//------------------------------// // Fourteenth Chapter // Story: Horse of Cards // by Midnight Ice Cream //------------------------------// Fourteenth Chapter This was a triumph This chapter begins immediately following the previous chapter Captain Sunshine Eartheart of Her Majesty Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards I’m still alive, don’t worry. I stand up, and dust my coat. Somewhere down the line I lost my helmet. Nevermind, it’s probably for the best. I’m sure you’re curious as to what happened? I turn around, taking my bearings. “Hello?!?” I yell. I’m not sure where everypony else is. I assume they’re alive. I can’t be sure. “Hello!?!” I yell again. Forgive me, I was about to tell you what happened wasn’t I? Yes, to be frank, it all happened too quickly. Before we knew it a dragon had appeared, Celestia at first tried to negotiate with him. Dragons aren’t the easiest creatures to talk to however, as Celestia found out when the bastard attacked her. And why not? Capturing a sun goddess like that would surely show the dragon world that he should be king. Anyway we were able to open fire, damaging him slightly, before he breathed fire down upon us. I was able to find cover. What happened beyond then, I have no idea. When I looked up, Celestia was gone. What happened to her, I can only imagine. “Damn you! Where are you! Are you not alive?!” I look around. Nopony in sight. Where’s Goldford? I look at the ground, good, there are hoofmarks. I can follow them back to Goldford. I take a swig of my canteen, only to discover the water has evaporated.This is hardly going to be pleasant. “Soldiers?! Is there anypony alive?!” I assume not. There isn’t much water left. So begins a long walk. Until today, I have not been so directly responsible for such a terrible calamity. I believed so much, that what I was doing was right, that I ignored completely any wisdom that Celestia might have. Or that I may have for that matter. Why did I even come here? I had no plan, all I knew is that Goldford would offer me an opportunity. I wonder if we’ll ever see the light of day again. I do not believe Princess Celestia can be killed. But is slavery any better? What will those dragons do to her? Did those guns even do anything? Have I been conned? Played for a fool, to the point that Princess Celestia is now captured. I drag myself across this damned desert. Each step becoming harder than the last. I am an old pony, and it’s starting to get dark. What will this mean? If Celestia is captured by dragons. I take it Princess Twilight is capable of rescue. Is she? In an attempt to stop this kind of nonsense, in an attempt to defend Equestria, have I resulted in its decline? Did I do my duty? Am I being punished? I’m the only living thing around here. I did not believe in an afterlife, but this could be it. You may criticise my methods, but I’d like to see you do something! At least I tried. For what? Perhaps Equestria is not suited for the likes of me. After all, those other ponies, they’re gone. Where, I do not know. I did not see any corpses. Maybe they’re in heaven. Perhaps these hoofprints are there to give me false hope. In any case, I’m unnaturally tired. Enough moping. I’ve never been a believer in the supernatural. I am a soldier, not a schoolfilly. If I can do anything, it is attempt to rectify this. I must get back to Goldford, and organise a rescue. After that, I will resign my captaincy and possibly consider suicide. If I cannot do my duty, I will not. Now, onward! Deserts are very hot during the day, but at night, they are freezing. The cold, and the fatigue means I can hardly stagger forward. My mind has stopped thinking, I just look at a new rock every time, promising to fall asleep after I pass each rock. I then turn to another, and promise the same. Will I die if I sleep? Will I freeze to death in this terrible wasteland? Forgotten? Useless, at least I won’t witness the inevitable fall of Equestria. If indeed it is inevitable. I have fooled many ponies, but even I can’t fool myself into believing otherwise. My hooves ache. I don’t know how long I’ve been walking, or even if this is the right way. I cling to my jacket, in vain hope that it’ll give me any warmth. Just that one rock. I can sleep then. Soon I’ll start believing that. I collapse. Sunshine Earthheart, you are a disgrace to the service. Sparkling Soda Personal Assistant to Captain Sunshine Eartheart The moment Celestia enters through that gate, she just collapses on the floor. Ponies including myself, rush to her aid. Seems as if she’d blacked out. For whatever reason the locals let me through. “Princess?” I asked, taping her head gently. She opens a single eye, before closing it in guilt. “I failed.” She mumbles. “Tell Colt that we’ll buy his guns.” She drags herself forward. “Princess.” Comes a shout from the crowd. “I run the clinic, ain’t much, but I’ve seen my fare share of broken bones. I can help you “I don’t deserve help.” Ponies make room for the doctor. “Princess, what you’re saying is bullshit. Plain and simple, we’re gon’ get you better.” “If I can’t even protect my subjects what good am I?” “Well, you do kinda raise the sun. So we’d like you to be alright.” Princess Celestia doesn’t speak for quite a while after that. She just accepts it as ponies carry her into the clinic. The one time, the one time that she could have been useful. ***** Within an hour Celestia calls for me. I’m told by the doctor that she is conscious, and am told to sit by her bed. The clinic is not at all what I’d call impressive. Celestia was lying in the clinic’s only bed, with a cast on her broken limbs looking miserable. “Sparkling Soda.” She said as I entered the room. “Princess.” “I want to apologise.” “What for Princess?” I say through gritted teeth. Celestia breathes in, “I have wronged you. Earthheart told me about your father. I accept my lack of vigilance was responsible for that. I understand why you admired him so much.” She takes a while to form her next sentence, before sighing. “I’m