First Half of Chapter VIII Unedited. / Evidence that I haven't spent all my free time outside my job jacking off.

>Chapter VIII: Of Aryans and their Shoggoth Fishing
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< > Translated from Ancient Celtic, and Baltic

Canterlot Royal Hospital 4:23 AM

After a good long while of basically laying on the floor bleeding and Princess Luna getting up and bringing me a peanut bar that she took from the faculty Break Room, the very same one that I basically left with  a large hole in its ceiling due to me personal idea of a diversion involving telekinetically pulling electrical cabling from said ceiling and wrapping it around an abomination and passing high voltage through it’s nervous system. Which was nice of her, but I figured that it was what I needed to close me bleeding bullet holes and basically not pass out from prolonged blood loss.

Students of Canterlot University that heard the commotion from their dorms or where in the publicly known areas of the library came to see what in tartarus was happening, and they noticed me lying there like a hobo, and Princess Luna sitting next to me waiting for Merry to comeback. The view of us covered in coagulating blood, me laying looking at the sky and Princess Luna sitting next to me, the scattered corpses, and the battle scarred look of the area surrounding us, made them more than wearry enough to not bother getting near, plenty of them whispering and looking scared out of their wits, they were all unicorns naturally, not like Canterlot University to accept any students of the other races. Add to the fact that the area where we started has three dead Baltic ponies, around twelve dismembered unicorn corpses and a lone Baltic Pony wing. Not to mention bullet holes and casings on the green areas, trees and the cobblestone paths, and equine blood everywhere. Let’s just say that I had a hunch that things have already become quite the mess, well, more than it already was at any case.

After that, Merry returned with the one-winged-Nocturne-royal-guard by her side with some bandages on him covering the wing stump and the torzo, I also noticed that Merry was carrying what I presume to be his wing wrapped in newspaper pages in a bucket filled with ice, which she was carrying with her mouth, and saddlebags with the hospital's logo on them filled with what I assumed where the supplies I asked her to acquire.

Our one winged Royal Guard was able to trot beside us because of an adrenaline injection and a blood pack that Merry was able to provide him with.

We gathered, we didn’t say a word and we all wearilly trotted out of the university with worry in our minds. I could tell that the others were just as bothered by all of this as I was, it was written all over their faces and their gait.

The poor Baltic bastard mumbling, saying things like.
“De-a lungul țărmului, valurile norului se sparg, Soarele gemene se scufundă în spatele lacului,
Umbrele se prelungesc.” Or in Anglo-Albion. ‘Along the shore the cloud waves break,
The twin suns sink behind the lake, The shadows lengthen.’

Probably some old song from his homeland, and after all I had to wonder how Baltica would react to the death of three Nocturne Guards, the tradition of sending them from their home in the Old-World to Equestria was started as a gesture of the alliance and friendship between both our respective countries.

Baltica was perhaps the first to recognize The Kingdom Equestria as its own country back in year 1 C.R. Which was a eight years after Celestia and Luna reached the North Equestrian Continent, and seven years after Celestia and Luna defeated Discord and were declared Rulers of Equestria.

We made it to the Canterlot Hospital which though Luna’s word and us showing the severed Baltic batwing in the ice-bucket got us to get immediate medical attention.

We went through the procedures, and basically had to explain why Merry stole the supplies in the first place.

It was a tad bothersome.

Me, Merry, and the Baltic (who I can assure ya lot does have a name), where there licking our wounds. In me case getting protein injections, baked potatoes and steamed broccoli, and access to the nearest restroom, not to mention water and plenty of it. While my metabolism and new bodily abilities went to work on quickly fixing me mortal shell enough to continue the work and investigation that was expected of me.

Eventually though, some time after I had discarded me overcoat and fedora hat, and went through the necessary treatment I sat alone in the hospital room.

I thought about what I had seen. The Golden Robed Ones didn’t appear to be involved with the Thule Esoteric Order, and they had an armored freight airship, to drop them and carry them off. That meant that they have the Thule Esoteric Order branch in Equestria is getting funding from their brothers from Germania back in the Old-World, and judging by the weapons, full backing from the Germanian Nazi Party with what must have been armaments that were freshly designed and manufactured.

