//------------------------------// // The Catalyst // Story: Batmare Begins // by Silver Tongue //------------------------------//          Various ponies filled up every seat in the spacious concert hall. Bodies brushes against each other with the occasional shiver as they shifted in their seats. The darkness obscured the audience as the stage was flooded with bright lights, showcasing the young fillies and colts whose instruments filled the air with a joyful and complex melody. A pair of earth ponies sat quietly with a proud smile on both their faces as they watched in awe. One, a large stallion, adjusted his suit lapels as they stuck uncomfortably to his golden coat. His hoof brushed against a silver pin in the shape of a caduceus, an exact replica of the mark on his flank. He moved a stray lock of fiery red hair that obstructed his vision in an effort to see a particular filly more clearly. Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help the grin from growing wider on his face as he saw his wife’s violet eyes intensely focused on the show before them. He always counted his lucky stars whenever he thought about how such a mare would ever marry him. Green eyes trailed over the silvery grey of her coat, the raven mane flowing down her neck in elegant waves, the blue trio of six pointed stars on her flank, then back up to see the happy glimmer in her purple eyes. Placing his hoof over hers, he sighed in contentment as he felt her hoof wrap around his. Watching the stage, his ears twitched as they took in every note. When the music died down, he resisted every urge to just jump up and clap enthusiastically in response. Instead, he beamed with joy as he politely clapped at his daughter’s very first recital at the Monarch Concert Hall. Life was good. ~~~ “Octavia? Do you need help carrying your cello?” the tall earth pony asked his daughter as her legs quivered and struggled to lift the heavy cello case. “No thanks. I’ve got it,” she said with a grunt of effort. He ran a hoof through his red mane as he watched his daughter try and lift up the cumbersome case. Discreetly snaking his crimson tail behind the little filly, he pushed the case securely onto her back. There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as she teetered slightly from the sudden weight. Looking up, he grinned at the mare that was helping steady the wobbly filly with an airy chuckle.The filly blew black strands away from her face, and then grinned up at her mother in gratitude. He smiled at the mirror image of mother and daughter. She had taken after her mother in so many ways, from her grey coat, to her black mane and violet eyes. Both were absolutely beautiful in his eyes, and his heart filled with warmth as mother and daughter talked quietly with each other. He couldn’t be any prouder of his family. “That performance was simply amazing, Octavia!” The elder mare said with barely contained enthusiasm. Her smile grew wider as a small blush was faintly visible across her daughter’s snout. Her small hoof rose in a futile attempt to cover her growing embarrassment.         “Mom… Stop it… It wasn’t really all that good. It’s only a recital, and you could hardly hear me anyway…” Her mother snorted in objection.         “Of course it was good! It was great! Fantastic even! There’s a reason why your cutie mark is what it is. Your music is amazing, and you yourself are amazing. My little filly, already playing music in front of an audience. I’m so proud!”         Octavia gave small squeals of protest as her mother wrapped her hooves around her neck and showed her earth pony strength in the form of a hug. Her hold never faltered until she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Turning around, oblivious to Octavia’s alarmingly purple face, she was met with amused emerald eyes.         “Wanda dear, it’s getting rather late, and I’d prefer it if our daughter makes it home alive,” he mentioned while gesturing to Octavia’s oxygen deprived face. Looking down, she released her daughter as her face had taken on a dangerously purple tone. She heard her husband chuckle as Octavia dramatically took in deep breaths of air.         “You might just be right… Well, it looks like it’s time to go, Octavia. The sooner we get home, the sooner I can hug your cute, filly self again,” she spoke with a cheery tone as she adjusted the pearl necklace, an anniversary gift from her dear Thom, until it was properly situated on her neck. Turning to face her husband, she nodded her head to show that she was ready to leave.         Turning towards Octavia, he waited until she caught her breath before walking to the door. Making sure his family was behind him, he opened the door and welcomed the cool, night air. It was a refreshing contrast to the warmth the Hall had left in its wake. Closing his eyes, he took a moment to breathe in the crisp air, failing to notice his family observing his temperature induced bliss.         Opening his eyes, he took in the sight of his daughter giggling, and his wife struggling to conceal soft laughter. He blinked before rolling his eyes and resumed walking into the dim alley. His head shook at the muffled joy of the two crazy mares behind him.         His body heaved with a defeated sigh.         It wasn’t until he heard the clopping of hooves on the stony floor did he turn in curiosity. His eyes widened at the sight before him.         