//------------------------------// // Enigma of the Unicorn race // Story: Arc Angel // by Valorousspectre //------------------------------// The stallion was standing tall, head held high with an arrogant grin plastered on it. His mane was cut short and spunky, spiking up on his head and down his neck. His eyes were a deep blue and sparkled with cocky confidence. His coat was a bright yellow, and the hair making up his tail and mane was a rusty orange. Come to think of it... It was then I noticed his tail. His mane, as I said before, was short cut and spunky. But his tail defied all sorts of laws. The damn thing was beyond long. Not just that, the damn thing was floating. Three or four feet above the ground, the tail was floating, swaying on an imaginary breeze. The corner of my eye spotted movement and I turned my head to face it only to see more tail, curling itself up. I watched in amazement as the tail, having curled the entire way around us, rolled itself up tightly. Almost a full two minutes later, the stallion had a big ball of hair where his tail should have been. I suppose it is his tail, but even so. I blinked stupidly at it and Spring huffed. "Huh..." She said weakly, catching my attention and his, "I think your tail is a little too long for a stallion... don't you?" The stallion glared at Nightspring. He looked more than a little insulted at the idea of that. "Hey, I just saved your flank from getting sucked dry and this is the thanks I get? Jeez, maybe I should have just left you to his mercy." Even in her severely weakened state, Nightspring found the strength to bristle with indignation and actually stood up. I envy her strength, always had. "I had everything under control!" She said, her voice already getting stronger, "It's not like I needed your help!" Just before he could answer, I jumped in. "I did. Hey, look, uh, Warlock was it? Thanks for the assist. You're right, we owe you." He seemed to calm down a little at this, although Spring glared at me like I was crazy. "Huh, at least your damn coltfriend has sense." He looked at me, one of his ears flicking. "I don't know what you did stringbean, but you must have really fucked up bad for 'em to send him after you. That guy's a nutcase, he's chased me a few times." That grabbed my attention. If this guy knows Shade, and he'd been chased by him before, then obviously he's no random citizen. Just the fact they'd sent him after me made me wonder what the guy'd done. If they sent Shade after me for supposedly poisoning a princess, killing two guards and theft, I can only imagine what he's done. Come to think of it, I'm not certain I want to know what he did to get Shade on his back. "Shade's an old friend," I replied cautiously, much to the brow raising surprise of Warlock, "I thought I knew him. Evidently I was wrong." Warlock laughed, a barking, harsh laugh and shook his head. "Doubtful. Shade did you call him? He's got an interesting little talent that changes his mentality and everything about him. He calls this little talent 'Karma', because he uses it to punish those he's sent after. Since Celestia herself has to authorize his missions, Only those 'guilty' get taken out, thus 'Karma'." He looked very proud of himself, and I felt a stab of annoyance at the stallion's cocky attitude. "If you don't mind my asking, how do you know this?" He smirked at me and I felt the same annoyance from before. "Oh, I got him to tell almost a year ago. He really was quite indifferent about my knowledge of his work." Yeah, that sounds like Shade. Indifferent. He didn't tell us what he did because we didn't need to know, but to somepony already being hunted, it wouldn't matter either way so long as they don't know his name so they can't use anything against him. Not that I plan to do so either way. This guy is really pissing me off though. He's arrogant, cocky and really, really irritating and I've only just met him. "Yeah, he thinks he's so tough, but in all the times I've clashed with him he's never beaten me. No sir, not now, not ever." Oh for the love of Celestia, somepony shut him up. "Hey shutup will you jabbermouth?" came the voice of Nightspring from my hooves, "You're giving me a headache." Well, this is going swimmingly. Warlock growled, an angry frown on his face. "Hey! How about you shut your mouth huh? If it weren't for me you'd be fuckin' dead! You should be thankful that you can hear my voice at all you little bitch!" "Bitch!? Who are you callin' bitch you dumbass!? You're a goddamn idiot with a face only a blind mother could love!" "Uh, excuse me-" "Hey! Don't you talk about my mother that way you inbred hag!" Nightspring feigned shocked surprise and looked at me with an exaggerated incredulous look. "It speaks! Look Arc! A talking lemon!" His growl turned into a snarl and he barked back harshly, eyes beginning to literally spark, which I found strange because eyes shouldn't spark. At all. Ever. "Shut your fat mouth! You aren't even fit to lick the ground I walk on!" "Look, guys-" "Lick the ground you walk on? Please, the beetles that feast upon carrion are more fit for worship than you!" "WILL YOU BOTH SHUT THE FUCK UP ALREADY!?" The entire area went silent and I surprised even myself when I yelled. I knew I was getting frustrated but... "You suck," Came the petulant reply to Nightspring from Warlock and I glared at Spring as she went to reply. She bit it back angrily and sat down. "Warlock," I said testily and he looked at me with a self confident smirk on his face, "Wipe that stupid fucking grin off your face and get your flank over here." He looked offended and went to reply hotly only for me to cut him off. "NOW!" He almost automatically started forward, the big ball that made up his tail