to drift off.
When I opened them again, daylight was streaming in through the thin slits in the carriage door which served as a window. It was a few minutes before I felt Twilight stirring under my hooves. She looked up at me groggily.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning," I replied. "You sleep alright?"
"Like a log," she answered. "How about you?"
"Like a log that's just run a marathon," I said. Sure, it was a white lie, but it was better than saying I'd been thinking about what might await us in Canterlot.
"If you let me get up I can check how far away we are," said Twilight, so I released her from our night-time cuddle and she examined the console.
"It looks like we haven't got far to go," she reported. "In fact, we should be entering Canterlot just about-"
BOOM.
"HANG ON TO SOMETHING!"
She galloped back towards me and threw herself onto me as the train derailed and the carriage rolled over and over, deafeningly loud, and the Stalkers screamed until it stopped.
Great. Just our luck that somepony would blow up the rails. I-I can barely see a thing; I think there's something over my eyes. I'm buried under something, I can't move!
I can see now. Somepony's uncovered my eyes, but everything's started to go dark...
I blacked out. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Episode 1 Chapter 3 - Lowlife | Okay, so where the smeg am I now?
Uh... um...
I appear to be in a bedroom. I have been moved from a wrecked train to a bedroom. Not just that, but the bed I'm on is a double, and Twilight's lying next to me, still out cold.
We're naked.
Well, technically not, since ponies don't normally wear clothes since we're ponies and all, but whoever retrieved us removed Twilight's jacket and my HEV suit. They're over there, in the corner, next to one of the boarded up windows which are only just letting in enough light to see by.
Is than an ensuite bathroom? With a shower?! It-it is! I never thought I'd be so glad to see a shower in all my life!
I left the bed - carefully, so as not to wake up Twilight - and quietly made my way over to the bathroom. After closing the door behind me I stepped into the shower, but had to refrain from leaping back when I turned the tap on because the water was cold.
Oh well, it's better than nothing.
Ah, smeg, that feels good. Nothing like a cold shower to wake you up. And wash away the accumulated dust, grime and dried blood which have all gathered on your fur over the past couple of days.
Hey, there's even a towel available.
When I got out, dried myself and put my glasses back on, I finally did what I should have done the moment I woke up and I started to get suspicious.
Why in the wide world of Equestria where Twilight and I in somepony's house? Was there anypony else here, and if so, who? Or were we captured by the Combine or Commabies and placed in a complex simulation which looks like a house?
But then again, why would they do that?
Wait a minute...
I smell pastry. I'm not kidding; I actually can smell freshly cooked pastry.
Before I went downstairs though, I leant back with my face under the tap and turned on the faucet.
I'm not thirsty anymore!
I finished drying myself and dumped the towel in the sink - I always do that - and left the bedroom on the tips of my hooves to avoid waking up Twilight. It was only when I reached the stairs that evidence of the world's current conflict appeared. There were cracks all over the wall, and one of the stairs had been knocked down into the cupboard below. I carefully stepped over it and proceeded downstairs.
It didn't take me long to find the kitchen, and the two pies which were sitting temptingly on the sideboard. I breathed in the sweet scent of the freshly cooked pastry, combined with the sour tang of apples which danced around my nostrils. It was only then that I realised how incredibly hungry I was.
I grabbed one of the pies, set it on the table, and dug in.
Tell me; is there such a thing as a foodgasm? Because I think that's what happened when I ate that pie. I hadn't eaten anything for about seventeen years, and right now this pie was the food of the gods. The melt-in-your-mouth texture of the pastry, the richness and tangy sweet sourness of the apples... it was the most delicious thing I had eaten in a long, long time.
When I had finished I put the tin in the sink (yeah, I do that for lots of stuff) and decided to explore the house a little more.
There was a lounge room, complete with sofa and fireplace, and on the mantelpiece was something which made me double take like no tomorrow.
It was a family photograph. There was a mare, a stallion, a teenage colt and a little filly. And there was no mistaking those big, twinkly eyes, straight stripy mane and adorable smile.
I'm in Twilight's house.
So that colt in the picture must be Shining Armor. I vaguely remember seeing him in the picture in New TARDIS, and I thought he was rather handsome - no homo: it's perfectly alright for a guy to think other guys are handsome without being attracted to them - and in the picture he's giving Twilight a massive hug.
Hang on, there's something else in the frame.
I pulled it out, and my jaw almost hit the floor as I started to read, even though the writing was severely smudged in places as though the writer was crying, so it was rather hard to make out some of the words.
Twiley,
This is probably going to be a little difficult for you to read - If ever you return to Canterlot and find this letter. Princess Celestia made a public announcement saying that it was thanks to your report that she knew about the Combine, but she didn't say whether you were still alive or not.
I know you are. You're my little sister, aren't you? And they wouldn't just let anypony be the Princess' personal student. Me, though...
Mom and Dad are already gone. I should know, because I saw it happen. You'll be glad to know they didn't suffer: Dad was shot in the head trying to protect Mom, and she got hit by an energy ball. I tried to protect her - I tried to protect them both - but I failed, and I'll never be able to forgive myself. I can only hope that you can keep yourself and Spike safe.
What few citizens remaining have been forced to take shelter in the royal palace, and the guards have been called back to protect them. This will be my final hour in the house before I have to leave and see to my troops, so I want to make it worthwhile.
I've lost count of how many innocent civilians I've already seen gunned down in the streets. The roads have become rivers of blood: a pony can barely walk for stepping on a corpse. Hardly any of the dead are unicorns. I'm assuming that Mom and Dad were among the lucky, because the unicorns are captured and taken to a place which I have no knowledge of, but from what I've seen of the Combine already, it can't be good.
They even got Cadence.
I can hear them in the street outside. They're right on the other side of the door, and as far as I know everypony else is already at the palace. Her highness said that she would send Luna to collect me if I didn't arrive within half an hour of the last civilian, so if I don't make a run for it now I'll be endangering the life of a princess.
But I can't leave without telling you how much I love you.
Do you remember when you were still a little filly, and I walked in on you and Cadence, and you - the world famous General Sparkle - were guarding a book fort with Capt. Smarty-pants against the Dark Lord Cadence and her army of My Little Humans? And you cried out in horror because Dark Lord Cadence's master, the Evil Overload Shiny, had come to join the battle.
I remember it like it was yesterday. You were so adorable, perched atop your mighty fortress of books and pillows, firing marshmallows at your foalsitter, that I couldn't help but join in. I wanted to spend some time with my wonderful little sister - who wouldn't when that sister is you?
Another day I'll never forget is the day you departed for Ponyville. You were so nervous about going someplace you'd never even heard of before, and I couldn't help but feel for you. I hardly believed Spike when he said it was because you'd been told you had to make friends, but then I found out that as far as you were concerned, I was all you needed when it came to friends.
I have to say... that really touched me, Twilight. It was the sweetest thing I've ever heard from you.
And you know what? As far as I was concerned, you were all that mattered.
My only regret is not being with you at this moment. If I was, I promise with all my heart that I would never leave you in a million years. I have to go now, Twiley. Wish me luck.
Your brother loves you. Never forget that.
Your BBBFF,
Shining Armor.
Holy smeg.
That letter's been in that frame for nearly seventeen years, waiting for Twilight to come and read it. And she never did.
I wonder if he made it.
"Hey, Hex."
It was Twilight. I had been so engrossed in the letter that I hadn't noticed her. By the looks of things she had done exactly what I had: take a shower and then come downstairs and have a pie. Her mane was still a bit damp, and she was wiping apple away from her muzzle.
"Hey, Twilight," I said, lowering the letter.
"What do you have there?" she asked, pointing at the sheet of paper I held before me.
"It's a letter," I told her. "It's addressed to you. I'm sorry I read it."
"That's okay," she said. I passed the letter to her, and waited while she read.
I didn't want to have to see her face as she read her brother's final letter to her, so I tried to open the front door. When I did manage to get it open, I found myself face to face with a brick wall.
If this door was bricked up, how did we get in? I don't think I saw a back door.
Might as well go and put my HEV suit back on.
When I went back upstairs, I noticed something that I hadn't before: an EXIT sign stuck to the wardrobe door. When I opened it I found that it led outside, with a huge heap of rubble forming a serviceable slope to the ground.
I couldn't see much of the rest of the city. I was nowhere near high enough. However, I did hear a crow squawking and an explosion somewhere in the distance, so I hurriedly closed the door again before I was seen.
Huh. I could swear somepony cleaned my suit as well. Plus it's either got bigger or washing off all that muck made me smaller.
I'm gonna go with the second option because it makes more sense - well, a little more.
May as well grab my- Twilight's jacket while I'm up here. I'm glad she decided to adopt it. Dragon leather would be impossible to make in Equestria - I only brought it with me as a memento, and because it's indestructible.
Someday I'll get around to asking Amber exactly how she managed to make a jacket out of the stuff, seeing as you wouldn't be able to cut it without breaking the scissors.
And how her people used it for armour.
Never mind. I'm thinking too much.
I was still standing holding the jacket when Twilight re-entered, wiping her eyes. I passed her the jacket and she put it on without a word.
"You okay?" I asked.
"I will be," she said. "I just need some time. Is that our way out?"
She indicated the EXIT wardrobe, and I opened it to reveal Canterlot. I bowed as she passed me, smiling faintly at my silliness, and I followed her once she had reached the bottom of the slope.
"I grew up in that house," she said as we walked down the street. "I can't believe how much it's changed since I've been gone. You know, I-I haven't thought about General Sparkle in years."
"What about Captain Smarty-pants?" I asked, and she giggled. "And Dark Lord Cadence? Who was Cadence anyway?"
"She was my foalsitter when I was still a little filly," Twilight explained. "She was everything a foalsitter should be: beautiful, kind, caring... she had the power to spread love wherever she went. With a wave of her horn and two ponies would be head-over-hooves for each other. A couple could be fighting one moment and kissing the next!"
"Huh," I said. "Call me a smeghead if you like but that sounds like a rather dangerous power."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, what if the fighting ponies were brother and sister? Or related in some other fashion, like cousins or even parents? I wouldn't like to think that your foalsitter was responsible for hundreds of ponies being guilty of incest."
"I never thought about it that way," said Twilight. "I guess it is possible, but surely ponies would understand."
We walked in silence for a couple of minutes. The streets had become eerily quiet and empty, and we had yet to see an Overwatch soldier. Good thing too, because apart from the rings on our horns we're completely unarmed. I'd have thought whoever left us in Twilight's house would have been considerate enough to leave us some weaponry too.
Or maybe Canterlot isn't as dangerous as we've been led to believe. I have to admit that I didn't expect to be shot down the moment I stepped out the door - sometimes it's dangerous business, going out your door - but still, it wouldn't hurt to have a little bit of noise, would it?
"Where the smeg is everypony?" I asked. "This is so eldritch."
"I know!" said Twilight. "From what I heard of this place I expected it to be swarming with Overwatch. But it's so empty!"
"Maybe we should try looking around the palace," I said. "Judging by what your brother wrote in that letter there's got to be somepony there."
"Good idea," she replied.
We could easily see the palace from where we were. Once constructed of looming towers of white marble, it was now plated with steel which had a shine much more dull than the stone. It used to be beautiful, but thanks to the Combine it was just another metal monstrosity.
There was an explosion somewhere in the distance, and more cries of crows as we proceeded through the streets. In another part of the city there was gunfire, and it seemed to be getting closer.
Twilight stopped and rubbed her chin with a thoughtful expression.
"I think we should split up," she said.
"Split up?!" I replied. "But we only just got together!"
"No, no, not like that!" Twilight said. "I meant split up as in go in different directions. It'll be easier for them to find us if we stick together the whole way, and we'll have a better chance of staying alive."
I mulled it over in my head.
"You're probably right," I decided.
"Head for Canterlot Tower," said Twilight as she turned away, "and I'll meet you there."
"Okay," I said, and started moving onward, but added "Which one's Canterlot Tower?"
"It's the biggest one!"
Right. Biggest one. Gotcha.
The thing is; splitting up never works out well in horror movies. As far as I can tell, the three rules for surviving a horror movie are these: 1) don't have sex. Ever. Banging your boyfriend/girlfriend/whatever is the surest way of calling the serial killer to your door. 2) Never drink or do drugs. Chances are you'll end up stumbling right into the thing that's trying to kill you, and you won't have much of a chance of getting away if you're plastered or coked out of your skull. 3) Never, EVER say "I'll be right back." Because you won't be. And neither will the person you say it to.
Lucky this isn't a horror movie, huh? Even though it does have quite a lot of elements of one. Well, more like a 50s sci-fi B-movie really. Shall I count the ways? Maybe not, it'd take too long.
I was walking down the street, wondering if anything would actually happen in the next few millennia, when something did happen: a Strider erupted out of the street right behind me. I started running like I had back in City 17, dodging and weaving through the streets, but I could still hear it. It was right behind me!
Suddenly there was a flash. I thought for a moment that the Strider had fired its warp cannon, but then I saw the wreckage falling around me.
I looked around, trying to see where that had come from.
"HELLO?" I shouted. "Is somepony there?"
No answer.
I waited, but there was still no reply, although I think I saw a shadow in a broken window.
"Whoever you are," I said, "thanks."
I continued weaving through the streets, getting closer and closer to the palace with every passing second. Canterlot was a lot easier to navigate than City 17, because there was a distinct lack of massive piles of rubble and stuff. Instead there were, true to Shining Armor's word, a lot of skeletons lying around in the streets which rather than being their usual grey were instead reddish-brown due to dried blood. The roads, that is, not the skeletons.
He really hadn't been exaggerating when he said the streets were rivers of blood and you could barely move for treading on corpses.
Heh, one of the skeletons is wearing a pair of sunglasses. Funny and tragic at the same time: tragicomedy! But seriously, you have to admit that there's something strangely hilarious and cool about a skeleton with shades.
I kept moving. The thought of having some kind of guardian angel was definitely an appealing one, but I can look out for myself. Admittedly I'm kinda helpless at the moment, having no weapons other than my horn clip and my normal level telekinesis - well, definitely developed beyond normal now - and I think I could use some help.
Yep, I'm definitely getting close to the tower now. It's really, really big and now that it's up close it's really, really ugly. It must have been a real eye catcher once, but now it's just an eyesore.
What-what's this?
It looks like a park, but this close to the palace it's far more likely to be a garden of some sort. I guess that explains the twisting, turning, half-a-foot-high labyrinth of burnt hedges and the shattered statues.
Hang on, I can hear something.
"Chaos is a wonderful, wonderful thing!"
It's er, it's er, it's... oh smeg, what was his name again? Something chaos related that starts with a D, um... Discord! That's the one, Discord!
"Not quite as wonderful as friendship!"
And that's Twilight's voice. What's going on?
Hang on, there's a pedestal over there. Let me just read the sign:
DISCORD
Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony
Do not come within 10 ft
NO SQUABBLING FOALS
So this is where the pedestal is, but where's the statue?
"Oh, this again!" There was the sound of a drink being slurped away, followed by a small explosion.
I just stood on something.
It's an eagle's claw. And there's a lion paw over there. I'm surrounded by stone animal parts.
"That's right!" said the voice of Applejack. "You couldn't keep apart our friendships for long!"
Why am I hearing this? I'm guessing it has something to do with the fact that I'm in close proximity to - that is to say, I'm standing in - the statue of Discord so, erm...
"Oh Applejack, don't lie to me! I'm the one that made you a liar! Will you ever learn?"
Maybe it's a sort of black box quick save type thing. You usually find them on a GLaDOS: it records the last couple of minutes of its life for later analysis. They have to relieve those last minutes over and over again.
In this case, Discord was forced to relive getting stoned (Bazinga!) over and over, and now that his statue's been blasted to pieces it's audible to everyone.
"I'll tell you what we've learned, Discord! We've learned that friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt it's worth fighting for!"
Alright, Twilight!
Wait, is that his head? Holy smeg, it is! It's Discord's head! It wouldn't be so creepy if it weren't still frozen in stone and-and SCREAMING.
"Eeugh, gag! Fine, try to use your precious elements. Friend me! Just make it quick: I'm missing out on some excellent chaos here!"
Still listening to the echo, I started digging into the ground at the foot of the pedestal.
"Alright ladies, let's show him what friendship can do!"
Hmm. Not quite deep enough.
"Waitwaitwait!" said the echo of Pinkie. There was a gargling noise, followed by a small growl and the sound of something charging up.
"Huh, what's this?"
The Discord of the past was apparently confused. Meanwhile, the Hex of the present kept digging.
"No... NO!"
And with a rush of sound and a crackling noise, as of flesh, bone and body parts rapidly becoming petrified, the echo ended.
There, I think that's big enough.
The echo replayed again and again as, piece by piece, I gathered up the shattered statue of Discord and deposited him in the hole. I tried my best to reassemble him, but it wasn't easy working out which piece went where. It was like a gigantic 3D jigsaw puzzle, but I knew it wouldn't fit together properly because of the wear and tear of time.
Eventually I finished, and then shoved the dug up earth back over the statue. I picked up what was left over and pressed it onto the sign on the pedestal, and then grabbed a stone and carved two extra words onto it until the end result was this:
Here lies
DISCORD
Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony
Yeah, that seemed to fit.
"Most ponies wouldn't have taken the time to do that."
I looked around at the new voice, and saw the dark stallion from the video. He was entering the same way I had and approaching at a slow trot. When he got to the grass he slowed down to a walk.
"That was very honourable," he said. "You do know what he did to Equestria, don't you?"
"Yes," I said, "but it seemed like the right thing to do. Even the most evil of creatures deserves peace."
"I suppose you're right," said the stranger.
His voice was a lot softer than I had expected it to be: I'd thought it'd be a Batman-esque growl and holy smeg this guy is HUGE! It's probably just the armour, but I think he's about the same size as Big Macintosh. The horn isn't helping things either. It's a lot bigger than any other horn I've seen.
Smeg, what a badly worded description.
Also, have I mentioned his eyes? I don't think I've ever seen a blue so vivid. They're like Soarin's, only blue. Plus it's a lot easier to see the colour of his armour, and the mask which is held in place by clips on his collar.
"Are you-" I'm trying to talk without screwing things up, because I have a feeling this guy is very dangerous. "Are you the Blue Demon?"
He closed his eyes, and his mask moved in a way which indicated a smile.
"That's what the populace of Equestria decided to dub me," he said, "so yes, I guess I am the Blue Demon."
He started to walk away, and I followed in his hoofsteps.
"Were you the guy who took down that Strider chasing me?" I asked. "Because I want you to know I'm really grateful."
"I know."
I had to trot to keep up. He was a rather fast walker.
"So, um," I tried to think of something to say. "That's what happened to Discord, so... do you know what happened to the princesses?"
"Yes."
Okay, rather brief...
"Take a look."
He stopped, and so did I.
In front of us were three graves laid in a row. Each roughly carved tombstone was the same size, which surprised me considering whose graves they actually were. The first had a small carving of a sun, and the inscription:
HERE LIES PRINCESS CELESTIA
Benevolent ruler of Equestria
Commander of the sun
The next bore a carving of a crescent moon, and the following epitaph:
HERE LIES PRINCESS LUNA
Benevolent ruler of Equestria
Commander of the moon
The final headstone had a carving of a heart-shaped crystal, and the epitaph was truly heartbreaking in its simplicity:
PRINCESS MI AMORE "CADENCE" CADENZA
Bringer of love
They're dead. All of them. Dead.
"They're..." I struggled to get the words out of my mouth.
"Dead," the Blue Demon finished for me. "All dead. I should know; I buried them all myself. There wasn't anything anypony could do: nopony could have anticipated the strength of the Combine."
For the first time, he looked me in the eye, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"They killed almost everypony in Canterlot in seven minutes flat," he told me.
"I know," I said. "I know almost everything about those bastards."
He was obviously surprised.
"You do?" he asked.
"Yeah," I said. "I've encountered the Combine before, although I've never had to actively fight them until I got to Equestria. I've been to the world where their hold was the strongest a few times - my best friend got a tattoo there."
The Blue Demon looked away, staring blankly at the graves for a few seconds.
"And I thought I was the only one," he said. "I've been searching all over central Equestria for somepony I lost - I don't dare go anywhere near the borders because that's where they're at their strongest and my powers are rather limited."
"I've heard stories about you," I said. "The late, not so Great and Powerful Trixie said that you were the scourge of the Combine. Well, until I came along, but you get the point."
"I wouldn't call myself the Scourge of the Combine," said the Blue Demon. "I'm just another pony trying to find somepony he lost all those years ago."
He bowed his head in remorse. Smeg, I felt so sorry for the guy.
His ears twitched.
"A friend is coming," he said cryptically. "I must go."
And with that, the Blue Demon galloped away.
Well, he seemed nice. I wonder who it is that he's looking for. And what's with the mask? I admit it looks really badass, but wouldn't it be rather hard to breathe in that thing?
Then I heard the screaming. It was a deafening, high-pitched battle cry which grew louder and louder as the screamer got closer, and I was utterly baffled.
My confusion dissolved when I was bowled over by a screeching mass of blue, and the two of us rolled over and over until I was pinned beneath my new captor's hooves, writhing and struggling to get free.
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE YOU OVERWATCH BASTARD OR I'LL BLOW YOUR BUCKING BRAINS OUT!!" he bellowed in my face.
"I'm not Overwatch!" I shouted, closing my eyes to shield them from spittle. "I'm not even part of the Combine! Get the smeg off me!"
"What the-" The pony pinning me was stunned. "But-but nopony says 'smeg' except- is that- are you- Hex?!"
At the mention of my name, I finally plucked up the courage to open my eyes.
The face before me was one of the most badass I have ever seen in my life. His cheeks and chin were coated in rough stubble, and there was a large band-aid over his muzzle. But by far the most terrifying thing about him was his right eye, for this very good reason:
It wasn't an eye.
It was a ball of shining black glass, with a single small green ring in it indicating a camera lens, held in place by a ring of metal which was riveted to his FACE. As I watched, a pair of shutters closed over it and reopened in the same half second.
Dear sweet smeg, it even blinked.
I somehow found the courage to explore the rest of my assailant's features. One that stood out rather prominently was the black vest with bullets embedded in it, zipped up on top of a tattered Wonderbolt uniform. And the bloodied bandage wrapped liberally around his neck.
And then there were the most basic features such as the pale blue coat and wings. Not to mention the limp navy blue mane and finally the piercing green eye which, like the Blue Demon's, penetrated my soul.
It only took me a few seconds to put all of this together, and come to a logical conclusion as to who it could be.
"Soarin'?!"
He leapt off me and scrambled back, staring at me in shock. After that, once I had pulled myself into a sitting position, he zoomed forward and glomped me. Once I got over the initial shock, I patted him on the back, and he gripped me even tighter.
"Dude, I can't believe it's YOU!" he cried. "It's been seventeen bucking years but now you're finally back! What the hay have you been doing that took you one-and-a-half decades?"
He released me, and his face was painted with a huge, goofy, excitable grin which made him look as if he were five years old.
"You want the truth?" I asked. "Well, you can't handle the truth! Nah, but seriously I have no smegging idea."
"Well, whatever the case," said Soarin' as he helped me up, "it's good to have you back in Equestria. Sorry about attacking you."
"That's alright," I said. "I don't blame you for relying on your instincts. It's saved my life plenty of times and I'm guessing it's done the same for you - although not, I notice, for..."
I trailed off, not wanting to mention a certain ocular part of his body.
"For what?" he asked, curiously cocking an eyebrow.
"Um..." How can I put this delicately? "Eye... eye..."
"You what?"
Honestly, I couldn't think of a single way of saying it without upsetting him, so instead I just pointed at the right side of his face. He reached up and lowered my hoof.
"It's alright," he said in a rather bored tone, "I'm used to ponies getting a little freaked out at my implant. You should've seen Dashie's face when she saw it for the first time, it was priceless!"
"I expect so," I said, "but seriously that thing is freaky as smeg! What is it made of?"
"I think it's obsidian or something," said Soarin', "I wasn't really listening to Twilight when was telling me what it was, and anyway it was years ago- whatever! What're you doing in Canterlot?"
"Twilight and I came here looking for you," I explained. "We got your message about... what was it, the Archives? What're the Archives?"
"I'll explain later. We're camped out at the moment in Canterlot Tower; we're really close to our goal. I had to fight my way here, though. The Overwatch has finally noticed where we are, so we'll have to move soon! Come on!"
He galloped in the direction of the tower, and I followed in hot pursuit.
It wasn't long before we met our first platoon of soldiers. They fired at us as we approached, and I was forced to deflect the bullets with telekinesis as Soarin' gunned them down. Once they were all dead, we continued running.
"You know," I said as we ran, "I could be of much more help if I had a weapon of my own!"
Soarin' drew his own gun (a .44 Magnum, lucky smeghead) blew out the brains of an Overwatch troop who launched himself at us and grabbed the soldier's shotgun before the lifeless body hit the ground.
"Here you go, one weapon," he said, giving it to me.
"Uh," I'll never get used to how blunt he is, "thanks."
"You're welcome," he replied. "Now let's go!"
We were off again. Soarin' and I fired again and again as we galloped ever closer to the tower. True to his word the Overwatch had finally decided to show up, but they seemed be a little disorganised and nowhere near as difficult to kill as their City 17 counterparts.
It wasn't long before the earth under our hooves had become deep red mud which sucked at our legs and we had to form makeshift stepping stones out of bodies.
"This is so gross," I commented.
"Hey, at least they're not rotting already," Soarin' pointed out. "I was in the shower for two whole hours after that, but I still stank so much Dashie avoided me for a week."
"Why are you calling her 'Dashie'?" I asked.
"'Coz it annoys the buck out of her," Soarin' replied, again grinning like a foal. "She's ultra-cute when she's annoyed. Watch your back!"
His warning came just in time, and I whipped around and shot the soldier who was about to do the same to my forehead. Not long after that the garden ended and we were back on solid ground again.
"Smeg am I glad to be out of there," I stated.
I looked up at the tower, the entry door of which stood at the top of twin sets of stairs. And there was a headcrab shell right in front of it.
"We can't go in that way!" Soarin' said. "We're gonna have to find some other entrance."
"I don't think there is one," I said, looking up the length of the tower. There must have been windows once, but almost the entire thing was coated in steel. I'm serious; you'd have to be half blind to think it looked good.
The two of us circumnavigated the tower several times, searching for a way in, until Soarin' pointed at something near the base and said "Down there!"
There was a vent, barely big enough for a pony to fit in.
"Oh, you're kidding," I sighed. "Fine, but if we have to use that thing we're going in one by one or not at all."
"Why's that?"
"Because I'll be a son of a smeghead before I go into a tunnel with somepony's arse in my face!"
Soarin' nodded and said "Good point."
I telekinetically yanked the grate away from the vent entrance and the blue pegasus crawled inside. His thumping around in the shaft echoed and surely must have been audible throughout the entire building, so I was relieved when it stopped.
"It's okay, it's clear!" he shouted.
Hearing this, I crawled into the vent and tried to make as little noise as possible, but it was difficult when I was wearing a very thick and solid suit of armour and carrying a shotgun. Plus my covered hooves weren't providing much grip so it was rather difficult to drag myself along.
And then I met Soarin' again. He had stopped right in the middle of the vent.
"Why didn't you go through?" I asked.
"'Coz there's another grate!" Soarin' pointed out, and indicated the grille of metal. "I never was the weakest Wonderbolt but I was-" he stopped himself, and added "I was never the strongest either!" in a whisper.
I sighed.
"Fine," I said, "move aside."
The pale pegasus pressed himself into the side of the vent, and I could only just make out the grate which was blocking his path. A short zap of magic and it was no more: just a few prongs of metal sticking out of the frame.
"Thanks," said Soarin'. He crawled through with a small tearing noise and fell to the ground, and I noticed a scrap of blue fabric caught on one of the shards of metal. I followed suit, but thanks to a bit of self-telekinesis my landing was a bit more graceful than his had been.
"Why didn't you do that for me?" he demanded.
"You never asked me to," I pointed out.
"Dick."
"Hey!"
We looked around the room. It was a large and carved into the stone, almost as if it were a cave. The stairs and door, however, indicated that it was in fact a basement of sorts.
Well, it used to be a basement of sorts. Now it was a full blown armoury. There were stacks of explosives ranging from hopper mines to deactivated roller mines to grenades, and shelves piled high with assorted guns and ammunition.
"Sweet," I commented.
"I know, right?" said Soarin'. "It took the three of us two days to win this place from the Combine, and they've been trying to get it back ever since. Doesn't really work when we've got their main source of weaponry though."
I felt my eyes drinking in every detail - every trigger on every gun, the different ammunition for the different guns, the hexagonal and pentagonal plates on the roller mines - you name it, I saw it. Unfortunately this included the trapdoor at the top of the set of stairs over to the right, and I didn't even have to get close to know that it was locked.
Soarin', however, wasn't quite as perceptive. He tried the handle five times, knocked on it thrice and tried twice to knock it down with his shoulder.
"Uh, Soarin'?" I said. "I think it's locked."
"I know!" cried the pegasus. "Why the buck do you think I'm trying to open it?" He banged on the wood repeatedly and yelled "RAINBOW! YOU OUT THERE?!"
After a few seconds with no answer, he tried again while I, uh, repossessed some of the weapons. Then he tried again and again, each time yelling some variation of what he had shouted the first time, until finally...
"Soarin', is that you?"
"Yes!" he replied. "Yes, Rainbow, it's me!"
You seriously have no idea how good it was to hear her voice. Just to know she was okay was brilliant.
"What're you doing in the basement?" she asked.
"We came in through a vent!" Soarin' explained. "We couldn't go through the front way because there was a headcrab shell!"
"I know!" Rainbow Dash replied. "We've just had to kill them all and a couple of them almost got me! I'm okay though, so don't worry!"
"Well, could you let us out?" asked Soarin'.
"Sure!" said Dash. "Wait - us?"
"Uh, yeah, there's somepony else with me!" said Soarin'.
"WHAT?!" yelled Dash. "I'm not letting you out if you've brought some weirdo stranger with you! How do you know they can be trusted?"
I sighed. This was getting old.
"Nice to know how you feel about me, Rainbow," I called through the door.
There was a long pause. I could tell Dash was trying to figure out what she was supposed to think. It wasn't long before there was the click of the trapdoor being unlocked, and Soarin' and I stepped back as it opened to reveal the face of a pony who was both horrified and relieved at the same time when it came to seeing me again.
"H-Hex?" she stuttered.
I smiled.
"Hi, Rainbow Dash," I said meekly.
She stared at me for several seconds and then threw herself on me in a massive hug.
"I can't believe it!" she cried. "You're finally back! You've finally come back!"
"To tell you the truth," I said as I hugged her back, "I can't believe it either."
She released me and pulled me and Soarin' up into the main room of the tower. You probably already know what it looked like, so you may be interested to know that the stained-glass windows were blocked off by sheets of metal and the building had been cut into separate floors, presumably all illuminated by small light strips.
"I hardly believed Twilight when she said you were back," Dash told me. "I honestly thought you were dead, but I guess you've just proven me wrong, huh?"
"I hate to say I told you so, Rainbow," said Twilight from behind her. She walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. Soarin' and Rainbow Dash... took it a little further than that. I'll just say they used their tongues and leave it at that.
"Hey!"
The door swung closed again as the Blue Demon stepped into the room.
"Listen," he said. "Our new arrivals have caused a bit of a stir and there's a rather large platoon of Overwatch headed our way. If we want to survive we're going to have to... to get moving..."
He trailed off.
It was then that I notice something else which was rather strange. The moment he'd started talking, Twilight had frozen as though she were face to face with a cockatrice.
"Twilight?" I said. "You okay?"
Very slowly she turned to face the Blue Demon, and they each took a couple of steps towards each other.
Then, as I watched, I almost had a heart attack.
The Blue Demon's horn glowed with the same colour aura as Twilight's, and unfastened the clips which held the mask over his face.
It fell to the floor with a small thump, and I think something in Twilight's mind exploded.
Striped blue mane.
Blue eyes.
White coat.
I... er...
The two unicorns seemed incapable of pulling themselves out of each other's gaze.
"T-T...Twiley?" stammered the stallion, gasping as though his breath didn't want to leave his body.
A tear swelled in Twilight's eye and tricked conspicuously down her cheek.
And then the two of them launched themselves at each other in a hug which, on a scale of one to ten, rated about fifty thousand.
"Twilight," wept the (former) Blue Demon, "I can't believe I've finally found you!"
"Shine..." cried Twilight in reply. "Shining Armor..."
"...My brother's alive!" |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Episode 1 Chapter 4 - Urban Flight | I lost count of how many minutes Twilight and Shining Armor sat there, wrapped in each other's hooves, not wanting to release each other for fear of losing one another again.
"Shine, I can't believe it's really you!" cried Twilight. "I'd given up all hope of ever seeing you again!"
"I've been searching for you for years," Shining Armor replied. "I swore I'd tear the Combine to shreds if it meant I could find you."
While the two were tearfully embracing, Rainbow Dash galloped over to the door and looked through. Eyes widened in fear, she slammed it closed almost immediately.
"Guys, I hate to break up the reunion," she said, and added "-no really, I do, but he's right: there's a whole mess of Overwatch headed our way and they do NOT look friendly!"
"Right," said Shining Armor, instantly switching from Loving Brother to Stallion-In-Charge. "Twilight, I know you're happy to see me again, but we're going to have to split up for a moment."
"What? No!" Twilight shouted in protest. "You can't just-"
"Twiley, please," said the stallion calmly. "I have to hold the tower for as long as possible. Maybe even destroy it. There's no way the Combine are getting their hooves on this place again, and you have to get to safety as quickly as possible."
He turned to the pegasus pair. Has he even noticed me yet?
"Soarin', Rainbow Dash, get Twilight to the next safehouse," he commanded. "Use the vent in the basement. And if one hair in her mane is out of place the next time I see her I'll be holding one of you directly responsible..."
He raised an eyebrow and appeared close to smiling.
"...but I'm not going to tell you who."
I think I'm gonna like this guy. He's got Soarin' and Dash looking terrified, although chances are it's more to do with the fact that they just found out that the Blue Demon is Twilight Sparkle's smegging brother. And the guy's already got one heck of a reputation as the probable reason Twi and I didn't encounter any Overwatch while we were walking through this city together...
He approached his sister and placed a hoof on her shoulder.
"I'm not saying goodbye, Twiley," he said quietly, and kissed her on the forehead just beneath her horn. Maybe that's why she did the same to me earlier - it was something she picked up from her brother. I dunno.
All I know is that Twilight gave him a longing look as she descended below the floor with the pegasus lovebirds, and I was left alone with one of the most impressive ponies I've ever seen.
And it was only then that he noticed me. With a double take.
"Oh, sorry!" He actually sounded genuinely apologetic too. "I didn't notice you. Aren't you the guy from the garden?"
"Yeah," I replied. "You must be Shining Armor. It's good to finally meet you in the flesh."
There was an explosion outside, and it sounded really, really close. As in, right outside the smegging door kind of close. We took up positions next to each other, getting ready for the fight of our lives.
Sure enough, the doors burst open and Overwatch swarmed into the room.
"Do you have a name?" asked Shining Armor, casually zapping soldiers away from him.
"My name," I said between gunshots, "is Haydon-" shot "-Arthur-" shot "-Baxter-" another shot "-but if that proves too much of a mouthful-" double shot "-just call me Hex."
"Okay, Hex," said Shining Armor, and I hit the floor as he blasted away the five or so soldiers that had come too close during our little conversation. "What exactly-" zap "-brings you-" zap "-to Canterlot?"
"Well," I said, pausing in the shelter of his imposing form to reload, "don't get annoyed or upset or anything, but I'm kinda... sorta..." I finished reloading and blew the brains out of a soldier who was about to do the same to the other stallion "-dating your sister."
"HIT THE DECK!"
Not caring that he hadn't responded yet, I curled up on the floor in obedience, watching the unfolding scene through a single eye - the other covered by my forelegs. Shining Armor stood over me and his horn flashed briefly, and suddenly we were both inside a force field of pure, deep pink magic.
"You're 'kinda sorta' dating my sister?" he demanded with raised eyebrows.
"Well, if the world hadn't gone to the dogs we would definitely be dating," I confessed, "but seeing as this is an Equestria which has basically been completely and utterly annihilated, we aren't officially dating."
"But you two are still 'together' as it were?"
"Uh... yeah... pleasedon'thitme!"
I cowered on the ground, waiting for the elder stallion to rain down hell upon my worthless body.
I certainly didn't expect him to start laughing.
"It's about time!" he said. "I've lost count of how many times I've told Twiley she should find herself a special somepony."
He looked away from me at the shield encasing us. This baffles me somewhat: I thought there was a suppression field which took away the pegasus' ability to fly and limited unicorn magic? Unless he's developed his powers far beyond the need for a horn clip, in which case...
I really, really hope I don't piss him off.
"That shield's not going to hold for long," he stated. "Like I said earlier; my powers are somewhat limited because of the suppression field - on any other day I could summon up a shield the size of Canterlot. Maybe even bigger."
"So what kind of plan have you got up your sleeve?" I asked. "I ask in the hopes that you do in fact have a plan up your sleeve. I mean, we can't keep fighting forever. Look at them all. There are loads! And look over there, there's more coming in!"
Shining Armor stroked his chin, clearly deep in thought.
"Downstairs in the armoury," he said after a moment, "there're plenty of explosives, right?"
"Yeah, of course!" I exclaimed. "There're grenades, hopper mines-"
"Then I want you to get as many of them as possible in a small area and see if you can't fix a timer to them so that we have time to get out," he instructed. "If we ever want to get out of here alive, we're gonna have to blow this place sky high. And move fast: I can cover you up here, but not for long!"
Now, more than ever, he is scary.
Not wanting to end up a splat on the floor, I yanked open the trapdoor and set to work piling every explosive device I could find into a big heap in the centre of the room. No, tell a lie, it'll cause a lot more structural damage if it were up against the wall. Then, using eighteen years of gathered technological knowhow, I cobbled together a basic timing device and wired it all up, setting the timer for 5 minutes so that we'd have long enough to get out, but not too long for the Overwatch to notice our departure.
"Okay," I said as I emerged, and I was worried to see the elder stallion physically straining to hold the shield up. "I set it for five minutes. Is that enough?"
"More than enough," said Shining Armor. "You see that lift over there?"
I looked around, and sure enough I saw a lift just behind us, in front of a door which was probably the entrance to some kind of vault. Right on the other side of the Overwatch hammering on the shield and trying to break through.
"Yep," I answered.
"On three, I'm going to drop this shield and we're going to run for it," he told me. "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be."
"Okay, one... two... three!"
In one swift movement, he brought down the shield and blasted a path clear through the swarming soldiers, and we ran pretty much undeterred towards the lift, only stopping to breathe once we were inside and on the way up.
"I want to try to lead as many troops as possible into this place," he told me as we ascended. "That way it'll have a bigger impact on the Combine than if it was just a few of them on the bottom floor."
"Quick question," I said (the timer must have been at about three minutes by now, if not two and a half) "but how are we supposed to get out?"
Shining Armor turned and looked at me with his piercing blue eyes.
"Do you trust me, Hex?" he asked.
"Um, you mean apart from being terrified that if I make the wrong move you'll smite me?" I asked. "Yeah."
Against all odds, he started sniggering.
"You really shouldn't be so afraid of me!" he told me, apparently supposed to be reassuring me. "I'm not exactly the great big hero that everypony thinks I am."
"Tell me about it," I said, "All I ever wanted was a quiet life. It's like the universe hates me or something."
I don't know why, but Shining Armor seemed a lot less scary when he was smiling and/or laughing. Maybe it's something to do with the fact that he seemed less like the Scourge of the Combine and a terrible force to be reckoned with and more like just another ordinary pony.
"But seriously," he said, "do you trust me?"
"Yes," I said.
"Then you'll do exactly as I say," he said, "because what we're about to do is as crazy as it is dangerous."
I nodded in agreement. I swear; if Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman aren't waiting for me at the top of this tower, then I'm going to be severely disappointed and feel very misled.
They weren't there. It was just more smegging consoles!
This didn't appear to discourage Shining Armor. He positioned himself in the centre of the room, took careful aim and blasted a massive hole in the wall.
"Stay as close to me as possible!" he commanded.
He then galloped at full speed towards the hole, and I had tremendous difficulty keeping up with him.
Then he jumped.
At same moment, I took a leap of faith and dived out into the open air, and half a second later the tower exploded. In mid-air I curled up into a ball and waited to become the world's largest Pony Pizza-
-so naturally I was confused to find myself hovering about a hundred feet above the ground.
I looked around, and saw Shining Armor smiling at me.
Apparently these shields act rather like soap bubbles, because both of us are floating in the middle of it.
Shards of metal, chunks of stone and various pieces of Overwatch showered down upon us as we drifted slowly towards the ground. Sometimes it's not just me that laughs in the face of gravity, it would seem.
"Twilight told me she had a cool brother," I said to him, "but she never told me you were the smegging Terminator! How in smeg's name are you not tired?"
"I've been developing and strengthening my magical powers for seventeen years," Shining Armor explained, ignoring the Overwatch mask which was now impaled on his horn. "There once was a time when I would pull a stunt like that almost every day."
He reached up and pulled the mask off his horn, and it took all my self-control not to flinch as he raised his hoof.
"Why are you so frightened of me?" he asked.
"Look, I've heard things, alright?" I replied. "One of my friends told me all about the Blue Demon, the Scourge of the Combine, and how you pretty much destroyed all evidence of occupation wherever you went. So how would you feel if you found out he was your marefriend's brother?"
He smiled in what I hoped was an understanding way.
"I suppose I'd be rather frightened too," he said.
I sighed.
"Look, Shining Armor-"
"Just call me Shine."
"-Shine, I'm worried that if you don't like me you're going to tear me to pieces. I'm terrified that I'll annoy you or make you angry and the fact that you're being so calm and collective right now definitely isn't helping!"
There was a horrible silence, and I waited for the end to come.
It didn't.
He started laughing. It wasn't a cruel or evil laugh, though: it was the laughter of somepony who was finding something incredibly funny.
"I-I'm sorry," he choked between chuckles, "but I have to admit: that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life. You really- you're honestly that scared of me?"
I gulped.
"Yes," I confessed. "Yes I am."
Shining Arm- Shine stopped laughing and smiled in a friendly manner - again. He walked over to me and placed a hoof on my shoulder.
"You don't have anything to worry about," he told me. "If I really hated you as much as you're afraid I do, you'd either be seriously injured or dead by now. You seem like an okay guy. It's only if you break my sister's heart that you'll have something to be afraid of."
"I hate to disappoint you," I said, "but I don't think I'm gonna do that. Ever. I love Twilight more than I've ever loved anypony else."
Shine nodded and started to walk back across what remained of the gardens, so I elected to follow in his wake.
"I know exactly how you feel," he told me. "I was in love once."
"Really?" I asked. "What was her name?"
"Cadence," he told me.
Wait a second...
"Cadence as in the grave I saw back there?" I asked. "Princess Mi Amore Caden-"
"Cadenza, that's the one," said Shine. "She was my whole world. Everything about her was just... perfect. I was just a guard: I never even thought she'd notice me. Don't tell Twiley, but... I had just asked her to marry me."
"Did she say yes?"
He nodded.
"'Til death do us part," he said, invoking the age old properties of irony. "It seems that death saw fit to part us prematurely."
He wiped away a tear.
How the smeg do you respond to something like that? It's not really like I can relate: Twilight's the first girl I've ever truly loved in my whole life, and even though I was suspended for seventeen years I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't think or remember or do anything really so it wasn't possible for me to miss anypony.
I put a hoof on his shoulder.
"That's rough, buddy," was all I managed to say.
Smeg, how awkward can you get?
"It's not like I didn't try to protect her," said Shine. "When she found out about the invasion, Princess Celestia summoned every citizen in Canterlot to the palace to take shelter. It was the oldest structure in the city and by far the toughest. Didn't seem to be as tough as the Combine though."
He looked back at the towers of hideous metal.
"Cadence came with me for protection," he continued. "I told her she should stay at the palace if that was what she wanted, but she told me it was for my protection. She told me I'd need help if I was going to get to my parents before the Combine. We were almost there - we were right outside the door - and she got shot in the lung."
He averted his face - pointlessly, as it was rather obvious he was crying.
"I had to leave her," he said. "I had to leave her body in the street like she was just another ordinary pony, but she wasn't. She was... she was my everything. But still, I covered her up as best I could and tried to get Mom and Dad to safety. I'd only just got them out when Dad was shot. Right between the eyes, so at least he didn't suffer. So I tried to get Mom away, but we'd barely got halfway down the street when an energy ball hit her on the horn. The dark energy combined with the magic in her body was- it was too much. She died before there was anything I could do."
A couple more Overwatch troops tried to jump us, but a few quick rounds of gunfire and they were no more. Shine then continued with his story as if nothing had happened.
"It was about then that I realised my shields were useless. The Combine's dark energy had weakened them and made them about as protective as a wet tissue. I took shelter in the house but I knew I'd have to leave sooner or later. When I looked outside it was like the gates of Tartarus had been thrown open. There were corpses everywhere of ponies who weren't quite fast enough to get away, acting as stepping stones in the rivers of blood that had once been the streets. I wrote a letter to Twilight and I hid it where I knew she would find it if she ever returned to Canterlot, letting her know that I'd be okay, but just in case I wasn't, her brother loved her.
"It was a good thing that I didn't go to the palace because by the time I got there, everypony inside had already been more or less annihilated. Only a few stragglers remained in the rubble and I did my best to find them someplace to hide in the city where the Overwatch wouldn't find them. Not all of them made it, though. By then I'd lost count of how many ponies I'd failed to protect. I found the Princess' bodies and I buried them, side by side, where the sculpture garden used to be. They deserved better, but it was the best I could do."
Wow. I thought I had it rough, but this guy must have nerves of solid titanium to have not gone insane after that. I mean, losing his fiance, his parents and all his colleagues on the same smegging day? That had to have been some kind of hell!
"After that I tried to escape from Canterlot," he continued, "but little did I know that there was a group of Commabies hanging around the gates with the express purpose of making sure nopony tried that. I was captured and tortured relentlessly for five whole years, at which point they decided they had done enough to impress the Combine and avoid death. They couldn't have been more wrong if they tried. The Combine mowed them down and took out all twenty of them in less than a minute. I tried faking death, but they saw right threw my ruse and took me to be converted into a Stalker.
"They almost succeeded too - I was right there on the catwalk, being led into one of the machines which would burn my willpower and self-awareness out of my body entirely - but then everything stopped. The power had been completely cut off. That's when I realised I didn't have to do this: I didn't have to just submit to the Combine and let them walk all over me. It was well within my capacity for me to fight back. So I fought off the soldiers, stole their armour, wrecked the facility and escaped.
"When I got out I had a chance to stop and think. I knew that as soon as they found out who I was, the Combine would come down on me like a tonne of stone, and if they knew where Twiley was they'd probably do the same to her or worse. I decided it would be in my favour to create a façade, a secret identity, something to go by instead of my real name."
"The Blue Demon," I stated.
Shine nodded.
"I didn't mean to become a sensation," he told me, "but Soarin' and his family spread the word like wildfire. We didn't exactly meet under usual circumstances: I was passing through the White Tail Woods (or as it's known now, Forest 3) and I found a metal shack with smoke pouring out of the open door and a singed one-eyed pegasus coughing on the ground out the front. I would have just continued on my way since he seemed to be alright, but he ran up to me and told me his wife was inside and they had a young colt at home who'd never survive without his mother. So I did what anypony would do: I went in.
"The smoke was so thick I couldn't see my own hoof in front of my face and the heat from the fires was overwhelming. I didn't know what had happened down there and I didn't really want to, because seeing as this was a Commabie outpost it must have been something horrible. It was more like a maze down there than anything else, but eventually I found a cave with a thick metal door with seven locks and the sounds of a mare banging on the other side and screaming. When I took the door off she collapsed into me, overwhelmed by the smoke, and I had to carry her out. She revived once I got her into clearer air, and as I walked away Soarin' asked me who I was."
"And you just said 'the Blue Demon'?" I asked curiously.
"Not just like that," said Shine. "I had to think about it for a moment. I knew I couldn't say 'Shining Armor' because even after all that time I wasn't the most obscure of ponies. I went through several names in the few seconds before I responded and Blue Demon seemed like the best. Looking back I wish I'd picked something a little less cheesy, but it kinda stuck, and after that I just wiped out all trace of the Combine wherever I found them."
"Cheesy?" I asked. "I thought it was pretty cool. It definitely fits you, what with the armour and all, and you couldn't go around calling yourself... I dunno, Stormageddon, could you? A name like that would scare everypony and the Combine would probably laugh at you."
"Stormageddon?" said Shine. "Where in Equestria did you come up with a name like that?"
I just shrugged. I honestly have no idea where I picked up that name and I doubt I'll ever remember.
That was quite a story he just told. I wouldn't have thought he'd just conjure up the name on the spot, and neither would I have believed he saved Rainbow Dash's life when as far as I know she's always been out for herself. I suppose anypony would need help if they were locked in a cave. Underground. In a place which was on fire. Smeg, there's no kill like overkill, is there?
What I'd like to know is how the smeg that place caught fire anyway. From what Shine's told me, it was underground! How does an underground place catch fire?
I suppose it's for the same reason evil villains always include a countdown with their plans. It's far too hard to just fire the laser and destroy the Earth; they have to leave enough time to the erstwhile hero and his blonde bimbo of a badly characterised love interest to stop the clock with half a second to spare.
If you're going to do that, why bother in the first place?
Suddenly, there was a distant boom and the ground shook beneath our hooves.
"What the smeg was that?" I swore.
Shine and I ran up to a particularly tall heap of rubble which must have been a cafe of some sort at one point, and when we looked to the west we saw a massive, huge globe of light expanding on the horizon, the shockwave ruffling our manes as it rushed past.
"What was that?" asked Shine.
"Probably City 17."
Smeg, even I'm surprised by how matter-of-fact I sounded!
"What do you mean 'probably City 17'?" Shine demanded. "The last I saw of that place it was doing fine."
Uh... this could take a while.
I explained everything. I started from when I arrived in City 17 and proceeded through the details of everything from the past seventeen chapters (it's been that much already? Smeg, I can barely believe it) making sure to stress that the trip through Trottingham was in no way voluntary.
I also explained about how Twilight and I put the Great and Powerful Trixie in her place - several thousand metres below the ground - but more than anything else I explained how the guards at the Citadel had been deliberately trying to blow the reactor core.
"You and Twiley did all that in a few days?" Naturally, he was stunned. "And I thought we were fighters! I'm finding it hard to believe you're even standing in front of me."
"To tell you the truth," I said, "I am too."
We stood together and watched as the globe of light faded away, revealing the widespread destruction which the Citadel's self combustion had caused.
"I hope everypony got out safely," I commented. "They were in the middle of evacuating the city when Twi and I left."
"Uh, yeah," said Shine, taking on a sudden air of awkward guilt, "about that... you're probably wondering why the train derailed."
Come to think of it, I was. It did seem rather a strange coincidence that the train would only come off the rails as it reached the city, and there was a small explosion before hand...
"Oh smegging hell," I swore once I figured it out. "It was you, wasn't it?"
"I knew that the Overwatch would be bringing in a new batch of Stalkers," he explained. "The three of us had done a considerable amount of damage and they wanted to rebuild everything without getting their hooves dirty."
"So you blew up the tracks?"
"I planted a bomb with a motion detector under one of the sleepers so that it would go off as the engine passed over. I swear I had no idea you and Twiley were on board or I would have aborted the mission."
As we watched a thin pillar of electric blue light shot up out of the ground in the centre of the rubble, piercing the clouds and expanding until it resembled the world's largest thumbtack. The clouds started to swirl and glow and more energy poured out of the earth as the pillar became bent and stringy, like bad knitting.
"That's the beginnings of a superportal," I said to Shine. "I've seen it before. It's bad news: if that thing becomes fully developed it'll be like that Seven Hour War all over again, but this time nopony would last longer than seven minutes."
"Well," Shine responded, "if we succeed with what we're doing in this city, that won't be much of a- what's that?"
He shielded his eyes and looked up at the cloud layer above, where a small shape was tumbling out of the sky.
As it drew closer, it became apparent that it was, in fact, a pony.
"You mean who is that?" I said. I turned around and ran back as far as I could without running into a wall.
"What're you doing?" asked Shine. "You look as if you've gone insane."
"Could you please be quiet?" I asked. "I'm trying to do some math here."
Okay, let's see; take into account the distance between the clouds and the ground, average rate of acceleration, not to mention the length of the area I have to run, the speed at which I run and the mass of the falling pony, allow for wind resistance and gravity's influence...
I should start running... now.
I galloped as fast as I could towards the edge of the building, ignoring Shine's confused objections, and jumped into the air. I sailed through the sky like a superhero (without the gay cape) and caught the falling pony before slamming into a building on the other side of the road and hanging onto a window ledge with him over my shoulder.
"You alright?" I asked the other guy. He was panting like he'd just run a quadruple marathon.
"Do I... sound... alright...?" he demanded.
Hang on- what?
"Lightning Strike?"
"The... very... same...!" Lightning responded.
I let go of him and levitated his body down to the road before doing the same for myself - he wasn't wearing his armour anymore, so it was a lot easier since he was more lightweight. I was just helping him stand up when Shine came running out.
"Are you both okay?" he asked. "That was quite a fall."
"You're... telling... me...!" said Lightning. "Who... are you... any... way...?"
"Well," said Shine, "my real name is Shining Armor, but chances are you're more familiar with the Blue Demon."
The expression on Lightning Strike's face the moment Shine said those words was a mixture of epic and priceless - epicriceless. He ceased panting and stared at the tall white stallion for several seconds before his eyes rolled back into his head and he fainted.
"He's a big fan," I said by way of an explanation.
"I can tell," said Shine, looking down at the unconscious colt. "Who is he? How did he get here?"
"Well," I said, "I'm assuming that Soarin' and Dash told you about their son, Lightning Strike. This is him."
I levitated him onto my back.
"He's younger than I expected," Shine commented.
"He was born a month before the invasion," I explained.
I wish I could have been a part of his life while he was growing up. I'm only just beginning to realise how much I missed during my absence. I wonder what it would have been like if Twilight and I had a foal.
"We should get him to the safehouse too," said Shine. "He obviously needs medical attention."
He looked up at the overcast sky.
"How did he even get up there?" he wondered.
"We'll ask him that when we get to the safehouse," I said, and I started walking away, but something stopped me.
"Where exactly is the safehouse?" I asked.
"Follow me," said Shine, and led the way. "We made an agreement that if we had to leave Canterlot Tower we'd set up shop in the old Guard's quarters. It's a sturdy structure and we cleared it out for the purpose of shelter."
"By cleared out you mean-"
"Eradicated all trace of the Combine, Overwatch or otherwise."
And so we ran on through the streets of Canterlot. Here and there we encountered a Combine soldier who hadn't quite got the message yet and ended his days facing a bullet coming at him at several thousand miles per hour. I tried my best, but it was difficult to focus when I was carrying an unconscious teenager on my back. Especially since that teenager was physically only a year younger than me.
"You look as if you're having some trouble," said Shine after a few minutes of fighting. "Do you want me to carry him?"
"Good idea," I said, and I levitated the pegasus onto the elder unicorn's back. Lightning twitched, but didn't awaken.
"He must really be exhausted if he's sleeping through all this," said Shine.
"Let's worry about that later," I said, "because we have to keep him safe: he's the only one of us with no armour and I doubt his parents will be very happy if he ends up dead."
Shine's horn glowed for a brief moment, and the pegasus was suddenly encased in a form-fitting deep pink force field.
"Why didn't I think of that?" I asked.
I found myself relying more on my ever-growing magical prowess than the assorted weaponry which I had grabbed from the armoury before the tower was blown up. It was easier to just wham a soldier to death with a solid burst of telekinesis than getting a gun out, lining up the sights, pulling the trigger and reloading once I had used up all the ammo.
Shine was also using this to his advantage. He still found the energy to keep Lightning shielded whilst cutting through the Combine like a light sabre through an amateur Jedi's wrist. It really is incredible how powerful he is, or rather how powerful he's become, since I never got a chance to see how powerful he was before the invasion. I guess extra powerful magic runs in the family - either that or Twi and Shine really are two of a kind.
We stopped in our tracks when a shot rang out and killed the last soldier, but neither of us had fired.
"Hey!"
Rainbow Dash was standing, waving, on the roof of a nearby (and rather heavily fortified) cuboid-shaped building.
"Been wondering when you guys would show up!" she yelled. "What took you so long?"
"We encountered a few obstacles!" Shine shouted back.
"Plus we were joined by somepony else!" I bellowed.
"What?" yelled Dash. "Who?"
"It would be best if we brought him in!" Shine replied.
"Are you crazy?!" asked Dash. "You can't just grab anypony you meet on the street and bring them in! We got lucky since it was Hex today, but we can't keep risking-"
"Believe us when we say," I interjected, "you can DEFINITELY trust this guy."
Dash looked thoughtful for a few seconds.
"If we die, I'll kill you!" she told me, and disappeared back inside. Even from this distance I heard the door slam.
"Is she always like that?" I asked Shine.
"You have no idea," he replied.
We didn't encounter any more soldiers for the rest of the journey and found the safehouse with no problems at all.
But there was a bit of an issue when we entered. See, Soarin' was waiting for us just inside the door.
"Why did you guys take so long getting here?" he asked. "It couldn't have been too hard to blow up the-"
He froze when he saw Lightning.
"Shining Armor, is it?" he said to Shine.
"Yes," said the unicorn.
"I am going to ask you a question," said Soarin' in a voice which was drowning in the most tranquil of fury, "and I want you to bear in mind that the answer to the question I am about to ask you may or may not determine whether or not you live to see another sunrise. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"
Shine nodded as he grew increasingly nervous.
"What," said Soarin'. "Is my son. Doing. Unconscious. On your back?"
Oh smeg. How're you going to get out of this one, Shine? Don't tell me I'm going to have to come to your rescue after you've been doing so well so far!
"Um... well... see..."
Shame on you!
"We met him on our way through the city," I explained while Shine mouthed a silent thank you. "He literally fell out of the sky and I had to catch him so that he didn't become a pavement pizza. He was unhurt if a little out of breath and he fainted when he found out that this guy is the Blue Demon."
Soarin' didn't say anything in response, but he seemed to accept my reasoning as legit. With care that only a worried father could possess, he pulled Lightning from Shine's back and sat on the floor, tenderly cradling the sleeping colt in his forelegs. It would have looked rather sweet if Soarin' hadn't had the physical appearance of somepony only a few years older.
"Lightning?" he said quietly. "Lightning, wake up."
Lightning's muzzle twitched.
"C'mon, kid," said his father, "it's not hard to do. Wake up for your dad, how 'bout that?"
Slowly, as if each eyelid weighed two tonnes, the colt opened his rose coloured eyes.
"Dad, is that you?" he asked.
"Yes!" Soarin' cried joyfully, choking his son in a very tight hug. "Yes, it's me! Lightning, I'm so glad you're okay! Don't you EVER scare me like that again, you hear? Never again!"
"Don't worry, Dad," Lightning choked, "I'm not gonna be doing what I did again anytime soon."
"Yeah," I said, "would you mind telling us exactly what that was?"
"Well, I-"
"Lightning Strike?"
All heads turned to the staircase across the room from the entrance, where Twilight and Dash were observing the scene. I'll never forget the wonderful way their faces lit up when they saw us all there.
Lightning smiled.
"Hi, Mom," he said weakly.
"LIGHTNING!"
Everypony leapt back as Rainbow Dash zoomed forwards at neo-Rainboom speed and swept her son into a tight embrace before leaning back and glaring at him with the mixed expression of anger, fear and relief that only a mother could possess.
"Are you okay?" she jabbered. "Are you hurt? What are you doing in Canterlot? How did you even get here? Did the Combine do anything to you while we were gone? Why aren't you wearing any armour?"
"I had to dump the armour because it was too heavy," Lightning explained. "Once I heard the reactor core had been contained I went back to the Citadel, convinced Spike to chuck me in and climbed all the way up to the top. After that it was just a matter of jumping onto the lowest cloud and getting here. I ran all the way here from City 17 on clouds!"
There was a pause as this slightly brief explanation sank in.
"Lightning," I said, "you're barmy."
"Maybe so, but I'm alive, aren't I?" asked Lightning.
While Soarin' and Dash fawned over their son, Twilight came up to me and Shine and pulled us both into a hug.
"It's so good to see you're both okay," she said. "You didn't fight, did you?"
"Of course not," said Shine. "We got along like a house on fire."
"You mean one of us is going to either completely destroy the other or at least cause devastating damage?" I asked. "No thanks, I'd rather we were just fighting."
"Huh?" Twilight was adorably confused. "Hex, are you... scared of Shining Armor?"
"How could I not be?" I responded. "Twilight, I don't know if you noticed, but-" I leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, "-your brother is the Blue Demon!"
Shine sighed.
"Perhaps it would be best if I showed you both what we're working for?" he asked.
"Good idea."
He led the way up several flights of stairs to the roof, or more appropriately, to the top floor. The roof and one wall had been blasted away, giving a spectacular view of the city under the setting sun (sun setting already? I think the cycle of day and night has been thrown out of whack) and a telescope had been set up on a tripod on the edge.
I took the first look.
"What exactly am I looking for?" I asked, wiping the eyepiece first in case there was ink on it - Dash looked a little disappointed.
"Just find the sculpture garden and look towards the castle," said Soarin'. "You'll know it when you see it."
It didn't take me long to find the remains of the sculpture garden. I located the pedestal - now grave - of Discord and the burial plot of the three princesses before turning towards the castle-
-and I saw it. The metal-plated building was shaped a little like bottle: the squat kind of bottle, usually made of vibrantly coloured glass, which every stereotypical witch/wizard/potion maker/whatever has on a shelf, and almost certainly contains some kind of poison or the kind of potion which makes you float up into the air and your ears turn into figgins.
What is a figgin, anyway?
"You find it?" asked Dash.
"I think so," I said. "The place shaped a bit like a potion bottle?"
"That's the one," said Shine, and I stepped away so that Twilight could have a look. "It's the-"
"The Canterlot Archives!" cried Twilight. "Where some of the most valuable documents and powerful spells in the world are safely stored. The most secure centre of information in all of Equestria. I can't believe it's still standing after all this time!"
She let Lightning Strike have a look.
"It's a bit ugly," he commented.
"We've been trying to get to that place for months," said Shine. "We think there may be something in there that can end the Combine's occupation for good."
"Really?" asked Twilight enthusiastically. "What?"
Rather than answering himself, Shine stood aside and let a pegasus take the stand.
"I never did explain what convinced me to grow a pair and go back to Rainbow, did I?" asked Soarin'.
Twilight and I shook our heads.
"I'd just had a particularly crap run in a derby," he explained, "and I was heading home when I was mugged. It was no big deal, I think I scared the guy straight, but when I turned to leave there was this flash of light in the alley, and this really strong wind coming from everywhere. And then get this: I came out. Another version of me! And he told me that Rainbow needed me and that I had to go back to her."
"So?" I asked. "It could have just been an alternative version of you. You'd be surprised how many-"
"You don't think I considered that?" asked Soarin' in an alarmingly hostile voice. "I would have believed it if the other me hadn't quite plainly said he was from the future! And guess what? He looked just like me!"
"Well, duh," said Lightning sarcastically. "Did you expect to look like a slice of Swiss cheese?"
"Hey, watch it, kid!" Soarin' pointed a warning hoof at his son.
"He means he looked as he does right now," Dash explained. "Right down to the bullets in his vest."
"And this got me thinking," Soarin' continued, "how could this even be possible? How could I travel through time and talk to myself? There had to have been magic involved, and they wouldn't just let anypony use such powerful magic-"
"-so you figured the most powerful magic would be kept in the most secure location and decided to come here!" I finished for him. "No wonder the Doctor was smegged off."
"There's just one problem," said Soarin', and he stood right on the edge. "Like I just said, the Archives are the most secure storage facility in Equestria, and we need to break in..."
"...but I have no idea how the buck we're going to do it!" |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Episode 1 Chapter 5 - Exit 17 | Day turned into night, and the sky was lit up by about a thousand metaphorical diamonds which sparkled in the deep purple sky. I say about because nopony could manually count every star visible and I didn't have my star maps with me, so instead I just lay back and admired their beauty.
The trouble is that once you've actually been out there and seen what's beyond those stars, you can never just look at them anymore.
Especially if you're me. I found myself trying to identify the different colours of stars - so far I had found twelve blue, five orange, ten white, eight red and fifteen yellow - and trying to pick out other phenomena as well.
But I hadn't found anything. It was just stars.
Still, Luna probably wouldn't want to make her sky too complicated, and stars can be beautiful all on their own. You can try to pick out pictures in them. So far I've found innumerable triangles and squares, plus a potato.
I know, right?
Anyway, I digress. As I was saying, if you've been out there like I have, you start wondering how many of those stars act as suns to the planets that may be orbiting them. And how many of those planets have life on them. You start searching for their spacecrafts and your imagination gets carried away to the point where the slightest blink of light could be a UFO.
"Hey, Hex."
I looked around at the sound of the boyish yet feminine voice and saw Rainbow Dash standing in the doorway.
"I forgot to tell you," she said, walking over and lying on the cold stone next to me, "it's really good to see you again."
"Good to see you too," I replied. "I was wondering how you were while I was in City 17. It's good to see you're okay."
"You shouldn't have worried," Dash said, sounding a lot more like her old smug self, "Somepony as awesome as me was bound to be okay! Besides, I... I kinda had help fighting."
"I noticed," I said. "You and Soarin' seem closer than ever. I guess war isn't as bad as-"
"As what?"
Her tone suggested that I might be digging myself into a hole, so I decided to climb out by saying "Nothing."
We stared up at the sky together. The moon hung overhead like a great white ghost.
I once heard about a guy who called the police saying that there was an unidentified flying object over his house, that it was hovering rather low and was very, very bright.
It was the moon.
"Hex?"
"Yeah?"
"You wanna tell me what happened?"
I looked over at her.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "A lot's happened in my life, so do you think you could be a little more specific?"
"What happened to you?" she asked. "Way back in the beginning. You just... vanished. Like you'd never even existed in the first place. You should have seen Twilight, she was really upset! She stayed in her room for days after you'd gone!"
I explained to her about the G-Colt taking me and putting me in stasis, and then everything that had happened after I was returned and put in City 17. I swear she was the best audience I've had in a long time. She actually cheered when I told her about taking down Trixie!
"...and then we got to this place, and then it was now, and I have no idea what's going to happen next so I'm going to finish," I finished.
"That was AWESOME!" Dash cried joyfully. "I can't believe you actually killed Trixie, I've wanted to do that for years but you actually did it! And you saved Twilight and the Doctor and you probably saved the entire population of City 17 by delaying the reactor meltdown. Do you have any idea how cool that is?"
"Very cool," I said in agreement. "I'm well aware of that."
"It sure will be a cool story to tell your kids someday." Uh...
"What?"
"Oh, come on!" said Dash, nudging me with her hoof. "You two would make awesome parents. You'd probably have the smartest foals in the history of Equestria - no bad guys would be safe!"
"Rainbow Dash, this isn't exactly a world safe for bringing up foals," I stated. "I wouldn't want to have my kids growing up only knowing a world where they have to fight just for the right to breathe. I'm amazed that Lightning Strike turned out so normal."
It was at this that she seemed to calm down considerably. I had expected her to leap up in rage since what I said could be interpreted as me questioning her parenting skills.
"Well, we did our best," she told me. "Soarin' and I kept him out of combat for as long as possible. We wanted to give him a normal life, away from all the fighting and bloodshed. He deserved so much better than to grow up surrounded by soldiers and guns. It wasn't easy-"
"-but you seem to have managed it," I finished for her.
"I guess," she said. "He didn't get interested in the war until he was thirteen and we decided it was time to teach him some self-defence. He caught on pretty quickly, but he was always better at keeping others safe rather than himself. I think if the Combine hadn't invaded, he would have been a brilliant cop. He's even got the cutie mark to match."
"I was going to say," I said, "it is one smegging cool cutie mark."
She smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back.
"What about you?" I asked. "How have you been?"
"I've been okay," said Dash. "Apart from, you know, fighting and stuff. You probably heard I got captured by Commabies when Lightning was five. It was hell, but you know: what doesn't kill you, huh? Though I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I lived to see you again."
She pulled me into another hug.
"I really am glad to see you," she said. "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help."
"Don't be," I said. "You already had enough on your plate, what with being a mother and all."
I couldn't see, but I could tell she was smiling.
"Hey Mom! Hex!"
We broke apart and looked to the doorway to see the aforementioned teenager, now wearing Overwatch armour with no mask, standing in the doorway.
"You might want to come in," he said. "We've started discussing our plan of attack."
The two of us obediently stood up and followed him downstairs to the second floor where Shine, Soarin' and Twilight were lying in front of a roaring fireplace with several maps and blueprints spread on the ground before them, apparently in the middle of a discussion. Lightning laid himself on the floorboards between his parents and I settled down next to Twilight, who nuzzled me affectionately on the cheek.
"Okay," said Shine, "so far we've determined that the Archives are pretty heavily guarded. There are four shifts of guards which patrol for six hours each day and take around fifteen seconds to change."
"Fifteen seconds?" I said. "That's pretty quick even by Combine standards."
"Yeah, but that's our only window of opportunity," Soarin' pointed out. "The entire building is coated in steel plating except for the main entrance. It's the only way in, and it only opens to allow the outside guard to change. We'll have to use that time to get in."
"You do know this plan is incredibly dangerous?" said Twilight. "A fifteen second window of opportunity isn't really very much time to get six ponies inside that building. And where are the time spells kept?"
"Unless they were moved, they're in the Star Swirl the Beared wing," Shine explained. "I think the Combine know better than to touch such magically powerful artefacts, so unless the entire section was walled off we won't have much trouble."
"Say it is walled off," Dash suggested, "and there's no way to get inside. What do we do then, just turn around and try again tomorrow?"
"No," said Shine. "We have to find a way to get in there. We've been fighting for too long for this to just be stopped by a brick wall or some poxy sheet of steel. Hell, if we pull this off, the Combine might never have been here in the first place!"
"Huh?" I said. "What're you talking about?"
Twilight pushed aside several sheets of paper and uncovered a small diagram with a couple of lines. If you've seen Back to the Future part II you'll know what I'm talking about: a horizontal line with a cross on each end and another near the middle with a second line skewing off from it.
"This," she said, indicating the first cross, "is when you started building your GLaDOS. This," she pointed at the one on the end, "is the present, and this central point is when the Combine invaded. If we can somehow prevent you from activating that machine then everything taking place now will never have happened. The timeline will skew off into an alternate tangent with a peaceful Equestria, not inhabited by alien invaders, and a considerable number of innocent ponies still alive."
She looked around the group.
"I think we're all in agreement in saying this would be a huge benefit," she added.
"You said it," said Soarin'. "The next change of guard is in one and a half hours. If we leave as soon as possible we'll make it there in time to attack and get into the building, after which it shouldn't be too hard to find the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing."
He bowed his head.
"There's nothing I want more than for things to go back to the way they were before," he said. "When Spitfire was alive."
"Who's Spitfire?" I whispered to Twilight.
"His best friend before the invasion," she replied.
Shine stood up and the rest of us followed suit. He led the way out of the guard quarters and onto the street. Soarin', however, turned away and started walking in a different direction.
"Where's Dad going?" asked Lightning.
"I'll check," I said, and I ran after the pegasus.
I found him a couple of streets away, standing in the middle of the road looking more solemn than I had ever seen him. He walked over to a wild passionfruit plant which was growing up the side of a nearby building, pulled off one of the brightly coloured flowers and laid it on the ground next to a skeleton.
I guess it would take too long to find a peace lily.
He looked around and noticed me, but didn't seem to mind that I was there: on the contrary, he seemed to take comfort in the fact that I was with him. He didn't respond when I walked over to him and remained silent even when I was standing right next to him.
I looked down at the skeleton. It was wearing the rotted remains of what appeared to be a Wonderbolt uniform and judging by the shape of the skull, it was a mare. Several scraps of orange mane hung off her scalp and flank, there were several bullets sitting in her ribcage that were visible through the decomposing fabric and as I watched, Soarin' bent down and kissed her bony muzzle.
"You alright?" I asked him.
"I never was good at getting over things," Soarin' sighed with a faint smile. "I mean, my dad died when I was nine, my mom when I was eighteen and it was the reason I left Rainbow Dash when I was going on twenty, 'coz I thought if I loved her to much something horrible would happen to her. Look how that turned out."
He laid down on the floor, still gazing longingly at the bones.
"Spitfire was the best friend I ever had," he said. "She was always there for me when nopony else was. Like, I went through a pretty bad phase after I lost my mom - I spent almost all night, every night, drinking hard cider in a bar - and this stuff was hard, like, sixty or seventy per cent proof. I'd always pass out 'coz I was so plastered and I'd always wake up in her house. She'd ask around to find out where I was and take me to her place to keep an eye on me. I never realised how much she really meant to me until..."
He trailed off, sniffed and wiped his muzzle on his foreleg.
"Rainbow Dash had taken Lightning outside to get some fresh air," he explained. "There was an Overwatch patrol and she had to run right into the city to escape, but the Combine cornered her in an alley. Spitfire and I went to search for her and, well... there was a soldier hiding in a doorway and I didn't notice it until it had mowed her down. She died in my hooves and there was absolutely nothing I could do."
His voice was cracking. He was obviously on the verge of tears. I put one of my hooves on his shoulder and against all probability he pulled me into a very tight hug. I patted Soarin' on the back as he sobbed wretchedly into my shoulder.
It was quite a while before he picked up the courage to speak again.
"You must think I'm an absolute idiot," he wept. "Still hung up on a friend who died seventeen years ago. Any normal pony would've got over it by now, right? I'm such a wuss."
"No you're not," I said. "It's perfectly normal to grieve. I'd actually think you were an idiot if you didn't. Besides, you should know by now that if we succeed tonight, she'll never have died in the first place."
"I know that," said Soarin', "but I just- I miss her okay? I miss her... so, so much!"
He buried his muzzle in my shoulder and wept shamelessly.
"I get how you feel," I told him. "I lost my little brother when I was ten. The only difference is that there was plenty I could have done about it and I've had to live with that guilt ever since."
He pulled away and looked at me, understanding entering his face for the first time, and wiped his face again.
"Come on," I said as I got to my hooves, "the others will be wondering where we are."
I helped him stand and we once again galloped full pelt through the city of Canterlot in order to catch up with the rest of our little group.
They had moved quite a distance in the time Soarin' had spent visiting Spitfire's remains, and thanks to years of urban decay and Combine defence building the streets of Canterlot had become something of a maze. I'm wondering if we'll ever find the others again-
"Hex! Soarin'! Over here!"
At Dash's call we ran into an alleyway after her.
"What took you guys so long?" she asked. "We were beginning to wonder if you were even still alive."
"Sorry about that," said Soarin'. "I was just visiting a friend."
His wife gave him an understanding smile and a small kiss on the lips before leading us to where Shine, Twilight and Lightning were waiting. They were confused or even worried at first, and Lightning was the first to speak.
"Are you okay, Dad?" he asked, obviously knowing what his father had been doing.
"I will be," said Soarin', "I will be, kid."
"Then let's move," said Twilight. "We don't have much time left."
Our journey through the former capital city of Equestria was by far one of the quietest city-based excursions I'd ever been on before. Twilight walked next to her BBBFF, both detailing their separate tales of their over-extended period of severance. Soarin' and Dash strode side-by-side, occasionally exchanging cheeky glances and I found myself once again with Lightning.
"Twilight and Shining Armor seem pretty happy," he commented.
"Well, can you blame them?" I asked. "Each has spent the best part of nearly twenty years believing each other done for. Shine probably believed Twi was dead, even though he was searching for her for a majority of the time, and Twilight had pretty much given up hope. I'm not surprised they're glad see each other again, but I think that's a bit of an understatement."
"You could say that again," said Lightning. "They didn't part for the whole time you and Dad were back there. Just one question: why couldn't you have told me that he wasn't just the Blue Demon, but also Twilight's brother?"
"You fainted when you found out he was the Blue Demon," I pointed out. "I had no idea how you'd react to discovering he was an extremely close relative of a mare you'd grown up with."
"That's a pretty good point," said Lightning.
We walked in silence for a few moments - not because it was an awkward moment or anything, but because neither of us could think of anything to talk about. But there was definitely something on my mind...
"Lightning?"
"Yeah?"
"I... I'm really sorry I could be around while you were growing up. I know it wasn't my fault and all - well, it probably was - but I really would have liked to get to know you sooner."
"That's okay," said Lightning with a smile. "And besides; at the end of this you'll have the chance to do it over. Not to mention... you know."
"Huh?" I was genuinely confused. "What're you talking about?"
"You know," said Lightning with a sleazy voice and a nudge in my chest. "If all goes well I might not be the only new kid in Ponyville anymore. Especially considering you and Twilight being together now-"
"Oh, come on!" I said. "Is that the only thing anypony's talking about anymore? What Twilight and I do with our love life is not exactly the sort of thing I'd like to become the main subject of Equestrian gossip! So if you don't mind, I'd like you to keep your muzzle out of our relationship."
"Okay, okay!" said Lightning. "Sheesh, I'm sorry, okay?"
"Fair enough," I replied, and after a while I added, "I like your cutie mark."
Lightning looked back at the blood coloured peace symbol over two crossed swords which was emblazoned on his flank.
"I like yours," he said.
I looked back at my flank and saw my cutie mark - a large white-edged-with-blue lightning bolt flanked (no pun intended) by two smaller ones - and I have to admit I agree with him.
"Thanks," I said.
"Now listen, all of you," said Shine. "As we move closer to the Archives, we're going to encounter unreality bubbles."
"What're unreality bubbles?" asked Dash.
"They're areas where spell traps have been set to dissuade and disorient wayward wanderers," Twilight explained. "We can disable them, but they're impossible to detect and they could be anywhere-"
FLASH. And I'm blind.
"-so we're going to have to be on our guard."
Wai-WHAT?!
That did NOT sound like Twilight! That- That sounded like a colt!
"What the hay?" said the masculine voice. "What's happened to my voice? What's going on?"
My eyesight slowly returned, and I immediately wished it had gone again.
Twilight had... changed. Her eyelashes had shortened to the point where they were barely visible, her muzzle had extended and her face shape was generally more squared-off and angular, her body structure had expanded and become more muscular, along with her now short and choppy multicolour mane.
Twilight Sparkle was a stallion. And I have to admit: he's not exactly bad to look at.
I looked around and it was the same story everywhere. Rainbow Dash had also grown in size, and her mane had become considerably shorter and spikier. Her tail had become a sort of thunderbolt shape and for some strangely awesome reason her eyebrows were shaped like lightning.
"What the buck?" she exclaimed in a rough voice which was very easy on the ears. "What the hell's going on?"
"I'm guessing this is one of the unreality bubbles you were talking about," said Soarin'. His form had become a lot smaller, and his artificial eye looked a little odd on such a round head. He made quite a pretty mare, I'll admit.
Why am I finding male Twilight and male Dash so attractive? Unless...
I turned to a nearby boarded up window and yanked the planks away from the flimsy wooden frame before examining my reflection in the dulled glass.
I'm a MARE.
"Holy smeg!" I cried. "What the- is that my voice? *cough* is that MY voice? Smegging hell, I sound like a talent show host!"
"Be happy," said a young mare I only just recognised as Lightning Strike. "At least you don't look like some back-end supermodel." His mane, rather than being short and combed over her face like it had when he was a colt, it was now draped carelessly over his face as though he was a cheap Fluttershy knockoff made by lazy mold makers.
"Holy buck," shouted Dash upon seeing the female Soarin', "you look so adorable!"
"Will you shut- wow," said Soarin', cutting himself off in mid-sentence. "Dashie, has anypony told you that you look absolutely smokin' as a colt? And I'm not saying that just because I'm a mare: you are genuinely sexy right now."
"Well," said male Dash, moving closer to his lover, "maybe if this lasts, you and I could have a little fun experimenting together."
"Uh, you guys don't mind?" asked Lightning, quite obviously squicked.
While Shine tried to figure out the right kind of shield needed to protect us from this particular unreality bubble, Twilight approached me with her- his face glowing cherry red.
"I, uh," he said, "I guess if this lasts our relationship could get rather interesting. You-you actually make a really pretty mare."
"And you make a smegging handsome stallion," I responded.
"Alright," said Shine, "I think I've got this figured out. Twilight, could you come over here and give me some help?"
"Sure thing," said Twilight, "BSBFF."
"Ha! I get it!" cried Dash as the two unicorns approached each other.
Their horns touched and half a second later everything was back to normal.
"Huh," said Dash, feeling her mane to check that it was in order, "I won't say I liked being a stallion, but I won't say I didn't like it either. It was interesting; I'll just say that and leave it."
"That spell will shield us from the bubble, but it could break at any moment," said Twilight. "Due to deterioration the spells around the Archives have become very unstable and potentially dangerous. We'll have to stick close from now on."
We bunched together and walked through the city in a much tighter knit group.
"This makes me feel a little uncomfortable," said Lightning.
"If it'll keep you save, then you'd better get used to it," said Dash. "I'm not letting my son die on my watch."
"Your mother has a point, Lightning," said Soarin'. "It's better to risk having somepony tread on your heels-"
FLASH. Again I was suddenly blinded.
"-so get used to- What the- WHAT?!"
If that was still Soarin' I would have thought he had turned into a mare again if it weren't for the apparent roughness of his voice.
When my eyesight returned I found myself surrounded by foals. It seemed that this bubble had regressed our ages back to when we were still children. Even Shine's turned into a little colt!
"What the hay?" said filly Dash. "Why did we all shrink?"
"It's another unreality bubble!" exclaimed colt Shine.
"I think we kinda figured that out!" said colt Lightning.
What- what kind of spell is this? This is ridiculous! I must be about five years old now! Is this how foals always feel?
Plus, I-I gotta pee.
NO! Now I'm thinking like a foal!
"Shiny!" whined filly Twilight. "We have to find a way to fix this! All the spells are disappearing from my head and I wanna lollipop!"
"O-okay!" said Shine while Lightning curled up with his parents and started crying about puppies. "We have to figure this out! Everypony, think adult thoughts and try to hold on to your previous personalities!"
Okay then, uh... quantum physics, circuitry, artificial intelligence; these are all things you know as an eighteen-year-old, not a five-year-old! Hold on to them, for smeg's sake! Although I must say that the prospect of a new toy fire truck is sounding increasingly tantalising... NO!
"Oh no!" cried Twilight. "Hex, we need you!"
While trying to recall the first time I fired a gun, I walked over to where Shine and Twilight were looking extremely worried.
"What's wrong?" I asked, and was astounded at how high my voice was again. "I'm trying to remember my first fire fight!"
"Because we've been regressed to foals, we don't have enough power to cast the shield spell!" Shine exclaimed. "We're gonna need you to join in!"
The three of us touched our horns together, and in another flash I felt as though my heart, my brain, most of my digestive system and a grand majority of my pancreas had been yanked out through my forehead. I felt my body thrown back and I hit the ground with a thud.
"Did it work?" I asked. My voice does sound lower...
"I... I think so," said Twilight in a wavering voice. She looked over her freshly regrown body. "I really hope that doesn't happen again. I think the best thing to do would be to just run. Gallop through the bubbles as quickly as possible and try ignore the things they do to us, because Shine and I can't keep casting these spells forever."
She helped her brother stand up and he rubbed his head, eyes rolling in different directions as he tried to regain his wits. He shook his head, blue mane flying everywhere, and seemed to return to normal.
"That sounds like a good plan except for one thing," said Lightning. "What if they turn us into things which can't run?"
"Yeah, what if they turn us into fish or something?" asked Dash.
"I think it's decent," said Soarin', "but we should all just try to keep our heads-"
FLASH.
This time we had all switched heads.
"Very funny."
Do you have any idea how disturbing it was to see Twilight's head speaking with Soarin's voice? So! Smegging! CREEPY!
"You heard the pony!" cried Shine's head in Twilight's voice. "RUN!"
And so it was that six ponies galloped at the speed of the gods through the streets of Canterlot in the direction of the most powerful spells in Equestria while constantly changing shape and trying to retain sanity.
It was the most terrifying dash I had ever executed in my whole life. Have you ever tried running while your body is unsure what it's meant to be? The head switching thing was pretty quickly resolved, but after that things just got weirder and weirder and weirder. I found myself wondering if I could ever emerge from this with my sanity, or even with my own body.
I felt a little like one of those cardboard books I had as a child. You know, the ones where the pages are cut into pieces and have people of varying jobs on each page so that you can have a fireman's head on a doctor's body with a policeman's legs and teacher's feet? That's how I felt at that moment, and right now my inner child was feeling very creative. I think I even had a complex arrangement of tentacles instead of legs at one point and it was absolutely smegging terrifying! And then another time I just turned into a wisp of smoke!
"Everypony stop, we're here!"
Shine stopped galloping so suddenly that I ran into the back of him, and then Twilight ran into the back of me, Dash hit her, Soarin' collided with Dash and Lightning got stuck on the end.
"Is everything okay back there?" asked Shine. "Everypony... complete?"
Lightning's mane resolidified and flopped onto his face.
"No, yeah, we're cool," he said sarcastically.
We detached ourselves from each other and looked up ahead at-
-a brick wall.
"This is a brick wall," I stated bluntly.
As I watched, Shine levitated his little sister up into the air until she was on top of the wall, at which point she jumped down and called "It's clear!"
One by one the tall white stallion levitated us over the tall blockade of bricks. I've never felt another pony's telekinesis before and Shine's tickled rather pleasantly. Not in a perverted way, so get your mind out of the gutter. When we were all on the other side he levitated himself over and we continued on our way.
