...BOOTING SOFTWARE
...ACCESSING DATATRACKS
...EXISTING FILE FOUND
...DO YOU WISH TO OPEN? Y_
...LOADING
...READY...BEGIN RECORDING...
I know that Sweet Melody has been keeping a journal on here. But since I’m leaving the group, I thought I should take it with me, and update it myself.
Melody, if you are reading this, I’m sorry. This is something I know I have to do. Somewhere in those mountains is a way to free us from the Vectin, and I have to find it. Celestia knows why, but I have to.
My name is Star Gaze, and I’m on a quest to find the Star Princess, and save everypony I know…
...END RECORD_
...SAVE FILE_
...SAVE COMPLETED
...POWERING OFF...
Putting the datapad back into his bag, Star paused to check the rest of his supplies. Several apples, two bottles of water, a small towel (always useful to have), and nestled next to the datapad, was Twilight’s Map. The most important item he possessed.
It was still early yet, and the sun had barely begun to creep over the horizon. Knowing that Sweet Melody was still asleep, he decided that it was time to go. She hadn't spoken to him all evening the day before, and he couldn't blame her. After all, first she was forced to leave her parents, and now her own brother was taking off. It hurt him, but Star knew he had to do this.
Rising up, he slung the bag over his back; where it slid down to cover his star-constellation cutie mark. Picking a direction, and after one last sigh, he began to walk…
…about five steps, before a bright red mane jumped into his path.
“Star Gaze,” Apple Core said, “I really didn't think you were serious. But you really are leaving, aren't you?”
“Yes,” Star replied, “now get out of my way.” He started to walk around the younger, green stallion. But Apple Core again moved to block him.
“You know what this means, right?” Apple Core asked. “What abandoning the Herd means?”
“Yes,” Star replied, stepping around the green stallion. “Abandon the Herd, and be abandoned yourself.” He continued on, leaving Apple standing dumbstruck behind.
“Oh yeah!” the other called after him, “Well good riddance to ya!” But Star ignored the remark, didn't look back, and continued down the path, alone…
The sun was rising in the sky above, the sounds of birds singing filled his ears, and leaves crunched beneath his hoofs. And still, he walked silently, continuing on the old trail he had found. The first hour was the easiest, as he could simply ignore the thoughts of his sister and friends, and focus on the trail and forest around him. But as the day wore on, it was becoming more and more difficult to ignore the regret.
Eventually, Star came to a clearing in the forest, and decided to stop for a rest. Noticing a fallen log, he took off his bag, and sat down. What have I done, he thought, I left Melody all alone. Sure, Sparky is there, and will keep an eye on her, but… what will mother and father think of me leaving like this? He shook his head, allowing a few specs of dirt to flutter free. Oh Mel, I hope you can forgive me!
“Star!!!”
It’s almost like I can hear her voice, calling me. A tear began to form in his eye…
“Star Gaze!”
“Huh?” He looked up. That wasn't in his mind at all! “No, it couldn't be…!”
The rustling of the bushes was all the warning he had, before a mound of white and blue shot out and landed on top of him, knocking them both into the dirt. It was several moments before his mind processed the tangle of white limbs and blue mane into the image of his sister. “Mel…”
“Sweet Mel!” a silky voice called out. “Where’d ya get off to- oh.” Sparky Hooves stepped out from the bushes, but instead of jumping on him, simply leaned against a nearby tree. “I figured ya hadn't wandered too far, Stary,” she said, a grin on her face.
Star struggled to break free from Melody’s grasp, before finally giving up, and just let her hold onto him. “Mel,” he tried to speak, but words wouldn't form.
She looked up at her brother, tears running down her face. “I’m sorry Star,” she began, “I know I was supposed to stay with the others, but I wanted to be with you, so I followed you out here, and-” He stopped her with a hoof over her mouth.
“It’s alright,” he said with a smile. “And I’m sorry I left you behind.” He gave her a squeeze, and then looked up at Sparky, the un-spoken question all over his face.
She got it, alright. “Yeah, I know. Ya wanted us to stay with the group. But the little darl’in wouldn't listen. Insisted on following after ya.”
“Well, thanks for coming with her,” he replied, finally breaking free of Melody’s grasp.
Sparky shrugged. “What can I say? I did promise to stay with her, right?” She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Besides, ya think I would let you go off on yer own without me there for company?”
