“Will you not find yourself in immense trouble once this ruse is discovered?”
“Probably.” I am convinced he is unaware of the degree of trouble that he is courting. Though I want to inform him for his safety, I cannot bring myself to. At most, I could merely ask this tangentially-related question: “Why did you provide bits to the officer? Did you seek to bribe her?”
“No. That was for medical bills, probably going towards the funeral though.” He looked barely beyond his feet as we walked west. “She was a good friend, but you already know that. Nobody wanted it to end that way.” Berry Punch had taken to alcohol quickly, and developed a keen ability for taste. She was perhaps among the most responsible for the current formulation of the Equestrian domestic.
We tracked our way through the White Tail Woods, keeping just south enough of the tracks to keep ourselves hidden from view. It was early summer, so there was no threat of discovery due to the running of the leaves, or from forestry-planting efforts that may have occurred. A shrill whistle in the relative distance informed us that the locomotive had departed some minutes ago from Ponyville. That would be the four-fifteen. We were past the alloted hour given to Nohbodi to return. Officers would be sent shortly to search for him, likely followed by guards, knowing his abilities.
Another hour after, I could no longer hold back the knowledge, though I was capable of wording it into a less-dangerous variant. “The time-limit has passed Nohbodi.” I desperately wanted him to accompany me, yet I could not lie to him – not entirely. “You will be far safer if you returned now...”
He stopped, as did I immediately after. This was it. He would return to Ponyville. I knew my chances of success, let alone survival, were slim. It were better if he were to leave now, that he could minimize the damage to himself and his perception among the townsfolk. I will send a message to my changelings to care for him. Perhaps Sangria will form a similar bond with him. She had been the only other in this world that he had coupled with. She could easily enough learn what I had learned. More than any other, she could learn to love him as I did.
I became nervous. To save him from a darker fate, I would sacrifice myself. Granted, with the Hive Itself having disavowed me, there was no 'saving' me as it is. Nonetheless, I would have given all that remained to keep him with me for these last days. Instead, I had damned the remainder of my short time by speaking that. I began to shake as he leaned in towards my face. His grip on my hand tightened.
He kissed me.
“Too late now.” he said with a smile.
He is a fool. Who on this world, that retained their mental faculties, would stay with the condemned only to likely be destroyed with them?
I do not believe that I will ever feel more love for another than I did at that moment.
Another hour, or perhaps two, had passed. The White Tail Woods were now behind us in a dumbstruck blur. If he were not still holding my hand, still at my side, I would have considered this outcome inconceivable. Between us and the Undiscovered West lied only the tracks where that train had passed us. Another whistle trilled in the distance. I had all but memorized the standard time-tables. This was not a standard time for a train. “We should hurry across, while there is time. I do not, as you would say, 'like the looks of this'.” He looked in my direction and nodded. Together, still holding hands, we rushed towards the tracks. The whistle was distant. There was more than enough time to cross over. If we were quick enough, or simply lucky, there was enough to remain entirely out of the sight of others.
We jumped at a run over the tracks. Nohbodi passed through without issue.
I did not.
There was a force-field erected over the tracks, and hidden from view. They would not do anything like this for a standard arrival. The cost in magic was far too great, as well as it being far beyond any unicorn to have a mobile field this far ahead of it. “Aranea!” Nohbodi jumped back through to me, causing us both to tumble a few feet farther away from the track. The whistle called out again. It was closer than it should have been. It was in sight within seconds. The screech of brakes replaced the hollow sound of the pipes as the train slowed and halted, right in front of us. It is true that no unicorn could possibly have the power to maintain such an effect. Indeed, the only ones that could conceivably create it would be myself, as well as the princesses.
That was precisely who exited the train, accompanied by an entire contingent of guards. Twilight Sparkle, to be precise. This was highly unusual. The current situation would not require the presence of so much security. “Queen Aranea, the body of Intricate Compass has been located in the Everfree. Zecora told me what she knew after that. While this looks good for Nohbodi, it's looking bad for changelings. You understand that even one changeling going rogue will bring back old memories. One actually killing is far, far worse. I need you two to come with me. We'll need to sort this out before ponies start getting irrational over the situation.” The train suddenly made greater sense. Nohbodi could easily counter Twilight Sparkle, as I could hold off a score of guards. Putting an imposing physical wall between us and our destination was an impressive tactical move, even if it had nearly missed.
“I cannot comply with this demand at this time.” I flatly explained. “We are seeking the cause of the madness that was inflicted upon Intricate Compass. To delay only increases the potential danger to other changelings. By extension of location, it may further affect your-” I could not entirely hide the vitriol behind that word. I knew that changelings were still outsiders to the majority of Equestria, even if enough had accepted them to maintain their health. “-Ponies. You are doing more damage by halting us than you understand.”
Twilight was irritated at the suggestion that another knew more than her, irregardless of subject. “You know I can't do that Aranea. Officer Lockup, detain her.” A steel-gray mare in guard armor focused, and a pair of handcuffs appeared on my wrists. He was a powerful unicorn, as the magic even appeared completely opaque, and gave an impression of weight, though it had none.
Nohbodi approached me with purpose from our tumbled distance. I do not recall having ever seen him this incensed. He placed his hand in a grasping motion over the enchantment, and released me from the magic. Officer Lockup jerked his head from the arcane backlash of having a spell broken so instantaneously. “Wrong fucking answer. Tell the cop in Ponyville I'll be back when we're done. This' too important to stop.” He returned his hand to mine, still glaring daggers at Twilight Sparkle. “C'mon Aranea. We're finishing this.”
“I was worried this might happen. Guards!” She waved a hoof in the air as the assemblage took formation and approached.
“Damnit! I thought you were smarter than this Twilight. Aranea, can you protect yourself from the guards?” He knew that I was entirely capable of it.
“Yes.”
“Good. I'll be right back.”
“But... what are you doing?”
“Getting into more trouble.” He released my hand and dashed towards Twilight Sparkle as I erected a shield. I extended the wall in a hollow path between Nohbodi and Twilight Sparkle. The ponies ramming themselves against it was a heavy drain on my reserves. This could not endure for any extreme length of time. He reached out a hand and grasped the horn of Twilight Sparkle. As she struggled he clasped his other arm around her neck. He truly did not recognize the danger he was putting himself into.
“Back off, or I break the bitch's horn!”
Everyone froze.