And we didn't have far to go, because the Archives were visible right at the end of the alley, as well as the two soldiers standing outside on either side of the entrance.
"Wow," said Twilight, "this place has really changed since I last saw it."
"I guessed," I told her. "It couldn't have been this ugly before the invasion. Smeg, it's even worse up close."
"Shh!" Shine whispered, and turned to the huge building. "Okay, the door should be opening in three... two..."
The double doors slowly creaked open and the two soldiers walked inside.
"GO!"
As the new guards left the building the first thing they saw was six very angry ponies charging towards them, and they quickly met their doom at the end of a magic beam courtesy of Twilight. Once inside we mowed down the soldiers in the corridor and slammed the doors closed.
"Let's move quickly!" shouted Soarin'. "Somepony will have heard that!"
Sure enough, the corridor was flooded with soldiers at both ends and we set to work exterminating them. This time Twilight led the way, shooting beams of magic in all directions to make a clear path, and kept running until she was a couple of floors up.
"Okay!" she shouted. "If my calculations are correct the Star Swirl the Bearded wing should be right here!"
We all looked at the opening in the wall.
"Is that it?" asked Lightning, clearly unimpressed.
"I guess so," said Shine with a shrug.
"But it's just metal bars!" the colt pointed out. "That's literally all it is! Iron bars with a lock!"
"Yes, but look at all those priceless magic scrolls," said Twilight, staring hungrily at the rolls of paper on the shelves inside.
"There are more in there than I could ever have imagined!"
"Twilight!" shouted Dash. "The guards!"
Without hesitation, Shine zapped the iron lock and it melted away into nothing, allowing the door to swing open. We all ran inside and he covered the open doorway with another deep pink shield.
"Find a time spell, quickly!" he commanded. "That shield's not going to hold for long!"
While he sustained the force field which was all that stood between us and death, the rest of us started sorting through the scrolls in desperate search of a time travel spell.
Sheet after elderly sheet of parchment piled up in the 'checked' heap underneath a massive hourglass as we hunted madly for the one which would set right what went wrong all those years ago.
"What about this one?" said Soarin'. "It says you can go back once and it only lasts for a few seconds."
Twilight snatched the scroll away from him and quickly scanned through the writing.
"It's worth a shot," she said. "However, I think it would be best if we looked for something a little more effective than a one-shot. A few seconds isn't nearly-"
"No, Twilight," said Soarin'. "Don't you get it? This is how I passed that message on to my past self about going back to Rainbow! One of you cast this spell on me and sent me back!"
I exchanged a glance with Twilight.
"Definitely worth a shot," I concluded.
"What's going on back there?" asked Shine as he fired more magic at the shield.
"We're going to try something out!" called Rainbow Dash.
Twilight bowed her head and screwed up her face in concentration as her horn began to glow.
"Good luck, Soarin'," I said.
"Hey, don't sweat," said the pegasus. "How hard could this be?"
The light from Twilight's horn became a thin concentrated beam which hit Soarin' in the chest and caused him to start glowing.
"On second thoughts," he said nervously, "I changed my mind!"
He turned around and started to run away screaming-
-and vanished.
There was silence for a few moments, and then the guards outside came to their senses and resumed firing upon Shine's shield, which he had to restrengthen yet again.
"Oh no," said Dash quietly.
"What's wrong, Mom?" asked Lightning.
"I-I just realised," she said. "If we succeed, we won't have done this. Soarin' wouldn't have been sent back from the past to tell himself to go back to me. What would I do? I-I don't think I could go through it all again. Alone."
"Hey," I said, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I'm sure he'd go back to you. What stallion wouldn't?"
"Exactly," said Twilight, laying one of her hooves on Dash's other shoulder. "Soarin's a good pony, Rainbow. He'd definitely find some reason to return to you and I know you'd be happy together."
"And even if he doesn't," said Lightning, "we'll be okay, Mom."
Rainbow Dash, overwhelmed by her emotions, pulled the colt into another tight hug which he was more than happy to return.
"Let's keep searching," I said.
We scattered throughout the room and resumed sorting through the endless heaps of scrolls. A few seconds later Soarin' reappeared in the middle of the room, and calmly re-joined our combing of the Star Swirl the Bearded wing.
"I got something!"
At Lightning's shout, Shine once again fired at the shield as the teenager held up the scroll.
"It doesn't let you go back in time," he said, "but it does let you reverse it! It's another one shot but you can go back as far as you need and change whatever you fancy!"
"Uh, change whatever you fancy?" I said. "I don't think that's the kind of thing you'd find written on a priceless magic scroll."
Lightning sighed.
"Can't you just let me be happy?" he asked as Twilight took the scroll out of his hooves. "I'm excited: I've just found a spell that could literally change the world for the better!"
"Good work, Lightning," said Soarin', and he gave his son a noogie while Dash hugged him lovingly.
Twilight quickly read the scroll, eyes moving rapidly down the parchment.
"Yes," she said. "Yes, it could work! If we can reverse time to before the GLaDOS was activated we could avoid absolutely everything! We could save the whole world!"
She closed her eyes and her horn flickered briefly, but a few sparks was all that came out and they quickly faded away.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I used up so much power when I sent Soarin' back," she said. "I'm not sure if I have enough power to use this new spell!"
I placed a hoof on the back of her neck in a one legged hug.
"I can help you there," I told her.
She didn't say anything, and simply smiled sweetly.
"Good luck, guys," said Dash.
"See you on the other side," said Soarin'.
"Make sure I don't grow up a jerk, okay?" said Lightning. "I don't want to know I could have turned out better."
Shine spared a moment to look back at us.
"I just know you'll succeed," he said. "Go for it, Twiley. You too, Hex. It'll be good to get to know you again."
Twilight and I turned to each other.
"You ready?" she asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I said.
She leaned closer to me, her horn still flickering as it collided with mine, and I closed my eyes and started to pour as much magic as possible into the solid spike of bone that sat upon my forehead. I felt it pouring out of the tip and transferring into Twilight's body as the deep pink glow which began to surround us became striped with thin streaks of deep blue - the same deep blue which edged the lightning on my flank. I guess if it was viewed from outside, it would be very pretty.
I opened my eyes and saw her do the same. We looked around at the swirling orb of colours which had surrounded us on all sides, the shelves of magical scrolls only just visible through the translucent bars of magic. My eyes met hers, and I saw so much emotion in them I could barely believe what I was seeing: so much hope and happiness...
...and so much love. It doesn't take a genius to figure out when a pony is in love, and I wouldn't exactly call myself a genius.
I couldn't tell whether we were floating or the ground had just dropped away, but we were hanging in mid-air with nothing under our hooves. I saw things rushing past outside the shield of pink and blue magic as we were transported back through time and space-
-and then, as suddenly as it began, it stopped.
I was standing up, not wearing an HEV suit or any kind of protective clothing, with my hoof on a large red button. My glasses were undamaged. My body was clean of cuts and bruises. The only evidence of what had transpired was the silver stripe of hair that was hanging on the periphery of my vision.
And I could feel a warm, welcome presence behind me.
"Twilight?" I wanted to know whether it really was her or not.
After a few seconds I heard her wonderful voice:
"Don't push that button."
I forced my hoof not to tremble as I lowered it to the smooth, cold stone ground and kept it there.
Then I looked around at the mass of machinery hanging from the ceiling.
It was a dumbass idea from the get-go. I mean, why would I even need a GLaDOS? What purpose would it serve other than to look cool and help me solve some of the more complex equations that come with advanced robotics and AI development?
That's what I originally constructed it for anyway. After the Combine's first attempt at invasion I redesigned it to monitor the resulting rift, which is probably what allowed Deluminata to possess the AI and allow the Combine into Equestria in the first place now that I think about it. I'm going to have to construct something smaller and less complex.
My eyes tracked down the body of the machine and fell upon Twilight.
Of course she looked exactly as she had on that day. How else would she look? There were shadows under her eyes - a consequence of the rough night's sleep she'd had - and her horn was little more than a rough, jagged stump.
But she had retained the silver stripe in her mane. Maybe it's because of what the dark energy did to our magic. I don't know.
"Are... are you okay?" I asked carefully.
"I-I think so," she said. "I'd better go home: Spike's probably worried about me."
She left.
I'm not sure how long I stood there staring blankly at the door she had departed through.
What does she think of me?
In all the time I was in Combine-controlled Equestria, she never actually said whether she blamed me or forgave me for allowing those monsters to invade in the first place. Am I ever going to find out what's going on in that wonderful mind of hers?
I hope she doesn't hate me. Because I don't hate her. Quite the opposite: I know you may think I'm being sappy, but I feel like she's the mare I've been waiting my whole life for.
She deserves so much better than me.
I tried to take her mind off her by disassembling my GLaDOS. Piece by useless piece came tumbling down to the ground as I wrenched the wretched thing to shreds and tossed them carelessly into the back room. I pulled out the wires, coiled them up and piled them in a corner. I broke circuit boards over my horn and folded panels into unusable lumps of metal.
I spent ages doing nothing but destroying the computer which had only brought Equestria pain...
...except it hadn't.
All that never happened, did it? Maybe it did in an alternate multiverse: maybe we failed and the Overwatch mowed us all down. But in this place, in this Equestria, everypony lives. Just this once everypony lives.
By the time I looked out the window again, the sun had just touched the horizon and clouds were beginning to cover up the darkening sky.
I'm going to go and see Twilight.
I want to know that she's okay.
And I'm not going to use a teleporter. I'm going to walk this time. I want her to know that I put some effort in.
If I ever return to that place it'll be too soon. Way too much has happened there that I am nowhere near proud of. Like the GLaDOS it was doomed from the very beginning and should never have been attempted anyway.
There are some things I would return for though. Like my light globes - the little balls of glass with spidery, faerie-like wings that buzz slightly and illuminate the world with miniscule bolts of lightning suspended inside them. I think those are rather pretty and might even make cool toys or nightlights.
I wonder if Twilight will take me back.
As I pondered, growing weary from my journey down the mountain, the heavens opened and it began to rain right as the sun dipped below the horizon. I was going to arrive at Twilight's place soaking wet, but right now I didn't care one bit. All that mattered was that I see her again.
It was very, very dark by the time I reached the Golden Oaks library in Ponyville, and I was about ready to drop dead where I stood. I was so wet that I felt as though I was going to drown through my skin if such a thing was even possible.
I reached up, wishing the ground would open up between my hooves, and knocked.
And waited.
After a few seconds the door was opened, and it was Twilight's face which was illuminated by the warm light behind her.
"Hi," I said weakly.
"Hi," she responded.
Not bad so far.
"Listen," I said. "The reason I'm standing soaking wet on your doorstep is because I really wanted to talk to you."
"That's okay," said Twilight. "There's... there's something I need."
"Which is?" I asked, dreading what the answer might be.
"You."
And without further hesitation she pulled me into my hooves and pressed her lips against mine, finally and permanently cementing our love.
"Ew, Dad!"
"What?" I asked. "What's the big deal? It was only a kiss."
"Yeah, but still," said Dusk Shine, "you could just say you kissed."
"Don't say that, Dusk," said Dawn Shimmer. "Dad, I thought it was very romantic how you would fight like that to save Equestria."
"Romantic?" I asked. "I wouldn't really put it that way."
"Yeah, Dawn, weren't you listening?"
The little colt leapt to his hooves and started jumping around, re-enacting my described battles, chattering all the time.
"Dad wasn't doing it for love; he was doing it for the AWESOME! Take THAT you Combine smeggers, and THAT! Bang, bang, POW you're dead!"
"Oh no!" cried Dawn, falling dramatically onto her back. "My little brother's killed me!"
"Little?!" Dusk seemed aghast at the very idea of the word. "I'm not little, I'm ten!"
"Hey, I'm fifteen," Dawn pointed out. "Next to me, you're little."
"Well," I said, "next to me, you're both little."
It always warms my heart to see Dusk and Dawn getting along so well. Smeg knows my relationship with my brother wasn't so great. If somepony had told me when I was still young that one day I'd marry an incredibly intelligent unicorn and gain two beautiful children, do you think I would believe them?
Take Dawn Shimmer, for example. The reason she has her name is that despite the fact that I'm brown and Twilight's purple, her coat is yellowish-gold like the rising sun. In her spiky purple mane she has a skunk stripe of silver, the same with her tail, and her eyes are exactly like Twilight's.
Her cutie mark is a golden pentagram, because she's an aspiring demonologist. And you know what? I'm cool with that.
Dusk Shine, on the other hoof, looks so much like his mother it's almost disturbing. His coat is lavender, just like hers, and his mane is straight and indigo just like hers. However, unlike Twilight he has a stripe of silver (like his sister) rather than the pink, purple and silver, and his eyes are brilliant green, rather like mine.
He isn't quite old enough to have a cutie mark yet, but I bet it'll be something cool.
It was at that moment, when I was admiring my two playing children, that there was a knock on the door. When I answered it, I was met with a welcome and familiar face.
"Hey, Lightning Strike!" I said in greeting. "Great to see you."
"Great to see you too, Hex," said Lightning. "Is Dawn there?"
"Hi Lightning!"
Dawn brushed past me on her way outside.
Huh?
"Wait a minute," I said, and Dawn turned to face me reluctantly. "What's going on here?"
"Dad, Lightning's my date," she said, pointing at the young stallion whose face was now brilliant red. "I thought I told you?"
"No you didn't," I said. "You just said you'd be going out, you didn't say it would be a date!"
"Yeah, I did!"
"Dawn, let me talk to you for a moment."
She looked to Lightning and said "Sorry about this," as I drew her aside.
"Listen to me, young mare," I love father talk, don't you? "I want you to respect Lightning, okay? I should know that he's a good colt. He'll take care of you."
"I don't need taking care of!"
"I'm just saying," I said, "he'll be good to you. If I had to choose a colt for you to date, it'd be him. So you be good to him, eh?"
Dawn gave me a small smile, and said "Thanks, Dad," before pulling me into a hug.
"That's okay," I said, and I released her. "Now you kids have fun."
As they were walking away, I decided to have a little fun of my own. Father style.
"But you have her back by eleven pm, you hear? And respect her! But don't mind if she starts going on about demons, she does that all the time!"
"Dad!"
"Don't worry, Hex!" said Lightning. "I'll be good to her."
"You better," I murmured under my breath. "That's my only daughter you got there."
Behind me, I heard a small giggle.
"You don't need to be so protective," said Twilight. "Lightning's a good pony."
"Yeah!" cried Dusk. "He's going to be a cop, Dad. How much cooler do you want?"
"I know," I said. "It's just... you know."
I felt Twilight's eyes upon my face - smeg knows how downcast I must have looked - and eventually she said, "Dusk, why don't you go upstairs and wash up? Dinner will be ready soon."
"Sure thing, Mom," said Dusk happily, and he trotted back inside.
Once he was gone, Twilight turned back to me.
"Hex," she said, placing a hoof on my shoulder, "you don't need to worry anymore. The Combine are gone. Technically, they were never even here. Nothing's going to hurt us ever again."
She always knows how to make me feel better. That's my Twiley.
"It would have happened this year, you know," I told her. "I would have come back, a massive uprising would start-"
"We'd almost be killed multiple times at the hooves of the Overwatch," said Twilight.
"You know," I said, "looking back, it was pretty scary, but it was also pretty cool."
"I guess it was," said Twilight, drawing her muzzle closer to mine.
"But this is better."
"So much better."
And this time, the kiss tasted of freedom, hope, and new life.
It was the kiss of home. |
The Foals of Harmony: The One Free Stallion | Credits - The One Free Stallion: Coming Soon... | THE ONE FREE STALLION
Credits:
Twilight Sparkle...............Tara Strong
Rainbow Dash/Applejack...............Ashleigh Ball
Pinkie Pie/Fluttershy...............Andrea Libman
Rarity...............Tabitha St. Germain
Spike...............Cathy Weseluck
Hex/Haydon Baxter...............Dwayne Cameron
Soarin'...............Matt Hill
Lightning Strike...............John Barrowman
Braeburn/Shining Armor/Blue Demon...............Andrew Francis
Trixie...............Kathleen Barr
The Doctor...............David Tennant
Written by Rainy Meadows
This has been a non-for-profit work of fanfiction.
No copyright is intended.
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COMING SOON: Who You Gonna Call?
"You don't get it, do you, Dawn? This thing has been with me for almost my entire life. It hid in my wardrobe and under my bed when I was a colt, so what's to stop it from carrying on now that I'm a teenager? Nothing, that's what! I'm coming with you. I'm hoping that if I leave, it'll stay where it is and eventually die there. You're welcome to wallop me around the ear if I'm wrong, but it's worth a try, okay?"
Author's Note: It only took several months, but now it is finally, well and truly, absolutely FINISHED! And I am extremely proud with how this story comes out. Stay tuned for the next few stories, because now that the introduction and set-up is finished, it's time to get onto the good stuff. I want to give another special shout-out to my buddy clap2times for being the first to take an interest in my fics, and to my good friends Smoking Gun and Armarillos for supporting me and being such good friends. Thank you everypony: you deserve a round of applause! |
Lovely Hands | pre | "Hey," you say. "Are you alright?"
Starlight nods. "Yeah... Twilight and I have been working hard over the last few days, trying different magical experiments." The smile on her face falls. "I'm sorry to say we still haven't found a way to send you back home."
"Don't worry about it," you reply. "I know you two are working really hard, and it's much appreciated. So... would you like a massage?"
The purple unicorn perks up a little. "Actually, I'm here for your shampoo service. Rarity said they are to die for, and it might help me get rid of this massive headache." She gestures to her temple with a hoof.
You pat the table. "Go on and get comfortable, while I get some warm buckets of water. We just got in some great shampoos. Would you want your mane to smell like cherries? Or Bananas?"
For a brief moment, Starlight's brow scrunches over her eyes. "Um.... How about cherries!"
"As you command, my lady," you reply.
Starlight positions herself on the table, lying on her back, while you fetch the buckets of water and the shampoo.
Instinctively, you open the shampoo bottle and give it a whiff. Yep... it smells like cherries, and it looks like normal shampoo.
You place the buckets of water beside the table.
Starlight smiles up at you. "So I hear you were quite popular with the pegasi as of late." She giggles into her hoof.
In response, you groan a little. "There was mix up with some oils, and now, every winged mare in a fifty mile radius wants the same treatment." Your stomach swirls for a moment. "Spitfire has been back twice a week since then."
"Well, I suppose it's a sign that you're doing a good job," Starlight replies.
You gently pour some warm water over Starlight's mane, and she closes her eyes in response. She grins from ear to ear, but says nothing. Once you're sure her hair is completely wet, you start squeezing the shampoo into one of your hands.
You lather them up, and then you start running your hands through her purple and blue-green mane.
Starlight giggles softly to herself, but she keeps her eyes closed. Your fingertips press against her skull, and you start rubbing in smaller circles. The purple mare's chest starts rising and falling at an increased rate, and her lower legs twist together for a moment.
"How's that?" You ask. "How is your tension level on a scale of 1-10?"
Starlight lets out a little moan before she says "um... I'd still say a 7, but it was a 9.93 when I first came in."
"Would you like for me to massage a little harder?" you ask.
She simply nods.
Just as she requests, you start to really dig your fingertips into her skull, and you rub in bigger circles. Your thumbs start to work on the back of her head while you slowly let your fingers dance around her scalp.
Starlight breathes heavier, and she starts to let out pleasure-filled moans. She lets out another gasp of utter happiness when you start to rinse her mane with the warm water. You have to get several more buckets of warm water, and each one used on her makes Starlight coo all the more merrily.
She opens her eyes. "Wow... that was awesome."
"How is your tension now?" You ask.
Starlight's eyes go out of focus for a brief moment. "I'd still say six. I guess I just need some rest and a break from magical work."
You study her horn a little more closely. Just like when you were massaging Spitfire for the first time, you had never been this close to a unicorn's horn. From this distance, you notice it sparkles a little, as if it is made of mineral or rock. You never noticed it before because you never took the time to actually stare at a unicorn's horn before. It might have been received just as well as staring at a human woman's breasts, so you decided to avoid it until now.
Starlight blushes. "Anon, what are you looking at?" she giggles.
You ask, "You mentioned that you've been doing a lot of magical work right?"
"Yes," Starlight replies.
You gently touch the tip of Starlight's horn with the tip of your finger. Starlight's eyes go to pinpricks, and her cheeks become even more flushed.
"Do you suppose this might be the source of your headache?" You ask.
Starlight swallows hard. "Wh-what do you mean?"
You shrug. "I don't know. If horns are supposed to be magical amplifiers, does that mean they can get worn out like muscles?"
"I have never thought of horns that way," Starlight replies. "It has just always been a part of me, so I just took it at face value."
You smile down at her. "I have an idea that might make you feel better."
"Oh?" Starlight asks.
"Would you like me to rub your horn?" You ask.
Silence lingers between you two for a moment before a magical aura covers your body. Gently, you are lifted and placed
on the far side of the room.
Starlight's horn is glowing, but several bags have started to form under her eyes. She rolls off of the table.
A nervous chuckle escapes her. "Um... you're from another world, so I don't expect you to know this... but ponies generally don't 'touch' a unicorn's horn... not unless they are ... well..." her purple cheeks are reddened.
Your eyes open wide. "Oh.... This is like the wing thing for pegasi."
Starlight averts her eyes. "Yeah..." she starts to move toward the door. "Thanks for the service. I'll see you around."
You call out after her. "So then I guess it wouldn't make you feel better then?"
Starlight stops, but she isn't looking in your direction. Her voice cracks a little. "I'm... um... certain it would make the 6 turn
into a -50 bajillion.... But um..."
You wince. "Listen, I'm not a pony, so I'm not trying to suggest such things to be nasty. I promise."
Slowly, she peeks over at you from over her shoulder. Her wet mane looks surprisingly alluring, and you can't help but feel a weird stirring inside you. Oh holy hell... you've been in this world too long. You drank the kool-aide, and now you're
starting to get thirsty...
"I kn-know that," Starlight says. "I j-just don't want it to get weird between us."
You say, "It won't. I promise. I'm just trying to do my job, and besides..." you smile at her and step over to the table. "We're friends."
Starlight doesn't move toward the door, nor does she come back to you. She just looks at you.
She says, "You promise this won't get weird?"
You hold up your hand. "I promise it won't get weird."
You gesture to the table, and slowly, Starlight lays back down on her back. She glances up at you.
"So... what do you have in mind?" She asks.
A sudden, pervy thought flickers in your mind, but you push it away. Then you slowly drag it back to the forefront of your mind. Your eyes widen.
"What?" Starlight sounds nervous.
You let out an awkward giggle. "Oh nothing, I just figured out how I can probably help you." You pause for a second. "Do you trust me?"
She winces, but after a moment, she nods.
As you move over to one of the cabinets, you can't help but think "Celestia, please don't judge me."
You grab one of the bottles of lotion, and then you take your place back in front of Starlight.
"Okay, to make sure this doesn't get in your eyes, I need you to keep them closed. Okay?" You say.
She nods and complies.
Before you do anything else, you reach out and grab her horn. Starlight Glimmer immediately gasps loudly, and she places her upper hoofs over her chest, crossing them. She squints harder.
Starlight's horn feels so interesting. Whereas a pony body is warm, the horn itself is cooler, with a slight chill to it. It feels hard for the most part, but at the same time, it's slightly squishy. A thin, sparkling layer of skin covers the bone of the horn... at least you think it's some kind of bone or some other arcane material. There are four segmented areas on the horn, and the little creases remind you of the lines on your inner fingers. Granted, the horn doesn't flop about or bend. The tip of the horn is the hardest, with the thinnest layer of skin and the sharpest part of the bone.
The more you feel her horn, the more connected the comparisons are in your mind. You, Anon, are going to Hell.
You release the horn, and Starlight's muzzle sneers up a little, perhaps in anticipation. She looks so cute, laying on the
table, being all vulnerable and nervous.
You put some lotion into your hand, and then you grip the horn again. Once more, Starlight gasps, and this time, it's louder and more impactful. She starts heavy breathing, and squirming on the table.
You place a hand on her chest, and immediately regret it. Your checks blush, and a hundred fruit bats start flapping in your chest.
"Calm down," you say. "It's going to feel weird at first, but I'm sure it will feel better soon."
"H-have you ever done this before?" Starlight asks.
Is your face on fire? Because it sure feels like it's burning up. You reply, "Um... more or less. Okay.... Let's begin, shall we?"
Slowly, you start rubbing the horn with your lotion-lathered hand. Starlight's chest rises and falls under your graceful touch, and your hand is still grazing her chest fur. You start to pull it away, but she wraps her hoofs around your forearm.
"No!" she says. "It's comforting. Please..."
You rest your hand back on her chest to steady her while your other hand continues to pump up and down her horn.
Starlight writhes a little, and she's moaning and twisting about in a twitchy fashion.
"oh... yeah," she says. "I can feel the tension slipping out of me."
Your back starts to hurt a little from being hunched over Starlight in that kind of manner, so you remove your hand. However, before Starlight can whine, you start scratching her behind one of her ears. That certainly takes it up a notch.
You switch hands and put on more lotion onto the horn.
You ask, "How is your tension?"
Starlight's response is unintelligible, and her eyes are fluttering. One word slips out through the confusion though.
"Overwhelming..." Starlight says.
Overwhelming? Oh no! Are you making it worse?
You stop for a moment, and Starlight screams out, "No! KEEP GOING! My tension is almost gone! Please!!!"
You swallow hard, and do as she asks. You move your hand harder and faster.
Suddenly, the tip of Starlight's horn starts to glow with the same light as when she does magic. As you have never really experienced magic this close up, you can only stare at it in wonder. When you rub on the tip, it feels both icy and hot at the same time.
Starlight's back arches upward, and her head rolls.
The tip of the horn points directly at you, and the green light sparkle is within six or seven inches of your face. Before you can step out of the way, a massive green aura of energy slams into you. At first, it just feels hard.... But then it feels ... sticky. Your back hits the wall with such force that all of the air is knocked out of you. You crumple to the floor, but manage to fall onto your knees. Everything is black, but you're not unconscious.
Starlight starts screaming. "Oh my Celestia, Oh my Celestia, Oh my Celestia, Oh my Celestia, Oh my Celestia... I'm sooooo sorry."
The door to your room opens up, at least, that's what is sounds like.
"What is going on in here?" Aloe asks. "Why does all the chao-"
Some other pony gasps.
Slowly, you stand up. Your entire body feels wrong... mostly because you're sticky all over your entire body. It's only when you wipe your face that you can see again. Thick, green colored goo has coated your body, as well as a giant spread of the wall behind you. An anon shaped hole in the goo-covered wall reveals just where you slammed back.
Aloe and Lotus are standing near the doorway, while Starlight is on her knees on top of the table. Her upper hoofs are covering her mouth, but when she lowers them, she reveals a sheepish smile.
"Well," Starlight said. "My tension level is a -50 bajillion."
All you can do is laugh, which causes the other three mares to laugh as well. You spit some of the goo out of your mouth, onto the spa floor.
"Starlight," you ask. "Did you have cake or something for lunch?"
"Yeah, how did you know that?" Starlight asks.
You start to laugh again. "I can taste it."
Coming soon... the last chapter - The OTP |
Lovely Hands | Chapter 5 - The OTP | Chapter 5 The OTP
Well, that's strange. Normally, the door to the Ponyville Day Spa is already opened, but today it's not.
A pair of items are stuck to the front door, one of which is a sign for the general public, and the other one is a letter addressed to you.
The public notice says "The Day Spa has been reserved for a Private Party. Please come back tomorrow during normal business hours. Thank you."
A private party? In the entire breadth of your employment at the day spa, no pony had ever reserved the entire day spa before. Could it be someone extremely important, like a celebrity or perhaps the Roy-
Your eyes widen. Could it really be them? It kinda made sense since Princess Twilight Sparkle had been a former pupil of the mighty white Alicorn princess, Celestia, and she probably told the elder princess about this place. But why would they book the entire spa? Surely Canterlot had at least a dozen other such places within city limits.
Your stomach starts to quake, and you slowly regard your hands. A small chuckle escapes you, and start to breathe a little heavier. However, just as the thought enters your mind, you start to study the area around the Day Spa. There aren't any royal guards about. Even though the princesses are mighty and powerful, whenever they traveled, an entourage of bulky warrior ponies usually trailed their wakes.
Maybe this was some kind of secret excursion. Maybe they wanted the kind of sensual, sweet rub downs that only you could give. Maybe you should just read the damned letter.
You pull the letter off of the door, open it, and start to read.
Dear Anon:
Today, Aloe and I will not be at the Day Spa. That does not mean you are not working though. You have been specifically requested by a special patron, and she is waiting inside. Your services have been booked for eight hours. Have fun... and well, good luck.
You are going to need it.
Sincerely,
Aloe and Lotus Blossom
For a long moment, you just stand there, staring at the paper. Your gaze becomes harder, as if you are interrogating the letter, and any minute it's going to divulge the truth of this bizarre situation. A full minute passes, and the words don't change. The meaning is still clear and easy to comprehend, but your mind races with so many quandaries.
Who was this special patron? Was she really expecting you to rub on her for eight WHOLE hours? You had your limits, and you could perhaps go thirty minutes straight without needing a break, on your best day. And what did they mean by 'good luck'?
You fold the letter and place it in your back pocket. When you grab hold of the front door knob, a sudden misty cloud of dread appears inside you. The cloud chills your internal organs, and it almost creates a minty breath sensation when you breathe in or exhale.
What were so you nervous about? You had your share of awkward experiences before. You gave Big Mac a massage, and by the end of it, he had to be left in the room alone until his stallionhood had calmed down.
Spitfire had openly flirted with you and encouraged you to rub other places besides her wings whenever she came in, and each visit made her more bold and amorous.
Now, whenever you see Starlight Glimmer, she acts all giddy and avoids eye contact with you.
You overcame those experiences, and you survived it. This client was no different, whoever she was.
You opened the door to the Ponyville Day Spa.
The entire main room is darkened and quiet. The stillness is heavy and threatening, but then music starts from somewhere in the building. It has a slow beginning, but once it gets further into the later measures, you can tell it has the sweet notes and swarthy rhythm of a love song.
Rose petals are scattered on the floor, making a path toward the back rooms.
Your heart beat thumps in your chest, and you study the path of rose petals one more time, making sure that your eyes are not playing tricks on you.
It's clear where the rose petals lead, but the mystery still lies in who waits at the far end.
"Hello?" You say into the dark spa. "My name is Anon, and I understand you would like services from me."
There is no response, but the music continues.
You step into the spa and start to follow the roses.
The door closes behind you.
You immediately turn around, but everything is still, and darkness has surrounded you. You can still make out the path of the roses from the windows. The curtains have been drawn over them, with the exception of slender cracks in the middle.
Light pours into the room at seemingly calculated places.
"I had better not get murdered..." you mutter under your breath. "This is supposed to be a land of happy, friendly ponies."
That assurance didn't ease your tension. With each step down the rose petal path, the anxiety inside you gets a little more augmented.
Just as you suspected, the path of rose petals leads to your work room. Light dances under the door crack. The music is coming from the room as well.
"Hello," You say. "I'm coming in. Please don't be a murderer."
You open the door, and your eyes open a little wider.
A thousand rose petals have been scattered all around your table. A plush, red pillow-top covers the length of your table, and it has golden yellow rope accents. The tables that usually have plants on them have tall candles standing on them, and they are all burning brightly. A record player is sitting on the far end of the room, and the beautiful music is coming from its large, brass colored horn.
A white unicorn with beautiful purple hair and a cutie mark of three blue gemstones on her flank sits on the table. Her blue eyes are locked with yours.
"Rarity," You say. "It's you."
She tilts her head and smiles. "Of course it is, darling. Who were you expecting? And what's this business about murderers?"
She snickers into her hoof as you get closer.
"Oh that," you reply. "I honestly didn't know what was going on. Wait a second, are you the client?"
Rarity smiles. "Well, of course I am."
"You rented out this whole place?" You frown at her. "That must have been so expensive. Why would you do that?"
Rarity laughs a little more, but she remains perched on the table. "I did this all for you, Anon. Do you remember that time when Twilight found us during one of our delightful massage sessions?"
A deep and fiery blush covers your face. Twilight had not been pleased about what she walked in on, and well... could you blame her?
The only answer you can give her is a goofy chuckle.
"Yes, well, obviously you do remember." Rarity takes in a deep breath. "You know, she made me promise that I wasn't going to have you give me massages any more. She said my judgment was clouded or some such rabble. I couldn't help it though. You have such lovely hands, and they eased me of so much stress. However, Twilight was adamant. I promised I would not accept any more 'friend' massages from you anymore." Her smile widened.
So did your eyes.
"Is that why you were so insistent that I work here?" you ask.
Rarity replied, "But of course Twilight saw the trick for what it was. She watched me for months, expecting me to be one of your first clients. It was certainly wonderful for me that she lost interest in observing me in such a way. But even if she was still resolute on her task, she's in Canterlot on royal business for the next few days."
The door behind you closes. An icy film starts to coat your insides.
Why are you nervous? This is Rarity, your friend. Then again, the atmosphere of the room had become saturated with a kind of predatory radiation. Obviously, you were the prey, and you know it. What's worse, Rarity knows you know it too.
You chuckle. "S-so I guess I am yours for eight hours then?"
Rarity nods. "That you are, darling. That you are." Her horn glows, and she tosses you a small piece of fabric.
You catch it and hold it up. You start to laugh, but it isn't the kind that is fueled with actual humor. In fact, your laugh is a borderline whimper.
"Rarity," You ask. "What is this?"
Rarity bats her eyes at you. "It's your uniform for today."
You shake the garment, if it could even be called that, at the white unicorn. "I can't wear this. I don't even know if I can fit into this."
In response, Rarity waves a hoof in your direction. "What do you take me for, Anon? Some second-rate fabric shrew from Appleoosa? No, no, no. We both know that is going to fit you." She grins at you with chilling certainty in her eyes. "Secondly, I am your client. You have to do whatever I say, otherwise you're going to be fired."
"Fired?" You ask. "There's no way Aloe or Lotus will fire me. I'm making them too much money."
Rarity's smug smirk grows a little. "Ah, but we made a wager. If you don't get fired today, then they win, and if I do fire you, then I'll be the only place in Ponyville that will hire you. Besides, the amount I paid the Blossom Twins covered the rate of renting out the Spa, plus enough money to pay for a month of your clients. They decided to take the money as they felt it was a sure bet."
You ask, "A sure bet?"
Rarity replies, "Why yes. They were certain you would put on the garb. After all, we're friends. Secondly, it's not like we're breaking any rules or regulations. Look at me, for example." She stands up on the table. "I'm not wearing clothes. You want to be treated like a pony and not like some kind of freak, right?"
You narrow your eyes. "Um... right."
"Well, if you really wanted to fit in, then you would be naked." Rarity settled back down on the table. "However, your kind has this peculiar reservation about your bodies. The garment I gave you covers your private areas. That's the important thing, right?"
You can feel the logic shackle closing around your neck, and Rarity's eyes glimmer in victory.
"Riiiight?" Rarity asks.
"Right," You reply.
She holds up a hoof. "I promise I won't ask you to remove that garment. I'll even look away when you get dressed. Can you blame a girl for wanting a bit of eye-candy while she gets pampered?"
You gesture to yourself. "But am I really eye-candy for you?"
Without skipping a beat, Rarity replies, "Of course you are, darling. Now, we're wasting a great deal of time, and we've not even started to pampering yet. Can you please change into your uniform?"
"Fiiiine." You head toward the door. "I'll change in the hallway."
Rarity watches you leave and close the door behind you. The grin on her face sends odd vibrations within you. Your heart feels like it's in the center of a camp fire, while your bones feel as if they were chipped from ice. Your stomach is the embodiment of a tornado, and your limbs, specially your feet, feel as if they are made from rocks.
Your shirt comes off first, then your pants... and then your underwear. Of course Rarity knows your size, she made you all of your replacement clothes, including your boxer briefs. A great groan escapes from you.
"Less griping, and more dressing, darling," Rarity calls from the other room. "After all, you're on the clooooooock."
You slide the silky little garment up your legs and slide them over your groin. As you let he garment go, it slaps against your skin with a sudden snap. The front of the garment has a single blue diamond, an exact replica of Rarity's gem stone cutie mark. On the back across your ass, in bedazzled lettering, it simply says "Property of Rarity."
You groan again as you open the door to your work room.
Rarity's smile gets wider. Her horn glows with magic, and an ornate hair brush floats over to you.
"To start, I want you to brush my mane, coat, and tail," Rarity says. "After that, you and I are taking a nice, long bath together. And then I want you to shampoo me. We'll finish off with a massage, and then a nap."
"I'm sorry," you say. "Did you say a nap?"
The white unicorn grins wider. "Well of course. A little snuggling will be smashing. It will also energize us for tonight."
"Tonight?" You ask. "I get off of 5:00 PM."
"Of course you do, but I want to take you out to celebrate all of your hard work. You did just buy a house," Rarity replies. "I can treat you because we're friends, can't I?"
"Are we just friends though?" You ask.
Rarity giggles a little, and her eyes become more amorous. "We are, unless you want to be more." She lingers in silence for a moment. "You have been here for a while already. Twilight and Starlight are no closer to sending you home, so why not enjoy life a little?"
A hot blush covers your face. "Wh-what do you mean?"
Rarity's horn glows, and your entire body is covered in her arcane aura. You are scooted across the floor so that you are right beside her.
"We can talk about that tonight." For a brief moment, her facial expressions grow serious. "Understand that I am by no means forcing you to do any of this. If this truly makes you feel uncomfortable, I won't press it any further, and I won't get you fired."
Your heart grows warmer, and you grin at her. You don't say anything, but you take the brush, and gently start dragging it across Rarity's back, right along her spine. Rarity closes her eyes for a brief moment, and she lets out the most dignified sigh. For a long time, it's quiet in the room, aside from the sound of the brush scrapping against Rarity's coat. She sits there on the table with the most appealing, joyful expression. Her eyes are barely parted, and her eyes are unfocused.
You take your time to get her torso, her legs, and then her flank.
Rarity raises her flank up ever so slightly, giving you a perfect vantage point to more intimate areas. At first you glance away, but Rarity stares back at you with sizzling sparkle. You wince, and then you stare at it straight on. Up till this point, you had never gazed at that part of a pony. Your eyes widen, and then you glance away. Your stomach violently twirls.
Logic in your mind blasts you with condemning lightning attacks, and yet your inner voice radiates with more than the normal amount of curiosity.
"Is it that atrocious, darling?" Rarity asks, with a slightly pouty lip.
"N-no, it's not that," You say. "I just have never looked at another pony's... well, you know."
"So I am the first?" Rarity's voice rises in octave slightly. "And is it not appealing to you?"
You stop brushing and stare into her eyes. Are you blushing as much as she is? Probably way more.
"I'll be honest, I don't know what to feel." You frown a little. "You're not a human, and I'm not a pony. We're two separate species, and well, where I'm from, you're kind of an..." you wince. "An animal."
Rarity doesn't respond, but she tilts her head to the side slightly. Her azure eyes glimmer.
"It's weird..." You say. "I might never get home, and so that means I'd have to go my whole life without having another meaningful connection with someone else."
"Well, I'm not suggesting we jump into something so carnal at first," Rarity replies. "I would prefer something more romantic, to be honest. I just wondered what you thought of me, regarding something like that." She averts her eyes for a moment.
You say, "I don't know how it would work. I mean, it looks very similar to a human woman's. It's just all so confusing and new."
Rarity reaches over and places her hoof on your hand. "I'm willing to learn if you are."
You gaze into her eyes.
"I really like you, Anon."
You hear the words slip out of your mouth. "I really like you too."
A fire explodes in your chest, but it is not all that unpleasant. If you are going to be stuck in this world, it would be nice at least to have someone, or rather, some pony to cuddle with at night.
Rarity leans up and kisses you on the cheek.
"It looks like we're going to have a lot to discuss tonight, after all," Rarity says.
"I suppose it does." You laugh out loud.
She starts to laugh a little too, but she peers at you from the side.
"What is so funny, darling?" Rarity asked.
You gently start to brush her mane. "I suppose this makes us an OTP."
"A what?" Rarity asks.
"A One True Pairing," You answer. "It's when two characters end up together romantically. I suppose you're also my OTP, as in my One True Patron, since you were my first client and you're my favorite one at that."
Rarity's eyes flutter. "I'm your favorite?"
You simply nod.
She starts to critically analyze you, and then she grins. "Is this OTP anything like... having a special some pony?"
"I suppose it can be," You reply.
Rarity leans back in and kisses you gently on the lips. She pulls away a moment later. "Then I gladly accept the arrangement of OTP with you." She waves her hoof at you. "Hurry up, Anon. I can't wait to soak in that giant tub."
You chuckle. "Yes, ma'am. Your wish is my command."
The End |
Enkindled Hearts | pre | Apple Bloom was the first to reach them, and, upon seeing a familiar face, five puppies instantly jumped on top of her and started licking her with joyful faces. "Hey! There y'all are! Ya nearly scared us half to death with yer runnin' away!" cried out Apple Bloom, struggling to remain serious as she giggled from the licking.
Although it was a happy sight to see, Spike and Fluttershy quickly saw that only five of the puppies were crowding around Apple Bloom. Turning towards the spot the puppies jumped from, they gasped upon seeing the sixth one lying on his side and moaning in pain. The two were instantly at its side as Fluttershy turned him over and started examining him.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Spike, loud enough to get Apple Bloom's attention into noticing the sick sixth puppy. She soon sat next to him and also waited with halted breath.
Fluttershy pressed her forehead against the puppies forehead. "High fever." She pressed her ear against his chest. "Trouble breathing and rapid heartbeat." She looked into his bloodshot eyes and felt his warm, sweaty coat. "Eyes are getting puffy and he's sweating like crazy... I think... I think he ate some jimzo fungi."
"What's that? Is it deadly?" asked Apple Bloom.
Fluttershy grimly nodded. "It's a very poisonous fungus that causes extreme amounts of pain and eventually kills whoever ate it in a few hours. I can cure it, but I need to get him home for treatment."
Spike growled at their misfortune and stood up. "Okay, let's get him out of here and--"
Before he could continue, Spike felt the entire ground start to shake so much that he nearly fell over. Eyeing the water, he noticed large ripples in the water that only made him worry even more. That worry was soon realized as four large snake-like heads came out of the lake and spotted a new tasty meal for them to eat. If that wasn't bad enough, at the back end of its tail looked like a scorpion stinger which made Fluttershy gasp. "That's... that's a Scorpion Hydra!" The hydra let out four loud roars that echoed across the bog before looking at the group, licking all four of it's chops.
"Oh, this is just great..." muttered Spike, looking up at the hydra. Although it was only half the size the one he first met with Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie many years ago, it still looked big enough to eat them all in one gulp. "I suggest we run now!"
The hydra roared as the group ran away, the puppies jumping on the ponies' backs as they made their escape. The four-headed beast removed itself from the river and started to chase after its prey, knocking away any trees that stood in its path. Spike cursed at their predicament. He and Fluttershy could have easily flown away from the hybra with the puppies, but Apple Bloom would still be stuck on the ground in a helpless state. Deciding to grant the others some breathing room, Spike turned around and smashed his fist against the center right one's nose. If it wasn't for his dragon strength, Spike was sure his claw would have broken like a twig. The center right head reared back, shrieking in pain as the others tried to attack with their jaws.
Smirking, Spike prepared to jump into the fray when he heard a voice cry out his name. Turning around, Spike saw Fluttershy rush over to him. "What are you doing?! We have to get out of here!"
"I can hold it off long enough for you two get away safely!" shouted Spike, turning back towards the hydra which was showing signs of recovery. "Look, trust me! Get that puppy healed and find the others! I'll be careful!"
Fluttershy bit her lip, tears beginning to form on her face, but she shook her head nonetheless. "Please be careful. A Scorpion Hydra's stinger is poisonous and kills almost instantly." Fluttershy turned around, gave one last look, and flew away.
Spike nodded before flying back to the hydra. I really have to be insane to do this, but I have to make sure the girls will be alright!
The four heads managed notice Spike, and each made an attempt to swallow him whole. Spike managed to maneuver himself out of the danger by twisting around the heads and making them bump into each other. Flying towards the right side, he reared his fist back and pounded the farther right head in the cheek sending it crashing against the next head. The impact had a cascading effect, sending that head to the next, all the way to the last head on the left.
Spike smirked at the sight. Reminds me of Twilight's Neighton's Cradle back in her office.
His small victory was short lived as the heads soon shook themselves out of their daze and attacked again. This time Spike flew high enough to be out of their reach and stuck out his tongue. "Ha! Can't reach me here!" His taunt was soon silenced by the unexpectedly large stinger that nearly hit him. The hydra shot its tail out a few more times, but Spike managed to dodge its blows and fly high enough for it to also be out of reach. "Ha! What are you gonna do now!" yelled Spike, crossing his arms.
The four heads looked at each other and seemed to be in conversation before turning their attention to the direction where Fluttershy and the others were heading. It turned around and started making its way after the others. Spike could feel sweat dripping down his neck. Oh, man! I have to think of something! What would Rainbow Dash do in a situation like this?! It then dawned on him in an instant. Duh! Make them really pissed off!
Flying behind them at their height level, Spike shouted, "Hey, rocks for brains!" The four hydras turned around. "What's the matter?! Too scary snaked to face a single dragon that's smaller than you?! For guys with four head, you sure have no brains!" The four heads growled with murder in their eyes as Spike turned around and raised his tail. Shaking his rump, he said, "Betcha can't catch me! Nah Nah Nah!"
This managed to finally break their patience as the hydra went after Spike again. Flying low, Spike flew between their legs before using his claws to scratch both of them repeatedly and draw blood before flying back up. All four heads hopped around in pain while Spike, taking advantage of the situation, tried to charge forth again, but one of the heads managed to hiss at him and shot the tail forward.
Spike gasped as he tried to avoid it, but it was too late.
The stinger slammed into his chest, knocking him out of the air and into a nearby tree where he slid down. Groaning, Spike slowly got up until he realized he had been hit by the poisonous stinger. Immediately, he padded his chest for the wound, but to his shock he felt nothing. Not even a scratch.
Unleashing the breath he had been holding, Spike muttered, "Thank Celestia for dragon scales."
He looked up to find all four heads looking at him rather evilly, and realized that they didn't know their secret weapon had failed. A smile graced Spike's lips. Oh this is gonna be sweet. Time to put those acting skills to good use.
Faking a groan, Spike clutched his chest and tried to do his best painful expression. "You got me! I can feel... poison spreading... can't feel arms... eyesight going..." Moaning he moved back and forth like he was drunk and continued his monologue which caused a bit confusion among the heads, having never expected this from dead prey before. Taking a leaf out of the fancy nobles he had to deal with on a regular basis, Spike dramatically placed his claw over his forehead. "Oh this is it! I'm off to the big gem cave in the sky! I can feel the cold embrace of death take me! Oh what a cruel fate to die so young and handsome."
Gripping his chest again, Spike fell to his back and coughed. "Tell my friends... I love them... ugh... tell them to bury me facing the rising sun... gasp... and... and.... blah." Closing his eyes, Spike went limp for a while, but made sure to twitch a bit for extra measure.
The four heads of the hydra looked at each and their apparent kill with raised eyebrows. Finally, one of them leaned its head forward and start to sniff the body. Waiting for this, Spike opened his eyes, raised his head, and unleashed the fury of his dragon fire. The flames hit dead-on as the hydra's burnt face screamed in agony.
The other heads, confused and worried, stumbled around until they fell back into the lake. Making sure his plan was a success, Spike flew over the bubbles and narrowed his eyes to see if there was any sign of the beasts. Wiping his hands clean, Spike smiled. "And that's that. Too easy."
He was about to fly back to the others when suddenly the stinger came around and wrapped around Spike like a rope. Spike barely had time to take a breath as he was dragged underwater, the hydra swimming down lower into the deep water. He tried to break his way out, but even with his strength the tail wrapped around him was too strong. The hydra kept dragging him further and further down until they reached the bottom of the lake and all four heads, one of them completely burned, turned to him with sinister smile. Knowing that he was only seconds away from certain death, Spike saw no other choice but to open his mouth and bite into the tail. With teeth that could munch on diamonds, the hydra instantly let go with a cry of pain, and Spike quickly swam away.
With the hydra right behind him, and his oxygen quickly leaving him, Spike had to find a way out of this or he was done for. He soon spotted something on the bottom of lake that made his eyes widen, it was another hydra, this one with five heads instead of four that seemed to be sleeping. At first, Spike was frightened that he had run into another hydra in the lake, but soon realized that this was his chance. It was risky, and it could double his trouble if he failed, but with very little air left, Spike could see no other choice. If he could do this, then he was home free. If not? Well, I have always wanted to learn how to play the harp...
Putting his plan into action, Spike continued to swim for hydra before getting close enough so that he didn't wake it. He turned around, and waited for the other to come charging at him at full speed. Praying that this would work, Spike waited until the center right head was about to eat him in one gulp and swam upward at the last second. To his amazement, and joy, the hydra chasing after him crashed into the former sleeping hydra. Irritated that it's beauty sleep had been disturbed, it began to attack the Scorpion Hydra who quickly tried to defend itself. Seeing that the attention had been pulled away from him. Spike was about to pat himself on the back when he suddenly started coughing as water rush into his windpipe
He could feel the air in his lungs slowly being replaced by water as he struggled to keep focus. Realizing that he was drowning, Spike tried to swim back to the surface, but he could feeling his muscles slowly failing. Closer and closer he got until he found himself slowing down. No! No! Not like this! He tried to force himself awake, but he knew it was over. He was too far away from the surface. Finally, his body gave out and felt himself only floating in the boggy water. Alone. So this is it, huh? I'm sorry, Twilight. I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I'm sorry everypony...
Spike wondered if his body would just sink to the bottom to become fish food or float up so his friends could have a decent funeral for him. As he it got darker, he flashed back to all the great moments in his life and smiled. It may not have been a long life, but it was a good one that left without any regrets. Letting himself relax for one last time, in hopes of dying peacefully, Spike looked up as his vision began to darken. As his remaining strength faded, he saw someone flowing down towards him. It looked like... like...
An angel? Coming to take me? were Spike's last thoughts before he closed his eyes and his life faded to black. ***
The first thing Spike saw when he opened his eyes was darkness. He tried to wave his claw in his face, but couldn't. He tried to move, but it felt strange, like he was flying, yet he could feel his wings weren't flapping and there was no air around him. He tried to remember what happened when he saw something in the distance.
A bright white light with warmth coming from it.
Shivering, Spike slowly began making his way towards the light, finding a sense of peace with it. Like it was calling him.
"... spike..."
Spike rubbed his chest and grunted in pain. It felt like something was hitting him from inside. He also swore he heard a voice, but it was so soft that Spike just assumed it was his imagination. Shrugging it off, Spike made his way closer to the light, now about halfway there.
"...Spike..."
The blow came again, this time harder. The voice was louder too, but Spike shook it off and struggled closer and closer to the light. He was nearly there, ready to embrace it and escape this darkness. He didn't know what lay beyond it, but it had to be better than this. Just as he was about to touch it, the blow came back, harder than ever to the point where he screamed.
"Spike!"
The voice rang in Spike's ears again, but this time he gasped. He knew that voice. "F-fluttershy..." ***
Spike awoke, only to puke out the nasty bog water he had collected during his drowning trip. Hacking and coughing, he felt his entire chest and throat burning inside him as he tried to clear his vision. Laying his head down, he weakly looked up and saw a smiling Fluttershy wipe tears from her eye as she embraced him. "Oh, thank goodness! Spike, you're alive!"
"A-alive?" repeated Spike, weakly moaning. He looked back at Fluttershy and saw that she was all wet, her mane as flat as seaweed. Realization soon struck in as Spike weakly gasped. "You... you saved me..."
The last thing Spike saw before falling unconscious was Fluttershy nodding her head. ***
The second time he woke up it didn't feel as bad, but Spike nevertheless groaned from the agonizing pain. Rising up from where he stood, he looked around and almost panicked as he remembered his last thoughts. They hydra. The lake. His heart beat like crazy as he wondered if he was dead, but then recognized where he was. It was Fluttershy's bedroom and he was lying on her bed. Rubbing his eyes awake, he saw it was nighttime and wondered how long he had been asleep. Hoofsteps from the stairs next door alerted him, and he turned to his right to see Applejack walk in with a look of relief.
"Thank goodness yer okay, sugarcube," said Applejack. "Ya gave us a mean scare nearly drownin' back in the bog."
"Sorry, he got me when I wasn't looking," muttered Spike, rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes widened as he turned to Applejack and asked, "Fluttershy! The puppies! Are they okay?!"
Applejack nodded her head. "The puppies are fine, even the sick one. Fluttershy took care of them all, and they're back at the barn with their mama safe and sound." Applejack then pointed at Spike. "It was you she was worried about. I never saw her more scared in mah entire life. Even when you all were in the clear, it took both me and Big Macintosh to get her to finally get to sleep on the couch."
Spike quickly got off the bed and rushed past Applejack, ignoring the lingering pain in his body. Rushing down the stairs, he saw Fluttershy on the couch in a deep sleep. He could see the bags under her eyes and how messed up her mane was, indicating that it must have taken her sometime to fall asleep. He smiled and walked over, caressing his claw gently over her cheek. "Thank you, Fluttershy. I owe you... everything..."
A smile slowly stretched across Fluttershy's face as she felt his warm touch. "Spike..."
Blushing, Spike slowly picked her up and made his way towards the stairs where Applejack was waiting for him. "I'm gonna put her to bed. I'll be fine on the couch," said Spike.
"Alright, Ah'll come check on y'all tomorrow. Have a good night's rest," said Applejack, tipping her hat.
As she made her way towards the door, Spike whispered shortly, "Wait." Applejack turned around, and Spike continued whispering. "Promise not to tell Twilight about this? She's got enough to worry about with the whole princess thing, and hearing me almost kicking the bucket will make her have a heart attack."
Applejack bit her lip and scratched her head. "Ya know Ah don't like lyin', but Ah understand what yer sayin'. Ah won't say nothin', and Ah'll tell Big Mac and Apple Bloom the same thing, but if Twilight asks, Ah gotta tell her. Ya hear?"
Spike nodded. "Thank you, Applejack. Good night," Tipping her hat a second time, Applejack exited the house, leaving Spike and Fluttershy by themselves. Sighing, he made his way up to the bedroom where he gently placed Fluttershy on her pillow and covered her with the blankets.
He paused and looked at the pony who saved his life by risking her own. He could still remember the cold embrace and darkness surrounding him as his life slowly swept from his body. Shivering, Spike was about to leave when he heard something that made him stop.
"Spike... don't leave me..."
Turning back to Fluttershy, he saw her kicking in the bed with a worried look on her face. Concerned, Spike walked back to the bed, got under the sheets, and embraced Fluttershy from behind. "It's okay... I'm safe..."
This seemed to work as Fluttershy slowly started to relax. Although Spike wanted to let go because of the awkwardness, he soon found himself slowly falling asleep as well, and the two were left in bed together, held in the close embrace. |
Enkindled Hearts | These Strange Feelings | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93 ***
"Okay, the animals are all back to sleep. Is everything alright with you tw-Eep!" Fluttershy was nearly toppled over by a crying Twilight who hugged her harder than she ever hugged before.
"Thank you! Thank you for saving him, Fluttershy!" cried out Twilight as tears dripped down her face. The princess had felt her own heart nearly come to a stop upon hearing that her number-one assistant had momentarily left this world, only to be saved by the very pony in her grasp. "I-I-I don't know what I would have d-done if I lost him..."
Fluttershy smiled and hugged back. "It's okay, Twilight. It's okay."
Twilight nodded but soon broke the hug and glared at a nervous looking Spike. "Why didn't you tell me?! How could you have been so reckless?! You could have died?! Hay, you did!"
"It was a long time ago, Twilight! And I didn't tell you because I knew you would be worried!" Spike shouted back.
"Of course I would! Why wouldn't I be worried for my little brother!" shouted Twilight who rubbed her eyes. "Spike, If I lost you.... I don't..."
Spike's anger soon waned as he walked up to his big sister figure and hugged her. The two smiled and let themselves be caught up in the moment. Twilight closed her eyes, trying to fight off the images of her oldest friend drowning, and instead tried to remind herself of the here and now--that he was alive. She was proud that he did what he did to protect the others, yet at the same time, she couldn't help but worry. Is this how Applejack and Rarity feel about their sisters?
"Twilight, I'm sorry," apologized Spike. "I should have told you. I guess I just didn't want to worry you."
"We're family, Spike. I'll always be worried," said Twilight, putting a hoof against his cheek. "But I'll always be proud of what you did. Risking your life to save your friends is a noble thing. And, honestly, I guess I would have done the same thing, too."
With everybody calmed down, Fluttershy poured each of them another cup of tea. Sitting down in her respective seat,. Twilight began to relax again as the soothing tea worked it's magic. Looking at the couple, she asked, "So was this when you guys managed to finally hook up?"
The two looked at each other nervously and chuckled. "No."
Twilight's shook her head in shock. "B-but that... that was like a textbook moment from a love story! She saves your life, you sleep in the same bed, didn't that make you two fall in love?"
"Twilight, not everything you read from books is accurate, especially romance novels," groaned Spike, rolling his eyes while Fluttershy giggled. "And no, I didn't... know I had feelings for Fluttershy back then, but a certain Element of Kindness did."
He nudged a blushing Fluttershy who tapped her forehooves together nervously. "Not immediately. It started around the fall..."
"What happened?" asked Twilight, leaning forward. It surprised her how intrigued she had become about learning their process into becoming lovers when she had freaked about it earlier. Maybe I should write a book? With their permission, of course.
"Well, remember the last Running of the Leaves? How I took part in it? It kind of started a few days before that..." said Fluttershy, sighing as she remembered the days that lead to her falling in love. ***
Fluttershy was nervous. Okay, she was usually nervous, but she was more nervous than she tended to normally be, and the worst part was she didn't know why. All she was going to do was have a picnic with Spike, it wasn't any different from the other times they had one. Granted, she had something important to ask him this time, but even then her heart wouldn't be pounding like this. Nor would she be running around like a scared little chicken for her things.
"Where is it?! Any of you seen the picnic basket?! Was I supposed to bring the blanket, or was Spike?! Do I have enough rubies? Milk or juice?! I should check on the weather, and make sure it's not going to rain! Has anyone seen the basket?!" shouted Fluttershy, running back and forth as her little woodland critters tried to help her out. She quickly rushed towards a mirror and looked at her reflection. She had a different mane style today, deciding to braid it, and almost thought she was looking at a different pony. She had no idea why she wanted to try a new style today of all days, but she liked it.
I wonder if Spike will? She thought to herself
Angel just continued to shake his head at the sight of his mistress's behavior, and decided to calm her down with his usual response: a carrot thrown to the head. Rubbing her noggin, Fluttershy took a moment to calm down and take a deep breath as a pack of squirrels and chipmunks all pushed the basket she needed to her.
Smiling, she picked it up and gently put it on her back. "Thank you, my friends. I really am sorry I'm acting so silly today." She looked at the clock and and gasped. "Oh, dear! I'm going to be late! Angel, you're in charge! I love you all, bye!"
Fluttershy galloped out of her house with anticipation and fear both growing inside of her. It was such a strange feeling that the more she thought about her time with Spike, alone on one of her favorite meadows, the more she wanted to fly around in joy. She started to blush again. I really hope he can help me. He's the only one who can.
Before she knew it, Fluttershy had arrived at the meadow where she spotted Spike, scales shining in the sun, waiting for her. He was laying down the blanket when he looked up and noticed her. He gave her a smile that made her own widen while he waved his claws around.
"Hey, Fluttershy. How are you?" asked Spike, whose eyes widened as she got a bit closer. "Did... did you do something with your mane?"
Fluttershy gulped. "Is it good? I could back home and change it. You don't like it... do you?"
"No, far from it. You look... really nice..." complemented Spike, rubbing the back of his head.
A small squeal of joy escaped Fluttershy's mouth as made a mental note to try the braided style more often. The two friends sat down, and engaged in small talk while setting up their lunch. Time passed and, after many laughs, giggles, and gasps over the latest gossip and news, the two ate their fill and decided to spend the rest of their time laying down watching the clouds fly by.
Fluttershy took a deep breath and tried to think of a way to ease the conversation into the question she wanted to ask. "Um, how're things in Canterlot?"
"Pretty good. I met a new friend who happens to be a dragon as well!" said Spike with excitement.
"R-really? Th-hat's nice..." asked Fluttershy, shivering. She hated the fact that she was still afraid of dragons, at least the really big ones, and she often wondered if Spike ever took offence. I'd hate to hurt him. He's been such a good friend.
A sudden train of thought appeared in her head, and it quickly caused her to worry, even more so than the fact that there was another dragon living in the city just nearby. "Is... is this dragon a female?"
Spike turned to her and raised and eyebrow. "No, it's a guy. Why does that matter?"
Her mouth opened, but no words came out, and she soon found herself blushing as she covered her lips. Why did I ask that? What does it matter if he's friends of a dragon of either gender? And why am I feeling so hot right now.
"W-what's this dragon like?" asked Fluttershy, hoping to steer the conversation away from her outburst.
Spike chuckled. "He's pretty cool. A bit taller than me, and a few years older, too. He was actually born and raised in Equestria as well; can you believe that?! Not to mention he works as both a bouncer and bartender at one of my favorite clubs: Wubs World. Maybe I'll take us there someday."
Tilting her head, Fluttershy asked, "That's the one where Vinyl and her wife, Octavia, own right?"
"Yeah, apparently Vinyl knew him when she was living in Manehatten and gave him a job when he moved to Canterlot. He and I hit it off pretty quickly," said Spike, getting up and stretching a bit. "So what's up with you? Got any plans?"
Fluttershy wrapped her wings around herself, which Spike took immediate notice of. Concerned, he scooted over and placed his claw over her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Whimpering, Fluttershy closed her eyes and tried to summon up her courage. She slowly looked at him, and found herself lost in his green reptile eyes. Normally, she would find such eyes frightening--always associating them with a sinister beast. But when she looked into Spike's, it was like looking into a green fire, burning and mesmerizing for the soul to see.
She stared for a few more seconds before shaking off the feeling. "Um, I was... I was wondering if you could help me... with something..."
"What is it?" asked Spike, tilting his head.
"It's... it's alright if you don't want to help, but..." Fluttershy gulped and quickly blurted it out, "I was thinking of running in the Running of the Leaves this year, and I want you to help me out!"
Spike blinked a bit before snickering. "That's the big deal? Fluttershy, that's nothing to be scared about."
"Oh, maybe for other ponies, but not for me. All those eyes staring at you and judging you as you try your best to beat an army of better athletes than you," said Fluttershy, shivering at the thought. She almost wished she was a possum so she could just curl up and play dead if such a thing happened.
"But if you're afraid of it so much, why bother doing it at all?" ask Spike.
"Because... because it looks like so much fun!" shouted Fluttershy, shocking Spike. "Everypony's always doing their best for helping the leaves fall, and they look so proud and happy. I've always wanted to be join them and be part of the fun, but I never had the courage to do it. I'd normally ask Rainbow Dash or Applejack, but they're both too busy with their jobs this year."
"So... why did you pick me?" asked Spike, confused. "I mean I'm flattered and all, but..."
Fluttershy turned her thoughts back to the day at the bog, where she saw him fight against that Stinger Hydra to save her, Apple Bloom, and the puppies. It was only for a few minutes before he was dragged underwater, but it was so amazing to see the once tiny baby dragon she adored grow up into such a brave fighter.
"I... I've seen you perform pretty good in athletics, and I trust you..." said Fluttershy, smiling with a light blush on her cheeks. "So will you help me?"
Spike nodded and grinned. "Of course! We'll make you one of the best runners yet!"
Fluttershy wrapped her forlegs around Spike's neck and hugged him, nuzzling his cheeks affectionately. "Thank you so much, Spike! You're a really good friend!" A few second later, she realized what she was doing and quickly broke up the hug with a blush decorating her face. "S-sorry, I guess I just got too excited..."
"Relax, Fluttershy. It's fine," assured Spike, rubbing the back of his neck. "So... I guess I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Y-yes, I'll see you then," said Fluttershy. The two packed up and waved each other goodbye. However, Fluttershy walked back home with an extra spring in her steps. ***
The wind whipped through Fluttershy's face as she continued her sixth lap, her hooves completely sore. Despite this, she gritted her teeth and tried her best to keep up her strength. She was so close to breaking her record, and she didn't want to fail like the last three times. The finishing line was just ahead, and she made one last sprint before collapsing on the ground. Closing her eyes, Fluttershy tried to take in deep breaths for her aching lungs.
"Alright, Fluttershy! You beat your record by two seconds!" Spike exclaimed, walking towards her with his stopwatch. "You've really improved these past three days."
Fluttershy opened her eyes and found herself feeling suddenly rejuvenated upon seeing the proud face of her dragon friend. She would never say this against Rainbow Dash or Applejack, but Spike was the best trainer she ever had. He never pushed her more than he needed too, and always encouraged her when she felt her confidence failing. Best of all, he had been the narrator for the Running of the Leaves with Pinkie Pie for years, and so knew the layout of the track and competitors better than anypony.
When they weren't training her stamina, speed, or reflexes at Sweet Apple Acres, they were discussing strategies such as what obstacles to look out for, such as bees, low branches, ditches, and more. They also talked about which competitors to look out for and what strengths and weakness each had. Not to mention there was the occasional dirty player that tried to cheat their way into winning, and she had to be careful of them.
While Fluttershy had no desire to win first place and had settled for wanting to do her best, there was no shame in trying.
Not wanting to get hurt, she paid attention to those lessons the most.
Fluttershy let Spike help her back to her hooves where she wiped the sweat from her brow and took off the headband she had on. Spike nodded. "You've really gotten better, Fluttershy. Come Saturday, everypony's going to have their jaws on the floor when they see you in action."
"T-thanks," muttered Fluttershy, hiding behind her mane. It was becoming a more recurring action for her every time he complimented him. And I still don't know why...
"Hey, y'all!" cried a voice from a distance. They turned around and saw a dark red filly with crossed eyes and an apple muffin cutie mark heading towards them. She fumbled up on her landing a bit, but she quickly recovered, readjusted his saddlebags, and smiled at the two. "Hey, y'all, Aunt Apple Bloom said to give y'all some water since she figured ya must be parched."
She reached into her bags and pulled out two bottles of water, which Fluttershy and Spike took, licking their lips. Fluttershy immediately began to suck the bottle dry, a satisfying gasp escaping her lips when she finished followed by a burp. Covering her lips, she whispered, "Excuse me."
The other two laughed before Spike asked the red filly, "So Apple Muffin, you thinking of entering the Running of the Leaves, too?"
"No, Ah'm not a very good athlete. Mah eyes kind of make it hard to walk or fly well," answered Apple Muffin, frowning, but then smiled a second later. "But Ah'm helpin' out with the after party! Mrs. Cake was really impressed with my apple tarts, and wants me to help me out! Maybe even take me on as an apprentice!"
Spike and Fluttershy licked their lips. While Granny Smith was still alive, Spike and Fluttershy didn't think anypony could rival the old mare's cooking, but Apple Muffin had recently proved that wrong. The three started walking towards the farm when Fluttershy asked, "How's Derpy doing, Apple Muffin? The foal doing alright?"
Muffin rolled her eyes. "The foal's fine, but Mama's still upset she can't do much now that she's all big bellied. Ah think she misses flyin' and doin' her mailmare duties, but Pa's been forcin' her to relax. She was really upset she couldn't help ya with findin' them puppies last month, but thankfully she's gettin' over it."
Spike couldn't help but snicker. "Sounds almost like Cadance when she was pregnant. How he managed to survive is a miracle."
"Ya ever think about gettin' some foals of yer own, Spike?" asked Apple Muffin, tilting his head. This made Spike blush as a smile appeared on the fillies face, eyes widenin'."Ah know! Aunt Apple Bloom has that crush on ya right? At least that's what Pa and Aunt Applejack keep tellin' me. Mah be ya should marry her and have a family!"
Suddenly Fluttershy found herself turning towards Apple Muffin and glared at her, "He's not interested!"
Realizing what she just did, Fluttershy froze up and covered her mouth. Spike and Apple Muffin were also flabbergasted, with the latter backing up a bit in fright. "I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me..." That was a lie. She knew what that was. It was 'New Fluttershy'.
But I never act like that unless I'm really angry and... why would I be angry at the thought of Spike and... Apple Bloom... thought Fluttershy with a small growl. She shook her head and tried to calm down. Maybe all this exercise is getting the best of me...
"Uh, like Fluttershy said, I'm not interested in dating Apple Bloom let alone marrying her, Muffin," answered Spike, glancing at Fluttershy with worry. She turned away to avoid his gaze, hoping he wouldn't question her behavior.
Apple Muffin looked at Spike and then at Fluttershy before smiling. "Oh, Ah get it. Y'all are goin' out already, aren't ya!"
"What?! No!" shouted both of them. "We are just friends!"
"Suuurreee ya are." Apple Muffin grinned and slowly lifted himself in the air. "It's alright, Ah can keep it a secret until y'all are ready to come out in the open. Now if y'all excuse me, Ah'm gonna go see those pies Ah got bakin' in the oven. See ya later!"
"But we're not--" said the two embarrassed adults as they watched the laughing filly fly away towards the Apple household. They slowly looked at each other only to turn away the instant their eyes met.
A long silence stood between them until Spike coughed into his claw. "Um, I'm gonna head back home. Want me to walk you back to your cottage?"
"N-no, I-I think I'll be fine... um... see you tomorrow?" asked Fluttershy, nervously backing away from Spike.
"Y-yeah, I'll be there tomorrow. Um, see ya."
"Right."
"Goodbye."
"So long."
"For real this time."
"Indeed."
Despite saying goodbye, they were still looking at each other. Spike snorted and shook his head. "Okay, this is getting weird. I swear I'll get that filly later," he mumbled. "Let's just turn around and head back to our respective homes, deal?"
"Sounds good..." whispered Fluttershy.
They took a deep breath and turned around, proceeding to walk away from each other. Out of the corner of her eye, Fluttershy turned her head to see the retreating figure of Spike. She had to admit that, for a dragon, he wasn't that bad looking. In fact, his scales were really bright in the sunlight, almost like the gems he eats. His wings were quite powerful, too, having seen them in action many times. He was also kind, sweet, brave, generous, and somepony you could rely on. And he has a nice rear.... ... ... ...
WAIT WHAT?! Fluttershy, to her horror felt her wings stuck up like two flag poles. No.... nononononono! This can't be! I'm not! I can't be!
Fluttershy started galloping as fast as she could back to her home. She needed to think. Not about Spike. Or maybe about Spike. She didn't know, this was all just so sudden. Or had it? Maybe it had been there all along and she didn't know about it until Apple Muffin's comment. But I'm a pony! He's a dragon! I mean...
She didn't stop galloping until she made to her house and slammed the door shut, alerting her friends. Angel walked over to her, quickly sensing her distress, but was nearly knocked over by his owner who ran into the bathroom, turned on the shower, and jumped in. The soothing, warm water made her sigh in relief from the sweat and grime she had gained from her work out. It also was useful in stopping her from having another panic attack.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to remember those princess breathing exercises Twilight always did. After a few of them, she closed her eyes. You're just letting Apple Muffin's comment get the best of you. It's a misunderstanding. You're not in love with Spike. You're not in love with Spike. Now just say that out loud and everything will be okay.
"I'm in love with Spike!" ... ... ...
"...Oh, ponyfeathers..." |
Enkindled Hearts | The First Kiss | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93 ***
How did this happen? Fluttershy knew that she and Spike had gotten closer in the past few months since the Rarity incident, but to the point where she was crushing on him? Spike had always been one of her dearest friends and one of the few dragons she could handle being with. She never imagined that this would happen. Staring into the ceiling in her bed, Fluttershy tried to get to sleep, but found herself thinking of the young dragon in a new light.
She was remembering things about him that she never thought about before. Things like how smooth his scales were whenever they hugged. How piercing his eyes were, like two sets of flames that melted your insides. His noble personality. His strength. His amazing ability to cook anything. And most importantly, he was so kind. Much different than the brash dragons she had the displeasure of knowing.
Whimpering, she covered her head with her pillow. But I can't be in love with him! We're not the same species, and he's much younger then me! Not to mention he's Twilight's little brother in all but blood! What would she do if she found out about me lov-I mean liking Spike? She shakily stood up at the prospect of an angry alicorn princess, magic flaring at full power as she begged for mercy. She could banish me! Imprison me! Or even imprison me wherever she banishes me!
Sighing to herself, Fluttershy shook her head. "No, stop it, Fluttershy. Twilight is your friend, and she would never do something like that.... right?"
Besides, I can't worry about this now. I need to focus on the Running of the Leaves, resolved Fluttershy, slowly calming down her beating heart. After that I can figure out my feelings for... Spike...
Just thinking of his name made her heart flutter in excitement. She hadn't felt like this with any of her previous crushes. Despite what some ponies seemed to think, Fluttershy had her own needs and desires; finding a partner was one of them. She had crushes on a few ponies she knew while growing up in Cloudsdale as well as a few here in Ponyville. Her shyness, however, always prevented her from taking any initial action. But this was a different case. Spike was somepony she had known for years, and was a different species.
I'll have to be careful when I deal with this. Especially since it's only been a few months since he lost his crush on Rarity, thought Fluttershy as she slowly closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep. The whole while, her thoughts wandered to the purple dragon she had come to admire so much. ***
At long last the day had finally come. After long, grueling days of training, the Running of the Leaves had finally come. Fluttershy couldn't help but feel nervous as she waited in line with the rest of the contestants for her number. She noticed that there were a lot more ponies taking part this year, mostly because there was a chance for a new winner. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had always taken part in the running with one of them always taking the victory. However, with Rainbow Dash in the Wonderbolts and Applejack having to deal with heavy farm work, many were excited at the prospect of one of them becoming the new top runner in Ponyville this year.
Fluttershy wasn't too occupied with the thought of becoming first or second or even third. She just wanted to have fun and do her best, although not becoming last would be just as good. Thanks to the training she had with Spike, she was more confident in her athletic skills than ever before.
Blushing at the thought of her crush, Fluttershy hoped that she would see Spike before he joined Pinkie Pie in the announcers' balloon. She was really grateful for all his help, but now she was almost ready to faint now that the event had finally come. Any words from him would be a welcome calm her nerves.
"Excuse me, Fluttershy?" asked Blossomforth, who was in charge of handing everypony their respective numbers. Fluttershy snapped out of her thoughts and apologized before accepting her number. "Good luck!"
Fluttershy nodded and walked away, using her wings to place her number on her flank, covering her cutie mark. She turned her head and soon smiled upon seeing Spike talking with Rarity, Apple Muffin, and her older half-sister, Dinky, who was sporting her own number. Walking up to her friends, she greeted them with a soft, "Hello, everypony."
"I have to say, I never thought you would be here, Fluttershy," said Dinky with a chuckle. "But then again, with Spike training you, I guess I better watch my back this year."
Blushing, Fluttershy hid behind her mane and smiled. "I wouldn't go that far. I just want to do my best."
"Ah, don't ya worry about that, sis," said Apple Muffin, hitting her bigger sister on the shoulder. "After all, yer the captain of the dodgeball team back in that university ya go to in Canterlot! Yer one of the most athletic ponies Ah know!"
Dinky blushed and ruffled her sister's mane a bit. Turning back to Fluttershy, she said, "Anyway, I'm going to talk to Pipsqueak. He's taking part in the race, too. See ya later."
They waved goodbye, with Rarity giving a sly smile. "You know, I've been hearing rumors that Dinky and Pipsqueak are getting more... 'friendly' with each other."
"Rarity," chided Fluttershy with a huff. "You know better than to spread rumors."
"Speak for yourself. If this is true, then Ah got some blackmail material," said a grinning Apple Muffin.
"Oh, Fluttershy, there is nothing wrong with a little gossip about love lives," said Rarity, waving her hoof in the air. "Besides, don't you want to know how many stallions you've been attracting lately?"
Upon hearing this, Fluttershy quickly looked around to see if such a thing was true right now. She hated being the center of attention, especially from stallions who might have more... intimate fantasies about her. It was one of the reasons she hated being a model so much. The letters she received, some which made her faint for hours, were more perverted than Twilight's secret book section. ***
"T-They aren't that perverted!" shouted Twilight, interrupting the story.
Spike gave her a look of disbelief. "Oh really? So all those times I heard you moaning and panting that left me without sleep was nothing?"
".... please continue..." ***
"I... I don't attract that many stallions, do I?" asked Fluttershy, nervously.
"Are you kidding, darling? You're one of the most talked about mares in the town!" Rarity shouted a little too loudly. "You're a natural beauty, even more so than I. Not to mention all that training has made you quite toned. Not like Applejack or Rainbow Dash mind you, but you've gotten much better looking." She leaned forward, keeping up a small smirk, and whispered, "To be honest, I wish I had your rump, dear. Mine's just not as... firm as yours. I'm just a big marshmallow."
"I can hear you, you know?" muttered Spike, trying to cover his ears. "I'm going to find Pinkie and get ready before I start thinking perverted thoughts."
"Wait," said Fluttershy, smiling at him. "I just want to say thanks for everything you've done for me. I couldn't have done this without you."
Spike smiled and looked into her eyes with those green emeralds that made her wings want to flare out. "Hey, what are friends for?"
She slyly waved goodbye as Apple Muffin walked over to Fluttershy and glanced at her, then Spike and asked, "Are ya sure ya two ain't datin'? Ya lookin' at him like he's on display or somethin'."
Fluttershy 'eeped' and quickly turned around only to sigh in relief when she saw Rarity rushing towards a just-arriving Fancy Pants, much to her relief. If Rarity had overheard that, I would never hear the end of it. Convinced nopony heard what Apple Muffin had accused, Fluttershy said, "No, Apple Muffin, I'm... I'm just..."
"Attention racers! This is Pinkie Pie letting everypony know that it's time to get on line for the annual Running of the Leaves! Hurry up and get started, or else we'll leaf you behind! Get it?!"
A few groans was the responce.
"Hey! You try making a bunch of fall jokes after doing this for so many years! I'm running out of material!"
Fluttershy giggled and quickly made her way towards the starting line where the other runners were doing some last minute stretching. She nervously looked around and saw a few familiar faces like Lyra, Dinky, Pipsqueak, and more; all of them more experienced or athletic than her.
Fighting down a gulp, Fluttershy shook her head and focused on the road ahead of her. I can't get distracted. Remember what Spike said: 'Focus on the road and nothing else.'
"Attention everypony! This is Spike, your co-announcer for this year's Running of the Leaves. Joining with me is none other than my usual pal, Pinkie Pie!"
"Hiya!"
"Looks like everypony is ready to get started! To your places!"
Fluttershy took a deep breath and stretched her legs one last time before lowering her upper body, her hindquarters up in the air as she prepared for the starting sprint. Everypony else was already following her lead, some gritting their teeth or looking at each other with determination in their eyes. The crowd was silent, careful to not make a single noise as they waited for the race to begin.
"On your mark..." started Pinkie Pie.
Fluttershy whimpered. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.
"...get set..." continued Spike.
Fluttershy shut her eyes. I can't do this! I'm too scared. My hooves are cold. My wings are gonna freeze up. I'm going to pee myself. I'm gonna faint!
"...Go!" shouted both announcers.
Training kicking in, Fluttershy opened her eyes, forgot all her worries, and ran as fast as she could. Cheers were jubilant for the start of the race, but Fluttershy paid no heed to them. She continued to focus on her starting sprint, careful not to waste too much energy at the start, remembering the time Twilight managed to come in fifth place due to her pacing.
She looked around and saw herself in the lower middle of the pack. A better start than she had hoped. With the beginning turns coming around, Fluttershy made an effort to get closer to the side of the road where the corners were. The closer she was, the less energy she had to give when turning, and every bit counted.
"And we're underway! Looks like everypony's going at a pretty good pace from up here," announced Spike, high up in the hot air balloon. "From the looks of things, the top three runners so far are Pipsqueak, Thunderlane, and Blossomforth."
"It's quite a difference not having Applejack and Rainbow Dash here for this year's contest, but with both of Ponyville's top athletes out, it only means that we'll have a new star this year! Who's it gonna be?! I'm so excited I can hardly keep standing still!" shouted Pinkie Pie.
"T-think you could... so-o-o we don't lose c-control?!" stuttered Spike.
Fluttershy giggled at the mental image before she felt somepony bump her backside, forcing her to move back. "Oh, sorry!"
Bump.
"Um, sorry again."
Bump.
"Oh my..."
Soon Fluttershy found herself in the back, overwhelmed by the pushes. She tried to find a gap to quickly speed through to get back her place in line, but there were too many ponies blocking her way.
"Ooooh, looks like Fluttershy just got bumped into last place! She'll have to get a bit more aggressive if she's gonna have any chance of winning," said Pinkie Pie.
"Yeah, she may need to channel some real iron will if she's gonna have any chance," said Spike.
Fluttershy's ears flipped up upon hearing the emphases on the familiar words. Words that were the same name of a personal motivation instructor that she had the displeasure for knowing. Although she didn't like using his techniques, due to a horrible incident a few years ago, she knew that Spike was right. Nostrils flaring, she thought, When somepony tries to block, show them that you rock!
Pressing forward, Fluttershy managed to bump straight passed two of the runners in front of her, causing them to trip and get left behind. With her aggressiveness fueling her, Fluttershy had soon found herself in fifth place among the runners, a feat which stunned the others who knew her.
"Wowy zowy!" cried out Pinkie Pie. "In a sudden twist, Fluttershy just bulldozed through the runners like a train on coffee! Talk about motivation!"
"It's not a real surprise, Pinkie. Anypony can tell you Fluttershy's can do anything if she puts her heart into it," said Spike.
Fluttershy almost felt her heart beat out of her chest upon hearing that. The faith that Spike had in her only drove her in a way she never felt before. Originally, she just wanted to have fun and not do a bad job, but now, after hearing Spike, she felt a new motivation. She wanted to win. But it was only the beginning of the race and there was still a lot of ground to cover. Focusing on the task at hand, Fluttershy turned her attention back on the race and pressed forward. ***
"We're halfway done with the Running of the Leaves, folks, and most of the trees have become as bare as a sheep walking into a barber!" explained Pinkie Pie.
"Wouldn't a sheep go into a barber anything but bare?" questioned Spike.
"No, I meant the pony itself! Barbers are sturdy ponies! My great uncle was a barber and he could break rocks with his bare teeth!"
"Uh, right," said Spike. "So far we've seen a lot of ponies go from first to last to even first again, with a few also dropping out of the race. Better luck next year, guys. I think the biggest surprise has been Fluttershy so far, who's managed to stay in fifth place since gaining it a while back."
Fluttershy had to admit, she was surprised herself. She didn't think, by this point, she would have been anywhere near fifth place, but here she was. Besides the competition, she was also enjoying the sight of amber and yellow leaves falling off their branches for the winter season. It was quite a majestic setting, and made her wish she had done this a long time ago.
"Hey, Spike? Can you see who's in first? I can't get a clear view if it's still Pipsqueak or if Rumble managed to catch up from second," said Pinkie Pie.
"Hmm, I can't either," answered Spike. "Let's see if we can get closer."
"Careful of those trees! We don't want--" suddenly Pinkie Pie yipped, "Twitcha twitch! Twitcha twitch!"
All of a sudden, Fluttershy's breathing stopped. Pinkie sense? Twitching tail? Something was gonna fall.
"Spike look out for the tree!"
"Oh horse-"
A loud pop was heard all throughout the forest. Screeching to a halt, Fluttershy turned around and looked up, as did the other runners who looked up. To their horror, especially Fluttershy's, they looked and saw the air balloon, now pierced and leaking air, was now out of control. Pinkie and Spike's screaming could be heard as they hung on for dear life. Fluttershy eyes widened as she hoped Spike could quickly jump out and fly with Pinkie in his claws, but she saw no signs of this happening.
"Abandon balloon! Mayday! S.O.S.! H for harry, E for ergent, L for love me, P is for-"
"Pinkie! Get off my back so I can... oh sapphires! Hold on!" screamed Spike.
All the runners watching in horror as the balloon flew further away, tossing and turning out of control until it faded into the distance of Whitetail Woods. A flock of birds flew out of where it was last sighted. No noise was heard from the two announcers.
Nopony said anything or did anything. Nopony except for a single yellow pegasus who was already flying at top speed towards the crash site. ***
If there was any pony who knew Whitetail Woods like the back of their hoof, it was Fluttershy. Many of her woodland friends lived here, and she often visited them. Remembering the events of the crash clearly in her head, she estimated that the air balloon crash landed near the west side where the rabbits and squirrels often played. She only prayed that her two friends were alright and nopony was seriously injured. Her thoughts turned back to the time when Spike almost drowned; she nearly lost him back there, and she swore to never let it happen again.
Fluttershy flew faster, spotting the signs of the air balloon's crash course from the broken trees above. Eventually, she spotted the purple sheet of the balloon itself and rushed over, praying that its occupants were alright. Her heart nearly stopped when she spotted her friends, unconscious on the grass and a few hooves away from the balloon, but there didn't appear to be any serious injuries.
Landing near Spike first, she tried to wake him up. Lightly shaking him, she cried, "Spike! Spike! Open your eyes! Please!"
"Ugh..." moaned Pinkie Pie, nearly surprising Fluttershy who quickly rushed over. "What happened? Did somepony spike the punch again? I keep telling Berry..."
"Pinkie, are you okay? Are you injured?" asked Fluttershy, quickly checking on her friend.