Star chuckled, and reached out to pick up his bag. “Here,” he said, reaching in and removing the datapad. He held it out for Melody. “Since you’re coming along, might as well have this back.”
She smiled and took the pad. “Thanks Star Gaze,” she replied, a few remaining tears leaking out, as she reached back to slide it into her own saddlebag.
“Well now,” Sparky broke the momentary silence that had descended on the group, “what’s next, Star?”
Reaching into his bag, Star pulled out the map he found in Twilight’s Library. He unfolded it onto the ground between them. “Let’s see,” he said, studying it for a moment. “We’re about here. I was heading towards that mountain.” He pointed into the distance, where a tall peak could be seen just above the threes. “It’s right in the middle of Equestria. And from there,” he looked back to the map, “We head north. To a place called the ‘Crystal Empire’. After that,” he hesitated, “we go into the mountains.”
“The mountains?” asked Melody, “but don’t scary creatures like dragons live there?”
“I don’t know,” he replied, “but that’s where the path ends. So that’s where I’m going.” He stared to fold the map back up
“Well if you’re going,” Sparky said, “then we’re going with ya!” She gave him a nudge on the shoulder with her hoof. “After all, somepony has to keep ya outta trouble!”
Star laughed, and pulled his bag back on. “Alright. It looks like there are some foothills about a day’s trot through the forest from here. So,” he started looking around, trying to decide which direction to head.
“Which way sugarcube?” Sparky asked, while adjusting her own saddlebag. But Star didn't answer, as he was still trying to get his barrings-
Thiswaythiswaythiswaythisway….
It sounded like a faint voice in the back of his mind. Star turned to stare off into the trees, and almost felt something pulling on him. “This way,” he replied, and headed off, Sparky and Sweet Melody following behind. This is it, he thought, a smile coming to his face, we’re really doing this! He glanced back, his smile getting bigger at the sight of his sister and friend trotting along behind him. He wanted Melody to be safe, but he was still glad that they were both with him…
------------------------------
As he leaned down to study the marks in the dirt, his nostrils flared, taking in the scents. So, they pass this way, he thought, nor more than a cycle ago. He looked up, his eyes following the lines of the metal tracks as they stretched out before him. You are clever, but not clever enough. I WILL find you.
“Hunt Leader!” called a gravelly voice, “we have detected a signal!”
Bringing his body fully upright, Thrakish turned to face the soldier approaching him. “What signal can be detected here?” he asked, and waved a hand around in a circle, flexing the four clawed fingers on it. “The energy field covering this sphere blocks all scans and messages.”
“The signal is the Unknown Energy,” replied the soldier. “It last a moment before stopping-“
“Where?!” Thrakish demanded, reaching over his shoulder for his staff.
“Six drocs distant, from inside forest.” Using his own staff, the soldier pointed past Thrakish into the trees. “We can head there with Attack Flyer when ready.”
“No,” the Hunt Leader replied, after glancing at the wedge-shaped Flyer sitting on the ground a short distance from where they stood. The two-pilot craft were commonly used by his troops to patrol the skies just above the treetops, but he knew from experience that the loud engine noise, which sounded like a high-pitched whine, could be heard well before the craft arrived, giving his prey plenty of time to escape.
“We hunt from ground,” he ordered, his voice a deep growl. “Send Flyer back to Crystal Nest with report for Sphere Leader. Then we begin.”
Holding his staff up in a salute, the soldier turned and headed back to the group of Vectin waiting by the Flyer. Turning back to the marks in the dirt, Thrakish reached up to scratch a scale on his snout. You not hear me coming this time! Soon, I have you, and earn my way off this reached sphere….
With the familiar whine, the Attack Flyer lifted into the sky, and veered away. Watching it fly into the distance, Thrakish noticed a line of dark clouds approaching. “Come,” he called to his troops, “we must begin now, before storm arrives.” Beckoning his hunting party to follow, Thrakish lead the way into the trees, taking care to move briskly yet quietly through the branches and bushes. While he wanted to take care not to reveal himself to his prey, the threat of the storm quickened his pace. A heavy rain could wash away scent markers and foot prints, which would make tracking the Questins that much more difficult in the large forest. The rain should arrive by mid-cycle, he thought, pausing to glimpse the sun through the forest canopy. If we not find by then, will have to nest until storm passes. Glancing back at the other six hunters following him, holding their staffs close, eyes watching everywhere, he continued on.