I figured that was the case but in the end I needed names and addresses. If I got that I would have had full reign to assault and execute any of them at my leisure, though at the same time I was wondering why they were planning to do to Equestria. This seemed so far beyond a simple coup d'etat, they were dealing with powers too great for mere political gain, though considering that the rulers Celestia and Luna whose power was above the Parliament of Equestria were powerful and legendary supernatural beings in of themselves, they probably felt that anything less would be insufficient.

But then again assuming that they are all working without deviation is silly, I considered that it was possible that Arpeggio Philharmonic may have been only playing along and in reality is planning to have Equestria for himself.  But then how did the Golden Robed Ones factor into all of it? It’s possible that the Hastur might have called upon his cult, and that the Golden Robed Ones were once ponies mutated to their forms as a blessing from their High Priest, The King in Yellow, and that Hastur had approached his High Priest and his cult to deal with any that would get in their way towards dominion over the world, may they be the Thule-Nazi’s, Celestia and Luna, Arppegio and the more self interested nobles, or me.

Though maybe Arpeggio is no longer of his own mind and his mind belongs to Hastur, and by extension The King in Yellow and the Cult of Hastur. Meaning that Octavia is the key to the plans of the Cult of Hastur. Whatever the King in Yellow is planning, it has to do with Octavia Philharmonic and her music. I just hoped that I wasn’t too late.

I continued sitting there uncaring to the passage of time thinking on just what was the best course of action at some point eventually I heard the door to the hospital room open as I was looking to the ceiling.  

I could feel the ethereal signature of Celestia coming in, behind her was Luna. I decided to to look at their direction to find that Celestia had something that was akin to a scowl, but the furrowing and the sheer anger in her eyes made it evident she was very crossed with something, and that something must have naturally been me fault.  

“Do you two have any idea what you two have done? Twenty-five Unicorn Royal Guards are dead, the mayor of Canterlot has informed me that two blocks are without etherelectrical power, natural gas, or steam. Two distinct areas of Canterlot University’s courtyards look like a battlefield. I have twelve Germanian unicorns ripped to pieces, incinerated, or blown up. Do you and Luna realize that is excuse enough for war? There is a big mess, and you better have good enough reason why the bodies piled up like this because I am having some old memories being brought back into the forefront of my mind of the Anatolian Crusades against the Serpent-Equines and that is not something I want to see again upon the world. Forgive me Folklore but I will not give the madponies across the Ocean of Atlas an excuse to come goose-stomping around Europa to then start getting ready to perch both the damned Black Sun and the Swastika over Canterlot, which I can assure they will start by doing that very same thing in Manehattan.”

I personally didn’t expect her to be that outwardly upset, though to be fair she was just looking out for Equestria, centuries of doing everything in her power to keep Equestria in relative peace and avoiding conflict with the surrounding rising empires, and generally keeping Equestrian neutrality was the most important goal in her mind. Equestria was both resource and financially wealthy, and had world's largest Economy, second only to the Xing Empire, then the Germanian Empire. Followed by the Russ Empire, and then the Kingdom of Albion which itself is also an Empire.

North Equestria was the third largest continent and the Kingdom of Equestria controlled most of it. The population at the time was around one hundred and twenty three million including the supernaturally inclined.

But then again we were only fourth or fifth in population size, despite having what amounted to the third largest country by landmass.

And all of it was done by either negotiation or the claiming of wild lands abandoned for centuries by bigone civilizations. Equestria had had only two civil wars, and one unification war in its past. Any Equestrians that had gone to war afterwards volunteered to become career soldier fighting for foreign countries, much like meself, or were licensed mercenaries fighting for again ‘foreign countries’ or private enterprises.

Meaning that Equestria was a sleeping giant, if provoked it could potentially become the most feared force on the planet, and everyone with a desk and a say in the matters of the most powerful nations in the world knew it.

