//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Medical Mysteries // Story: The Descendants // by Gherkin //------------------------------// Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. ~ Khalil Gibran Canterlot Castle, Equestria 20th May 1002 C.R. 08:30 PM Goddess of the sun, Princess Celestia, sat in her private study, quietly going over some of her notes and journals from years gone by. The day was drawing to a close, but no news had come back from Appleloosa concerning their new guests. Sighing, she levitated a particular sheet of paper from the pile, reading it to herself softly. "We had a few new initiates into my School for Gifted Unicorns today. One exceptionally talented young filly caught my eye; the youngest member of the Sparkle family. Her raw magical talent surprised me, for I have not seen such power demonstrated for a very long time. I accepted her into the academy, and am also considering taking her in as my personal student." She smiled, remembering the event. She always had a small notion in the back of her mind that Twilight would have some sort of connection to the Nightmare Moon prophecy and the Elements of Harmony, and she was glad that she was right. However, now she had more important matters to deal with. She floated the old journal entry back into its place, and opened up a small filing cabinet, before levitating four files onto the desk. There was a small knock on the door. The white alicorn turned around to see her younger sister enter the room, magically floating two mugs alongside her. “Good evening, sister.” Luna greeted her sibling. “I made us both some tea.” “Thank you, Luna,” Celestia replied softly, enveloping the second mug with her own magical aura and floating it to her lips. It was still scalding, so she set it down on the desk, before returning to her business. Her sister, however, was curious. “So, what are you up to, Tia?” the night princess asked, trotting over behind her. “Just going over some files,” Celestia told her, quickly trying to levitate the four files she had brought out previously back into the filing cabinet. Unfortunately for her, Luna took them from her with her own magic before she had the chance. There was a short silence as the younger alicorn read through the file. “Celestia... what is this?” She finally asked, uncertainty in her voice, before reading aloud. “‘Drake, 2009, Male. Inherently lucky, as well as proficient with an assortment of weapons.’ Do you have files on all four of the humans?” The sun goddess looked away, before slowly nodding. Her sister proceeded to look through the file cabinet, pulling out a few random files and reading through them. “And how many more humans have you been keeping tabs on? To see if they are worthy of our cause?” She floated a number of articles in front of her, reading from all of them. “Jensen, 2027. Kenway, 1773. Denton, 2052. MacTavish, 2016. Phelps, 1947. Mills, 2008." She turned to her sister in anger. “How many more, sister? How many more humans have you been keeping tabs on, watching over their lives, to see if they can help us?” Celestia looked back to her younger sister, who bore an expression not of anger, but of disappointment. “However many are in that filing cabinet. I’ve... lost count.” The goddess of the night thought for a moment. "So, how long? How long have you been observing these exceptional humans? You obviously knew the situation we find ourselves in now was coming." "I have cast the spell to view their universe periodically over the last few decades. After all, it's obviously very draining." There was another few moments of silence as they both dwelled on the situation. Luna was the first to break it. “You really don’t think we can do this by ourselves, do you? Even with the Elements of Harmony?” Celestia shook her head. “No. They have become too powerful. Even now, as they float in space miles above us, they are still watching, and waiting. They know about the Elements. I can only hope they haven’t found out about the humans.” The princess of the night sighed. “And only those four can help?” “They’re the only ones with the highest amount of First Civilization genes. The ones you mentioned before have it, some more than others, but it is not as concentrated.” Princess Luna nodded in agreement. "I see your reasoning for this, sister. You only want to make sure our little ponies will be safe. But what if they discover this? It is likely to make them wary of us." Celestia stood up, putting the files back in the filing cabinet. "Well, we'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, won't we, little sister?" Smiling, she made her way towards the door. "Now, I think it's best we call it a night." Luna nodded. "Of course." She trotted past her older sister. "Goodnight, Tia." "Goodnight, Luna." Celestia smiled warmly at the night goddess, before turning off the light. *** Appleloosa, The following morning... Still reeling from the aftertaste of the foul coffee in his mouth, Nathan Drake trotted down the main street of Appleloosa. A harsh wind blew through the town, picking up sand and throwing it in all directions. Squinting, Nate covered his snout with his blue and white patterned scarf, sighing with relief as sand stopped clogging up his nostrils and finding its way into his mouth. The long piece of fabric was actually quite useful, and Drake made a mental note to pick one up sometime when he got back to his own world. If he ever got back to his own world. He was making his way towards Braeburn Apple’s farm, where his newfound friends had apparently stayed the night. Just as he reached the borders of the town, however, he realized he had absolutely no idea where that was. Groaning, he turned around and walked back towards the saloon. Reaching the Salt Block, he stepped past two working ponies trying to