Pinkie Pie shook her head--a few pieces of candy falling out of her mane--and rubbed her noggin. "Whoa, what a ride." She then gasped, eyes widening. Turning to Fluttershy, she grabbed her by the shoulders and asked, "Where's Spike?!"
"I'm right here..." muttered Spike, slowly rising up. He then winced and his claw went to his left wing. "Dang it... it's not moving..." He tried getting up with his feet, but stopped and growled. "Left leg, too."
Fluttershy rushed over and told Spike to lay still and spread out his wings flat. Obeying, Fluttershy quickly started to examine it carefully with her hooves. Thankfully, there were no broken bones, but but his wing and leg were sprained. Fluttershy turned to the balloon and pointed to it. "Pinkie, see if there is a medical kit in there."
"On it!" Pinkie rushed over and started pulling out things from the balloon such as party materials, stuffed animals, a kitchen sink and even her party canon. Spike and Fluttershy looked at the growing pile of random objects before glancing at each other. Shrugging, they just shook their head and decided not to ask.
"Here we go!" shouted Pinkie Pie, handing over the kit to Fluttershy.
The pegasus quickly took out some medical bandages and an ice pack which, according to the label, was charmed with a permanent freezing spell. Fluttershy started on the leg first, wrapping it with the bandages as carefully as possible. Pinkie Pie started rubbing her hooves nervously. "Is he going to be okay? Oh, this is all my fault! Will he walk again?! He's not dying is he?! Please tell me I don't have to throw a "Goodbye Spike May You Rest In Peace" party!"
"Pinkie!" shouted Fluttershy in a serious tone that she rarely ever used. Calming herself, she answered, "He's going to okay. What I need you to do is head down that way and keep going until you find other ponies to come help us. I don't think the two of us can carry Spike on our own."
Pinkie Pie saluted. "Okie doki loki! I'll be back with in two shakes of a pony's tail!" In a pink flash, she was off to find help, leaving the two of them on their own.
While Fluttershy put the ice pack on his leg and moved to wrap up his wings, Spike closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry because of me you had to forfeit the race..."
"Hush," said Fluttershy, smiling at him. "It's just a silly race. I can always try again next year. You're more important than that, and I was worried..."
Spike smiled and gently raised his arm to her face and caressed it. "You really are a good friend, Fluttershy."
Blushing, Fluttershy touched his soft, scaly hand with her hoof and closed her eyes. She wanted to remember the warmth and caring that it held. I just wish I was more than just a friend to him...
Snapping out of her thoughts, Fluttershy then said, "Y-you should relax. You took a nasty fall and all. Don't worry, I'll watch over you."
"Yeah," said Spike, taking a few deep breaths. "You're like my guardian angel. You know that?"
The smile on Fluttershy's face spread even more as she wiped a tear from her eye. An angel. He... called me his angel... She didn't know if it meant anything special or not, but it didn't matter to her. Just watching him sleep peacefully was so heartwarming to her that she resisted the urge to squeal. Before Fluttershy knew it, she was slowly lowering her head towards his own. If only... if only...
And then, without any rhyme or reason, Fluttershy kissed her dragon crush on the cheek. It was for a second, but it felt like a lifetime of joy to her. Blushing, Fluttershy sat back straight up and held her hooves over her heart. Did I just... OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY CELESTIA AND LUNA! I KISSED HIM! MY FIRST KISS!
Spike held a claw to his cheek and blushed. "Uh..."
"That was just... um... a friendly kiss! Not that it meant anything!" shouted Fluttershy.
"Uh, okay..." muttered Spike, looking down at the grass.
Neither of them said anything else, even when Pinkie soon arrived with paramedics. They loaded Spike up on a stretched and helped him get carried into town, but soon had to call in for a second one. The revelation of such a daring deed proved too much for the shy, love sick pegasus as she soon fainted after help arrived. A concrete smile pasted on her face the entire time. ***
Twilight could barely keep in her laughter as a red-faced Fluttershy tried to hide behind her mane. "Oh my gosh! You actually fainted?!"
"Well, it was kind of a surprise to myself..." muttered Fluttershy, squirming.
After she calmed down, Twilight asked, "So, if I remember what Pinkie told me, you two were found by the paramedics she brought with her, and you recovered in the hospital, right?"
"Yeah," answered Spike, blushing. "I was really moved by how much Fluttershy cared for me after that. I didn't know it at first, but I kind of started having feelings of her around then." His then joyful expression then turned to bitterness and regret. "But... then I did something really stupid..."
Twilight was taken aback by the sudden attitude change. "What happened?"
"This happened a few weeks after Rarity said she was getting married," answered Spike, hesitating to continue. A squeeze from his marefriend who nuzzled him, reassuring that everything was alright, made him soon continue. "Fluttershy and I would go to have the greatest moment of our lives... and then I screwed it up and almost ruined everything between us..." |
Enkindled Hearts | The Drake's Nest | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93 ***
Despite loving Ponyville more, Spike always considered Canterlot his home. It was the biggest city in Equestria, had the biggest population, the biggest trade, and the biggest tourist attraction. But what was bigger than any of it was the rumor mill. Everypony from the rich to the poor spread the news of the latest gossip like wildfire to the point where everypony knew every rumor within twenty-four hours from who was sleeping with who to what was the the latest drunken scandel. However, the one piece of news that everypony was talking about was the future wedding of Fancy Pants, the most important pony in Canterlot, and his future bride to be Rarity Belle, one of the fastest rising stars in fashion design and the Element of Generosity to boot. Even more amazing was that the wedding and reception was going to take place at the palace itself with the new Princess Twilight unifying them.
Everypony who was anypony was in a frenzy either trying to get into the good graces of the hosts to get an invitation, or to offer their services in the hopes of increasing their own social stature. While no royal wedding, Fancy Pants was one of the richest and most powerful nobles in the land, second only to the Bluebloods--who had been outraged to learn they had been banned from coming--and to be involved in such a ceremony would do wonders for their reputations. Professional wedding planners from all across the country and even other nations around the world had offered their services, but to their surprise Rarity had only two individuals in her mind to help plan her perfect day.
Of course, the first was Pinkie Pie who was taking care of the reception party. While some recalled her actions at a previous Grand Galloping Gala, quickly returning their invitations in response, others remembered her services during the wedding of the rulers of the new Crystal Empire and decided to not complain. Not to mention she was an Element of Harmony herself, so nopony was going to say to one of main defenses of Equestria against chaos and darkness the word 'no'.
The real complaints were for the second individual, Spike. He wasn't at all surprised at their outrage that a "beast" was going to be taking part in the creation of the biggest wedding since Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. He had dealt with it when he was made Twilight's personal assistant when he was a baby, and when he became her Head Scribe in court. Despite having been born in Equestria, lived in Equestria, educated in Equestria, and even saving the Crystal Empire where he had been knighted at the age of sixteen, the youngest age one could be knighted, there were still those narrow minded individuals who saw nothing more than a dragon who could breathe fire and wanted nothing more than to bite their heads off.
And there were a few times Spike wished he could give into the temptation.
Truth be told, Spike wanted to plan the wedding ceremony. Not just because Rarity and Fancy Pants were his friends, but it was also for personal closure. He would be lying if he didn't feel a hint of hurt when Rarity announced she was getting married, despite knowing there would be nothing between them. Yet, he still felt he needed to show to her, and himself, that it was all in the past, and give his blessing by giving her the best wedding she would ever have.
Some of those narrow-minded guests argued about his admittance--never mind his participation of planning the thing--but they were quickly silenced by the actions of the future bride and groom as well as Princess Twilight Sparkle. And nopony, unless they had a social death wish, would go against a princess.
It really does pay to have friends in high places, thought Spike as he watched his assistants put up the white ribbons on the columns of the throne room. The wedding was taking place in one of the ballrooms of the castle in less than a week, and there was still so much left to do. Looking over his checklist, he walked over to the altar where the florists were arranging the yellow and white flowers that would stay preserved thanks to a few nifty spells.
"Mr. Spike?" a unicorn ask as he rushed in from the right, a letter grasped in his magic. Giving it to Spike, he said, "The orchestra we've hired says that their pianist is sick with a stomach flu. The doctors say he'll be out for at least two weeks."
"Well, great, now where are we gonna get music for the event?" mumbled Spike, cursing his luck.
He didn't notice one of the guards had walked towards him and clear his throat. "Head Scriber? There is a mare here to speak to you."
"Not now, I'm dealing with three problems at once; we still need a hundred more cushions for the guests, the suits for the groomsponies had to be sent back for refitting, and I have no music! What else could go wrong?!" shouted Spike.
"Sir? We're out of coffee!" alerted another employee.
"Oh, please tell me I did not just hear that..." growled Spike, smoke coming out of his nostrils, causing the others to step back a bit. "If anypony expects me to do this without a cup of joe, I will probably end up burning this castle to the ground!"
"Um, should I tell the Element of Kindness that you are busy then?" asked the guard, nervously. Trained soldier or not, nopony liked to be near an angry dragon.
"Fluttershy?! She's here?!" shouted Spike as an idea came to his head. "No, I'll go see her. Regal, you take over for now, I'll be back in two shakes of a tail."
Spike followed the guard towards the exit of the ballroom where Fluttershy was waiting for him, nervously looking at the guards that had accompanied her. However, as soon as she saw Spike, she smiled and the two quickly hugged. Spike sighed, it had been at least a week since they had a chance to talk, and he missed her. After dismissing the guards, the two walked over to a nearby balcony and looked down upon the entire city of Canterlot in silence, letting the wind blow against their faces.
Spike took a deep breath and let it out. "I really needed a break, I've been driving myself crazy the past few days."
"Oh, you shouldn't be overworking yourself," warned Fluttershy, pawing her hoof on the floor. "I know you want to work hard for Rarity and Fancy Pants, but I know they wouldn't want you to work yourself to death."
"Yeah, I know," said Spike, leaning his arms against the balcony. "I just want to do this really well, you know? A lot of ponies are expecting me to fail so I want to prove them wrong. I want to show them that I am not some 'dumb beast' but a 'noble dragon'."
"I think you're already a noble dragon," comforted Fluttershy, placing a wing over his shoulder.
Spike blushed and nodded. "Thanks. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, I came to check up on you. Twilight told me you were getting a bit stressed, so I thought I could come up to Canterlot to see if I could help you," answered Fluttershy with a wide smile.
Spike raised his eyebrows. "All by yourself? You never like heading into the city on your own."
Hiding behind her mane, Fluttershy replied, "W-well... I-I-I really... m-missed you. And I really wanted to h-help."
Nodding, Spike then asked, "Well, you're arrived just in time. The orchestra I had hired had to drop out, so I'm left without music. Do you think your birds can work another wedding like they had with Cadance's and Shining's?"
"Oh, I'm sure they would love to! The new birds I have are children of the last ones that sung at that wedding, and I think they would be honored." The joyful look on Fluttershy's face quickly washed away any worry that Spike had in his mind. If there was one thing he liked most about Fluttershy, it was the fact that her smile could make you feel better instantly. It was like Pinkie Pie's, except while Pinkie can make you happy, Fluttershy could make you feel relaxed and at peace.
"Thanks, Fluttershy. I'll make it up to you," replied Spike.
"You don't have to..."
"No, I do!" said Spike as he rubbed his chin, trying to think of how to repay one of his best friends. Then an idea came to him of where he could take Fluttershy. "I have an idea, but I have to ask if you're okay going to a loud environment with dancing and drinking? Do you mind going to a club?"
"Oh my," muttered Fluttershy, stepping back a bit, causing Spike to regret his idea. But she then sighed and she nodded. "I... have been going to a few clubs... with Rarity."
"Great! I can show you some of my friends there. They'll really like you," said Spike as the two of them guided them back inside. "Where are you staying? In the palace suites like last time?"
"Oh, yes. I would have been fine with a regular hotel, but Twilight insisted."
"Okay, it's a date then! I'll pick you up at seven!" said Spike, smiling as he turned away to get back to work. However, he left Fluttershy beat red and sputtering to herself as she try to comprehend what she had heard.
The word "date." ***
Date.
She was going on a date.
She was going on a date!
Or maybe he didn't mean 'date' date, just... date as in an event the two were going to attend. Maybe he was just using a simple term that she had heard so often. And if so, why did that make her feel worse? Fluttershy continued to ponder as she walked back and forth in her room, an action she had done for about four hours. She knew her imagination was going wild, but she had to admit that she truly desired it to be a real date.
Ever since she had come to terms with her feelings for Spike, Fluttershy had done everything she could to try and spend as much time with him as possible. Not just because she loved being in his company, but also to see how he felt about her. He obviously cared for her, and she could feel a bond growing between them that she had not felt in her entire life; one that she didn't even share with Rainbow Dash and her other friends.
Spike was someone she longed to be with, the first in her entire life. Rarity often told Fluttershy that she knew Fancy was the pony for her because she couldn't imagine a single day without him. It was a state of happiness that Fluttershy felt the same way whenever she was with Spike. Ever since he came to her house, crying over learning his crush was nothing more than a dream, they had been together as much as possible. She thought about him everyday, even when he was working at the castle. In return, he would try to visit Ponyville with any free time he had, even if just to see her for ten minutes.
Their friendship had evolved, but she didn't know if Spike saw it the same way she did. She would, dare she even say it, move to Canterlot just to hang out with him more.
Sighing, Fluttershy stopped her trotting and flopped onto her bed, looking up at the ceiling. I have to tell him... but... I'm so scared... what if he rejects me?
She knew all her friends would tell her to go out and tell him, and maybe this was her chance. They would be going to a club, a place where couples tended to relax and have fun, and it may help her relax better to the point where she could tell him that she loved-
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts as she looked at her clock and gasped. "J-just a minute!"
Wishing she had a chance to make herself look proper, Fluttershy flew to the door and opened it, revealing Spike with a smile on his face. "Hey, Shy, ready to go?"
"Um, yes," answered Fluttershy as she followed the handsome drake, closing the door behind her.
You can do this, Fluttershy, you can do this! ***
Spike was nervous at first about the idea of bringing Fluttershy of all ponies to his favorite club in Canterlot, but nevertheless he was gonna make sure that they enjoyed themselves. After landing down in front of the establishment, Spike waved his hand towards the club and said, "Welcome to The Drake's Nest, and contrary to the name, it's for all races, not just dragons... that is alright, right?"
"Oh, yes. As long as they're not huge dragons the size of a building that can crush me in one stomp or swallow me whole," said Fluttershy, shivering.
Spike laughed. "Nah, almost all the dragons that come here are about my size, maybe a bit smaller. Wyverns are also fond of this place, and they're no bigger than a minotaur. Besides, the place is owned by a pony, so everything is cool."
"O-okay," muttered Fluttershy, walking right behind her dragon friend. She looked at the entrance which was designed very much like a real dragon's cave, only it had lights and magical will-o-wisps around the entrance to give it that nightclub feeling. Not to mention the bass coming from inside was so loud that both friends could feel their spines tingle.
They reached the front door where a brown-furred minotaur gave a grin and slapped hands with Spike. "Spike, dude, I haven't seen you in two weeks. Word on the street is you're plannin' that fancy weddin' that's been the talk around the city."
"Well, for once the rumors are true. Both the bride and groom are my friends, so I'm doing it as a favor," answered Spike.
"Sweet." The minotaur then looked behind him to notice a shy pegasus hiding behind Spike's back. "And who's this shy little thing?"
Shaking his head with a smile, Spike moved so that Fluttershy could be seen. "This is my good friend, Fluttershy. She's a bit nervous since this is her first time coming here."
"S-sorry," whispered Fluttershy.
"Relax little thing, ain't nothin' to be scared of. You two head on inside and have a good time," said the minotaur, stepping to the side and letting them in.
The two nodded their heads in thanks as they stepped inside. Spike welcomed the familiar sense of excitement and fun as he turned around, laughing at the sight of Fluttershy's shocked expression. He couldn't blame her; he could remember the size of the dance floor, lights going on and off at the bottom, while dancing to the tunes of the club's DJ up on stage. The disco ball, lights, glow sticks going around while everypony was either shaking themselves up a sweat, drinking at the bar, or making out at the various tables spread across the outer walls.
The club looked like a real dragon cave, with stalactites, fake treasure glowing on the walls, and fake lava pools that were really fruit punch. Originally, the club was for dragons only, but over time it welcomed other races to join. Dragons, griffins, minotaurs, ponies, goats, and donkeys were all out having a good time. He nudged Fluttershy and yelled, "What do you think?!"
"What?!" shouted Fluttershy, rubbing her ears.
"I said what do you think?!"
"Oh! It looks great!" replied Fluttershy with a rare look of excitement on her face.
Spike was about to ask her what she wanted to do when he spotted a few familiar faces at the bar. Grinning, he pointed in the direction and said, "A few friends of mine are here! Want to meet them?!"
"Oh, are you sure they'll like me?!" asked Fluttershy, shivering.
"Relax, they're cool, and they're bound to love you!" answered Spike, taking Fluttershy by the shoulder and guiding her to the bar.
They soon arrived next to a group consisting of a blue and silver drake about Spike's height, a red and yellow dragoness just a bit shorter with really big wings, a donkey with tattoos on his head, and two ponies she quickly recognized as Vinyl Scratch and Octavia; both of which she knew only by reputation as the top musicians of their respective brands.
Among seeing them, the group quickly embraced Spike as if he was family, leaving Fluttershy to watch in the background. After a few quick high fives and small talk, Spike quickly came back to Fluttershy and brought her front and center, which only made her squirm a bit upon seeing every eye on her.
"Alright, guys allow me to introduce Fluttershy. She's one of my best friends back in Ponyville," said Spike, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Fluttershy, these are my friends in Canterlot. This is Limestone, he's a miner that works in the crystal caves Twilight found a few years ago."
The blue and silver drake raised his claw in a two finger salute. "Hey there."
"That's Ruby, she's studying physics at a local college."
The dragoness raised the drink in her claw. "Nice to meet you. Any friend of Spike is a friend of mine."
"Ulysses E. Finster is a bouncer for hire at a few nightclubs such as this one. Don't let the size fool you, I've seen him throw out people twice his size," warned Spike.
"Call me U-E, everypony does," said the donkey, giving a wink.
"And this is Vinyl Scratch, aka DJ Pon-3, one of the best DJ's in Canterlot."
"Uh, one of the best DJ's in the whole fricken world, bro!" proclaimed Viny, as she wrapped her hoof around Octavia. "And this is my stuck up, but totally hot, wife, Octavia."
"Vinyl, I can introduce myself thank you," chided Octavia who walked over and shook her hooves with Fluttershy. "I must say, it's an honor to speak with one of the Elements of Harmony. I've seen you and your friends a few times, but it's nice to actually speak with the saviors of Equestria."
"Oh, I just helped out a bit. Nothing special," replied Fluttershy, nervously poking her hooves together.
"Don't kid yourself, Fluttershy. Twilight and the others couldn't have done it all without you," said Spike, making Fluttershy's blush turn even redder.
"Hey, Spike, since you brought a newbie, you know she has to go through the initiation, right?" said a grinning Ruby, the rest of the gang nodding their heads in agreement.
"Aw, come on guys. Can't we let it off this once?" chuckled Spike, shaking his head.
"You know the rules, bro. First comers got to get first served," said Limestone as he turned to the barkeeper and shouted, "Yo, Mixture! Seven Blast Off's!"
Fluttershy nervously raised her hoof. "Um, excuse me? What initiation is this?"
Spike rubbed the back of his neck, cursing that he forgot this when bringing her to meet the guys. The initiation wasn't bad; far from it. The only problem was that he didn't know how much of a lightweight Fluttershy was when it came to drinking. Before he knew it, seven vermilion drinks with limes in them were presented to the group who each took one except for Fluttershy who was staring at it with a tilted head.
"I've never seen a drink like that before," said Fluttershy, taking it with her hooves.
"It's a very hard drink, but it kicks you right into gear. It's one drink we all share together, and anypony we bring with us has to join. Having one is alright if you can take it, although drink too much and you pass out just like Vinyl did in her first try," chuckled Limestone.
The DJ pony groaned and pounded her head. "Don't remind me. Octy here still has photos of me puking on the sound system."
"No to mention kissing the rim of a toilet, and having a losing battle against a wall because you claimed it talked trash about your pet dog when you don't even own one," giggled Octavia, earning a smack against the shoulder.
"Oh, dear," said Fluttershy, looking at the drink with wide eyes. "Sounds... potent."
"You don't have to drink with us, Fluttershy," offered Spike, but Fluttershy shook her head.
"N-no, I don't want to do that when it's clearly important to you all." Fluttershy nervously raised her glass. "Bottom's up, I guess."
The rest of them, including Spike, although hesitantly, raised their glasses and were about to drink...
"Well, looky here! It's Spiky-Wikey and his Lonely Brainless Loser Band."
The glass in Spike's claw instantly broke. Ignoring the spilled contents all over him, he cursed whatever deity that decided to screw with him for having him in the club as well. He was ready to have a fun night with his friends, but, of course, he showed up to ruin everything. Turning around, Spike muttered the name of the one dragon he hated more than anyone else in the world.
Garble... |
Enkindled Hearts | Hearts On The Dance Floor | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93
Note: The song played I do not own but I did modify the lyrics of the original to make it ponyverse like. Thanks to DARKPHANTOM13 for the song suggestion. ***
The moment Spike heard his voice, he was already ready for a fight. He heard the others get up from the seats and stand right beside him in unison, equally prepared in case there was any trouble. If he was who Spike thought he was, trouble was the drop of a bit away. He watched as the tall, red adolescent dragon walked toward them with some dragoness hanging on his arm--A.K.A. this week's bed buddy.
There were very few individuals on Spike's "Hate List," but up on the top was Garble. The bully had never forgotten of that embarrassment Spike made out of him and his friends years ago when he went to the dragon migration. Unfortunately, this was the son of the new dragon ambassador, and it was only a matter of time until their paths crossed again. Since then, it had been nothing but conflict between him and his friends against Garble and his goon squad.
The two groups stared at each other for a long time stared silently, the club's music playing in the background. Finally, Garble smiled and spread his arms out like he was greeting them. "Well, don't let us ruin your evening. Please, drink the night away while we get our own."
"What do you want, Garble?" growled Spike, crossing his arms. "Because we're in no mood for any horse apples from you."
"Speak for yourself, I could use a good fight to knock this punk down a few pegs," muttered U-E, stretching his shoulder.
"Ditto," seconded Vinyl as she started to charge her horn, but Octavia put her hoof on her shoulder and shook her head.
Garble only continued to smile as he walked past them, pushing Limestone and Ruby out of the way as he made his way to the bar and ordered a drink. Spike made sure to keep an eye on him while the other was on Fluttershy, who was hiding behind Ruby as if already sensing how dangerous he was. Garble took his shot and swallowed it whole before leaning back at the bar.
"So Spike, word on the street is you're in charge of that stupid pony wedding that's going on? Fancy Pants and that other mare... what's her name? Whority?"
"It's Rarity, you bastard!" growled Spike, nostrils flaring green flames. "And if you say anything about her or Fancy Pants, I'll end you!"
"Temper. Temper. Remember to watch it. After all, it got you kicked out of three clubs already," warned Garble, sticking his claws up.
"As opposed to the seven you were banned from, including that one where I hauled your scaly butt out?" pointed out a grinning U-E, who took a high five from Limestone.
Garble glared at the donkey, a blush on his cheek appearing before the redness started to spread around his entire face. Hissing, the red dragon cried out, "Shut it you lousy good for nothing, ass! You're kind was better off being slaves before the princesses changed that many years ago!"
"And you're better off jumping into a lake and drowning yourself," commented Limestone, who looked ready to charge, but saw that Garble's gang was much larger than their own, and backed down.
Garble huffed before spitting on the ground, right next to the hoof of Octavia who jumped back and wiped it with a clean napkin nearby. He raised his claw and pointed to Limestone, Ruby, and Spike. "You three are a disgrace to the dragon race. In fact this entire club is for opening it up to the other races. Have you no pride of being dragons? The real superior race of this world? You hang around with these pansy ponies and good for nothing but labor donkeys like they're your equals. Have you no shame?"
"The only one who should be ashamed is you, Garble," said Ruby, narrowing her eyes. "Your father is an ambassador for our people and yet his son is constantly getting into trouble and likes making racist remarks about other races he thinks are below him." She then smiled. "In fact, hasn't your father decided to send you back to the nation while also making your younger sister his heir instead of you?"
Garble showed his teeth and looked ready to smack Ruby, but Limestone was already there in front of her. "Try anything, and I swear..."
The tension was thickening between both groups, and Spike wondered if there was any chance to avoid bloodshed tonight. Much as he liked to clobber Garble, he wouldn't risk Fluttershy from his own problems. He decided to be the better dragon, and stepped towards towards Garble, making sure he was relaxed and didn't look threatening.
"Look, Garble, none of us came here for a fight," said Spike. "We're here to have a good time and nothing more. Just take your drink, your friends, and leave us alone, alright?"
His archenemy raised an eyebrow, and rubbed his chin while Spike did his best to assure the others to relax as well with a few subtle winks. Garble smirked and nodded. "Okay, Spike. Fair enough, I'll leave you and your group alone..."
Spike sighed in relief.
"... on one condition," said Garble, raising a finger and pointing it to his shot glass. "One of you dweebs has to face me in a drinking contest. Loser leaves the club, and doesn't come back."
"Come on, that's not fair!" said Octavia, puffing her cheeks.
"What's wrong? Afraid of a little competition? Got the balls to go one-on-one?" tempted Garble, showing his teeth.
Spike looked at the rest of his friends who were nodding in agreement, some of them like Vinyl and U-E looking for a chance to show up the jerk. He glanced toward Fluttershy, still holding her drink in her shaking hooves, who was now showing herself out in the open. She looked Spike and whispered, "You can do this" to him which made him feel suddenly ten times braver. Spitting into his claw, Spike held it out and said, "Alright, you're on. But you will swear on your honor as a dragon that you're telling the truth."
"I swear on my honor." Garble smirked, spat in his own claw, and shook his with Spike's. "Alright, so the one I pick to face me in a drinking contest is..."
Spike puffed out his chest while the rest of his friends looked ready as well. However, Garble didn't even bother looking at them, and just pointed at his target. "You!"
Everyone gasped, and Spike even felt like kicking himself when he remembered there was one other pony in this group who was inexperienced with clubbing. The same one he swore to make sure nothing happened to: Fluttershy. The poor pegasus 'eeped,' and hid behind Ruby again who shielded her with her wings.
"Leave her out of this! She's just joined us!" yelled Spike, claws ready.
Shaking his head, Garble said, "You said I could pick any of your friends if I choose, and she's your friend, right? She's holding the drink you were all about to have, meaning she's part of your group. Unless you want to go back on your word and dishonor yourself?"
Spike clenched his claw so hard he was sure blood was gonna come out and drip on the floor. The worst part was that Garble was right. Dishonoring yourself was something a dragon couldn't live with, even one such as him. Spike always valued keeping his word, and he knew he would have to. He looked at the pale, fragile form of his best friend, and cursed himself for not remembering her safety.
Limestone shouted, "Come on, Garble, she's just a rookie. She can't--"
"I'll do it."
Everyone turned their heads to see Fluttershy poke her head out from Ruby's wings, and float down. She drank her glass with one gulp, and gently put it on the table before taking a deep breath and letting it out. "I'll do it."
Vinyl stepped forward and pressed her hoof against Fluttershy's shoulder. "Fluttershy, you don't have to do this. This guy's been a pain in our flank for a long time. It's not your fault."
"T-true, but he insulted Spike, and..." Fluttershy stared at Garble with as much bravery as she could muster. "And I won't let him be mean to my best friend!"
"Oh? Is the little cute pony going to make me regret making fun of this loser?" mocked Garble, who patted the seat next to him. "Bring your butterfly butt over here, so I can cream you, and see your backsides walk out the front door when I'm done."
Fluttershy was about to sit when Spike stepped forward and tugged her tail gently. "You don't have to this. I'm okay taking your place, honor or no honor."
Fluttershy smiled before holding his claw with both her hooves. "I'll be okay, trust me."
He tried to say something else, but Fluttershy quickly sat down and nodded. Garble, chuckling, tapped on the counter. "Barkeep! A round of drinks for a little game of ours!" ***
Spike couldn't believe it, and he was sure the crowd behind him couldn't believe it. He looked at his friends who were either trying to lift their jaws off the floor, or were cheering on Fluttershy as she drank her fourteenth shot in a row. While her mane seemed to be a bit more wild, and a flush was on her cheeks, Fluttershy let out a satisfied "Ahhh" before slamming the cup down. "Boyah! How do you like that!"
The crowd cheered as Fluttershy waved at them, a bright smile on her face. The same could not be said for Garble, who looked ready to fall out of his seat or puke, maybe even both. The guy had been boasting he could out drink anyone, and was convinced this was going to be an easy victory. His mistake.
He lifted his shot glass and, looking green, drank the whole thing in one gulp. He burped a bit of fire from his lips, but he had managed to hold it down. "T-think...y-you... can... can... beat me..." slurred Garble, whose look ready to roll to the back of his head. "I.. I ain't lettin'... some stupid... horsy... thingy... beat me..."
Fluttershy replied with a sly grin. "Oh, really." She reached out and took three shot glasses, much to the surprise of the crowd who soon started to cheer for her to drink all three at the same time. Fluttershy waved for Spike to come over which surprised him, but he nodded and walked over. Handing the shot glasses to Spike, she turned around and leaned back, opening her mouth while pointing to it.
This got the crowd even more riled up as Vinyl screamed, "Alright, Fluttershy! Taking it like a boss!"
Spike grinned, and dumped all three shots into Fluttershy's mouth who quickly got up after they entered her mouth, and swallowed it as one big gulp. She shook her head a bit and panted, but she smiled and raised her wings which erupted in applause for her. Garble was looking at Fluttershy with wide eyes as she rested her elbow on the counter, glaring at him with daring eyes. "Looks like this 'horsey thing' managed to up you times three. Can to try copying me? Or are you to scared to play with the big boys, little hatchling?"
"Ooooohhh!" screamed the crowd as Garble's face turned even redder than normal.
"Burn," said U-E, grinning.
"Total burn," replied Limestone with an equal grin.
With shaking claws, Garble took three shot glasses, and raised them one by one into his mouth. But before he could finish the third glass, Garble couldn't take it anymore and he fell to the floor, throwing up everything inside. The crowd stepped back in disgust, but soon realized that Fluttershy had won, and cheered again. The intoxicated pegasus rubbed the back of her neck as they shouted her name. Spike and his friends all congratulated her by shaking her hoof or patting her on the back, although Vinyl's almost neatly caused her to fall off her seat.
Spike, smiling like it was his birthday come early, looked down at the defeated and gagging Garble who appeared ready to rage out and burn everything to the ground. The flames coming out of his nose made it seem even more believable. Crossing his arms, Spike stated, "You lost, Garble. A deal is a deal. Now get out of here like you promised, or do you want to lose your honor along with your lunch?"
Garble growled, but got up with the help of his friends and walked towards the exit. Seeing the excitement and confrontation over, the crowd soon said their final congrats before heading back to their own excitement in the club. Fluttershy, realizing now that she had won a drinking contest against a dragon, gasped and held her hooves to her heart. "I... I actually won! I didn't think... for a second, I thought..."
"Dude, you were great! That was the most awesome thing I've seen in a long time!" shouted Ruby, patting her back. "Fluttershy, I think I speak for everyone here when I say you're part of the gang!"
"Yeah, you have got to come over to me and Tavi's cub! We'll have a blast! And drinks are on the house!" seconded Vinyl with her wife nodding.
"And if you ever need help with any kind of trouble that revolves physical work...," U-E cracked his hooves, nodding to Limestone who nodded back. "Just give us a call, too."
"I...I..." Fluttershy looked at her new friends, blushing up a storm before she nodded. "Thank you. I hope we become good friends." She then turned to the dance floor, and her smile grew before getting off her seat and walking over to Spike. "Um, Spike? Do you want to dance?"
"S-sure," said Spike, taken by surprise. He wrapped a wing around his best friend, and the two of them walked over to the dance floor where a everypony was shaking it to a new track that had come on.
Fluttershy looked like she was having second thoughts by the time it started while Spike was finding his heart beating as he realized that he had never danced with Fluttershy before. Deciding to take a risk, he smirked, and gently pulled Fluttershy closer to him as he began to sway back and forth, Fluttershy following his example.
"Hey, I know this song. Follow my lead!" said Fluttershy who soon turned around while shaking her flanks. Spike giggled and followed suit, and the two of them jumped up, along with the crowd, before falling and moving closer.
The chorus sung, and the two of them raised their respective upper limbs up, shaking them high into the air with everyone else. Fluttershy stood up on her rear hooves, and started banging her head, her pink mane flying and making her look even more beautiful than Spike had ever seen her. Not wanting to be outdone, and finding his rhythm, Spike started to do some impressive footwork. His feet stomped and swept around the area, earning a small laugh from Fluttershy.
The two inched closer to the point where they bumped flanks as Spike took Fluttershy by her forearm, turned her around, and held her close to him, chest to chest as the two looked deep into each other's eyes
Holding her forelegs, Spike continued to guide Fluttershy through their dance, and they were soon finding themselves in the middle of the dance floor with everyone making room. Seeing they were now the center of attention, the two looked at each other and smirked. Spinning Fluttershy so that her back was against his, he held her tight as he started grinding against her flank. Despite her blush, Fluttershy played loose with it, obviously due to the alcohol she had taken earlier.
"Shall we?" asked Spike.
"Let's," encouraged Fluttershy with a wink
The two, holding each other, spun across the floor and as Fluttershy and Spike opened their wings and flew high into the air. They flew around, holding each other as they appeared like angels in unison, dancing and flying at the same time with grace and excitement at the same time. Spike threw Fluttershy higher, to the point where she was nearly touching the ceiling and spun around like a top.
The crowd gasped as Spike landed on the ground, and then caught Fluttershy with his claws as she held on to his neck and laugh. She was sure she almost had a heart attack for a second, but now, watching the smile on her dragon's face only made her wish that she had danced with him a long time ago. Diving to his knees, Spike held onto Fluttershy as they looked deep into each other's eyes.
They were so pressed together that the two felt each other's heartbeats. Looking into each other's eyes, Fluttershy and Spike's cheeks grew red as all other sounds, even the song itself. They grew closer until their lips were only inches apart. They could feel each other's breath.
Finally, Fluttershy couldn't hold it any longer, and pressed her lips against Spike's.
Spike's eyes widened while the entire crowd was cheering. He looked out of the corner of his eye, and saw his friends shouting and whistling. Spike, although confused, couldn't help but love this feeling, and soon gave in and returned the kiss.
The taste of Fluttershy's lips were like a combination of honey and flowers. Sweet and soft, like a gentle breeze had been pressed against his face while he held her in his arms. Fluttershy herself felt like she was on cloud nine because she finally had her first true kiss with somepony that she loved with all her heart.
The song ended as the two separated from each other, the crowd still cheering. Spike just stared at a smiling Fluttershy who looked at him with eyes that made more beautiful than any gem in the world. So many questions were ringing in his head. Why had Fluttershy kissed him? What is a spur o the moment thing, or... or...
Is she in love with me? Spike asked in his head.
Before Spike could answer, he felt a chill pass through his spine as he heard ponies mumbling and quiet down. He looked at his friends who were quickly stomping their way towards him with angry looks on their faces. He gritted his teeth and could already guess who it was as he turned around, and, sure enough, there was Garble, stomping over with his entire group.
"What the hay, Garble! You lost, so get out of here!" shouted Spike, stepping forward.
Garble got close to both Spike and a shaking Fluttershy, who looked terrified at the sight of the red dragon's raging eyes upon her. "I didn't come here to be insulted and kicked out by a loser and his apparent whore. First, you're friends with ponies, now you're sleeping with them? You're sick."
"I dare you to call Fluttershy that one more time, so I can just kick your scaly butt!" cried out Spike, growling, his claws glistening in the lights from above.
Garble smirked. "Let's stop beating around the bush. We both know this is gonna end with us tearing each other apart, so let's to it."
"Fine by me... make your move...." growled Spike.
"Well, if I'm gonna make the first blow..." Garble clenched his fist and gave a grin that all but worried Spike. "I should make sure it lands where it hurts the most."
Garble raised his fist, but turned at the last second and punched Fluttershy straight in the face.
Time slowed down as a horrified Spike watched Fluttershy fall to the dance floor, her face bleeding as she landed on the floor, hard. Gasps were heard everywhere right before a whimper from a shaking and teary-eyed Fluttershy.
Only one word rang in Spike's head a split second after this.
Kill! |
Enkindled Hearts | True Dragon Rage | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93 ***
Before Spike knew it, he had already tackled Garble towards the the bar where they smashed into a table. Garble kicked Spike off him, but the younger dragon was back to attacking with his claws. He tried for a swipe at Garble's neck, but the elder drake was able to grab his arm and deliver a swift kick to his chest before smacking him down with his tail. Spike soon felt it wrap around his throat as he was lifted up in the air and kept getting punched over and over again.
Taking what little breath he had, Spike unleashed a flame at Gable's neck. Dragon fire didn't hurt other dragons, but it was enough to blind the dragon a bit and allowed Spike to free himself from the tail. He responded by stomping on it as Garble let out a cry of pain. Without remorse, Spike took a big beer mug, shoved it into Garble's mouth, and smashed it by slamming his mouth close. While a dragon's mouth was powerful in crushing almost anything, the inner gums were still as weak as any non-dragons, and Gable was forced to endure glass in his bleeding mouth before Spike kneed him in the face.
Backing up a bit, Spike tried to catch his breath while rubbing his neck. He checked on the others who were already joining in on the fight. Ruby and U-E were back to back, dealing with their own goons. Ruby and Garble's lady dragon friend were at each other's throat, banging each other's heads against the floor as they rolled around. He finally saw Ruby get up top and started pounding the dragoness in the face over and over again before taking a deep bite on her neck, making her scream in pain as blood started to flow.
U-E already had two knocked out dragons underneath him as he held another by the throat with foreleg around his neck and a fourth dragon on the ground, puking his guts out after a well placed sucker punch. Despite being friends for three years, Spike still couldn't believe there was anypony out there as strong as U-E, and that testament was fully realized as U-E choked slammed the dragon into the dance floor, sending half of the dragon's body straight through the floor. The other was picked up and bodyslammed into another table, drinks flying everywhere.
Spike remembered his own fight and turned back to Garble only to get a punch in the face that knocked him back a bit. Although dazed, Spike was able to block the next few blows before trying for a right hook. Garble grabbed his wrist and turned him around before putting Spike in a headlock. Although bleeding out of his nose and mouth, Garble gave a sickening grin as he said, "You know, Spike. After I'm done wasting you and your precious friends, I'm gonna take that stupid marefriend of yours, break her wings, and find the steepest cliff in all of Canterlot to see if she can fly!"
Spike's response was taking his tail and whipped it right between Garble's legs. The bully let go and hugged his groin as Spike backed up and spat on the ground, eyes filled with fury. "I am going to kill you and spit on your corpse!"
Eyes everywhere widened as they saw Spike's scales start to glow blue as small sparks appears. Garble's mouth dropped as Spike opened his mouth and unleashed a roar, followed by a blue arc of lightning. The older dragon was too stunned to dodge as he was thrown back from the blast and landed right on the DJ's now broken set. Garble groaned as he slowly got up and weakly pointed at Spike. "H-how?! How does a twerp like you know how to breathe lightning already?!"
Spike smirked. "It pays having an adopted alicorn mother who knows all the elder dragons that were willing to teach their craft.."
This only enraged Garble more as he unfurled his wings and roared. Spike roared back as the two flew towards each other. ***
Fluttershy slowly found herself becoming more and more aware of her soundindings, followed by an intense pain on her muzzle. A hoof landed on her shoulder and she cried out, holding her hooves out in defence as tears lingered in her eyes.
"It's okay, Fluttershy! It's me, Octavia!"
Opening her eyes, Fluttershy saw the famous cellist looking at her with worried eyes. Realizing she wasn't in any immediate danger, she relaxed a bit and looked around to see that she was behind the bar in the club. "Wh-what happened?"
Scowling, Octavia muttered, "Garble hit you, remember? Then, everyone broke out into a fight."
Fluttershy's eyes widened as she remembered the big bully hitting her in the face, and started to whimper. Shaking, she asked, "H-how is Spike?"
Octavia looked up and winced. "I... I've never seen him fight this intensely before. The two of them are going all out."
Fluttershy slowly looked up and gasped. Her heart cried out with worry as she saw a bloody and beaten up Spike crash against the floor as Garble, equally damaged, landed on him with both feet. Garble picked up Spike and went for a bite against his neck, but Spike managed to stop his jaws with his claws and push him back. Ducking under another punch, Spike managed to uppercut him into a wall where Spike slammed his elbow against his face and into the wall.
Although she was worried for Spike, a part of her couldn't help but be... scared at this side of him. She knew he was a dragon, and dragons were violent, but Spike rarely ever went this far. Normally, he was polite, funny, and emotional at times, but this was...
"Brutal," Fluttershy whispered as she saw Spike throw Garble into the fake lava pool and dive in after him.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Octavia dragged her down as Vinyl flew above them and crashed into the bottles on display. Blood and glass covered her entire body as Octavia was right there beside her wife, hoof against her mouth as her eyes watering. "Vinyl are you okay?!"
Vinyl, her shades now in pieces, looked up and smiled weakly. "Hey Tavi..." She coughed a bit. "Mind giving me a drink? I need something to dull the pain."
Octavia smiled before kissing her wife on the forehead. "Idiot. Just stay still, I'm gonna take over, okay?"
She turned to Fluttershy and asked, "Watch her for me, please."
Fluttershy only nodded before an enraged looking Octavia jumped over the counter. Vinyl started chuckling as Fluttershy took some clean towels nearby and started putting them on her wounds. "You shouldn't laugh. You're only gonna make it worse."
"S-sorry," laughed Vinyl. "But those guys are gonna get their butt whooped so bad."
"What do you mean?"
Vinyl grinned. "You'll see."
Fluttershy looked up and saw Octavia hopping from table to table towards Limestone. Limestone was barely standing as he wiped off the beer that had gotten on him during the fight. Vinyl had just been thrown into the bar and was sure to be out for the rest of the fight, leaving him to deal with these remaining three dragons who were cracking their knuckles.
Just before they were gonna charge forward, Octavia appeared, landing on a nearby table from her jump from the bar. She glared at the three and asked, "Which of one you bastards hurt my wife?"
The three looked at each other, laughed, and then pointed at themselves. Octavia narrowed her eyes. "Guess I'll just have to beat up all three of you just to be sure!" With great speed, she jumped up into the air and screamed before kicking one in the face. When she landed, one of the other dragons tried to grab her, but she quickly got behind him with a spin and bucked him towards Limestone. Wasting no time, Limestone delivered a hard clothesline that knocked the dragon right off his legs.
The other two tried to attack Octavia from behind. She ducked down, avoiding their grabs and elbowed them in the back before raising her hindquarters and bucking them in the face. She flipped back to her rear hooves and stood up on them, her forelegs spread out in a fighting position.
"W-who are you?" asked one of them, growling.
Octavia growled, "I'm the mare that plays double bass that's gonna kick your ass!"
With unexpected speed, she charged forward and flipped both dragons over. One of them tried to get up, but just as he did he was met with Octavia's right rear hoof to his face. This was followed by the left one, and a spin kick that knocked him into a chair, breaking it.
The other got up and tried to attack, but Octavia's feet were quicker as she lifted her rear left leg over and kicked the dragon in the face over and over again, his head knocking back with each kick. The previous dragon got up, groaning, but Octavia back kicked him with the same hoof and he went down again. With a final spin kick, the other dragon was knocked out, and Octavia put all hooves down and sighed. "I hate violence, but sometimes you have to take out the trash."
Fluttershy sighed in relief seeing her new friend okay, but then gasped as she saw Garble holding Spike in a death grip. Before she knew what she was doing, Fluttershy grabbed a bottle of wine and threw it at Garble's head, knocking him back as he let go of Spike. ***
Spike didn't know who it was that threw that bottle, but he owed them a drink after this. Getting up, he glared at the bully, images of Fluttershy crying guiding him as stomped forward. Garble, backing away and growling, shouted, "Why don't you just give up! I'm a true dragon! You're just a brat raised by a bunch of ponies!"
Stopping in place, Spike growled. "You're right. I was raised by a bunch of ponies. Ponies who loved me and took me in when I had noone. Sure, I was treated like a beast by some, but I had those who always saw me as a friend." Looking at his blood covered claw, Spike clenched it and growled. "You have no idea how hard it is to control myself. I can burn their houses down, crush their bones with my strength, rip their skin off, and more. I'm dangerous, and I learned that the first time I lost control of my greed and became a monster. I nearly destroyed my home and got one of my friends killed. Since then, I've been working hard everyday of my life to control what lies inside of me. I'm stuck in a glass house and all that I touch can shatter into pieces if I'm not careful. I've never even once gone all out. But just this once I'm gonna show you just how much of a dragon I really am!"
With an earth shattering roar, Spike charged at Garble and unleashed a punch to his jaw that utterly shattered his bone. The red drake was sent through four tables before landing flat on the wall. Before he could get off, Spike was already grabbing his head and shoving him over and over again into the wall. He then threw Garble away and kicked him in the stomach, sending him onto the dance floor.
Gable tried to get up, but Spike was already by his side. He tried to say something, but all he could manage was spitting blood pitifully onto the glass tiles. Spike took Garble's tail and snapped it over his knee, causing the drake to scream as tears streaked down his cheeks. Seeing his mouth open, Spike took his claws and began to scrape his talons over his toungue. Gasps echoed around the room as Spike finished, lifting the now broken dragon. He then opened his wings to their full extent and flew up high up to the roof before coming down and slamming Garble on the floor with all of his strength.
Slowly standing up, Spike looked at his prey--the prey that dare hurt his mate. He was going to make him suffer. Make him pay. His scales glowed again before he unleashed the lighting breath again. Garble continued to scream and shake as blast after blast Spike delivered.
Suffer! Suffer! SUFFER! SUFFER AND DIE!
"SPIKE! STOP!"
Like a slap to the face, Spike gasped and stopped. He turned to his left and saw Fluttershy, looking at him with fear and worry as she slowly moved toward him. He lowered his claws and looked at the ruined body of Garble, smoking, burned, bleeding, yet alive. "I..." he said as he looked at horror at what he did. He fell to his knees and nearly puked. "I didn't mean..."
Everyone, even his friends, were looking at the intense scene before them. Spike closed his eyes in shame as Fluttershy came over and hugged him. Finally, the others came to his side and they left the club. Spike having to be dragged.
It took twenty minutes for somepony to finally call for an ambulance. ***
Both Twilight and Fluttershy were comforting the depressed dragon as he lowered his head in shame. Twilight couldn't blame him. All his life, Spike had to deal with ponies saying he was a threat to them; a monster lying in wait. Yet, she couldn't blame him for being angry for what that monster did to Fluttershy.
"How did I not hear of this? Or the other princesses?" asked Twilight, wondering why she wasn't there for her number one assistant.
"They did," muttered Spike, getting up and pacing around the room. "Celestia and Luna both learned what happened. I didn't get arrested because it was self-defense, but I begged them not to tell you about what happened."
"Spike, why?" asked Twilight as she got up and nuzzled him. "I would have understood."
"I was afraid, alright!" shouted Spike, rubbing his head. "I was just... afraid... of what I did... what I would've done... if Fluttershy wasn't there..."
Fluttershy now got up, walked over, and kissed him. He kissed back and the two relaxed in each other's embrace. Twilight smiled before asking, "What happened to Garble?"
Spike sighed and shook his head. "You really want to know?" Twilight nodded. "His father learned what happened after Celestia told him. Because attacking Fluttershy, a hero of our nation, could be a possible act for war, the ambassador took the full blame and resigned. But his son got the worst of it. He..." Spike winced. "He's dead..."
"D-dead?" gasped Twilight. "Spike you...."
"No! I didn't kill him! He survived, but..." Spike sighed, his eyes reflecting a sense of pity. "Garble had disgraced himself, his family, and his race by turning back on his honor when he refused to leave me and Fluttershy alone. Because of this, added with all his previous misdeeds, he was fully exiled with no name or anything but the scales on his back. He begged his father to forgive him and give him another chance, but he was all but dead to him. From what I heard, after a week of exile, he was found dead. Nopony knows how or why, but then again none of the dragons cared. An exile gets a graveless burial and forgotten. I may not have liked him, but I never would have wished him dead."
Twilight and Fluttershy both walked over to comfort him, but he pushed them away and sighed. "I need some air."
He opened the door and slammed it. Fluttershy sighed and gave a sad smile. "I'm sorry, it still bothers him whenever he talks about it."
"I guess this explains why he was so... upset before the wedding..." Twilight recalled. "How did you two deal with this?"
"It wasn't easy, but... well, let me tell you what happened..." |
Enkindled Hearts | Enkindled Hearts | Enkindled Hearts
By The Rated Ponystar
Formerly edited by: Adjudicator
Edited by: Mr.Minimii and ugugg93 ***
"Are ya sure yer okay?" asked Applejack for the ninth time at Fluttershy's stoop. "Mac said ya were shakin' somethin' fierce when ya came back from Canterlot yesterday. Did somethin' happen?"
Fluttershy, barely keeping her door open, shook her head. "N-no... I'm fine... I was just... just was a bit overwhelmed is all."
"Are ya sure?" asked Applejack again, getting a quick shake of the head in response. Sighing, she nodded. "Okay, but if ya need anythin', give a holler. Remember that the weddin's comin' soon."
Fluttershy whispered goodbye before she closed the door and leaned her back on it. Truthfully, she was far from fine. Her mind was still plaguing her with what happened back at the club last night. Seeing such a violent streak in Spike as he tore apart Garble made her blood turn to ice. Even now she could feel her fur rising up in fright just thinking about it.
Yet, she also felt ashamed. Since Spike had only fought against Garble for her sake. He did it because she was his friend.
But were they more than friends now thanks to that kiss?
Fluttershy felt her heart flutter when she thought about it. It was ironic that his kiss was so cold, yet brought more warmth to her heart than anything else she'd felt in her life. She felt as if her heart was enkindled by some burning flame that made her want to never let go of Spike. To kiss him and hold him forever in her embrace would be like taking in the flames of love itself.
For the first time in her life, she cursed somepony. She cursed Garble, hoping that he would get what was coming to him for ruining that moment. Fluttershy wanted nothing more than to fly to Spike and kiss him again, letting him know that she still loved him.
Then why am I so afraid to do that? she asked herself in shame. Yet, she knew the answer. I'm such a coward.
Fluttershy nearly leapt up into the air when she heard her door knocking rapidly. "Fluttershy! Open up! It's Ruby!"
"Ruby?" asked Fluttershy as she turned and opened the door. The large dragoness was there, sweating heavily. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you! Do you know how hard it was trying to find you? I spent nearly an hour flying around Ponyville asking ponies if they knew you, but most of them were afraid of me. Guess you guys don't get dragons here too often, huh?" asked Ruby, chuckling as she walked inside while ducking because of her height. "I came to find you because we need your help. It's Spike."
Fluttershy's first reaction was to rush towards Ruby and hold her by the shoulders. "Is he alright?! Is he hurt?! Or in trouble?! Please let it not be both!"
Ruby raised her claw to calm her down. "Relax, he's not hurt. The princesses have good healers. And no, he's not in trouble. I think he told only Princess Celestia what happened and, from what I hear, Garble's gotten himself in real trouble. Spike and the rest of us are safe since it's being played down. But..." Ruby sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Spike's been refusing to talk to us. He locked himself inside, and he hasn't given any orders for the wedding. Everypony thinks it's just stress, but we know that's not true." Ruby looked straight into Fluttershy's eyes. "I think he blames himself for what happened to you."
"W-what?" stuttered Fluttershy. "B-but it's not his fault! He was protecting me!"
"Yeah, and he almost killed Garble for it. If you didn't stop him..." Ruby shivered. "Garble's a pain in the rear, but even I felt sorry for him after that beat down."
Fluttershy lowered her eyes as they began to mist, but that didn't last long as she then looked at Ruby with a determined look. "Take me to him." ***
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
He kept repeating that over and over again in his head. Spike looked outside the balcony of his room and down at the city below, hoping to push his thoughts away with its sights. It didn't work. Nothing had worked. Books, meditation, the wedding, exercise, sleep. Nothing stopped him from remembering the look in Fluttershy's eyes as she saw him ready to end Garble's life.
The fear in those eyes. It was like she was looking at him as if he was a monster. And she's right. I am a monster, Spike thought bitterly as he looked at his hand. He could still imagine it covered in Garble's blood.
Worst of all was he had no regrets. He knew now why she was so important to him. Why he wanted to spend so much time with her after all these months. The kiss made him realize what had been in front of him for so long.
He was in love with Fluttershy. His dragon instincts saw her as his potential mate, and he knew that he would protect her. He didn't know when such feelings were planted, but he suspected they had been there for a long time. That kiss they shared was more precious than any gem he owned or tasted. It was like finding something he had been missing for so long.
It was love.
Ever since he lost Rarity, he never thought anypony could take her place. He dated a little, but nopony came close. Yet when he thought of Fluttershy and him together it was like everything fit, even more so than it did when he thought of Rarity. She was the most precious thing to him, even more so than Twilight.
Who was the one pony who stuck by him through it all? Who was the one pony whose kindness and friendship did he learn to value even more than Twilight's? Who was the one who stuck by him and slowly became the most valuable thing to him.
Fluttershy was the answer to all those questions, and if the kiss meant anything it meant she loved him back as well. Knowing this, a part of him wanted to go find her and profess his love, even swearing to never scare her again. Yet he was hesitant. He knew why. He was dangerous to be around with, much less romantically involved.
He held such great strength and power, but also a powerful lust of rage and greed that all dragons had. What if what happened five nights ago happened again and this time instead of Garble it was Fluttershy? Spike would never forgive himself.
There was also the fact that Fluttershy was a pegasus and he was a dragon. Ignoring that there were those who didn't like cross species relationship, he would never be able to give her a child. They could not reproduce together, and no magic was available to help with this. Fluttershy loved children, she saw her animals as her own. If he couldn't provide her with foals, how could he even make her happy?
And finally, there was the biggest factor: lifespan. There was no max lifespan to how long a dragon could live. Some of the oldest had lived to be up to five thousand years old while others lived for three hundred years. Either way, Fluttershy would be long dead by the time Spike was finally ready to pass on himself. And who was to say he wouldn't betray her and have other mates when she died?
Could he even live with himself to see her fade away? To hold her in her final moments before breathing her last breath? To watch her casket sink into a grave to hold her remains forever more? He accepted long ago that his pony friends would die one day while he was still in his youth, but this was different. Friends and lovers were different.
"Could we even have a chance?" asked Spike out loud. "I never thought about this with Rarity. Why now?"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"I said I wished to remain alone!" shouted Spike.
"...It's me," said a familiar whisper. "Please, let me in."
Spike's eyes widened and quickly opened the door. "Fluttershy..."
She walked inside, never taking her eyes off him and visa versa. The two looked at each other in silence, neither knowing what to say. He wanted to smile at her, but he instead lowered his eyes in shame. He didn't deserve to look at her. Not after he scared her last night.
"Can we talk?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet.
Spike was ready to say no, but one look into those innocent blue eyes and he felt all his willpower leave him. Sighing, he nodded and sat on his bed while Fluttershy continued to stand. Neither of them said anything for a long time. They just glanced at each other or looked down on the floor. The ticking of a nearby clocked echoed in the room, mocking them as the two of them continued their silence. Finally, Fluttershy took a deep breath. "It's not your fault. Please don't think it's your fault, because it's not."
"Fluttershy..."
"No!" she stomped her hoof and glared at him. "Let me finish." He closed his mouth and nodded. "You did nothing wrong. I don't blame you. If you didn't stop Garble, who knows what he would have done, and I will not have you locked up in here feeling guilty. You are not a monster, you are a hero. Yes, you went too far, but I've also lost control of myself at times. Did you know I once made Rarity and Pinkie Pie cry because I went to far when I tried to be more assertive? they forgave me after I apologized and never blamed me afterwards. Just the lessons I was taking. We all make mistakes, Spike, but I haven't once blamed you for this."
"I almost killed him..." muttered Spike, covering his face in shame with his claws. "You saw what I did! Don't you see?! If you didn't stop me, I might have killed someone!"
"But you didn't," said Fluttershy, walking up to him and gently pulling his claws down with her hooves. She then stroked his face as tears dripped down. "You stopped. If it had been any other dragon, I'm sure Garble would be a stain on the floor, but you didn't do that. Know why? Because you have a good heart in you, Spike." She pressed her hoof against his chest and smile. "And I know that deep down you can control what you have inside you. You're too strong to let it control you."
"I... I..." Spike lowered his head, sniffing as he cleaned his face. "When I saw you down there... bleeding... all I could think about was getting revenge. Not once did I come to check if you were alright! I let my rage get the best of me!" He sighed. "You are so important to me, Fluttershy. More than you know. That kiss we had, it was... amazing..." Out of the corner of his eye he could see her blushing. "I wanted to say how much you meant to me after that, and I still do, but how can I say I love you after that's happened?"
Fluttershy gasped lightly before stepping back. "Y-you love me?"
Spike cursed himself but nodded. "Yes, I love you, Fluttershy... but I can understand if you--"
He didn't get a chance to finish. Fluttershy was already on his lips, kissing him with all that she could. She didn't need words to say her response, the kiss was enough. Spike caught himself and brought her closer to him. The warm feeling both felt in their hearts enkindled again as they kissed harder and harder. Finally, Fluttershy broke the bond and smiled. "I love you, too."
Spike closed his eyes and shook his head. "Can... can this work out? You and me?"
"You have doubts?"
"Of course!" shouted Spike turning away and shaking his head. "W-what will others say?! You and me? Our ages?! Our races?! What will--"
"I don't care." Spike turned around and saw, for the first time in his life, not a speck of fear in Fluttershy's gaze. If it wasn't for her appearance, he could have swore he was looking at Rainbow Dash. "I don't care what ponies say about you and me. We're of age to be lovers. We're friends who have known each other for years. You and I both know our friends will never abandon us. And if the do? I won't give a buck."
Spike's eyes widen upon hearing a very rare curse from Fluttershy's lips. Gaining his mind back together, he muttered, "What about foals? I can't give you foals."
"We'll adopt. Ponies, dragons, griffins. Heck, I don't care if it's a changeling." She walked closer to him, her posture still strong and her eyes still roaring with fire, yet gentle as water. "Just because I can't give birth to a foal doesn't mean I can't still be a mother one day. And it doesn't mean you can't be a father. We'll raise them like good parents, no different from anypony else out there. And there is no one I'd rather have as the father then you."
"You'll die before me," whispered Spike as he got up and started to move forward. They soon were inches apart as they raised a hoof or claw and held each other. "I don't want to lose you to time. I'd rather die with you than see you leave me. I..." A tear dripped down his eye. "It would be so long before we see each other again."
Fluttershy leaned over and kissed his tear away. "We'll be together even when I die. Our love and memories will live on in the our souls. We won't be separated forever. I will be with you and await you on the other side." She smiled at him. "Spike, I want this... I want to be with the dragon who won my heart a long time ago..I want to be by your side until the day I die. And I will wait for you, each moment of eternity until you are with me once again, forever. You are the one I love, and I will love you for the rest of my life. The question is will you?"
Spike stared at Fluttershy. He stared at her smile, her eyes, and her mane. And then he took her into his arms and kissed her on the lips. The two held each other again, this time as gently as possible as they fell onto the bed.
Their choice had been made. ***
"And that's it. That's the whole story," said Spike with a smile.
Twilight leaned back in her chair and wiped a tear from her cheek. "That's one of the most amazing stories I ever heard. You two... you really do love each other."
Fluttershy leaned against her coltfriend and nuzzled him. "It hasn't been easy, but we're happy we're together."
Twilight got up from her seat and walked over to the two of them, hugging them both. "Well, I think you two deserve each other, and you have my blessing."
"Thanks, Twilight. That means a lot," said Spike, hugging back. "I guess we should tell the others now that you know."
"And they'll support you guys all the way. If you guys get any trouble from anypony because of you two being together, then you let me know," said Twilight with a smirk. "I think a friendly princess visit will help make things clear."
The three giggled as Twilight was escorted to the door. She turned around and said, "You guys are going to be alright. Besides," she glanced at the moon with a light blush on her cheeks, "talking to you guys has also helped me realize something as well." They looked at her with raised eyebrows, but she shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You two have a good night, I'll see you later." Twilight was about to take off when she remembered something else. "Oh, and Spike? You should let Rarity know if you want to be her future foal's godfather or not. See you!"
"Goodnight, Twilight," the two said before they closed the door and looked at each other, smiling.
"That went well," said Spike leaning down and kissing Fluttershy's neck.
"Y-yes," whispered Fluttershy, blushing as a sly smile appeared on her face. "But now that she's gone, what do you say to finishing what we were doing before?"
An equally sly grin appearing on Spike's face showed he was fully behind this. The two were about to head up when they stopped and shouted, "Rarity's having a foal?!" ***
Okay, Twilight. You can do this. You made up your mind already. So you can do this! thought Twilight has she did her breathing exercises over and over again. She was inside her room, telescope ready for her nightly star gaze with Luna, but if everything went well they wouldn't be needing it.
Every second felt like an eternity as Twilight waited for her secret crush to come and enter her room. It would be any minute now. This is a bad idea! I'll just tell her I'm not feeling well! Or I'm too tired!
It was too late. The door opened and sure enough, Princess Luna walked with with a smile that made Twilight's heart thump twice.
"Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. Are you ready to look at the stars tonight?" asked Luna. Twilight opened her mouth, but all she could say was a weak whisper. She tried to speak, but failed over and over. Luna tilted her head, her eyes showing concern. "Is something wrong?"
"W-well," Twilight gulped, "I was wondering--if it's alright with you--that we do something else tonight instead?"
"Oh? And what is it?"
Before Twilight knew what she was doing she leaned forward and kissed the night princess. Luna's eyes widened as she tried to say something, but the kiss prevented it from being spoken. She reeled back a bit, but soon stopped and stood there, her face still stunned. Even Twilight didn't even know why she was doing this. This was not even close to any of the eighteen different plans she came up with for this moment. When Twilight finally broke the kiss, the two blushing alicorns sat on their haunches in silence.
Twilight was sure Princess Luna was going to slap her, yell at her, or walk away in silence. What she didn't anticipate was Luna teleporting both of the into her own chambers, with Luna right on top of her as they lay on the bed. She didn't even notice she was being kissed again at first. Breaking the kiss, Luna gazed into Twilight's eyes and grinned.
"Oh, I think this will be a much better night activity, Twilight Sparkle." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | pre | "Oh." Fluttershy half-raised a hoof. "I'm sure Rainbow Dash would be happy to help you. She's the chief weathermare and she spends a lot of time down on Sweet Apple Acres."
"Wait, I thought Derpy Hooves was the chief weathermare," Spike rasped as he handed over two small stacks of bits, "What was she doing at the Celebration meeting, then?" Much like worship of the Unconquered Sun held particular prominence in the higher levels of the Equestrian military and government, the weather services and the Four Winds' religion heavily overlapped. Although there was no official requirement for it, the positions of weather captain and regina sacorum were generally considered synonymous.
"Well..." Applejack rolled her eyes, "Rainbow used to lead 'em back after she first came here from Cloudsdale, but the pegasi 'round here got tired a' her whole "logistical grace" schtick quicker than honeybees in a cauliflower patch, so Sparkler, Honey Rays, an' White Lightnin' sat her down and talked her inta' steppin' aside. Derpy's got a good head on her shoulders, lotta' the town looks up to 'er, and she was lookin' for somethin' else to keep herself useful at 'sides flyin' packages all day, so they all figured she was the logical choice. Poor mare... ain't fit for weather work on account a' 'er condition an' all, though, so it's still Rainbow you'll want for maps an' the like. Bet she's still out 'round the farm at this hour... just look for the tree with the lazy rainbow tail hangin' from it!"
"Wait, that bum we saw on the way in was the chief weathermare?" Twilight asked, incredulous.
Applejack and Fluttershy both chuckled. "Yeah, that sounds 'bout right," the former answered. "She dun' like to move much after 'bout four in the afternoon, so I reckon she's still wherever y'all left 'er. Prob'ly shouldn't call 'er a bum to 'er face, though... I mean, not to imply she ain't a bum, of course, just that you prob'ly shouldn't mention it." She shook her head, but her green eyes still warmed with affection.
"Uhhh... thanks for the tip?" Twilight and Spike both turned to leave.
"Hey, if'n you do run into 'er do me a favor and tell 'er Ah still need 'er to move them rainclouds out over the East Orchard. She'll know what that means," the farmer called from behind them.
"I'll be sure to make a note of it."
The sun had well and truly set by the time Twilight made it back to the section of orchard from which she had first entered, although the glow over much of the horizon still made it easy enough to see. Exactly as Applejack predicted, the blue outline of a pegasus was still visible through the dense summer foliage.
Spike took the opportunity to scrabble up another tree on the opposite side of the row and disappear from view as Twilight gave the trunk a quick rap with her hoof. "Excuse me?"
"Fine, fine! I'm leaving!" the pegasus above called, and bolted downward with surprising grace for a pony who had a few seconds ago been fast asleep. Without the obscuring foliage she proved to be uniformly sky-blue in coloration save for her loosely-combed mane and tail, which were split into such vibrant and perfectly-delineated rainbow bands that Twilight wondered idly if they were entirely natural in origin. She was a good bit taller than Twilight, with the lean and sleekly muscular build of a professional flier, and her striking, pinkish-purple eyes tracked suspiciously over the treeline before settling on the young scholar. "Wait... you're not Applejack..." Her voice was odd, simultaneously scratchy and fillyish, giving the impression of a teenager who spent most of her nights screaming along to those horrible My Mystical Romance records that had swept through Canterlot a few years back; although Twilight recognized the condition as equally common among high-altitude fliers and airship crews who spent more time than was entirely healthy sucking down cold, dry, low-pressure air.
Twilight stood her ground. "Let me guess, you're Rainbow Dash?"
"The one and only..." Her ears flicked forward. "Wait, you've heard of me?"
"Sort of," Twilight shrugged, and pulled out Celestia's much-abused royal writ, "My name's Twilight Sparkle, I'm a clerk with the Day Court here to make arrangements for the Summer Sun Festival. I was on my way back from Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack told me if I ran into you she needs some clouds moved over to the East Orchard."
"Huh." The pegasus turned and began to walk away, stretching her wings in preparation to take flight. "I'll get to it after the Celebration, don't worry."
"I got the impression it was... urgent?"
"Don't worry, Applejack takes everything that seriously." She jumped off the ground and pulled into a hover, "I gotta get back home, come find me at the Celebration and I'll get you a good seat at my aerobatics show!"
Twilight scowled. She supposed she did owe Applejack and Fluttershy for trying to con them into accessing the Cairn, and dealing with the recalcitrant pegasus would probably be considered a favor. Dash was clearly not a Canterlot fop in the same sense as Jet-Set or Blueblood and would probably take offense at being compared to either, but Twilight recognized the similarities just the same. "Well, if it's too hard for a small-town weathermare like you," she turned as if to leave, "I suppose I could have some pegasi from the Royal security detail handle it... they could move a cloudbank in ten seconds flat."
Rainbow Dash blew past her before Twilight even had a chance to register her approach, climbing skyward at a military-precise thirty-degree angle and executing a neat trio of rapid barrel-rolls for no apparent reason other than that she could. She dove through a section of cloud near the edge of the property and slashed off a particularly thick section with imaginary wingblades, looped overhead in what Twilight recognized as a standard Equestrian Army thundercloud-delivery maneuver and deposited her cargo over what was presumably the Easternmost section of the orchard, finally streaking back to land scarcely out of breath directly in front of Twilight. By the scholar's estimate, the entire process had indeed taken a little under nine seconds.
"That was... actually pretty impressive!" Twilight reached back into her saddlebags and extracted her pouch of bits. "Hey, if you've got the time, I'd be interested in making use of your skills for... I guess you could call it a personal project."
"I'm listening." The pegasus reached up a hoof and a-little-too-casually adjusted the black leather strap of her flight googles. Twilight recognized the model as a top-tier replica of the Wizard's Peak Obsidian goggles worn by the most elite Royal Guard and Wonderbolts combat fliers. Those were typically collectors' items not meant for routine use, although judging by the faint green glow leaking out from around her eye sockets Dash had had an aftermarket night-vision enchantment none-too-precisely installed. In anything resembling the actual combat situations the real Obsidians were designed for that glow would be a major liability, and Twilight wondered why Dash hadn't just secured one of the many brands of hunter's and surveyor's goggles available on the civilian market that were ensorcelled more properly.
"You know those ruins around here, the Lunar Cairns?"
"Yeah... you know," Dash's eyes narrowed behind the green fog of her goggles, "They say that when old Idle Rich busted one open, the bodies inside it were still as fresh as the day they were buried..."
"That's... interesting." And necrologically dubious, Twilight amended mentally. She could hardly blame Applejack for failing to mention every stupid filly's story the locals had cooked up, particularly such an implausible one. Necromantic preservation spells did technically exist during the late First Century, but had yet to make it beyond the laboratories of a few specialist wizards and in any case would have required an immense amount of power to sustain over so long. "I'm not actually looking at what's inside the Cairns right now, though. I just noticed some discrepancies relating to their locations in the official registries we have in Canterlot, so I'd really appreciate it if you could map them out firsthoof. There should be a total of seventy-two, but that's one of the things I'm trying to double-check."
"Nuh-uh. Nopony's supposed to fly over the Everfree forest after dark."
"What's the matter, are you scared-"
"I'm not scared, I just..." Rainbow suddenly dipped her head and pawed nervously at the dirt. "I don't wanna have the rest of the weather team out looking for me or following me into something they can't handle." From anypony else it would have sounded defensive, but Twilight thought she picked up genuine concern in the pegasus's expression.
"Look, I never said you have to do it at night," Twilight amended, "I just need it done sometime before I leave Ponyville after the Celebration. You can take care of it when the sun's back up."
The pegasus hovered for a moment, eyes tracking back and forth between Twilight and a spot on the eastern horizon.
"Please, I'll make it worth your while, I just really don't want to go back to Cel- well, my superiors empty-hoofed."
"You can count on me!" Dash pulled off a sloppy salute and was gone a moment later.
With nary a sound Spike descended from the tree where he'd been concealed. "Well that was... interesting."
Pinkie Pie was waiting for them on the road outside Sweet Apple Acres, that slightly alarming grin still plastered across her muzzle. "Oh, hey Twilight!" she called as she trotted over- skipped, really. "The big meeting just ended and Rarity said you went up to the farm to check on the Apples!" Her blue eyes narrowed suspiciously, "You were in the bathroom a really long time!"
"Oh! Uh... yeah, I remembered I had some other errands to run around town. I... didn't want to annoy anypony by running in and out," Twilight finished lamely. Starswirl's bells, the damn thing really did take all day.
Pinkie turned away from her and headed back towards the center of town. After a moment's hesitation, Twilight and her assistant followed. "Hey, thanks for covering for me at the meeting, by the way. This whole festival's been just a massive headache for me... in more ways than one."
"Don't worry about it, planning parties is kind of what I do. And the Summer Sun Celebration's just a really big party where some of the guests can charge you with treason!"
Warm yellow lights were flickering into being in windows around them. Ponyville, Twilight realized, had no street lights, and the sky above presented a truly mind-boggling collection of stars. She thought of a vaulted ceiling of heavy black stone, and shivered despite the warm weather. "So, Pinkie, you're... what, the Mayor's executive assistant? Ombudsmare?" she asked, anxious to dispel the sudden gloom building up in her thoughts.
"Oh, heavens no! I'm apprenticed to be a baker!"
Twilight was finding it increasingly difficult to determine when the pink earth pony was being serious. Probably never. Potentially always. She wasn't sure which possibility was more alarming. "You know, that actually explains a lot about the condition of this town."
"Hey, baking's as much an art as a science, you know! I still don't know how I'm going to make Celestia a 'Yeah-sure-OK' cake like you told my boss about. I tried baking a few that were adequate in every way but also completely uninspired, but those were kind of hard to chew and I also thought a yeah-sure-OK cake should be more accommodating, so now I don't know what I'll do..." She gave Twilight another sidelong look, "You know, a lesser pony might think you weren't paying attention when those ponies in the square wanted your help with things..."
"Uh."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you've been awful busy!"
"So, tell me," Spike asked, "Is it customary for visitors to Sweet Apple Acres to be greeted with a kick to the head?"
"Only during cider season!" The inner part of town had emptied out significantly since Twilight had been mobbed that morning, but there were still a fair number of ponies out and about, covering the distant noise of crickets and night-flying birds with laughter and faint snatches of music. It wasn't dissimilar to what she heard from the windows of her tower in Canterlot Castle overlooking the Academy gardens, and for the first time since coming to Ponyville Twilight felt herself beginning to relax. It helped that there was something profoundly disarming about Pinkie Pie; her constant, low-grade absurdity helped put a pony's concerns into perspective. She caught the scent of herb-roasted oats issuing from an open-air cafe and was immediately and sharply reminded that her Lunar explorations had left no time to break for lunch. She considered stopping to grab a quick bite but decided that might unreasonably inconvenience her host and guide. Better to just grin and bear it until she was set up with accommodations.
"So... Pinkie Pie..." Spike continued, "What's the deal with Rainbow Dash?"
"What isn't the deal with Rainbow Dash? If you think she's crazy now, you should've seen her when she first came here from Cloudsdale and tried to run the whole town like a flight school. When it comes to being entitled and pushy your friend Twilight's not even in the top ten."
Twilight and Spike both chuckled before the unicorn worked fully through what she had heard. "Wait..."
A rebuke died in her throat as she realized they had come to a stop at the large tree she'd initially assumed to be part of a small park off of the square- it was, in fact, hollowed out to serve as a decent-sized building. That style of construction had originally been an export from ancient Zebrica long before the nation had voluntarily cut itself off from the rest of the known world; carving rooms out of a tree without killing it was a fiddly, complicated affair typically performed only at great expense to create something more a work of art than a structure. The idea of such an artifact being commissioned in Ponyville of all places baffled Twilight, but what gave her greater pause was the sign beside the front door.
"Pinkie?" Spike asked, "How'd you know to put Twilight in the library?"
"Wellllll... all the inns around here are full with ponies coming in for the Celebration, and the big hotel's still under construction... but if you don't like it I'm sure Rarity'd let you stay in her shop overnight, you're into all that gothy Lunar stuff, right?"
"'Gothy'? 'Gothy'??" Spike fought to twist his features into an overemphasized parody of outrage, but couldn't keep his grin from breaking through.
Twilight contemplated the idea of spending a night with that suit of half-assembled Lunar armor looming over her, and shuddered. "No, the library's... the library's fine, thanks!"
"Why, it's not like Rarity's mannequins'll get possessed by the souls of murdered fillies and rise up and stalk ponies in the dead of the night, stuffing their victims in their cold, rusty innards! Well, not anymore, at least..."
"Why would the souls of murdered fillies possess mannequins?"
"You're right, that doesn't seem to make very much sense."
Twilight fished back into her saddlebags and telekinetically extracted a quill and some sturdy parchment. "Hey, Pinkie, out of all the ponies in this town you're probably the one I've found to be closest to actually coherent."
"Oh, wow, good one, Twilight!"
"Can... can you do me a favor?" She scribbled a quick note to the Interior Ministry in Canterlot asking for any information on ponies named Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, or Rainbow Dash, and then signed it with a small ink stamp of her cutie mark. Dusty Pages, the mare in charge of the Records Division, was an avid collector of rare manuscripts and owed much of her library to Twilight's research. She'd make sure Twilight's request was fast-tracked through the typical three-day approval process; it wasn't like she was asking for anything confidential. "Run this down to the post office for me." She transferred the letter and a few bits for postage to Pinkie's waiting hoof and stepped through the library doors. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | On The Shoulders Of Giants | (♫)
Once the two of them were alone, Twilight's first order of business was to make short work of the double-decker hayburgers with cheese, chocolate oat shake, and fries that had been left out on the reading table in the main library room, presumably by Pinkie Pie. After lacing his own portion with one of the pouches of ground glass he'd packed as field rations Spike agreed with her that the meal ranked as one of the best the two of them had ever experienced together. However, Twilight did concede that decorating the entire room complete with a banner reading "ONE-MARE SURPRISE PARTY OF SNOOTINESS" was probably a bit much.
Then, she confirmed that the Golden Oaks was indeed outfitted with reasonably modern living facilities, and treated herself to a long, hot shower to wash every last trace of sweat and grime from her coat. Spike's scales were to some degree naturally dirt-repellant, but he nonetheless treated himself to a vigorous scrubbing session as well once she was done, muttering about mud and forgetting to bring polish and what-would-that-dressmaker-say loud enough for Twilight to hear through the door. The late hour didn't bother either of them- there was a reason why half of Twilight's undergraduate class had taken to calling her Midnight Sparkle before the end of her first semester.
The two of them made their way back downstairs, taking a fresh look at the circular table that sat dead-center in the middle of the room. It was a rather ugly table, as far as such things went, topped as it was with a large, rough-hewn bust of a pony of indeterminate sex with its mane trimmed military-straight.
"Who is that, anyway?" Twilight asked nopony in particular.
"I think it's Flash Magnus," Spike suggested. "Look, they used redwood for the crest."
Twilight took a step closer. "No, I think it's Commander Hurricane. Look on the sides." Spike could comprehend Old Ponish perfectly well on his own, but Twilight felt compelled to read out the famous quotation from Equestria's founders just to prove her point- "They said we must turn back. That we had flown too far from home. I turned myself to the golden sun and flew on. They said our supplies were low. That we had run out of food. I turned myself to the field of golden wheat and marched on. They said our coffers were empty. That we could not afford to continue. I turned myself to the golden mountains and carried on."
Spike nodded, then cocked his head to one side. "Weird statue to have in a library, though."
"Who's saying it always was a library? A tree structure like this could easily predate Ponyville. It could've started out as a guardhouse for all we know."
"I doubt it, these shelves are original, look how they're curved. The table I don't think is, though."
"Storehouse, maybe."
"Yeah, you might be right. Everything about this is so... weird. Where do we even begin?"
"Well, you take the shelves on the left, and I'll take the ones on the right." ...
"Twilight! I got something!"
"What is it?"
"Looks like part of a journal. It was tossed in with a bunch of old almanacs and farm catalogs, but I think it's a lot older than any of the others."
"Well? What does it say?"
"Look at this!
Thirtieth of Sun's Height.
Caught Cornflower hoofing through my ledgers last evening. Didn't figure him for the Rebel sort, but maybe he thinks I'm a rebel.
First of Blue Skies
Made a formal complaint to General Gold Dust for all the good it will do me, if she's feeling generous she might cut the order to a mere fifteen hundred pounds. I think I almost preferred those Tartarus-burnt Lunars. They may have filched a bushel of grain every now and then, but it's this damnable 'Day Guard' that shows up with a wagon train a mile long and threatens to put me out of business." ...
"Ok, Spike, this is a lot more recent, but... well, take a look for yourself!"
"What's the date on the paper?"
"First Frost 959..."
"Also remarkable was the perfect preservation of the bodies, despite their having been interred in a time when embalming spells were barely conceivable at the fringes of magical theory and in any case lacking the constant and relatively powerful source of mana preserving so many dead would require. The Gazette contacted Dr. Standing Stones, Professor of Ritual and Structural Magics at Trailhead College, who concluded that the followers of Nightmare Moon may have intentionally or unintentionally created a dim, dry, airtight environment which retarded the growth of decomposing bacilli."
"Hmm. I guess that weird Rainbow pony was right after all."
"'Bacilli, though?"
"Yeah, a lot of otherwise educated ponies actually held onto the germ theory of disease right up until the turn of the millennium."
"I know I've been asking this a lot lately, but then what did preserve those bodies?"
"I'm... not sure, exactly. Long-running spell, maybe? Powered off of the Everfree itself? There's mana springs deep inside, after all..." ...
"Something else!
108 15 Sun's Height-
"That's only a decade after the Rebellions."
"- They hanged Star Sapphire last night in the square. Brought out a crowd of about fifty ponies, many of them quite drunk. Wondering if any realized this leaves Poppyseed in line to take over the mill, or if they even remember it was Poppyseed who 'found' Star's moon pendant to begin with. Nopony dares write to Canterlot for fear of being found out and hanged before the soldiers can arrive. Only thing to do now seems to be to wait for all of this to die down, whether because the town at large runs out of interest or because the ringleaders run out of targets. Have been making a show of carefully reading and copying down Single File's bulletins, so should be able to stay out of suspicion myself for the next few weeks.
That's the last entry." ...
Twilight sighed and rubbed the back of her neck with a hoof, surveying the mess of books and miscellaneous papers spread out on the floor around her. Their initial search had yielded such promising results, but now it was pushing eleven at night and their trail seemed to have gone cold. "I don't understand it," she said aloud, "We've found novel primary sources here, and reference material that discusses the Lunar Rebellions in depth, but no novel primary sources about the Rebellions!"
"It does seem strange," Spike continued from where he sat halfheartedly reorganizing a box full of Ponyville Gazette clippings, "We've found all sorts of little forgotten notes here that aren't like anything in the Canterlot archives, but they're all... mundane, I guess you could say. All the important stuff matches the authoritative sources exactly. No early printings, no errors, no ramblings from the local conspiracy nuts added in by mistake. How did that happen?"
Twilight nodded, staring with her eyes unfocused at the lower half of the still-rising Moon framed with almost mathematical precision in an oval window on the open upper loft.
"The Sun and the Moon rise in the same place..." she muttered.
Slowly, she climbed the stairs to the loft and examined the window more closely- in addition to its unusual curved construction, the frame and the wall around it were decorated in surprisingly elaborate carvings.
"Uhhh... Twilight?" Spike asked from the floor below.
"Okay, this is... really weird." The carvings were, on the whole, highly abstract heavenly motifs- tiny stars and great swirling whorls with no clear pattern- but some of them were much more regular. Perfectly straight lines extended radially outward, crossed by tick-marks that brought to mind nothing more than the axes of some kind of schematic, and near two of them were carved an oddly small Sun and Moon, more icons than proper drawings. "This was carved later than the original library," Twilight said aloud, "Look at how smooth everything is, in accordance with zebra craftsmareship, except for here where there's visible tool marks."
Spike nodded as he began climbing the stairs to join her. "The table's the same way."
"Twelve radial lines..." the unicorn muttered, "But they're not equally spaced around the arc of the window, even accounting for the elliptical shape, and they don't have the same number of crosshatches."
Spike stopped midway up the stairs. "The shelves! There's twelve partitions between the shelves in the main room!"
"You're right!" She turned away from the window and looked out over the floor in question, realizing that the bust of Hurricane was staring directly at her from the table- and, by extension, the window, and beyond. "Hurricane looked to the rising Sun..."
"Then what's the moon symbol for?" asked Spike.
"I...think I know!" Twilight squeezed past the dragon and dashed back downstairs. She turned so she was facing parallel to the bust of Hurricane, and counted three shelves counterclockwise, then two up from the floor- exactly where the Moon symbol was located in the window's concentric grid. She lit her horn and removed a dusty out-of-date Encyclopedia Equestria set as a single block, then fired another magelight into the shadowy space left behind. "The Moon was up against the left side so... there!"
A small sliver of wood extended from the side of the shelf, protruding just far enough outward and just close enough forward that a hoof could conceivably reach up, slip between it and the side, and pull down. The back of the shelf was nearly in contact with it, and nearly the same type of wood, and even with the brilliant purple light of Twilight's spell it was almost invisible, but it was there regardless.
She reached out with her telekinesis and grabbed hold. It was nearly immobile- nearly, but she could feel it shift ever-so-slightly in her grip. She redoubled her efforts, ignoring the ache starting to build back up in the base of her horn, realizing only as she did so that she was in very real danger of breaking the mechanism.
Then the lever shifted, and finally swung downward with a grating squeal of wood on wood. As soon as it did, a section of the hallway to the study indistinguishable from those to either side suddenly sank backward some two or three centimeters.
Twilight dashed forward, horn flaring. She pushed the wooden panel first one way, then the other, feeling it shift slightly further into the wall. Her field glowed and sparked, the pain in the top of her skull redoubling to white-hot intensity, before she registered Spike's claw on her shoulder and cut off the effort.
"Hey, don't hurt yourself!" The dragon produced a thick metal rod she'd seen near the fireplace in the study and slid it into the space under the panel. He twisted it around experimentally for a few seconds, before with the aid of Twilight's hooves managing to lift the door up over whatever it was stuck on and slide it the rest of the way into the wall.
On the other side, a narrow carved staircase twisted down out of sight.
"Twilight... it's... one of those Lunar shelters, isn't it?" Spike asked.
"I think so, yeah. They added hints all over the library... even illustrated the quotes on the table, so ponies who weren't able to read could still recognize the story! There must've been other markings around here identifying the tree as a sanctuary, but either they didn't survive the construction of Ponyville, or we just didn't have a chance to see them..."
Spike waved one claw in an outsized parody of a courtly bow. "Well, after you?"
It was a tight squeeze at first, and pitch dark once she'd passed out of range of the light seeping in from the hallway outside. Simple iron lanterns hung from the ceiling up above, festooned with cobwebs, but they'd been long ago doused and the fuel left to spoil. Twilight conjured yet another glowing sphere from her horn and set it to bobbing its way down the passage at a gentle pace; after only a few meters the interior wall pulled away to become part of the high ceiling of a round wooden chamber perhaps ten meters in diameter. It seemed, on first glance, to contain a tidy enough living space- an empty table and two chairs, a narrow cot stripped of fabric, and a neat row of three heavy wooden trunks.