The main issue with Celestia is that if that became the case, if Equestria would be provoked it would become no different than the other empires that came before her. And potentially it would become the most powerful nation in the world.

Millions would die, Equestrians and foreign alike. The things that Equestria would do to ensure its survival would turn it into a monster. It would become just another in the list of empires that tried to control the world.

With all of that in mind I steadied meself.

“As you probably know we had a firefight in the sewers. Me and Merry that is. We were going to meet with a contact and see how to best approach all of this. Unfortunately we faced some well armed resistance down there that was after our contact as well, there was also a horrid creature that is difficult to explain really. To me knowledge it is something called a Shoggoth, an artificial creation from a bygone species from outside our world that that species used for slave labor. Its possible that the hostile party acquired or made one but they lost control. Then everything turned into a massive clusterf-eh fany.

“We survived talked to our contact and waited the night. After that I brought Merry to get patched up for her one bullet injury, it didn’t penetrate the flesh and hit vital organs but she need some bandages and some painkillers. After that Luna summoned us and explained that Sargent Flamel and the whole of the Officer in the Unicorn Royal Guard where members of the Thule Esoteric Order, most of them inducted by their families as tradition.

“They naturally where the soldiers that fought us in the sewers. We then headed to Canterlot University where Sargent Flamel said the Al-Azif or the Necronomicon as it is known is located, which is used by Arpeggio and his wife Greenteeth. As a sorceress yourself Princess Celestia I think you are aware of that grimoire’s reputation.

“After studying it and and getting quite a bit of information into the sort of magic that Arpeggio and Greenteth had used, even on their own daughter Octavia. But as we were on our way to leave Canterlot University we were ambushed. Oddly enough by two different sides, the Golden Robed Ones who I considered to be creations of the Cult of Hastur, and the Thule. The Thule also had brought in better soldiers, probably the Gemanian’s ye were talking about. As they got me and Luna with quite a few hits, had decent aim for using ‘machined rifles’. Unfortunately the Golden Robed Ones killed three out of the four Nocturne Guards that were with us.

“Me and Luna managed to finish the Golden Robed Ones. Then Merry came back with medical supplies to help and here we are.”

Celestia stood there patiently, and then let out a sigh. “Luna’s attempted capture was done as an attempt by the Thule Esoteric Order (the same with their attempt to wipe out the Branders) to wipeout any threats to them.” She said putting that together, she then continued. “I knew Luna tortured viciously Sargent Flamel, while I did not approve of her actions in the end she got information that was pretty conclusive proof. I decided to let her go and let her get you and Merry to investigate the Al-Azif and then go after Arpeggio and Greenteeth. I know that a secret society conspiering to try and overthrow me with the aid of a foreign power is something that I should not let stand so it was better to let you and Luna deal with them. The Cult of Hastur has their own interests in all of this, deal with them as well. The King in Yellow cannot be allowed to bring his god to our world Folklore. From what I can tell it was Arpeggio and Greenteeth that made a deal with the King in Yellow, and they must have violated the terms of that deal for the creatures you call the Golden Robed Ones to go after Thule forces as well.”

I began to raise me hoof. But then she interrupted and finished.

“I have known of the Branders from the newspapers for a couple of years Folklore, I haven’t demanded that the Canterlot Police or the Royal Guard to exert extra effort in capturing them because in the end their intentions were good. Plus, with the Police's and the Royal Guard’s reluctance to get into the Canterlot Narrows I felt that those vigilantes were the closest thing to policing that area was going to get. And I suspect you of commiting your own acts of vigilantism yourself, you don't have to admit it, I can see it in your eyes. You can’t let injustice pass Folklore not completely, I could tell that from you when I first saw you as a little colt. Just try to contain the collateral damage all right?”

She said all of that, trotting out of the room. Leaving me and Luna alone, as we basically got out of that with just a slap on the wrist.