comically following behind him. Upon reaching us he glared at Nightspring, who glared right back, and sat down. scowling at the ground. I sighed in frustration. This was going to be a long day. "Warlock. You saved our asses today, whether Spring likes to admit it or not. For that yes, we thank you and recognize that we owe you." "Damn straight," Came the arrogant reply, almost making me slap him upside the head right there and then. I turned to Nightspring, who was looking at me as though I'd just betrayed her. "You need to tone down the pride Spring," I said quietly to her, trying to calm her down. Rather hesitantly, I reached forward to caress her cheek and, weirdly, she didn't object, leaning into it even, "It could get us into more trouble." She sighed and nodded. Relief washed over me in a wave. Nightspring might be impatient and proud, but she's not stupid and she never will be. However, I wasn't sure whether to be assured or afeared when she stepped up to me, leaned her head on my shoulder and whispered "We'll talk about this later," Into my ear. With a shiver, I turned my attention back to Warlock, who was making a gagging face at Spring's show of affection. I felt a wave of anger burst over me and forced it down, instead letting my words come out cold. "Warlock." He looked at me with a smirk on his face. "Wipe that stupid look of your face. We need to talk." ~*~ "Right. Now whether we like to admit it or not, you saved our skins today Warlock, so firstly thanks. But before you start smiling like an idiot, there's a few other things I need to point out." Warlock's smile faded and he looked at me like I was an idiot. Goddesses, this stallion is going to piss me off. "One. Spring and I did nothing wrong. We're not criminals, we're guards." He scoffed and I had to hold Spring back from giving him an ass whooping. "Two, you are a criminal, thus it's our job normally to bring you in to face justice." His face darkened and I could feel power crackling through the air. Spring was unaffected, although that's to be expected. Unicorns feel magical energies much more keenly than pegasi or Earth ponies. "However, given the circumstances, it's probably not the best idea. You helped us, we'll help you. Besides. You took down Shade, I don't think we could do much against you in a fight in our present conditions." Beside me, Spring snorted derisively. "Speak for yourself..." She muttered under her breath. Luckily, Warlock didn't hear her, so a fight didn't break out there and then. "We won't try to arrest you or anything, and you'll let us go as well. That way we're all good and happy, and you don't end up in jail. Is this a happy compromise to you?" Warlock rolled his eyes. I swear, if this smug prick does one more thing... "Yeah, whatevs," He snorted back arrogantly, "It's not like you two weaklings could even touch me anyway." I actually had to physically restrain Nightspring after this comment, with Warlock laughing in her face all the while. Insults went flying concerning parentage, legitimacy and the idea that Warlock was the result of a union between a lemon and a pony and the lemon had come out lucky. Yeah, great talk. ~*~ Surprisingly, the next month and a half were virtually trouble free. I'd have forgotten I was on the run if not for the goal I had set firmly within my head. We, the three of us, were headed to the only place that could give us the cure. The Kirin homeland of the Somerset Glades. During our time, Warlock and Nightspring spent most of their free time bickering. I was forced to ignore it. Twice I fell ill, affected by some kind of sickness that was quite resilient, and both times Warlock complained whilst Nightspring took care of me. I'm shocked... I didn't know she cared, although when I asked later she merely blushed and told me that I was her ticket back to her normal life. Figures. Warlock, on the other hoof, was much more interesting. Of all the unicorns I've ever met, he was the most curious. I asked him about his abilities, and he couldn't really explain them. "I've done it as long as I can remember," He'd reply, then he'd rub at the jagged stump that was his horn, "Since my horn shattered, I guess my body took up the slack." So I came up with a curious theory, and this will rewrite everything we know about unicorn's magic. It might even grant me an award or something when I get home. Warlock's horn was shattered. Now, for a long time, it's been assumed that a unicorn's horn is the focal point for their magic, and this much is true. A unicorn uses his or her horn to enact magical action upon their surroundings. But what if a unicorn lost their horn? What would happen? Well, previous observations appeared to show demoralisation, frequent migraines and bleeding at the horn stump when magic was attempted. Warlock seems to be the complete antithesis of this. His magic has found a new focal point, a new outlet. He can stream and channel his magic through his entire body. This is entirely theoretical of course. I have observed him going through strict exercises during the night. He doesn't seem to sleep. He told me he doesn't have to. Apparently, his body's adaptations have altered his biological clock or something. He literally doesn't sleep. He tells me he is physically incapable of sleep. In any case, he seems to stream his magic through his form to affect the world around him. I have seen him change the colour of the grass at will when he's bored. His tail seems to have a constant flow of magic through it, and he uses it as a fifth appendage, more often as a claw or talon than anything else. Damn, I wish I was able to write a thesis right now. In any case, it would be almost forty-five days until we ran into anypony else. Or rather, anyone else.