"Looks like whoever was down here last had time to clean up after herself," said Twilight, "I was expecting... I don't know, more skeletons or something."
"Yeah," Spike made a brief scrabbling-and-pounding motion in the air with his claws, "and maybe hoofmarks gouged into the inside of the door..."
Twilight set to work telekinetically sweeping away the thick cobwebs covering all of it, and collecting the worst of the dust into a small force-globe in one corner. "I don't think anypony's been down here since the Rebellions, though."
"If they were, if wasn't recently, and they must've never thought to notify anypony in authority or even write down that this existed."
"Well if we do end up setting up a larger operation here, this basement might actually make for a good laboratory. Trees are complex enough organisms to maintain internal thaumostasis, so this should be a ready-made magically isotropic environment."
"Something to think about, at least." Spike carefully fiddled with the latch on one of the trunks. It proved to be locked, with an enchanted seal no less, but the magic had long ago faded away. With some effort he managed to pry the seal off and push open the lid, then repeated his work for the other two boxes. "Whaddaya make of this?"
Twilight carefully flipped through the stacks of papers and loose-bound folios. "These look like architectural drawings, ledgers, reference books..."
Spike ran a claw across each spine in turn. "Natural History... The Elements of Harmony, A Reference... Pansy's Tactics... I, Meadowbrook... these are all First Century sources!"
"Still, this is all stuff I'd expect a, a provincial governor or somepony like that to have, not the sort of Lunar advance scouts or sabotours who'd be using a refuge like this." She located a smaller, thinner volume bound in soft leather. "Hey, look at this one!"
"Paper Clip, Ninety-Eighth Year of the Sisters, Volume II", the dragon read, "Wasn't there a Paper Clip who advised Princess Celestia during the Rebellions?"
"Yes... yeah, that's right!" Twilight eased the volume open with utmost care and began to read aloud, "Twentieth of Sun's Height. The Council finally managed to get itself into enough order to deliver an official summons to Firefly, Escritoire, and myself on the topic of the Day Guard. I wish I could remember exactly who was responsible, but with nearly five hundred of them all dressed in the same ever-so-tastefully understated finery..." (♫)
... Paper Clip was honestly unable to tell the difference between individual members. That was, he knew, a critical weakness for a senior records clerk like himself, so he kept a book of sketches and names cross-referenced with factional affiliations alongside his other more routine notes. Today's summons had come at such a short notice, however, that he had been unable to bring it. As a result he had not the faintest idea who the mare in the black robe and ruffled shirt standing atop a tall oak lectern pronouncing sentence on him and his fellows might possibly have been.
"Escritoire of Sire's Hollow, Firefly of Cloudsdale, and Paper Clip of Frankpferd," the mare intoned, eyes never leaving the sheet of parchment in front of her, "By act of the Twelfth Council of Five Hundred approved this day the Twentieth of Sun's Height in the ninety-eighth year of the Royal Sisterhood, you are hereby denied all title, authority, salary and accommodation once afforded to you on the behalf of Greater Equestria. You are forbidden from receiving or handling secret correspondence; from entering any military encampment, fort, clerical office, or other place of government business unless overseen by a duly authorized bailiff of this Council; and from conducting any negotiation or agreement with a foreign party on behalf of, or giving the appearance of having been on behalf of, the nation of Greater Equestria. Furthermore, you are hereby ordered to immediately disband the unlawful gathering of armed ponies referring to itself as the 'Day Guard', to surrender all weapons and materiel accumulated by same to the rightful government of Greater Equestria, and to provide in a timely manner the names, whereabouts, and activities of all participants to the Council Select Subcommittee for Intelligence."
Paper Clip made his best approximation of a respectful bow. "Honorable Councilmare, I beg you to reconsider. The Lunars could strike Everfree at any time, and the forces currently stationed here are quite frankly in no condition to repulse an assault of any significant magnitude."
An earth pony stallion- the only earth pony among the ten committee members seated at the raised crescent-shaped oak table extending to either side of the podium, in fact- sat up a little straighter in his chair. This one Paper Clip knew, by position if not by face- as a member of the small but vocal "Concord" faction which advocated good-faith negotiation with the rebel Princess Luna, Councilstallion Palafito's highly-publicized appointment to the Committee for Public Defense last autumn had produced exactly as much outrage from the more orthodox factions as Paper Clip had anticipated, and none of the civil overtures from the Lunars that those who had arranged his ascension had promised.
"And have you any proof of this incredible claim, Mister Paper Clip?" he asked, in a voice long ago gone rough from shouting. Technically, every member of the Council was to be provided an amplification spell to allow them to be heard in the vast amphitheater that made up the Grand Chamber. The earth pony members' spells had a tendency to suddenly cut out at the most inopportune times, though. The pegasus wind-mages said they got 'rowdy' more often and strained the enchantment by stomping around and yelling. Paper Clip had his own theories. "Everfree is a very diverse city, not as likely to attract Lunar ire as a unicorn stronghold like Canterlot."
"I don't have any evidence as such, but, well... Everfree is the capitol of Equestria, it's centrally located, and there's a sharp division between the ponies living in the city proper and the nobles here on Castle Rock that could make the population more sympathetic to the Rebel cause," Paper Clip countered. "If I were a Lunar, it's where I'd be looking, milord."
"If you were a Lunar?" muttered a fat tan unicorn mare wearing a red silk officer's uniform festooned with medals. General Lockjaw was another known quantity, one of several military hardliners to find their way into Council seats following the latest round of Lunar assassinations. For whatever reason, those sort of unicorns- and they were almost always unicorns, in fact- never seemed to have any trouble with their amplification spells, 'rowdy' and prone to stomping and yelling though they may have been. Paper Clip wasn't surprised to hear Lockjaw speculating about his loyalty- he had it on good authority, Escritoire's in fact, that the General also kept a certain book of names close at hoof, although most of hers were civil servants and private citizens.
"We've thoroughly broken the Lunars' momentum," continued a third unicorn, a blue stallion with a sleekly-combed white mane and understated dark tunic that might at some point have been eye-catching had five other ponies at the table not been wearing the exact same thing. "There's absolutely no need to subject our brave fighting-mares and stallions to the... very unusual conditions under which you've been operating your vigilante band."
"Yes, of course," said Princess Celestia, before she went back to what she'd been doing before, which appeared to simply be staring off into space on her elevated platform at the center of the Council Chamber, higher even than the Committee chairs'. Indeed, some three centuries ago, that platform had been the Council Chamber, back when there had been only a Council of Six that met informally around a roaring fire to drink and debate and pore over maps. Only once Equestria had simultaneously grown and fractured into dozens of federated territories, had the original walls been torn down to accommodate the ever-growing number of representatives.
Paper Clip had never understood how Celestia could be as popular as she was with the noble classes and the common pony alike when all she ever seemed to do was stand on that ancient hearthstone and look imposing. Those three words were the most vocal she'd been all week, although according to Firefly she was much more intimidating when she left the capitol to assist in military campaigns and whatnot. Paper Clip considered himself lucky to have never seen that side of her. ...
"Spike wait, that's really weird. He doesn't just not mention Celestia's involvement with the Dayguard, he makes it sound like she wasn't involved."
"Maybe this guy just wasn't important enough to know about what she was doing? Maybe he's just not being clear here?" ...
The stallion with the pomaded mane -or possibly a different one, they all looked and sounded the same in any case- nodded sagely. "Well said, Your Grace. With the tragedy of Luna's betrayal behind us, now is the time for Equestria to come together in solidarity, to bring our people into harmony and restore respect for the institutions that make up the living heart of this great nation, not to try to undermine them."
Another mare in an officer's uniform- a pegasus this time, surprisingly enough- continued. "Our spies have received no word that anything is amiss. Everfree is the best-garrisoned city in all of Equestria, to attack it would be suicidal!"
"There's more to this war than... garrisons. Sir." Firefly admonished, but nopony seemed to hear him.
On Paper Clip's right, Escritoire continued more forcefully. "Then your 'spies' are incompetent. Or aren't there at all! Just how many did you send away to hunt down ponies trading with the lesser dragons and other such trifles? Or to help suppress the slave revolt in Minos?" It was not the first time that Paper Clip considered that the small mint-green unicorn, despite being a bookkeeper by training and an assistant to the Keeper of the Treasury by position, showed a disturbing knowledge of espionage. He'd have to ask her why, when all of this was over.
"That's classified information!" snapped the military pegasus.
"We need to stand by our Minotaur allies against Griffonia, even if their culture differs from ours." stammered the mare at the tall podium.
"Only a few of those slaves were even ponies-" muttered Princess Celestia.
"And if we come to depend on the dragons for our gem supplies the security of Equestria would be placed at serious risk!" shouted Palafito.
Paper Clip looked first to Escritoire on his left, then Firefly on his right. He wasn't sure if his comrades looked amused or appalled or some combination of the two. He wasn't sure how he should have been feeling himself, either.
Then Escritoire continued. "After all, we all know how effective your... spies are in predicting major assaults of this nature. I still remember listening to the dire warnings of a dragon attack on Baltimare the night before Timbucktu fell to the changelings."
"That tragedy has nothing to do with the situation in which we now find ourselves," admonished the unicorn on the dais, her tone somewhere just north of absolutely predatory.
"It has everything to do with our current situation. Or do you still think so many pegasi volunteered to become Equestria's warrior class, out of patriotic sentiment completely unrelated to the destruction of the last great cloudborne trading hub? You took clerks and artisans and made them into soldiers- bitter and battle-scarred when Princess Luna came to them offering to turn their lives back to the way they'd been before."
"You will not devalue the title of Princess by applying it to that upstart in this chamber." snapped the podium mare.
Paper Clip knew weakness when he saw it, and stepped back to stand closer to Escritoire. "Over the last three months we've seen nearly four-score convoys raided and stripped bare. A dozen priests of the Sun hanged in the middle of Baltimare in broad daylight. Four Lords of the Admiralty poisoned on the same day. A fleet of ten privateer cruisers spotted flying Luna's banner on the Eastern Sea. The Lunars aren't on the retreat; they're growing bolder and better-equipped because every time you raze a farmstead or pull ponies off the street for 'questioning', more join their ranks. But in spite of all of this, it's been two weeks since the assassination of Duke Artfeather, and thus far we've seen nothing. The Rebels didn't just grow the feathers back onto their wings and walk back into town... and I think they've given up on suing for peace. So where are they and what are they doing?"
"Do you really think we'd share that information with a known griffon sympathizer?" demanded a well-coiffed mare in a dark blue tabard.
"We will have peace when we're finally free to bring the full might of our army down on these Lunar traitors!" Lockjaw suddenly snapped.
Escritoire just nodded. "Yes, once the Lunars are gone and you're in power. Then we'll have peace. So I suppose that map of Griffonia I've seen on your wall these last few days was merely an... artistic touch?"
Lockjaw glared at the podium mare, seeming to demand that she change the subject. As if on cue, another Councilstallion with a gold military star on his tunic spoke up. "Your... 'Day Guard' is a disgrace to the Equestrian soldiery. You invite the officers of our foreign adversaries into the capitol and call them 'trainers', you hand out weapons and armor to the common soldier for nary a bit..." The ruling Equestrian Unity faction staunchly opposed any changes to the military's age-old traditions, and were quick to bring that fact up to set themselves apart from the upstart Militarists they vehemently despised.
Not to be outdone, General Lockjaw continued, "You toss officer's commissions to the common pony without consideration of land or title... you let earth ponies and pegasi share barracks with the unicorns, dress in officer's capes and order us about like common infantry!" The upstart Militarist faction staunchly opposed any changes to the military's age-old traditions... and were quick to bring that fact up to set themselves apart from the ruling Equestria Unity faction they vehemently despised.
Major Firefly bowed his head, his voice silky-smooth. "I've always believed that promotions should be awarded based on merit, not because of any fondness or antagonism towards the tribe of the officer in question. But I can see how this might be a difficult concept for you to grasp... milord."
The pegasus General looked aghast. "Are you accusing a member of this Council- the voice of all Equestria- of tribalism?!"
Firefly just grinned. "I think milord is more qualified to answer than I."
Lockjaw nodded sagely. "No, nopony has said anything about tribalism, for the Sun's sake! Indeed, I find the concept abhorrent. We simply wish to guide our lesser brethren by the light of our sun and stars! We must focus the brutish energy of the pegasi, and goad the sluggish earth pony into filling his own belly, as well as ours!" That was a lot more poetic than the General was capable of, and Paper Clip wondered which Canterlot pamphleteer had written it.
He stepped forward. He'd been hoping for an opportunity like this. "That's an interesting way to look at it, certainly, milord. Although I'm surprised this... plan of yours doesn't make the slightest mention of the Royal Sisters' contribution!" The entire Committee was looking at him now in confusion. The full Council seated further up were too far away for Paper Clip to get much of a look at their expressions, but he imagined they weren't much different. He grinned, and continued. "You don't seriously think it's a coincidence that the 'naturally gifted' unicorns began to outstrip the other two tribes in magical and economic achievement only after the Sisters took on the burden of moving the Heavens, do you? After an utterly unexceptional century of more-or-less cooperative endeavor, and some seven before that filled with sporadic inter-tribal conflicts that never once produced a clear victor? In fact, I suspect that if Princess Celestia had found herself with a Mark to, say, bring the rain and wind to Equestria each season, or to cause our crops to grow; and if Canterlot Keep and its great crystal mines had not been settled predominantly by unicorns; well, then I think this debate between an esteemed Councilor and a humble records clerk would be going very differently."
Paper Clip reached out a hoof, encompassing the entire Council. "I don't believe the current situation to be the fault of all, most, or even many unicorns. Nor," his hoof paused, just momentarily, on the pegasus in the General's unform, "do I think that a belief in unicorn supremacy, or 'equine diversity' or whatever the fashionable term for it might be today, is confined wholly or even largely to unicorns. Indeed, with the ever-widening tolerance of this Council -even praise- for single-tribe schools, single-tribe towns, and single-tribe delegations to Everfree, it is almost inevitable that we'd end up where we are through no real fault of the public's."
"But we are where we are. When a few of you found yourselves in a position of unusual good fortune, did you respond with the humility and insight expected of those chosen to speak for all of Equestria? No. You listened only to the nonsense spat out in the broadsheets by the smallest-minded, shortest-sighted residents of your home districts. The wealth under Canterlot could have paved roads over the whole of Equestria, but instead it went to the wages of private armies. The adepts released from the ranks of the Sun- and Moon-Raisers could have led their earth pony and pegasus fellows into a new era of magical study, but the academies you've established admit only unicorns. If this is what you call 'greatness', then you are positioning not only yourselves, but also all of the common ponies who trust you to make decisions on their behalf, for a terrible fall."
"I established the Day Guard alongside Escritoire and Major Firefly because radical action is necessary to confront the Lunar threat, and because I have, quite frankly, no faith in our current crop of soldiers to accomplish it. The boons of tradition, and unicorn 'exceptionalism', will desert you as soon as the winds change. And then Luna and her followers... ponies so desperate for real leadership that they chose a madmare over you and were entirely justified in doing so... they'll be waiting. I formed the Dayguard not to admire the Lunars but to understand what for all their flaws they did right, why they're winning and you're losing, and you can either march alongside us, or be tread underhoof."
Quite unexpectedly, old Palafito stamped his hoof emphatically against the surface of his desk. "Well said, my friend! Well said! And we wonder why so many among the 'lesser' tribes flocked under Luna's banner? If the pegasi and earth pony communities would only be permitted full political and economic independence from our unicorn overlords-"
Paper Clip rounded on the older stallion immediately. "For a pony who claims to want to be 'fair' to Princess Luna, you seem to understand precious little of what she once advocated. If we split off the downtrodden into their own nations, all we'll be doing is cutting them off from easy access to the resources now held in the unicorn-majority territories. And what of the remaining multitribal centers? The Luna I knew would never have stood alongside separatist-"
"Enough." Princess Celestia's voice rang through the chamber. "Palafito may hold different views than... well, most of us, but he is still a member of this honorable Council and is entitled to a place to be heard." Her magenta eyes narrowed. "One more outburst like this and We will have you and your friends removed from this chamber."
Paper Clip was beyond caring. "Oh, yes, Harmony forbid a pony with differing views be denied the chance to address them before the ruling Council."
"That's enough!" Shouted General Lockjaw. "Guards!"
Two beefy pegasi in red-and-gold regalia immediately stepped forward, uncomfortably close to Paper Clip. The clerk just turned, shrugged off their wings, and strode out through the marble foyer into the bright sunlight of late-afternoon Everfree. ...
"No, no, that's not right, none of this is right. Celestia gave that speech!"
"Twilight... the Council's records were spotty even before it was destroyed. How... how do we really know she did?"
"Spike."
"I'm reading. I'm reading!" ... (♫)
Paper Clip stared out over the mountain of splintered wood and cracked marble that had, until about an hour ago, been the Great Equestrian Council-Hall. He'd been apprenticed to an engineer in the Miners' Guild back before his desperate financial situation had forced him to seek out a clerkship in Everfree, and had some idea of what must've happened. The Hall's expansion over the years had been haphazard, and attempts at a comprehensive renovation or even permanently moving the Council to a new location had suffered the predictable death that awaited so much legislation these days. All the Lunars had needed to do was secret a few unstable charge-crystals under the original central dais- there was space underneath it very few ponies knew about- and the whole thing had come crashing down.
The metaphor, he supposed, was painfully obvious.
They must have been so proud of themselves right about now, drinking stolen champagne in their bolthole over the success of, what, Project Peacock? Operation Fairway? Something pithy and stupid, he was sure. His hoof met something warm and squishy- grey matter, from the looks of it. He sighed. Their supply of that particular resource was limited enough as it was.
An attack like this wasn't what he'd expected. The Council Hall didn't just hold the Council of Five Hundred. There were pages and bailiffs and ponies whose only connection to the institution was to keep the floors clean, and another thing very few ponies knew was that the building held a few prison cells in its lower levels that more often than not were occupied by common folk who'd happened to make themselves suspicious in some way to the likes of General Lockjaw. Paper Clip had no idea if the Lunars had opened those cells before they'd finished their work, but he had his doubts. And, he supposed, not every member of the original Council had been corrupt- the vote to censure him and his comrades had, after all, had some thirty members in opposition. To jeopardize so many innocent lives was utterly unlike the Princess Luna he'd worked under at the start of his career. Paper Clip had heard all the bloody stories of Lunar 'atrocities' before, of course, but hadn't put much stock in them. Now he wasn't so sure.
Soldiers and fire-brigadiers dashed this way and that, sometimes nearly colliding with him. Off to the left a few of the surviving Councilors stood side-by-side with their backs to the rubble, each trying to speak over the others and capture the attention of a small crowd of curious townsponies.
"... important now more than ever that we reach out to tribal communities all across Equestria and acknowledge their unique and inviolable sovereign..."
"... come together to reaffirm the overarching Equestrian spirit and our faith in the traditions of our forefathers, extending a hoof in unity to..."
"... rest assured, we will hunt the cowards responsible for this dastardly attack to the very gates of Tartarus..."
Whatever else they might have said was cut off by a frightful amount of crashing and rattling from further off to one side of the Hall's remains. With nothing better to do, Paper Clip trotted closer to the source of the sound, and found it to be coming from Princess Celestia. The white alicorn hovered a few meters above ground, coat smeared with ash and dust, wrenching great wads of debris into the air with her telekinesis and briefly diving to render still larger pieces more manageable with thunderous strikes from her hooves.
There was a good argument to be made that Celestia had been the actual intended target of the blast. If she hadn't elected to hold the morning Committee session in her own Day Court- there was a disturbingly plausible rumor circulating that she'd done this because she thought the Council chamber was too hot- she would have been right overtop of the bomb when it went off. Paper Clip had had no idea she'd come back, however.
"You probably shouldn't be doing that, Your Grace," the clerk said out loud. "If you're not careful, those piles could shift sideways... crush anypony still alive inside. It'll take trained digging crews days to get through all this... Your Grace did order everypony working the mines in Canterlot to be brought here as quickly as possible, did you not?"
Celestia didn't so much as look at him, but after a moment her frenetic digging ceased. Her eyes glowed the dull yellow of some sort of divination spell, and with the muffled fzzt of teleportation equine figures began to flash into existence on the flagstones further away. Some were in various states of mobility; more than a few were incomplete corpses. For his own sanity, Paper Clip chose to assume the latter group had also been that way before the Princess had teleported them.
"We do not see you with a pick and a shovel," Celestia finally said.
Paper Clip rolled his shoulders. "Can't, I'm afraid." He waved a hoof at a few of the nearby soldiers in full field plate, who were looking at him every few seconds as bystanders rushed to attend to the civilians Celestia was extracting. "They were worried I might try to sift through the rubble to find secret documents for my 'dragon compatriots'." He laughed, bitterly. "Yesterday, I was working for the griffons."
"That's a shame." Celestia drifted deeper into the wreckage, her horn flickering with energy all the while.
Paper Clip tried to follow her, but the soldiers gave him another warning look as they turned their heads toward the handles of their sheathed blades. He'd have a difficult time wading through the debris anyway, so he settled for shouting. "You confuse me, do you know that, Princess? I think you do care about the lives of your subjects, at least in some rudimentary way. If you didn't, you'd be off making speeches with the others instead of dirtying your coat over here. But then you go and you shore up policies that have cost us thousands of innocent lives- a number which has increased a great deal today. I just don't understand how an intelligent being can function like this."
"If you're trying to convince Us to reverse the Council's verdict, We fear your pleas are in vain," Celestia called back, "Equestria needs to come together in this time of rebellion, not throw in our lot with the latest strongmare... stallion?" she added, almost as an afterthought.
"Your Grace thinks me strong? I'm flattered!" said Paper Clip as Celestia circled back around closer to his location. The Council members seemed to have stopped speaking for a little while, and he could just barely make out some sort of noise building in the far distance, near the outskirts of the City- shouting and tramping, which could have been a spontaneous parade in the memory of the fallen Councilors or yet another riot, it was hard to tell and probably didn't matter. Everfree was a noisy place these days, and one got used to it. "But there's something else that's been puzzling me." He pointed upward. "The Sun is out."
"It's mid-morning."
"Yes, but Your Grace doesn't seem to be having much trouble keeping it there."
Celestia took on a strange, wistful expression as the yellow glow in her eyes faded. "Our... sister doesn't fight us as much for control of it any more."
Paper Clip nodded. "She saves her strength for when it's needed, these days. She lets Your Grace work the daily cycle, then pulls down the Sun when her soldiers truly need the advantage of fighting in the dark."
Somewhere near the city outskirts, something large and heavy went thud, and released a small cloud of white stone dust. The soldiers looked to their officers. The officers looked to the Councilponies. The Councilponies looked at each other. Only Paper Clip looked at Celestia, and quirked an eyebrow, and the Princess hovered a little lower. "Save when she wants to celebrate the murder of loyal Equestrian subjects in one of her... raids..." Celestia continued, then trailed off.
Paper Clip nodded. "Yes, she always brings the Moon out then, or at least tries to. And I'd definitely call the destruction of the Council Hall something the Lunar Rebellion would find worthy of celebration, wouldn't Your Grace? And yet, indeed, it is still mid-morning."
Celestia muttered something he couldn't catch, lit her horn, and took to the air. Up in the sky, Paper Clip watched the Sun start to wobble and sink as the first shapes began to resolve themselves over the crowded lower-city skyline- shapes with leathery, bat-like wings.
Paper Clip lurked near the outer wall of what had until recently been a wine cellar under the Castle of the Two Sisters- before that, it had been a vault for the storage of dangerous magical artifacts. He didn't know quite where those artifacts had gone when it'd been converted to its new purpose, but given the progression of the war effort so far he had a number of very strong suspicions. Now it had become, for lack of a better term, the bolt-hole of what remained of the "legitimate government of Equestria".
He wasn't even supposed to be in here, breathing in air and taking up space meant for ponies far above his meager station. He'd just been caught up with the rest of the group that had been standing around with the Princess and the Councilors near the ruined Council Hall and shuffled off by a gaggle of terrified soldiers, and in the intervening three-and-a-half hours nopony had developed the presence of mind -or absence of heart- to eject him. He figured it was almost certainly mostly the former. When he tried to talk, or inventory supplies, or really do anything at all, one or another of the guards would cuff him on the muzzle and tell him not to interfere in an emergency situation. So he sat on a borrowed cushion in a poorly-lit corner and watched the surviving Councilponies bicker and fuss, as Princess Celestia looked more and more lost and angry and... if he didn't know better, he might even say scared.
"Lunars are pushing across the East Bridge to Castle Rock," a messenger stammered, "and we don't have the crystals available to destroy it!"
"Where's the Everfree Heavy Brigade?" demanded Celestia, "Where's General Fletching?"
"Your Grace, A month ago..." a general muttered, barely audible, "the entire brigade marched to Griffonia and swore themselves to the service of Lord Grover."
"Why were We not told of this?!"
"The commanders feared... the impact on morale, Your Grace."
"Your Grace, the riots in the Pegasus Quarter are beginning to spread into Founders' Court-"
"I don't understand it..." said a High Magistrate, "we had more troops there than anywhere else in the City, we made nightly raids and interrogated anypony remotely radical..."
"What about reinforcements from Canterlot?" Asked Celestia.
"Still a day's march away, Your Grace."
"Your Grace, Dayguard militias have seized the outer gates!" shouted a lieutenant, "I no longer doubt that they're attempting to take the armories there for themselves!"
"Well, fight them!" General Lockjaw practically screamed.
"They're moving around the city faster than our messengers can reach Castle Rock," said the Chair of the Committee on Intelligence, "They and the Lunars must be working together, it's the only explanation."
"Milord, they've been fighting the Lunars. They've... cleared out entire blocks!" said a different lieutenant- or possibly the same one; they all looked alike and Paper Clip had a poor memory for faces.
General Lockjaw's eyes narrowed, and she slammed her hoof against the map table. "How does a collection of authoritarian thugs manage to evade our finest warriors right here in-"
Paper Clip had heard the sounds of some kind of struggle beyond the door next to Lockjaw, and backed further into his shadowy corner. The General evidently had not, and when the door was blown open with a thud of earth-pony magic she was shoved over to one side as soldiers in golden armor immediately poured through. In a flurry of motion he could barely follow, the Council guards were forced back and placed in various states of disarmament- Clip's knowledge of bladesmareship began and ended with his brother accidentally slicing him across the flank with a sickle when he was eight years old, but he got the distinct impression that the Loyalists hadn't put up all that much of a fight.
"Lunars!" Lockjaw shouted.
The newcomers were about a dozen strong. A curious and heterogeneous mix of commoners' work gear, City Watch tabards, and even a few Equestrian Army uniforms were visible under their armor, but they moved as a single unit and all wore the same golden barding. He recognized Firefly and Escritoire centermost among them, and Paper Clip couldn't resist grinning as he stepped out from the shadows. "Oh, no, we're not Lunars at all."
Celestia spread her wings and lit her horn bright yellow, but Firefly was already halfway across the room with a bladed wing pressed against General Lockjaw's thick neck. "Wouldn't do that if I were you, Princess."
"How dare you storm into this chamber..." Celestia began, but then she quieted and the light in her horn began to fade away.
"You shouldn't've come all this way just to rescue me," Paper Clip admonished.
"We didn't," said Escritoire, "Lunar Troops are moving into position to launch a final assault on the Castle, and we can't move to counter them with the Loyalists still on the streets. We need Celestia to order them to assist, or at least to leave us alone until we can get to the castle and-"
"No. Absolutely not, that would be treason against Equestria," the alicorn snapped.
Firefly turned to look at her, eyes narrowed, even though the blade on his wing never moved an inch from Lockjaw's neck. "Look around you, Princess! There is no Equestria any more, just... cowering politicians and powerless generals! You're not gaining anything by prolonging this... this three-way clusterrut, so call off your troops until the Lunars are dealt with and we can discuss the rest like civilizedponies!"
Celestia froze. Completely. Even the motion of her barrel and the patterns in her prismatic mane seemed to still. Her eyes swiveled from Paper Clip to the prone General Lockjaw to the Chair of the Intelligence Committee to the open doorway. Finally she spoke, barely audible. "We... I... I can't. I can't do this. I'm sorry."
Paper Clip turned and consciously avoided looking at Celestia as he made his way back out of the room. "Anypony who's willing to fight alongside us may step forward now. Otherwise, you can stay here and do nothing while you wait for the actual rebels to arrive. Just like your worthless excuse for a Princess." ...
"Spike this is all backwards, this can't be right..." ...
"Are you sure this is a good idea, sir?" asked one of the pages who'd joined up with them in the wine cellar- a smart little pegasus stallion by the name of Violet Dart or Purple Shot or something along those lines.
"Absolutely not," Paper Clip answered. "but I'm going to do it anyway. If there's any possibility of coming to a settlement with Luna... a way to stop any more bloodshed today... we need to risk it." Celestia's troops may have been in disarray and defecting with encouraging frequency, but the Lunar Rebels held onto their positions with a demented tenacity and attacked with little regard for their own survival. The Dayguard had been fighting them block-by-block, often over the same area multiple times- the Castle, for instance, had changed hooves thrice already since Paper Clip had left it. Escritoire didn't think the Lunars could sustain that kind of attrition forever, and he agreed, but the end of the Battle of Everfree was obviously still a long ways off. The fact that the Sun was currently down, and had been down for a good long time, at five in the afternoon proved that better than any reconnaissance.
"Palafito tried to negotiate with the Lunars..." Escritoire waved a hoof out across the fat, slow river that surrounded Castle Rock, to one of the few public parks in the lower districts of the city. It was, as far as anypony knew, still under Lunar control. In the center, where a kitchen garden had once been, there was a roughly circular patch of the sort of mud made from quite a few hooves moving around for quite a while, and in the center of that a chest-high wooden block with a bloody wicker basket still sitting in front. "Look where it got him."
"Well, Palafito was a bad negotiator. He would've been condescending, severely overestimated his own position -which was weaker than ours is now, by the way- would've aggravated the Lunars by demanding symbolic concessions they could never accept, and never even mentioned concrete reforms they would've been indifferent to or supported themselves. I... know I haven't had much luck with the Loyalists, but as a known outsider I might just have a better chance with the Rebels."
"And if you don't?"
"Well, I've... never asked anypony who's accompanied me on this venture to risk any more than I'd be willing to risk myself."
"But what if Luna doesn't come?" asked Firefly.
Paper Clip peered out through a gap in the barricade surrounding their hastily-constructed forward camp a few blocks from the Castle of Two Sisters. "Princess Celestia's still holed up inside the Great Solarium, and Luna knows that. She'll come."
Some of the lower-ranking troops worked to disassemble just enough of the barricade to let Paper Clip through, and he stepped out into the street. He wore a soldier's light mail, but instead of a weapon one of the loops on the side had been modified to carry a flag made from somepony's white tablecloth. It would have to do.
He'd walked this route to the Castle many times before, although now with so much rubble in the streets his progress was significantly slower. The entire district was eerily quiet- Clip's own troops had pulled back to their barricade once the civilians were evacuated and he had decided there was nothing left here worth fighting for, the Loyalists were all dead or deserted, and the Lunars had yet to arrive. A plume of smoke still rose from the site of the old Council Hall, but otherwise nothing moved. He perched himself atop a low stone wall in one of the gardens outside the Solarium, jammed the flag securely into a crack between two large cobbles, and waited.
It only took about ten minutes for Luna to arrive. She strode around the corner of a side street in near-complete silence, despite her ornate silver-blue armor. She was taller than Paper Clip had ever remembered her being, thinner and wirier, and she surveyed the area with the flinty gaze of a seasoned hunter.
He hopped off the wall and dropped into a deep bow. "Princess Luna! I've come to you on behalf of the people of Everfree to discuss terms for a cease-fire, pursuant to a diplomatic settlement between the Lunar Republic and the provisional government I represent."
Luna peered down at him with eyes as dull and lifeless as old snakeskin. He searched her features for any sign of recognition, any trace of the awkward and spirited mare he'd worked under before the Rebellion. He might as well have been interrogating the wall behind him.
"Luna... don't you remember me? Paper Clip, the head clerk."
The last thing he remembered for a good long while was her forehoof slamming into his chest and the cobblestone wall giving way against his back. (♫)
He awoke to warmth and birdsong and bright sunlight against his eyelids, none of which were particularly welcome given his pounding headache and general nausea. As those sensations abated somewhat, he realized he was thirsty and insanely hungry. Everything hurt in one way or another, his back and neck most of all, and when he finally opened his eyes he found himself lying on a cot in a sort of large treehouse with a white unicorn stallion in healer's robes fiddling with some linens across the room. After a few false starts he managed an audible croak, and the unicorn spun around and gave a little yelp of surprise. He dashed over to the bedside and lifted a large earthenware bowl in his telekinesis, revealing it to be full of water. Paper Clip sipped at it as much as he felt able, then before the unicorn could take it away again jammed his entire head inside and just held it there for a good few seconds.
"Sir, don't strain yourself," the healer said, placing a hoof on Clip's chest. "You're fine, you're going to be fine, I'll just get the Deputy Secretary and General Firefly." He disappeared below eye level- apparently the clerk was on an upper floor of wherever this was- and a few seconds later Paper Clip heard a door open and shut.
General Firefly?
With some effort and much cursing, he managed to roll himself out of bed. With more effort he managed to right himself, and then to stand, and finally begin a few tentative circles around what proved to be a small loft in a storehouse of Zebrican construction. Wherever Firefly had been must have been reasonably far away, as by the time the door on the ground floor opened again he had managed to successfully negotiate the stairs.
There were quite a lot of ponies on the other side, in various forms of official garb. He recognized many of them, Firefly and Escritoire in particular. They both looked different- thinner and scruffier, and not only tired but as though they'd been tired for a very long time, but despite all of it neither looked in any distress. There was a confidence and determination in how they carried themselves that had been absent before, and the healer and other functionaries seemed to look to them for guidance on what to do next.
"Clip, what are you doing down here?" Firefly demanded. "I didn't think you'd be able to stand!"
Paper Clip tried to answer, but for a little while his tongue seemed unable to follow through. "Haaagh... uhhh... How lon've I been sweepi... aswee... asleep?" He finally managed.
"About nine days," Escritoire said. "It's the morning of the tenth. Nightm... uhh, Luna did you a pretty bad turn... if that wall hadn't collapsed behind you you'd probably be paste. We were worried you might never wake up."
The healer stepped forward. "Your excell- I mean, Minister, sir, you really need to rest-"
Paper Clip shoved past him -perhaps afraid of harming the older stallion, he put up precious little resistance- and stepped the rest of the way outside into what he could only describe as a sea of tents on a scale he was fairly certain nopony had ever assembled before. There was some resemblance to the road that ran north of Everfree, but with so many temporary structures covering the terrain it was difficult to say for certain- and, in any case, if this was north of Everfree then there wouldn't be that horrible-looking jungle directly to the south.
"What? Why did you bring me out here?" he demanded. "Where is 'here', in fact? We... the Lunars haven't taken Everfree, have they?"
Firefly's expression became downcast. "No, the Lunars didn't take Everfree. Clip, that forest... that is Everfree."
"I'm sorry, maybe that blow did something to my ears, you're not making any sense..." Paper Clip looked again at the camp surrounding him. The tents were haphazardly constructed in many cases from quite a wide variety of cloth, and clustered together in disorderly groups; many of the ponies hurrying from one to another were either foals or elderly. It was large enough, he estimated, to hold most of Everfree easily, but it wasn't a military camp like he'd originally thought. "Oh, Harmony help us, you're serious."
"Three days after the battle those trees just... erupted, out from under Castle Rock," said Escritoire. "Trees and... worse things. We tried to contain it but... when Firefly led a squad in to recover the Elements of Harmony, they barely made it back out again. We've evacuated what we could, and forbidden any further expeditions." ...
"He doesn't say where they went."
"Twilight?"
"He says Firefly took the Elements out of the Solarium. He doesn't say where they ended up! He could've sent them anywhere in Equestria!" ...
"But what about the Lunars, Escritoire? If they aren't in Everfree, then where are they?"
"Princess Luna's... gone. Dead or just sent... away somewhere, we're still not sure. Something's happened to the Moon, you'll be able to see it tonight; the mages we've questioned can't make much sense of it but we don't think it's dangerous. Celestia's... disconsolate. Whatever happened in the chamber with the Elements... whether that had anything to do with Luna disappearing or the city becoming, well, that... I think she was the one who did it. Now she just sits outside and stares at nothing all day... for the first three days, the unicorns in camp had to help her raise the Sun. She just signs whatever we put in front of her now, though, so we've been able to set up something resembling a provisional government. I just wish it'd come under better circumstances."
"And her troops?"
Firefly shifted awkwardly on his hooves. "A lot of the changed ones fell after Luna... disappeared, and it seemed like the fight went out of the living as well. They didn't offer any resistance. I thought it was a trick at first, and had them disarmed and bound, but there really wasn't any need. They asked, very politely, to be let go, and be provided with stone and stone-working supplies, and when we let them they started building... structures, we assumed for their dead. I've never seen ponies build so quickly... they didn't sleep, they barely ate... Some of them asked for chilled cider, basic comforts like that. We had a few clerks make rounds and collect messages, since not even all of their elite were literate. I suppose I could've stopped them, but it would've been bloody, so... I didn't, and... they sealed themselves in, Clip every last one of them,living and dead." The pegasus sighed, and turned away. "Maybe that's for the best."
"Most of the structures ended up deep in the... what used to be the city, but there's a few outside I can take you to if you want a look at them," said Escritoire, "the Lunars who hadn't taken the Oath helped with the assembly, and then slunk off into the camp. I've set ponies I trust to tailing them, but they haven't taken any aggressive actions. A lot of ponies in camp blame them for what happened to the City, so I've tried to keep their locations quiet. The ones who stayed," she waved a hoof back at the morass of chaotic vegetation that had until three days ago been a thriving city. "Do you... think they knew?"
"If so, there are easier ways to commit suicide," said Paper Clip, "Right now, we have enough to do for the ponies who are still alive right now." ...
"Look, Twilight, there's more volumes. Year 99, Year 100..." ...
There was, indeed, a great deal for Paper Clip and his fellows to do. Their first concern was to get as much food, water, and medicine as possible into the camp surrounding Everfree, and to get as many ponies as were able and willing to leave back out of it to less chaotic environs. There was a long, long list of missing individuals to track down, and families to reunite, and families that needed to be gently convinced they were probably better off if they gave up looking.
The genteel citizens of the higher districts had suddenly found themselves without their lands and treasuries, and the 'mere' tradesponies who had struggled to earn enough to survive in the lower -the carpenters, nurses, weatherworkers, messengers, night-watchmares, and honest-to-Gaia farmers- suddenly found their services in desperate demand. It was thus a nearly Rockhoofian task to make certain that they neither fought to underbid each other nor charged more than they were due. The old guilds were dissolved, and new ones instituted in the Lunar style, with honors- and responsibilities- appropriate to their positions as vital public services. When all was said and done perhaps one out of every ten inhabitants of Everfree City were found to have perished in either Luna's attack or the subsequent Fall, but they made sure the survivors would on the whole be better off than when they'd began.
Alongside that there was the wider picture to consider. Originally Paper Clip had feared that the outer provinces -which had become more and more autonomous in the waning days of the Council, some out of necessity and some out of greed- might break away completely, or that all of the neighbors Equestria had alienated over that same period might seize the opportunity to invade en masse, or that both might happen simultaneously; but with the right words in the right ears neither proved to come to pass. Denouncing the reviled city-states of Minos earned the grudging respect of Dragonlord Scales. Capitalizing on that respect, Scales was convinced to recognize the upstart Grover as King-of-all-Griffons and end the calls for him to 'unite' ponies into his nascent Empire. Then, an offer of free passage for the Griffon Army through Equestria to better prosecute their skirmishes with Minos turned the outrage of the minotaurs elsewhere. Paper Clip reached out to like-minded ponies in the outlying provinces and appointed them to governorships, and made sure they had the resources necessary to check those with greater ambitions. Trade resumed, within and beyond Equestria's borders, and with it came tax revenue and exotic goods and foreigners who were skilled in things ponies were not. It would be decades if not centuries before Equestria would ever again be considered a serious power in the known world, but for the first time in a long while they were no longer its laughingstock.
Slowly but surely the refugee camp dissolved, but Paper Clip elected to stay in the hermitage outside of what was now being called Everfree Forest. There was a bolt-hole of the sort once used by Lunar scouts underneath it, and he enjoyed the peace and timelessness that came from working underground. Ponies didn't bother him quite so much down there, and if he was being entirely honest it still disturbed him deeply to look at the sky and encounter a frequently unsteady Sun or that strange, blackened Moon.
Then the surviving members of the old Council government needed to be tried, as the idea of either letting them walk free or summarily executing the lot of them were equally distasteful, and that meant a long and winding reform of the entire judicial system. Corrupt judges and tribe-obsessed jurists needed to be ousted and a new civil service trained up to replace them, and from Luna's earliest manifestos Paper Clip and his clerks distilled the first ever code of Equestrian common law. Eventually, though, the trials were held, and many were exonerated and many others were avenged. The Lunars, and those with Lunar leanings, were a more complex matter, but eventually it was decided that an amnesty would be extended to those who still remained. They were sent to towns where they wouldn't be recognized and put to work assisting with the reconstruction effort; Cairns were added to the official records to account for them and it became the position of the new government that they had always been interred there alongside their fellows ever since the Longest Day. Many of Paper Clip's newer colleagues took a very dim view indeed of lying to the public, but the time he'd spent under the watchful eyes of General Lockjaw had convinced him of the value of secrets. In any case, the Lunars themselves had insisted. He even participated in a small, secretive little ceremony with many of them outside of one of the few Cairns not consumed by the Fall, and honored his memories of Princess Luna even as he lamented what she'd become.
The reforms came quickly after that. The Day Guard became the Royal Guard, and alongside the special airborne, heavy, and telekinetic units devised by Firefly served as the elite spearpoint around which the rest of a new-model military was organized. Roads were paved and public schools were built, and when the unicorn residents of Sire's Hollow refused to allow neighboring earth pony and pegasus children to attend, it was the Guard that marched with those children through the mob outside and stood watch over them as they sat at their lessons. Escritoire began to make plans for a specialized School for Gifted Ponies open to exceptional foals of every tribe, and an Academy of Magic to pursue advanced studies with the full support of the Equestrian government.
Eventually, though, it was no longer possible to continue managing Equestria from the basement of a hermitage, and Paper Clip reluctantly came to admit that his government required a capitol. There was a great deal of debate as these plans coalesced about exactly where to establish it, as the mountainous terrain immediately surrounding Everfree was deemed unfit to support much more than a small town at best and in any case very few ponies were willing to return to the site of such dreadful happenings quite so soon. Canterlot was finally chosen, despite its association with the now generally late and very much unlamented unicorn-supremacist movement, for the simple reasons that it was both the closest major city and the largest in Equestria. Another reason, less publically spoken of, was that Canterlot was where Princess Celestia had taken up residence, and for better or for worse a great deal of the new government's legitimacy hinged on the surviving alicorn's continued support... or at least her general apathy and willingness to be told what to do.
According to Escritoire, who worked with the Princess most closely, she remained sullen and withdrawn, spending most of her days in a room deep in Canterlot Keep used for the storage of nonfunctional magical artifacts. Whatever it was she did in there, it was very quiet. That suited Paper Clip just fine. He probably would have to meet with her when he arrived in Canterlot, and he certainly wasn't looking forward to that meeting, but he wasn't anxious about it either. He'd faced down Nightmare Moon not too long ago; he was certainly not afraid of Princess Celestia- she simply didn't have that much relevance to him.
He likely would have to send somepony back to the Hermitage in a few days, though- somepony he trusted more than the pegasus coachmare who shuttled him back-and-forth to official functions, to pick up the documents he'd accumulated. There were copies of nearly everything but the journals in Canterlot already, but the idea of leaving so much of his personal correspondence behind simply made him uneasy. Perhaps he should make that an entire team of ponies. There were quite a lot of materials, after all...
"... and I fear my back is still not remotely up to the task." (♫)
Twilight closed the last journal and gently set it aside, and began climbing the stairs back up to the main level. "Spike, we're bringing these back to Canterlot with us, so we can analyze the mouthwriting and the paper and date them properly. They have to be forgeries. Have to be!"
Spike hurried to catch up with her. "Twilight... he describes the Sun and Moon moving around in detail, which was forgotten by the 120s. He talks about the Lunar Amnesty, which wasn't public knowledge until the 130s. He was there."
"That doesn't mean everything he wrote was true. He could've just been trying to... to undermine Celestia, devalue her work, even claim credit for it!"
"By leaving his notes in a cellar nopony knew about so it could be discovered a millennium after he died? Twilight... we gotta start considering that this might be true."
She paced an endless circle in the loft. If it had been any other night she would probably have remarked on the blunt metaphor for the current state of her thoughts, but tonight she was simply too caught up in those very same thoughts to care. Her loyalty to the very concept of Equestria rested in no small part on the great admiration she'd always felt for Celestia; for the strength and vision her mentor had shown in taking the helm of her fractured nation and personally steering it into a new age. The idea that so many of the building-blocks of what would become the great, thousand-year Pax Equestria- the weather service, the Equestrian Legal Code, the EUP Platoons and all the rest- hadn't been developed by Celestia at all but rather the work of the reviled Lunar Rebels, hastily repackaged by a cabal of panicking ministers, was corrosive to the young scholar's conception of reality. The records still tucked away just under her hooves might just as easily have offered incontrovertible proof that two and two summed to five, or that the world was round and orbited a gigantic gaseous Sun.
A cold, electrical sensation washed over her coat as she realized that she'd never once thought to simply ask Celestia about her own memories of that particular era. She wasn't sure if anypony ever had, when there were authoritative texts to consult- but in those texts, she recalled with another phantom shock, names like Firefly, Escritoire, and Paper Clip had never been hard to locate in references and bylines. If the aftermath of the Lunar Rebellions had been so effectively hidden from public view, then what else might have been buried along with it?
"Twilight?" Spike's voice startled her out of her ruminations, "You're gonna wear a hole through that rug if you keep it up, and I'm pretty sure the Mayor's gonna make you pay for it." He finished stuffing a large basket he'd extracted from Starswirl knew where with a variety of miscellaneous linens, circling around inside it like a cat for a few seconds before finally curling up with his tail tucked against his snout, "You should probably get some rest."
Twilight ignored him.
In her second year of undergraduate she had encountered Heart-Of-Progress's controversial text The Structure of Magical Revolutions, which explained at great length the concept of a 'paradigm shift'. According to the author, much of history was spent in the pursuit of what he called 'normal science'- an era of steady progress where wizards tweaked and refined a respected collection of established theories in light of experimental evidence. Every so often an experiment would present evidence that outright contradicted those theories, but explanations were invented for why and how and the anomaly was typically passed over. Eventually, though, the anomalies piled up, and the scholarly consensus couldn't bend itself flexibly enough to fit around them all. Instead, it shattered, and wizards had to invent a new overarching theory that explained all the evidence in their possession at once. That was a paradigm shift, and from the far side of it a wizard could no more understand how the new theories had been anything less than perfectly obvious all along than she could unlearn how to read.
"Uh, Twilight? You're still tracking dust everywhere."
"Hm? Oh! Oops. It can wait!"
Twilight supposed she had her share of anomalies. The revelation of a secret Lunar influence on early Equestria -Tartarus, she was reasonably certain she'd once found a pamphlet stuck under a napkin dispenser in the Academy dining hall with that exact title- was ruinous enough. But in retrospect the correlations between the grievances that had led to the formation of the Lunar Republic and the reforms of the early United Equestria were indeed blindingly obvious. From there, however, everything simply... disintegrated into contradictions. Who was Princess Luna? Nightmare Moon's cruelty was an objective, verifiable fact. She'd studied bones exhumed from the Old Dayguard Cemetery herself, matched the tooth-marks to a pony's jaw and sampled the magic inside them, still potent enough to seize up lab rats after a thousand years' inactivity but disturbingly slow to finally kill them. That didn't sound like the pony those journals had described... at least not initially.
And just what had become of the core army of the Lunars, then, if not execution or escape? If there was one point on which she unquestionably agreed with the late Paper Clip, it was that there were far simpler ways for them to have committed mass suicide. What was the "change" the old minister had mentioned, and what, if anything, had preserved the Lunars' bodies? Twilight knew there had to be a logical answer somewhere at the core of all of it, something that in retrospect would appear unimaginably obvious. That was how the universe worked. She recognized from long experience solving exactly these sort of problems that her current discombobulated state was due to missing that final piece of the puzzle... but she had no idea what it was. Every muscle and joint in her ached, on top of the eyestrain and simple tiredness she was already much more familiar with, and her mind just kept revisiting the same points over and over again- stars, Cairns, Elements, ministers, Luna, prophecy; stars, Cairns, ministers, Elements, Luna, prophecy... ooh, ministers, prophecy, stars, Luna, Elements, Cairns!- without making anything from them.
"Twilight!" Spike punctuated his remark with a tiny lick of unnatural green fire. "It's three in the morning, and the Summer Sun Celebration's tomorrow. Get some rest."
She blew nearly all of the air out of her lungs at once, and suddenly realized she was indeed immensely tired. Exhausted, even. She took one last look at the moon visible from the loft's window, trying to coerce Nightmare Moon into revealing her secrets through sheer, frustrated willpower. Surprisingly, this interrogation tactic proved ineffective.
"Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about everlasting night," she murmured, as though either of them hadn't studied the prophecy back-to-front a thousand times already. "I hope the Princess was right... I hope it all really is just an old mare's tale."
With incredible effort Twilight managed to drag herself across the room and clamber into bed, far beyond caring about the rougher, homespun texture of the linens compared to her quarters in the Observatory.
As consciousness rapidly left her, one memory in particular seemed to return with surprising clarity. The pile of rocks that had been set up to booby-trap the Lunar Cairn at Sweet Apple Acres was symmetric. For whatever reason, the ponies who had made it had gone out of their way to make sure it would collapse if somepony tried to take it apart from the inside. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Publish or Perish | (♫)
Twilight woke from a deep and dreamless sleep to the sound of somepony knocking none too gently on the Golden Oaks' front door. The clock hanging from one of the loft's walls read 11:15 AM.
Spike's basket was empty, and she could just make out his distinctive voice filtering up from below. One of the benefits of eschewing clothing and keeping her mane cut reasonably short was that it took Twilight virtually no time to ready herself in the morning. She made it to the stairs just as Spike headed up to rouse her.
"It's that rainbow pony from the farm," he muttered as they passed, "she's... well, you can just see for yourself."
That was always reassuring.
There was nopony in the main reading-room, but the front door had been left ajar. Twilight trotted over, pushed it the rest of the way open with her telekinesis, and then immediately backpedaled- her first thought was that the Town Council had somehow taken umbrage at yesterday's expedition to the Sweet Apple Acres Cairn, and ordered the local militia to place her under arrest. True to Spike's word it was indeed Rainbow Dash waiting for her outside, but instead of the Weather Team vest Twilight had been expecting the cyan pegasus was kitted out ears-to-hooves in a suit of light chainmail barding, complete with a sabre sheathed within easy reach on her right shoulder and a pair of extremely well-polished and extremely sharp dogfighter's wingblades. Her night-vision goggles had been flipped upwards onto a mount on her helmet, still glowing a brilliant green, and she had populated the bandoleer strung across her chest and the equipment belt wrapped around her barrel with what very much appeared to be a matched set of throwing knives. Someone- very probably Dash herself- had tried to obscure the original metal and leather with a crude layer of flat black paint, although the pegasus's thunderbolt cutie-mark had been duplicated with marginally more skill on her left flankguard.
Twilight's initial jolt of panic died down quickly, however, when she saw that Dash was grinning and also entirely alone. "Hey, uh... Breaking Dawn, was it? I got that survey you wanted done, and when I was on my way here Derpy asked me if I could run some mail to you from the Post Office." She twisted her head behind her and after much rooting around and fiddling managed to extricate a slim leather messenger's satchel from her armor's equipment webbing.
"Twilight, actually," Twilight corrected as she took the satchel in her magic. What kind of a name is 'Breaking Dawn', anyway? "Wait... you went and did that whole survey already!?"
"Well, yeah," the pegasus puffed out her chest and mock-casually flicked out one bladed wing as if to stretch, "I get more done by 5 AM than most ponies do all day! Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get the weather ready for the Celebration. Wouldn't wanna leave Ponyville hanging!"
She flew off with an alarming rattle of blades.
Twilight opted to review the documents she'd been given over lunch at one of the cafes off of the town square, specifically the one with the delicious-smelling spiced oats. Ordinarily she would have preferred the relative solitude of the Golden Oaks loft, but it was a genuinely lovely day -the weather team had truly outdone themselves for the Summer Sun Celebration- and more to the point the energy she'd burned over yesterday's adventures hadn't been fully replaced by just one dinner. The square outside was filling up rapidly as local ponies put the finishing touches on their display stalls and out-of-towners wandered hither and yon trying to locate this or that amenity, but relatively few of them crossed over the wrought-iron fence to Twilight's section of the patio. That suited her just fine. She set to work on the contents of the messenger bag spread out in front of her and a bowl of lentil soup tucked discreetly off to one side.
She probably should have gone right to Dash's map of the Cairns. That was why she was in Ponyville to begin with, after all. But Twilight found herself much more curious about what the Interior Ministry might have been able to unearth on the village's inhabitants. Evidently there had been a fair bit of it, as under the brown paper wrapping Dusty Pages had split the records into five different folders for each pony-of-interest.
Rarity's was the thinnest by far, containing only a business license for the Carousel Boutique. Twilight was, however, somewhat surprised to learn that the other unicorn had only been in business for a few years.
Applejack's file was somewhat thicker. Apparently the Apple family's ownership of Sweet Apple Acres had been a direct Act of the Day Court in recognition of Councilpony Granny Smith's 'long and valorous service to Equestria' (whatever that meant). As a result there was an official writ of succession on file which would pass the property on first to a brother named Big Macintosh, then Applejack, then a younger sister named Applebloom. Twilight was sure there were a million explanations for it, but she still found it odd that Smith's title would pass over her own child(ren?) and directly to her eldest grandfoal. She'd look into that discrepancy when she had the time. Under a small stack of utterly mundane licenses and approval forms from the Ministry of Agriculture she also found a Manehattan City Watch report mentioning Applejack's arrest for drunk and disorderly behavior. The farmer had pled guilty, paid her fine in full, and even personally repaired the storefront she'd destroyed. Twilight found all of that oddly commendable, especially when she saw the listed date-of-birth of 1077 and realized that the earth pony had been all of fourteen at the time.
Twilight was briefly mortified to learn that Pinkie Pie was currently wanted for a string of bloody train and wagon robberies all along the Saddle Arabian border, until she read that the pony in question was a unicorn last sighted a week previously in Fillydelphia.
Somewhat surprisingly, many of the documents in Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash's files referenced each other. Apparently the two had grown up in Cloudsdale together and been enrolled in the same youth flight-training camp which eventually fed into the Equestrian military. Fluttershy's scores were middling at best and a number of instructors had left notes wondering why she had bothered to enroll at all when her interests clearly lay elsewhere. She was mentioned in a number of disciplinary reports, never as in instigator and always as a target, and it seemed that after a particularly violent incident which had placed her life in serious danger- the specifics were redacted with a note explaining that the camp instructors wished to protect her privacy- the teenaged Fluttershy had decided she'd had enough and politely announced her departure for Ponyville. There was mention of her potentially seeking out a formal education in zoology, druidcraft. or veterinary medicine, but apparently nothing had come of it.
Dash, on the other hoof, had shown truly exceptional scores counterbalanced by an equally exceptional number of demerits and infractions. Nonetheless she had managed to keep a top position through what, to Twilight's experienced eye, looked to be a combination of genuine love for flying and sheer Minotaurean stubbornness, and seemed to have been well on her way to an early spot in the Wonderbolts.
Then she'd attacked another student, and left him injured badly enough to need hospital treatment.
The dates seemed to line up to within a few days of the mysterious incident that had resulted in Fluttershy's departure, and Twilight wondered if they were related. That made her suspicious. While the Wonderbolts were nowhere near as debauched as the more salacious of the Canterlot broadsheets made them out to be -if they spent even a tenth of the time they allegedly did in wild twelve-way rutting parties, they'd never have a moment to eat, let alone practice or fly missions- they and the other EUP platoons were highly sought-after with exclusive recruiting standards. That led to no small amount of underhoofed competition among young prospects.
On any other day she would have found the prospect of uncovering a potential conspiracy involving a promising young recruit getting drummed out of flight camp so hard she bounced off the runway to be enticing, or at least worth passing on to Shining Armor to resolve. Today, though, there was the more pressing matter of a possible demon of the night returning to Equestria, so she let the matter lie. The remainder of Dash's file consisted of Weather Team pay stubs, fines and official warnings for trying to purchase weapons not available to civilians, and declined applications to five different special-operations-track recruiting programs.
In retrospect, that explained a great deal.
Feeling vaguely uncomfortable and more than a little sorry for the mare, Twilight turned to the chart that she had prepared. Rainbow's mouthwriting was nigh illegible and Twilight very strongly suspected that the locations she'd marked on an old Naval Ordinance Survey map of Ponyville and its environs had more than the officially permitted error bounds, but nonetheless exactly seventy-two of them were shown.
Twilight supposed the positional errors didn't matter. She'd seen that pattern of stars enough times recently that it was very probably etched into the backs of her eyeballs.
She slid a few bits onto the table for her meal and stood, intent on heading back to the Library to get a hold of a more accurate and detailed map for comparison, but before she could get far she spotted a telltale brilliantly-pink mane out of the corner of her eye.
"Hey, Pinkie, can you come over here for a minute? There's something you might be able to help me with."
"Okie-dokie!"
Twilight tapped a hoof against the empty spot on the map where the Moon would rest in Equestria's actual sky. The projection was different from that used on the Cairn ceiling, and not all of the same stars were represented- it cut off most of the Northern sky, leaving the bulk of the Cairns deep in the Everfree and the 'Moon'-spot closer to Ponyville proper. "Do you know if there's anything of... well, historical or magical significance located right around here?"
Pinkie's eyes lit up and her grin took on a cheerfully diabolic quality that put Twilight in the mindset of a schoolfilly who'd just found a particularly interesting dead animal. "Oh! Yeah, you wanna see where they keep Nightmare Moon!"
"... Wait, what?!" (♫)
In Pinkie Pie's defense, it was a very realistic statue.
Whoever had carved the life-sized figure of Nightmare Moon from Ponyville's blue-gray stone had obviously been an incredibly skilled craftsmare, and more importantly had been able to reference some of the earliest and most accurate illustrations that Twilight had only been able to procure at incredible cost of time and money- or, she supposed, given the obvious age of the site, had gotten a look at the genuine article. Standing rampant as it did on an ornate, Lunar-style square pedestal with one hoof held out and downward at a forty-five degree angle, it almost seemed to be accusing anypony who stood too near in front of it, although of what Twilight couldn't even begin to guess.
"Well, this is the place," Applejack muttered from behind her, "Ah just hope you'll be careful without Fluttershy bein' 'round to keep an eye on you."
"Spike's an ambassador, you brute!" Rarity replied, "Surely his assistant doesn't need round-the-clock supervision just to avoid making a scene."
"Really now! 'Ambassador's assistant', huh? 'Cause Twilight told me she was some big important muckety-muck from the Antiquities Department."
Twilight had decided to bring the two locals along because she'd figured Rarity's eye for craftsmareship and Applejack's experience with the geology and history of the area were the closest thing she had to archaeological expertise right now. Rarity had been quick to agree and had even packed some of her more delicate tools; the farmer had taken a bit more cajoling, but with a few additional bits and a reminder of last night's shower over the East Orchard she'd come around soon enough. By that time, Twilight had entirely forgotten that she'd never come clean to either of them about her own actual position in the government. As the mares fell into arguing she decided that, since he seemed to have built up something resembling a rapport or at least tolerance with the townsponies, it was probably best to let Spike handle it while she focused on more important matters.
A quick ambit of the small clearing in which the statue was located revealed nothing more than moss and fiddleheads, although the overgrowth made Twilight grateful she'd finally taken up Rarity on her offer of a sturdy pair of boots. That wasn't unexpected- the statue wasn't particularly hard to get to, after all, and if there were additional ruins visible around it Applejack or Pinkie Pie would have been able to tell her. That didn't mean there wasn't more to the site, however, and Twilight had come prepared to find it. Finding a reasonably clear and dry patch of earth not far from the structure she sat down, closed her eyes, and began concentrating. If she'd had the full resources of the Academy at her disposal she could have simply called in an earth pony druid capable of interrogating the very stones themselves for actionable information, but even on her own a high-level detection spell was well within her power. Bit by bit, the blackness behind her eyelids began to take on form and structure. First the two ponies to either side of her delineated themselves as luminous equine skeletons; then a blob of green fire became visible through the refractive effect of Spike's draconic scales; then the entire clearing lit up with a sort of vague blue-green radiance generated by the natural magic of the various plants and small insects that occupied it. Twilight muttered a series of cantrips to blot out the most powerful sources of magic, and as they receded the structure of the statue itself became visible, outlined in a warm, gently-pulsing golden glow.
It didn't surprise her that the thing was enchanted- after all, something had to be keeping Nightmare Moon's exquisitely-detailed features sharp despite a thousand years of weathering and probable local abuse- but the quality of the spell certainly gave her pause. It was radiating magic at an incredibly low rate, right at the edge of what her own spell could detect, which implied incredible precision on the part of the original caster. At the time of the Lunar Rebellions, the only way that could have been done at all would have been for the same ponies to reconvene at the site every few weeks for several years, take detailed measurements of the spell as it stood, and reapply a weak version in the hopes of averaging out any imperfections. Even then, the spell should have faded away long ago unless the original casters (and, indeed, there must have been at least three as those sorts of stone-preserving spells required earth-pony, unicorn, and pegasus magic in equal measure) had been immensely powerful- or, she supposed, kept up a tradition to periodically renew it. At this point anything was possible, although she decided not to read too terribly much into the uncanny familiarity of the thaumic spectra she was observing. Quite a few ponies, in fact, had magical signatures similar to Princess Celestia's simply by coincidence, and the idea of her own mentor and the champion of the Solar Restoration having had anything at all to do with this place was too absurd for even her newly-expanded reality to accommodate.
More to the point, however, her scan had revealed just how far down into the ground the statue extended. "All right," she said, opening her eyes once again and trotting back over to the front of the structure where Spike and the locals were assembled. "There's a larger... I guess a kind of a plinth under this thing that extends out in front to right about here."
"Well, 'course there is, sugarcube," Applejack trotted over and began unclipping her saddlebags, "If'n' it didn't go down underground a good ways it'd get top-heavy an' fall over." She extracted a small folding shovel in her teeth and favored Twilight with a skeptical look above it. "They din' actually teach you too much in whatever fancy magic school you came from, did they?"
Spike and the farmer made quick work of the roughly foot-thick layer of dirt that had accumulated overtop of the plinth; once they had gotten within a few centimeters Twilight and Rarity finished off the rest with softer brushes taken from the tailor's manestyling kit and precision telekinesis. It took Twilight only a few minutes of work to completely expose the text that had been carved into the structure's base:
As the sunset fades away, the yellow turns to gray, the moonlight shines across the land, a calling we obey.
"From purest black we shadows rise to fight a greater fight..." Twilight murmured, more to herself than to anypony else. "Our brothers and sisters move as one, we soldiers of the night."
Deep inside the stonework base, something mechanical clicked.
Spike and Rarity both scrambled backwards as Twilight lit her horn and Applejack brandished her folding shovel like an impromptu poleaxe, but whatever threat they had all been expecting failed to materialize. Instead, the entire top surface of the plinth, Nightmare Moon and all, slid backward with impossible smoothness approximately twenty centimeters to expose a small, dark chamber underneath.
After a moment, Rarity gave a demure cough. "I'm... not sure if I understand. The surveyors scanned that statue years ago! You scanned it just now. How would...?"
Spike stepped forward. "That is strange. A cloaking spell a thousand years old shouldn't even have had an effect, much less been able to mess with modern magical scans. Maybe the chamber's a lot more recent than the statue itself, or maybe my assistant's just off her game."
Rarity tittered at that.
Twilight glared at Spike and then carefully, cautiously approached the statue. She hadn't been sure what she'd briefly thought reciting that Lunar verse might have brought forth, only that it had for just that moment seemed ancient, immensely dangerous, and very, very real. She, along with every first-year magic student, knew perfectly well the dangers of reading inscribed spells aloud, but that poem contained nothing but arbitrary, non-magical Ponish words. Didn't it?
It was a bright afternoon, which was fortunate because Twilight still didn't want to risk even the magical leakage of a magelight to illuminate the contents of the plinth. Inside were eight square obsidian tablets, four on top of four, deeply inscribed with what looked to be Old Ponish scribal shorthand.
In retrospect it made sense- if she had been one of the last of the original Lunar Rebels, where else would she have hidden information relating to her leader's return? "Rarity, can you go back to your shop and fetch me some clean silk? I don't want to carry these the whole way telekinetically."
"Certainly, darling, but... do you mind if I ask what they say?" Ironically, Rarity probably wouldn't have had much trouble understanding the words on the tablets if they had been spoken aloud, but the alphabet reforms of the fifth century and the spelling reform of the eighth rendered written Old Ponish more or less incomprehensible to the modern laymare. This particular sample also seemed to be in code, but that wouldn't stop Twilight for long.
"I'll need to take them back to the Golden Oaks to get a start on decoding them, but... if I had to guess, this is a prophecy." (♫)
Twilight finally released the quill from her telekinetic grip and rubbed her tired, bloodshot eyes with both front hooves. The Old Ponish dictionaries and cryptological tomes spread across the table in the center of the Golden Oaks had taken her and Spike far longer to locate than she had planned -they had, in fact, been buried during Twilight's search the night before- and as the sun began to set the locals took to singing, playing instruments, firing off rockets, and otherwise making concentration extremely difficult. But she had persevered, and now the original contents of the Lunar Prophecy had been extracted from their archaic, tabular cipher and rendered into something easily comprehensible:
When the Sun crosses one third of its arc below the horizon on the longest solar day of the thousandth seasonal year following Nightmare Moon's confinement within the Circle of the Moon, the stars will aid in her escape and she will return with the Princess of the Night.
She had, quite honestly, expected a good bit more. Briefly she considered whether she'd somehow missed entire sections of significant text amidst the mixing cipher in which it was contained, but the likelihood of such an error producing any comprehensible sentences at all was incredibly remote. It was simply one of the shortest prophecies she'd ever encountered.
Spike leaned over from the stool beside her and tapped one claw against the final line. "That's a pretty big corruption at the end there. I can understand Mist Watcher paraphrasing the calendrical stuff, but the last line changes the whole meaning of the prophecy."
"I don't think Mist Watcher was the one who changed it, at least not deliberately and not on her own. It might be a translation error." She slipped off of her own chair and telekinetically rifled through a pile of discarded linguistics texts until she came across the one in particular she was looking for. "A lot of what we know about Nightmare Moon and the prophecy comes from Griffonic sources, and Mist Watcher spent time studying magic in the Griffon Empire." Pages of the dictionary fanned rapidly past in her telekinetic grip until she settled on the one she had been looking for, "See here! Middle High Griffish didn't have a distinct word for alicorns or Princesses, they were just called 'immortals' or 'eternals'. So 'Princess of the Nighttime' and 'Nighttime Eternal' would actually be the same phrase!"
"That's still odd, though," Spike continued, "Why would a prophecy describe Nightmare Moon returning with herself? There's something obvious we're both missing, here."
"Well, obviously. There's still a lot about this prophecy and the events that led to its creation that we don't really understand. Like why it predicts Nightmare Moon returning at such a thaumically disadvantageous time..." When Twilight had plugged a return date of slightly less than a year from now into her model, she'd found the amount of mana the spell required to be insanely high- so high that even an entity of Nightmare Moon's approximate power level would find herself effectively crippled upon completing it, if she could pull it off at all. "... and why it doesn't give that date in a specified timeframe but with actual, physical seasons which are controlled by ponies and can't really be predicted that far in... advance..." Something between a stormcloud and ice settled in the pit of Twilight's stomach.
She'd assumed from the very beginning that when it described 'the longest day of the thousandth year', the prophecy was speaking of the endpoint of a section of time- the time it would take for Nightmare Moon to assemble the stars into a self-contained spell circle of immense enough power to bring about her physical manifestation on the Material Plane. That's what her model was set up to calculate. But summoning spells often took advantage of conditions in their environment in order to function more easily- specific astrological, meteorological, or geological formations, typically, but also the natural ebb and flow of magic that occurred at specific times of day or specific times of year. It wasn't uncommon for there to be easier variations of difficult summons that could only be cast successfully at, for instance, nautical sunrise on the third clear day after a full moon, regardless of how much actual time those events took to come about.
The prophecy didn't predict when Nightmare Moon would return at all. It predicted the conditions that would allow her return, however long it actually took ponies to bring them about. That explained why even Twilight's most precise instruments had been unable to detect any directed motion in the starfield. She'd assumed that was because the movement was too slow to observe on timescales of less than a few years, but in fact the relevant stars weren't moving at all. They had, in fact, been in the correct positions the entire time Twilight had been alive, waiting for the other conditions of the spell to be fulfilled.
And if one of those conditions was the existence of a thousand seasonal cycles since the Nightmare's banishment...
The paralyzing chill inside of her dissolved, and suddenly Twilight couldn't move fast enough to satisfy her own racing thoughts. She grabbed the nearest piece of mostly-blank paper she could find, made a few scratches on it with her quill, then quickly reconsidered and extracted another from her pack by the door with a copy of her cutie mark already magically imprinted in the bottom right corner. "CELESTIA," she wrote, unconcerned with the acute angle her large, blocky script made on the page, "DO NOT MOVE THE SUN BELOW THE HORIZON. Extreme danger! Will explain when face-to-face. Twilight."
"Spike, send this to the Princess right away!" She rolled the letter into a rough tube and lobbed it telekinetically towards him, relaxing only when it vanished in a bolt of acid-green flame.
The spell he used to transfer small documents had originally been developed for use by the Equestrian Navy and only reluctantly picked up by the postal service some two centuries ago. Normally it was applied to a pair of braziers which needed to be kept continuously stocked with enchanted fuel, since if the magical fire on either end were to run out of energy both would need to be rekindled. While outages were rare in the populous, prosperous, rail-crossed Equestrian heartland, portable versions weren't exactly practical. Twilight, however, had realized early on that Spike's draconic metabolism naturally produced exactly the raw materials the spell needed to operate- he himself could operate as an always-on living terminus.
They'd run into a myriad of problems trying to link his adapted version of the spell to a brazier, but upon being read into the project Moon Dancer had hypothesized that another living entity might be compatible. After initial experiments on rats and deer had proven safe, Twilight had applied the spell first to a volunteer in the form of Shining Armor, and then after further refinements to Celestia. Thus, unlike virtually every other method of communication, Twilight could be certain her letter would indeed reach the Princess despite the complete isolation in which she usually spent the night leading up to the Summer Sun Celebration.
Holding the sun at one position or moving it back above the horizon wasn't by any means optimal or even safe, and would quickly have profoundly negative effects on everything from grain prices to the equicide rate. But it would at least buy them time- time to scour Paper Clip's notes for the location of the Elements of Harmony, or figure out how to redirect Nightmare Moon's spell, or find some other way to head off the crisis.
It took, by Twilight's estimate, about five minutes for Celestia to reply. Paradoxically, being acutely and painfully aware of each passing second made a proper measure of the total much more difficult. Then, just as the unicorn began to worry that her racing heart rate was going to have long-term effects on her overall health, Spike coughed up another globe of emerald fire and from it emerged a scroll neatly bound with the Day Court seal.
Twilight could barely focus as she unrolled it with spotty, intermittent telekinesis.
"My dearest Twilight Sparkle,
I trust your time in Ponyville has been enlightening, and as always my heart is warmed by your concern for my well-being. However, I think it's time you were permitted to know the truth about your work here. Nightmare Moon is not coming back to the Material Plane. Thanks to alterations discreetly made to the calendar system and exemplary performance by the weather patrols she has, in fact, been here for quite some time, and with the help of Shining Armor and our armed forces I have made sure she presents no possible threat. Your research, therefore, will no longer be required and I wish you the best of luck in your future studies.
Princess Celestia"
Twilight and her assistant both stared blankly at the text for a good long while. Spike's mouth kept opening, staying like that for the space of a few seconds, and then closing with a barely-audible click before he glanced briefly towards his partner, turned away in embarrassment and repeated the whole process over and over again. Twilight... didn't know exactly what she was thinking at first. One emotion after another flashed through her exhausted brain in a mixture of outrage, dread, relief and fascination that should by all rights have been impossible for a single pony to experience. "She... I... but..." Coherent sentences were briefly beyond her as she tried to marshal her jumbled thoughts, finally settling on a fury more intense than anything she'd ever experienced before.
"A year, Spike." She stood up from the desk and began pacing back and forth in front of the stairs, "We spent an entire year chasing this prophecy, and the whole time she'd already... does she have any idea how much of the common pony's money got spent on this project... the other very important work I could've been... All the time I've wasted?! WHY?! What... possible rutting purpose would she have in keeping this secret?!"
"Twilight..."
"Does she want me to throw away my life, Spike? Does that qualify as a lesson on being a better pony?!"
"Twilight."
"You know what I'm going to do, Spike? I'm going to publish that journal in the basement. I'm going to verify it, find the sources I need to corroborate it, annotate it, and then I'm going to get it in every paper from here to Zebrica so the whole Known World can see just what a rutting fraud-"
"Twilight!"
"Yes, what?!" She rounded on the smaller dragon, horn briefly flaring with magic before, abruptly, the urge to strike her assistant evaporated as soon as she became fully aware of it.
If the dragon was in any way alarmed, he gave no sign of it. "Twilight, I think that's an excellent idea."
"... what?"
"You've been busting your tail on this for no reason, and you've got every right to be... I was going to say angry, but I think 'furious' is really more appropriate. I'm behind you every step of the way... but this is gonna take time, and the important thing is we've got time. Nopony's in any danger right now. We'll get back to Canterlot and run some tests on the journal to confirm it's First Century, and see if we can match the writing with other documents that Paper Clip guy wrote. But right now... there's a festival on. Can we actually enjoy Ponyville, just for one night?"
"Spike... You're absolutely right." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | >Nightmare Moon: Descend | (♫)
It was a perfect night for celebration, balmy and dry, the narrow streets of Ponyville lit by dozens of hanging paper Sun lanterns. Twilight wandered among the throngs of ponies more or less aimlessly, seeking out wherever she was more comfortable, and never having been much of a fan of loud music or dense crowds soon found herself ascending a rickety staircase that led up onto the roof of the Town Hall. Spike had split off from her some time ago to investigate a display of local gemstones at the Carousel Boutique; judging by the occasional flashes of lime-green flame she was spotting from within a particularly dense cluster of onlookers not far away and their subsequent stamping of applause, he was having more than enough fun on his own.
Off in the distance, somepony had set alight a box of skyrockets, but Twilight was high enough up and far enough away that the sound wasn't too intrusive; instead the collective chatter smoothed itself out into a sort of white noise over which she could still detect animal calls from the surrounding forest. Twilight took a deep breath, and sucked in the scent of sauteing vegetables and wood-burning fires and the old musty odor of the building she was standing on. She wondered how many of the ponies below her would ever realize how close their reality had come to being utterly upended by cosmic forces only she and a select few members of the Day Court had been permitted to comprehend. Then she wondered how many other near-misses had occurred over the thousand years of the Pax Equestria of which she had been kept unaware, and what proportion had occurred during her own time as Celestia's so-called 'personal student'.
"Lucky mare I turned out to be," she finally said aloud, "I don't even know who I really worked for any more."
"Oh!" A familiar, soft voice issued from the shadows of one of the building's eaves, and Fluttershy stepped out into better view. Twilight made a little, involuntary jump- she hadn't even known the pegasus was there. "I didn't think I'd... see you up here."
"Yeah... well..." Recovering her equilibrium the scholar settled herself onto her haunches so that she could peer over the edge of the roof. It was chillier up here with the wind coming off of the Everfree, but a full day's sun exposure had baked the shingles to a pleasant warmth under her legs and barrel. "It seemed like a good place to ponywatch."
"You're right, it is."
Another pony might have found the silence that ensued awkward, but Fluttershy seemed to understand better than most that there was nothing rude about simply not having anything else to say.
A pegasus mare and stallion flew overhead, almost wingtip-to-wingtip, eyeing the rooftop contemplatively before spotting Twilight and gliding onward. Down below, a pair of earth ponies and a unicorn in pieced-together armor worked to liberate a bottle from the jaws of a tottering red earth pony stallion, bickering goodnaturedly as he held on for dear life and allowed himself to be dragged back out of sight.
"Hey." Fluttershy's voice came again from just over Twilight's shoulder.
"Yeah?" The scholar didn't look up.
"Is... everything going all right? With your... research?"
Twilight let out a long, slow breath. "Actually, it's done. You might hear about it in the papers a few weeks from now... assuming I can get it past Celestia, of course."
"... Princess Celestia?"
"Yeah, look, it's a long and kind of stupid story." She noticed that the crowd around one particular stall near where the earth pony had come from was abnormally thick, and thought she saw a pyramid of wooden tankards set up behind it. "Hey, do you know if there's cider down there?"
"... even though other researchers, when they bothered to look at it at all, dismissed it as Mist Watcher's own invention. I did too, at first, but after I noticed the correspondences with the obviously genuine Luna Bay fragment which contained information available nowhere else, I knew I was onto something."
The game at which Twilight was currently trying her hoof was a very simple one, which involved tossing head-sized leather balls at something resembling a giant, tilted Roulette wheel; and before it Twilight's doctoral-level knowledge of probability, ballistics, and telekinetic field dynamics was proving entirely unhelpful. It wouldn't have been so bad if Pinkie Pie hadn't racked up twice the scholar's prize money despite downing five tankards of cider to Twilight's two.
"You know, that is a kinda' screwy prophecy," Rainbow Dash cut in from where she hovered at Twilight's left, taking a temporary break from the bag of carmelized popcorn that was consuming most of her attention, "Why does it have to have all that confusing stuff about arcs and solar years and Moon Circles? Can't it just have a year where she comes back?"
"Well..." all of Twilight's interest in the ballgame was abruptly forgotten as an opportunity to educate the Common Pony presented itself, "That kind of dense, pedantic detail is actually really common for prophecies. Part of the standards for professional divination -and something that by the early First Century was being actively enforced by their Guild- is that prophecies have to be written in a very formal way. What's described has to be completely unambiguous and literally correct according to an agreed-upon dictionary. Otherwise, ponies might misinterpret it, or worse, the questions you feed into the working will have ambiguous answers and show you uncertain or even outright impossible futures. That's not the same as being easy to understand, though."
"Ya' mean like a legal document or somesuch," Applejack cut in from the next stand over. Twilight hadn't known she'd been listening in.
"Exactly! For instance, just talking to you, I'd say the ocean is filled with water. Saline water, if I was feeling pedantic. But there's other things in the ocean, so a prophecy would either have to spend six pages confirming the existence of different kinds of fish... or use a phrase that meant the same thing according to strict logic but didn't suggest details that might pull the working away from a guaranteed future, like 'there is water contained within the maritime boundaries defined by the Celestia-Galatian Treaty.'"
"Or like, 'Nightmare Moon will bring back Nightmare Moon'!" Pinkie supplied.
Twilight nodded approvingly. "To make matters even worse, prophecies can't reference or describe events that might or might not happen, based on the choices of intelligent beings like ponies- and since ponies work together to decide on calendars and turn the seasonal cycles, prophecies can't just use those to tell time! Usually they get around that by including their own definition of a calendar and just continuing that into the future, without saying it'll still be what everyday ponies recognize when the prophecy's fulfilled. That's what I was expecting to find here, and why I was so surprised there wasn't more to the Lunar Prophecy, but now I realize that it's not describing dates or times, it's describing specific events of astrological significance and warning of what would occur whenever ponies got around to causing them."
The teal stallion running the ball-throwing booth whickered at her impatiently, and Twilight realized that Rainbow Dash was only the first pony in a sizable line forming behind her. She stepped out of the way, but noticed Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and several of the customers sharing cider and candied apples at the farmer's stall were still watching her with interest. "And it's the dichotomy, where the text switches from a ten-page list of all the types of pottery used by a specific ancient people, to a curt, three-line abstraction of a war party's makeup, that makes interpreting prophetic materials such a nightmare... so to speak. And remember, you can't divine anything at all, or use it as context in a divination, if it's something that an intelligent creature can potentially change or decide not to do."
"But isn't Nightmare Moon moving the stars and casting her spell something she could decide not to do?" one of the patrons asked. Twilight realized it was the tailor, Rarity.
"That's entirely true! One of the more common ways modern diviners get around the limitations imposed by pony interaction is to split their prophecies into conditional cases, based on assuming different possible decisions a pony could make- that's why so many divinations commissioned for business forecasting and prospecting and so on are just big charts comparing numbers to other numbers these days. That technique wasn't fully developed until about the 720s, though, and in any case while the description of seasons in the Lunar prophecy could be seen as a sort of proto-conditional, that doesn't answer your question about Nightmare Moon's involvement. It's rare, but there have been ponies whose actions are actually predicted by prophecies in the past, and they all describe the same thing. They inevitably ended up in situations where, even when they knew what the consequences of taking the actions that were prophecized would be, circumstances were such that they felt like they literally had no other option. Their basic nature could only let them act in one specific way." It was interesting, watching the dynamics of this crowd. Ponies with no concern for the subject matter ambled off whenever they felt like it, but every single one of those who did stay, listened with genuine interest. Unlike the soldiers she'd briefed on magical subjects in the past, who'd listened because their lives depended on it, the townsponies' attention felt earned. For the first time in a good long while Twilight seriously considered abandoning her Crown-commissioned research and applying for a lecturer's seat somewhere other than the Academy.
"Most of those prophecies were divined during laboratory psychological experiments with very specific controlled conditions, though, and even the few that were taken in a realistic setting predicted events only a few days or even a few hours ahead of time, where there were a lot more elements out of anypony's control. A prophecy predicting the actions of an intelligent creature a thousand years after it was written is, as far as I know, completely unprecedented. I guess it really is... err...was fundamentally against Nightmare Moon's nature to do anything but get back to the Material Plane as soon as she was physically able."
"Orrr, maybe Nightmare Moon isn't actually intelligent and just operates off a big list of reflexes and routines baked into the inside of her skull," Pinkie suggested, "You know, like Applejack!"
The farmer scowled and took a swing at Pinkie Pie, which managed to connect only with the smaller earth pony's outsized mane as she darted nimbly away. Applejack and Twilight were both laughing along with the rest of the crowd not long after.
"Now there's an odd thought..." Twilight herself didn't know quite what to think about any of it any more. She'd more or less come to terms with a radically revisionist history of the Lunar Rebellions that made Nightmare Moon and those who'd followed her... well, certainly not right, of course, the famines and tribalist violence that had occurred as a result of their gross mismanagement of 'liberated' Equestrian territories were a matter of archaeological record; but following a misguided path to the same civic ideals that modern ponies understood. It was also clear that something had drastically changed in Princess Luna on that fateful night a thousand years ago. Could a pony -an alicorn, no less!- really take such complete leave of her senses that she ceased to function as an intelligent being at all? Twilight wasn't even sure if the problem could be considered scientifically well-defined. How would she even go about measuring such abstract qualities? There were, of course, spells -illegal spells, but that didn't much matter in the grand scheme of things- that could reduce a pony to operating mindlessly on a rigid set of instructions, but the idea of such a thing lasting for a thousand years was nearly as absurd from a thaumoentropic perspective as the psychological argument.
She supposed it didn't matter now. Celestia had implied, with unusual directness, that for better or for worse Nightmare Moon was dead and gone. Between the loud, slightly-obnoxious amateur music and the cider sloshing around her brain, she decided she would write to some of her Canterlot colleagues on the matter sometime tomorrow and let it lie until then.
Not long after, midway through a truly delicious ice-cream sandwich, Twilight realized that she had no idea where the aerobatics demonstration was scheduled and if she continued to sit in one place pondering the limits of cognitive psychology her odds of getting a decent viewing spot would be significantly diminished.
Amethyst Star was more than happy to provide Twilight with a copy of the night's schedule, although the slot that Dash had claimed would be occupied by her aerobatics demonstration was instead dedicated to the town-wide fireworks display. Twilight's confusion turned to horror when she realized that there was, in fact, no mistake at all and the pegasus intended to fly through the fireworks.
Only afterward, sharing a picnic table in the market square with Twilight and a few others -still wearing her mildly-singed armor and reeking of sulfur- did Dash question why the Ponyville Militia and small Canterlot security contingent had been so dead-set on grounding her.
"What exactly were you expecting?" Twilight asked, "For the Royal Guard to be so impressed with your flying they'd offer you a position on the spot?"
"Of course not!" Dash rolled her eyes and stretched out a bladed wing alarmingly close to Twilight's muzzle, "Obviously for a pony on my level they'd call in the Wonderbolts! I don't know who'd even think about weighing down these girls with that all that bulky, noisy gold armor..."
"That... wasn't my point." In fact the electrum armor of the most elite units of the Equestrian military -not pure gold as claimed by many popular sources- was enchanted to be nearly weightless and completely silent among many, many other functions, but that wasn't exactly the point either.
"Hey, at least everypony got something more entertaining than just fireworks this year," Pinkie Pie supplied, "Maybe you'll even get into Dead Air's newsletter this time!"
Twilight was in fact an avid consumer of the publication in question, although given that last week's issue had featured a stallion who held up the Canterlot-Baltimare Rail Line for three hours by jumping onto the tracks to search for his dropped orange, a mare who'd pulled a loaded crossbow during a backyard hoofball game, and the 'That Doesn't Go There' 1097 Rectalspective, she was pretty sure being featured in it didn't particularly count as an honor. Then again, knowing Rainbow Dash...