“We see that our sister is under quite a heavy and bothersome burden. We must admit that she lacks an appetite for war, but when the necessity arises she can be quite fearsome. Though out of us both we were always more adept at the grisly art of bloodshed.” Luna said as if to assure me that in the end Celestia will not abandon Equestria. But as for me I was more worried if Equestria would become something unrecognizable without her if the worst was to happen. In truth what I had witnessed made me realize that in the end we are all vulnerable.

I responded, basically thinking that I needed to get back to Pages and Stories and get some more ammo, get the Shoggoth that I have in an iron box. Now I need to ask Luna one specific thing.

“I think that Philharmonic has earned himself the warrant now don’t ya think? Ya did get confesion out of Flamel. And I need to pick at the Philharmonic Manor thoroughly, finding  the list of members of the Equestrian chapter of the Thule Esotheric Order and the locations of any imported weapons and Shoggoths would be a great place to start.” I know, seems obvious to ye lot, but I could not really get inside Philharmonic Manor. Not because I couldn't get in, but because I figured that I couldn't get out without having to kill quite a few ponies, and get away with it. One thing is a shootout in a sewer, or a shootout or an alley fight in the Canterlot Narrows, another is a shootout in the ‘respectable’ Canterlot University, and breaking into a noblestallions home without a warrant.

The poor, and the poorer areas of Canterlot are ignored and actively treated more as filth that must be brushed away rather than fellow ponies or sapients for that matter. The aristocrats, Real-Estate tycoons, and Urban Developers relish a sudden drop in population in the Canterlot Narrows. Whether through eviction or tragedy, it gives them opportunity to gentrify and ‘clean-up’ the area. So in truth bad things are desired to happen there, and in fact often enough happen there that plenty see the denizens of that part of Canterlot as the real problem.

And every time I think about it I want to arm explosives at the magical anchors holding the City of Canterlot in place, blowing them to the depths of Sheol and from a safe distance. I would watch the damable Temple of Hypocrisy crumble and crush the bastards that made it that way into red myst. Seems strange that I would follow the law then? Yeah, but I do not want to make an enemy of Celestia, if I had proof I could at least avoid the confusion whether I was there to search the area or kill quite a few ponies that I didn't like for some reason.

“We agree, but we also think that thou should get some ammunition and a proper meal first. Head back to thy storefront, and fetch what thee needs first.”

Luna said that, and I honestly thought about it for a second and I wanted to punch my own face for forgetting to mention the creature I have stored in the Iron Box. A creature that I am sure was a modified Shoggoth.

Luna noticed the panic in me eyes, and asked. “Is there a concern that we should beith aware of?”

I looked at her trying me best to keep face. It did not work in the slightest, but I still said the following. “I’ll tell ya when I am sure. Better see the Baltic, after that I’ll head to the shop.”

We left to see how the Baltic was doing, basically me feeling that I should have reacted faster, though how possible that was is up for debate.

I quickly looked myself over for how well I had healed up, in all I just had faint scars, and then I simply went for my clothing and leftover equipment, and put it back on, despite the ten bullet holes and the dried blood on the overcoat, oddly enough the sickly yellow blood from the Golden Robed Ones looks like gold dust.

I found it curious, but didn’t pay much mind to it at that moment.

Me and Luna basically left the room arranged to me by the hospital and we trotted out of there with a general sense that things are too exposed.

The hospital itself was moving along with its usual busyness, the moving of a few patients, the nurses fast trotting, sometimes practically galloping from patient to patient. This being the Canterlot Royal Hospital, everything looked immaculately clean. And the halls while plain, and painted a light green were quite spacious and had this Neoclassical Equestrian style to it. But at the same time I could see it in the faces and the gaits… The ponies that got a sight of me and Princess Luna were afraid, we gave an intimidating presence naturally and that was something to take note of. Princess Luna was still in their minds as a living terrible legend brought back from the annals of history, I looked like the killer that I was. It hurt in a way, a reminder that in polite society we are not welcome. Its moments like that that made me think if civilization was even worth it?