install a new window on the building’s front facade and made his way inside. The place was next to deserted, with only a few lonely stallions slumped in the darker corners of the room, kept company by a dozen or so empty bottles. The bartender noticed the fortune hunter as he trotted towards the bar. “Morning, mister!” he greeted him cheerily. “What can I do you for?” “Uh, do you know where Braeburn’s farm is?” Nate asked, moving his scarf away from his mouth. “Sure do, mister. Just over the ridge on the far north side of town. There’s a path leading through there. You can’t miss it,” the bartender answered, his voice muffled through his bushy moustache. “You sure you don’t want anything to drink?” Nate chuckled. “No, I’m fine, thanks. Slow day, huh?” The bartender smiled, turning his attention to cleaning his shot glasses. “Yeah, I suppose. It’s still early though, and I reckon by midday this place will be full of thirsty ponies lookin’ to escape the heat.” Drake nodded, turning to leave. “Yeah, well, you have a nice day.” “You too mister. See y’all around.” Nate trotted towards the door, before the bartender addressed him again. "Actually, come to think of it, I do need a favour doing, if it ain't too much trouble. It won't take long." Drake checked the watch on his left forehoof, before nodding. "Sure, I got some spare time." The bartender ushered him closer. "I just got a bar tab that I need collecting." "Bar tab? Alright, who from?" "Stallion, goes by the name of 'Salty'. You see him, and it should be obvious why," the earth pony explained. "He owes me fifty bits, and hangs around near the general store. Get it for me, and I'll make it worth you while." Drake nodded. "Okay, you got it. Yawning, Nathan stepped back out into the sandstorm, pushing his scarf back up against his snout. The storm had calmed down a little, but the pegasus could still only see a few feet in front of him. “Great,” he muttered grumpily, before trudging north through the town, squinting to keep sand out of his eyes. There was nopony to be seen, and with good reason. Nate had seen his fair share of deserts and sandstorms in his time, but this one was harsher than any he had ever seen. It was a challenge just to make his way north through town towards the goods store. Once he arrived, he stepped up onto the porch to see a dark brown aging earth pony snoozing on the ground, his eyes shielded by a withered old straw hat. "Excuse me?" Nate called out. "Salty?" The older stallion jerked awake and glanced around, before looking up at Nate. There were large bags under his eyes, and he look famished. Judging by the abundance of discarded wrappers and bottles around him, as well as a sodden mattress to the side of the store, he obviously didn't have a place to stay. "Wha... Who are you? What can I do for you, sonny?" Nate couldn't help but feel slightly pitiful for the downtrodden stallion. "Uh, the owner of the Salt Block sent me. Something about a bar tab?" Salty's face dropped. "Aw, it's those fifty bits that I owe him, ain't it? I only have twenty, but take it anyway." He started to fumble through a dusty saddlebag next to him. Quickly, Drake dived into his own, pulling out two bags of money. He had split all of his coins into bags of fifty each, to make sorting easier. "No, don't worry about it," he said, thrusting the bags into the elderly stallion's hooves. "I'll take care of it. Take these, and put them to good use." He trotted away, leaving Salty speechless. The bartender looked up and smiled when the pegasus re-entered the saloon. "Hello, mister!" he exclaimed. "Did you get the money?" "Here," Drake told him, dropping another bag of his own bits on the bar. "Consider his debt paid." He went to leave, before turning around to address the owner again. "Oh, and a word of advice. Next time he comes in here, consider offering him somewhere to stay instead of another damn drink." With that, he trotted back out into the street. Checking his watch, he found that it was about ten in the morning. Deciding that enough time had passed for his friends to be awake and out of bed, he started to make his way to the large ridge north of town, beyond which lay the Apple family orchard. There was a small path that cut through a canyon that, according to a dilapidated old sign, lead to the farm. The trail was long and dusty, however the tight enclosed canyon meant that the pegasus was protected from the harshness of the sandstorm. Well, at least most of it. A few rogue grains of sand still managed to find their way into Nate’s eyes, much to his annoyance. The path seemed to go on forever, but, finally, he emerged from the canyon trail to the view of a sprawling valley, which housed a large apple orchard. The sandstorm had passed over by now, so it was truly a sight to behold, but Drake had his eyes set on a small farmhouse that lay not too far down the path from him. The sun was now firmly hanging far above the dry wastes, casting down an unforgiving heat over the desert. As he made his way down the small path, he found himself sweating and in desperate need of something to drink. Heh, maybe should’ve taken up that bartender’s offer after all, he thought to himself. Drake had reached the door of the farmhouse and was about to knock when he heard somepony call out to him. “Hey, Nate!” He turned around to find Marston, along with Braeburn and the rest of his friends, calling out to him from the edge of the orchard. He nodded to them and flew over. "Mornin'," Marston greeted him when they had all grouped together. "You feeling any better, partner?" "As right as rain," Drake told the unicorn, before turning to Braeburn. "Your mom sure knows what she's doing." He turned to admire the fields that surrounded them. "I don't think I've ever seen a family so passionate about their work." Braeburn