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be interviewed once Twilight's research is published," Fluttershy suggested quietly.
"Well, it's not like any of it really matters anymore," Twilight snapped, feeling suddenly embittered, "Nightmare Moon's back to being history."
Rarity shook her head, the distant firelight transforming her elegantly-curled mane into a cascade of dozens of tiny stars. "Well, I'm sure the Lunars would appreciate having their work acknowledged, even after a thousand years."
"Wait..." Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed and her helmeted head swiveled in Twilight's direction, "I thought you said all this was classified!"
"What, you gonna arrest me? None of my work is really militarily relevant, I really don't think anypony outside of a university department is even going to care about the details."
"Well, I hardly think that my contribution is even worth mentioning, but it would be nice for somepony in authority to acknowledge the work everyday townsponies put into your discovery," Rarity suggested.
"Hmph." Applejack looked up from her own mug of cider and shook her head, "Personally, I dun' think any a' this's ever gonna see the outside a' some archive under Canterlot Castle again. Kinda' a shame, but that's how it is."
Twilight was not inexperienced in keeping secrets from ponies, and realized that Applejack was probably right. Nonetheless, she was now beginning to see the others' point. It hadn't just been her work that had made this possible... for all the good it would do them. She leaned forward and put both forehooves on the table. "Look, I... can't really promise you anything, but if I get the chance I'll try my best to get some kind of official recognition, OK?"
"You'd better..." The cyan pegasus trailed off.
Twilight, for her part, wasn't optimistic about her chances, and for a few minutes lapsed back into awkward silence. Then somepony tossed Applejack a fiddle and convinced her to lead them all through a complicated sort of folk ballad about messengers and dragon bandits, and the scholar made a very well-thought-out decision to stop caring.
As the night drew on, the speeches and civic dedications began. Having to sit in an uncomfortable folding chair and listen to some minister or high priest lecture on the True Meaning Of The Solstice had never been one of Twilight's favorite parts of the Summer Sun Celebration; it was even worse when the speaker was somepony she knew. But Ponyville seemed to treat oratory as just another attraction no different from the cake shop or Rarity's gem exhibition, leaving ponies to come and go as they pleased from a few small seating areas set up around the Town Hall. Twilight had stayed in Canterlot the year Celestia had held her celebration in Cloudsdale and as a result had never seen a formal Naming of the Four Winds, so she decided to watch that ceremony for a while. It was a surprisingly lively affair, with much cheering and surging of wings whenever Derpy Hooves completed a slow, laborious section of the litany she was reciting, and Twilight quickly realized that while she wasn't by any means the only non-pegasus attending, she was the only one who wasn't singing along. She resolved to study up on the wording at a later date.
Not long after that a general current became apparent in the milling crowds, and after a great amount of fanfare from the attending locals Twilight realized the ceremony had ended. She slipped into the larger, thicker stream of ponies in the center of the square alongside the other observants, and was carried along at a relatively gentle pace to the Town Hall in the center. What she'd found two days ago had evidently been the business entrance, as the doors she was heading for now were much wider and opened into a sort of central amphitheater, nearly the height of the entire building and richly draped with Summer Sun banners. Ponies already filled the balconies up above and most of the tiled floor, forcing her and other latecomers to make do with a spot near the back. She thought idly of attempting to locate Spike before catching site of his telltale green spines on one of the balconies. He seemed deep in conversation with Rarity, and she decided there was no point to bothering him. Instead, standing at her right shoulder, she found Pinkie Pie.
"Isn't this exciting?!" the earth pony asked, "I've never been so excited! Well, except the time I saw you flying into town, but who can top that?!"
"Umm... thanks, I guess?"
A high-powered crystal spotlight came on somewhere up above, shining down on the raised dais at the far end of the hall and the small tan earth pony standing on it. "Fillies and Gentlecolts!" Magically amplified by an amulet at her neck, the Mayor's businesslike voice echoed over them, reading out the traditional Salutation To Celestia with easy confidence: "In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the bringer of Harmony to all of Equestria, Princess Celestia!"
The Day Court fanfare followed a moment later, not in the traditional trumpets but in birdsong. Looking up on one of the other balconies, Twilight spotted Fluttershy with what appeared to be trained songbirds. Impressive. Spells to control animals certainly did exist, but required a greater reserve of willpower than she'd thought the little pegasus possessed. Perhaps Fluttershy had developed a different approach, or Twilight's own estimation of the mare was simply inaccurate.
By that point, though, the velvet curtains on the upper balcony had been pulled open, and it took Twilight a moment to realize that the entire crowd was waiting.
Whispers developed, then murmurs.
"Hey, you're from Canterlot, right?" Across from Pinkie, a brown earth stallion in a slightly out-of-date but nonetheless expensive suit asked, "Is this how Celestia... normally does the Raising?"
"Well she does typically show up from seclusion with little to no fanfare, but... usually she's on time."
The eight-pony Royal Guard contingent began conferring with increasing frequency, first with each other over their enchanted helmets and then in somewhat louder voices with the local militiaponies who apparently lacked such equipment. There wasn't much they could do given Celestia's well-known tendency to escape her own entourage, but it probably at least helped to feel busy. Twilight sympathized. (♫)
Finally, a pony in the front row -Councilpony Granny Smith, Twilight thought, or was the younger earth pony Cheerilee?- worked up the courage to speak aloud. "Where's Princess Celestia?"
Rarity's balcony must have had some connection to the central one, as the unicorn disappeared from view only to return moments later. "She's... gone!"
From the far side of a paradigm shift, a wizard could no more understand how a new theory had been anything less than perfectly obvious all along than she could unlearn how to read. Twilight realized then that watching that process occur in another was in fact far more of a shock than enduring it herself.
Perhaps, then, the townsponies were fortunate that their confusion was interrupted by the sound of hooves on dirt tracks outside. A lot of hooves, all in time, and distant, sonorous voices.
Twilight and the others in the back were able to turn, in time to see what appeared to be the whole of the Everfree Forest at the edge of town step forward.
The distant shapes resolved, bit by bit, into individual ponies clad in exotic, indigo armor from which the moonlight seemed to slide off like cold water. Over the sounds of syncopated hooffalls the movement of metal and leather became audible, and bit by bit the ponies' raised voices resolved into comprehensible words.
We stood at arms before our liege, each one of us just a pawn
Now we reign supreme throughout the dark until the light of dawn
Memories we have left behind us might cripple lesser souls
But those of us brought up from nothing have risen, remade whole
We see it in her moonlit eyes, the fury held at bay
A battle waiting in the ashes to resume another day
And as we disappear into the shadows to fill their souls with dread
We fight tonight to rule tomorrow and a dark day lies ahead!
The times we live in now have changed, honor is long gone
And now that good and evil are shades of gray a cruel impasse is drawn
For all the good we have created it doesn't make us right
But those of us who hide in darkness seek a different kind of light
As the sunset fades away the yellow turns to gray
The moonlight shines across the land, a calling we obey
From purest black we shadows rise to fight a greater fight
My brothers and sisters move as one, we soldiers of the night!
Twilight finally realized she knew the tune. It was the Royal Guard parade anthem, but the wording had been altered; corrupted. She experienced a curious flash of anger at the strange ponies' crass impropriety... and then realized that the Celestia-praising version sung each morning by the cadets on Hurricane's Green was, and had always been, the corrupted one.
This was the original.
By that point the mixed force of Royal Guards and militia had pushed forward out of the building and set up a loose skirmish line some distance in front, weapons drawn. "Stay your blades and hold position!" An officer called, "No sudden movements..."
As the shapes in the dark drew closer, it became increasingly clear that there were far, far more of them than the militia. The order was given to close ranks, and before the advancing Lunar Army, Ponyville's troops pulled back. Twilight wondered why they weren't trying to shuffle ponies out of one of the rear entrances. She worried she already knew the answer.
A runner from somewhere behind the building arrived, then, and shared a muffled conversation with one of the Royal Guards.
"... what do you mean encirc- ..."
"... right out of the shad- ... never seen anyth-..."
"... calm and ... situation cont- ... need a panic on top of ..."
Now, flying shapes could be made out against the night sky they so closely resembled- shapes with leathery, bat-like wings.
"What... are those things?" A filly asked.
Twilight could no longer form words. She was only dimly aware of another pony trying to drag her telekinetically deeper into the building, but she held her ground, transfixed. Curious. She had expected there would be more screaming.
The soldiers advancing on her looked half-dead already, their coats thin and patchy and strung far too tightly over the bones underneath. One, she was fairly certain, was missing her lower jaw; another still had the shaft of an arrow protruding from one hollow eye socket; a unicorn stallion's ribs jutted out so visibly that at first she didn't realize his earth pony companion's were in fact completely exposed by a wicked magical burn.
The oldest texts had been right all along, and for a moment Twilight wasn't certain if she was feeling revulsion or sympathy or some combination of the two.
That was impossible, though, the rational part of her reasserted. Many of those wounds should have been instantly fatal regardless of how the pony in question thought about them. In fact, a thousand years in a crypt should have been invariably fatal.
It was only then Twilight remembered, that one of the many individually tiny slights that had first brought about the Lunar Rebellions had been an edict by the Day Court -repealed, no less, a year after the Reconstruction Acts thanks to "the wise council of Minister Paper Clip"- that had forbidden even theoretical research into the discipline of necromancy.
The oldest texts hadn't been correct at all. They had been, no doubt with the best of intentions, sanitized.
No no, that wasn't a fext carving through our best soldiers, just a lunatic berzerker. No no, that wasn't a lich raining down magical fire on your town, the poor rutter was just starving and half-mad with lowland fever. No need to look into the matter any closer than that.
All of it was impossible. Unreal. That cider had to have been stronger than Twilight had thought; she was passed out on a bench dreaming of her wasted work in some perverse vindication fantasy. But what was really more implausible? That Celestia had silently and covertly dealt with a threat of Nightmare Moon's obvious power years ago, or that she too had been somehow fooled? If Nightmare Moon had returned and been defeated years ago...
Most of the townsponies remained transfixed by the spectacle, eyes locked straight ahead. The moon was behind the Town Hall, and Twilight was reasonably certain that she was the only pony in attendance who thought to look away and find a window through which it could be observed. She shouldn't have bothered; all she'd done was confirm what she already suspected.
The Mare In The Moon was gone.
If Nightmare Moon had returned and been defeated years ago, why had the Mare only vanished now?
Some detached part of Twilight boggled at the fact that she was less disturbed by what was going on in front of her, than she was by the fact that Princess Celestia had lied to her.
Then, behind her, somepony laughed. It was high, and clear, and cruel, and disturbingly equine in character.
Now there were screams, or at least shouts of surprise. The slow movement of ponies back into the Hall suddenly reversed, but Twilight fought against the crowd to turn around and face the interior.
There was an alicorn standing on the upper balcony; one that Twilight recognized.
Her face, despite its fanged mouth and slitted turquoise eyes, was nearly as familiar to the scholar as Celestia's own; and indeed this was not the first time Twilight had noticed the significant family resemblance. It was naive of her to have thought, however, that simply looking at pictures of the beast in dusty grimoires and fragments of banners had in any way prepared her to face the real thing. Paint could never properly capture the inky blackness of her coat, a curious substance that absorbed all light but somehow still revealed in perfect detail the contour of muscle underneath. Artisans had done a decent enough job reconstructing the pale blue astral steel of her smooth, tooth-edged armor, and perfect white enamel of her fangs, but had failed utterly to capture the ethereal quality of her mane; not so much any material at all, in fact, but an absenceof material which removed any obstruction between the viewer and the stars outside. Nor was there a single account that even mentioned the change in atmosphere that the pony brought with her- a smell of dew and ozone and something electrical in the air.
Nightmare Moon was the most terrifyingly beautiful creature Twilight Sparkle had ever encountered.
"Oh, my beloved subjects!" Her voice was surprisingly light for a pony of her tremendous presence, confident and refined certainly but at the same time oddly dismissive. It carried easily throughout the entire hall without any hint of amplification, and more amazingly to Twilight without any hint of effort on the alicorn's part. "It's been so long since I've seen your precious, sun-loving faces." From another pony the sentiment might have sounded bitter, but the utter sincerity with which Nightmare Moon delivered it as a complement cut a thousand times deeper.
"What'd you do with the Princess?" Rainbow Dash shouted, and for a moment the spell was broken. She launched herself upward with a throwing knife clutched in her mouth, but before she got more than a few feet Applejack had wrestled her back to the floor.
The alicorn clearly saw her outburst, and indeed turned to look right at her, but continued on as though Dash was nothing more than a stagehoof providing her expected cue. "What... am I not royal enough for you? Do you not know who I am? Does my crown no longer count now that I've been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?" For the first time, her oddly pleasant expression began to take on the quality of a smirk. "What has Celestia been telling you all?" The entity -the Princess- shook her head sadly.
The militia must've been waiting for that moment of apparent distraction. "Seize her!" yelled the Mayor, and four Royal Guard pegasi leaped upward with longspears in their hooves. "She's the only one who knows where the Princess is!"
Casually, almost dismissively, Nightmare Moon flicked out her left wing, and an arc of blinding white lightning chained through each of the guards in turn. They were knocked out of the air and landed hard, and Twilight was fairly certain she'd heard bones snap. For a moment she thought they were trying to get to their hooves, but their movements were frantic and uncoordinated; where one had curled into a tight ball like a newborn filly, another was bent almost double the other way. When bystanders rushed to their aide it took two or three ponies each to try to restrain them. One started screaming, louder than Twilight had ever heard a pony scream before. The others were trying to, but could only manage a horrible, choking-gasping-whimpering noise.
Twilight looked away, more out of pity than any fear.
The alicorn leaped down from her perch and landed absolutely silently on the floor below, steel-shod hooves failing to leave so much as a scuff mark on the polished stone. She walked slowly, casually over to the Mayor's position. Nopony tried to get in her way. "So you're the mare who commands these brave little ponies. I hope you'll see reason and ask them to lay down their arms."
The Mayor seemed to mull over her response for a moment, then in lieu of words spat a glob of congealed saliva at Nightmare Moon's forehooves.
The alicorn didn't seem to notice. "If that's what you want, I won't try to talk you out of it. I've waited a long time to take back my place in Equestria... we can all stand to wait just a little while longer." The posture of her wings shifted slightly, and the guard who had been screaming tapered off to a raw, almost-breathless whine. Their spasms intensified, and additional ponies moved in to try to keep the four still. One, a white-and-pink earth pony with a medical bag in her hoof, looked up at the nearby alicorn with wide eyes, "I've never seen... I don't know how... please, whatever you're doing, just stop!"
"Is this the sort of leadership my sister encourages? Ponies who stand idle, holding onto their power while their subjects suffer?" Nightmare Moon's smile fully exposed her long, wicked-looking fangs now. "Surrender, or I'm sure your successor will."
The Mayor's mouth opened, but she produced no words. Finally, she held up one shaking hoof and, once she saw the militiaponies focused on her, waved it outward. To a mare, they lowered their weapons.
Abruptly, the guards' convulsions ceased. The one who'd screamed drew in a long, rasping breath. Twilight suspected he was the only one who still held onto consciousness. One of the others, she was fairly certain, wasn't visibly breathing. All of them lay absolutely still.
The silence was, briefly, overpowering. Then, as they collected the defenders' weapons, the Lunar soldiers started taking charge of the crowd. Twilight found their short, matter-of-fact orders- "Over there", "You three come with me", "Where is your mother?"- somehow a more palpable show of force than if they'd hurled threats and abuse. She noticed that the majority of those coming forward looked... well, alive, and wondered if that was an intentional psychological tactic. It seemed to be working, at least until one of the militiaponies- the runner from earlier, in fact, a skinny red unicorn who didn't look far out of adolescence- refused to release her shortsword. Instead she swung it in front of her with obvious killing intent, narrowly missing the snout of the bat-winged pegasus who'd been trying to grab it, and darted for the exit. "C'mon," she yelled, her voice at once loud and tremulous, "W... we can take 'em! We can-"
She was cut off abruptly as the pointed end of a warhammer met her shoulder. There was a loud crunch as her armor crumpled and a thump as she dropped out of sight. Then complete and utter silence. Twilight wondered if there had been enough force behind that swing to kill a pony by impact alone. There wasn't any visible blood splatter so it hadn't hit her heart or carotid artery... right?
Nopony put up much resistance after that.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go. Twilight forced herself to ignore the continued presence of Nightmare Moon in the far corner of the room, watching the proceedings with something that very much resembled amusement, and instead shouldered her way through the mostly-paralyzed crowd to where the Mayor was still standing. "You don't-" she started, then lowered her voice, "You can't-" the Mayor was ignoring her so she went back to shouting, "You have no idea of the gravity of-" That was getting nowhere, "This is more important than just one town, dammit, that thing over there is Nightmare Moon!"
That cold, cruel laughter froze Twilight where she stood. The electrical presence drew terrifyingly close to her and she found herself wrapped in magic, staring directly into Nightmare Moon's perfect, horrible, slitted blue eyes. "Well, well, well, somepony remembers me! Then you also know why I'm here..." The creature in front of Twilight smiled again, and without changing tone in the slightest her voice once again filled the entire hall. "Remember this day, ponies, for it was your last." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Blackout | (♫)
They were permitted to set up an impromptu hospital tent in one of the larger dining areas in the town square. Twilight found herself shuffled inside in the middle of a clump of other citizens, likely more just because she was a unicorn than because of any actual appraisal of her skills. She couldn't muster any reason to complain. It was something to do, at least, other than just standing around and waiting for whatever would come their way, and at least it got her away from the town hall and the... entity that as far as anypony she'd overheard knew was still holding court inside.
The entire town seemed to have sunk into a near-catatonic state. Some ponies shuffled back to their homes or shops, or made a halfhearted attempt at clearing the streets of Festival debris, or tried to find loved ones; many just stood or sat where they'd been left, ignored except when somepony bothered to fetch them a blanket or something to eat. Twilight supposed that to the common villager all of this must've seemed quite unreal, and she could hardly blame them for their numbness- or possibly it was Twilight herself who was numb. Or both.
Some remaining ember of curiosity in her had given her a brief impulse to examine the Royal Guard pegasi who'd been hit by Nightmare Moon's lightning spell, but she hadn't been able to muster the effort to shoulder through to where they'd been laid out. None of them had regained consciousness since the incident, and Twilight quite frankly had no idea if they ever would. After the effort expended just to get here, such a display of magical power should have been utterly beyond even Nightmare Moon. Obviously that meant something about Twilight's model of the transit spell was very, very wrong, but she had no idea what it was. Bits of arcane formulae and half-formed theories drifted through her mind like fireflies in thick fog, but nothing held together long enough for her to make any sense of. There was always somepony around to tell her to wash this or hold that or shine a light on something else, so she chose to focus on that instead.
Between the militiaponies who'd been patrolling the edges of town and the few residents who'd chosen both to skip attending the Raising ceremony and offer some kind of resistance to the Lunar Army, their makeshift infirmary had about a dozen casualties to tend to. She still had no idea what had become of Spike, but she forced herself to consider his absence from the hospital tent an encouraging sign- it wouldn't do, right now, to consider the alternative. She hadn't heard tell of anypony being outright executed by the dark-armored soldiers yet, but that didn't mean it hadn't happened and even having limited themselves to technically nonlethal force the Lunars were brutal. Without access to intensive magical healing that Ponyville was in absolutely no state to provide, Twilight doubted that all of the patients would make it to the next sundown with the gashes and blunt trauma they'd sustained. Assuming, of course, that there ever was another sundown.
Twilight didn't want to think about that, either, or about anything, so she went back to dispensing carefully-measured drops of analgesic potion to poor Citrine Sparks, as another unicorn named Golden Something-Or-Other tried unsuccessfully to magic the head of the Lunar warhammer out of her shoulder. It had dug in deeply, and deformed a section of plate armor with it, and their only proper chirurgeon had been called away to see to a stallion with two crossbow quarrels in his back, so it wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. They'd had to cut the handle off with a bonesaw just to be able to maneuver her properly onto the table, Citrine crying out with every vibration and slight twist; now she just made odd little 'guh' noises every now and then when Golden shifted too abruptly, her eyes glassy and unfocused. The potion they were using on her was meant for farm animals, and Twilight was no pharmacist- she had, frankly, no idea if Citrine's responses meant that she needed more of it, or that she had already been given too much.
The scholar had sat in on her fair share of dissections, even tested a new spell on cadavers in one memorable experiment, but those had been prepared corpses- clean, bloodless, and smelling overpoweringly of formaldehyde. This was different, but it wouldn't have been quite so bad if the other ponies she'd met didn't seem to be bothered. She'd spotted Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash running supplies, and Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie stood out from the crowd of other conscripts every now and then as they worked, but Twilight didn't have the nerve to speak to them. As far as she knew she was the only one who had any awareness either of the conditions they were working in or the continued, silent presence of two bat-winged pegasus guards near the entrance.
Abruptly, Twilight felt a hoof tap gently against her shoulder, and looked down to see that she was letting the potion bottle in her telekinetic field slowly tip over and dribble out onto the ground. She quickly righted it and realized she was being looked at with some concern by one of their few proper medics- Redheart, she thought her name was.
"Why don't you go out and get some air?" the pink-and-white earth pony suggested, and when Twilight opened her mouth to protest, continued, "If your horn cuts out or you knock something over, you won't be helping anypony either."
"I... I guess you're right." She set the potion on one of the last remaining bare patches of table.
The two Lunar soldiers turned to look at her as she pushed her way through the hastily-suspended cloth drapings, but made no move to stop her. In contrast to the walking skeletons that seemed to make up much of their forces, these two did indeed seem to put on every appearance of living ponies- yellow-eyed, slit-pupilled ponies with leathery chiropteran wings and more than their fair share of scars, but ponies nonetheless. Twilight wondered what they thought of her leaving. Possibly horrible things. Possibly nothing at all.
Despite everything that had happened in the hour and a half since the failed Raising- Harmony, had it really been only that long? To Twilight it may as well have been ten months- it was still a lovely night. The cool breeze off the Everfree still carried the scents of dew and wood-burning fires, and very briefly Twilight found herself confused. She had forgotten what it was like to smell anything other than sweat, disinfectant, or offal. There was a sizeable part of her that wanted to find somewhere out of the way to curl up on the ground and sleep, but the continued presence of the dark-armored guards stationed around the square were a more than effective reminder that she needed to stay on her hooves. Orange light gleamed on their armor, and when Twilight turned to locate the source she saw that the Lunars had set up an enormous bonfire where the orators' stages had been. As she watched, a trio of bat-winged pegasi flew into view from a side street and meticulously ripped every banner that held Celestia's mark off of the bunting up above. Those were added to the collection they already held in their forehooves before the lot of it was tossed into the flames. Earth ponies and unicorns on the ground added a wad of crumpled sun-lanterns and what appeared to be the mock-regalia that had been affixed to the whitewashed statue before spreading out again in search of fresh material.
By some unfortunate coincidence, an earth pony stallion headed directly for Twilight. "Thou wouldst best be on thine way now, lass," he muttered, slitted eyes narrowing, "Would'nae want t'be caught interfering with the change a' heraldry, now, wouldst thee?"
His accent and grammar were indistinguishable from authentic Old Ponish- a Trottish Highland dialect, if Twilight wasn't mistaken. Once again she found herself wondering just how much of their old memories the reanimated Lunars actually possessed- or if they were indeed reanimated at all, and not simply somehow... preserved. Then the soldier ducked his head to his shoulder, eyes shining yellow-orange in the moonlight, and clasped the handle of a wicked-looking spiked flail in his teeth. "Go on... on wit' thee!"
Twilight picked a street at random and didn't look back.
She was three quarters of the way to the next intersection when something small and hard bounced off of her right shoulder. Almost by reflex she pivoted and began charging a stun spell before she caught sight of purple and green in the shadows between two houses.
She briefly considered funneling her charged mana into a magelight, but then stifled it entirely when she realized she had no idea how the Lunar guards would react to something so conspicuous. Cautiously she edged closer.
"Twilight? Twilight!" The voice was barely audible, but she recognized it immediately.
"Spike?!"
"Shh!" The young dragon extended a claw out of the shadows just for a moment, beckoning her into the alleyway.
She followed his lead and as she drew closer was finally able to make out his form with enough clarity to confirm a lack of any serious injuries. "Where've you... what have you... I'm so glad you're safe, but..."
"I've been keeping to the rooftops, mostly. They've got those bat... pegasus... things flying patrols overhead, but there's a lot of eaves and overhangs around this place and I'm pretty sure they don't even know I'm here. Do you know what happened to Rarity? We got split up when Nightmare Moon appeared and..."
"She's fine, I saw her rolling bandages in the hospital tent. I think everypony's still in one piece, so as long as we get-"
Spike's slitted eyes suddenly focused on something over her shoulder and he pressed a claw against her muzzle. "Somepony's coming!" he hissed.
Spotting an empty cider bottle nearby, Twilight flopped down on her side as quietly as she could manage and rolled it over near her muzzle, watching through one half-open eye as a pair of Lunar soldiers strode past on either side of Amethyst Star. The Councilpony's coat and mane were in disarray and there was something small and metallic wrapped around the base of her horn; but she didn't seem in any immediate danger and in any case there wasn't much Twilight could do to help her. Instead she waited until the sound of the Lunars' steel-shod hooves vanished down the far end of the street, stood, and brushed herself off as best she could.
"Look, it's not safe out here," Spike admonished from where he crouched in the shadow of a rain barrel, "You can't climb the buildings and I'd attract too much attention on the ground, so I'll meet up with you at the library and we can figure out what to do, all right?"
"All right. Just... be careful, okay?"
"Okay." She didn't see or hear Spike leave, but when she pawed at the shadows behind the barrel a few seconds later there was nothing there.
The walk back to the Golden Oaks was weirdly, disconcertingly peaceful. The Lunar Army, even its seemingly animate members, seemed to have little interest in policing the movements of Ponyville's citizens within the town limits. After all, what could anypony do? She doubted they'd be so forgiving of anypony that actively tried to leave the area, however, or gave any sign of active resistance. In fact, that was probably what had put most of her patients in the medical tent. Twilight didn't intend to join those unfortunate souls any time soon, but from what limited observations she was able to gather of their interactions with other passers-by, the skeletal troops seemed to have very little awareness of suspicious or unusual behavior - or much of anything at all that wasn't a direct provocation, for that matter. They also seemed to outnumber their flesh-and-blood comrades by a factor of between ten and twenty to one, which was doubly strange, since when they'd marched on the town hall the ratio had seemed closer to five or six to one. The scientist in her wondered if more skeletal specimens were arriving from somewhere else, or fleshy ones were leaving, or both.
The library door was unlocked and the interior seemed, to Twilight's limited night vision, to be relatively undisturbed. She briefly considered bringing up the lamps, then decided concealment was more important, then remembered that the magically-modified Lunars were no doubt perfectly capable of seeing in the dark. She opted to light one or two to avoid appearing suspicious and then draw several of the curtains. Even with enough light to see by Spike didn't seem to be anywhere to be found, but after a momentary rustling of scales he carefully extracted himself from a crevice in the ceiling, silently dropped to the floor, and immediately wrapped his arms around her neck.
"Spike, I'm so glad you're all right," Twilight muttered, mindful as ever of his stiff dorsal spines as she returned the hug.
"You too. I didn't want to risk trying to get inside the hospital tent to look for you in there, but..."
Twilight shook her head. "No, you made the right decision, Spike. Nopony needs to try to be a hero here," involuntarily, she recalled the ghastly wet crunch of a warhammer meeting Citrine's shoulder, and hoped her assistant didn't see her wince, "We just need to sit tight and wait until somepony from Canterlot realizes the town's... uhh... gone dark."
Spike pulled away and began pacing back and forth, almost unconsciously avoiding the line-of-sight of any of the open windows. "Twilight, I... don't think help's gonna be coming any time soon. I took a look inside the Post office and it's filled with Lunars trying to figure out how to start the firepot back up again. That pegasus Councilpony said she wasn't going to help them but then they brought out this filly that I think might've been her daughter, and..." he turned and gestured beside him to one of the open windows, "well, look at the Moon!"
Twilight did as she was commanded. The entire walk home she'd carefully avoided taking more than a fleeting glance skyward, and now she gasped as she saw the Mare-in-the-Moon image once again in place. In retrospect, it made perfect sense, as so many things lately did. Nightmare Moon would want all the time she could get to gather her forces and fortify Ponyville; given the prowess with illusion spells so many of the histories ascribed to Princess Luna and her inherent connection to the Circle of the Moon, it wasn't hard to imagine such an image being within her capabilities. That, in turn, meant...
"The rest of Equestria just thinks the Raising's been delayed a few hours," Twilight gasped, suddenly unable to sit still as she rifled through her saddlebags by the table, "Celestia... Celestia told everypony who asked that Nightmare Moon was already gone. Nopony outside of town even knows she's here." She didn't have more than a rough estimate of how long the alicorn could maintain her ruse of normalcy; certainly not more than a day, probably much less, but... given her army and her own formidable and difficult-to-judge combat prowess, that might be enough time to organize a major assault. Twilight still doubted that she would be able to stand against the entire Equestrian armed forces, but Twilight had been wrong before, and even if they were eventually put down the Lunars could take quite a lot of innocent ponies with them.
She finally found what she was looking for- a quill, a scroll, and a bottle of special alchemical ink keyed to her personal thaumic signature. "Shiny. Shiny'll know what to do." After a moment's thought she paused, steadied her telekinesis, and began to write:
Shining Armor:
I'm not sure where to begin. I don't know what this situation looks like from Canterlot or anywhere outside and a great deal of what I'm telling you won't make sense or will seem to be outright untrue, but it's vitally important that you take immediate action to at least verify my claims. Ponyville is currently occupied by an assembly of necromantic troops that give every appearance of the former Lunar Republican Army, emerging from Lunar sites in and around the Everfree. They are seemingly under the command of an alicorn-like creature calling itself Nightmare Moon. I would estimate the number of troops at approximately one to three thousand, all armed with Rebellion-era weapons; I was not able to perform a thorough assessment of the creature commanding them myself but I'd estimate its raw magical output to be in excess of Princess Cadance. I don't know where Princess Celestia is, but her lack of intervention in these events, and the failure of the Raising itself, suggests she too has been rendered unable to react. The hostile force controls the Post and has isolated the entire village; any reports that Ponyville is still under Equestrian control are illusionary. We'll try to hold out as long as we can, but several civilians were severely injured after they tried to resist and require immediate medical assistance. Please send as many combat troops as you can muster right away; a scouting party could easily be overpowered. I'd prefer the entire force available, but the others need to be on high alert as there may be other, remote sites where dangerous Lunar artifacts are now active. I can't possibly overstate the danger we, and all of Equestria, may face.
-Twilight
Even with Princess Celestia indisposed -and indeed she had to be indisposed, the alternative did not bear considering- the flame-spell would still be operating, and she had never disconnected it from Shining Armor. She folded the scroll into a neat tube and tossed it to her assistant, watching with barely-controlled anxiety as it disappeared in his bright green flame. (♫)
Commander Shining Armor was in the middle of an argument with a minotaur Strategos whose name he honestly could not care enough to recall, when a scroll materialized in between them. The general continued talking for a few seconds longer- "... the Heliadae are never this tardy, but I suppose this is what you get when you invest control over your Sun to a single Princess..." before he seemed to finally realize the paper tube was lying at his feet. "Seems you... dropped something?", he muttered, bending over to pick up the document while somehow managing to avoid spilling even a drop from the full goblet of wine clutched in his other hand.
"Excuse me for one moment. Guard business, I'm sure you understand?" Shining snatched the scroll out of the minotaur's hand with a bit more telekinetic force than was entirely necessary, and scanned the Great Balcony for a more secluded spot. He caught a glimpse of pink and gold a few meters away, and headed in the opposite direction as quickly as he could while remaining inconspicuous- Princess Cadance was doing an admirable job of holding the attention of the Celebration's various esteemed guests, and he knew he'd just get in her way. It had been about two hours since the Sun should have appeared, and ponies and foreign dignitaries alike were starting to get concerned. Delayed Raisings weren't especially uncommon over the course of Equestrian history, their causes ranging from assassination attempts to timekeeping errors, but Shiny could recognize a potentially unstable situation when he saw it. He'd been called away some five or six times now for official reports, but the letters they were receiving from Ponyville had been properly formatted, properly sealed, properly reassuring, and utterly uninformative. He knew Princess Celestia had been called away on some sort of urgent, life-or-death business in the countryside, but other than that not a great deal.
He didn't know how Cadance was managing not only to keep everycreature calm, but to keep them from noticing his absences. He made a mental note to let her know how much he appreciated her assistance some time in the near future- perhaps a disguised visit to one of the rowdier lower-city pubs was in order, or an invitation to accompany him on an inspection tour of the remote border outposts; he knew Canterlot high society bored her terribly.
Tugging at the velvet collar of his Guard dress uniform- despite the carefully-maintained alpine climate of Canterlot, the presence of so many bodies and a few large firepits had rendered the Great Balcony uncomfortably warm- Shining unrolled the message and immediately recognized Twilight Sparkle's neat, blocky script:
Shining:
The situation in Ponyville is currently under control. Princess Celestia, her troops, and Ponyville civilians were occupied assembling a scouting party to locate myself after I tried to perform a necromantic assessment of Lunar Army bodies in the Everfree and was injured after three Rebellion-era magical weapons were rendered active.
Please isolate this situation from Canterlot and Princess Cadance. I cannot verify my former claims and my reports severely overstate the danger of Nightmare Moon. I'd prefer they not react to my failure right away.
-Twilight
Shining sidled over to where a set of crystal lanterns provided more reliable lighting, and read the message over once again. He'd known that Twily had for the last year or so been deeply involved in some sort of secretive archaeological project relating to the Lunar Rebellions, but even for the Royal Academy the whole thing had been buried in an unusual amount of red tape. In fact, he knew basically nothing about what she was actually studying- an uncomfortable position to be in for a pony of his rank and responsibilities.
He knew his sister more than well enough, though, to understand that her reaction to so much work apparently having been wasted would be... messy. To be certain the way her letter was constructed seemed damned odd, but given the strain she was under and the uncertain extent of her apparent injuries, he could more than explain the stilted phrasing. His first thought was to make a long-range teleport to Ponyville himself, right then and there, but the weight of his obligation to manage any situation that might develop either in the capitol or elsewhere across Equestria reasserted itself a moment later. In peacetime, in the mainline Equestrian Army, an officer might have been granted emergency leave to see to an injured relative, but the elite Royal Guard considered themselves to be made of sterner stuff.
Instead, Shiny's eyes tracked over the assembled crowd until he spotted another familiar face engaged in what looked to be a none-too-exciting conversation with professional dilettantes Jet Set and Upper Crust. Major Forward March was head of the Guard's combat medics, as well as one of Shiny's old Academy buddies. The two of them and Twilight had played more than a few games of Ogres & Oubliettes together when they had all lived in the same section of Canterlot Castle, and occasionally they still corresponded.
"Forward." As Shining sidled up to the ochre pegasus mare, Jet Set and Upper Crust took one look at his concerned expression and trotted off in search of fresh victims. He'd expected the public revelation that he was courting Princess Mi Amore Cadenza to bring about no end of trouble, but in fact he was growing to like the influence that came with it. "Twilight just sent me a... very strange letter, and I think she's hurt pretty bad. If you could swing a long-range teleport and make sure she's all right I'd really appreciate it."
"Oh, thank the Sun, an emergency!" Despite her flippant tone, Forward's expression was concerned as she made her way to the staircase, and the long-range focus circles where the Guard's staff of teleportation mages were stationed. Once he was sure she was on her way, Shining fished a quill from one of the pockets of his uniform and began to write a letter to send ahead of her. Pondering what to say, he stared at the Moon holding position just above the horizon, and was briefly, immensely relieved to see that the Mare pattern remained just where it had always been. A moment later, though, the feeling was gone, replaced by puzzlement over why he had ever expected the Moon to look any different in the first place. By the time his liaison with the Canterlot Watch pulled him away to brief him on a bar fight near the dockyards that had gotten out of hoof, the incident had slipped from his mind more or less of its own accord. It was probably nothing more than a half-remembered dream. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Hearts & Minds | (♫)
When she'd first seen the dark-armored ponies marching in to seize the Town Hall, Applejack hadn't put a lot of stock in the idea that they were actually undead Lunar Rebels. It made much more sense, she thought, for them to simply be ordinary ponies in elaborate costumes- at least until she got a proper look at them up close and the big horrible one that said she was the Mare-in-the-Moon showed up. Applejack hadn't put a lot of stock in that at first, either. It was an Apple family tradition, after all, to keep superstitious folk from meddling with the Cairns and try to stamp out the rumors they tended to spread of ghostly Nightmare soldiers slinking out at night to cut off the heads of disobedient fillies and other nonsense. But now that the evidence had literally stared her in the face, it all made a weird sort of sense. There was, after all, a whole chapter in the Purple Book For Farmers that dealt with spells and potions to preserve things; Applejack used those every harvest on everything from zap-apple jam to next year's branch cuttings. Who could say there wasn't a spell of that sort that could be applied to living ponies? A proper medical mare could probably find eight million problems with that thinking, but Applejack wasn't a physician, and wasn't ashamed to admit she didn't know the answers to those questions any more than old Dr. Greymare up at the hospital would be ashamed of not knowing how to rotate crops or call up a swarm of honeybees. The fact of the matter was, the Lunars- or whatever they were- looked to be in Ponyville to stay, and if Nightmare Moon- or whatever she was- meant what she said about the Sun then Sweet Apple Acres was going to need to prepare.
Fluttershy had accompanied her back from town and volunteered to scout out the fields for any immediate trouble. Applejack, in turn, had spent the last half-hour with every almanac, herbal, and ledger her family owned spread out on the kitchen table under the big crystal lamp, but thus far it had gotten her absolutely nowhere. Without the rising and setting of the Sun to pull fresh nutrients up from deep underground, it was only a matter of time before their entire crop stunted and withered in the fields. There were ways around that, of course, but they required time and skilled labor and expensive reagents- all things that Applejack suspected would soon be in very short supply around Ponyville. Sweet Apple Acres had never had an exorbitant profit margin- Granny wouldn't have it any other way, in fact- but by her reckoning they could now either raise prices until half the town starved, or let the crop fail completely and starve along with everypony. And that wasn't even considering what the weather teams would now have to deal with...
With Granny Smith still nowhere to be found, Big Macintosh still in town looking for her, and Applebloom sent up to her room for her own safety, it was left to Winona's barking to alert Applejack that somepony else was moving around the farmhouse. It couldn't have been Fluttershy- Winona knew Fluttershy, and in any case the last Applejack had seen of her in this weird perpetual night Fluttershy was around back. She was out of her seat and halfway to the front room when whoever it was struck the door with what sounded like metal shoes in three quick, purposeful raps. (♫)
She peered through the window.
Two Lunar soldiers waited for her on the porch outside. Both were stallions, with the same ashen coats, dark purple manes, and slitted yellow eyes as all of their fellows, but that was where the similarities ended. The one on the left was a stocky little earth pony, oddly well-fed and fresh-faced compared to what seemed to be the standard for their group. He wore very light armor, little more than an open-muzzle helmet and steel sabatons over a belted indigo tunic, and although a crossbow hung from the bandoleer across his chest the majority of it was occupied by what Applejack recognized as old-fashioned alchemists' phials filled with concoctions unknown. The one on the right was a taller unicorn clad in field plate; from what little could be seen under it he seemed to be made of nothing but bones and wiry, corded muscle with heavily-scarred hide stretched overtop. There was a longsword slung across his back, and his eyes and ears were in constant motion as he scanned the countryside for some perceived threat. Applejack wondered idly if it had hurt to bend his horn backwards like that.
"Apple... Jack?" the earth pony asked. His voice still had a sort of scratchy, coltish quality to it that made it more difficult than usual for the farmer to get a read on him, but he didn't seem either overly threatening or artificially at ease- rather, he gave every impression of genuine concern. "I am Mage-Ensign Foxglove, a journeymare herbalist, and this is Lancepesade Smoky Mirror."
They had seen her. Applejack bit back a curse, then went ahead and opened the door. If they wanted to bust in and run her through, at least now Big Mac wouldn't need to get the lock replaced.
"What'd... what'd y'all need?" she asked, careful to keep her voice level. These two seemed a bit more dangerous than Twilight Sparkle. She could probably take one or the other hoof-to-hoof, or both at the same time if they weren't armed, but as things currently stood she had to admit that her chances weren't particularly good.
"Councilpony Smith had told us this was the largest plot of private-held land in Ponyville", the plant mage continued, "so we were sent on behalf of the Lunar Republic to aid you in preserving it through the changes that will come to pass. May we come inside to speak?"
It took Applejack a moment to parse his odd, antiquated speech, and as she was doing so his fellow soldier spoke up for the first time. "Mayhap... it would be better... if we met in town, instead?" He had the flat, clipped tone of a constable, but there seemed to be a great deal of anxiety underneath it.
"Nonsense, nonsense," Foxglove corrected him, before looking back at Applejack, "unless, of course, thou wouldst rather we all went to town?"
Very briefly Applejack actually considered the proposition, before remembering that she had no idea when Fluttershy would be coming back and no way to alert the pegasus of her whereabouts. She figured that if they'd wanted to force their way in with hostile intent the Lunars could have just brought more troops, so she took a deep breath and nodded. "Ah s'pose y'all may as well step inside."
They did so in lockstep, the lance-corporal still seemingly scanning every nook and cranny for some imagined threat. As the three returned to the kitchen, Foxglove's eyes widened. "I'd no idea thou werest also a mage! Dost thee by any chance study alchemy?"
Briefly confused, Applejack waited for him to explain how in Tartarus he'd come to that conclusion before realizing he was pawing carefully through the almanacs she'd spread out on the kitchen table.
"You... uhh... do know those're just ledgers an' the like, right? Or, well, Ah reckon some of 'em have spells, but nothing any other farmstead 'round these parts wouldn't have."
"Everypony hath books like these?" Foxglove murmured, reaching for a copy of Astrology as Applied to Plantings and Harvests, "May I?"
"Go on, it's not like Ah can stop-"
Applejack was cut off abruptly as Smoky Mirror yelled "Above thee!" and twisted around, incredibly quickly, longsword unsheathed and held in his telekinesis with obvious threatening intent.
On the landing at the top of the kitchen stairs, Applebloom made a strangled little "yaa-urk" noise and leaped backwards from where she'd been peering down between two of the banisters.
Immediately, the stallion brought his weapon back to chest level and backed over into the narrow space between the wall and one of the cupboards, head still swiveling back and forth like a spooked dog, ears flat against his skull and slit-pupilled eyes unnaturally wide. It was hard to tell under all that armor, but Applejack thought she could see him shaking.
"Applebloom," the farmer commanded in what she hoped was a firm but calm tone, "Ah think you should wait for us in your room, okay?" She watched as her younger sister disappeared from view, listening to her hooves against the floorboards and the squeak of her door opening.
"Smoky..." Foxglove was muttering as he stepped carefully forward, "Smoky, calm thyself, 'tis but a filly."
"I know," the unicorn snarled through gritted teeth.
"Smoky, I... think 'twould be best for everyone if thou waited without."
After a few seconds the unicorn swallowed, hard, and returned the sword to its scabbard. "Aye... aye, thou art... aye, sir." He pulled open the back door with exaggerated care and stepped outside. Applejack walked back over to the table and took a seat. She tried not to listen to Mirror's pacing hoofsteps and occasional labored breathing, but with the back door hanging open it was difficult not to.
After an awkward few seconds, Foxglove cleared his throat. "Thou toldest me that... everypony here hath such a collection?"
"Well, not everypony, but anypony who's willing to take the time and learn to do her job right'll have at least a few books and articles for reference."
The plant mage cocked his head to one side, "What about the ponies who cannot read?"
"You mean, like, blind ponies? Well, 'bout five hundred years back they came up with this thing called Baylle that's like an alphabet made a' little bumps you can learn to 'read' by feelin' 'em with the frog a' your hoof...."
He laughed, nervously. "What strange times thou liveth in!"
"Well, it ain't helped me one bit, so far. Ah found... uhhh... this here thing..." From beneath a pile of price tables Applejack extricated the Apple family's copy of Cobblestone's Illustrated History of Agriculture, which she had opened to a full-page reproduction of a much older pamphlet entitled Fortifying Crops Ravaged by the Cruel Dark of the Nightmare Whore. The margins were decorated with woodcut illustrations of a dark-colored alicorn standing rampant atop a pile of skeletal corpses with a wailing foal pinned in her jaws. Applejack experienced an unexpected flicker of embarrassment, but if Foxglove thought anything at all of it he gave no sign, "... but none a' the hoof positions in the ritual make a lick a' sense!"
The plant mage fell silent for a turn, eyes roving over the print and occasionally muttering to himself. (♫)
Applejack realized that she could hear Smoky Mirror talking to somepony on the porch outside: "So... dost thou serve here? For Sweet Apple Acres, I mean," the soldier asked.
"Uhm... a lot of the time, actually, I guess?" To Applejack's surprise, the other voice was Fluttershy's. "But there's always ponies around town who need help with pets and wild creatures. The Apples just have a lot more problems because their farm is so close to the Everfree."
There was another, longer pause as Foxglove pulled a grubby scrap of parchment from his tunic and appeared to begin checking it against what was printed on the page.
"Are... you all right? You look... nervous," Fluttershy asked from the porch.
"'Tis naught," she heard Smoky say, some of the old military sharpness coming back into his voice.
"Are you sure?" Fluttershy continued.
"Aye... nay. I do not know. I... will be all right... in a while."
There was a sizable part of Applejack that wanted to keep an eye- or at least an ear- on the lance corporal for Fluttershy's sake, but it was about then that Foxglove cleared his throat and tapped a section of text with his steel-shod hoof. "Whoever wrote this must hath looted the work of some of our own mages. The ritual calls upon the power of the Moon, through our Sovereign Princess Luna. Thou must take our Oath 'ere thee casteth it." He dug into one of the pockets of his tunic and extracted a round plate of some kind of dark stone about half again the size of Applejack's hoof, the top surface inlaid with a silver crescent and surrounded by a circle of incredibly detailed runes; and then a small phial of black liquid that didn't seem so much opaque as a place where light itself ceased to function normally. Looking very closely, Applejack could almost convince herself that the material was filled with dozens of tiny stars. "The changes will take a few nights, so if thou art prepared I can administer it now."
"Whoa, hold up there, you mean...?"
"Thou wouldst become like us, aye. 'Tis a great change, true, and I shant think any less of thee if thou needest time to decide, but the sooner we can begin the sooner thine business here can resume." He stepped back and seemed to purposefully avoid eye contact.
Applejack stared at the plate and the potion he'd left on the table. The idea of willingly joining the ranks of a usurper army like the Lunars, if that was indeed what they were, almost made her physically ill, but she'd been in business far too long to trust her gut that blindly and she knew her own limits. She wondered if she was so opposed to the concept simply because she was afraid of change.
On the porch behind her, Smoky Mirror was speaking in a flat, dead voice. He was quieter, now, and Applejack kept missing whole sections of words. "... Morningstar was carrying most of our provisions, and the map ... with her gone ... Jasper and Orrey sought to ... ... ... from a Solar patrol, but ... ... that deep in Solar territory, so I split off... ... ... must have walked for three days, more or less ... ... ... naught but snow and dead trees as far as the eye could see ... ... found the farmhouse around sunset ... much like this one, though I saw they grew oranges... ... was trying to force the lock on the storehouse when everything started to go black..."
Foxglove's voice once again snapped Applejack back to the matter at hoof. "I know how difficult this must be for thee. 'Twas difficult for me. But I promise you that under the Republic things will be better than they are now. We shall repeal Celestia's taxes, lift restrictions on the spells and potions available to thee... thou canst hire more laborers, take a seat in the local government..."
Applejack's eyes narrowed, "You think we're strugglin', do you? Mah Granny's the one who taught me simplicity. She wouldn't be interested in any a' that high honors business, and I sure ain't either."
Foxglove just nodded. "Of course."
Outside, the Corporal still went on. "... awoke next to a roaring fire with a bowl of chicken broth next to me. The first thing I saw was Celestia's Sun on a banner over the chimney ... ... ... family that owned the place came running when they heard ... ...filly and two colts, neither more than ten years old... ... perfectly happy under Celestia, if thou canst believe, but never once were they anything less than friendly ... ... ... ... another day or so before they heard the patrols would be about and sent me away ... made it to the Republic camp in close to fighting shape at just about the same time Jasper did... Orrey had stayed behind to try to draw off the Solars they had gotten chasing them ..."
For the first time since Applejack had begun listening in, Fluttershy spoke up. "I'm... sorry. Do you still miss him?"
"'Twas the damn fool's own fault. 'Tis not my trouble."
The farmer forced herself to pay attention to what Foxglove was saying. "Thou dost notneed to do any such thing," he admonished, "The Lunar Republic respects thy rights and the cultural autonomy of local communities. If thou dost want the damn cloudhumpers off thine land, nopony is forcing thee to employ them. Thou art well within thine rights to declare thine farm a sovereign tribal holding."
"Ah'm sorry, what was that last part?" Applejack snapped almost on pure reflex. "You do know who casts the weather 'round these parts, right?"
Foxglove actually physically backed away a little. Idly, the farmer wondered if he was having second thoughts about sending away his sword-wielding friend. "Well... I mean... if the pegasi doth not offend thee then then thou canst certainly permit them... after all, 'tis thanks to Luna's laws that mine brother was able to wed a unicorn..."
Applejack stalked after him, head bent down to his level the whole time. "Tax breaks and political favors for under-the-table deals? And then when I call ya on it, you back down like a nervous schoolfilly? Ah'm sorry, I thought y'all Lunar types were against the Day Court!"
This time, the plant mage reeled backwards almost as though he'd been struck on the nose. Then he blinked, lowered his head, and slowly sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. "I am... truly, dreadfully sorry I even spoke of it," he murmured, looking her right in the eye. "Thou art right, of course. Equestria has changed, and... ultimately, we are all but ponies, and we have been asleep for a long time. All... all I ask of thee is that thou keepest an open mind, and answerest our questions when we ask for thine help." He reached back into his tunic and extracted a small, purple-velvet pouch, carefully slipping the plate and the potion inside before pocketing the collection once more. "I promise thee we shan't make the same mistakes those Canterlot sloths are making every day, but we have so much catching-up to do. If thou canst aid us in that, it will be that much easier for thine farm -and thine kin and neighbors- going forward. If thou art unwilling to work with me, I can always spare thee the trouble and summon my commanding officer. Steel Shank is a pegasus himself, and so thou needst not fear offending that tribe without knowing."
Applejack always considered herself to be more than capable of reading ponies, and was surprised to see that the alchemist seemed entirely sincere. For the first time, she thought about the everyday trials of running a business in modern Equestria; the constant pressure to compete with minotaur and Abyssinian imports that Celestia stubbornly refused to limit, and the seemingly daily scandals of misplaced taxes and vanishing subsidies. She'd always considered such things just to be the way the world was, but now that it had been proposed the idea of changing was... strangely liberating. She'd always considered herself a realist, but these were surreal times. She had her farm and her family to look out for, foremost, and any fighting she started would just cause more bloodshed. If working with the Lunars could prevent that...
"We took the whole valley a week after," Smoky Mirror continued behind her, "I was still on light duty in the rear, but I had heard 'twas tough fighting all the way up. Now that it was safe to walk the main roads again I took some silver coin and slipped out of camp one day to find the farmhouse. Somepony... everything was burned to the ground. I buried what was left of them best I could and never came back... but what keeps me awake is that I... I never did learn who set that fire- the Solars, or our own."
After that there was a lot of difficult-to-interpret motion. She thought she might have heard Fluttershy say something, or perhaps the Lunar was sobbing quietly to himself, or perhaps it was both.
Applejack remembered the ponies being carted into the hospital tent- some thrashing, some completely limp. She remembered the looks of panic on her neighbors' faces as the Lunars had marched on the Town Hall. She'd heard the Canterlot mare talking about what those exact same Lunars had done a thousand years ago, and now she was seeing it firsthoof. Nightmare Moon, if that was really what the thing in the town hall was, had said as much to their faces. If they handed over control of the town to the Lunars, eternal night would be the least of Applejack's problems, and she was lying to herself if she ever believed anything else.
"Thank y'all for comin' by to chat with me," she said to Foxglove, her voice perfectly level, "but Ah think it'd be best for everypony if y'all cleared outta here sooner, rather than later."
The alchemist stood and adjusted his bandoleer, seemingly paying extra attention to keep his hooves away from the crossbow that hung from the center. "As you w-will, then," he said, real fear creeping into his coltish voice for the first time since he'd arrived, "but I will warn thee... one greenhoof to another... that our Sovereign is not as patient as my commander and I."
He shuffled out without another word, leaving her alone in the kitchen for a few moments before the sound of steel-shod hooves on the floorboards alerted her to the return of Fluttershy and Smoky Mirror. The Lunar was standing tall and looking straight ahead now, and when he spoke his voice was clipped and military-sharp. "I heard what thou said to Foxglove, and, for what it is worth... 'twere the bravest thing I have ever seen any pony do." Then he too stepped out into the unnatural night.
Applejack made her way into the sitting room, Fluttershy close behind. She sat down heavily on the rug and through sheer force of will compelled her hooves to stop shaking.
"Do you... think they'll come after us?" the pegasus asked.
Idly, Applejack chewed on a strand of mane that had come loose from its tie as she looked out over the darkened countryside. Somepony was setting off bright purple flares somewhere deep in the Everfree- the farmer had no idea what that meant, but she doubted it was good.
"Ah doubt it, least not right away," she finally said aloud. "Ah think they really do want all the help they can get right about now, and if they reckon they still got a chance to get us on their side they won't wanna spook us. Sooner or later, though -and prob'ly sooner- they're gonna figure out we ain't listenin', and when they do..." The farmer found herself turning to stare at the bookshelf over Fluttershy's shoulder. On the very topmost shelf sat the warhammer and armor Granny Smith had once used in the Landsknechts- the elite earth pony specialist forces of the Equestrian Army. Applejack had always wondered if the gear would fit her, and really looking at it for the first time since she'd been a small filly she concluded that it probably could. "Hey, Fluttershy, you got any idea where that purple unicorn who was studyin' them Lunars mighta' gotten herself off to?" (♫)
Pinkie Pie had been the one to notice that Rarity's horn was starting to give out, albeit a little too late to stop her from dropping a stack of linens into the fountain in the village square. In truth, Pinkie herself wasn't far behind- keeping everypony out of catatonia, blind panic, and other entirely unhelpful states was a challenge and she was rapidly running out of fresh material. After Rarity had littrally thrown in the towel -or more accurately dropped the towel, which sounded much more appropriately pathetic anyway- they'd retired to Carousel Boutique for drinks. Pinkie supposed that was really the only reasonable response to having your town taken over by ancient mutant zombie bat terrorists working for Princess Celestia's creepy estranged sister who lived on the Moon, anyway.
Of course, when she'd heard that said ancient mutant zombie bat terrorists were going door-to-door- selling undeath insurance, maybe?- Rarity had even dimmed the building's lights as a courtesy. Pinkie, for her part, wasn't sure why anypony would want more of the things to come around, but come they did, like moths who were so rebellious they headed directly away from any flames and subsequently froze to death. Grumpy, grim moths- 'Goths', perhaps? No, that sounded ridiculous.
It was a pair of them that knocked on the glass front door. They always seemed to travel in pairs or more, or at least the not-completely-skeletal ones did, presumably so they wouldn't get either mobbed or quietly knocked off by their newly-'liberated' subjects. Or maybe they found long walks through occupied territory to be unbearably romantic; or maybe, secretly, they were all in fact mortally afraid of the dark. Pinkie couldn't pretend to know what, if anything, went through those ponies' heads.
"Just stay here, I'll talk to them," Pinkie said, leaving the white unicorn to her drink in Carousel Boutique's annoyingly orderly kitchen.
"Well, if you're sure, dear..."
There were two mares waiting for her at the door, a unicorn and a pegasus. The pegasus looked young, thirteen or fourteen maybe, and too small and stringy for even her light flyer's armor, shifting back and forth on her hooves like a filly at a doctor's appointment. Pinkie wondered just when she'd last had a proper meal- not in a thousand years, of course, unless somepony had thought to build a snack bar into those crypts, but in this particular case it showed. The unicorn, on the other hoof, had obviously once been quite striking- powerfully but gracefully built, with the same lean, almost predatory features as the title character in those trashy Sapphire: Equestrian Commando comics Rainbow Dash was always reading. The lines starting to form around her muzzle and the streaks of gray decorating her indigo mane shouldn't have changed that, but nonetheless she looked faded and simply worn down in a way that Pinkie couldn't exactly describe- although the long, livid, bright-pink scar tracking from the tip of her muzzle, just past her left eye socket, and up under the metal of her helmet might have had something to do with it.
"Hail," the unicorn greeted, in a voice that was right on the border between husky and outright abrasive, "I am Sergeant Catseye, and this is Private Rain Chaser. May we enter?"
"Oh! Lemme ask Rarity, it's her shop!"
The tailor must've been listening through the open kitchen door, as her voice echoed back a moment later, "Oh, by all... means, dears!"
Pinkie supposed it wasn't like either of them had much say in the matter.
She stepped back and watched as the Lunars advanced into the shop floor like they were scouting an enemy fortification, blades drawn as they prodded this or opened that. She saw Rarity step out from the kitchen to watch, looking a good bit more composed than when she and Pinkie had entered, and wondered what on the material plane the soldiers were even expecting to find in her clothing shop- a squad of Royal Guards hiding under fabric bolts or posing as mannequins, maybe?
The older one pulled Rarity's dueling harness from its place of honor in the center of the display floor and began fiddling with it, and Pinkie saw the tailor grit her teeth and wince, but then the soldier nodded, returned it, and seemed about to head back for the door. (♫)
Then the scrawny pegasus, Rain Chaser, ducked back behind the curtain leading to Rarity's workshop, and came scampering out a moment later. "Moon and stars! Catseye, thou wilst wish to see this!" Oh.
Right.
Catseye drew a rather deadly-looking broadsword, waving it in her telekinesis in a generally Pinkie-and-Rarity-ward direction. "Both of thee. Come with me. Slowly, now." As the baker drew closer, Catseye gave both her and her friend a few none-too-gentle pokes with the hilt of the blade to get them into a line with herself at the back and Rain Chaser at the front, then started herding them back into the workshop.
Pinkie, for her part, was not especially fond of being poked- at least not by other mares, anyway- and began to wonder if they even needed to put up with that sort of treatment. She knew Rarity's telekinesis had always been unusually strong for a unicorn without any formal training in the subject, and Pinkie herself could do some damage with her hooves- and, if all else failed, she could always just sit on one of the Lunars. But there weren't just two of the rebels, there were... well... multiple, at the very least, and Rarity would never forgive Pinkie if she got the Boutique trashed needlessly. After all, red was very much last season. That, and long experience working the front counter at Sugarcube Corner had taught her that there was a certain class of ponies for whom the best possible course of action was just to smile and nod, like that one lunatic who kept barging in and insisting that there was some kind of horrible torture-dungeon concealed under the shop despite all evidence to the contrary. If Pinkie was in the business of torturing ponies at random with the same boring methods over and over again -which she wasn't- why in Tartarus would she be doing it under a bakery owned by somepony else? Health violations were serious business, after all!
Once they had made their way into the workshop proper, Rain Chaser motioned Pinkie over into the far corner and flicked out a wingblade maybe a foot away from the earth pony's chest. Pinkie could see quite clearly that her wing was shaking, although it was difficult to tell whether that was from anxiety or anger given the weird, beaked helmet she was wearing. Pinkie was sure there was some kind of system determining which bat-pegasi got those versus the open design, but was equally sure it was some boring nonsense about valor, heroism, and other really-hard-to-understand things.
Rarity, on the other hoof, was roughly prodded over into the center of the room, where Catseye barked "Where didst thee find our armor?"
"I... I bought it from the Rich family collection..." the dressmaker stammered, her legs shaking as she stared at the blade in front of her. Pinkie tried to keep up a reassuring face for her; it wasn't like the baker could do much else at the moment.
"Fie!" the soldier barked, edging her blade a little closer to Rarity's neck, "'Tis in too fine a condition to have come from anywhere but the Cairns."
"W-well, yes, the Collection is from the Cairn at Sweet Apple Acres, but-"
"Aye, so, she doth confess!" the pegasus soldier cut in. "I say we end her here and now, and bring the body to the Square to explain what she hath done!" Rarity's eyes, understandably, got a little wider at that pronouncement, but she didn't give any other obvious sign of distress.
"Nay, Private. She will be taken before Our Sovereign Empress Luna, the charge of murder will be presented, a plea entered, a jury convened, and this will all be done properly." Catseye's sandpaper voice then dropped a few grit numbers. "And then we will have her head."
So much for a fair trial under the great Lunar Republic... Pinkie thought to herself. And what kind of 'republic' has an 'empress' anyway?
"No, it's- it's not like that at all", Rarity continued, "the Cairn was already open before my parents were born!"
"Aye, verily it was!" Catseye suddenly flipped her blade off to the side and headbutted Rarity, sending the slimmer mare stumbling back onto her haunches.
Pinkie decided she'd had more than enough. "Excuse me!" she yelled, "that armor's in waaay worse condition than it'd be if she'd just dug it up."
"Thou would best be quiet," Catseye snapped, and swung the blade around towards Pinkie's own neck, which the baker supposed was at least a little better than waving it at Rarity.
"No, no, look, the plates are still rusty, and all the original leather's gone! It's been outside for a hundred years!"
There was a long, painful stretch of time where nothing at all happened.
Then, abruptly, Catseye lowered her sword and bowed her head, Rain Chaser also pulling her bladed wing away at the unspoken command. The unicorn soldier just stood there for a minute, looking like she was trying to cough up a live frog or possibly swallow one back down again. "In that case... I apologize," she finally said. "'Twas wrong of me to presume."
"Wait, if... she did not open one of the Cairns, then who-"
"A local landowner named Idle Rich," Rarity volunteered, "That was maybe... a hundred and twenty years ago?"
Catseye's ears dropped downward. "So... there is no chance..."
"No, he's... been dead for quite a while," the tailor finished.
"So there really is nothing to be done, then." Rain Chaser kicked the tile floor with surprising vehemence, digging out a small chunk with the edge of her steel sabaton. Pinkie knew Rarity would be too gracious to bill her for it. "The fool is out of even Our Sovereign's reach."
A sort of tired melancholia descended over the entire room, and Pinkie Pie very quickly began to find it intolerable. "Well..." she suggested, "If both of you really want to I could show you over to the graveyard and Rarity can lend you her shovel and we can all kick Idle's skull around like a hoofball until you feel better?"
The leaden atmosphere vanished abruptly, replaced nearly as quickly with a weird, twisty-tangly sort of silence between herself and Catseye that nopony in the room- least of all the two mares themselves- seemed at all able to make any sense of. Then the soldier shook her head, her careworn features creasing into the first genuine smile Pinkie had seen from any of the invaders since they had arrived -she was surprised they even had the right muscles for it- and laughed out loud. "Nay, at least not now. Although I shall remember thine offer, once all of this is done!"
Now that they weren't actively trying to kill each other, Pinkie was able to notice the Lunars' oddly inquisitive gazes at the armor and weapons on display- which, she noticed, had been restored to a somewhat better condition than what the soldiers were actually wearing. It was a look she very much recognized from prospective customers. "So... I'm guessing you Lunars don't get a lot of time to sit around and... uhh, polish your stuff or whatever the super-proper military word for it is?"
Catseye and Rain Chaser both shook their heads, and when she was sure they weren't looking Pinkie gave Rarity a tiny nod.
"Well, if you've time I could fix a strap here, refit a plate there, perhaps change out a few of the worse-off sections," the tailor said, "assuming that's... well, allowed?" (♫)
Catseye seemed to consider it for a good long few seconds as Rain Chaser shifted her helmeted head back and forth. Pinkie noticed the muffled squeak of metal on metal every time she moved too far to one side, accompanied by a slight pause that seemed to be caused by some measure of resistance. It got very obnoxious, very quickly, and she wasn't surprised when Chaser kept looking expectantly at Catseye.
Finally, the unicorn officer nodded. "Mayhap the Captain would not approve, but I see no harm in it. The soldiers in that Cairn would want for their equipment to find some use... 'tis how I came to own mine, in fact."
"You guys were really that short on equipment?" Pinkie asked, genuinely curious and also hoping to keep the Lunars talking as Rarity collected her tools and began fiddling with their gear.
"Aye, though 'tis better than how the Army was before. The nobles could commission their own equipment, and fine it was, but the rest of us..." Catseye trailed off.
"Only the damn Day Guard were outfitting their troops with Royal funds after a month, perhaps," Rain Chaser continued, "And the rutters could afford to forge it all new, wasteful fools that they were."
It was not lost on Pinkie that the rebels' obsession with thrift didn't seem to be confined to their equipment -'Reduce, Reuse, Reanimate'?- but now that the Lunars were finally talking and not waving sharp metal things around she decided to keep the observation to herself.
Rarity went about her work with quiet efficiency, fiddling with this or that in as unobtrusive a manner as possible, and after a few more minutes Rain Chaser spoke up again, more quietly this time. "Starflower... was in one of the easternmost Cairns, was he not?"
"Aye," Catseye nodded, "Though it matters little which one. I saw him cut down by one of the Tyrant's damnable Day Guard as we pulled back to the Castle."
"Oh. I am sorry." Rain Chaser's beaked helmet tipped downwards against her neck, the pony underneath avoiding eye contact like a scolded filly, and once again Pinkie realized just how young she was.
"'Tis nothing to mourn, girl. Had it not been for the Rebellion he and I would never have met, much less been permitted to wed..."
Feeling more and more like an intruder, Pinkie very much considered leaving the room entirely, before spotting the bottle of expensive Pferdlich brandy she and Rarity had been sharing. She grabbed the bottle and a few glasses- the means by which she was physically able to do so as a quadruped, as usual, never receiving more than a moment's conscious consideration- and poured a generous sampling for the Lunars. "Here, you look like you could use this more than I could. Rarity?"
The tailor nodded her assent. Catseye lifted the glass in her telekinesis, swishing the liquid inside around for a few seconds and sniffing at it suspiciously. Then she floated it out towards Pinkie, called out "To absent friends!" and downed it in a single gulp.
After that, she went straight for the bottle, and Pinkie was entirely expecting her to swallow the entire contents of that as well, but instead the unicorn seemed to become fascinated by the staff-and-pinecone distiller's mark on the label. "Is this... Thyrsus brandy? I remember liberating a brewery by that name from the Empire!"
Rain Chaser tentatively sipped at her own glass, held awkwardly in the hook of a leathery wing. Pinkie saw her wince slightly under her helmet, and briefly wondered if anypony would come after her for providing alcoholic spirits to a filly when all of this was over. Alternatively, perhaps she should see about getting Sugarcube Corner a liquor license. "Was not the keeper of the place a close friend of Our Sovereign?"
Catseye shook her head and poured the two of them another round. "Nay, 'twas the stallion we appointed after beheading the Sun-loving rutter who owned that land."
Lovely ponies 'round these parts this time of year, Pinkie thought to herself.
If anything, Rain Chaser seemed to take that admission as something to admire in the older unicorn, and leaned forward eagerly. "I had... no idea thou marched with the force that took The Downs!"
"'Twas in all the broadsheets."
"Oh." Rain Chaser ducked her head again. "I... well... I never did have much chance to learn my letters."
Catseye seemed to get offended by that, and for the life of her Pinkie couldn't figure out why. Visiting the market district with a bloodthirsty thousand-year-old filly was entirely reasonable, but visiting with a bloodthirsty thousand-year-old illiterate filly was ridiculous? What kind of logic was that?
"But were not both thine sire and dam officers?" the older unicorn asked.
"I know 'twas wrong to squander the Republic's schooling, but I... suppose I had more important things to do..."
Beginning to fill in some of the blanks, Pinkie wondered exactly where free schooling for the children of soldiers would have left all the ponies in the Lunar Republic who were either unable or unwilling to fight... although, at this point, she was beginning to understand that nothing her own little brain could come up with would be as bizarre as whatever the transformed rebels might say next. The whole thing was just so utterly... surreal.
She let them keep talking.
"My dam never had much trouble with it," Rain Chaser continued, "she said the schools were naught but a waste of bits better spent on arming our bravest. Oh, how she grumbled when Our Luna banned the selling of commissions..." Abruptly the mutant pegasus's voice dropped in volume, "She was in Sixth Company, and my sire in the Eighth. Has there... been any news?"
Catseye nodded, and divided the remaining contents of the bottle between their two cups. "Aye, last I heard there were a score or more distress flares in the forest we'd yet to locate... perhaps fivescore troops, although I cannot know if their souls remain or not. Either way, we will need them soon enough."
That seemed to mollify Rain Chaser, at least a little, and Rarity stepped back a moment later. The pegasus gave her helmet another experimental twist, and this time the cowling below it followed smoothly and silently.
"Impressive work," Catseye conceded as she lead the way back to the shop's glass front doors. "If thou art interested in finer things than armor, I am sure thou wouldst make a welcome addition to Her Majesty's court!" Then she pushed the door open and stepped out into the night.
"Thank you, both, I'd be honored!" the tailor called.
"And thou!" Catseye turned around briefly and waved in Pinkie Pie's direction. "A light heart is a rare and valuable thing in these times! For sharing it, I commend thee!"
Pinkie waited until both of the Lunars were well and truly gone before turning around to face Rarity head-on. "You're... not seriously thinking about taking them up on that, are you?"
"Oh, goodness no!" She paused, then retreated back deeper into the shop. "Were you... able to find out anything interesting from that officer? All I was able to do was get some idea of how the armor itself could be put on... nothing much I didn't already know from working with it before."
"Nah, that's fine. Not every mare has the pony skills to work a counter! I did hear they had more troops coming in from the Everfree, and they're planning something big I don't think a lot of the ponies here are gonna be too happy about."
"Dear, do you think... we might have to stop them?"
"Well we're not doing much sitting here gossiping!" Pinkie searched over Rarity's accumulated collection of Lunar weapons, flipped up a rapier with one hoof, and snatched it out of the air in her jaws. It didn't seem too difficult to wave around, despite Rarity's concerned expression, although if she had a chance she'd definitely be adding some kind of flavoring to the handle- bubblegum, maybe, or possibly lemon. "We should go see if that Twinkle Sprinkle or whatever from out of town might need our help." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Clair de Lune | (♫)
It took exactly fifteen minutes and twenty-six seconds for Shining Armor's reply to reach her. Twilight knew it had taken that long because she had been staring at the clock on the wall for the entire duration.
Finally a scroll materialized in a flash of green energy directly above where Spike lay curled up in a light doze, and she snatched it up in her telekinesis before it even hit the ground.
She squinted through the fatigue headache that had been slowly building up over the entire morning, and forced her wobbly telekinesis to undo the Guard-issue cloth ribbon:
Twilight:
Canterlot is aware of the situation and a force is currently being mobiliced to retake the town. Please stay out of the way and don't do anything to try to interfere with the Lunar troops. Just go along with them for the time being. In a little while we will take care of everything and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got yourself hurt attempting any kind of heroics before then.
Just hold tight and I promise we'll see each other soon.
-Shiny
Twilight exhaled audibly, days of stress and sleep deprivation finally beginning to pile onto her with the realization that the whole nightmarish mess she'd found herself in had, at last, been transferred to the hooves of somepony better-equipped to deal with it. She was staggering up the library stairs, aiming for the loft and the chance to take at least a brief rest, when three hard impacts sounded against the front door.
Her fatigue vanished in an instant. "Spike- get out of here!" she hissed, able to spare only a moment to watch the young dragon scramble to his feet as she dashed back downstairs.
The knocking sounded once again, and this time a stallion's voice followed: "Open up, in the name of the Moon."
Twilight grasped the doorknob in her telekinesis and fumbled with the lock, finally managing to pull the door open a little less than a barrel's-width and block the way inside with her body. A scrawny, scruffy-looking bat-pegasus stood outside, dressed in an officer's tunic with a pair of empty saddlebags slung over his back, and flanked on either side by a unicorn and earth pony revenant. He peered down his long muzzle at her with surprisingly large, watery eyes and gingerly licked his lips. If Twilight didn't know better, she'd say the mutant pony was nervous. "I am Major Steel Shank. This... is a library, aye?" He asked.
He moved as if to step inside, and Twilight realized she had no idea if Spike was still in the foyer. "Hold on, what makes you think you can just barge in here and..." she babbled, more concerned with filling the air with words than what they actually meant.
"By order of Her Royal Highness Empress Luna the sovereign protector of Equestria, all citizens of the New Lunar Republic are... are obligated to provide information and assistance in support of the liberation of pony-held lands from the tyranny of Celestia and her regime!" Bit by bit his expression hardened as he rattled off what seemed like a long-ago-memorized sermon.
Twilight held her tongue and stood her ground.
Then one of the unicorn revenants unslung a crossbow and aimed the business end of it just above her head. Idly, Twilight noticed that its telekinetic field was the exact same electric blue as the revenants that had been tearing down the decorations in the town square. The live Lunars had auras in the expected variety of colors, but every single revenant's was identical to the others... and identical to Nightmare Moon's.
"Listen," the scruffy pegasus hissed, "Wouldst thou rather talk to them, or wouldst thou rather talk to me?"
Twilight risked a glance behind her and caught sight of the secret panel that led to the Library's bolt-hole sliding closed. She also noticed that the obsidian slates containing the prophecy had vanished from the table where she'd left them. She'd completely forgotten about those, and now fought to suppress a quiver at the thought of what the Lunars might have done if they'd discovered her interest.
She relaxed ever so slightly, finally stepping out of the doorway. The Lunars seemed to take that as all the invitation that was required and brushed past her, one after another; Twilight scampered back another few steps rather than make contact with the revenants' flaky, tattered hide or the... components underneath. They didn't smell like decay, exactly; the sickly-sweet odor of putrefaction she had expected was in fact completely absent, but there was an unpleasant mustiness about them that hung in place well after they were gone. All of the Lunars seemed to ignore her utterly, focused entirely on the bookshelves around them. (♫)
The officer scanned each shelf carefully, occasionally fishing a volume out with his surprisingly dextrous hooked wings; the majority were reshelved while others were slipped into his saddlebags.
Modern Cryptology, Decline and Fall of the Griffon Empire...
The revenants were much less cautious, extricating whole stacks at once and tossing whatever disinterested them to the floor in heaps, but no less thorough.
... The Illustrated Book of Airships, Abridged Operating Procedures of the Equestrian Rail Service...
The splintered bones of a revenant's broken-off muzzle swung dangerously close to the spot on the table where Twilight had left Shining's scroll; working hard to control her breathing she carefully levitated it over, and tucked it as discreetly as she could manage against her barrel, backing out towards the door the whole time.
Magical Networks Certification Preparation Vol XLVII, Order of Battle in the Saddle Arabian Campaigns... the list went on and on.
As soon as she was outside she broke into a run, staggering aimlessly away from whatever parts of the neighborhood seemed to hold the thickest collections of purple astral steel, and fighting the bile that threatened to creep back up her throat.
Cautiously, with unsteady telekinesis, she unrolled Shining's letter once again. Looking more closely by the light spilling from an open window, she realized that both instances of the letter 'o' in "soon" were identical, stroke-for-stroke. Her gaze panned over the rest of it, and her breath caught in her throat- not just two, but three, four... five copies of exactly the same letter, complete with the little spur at the end where Shiny's quill hadn't quite completed the circle and dipped inward. Now that she knew what to look for, she saw the duplication everywhere. The more common letters cycled through five or six forms, and the rarer ones were identical every time they appeared...
- A flash of reflected moonlight registered in the corner of her eye. She folded up the letter and started moving again, trotting past the greensward across from Sugarcube Corner where the Lunars had amassed a pile of heavy-duty crystal lamps, artillery pieces, air chariot parts, and other miscellaneous enchanted or mechanical equipment. Specialists in mages' tunics and tool-harnesses swarmed over it like noctilucent ants, pawing at particularly complicated pieces, and Twilight was suddenly reminded of herself when she'd been little more than a foal, taking apart home appliances and learning how the magic inside them worked -
... When she'd appeared in the Town Hall, Nightmare Moon had spoken modern Ponish. The alicorn couldn't have predicted the way the language would evolve all on her lonesome, so she had to have learned of it as it evolved. Somehow, she had to have possessed a means to observe the interactions of individual ponies, in detail, in the Waking World even during her confinement in the Moon. That skill could just as easily be applied to copy the mannerisms of ponies she knew to be close to her hated sister...
- Twilight pressed herself against the plaster wall of a building as a double column of Lunars marched past her. In between them, shackled and stripped of their equipment, were ponies she recognized from the Celebration as artisans, healers, weatherworkers, and members of the constabulary-
... The use of offerings and sacrifices in summoning spells was one of the oldest and most established magical techniques- the overall mana cost was dramatically decreased if, instead of simply drawing the desired object to the caster's location, like could be exchanged for like, or a thaumaturgical aspect replaced with its natural antipode. What was a better sacrifice to bring about the return of the Princess of the Moon than her biological sister, the Princess of the Sun, who had maintained an active magical channel to influence the Circle of the Moon, day in and day out, for the last one thousand years?
Twilight's imagination filled her old model of the summoning-spell with dozens of new terms, entire blocks of unresolvable unknowns suddenly canceled away, the familiar false-color lines of a Feymare diagram tying ethereal ground state to physical distance, Nightmare Moon's corporeal form seeping down from the Lunar Shells even as Princess Celestia was hurled bodily upward, out into the deep Firmament...
- as she staggered deeper into the center of town, Twilight found herself forced to duck and weave through teams of press-ganged locals as they hammered together barricades and boarded up windows, all under the watchful eye-sockets of the omnipresent revenants. The undead definitely had to be coming from somewhere; before they had been a constant but ignorable presence, but now every street was lousy with the things-
... In terms of physical force, Princess Celestia wouldn't have experienced much more than a sharp jolt, a transposition without motion, but the instantaneous thaumic shear would have been immense. At those energy scales, Twilight knew, the materia-mana coupling broke down completely and embedded enchantments reverted to a host-independent field state. They'd collapse back down a split-second later, of course, but by that time Celestia would already have been gone and Nightmare Moon would be occupying the exact same space she'd left. As far as the contingency spells applied to the Princess by the Day Court were concerned- spells whose operation was based on the assumption that nothing could decouple them and leave anything resembling a suitable host for them to collapse onto- Nightmare Moon was now, and always had been, the rightful ruler of Equestria...
- Somepony was shouting, angry and a little afraid, and Twilight watched as a team of Lunars filled wagon after wagon with lanterns, shovels, rope, and other survival equipment pulled from a smashed-open storefront. They ignored utterly the protests of the green pegasus mare whose campfire cutie mark was depicted on the sign hanging overhead, until a big earth pony backhoofed her across the muzzle and sent her sprawling into the dirt. The very same scene was being duplicated with only slight variation at the blacksmith's shop, and dry goods store, and the druggist's on the other side of the square -
... Her own dragonfire spell was intended for official Equestrian communiques. Not only Celestia's own terminus, but Twilight's, Spike's, and Shining's as well were keyed to Celestia's wards. It had seemed the safest and most prudent option at the time- after all, what was more secure than the personal protective spells devised by the Day Court?
-she caught sight of a familiar face in the crowd, and the unexpected gleam of golden armor. She drew closer and, just for a moment, Colonel Forward March stared at her in bafflement before a revenant unicorn in mage's robes pressed its horn against March's forehead and her eyes rolled back in her skull-
Twilight uncrumpled the scroll she'd received, one more time, noticing for the first time what she'd thought was Shining's misspelling of the word 'mobilized'. She now suspected it wasn't a misspelling at all: Whatever Shining Armor had actually sent her, he hadn't included the letter 'z', and so when Nightmare Moon had taken the letter apart and put it back together again to serve her own purposes the alicorn hadn't been able to duplicate it.
After a few seconds of silent convulsions, the Lunars undid the shackles binding Forward's hooves and wings, and she stepped over to join a cluster of unbound Royal Guards and Ponyville Militia who laughed and joked with each other as though this was any other ordinary security detail, oblivious to the fact that nothing around them was in any way ordinary -
For a brief moment Twilight felt a perverse sense of relief that she had an explanation for Celestia's dismissive response the previous evening. Then the true implications of what she'd concluded settled down onto her.
The Princess was, for all intents and purposes, gone, and had been since well before the failed Raising. Nopony in Canterlot, or anywhere else in Equestria, had the faintest idea that anything was any more amiss than during the Ten-Hour Morning of 1022. The Lunars, it seemed, were gearing up for a full-scale war. And only Twilight Sparkle had the faintest idea of the gravity of any of it. (♫)
Before she could lose her nerve, Twilight shouldered her way to the business entrance of the Town Hall. In the lobby harried townsponies scurried this way and that with papers in-hoof, their countless conversations blending into a dull babble, the smell of coffee and strong tea tinged with an undercurrent of sweat. Nopony stopped her as she weaved through the morass deeper into the building, ducking from one packed office block to another, until she found the desk where the Mayor was furiously scribbling entries in some kind of accounts book while Cheerilee and Granny Smith looked on.
"Excuse me... excuse me!" Twilight demanded, and three pairs of eyes quickly refocused on her before narrowing in suspicion.
"You're... Twilight, the clerk who was managing the Celebration, right?" The Mayor asked, more than a little snappishly.
"No, no- well, yes, technically, but my actual position is with the Royal Academy of Magic and I've just worked out that-"
"Well, you'll have to come back later, there's quite a lot of urgent issues I need to see to right now."
"No, you don't understand," Twilight snapped, and the dozen other ponies occupying the space looked up from what they were doing at her, "You need to get everypony here to start fighting the Lunars again before they can-"
"Miss Twilight, we don't have much choice, you saw what they did to Citrine and Noteworthy-"
"Well, they're going to do a whole lot more to the rest of the country very, very soon, and nopony outside of town even knows to be looking out for them because Nightmare Moon is executing a type of mare-in-the-middle attack on incoming corresp-"
"Twilight, I'm aware that all of these goings-on have been difficult, but you're just going to have to queue up with everypony else and-"
Abruptly the entire room went quiet, and Twilight turned to see a Lunar's blue-armored head in the doorway. "Is there... a problem?"
"Oh. Nothing you need to... worry about, Shade," the Mayor answered with unsettling familiarity.
"What are you doing, why are you working with them?" Twilight snapped, the words tumbling out of her faster than her brain could consciously process them.
"Miss, you're frightening ponies-" Cheerilee began.
"Well they should be frightened! They're-"
Twilight suddenly registered the presence of two large militiaponies standing uncomfortably close on either side of her. "Miss, you really ought to leave," the earth mare on the right warned.
"Fine. Fine! Ok! I'm leaving!" Twilight stammered, common sense finally catching up with her racing, panicked thoughts. "Clearly nopony here is in any position to help me." She stumbled back through the lobby and out into the market square, which somehow during her brief time indoors had grown just as crowded as the hall itself. She darted and probed between the shuffling townsponies, heading for anywhere that wasn't here, when her hoof bumped into something warm and furry.
She turned to apologize and found herself staring at a little orange pegasus with a short purple mane. "Hey, aren't you that mare from Canterlot?" the filly asked before her eyes widened and she darted back out of sight.
"Hey, yeah, that's right!" Another voice called, "I saw 'er badgerin' poor Miss Rarity about somethin' back behind the Town Hall yesterday!"
Twilight, initially, was thankful that she had ended up with a little bit more room to stand in, before she realized that the crowd wasn't thinning out, it was pulling away. Very quickly she found herself standing in a rough circle of townsponies, searching unsuccessfully for a way through the wall of tightly-pressed bodies, the tension in her chest threatening to metamorphose into a full-blown panic attack. "Badgering?" she stammered, "N-no, I was just asking if she'd ever en-encountered any Lunar-"
"Wait, that's right," a red-maned earth mare cut in, "She was talking about the Old Cairn out on Sweet Apple Acres!"
"Hey, wait, I saw her slinking around out there when I was busting clouds!" added a charcoal pegasus.
Twilight wondered why the Lunars dotting the square hadn't taken an interest in any of this, when she realized that they had all been replaced at some point by revenants- and civilians harassing civilians apparently didn't count as provocation.
"Wow, Thunder, I think I saw that mare carrying something back from the old Nightmare Statue last morning, too!" a yellow-and-orange earth pony cut in.
"Do you think... she woke those soldier things up?" her tan stallion friend added.
"Does seem like a pretty big coincidence, doesn't it?" the charcoal pegasus answered, "Those things showing up just a day after some Canterlot egghead starts poking around all the places ponies aren't supposed to poke?"
"Now, I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation why-" began a cream-colored earth mare with a curious pink-and-navy mane. Twilight, for a moment, was struck by an uncanny sense of familiarity. The others, however, didn't even seem to hear her.
"Yeah, c'mon, what'd you do?" the pegasus demanded of Twilight.
"What'd you do?" the rose-maned earth pony stepped forward and jabbed a hoof at Twilight's chest. Moments later, the rest of the circle stepped forward a little. "C'mon, what'd you do?"
She searched again for an exit and again came up empty, charging her magic for a teleport spell before a forehoof lashed out and grazed the tip of her horn. "What'd you do?!" called somepony else in the crowd who might have been its owner.
Another hoof slammed into Twilight's flank and sent her staggering. "What'd you do?!"
"What'd you do?!"
"What'd you do?!"