We eventually reached the Baltic’s room, and as soon as we went through the white door we saw him in the dark room over his covers, bare from his armor His green irises were the size of pinpricks looking at the ceiling, unblinking. His grey fur, and earthly orange mane was cut low, understandable due to the helmet.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the lad, naturally I decided to take a closer look. From what I could tell he was breathing, but his eyes were looking at something far of, something inward like a memory. A stare a thousand kilometers away. I knew that well, I had been there, and sometimes I still am there. So I decided to get his attention.

<“How are you holding up?”>

He turned his head to me while sweating profusely, like I had snapped him out of a bad fever dream. A dream of suffering and reliving horror after horror. In many ways that is the course of those that have been in true life and death struggle. We never leave.

<“Relatively fine, just hoping not having to go through this all over again. When I became a Nocturne Guard, I thought that coming to Equestria would be only one step away from being confined to a desk position.”>

I without thinking pulled one of my Jade Dragon cigarettes out of the carton in my right coat pocket. And then placed it in me mouth, just letting it hang there without lighting it. Mostly because as soon as I placed it there I remembered that smoking in a hospital and next to an injured stallion was a bad idea. But I think that it served to catch his attention more nevertheless.

<“In a way you would have been right. Had you come here in less interesting times. But from what I have experienced in the last ten months or so tells me that things in the roots of trees, and even above the stars are changing in ways unfathomable. An upheaval is in the horizon for the world. I am afraid to say that horror is something that not even neutral and profiteering Equestria can avoid. If it’s any consolation, you will not be the only one understanding the feeling of the flames of sheol anymore. So what do they call you?”>

I meant that second to last line metaphorically, though coming from me it is strange. I have felt and seen Sheol fire before, controlled it, and I even know how to summon it. (Though equine sacrifice is frowned upon, not to mention that you really can’t stop it. It burns even the stone and the water. I suspect that it’s plasma like but I would have experiment with it a little.)

<“My name is Thrusting Valor, and your bedside manner is atrocious.”> He said frowning at me slightly, but looking at me all the same.

I bit off the bottom of me cigarette and placed me hoof on me mouth doing my best to cover the snicker. I would have laughed out loud but an injured traumatized stallion doesn’t exactly deserve the ridicule, but in all honesty my sometimes childish mind found it hilarious.

<“Sorry but in all honesty it is difficult not to laugh.”>

He stared at me with a natural look of annoyance.

<“Can I get a rifle and a coat? I may be unable to fly for the foreseeable future but I can shoot.”>

I could see it in his cat-like green eyes, the look. The look of sompony possessed. He wanted revenge for his comrades, or I considered that was what he wanted. Why would anypony go back to fight willingly in his condition? Only unfinished business on the battlefield brings sane ponies back to it. The ones that return to it are the ones that have nothing and consider their war buddies as family, or those that have forgotten what life outside of it is like. In contrast there are also those that jump from battlefield to battlefield because only amongst the dead and bringing it is the only time they truly feel alive. That is what I learned from being among them, and being one of them.

Luna trotted to me, looking above me head at the stallion on a mission before me.

<“Thou may have what thee needs.> Folklore, arm him.” She said this in a slightly older Baltic, but I could tell he understood fine.

I knew that it was quite likely that he could die. But at the same time I saw in him the same grim determination at making the deaths of his comrades count for something the same way that I had.

<“Come with us.”> A missing wing might not make him able, but something tells me that in a way he was already part of the living dead. And with that I helped him up and we left the room.

Merry was already leaning on the door wearing a black trenchcoat and black leggings.

“So Lore, what are you going to do now?” She asked with tinge of excitement. She was eager but something told me that was more to do with keeping a strong facade. Thought truth be told if her mind wasn’t made of sterner stuff she would have plunged into the depths of insanity in the sewers. Though one should note that those that are already insane in their own way are more resilient against the horrors of the unknown void than a perfectly adjusted member of society.

“We are all going the shop, I have something there that Princess Luna should see. And we should all get some damn breakfast.”  And so we were already on our way.

Comments

[jidbrony]

Nice.