//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Back Home // Story: Chaotic Harmony: Do Over // by shirotora //------------------------------// We were standing there frozen for half an hour before Twilight came up and found us. As soon as she broke the spell, Shining declared the place a crime scene and We were all taken in for questioning. As far as I knew, none of us were suspected of colluding with the pale mare, they just needed as much information as possible. After all, that mare was a known and trusted member of Canterlot University archaeology department. Hell, Jynx invited her to her birthday party. The fact that she seemingly betrayed them was a shock to everyone. Most insisted it had to be a changeling. Needless to say, that was the theory Shining Armor thought was the most likely. The rest of the afternoon was spent in the palace. I found a library and decided to read for a while. I found an interesting book about a mare that built a submarine because she wanted to find the lost seapony civilization. I had just finished a scene with a rather thrilling escape from a school of obsidian sharks when I heard someone stumble in. I looked up to see Cedric fall through the door. “You alright?” I asked. He looked up, clearing his throat in embarrassment. “Yeah, I’m just still getting used to... these.” He waved a hoof at me. I winced. “Yeah, Ah can’t imagine it’s easy. Ah was lucky enough to keep mah fingers. Still, you got wings, so that’s somethin’. Plus, Ah’ve seen pegasi usin’ their feathers like fingers, so given some time and practice and you’ll come out with more than you lost.” “Somehow, I doubt that,” he said. “I heard something happened.” I looked up, cocking a brow. “Word travels fast. Especially when it’s not supposed to travel at all.” “Was that supposed to be top secret, or something?” he asked. “No, but Prince Armor did ask us not to just go blabbin’ about it,” I said. “Let’s just say someone stole some things that could be dangerous.” “Oh...” he said, and descended into an awkward silence. I waited for him to say what he was obviously wanting to say, but after a minute or two of silence I just started, “I won’t bite.” He winced at that. “I’m not usually this... I just...” He took a breath. “This really is real, isn’t it?” I nodded. “Yeah. As crazy and impossible as it seems, it is.” He sat there for a while before speaking again. “I was getting married. Spring.” I sat silently, letting him say whatever he had to. “What’s she going to thin when she finds out I vanished off the face of the Earth?” He looked to me, as if waiting for an answer, so I gave him one. “She’ll be upset and worried. Likely, she’ll lose sleep, wondering, waiting for a call. Eventually, you’ll be declared dead and she’ll mourne. She’ll cry, at your funeral, and feel like a piece of her was lost.” He gave me a flat look. “You’re not very good at this, are you?” “But,” I continued. “Then, she’ll move on. She’ll remember you fondly, and keep the time you shared in her heart. Maybe she’ll find another to love and get married, but she’ll always remember you. “I suggest you do the same. Mourne your old life. Be sad and let it all out, and then try to move on. It won’t be easy, but there are plenty of folks here that have been through the same and will be here for you.” He sat there, thinking for a while. Eventually, he gave a small smile and said, “Thanks.” “No problem.” The next day found us on the train home, and me more than a little upset. With the theft, Shining Armor ordered the Crystal Spire resealed. Of course, that meant there was nothing more for Jynx to do there, so we headed home early.  Cadence let us use her personal car. It was surprisingly not as luxurious as I expected. There were nice, plush couches, one of which Jynx and I were resting on, a minibar, and a few bottles of liquor. Of course, I didn’t really care about all that. I wanted to stay and try to help figure out what actually happened, but since I wasn’t a guard, I was denied. “Ah swear, if Ah ever see that mare, Am’m gonna do very ungentlemanly things to her,” I grumbled. “And I’d be glad to help but until then there’s nothing we can do,” Jynx said. “So let’s just be happy they let me take a few things.” After everyone was questioned, and the search canceled, a couple of the researchers that were considered trustworthy enough were allowed to take a few things that were recovered for further research. Jynx was one of them. She had a whole case of artefacts being shipped to her apartment in Ponyville. Sadly, the bracers weren’t included. She just didn’t have the necessary tools for those. Still, I was promised that if any survive the testing and they weren’t a danger, they would ship me one or two after they finish.  I don’t know why I wanted them so bad. Maybe it was just the D&D nerd in me wanting the cool enchanted loot. “Why would she do that, though?” I asked. “I mean, she was a well respected member of the science community. She had friends and family. Why throw it all away for a few old books and a dagger?” “Whatever they are, she must have thought they were worth more than everything else,” Jynx said. “What worries me was that she knew exactly what she was looking for, despite that room having been sealed for over a thousand years.” “You really think she was a member of a Kronos Cult?” I asked. That was the dominant theory, amongst both the scholars and the guard. “I can’t imagine someone like her doing what she did otherwise,” Jynx replied. It made the most sense, but at the same time, if she was she hid it remarcably well. Not even her husband, foals, or girlfriend knew. “Could it have not been her?” I asked. “Maybe a changeling, or a shapeshifting spell? Mind control?” “Posible, but unlikely,” Jynx said. “We were all scanned for shapeshifting and mind magic.” “But what about a changeling?” I asked. “I read somewhere that their shape shifting isn’t detectable by any known means.” “Changelings use mind magic to ensure any inconsistencies in behavior