"Alright, that's enough!" Both Twilight and her accusers looked up in surprise to find Rainbow Dash hovering overhead, clad in her gleaming metal armor with a pair of luminous green flight goggles hung around her neck. The crowd pulled back, just a little, and Twilight realized that Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity had all scaled the rim of the fountain in the center of town.
"Now, Ah was watchin' when Twilight here went pokin' round that Cairn in the field," the farmer continued, drawing more than a few eyes off of Twilight much to the unicorn's relief, "an' she didn't do nothin' some a' yer own fool selves didn't do when y'all were younger. So I dun' wanna hear nothin' more 'bout her wakin' up them spooks, understand?"
"Indeed!" the tailor stepped forward and gazed out over them all with the same sort of utterly unpretentious contempt it must have taken Celestia a hundred years or more to master, "Nightmare Moon wasn't hiding under that statue... all we found there was a prophecy of her return- something Twilight was trying to prevent!"
A few ponies backed up. A few more left the circle entirely, but Twilight was too transfixed to even consider attempting to flee.
"So... really," the baker's apprentice finished, "You're all just about the most self-defeating angry mob in history, and if anything you should all be beating up on Twilight for not coming here sooner and messing around in things more. Don't actually do that, though," she amended almost as an afterthought, "Otherwise you'll just get us all into even bigger trouble."
Twilight had to laugh at that, and she didn't seem to be the only one in the crowd to do so. Feeling warm feathers tap lightly against her withers, the unicorn looked over to see that Fluttershy had somehow made her way up alongside. "C'mon..." the smaller pegasus whispered, "I know a couple places where they won't be able to find you." She slunk off just shy of a distance where Twilight would have lost sight of her completely, and with a final look back at the dispersing crowd, the scholar hurried to catch up. (♫)
"... all of which, in laymare's terms, means we can't count on a response from Canterlot anytime remotely soon," Twilight finished, gazing across the small, homey sitting area of Fluttershy's cottage at the five ponies and one dragon who had offered her sanctuary.
"So you... think Nightmare Moon might... actually take over Equestria?" Fluttershy asked.
"Going up against the Wonderbolts? And the whole Royal Navy?" Rainbow Dash countered as she circled aimlessly near the ceiling, "I doubt it."
"Ah dun' think the Navy's comin', is the problem, Rainbow," Applejack corrected her.
"I mean, sooner or later somepony's gonna wonder what's taking Celestia so long..." Spike began.
"... but an incremental response might be even worse than none at all," Twilight continued, "Every account of the Rebellions agrees on the Lunars' ability to fight very effectively against larger, better-equipped forces, and Princess Luna herself was always known to be very skilled in necromancy, illusions, abjuration and mind control. You all saw those Guards and militiaponies her mages'd gotten to..."
"Oh, dear, I think she's right!" Rarity spoke up, "If they send just a few ponies here to take a look around, all they're doing is giving that horrible Nightmare Moon more... raw materials." The normally composed tailor was shaking, badly, and Twilight thought she could see tears in the other mare's eyes. "We're... we're all..."
Spike loped over and gently patted her shoulder, still looking back to Twilight and the others. "Yeah, and her goons are all mixed in with a whole village full of innocent ponies."
Even Rainbow Dash went a little paler at that, and Rarity broke down into audible whimpers. "Spike, please stop helping," Pinkie Pie admonished as she wrapped a foreleg around the thinner mare.
They all stayed silent for a little while after that, consciously avoiding paying too much attention to the white unicorn until she'd regained her composure. Then, Applejack spoke up once more: "So... what do we do?"
Twilight chewed on her lower lip. "Nightmare Moon herself is the biggest threat- she's what's keeping the rest of Equestria from coming to help us, and she's what overpowered all the serious resistance here. If we can eliminate her, and let the Army know what's happened here, the others will be just a woefully outnumbered force with severely outdated weapons, no supply chain, and very little knowledge of the modern world. If they follow the tactics they used a thousand years ago, they'll try to hide out in the countryside after a defeat like that and leave the town of their own accord, and even if they don't the Army will still be able to-"
"Be able to what? Kill them all?" Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash turned in surprise to see Fluttershy standing up and looking both of them right in the eyes. "Those are still ponies under that armor!"
"Brutes though they might be..." Rarity sniffed.
"I think Twilight was going to say take them into custody as nonviolently as possible," Spike countered, "But that's assuming they don't all go back into that weird stasis again like they did when Nightmare was gone the first time."
"So they just... sleep forever?" Rainbow asked, "That sounds worse than just looking 'em in the eye and killing 'em."
"Well, from what Twilight's told us, it's soundin' more and more like before too long it's gonna either be them, or us," the farmer countered.
"And most of 'them' are already just walking skeletons that hunt you endlessly and have no understanding of mercy, remember," Pinkie continued, "So, really, there's nothing to be afraid of!"
Twilight made a few more orbits of the rug. "Look, I've gone my whole life up until now without killing another pony - or any intelligent creature - and I really don't want to start now. I can't say I know what'll happen when the Lunars are cut off from Nightmare Moon, but... well, we've got a thousand years of arcanobiological research behind us that Firefly and Paper Clip had never even heard of. Once everypony in town is out of immediate danger, we'll... try and do everything we can."
"Hey, hey, hey, aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves here?" Spike spread his claws in a quick warding-off gesture, "How would the seven of us even do this? You all saw what Nightmare Moon did to those soldiers in the Hall- and those were Celestia's personal bodyguards, with airship-grade shielding on their armor!"
Twilight's ears folded back against her skull and her frenetic hoofsteps slowed. "Spike's right. Even Princess Celestia needed the Elements of Harmony to-"
"You mean these Elements?"
The scholar turned to see Pinkie Pie offering her a thick book bound in ancient red leather that she was entirely certain the baker had not been holding just a few seconds ago. Carefully, Twilight pulled the thing towards her in her telekinesis and read off the deeply-stamped letters that still retained a fragment of gold leaf here and there: "The Elements of Harmony: A Reference."
"It was under 'E'," the baker explained.
With a free hoof, Twilight rubbed the base of her horn. "Pinkie, there is no 'E' section..."
"It was in with Paper Clip's other references," Spike said, "Pinkie, AJ and I went back to the library after the Lunars trashed it to try to find you, and when that didn't work we just looked for anything they'd dug through."
"Nothin' in that box had anythin' 'bout the Lunars," Applejack finished, "so Ah reckon you musta' put it aside when you were rootin' 'round down there last night."
Twilight sighed. "Yes, because I already know there's not going to be anything helpful in it. The Reference is a well-known text with copies in every major library in Equestria. I wrote a comparative analysis of different commentaries on it for a two-hundred-level history class, for Starswirl's sake!"
"Twilight." Spike admonished. "This one's... different."
Carefully she fanned through the faded pages, skimming over long philosophical discourses on the virtues of equinity, and paying significantly more attention to a number of truly spectacular maps depicting lost Everfree and the Castle of the Two Sisters. More than a few locations were annotated in a plain, workmarelike script- "Completely caved in", "Blew out this wall", and so on- and after a moment Twilight recognized the writing as General Firefly's. She turned the page to a detailed schematic of the courtyard, and the Great Solarium that held the Elements of Harmony. Here, in shakier mouthwriting, were a few cramped lines: "Long way up to the Solarium. Things in the way. Would not throw away the lives of good mares and stallions for a few baubles." Twilight's eyes widened, and her heart hammered in her chest. "In the Solarium they remain."
"Ohhh, OK!" Pinkie Pie nodded, "So we can fight Nightmare Moon if we can just make it to the center of the creepy forest that's famous for nopony ever being able to make it to the center of. Works for me!"
The problem with archeological investigation of the Castle of the Two Sisters and other sites in the Everfree wasn't that their locations were unknown- after all, there were dozens of incredibly detailed maps of Equestria's first capital in libraries across the known world, and indeed on a clear day with a moderately powerful spyglass the Castle's crumbling spires were just about visible from the forest's edge. It was that reaching them was far more complicated than just travelling the right direction in the right distance.
Even the most skeptical of mages now generally agreed that in the chaotic depths of the Everfree, spacetime itself was... twisted in complicated ways and ceased to function quite as it should. The geometry of the place was labyrinthine, and some wondered whether it was really accurate to call it 'spacetime' at all. The greater the distance one traveled through it, the less reliably time flowed, and the more time spent within it, the less reliably space behaved. There were well-attested accounts of an expedition from Trailhead College that projected magical beams to guide them in a perfectly straight march towards the Castle for two-and-a-half days; they reemerged along the same road by which they'd entered six years later, after the outside world had written them all off as dead. Another group, from the Rangers' Guild, had made camp together one night and then awoken to find themselves in different locations scattered over nearly a mile. Airships and pegasi who braved the unpredictable weather to fly above the castle and then dove straight down would eventually land somewhere else entirely, more often than not under dense and unbroken canopy.
"Wait," Rarity cut in, "aren't the Lunars coming from inside the Forest?"
"That... is where they were buried," said Fluttershy.
"Yeah..." Spike scratched at his muzzle, thinking, "Yeah, the Cairns were all set up around the Castle!"
"You're right! And we have a map!" Twilight dashed over to the room's sole un-shuttered window and peered outside. The faint purple sparks of Lunar signal flares were just barely visible over the treetops... and on a table nearby, amongst a pile of other notes and documents salvaged from the Golden Oaks, she spotted the topographical chart containing Rainbow Dash's survey of the Cairns. Quickly she grabbed the parchment in her telekinesis and held it next to the page in Harmony where General Firefly had scribbled the location of the true and decoy Cairns on a map of the fields surrounding Everfree. The scale was different and no two features exactly matched, but that didn't prevent her from determining that the pattern was, for all intents and purposes, identical.
That wouldn't mean much once they got into the interior of the Forest, but with a constant stream of Lunars marching out from the deeper Cairns right next to the Castle, it might just be possible to use them as additional points of reference, and develop at least a temporary mapping to relate the space as it existed in Firefly's day and the space that existed currently. "Yes... yes, I think that could work!" (♫)
"So... we're... we're really going into the Forest?" Fluttershy asked.
"What if we do find the Elements, and we can't figure out how to use them?" Rarity added.
Looking over the gear the locals had managed to stockpile, Twilight grabbed a pair of saddlebags and gently slid both Dash's chart and the annotated Reference inside along with some quills, scrap parchment, geometer's tools, and a slim black volume of magical and mathematical tables. "The Elements are described as being 'intuitive', whatever that means... obviously, this whole plan is a huge gamble, but... do we really have any other option?"
The room stayed silent for a good long while.
Sizing up the rest of their supplies, Twilight began to slip on a set of steel-shod leather boots and a light cotton mage's tunic. Rarity had somehow managed to get a hold of proper armor ranging from chainmail to field plate- some of it Lunar, some of it the more modern design of the Ponyville Militia. Shiny had once shown her, though, much to her embarrassment, that taking a direct hit even when clad in full plate still hurt like Tartarus, and she quite frankly lacked the practice needed to deflect or blunt impacts properly. Fortunately, as Shiny had also been fond of telling her, a mage was never defenseless.
"Rainbow Dash." She looked to where the cyan pegasus was fiddling with her own rather more material armament. "This could get really complicated, really quickly, and I need to know you'll do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it, without any explanation. If the Lunars end up chasing us, I won't have a chance to outline the eighteen months of research I did to figure out whether we can cut through a cave somewhere or are better off taking our chances overland. Can I count on you to do that?"
Dash screwed up her face for a few seconds, seeming to parse Twilight's words, then her eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, you're going with me?!"
Twilight gave her saddlebags an experimental heft and then settled them across her back. "I mean, if you know how to compute optimal three-dimensional homographies, I don't suppose I need to..."
"Well, in that case, darling, you'd best bring me along as well." Twilight turned to see that Rarity had slipped on her duellist's harness, and was currently weighing a Lunar-made saber and dagger in her hornglow. It looked to be a perfect fit, and Twilight wondered why she'd ever expected anything else. "I assure you, I'm more than capable of defending myself, and I've worked with the Lunars more than anypony in... well, this century at least." Seemingly unable to decide between the blades, she slipped both into the loops on the right side of her harness and did a quick twirl for seemingly no other reason than to show off.
"Then... umm... I think I should go with you, too." Fluttershy murmured. "There's creatures in the forest you'll need to know to look out for, and I have a healer's kit in my kitchen in case the Lunars... in case somepony gets hurt."
"Well Ah suppose Ah won't be doin' much good sittin' round here..." Applejack said, casting another long, appraising look at the golden barding and warhammer she'd brought up from the family farm, "Ah know the forest 'round here like the back a' my hoof... well, the outer parts, at least, and Ah reckon y'all ain't gonna resent havin' another strong leg or four 'afore this is over. Count me in!"
"Ooh, me too!" Pinkie Pie added.
"Pinkie," Twilight admonished, "Are you sure a baker really needs to...?"
"Who said anything about baking?" The pink mare suddenly hefted a round stone about four inches in diameter in one hoof -Starswirl only knew where she'd gotten it- wound up, and hurled it at one of the spare sets of Lunar barding in the corner at blinding speed. There was an audible pang as it punched a neat hole clean through the astral steel and lodged in a hoof-sized dent in the helmet behind it. "I also have a license to pack explosives, and most importantly you still need a bard to fill out the party!"
"I'll help in any way I can," Spike added, "Rarity, do you think you could put some of this armor together to fit a dragon?"
Twilight knelt down on her haunches and looked him in the eye. "Spike, I... need you to not go with us."
His slitted eyes widened. "What... why?"
The scholar ruffled through her saddlebags and extracted a quill and a piece of parchment, beginning to copy out another report to Shining Armor. She detailed everything that had happened since her arrival in Ponyville as concisely as she could manage, followed by what she intended to do next. "I'm putting a plan together for Rainbow make a route for us out of town and into the Everfree proper, but when that happens I need you to sneak out along the road to Canterlot and head straight for the nearest train station. Don't use the Post, or your fire spell, and don't stop anywhere along the way even if everypony there seems completely normal. Just deliver this, in person, to Shining Armor as quickly as you can. If we can't make it to the castle and back again-"
"We'll make it..." Rainbow Dash interjected.
"Whether or not we make it, the outside world needs to know what's happening here so they can do something about it. You're... the only way they can."
She studied her assistant carefully, noticing how his breathing hitched and he shifted his weight back and forth. But then he nodded. "Yeah. OK. Yeah, OK. I can do that. I... good luck."
The young scholar stood up again, fished a sheathed dagger off the table, and slipped it into the bandoleer of her tunic. A mage was never defenseless, but a mage could also never be too careful. "Ok, everypony, here's what we need to do..." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Dead Reckoning | (♫)
Armed and armored to the teeth, Rainbow Dash strode down the north road to Canterlot. Townsponies and Lunars alike stopped to gawk at her passage, but she paid them no mind as she continued on her way. For fake-midnight it was surprisingly bright, more than bright enough to see by, but she kept her Obsidian flying goggles over her eyes anyway. It was the principle of the thing.
"Halt! Thou canst not go this way!" shouted a unicorn in officer's light plate, standing in the middle of a wedge formation with two skeletal, bat-winged pegasi to either side and the shambling remains of an earth pony and another unicorn shoulder-to-shoulder directly in front of her.
Rainbow Dash kept right on walking.
The two grounders in front advanced in eerie lockstep, polearms held in teeth and telekinesis with obvious threatening intent. The things that had once been pegasi lifted off into a low hover, moonlight glinting on an assortment of small wearable blades. Their faces, to the degree that any of them still had faces, remained utterly blank, but the unicorn officer's eyes narrowed and her lips pulled back ever so slightly from her muzzle. "Halt, I say! I shant give thee another warning!"
"Heard ya the first time," Rainbow Dash snapped.
She sprung forward, half-bounding and half-flying, ducked under the swing of the unicorn revenant's poleaxe, and came up to slash one steel-bladed wing hard across its neck. Its flesh felt dry and papery, offering little resistance, and Dash heard the poleaxe slam into the dirt as the telekinetic field holding it abruptly cut off. "A pegasus on the North Road!" the officer called, firing off a bright purple light from her horn, and Rainbow had to roll away as the earth pony revenant slammed a rusted claymore nearly as long as she was into the cobblestones where she had just been. She turned the roll into a jump as soon as her hooves were under her, then beat her wings and pulled up into a tight vertical loop that brought her up and over the other pony, buying her the second or so needed to draw her sheathed charger's sabre in her teeth. On her way down she jammed the blade into the revenant's neck just in front of the segmented neckpiece of its armor.
Rainbow had expected the blade to once again slice cleanly through the reanimated Lunar's stringy flesh, but instead she had to bite back a snarl of surprise and pain as instead it caught on something and the mouthgrip twisted in her jaws. Her head was wrenched sideways and her entire body followed, but the revenant was still moving- she barely managed to avoid the ground as the earth pony took another swing at her, abandoning her grip on her sabre in the process. It was an acceptable loss; when all of this was over, she could always order another one out of the back of Soldier of Fortune Magazine.
She caught sight of the unicorn officer's hornlight and ducked back downward, barely managing to dodge the worst of a conical blast of luminous, magical ice fragments. A few still hit, stingingly cold as they froze little circles of mundane frost on her mail, but the quilted padding she wore underneath seemed to hold back the worst of it. A lot more hit the earth pony, but if it was in any way bothered it gave no sign.
"Hey! No... fair... usin'... magic!" Realizing she was in a potentially bad situation, Dash flapped hard for altitude while her hoof groped for the flash-and-smoke capsule stashed in her bandoleer, already feeling the weird prickly-slippery sensation of a telekinetic field beginning to pull her back down towards the earth pony's waiting blade. She abruptly leaned into the field and started what should have looked like a strafing dive just as she tossed the capsule away, but she needn't have bothered with a distraction- the unicorn didn't seem to recognize what the capsule was, and made no effort either to catch it or flee the blast radius. Dash still had enough freedom of motion left to wrench her head around away from it when it went off and close her eyes, but the officer wasn't so lucky. She cried out in what seemed like genuine agony when the flash washed over the street, vanishing into a cloud of thick gray smoke and screaming something about the half-breed spawn of the Tyrant Celestia.
"Yeah, it's not so fun on the other end, huh?!" Rainbow pulled back up, leaving the earth pony revenant behind and tossing a pair of her throwing daggers at it for good measure.
She was about to throw two more into the center of the smoke cloud when the first bat-pegasus came corkscrewing at her from her right. She pulled her wings in and barely managed to dive under it, rolling and extending a wingblade to slice open its barrel from sternum to pelvis, but the only reaction it gave was to slam an armored hoof into her helmet.
Dizzy and seeing dots, she was almost too late to notice the other bat-pony gliding up on her right- whatever else they were, the damn things were quiet. Wing muscles straining, Dash flew full-out for the center of town, making it perhaps a dozen yards or so, and as soon as her head was clear she realized the revenants were falling behind. Sensing an advantage she slowed down again, flaring her wings out as though to brake, and as soon as the revenant that had tried to flank her blew past she pivoted as quickly as she could and met it wing-for-wing. She felt a moment of solid resistance and heard a sound like canvas ripping, and then watched as the revenant's right wing and the rest of its body spiraled down to the road below on ever-more-divergent trajectories.
A wild blast of ice shards slammed into the cottage beneath her, and Dash realized the smoke she'd dropped was already starting to clear.
The other revenant was trying to climb up to her, but its flight was uneven; its plate armor had
come loose and started to wobble where Dash had cut the straps, and the blue pegasus held back a retch as it slid off entirely to reveal the nearly skinless, charred backbone underneath. She caught sight of the earth pony still gazing up at her from below, positioned herself, and then pulled into a steep dive. Air whistled past her ears as the bat-revenant's figure grew larger and larger with incredible speed, then at the very last second before collision Dash flipped herself around so that she was falling hindlegs-first and bucked it right in the wing joints.
The feeling was not unlike treading on a canvas sack filled with dried leaves and a few sturdier branches. The revenant crumpled beneath her and she kept on going; its earth pony companion put up only slightly more resistance when she powered into it, but Rainbow wasn't done yet. Her back legs touched the road only for a moment before she sprung forward directly towards the mare in the officer's armor, rolling and zigzagging to dodge the quill-thin rays of cold the unicorn fired one after the other. A particularly close call froze a lock of her mane solid, leaving it to break off in the wind a second later, and when the unicorn's horn glowed again Rainbow didn't even bother to change course. Instead she brought her left wingblade up across her chest, and watched the frustration on the unicorn's face turn to shock as her beam reflected harmlessly off the enchanted metal.
Then Dash made contact, head-first. The unicorn didn't have much chance to avoid being knocked clean off her hooves by the impact, sending them both rolling back ten feet or more in a tangle of limbs and equipment- for all of her gear, the officer was surprisingly light, and Rainbow was reasonably certain she had felt one of the other mare's ribs give way on impact.
Hard cobblestones slammed into Rainbow's wings and back in alternating sequence, but she refused to give up the hold she'd gotten, and when they finally skidded to a halt the pegasus was on top. The officer snarled inarticulately and began charging another spell, but Dash had been expecting that. She slammed an armored hoof into the unicorn's weird bent horn once, twice, three times in quick succession until its magical glow sputtered and died. The Lunar took a wild swipe at her face with a forehoof after that, but Dash caught it with her wingblade and was rewarded with a yowl of pain and a spray of hot, red blood. She drew back the same blade, aiming for the Lunar's throat, when the mare's slitted eyes refocused on something directly behind her and she suddenly called out "Please! I... yield!"
Cautiously, Rainbow lowered the blade so that there was about a hoof's-length of clearance between it and her opponent's neck. She flicked it upward, motioning for the unicorn to get up, but the Lunar just winced and rolled over onto her side, breathing fast and ragged.
Looking up from her, Rainbow Dash found the road to be packed with townsponies, all of them staring at her as though she'd just sprouted a second set of wings. "These Lunars aren't so tough," she yelled, then forced out some laughter that she hoped didn't sound too nervous. "C'mon, who's next?!"
"That would be I," came a voice from above her.
The stallion it belonged to was unmistakably a Lunar- his freakish, bat-like wings didn't allow him to be much else- but that was where the similarities to his brethren ended. Instead of the ubiquitous astral steel armor, he was clad in a form-fitting purple coverall of some flexible, elastic material that left only his muzzle and ears exposed, putting Dash in the mind of a cruder version of the starspider-silk suits worn by dedicated maneuverability fliers. A harness and belt of thin leather kept any number of deadly little sharp things close at hoof, and his eyes were hidden behind a pair of yellow-tinted goggles given an aggressive downward slant.
He just hovered there at about rooftop level, over the Canterlot end of the road, and Rainbow Dash developed the strangest sense that if she just stayed on the ground and walked out of town he wouldn't raise of hoof to stop her. The other Lunars even now shouldering their way through the crowd very likely would, though, so once again she beat her wings and took to the air.
The two pegasi began to slowly circle each other perhaps a body-length apart, trading little jabs and half-kicks without making any serious attempt to connect. Idly, Dash noted that however she turned, the Lunar always kept himself between her and the way out of town. "What are you, anyway," she sneered, "Some kinda' Nightmare-knockoff Wonderbolt?"
"Oh, is that the name the Sun-Tyrant's given us? I see the passage of a thousand years has done little to dull her arrogance."
"Hey, you're the one who's dressing up like some of our best and bravest, you bat-winged freak."
The Lunar just shook his head slightly, then almost managed to catch Dash with a right-hoof jab at her wing before pulling back at the last second. "They truly have told thee nothing of thine own history, have they? A pity, but perhaps when this is all over thou will understand that the Shadowbolts were, indeed, the first."
"The... uhh... only pity here's what you're gonna look like if you don't get outta my way," Rainbow snapped.
"Enough." The stallion calling himself a 'Shadowbolt' began to pull his wings in and tilt forward, in preparation to dive at her. Rainbow didn't give him the chance, and threw herself towards him with a rapid-fire series of kicks, punches, and more complicated strikes she'd been practicing ever since Physical Culture ran that article on lost Zebrican martial arts. He was able to dodge most and block the rest, but they kept him busy, and before long he brought his right forehoof up just a fraction too slowly to stop Dash's own from slamming into his shoulder.
She pressed the brief advantage and powered herself forward, catching the Shadowbolt in a four-leg tackle, the both of them thrashing wildly to try to stay in the air. "Guess... ya... ain't... such... hot... stuff... after all..." Rainbow snarled through gritted teeth as she fought to keep a hold of him and get him into a position where she could put a wingblade between them.
The Lunar just laughed, reared back, and headbutted her right under the brim of her helmet.
Dash reeled back in pain, feeling blood start to pool in her mouth, as her vision was covered in a spiderweb of white cracks and the green glow of her goggles' night-vision enchantment guttered out completely. Half-blind and dizzy she felt the both of them tumbling increasingly out of control, but refused to let go of her quarry. Instead she redoubled her struggles, and slammed her free left front hoof into his shoulders and throat over and over again.
Then, impossibly, the pony she was holding onto seemed to soften and lose solidity, leather and flesh alike becoming hazy and insubstantial, even as she tightened her grip with a fury borne of desperation. First Rainbow's hooves and then her entire body slipped into what felt not unlike a dense raincloud, if rainclouds were oily and cloyingly, coat-crawlingly warm. The sensation vanished a moment later and Dash realized with a shudder of disgust that she had just, somehow, fallen through the Shadowbolt.
Her hooves fumbled with the quick-release catches on her helmet, finally managing to rid herself of her ruined flight goggles just in time to catch a purple, vaguely equine shape compacting and solidifying right next to her right flank. She tried to turn her rapidly-increasing downward velocity into a barrel roll out of the way, but the Shadowbolt seemed to anticipate that and drifted sideways with her, extending a bladed wing of his own and drawing a long, shallow slash down her unarmored right hock. The blue pegasus howled, more in fury than in pain, and dove full-out for the street below. She pulled up with only a yard or so to spare and quickly backpedaled, watching the other pony gently descend to her level and spitting out the blood that stubbornly refused to stop accumulating in her mouth.
He didn't draw any closer and the both of them gradually rose back up above the rooftops, breathing heavily and struggling to match each other's altitude.
Thinking quickly, Dash reached into her bandoleer, extracted the last two throwing daggers she had, and tossed both of them directly at the bat-pony. Just once he flapped his wings a little harder, rose slightly upward, and watched disinterestedly as the daggers embedded themselves in the thatched roof below. "Thou knowest that targets move, dost thou not, Imperial?" he asked, as calmly as he might've inquired about the next week's weather.
Rainbow Dash was about to reply when the Shadowbolt's right wing flicked outward and he hurled an arc of brilliant blue-white lightning directly into her barrel. She fought the horrible burning, tingling sensation and brought herself into a sideways motion that was only partially a controlled dive, narrowly managing to avoid a second and third bolt hurled her way. He dove after her and kicked out with a hoof that thunked against her heavily-armored back, then pivoted and held both wings together as she spun around and tried to arrest what was now backward momentum. A glowing ball of energy took shape between them, and launched towards Dash with a muffled 'pop'; she snapped her right wing out in front of her and met its corkscrewing trajectory just in time. The ball glanced off the enchanted metal, spiraled out again, and detonated against somepony's chimney, scattering fragments of smoking brick a good ten feet.
With his goggles still down over his eyes it was difficult to determine the Shadowbolt's expression, but Dash chose to interpret his lack of an immediate followup as shock. Pressing the temporary advantage she once again swooped in with her blades at the ready, aiming for his center of mass. She almost made it, too, before at the very last second he dipped down underneath her and slashed at those very same blades with impossible finesse.
"Enough of this. I am suitably impressed, Imperial. Now, thou shouldst yield."
Rainbow felt the straps of her blades come loose from her wings, along with more than a few primary feathers. She flapped frantically to try to maintain altitude, but the Shadowbolt was right overtop of her, raining quick, fast blows on her armor as he sought out weak points in the unfamiliar metalwork; when she squirmed away and rolled upwards to get her hooves between them, she could feel herself slowly but surely starting to accelerate down. With clarity born of desperation she spotted the way he was favoring his left wing and shoulder, no doubt thanks to the drubbing she'd dealt him earlier, and twisted to that side. Stretching to the limits her aching muscles allowed she wrapped a hoof around his bad wing and pulled him into another lock with the blade pressed in between them.
Now they were both falling- falling, and struggling for a single blade hoof against hoof, the Shadowbolt's flight muscles all but useless in the awkward position he found himself in. Bit by painful bit, Dash pressed both her front legs forward against his. He gave a strangled gasp, the first emotional reaction Rainbow had seen all night, and she could finally see his slitted eyes growing wider and wider behind his mask as the blade edged closer to his own jawline. She couldn't stop her own muzzle from pulling back into a savage, predatory grin. "Nuh-uh..." she ground out through gritted teeth, "'M thinkin' you oughta'-"
Then her back and head both slammed into the cobblestone street at almost the same time.
The whole world went hazy and red for a little while after that, and when her vision cleared Rainbow Dash realized she was flat on her back and staring up at the Moon. She made a couple of failed attempts to suck any air back into her lungs, and it was only when she finally succeeded that she realized the Shadowbolt was no longer on top of her. She struggled to push herself up with her wings, and when that didn't work struggled to roll herself over. Then a familiar shadow fell over her and a blade made of cold astral steel pressed against the fur of her neck on the edge of a leathery, bat-like wing.
"I did warn thee, did I not?" the Shadowbolt muttered.
The entire affair had taken a little under three minutes. But by the time the Lunars pulled Dash off the pavement and set about shackling her fore- and -hindlegs together with thick steel manacles, Twilight and the rest were already long gone. (♫)
It had taken Twilight longer than she probably should have to realize it, but the unnaturally prolonged night of the Lunar Republic wasn't, in fact, all that dark. Even in the deep woods that made up the border of the Everfree proper it wasn't at all difficult for the scholar to read her maps or locate the five ponies walking with her. It was possible, she supposed, that removing Nightmare Moon from the Circle of the Moon had somehow altered its luminance, although she was unable to imagine a mechanism that would do so without purposeful equine intervention of some kind- it couldn't be as simple as the removal of the Mare effect having exposed more of the Moon's luminous area, could it? Perhaps, instead, the Nightmare had conceded that ponies would require at least basic illumination to operate under her rule? When she had the time, she'd have to reanalyze the most detailed accounts of the Lunar Rebellions in order to determine whether or not the same phenomenon had been reported during the chaotic day-night cycles of that era as well.
All told they made good time, and after perhaps ten minutes under Applejack and Fluttershy's guidance the forest around them began to change. Having studied the logs of previous expeditions to the Everfree, Twilight had some idea of what to expect from its anomalies great and small- the shifting, twisting, almost mobile qualities of the plant life, the sudden spots of hot and cold and unexpected wind, the pools of filthy wetness that appeared unaccountably on otherwise dry trails and couldn't be detected until one's hoof was in the middle of them- and if the others were in any way bothered they gave no sign of it. More troubling was the omnipresent, unaccountable feeling of being watched by something not quite intelligent and not quite animal either- watched, pursued, and judged. Ponies didn't belong here, the presence seemed to want to communicate, or perhaps the Everfree simply didn't fully belong to the rest of the world.
Twilight kept her eyes on her map, and on the beacons still sporadically visible through the shifting treetops, aware perhaps too acutely for her own good that if they wandered off the course she'd set it might not be possible to get back again.
Visually, all of the beacons were still in front of them, but already every so often her hearing caught the sounds of some kind of struggle- raised voices and the sizzling of spells and steel slicing against things she'd rather not try to characterize. It all sounded far-off and strangely muffled, and came from directions that didn't make much sense- sometimes behind the group, sometimes directly overhead. Somewhat more rarely hoofprints, hacked-through vegetation, and even bloodstains or bits of discarded Lunar equipment provided more tangible evidence. At one point, at a particularly trampled patch of undergrowth, Pinkie Pie even fished out what proved to be the entire left front hoof of a revenant, still clad in its steel sabaton, and severed at the ankle by something that had generated a great deal of twisting, pulling force but hadn't left behind visible claw- or toothmarks. Some of the hoofprints were relatively clear and led along wider paths than the one the Ponyville group was following, but nopony bothered to suggest changing course. With a few notable exceptions, they were trying to avoid the bulk of the Lunar forces.
It was after about twenty minutes of walking, subjectively, that Fluttershy suddenly pulled to a stop, and held up a wing with one primary feather raised over her muzzle. The five of them stopped immediately, Twilight carefully and quietly stepping her way to the head of the group. "What's going on? Did you see something?" the unicorn whispered.
"Lunars," Applejack hissed back. (♫)
Twilight fell silent, straining her eyes and ears, and after a moment she too began to perceive the glint of astral steel through the undergrowth and the faint crunching of foliage underhoof. Quickly, she pulled out her compass and ruler, sighted along the two beacons that were still visible, and scribbled another geodesic that would, hopefully, circle around the patrol entirely.
Off what had until now passed for a trail, the forest seemed to darken and curl around them, pressing ever closer on either side like a soggy, rotten cloak. Before too long, the five of them had been forcibly condensed down, from a loose diamond formation to a single-file line with Twilight at the fore. The scholar tracked her head nervously from side to side, hyperaware of every dripping leaf and shadow that didn't shift quite the same way the others did. There was no pattern to any of it, at least not that she could consciously identify, but the impression of somepony- or something -moving alongside them just out of sight was positively overpowering. Twilight's heart began to beat a little faster and she tore her gaze away from the darkness in front of her just long enough to ask Applejack behind her "Do you... you think there's somepony in here with us?"
"Ah was just workin' up the nerve to ask ya' the same thing..." the farmer muttered, before her eyes widened. "Whoa up there, what in tarnation?!"
The clearing in front of Twilight was familiar- muddy but not a proper bog, festooned with bizarre purplish vines and a disgusting slime-covered variant of Caballish moss she'd observed nowhere else in the Forest. She peered at her map, then the five sets of hoofprints preserved with incontrovertible clarity in the mud in front of her, and then back at the map again.
"How are we back here?" Rarity asked, a tinge of panic creeping into her voice, "How are we back here?"
"Space is warped and time is bendable!" Pinkie Pie muttered, as though that was the only explanation required.
"One might choose to describe the situation thusly, yeah." Twilight peered at her map with renewed focus and began sketching out yet another course. Curiously, the three beacons she'd used to triangulate her position earlier were now absent, replaced with two at entirely different angles. "But I did something really wrong if we've ended up in a loop."
The scholar jumped a little as something brushed past the moss on the other side of the clearing, and started to edge closer.
"We oughta' get movin!" Applejack whispered.
They set off again, moving just shy of a proper gallop now, as Twilight's heart threatened to hammer its way out of her chest. There was somepony, or several someponies, keeping pace with them, she was sure of it- she could hear hoofsteps just at the edge of her awareness, but the cadence was off somehow and she got the strangest impression that there weren't always a multiple of four.
Twilight veered off to the left, trying to get herself and her fellows away from the bizarre sound, hastily checking and re-checking her map. She searched the treeline desperately for a beacon but not a single one was visible, and now somehow whatever it was was closing in on them from the left instead. This time she caught a brief glimpse of patchy, scabrous hide and an equine silhouette that didn't move the way anything equine should have.
She broke into a gallop, barely conscious any more of the others keeping pace with her, checking and re-checking her map as the figures seemed to melt and shift before her eyes. The whole forest seemed suffused with a damp rottenness that invaded her lungs with every breath and brought tears to her eyes.
Whatever it was, its creaking, stumbling, out-of-sync hoofsteps had somehow reappeared directly behind her. Its uneven, putrid breath washed over her back and something fast and sharp whistled through the air; Twilight ran full-out and then dove to the side, rolling in an awkward jumble of cloth and hooves. (♫)
She came up panting in a clearing perhaps fifty yards wide, surrounded by a dense and impenetrable grove of gnarled, twisted, ancient-looking trees. They were bathed in an uneven pinkish-red glow that seemed to emanate, to the degree that it had a source at all, from the Cairn-like structure in the center- although this one was broader, still mostly above-ground, and built of rough-cut black stone swaddled in... Twilight wasn't sure if it was a plant, or a fungus, or something in between that stretched out along the ground to the treeline in thick, gently-pulsing webs of indeterminate color.
Her breath caught in her throat as she realized the detritus was moving. On some unheard signal, twisted and misshapen things made themselves known within it and began stumbling and scuttling and squirming towards her- here an equine skull and spinal column still wrapped in stringy muscle and hauling itself forward with a Lunar's pair of bat-like wings; then the gutted husk of a blue mare with woody thorns jammed into her hooves, and puffy growths that might have been gilled mushrooms or rolled-up fronds sprouting from suppurating lesions where a pegasus's wings would have been; beside her a hideously bloated, pale thing with naked skin that split open whenever it moved on its stumpy bowed-out legs, trickling pus and some kind of fuzzy white seeds that squirmed aimlessly on their own.
Involuntarily the young scholar backed away, fighting nausea and panic in equal measure, then whirled as she sensed unsteady movement immediately behind her. A giant, headless, scorpion-like thing of blackened bone and rotten meat was waiting for her, a long, grisly tail composed of dozens of equine skulls arching up over its back- some ancient and bleached white, others recent trophies still shrouded in rotting cheeks, their jellied eyes rolling madly in their sockets. Beside it the withered corpse of a unicorn hung inverted in the air like some sort of bizarre trophy, suspended by the eight sharp-tipped, jointed legs of reddish woody material that extended from its ruptured barrel. Its inverted head scanned back and forth at the end of an unnaturally long neck, dozens of tiny black eyes crammed into the space behind its swollen purple tongue and chelicerae as large as Twilight's horn flicking from its eye sockets.
In a blind panic she turned back around and began firing kinetic bolts with lethal force. One of them struck an odd, stumbling, only vaguely equinoid thing that seemed to be covered entirely in rustling, leathery leaves- they scattered all at once in a cloud, leaving behind a pony skinned like an anatomical model still wearing golden Guard sabatons that sobbed and gurgled in the mud before it sank, thrashing, out of sight. Beside her Rarity slashed at a mass of charred, greasy flesh within which only the vaguest suggestions of equine facial features were occasionally visible, her rapier drawing great gouts of purplish ichor with each strike but failing in any way to slow it. Applejack bucked down a white monstrosity with three unicorn horns protruding from its fleshy head, its spine bent upwards to stand it on two legs like a minotaur and its forehooves sliced open in a grotesque parody of griffon talons, only for half-a-dozen more pony-headed, griffon-bodied bipeds to rise out of the webbing around her, roaring and clawing like wild animals. Fluttershy flapped desperately to gain altitude above a twisted knot of what could have been entrails or vines or possibly a little of both, but held just shy of the treeline lest she give their position away. One of the things that had clung to the flayed Guardspony swooped down at Twilight from above, revealing itself to be a single sheet of leathery skin, half-filled with blood like a tick, topped with the putrefying skull of a newborn foal. She batted the thing away with her telekinesis as it snapped at her muzzle; only to find Citrine Sparks lurching towards her, the militiammare's ruined foreleg torn off at the shoulder and her mouth and eye sockets sliced open to accommodate a mass of sickly blue flowers.
Twilight realized she couldn't see Pinkie Pie, and began to suspect the worst.
Then she heard the baker laughing. "These have to be the stupidest illusions Nightmare Moon could ever come up with," the earth pony babbled from behind Twilight where the spider and scorpion had been.
"Illusions?" Applejack asked, eyes going wide even as she dug her forelegs in for another powerful buck.
"Yeah, you didn't think any of those were real, did you?" Utterly unperturbed, the pink mare strode forward even as the things surrounding them began to converge on her and Fluttershy reached out a wing to try and haul her back to safety.
"Not... real?" Twilight stammered.
She was backed up alongside the others now, surrounded by a shifting wall of rotten and twisted flesh. And still the baker continued on.
"Look, their eyes are sliding around on their heads like billiard balls in watered-down pudding! And the shadows don't move when they do! I thought the Princess of the Night'd get that right, at least, but I guess it's more important to rub Twilight's failures in her face or something. How were Citrine and that guard supposed to get here so fast, though? Did Nightmare Moon teleport them just to mess with us? Can you even teleport things in this forest? I don't think you can! None of the others are even anything a necromancer would ever make, either! What's so fun about just cutting open a pegasus and taking all her organs out? I mean, I guess you could tell her jokes or something, but they'd have to be really good jokes and even I don't know if I have that kind of material ready to go for hours on end, so it'd probably just be a bunch of lame organ puns and the whole thing'd get really boring. And spiders and scorpions are terrible designs for siege engines, what, are we going to have to fight a giant turtle next? And the two-legged things are just silly. Who even needs three different horns, anyway... what's he compensating for? Why is having no eyelids and a big fish mouth scary? Why is any of this scary? They're so overdescribed they bleed purple, for Shor's sake!" (♫)
Surprised, Twilight felt the physical signs of her panic evaporate with bizarre speed. As Pinkie kept speaking the horrors in front of them began to look less and less detailed- or, rather, more and more detailed, and at the same time less and less real. There was no definite fading or transition, but nonetheless when Twilight looked around the clearing again there was no Cairn, or smothering vegetation, or monstrous necromantic constructs; just broken rocks and splintered trees outlined in the light of the Moon. She could remember that being all there ever was in the clearing - herself firing a kinetic blast at a pile of leaves and downed branches and knocking them into the air around her; Rarity's rapier slicing strips of bark from a rotten stump- even as she remembered simultaneously the horrors she'd thought she was fighting. It was disorienting her just thinking about it, and she too laughed as she sat down on the ground and closed her eyes in exhausted relief. Not long after she could hear the others starting to join her.
"Was that... I thought... but..." Fluttershy stammered, and Twilight opened her eyes again to see Pinkie Pie gently cuff the yellow pegasus on the shoulder.
"Hey, the more you think about it the more it's gonna hurt your head, so cut that out, OK?"
"That stuff is gone, though, right?" Applejack asked, shifting awkwardly from hoof to hoof. "Ah mean, y'all're really here and all?"
Twilight reached out with one hoof and picked up her map from where it had fallen into the grass beside her. The calculations remained intelligible, the markings remained stationary, and looking back up at the sky she saw there were still three Lunar beacons in a recognizable pattern. Throughout the entire ordeal, they had in fact traveled less than thirty meters. "I... think it's over? I mean, I don't think we could even be asking that question if we were still... if the Nightmare was still influencing us."
"Why bother, though?" Applejack asked as she re-seated her brown leather hat. Twilight hadn't even noticed she'd lost it. "It ain't like ponies can actually die of fright... can they?"
"Maybe... she was trying to get us lost?" Rarity suggested.
"Or trick us into hurting each other?" Fluttershy added.
"Oooh, or keep us in one place until her real ponies could show up!" Pinkie Pie cut in.
Twilight nodded. "Pinkie's right. We should probably get moving." She checked her map one last time and turned around to find their hoofprints leading back to a very familiar marshy glade. "I don't think we're too far off-course... I just hope Dash can hold out a little longer." (♫)
They'd bound Rainbow Dash hoof-and-wing, although not tightly enough that she was in pain or for that matter had too much trouble moving as long as she did so slowly. They'd also trotted her in front of a scowling bat-pegasus healer who'd bandaged the gash in her right hock, briskly felt around her barrel, scrubbed the blood off of her muzzle, and given her some herbs to chew for her still-pounding head. The herbs didn't do much for the pain and made her just the slightest bit sick to her stomach, but she figured that was more likely due to a lack of anything better available than any real malice- if the Lunars wanted to make her suffer, they had a lot more effective ways of doing that.
That damn Shadowbolt had remained practically glued to her through the entire process, for reasons that weren't immediately obvious- bound and surrounded, even Rainbow Dash wasn't going to be a serious threat to them anymore. He didn't speak to her of his own initiative, and Dash didn't ask him anything. After a few dozen minutes spent awkwardly standing around, two other Lunars - a little wisp of a bat-mare with a funky helmet, and a wiry unicorn stallion with a seemingly permanent thousand-yard stare - fell into step beside her and they all started to walk.
At first, Dash thought with a tinge of panic that they were going to bring her to the Town Hall, or possibly the big hospital tent out in front, but then just as that weirdo Twilight Sparkle had predicted they passed through the square and out the other side, to one of several roads that passed through Sweet Apple Acres and then on to the thick, dark forest.
The path they followed was strange and wandering, apparently determined by retracing a series of hoofprints leading back to Ponyville which were at times all but invisible, and despite her best efforts Rainbow Dash quickly found herself hopelessly disoriented. Twilight had insisted that Dash swallow a tiny, rune-inscribed gem before setting out, and had mentioned being able to track it somehow, and then a lot of geometrical gobbledygook that the weathermare had mostly tuned out, the upshot of which was apparently that they were already on their way to rescue her from the captivity her diversionary stunt had placed her in. With each hoofstep into the unfamiliar woods, however, she found herself growing less and less certain that was even possible.
They stopped, several times, and she was told to keep quiet and still as the Lunars drew their weapons and searched unsuccessfully for the source of noises in the foliage, but nothing ever came of it. "What happens if you get killed or need to run away, and I'm still tied up? Do I just sit here and let some horrible monster eat me?" she'd asked, after one particularly tense almost-encounter. None of the Lunars had given any indication that they'd heard.
Then, after what might have been half an hour of their bizarre forced march- or two hours, it was next to impossible to tell in this weird, static not-quite-morning -the Shadowbolt turned his head to look at her. "Imperial," he asked in that smooth, level voice, "what is thy name?"
Underneath her bonds, Rainbow's wings reflexively tensed. "Why do you wanna know?"
His muzzle showed, just for a moment, the faintest ghost of a smile. "So that some fine night, when all of this is over, I may properly tell my grandfoals the tale of how narrowly I bested one of the old Sun-Tyrant's finest fliers."
The weathermare paused for a moment, and decided there really wasn't any harm. "Uhh... I'm Rainbow Dash."
He nodded. "Hmm. Fitting." There was a long pause in which the sound of dripping water became audible off to their left and then faded away again. "I... am called Vortex."
"I think I'm gonna stick with calling you Bat-Winged Freak, actually."
He bobbed his head, and that ghost of a smile took on a little more clarity. "I would expect nothing less."
They kept on walking in silence again, although now Dash noticed that the other two Lunars had spread out a little bit and were no longer looking so frequently in the direction of her and the Shadowbolt- her and Vortex, rather. They weren't interrupted for a good long while, and her mind began to wander, replaying the fight that had gotten her into this position. Twilight had been honest about her role as a distraction to buy the others time- that, after all, was what the gem was intended to get her out of -but Dash had at least been expecting to do a good bit more damage to the Lunars before her prearranged surrender. If she was being entirely honest with herself, the pegasus supposed, it hadn't even been any great skill on her own part, but rather her compound armor and flash pellets that had prevented the Lunar troops from outright wiping the pavement with her. Or, at least, delayed the Lunar troops in wiping the pavement with her. And now all of her gear had been confiscated. "So... uhh... one a' Celestia's finest fliers, huh?" she mused.
"Aye." Vortex slowed his pace slightly until he was directly beside the shackled pegasus. "Somewhere deep inside thine thick skull, there is a soldier's mind, calculating tactics and weighing options. With thy tricks, and what little experience thou hast, thou nearly bested me. But imagine what thou couldst become if thou werest properly trained."
Rainbow scoffed, to hide the fact that her initial reaction had been to wince. "Not much chance for that now, is there, freak?"
Vortex seemed to retreat back into his own thoughts for a little while after that- although perhaps that was just the natural result of his inscrutable tinted glasses. "Was there chance before, Rainbow Dash?" he finally asked. "Thou art skilled, clearly, but thou carriest thyself with the empty bluster of a green recruit. How didst thee come to be here?"
Dash didn't answer. Vortex was the enemy, but that didn't mean his low measure of her didn't hurt. If anything, the fact that he'd so perfectly sniffed out her failures without having even heard of the camp in Cloudsdale made his dismissal even more damning.
After a little while, though, he ducked his head and briefly tapped a forehoof against his leather-clad chest. "Forgive me, I meant no insult. Thou hast lived thine whole life under unchallenged Solar rule... t'would be cruel of me to imply that thine meager station was reached through any fault of thine own."
Rainbow Dash considered herself as patriotic as a mare could be, in every sense that really counted, at least, and felt a brief impulse to contradict him, but the words died in her throat. The... Incident hadn't been her fault, and Vortex knew it, damn him. It wasn't fair- he could read her like a filly's picture book, and she still couldn't figure out anything behind those goggles.
The walk dragged on, and so did the silence. The bat-pegasus in the funny helmet flew off, briefly, and then returned, and muttered something to Vortex. The wiry unicorn fiddled with Dash's wing-bonds where a knot appeared to have been coming loose- Dash herself hadn't even noticed it. Then, Vortex fell back to her position once again. "So tell me, Imperial. From where dost thou hail?"
"Cloudsdale," she answered. All of his questions had thus far seemed harmless enough, nor did there seem to be any great urgency behind them, so presumably one of the reasons she was being brought deeper into Lunar territory was to meet with a more proper interrogator. It then occurred to her that she had virtually no memory of the lessons she'd been given as a schoolfilly on the sky-city's history. "They, uh... Cloudsdale was around back then, right?"
"Aye, indeed, I was born and raised there! Perhaps, when we've wrenched it from the Tyrant's iron hooves, thou wouldst be willing to lead me to a few of thine favorite taverns..." his expression suddenly turned downcast, "... I doubt many of those I remember are still open."
"You just keep on saying that, freak..." Rainbow Dash muttered, just loud enough that she knew Vortex would hear.
"'Tis odd, I say," the Shadowbolt continued, his melancholic tone fading away now that a challenge was put in front of him, "How little of a fight we faced in town- thine own efforts excluded, of course. Didst Tyrant Celestia perhaps abandon thee to thine fate?"
"What? No!" Dash shook her head. "Look, I know things were a lot rougher back in... uhh... whatever the time you grew up in is called, but nowadays the militia's more than enough to keep the local monsters in line and we can get help from the Army whenever we need them. So, uhh, you all'd better look out!"
Vortex seemed, as near as Dash could tell, to be genuinely surprised by that. He cocked his head to one side and looked at her dead-on. "But... with what force does the Daybreaker suppress her detractors? Without conscription, how does she raise armies to fight in her wars?"
Very suddenly, Dash felt as though she were trying to explain the basics of Equestria's defense to a madpony, or perhaps a very small child. "Look, freak, in the time you've been gone there's been wars, sure. Dozens, even. But they're small, they're... whadda they call 'em these days, 'police actions'?" She tried to use her wings to represent the quotes, remembered they were bound, fell back on gesturing with her hooves and realized they were shackled too, finally setting for rolling her shoulders and hoping Vortex would understand her sarcasm. "There's always enough ponies like me who want to sign on because we like adventure" -unfortunately, more than enough, in fact- "so they don't have to... to force anypony to fight! It's not like..." Rainbow cast her mind back to grade-school Equestrian History, trying in vain to locate an appropriate example and coming up largely empty. "It's not like Trot or some shit," she finally finished.
There was a long pause, in which Vortex presumably mulled over what she'd just told him. For all Dash knew, he might have been figuring out the best way to thicken rainclouds. "So," he finally asked, "Did we... ever win?"
"Win against... who, freak? I've got a thousand years of bad guys to pick from!"
"I do not know!" For the first time since they'd gone hoof-to-hoof, genuine frustration entered his voice. "Who didst the Tyrant offend, and in what order?"
Dash shrugged, as best she could through the uncomfortable tension building in her wings. That unicorn had tied the ropes binding her a lot tighter than they'd been originally, and it was starting to hurt. "Well, the Griffon Empire finally gave up the ghost about a hundred years ago; we can count the number of dragons still on the continent with just our hooves; and the Frozen North's kept those stupid yaks out of our business for... Boreas, I don't even know how long. I mean, the Minotaurs are always making trouble, but they're really only dangerous to sea navies, and we don't even really use boats for much anymore, and the Abyssinians are trying to cozy up to us. There's always gonna be monsters and criminals and stuff, but... Celestia and most of the other creatures are friendly, or at least not trying to kill each other all the time." She thought back to the 'situations' beyond Equestria's borders reported in the big newspapers she almost never read, which Soldier of Fortune Magazine only covered when they devolved into open fighting. "Oh yeah, and I think Klugetown's gonna get wiped off the map soon too. That answer your questions?"
"... what is this... Kluge-town?"
"Stupid place full of stupid pirates. Don't worry about it."
"Hmmph. 'Tis almost a shame we missed such battles." They walked on in what might have passed for companionable silence for a good while after that, before Vortex spoke once again. "The Lunar Army could use soldiers like thee, Rainbow Dash. Think about it."
"You're not serious."
"I am never anything but serious."
Dash considered the offer - really, genuinely considered it - for just long enough for the fact that she was doing so to consciously register. Then, the little-used rational part of her brain assured her that in no way was it a good idea. She shook her head. "I don't think so."
"'Tis thine own choice," Vortex reassured her, before the expression on his exposed muzzle became grave. "But... thou dost understand why thou art being brought this way, yes? The Lunar Army needs to know if there are more of you to fight, and how commonly we may find thine armor and weapons. These maker's marks, this... Trotter, and Equestrian Apparel... 'twould be better for all concerned if thou wouldst tell us of their location of thine own free will."
She didn't think they knew about the purpose of her now-destroyed goggles, or the enchantment on her wingblades. They definitely didn't know about the gem. Rainbow Dash wanted to keep it that way. "No."
"No?"
"No."
Vortex shook his head and raised a wing, motioning for Dash and her guards to come to a halt. "Then I shan't force thee," he said, low enough that only she could hear. "But know that Our Sovereign is not as patient as I... especially as of late."
Dash's eyes narrowed, and she turned to face him head-to-head. "Is that a threat?"
"Nay. Only a warning."
"Answer's still no, freak."
Vortex sighed, and reached up a leathery wing to push his goggles away from his muzzle. His eyes were the same weird, slitted, yellow ones all the Lunars had. Dash was suddenly unsure why she had expected anything else. "Then... when Our Sovereign has finished with thee... I will at least see that thou dost not linger."
"Uhh... thanks, I guess? "Rainbow tried to put up a tough front, but the memory of veteran Guardsponies screaming like newborn fillies on the floor of the Town Hall wouldn't quite leave her.
They kept walking. (♫)
They were starting to close in on Rainbow Dash's position when Twilight saw the light cutting through the trees. The five of them crouched down in almost perfect synchrony as the pale yellow beam passed overhead. As the sound of somepony moving through the vegetation became audible, Twilight wormed her way over to Rarity's position. "Can't afford to go off-course again," she whispered to the tailor, "D'you think everypony can hide?" Rarity nodded, and slunk off into a particularly dense clump of brush to the side of the trail, disappearing completely. Twilight joined her as without being prompted Applejack and Pinkie Pie vanished off the opposite side, and Fluttershy slipped into the thick canopy up above.
The noises of hoofsteps and rustling leaves were definitely closing in on their position; Twilight forced herself to ignore the sudden chill of condensation soaking into the outer layers of her tunic and remain perfectly still. It was odd. From what she'd seen so far, the Lunar troops tended to be... well, not undetectable as they moved through an area, but certainly stealthier than this just by force of habit and their general nature. Thus, Twilight wasn't overly surprised when a plum-colored earth pony stallion in golden Royal Guard armor stepped out onto the trail proper, with a bullseye lantern hung around his neck and the handle of a small machete clutched in his teeth. Survivor from the Princess's security detail? Twilight wondered, But what's he doing out here?
Recalling the stories Shiny had told her about his training at Hurricane's Green, Twilight inhaled and made two sharp clicks with her tongue against the roof of her mouth. The Guard paused and looked around, his pale blue eyes widening in surprise under his helmet, then he tucked his machete into a loop on the front of his armor and clicked right back at her.
Twilight turned to Rarity. She mouthed "Stay here for now," and the white unicorn quietly nodded. Then she began charging her horn and stepped out into the open.
The Guard twisted in place to look at her, then reached a forehoof up to his barding and extracted a small flip-open notebook. "Twilight... Sparkle, right?" he asked, "Everypony's out lookin' for ya!"
"Wait," the scholar commanded, as she continued to feed power to her horn. Keeping one eye on the earth pony, she scanned the forest around them for an object of sufficient mass and settled on a small boulder off to her right. "I'd like you to pick up that round rock in front of the bush with the orange flowers and carry it over here."
The Guard bobbed his head, confused. "Uhh, Doctor Sparkle, why-"
She began mouthing the first lines of a disjunction spell powerful enough to dispel- or at least visibly affect- even the most sophisticated illusions; it was also more than powerful enough to do serious, lasting neurological damage to a living pony. "Please, just... do what I'm asking you."
"Umm... all right?" He stowed his notebook again and, with some effort and no small amount of muttering, managed to heave the stone up onto his armored back and carry it over to Twilight, letting it roll off and hit the muddy trail with a muffled splat. Twilight unloaded the disjunction spell into it, inflicting nothing but a small scorch mark, then charged and fired another at the hole from which it had originally been removed for good measure. The rock remained a rock and the hole remained a hole. All the while, the Guard looked on, bemused.
Illusion spells could look, sound, feel, and smell utterly real. If somepony were foolish enough to lick one of the monsters in the grove, in fact, it probably would have tasted utterly real as well. But the sole absolute limitation on that sort of magic was that illusions could not physically affect the real world. Nightmare Moon could simulate an illusionary Guardspony moving an illusionary rock, or make Twilight think that it had been moved when in fact it was right where it had always been, even creating the sensation of empty space at that location... but if it had been real at the start, and was real at the end, then there was nothing she could have done. There were other methods of lifting objects remotely, of course, and there was no reason on the level of basic magical principles why Nightmare Moon's telekinesis couldn't reach this far out, but if she could generate that much force at such a distance, there would have been no need for her to bother with illusions at all- she could have just as easily wrung Twilight's neck. "Girls? I... think he's the real thing!"
As the others cautiously stepped out from their hiding places, the Guard began counting under his breath. "Four... five... great! That's all a'yous!" he finished at a more normal volume.
Twilight looked him up and down a second time. He was on the young side, chubby for a soldier, with a dun-colored mane and the sort of broad, homely, expressive features that made it hard not to immediately take a liking to him. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" the mage asked.
"Oh! I'm, uhh, Private Beaten Track-"
"Private Beaten, eh? Bet he had a hard time in Basic..." Pinkie Pie muttered, just loud enough for everypony to hear.
"Uhh, yous can just call me Track, OK?" He chuckled quietly, more to himself than anypony else. "Anyways, I'm part a' the search party that got sent out to look for the six a' yous after we kicked Nightmare Moon and her zombies outta Ponyville."
Applejack blinked, confused. "Kicked Nightmare Moon...?"
"Yeah," the Private suddenly became animated, trotting in a small circle, "It was awesome! They had a bunch of us grunts go in and draw her out inna the open, then the Warm Light of Dawn came out from behind a cloudbank and shelled the blue offer hide!"
"Luna's... dead?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Her and a buncha' those weird slit-eyed skeleton guys, yeah. Most of 'em dropped just as soon as the big mare got hit, and we've just about rounded up all the rest. Been a busy couple days, otherwise we'd a' been out here a little sooner."
Rarity jerked upright as though struck. "A couple of... days?" she stammered.
Track closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah, there was this kind of a siege for a little while, we had negotiations over hostages, and... yeah. It's been about three days since you all went in here."
Twilight and Pinkie Pie looked at each other, then back to Track. "Everfree," they said, near-simultaneously.
"So," Track continued, "I... reckon we should prob'ly get a move on, link up with the rest of my squad, and get the lot a' yous back to civilization."
"What about Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked, "Those Lunar brutes got ahold of her and dragged her in here, we can't just leave her behind..."
"Yeah, we know, we know" the stallion nodded, "I got a message... I dunno, five minutes ago or so that another group managed to spring her. That was pretty clever of yous with the gem and all, you know. Probably saved her life." He turned around and waved a hoof down the trail. "Now, c'mon, we gotta move before somethin' bigger and hungrier than us comes along!" (♫)
Slowly, cautiously, they started walking.
"Ya know," Track continued as their pace picked up, "We got a whole loada' Academy mages back in town workin' to pull back Princess Celestia. Couldn't make much sense outta' most of it, but I get the sense that more than anything theys could just use somepony to tell 'em all what to do, ya' know?" He scoffed. "Yous shoulda seen their faces when Commander Shiny told 'em off for not taking Twilight's work seriously back before alla' this hit the propellers."
Applejack stepped past Twilight and made her way closer to the front of the procession. "Ah think it is awful funny runnin' inta' ya out here... our run a' luck's not been nearly this good 'fore now."
The stallion shook his head. "I dunno, we're not outta the woods yet... uhh, so to speak. Probably gotta head up to Canterlot a couple times before this is over, too. Interviews with the Day Court and so on." He turned briefly to face Applejack head-on, never once slowing. "Don't worry, we'll run yous up there free of charge," He flashed a reassuring smile at Fluttershy, "and we'll make sure the press gives everypony a wide berth. Have the whole town back to normal in no time."
"That's awful nice of you to think a' Fluttershy, seeing as ya've never met 'er before..." the farmer responded, awkwardly fiddling with her leather cowmare hat- Twilight wasn't entirely certain how she'd gotten it to stay overtop of her full-face helmet.
"Oh," Track's ears shifted back and a faint pinkness appeared under his plum-colored fur. "The Lieutenant asked for a volunteer to keep an eye on the cottage, make sure it stays just like ya left it. Took the liberty of carting out mosta' that armor and stuff that was piled up, our ranger didn't think it was all that safe." He turned to Rarity and flipped another page in his notebook. "Thought that armor looked pretty neat, though. Are you really the mare who owns that fancy workshop? I caught some a' the higher-ups from Canterlot drooling over it a couple times."
"This all just gets better and better..." Applejack muttered.
His ears tucked down completely now. "Well, we were gonna win this whole mess eventually, weren't we? Either that or die, right?"
The farmer shrugged. "Ah suppose..."
The canopy above was growing ever denser, and without the light of Track's lantern Twilight didn't think she'd've been able to see more than six feet in front of her. "Are you sure we're not going in even deeper?" she asked.
"Everfree." Private Track rolled his eyes, then waved at a solitary line of hoofprints matching the shape of Royal Guard sabatons heading the opposite way along the damp ground, "so it might not be the most direct way, but I know we'll get back eventually."
A momentary break in the canopy allowed brilliant purple light to shine through. It was hard to tell from such a brief glimpse, but they seemed to be heading more or less directly for the source. "'Zat one of the beacons?" Pinkie Pie asked, "What are they doing still up?"
"Every camp's got a mage or two working pretty hard to keep 'em up. They make this place a lot easier to get around and those old Cairns are good bases. We might finally make some headway in getting through here, now; the eggheads were all pretty excited about it." He whistled, "There's gonna be some celebration for yous when we get outta here..." He flipped open his notebook once again, "Hey, uhh, Pinkie Pie, right? This thing says you work at the bakery, any chance you could set me and some a' the others up? I'm 'bout hungry enough to eat my own helmet..." Another page flipped up onto the chapboard backing. "And... Applejack, you probably already know this, but your whole family's been out lookin' for ya. Lieutenant had to talk 'em outta comin' along on the search, and I don't think it really stuck, so it's good for everypony involved I found ya now before any of 'em did somethin' drastic..."
The farmer nodded. "Yeah, Ah reckon so..."
For the first time since they'd met, Track's expression darkened. "What'cher deal, exactly, anyways? You's been breathin' down my neck ever since we ran into each other."
There was a long, tense silence. "Ah don't got a... deal," Applejack finally said, "Ah'm just... havin' a hard time wrappin' mah head 'round alla' this business. How's a'come you know so much 'bout all of us, anyways?"
"Oh." The stallion smiled again, and patted his notepad. "Well, they did tell us everything they knew about'cha so's we could try'n figure out where's yous woulda' gone. We interviewed yer pals and families, that kinda' thing."
Applejack nodded, ears folding back slightly. "So... uhh... is Applebloom doin' all right? Ah reckon them Lunars gave 'er quite the scare, and Ah ain't had the chance to sit down an' talk to 'er as Ah'd'a liked."
Once again the notebook was produced. "Oh, Big Macintosh's lookin' after 'er."
"And Fluttershy's rabbit?"
"One a' the rangers minding the cottage's been leaving food out for it." He laughed, rather more loudly than Twilight thought was entirely appropriate given the situation. "Me, I think that thing needs to be locked up someplace far away from decent ponies, but... ours is not to question why, and all that."
"What about that little filly who's always hangin' round with the weatherponies?"
"The orange one? She started pesterin' us too, you know. Wish her folks were around more, they'd be gettin' a piece of the Commander's mind about it."
Applejack nodded, "Well, ya sure do know a lot about Ponyville for somepony who's only been there three days... or, well, less, actually, since ya spent some a' that time in here lookin' for us."
Track almost physically glowed. "I take my work very seriously!"
"Yeah, Ah reckon you do..." Applejack shifted the warhammer on her back ever so slightly. Track didn't seem to notice. It was probably just an attempt to get the heavy weapon situated in a more comfortable position, Twilight decided. The farmer was walking quite close to Track, actually, closer than was entirely proper, and seemed focused on him far more intently than the others. "Hey, Ah know this is kinda' a weird question, but... can Ah see them notes a' yours?" (♫)
"You really better not, there's personal information in there," the Guardspony said immediately, and moved to tuck the pad back into his armor.
Applejack was faster. Her right front hoof snapped out and connected with Track's, knocking the notepad into a high arc over his back. Twilight reached out towards it with her telekinesis, but for whatever reason couldn't get even the faintest hint of a grip, nor did she see or hear where it hit the ground.
"Hey! That was my Lieutenant's!" Track cried out, bewildered, but Applejack wasn't done with him. She brought her hoof around and slammed it hard into the Guardspony's unarmored chin.
He staggered backward. "Eeeeow, hey, what was-"
With a terrible, sick feeling Twilight saw Applejack twist around and grab her warhammer in her teeth. The scholar cried out, charged forward and lit her horn, the others right behind her, but her telekinetic field slid off Applejack's heavy, spellforged Landsknecht armor like quicksilver on cold glass. The hammer met Track's barrel with a meaty thud and a pulse of earth magic that Twilight could feel vibrating in her bones- the stallion didn't even have the breath to cry out as he was launched clean off his hooves, skidding to an awkward stop a good yard or two further down the trail.
Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all slammed into the bigger mare at about the same time, Twilight trying to wrench the hammer away with her jaws and telekinesis, as the others simply piled on and tried to immobilize the farmer through sheer weight of bodies. "What... in Tartarus... were... you... thinking?" Fluttershy demanded through gritted teeth.
Applejack seemed to be having little if any trouble staying upright or keeping her grip on the hammer, but after a moment she relented and released the handle from her jaws. The others looked to Twilight, and when the scholar nodded they all climbed back to their hooves. "What Ah'm doin', is killin' another one a' them damn illusions."
Up ahead, Track had managed to roll onto his uninjured side and lift his head up far enough off the muddy ground to speak. "What... wha... no..." he paused, wincing in pain, "Forest musta' gotten to her... she's... no, I'm not..."
"Applejack." Twilight struggled to keep her voice calm and level, but internally her thoughts were chasing themselves in circles. "Illusions can't manipulate physical objects. You saw me check him."
"Ah believe ya, Twilight," Applejack strode closer, green eyes fixed on Twilight's purple. Her voice, too, was flat and perfectly level. "But if he's for real... how's he still talkin' after Ah put a hammer right in 'is ribs?"
Twilight set the warhammer down by the side of the trail and carefully advanced on Private Track. The stallion was struggling to move himself now, eyes wide and unfocused in panic. The armor over his ribcage was warped and dented, blood oozing from underneath to darken his plum-colored fur, the skin around it already beginning to bruise. It was possible she hadn't seen exactly where the hammer had hit, and was mistaken in believing it had been lower- just as it was possible she hadn't seen where his notepad had landed, and possible that the outside world had experienced three days in what was for her almost certainly less than an hour. "Don't try to get up," Twilight said in what she hoped was a reassuring, authoritative tone. "I'm just going to run a few medical divinations on you."
"No, no, come on, look," he stammered, "My name's Beaten Track, I was born on the Upper East Side'a Manehattan, I joined the Guard right outta' high school, went through Basic at Marris Island, I can put Rainbow Dash on the Sending-spell for you if you-"
Twilight began repeating the chant of a high-powered disjunction spell, slowly playing the cone of silver light up and across Track's hoof.
"Hey, what are you... ow, OW, hey, that feels weird, cut it out!" The stallion cried out as his leg began to twitch. Twilight wrapped it in a telekinetic field and upped the power.
"What is that, what is that, you tryin' ta' shock me to death or somethin'?!" He demanded. "Cut that out!" He was sweating now, and thrashing in the dirt as he struggled to free himself.
Willing herself to ignore both countless hours of magical-safety training and the headache building up just under the base of her horn, Twilight upped the power once again.
"Seriously, stop that!" Track panted, "Doc, c'mon, you're really hurtin' me bad, aww, please, just stoaaaAAAAGH!"
The semicircle of hoof exposed to her spell dissolved into a vaporous blue absence-of-material, through which shone thousands of tiny, cold stars.
Twilight backed away and cut the spell.
"Y'all... might not wanna watch this," Applejack said as she advanced, but when the farmer slammed her hammer down directly into Private Track's skull, Twilight didn't look away.
Even when she'd been expecting the transition, she couldn't even begin to properly identify the point where golden armor became blue, muddy plum-colored fur became desiccated hide, and blood and brains became fragments of pulverized bone- only that 'before', she remembered the corpse of a Guardspony laid out in front of her, and that 'after' it was and had always been just another revenant.
"Hmm," she muttered to nopony in particular, "Project a major image or something similar directly over a physical substrate she also controls, so it can interact with the real environment. Neat trick, but it must be hard to keep the two synchronized..."
"Umm... Applejack?" Sidling up beside the two of them, Fluttershy's soft voice broke Twilight from her thoughts, "How did you know that pony was... that he wasn't real?"
The farmer calmly pulled her hammer out of the mud and gave it a few experimental swings at nothing in particular. "Shucks, reckon that was the last a' the charge, 'm afraid... no surprise since it's been up on a shelf since Ah was a little filly," she said, then slid the weapon into its designated loop and turned back to the pegasus. "Well, ah saw that funny little book a' his disappear inta' thin air when Ah knocked it away from 'im, and the first time Ah slugged him, there was just a moment where my hoof went through 'im an' Ah felt somethin' dry an' bony. And ya know them dead Lunar things never really do have a proper barrel."
"We mean, before that, darling," Rarity cut in. "Please don't tell me you're going to hit everypony you meet from now on just to make sure that they're really alive!"
"Naw, don't be silly, Rares," she paused, adjusting her hat. Twilight suddenly realized she never had bothered to learn what the thing was actually called. "But, well... his whole story... Ah mean, he had an answer for every single question Ah could ever ask 'im. An' they all made perfect sense. Fer the Sun's sake, he even got all a' y'all's names right the very first try!"
"And... that's bad?" Pinkie Pie asked.
The farmer shook her head. "Real ponies... ain't perfect. We forget things, we contradict ourselves, we... uh, what's it called, umm, con-fab-u-late eight diff'rent kindsa' nonsense without ever meanin' to. Ah didn't reckon he was a revenant right away as such, but as much as Ah wanted alla' this to be somepony else's problem I had ta' face the facts that he was hidin' somethin'. He was just... too good to be true."
That seemed to be enough for the others. Pinkie Pie nodded and waved a hoof further up the trail. "I bet they're waiting for us up where that beacon is. And somehow, I don't think they're gonna have a chariot back to Ponyville."
"Pinkie's right, darling. We should probably keep well away from that place."
"I think I can manage that, yeah." Twilight was already fiddling with her theodolite and compass. The signal for Dash's gem had moved about thirty degrees since they'd run into what they'd thought was help- assuming a constant velocity of travel, that meant they had to be getting close. In fact, it was entirely possible the Lunars were leading all of them to the same fortified Cairn- and if that was the case, they didn't have any more time to fool around chasing apparitions. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | By Cover of Night | (♫)
Rainbow Dash spotted Pinkie Pie standing casually in the middle of the trail a split-second before the Lunars reacted- they could see better in the dark than Dash could, surely, but for that brief moment they must simply not have believed she was really there.
"'Scuse me," the baker said, trotting closer, "Would any of you know how I can get back to Ponyville from here? I'm kinda lost..."
For a moment, it seemed as though the skinny pegasus in the helmet was going to step forward. Then her unicorn friend drew his blade and held it flat-side-out in front of her chest.
"I do not like this..." Vortex muttered.
They all just stood there for perhaps a second or two, the Lunar soldiers looking from Pinkie to Dash and then back again.
From somewhere in the canopy high above, she heard Fluttershy call out "Go."
Rainbow Dash tucked her legs underneath her and hit the dirt.
"Go."
Applejack charged out of the underbrush behind the party, hammer in her jaws and already swinging. Ignoring what sounded like an awful ruckus already taking place not too much farther up ahead, she barreled straight for the unicorn with the sword- who, as it turned out, proved to be none other than Foxglove's guard, Smoky Mirror.
It was, she supposed, next to impossible to actually take the wiry stallion by surprise, what with his head seemingly always on a swivel-mount as it was, but Applejack figured she'd just about managed it. The unicorn yelled something inarticulate and leaped sideways out of the way, his sword moving in the opposite direction entirely to slash across Applejack's throat.
The farmer bit back a curse. If she'd been wearing the same sort of armor Smoky himself was wearing and not the more modern Landsknecht gear, she didn't have the slightest doubt that strike would've sliced her windpipe open. Even with the armor it still hurt worse than a drunken brawl with a hydra, but Applejack refused to let that slow her down as she wrenched her hammer out of the trailbed and wound up for another swing.
By that time, though, the unicorn was already halfway back up the trail, blade swinging for the back of her head. Applejack twisted her neck and managed to turn the hammer's motion into a desperate parry, then powered forward to close the distance between them.
"Go."
Rarity pulled herself up onto the top of the berm she'd been hiding behind, and locked eyes with Twilight Sparkle on the other side of the trail. Before Rarity could even draw her rapier, the scholar had already fired some sort of force-spell that made a noise like a firecracker going off underwater, and swept out a cone about four yards long with an expanding disc of shimmering magenta energy. Much of it slammed into the berm beneath Rarity's hooves and gave it a noticeable kick; what passed overtop left her with a low ringing in her ears and an awful, squeezing sensation just behind her eye sockets; but the two bat-winged Lunar pegasi on either side of the hunkered-down Rainbow Dash got far and away the worst of it. They had just made it into a low hover ahead of their bent-horned unicorn comrade when the wave hit them; now they flapped aimlessly in seeming confusion, Rain Chaser fumbling with her elaborate helmet as her leather-clad stallion friend flapped desperately to gain altitude, fighting against the magenta glow of Twilight's telekinesis.
Further back she saw Applejack charge out of cover and take a wild swing that missed her Lunar unicorn target entirely. Rarity lifted her rapier into a guard position and jumped up over the berm, ready to assist, when Twilight called out "Help, I can't holdhim!".
The tailor twisted around mid-gallop and added her telekinesis to Twilight's own, gritting her teeth against a surge of feedback as the bat-pegasus thrashed and flapped to get free. She considered lifting one of the odd, vaguely squarish stones that dotted the path to throw at him, but it was taking all of their combined force just to keep him from climbing any further- whatever else she might have said about those bizarre, bat-like wings, they were certainly extremely strong.
She spared a look at where the other Lunar pegasus had last been standing and saw that the bat-filly was gone. "Twilight? What about Rain Chaser? This wasn't part of the-" she shouted, before the sound of rattling armor cut her off. On the other end of the trail, Pinkie Pie and Chaser were rolling around on the trail in a tangle of armor, hooves, and lurid-pink tail.
"Wait, which one's -guh- Rain Chaser?" The baker asked, before continuing to slam her hooves into the other mare's face and chest.
"Wait, which one's -guh- Rain Chaser?"
Fluttershy didn't know the answer to that question and, in all honestly, didn't particularly care. She glided down from her perch in the branches up above whisper-quietly, her greenish-brown cloak almost invisible in the shadowy forest, and slunk through the melee more or less completely unnoticed. Rainbow Dash was, for once, doing exactly what she had been told to do, which was to stay low and keep out of the way, and thanks to the rest of Fluttershy's companions the Lunar guards were nowhere near her. She was tracking the melee with barely-contained jealousy, but when she saw the other pegasus her mouth dropped open. "F-Fluttershy?"
"I've got you, just hold on..." As she fiddled with the ropes binding the weathermare's wings, Fluttershy realized that whichever Lunar had patched Dash up hadn't done a particularly good job. There were still smears of dried blood on the end of her muzzle, judging by the depth of the portions Fluttershy could see the wound on her right hock should really have been poulticed instead of just bound, and at any rate the cloth it was wrapped in was saturated with blood and starting to come loose; perhaps more dangerously her wings had been bound far enough behind her for so long that there was some risk of tendon injury.
Finally the ropes were unknotted, and as they slipped free Fluttershy cast an appraising look at the astral steel shackles wrapped around Dash's hooves. They looked far too sturdy to stand much chance of forcing, and she didn't have the key. "All right, it looks like I'm going to have to try to pick those locks. Try to hold still just a little longer, okay?"
Rainbow was already struggling to her hooves, however. "Doesn't matter, I can still fly!"
"Wait, no, you-"
Fluttershy reached out a hoof to hold her friend back, but it was already too late. Rainbow flicked her wings forward, then howled in pain as the left one failed to stop at full extension.
The smaller pegasus was at her friend's side in an instant, struggling to pop Dash's wrist back into joint as the weathermare quivered and nearly chewed through her own lower lip in her struggle to stay quiet, but it was already too late.
"The prisoner! And -oof- and another!" The bat-pony that was wrestling with Pinkie Pie called out in between strikes. She managed to slip above the larger mare and free her wings from where they'd been pinned, immediately swinging them down and using the hooked joints to draw deep cuts against Pinkie's shoulders. The baker yelped and lost her grip- just for a moment, but that was all it took for the Lunar to wrench herself free and dive towards the still-grounded pegasi.
Fluttershy was only dimly aware of somepony -it might have been Rarity- yelling "Look out!" behind her, far too late for it to do any good.
"Look out!" Rarity yelled, but she knew it was far too late to do any good.
She could see her rapier shining on the ground where she'd dropped it, not very far at all from the path Rain Chaser was taking towards Dash and Fluttershy. She could, even at this range, lift it up and do some serious damage, or she could keep her hold on that frightening purple-clad one, but Rarity knew very well her own limits. She couldn't do both.
"Terribly sorry, Twilight."
She reached out with her telekinesis and yanked her blade upward, twisting it sideways in the air with all the force she could muster. It skittered across the armor on Rain Chaser's shoulder and down on under her wing, scarcely injuring the bat-pegasus while sending a spike of force-feedback knifing through Rarity's horn that set the unicorn's teeth on edge, but it had done its job. The Lunar cried out in a mixture of surprise and anger as she spun off course, hoofblades carving long furrows in the Everfree mud as she struggled to push herself back up from a full-on collision. She'd not gotten within a yard of Dash or Fluttershy.
By that point, though, Vortex was already long gone. As soon as the telekinetic pressure on him had become anything less than completely immobilizing, his entire body goggles and all had begun to fade away and become insubstantial, and in under three seconds he'd simply evaporated into thin air.
"Dammit!" Twilight shouted, and began hurling bolts of pure force one after another- at Rain Chaser, at Smoky Mirror's armored figure far off down the trail, and at the bat-winged shadow that flickered maddeningly between the trees just out of easy visual range. But she was rapidly beginning to realize that having studied the structure of kinetic bolt spells well enough to cast novel variations in her sleep, and actually hitting another pony who moved fast and stayed out of direct line-of-sight, were two very different things.
After a few seconds she had to stop, as the ache underneath her horn developed to the point where concentration was impossible, and contemplate the fact that the entire engagement was going sideways extremely quickly.
"Marvelous display, Darling," Rarity called out from across the trail, making a strangled little nnh! noise when Rain Chaser seized the opportunity to swat the unicorn's rapier back out of her telekinesis. "Just a suggestion, but if you opened your eyes you'd be able to see it too!"
"Gonna be a while, Ah'm afraid!" Applejack yelled from even further away. "This slippery varmint just won't stand still!"
"Hey, you'd better be careful!" Rainbow Dash added, Fluttershy still struggling to set her twisted left wing,"That purple guy can... I dunno, turn into smoke or somethin'!"
"Rainbow, it would've been very nice to know that before he'd just done it!" (♫)
"Look out!" Somepony called out, far behind Applejack. It might have been Rarity, or it might have been Twilight Sparkle. It didn't particularly matter, because at the moment there was precious little the farmer could do to help either way.
"Gonna be a while, Ah'm afraid! This slippery varmint just won't stand still!" She yelled, by way of explanation, and then took another swipe at Smoky Mirror for good measure. Her hammer wound up doing quite a number on the tree right behind where he'd just been, but as usual by that point the stallion himself was already long gone. She'd managed to graze him a couple of times before now, and he was sure as Tartarus going to feel the bruises in the morning, but that was the extent of it.
Applejack was not as dumb as a lot of ponies took her for. She knew full well the bent-horned Lunar unicorn was trying to run her around and tire her out; then wait for her to slip up. What she was reasonably sure he didn't know in turn was that between the enchantments on her hammer, the enchantments on her armor, and her own admittedly limited ability to draw strength from the ground under her hooves, it'd take a good long while before he'd even put a dent in her stamina. If it came to that, and privately she hoped that just maybe it would, Applejack was entirely capable of keeping this up all night. The farmer knew she wouldn't be much use against either of the bat-pegasi, especially that scary flying cloud, and she also knew that if she let an experienced swordstallion like Smoky Mirror get anywhere near Rarity or Twilight, they were as good as dead. So she was fine keeping him occupied until somepony could help her properly pin the bastard down.
She reared her head back and made a wide, powerful, and most importantly obvious swing for his chest, hoping that he'd duck under it just like the last few times she'd tried to power directly through his guard. She flicked out a forehoof to strike at where she was expecting to find his unarmored chin, but somehow he knew to stay put this time and refused to take the bait, slashing along her ankle for good measure. It hurt, of course, but that was nothing new. She tried to circle around him, shoving the handle of her weapon towards his head five or six times from different directions to try to goad him into the underbrush, but under the sort of fine telekinetic control Applejack was used to seeing only from Rarity his blade flipped, twisted, slid, and effortlessly parried each and every blow.
She was already bleeding for a dozen cuts through the gaps in her armor- which was why she absolutely could not stop moving. She couldn't afford to pause for breath, even for a second. Then he could slide that blade straight through her visor and be done with her. It really wasn't any different from what she was trying to do to him, just with speed and precision replacing her overwhelming blunt force. He was smart; she'd give him that, and it'd be a damn shame when she ended up pancaking his skull.
Applejack felt the steam from her breath building up inside her helmet, the blood pooling in her sabatons from the dozens of tiny nicks she'd sustained on her legs. It hurt, but all her life she'd trained herself to push through the pain until her job was done. This was no different.
She didn't even realize that the entire time Smoky had been leading her further and further away from her friends until she heard Twilight Sparkle swearing a blue streak about something and had absolutely no idea what it was.
Pinkie Pie scampered underneath one of Twilight Sparkle's big, lens-shaped shields, a ball of lightning scorching a few of her tailhairs as it exploded directly behind her. The claw marks dug into her shoulders were annoying, to say the least, but she was reasonably certain they were just flesh wounds- which, if she was being entirely honest with herself, most injuries to her were. She'd hurt herself worse than that by running into furniture before. She'd be fine.
Taking advantage of the brief protection her friend's spell was offering, Pinkie produced a good-sized rock and hurled it right back along the path the lightning ball had taken; but, of course, the stallion who had produced that lightning was no longer anywhere nearby. It wasn't that his movements were random- Pinkie had a damn good handle on randomness, after all, and if that had been the case she'd've been able to nail him every single time. His flight was purposeful, but whatever logic directed it was effectively impossible for her to grasp.
That, or he was just doing that stupid thing where he turned into smoke and became effectively untouchable for some indefinite period of time, which as far as Pinkie was concerned should really be considered unsportsmarelike conduct. The Lunars would probably just call it being 'clever', though, and insinuate that everypony else was a sun-blind idiot for not having spontaneously developed ephemerality themselves.
She was, at least, lucky enough to be looking right at him when he came in for another pass, which was good because Twilight was staring in the other direction entirely and would have been absolutely no help at all. She tossed another projectile at him, and he actually had to dodge this time, although all that gave Pinkie Pie was the chance to slam into Twilight and push her out of the way of his lightning bolt. The mage cried out, surprised, and the spell she'd been charging fired off sideways to strip the leaves from a tree that was nowhere near either of the bat-winged pegasi.
It was only then that Pinkie Pie realized Twilight's shield-and-spellwork had been gradually edging the two of them closer to where Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were still hunkered down. She produced a smoke charge, one of the little quick-popping ones that Rainbow Dash had ordered about a month ago and subsequently lost interest in, and hurled it to the ground about a yard ahead of them. It detonated immediately, enveloping the two mares in a thick white cloud.
"Pinkie, what're you doing?" Twilight demanded, "Now I can't see, and-"
The first bolt of lightning struck a good three yards from their position.
"C'mon!" Pinkie set off at a full gallop right for Fluttershy's hideout, the sound of Twilight's rapid, desperate panting the only confirmation she needed that the mage was following along behind her. Lightning spells incinerated the foliage around them but Pinkie didn't let that slow her down, ducking and weaving in a complicated pattern that nonetheless always brought them closer to where she wanted to go. Then they were out of the smoke cloud and charging full-out for the natural dugout where the pegasi had taken shelter, Vortex- for the moment- far behind them at the other end of the trail.
Then something else shot overhead, fast and dark and making the telltale snap-snap-snap of leathery wings. "Oh, no," Twilight muttered, "That filly's coming around for another pass..."