Following his hunter’s instincts, he studied the sights, smells, and sounds of the environment around him. Many hunts on different spheres had all helped him hone his skills, and gave him a strong reputation as one of the Ventin’s best hunters. He’d tracked the near invisible rock-shades of Sphere Ractoss, trapped the stratosphere-flying krell birds on Sphere Tronna, and even subdued a monstrous Vectana lizard on his own home-sphere, a creature known to prey upon Vectin. A few small, four-legged Questrins should prove an easy challenge for him. And once I solve Sphere Leader’s problem, I finally leave this place…
------------------------------
“Are we there yet?”
The simple, age-old question caught Star Gaze off guard, nearly causing him to trip over a large root sticking out of the ground. “No,” he replied, twisting his head to face his sister, “not yet. Don’t tell me you’re getting tired already?”
“Of course not,” Sweet Melody replied, taking care to avoid the same root. “And I’m not getting bored either.”
“Sure,” Star teased, turning back to face the little trail they had found. It seemed to lead the same direction they wanted to go, and it made avoiding pushing through bushes much easier. But secretly, Star wondered if he was getting lost in the maze of the forest.
“Um, Star…” Sparky Hooves said with a note of concern in her voice, “I’m thinking we might want to find us some shelter soon.”
“Huh?” Star paused and turned to face her. “Shelter from what?”
RRRUMBLE!!!
The crack of the thunder rolled over the three ponies, sending Melody jumping onto Star’s back. It took only a moment for him to dislodge her. “Oh,” he replied, looking up at the dark clouds peaking down through the canopy, “that.”
“Yep,” Sparky replied with a laugh, “Reckon we should find some cover soon, unless y’all want to hang out in the rain!”
“But where can we go?” Melody asked, looking around for some place to take shelter among the trees. But there wasn't anything around other then the trunks and bushes.
Star made his choice. “Come on,” he said, and started off again down the trail. “Maybe this will lead somewhere before the rain starts.” They set off, but it was only a few minutes later that the first drops of rain started to fall through the trees. Together, the three ponies broke into a sprint, heading down the trail, hoping to find somewhere to hide from the coming storm.
Following a curve in the trail, Star suddenly slid to a halt, followed my Sweet Melody bumping into him. “Owff!”
“What is it Star?” asked Sparky, coming up next to him, while Melody picked herself off the ground. He pointed ahead, where a rather large tree stood, almost as large as the library tree they found in Ponyville. And like that one, it too featured a door and windows built into its trunk. But where the library’s door and windows had nicely carved frames, this one appeared more rough-built, with a pair of antlers mounted above the door. Star approached, and with a push, the door creaked open.
“Inside you two!” he ordered, as the rain started to intensify. He followed them in, and swung the door closed again.
“Hello!” called Melody, her voice echoing across the empty room. Well, nearly empty, as a few dozen paintings surrounded them, a few hanging, but most just sitting on the floor leaning against the walls. Most of the paintings featured various ponies, with a grey Pegasus with a short-black mane showing up in several of them. Brushes and bottles of dried paint lay scattered around, and a broken easel lay off to one side. “Anypony home?” Melody called again.
“I think it’s empty,” Star replied, wandering up the stairs that wrapped along the wall. The second floor was smaller, and mostly empty, leading to a window and small balcony. Looking out, he noticed that the storm was getting more intense. “I think we’re stuck for the night,” he said.
“Storm’s getting bad, huh?” asked Sparky, joining Star at the window.
“Yeah,” he replied, “could last all night.” Turning around, he spotted a small bed in the corner. “You and Melody should use the bed tonight.”
Cocking her head to one side, she gave him a puzzled look. “Oh, and what about you, mister chivalry?”
He reached back and patted his saddlebag. “I’m covered, don’t worry. Come on, let’s head back downstairs. I could use some lunch.” They returned to the main floor, where Melody was looking at all the paintings. As Star and Sparky settled in the middle of the room, she kept moving around, fascinated by all the images.
RRRUMBLE!!!
The thunder was louder this time, as the rain starting rattling the windows. “Good thing we found this place,” Sparky muttered, as a flash of lightning lit up the room. Star simply watched the rain; hoping nopony was still stuck out there…
------------------------------
He stood silently, as the rain poured down over his scales and armor, staring out into the forest. Are you still out there? He thought, or have you found shelter? He watched, ignoring the water running down his body.