seemed to blush slightly at the compliment. "Aw, shucks, Mr. Drake. I'm sure everyone in your family is just as invested in their lives as much as we are." Nate's face fell slightly, but was soon masked with a weak smile. "Uh, yeah. Sure," he said, clearing his throat. “So,” he announced, swiftly moving onto another subject. “Apples, huh?” Marston chuckled. “Yep. Braeburn here’s been showing us the ropes of his farm. I gotta say, it’s been helpin’ me with ideas for my farm back home.” Drake nodded. “Any work need doing today then?” “Actually, no,” Braeburn told him. “Today’s the day off.” Ezio stepped in next to the pegasus. “In fact, we were about to go into town to see how you were doing.” Nate smiled. “Well, it’s nice to know you all care about me so,” he said jokingly. “C’mon, let’s head up there anyway. I could use the exercise.” “Couldn’t we all,” Cole agreed, slapping him on the shoulder. It didn’t take too long for the five stallions to make their way back into Appleloosa. They mostly passed the time by idly chatting. Braeburn was still blissfully unaware of his new friends’ origins, and they thought it would probably be best that it stayed that way. After all, what he didn’t know wouldn’t kill him. By the time they arrived in town, the sandstorm had fully passed, and ponies were now trotting around, going about their daily business. It was nearing midday, so the harsh sun was mercilessly shining down upon the five stallions. “So, have we actually go a plan, or what?” Cole asked, stopping in the shade of a store’s porch. “Well, I was gonna go visit my ma,” Braeburn told him, taking over his hat and wiping sweat from his brow. “See if there’s anything I can help her with.” MacGrath chuckled. “Can’t keep the work spirit down, huh?” John cleared his throat. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I think I’m gonna pass the time with a few games of horseshoes.” He nodded towards the back of the store, where a few stallions were passing around bets. “Anyone care to join me?” Nate nodded. “Yeah, sure.” Ezio joined him as well. “Va bene. I’ve been getting a bit out of practice.” ‘Then it’s settled,” Cole announced. “Come on Braeburn, let’s go help your mom. I know a thing or two about healing people,” he said as they started towards Remedy’s clinic. The cowpony looked surprised. “Forgive me if this sounds a bit forward, Cole,” he said to the conduit, “but I didn’t pin you as a stallion of medicine.” Cole shrugged. “Eh, it’s not medicine. Let’s just say I have a little spark.” He smiled at his own little joke. Remedy Apple’s clinic was empty as the two stallions stepped inside; only a few ponies were waiting for their appointments. A small overhead fan was desperately trying to keep the room cool, but ultimately failed. The waiting room was almost as hot and stifling as it was outside, and MacGrath soon found himself wanting something to drink. Strawberry Smiles was still at the reception desk, and smiled when she looked up and saw the two of them enter. “Hey there, Brae,” she greeted him cheerfully. “And a fine hello to you too, mister...” “MacGrath. Call me Cole.” “Well, hello, Cole.” Strawberry smiled at him, before turning back to Braeburn. “So, what brings you here?” Braeburn shrugged. “Just coming to see if my ma needs any help is all.” The chocolate-coloured mare gestured to the room behind him. “Look around. There ain’t much to help with. Remedy’s got a few more patients to see, but other than that, it’s been a quiet day.” The beige stallion looked crestfallen. “Shucks, really? Huh, guess we’re gonna have to find something else to do, Cole.” MacGrath chuckled. “Come on, let’s go relax for a bit. Y’know, it’s not gonna kill you.” “Yeah, you’re right,” Braeburn agreed, laughing. “Come on then.” They were about to step back outside when they heard somepony shouting. It was a stallion, and his voice was getting increasingly louder. The two of them only just had time to step out of the way before a purple earth pony came crashing through the door, screaming his head off. “Help!” the stallion screamed, blood dripping from a large wound on his head. “Monsters! Monsters in the desert!” He was obviously delusional. He was bleeding from multiple wounds on his body, and his coat was covered in dust and dirt. He tried to say something more, but ended up clutching his chest and falling to the ground. By then, most of town had gathered around the clinic, including John, Ezio and Drake. Hearing all the commotion, Braeburn’s mother came rushing out of her office. “What’s going on in here?” she shouted, before noticing the stallion on the floor. The doctor galloped over to him, feeling for a pulse on his neck. Her expression changed from one of confusion to worry, and she moved her hoof to his chest, holding it there for a few seconds. “Crap,” she muttered. “He’s gone into cardiac arrest. Everypony, get back, I need some space!” Cole stepped in beside her. “Let me help,” he said soothingly, before rubbing his front hooves together. They sparked with electricity, and he gently lowered them to the stallion chest. The purple pony jerked as a jolt of energy was sent through his body, before slumping back again. Remedy checked his pulse once more. “Heart rate is steady. Breathing’s normal,” she muttered to herself. “He’s fine.” She stood up and turned to Cole. “How did you do that?” “I guess it’s just my little party trick,” he answered, moving away from the unconscious stallion, and back towards his friends. “Well,” Ezio muttered to fortune hunter and gunslinger, who were equally intrigued by the situation unfolding before them. “Someone’s got some explaining to do when they wake up.” “What do you think he was talking about?” Nate wondered. “‘Monsters in the desert’? He’s insane, right?” Marston shrugged. “I ain’t so sure. But I guess we’ll find out.”