Rain Chaser saw the mage and that scrappy mud-thrower running for the prisoner, but she didn't care. She was a leatherwing, one of Princess Luna's finest. She was faster than both of them combined. Skimming just above ground level she adjusted her course slightly, aiming for the prisoner herself- as Captain Vortex had nearly learned the hard way back in town, the armored mare was almost certainly a much greater threat than the upstarts' quiet little healer should she make good on her escape plan.
Her hooves met solid ground again and Rain Chaser charged forward, one bladed wing held out at neck level ready to slice.
That was when the healer stepped out in front of her charge and looked Chaser dead in the eye.
The Lunar pegasus skidded to a halt in spite of herself. In the six months she'd spent fighting against the Sun-Tyrant's army, Rain Chaser had personally killed four different ponies. Three hadn't known there was a blade headed for their throats until it was too late; the fourth had cursed and spat as she struggled to free herself from the wreckage of a collapsed watchtower, and then died promising Chaser would pay for her treason a hundred times over. She'd never seen a Solar just stand there and look her in the eye.
"Well?" The healer asked, then shook her head. "You don't have to do this."
Rain Chaser was a leatherwing, one of Princess Luna's finest. She'd flown a pallet full of blasting-crystals all by her lonesome to the Solar garrison in Manehattan to earn that honor, and then lain in the back of a wagon for six days with nothing to do but feel her skin stretching and wingbones shifting in order to make good on it. She could hardly back out now.
She raised her blade again. "B-by my oath to Princess Lun-"
The Solar mage struck her from the other side with a beam of pure force that knocked her off her hooves and sent her rolling to an undignified stop in the underbrush easily four yards away.
Pinkie had gotten Twilight to where Dash and Fluttershy had gone to ground, and for that the scholar was eternally grateful. But she'd still come up empty for ideas as far as the problem of that one leather-clad Lunar pegasus was concerned. If they were going to get out of this mess, and quickly, before one of the other Lunars could break off and call for reinforcements, they'd need to do something more than just hold him off- and even that was proving to be a tall order.
"Shield, blast, blast, shield..." Twilight muttered, trying to find any sort of a rhythm or pattern to the way he was flitting about up above and strafing them. Her amniomorphic shields - a magical innovation of Starswirl the Bearded's that had been largely ignored at the time of the Rebellions and only fully realized three centuries hence- were more than proof against the stallion's lightning spells, and shooting at him at least temporarily forced him to let up in his assault, but he was getting bolder and more direct with each passing second. "Shield, blast, blast, blast- dammit!" A bolt slipped through the space where her shield by every right should have been, and lanced across Fluttershy's left foreleg.
The pegasus cried out and fell to her haunches, shaking and struggling to rise as the Shadowbolt circled around to finish what he'd started. Before he could make it, however, Rarity jumped up from behind the berm on the other side of the trail, grabbed Fluttershy in her telekinesis, and hurled her bodily under the next shield in Twilight's pattern.
"I can't see Applejack any more!" The white unicorn called.
"Whaddaya mean you can't see Applejack?" Twilight shouted back, then for the first time since their struggle had begun thoroughly searched the area around their dugout and realized the farmer was nowhere in it.
"This is bad... this is really bad..." Rainbow Dash muttered, searching unsuccessfully for any weapons left in the pouches of her now dented and bloodied armor.
Twilight stopped focusing on the pattern of her shields, throwing out a new and larger dome that would hold just long enough for her not to have to worry about it. She spotted the other Lunar pegasus just pulling herself to her hooves in the underbrush four yards away. She spotted Rarity's sword, still lying unattended and largely unnoticed in the middle of the track. She had a plan.
Twilight's telekinetic abilities had always been strong- clumsy, certainly, but strong. She knew that she could easily kill the stumbling Lunar soldier with that sword... but a dead mare wouldn't be much help against her two more experienced fellows. So Twilight decided to make her help.
She waited for the Shadowbolt to realize her shield wouldn't break immediately- it took him two more lightning strikes and a head-on physical charge against it, which was more effort than Twilight had anticipated and enough to leave her nauseous and dizzy, but then just as she'd predicted he broke off his attack and winged his way over to Rarity's less obvious but more vulnerable position.
As soon as his back was turned, Twilight grabbed the rapier in her telekinesis, shot it through the air, then twisted it in place and stabbed it cleanly through the leathery membrane of the fallen bat-mare's left wing.
For a humble farmer, Applejack was certainly a lot more adept at violence than Smoky Mirror had expected. At this point he felt he'd have an easier time breaking down a curtain wall with a field knife than genuinely besting the Solar loyalist, but that wasn't necessarily his job. So he fell back on his training, let his body and blade move without thought, and focused on keeping himself - and his squad - alive.
Then, from somewhere a good twenty yards or more back the way he'd come, he heard young Rain Chaser scream in agony.
"Ruttin' mage just stabbed me! I am- agh, that hurts..."
Immediately, Smoky reversed course and leaped back the way he came, slashing and parrying madly to ward off Applejack until his blade was at the very edge of where his telekinesis could effectively support it, struggling to buy himself even a few seconds of breathing-space. "Private Chaser!" he called out, "What has become of thee?!"
Her voice seemed to come to him from a great distance, unsteady and slurred, about to break down completely, "Pinned... pinned my wing... they are... all around me... I cannot... Captain... anypony... please, I need help!"
Smoky yanked his longsword back towards him just in time to prevent another hammer strike from either breaking it or knocking it away where he'd never be able to find it again. He slammed the flat of his blade into the sun-addled farmer's neckplates once more, aiming to stun because he knew it was currently impossible to do any more damage, and then dashed back the way he came.
In the thicket where they had been ambushed, he couldn't see any of the Solars, but he could see their hoofwork plenty well enough. Private Rain Chaser was crouched on her haunches on the edge of the trail, her left wing held out at an awkward angle and pinned in place by a slim silver rapier. As the Lancepesade watched, vaguely appalled, Chaser struggled to twist her neck around far enough to grab the handle, gasped in pain once again as the movement put additional tension on the delicate membrane of her wing, and then after a few seconds more of struggling let her head flop forward onto the ground, glassy-eyed and panting.
"Hold fast, Private!" he called out as he bolted forward, "I shall-"
He never got to finish. From behind the berm off to his left, a white unicorn in a duelist's harness abruptly materialized, horn already alight. He spun in place, raising his blade in a guard position... and then the mare hurled a globe of mud and greenery directly at him, completely engulfing his weapon and slipping past it as more or less a single cohesive entity. Smoky reeled backwards as the projectile slammed into him, seeping through the joints of his armor and the visor of his helmet to cover him in foul, sticky Everfree mud. He stumbled, blind and suffocating for a horrible moment before his telekinesis found the catches on his helmet and yanked it off, backing away by reflex as he coughed and wiped at his eyes.
When he could see again, the unicorn was running at him, a dagger that matched the silver rapier held in her telekinesis and already heading directly for the gap between his legplates. Smoky jerked away, barely managing to avoid a strike that could easily have hamstrung him, but the mare was impossibly nimble and he still felt cold metal slide across the bone of his right pastern. He stumbled, thought of Rain Chaser still trapped, now somewhere behind him where he couldn't see, grit his teeth against the pain and forced himself to stand. When he looked up again, Applejack was standing next to the white mare with her hammer in her teeth.
He held position and picked his blade up from the trail where it had fallen, painfully aware that now he was fighting two of the Solars.
"Ruttin' mage just stabbed me! I am- agh, that hurts..."
The bat-pegasus that Rarity had identified as Rain Chaser thrashed and struggled in the Everfree mud, one wing pinned in place by a silver rapier. Twilight Sparkle was briefly reminded of a bug on a piece of corkboard; then she was surprised by just how little the comparison bothered her.
"Private Chaser!" a stallion's voice called out from deeper off the trail, "What has become of thee?!"
"Rarity..." Twilight muttered, just loud enough that she could be sure she was heard, waving her hoof at the tailor's hiding-pace on the other side of the trail, "Get ready."
A flash of purple mane was her only acknowledgment.
"Pinned... pinned my wing... they are... all around me..." Chaser continued, "I cannot... Captain... anypony... please, I need help!"
Fluttershy stared at Twilight, aghast, and began to step forward. Twilight brought a hoof up to the pegasus's chest. "Wait for it..."
On the trail below Rain Chaser struggled to free herself, before collapsing back down on the trail. Twilight had meant to stab her with the hilt facing towards her tail, to make any escape impossible by simple anatomy. As always her telekinetic control hadn't been quite up to the task, but given that the transformed Lunars did not, in fact, show a significantly elevated tolerance for pain it had ultimately been unnecessary.
"Hold fast, Private!" the Lunar stallion who had disappeared with Applejack came galloping out from cover, "I shall-"
Rarity wrenched a collection of earth from the berm she was behind and hurled it at him; she charged after him as soon as it hit and both ponies disappeared back into the underbrush.
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash both stepped forward to join Fluttershy, eyes narrowed. Twilight shook her head and started scanning the canopy up above. "Wait for it..."
"Somepony, anypony... please, I... I do not want to die out here..." Rain Chaser sobbed.
High up in the canopy, something foggy and iridescent slithered out of the shadows. It drifted towards the stricken bat-filly with agonizing slowness, seeming to wrap around the rapier's handle of its own accord. Then very rapidly it started to define and solidify, collapsing back into the form of a stallion clad in purple leather with the handle clutched securely in his jaws.
Twilight unloaded another kinetic spell square in his side, with enough force to toss him half a meter back.
He cursed, Rain Chaser howled, and the blade ripped out of her wing and spun away over the berm on the other side of the trail. The Lunar stallion immediately rallied, grabbed his comrade around the barrel and pulled into a steep climb, but with her weight to carry and the possibility of fading back into the ether removed, he was just that critical bit slower. Most of Twilight's spells and Pinkie Pie's missiles still missed him- but not all of them. When Rain Chaser wriggled out of his grasp a few seconds later and split off in the other direction, he was flying with a noticeable list to the right. (♫)
Struggling to ignore the searing pain in her left wing, Rain Chaser flapped hard to gain altitude but could only manage to maintain a low hover. Her earlier fear had all but deserted her, replaced with a far more familiar vicious outrage at seeing Captain Vortex tricked by that Imperial mage- tricked, no less, with herself as bait. If she died to cover his escape, then so be it, but she was at least taking a few of those sun-blinded dogs down with her.
She twisted her head side to side, searching for a target. She thought she saw a flash of brilliant pink amidst the trees and lurched in that direction, but when she looked directly at it there was nothing left- not even hoofprints in the mud.
"Show thyself, coward!" She called out, disgusted at the tremor she could still hear in her voice.
"Hey, so, does that mean you didn't like my entrance?" The earth mare replied from somewhere behind her.
Rain Chaser wheeled about and snarled, finding herself face-to-face with the Imperial for the first time since she'd carved up the pony's sides- but now, somehow, they were both in the air.
"Well, I guess it was either that, or... 'Surprise!'"
Something hard and metallic slammed into the back of the bat-filly's skull, and then her wing wasn't hurting her any more.
Only out of the corner of his eye did Smoky Mirror see Rain Chaser break free- he couldn't spare the attention from his task of defending against the two mares in front of him. He could only afford to consider the event at all because it meant that the slim white one's rapier wasn't stuck in the ground any more; if she realized that and got ahold of it, his situation would become even more untenable. Gaining ground was out of the question; it took all of his skill and stamina just to hold them off in a fighting retreat.
He heard voices in the distance, Chaser's and another mare's, before Chaser abruptly fell silent. He didn't dare speculate what had happened to Captain Vortex.
He ducked and parried, hunting desperately for an opening that would give him the chance to disengage and flee. He found none.
Something shifted in the bushes behind him. He didn't dare turn around. If he had, he might have had a chance to avoid the full-body tackle from their blue pegasus prisoner... but probably not.
The two ponies flipped over and slid across the leaf-litter, armor scraping on armor. The pegasus batted away his weak right hoof, jabbing for his throat and starting to press on his windpipe. Eyes watering and vision going faint at the edges, Smoky reached out telekinetically for his blade- and found, to his surprise, that another field already had a hold of it.
He struggled against what could only be the telekinesis of the white swordsmare for a good few seconds, even as the fuzziness behind his eyes intensified and he could feel the energy of his own horn trickling away to parts unknown. Then something very definitely solid intervened and plucked the weapon out of his grip; to where he couldn't tell, and somepony who sounded vaguely familiar was saying, "Now, now, Rarity, you already got yer own..."
Lancepesade Smoky Mirror had been fighting other ponies for a very long time, longer than he could really care to remember, it seemed, and he was very, very tired, and the weight on his chest and neck were extremely heavy, but at least he was warm and his belly was full. He let his eyes drift closed, sure that when he opened them again he'd be back in his cot by the fire, and maybe be able to get down another bowl of broth.
"I commend thee for thine cleverness, mage, even as I wonder about thine morals," the Shadowbolt's voice filtered down from somewhere in the canopy, "Mine oath forbids me from letting thine little band take me alive, but before I... confess that I thought that a pity. Now, my doubts have quieted."
Twilight Sparkle stood stock-still, out in the open, horn pointed skyward. A bolt of lightning lanced down from above, and stopped short a foot from her head against the smooth dome of an amniomorphic shield. Its job done, she let the shield dissolve, and fired a stunning-bolt of her own back the way it had come- this time, unlike her previous two attempts, she was rewarded with a strangled cry of pain.
"There you are..."
The Shadowbolt came tumbling down from whatever branch he'd been perched on in a cloud of displaced leaves, managing at the last moment to turn his fall into a glide and pivoting directly for her.
Had he been uninjured, he might even have made it. But even at this distance Twilight could see the awkward angle he was holding his right wing and the blood trickling from his ear, and his descent was far too slow and his flight path far too linear. She wrapped him in the tightest telekinetic field she could manage, and held him in place.
"So... mage... am I to become the bait... in thine next trap?" He asked, thrashing ineffectually against her field. "Or will... my fellows in thine town... receive mine hide... sliced to ribbons... as an example of what happens... to those who stand against the Tyrant's rule?"
"Hold still," Twilight hissed, then gathered herself and spoke more clearly as she started to pull his frantically-kicking body towards the ground. "Hold still and let me bring you down here and I won't have to hurt you."
Just as she'd anticipated, his form began to soften and fade, losing its details and going hazy around the edges. In her telekinesis he felt more like some sort of gel or thick fluid for a few seconds, then not much of anything at all. Almost immediately the wisp of purplish vapor that had just been the Shadowbolt shot upwards out of her grasp, making for the treeline- and then slammed into the interior surface of the perfectly spherical, airtight shield bubble she'd been preparing the entire time he'd been taunting her for just that purpose.
The whole structure pulsed on an odd, syncopated low frequency as soon as the mist came into contact with it, but it held- which was more than could be said for whatever spell was responsible for the Shadowbolt's incorporeality. He resolidified rapidly from the point of contact backwards, and hit the bottom of the shield with a meaty thud, and after a moment of gasping surprise began scrabbling against it with hooves and wings. "What? Stars, what is this, I cannot..."
"Stop thrashing around in there," Twilight ordered, "Take off your wingblades, stand in one place, and I'll put you on the ground."
"Nay... nay..."
"Stop moving."
He ignored her and continued his squirming, so she simply made the shield smaller. He had to hunch up with his wings wrapped around his barrel now, where before he'd been able to extend them almost fully. "Stop it," she ordered again.
"Twilight? What are you doing, you got him!" The scholar acknowledged, and ignored, Rainbow Dash standing directly in front of her, and kept her focus on the shrinking ball of force above her. That bat-winged freak had done more than enough damage to her and her friends. She wasn't about to endanger them again just because she couldn't keep her focus. "Stop it."
"Let me go. In the name of the Sun and Moon I beseech thee to let me go..." The stallion appeared to be hyperventilating now, but Twilight didn't think she had the time necessary for him to exhaust the air in his bubble and suffocate himself into passivity. More aggressive measures were called for. "Stop it."
She constricted the sphere again, shuddering when she felt something snap. His howl of pain only confirmed what she already knew. "Stop it."
"Twilight, that's horrible, you're killing him..." Rarity stammered, looking from the trapped Shadowbolt to Twilight and back again.
"Stop it." She continued to contract the sphere, feeling a hip, a shoulder, another wing dislocate.
"Through the benevolence of Our Luna I am reborn," the stallion repeated, over and over again, "Through-the-b'nv'lence-of-'r-Luna-I am-reborn..."
"Stop it."
He was banging his head against the shield, now, or at least he had been before Twilight had taken away the room required to pull his neck back.
"Stop it."
"Twilight, you got him, that's enough!" Fluttershy said.
Twilight looked down from the sphere, just for a moment. The five mares from Ponyville were staring back at her- at first she thought they all simply looked uncomfortable, which was understandable. Not every pony off the street had the mental fortitude to do what she was doing, even if it was in the immediate best interests of those same ponies. She thought that maybe they might have been surprised, which also made sense, given the novelty of the methods she was using. Then she realized they weren't looking at the shield and its captive at all. They were looking at her, and they were all disappointed.
"I'm sorry," was all she said, before she dropped the shield to the ground and let it dissipate.
The pony inside stayed curled up more or less the way he had been for just a moment, before he flopped onto his back and began pulling in long, shuddering breaths that gradually took on the quality of coherent speech- "Luna, oh, Luna..."
Twilight trotted over to him, pressed her horn to his forehead, and muttered a quick sleep spell.
She looked up, conscious for the first time of the fact that wherever it wasn't covered in mud or leaf litter, her tunic was entirely soaked through with sweat. "Is... is everypony okay?" she asked, as soon as she had the breath again to speak.
In front of her, the five townsponies slowly and carefully lowered their weapons. One by one they nodded. (♫)
Fluttershy broke ranks first, her healer's satchel clutched in one wing, and almost immediately their odd, impromptu skirmish line dissolved into a few loose clusters.
"Can somepony please get these shackles offa' me?" Rainbow Dash called, and a moment later Applejack was at her side. There was a sharp clang of metal giving way under immense force, and then the blue pegasus was laughing and staggering around as she tried to stretch her legs.
"You really should let me close that wound on your leg," her saffron friend muttered, "Wouldn't want it to scar or anything..."
"You kidding? I'm gonna look badass with a scar like that!"
"Oh, darling..." Rarity cut in, "We both know you'll just get all broody over it, like you did last Hearth's Warming."
"What happened... last Hearth's Warming?" Twilight asked.
"She got into a fight with Rarity's tool rack and lost," Pinkie Pie answered, as though that was the only explanation required.
"Land's sakes, Fluttershy!" Applejack hissed, "Stuff some nettles in there while you're at it, they'll at least seem like no big deal!"
"I'm sorry..." the healer stammered, almost sub-audibly, "The herbs will staunch the bleeding and hold off any infection. The burning means its working, but, I'm sorry, I'll stop."
"Well Ah reckon Pinkie Pie could use 'em more than Ah can, seein' as she's got some kinda' problem with wearin' armor..."
"It's simple, really! Haven't any of you ever heard of armor penalties? The less I wear, the harder I am to see!"
"Harder to look at, maybe..." Rainbow Dash muttered.
"Pinkie, darling," Rarity explained, a bit less quietly, "Your coat is day-glow pink, and I'm surprised Nightmare Moon couldn't see that mane of yours from orbit."
Feeling strangely left-out of their good-natured bickering, Twilight turned to the unconscious Lunars. They looked a lot less threatening now that they were laid out helpless in the mud; less like something out of a fever dream and more like actual ponies- and thin, patchy-coated, rather small ponies at that, even the youngest among them sporting her fair share of scars.
"Rarity?" Twilight called, remembering that the tailor had also managed to avoid serious injury, "Do you... think you could help me bind these guys?"
"Would you believe that's not actually the first time a pony's requested my services in that department?" the white mare asked, her primly arched eyebrow at odds with her generally battered condition, but she trotted over regardless and began quickly assembling a set of crude manacles from the rope in her saddlebags.
While that project was underway, Twilight rifled through the Lunars' own equipment. She discarded their weapons first and foremost. Smoky Mirror's sword proved to be worn but serviceable- iron, of course, since he predated the Bessemare process and cheap steel by a good five centuries, but the finest grade a commoner would likely have had access to. The Shadowbolt's wingblades were of much finer quality even than that, genuine if impure steel stamped with the insignia of what Twilight guessed was a defunct branch of the Cloudsdale noble families. They would've fetched quite a lot of money at auction, in fact, if their user hadn't seen fit to batter and scratch them to within an inch of usability. The quality of Rain Chaser's iron blades was much poorer, to the point where Twilight wondered if they'd originally started out as wingblades at all and not a pair of side-mounted scythes or similar piece of agricultural equipment. She carefully replaced the battered tin canteens and the few tiny cloth bags of dried oats each Lunar carried, noting with chagrin as she did that Chaser's canteen still held a stamp of the Solar emblem under a crude layer of black paint. Next, she briefly fanned through the small wood-bound books she'd found- discovering them to contain mostly woodcut illustrations of smiling, slit-eyed ponies at work and play under starry night skies, a great many portraits of Princess Luna, and few if any words- before replacing those as well. The runestone she located on Vortex which matched Applejack's description of the one Foxglove had presented was quickly taken for later analysis. Finally, she extricated an iron nullifier ring from one of the Shadowbolt's pouches and slipped it over Smoky Mirror's horn.
Contrary to popular belief, nullifiers were not a direct application of earth pony magic, nor any active magic at all, although they had first originated in the Confederacy of Earthshire and some of their components were alchemically produced. The rings were hollow, and shards of crystal were suspended within them in a solution of mineral spirits with nearly the same density- thus making them neutrally buoyant. Any external magical field excited the crystals and caused them to circulate chaotically; pressed up against a magical organ like a unicorn's horn, pegasus's wing, or earth pony's hoof, that feedback effectively prevented any sort of coherent spellcasting. A quick telekinetic probe revealed to Twilight that the shackles with which the Lunars had bound Rainbow Dash had been constructed with a similar mechanism- still not yet routine in the late First Century- although Applejack's unique brand of concussive lockpicking had rendered them inoperable.
As soon as all three soldiers were properly bound, Rarity looked back to Twilight. "Now what do we... do with them?"
"Do with them?" Pinkie Pie shrugged, "Can't we just leave 'em for somepony else to deal with when we're done saving the world?"
Applejack shook her head. "We all just splashed a lotta' blood around, and made an awful lotta' noise. This here's the Everfree. If we leave 'em out here in the middle a' that, without weapons or even any kinda' light, they're gonna get ate." She stepped a little closer to Twilight and looked the smaller mare in the eye. "If... that's what we're really set out to do... somepony might as well just go 'round and slit their throats while they're out and be done with it. It'd be... cleaner, that way."
Everypony seemed to balk at that suggestion, which Twilight supposed had been Applejack's intent all along and also to the rest of the party's immense credit.
The scholar fished out her much-abused map and theodolite. There were a cluster of four Cairns nearly equidistant from their estimated position not far away, spaced in a rough arc, but when she examined the nearby beacons she found only three and a roughly double-wide gap between the second and third. Either everypony at that Cairn had already cleared out... or the Forest had made sure they'd never woken up to begin with. "No, no, I've got another idea," she said aloud, "Fluttershy, do you think you can get those soldiers walking?"
The little yellow pegasus didn't answer for a few seconds, chewing contemplatively on one of the strands of her mane. Then, "Yes, I... well, at least I think I can, but... if it's all right with you... they got hurt pretty bad and it'll be easier to take care of them while they're still unconscious."
Twilight nodded. "Sure."
Fluttershy immediately busied herself bandaging the transformed ponies' various cuts and scrapes, even managing to repurpose the rope immobilizing Rain Chaser's wings into a very effective binding for the compress she applied. Up close the sword wound in her leathery wing looked both painful and dangerous, and its owner looked very young indeed, and Twilight registered a brief pang of regret at what she'd put the filly through. The metal plate lying next to her bent muzzle was rather more difficult to process, and Twilight shot Pinkie Pie a confused glance.
"Whaaat?" the baker asked, "Applejack always does swear by her cast-iron pie pans..."
By the time Twilight had finished attempting to wrap her head around that statement, Fluttershy had gotten the bat-filly secured again and had moved on to Vortex. She splinted and bandaged as best she could, but the Shadowbolt had suffered mostly magical impacts and crushing trauma- even Twilight could tell that more than a few of his bones were broken, and there wasn't really much that could be done to set them in the field. The pegasus trickled a few drops of some malodorous sort of potion on the ground in front of his muzzle, then tilted her head as though surprised that nothing further had occurred. "Could you, maybe... lift that spell you put on him?" She asked.
"Well, technically, yes, but then he'd have to go back into the bubble again, and he didn't take that well to it last time. It'll wear off in an hour or so on its own." Ordinarily, simply binding a pegasus's wings in close to his body effectively neutralized any spellcasting capacity he might have possessed, but the Shadowbolt's bizarre ability to become incorporeal wasn't anything Twilight was even remotely familiar with. She wasn't taking chances.
Fluttershy rolled his head to one side with her hoof, eyeing the nasty swelling along his jaw. "He's probably better off unconscious anyway."
"So... who's gonna move him? 'Cause... I guess it might as well be me," Rainbow Dash suggested, "I guess I owe him that much."
"Don't worry, the other Lunars are gonna take care of him," Twilight said, as Fluttershy repeated her administration of the aromatic potion for each of the ponies in question. This time the effect was more obvious. Smoky Mirror groaned and rolled onto his haunches, eyes gradually sliding open; Rain Chaser bolted upright, screamed in inarticulate fury, and charged forward at Twilight before quickly ending up back on her barrel in the dirt. Gently, Rarity and Twilight lifted the both of them back to their hooves. On their hooves they stayed, shifting around and looking awkwardly from one another, to the Ponyville mares, to Vortex and back again. (♫)
"Imperials..." Smoky Mirror finally said, almost growling. "Woke us up to read one last sanctimonious speech 'ere our heads come off, hmm? Well, be on with it, then."
Rainbow Dash quickly glided forward. "No, no, that's not right at all!"
The Lunar unicorn seemed to look right through her. "Hmmph. That mage of thine would do it, I think." He rolled his head towards Vortex's supine form, "She has already mostly finished with the Captain. So, please. Spare us the indignity of parading us around this damnable forest. We are ready." Beside him, Rain Chaser was starting to hyperventilate, shivering hard enough to rattle her armor as tears built up around the edges of her slitted yellow eyes, and when Smoky looked over at her his expression took on a complicated mixture of sadness and warmth. "Well, I am ready, at least," he finally finished.
"Calm down," Fluttershy said, "We're not going to hurt you."
"T-t-t-t-then what of... Vortex," Rain Chaser finally stammered.
Twilight looked her in the eye and tried to muster the same tone she was used to using to talk undergraduate students through dangerous magical rituals. "He's just under magical sedation- asleep, like he'd been given a draught. It was the only way I could keep him from hurting himself any worse trying to fight us."
Smoky Mirror seemed unconvinced. "Then... what is to become of us?"
Twilight looked to the others, and they nodded back to her. "You're going to follow us to shelter- another Cairn, an empty one. We're going to leave you there until a search party can come back and get you out of the forest safely. Now, that might be the lawful authorities, in which case you can expect to be brought back to civilization and given full medical care just like any other injured traveler, or it might be your own troops in which case it's entirely up to them how they handle your failure, because we'll be long gone."
"The Lunar Republic doth not kill our own fighting mares and stallions over such things," Rain Chaser snarled, abruptly, "'Tis an excess solely of the Sun-Tyrant!"
"They actually told you that?" Twilight asked. She supposed she should've been angry at the slander, but it was hard to muster anything other than bewilderment. "Look. When this is over, you and I are going to visit the locations where you think these massacres occurred. I'm willing to bet they've already been excavated, and there's not a single body that... you know what? Never mind. They said the exact same thing about Princess Luna in the Solar accounts, and it's just as unsubstantiated, and it doesn't. Matter. Now. You three are my responsibility, and I'm going to make sure you're treated decently to the best of my ability. Understand?"
Even as Pinkie Pie and Applejack nodded in approval, the Lunars showed no reaction that Twilight could determine- then again, they didn't resist, either, as Rainbow Dash and Rarity worked together to sling the unconscious Shadowbolt onto their backs in a dual firemare's carry. Twilight was surprised to discover their armor, and Vortex's in turn, was outfitted with exactly the sort of buckles necessary to secure a pony in such a position- something that in the modern Army and Royal Guard was reserved for dedicated field medics. The two Lunars bore their companion's weight with obvious practice, and Twilight found herself wondering just how many of their fellows they'd had to carry in such a manner.
Then, much to her own surprise, the Lunars started moving, and without any spoken signal the Ponyville party coalesced into a loose formation around them. Twilight, theodolite still held in her telekinesis, once again took point.
For a few minutes, maybe ten, they walked in uncomfortable silence; nopony from the town had anything at all to say. Then, quite unexpectedly, Smoky Mirror sighed and looked around at the lot of them. "I... in another time, I would have surely loved to duel thee, Lady... Rarity, was it? And thou, Applejack. We... Our Sovereign could have used more ponies like thee... back when it mattered. All of thee, answe-"
"Shut up, shut up!" Rainbow Dash abruptly snapped, and the Lunar stallion flinched backwards as though struck, "I am so ruttin' tired of you yellow-eyed freaks trying to recruit us!"
"Well, of course they're trying to recruit us. They lost, remember?" Pinkie Pie cut in.
Smoky didn't seem unduly perturbed by the baker's remarks, but he shut back up again just the same.
"Hmph. Brave talk from thee now that we are bound and beaten," Rain Chaser muttered.
That seemed to embolden her comrade once again. "...But thee. Mage. Thou taketh joy in this, dost thou not? Thou art no mere scholar. I would be willing to wager thou hast the blood of the Sunslut herself in thine v-"
"No." Twilight had had enough. She rounded on the Lunar, theodolite hovering, temporarily forgotten, over her shoulder. It had, in fact, been only fifty years or so since Princess Celestia had last seen fit to take a husband, but her -admittedly rather numerous- mortal children were all carefully tracked. Twilight Sparkle knew perfectly well that she wasn't any more related to her patron than half the population of the Central Mountain Dominon- not that Celestia would have allowed anything of substance to come of it if she was, for that matter; the Princesses did not play favorites. But that wasn't what was bothering her.
"No. You're wrong. You're both wrong," she continued, looking over her shoulder and never once slowing her pace, "I don't enjoy any of this. When you came after my fr- these ponies I'm working with, all I could think about was how to... neutralize the three of you as quickly as I could because I. Don't. Want. Any. Pony. To. Die. Today." She punctuated each word with a stamp of her hoof. "I... don't know if any of you even remember what that was like, that there was a time in Equestria where ponies weren't fighting each other to the death day and night, and... in this age, in the Equestria I grew up in... that's normal. We've lived in peace for... hundreds of years, a thousand years, and... I want you and your comrades to be alive to see that, and I'm terrified that Nightmare Moon might take it away before you even have a chance! You understand?"
"I am sure the view from the gallows will be breathtaking," Rain Chaser murmured.
"Nopony's going to be hanging anypony," Rarity said. "You're... there was an amnesty, a long time ago... for rebels just like you."
"Well..." Pinkie Pie continued, "You did kidnap Rainbow Dash, and tried to assault the rest of us, but I'm sure this whole mess counts as extenuating circumstances and, anyway, you'll earn your parole in, what, five years?"
"Less, with good behavior..." Applejack muttered, then trailed off when Fluttershy gave her an odd look, "What?"
"So... striking nobility is not a hanging offense?" Chaser asked, just as quietly.
Twilight finally stopped walking, turned around, and ducked down to meet the Lunar filly eye-to-eye. "Rain Chaser... none of us are nobles, and even if we were... no. You'd never be hanged for harming us." She stood up straight again and addressed them both. "This isn't the Equestria you fought for any more, but it's also not the Equestria you've been fighting against. It's been a thousand years and the whole world's changed. I'll admit that I really don't have enough information to properly compare, but... I'm willing to bet most of those changes've been for the better, and however much better it might've been back in its day, the Lunar Republic isn't going to improve on that."
They started moving again. Twilight for the most part kept her eyes on the trail in front of her, but every so often she spared a look backwards to see Smoky Mirror's jaw working back and forth, almost-but-not-quite able to form words. Finally, he spoke up again. "But... the Sun-Tyrant rules unopposed... thou may not knowest the difference, but..."
Pinkie Pie rounded on the Lunar stallion then, her chubby features unexpectedly venomous. "Listen. How many times are we gonna have to pound it into your thick batty skulls that we're. Not. Suffering? You were in town; you saw all the shops, and all the food and... stuff your own guys stole, right? Nopony's hungry any more, and even I know that wasn't true back when you were born. Did you read any of the newspapers? Do you really think a 'Tyrant Celestia'-" here she waved her front hooves in a vaguely 'spooky' gesture "- would let them print so much stuff that made her look so bad?"
"Your Princess knows all that," Rainbow Dash continued, "But she didn't tell you. Did she?" The Lunars just stared at her, soundlessly, their expressions growing more aghast by the moment. "She didn't try to negotiate. She didn't give anypony any time to even look around. She threw your lives away out here for nothing. For less than nothing, even, just... not even to make anypony rich, just to make the ponies in our town poor!"
"How... how darest thee speak of Our Luna in such a manner," Rain Chaser stammered, but it sounded almost perfunctory; the fire had gone out of her.
Twilight kept moving. "I'm not saying you're wrong about Princess Luna. Even though I've... frankly come to admire her, I never met the mare. If you tell me that Luna would never do what Nightmare Moon's doing, then I certainly don't have any reason to disagree with you. But you have to acknowledge what Nightmare Moon is doing, and... if she is, then... the mare giving you orders can't be Luna."
There was a long, heavy, painful silence, for a minute at least. Sneaking another glance behind her, Twilight could easily detect the Lunars' indecision; how Rain Chaser looked to Smoky Mirror, and Smoky Mirror looked to the unconscious form of Captain Vortex. Up ahead the trees were thinning out, ever so slightly, and the young scholar was just about able to make out the low, dark shape of a stone structure half-buried in the soil. They wouldn't be burdened with these strange, anachronistic ponies for much longer, and Twilight was surprised by how much she regretted that fact.
Then, as if sensing that same undercurrent of urgency, Applejack spoke up, her voice strained and earnest. "Y'all... listen. We can't promise a lot; Ah don't understand a tenth a' any a' this, and even Twilight ain't much better off, but... If there's a way to bring back Luna, the real Luna... if there's any a' the real Luna left in that Nightmare Moon... She ain't our enemy. We'll do what we can for her."
The Cairn was clearly visible now; its great iron doors open wide, unlatched from the inside. Twilight had, for a brief moment, expected to find rotten horrors and swaddling vegetation, but there were no signs of anything that had even once been alive. They all came to a gentle halt at the entrance. "Thou... thou wouldst do this... for us?" Smoky Mirror asked, quietly.
Applejack nodded. "That's the honest truth."
"Then... thou wouldst best know that Our Luna has indeed... not been herself for some time." said the unicorn, "She has heeded the counsel of her generals less and less, and produced strategies seemingly from thin air. I had heard from one of the Captains that she speaks to herself near constantly."
"Do you... know when this began?" Twilight asked.
"Aye. Not long after... not long after she began to resurrect our fallen," said Rain Chaser.
"That's interesting. If she's really mentally controlling that many revenants, she'd be experiencing intense telepathic feedback- I'm not surprised she's behaving erratically, I'm surprised she's able to function at all!"
Smoky nodded. "Aye. All of our number who... survived guard thine town. Our Lu- Nightmare Moon's court and guard are made up entirely of the dead. This struck me as strange as soon as I woke, but... now I believe I understand why."
"She holds court from the old Castle;" Chaser finished, "Only from there do the sending-spells come with our orders."
Rarity stepped forward and gave a small bow. "Thank you. Truly. I know this can't be easy for you, but... helping us might've made all the difference."
There seemed to be nothing more to say. Twilight shot a brief pulse of magelight into the interior of the Cairn, revealing it to be as empty and desolate as the tomb it so closely resembled. Only against the distant rear wall did her magenta light catch the glimmer of silver. She stepped inside and the Lunars followed, closely accompanied by a wary Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
"Listen," the scholar said, "Helpful or not, I really can't risk the two of you following us- you might interfere, or you might hurt yourselves. So... I'm going to have to cast a low-level sleep spell on you, like the one we used on Vortex." At Twilight's unspoken command, Dash and Applejack stepped around the Lunars, unbuckled their still-insensate Captain, and carefully slid him to the stone floor. "It won't hurt, or have any long-term negative effects, or last more than half an hour or so, but... you probably don't want to be standing when I cast it."
Rain Chaser looked to Smoky Mirror. Smoky Mirror looked to the unconscious form of Captain Vortex. Then he looked back at Twilight and nodded. With practiced ease, both soldiers lowered themselves to their haunches and rested their muzzles on the flagstones. As her friends looked on, Twilight knelt and pressed her horn first against Rain Chaser's helmet, and then Smoky Mirror's, watching their slitted yellow eyes slowly drift closed. Then she stood, slipped the nullifier off of the stallion's horn, untied the ropes around their hooves, backed away, and pulled the iron doors almost-but-not-quite closed.
"Do you... really think this is going to work?" Fluttershy asked.
"I... don't know," said Twilight, "But I think it's the best chance any of those ponies are going to get."
"Now we'd all best get movin'," Applejack admonished, "We've been movin' slower than a pack mule on a Friday night."
Rarity chuckled, Pinkie Pie shook her head, Rainbow Dash shot the farmer a particularly confused look, and on they walked. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | Before Dawn | (♫)
Little by little, the forest around Twilight Sparkle and her friends began to change. The foreign-looking white stones they'd noticed earlier became both more frequent and more regular in structure, until it was no longer possible to dispute that they had once been worked by pony chisels. Twilight wasn't willing to call the evocative squareness of the earthworks around her the foundations of buildings just yet, but the suggestion was a nagging one, and while the pattern of stone under her hooves still fell far short of being called a road it wasn't quite a track any more either. There was no more need for the theodolite, at least right now- as much as the path she'd led them on twisted and turned in its modern incarnation, the scholar no longer had the slightest doubt that it had once been one of the radial roads that led straight from the outskirts of ancient Everfree to the Castle of the Two Sisters at the very center. Now, all they needed to do was follow the cobblestones.
The fact that the trail was also growing appreciably wider did not strike Twilight as particularly unexpected at first, but the signs of more recent destruction very certainly did. The forest wasn't simply pulling back away from the road- stones had been overturned, foliage trampled and uprooted, and tree trunks in some cases slashed near completely through by something very large and very sharp.
Applejack whistled under her breath. "Somethin' big came through here..."
"Wait, really?!" Pinkie Pie asked.
Rarity pulled up short, quite suddenly, and cocked her head to the side. "Listen."
Twilight came to a more gentle stop along with her fellows, pivoted her ears, and held her breath. Up ahead, something crashed through the foliage, slammed into something else that sounded stony and resilient, then let out a teeth-rattlingly loud noise that might have been a roar or might have been a yowl, it was hard to say with any certainty. It wasn't getting any closer to their position, she thought, but then again it wasn't getting farther away quickly enough for Twilight's liking either. "Rainbow. Fly up ahead and see what you can see," she whispered.
"You got it." The pegasus quickly flew around a bend in the trail and was from then on lost from sight. For thirty seconds or so, the sounds of horrific violence against nothing in particular continued unabated. Twilight muttered the tracking-spell for the gem Dash had swallowed, and was immeasurably relieved when the generated tug on her horn reversed its bearing and began growing in intensity again. This deep in the Everfree, passing out of sight of somepony for even a moment could easily mean never finding them again; Twilight would never have allowed even this brief diversion without the pegasus having a TC-strong mana resonator literally inside of her.
Moments later, Dash glided quietly back to their position. "Manticore. Big one. Looks pretty out of it, I think we can get closer without it seeing us. Sneak past it or maybe get the drop on it," she whispered.
Twilight nodded, and motioned forward with her hoof, and the six of them cautiously advanced. Once around the bend in the trail, Rainbow Dash dropped onto her barrel and began creeping forward more slowly; Twilight and the others followed her lead.
Not a great deal was actually known about manticores, due to the generally isolated locations in which they sequestered themselves. They were believed to be highly intelligent apex predators, able to set complicated ambushes and even use simple tools, although they were by nature solitary and had no known language. How long they lived, how they reproduced, exactly where they fit on taxonomic charts, and the upper limits on how large they could get were all open questions, and Twilight didn't have the naturalistic background necessary to understand the details, but she had her doubts that the actions of the one in front of her were in any way normal. It stumbled around the clearing it had created almost at random, slashing at trees and rocks and overgrowth and other clearly inedible things, slamming itself bodily into larger detritus over and over again whenever its claws and scorpionlike tail proved insufficiently destructive, and yowling all the while. Although still quite formidable at five or six times the size of a very large pony it was actually much smaller than Twilight had been expecting; the stupendous width of the path it had created was in fact mostly a result of its zigzagging drunkard's-walk. Ignoring the reasons why it was acting that way for the moment, it was actually the fact that the swath of destruction followed the road at all that was surprising.
"Another illusion?" Rarity asked.
Pinkie Pie shook her head. "I doubt it, unless Nightmare Moon faked destroying the whole forest... or she just has a really big zombie..."
Twilight turned to Fluttershy, confused. "I don't get it. What's it doing?"
"I don't know," the pegasus whispered, "If it was interested in hurting us, it already would have-" The manticore let out a particularly loud screech, and twisted around incredibly quickly to look directly at them. "... picked up our scent." (♫)
It leaped straight for the center of the party.
"Look out!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Twilight charged another disjunction spell and fired it at the creature mid-air. Illusions grew less and less stable the larger they got- if the thing had in fact been a knitted-together horror of plants and equine bodies under a manticore image, that blast would have exposed it with power to spare.
Instead, Twilight was reasonably certain she'd just made it even madder.
By unspoken command they backtracked and scattered, forming a wide and ever-expanding arc with the manticore in the center. As soon as the charge was back in her horn Twilight wrapped the beast in a bright magenta shield- she could only hold it for a little under two seconds before it dissipated again, but that was enough time for Rainbow Dash to get into the air above the manticore and begin harrying it with quick, abortive dives. Applejack charged towards it and kept on running, clipping its hind leg with her hammer at full velocity before she began circling around to make another pass. Rarity had by that point summoned her own telekinesis and was in the process of extricating some of the larger pieces of debris the manticore had created for use as projectiles; Fluttershy lurked in the rear, healer's kit already clutched in one wing; Twilight couldn't see Pinkie Pie at all anymore and that fact didn't concern her nearly as much as it probably should have.
Twilight began charging another forcecone spell, then quickly abandoned it and watched with bated breath as a swipe from the manticore's hooked tail scraped across Rainbow Dash's flank armor. The thing sprang forward quite suddenly as the pegasus flapped for altitude, and Twilight and Rarity immediately abandoned their previous pursuits to channel their full telekinetic force into arresting it. That didn't quite work, at least not completely, but they were able to slow it down enough for the others to establish something resembling a fighting retreat. Pinkie Pie leaped vertically into the air from parts unknown and bucked it hard in the head, producing another howl of anger and little other apparent effect, as Rainbow Dash tried to fly underneath the thing, made a swipe for its left rear leg, and barely managed to avoid ditching herself as it kicked back at her. Suddenly finding the leg she had been aiming at was no longer there, Applejack twisted around to abort her charge at the last possible moment, lost her hoofgrip on the turned-up mud, and cursed as she slid off to one side.
"Don't... think... I can hold it..." Rarity muttered through gritted teeth.
Twilight nodded, and scrambled back another few feet as the manticore pushed particularly hard against the force field slowing it. "This isn't working!"
"Ah, uhh, Ah think it's favorin' that right paw pretty bad!" Applejack called out as she hauled herself back onto her hooves.
"Good point! AJ, go for the front legs," Twilight shouted back, "I'm gonna try to detonate the soil under it and see if we can give Dash a shot at its neck-"
Suddenly, Fluttershy cut her off. "Wait! Let it go."
Twilight twisted around to look at her in confusion, the stabbing pain at the base of her horn temporarily forgotten. "What?"
"Let it go." The little pegasus took another step forward, even as Twilight and Rarity scrambled another few back.
Everypony stopped dead in place. Everypony but Fluttershy, anyway. "You... can't... possibly... be... serious..." Rarity snarled.
"Let it go." She was out in front of the others now, staring the restrained beast right in the eye, a look on her face that Twilight had a hard time reading, but was very obviously devoid of any aggression. "You hurting it isn't making it angry. You're scaring it out of its mind." The scholar wondered how she could possibly tell the difference. "And... while I'm not as... familiar with manticore habits as I'd like to be, I... I can tell... he's fighting like he's cornered, not like a predator on the hunt..." She seemed to lose any awareness of the other ponies at all after that, speaking directly to the manticore in a low, soft voice. "There. It's all right. What happened to you?"
Amazingly -whether due to lack of provocation from the others, or direct interaction with Fluttershy, or some combination of both, Twilight didn't know- the manticore's frantic scrabbling began to cease. The awful pressure under her horn abated, and beside her she heard Rarity pull in a long, slow breath. The monster itself was still breathing heavily and twitching its head from side to side, growling periodically, but even those movements became less frenetic as Fluttershy drew ever closer.
Twilight eased off on her telekinesis, partially because that was what Fluttershy had told her to do and partially because, if whatever the little pegasus was trying didn't work, she'd need all of her power all at once in order to be able to yank her back out of claw range as quickly as possible.
Fluttershy gently felt her way down and around the manticore's right front paw with her hooves, purring and trilling like an overly-chatty housecat. She turned back to the others and whispered one more word- "Look." Then she fiddled around and, much to Twilight's shock, slowly and ever-so-carefully began to pull a sliver of astral steel easily six inches long and an inch wide at its base from the flesh directly above the beast's paw.
There was, oddly enough, little if any blood.
As soon as the mysterious object lost contact with it, the manticore let out a strange warbling whine and collapsed, paws stretched out in front of it as though it were dozing. Fluttershy fished around in her healer's kit and set about dressing the wound in its paw. Then she took to the air and backed away slightly, and after a few more seconds of... resting? Recovering? Twilight wasn't sure exactly how to describe it, the beast hauled itself back onto all fours, stumbling about as if drunk. Its bat-like wings flapped experimentally a few times, Fluttershy gave it a tap on the muzzle, and very slowly and cautiously it lifted itself into the air and disappeared into the thick canopy up above. (♫)
"Wait, what was that all about?" Rainbow Dash asked, eyeing the object in the other pegasus's teeth suspiciously. "Twilight, can you take a look at that thing?"
The scholar lit her horn and, after Fluttershy nodded, gently took the object in her telekinesis. Almost immediately a sort of buzzing began to manifest at the back of her skull- a whispering, almost- and when she muttered the incantation of a weak magical-detection spell the entire object lit up bright blue with a complex series of overlapping and interacting thaumic fields. Faint silvery energy channels stretched from it to the Moon up above, to Twilight's own body, to Fluttershy, to a shifting target near the treeline that she reasoned was likely the manticore, and another immobile, seemingly random point far off in the distance that the scholar was willing to guess would overlap nicely with the Castle Of Two Sisters.
"It's a... something like a spell anchor," she said aloud, "it's a way to cast more powerful magic on a specific target at long range. Nightmare Moon probably hit that manticore with it to try and... I don't really even know what."
She wasn't making much headway analyzing the thing from a distance, and Fluttershy had been in physical contact with it for a good long while without experiencing any obvious physical effects, so Twilight cautiously floated it down to eye level and tapped at it with her forehoof, trying to tease apart its tightly-bound thaumic fields by physical shock-
Cast a wide-dispersion stun spell to incapacitate the others and buy me time. The contact wards on Applejack's armor have expired- get in close, push the incantation of a high-intensity fire spell directly into its meridians, and roast the hidebound brute alive. Pull Rainbow Dash down before she can get altitude, remove her helmet, and smash her empty little skull to pieces with that boulder. Given the shock and her abysmal willpower, the classical formulation for Dominate Equine has a better than average chance of giving me Rarity in one attempt- I'll have her either kill that giggling pink twit or kill herself in the attempt while I grab her other blade and slice apart Fluttershy's barrel, laterally, to avoid the ribs and reach every major organ-
Shocked at the sudden intrusion into her thoughts, Twilight immediately yanked her hoof back again. The entire encounter had taken less than a second, but in that time without even realizing it, her lips had pulled back from her teeth and she was already channeling mana into her horn.
The mage looked at Fluttershy with a new mixture of appreciation and horror. "You were carrying that in your mouth?"
Fluttershy, for her part, seemed to be trying to retreat into her own mane. "Well, I don't think it's as strong for ponies, obviously. Our minds..." She paused and shifted around awkwardly on her hooves. "aren't built the same way manticores' are."
"We better hang onto that either way," Rainbow Dash suggested, "I'm sure Miss Egghead here can find something to use it for, and I... really don't want to leave it sitting around out here for somepony to maybe wander into later."
"Good point." Twilight fished a large sheet of chart paper out of her saddlebags, folded it into a crude envelope, and slipped the charm inside. An experimental tap confirmed its mind-altering effects to be nullified. She slipped it back, nodded at the others, and they started back down the trail. Rainbow Dash once again took point, although this time she was careful to remain for the most part in Twilight's line of sight as the forest closed back in around them. (♫)
The foundations were becoming more obvious now, some of them even containing enough structure to be considered the remnants of walls. Twilight even thought she was able to make out the remnants of carvings on some of the more columnar and linear pieces of stone, although whatever inlays they may have once possessed had long since been dislodged. The weathermare whistled appreciatively when she saw what Twilight was looking at. "This musta' been some place when there were ponies around..." she muttered, almost sadly.
"Hey, Fluttershy?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Why didn't you ask your Manticore buddy to show us the way to the Castle?"
The yellow pegasus shook her head. "Well, I was... a little nervous. I'd never seen one that old before... or that big."
"Manticores might be reasonably intelligent," Twilight added, "But they aren't educated and they aren't really wired for long conversations about abstract topics like geography. Think one of those 'feral-foal' stories times several hundred generations."
Pinkie nodded. "I... guess that makes sense."
"When I'm talking with animals like that," Fluttershy continued, "I'm not really using words. The spell... it turns senses and... emotions, I guess... into words and then back again. A question like 'what's the fastest route to the Castle of the Two Sisters' isn't really something I'd know how to, uhh, explain."
"We couldn't just tell it the name," Twilight finished, "we'd have to describe what it looks like and smells like, and nopony's seen its current condition in over a thousand years- the drawings we have from back in the day might not be accurate any more, and even if they did they focus on features like arches and tapestries and things. Those might be relevant to a pony, but wouldn't be to a manticore."
"You could explain it, though, right?" Applejack asked, "What's a castle look like to an animal? Stone trees or summat."
"So do a lot of other ruins in the Everfree, though."
"Yes, about that," said Rarity, "We are seeing ruins, so the castle can't be too far now... can it? This old city couldn't have been that large..."
"Well, yes, actually it was," Twilight corrected, "About the same size as modern Fillydelphia, in fact, and there's a lot of space in what's now the Everfree Forest that simply wasn't there at all in Everfree City. But... you're right. These streets are broader, and what's survived is stone- monumental architecture from the government buildings near the city center, not the wood-and-plaster construction that was used nearly everywhere else at the time."
Pinkie Pie seemed about to reply, but was cut off when Rainbow Dash called out from up ahead- "Holy crap, everypony, you gotta come see this!"
Ignoring the protests of her leg muscles, Twilight bolted forward, then stopped dead in her tracks. The trees and plantlife cut off abruptly in front of her, exposing a great circular plaza of finely-worked stone easily a hundred yards or more across. Though the expertly-laid bricks under her hooves had been faded by time and the moonlight, and turned up in places by thick clots of gnarled roots, she could still pick up here and there brilliant colors they'd once possessed -inlays of gold and lapis lazuli, malachite from the Arimaspe Desert, and Draconic obsidian that until the systematization of alchemy in the eighth century had been more precious than adamantium. Even now vague suggestions of lettering and equine figures remained; Twilight recognized Princess Platinum and Smart Cookie on sight, while only through the letters "L__A_TY" inscribed beneath her moss-covered figure was Commander Hurricane identifiable. Halfway across, though, where the remaining three Founders should have been depicted, the plaza crumbled off into a chasm so deep Twilight couldn't see the bottom and could only hear the sounds of rushing water.
The Castle of the Two Sisters stood on the other side of that gap- and stood was indeed the correct term, as despite the gaping hole torn through the roof of the main hall and broken-off stubs of some of the narrower towers the entire structure seemed in almost perfect condition. Though the land on the other side of its island was choked with dark, confusing, tangled foliage that moved in ways not entirely attributable to wind or water -and that seemed, at times, not fully explicable in only the usual dimensions at all- not even a single clump of moss seemed able to cross the chasm and impinge on the structure of the Castle itself. The abnormally bright moonlight from the starry sky above pulled the whole of it into a level of ethereal detail that was somehow more-real-than-real, and Twilight's eye traced the patterns of ornate filigree and flying buttresses that should by all rights have long ago crumbled into unrecognizability.
Cautiously, almost reverently, the six of them advanced.
"That's... it, right? That's the Castle of Two Sisters?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Ah guess Ah... never really believed it'd ever been real before..." muttered Applejack.
"Do you think we could just... fly over to it?" said Fluttershy.
"I wouldn't want to risk that, or a line-of-sight teleport," Twilight admonished, "It looks like a straight shot, sure, but there's no telling where we'd actually end up."
Applejack trod closer to the edge of the chasm, turned her back on a head-sized loose block, and bucked it up and over the gap. Instead of the parabolic trajectory Twilight had estimated it would take, the rock curved into the chasm in a perfectly circular arc before plummeting straight down and out of sight. If it ever did hit the water, nopony heard the splash.
"This is the Founders' Plaza," Twilight muttered, working entirely from memory now without any need to consult her maps, "The southernmost of the four surrounding Castle Rock. There should be a bridge to the Castle district proper on either side..."
"You mean that big white arch thing?" Pinkie Pie asked, pointing off into the distance.
Twilight squinted, trying to see what piece of overgrown construction the earth pony was pointing at. Then she stopped, and cautiously turned back around.
There was a cold, blue-white light gradually building in one of the tallest of the Castle towers. Before long, it was bright enough to cast a noticeable amount of illumination on the plaza around them.
Rainbow Dash shifted awkwardly from side to side in the air, and Twilight realized she could now clearly see the pegasus's shadow. "Girls? I... think we'd better get moving." (♫)
Twilight was about to agree when something high up in that very same tower went snap.
A tiny speck of bright white light shot upward, leaving a fading trail behind it very much like a falling star in reverse. Another snap, and another followed it, then another, each on a slightly different trajectory.
"Uhhh... girls?" Applejack asked.
Twilight Sparkle was already moving. "RUN!"
They ran. In fact, Twilight couldn't recall ever having run so hard, or for so long, in her life. At a full gallop they split apart and headed for the treeline, trying to get away from the light as something high above them began whistling.
Twilight, at the very back of the group, had made it perhaps three quarters of the way when the projectile struck the plaza. It made an unimaginably loud crash, like a thunderclap amplified several thousandfold, and her system reeled under the force of a combined kinetic, electrical, and magical shock as the unicorn felt herself lifted bodily off her hooves and launched a good dozen meters forward. She hit the pavement hard on her chest, bounced, struck again on her shoulder and slid another meter or so.
Suddenly and acutely aware that all she could hear was the painful ringing inside her own skull, she tried to haul herself back onto all-fours, but the very stones underneath her were themselves shifting and dropping away. She slid and scrabbled against the building rockslide, any thought of gaining distance rapidly abandoned in favor of the struggle to simply keep herself more or less upright and avoid being crushed. Purely by accident she found herself twisted around to face the treeline and the others- she watched as Rainbow Dash swooped in to grab Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy braced her hooves against Rarity, slowing them both down enough to allow the tailor to get her hooves under her and start to clamber back upward; Applejack grabbed a protruding section of root in her teeth, wrenched herself around, and began to half-dig-half-climb her way up the slope that had formed. The mage felt herself slam hard into something cold and rocky, bounce again, and then slide down onto a flatter section at a much slower rate. She tried digging in her hooves again and was rewarded with the wrenching pain of their nearly being pulled out of joint, but her second attempt was more successful and this time she managed to halt her descent completely.
Nearly all of the plaza was gone now, as far as she could tell, replaced with a morass of earth and fractured stone that was still in many places falling away. Her hearing was back by that point, but all she could detect was the sound of rushing water somewhere below her and, far off in the distance, still more snaps, whistles, and thunderclaps.
Fluttershy's voice gradually became audible as Twilight pressed her barrel against the cold dirt and tried her best to dig her shaking limbs into it. "... down there, she's down there! Twilight? What... is that?"
Forcing herself to ignore the instinct that kept her locked in place on her perch, Twilight twisted her head to look up and back. A roughly pony-sized pearl of magical energy was floating more or less at the center of the- of where the plaza used to be, at any rate- rumbling and snapping, sending out tiny feelers of shimmering light in time with the impacts deeper in the forest... and growing. Twilight glanced back up the slope and saw the others slowly advancing on her position, unaware of the danger she knew the artillery spell posed.
"Girls, you have to get out of here!" The mage cried out, "All of you, get to the treeline! It's going to explode!"
"Hang on," Rainbow Dash called, "We're not gonna leave without'cha!"
"No I'm fine just go!" Twilight gasped, then marshaled her unsteady energies and engaged a line-of-sight teleport to the top of the slope. She flashed out of existence-
-into a cold, airless, interstitial darkness shot through with millions of tiny streaking stars. A ghostly image of Nightmare Moon grinned back at her, slitted eyes boring into Twilight's own through a silvery bubble of space turned back in on itself-
-and rematerialized right back on the cliff face where she'd started. "Dammit. Dammit!" She growled.
Another round of projectiles slammed into the forest behind them, dislodging fresh rockfall and nearly kicking her off the cliffside; she'd worry about those once she wasn't about to fall to her death or be consumed by the sphere directly behind her.
"I got ya, I got ya," Rainbow Dash called out and dove towards her position, momentarily heedless of the sphere becoming more and more egg-shaped, its hazy dark core drifting directly towards her.
"NO! You CAN'T fly near that thing!" Twilight screamed, just as the pegasus's trajectory began to curl unnaturally towards the sphere's surface. Dash cried out, and braked hard, suddenly flapping with all her might just to pull herself downward, barely managing to break free and spiral off to one side. The kinetic, ephemeral nature of pegasus magic might have made her flight more strongly affected, but Twilight knew that unicorn telekinesis would also be disrupted more than a few feet from anypony's horn, and even Pinkie Pie and Applejack would both find themselves unable to stay grounded if they stuck around long enough.
Warily, the earth ponies and pegasi above her backed away- but Rarity was making her way closer.
Without a word, the tailor ripped open her saddlebags, extracted the rope she'd used to bind the Lunar soldiers, and telekinetically knotted it back into a single line. She wrapped it around her hoof, dropped to the ground, and dangled it towards Twilight, only for the both of them to discover to their mounting horror that it only covered about half the distance.
Static began to prickle over Twilight's coat.
"Applejack!" Rarity called, "Get me the rest of the rope!"
Immediately, the farmer unslung her own saddlebags and fished out another coil. She balled it up in her hoof, drew back... and then the impact of another sphere in the treeline almost knocked her off her hooves. The wad of rope hit the slope, bounced once, and then disappeared into the chasm below.
"Well, that's just perfect!" Rarity snapped, "Did nopony else bring more rope? Has nopony else ever gone spelunking?!" Horn still alight she drew her dagger and shredded her own saddlebags with incredible swiftness, twisting the long strips of leather she'd created together into an additional length of cord. Simultaneously she tied it to the rope wrapped around her hoof and played out the additional length, which dangled mockingly just out of the reach of Twilight's jaws.
The air around her reeked of lightning and woodsmoke and the odd syrupy-sweetness of alchemical aether, torn apart into its component elements by the tremendous magical energies of the sphere's corona. "It's gonna go! Girls... you need to move!" Twilight called out.
Rarity shook her head. "Never! I'm not leaving without you!" Her dagger flashed back and forth once again, and suddenly her telekinesis was occupied braiding and knotting her own elaborately-curled mane and tail into the line. Twilight caught it, this time, and with her own rapidly-guttering field tied it securely around her barrel, but even with the aid of a limping Applejack the tailor couldn't lift her more than a few feet at a time.
"C'mon c'mon c'mon c'mon!" Pinkie Pie muttered.
Twilight could feel the wind picking at her coat as the sphere behind her sucked in more and more air. She didn't have long to wait now before the upward force became so great that she'd be able to jump to the top of the cliff; the only problem with that plan was the millisecond-long window before she would be unable to stop herself from being sucked the rest of the way in.
"Well, that's it then." Rarity pulled in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and flipped her dagger around.
For a moment Twilight wondered if the tailor had for some reason decided to slice her own chest open, before her leather dueling harness broke apart into its component straps. In her deft telekinetic field, the majority of it wrapped around the surviving buckles to form a makeshift carabiner while the rest was tied onto her line; with her free forehoof the tailor motioned for Applejack to stand sideways to the hole and used the farmer's powerful barrel as an anchor point.
The force on Twilight suddenly multiplied, and she found herself half-rappelling-half-simply-being-lifted back up the rockslide as the fizzing and snapping behind her reached a crescendo. There was a brief, horrifying moment of weightlessness right at the top of the cliff, where Rarity and Applejack suddenly had to pull her back down, and then for the first time in what felt like hours her hooves were set back onto solid stone.
Twilight galloped for the treeline and did not look back.
There was an enormous crash of stone and soil as the orb behind her detonated, and for perhaps half a second or more she and the others were being dragged back the way they'd come by its immense attractive force. Then a more conventional shockwave slammed into them and hurled them forward again. (♫)
Twilight remained where she'd been thrown in the Everfree mud for a good long while, waiting for the oxygen to come back to her brain and the tremors in her burning limbs to subside. Finally, she turned to look at the pony slumped over next to her. Even covered in mud and scratches, with most of her mane and tail sheared off, the white unicorn somehow managed to hold herself with the sort of poise Twilight was only used to seeing at the more important sort of diplomatic functions. "Rarity?" She finally managed to rasp, "Thanks."
The unicorn stood, and shook the dirt from what was left of her mane. "Don't mention it. I just did what I'd hope anypony would've done."
The bombardment finally seemed to have cut out- Twilight could hear the last few spells pop, distant and far away, and no new ones replaced them. She tried to get to her hooves, couldn't quite manage it, and then gave a little squeak as Rarity easily lifted her back up into a standing position. "But... well, your harness, and..."
Without even looking at Twilight, Rarity responded in a measured, even tone, "Oh, that old thing? Pffffff, I n-needed a new one, anyway. Fleur-de-lis brass rivets are horribly out of style."
The mare was a surprisingly poor actor. As soon as she could stand properly again, Twilight turned to face her. "I mean, it must've meant a lot to you. I thought you sai-"
"Never mind what I said," Rarity snapped. Then in an instant, her features softened, "I'm sorry, darling. You're right, of course. I... it really can't be replaced." Rarity's eyes locked onto Twilight, filling with a grim confidence, "but neither can you. Let's... let's go ahead and give that usurper princess a good what-for, hmm?"
Twilight laughed for the first time in a long while. "All right."
It was at about that time that Pinkie Pie gave a surprisingly restrained cough. "So, uhh, Fluttershy and I found that bridge you were looking for..." the baker said, "but... there's kind of a bit of a problem."
Rainbow Dash gazed out over the cracked, crumbling stub of what had once been an incredibly fancy marble bridge. She had no idea if the thing would've been sound to cross after Boreas-only-knew how long out exposed to the Everfree, but Nightmare Moon's shelling had very effectively made the question -as well as most of the structure itself- strictly hypothetical.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit we do not have time for this!" Twilight Sparkle cursed.
"Sugarcube, if you could stop gripin' long enough to help me 'n Rarity with these ropes, we'd be over there an awful lot quicker..." Applejack muttered as she and the tailor knotted together what was shaping up to be a more or less serviceable rope bridge. "Dash, Fluttershy, think the two a' ya can run the other end a' this over when it's done?"
From her position almost directly under Rainbow's hooves, Pinkie Pie eyed the fog collecting on the other end of the chasm with uncertainty. "I don't know... there's something funny about that mist. I don't think it's natural."
"Hmm... Pinkie's right." Tying off another line, Twilight trotted back over to the edge. Her horn flashed, she muttered something under her breath, and a weird bluish film slid over her half-closed eyes. Rainbow Dash had seen magesight spells before, owned a pair of goggles enchanted with exactly the same ability, and was even technically certified to be able to create thaumoluminescent clouds and mist herself, but the effect was still more than a little bit unnerving. Then again, so were a lot of other things about the weird little Canterlot egghead. "Hmm... I'm not getting much mana scatter," Twilight muttered, more to herself than to anypony else, "so I don't think it'd be able to physically harm anypony or for that matter create the sort of seamless illusions Nightmare Moon's produced previously... It might still be confusing or disorienting to come into contact with, or alert Nightmare Moon to cast a more powerful spell indirectly, so whoever goes inside it is going to have to keep on her hooves and be ready to clear out at a moment's notice. There's less obvious ways of performing both of those functions, though, so... I'm not really sure what its purpose might be."
Rainbow flew down to the scholar's level -or at least as close as she could get to the shorter pony without bending down- and was secretly relieved when the bluish film over her eyeballs dissipated. "Well, if it's dangerous, or... well, might be dangerous, I guess... then I'll handle running the bridge over."
Fluttershy shook her head, "Um, actually, I'm fine with traveling with Rainb-"
"Twilight, we can't lose all our air support in one push!" Applejack cut her off.
"Well I'm not going send Rainbow Dash over there without support!" Rarity shot back.
"Girls!" The weathermare climbed back up to her usual more comfortable altitude and re-situated her helmet. "Look at me! I'm amazing! I'll have the bridge up in 30 seconds, just watch me!"
"Well, when you put it that way..." Pinkie Pie muttered, as she took a thick wooden peg from Applejack's saddlebag and drove it by hoof into the solid stone near the collapsed section of the bridge.
Without another word, Rainbow slipped two other pegs and a mallet into her armor's webbing, grabbed one end of their improvised bridge in her teeth, and set off across the chasm.
She half-expected the fog to manifest jaws or claws or tentacles to grab her as she approached, but it remained exactly where it was, roiling in a little area perhaps ten yards across centered some ways back from where the original bridge ended. Cautiously she glided closer, and prodded at it with one hoof- it seemed to have no temperature or texture of its own, and neither did her action seem in any way to disturb it. It slowly dawned on her that trying to simply clear it away it like any mundane weather would be a futile exercise.
"Altius volantis... I-huh. Wow, I thought there was more to it than that," she muttered, and dove inside.
Only when nothing remotely threatening occurred as a result did she realize that she had no idea what part of the crumbling marble hoofway would serve as the best anchor point. She descended, picked a spot more or less at random, slotted the peg in between two thick stones, gripped the mallet in her teeth, and gave it two sharp whacks before looping one of the rope ties around it. It seemed to hold well enough.
Then she reared back upright and scanned the area. Very faintly, she thought she'd heard somepony -or something- whisper her name. (♫)
She was about to dismiss it as a confusing echo -fog generally didn't echo, she knew that much at least, but maybe this kind did- when she heard it again, much more clearly: "Rainbow Dash?"
The voice sounded familiar, but she couldn't immediately place it. Her memories were cloudy and jumbled and it was getting difficult for her to concentrate, even though her physical senses somehow seemed to have been rendered hyperacute. Dash could smell the forest around her and even the fog itself had become lighter and easier to see through; she felt lighter on her hooves than she ever had before and not even remotely tired, giddy almost, and if her injuries were even still present they weren't causing her the slightest bit of pain, despite her every other sensation feeling as though it had been multiplied severalfold.
She thought she picked up movement, back towards the base of the bridge, and charged off after it. It would take just a minute, after all, and Twilight said the mist couldn't hurt her, and Twilight had a doctorate so Twilight would know things like that.
There was nothing at the base of the bridge, so she took wing and began flying the very start of an outward-spiral search pattern. There was nothing but fog around the bridge, either, but when she circled back to where she started at the end of her first arc, a stallion clad in dark purple leather was sitting next to the peg she'd installed. "Thou werest about to fly off and leave this," he said, extending a leathery, bat-like wing to offer her the second anchor-peg. "I would not have expected an Imperial to be so sloppy."
"Vortex?!" Rainbow demanded, landing and immediately brandishing her wingblades.
"Ah, so now I've a name that is not 'Freak'." His mouth pulled back into the faintest hint of a smile. "I am flattered!"
"H-how did you get out here?"
"Oh, I did no such thing. Unless somepony was thoughtful enough to move me, I still lie stricken on the trail where thine fellows left me. But... through the power of Our Glorious Sovereign Luna, my dreams of thee may appear to thee in the Waking World."
"Actually," she snapped, "yeah, we did move you. You didn't think we'd just leave you and your pals out there to be manticore food, did you?"
He gave a short little bow. "How kind of thee."
"But... you really came all this way just to tell me you're dreaming about me?" Rainbow snickered, then broke down into full-fledged laughter. "Wow, you're even more pathetic than Zephyr Breeze. I didn't even think that was possible!"
"Oh, and how many victories has this... Zephyr?"
"No, uhh... he's not... he's just this one weird colt from Fliers' Camp..." Dash muttered, suddenly feeling uncomfortable before Vortex's yellow-goggled stare.
"Aye. I suspected it was not many. Yet... I fear the same could be said for thyself, aye?"
"Wait, wait, I know what this is," Dash rolled her eyes, "You freaks are still trying to get me to turn traitor for you! That is pathetic!"
Vortex stood in one quick, fluid motion and began circling Dash in turn. "Really, now? And what is so... pathetic... in recognizing potential unjustly squandered and left to fade in obscurity?"
Rainbow's ears flattened back against her skull.
The Shadowbolt just smiled. "Ah, thou knowest of what I speak, I see! Thou gainst nothing by disguising thine feelings... I truly do wish only the best for thee."
"You got a funny way a' showin' it," the weathermare growled.
"Orders are orders. My comrades feared thee, and I say they were right to do so."
"Your 'comrades' were going to torture me!"
"Desperate times make brutes of us all, Imperial. But before Our Sovereign revealed me to thee, we spoke in some depth. 'Twere not easy, but I believe I... convinced Her to forgive thine past transgressions as the acts of... a desperate mare. There shall be no more chains waiting for thee in the Lunar Republic, Rainbow Dash. We would much rather thou would come to us of thine own free will." His circles drew in closer and closer almost to the point of physical contact, and Rainbow knew she should probably have been concerned about that, but she had a hard time mustering the will. He smelled of lightning and fresh spring rain.
"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.," she finally said.
"If thou willst, thou canst still fly away. I cannot hold thee, this time." There was a long, tense pause, then he cocked his head to one side. "Ah, but thou seest reason... Yes, I see how life under the Sun-Tyrant bores thee... I think life in the Shadowbolts would suit thee better... no more weather reports, no more catering to the whims of grounders or fearing that thou mayst offend the child of the wrong noblemare... thou willst find that we do much... differently. Fly with me up to the new castle of Our Luna. I shall show thee the way, and join thee upon waking. Accept Her honors." The very end of his tail flicked lightly across her muzzle as he continued to circle. "Tell me the names of the ponies who wronged thee, and with Her blessing I shall fight them side by side with thee..."
Rainbow struggled to focus- she'd been doing something terribly important, but she couldn't quite remember what it was. "If... I... say yes... what's gonna happen to the others?"
"Nothing much, I hope," Vortex laughed again, smooth and deep. "They cannot even reach Our Sovereign without thine aid... why dost thou think thou werest sent ahead? Indeed, without thee, they would never have gotten so near... if thou wishest, we can go and bring them to safety, although it is their own decision how they will react to thee now... unlike mine own comrades, I make no promises how they may see thine choice..."
Rainbow shifted awkwardly from hoof-to-hoof, grateful for the lightness and flexibility of her purple leather flight suit compared to her old plate-armor. "And... after that?"
"Then, I shall train alongside thee, and fight alongside thee, and thou willst be remembered as the finest warrior of the Lunar Republic..." Vortex murmured.
"That's... umm... a lot to... think about..." As she considered the opportunity she'd been given Rainbow unfurled her wings, giving them the first good stretch they'd had in quite a long time, relishing the sensation of leathery skin pulling tight over the long, thin fingerbones; free of suffocating feathers...
"Indeed, 'tis a great thing I am asking of thee, so, by all means, take thine time to decide." He stepped up beside her, and it took all of Dash's willpower to pull her wing inward and keep it from ending up against his smooth, sleek back. His muzzle hovered an inch from her ear, her own head about level with his powerful chest and wing muscles, which was strange, because she hadn't remembered him being that tall. "I am not... going anywhere in mine sleep, after all," he more hummed than whispered, "Though when I wake I shall again seek thee... in the flesh."
She had to wait a moment before her mouth stopped being too dry to speak.
Then, "Sorry, Freak, answer's. Still. No."
"Then you will die, along with everypony else who still clings to the memory of my fat despot of a sister," Nightmare Moon hissed.
Her armored, jet-black frame towered over the weathermare, sharp white fangs a hair's-breadth away from tearing into the skin of Dash's ear, luminous blue eyes locked with the pegasus's own. Rainbow yelped and scrambled away under combined wing-and-hoofpower, ending up halfway over the edge of the bridge and flapping hard to tip herself back onto solid ground.
The alicorn threw back her head and laughed. "Well, it looks like we won't be working together. No regrets, Rainbow Dash. I will see you up ahead."
She reared back on her haunches and coiled her wings, sending Rainbow cowering and bracing for the immense downdraft, but instead on the Nightmare's down-stroke Dash registered herself -and the entire world around her- beginning to drop sickeningly downward while the creature in front of her remained exactly where she was. On pure reflex Rainbow closed her eyes, bracing for... something, she wasn't entirely sure what, but it never came.
When she opened them again, there was no dark alicorn and no beguiling mist, just a half-finished rope bridge, a loose support peg, and a mallet lying at her hooves where it had slipped out of her slackening jaws.
She positioned the peg, gave it a few sharp whacks, and then looped the rope around.
Fluttershy was the first to cross, gliding gently with her hooves barely touching the bridge. "Are you all right? Is it safe?"
"Yeah," Twilight muttered as she made her own traversal, surprisingly adroitly for a pony who evidently didn't spend much time with her hooves out of contact with carpet, "I thought I heard... voices. Or, well, your voice, at least. Not too sure about any others..."
"We were just debatin' whether or not to send Fluttershy over after ya'", Applejack explained, "when we saw ya yelp, slide off the bridge, fly back up, and then... I guess do somethin' to fan off that weird fog. Darndest thing."
"I knew we should've gone with the catapult idea," Pinkie Pie cut in.
"Well you do look a bit... flustered, but I suppose that's more than understandable," said Rarity. "Just as long as you think you're all right."
Rainbow nodded. "I got a little turned around in that cloud but... I think we're fine now. We should get back under cover, I... don't like being out in the open like this." (♫)
The ruins were so densely-packed now that Twilight almost missed the turnoff towards what Firefly's notes identified as the primary Day Guard camp. If it wasn't for the markings his scouts had left on the crumbling walls nearby, she almost certainly would have- chalk markings, no less, which should have sloughed off long ago but nonetheless persisted. Curious.
No buildings still stood, which she'd been expecting, but while civil engineering wasn't a field Twilight Sparkle had a great deal of expertise in, she was beginning to develop the strangest sense that the damage surrounding her wasn't the work of time at all, but solely of fires and spells and catapult strikes.
Curious indeed.
Nopony seemed willing to dare conversation as the path they were on wound between collapsed pillars and piles of undefinable crushed marble, then finally opened out again into a circular plaza perhaps half the size of the Founders' Court outside, paved entirely in black marble and inlaid with thousands of gemstone 'stars'- the original Court of the Night.
It no longer even seemed worth remarking on to Twilight that they had ended up here, on what should have been the westernmost end of Castle Rock, by passing from the north through another courtyard south of their current location and then turning left.
There were paintings of this place in museums in Canterlot- not as many as of the original Day Court from which Celestia's seat of government took its name on the opposite side of the Castle, but paintings nonetheless- and architectural drawings in its archives. Some had even tried to reconstruct, from imagination and fragmentary accounts, how it might have looked at the end of the Lunar Rebellions. None of them had managed to capture the scale of the camp laid out in front of Twilight now. It seemed, impossibly, as though everypony who had staffed the densely-packed collection of canvas tents spread out in front of her had simply stood up and left, leaving behind everything from bedrolls to entire siege engines to dead bodies- rows upon rows of them, little more than skeletons now even though their armor remained as bright as the day they had fallen, Solar and Lunar and Loyalist and many others besides, laid out in preparation for a decent burial that had never come.
Twilight Sparkle found them incredibly fascinating.
Some of the corpses showed obvious signs of death by extreme heat- most were Lunar, but a few were Solar, in every case their half-melted armor fused with one or more rebel soldiers'; some with the remains of weapons still lodged in between them.
The scholar muttered another mage-sight spell, and at once the entire courtyard was awash in color. Outside, the ambient magic of the Everfree swirled in brilliant, nauseatingly psychedelic patterns that at times brought out impressions of gaping mouths and grasping claws and other, worse and less-definable things, but not a single feeler of it managed to cross the bridge to Castle Rock. Instead, on the other side, the mana field was one of the most uniform she had ever seen outside of a laboratory; though the scorch marks and craters surrounding the camp were still effervescent with power, as though the spells that had made them had been cast only hours ago.
Twilight whispered another incantation, and dimmed out everything she could currently see. As she'd expected, all of the burned bodies still glowed pale yellow, but what surprised her were the greater number she now saw covered in a cold blue-white aura that was nearly as familiar to her: Nightmare Moon's victims, by a rough estimate, outnumbered Celestia's nearly two to one, and only perhaps seven out of every ten were Solars. Many were her own ponies. Others wore no armor and carried no weapons at all.
She hurried to catch up with the others, muttering to herself all the while. "She killed her own mares to get at the Solars... I always thought that was something the Golden Dawn made up later because there was zero archaeological evidence of Luna ever having actually done it, but... she did it here."
Fluttershy must've heard her, because the little yellow pegasus turned around and looked at Twilight for a long moment. "But... are you sure... that was Luna?"
Twilight looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I'd believe that sort of behavior from Nightmare Moon, obviously, but..." Rarity continued before Applejack cut her off.
"Well, she went mad, didn't she? That's what you said, right, Twilight? Makin' all them revenants drove her crazy?"
"Actually... I'm not sure it did." The more she thought about that theory, the less plausible it seemed. "Neurological degradation due to the overuse of telepathic links causes memory loss, mood swings, and delusional psychosis. But when she appeared in town -and when she tried to stop us out here- Nightmare Moon was acting in a very lucid, rational way, just out of step with the goals and methods all my sources ascribe to Princess Luna." Off to the left, Twilight could just about make out a dark, ragged-looking hill that was all that remained of the Equestrian Council Hall. Paper Clip had been surprised by the loss of civilian life there, but the attack itself had been subtle and sophisticated in its execution. Unless... "There's... something that's been bothering me about that, actually, but I'm not sure if I'm imagining it or not. Maybe you can help me put my hoof on it, but at the same time I don't want to lead you on by telling you what it is, okay?"
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Fine by me."
"You were all pretty close to Nightmare Moon when she appeared. Well, closer than I was, certainly. You got a good look at her, right? You remember the little details?"
"Much as Ah'd like to forget, yeah," said Applejack. "Reckon Ah'm gonna be seein' that face in my dreams."
"Was there anything... strange about her?" Twilight prompted.
"You mean other than the fact that she's pitch black, seven feet tall, and has nasty sharp pointy teeth?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Yeah, besides... well, all the obvious things." She had led them through the camp to the outer wall of the Castle almost unconsciously. The tunnel dug by Firefly's sappers was hard to miss; just as his annotations described, he'd taken out a ten-foot section of the wall. The six of them didn't hesitate as they stepped into the rough-hewn tunnel beyond. However much it twisted and turned, Twilight was confident there would only be one exit.
After a minute or so more of walking, Rainbow Dash finally spoke up. "Her eyes were creepy. Nightmare Moon's, I mean."
Rarity and Fluttershy both nodded in agreement.
"Creepy... how?" Twilight prompted.
Dash frowned, concentrating. "I dunno... empty, I guess."
"Exactly, like... like a doll's, almost," Rarity continued.
Applejack seemed to focus on something far off into the indeterminate distance. "Wait... yeah... wow, that ismighty strange."
"What is?" asked Twilight.
"Well, they don't have any depth!" Pinkie Pie answered instead.
The unicorn had to bite her lip to keep her expression outwardly neutral. She didn't want to suggest anything, but if the five of them were thinking of what she guessed they were... "Go on?"
"Well," Rarity began, "If you look very closely at another pony's eyes, they aren't just orbs. There's a lens, and then the iris is a little below that, and then the pupil is an opening to a dark space inside."
Ranbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, but Nightmare Moon's eyes aren't like that. They're flat! They're just flat, perfect balls!"
"Like they were... painted on, or something..." Fluttershy continued.
"What kind of pony has eyes like that?" Pinkie Pie asked, then when it became clear to her that none of the others were willing to respond, "Something that isn't a pony, that's what!"
Twilight grinned. "Exactly. I thought I might've been imagining it myself, but... I think we all saw the exact same thing."
Surprisingly, Applejack grinned. "So... you really did mean what'cha told those Lunars. About trying to bring the real Luna back."
"No. I thought we'd have to heal her, before, but now... I think you're all right. Nightmare Moon and Princess Luna aren't even the same creature!" The others nodded, but Twilight scuffed her hoof nervously. "Everything I'm seeing here is just... so far beyond the boundaries of accepted magical and historical theory; we've only come as far as we have on lucky guesses and snap deductions... and I don't really know if there's anything of Luna left to save. She might not be alive, and after a thousand years of isolation she might not be sane. Maybe Nightmare Moon is... I don't know, something that exists alongside Luna, or maybe it ate Luna, or Luna was a mask for it all along, or it just watched Luna's soul escape her dead body after the Battle of Everfree and decided that, yeah, now it had a good handle on what this whole 'being a warm-blooded equinoid with audible language and an internal skeleton' thing was all about."
Rainbow Dash cocked her head to one side, muzzle twitching as she mouthed almost-words for a few seconds. "But how do we fight something like that?"
"Ideally, we don't. We sneak in, grab the Elements, and then... use them, I guess. Before they stopped being able to use those artifacts themselves, Celestia and Luna were supposedly able to cure physical and mental diseases with the Elements, including conditions like possession and lycequiny. But the texts don't really offer a good description of how the things' powers ever worked, or why they ever stopped working, just that they could be activated by physical contact. The clearest description I've ever encountered of the process is 'when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth element to be revealed', and even that's not much."
"So... what do they look like?" Pinkie Pie asked. "How will we even know if we found them or not? I mean, we might've been the Elements the whole time!"
Twilight had to chuckle at that. "Well, they're supposed to be indestructible at least to the might and magic available a thousand years ago, that's one of the few things the most recent- or, I guess, least ancient- accounts agree on. Other than that, though... all the drawings and written descriptions of them are copies of copies; they might be stone spheres, or gems, or fruits, or equinoid creatures themselves. It's hard to say what's meant to be allegorical and what's meant to be a literal description, when we're reading texts from a time when even the most educated ponies hadn't given up on the Sun and Moon being physical objects floating around in the Firmament, that a pegasus could reach if she could just fly far enough."
"And... if we do run into Nightmare Moon?" Fluttershy asked.
Twilight extracted the shard of astral steel from her saddlebags, turning it over and over again in her telekinesis, quietly considering how it might react to different enchantments before concluding that an explosive heat spell would be most effective. "Defensive spells that implemented surface-normal discrimination weren't developed until the five-fifties. Before that, the only way to allow the user to cast magic back out was to permit anything that matched the caster's thaumic signature. That's a weakness, because it meant that even the most powerful wards were useless against the user's own magic. Unless Nightmare Moon has knowledge of magical techniques post-dating her imprisonment -which I doubt, because I saw her revenants digging through the Golden Oaks for a bunch of technical topics- then this artifact should be able to deliver spells through her defenses. So that gives us... a shot. I don't think we'll get more than that."
It took Twilight a little while to notice as the change was extremely slight, but the tunnel around them was definitely growing lighter.
"Quiet, we're almost there." Rarity whispered.
True to her word, the tunnel sloped sharply upward not long after, and the dry soil roof soon opened out to deep, blue-black sky. Twilight cautiously scaled the last few yards, Rarity wordlessly lifting her over a particularly steep patch where her hooves couldn't find purchase.
They had surfaced in what might once have been a courtyard or garden before nature had largely reclaimed it; a strange idea took form in Twilight's brain that the thick, wickedly-thorny brambles nearly covering their entrance had been what finally deterred General Firefly and his recovery expedition a thousand years ago. Now, however, they were dry and easy enough to shoulder through, and from the outside the tunnel entrance was effectively invisible- a fortunate thing, the mage supposed, given that Nightmare Moon had almost certainly had time to search the castle grounds by now.
There was no sign of any movement, and the surviving towers were far away, but the six of them still kept a low profile as they tread silently across the overgrown paths to a low, long, ovoid shell of a building located more or less in the center. She recognized the Grand Solarium from its position more than anything else- with most of its walls and all of its windows and roof fallen in, there was precious little else to go on.
For some reason, Twilight found that fact unimaginably sad.
Then she approached a little closer, and realized she couldn't see any rubble to speak of inside the structure, certainly not enough to have composed the entire ceiling; instead, stone lay piled at random in the garden around her, and tiny beads of glass crunched under her hooves. The Solarium hadn't collapsed, it had been ripped open from the inside.
Rainbow Dash was the first to make it to the entrance, of course, but as she approached the half-open bronze doors her flight slowed, little by little, and she finally stopped. Then she waved a hoof and beckoned.