A dark purple stallion with a blue streaked mane stood before him. His deranged orange eyes stared him down. It wasn't until he heard a muffled yell did he realize the dire situation he was in. Among the disheveled mane, was a horn. A horn that was currently glowing in orange magic. Orange magic that had his wife and daughter gagged and floating in the air. Trying to step towards them, his snout was greeted by a large, jagged edge of glass.         Heart breaking at the terrified expressions on his family's faces, he slowly turned and glowered at the pony before calmly speaking. "What do you want? Is it money? If it is, you can have it, just let them go." Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a sack of bits, and tossed it towards the unknown pony. "See, you can take it. Just don't hurt them." He expected the pony to grab the bits and go, but was shocked as his wife was tossed to the side with a scream. Glass sliced along his cheek as he gave chase in an attempt to catch her. Time slowed as he heard the sickening sound of bones breaking whens she painfully crashed against the hard concrete of a building with a gasp before falling onto a pile of discarded shrapnel. Dashing towards her, he carefully dug her out and tried to help her stand, but instead reared back at the sight of red liquid on his hooves. No. No. Nonono... He carefully moved her to look for the source of the blood. His face twisted into a grimace as light reflected off the pieces of glass embedded in her side. His stomach almost emptied itself at the sight of a large chunk of wood penetrating her grey coat. Tears rolled down his cheeks at the realization that she was no longer breathing. Falling to his rump, his heart poured itself into a yell that penetrated the still air in anger and grief. He sat there, motionless, for what seemed like hours until he heard the sound of hooves on the concrete behind him. Octavia! Stupid! How could I forget! Emerald eyes flashed in anger as he shot up to his hooves and turned to look at the fleeing culprit. All he could see was a moving shape, but the small, twisting shadow among orange magic was all the confirmation he needed. That was where his target was, and he needed to be positive that the small shadow was under his protection once again.         Here comes Thom!         Bowing his golden head, he charged with all his might. Everything seemed to blur around him as he moved faster and faster towards his target. Soon enough, he felt himself harshly collide with the purple unicorn, sending them both to the ground. He ignored the pain shooting up his back as he scrambled to his hooves and looked up, following the sound of a high-pitched scream of terror. His pupils dilated as they saw the small shadow falling through the air. Forcing his body to move, he began to panic as he saw her fall quicker than he could run.  Crouching low to the ground, he used every bit of his superior, earth pony strength in a last ditch effort to catch his precious bundle. There were no sounds but the ringing in his ears. The second he felt soft fur touch his forearms, he curled them into himself, twisted his body, and grunted as his ribs crashed against the hard concrete, protecting his bundle from harm.         Ignoring his crying body, he relaxed and let out a sigh of relief as he saw Octavia clinging to him for dear life. She was shaking, and by the wetness on his coat, she was crying as well. But she was fine. Scared, but fine.         As he slowly stood, he carefully pulled her into a hug and ran a hoof through her black hair as tears dripped onto her gray fur.         Thank Celestia that I saved her. Octavia is still here. Octavia is still here...         He buried his muzzle into her hair when he felt her fierce hug in return. He had his little filly. All was right again.         It wasn’t until he tensed and coughed up blood that they realized they weren’t in the clear just yet. Looking up, Octavia saw that her father was staring blankly into space, and blood was dripping out of his mouth, mingling with the small trail of blood from his cheek.         She opened her mouth to speak, but found she couldn’t make a sound. Looking over his shoulder, her violet eyes widened at the sight of the purple unicorn slowly approach them with a glowing horn, slowly removing a large, red-stained shard of glass out of her father’s back. Her heart pounded with fear as orange eyes flashed dangerously. Feeling that she couldn’t move, she just buried herself deeper into her father’s golden coat.         She began to sob into his fur in fear of the unicorn. Her mom was gone, and now her strong dad was bleeding and not moving. Unsure of what to do, violet eyes clenched shut as the unicorn was dangerously close, and expected the worst.         But the worst never came.         Confused, she felt a strong body reposition itself over her small form. Her eyes opened when she heard the sickening crack of breaking bone. Looking up, she saw that her father was standing above her, lowering his back legs from recently bucking a flying, purple unicorn. He was still tense even though the culprit lay prone against a nearby wall where he landed. Lifting her head to thank him, she paused as she noticed his eyes were dim. She was silent when he opened his mouth to speak.         “I love you. Your mother loves you. Don’t ever…forget that. Don’t…ever lose yourself…because of this….”         Tears streamed down her face as she could only watch him rasp and wheezed while swaying unsteadily before finally collapsing on his side, careful not to collapse on top of her.         “D-dad…”         He didn’t respond; her throat choked up.         “Dad! Answer me!”         Large, dull green eyes stared back.         “P-please…”         Shakily making her way over to him, she raised her little hooves against his strong chest, and began to shake him in desperation. Her ears flattened against her skull at the soft cracking of bone.         “Don’t leave dad! Say something! P-please…”         Dropping down, she nudged against his large hoof with her forehead a strangled sob.         “Please…” ~~~         Beep.         Beep.         Beep.         A pair of gray eyelids cracked open, blearily taking in their surroundings.         White.         There was white everywhere. She was also on some sort of bed.         It wasn’t very comfortable.         With a groan, Octavia tried to sit up, but instead felt a tug on her hoof. Lifting up the hoof so that she could inspect it, she couldn’t help but stare stare at the thin, clear tube sticking out of her arm. Violet eyes followed it upwards until it stopped at the bottom of a bag filled with clear fluid.         This looks like where dad works. And that’s an… what was it… Ah! An IV! So that means… I’m in the hospital… Mom! Dad!         Octavia shot up at the realization as the events came pouring out into the front of her mind. Frantically looking around, she saw the button that her father told her about. Pressing the button repeatedly, she was soon greeted by a green, yellow-maned, unicorn.         “Oh! I see that you’re up. That means you’re recovering. Excellent!”         Her brow crinkled in confusion at the happy unicorn that had started writing things down on a clipboard as he stared at the machines around her. He paused and looked back at her, momentarily wondering why she so quiet. After a few seconds, he shifted uncomfortably in place.         “That’s right... You were unconscious when you arrived. I’m Dr. Care Giver. Your guardian will be notified that you’re awake. He should be here soon...”         Watching the doctor leave the room, her confusion only grew. With a sigh, she lay back down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.         More white. ~~~         After what felt like hours of staring at the incredibly boring ceiling, the sound of an opening door reached her ears.         Turning to look at the guest, her face curled into a smile at the brown earth pony standing in the doorway. Her eyes took in the pristine tailcoat obscuring his cutie mark and immaculate, white mane.         “I see you are doing well, Miss Octavia. That is indeed fortunate. I can’t say the same of your parents however. Such a tragedy...”         Her nose scrunched up in confusion.         “What do you mean, Mister Silvermane?”         She watched him blink, and a sense of dread filled her being.         “I see you haven’t been informed. Your parents are no longer with us, Miss Octavia. They didn’t survive the encounter with the brute that assaulted you. The Master put up quite the fight according the police reports, but unfortunately, The Master and Mistress both suffered injuries too great to survive.”         Her throat closed up. It was a familiar, yet unwelcome, feeling.         “What exactly do you mean?”         She didn’t like the sigh that came out of his mouth.         “The Mistress suffered incredible blood loss, as well as various internal injuries from a rather large piece of wood embedded in her side from the impact. Master Mayne suffered a fatal injury as well. They found bits of glass embedded in a deep wound on his back, many shattered ribs, along with various scrapes and bruises. It seemed that the original glass piece punctured one of his lungs and left him unable to breathe. He might have survived as he is a hardy pony, but with his ribcage collapsed in such a manner, not even he could keep his body going long enough for medical attention. You were found unconscious next to him. You were a bit scuffed up, but relatively fine. They also apprehended the unicorn responsible. He was found unconscious with a broken jaw.” She looked down, hooves gripping the sheets. “Oh…” “There was also the matter of your inheritance. As you know, Mayne Tower was run by your father, but because of his current status, it will be placed under the management of a specific group of ponies that your father trusted until you become old enough to run the company yourself. It shall continue in its production of technological advances, especially those in the medical field as per Master Mayne’s wishes. Despite this, you will return to Mayne Manor when you are discharged, and will reside there until you are of legal age to decide otherwise.” Octavia’s head bowed, bangs obscuring her face. “Mister Silvermane, can I ask you a couple of questions?” “Of course.” “Dad used to call you Alfred. May I call you that too?” “You may. However, I am assuming that that isn’t what you wanted to ask me.” Alfred’s heart sunk as Octavia’s eyes were swimming in tears when she turned to look at him. “C-Can we go home?” “Of course.”