Every intelligent eye in the woods was focused on the scene before them. Nohbodi had, beyond any imagination, taken Twilight Sparkle hostage. Twilight Sparkle was, surprisingly, not intimidated.
“You wouldn't, even if you could. Do you know how hard a horn is?”
Nohbodi sneered at her. “Done it before. Twice.”
Twilight was now intimidated. She visibly shook as he slightly increased the pressure of his hand on the appendage. I released my force effect to conserve energy, though keeping mindful to reinstate it if necessary. “Here's the deal. Send them back. Now!”
She continued to shake with fear. After several moments, she called out to them. “Retreat to your posts...” The ponies involved receded to a considerable distance, though they did not stay out of sight entirely.
Nohbodi looked upward, but accepted the result. “Good. Now get the train out of our way.” Twilight feebly raised a hoof towards the front of the train. The conductor, who had stayed within it, shifted his stance. Apparently pulling a lever, the train again began to move. It stopped with only the caboose in our direct way, with the engine again barely within sight. “Come with us.” He held on to Twilight Sparkle as we three crossed the tracks and continued to the edge of the Undiscovered West.
The train was a speck on the horizon, and the vast majority of guards declined to follow the triad procession. The remainder kept a considerable distance beyond sight. Once we were between several rows of trees, Nohbodi stopped.
“Listen Twilight. You have no idea what's going on here. Now, I'm gonna let you go, and you're gonna go back home. Try anything again, and there'll be hell to pay. We'll be back. Deal with me then. Understood?”
Twilight thought about it for a while, but the fear renewed upon reviving a memory nearly a decade old. “T-the brothel owner! That was you?” The former mistress of the establishment where Butterfly was located was found in a terrible state. Most of the damage was from her former 'property' after she was disabled. Her horn, however, was separated personally by Nohbodi. I had read somewhere that she was now in an assisted-living home for the aged and mentally disturbed, confined to a wheel-chair and perpetually fearful of reprisal. The latter much like the workers formerly were. Sympathy was in short supply.
“Yeah. Bitch deserved it. I don't want to do it to you too, I really don't. So let us go while we fix this, unless you're coming along to help.”
“Y-you know I can't do that.” A puddle between her rear legs formed out of the fear of the result of that statement. “I-I... Celestia and Luna would come after us!”
I stepped closer to Nohbodi. “She is correct. Please, release her. This... may harm relations with changelings in a manner that cannot be easily repaired.” Facing Twilight Sparkle, “He is correct in that this entails far greater repercussions than you are aware of. Leave us to our task, and we will answer all that we can upon our return. If we return...” I took a moment to collect myself from the onslaught of emotions. “You and your friends have encountered many scenarios in which the fate of yourselves and the world hung in the balance. Trust me that this is one for us, and for all changelings. That is one aspect that I can gain your understanding of.”
Nohbodi slowly released his hold on the alicorn. Twilight stood in place for some time before answering. “You're right... I don't understand what's going on. There, um, will be a lot to answer for,” she began trembling again, “but I won't send an army after you.” She began to retreat. First trotting backwards, then turning around to run.
“Wait.” She stopped and turned back, obviously fearful of the next command. “Please, princess Twilight Sparkle... Watch over the changelings. I do not know the reach of the Hive at this time. If any act in an unusual manner, or become hostile... Use nonviolent means to contain them. If, if possible...” she nodded at me, and returned to running with all her might back towards the train. It is true that I did not know the range of the Hive at this time. It may be capable of influencing changelings in a greater arc now than when Intricate Compass had attacked. If the Hive was truly acting with malevolence, would I be able to ask It anything, let alone stand up to It? Free will and outside influence had given rise to many concepts. I doubted my ability, yet the possibility remained.
Could I defy the Creator?