“Hunt Leader!” came a gravelly voice behind him, “your shelter!” Thrakish turned, to find one of his soldiers holding out a small, greenish-brown disk to him. He reached out to take it, acknowledging the soldier with a grunt. Sitting down cross legged, he held the disk above his head, and pressed in on the center.
Quick as a flash, several green vines sprang out from the edges of the disk, jutting into the ground on all sides of him. He released it, and watched as more and more smaller vines grew out of the first ones, quickly filling in the space between them. After about a minute, a greenish-brown, slightly transparent dome had formed around Thrakish, shielding him from the storm. He sat there, listening to the rain, marveling at the fast growth of the bio-shelter. Much better than our old shelters, he thought, growing three times as fast! Perhaps the growers on this sphere not as stupid as thought. He lowered his head, and crossed his arms over his chest. Yes, the bio-growers seemed to be making breakthroughs while working on this sphere. Most Vectin technology was based around bio-matter of different kinds, all grown on different spheres that their Empire controlled. But Sphere Questra was the most fertile one they had ever found. Bio-matter grew here at astounding rates, faster than anywhere else in the Empire! And all kinds of matter, from the simple material used in tech like his bio-shelter, to the more complex used to construct ships like the Attack Flyers, even large space-going Battle and War Flyers.
All this meant that Sphere Questra must remain under Vectin control, as it now grew almost a third of the Vectin’s total bio-matter. And with strong workers already living here, Thrakish thought, means less Vectin needed to grow! So more can be warriors, instead of growers! After taking over the sphere, they were able to subjugate the indigenous species to work the bio-farms for them, unlike other spheres, where Vectin had to perform such tasks themselves.
But such an operation had its drawbacks. The occasional escapee had to be hunted down and caught. Hence the need for a Hunt Leader, which in this case was Thrakish himself. If only clan-father had not returned disgraced from battle, instead dying with honor! Then I not been sent here! Could be out fighting REAL warriors, not hunting puny Questrins! His anger was punctuated by the thunder of the storm, and he sat there, fuming in his dome, letting memories of the past and dreams of his future clash together in the depths of his thoughts….
------------------------------
“Ditch me now, but it’s you, who’ll have lost it all,
Lost now, and bleeding love…”
Star woke up, pushed the towel off his body, and looked around the darkened room. What is that? He thought, slowly pushing himself back up on all four legs. The singing was coming from above, and after a moment, he realized it was Sweet Melody’s voice.
“Rain it pours, but I won’t let it bring me down, no!
I’m playing now, won’t wait on love…”
“Beautiful, isn't it?” asked Sparky, and Star just realized she was sitting down a few feet from him. “She couldn't sleep, and is just sitting by the window, singing that sad song.”
Sitting down next to Sparky, Star looked up, but couldn't see Melody from where they were. “It’s our Grandmother’s song,” he told her, “Grandma Tavi. She was teaching music to Melody before she passed.”
“Oh,” Sparky replied, looking down, “sorry. Didn't mean to bring up sad memories.”
“It’s ok,” he said, resting a hoof on her shoulder. “Melody was closer to her then I was. Gram taught her all about music. Well,” he chuckled, “about her kind of music, anyways.”
“I’m resonant, won’t stop for you,
Playing away, playing away,
You play you games, you bring me pain,
Playing away, playing away…”
“What do you mean?” Sparky asked, while still listening to Melody’s singing.
“Well, Grandma Tavi and Grandpa Frederic were always into more classical music,” Star explained, “which they taught both our mother and Melody. But Grandma Scratch,” he smiled, “she had more, interesting tastes. You know, remixes, heavy bass-boosts, etc. They were always competing when they were younger, but I guess they finally found a way to get along and became great friends.”
“What about your father?” asked Sparky, “which kind was he into?”
“Well, dad never was that musically talented,” he replied. “But then, Grandma Scratch didn't play much for us. Dad never said why, but Grandpa Frederick told me once it was because she missed her old colt-friend, my dad’s dad. She lost him the night the Vectin came.” He sighed. “That’s why my dad’s name is Neon Glow. She named him after his father.”
“Oh,” Sparky looked back up, as Melody’s voice continued to ring out. “My family ain't as colorful as that. Just me, ma and pa." She yawned, and stretched out next to Star. "That filly’s going to put me to sleep!” He chuckled, and just sat there, listening to his sister’s song, and remembering all the stories his grandmothers had told him about the old days…
“You hurt me now, but I won’t cry,
I am Octa-vi-a!
You hurt me now, but I won’t cry,
I am Octa-vi-a….”