are ignored or justified,” she explained. “While it’s possible a changeling just studied her so well that they could mimic her perfectly, it’s highly unlikely.” I sighed and slumped on the seat. “I just wish I knew what was going through that mare’s head.” Jynx slid up closer to me and said, “Well, I don’t know what was going through her head, but you want to know what’s going through mine?” I looked up at her, curiously. She gave me a sexy stare. “We have the entire car to ourselves and we never finished our date.” I blinked, taking a second to realize what she meant. “Oh! Oh...” A smile crossed my face. Jynx climbed on top of me and leaned in for a kiss. We made it home the next morning where we were met with a small welcoming committee. “Welcome home!” Pinkie shouted, firing off her party cannon and rushing in for a hug. “Oh, you smell like you had some fun.” I felt my cheeks heat up. “Pinkie, have some tact, dear,” Rarity said as she moved in for the next hug. “So, does this mean Jynx is the one you were asking about courtship advice for?” “Aww,” Jynx cood. “You asked Rarity for advice to ask me out? That’s so sweet.” She followed with a peck on the cheek. “Well, Ah just didn’t want to stick my foot in mah mouth,” I said. “You’re a cool lady, and Ah want to get to know you.” She gave me the bedroom eyes. “Oh, we got to know each other, alright.” “Nice,” Rainbow said with a smirk. “Told ya he was pretty good.” “Oh, it was pretty awesome,” Jynx agreed. Rainbow laughed. “Right?! The way those little bumps rub your-” “Rainbow, darling, please,” Rarity interrupted. “This is not an appropriate topic for so public a place... So let’s hurry and get inside so I can hear all the juicy details.” I just rolled my eyes at that. I should have expected something like that from her. “You know, I’m sure he’d give you a more... practical demonstration, if you asked,” Jynx said, giving me a smirk. “Not right now, Ah can’t,” I said. “Or did you forget who’s comin’?” “Who’s coming?” Pinkie asked. “Do I know them?” “Well, seeing as they just crossed over two days ago, no,” I said. “New friend!” Pinkie cheered, pumping a hoof and jumping for joy. “What are they like? Are they a pony? Where are they from? What kind of food do they like? Are they a boy or a girl? What do they-” “Pinkie!” I interrupted. “Calm down. Ah don’t know much about them, seein’ as they only just got here, but yes, he’s a pony. Specifically, he’s a crystal pegasus.” “Did you say, ‘crystal pegasus’?” Rarity asked. “As in, the long extinct tribe that was wiped out by Sombra?” “Eeyup,” I replied. “He popped up in mah room.” “Well, I must say that’s quite the coincidence,” Rarity said. “No kidding,” Rainbow said. “A terran showing up as a dead race in the room of another terran that showed up as a dead race? Are we sure none of the gods can affect the displacing?” “Not according to the princesses,” Jynx said. “Though, now, I have to wonder if there is some intelligent force that can.” “We can unlock the secrets of the multiverse tomorrow,” Pinkie said with her usual jubilance. “Right now, we have a new friend to prepare for!” “Ah agree,” I said. “Ah already offered to let him stay with me for a bit, so Ah need to get a few things for him. First thing first, Rarity, can you get the usual welcome stuff ready?” “Of course. That won’t take but half an hour,” Rarity replied. “When can we be expecting him.” “He’ll be in on the next train,” Jynx answered. “He still had a few basic medical tests to go through. Shining Armor’s going to be escorting him. Said he wanted to see Twilight, anyway. Don’t tell her, though. He wants to surprise her.” “Anyway, Ah gotta get goin’,” I said. “Ah was wantin’ to see Fluttershy before anythin’ else. Gotta get Poe and see what’s been hapenin’ as far as monsters.” I bid them farewell and made my way toward the cottage on the edge of the Everfree. After a brief walk, full of greetings and well wishes from folks I knew, I arrived at my destination. It was a little before noon, so I didn’t bother trying to knock. I just went around the house to find Fluttershy tending to her garden. “Mornin’, Miss Shy,” I greeted. Fluttershy looked up and smiled. “And good morning to you, too, Mister Tora. I’m sorry your trip was cut short. Do they know anything about the thief, yet?” “Nothin’ conclusive,” I said. “How have things been around here?” “Well, Mister Willow was attacked by timber wolves,” she replied. “We managed to drive them off, my animal friends, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, and got Mister Willow to the hospital. They couldn’t save his leg, but he’ll live.” “Damn,” I hissed. “Ah swear, Ah’m gonna wipe out every last one of those bastards.” “Don’t you even dare think that, mister,” Fluttershy scolded. “Timber wolves may be nasty, dangerous creatures but they’re still living things and are a natural part of the Everfree ecosystem.” I sighed. “Ah know. Ah just hate how violent they are.” “Well, they aren’t usually as active as they have been,” Fluttershy said. “I wonder if something’s pushing them out?” “Ah hope not,” I said. “They’re bad enough, but somethin’ chasin’ them outta the forest would have to be pretty bad.” “I’ll send a letter to the Ranger office in Canterlot,” she said. “Now, I take it you’re here for Poe?” “Ah am,” I said. The caw of my pet raven drew my attention above, to where he sat on a branch nearby. “Hey, buddy,” I said. “You have fun hangin’ out with all your old friends? Were you good for Fluttershy?” “Oh, he was an angel,” Fluttershy assured. “He even helped with the tiber wolves.” “Oh, yeah? Well, Ah think that calls for a treat,” I said. “How about some nice fish guts?” Poe caws, bouncing happily. “I think that’s a ‘yes, please’,” Fluttershy said with a giggle. “Alright then, let’s get goin’,” I said. “Hey, Flutters, you should come on over later. Ah’m gonna be cookin’ or a new house guest and Ah’d like you to meet him.” Fluttershy thought for a minute. “I should be able to make it.” “Great, see you there.”