Applejack gave the scholar a brief nudge to her shoulder. "C'mon, Twilight, isn't this what'cha've been lookin' for?"
No artist a millennium ago had ever dared to depict the inside of this building. There had never been any laws against it, at least none mentioned in the records that had survived; it simply wasn't the sort of thing ponies of the time would have dared.
Twilight Sparkle swallowed hard and stepped inside.
The walls and floor here were bare- polished gray andesite devoid of the opulent inlays that characterized so much of Everfree and scored with simple, geometrical markings; almost untouched save for a great divot of unknown origin back near the door. Six pillars might once have supported the roof of the place, perhaps, but little trace of them remained now; from the leglike shape of what remained near ground level, Twilight supposed they might once have been carved into equine forms, but who or why she couldn't begin to say. The only structure to hold any ornamentation at all was the vaguely pyramidal stone platform in the center, perhaps half-again Twilight's height. The sphere at its apex produced, at seemingly random angles, five surprisingly graceful stone beams, each topped with a smaller sphere of about head size. The spheres themselves were perfectly smooth save for a pattern carved in high relief, depicting one of the five regular polyhedra on each.
That sequence was familiar enough to Twilight- it recurred in the writings of Starswirl the Bearded, and studies of the spontaneous visual artifacts that appeared in undirected divinations, and etchings a hundred meters across on a mountain in the center of the Dragonlands, and correlated clusters of the outer fixed stars, and the ruined abbatoir-temples of the Diamond Dogs, and the fundamental mathematics of spell interaction, and a thousand other places besides. There was no academic consensus on where they originated, save that they were far older than pony civilization- perhaps older than any written language, or even older than intelligent life itself.
"The Elements of Harmony..." she whispered, "We've found them."
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were already in the air, flying forward to remove the spheres from their mountings. "Careful... careful..." Twilight warned, anticipating the cracking of stone as the delicate, priceless structure was disassembled, but there seemed to be nothing physically connecting the spheres to their mounts. In short order, they lay collected at her hooves.
"One, two, three, four..." Pinkie Pie muttered, "There's only five! Where's the sixth?!"
"When the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth to be revealed..." repeated Twilight.
"What in the hay is that supposed to mean?" asked Applejack.
"I'm not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back, I don't know what will happen..." As the others formed a ring around Twilight, weapons readied and heads swiveling, the scholar began a close-range intensive scan of the nearest Element. There was definitely something other than rock in its core, but she wasn't immediately certain what that something was. It was more of an absence than a presence, really, and at first she wondered if the stones were either magically shielded or simply hollow, but a shield would reflect her scan and vacuum permitted things to pass through it; this did neither. It was as though the core was made of the most inert, immutable matter possible. She began charging energy, muttering cantrips to shape it into a tiny, penetrating thread.
"C'mon, now, y'all," said Applejack as she backed slowly away, "She needs to concentrate."
"Indeed she does." (♫)
If she hadn't focused it so intently on the Element and only the Element, Twilight's scanning-spell might have registered the teleportation magic before Nightmare Moon stepped out of the open air in front of the six of them; instead of immediately after when Twilight involuntarily jerked her head upward and took the spell with it. But it probably wouldn't have made any difference either way.
"Stop her!" Rarity called, and the five mares from Ponyville braced themselves to charge.
Nightmare Moon stared at them, fangs bared in a hungry smile, astral steel armor gleaming in the moonlight. Twilight knew she could have killed them all easily enough right then and there, but she didn't move. The scholar wasn't entirely sure why that was- she wanted to isolate and turn each of them, perhaps- but she knew that if they kept drawing attention to themselves sooner or later Nightmare Moon's patience would run out.
She intended to act before it did.
"Wait!" Twilight called out, and began to walk forward. Her walk became a trot, then a charge as she channeled more and more power to her horn. She felt the enchanted shard of astral steel bouncing in her saddlebag, and carefully tore apart a seam with her telekinesis.
The alicorn's smile grew, and she slowly shook her head. "You're kidding. You're kidding, right?" Casually, almost dismissively, Nightmare Moon flicked out her left wing-
- and Twilight activated the teleportation spell she'd been charging, instantly repositioning herself back in front of the Elements. Her saddlebags, and the enchanted bomb inside, had been deliberately excluded and continued forward under their own momentum. She heard the deafening thud as the spell went off, felt the intense heat wash over her, and saw the entire chamber illuminated briefly in a strange mixture of orange and bright white-blue. She heard Nightmare Moon screaming -no, howling, louder than anything remotely equine ever should have been able to, more in surprise and anger than in any real pain- but she dared not look up. She knew she only had seconds to extricate the Elements, if that. Teleportation wouldn't work, but if she could remove even a tiny column of the natural stone in which they'd been encased and inject mana down the channel...
"No."
There was a flash of cold white light, brighter than anything Twilight had ever seen before, and the unicorn's world briefly disintegrated into vibrating, stinging, squirming pain that made her want to tear off her own skin a strip at a time just to get rid of it. Then it was gone as quickly as it had arrived -was this what happened to those Guardsponies at the town hall?- and she realized she was lying among the others, scattered a good meter or two from the Elements. She struggled to pull herself to her hooves, forcing herself to ignore her friends' own attempts to do so -they were farther away, and all in better physical shape to begin with, they had to be all right- but Nightmare Moon was standing right in among the stone spheres now and Twilight wasn't immediately sure what to do about that.
The alicorn still loomed as tall and proud as ever, glaring down disdainfully at the Ponyville mares, despite the blast of Twilight's spell having torn away the flesh from her cutie mark all the way to midway up her barrel on her left side.
The scholar gasped. Whatever she had been expecting to see exposed underneath- ribs and musculature, concentrated starlight, eyes and mouths and tentacles, perhaps- the flank of another, smaller, thinner pony with a dark blue coat hadn't even been considered.
The alicorn seemed to realize where Twilight was looking and twisted to shift her injured side out of view. She tapped the floor with one steel-shod hoof; it made a single, clear, crystalline sound as it hit, and the stone spheres of the Elements of Harmony silently broke apart into shards each no larger than a feather's width.
Nightmare Moon smiled again. "Well?"
Knowing she wouldn't get another chance the scholar bolted forward again, this time charging the blasting-spell directly in her horn and hoping to slip the incipient magic under Nightmare Moon's outdated wards before they could recognize and block it. It was a long shot, but at the moment she didn't really have many options left. Even if she couldn't beat the alicorn, which was very likely the case, she had to make herself interesting enough to give the others a chance at the Elements.
She realized a little too late that Nightmare Moon could easily have swatted her away with a hoof or a wing, or simply stepped aside and let her crash to the floor, but Nightmare Moon didn't do either of those things. Instead, her form began to grow hazy and insubstantial, softening at the edges, and when Twilight slammed into the alicorn head-first she kept on going. There was a brief impression of being surrounded by oily, iridescent, cloyingly warm fog; then she was being hurled under the force of her own accumulated momentum through an airless, weightless, dark interstitial space filled with hundreds of tiny, streaking stars; then gravity took hold of her again and she landed in a heap on another stone floor.
Biting back a curse, Twilight scrambled to get her hooves back under her again, but before she could even begin to find purchase she found herself wrapped in a cyan telekinetic field and lifted bodily upwards. She tried to wrench free and shout a jamming spell both at the same time, but found herself utterly immobilized from hooves to jaw by the field's incredible force.
"Enough of that," said Nightmare Moon, and lifted Twilight up to face her eye-to-slitted-eye. The alicorn's warm breath blew across Twilight's muzzle, smelling of dew and fresh rain and something electrical. "I'm going to put you down, now, so that we can talk about this like civilized ponies. If you try to escape, or harm me, or signal anypony outside or otherwise do anything else... dramatic, you will not only fail but the attempt will also leave you very badly hurt." She pressed the cold astral steel of her sabaton down against the tip of Twilight's horn, as if she were crushing an unusually large bug. The sensation of pressure was immense- it wasn't any more directly painful than a mild headache, but Twilight swore she could feel and even hear the bones in her skull creaking under the strain. If Nightmare Moon applied the slightest bit more force, she knew they would give way completely.
"Do you understand?" asked the alicorn, and removed her hoof. Her telekinetic field loosened just enough for Twilight to move her head, and she nodded. What else could she do?
Nightmare Moon smiled again, and gently lowered her to the floor. Her telekinesis faded away completely, replaced by the telltale buzz of a powerful anti-magic field. Twilight realized they had been transported high into one of the Castle's surviving towers, to a room that still contained the remnants of fine furniture and midnight-blue drapery. Of the many vaulted windows that filled three of its walls, the largest and most central faced directly towards the perpetually-rising Moon; every so often bat-winged shapes fluttered past outside, but the interior remained quiet and still.
"You're lucky I'm more forgiving of attempted regicide than my dearly departed sister," said Nightmare Moon. The dark alicorn slid gracefully down onto her haunches, one forehoof crossed over the other. The moonlight seemed to flow over her, that odd hyper-detailed blackness of her coat displaying every muscle in her powerful chest and long, sleek neck, posing just as Luna had always posed in the old portraits she'd spent so long poring over for hidden symbols and Lunar codes-
-and keeping, Twilight noticed, her uninjured side facing towards the scholar all the while. (♫)
"I knew you were looking for me ever since you started your work, you know. Or, rather, I knew there was a pony looking for me; a pony who dreamed about stars, and tombs, and rebellion against Celestia. Until you came all this way, I didn't know that the pony having those dreams was you, but now here you are. Impressive." The corners of Nightmare Moon's mouth pulled back into another predatory, knowing smile, exposing brilliant white fangs. "Now I know why my sister chose you to seek out the time and place of my return."
"Excuse me?" Twilight snapped, "No, Celestia-" she quickly cut herself off before she could say anything damning.
Nightmare Moon just laughed, light and clear. "The Tyrant barely tolerated your work and refused to believe the truth until it was far too late? It's futile to try to hide your fears and resentment from me, you know. I've seen your dreams.... And my sister's. But you're mistaken. Celestia never cared if you proved that I would return, because she already knew that." She bent forward and brought her head inches away from Twilight's own. Her features were every bit as refined and elegant as Princess Celestia's, but leaner and crossed by delicate little scars. Twilight recognized the pattern, and remembered the nights she'd spent speculating what trials brave Luna had endured to get them-
-and also noticed there was a sort of a seam in between her cheek and the surface of Nightmare Moon's eye, as though the surface wasn't quite flush with the inside of the eyelid.
"The prophecy that foretold my return? A thousand years ago, Celestia commissioned it. You were only meant to perform the studies of deep magical theory that would help her calculate where and how I would arrive."
Twilight nodded. "The statue where the prophecy was hidden. It was protected by a modern stealth spell. Celestia's. She never needed me to complete the model, because she already had the missing piece."
Nightmare Moon's smile widened. "She thought she did, at least. Celestia was confident she knew the place of my arrival outside of Ponyville, and that I would be so drained after a long flight through the Outer Shells that she could dispatch me alone. Quietly. Without anypony needing to know. The disgrace of one Dr. Twilight Sparkle when my predicted return went unobserved... never entered into her calculation. But she withheld too much, and your research traveled paths other than what she intended, and when you learned the secret of how my spell worked on your own, it was too late to make any difference." She leaned in very, very close, her muzzle almost-but-not-quite touching Twilight's. "Celestia took only what she wanted from you, and didn't give you what you needed. The fact that you weren't able to predict the nature of my return in time is her fault and hers alone."
Twilight stood, and began pacing small circles in the center of the room. "I... want to argue with you but I'm not sure that I can..." The sky outside was now thick with revenants, hovering silently on their bat-like wings. They all watched her as she moved, tracking her perfectly just like Nightmare Moon herself-
-because what was looking out through their empty, blue-lit eye sockets was Nightmare Moon herself, watching Twilight and not watching anything else-
The creature across from her stood again in a single fluid motion, all silky darkness and shimmering ether. "Fight alongside me, Twilight Sparkle. Turn your back on Celestia and reclaim the recognition you deserve."
"And what do you get from me?" Twilight abandoned her circling and began tracing a wider arc pattern-
-and as she walked, Nightmare Moon turned to keep her damaged flank always out of Twilight's view. That meant that as long as Twilight stood about where she was standing... now, the alicorn would be facing away from the stairwell that served as the tower's only entrance-
"You have a great deal to offer me," said Nightmare Moon, "My sight of the changes undertaken in the Waking World these last thousand years has been limited, after all. You understand that better than anypony. A knowledgeable adviser such as yourself could be a great boon to the cause of the Lunar Republic. And, what's more..." she stepped another body-length closer to Twilight, again nearly touching the smaller unicorn. "I know you find me... fascinating. I've seen your dreams, remember?" Twilight knew she was shaking-
She hoped Nightmare Moon would take it for exhaustion, or nerves. She'd be right about the last one, in fact, even if she was ignorant of the cause-
"All I'm proposing is that if you answer some of my questions, I'll gladly do whatever I can to answer some of yours. I will show you all that is hidden by the light of day, Twilight, and you may learn everything about me that was lost in the night."
-there was movement further back down the stairwell. Nothing audible -Twilight knew the mares from Ponyville were better than that- but movement nonetheless. She forced herself not to look, conscious of those flat, fake eyes boring into her own-
Twilight knelt before Nightmare Moon in a deep, old-fashioned bow-
-a bow that put her curled-back hoof within grabbing distance of the dagger she'd slipped into her tunic back in Fluttershy's cottage-
"What do I need to do... My Sovereign?"
Nightmare Moon smiled again. "Those five ponies in the Solarium. The locals who came with you. I'd like for you to go back down to the chamber and kill each of them. You'll be in no danger from them, as I'll be right behind you, but I'd like to see that you're sufficiently... committed to preserving the freedom of the Republic from those who might still cling to the old ways."
"I'd love to," said Twilight. She stood again-
-careful to keep the hilt of the dagger grasped in the frog of her left hoof-
"But it's a little more complicated than that."
-The Elements were indestructible. She'd made sure all of the others knew that, and for the first time in her life Twilight was willing to trust another pony to figure out what that meant- that what Nightmare Moon had destroyed hadn't been the Elements at all-
"You see, I don't think those ponies are in the Solarium any more."
They hadn't had time to arrange any kind of signal beforehand. They hadn't needed to. As soon as Twilight finished speaking, Applejack and Rainbow Dash charged around the corner of the staircase, followed by Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and finally Fluttershy.
Nightmare Moon twisted around, impossibly fast, wings snapping out and hooves raised to strike... and as soon as she did Twilight brought her own hoof up and let go of the dagger. It had no mana charge for the anti-magic field to sap; no complicated alchemical reactions to muddle; indeed it had no moving parts at all. It was just a very fast, very sharp piece of metal, and with her own wards and abilities suppressed by the disjunctions she'd cast there wasn't a great deal Nightmare Moon could do about it.
It was a better throw than Twilight had thought herself capable of executing.
The dagger, tumbling from having been lobbed underhoof, slashed blade-first across Nightmare Moon's right eye socket from her eyebrow to midway down her muzzle. The alicorn whirled back towards Twilight and snarled viciously- or at least that's what Twilight figured the sound was supposed to be, since when a pony snarled she didn't usually crackle and hiss- but she wasn't blinded or bleeding like the mage had expected. Instead, the inky black coat and most of her eye itself seemed to have split and peeled away like a drumskin under too much tension; underneath a blue, equine eye rolled undirected beneath a half-closed lid, the pupil unnaturally dilated.
If the alicorn was in any way bothered she gave no sign. Instead the buzzing of the antimagic field cut out a split-second before she spread her wings out, a dense sheet of lightning crackling between them, but Twilight had been waiting for that. The unicorn shouted the final syllable of her teleportation spell and was gone in an instant, reappearing directly in front of the odd, hexagonal purple gem Pinkie Pie had just thrown.
Nightmare Moon struggled to turn around, her greater size suddenly a liability in the now-cramped space of the chamber, as Twilight leaped, slid, and scrabbled to reach the gem, hauling herself forward with desperate, wiry strength.
The alicorn managed to turn just as Twilight's hoof made contact.
That one blue eye was swiveling under its own power now, even as a slitted teal shell was taking form overtop of it, the wound knitting itself closed one shadowy, iridescent strand at a time. It focused on Twilight, then on the Element.
"No... no!" Nightmare Moon shouted, and there was no mistaking the absolute terror in her voice, and Twilight suddenly wondered if the creature speaking those words was Nightmare Moon at all any more.
The Element -if that was really what it was- lifted off the floor, rippling and shifting into a six-pointed magenta star as fine gold wire seemed to materialize from thin air around it, forming a structure not unlike a tiara.
Twilight didn't remember how, or what Nightmare Moon or the others could possibly have been doing in the interim, but somehow she managed to put it on.
Nightmare Moon stood rampant before her, horn glowing and wings flared, front hooves raised to strike out at her and her friends, sharp-toothed mouth wide open in a horrified scream, utterly immobile. Everything was immobile- from the rubble kicked up by the alicorn's last, horribly misaimed spell, to the revenants falling to pieces just outside, to the trees of the Everfree, to the twinkling of the stars in the sky above, to Twilight's own heartbeat. There was a time when that might have concerned her, but that was long ago. What she was now didn't need a heart to beat, or muscles to move or eyes to see. There was a sense of being watched, of expectation without any clear source, but it wasn't threatening. Nothing could threaten Twilight now, with reality itself holding its breath and waiting for her to give it its next instruction. A brilliant light suffused the entire chamber, and Twilight realized it was coming from the six of them. Everything else seemed to fade in that light; colors desaturating and shadows stretching away from her before vanishing completely, but paradoxically she could still see perfectly well. In fact, she could see more clearly than she ever had before, the infinite universe laid out in front of her like an architectural blueprint, all the inaccuracies and distractions of her equine visual system removed and only the superstructure left.
Twilight realized she could easily banish Nightmare Moon permanently in this state, or with the same minuscule expenditure of effort kill her outright, or reduce her to something that maggots in the deepest pits of Tartarus would turn away from in contempt. But she could also see what her friends were doing, how they focused their attention- to call it a color would be inaccurate, but no language had words for what it should have been called- not on Nightmare Moon herself but on the smaller, skeletal mare just underneath her skin.
Twilight didn't want to keep the others waiting, so she went ahead and made her decision.
If there's anything at all left of Luna inside of Nightmare Moon, I want that Luna back.
The light got a lot brighter very quickly, and then went away again, and the universe continued on along the path where it had originally been set, only now a certain volume of flesh and a certain volume of something that was not flesh of any kind were again separated where they had once been commingled.
Twilight Sparkle gasped, suddenly remembering -why had she forgotten? Had she forgotten the reason too?- what it was like to have hooves and skin and eyes and lungs. She had come a long way -they all had, together- and she was very, very tired.
The last thing she remembered was a midnight-blue alicorn curled up on the stone plinth in front of her whispering "Sister, we are... so, so sorry..." before the exhaustion overtook her completely and she lost consciousness. |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | The Longest Day of the Thousandth Year | (♫)
"Attention all hooves! Attention all hooves! Secure for hostile fire and report to battle stations! Repeat, all hooves to battle stations! Make ready for hostile fire! This is not a drill!"
The voice from the speaking tube yanked Warrant Officer Junior Grade Armillary from a sound slumber and sent him rolling out of his bunk flailing and cursing. The darkness visible from the porthole beside him was his first clue that something was terribly, terribly wrong- as third-shift navigation officer aboard the cruiser R.E.S. Dauntless, he was on duty from twenty-hundred hours to oh-four-hundred and slept from oh-five-hundred to thirteen-hundred; the only reason why he'd be awakened at this entirely normal early-morning hour would be if they were heading into a situation where he might be needed to take over the charts because the primary navigators were injured or worse.
Then he saw that the clock at one end of the bunkroom read 09:55, and his confusion only deepened. "Wait, that can't be right!" he called to nopony in particular.
"Raising's been delayed, that's all I know," snapped the sole remaining other occupant, a big oaf of an earth pony Guardsmare whose name Armillary had never bothered to learn. He hadn't been particularly happy about spending the Summer Sun Celebration on-ship in the Canterlot docks, but orders were orders and if Princess Celestia wanted the Royal Navy to rally and make ready to ship out to parts unknown then rally and make ready they would. The assignment of a platoon of Royal Guard hardasses to their already-cramped living space had done little to improve things, however, not in the least because it was entirely unclear what if anything the Guards were there to fight.
Leaving the mare to finish buckling her armor in relative peace, he scrambled into his parachute harness -whose idea was it to require pegasi to wear the things, anyway? They even had wingholes cut in them!- and shouldered his way into the bustling corridor outside. Whatever was happening, he could tell from the regular thrumming in the boards beneath his hooves that they were already under way at maximum speed. Brushing past fellow sailors, Guards, and Royal Army regulars rushing this way or that, his ears caught disconnected fragments of conversation over the general din:
"... 'd you see the moon?"
"Hey, what's wrong with..."
"... nopony can reach Princess Celestia..."
"... Mare's gone..."
"... wait just now?"
"... feels like it's been like that for hours at least but that doesn't..."
"... like a dream or something..."
Then he was up on deck, fighting against the wind, and struggling to find the fastest route to the bridge through the barely-controlled chaos of too many ponies trying to move too many extremely dangerous things in too little time. There were more airships visible off to either side of the deck keeping pace, frigates by the look of them, but those weren't what caught his attention- true to scuttlebutt, the Mare In The Moon had indeed disappeared.
"Gangway!"
At the shouted command Armillary dodged to one side, narrowly missing an Army private dragging a trolley full of cannon rounds as an air chariot swooped onto the deck from what he estimated to be a generally Canterlot-ward direction. A rather disheveled older pegasus stallion with half-moon spectacles stumbled out just before it took off again, still clad in a rumpled silk pajama shirt emblazoned with the emblem of the Royal Academy- "Department of History?!" Armillary asked aloud.
The stallion stomped off to another area of the deck and began shouting in what looked like a mixture of equal parts outrage and confusion at a cluster of higher-ranking officers which included some sort of small purple lizard creature and... "Is that Commander Shining Armor?"
"Oi! Yer some kinda' navigator, ain'tcha?" Another voice called, and Armillary turned to spot Powderkeg, one of the other Guards who normally resided in his bunkroom, and the only one who'd thus far bothered to give him so much as a how-do-you-do, stuffing ampules of alchemist's-fire into the pockets of his own parachute harness, "I heard some a' the other Navy pukes talkin' just 'afore we shoved off... the numbers fifteen-point-five-two East by one-twenty-point-three-three South mean anythin' to ya?"
Trying to tune out the chaos around him, Armillary managed to recall the relevant section of charts. "Wait, no, there has to be some kind of mistake," he said, "That's right in the middle of Equestria!" (♫)
"Flyover just reported back and it's pretty much what we saw from the ship," said First Lieutenant Marigold as she took her hoof away from the audio rune on the side of her golden helmet. "Whole lotta' bodies but not a lotta' movement. We're gonna split up into individual squads and check street by street." She surveyed her troops, both the familiar ones she'd served with for the last two years and those significantly less so. The three six-mare squads of Royal Guards she led were each being tailed by a dedicated Equestrian Army medical unit today. A week ago they'd all grumbled about having to foalsit the medics on whatever poorly-conceived errand of mercy the higher-ups had planned for them, a situation only aggravated by their long confinement together in the cramped belly of a docked airship. Then they'd heard the town they were heading for was right in the middle of the Equestrian heartland, and had all hoped quietly that the medics wouldn't be needed. Then they'd seen the bodies in the streets and hoped much more openly that the medics would still have anything they were able to do.
It wasn't Marigold's job to worry about that, though. Her orders were simple.
"Alpha Squad, you've got Farrier Street!" she barked, tapping a gold-shod hoof at the map spread out on the folding table in front of her, "Bravo, you take Founder's. Canter, you're with me; we'll head up Carousel and all meet up with Lieutenant Ratcatcher and Second Platoon in that big market square. Understood?"
There was the expected chorus of "Yessir"s, although Corporal Subtle Spark was notably not among them. "Sir," the small blue-gray unicorn asked, shifting nervously on his hooves, "They got any idea what was up with that flash?"
"Dauntless's gonna be heading over where it came from with some Academy eggheads pretty soon, but from what the Captain told me before we landed they think it was just a big surge of free mana or something, like breaking one of those enchanted spinny-tops times a couple million." Marigold had a husband and two school-age foals back home in Baltimare; she was thus painfully familiar with how well cheap carnival enchantments held up under the pressure of a pony's hoof. "Long and short of it is, it's not our problem."
Corporal Spark seemed unconvinced. "Sure, fine, but if it turns out to be one of those slow-acting curses I keep reading about, I'm gonna make extra sure I'm in slopping-range of your stampbook when we all start melting into puddles of goo, okay?"
"Sparky?"
"Sir?"
"Can it."
"Yessir."
"Now move out!"
They started down from the small hill where they and three other platoons had been dropped off and moved into the raggedy outskirts of the town proper, advancing slowly and cautiously. It was deathly quiet in the streets, the first rays of the rising sun painting everything a lurid red-orange- smashed Sun-lanterns and torn banners, halfway-boarded-up windows and collapsing excuses for barricades; a Summer Sun postcard from Tartarus.
"Bodies. Out in the street." whispered Private Aqua Regia from the front of their formation.
They fanned out and established a loose perimeter while Marigold and the medical squad's own lieutenant- a gangly white earth mare named Salmon Salt- peered down at the equine forms that lay slumped over in the middle of the dirt road. They were both clad in odd, curving, tooth-edged blue armor that looked as though its best days were well behind it, and both had weapons nearby, but there was no sign of a struggle. As near as Marigold could tell, they'd both just keeled over while walking side-by-side down the middle of the street. One appeared to be a pegasus and the other clearly wasn't a unicorn; beyond that they were in too bad of a condition for the Lieutenant to say much for certain.
"What's wrong with those wings?" asked Private Parhelion, gingerly unfolding the exposed one in her telekinesis. What Marigold had initially mistaken for a regular if featherless wing proved itself to be bony and membranous, with four long fingerbones.
"I don't know," said another of the medics, "Look at them, they're practically mummified, it's like they've been dead and buried for a hundred years."
"Well, obviously," Salmon Salt countered, "that one's skull's smashed in, and the other one has a half-dozen arrows in its chest cavity. There's clearly necromancy behind this, but that doesn't explain the wings..."
Out of the corner of her eye, Marigold spotted something moving in one of the ground-floor windows of a cottage on the other side of the street.
"Quiet!" she hissed, and then motioned with her hoof. Aqua and Parhelion quietly slipped into position on either side of the door, blades at the ready. Then at Marigold's signal, Aqua reared up on her hind legs and slammed forward, effectively pulverizing the flimsy wood surface. They both charged forward into the interior- and pulled up short just before they would have simultaneously impaled and trampled the small gray earth stallion with a spiky black mane, who had been peering through the keyhole on the other side.
"Whoa! Hold up!" shouted Parhelion, then stuck out a hoof to where the stallion was hunkered down with his hooves over his head. "Easy, easy! We're not gonna hurt you..."
It took him about a second to look up, and take the offered hoof in his own. "S... soldiers?" he asked as Parhelion pulled him back onto all-fours.
"Yeah. It's OK, you're safe, we're here to help," said Aqua Regia, and gingerly guided the stallion outside.
"Can you tell us what happened here?" Marigold asked.
The stallion cocked his head, blinking bloodshot eyes. "Not... really? I... had a little too much to drink at the Celebration, so Berry walked me back home around... I dunno, one o'clock, maybe, and then I fell asleep and when I woke up those things were already crawling all over town. Then that light happened and they all fell over and... then you all showed up."
Another voice echoed in Marigold's helmet. "Lieutenant, it's Chamomile. We caught one of those weird gray rutters still on his hooves, but I... think there's something wrong with him."
Marigold stepped away from the bewildered local and tapped the rune that would allow two-way communication. "You captured one alive?"
"Well, capture's a strong word," Sergeant Chamomile continued, "He was just leaning up against a wall, looking right at us like he didn't care."
"Can he talk?"
"He... mumbles. Same thing over and over again: 'The Moon has set. Our light is lost', whatever that means."
"Creepy," muttered Corporal Sparks beside her.
Marigold ignored him. "Sergeant, have a medic and two of your Guards run that prisoner back to the landing site. I want at least four eyes on him at any time, understand?" She didn't wait for a response before cutting off the listening-spell in her helmet and gesturing to Private Parhelion. "Sundog, stick around, guard our friend here, and see if he knows where anypony else might've hid. Rest of you, form up!"
The street narrowed and made a sort of zig-zag up ahead around a particularly large shopfront. Judging by the signage it might up until recently have been a bookseller's; now it dealt primarily in smashed timber and broken glass. Aqua Regia leaned around the corner, then looked back at Marigold in confusion and motioned her forward.
A single blue-armored pegasus was standing in the middle of the road amidst a pile of discarded shields and collapsed mummy-troops, a pike still held in one odd, bat-like wing. She was gray with a dark blue mane, just like the dead husks that surrounded her, but seemed relatively... well, alive. Cautiously, Marigold stepped out into the open.
"Halt!" The gray pegasus shouted in a rough, fillyish voice. She brandished her weapon in a stance that would have been much more threatening had there been even a single other pikemare to back her up, and if the tip wasn't shaking like a leaf in late autumn. "Thou shalt not pass!"
The Lieutenant stepped forward, calmly and slowly. "We're not trying to hurt you," she said, "we can offer you medical assistance and get you to safety. Put that weapon down, and we can talk this over properly."
"Nay. Nay!" the pegasus snapped. Her eyes were bright yellow and slitted like a cat's, something Marigold would probably have noticed a lot earlier had the pony's head not been jerking around constantly in panic. "We will never parley with the forces of the Sun-Tyrant! 'Tis blasphemy to the memory of Our Sovereign!" The mare was practically screaming now, swinging her pike back and forth between the Lieutenant and the Private. Her armor rattled, too big for her bony frame and not well-put-together in the first place.
"Nopony's gotta die today," said Marigold, and took another few steps forward. As she did so, one of Subtle Spark's crossbow darts buzzed over her right shoulder and struck the slit-eyed mare square in the forehead. It shattered on impact, the liquid inside splattering over her fur before rapidly sublimating into a faint green mist.
"Ha!" She yelled, apparently having expected the projectile to have been tipped with something much stronger than glass. 'Tis but the bite of... a... flea..." She gave an oddly relieved-sounding sigh as the sedative draught overtook her system, and crumpled forward onto the cobblestones.
The rest of Marigold's squad moved up to join her, as the medics hung back. "It's an aerosol, Sparky. You didn't have to hit her in the head," she admonished, then decided she had more important things to worry about. "All right, get her restrained and-"
"Hey! Lady! Hey!" Somepony called from up ahead.
"Oh, now what?" Marigold heard Aqua Regia mutter.
Another mare rounded the corner, this one a violet earth pony clad in the sort of older, mismatched armor common among the smaller town watches and militia. Her muzzle scrunched up for moment as she registered the sheer number of sharp, explosive, and magical things pointed her way, and she wisely backed up a few steps. "Oh, thank the Sun! Finally, they sent somepony to help us!"
As she talked, more and more chatter was starting to come in through Marigold's helmet. "It's OK," Chamomile was telling somepony, "he's a healer, he's just gonna take a look at that hoof-"
"Listen. All those freaky gray guys are heading into the town square..."
"- No, no, you're free to go, we just wanted to make sure you're all right; can you tell us where your family might be?-"
"... but we managed to get all the wounded out and back up to the hospital before they started to get their act back together..."
"- That's it, nice and slow, now kick it towards me-"
"... that one Major who got herself hypnotized says she's fine now, but..."
"- gonna need a couple more stretchers over here -"
"... some of the ponies from Celestia's security detail reckon we could just surround 'em and keep hitting 'em from range until they're all gone..."
"- must've taken some real guts to show yourself, looking like you... well. Let's see if we can get this little scamp back to his parents-"
"... but now that you're here to back us up..."
Marigold silenced the militiamare with a raised hoof. "I'm sorry, what? This is a search-and-rescue mission. You didn't think we usually bring this many medics with us, do you?"
The mare blinked, confused. "But... we've got the upper hoof..."
Something rustled in the forest still visible on the other end of the street. Three more of the gray ponies stepped out from the underbrush, a bat-winged mare and a unicorn stallion with a weird curved horn supporting another bat-stallion over their shoulders. Marigold watched Parhelion and the rest of the rear guard draw their blades and fan out, but all the new arrivals did was lay down silently in the street with their hooves in front of them. The one in the middle looked to be in particularly bad shape, and at Marigold's nod Salmon Salt and her crew began assembling their supply of canvas stretchers.
She turned back to the militiamare. "Private, I think we need to have a long talk with whoever's in charge of this... seige you're trying to assemble." |
Friendship Is Magic - Extended Cut | A Different Kind of Light | (♫)
Twilight Sparkle awoke to warm yellow sunlight, and the rhythmic chup-chup-chup of airship rotors.
Every bone and muscle in her ached, which was unsurprising given what she'd put herself through over the last few days -and had it really only been that long?- but she refused to let that stop her. She forced herself back onto all fours and surveyed the dusty ruins of the chamber. All she cared about then were the five mares slumped over on the stone floor around her.
"Girls? Girls!" Twilight called, and quickly the five forms began to shift and stir.
"Urgh... my head!" Rainbow Dash slurred, working her jaw from side to side.
"Don't worry, you've done fine so far without using it!" Pinkie Pie quipped even as she trotted over to help the pegasus back upright.
"Is... is everypony OK?" Fluttershy asked, already rooting through what little remained of her healer's kit.
"Ah reckon so," Applejack answered, before Rarity's telekinesis pulled her to her hooves. "Rares, you got any idea what's up with them funny-lookin' necklaces?"
"They're amazing!" the tailor exclaimed, before turning to Twilight, "Look at hers!"
"Mine?" It was only then that Twilight realized she was still wearing the golden crown that seemed to be the most recent incarnation of the Element of Magic- it was unbelievably light for such a large gem, and the mounting fit against the shape of her skull so perfectly it might as well have been custom-made for her. In fact, there was no 'might' about that hypothesis. She'd seen the thing reassemble itself right before her eyes. "You know, we should... probably take them off before they activate again," she laughed, nervously, "they are an immensely powerful weapon we don't fully understand, after all." With some reluctance, she grasped the Element of Magic in her telekinesis and set it gently on the flagstones, where it was followed in short order by the other five.
Only then did Twilight gradually register that somepony was making odd, anguished little gasps behind her. When she turned around she saw the same curious midnight-blue alicorn from before lying in the middle a pile of shredded astral steel, and after a moment's hesitation cautiously approached. The pony was much smaller than any depiction of Cadance or Celestia that Twilight had ever seen, and curled up in a tight ball that made her appear even smaller still. She seemed to be little more than skin and bones covered in a dry, thinning coat that came out in clumps with the faintest probing from the unicorn's telekinesis; the feathers of her wings weren't faring much better. Her ethereal mane and tail hung limply around her- not the confusing anti-substance of Nightmare Moon's, but a soft teal blue sparkling with thousands of tiny multicolored stars. More experimental probing from Twilight confirmed that whatever muscle she still possessed was bunched up tightly in place. When Twilight attempted to pull open one eye to determine if she was able to respond to changes in the light, her eyelid remained clenched shut and the scholar had to cut off her telekinesis for fear of causing injury, although she did note a large amount of seemingly uncoordinated movement underneath the lid. Despite her obvious state of exertion and distress the alicorn did not seem to be sweating, nor for that matter were any tears being produced, and Twilight was suddenly unsure whether to characterize her continued noises as sobbing, dry-heaving, or some sort of unique variant of seizure. Whatever it was, it did seem to be very slowly growing less intense as she watched- Twilight hoped that was good news, and not just the final expenditures of what little life seemed to be left in the mare.
Rainbow Dash's voice pulled Twilight from her examinations not long after. "Hey, Twilight, you hear that?"
"... Alpha Squad, move into that big hall. Canter, take Cloudy and Flash and start checking windows..."
"Hey, you're right!" Deciding there was nothing more she could do for the alicorn at the moment, Twilight trotted over to one of the tower windows and looked outside. In the courtyard below, two-dozen-odd ponies in brilliant gold armor and a single purple, vaguely lizardlike figure were coalescing into orderly groups of three or four under the direction of a very familiar blue and white officer. Heart feeling like it would push into her throat, Twilight stuck her head out the window and yelled, "Hey! Heeey! Up here!"
The pony on the ground spun at the noise and looked up, startled. "Twily?" he asked, then vanished in a flash of magenta energy along with the nearest third of his troops. "TWILY!"
Twilight spun around and leaped towards Shining Armor as he materialized in the room behind her. She wrapped both of her forelegs around the bigger stallion's withers, heedless of his hard metal armor or the smears it was receiving from her own muddy, sweaty, partially-singed coat. She felt Spike's claws around her own neck a moment later, and just stayed like that for a while before realizing that she was starting to literally lean on her brother as a means of support.
"When Spike told me you'd gone into the Everfree..." the Commander muttered as she pulled away, "when he told me about Nightmare Moon and all the rest... I didn't know if I was ever going to see you again! You idiot! You brilliant... clueless idiot!" He stamped a steel-shod hoof, then shook his head as if to clear it. "I'm just so glad you're safe."
"Ah'm fine, we're fine, yer fine, everypony's fine!" Twilight's awareness of a world beyond the three of them suddenly returned as Applejack none-too-gently shoved away a Guard medic with a light glowing on the tip of his horn. "So quit'cher proddin' at me an' help somepony who actually needs it!"
Shining turned and appeared to mentally size up the five of them, his gaze scanning quickly over Twilight, the pile of discarded Elements, the five other ponies, the blue alicorn, and his own Guards. Then he pressed a forehoof against the starburst emblem on the chest piece of his armor. "And... I guess I have the five of you to thank for her safety. I think all of Equestria does, actually. If Twilight and I could have the honor of escorting all of you aboard the Dauntless, we can get you back to Ponyville and set up a proper hero's welcome."
Everypony went quiet for a little while after that, save for the continued, muffled sobbing of the blue alicorn on the dais. A half-dozen Guardsponies surrounded her, some with their weapons at the ready and others beginning the same basic healer's checks Twilight had attempted to perform- the scholar recognized Forward March foremost among them.
"Uhh, sir? What about her?" the senior corpsmare asked.
"What under the sun?" a dark-green unicorn mare with a halberd continued as she trotted over. "Is that an... alicorn?"
"If I had to guess, that's Princess Luna," Spike answered.
Forward's eyes narrowed. "You mean... the actual Mare In The Moon. Luna The Ungrateful. Alive, in the flesh, right here."
Shining's look of relief turned rapidly to indecision, then to pleading as he turned back to Twilight. "Twily, you're the Rebellions expert, what do we... I mean, should we try to arrest her, or-"
"There's something outside, up high!" Rarity shouted, then, cutting Shining off mid-sentence. Once again Twilight joined the others at the window. At first she couldn't see much of anything at all, other than the bulk of the presumed Dauntless holding station high overhead, but then she too detected the white, somewhat-larger-than-pony-sized object flying in from due East at what appeared to be a very great velocity indeed. After only a few seconds, it had taken on enough definition to be easily recognizable: "Princess Celestia?!"
Everypony stood, unsure of what to do, some open-mouthed in surprise, as Equestria's sole leader arrowed directly towards them in what was looking more and more like a barely-controlled dive. Celestia blew through the open window and made an awkward, stumbling landing, seeming for a moment as though she would pitch over entirely to one side or the other. Only when the dust cleared did Twilight get a proper look at her. The Princess's wings were already missing half of their feathers, great swathes of her opalescent fur had been burnt black, and whenever she moved paper-thin shells of frost broke away from her form to shatter against the floor. Her golden regalia looked as though it had been simultaneously melted and pressed forward against its wearer by some unimaginable force, and both it and every square inch of front-facing flesh had been sliced and pockmarked by dozens or hundreds of tiny, hard impacts- Twilight was even reasonably certain she could see more than a few chips taken out of Celestia's horn. Her mane and tail were both nearly limp and almost completely colorless, but her magenta eyes still shone with a brilliant, almost feverish intensity even as her legs shook alarmingly and threatened to give out underneath her. Almost immediately Shining Armor and the green unicorn Guardsmare were at her side, enclosing her heaving barrel in overlapping telekinetic fields, and her trembling quickly subsided.
She turned her head to smile at Shining, seemingly heedless of the cuts along her chin and neck that the movement caused to reopen. "T-t-t-t-hank.. You. Comm... and-er," she said in a halting, raspy voice.
Spike dashed over to her, slitted eyes wide. "Are... are you OK?"
""Mfhn. Fi.... Fiiii.... I... I will be... f-f-f-fine. Soon e-nough." Bit by bit, the frantic action of her breathing subsided, and Twilight watched in awe as a few of the shallower gashes across her muzzle began to slowly seal themselves closed. "Now... tell. Me. Please. What... of. M-m-m-m-y s-sub. Jects?"
Shining stood up a little straighter, and began to recite in a clipped and even but somehow reassuring voice, "Ponyville's been secured, Your Grace, and the Lunar Rebels - if... that's really what these ponies are - have all been disarmed. Supplies and a dedicated hospital ship are inbound from Canterlot as we speak to treat the most seriously wounded civilians." He stopped and looked to Forward March, who gave a quick nod. "No fatalities."
"Good work. You have... my personal... gra... titude. We'll discuss... the appropriate honors..." With the Guards' assistance, Celestia pivoted herself to face Twilight directly, "And a... sincere apology... that my faithful student... r-r-r-r...rich. Ly deserves... once everypony is accounted for. In... particular..."
The Princess closed her eyes, seeming to gather herself as color began to trickle back into her mane. She opened them again, and reached up a hoof to the ruined neckpiece of her regalia as though noticing its existence for the first time. With a quick, sharp tug the solid metal snapped off and fell to the floor, and Celestia stepped out of the Guardsponies' telekinetic field. She strode across the chamber under her own power, still burnt and bleeding but regaining more and more of her familiar stature with each hoofstep as Guards and civilians alike backed off to let her through.
"Princess Luna!" Celestia called out, advancing on the trembling alicorn with her wings extended and her horn held high. For the first time since Twilight had examined her, the other pony's fits seemed to abate. Luna looked up, and opened her eyes, and focused on Celestia- then she gasped in fear and her tremors redoubled. "It has been a thousand years since I have seen thee like this."
Then, to Twilight's surprise, the older Princess knelt in front of her sister and gently nuzzled her forehead. "It is time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, Little Sister. Willst thou accept my friendship?"
Luna's mouth opened and her throat and tongue flexed, but only a faint whine came out. Eventually, she took a deep breath, swallowed hard on empty air, and nodded.
Celestia smiled, and wrapped her forehooves around Luna's neck. "I missed you too, Little Sister." Her horn sparked and flickered alarmingly for a good five seconds before lighting in a warm, soothing golden glow that, even at a few yards' range, brought noticeable relief to Twilight's strained muscles and aching joints. The blue alicorn's eyes slowly drifted closed again, but now the spasmodic tension had drained completely from her frame and her breathing was slow and even.
"Wait..." Pinkie Pie muttered, "You mean all that stuff about a rebel sister of Celestia was actually real?" Twilight turned away from the scene unfolding in front of her just long enough to give the baker a particularly venomous look. "Whaaaaat?" Pinkie tilted her head to the side in a confused shrug. "I thought those crazy bat-mares'd just made the whole thing up."
Celestia had stood again by that point, even though it seemed to take her a few more seconds to properly get her hooves under her. "Major Forward, I'm afraid now I must leave Princess Luna in your own capable hooves."
"You... Your Grace?" the pegasus Guardsmare stammered.
Celestia's eyes narrowed, ever so slightly. "Major, the enemy has been very effectively routed and she's left a wounded mare behind her. I don't think the proper course of action is that difficult to figure out."
"Uhh, yes, Your Grace. Of course." Forward tapped a rune on the side of her helmet with one primary feather and began muttering something about needing a litter and a dragon's breakfast worth of chariots in the courtyard outside, as one of the lower-ranking unicorn corpsstallions unslung a canteen of water and began carefully trickling a few drops down the insensate Luna's throat. Celestia leaned sideways against the chamber's outer wall, eyes closed and head drooping forward; when a pair of Guards stepped up beside her and began guiding her towards the staircase, she didn't resist. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were all moving in among the remaining troops- Twilight caught snatches of conversation that sounded like "If there's anything at all we can do to help," and "reckon y'all got more'n your share a' questions 'bout this whole stupid business"- before Shining Armor's hoof came to rest gently on her withers. In her exhausted state, it was nearly enough to send her to the floor.
"C'mon, Twily," he muttered, "Let's all go home." (♫)
She'd anticipated nightmares, horrible ones in fact, but Twilight's sleep had been deeper and less troubled these last few nights than any other time in the year since she'd begun her research. At first she'd credited that to nothing more than exhaustion, but now she was beginning to wonder if that fact had some more direct relationship with Nightmare Moon's demise- or, she supposed, Luna's restoration.
She'd anticipated being incredibly busy dealing with the fallout of the whole affair as well, but the expected deluge of reports and interrogations had also failed to materialize. There was certainly a lot to do before Ponyville would be back to normal again, to say nothing of the wider consequences that would be felt over the whole of Equestria and its neighboring nations, but the local citizenry had their own plans for how Cantrerlot could help them deal with it all, and for arguably the first time since her very early childhood Twilight Sparkle had a group of ponies around her she trusted to handle all of it without her constant oversight. That left her with an abundance of a previously extremely precious commodity- time to sit, and think, and try to set the events of the last chaotic three days into some sort of logical order of cause-and-effect.
It was mostly a solitary exercise accomplished from her improvised base-of-operations at the Golden Oaks. She also had been given a cabin -stateroom, really- aboard the royal flagship Warm Light of Dawn hovering above the outskirts of town, but with Princess Celestia personally directing so much of the reconstruction effort, the Princess and her student hadn't had time to say much more than five or six sentences to each other since their meeting in the ruined Castle. To be perfectly honest, Twilight was thankful for that. Her brief encounter with Nightmare Moon had left quite a few questions she was obligated at some point to ask, and she still wasn't sure she wanted to hear Celestia's answers- if the Princess was even willing to provide them.
That didn't mean Celestia had been avoiding Twilight, however, and when the scholar introduced herself to the guards outside of the Dawn's conference room she was allowed in immediately.
"Princess?" She blinked, and swallowed hard. "Your sister is awake."
Celestia looked up immediately. Just as quickly the other ponies she'd been speaking with- the Ponyville Council, along with Spike and Shining Armor- stood and began to file out, although the last two stopped abruptly when Celestia made eye contact. "Please, walk with us," the Princess commanded as she stepped forward.
Noting Celestia's use of the plural, Twilight followed along behind the others as they wound their way through the Dawn's fine, wood-paneled upper corridors. Nopony seemed willing to speak.
Originally Luna had been kept in the medical bay, but almost immediately Celestia had seen that her sister was moved to an ambassadorial suite on one of the upper decks, which she'd personally refitted into as close a replica of Luna's original bedchamber on Castle Rock as had been possible on such short notice. Not for the first time, Twilight was struck by the resemblance of its diaphanous midnight-blue tapestry and spare dark furniture to the chamber to which Nightmare Moon had brought her.
As they entered, the room's sole other occupant tilted his beak-faced helmet in the slightest nod, and otherwise remained immobile. Steel Shank had become the de facto commander-in-chief of the Lunar Army more or less by default; no other ponies above the rank of Captain had survived their millennium-long interment. Twilight had never heard him speak at any length since he'd taken up his post beside Luna's bed- although according to Shining Armor he'd been a little more talkative when negotiating the terms of the Lunars' surrender- nor had she ever seen him leave that position. As near as she could tell, he simply watched the nurses and servants, ate food that was brought to him, and slept sitting up in his chair. Starswirl only knew what happened when he needed to take a piss.
The curtains were drawn, as they always were in daylight, and coming from the brightly-lit corridor outside Twilight found it difficult to see much in detail, but Luna herself looked... better, all-told. Her starry mane had been cut short, to make at least a little less obvious the portions that had fallen out completely, but already it had returned to nearly half a yard in length; the exposed edges of her wings were beginning to show a few new, dark blue primary feathers; and there was now hard keratin visible where her left front hoof had previously been a thickly-bandaged nub. Celestia's physicians had repeatedly warned that her sister's demise was imminent and certain, and that all that could be done was make her comfortable before the end finally came, but the elder Princess had steadfastly ignored them every time. Bewildered, they had then been forced to adjust their dire forecasts from a few hours, to sundown, to sunrise, to "sometime in the next few days", before finally admitting that Luna was indeed likely to make a full recovery.
Thanks to her enchantments, ranks of elite Guards, and the general peace Equestria had enjoyed over the last few centuries, Princess Celestia hadn't suffered much in the way of injury within living memory. Now Twilight was beginning to think that the older accounts of her shrugging off mortal injuries -what she'd always chocked up to tall-tales and propaganda- had in fact understated alicorn resilience.
The blue mare's ears swiveled as they stepped closer, and her eyes slowly slid open. "T.... Tia?"
Her voice was dry and scratchy, barely above a whisper, but her speech was clear and articulate.
"Luna." Princess Celestia ran -and that was the first time Twilight had ever seen the Princess truly run- to Luna's bedside and wrapped her forehooves around the smaller alicorn.
Twilight was briefly worried the frail Luna might end up seriously injured as a result, and given that he had abandoned his chair and dashed towards her Steel Shank seemed to have been thinking the same thing, but Luna simply shook her head at him and returned the embrace with her one good hoof. "We were... not certain We would ever wake again, but... thou hast kept thine promise..." she rasped.
"Luna, Nightmare Moon, whatever you call yourself," Celestia paused, blinking back tears, "You are, and have always been my sister, and I will always love you. I can think of no greater joy than having you at my side again."
"So... when thou didst offer to share thine throne with us..."
"I meant every word. I won't lie, you have a lot of catching-up to do, sister. But I know you'll be able to figure it out."
Luna's unnaturally-thin lips quirked upward for just a moment, and then her expression became grave. "But... what of Our ponies? We shall not abandon them. If they are to stand trial for Our rebellion, We will stand alongside the-"
"They are forgiven," said Celestia.
"... What?"
"They will be kept under watch until we're certain they can function in modern society, but no longer. They should know that they have nothing to fear in the light." Even Steel Shank seemed surprised by that. Celestia turned and looked back at the assembled dignitaries- Twilight's confused brain finally began to piece together that they'd been called along as witnesses, and now that the job was done Celestia had no further reason to command their presence. "Now, please, leave us be. I'd like to speak to my sister about topics... unrelated to the future of Equestria."
The three of them filed out, suitably chastened, and not knowing what else to do Twilight led the way back to the uppermost deck.
It was busy up there, but not hectic as it had been just after the attack. Sailors and troops and Academy researchers paused more often than not in their duties to share food and conversation with Ponyville natives- it had, in fact, been Celestia's idea to open the Dawn up for tours. Over by the railing, a stocky unicorn mare in a Navy parachute harness was showing Councilpony Cheerilee and a whole gaggle of schoolfillies how to operate one of the cannons, her physics-heavy lecture liberally seasoned with the sort of onomatopoeia Twilight was more used to seeing in comic books. "Well hey, I wouldn't mind getting a cutie mark in gunning," a vaguely familiar orange pegasus filly remarked.
"I think it's 'gunnery', but, hey, you're right!" her pink-and-white friend corrected.
"Huh. Y'all don't have your cutie marks either? Well howdy, Ah'm Apple Bloom," a third cut in.
Not far away, Fluttershy was supporting Citrine Sparks as the militiamare worked her way across the deck, her foreleg still wrapped in bandages and supported by a complicated brace. The little yellow pegasus gave her a pat on her good shoulder when she made it to the railing, and then she continued on under her own power to a quartet of shaky-looking pegasus Guardsponies that Twilight recognized from Celestia's security detail. They let loose with a cheer when she finally made it to them, raggedy but spirited, and Fluttershy took to the air not long after to glide back in Twilight's direction. "Oh. Hello, everypony!" she said once she was in easy speaking range.
The scholar waved a hoof at Fluttershy's charges. "Everypony doing all right?"
"Much better, actually. Noteworthy's already back at home, Straight Shot's throat isn't bothering him any more, and with some more exercise I think Citrine'll be able to get back to the Militia in a month or two." The pegasus's ears flipped back. "Assuming she, well, wants to..."
Shining Armor made an odd little herr-um noise. "Well, if she does want to, I wonder if she'd consider the Royal Guard." -or were they back to being the Day Guard now that Luna was being reinstated? Twilight had no idea who was going to sort that one out- "What she did in the Town Hall was... really brave, and with the right training I think she could do pretty well."
Fluttershy seemed about to reply when a collective groan emanated from a pile of crates currently serving as an impromptu table-and-chair-setting for Pinkie Pie, a collection of Academy mages, and a few of the more bookish sort of Navy pony with Friendship: The Gathering cards spread out in front of them.
"I thought you said you'd never played this before!" shouted a yellow-and-blue pegasus stallion with an armillary cutie-mark.
"No, I said I hadn't played in a while, and you just didn't listen," Pinkie Pie replied.
There was a lot of incomprehensible grumbling after that, followed by the pink earth mare shouting "Damn right I'm ruttin' funny!"
Spike gave Twilight's foreleg a tug. "Do you think we should... do something?" he whispered.
"Don't worry, I'm good!" Pinkie Pie said in Twilight's other ear. "I mean, have you seen the kitchen on this ship?"
"Galley, Pinkie Pie," the unicorn corrected, "It's called a galley on a ship."
"Oh." The pink mare sat down and stared at Twilight for a few seconds without blinking, head tilted far further than was probably entirely comfortable. "Why?"
"I swear, some ponies..." Rarity muttered from among a clump of Canterlot dignitaries, and jabbed a hoof in the general direction of another group of ponies that skewed much more heavily towards soldiers... and also much more heavily male.
"And there they were! Dozens of them! Hundreds!" Rainbow Dash was shouting from somewhere near the center. "With rotten flesh and viney growths, purple ichor leaking from their shattered barrels! And I fought them all!"
Meanwhile, Shining Armor had somehow gotten himself deep in conversation with Applejack. "Ah dun got no problem with 'em," the farmer was saying. "They've been mighty helpful cleanin' up and haven't been botherin' none a' the townsfolk or causin' any trouble. Dun' even complain when I put a squad of 'em to work replantin' all those saplings them Lunars trampled comin' in."
Her brother flashed Applejack a knowing smile. "Yeah, well, free home-cooked meals will have that sort of effect on soldiers."
"Hey, are you feeling all right?" Fluttershy asked Rainbow Dash as the weathermare pulled away from her crowd of admirers. "I mean, with that gem and everything?"
"Oh, yeah," Dash slipped a scrap of paper containing what appeared to be a cabin number into one of the pockets of her weather-team vest, and extracted in its place a round red stone about the size of a toy marble. "They got one of those surgical tell-oh-whatsits to come in..."
"A surgical teleportation specialist?" Twilight suggested.
"Yeah, uhh, what she said, to come in and zap it right out."
"Now Ah was just gonna suggest prune juice..." Applejack said, "Thinkin' 'bout usin' magic inside a pony just gives me the screamin' willies."
"Nah, I'll take the specialist, thanks. This thing has edges."
"Well, if you're so tough, why didn't you just digest it?" Spike cut in, "Ponies are weird."
"Well, if you really want it..." suddenly, the gem was balanced atop Pinkie Pie's upturned hoof.
Spike waved his claws in a quick warding-off gesture. "Oh, no, no thanks, I know where that thing's been."
A cheer went up from the far rail, as a squad of Landsknecht heavies stepped off an air chariot and onto the deck, clad ears-to-tail in bright golden armor.
"You're really not bringing in the Wonderbolts for this?" Rainbow Dash asked, incredulous. "Nopony cares about those armored jackasses."
Shining's expression remained outwardly unchanged, but Twilight could hear the tension in his voice. "Chief Dash, if you keep making those sorts of racist remarks, I'm not going to be able to include you in the photo shoot."
That shut her up right quick.
"You told me there wouldn't be any cameras," Fluttershy whispered.
Rarity rapped a hoof against Applejack's shoulder. "And you told me you would wear something nice!"
"Ah am wearin'... Ah' mean, Ah even brought mah fancy hat!"
That seemed to mollify the tailor at least a little bit. "Oh, good, the one you're wearing now is looking a mite disheveled..."
The farmer's ears flattened back against her skull. "This is mah fancy hat!"
"Ah. Um... say no more, darling!"
Spike shook his head. "Please!"
"Photo shoot?" Pinkie Pie asked, "I was kind of hoping for the Proceedings of the Royal Academy myself. They keep sending me these really passive-aggressive rejection letters no matter how clearly I explain the Material Plane's harmonic simultaneous four-day time cube..."
She trailed off and the lot of them slid into an easy, companionable silence. The Sun was just beginning to touch the mountainous horizon now, and the first lamps were flickering into activity in the windows of the village below. The Army repair crews must've decided that their work for the day was done, as the only sounds that filtered up to the Dawn's level now were voices, birdcalls, and the occasional pop and crackle of somepony's last few skyrockets. There had been talk early on of a do-over for the whole of the Summer Sun Celebration, but it had seemed... insensitive, somehow, with Princess Luna herself stubbornly clawing her way back to consciousness just a few cabins over and a Rebel battalion camped under guard in the fields below.
"Do you... really think Celestia's gonna get those Lunars off the hook?" Spike finally asked. "I mean, you all heard what she said, right? But how does she actually... do that?"
Twilight had to admit that the dragon had a point. The power structure of Equestria was a lot more centralized than, say, Saddle Arabia's, but it was still first and foremost a nation of laws and procedures. Princess Celestia couldn't just declare a pony exempt from criminal prosecution any more than she could order a pony arrested without charge, and in their brief time in modern Equestria the Lunars had accumulated quite a list of offenses. The truly outrageous ones- the forcible infliction of psychotropic spells, the disruption of vital civil services up to and including the motion of the Sun, and most of the outright assaults- were the direct work of Nightmare Moon and her revenants, it was true, but the Lunar soldiers had still willingly assisted her in unlawfully detaining and generally terrorizing some two thousand Equestrian citizens.
"Well, there was an amnesty, wasn't there?" Fluttershy suggested.
"I think that only applies to what they did during the Rebellions a thousand years ago," said Shining Armor, "It isn't like if your name was written on the thing you were free to commit whatever crimes you wanted for the whole rest of your life... I hope?"
"But Luna wasn't... herself when she did what she did," said Rarity.
"And she's not being accused of anything for precisely that reason," the dragon continued, "But the soldiers who followed Nightmare Moon's orders weren't under any kind of control."
"But they do predate Equestrian law as we know it," said Twilight, "and they had a lot of bad information on what they were going into, and I'm sure some of them didn't understand, and... none of that would excuse what they did, but it'd all need to be addressed, at least, at a trial. And there's two hundred of them to try! By the time we got through half of them, the other half'd've died of old age. There's going to have to be... expediencies made, and if we're being expedient we can really only be expedient on the side of the defendants. I think Celestia can convince the courts of that."
Shining Armor nodded and made a little hmmm noise.
"I'm not sure if I'm okay with that, actually," said Spike, "Even before Nightmare Moon, uhh, happened, well... we mapped a lot of graveyards all over Equestria that Princess Luna helped fill."
"Spike," Twilight knelt down to look him in the eye, "If redemption was only ever made available to ponies who'd never done anything wrong, it wouldn't exactly count for very much, now would it?"
"Well said, Twilight Sparkle!" said Princess Celestia, and the young scholar jumped a little in place. She'd thought Celestia was still down in the ambassadorial quarters.
The others, perhaps anticipating the private topics such a conversation would likely delve into, quietly stepped away. Celestia lowered herself onto her haunches in a single fluid movement, which still left her a little bit taller than Twilight leaning against the railing with her forehooves up on top of it.
The alicorn didn't say anything for a good long while.
Twilight made a few false starts, swallowed hard, and finally managed to ask "So... how's Luna?"
"She fell asleep mid-sentence, I'm afraid," a hint of mirth crept into Celestia's voice. "For once the doctors and I agree that's to be expected of a pony in her situation, and we anticipate she'll wake more and more in the days ahead. Soon enough she'll be strong enough to start physical exercises, and walk again, and eventually... back to normal."
"That's good to hear. As you can imagine, I have a lot of questions I'd like to ask her when she has a little more stamina."
Celestia's violet eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, and the waves of color in her prismatic mane became infinitesimally more turbulent.
"No, no, not like that!" Twilight quickly amended, and laughed nervously, and then continued more softly. "I mean... I feel like I've read so much about Luna from so many different sources that I almost know her, but it's not the same as talking to the real, live pony." (♫)
The faint suggestions of turmoil in Celestia's omnipresent aura stilled. Instead she seemed to lose something ineffable and vitally important. The colors of her mane suddenly seemed faded and worn, even though they remained visually the same as they always had. "No, it's not the same. You translated journals and dug up trenches. You don't remember the smell of sweat and smoke and so, so much newly-dug earth. You never looked at your subjects' hollowed-out faces and... and hollowed-out souls." The fading influence itself faded away, replaced by the brittle brightness of costume jewelry. "Perhaps that's for the best."
Celestia shifted, and seemed about to get up, and Twilight realized with a bit of panic that if she didn't get an answer out of the alicorn now about what she'd unearthed, there was a very real possibility nopony ever would.
"Princess," the scholar began, "when I fought Nightmare Moon in the Everfree, after I drew her away from my friends and before they got back with the Elements, she... talked to me. She said you were behind the prophecy that predicted her arrival. At the time I thought she was just trying to get inside my head, but, really, it's only if she was telling the truth that a lot of the things you did this year make any sense."
"Go on?" Celestia's voice betrayed nothing but idle curiosity. Twilight concluded that even an alicorn couldn't possibly dispose of her on the deck of a crowded airship without ponies asking uncomfortable questions, and then was surprised that she was even considering the possibility.
She continued. "You asked me to create a mathematical model of the spell that would return Nightmare Moon, but lost interest when it became clear that all it needed was an arrival time. That's because you already knew her arrival time, from the prophecy, and with that the model was enough to predict a location, and a mana drain so high that Nightmare Moon would be in no condition to fight after her transition. And that statue containing the prophecy had a modern stealth spell operating on it, and a preservation spell matching your thaumic signature. I... I think you even let me come to Ponyville right before the Celebration, right before Nightmare Moon would arrive, because you thought I'd be less likely to interfere with your preparations here than in Canterlot. You might have even figured the Cairns and so on would keep me busy, and keep me from discovering what was really going on."
"That's all very cleverly deduced, my faithful student. In fact, almost all of it's correct." Celestia's horn glowed a warm gold, and despite the sun still being a good ways off from truly setting the smooth white disc of the Moon rose into visibility over the mountains. Twilight wondered if she'd ever get used to the Mare pattern's disappearance. "But I sense a 'but' coming."
"I found some... documents under the Golden Oaks... the library in town, I mean. A journal by a pony who would later be recorded as one of your less significant early ministers, who described how you... supported the Council of Five Hundred in the Rebellions. Against the Day Guard, which wasn't even your idea at all." Twilight saw Celestia's eyes widen the tiniest fraction at that statement, but kept going. "What I don't understand is, you apparently went to incredible lengths to hide anypony and anything that could've revealed those actions, what... really happened with Luna, and the Rebellion, and all the rest, because there's not a shred of evidence in the official literature. But you left that journal, and the prophecy itself for that matter, out here instead of destroying them or burying them somewhere in secure deep storage behind modern locks. Why send me here, and not off to the old Black-Talon Library in Griffonstone or some other superficially promising site without anything like this left? Why let me talk to Luna?"
Celestia's smile settled somewhere between knowing and wistful. "So you found Clip's journal, did you? I don't know if he'd be glad to finally know where it ended up, or furious that somepony'd dared read it. I for one always suspected the haulers he'd sent had just left it in Ponyville, perhaps because they simply couldn't find his hideaway, but he refused to let me scry for it. Private information, he said."
That was about the last response Twilight had expected. "Wait, wait, no, why would he tell you-" she stammered.
"It would be much easier, for a number of reasons, if I... showed you the information you're missing." Celestia closed her eyes, and lit her horn, and sketched complicated symbols on the deck with her hoof and in the air with the tips of her wings, and muttered foreign-sounding syllables, and a small yellow bubble began to coalesce just in front of the base of her horn.
Twilight recognized the spell. The orb it was producing was a condensed memory- a complete record of a pony's sensory experiences over a certain period of time, precipitated and stabilized for somepony else to relive. The memories were incredibly detailed and impossible to alter or forge, but the spell only worked on a willing subject and even then very rarely. Twilight, like many high-level mages, had experimented with casting it on herself more than a few times in graduate school, but had managed to produce only a brief flash of some inconsequential part of her foalhood on her very first attempt and never gotten it to work again.
Celestia finished the incantation, and the orb floated freely between them, its glow already beginning to dissipate. Twilight stared into it and let it seem to expand until it filled the whole of her vision...
And then she was striding down a corridor in the Canterlot Day Court. She didn't recognize the furniture, and while she recognized the architecture it seemed off for a good few seconds before she realized she was looking at it from twice her usual height.
Celestia's elegant frame felt incredibly strong, her vision and hearing fantastically sharp, and she could smell the stone dust left over from the Court Hall's recent construction in the seams between the segments of the marble floor. The first thing Twilight thought to do was go and explore, but she was merely a passenger inside the Princess's head now. Attempting to turn around or even look in a different direction would only result in a scrawny purple unicorn stumbling around and making a fool of herself a thousand years in the future.
Celestia was headed for a plain wooden door at the end of the hallway, and while the alicorn's thoughts weren't accessible to Twilight the quick pace she set and the rapid pounding in her chest gave the scholar a fairly good idea of her trepidation as she drew ever-closer to it. Nonetheless, draw closer she did, and eased it open with a gold-shod hoof.
There was an office on the other side- a cramped little one with a single wooden desk of the sort a clerk might use, and judging by the way Celestia's gaze now scanned over its neat stacks of parchment and blandly comfortable furniture the Princess had never seen inside of it before. The torches inside were lit, and the solitary window on the wall opposite the door revealed a dark, starry sky.
There were guards in gold armor waiting just behind the door, however, and they startled at Celestia's presence, and one swung a fauchard down an inch from her muzzle. Beyond them, a group of ponies in cloth uniforms and ministers' sashes continued talking with each other, nearly oblivious.
"... if we had the troops available, I would," a light blue earth stallion with a dark blue mane and a neatly trimmed beard was saying in a rough baritone. "but Trot was, if we are being honest, never that economically important. If by letting this... 'Emperor' Incitatus fellow secede peacefully we can guarantee free passage back to Equestria-proper for the ponies who opposed him, then I'm willing to make that sacrifice. Maybe in a few decades they'll realize what a mistake they made, and come back just as peacefully... assuming something doesn't attack them first, since I'm not sure how Incitatus plans to defend his... country without the Equestrian Army garrison..." The stallion finally seemed to notice Celestia and the guards, and sighed and rolled his eyes. "I suppose you might as well give us the room. I'll come and get you when this is done."
Celestia stood aside to let the others file out, leaving just the stallion and his guards. It was only then that Twilight noticed the pronounced dip in his upper back and the faint, thin old scar that traced across the sheaf of papers on his left flank- this, at long last, was the notorious Paper Clip. He was younger than she'd expected, perhaps thirty or forty, and although of impressively large stature far more pudgy than fit. Just like his comrades he wore a black cloth ministerial sash, although his seemed devoid of any rank whatsoever.
He gave a curt nod and the polearm in front of Celestia's face was removed. "Well?" he asked, yellow eyes narrowing.
Twilight could feel Celestia's mouth open, but the Princess seemed unable to immediately form words. The stallion sitting at the desk across from her circled his hooves in a quick little 'go on' motion.
Then Celestia's golden sabatons became visible in front of her as she sank into a deep, long bow. Twilight was surprised by that, and then surprised that she was surprised. Celestia bowed to her staff and subjects all the time in her era, but here it seemed somehow incongruous. "We are... no... I'm sorry."
That got his attention. "You're... sorry?"
Twilight couldn't feel what Celestia was feeling, but she could see the tears clouding her borrowed eyes more than well enough. "I'm sorry I hauled you up in front of that ridiculous Council hearing when I should've been giving you my blessing to take whatever measures were necessary to safeguard the livelihood of the common pony. I'm sorry I wasn't there to organize the Day Guard myself, I'm sorry I wasn't fighting alongside them from the very beginning, I'm... sorry I let those Councilors live as long as they did!"
Paper Clip pulled in a big barrelfull of air and then let it out slowly, his eyes sliding momentarily half-closed. "Well, the thing is you're... not really mine to forgive." He plucked another scroll from the basket beside him and smoothed it out with his hooves. "Head back to Everfree and dig up some of the ponies we had to leave behind in the Fall... the ponies who never made it far enough to see the Fall. Maybe they'll forgive you."
Celestia stood up, then, and made a few steps towards the desk. "I'm not... asking for forgiveness, because I know there can be none. I suppose I'm just stating a fact. I did wrong by my subjects, and I... need your help to make sure that never happens again. I owe So-" Twilight felt a word taking shape in Celestia's throat, but it never materialized. "I owe everypony that much, at the very least."
"You want me, General Secretary of the Equestrian Provisional Government, to help you," Paper Clip asked, incredulous.
"I need you to help me."
"Was that an order, Princess?"
"I want you to have me... what's the term, read in on how you make decisions. And..." Celestia's gold-shod hooves shifted minutely beneath her, "I'm... I'm not going to sign any more of your decrees until you do!"
The pony behind the desk leaned forward, his plain, chubby features suddenly taking on a predatory appearance that suited him surprisingly well. "Was that a threat?"
"If that's what it takes."
"You think you can threaten me?" Very suddenly, he smiled, and nodded. "Didn't know you had it in you!" He waved a hoof, and the guards returned to their posts. Even with Celestia's senses, Twilight hadn't even been aware they'd come up behind her and brandished their weapons. "I want you to understand one thing, though. This won't be like it was under the Council. Power means responsibility now, and if you don't do right by the ponies of Equestria, you'll have to face up to the consequences."
Celestia's head tipped downward, although she didn't make a full bow this time. With the aid of his chair, Paper Clip ended up more or less on her level. "I'd expect nothing less. I know you don't trust me right now. I wouldn't trust me either. I know I have a lot to learn and a lot to prove, and that's going to take time, but... if you'll teach me..."
The minister scratched at his short little beard. "You make a surprisingly compact and well-reasoned argument. Guards!" he shouted, quite suddenly, "Arrest this highly-intelligent changeling and find out what happened to the real Celestia!"
There was a long, uncomfortable moment where Twilight felt Celestia's entire frame tense- although in preparation for doing what, the scholar had no idea. Then Paper Clip chuckled, briefly, and then Celestia laughed and after that the guards laughed as well. (♫)
The minister motioned to one of the ratty little cushions that surrounded his desk, and Celestia sat down without a word. "I think we can make this work in a way that's helpful not just to the both of us, but to Equestria as a whole. But I need you to promise me something."
"Anything."
"All the work we've done has your signature on it. I'd like to keep it that way, and I don't want your sudden turn of good sense to extend to telling anypony what was really going on. The majority of Equestria... just isn't ready yet to accept the Lunars, or a lot of their ideas, and I don't know if we ever will be. There'd only be more bloodshed if the public knew."
"Then..." a gold-shot hoof pressed against the fur just below Celestia's neckpiece. This was the first time since the memory had begun that the princess had bothered to look at her own chest, and Twilight was surprised to discover that the torc appeared nearly identical to its modern version. "By the light of the Unconquered Sun, I do so swear."
"Good." Paper Clip seemed to have decided he'd had enough with the scroll in front of him, and rolled it up again and tossed it in another basket. "Come morning I'll summon the others and brief them about this. They follow my lead on a lot of issues, but ultimately we make decisions by consensus." His expression turned grave. "I'll speak on your behalf, but they still may not be willing to accept you."
"Then I ask only that they give me a reason why I'm not worthy of their secrets," said Celestia, "so that I can someday, hopefully, do better."
Paper Clip's smile returned. "With an attitude like that... I think you'll do fine. Now go on, get out of my office." His tone was sharp, but there was a newfound warmth behind it. "Got work to do."
Celestia stood, and turned to leave, but then stopped in front of the solitary window. The Moon outside shone across a Canterlot Castle district that Twilight found eerily familiar despite currently being made more of scaffolding than stone- the Halls of the Day Court, the Guard academy at Hurricane's Green, and some of the earliest buildings of the Royal Academy of Magic were already starting to take on recognizable shapes in its soft white light. "Do you think she's... really up there?" the Princess asked.
"How in Tartarus would I know?"
Silence fell. Woodpeckers called to one another around the mountain spring that would centuries from now become the reflecting pool of the Prince Saturnine Memorial.
"I've been hiring diviners," Celestia finally said. "To try to find out more about what happened."
"Not out of civic funds, I hope!"
"No, no, then you would've found out about it and stopped me."
"That's... surprisingly clever of you."
"They're making good progress, I think. It's hard to say, everything about... all of it... is so strange. I still can't get answers to the simplest questions, at least not ones that make any sense, but... every day, our methods improve."
"You, uhh... you keep at that." There was a brief pause when Celestia's head turned back to the pony at the desk, and her ears turned back against her skull. "No, no, I'm serious!" he amended, "Wish I'd thought of the idea myself. I you ever need any... any resources, or information, or something, don't hesitate to talk to me."
"I'll keep that in mind." Celestia turned away from the moon and back towards the door, and blinked quickly a few times, and Twilight expected to see more tears but there were none. "Good night, Mister Secretary."
"Good night... Your Grace."
Celestia strode out of the office with her head held high, and the vision started to fade out and blur around the edges, and Twilight Sparkle was back in the body of a scrawny purple unicorn again.
"I... think I'm starting to see," she said, "You weren't trying to protect yourself, you... and Paper Clip... you were trying to protect the Lunars, at least at first. That's why you never told anypony about the Cairns, and kept up the fiction that you were the only one responsible for the reunification of Equestria."
Off in the big field to the East, the indigo-clad figures of the over two-hundred-strong Lunar survivors were falling into formation. They had been permitted to keep their armor and personal effects, and had not been fitted with any restraints, and they marched out in good order with their heads held high to board the troopships that would take them to a temporary holding facility at Fillydelphia Harbor. Even from this altitude Twilight could hear their voices raised in a strange, wistful sort of half-harmony utterly unlike how they had sounded during the siege of the Town Hall.
The times we live in now have changed, honor is long gone
And now that good and evil are shades of gray a cruel impasse is drawn
For all the good we have created it doesn't make us right,
"But those of us who hide in darkness seek a different kind of light," the scholar finished, then gasped slightly as she realized she wasn't the only one who had spoken. Princess Celestia smiled at the surprised look she must've spotted on Twilight's face, but then her levity faded away.
"That's how it started, at least, but over the centuries... when everypony else who remembered was dead, and the ponies who came after them taught that lie in our schools, carved it into our statues and wrote it into our novels, I... suppose it just became more comfortable than the truth. I told myself so many times that next year, when things were calmer, I'd assemble a tribunal and testify to all of it, but there was always a whisper campaign that didn't need fanning, or an unpopular law that needed to pass, and almost before I knew it my time had nearly run out."
Twilight leaned against the railing and thought about that for a while. She'd been expecting some grand conspiracy, but to hear the Princess tell it first-hoof the whole thing seemed so incredibly... mortal.
"I found copies of the prophecy, didn't I?" the scholar finally asked. "Ones that you didn't know about. One of the diviners you worked with must've been a Lunar sympathizer, or known a Lunar sympathizer, and the text got smuggled out of Canterlot and hidden in that statue. Then the Lunar fled to Griffonia, or maybe one of General Gul's spies got involved, or really any number of things could have happened so that by the beginning of the Seventh Century a Griffish translation of the thing was left somewhere for Mist Watcher to find."
Celestia nodded. "It's ironic, I suppose. I must've visited that statue a dozen times to renew the spell on it, and never once did I consider that what was inside that compartment was anything more dangerous than a supply cache. I knew there was one of those in Ponyville, and that Paper Clip had taken it over, but I always supposed the statue was the entrance and there was nothing... incriminating left inside. When I sent you here I did hope you'd find it, though, and publish something so you didn't think your work was completely wasted."
The Dawn was being allowed to drift essentially without power, its captain more or less content to keep it in the general area of Ponyville. From her position on the port rail Twilight could see the orderly rows of Sweet Apple Acres and, beyond that, the glow of high-powered crystal lamps surrounding the open Cairn. There was to be a proper excavation conducted by the Royal Academy, and two of the department's most respected archeologists were currently jockeying for her approval to oversee it. Both were currently accusing the other of altering the letter they'd jointly published in last month's Epigraphical Review to call Twilight's analysis of the Luna Bay fragment 'alarmist pseudohistory'; she had already decided she would be much better off with a member of the junior faculty in charge.
Once that work was completed, the bodies inside the Cairn would be transferred to Canterlot and reinterred in one of the military cemeteries there- after all, the structure wasn't a tomb and had never been intended as such. How much of the local Rich dynasty's fortune could then be confiscated as the proceeds of a robbery that may have cost up to thirty-six ponies their lives would be up to the courts.
"Were you ever going to tell me?" Twilight finally asked Celestia.
"Once my sister had been... subdued, I planned to negotiate with her and together we would coordinate a more peaceful return, and then a gradual disclosure. I never anticipated... anything like this. Paper Clip never did figure out that her soldiers were merely hibernating, or that what came back from the Moon would..." Celestia paused, and shuddered ever so slightly, "not be my sister. I ask only that you don't confuse my ignorance of the threat Equestria faced for a lack of concern... although, ultimately, that's hardly better. If it hadn't been for your actions, Twilight Sparkle, Luna and quite a lot of other ponies wouldn't be here right now."
Twilight shook her head. "Paper Clip and his cabal lived in an era where psychology, physiology, necromancy and astrolimnology were all barely scientific disciplines. There's no way they could have identified-"
"You're completely right, of course. But I'm leading Equestria now, and I have no excuse to repeat their mistakes any more than I had excuse to follow that ridiculous Council." She tapped a hoof once against the deckplates, producing a loud ringing sound that Twilight suspected was more magical than material. "That ends today."
For a little while, nothing happened. They were passing over the outer sections of the Everfree now, pitch-dark even though the sun still hadn't quite set. It was a fine, clear evening, and with a moderately-strong spyglass Twilight would probably still have been able to just about make out the crumbling spires of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The theories that the Fall of Everfree had somehow been the work of the Lunar rebels, or of the Elements themselves -theories that had dominated academia for the entire time Twilight Sparkle had been alive- were looking decidedly untenable now; Spike said there were already pamphlets circulating in the more superstitious parts of society reviving the older claims of direct punishment by this god or that. Twilight had her doubts about those, of course, but she didn't exactly have a ready explanation at hoof either. She wasn't worried. They could come back to the Castle in good time, now that they knew how to find the way to it, armed with better equipment and a clearer perspective, and plumb its secrets with no need to hide in its shadows.
A soft little cough from Celestia informed Twilight that she'd been woolgathering again, and the scholar turned around to encounter a pair of stocky Royal Guards carrying a golden metal box about half Twilight's size, between a pair of poles clipped to their armor like a stretcher. They nodded at Celestia in perfect synchrony, knelt until the box was resting on the deck, unfastened it from their armor, and stepped aside. The Princess fiddled with the complicated-looking lock on the front of it for a few seconds, and with a great deal of clicking gearwork and fizzling enchantments the top detached and levered open on perfectly oiled hinges.
It looked to be the single most physically and magically reinforced object Twilight Sparkle had ever seen, and was plastered with warnings describing any number of downright grisly things it could do to ponies not duly authorized to interact with it, so she was initially leery of even approaching it. After a few seconds, though, Celestia nodded, and motioned with one hoof, and the scholar stepped forward and looked inside. The case was filled with paper- blueprints and ledgers and dozens upon dozens of thin black-leather journals, and when Twilight added the light of her horn to the rapidly-fading sun she realized she recognized a great deal of the mouthwriting.
"You asked why I didn't lock away the history of the Lunar Rebellions somewhere deep under Canterlot, behind modern walls with modern locks, Twilight?" said Celestia, "In fact I did exactly that. This is everything our... cabal, as you put it, managed not to misplace. I want you to analyze it, annotate it, summarize it, and then present it to Equestria at large."
Twilight had to restrain herself from physically reeling backward. "But... Your Grace... this can't... you can't seriously..."
"I am entirely serious, Twilight. Equestria deserves the truth, and I want you to help me tell it. I can't explain everything, simply because a thousand years of information can't fit in one mare's lifetime, and there are questions I don't have the answers to and answers that aren't mine to give. But if you ask me anything, if it's in my power I will give you an honest and complete explanation."
The troopships had raised their gangplanks and begun gaining altitude; now they set off with a whir of propellers to ferry the Lunar survivors to Fillydelphia Harbor and from there... who knew? Twilight watched as they crossed in front of where Canterlot perched on the mountainside, the better part of a hundred kilometers to the North, the sunset painting its marble spires with molten iron. Far beyond that out of sight, Twilight knew, were the weatherworks of Cloudsdale and the oat-mills of Chicoltgo and the steelyards of Bayjing, and a dozen other cities that fueled the industrial might of Equestria. She'd spent her entire life in a bustling empire of rail and alchemical flame that was the envy of the Known World, and only now did it dawn on Twilight Sparkle that save for the actions of a very few ponies a very long time ago, the intervening thousand years might have been spent very, very differently.
A gold-shod hoof tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Well?"
Twilight swallowed hard and looked back to the pony who had, for better or worse, seen all of it take shape. "What are the Elements of Harmony?"
"I really don't know. Ponies just... found them, buried, one day, during work on an expansion of the original Council Hall, and brought them to my sister and me. I know that they're immensely powerful, and extremely dangerous, and that a single pony can indeed use all six at once, but that way courts calamity. When I used them against Lu- against Nightmare Moon, deep down I suppose I... was frustrated, and tired, and this war of hers had been going on far too long, and I... just wanted her gone, back to wherever she'd come from. And so the Elements fulfilled that request as best they could." The alicorn blinked back tears that shone with a prismatic brilliance all their own. "After that I could never get them to operate again, and when Paper Clip said they'd been left behind in Everfree I figured it was best just to forget about them. Until you used them, I thought they would never work without Luna. Now it seems the problem lay with me and not the artifacts... which is also something I should have realized a long time ago."
"What eventually happened to Paper Clip?"
"He and I worked together for... maybe twenty years in Canterlot. Then he stepped down, and spent another eighteen teaching engineering at the Miner's Guild back in Frankpferd. Then he... well, died, peacefully, in his sleep, an obscure civil servant history never bothered with. He wouldn't have had it any other way."
The glow of the setting Sun finally disappeared completely from the sky over the mountains, leaving only the pale blue-gray light of the unblemished Moon and millions of tiny, iridescent stars. Nestled in the shadows and surrounded by mountains, the lights of Ponyville reminded Twilight of a bowl full of fireflies, or perhaps gems set in an arched ceiling of heavy black stone.
"Celestia, do you know... anything at all about Nightmare Moon?"
"You know exactly as much about her as I do, Twilight. Possibly more. Maybe you'll find some answers in the other old Lunar sites-Sol Invictus knows you're quite adept at discovering things I've repeatedly missed- or with that mathematical model of yours now that it's finally completed. You are free to use whatever materials and methods you see fit in that study, save any tests that might possibly harm my sister."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Something else was puzzling Twilight now. Something usually was, these days, and she didn't expect that to change any time soon, but this wasn't as concrete as a flawed spell model. She was awake, alive, clean and well-fed. A year or more of work had finally been vindicated in the most spectacular fashion imaginable, and her detractors had been silenced- Tartarus, some of her detractors were currently falling over each other to try to become her subordinates. She had been given the opportunity to literally rewrite the history books on perhaps Equestria's most important era. She'd saved all of Equestria from eternal darkness, literal and figurative, and in the process given some two-hundred-odd souls -Princess Luna by no means the least among them- a chance to step out from Nightmare Moon's shadow. And yet...
"Why so glum, my faithful student?" Princess Celestia asked, as though she was reading Twilight's thoughts. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"
"That's just it. I've been... thinking," Twilight stammered in reply.
The alicorn's mouth turned up at the corners. "Well that's always an ominous sign!"
"Everything we have on the Lunar Rebellions, and Paper Clip, and the Council, and everything else I'm charged with annotating, is either in that box or buried somewhere around Ponyville, isn't it?"
"Yes..."
"And with my new security clearance, I can work on analyzing it basically anywhere there's a firelink to the Canterlot Library and a space to keep my notes, right?"
"I suppose so."
"And if we're going to make any headway on determining what exactly this 'Nightmare' entity actually is or where it came from, and how it relates to the Elements of Harmony, and what actually happened during the fall of Everfree, we're going to need a long-term research and exploration presence near the Lunar ruins in and around Ponyville..."
"That's a very reasonable assumption."
"... and somepony's going to have to oversee that operation and make sure it doesn't endanger or inconvenience the townsponies..."
"Indeed."
"... and this whole project has, from the very beginning, been my idea..."
"Well, yes. I can take some credit, but not for the parts that succeeded."
"And, in case we ever do need to use them again, it makes sense to have all six ponies demonstrated to be capable of using the Elements of Harmony close at hoof..."
"A fair assessment."
"... and that library I've been living out of doesn't really have anypony currently using the loft inside it..."
"Mmmhmm?"
"Do you think it'd be possible for me to... stay here? In Ponyville? Long-term, I mean."
"I think I could arrange something like that. Spike, take a message..." |
Independence Eternal | pre | -Dusty
Fluttershy just about tears the notes to pieces, but instead she goes to find a pencil and writes a note back on the same page.
I'm done being nice.
-Fluttershy
Then she hefts up the basket of apples, kicks open the front door and chucks them outside, spilling them across the street. She throws the note out after them, slams the door, and storms off to bed. |
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