sorry, he might be dead.” I do not cry, but I can see that Celestia knows the way I’m feeling. A mix of anger, pity, and confusion. “The dragon attacked. I tried to talk but, it pounced on me. I tried to hold it off. It was all I could do to escape. That thing had me. There was nothing I could do. Then, those guns, they saved me.” “You have to save the soldiers!” I plead. “You have to save Earthheart!” “That’s why I called you in. I asked Gold Dust for a search party. They sent out one to look over the immediate area. Nothing was found. They say it’s far too dangerous to go further, a pegasus could do it, but there are none available. I will be able to heal within twenty four hours. Now, I want to ask for your judgment call. Should I wait, or call for help?” I glare at Celestia. “Princess, if I can do my country any one service, it is to save Sunshine Earthheart. Call somepony, go yourself too. But right now I’m going myself.” “But that’s suicide. Look Sparking, may I call you that.” “If you insist.” “I know how you feel, Earthheart is a very special pony. In my thousands of years of being a monarch, he’s the first of his kind. Even somepony like Starswirl The Bearded only got where he was because of his magical talent, and being in the right place at the right time. Politics aside, he’s one of the few personal friends I have. I care about saving him as much as you do. I know you probably don’t have much sympathy for me right now. But living for as long as I live, you really get lonely. When somepony like that comes up, you really do value him. But that being said, you’re young, you’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Doing this is just stupid.” “Celestia, you’ve just given me even more reason to go. He’s more important than me, that’s undeniable. If I’m even able to help save him, then my life is worth it. If you want to help, you could buy me a warm coat, I’ll be needing it.” “This is a bad idea Sparkling Soda. There are dragons out there, there’s a reason they only send the search party out within viewing distance of the wall.” “Then give me a compass too.” “Do you even know how to use one? Look, I’ll be ready to go within hours!” “That’s not fast enough.” “We can probably send for Twilight to be here soon.” “Not fast enough.” “Then all I can do is wish you good luck.” ***** Ten minutes later and I’ve got a warm coat over my suit, a pair of comfy boots, a few supplies, food, a medical kit, compass and of course a lantern. “Look, I admire your courage, but there’s a big chance you ain’t comin’ back alive. Now I can’t stop ya, but I highly advise you don’t go.” “So be it.” “Well, you got balls, I’ll give you that.” “Thanks, now, open this gate.” “Sure thing.” He says blankly. “You have paid for all you’re carrying right?” “Yes.” The giant steel door opens slowly. “You want me to keep it open? I’ll be up looking out for you.” “Erm, why should it be open?” “Good question. I’ll close it on the way out. Just yell loud enough if you come back. Goodnight,” He says turning away “I’m gon’ get myself a coffee.” “Tell me one thing.” “Sure.” “Why the underreaction?” Gold Dust gives a chuckle. “Your type. I see it all the time. Brave but naive. Now a Princess, I ain’t seen that, but your type, I see it all the time. Some come back with great stories, others just come back dead. In fairness, normally they do it for adventure. You just seem to be doing it for somepony. That Captain Earthheart must mean a lot to you.” “I owe him my life.” “Figures.” He says blankly. “Now, good hunting.” “Should I get a gun?” I ask nervously. “No need. You’re fucked if you see a dragon. Normally you need a lot of ponies with guns to be effective. Any more questions? Having second thoughts?” “No! Just a little nervous is all.” “Good, that’s natural. You’re going to get yourself killed.” “No I’m not!” “Look, kid. Like I said I admire your bravery, and I don’t think I’m going to stop you. But if you’d listen to some advice?” “Alright?” “Don’t stay out there too long. I’d say three hours tops. Then come back. Also, follow recent hoofprints, they should still exist. Finally, if you end up seeing a dragon, play dead. I think that covers it.” “Thanks.” “Now, go, or don’t. I don’t care, but make your mind up.” I go. The desert is not a nice place. It does have a beauty to it, a giant wasteland of nothing. Even in Appleloosa there was life, but this place is just dead. I look at the old hoofprints, at least the ground is solid, so I can technically track him. I walk forward, one step at a time. This place really lacks perspective. It’s impossible to tell how far you go, without relation to Goldford. Everything in the distance just looks like some cardboard cutout from an old film. I suppose I agree to Gold Dust’s idea though, any more than three hours is dangerous, and it’s pointless dying for nothing. What if I do find him, what if he’s dead? What if I just can’t help him back? What if there’s a dragon? I wish I wasn’t here. I just keep on walking, trying to blank out these thoughts. I’ve got to go on, I’ve just got to go on. Keep away those thoughts of death, sometimes, you’ve just got to play your cards. I wonder what he’s feeling right now? Probably completely calm, no problems at all. I’m absolutely terrified. Just focus on Earthheart, you can still see the wall, they can still see you. It’ll be fine. You’ve got to find Earthheart. You’ve got to find Earthheart. As the wall gets smaller, and smaller, and eventually becomes invisible, I am truly terrified. ***** One step forward. By this point the sky is completely black. I can barely see in front of me, all I’ve got is this old gas lamp. I must have gone two miles, but it’s dark already. I have to squint to see the hoofprints now. Oh I just hope they’re not mine. I suppose I’ve got to follow them. Just keep on moving on. I’m getting a little less scared now, I’ve been out here for a couple of hours, and the worst thing has been the cold. Despite what Gold Dust says, I’ve got to keep going. I’ll carry one for half an hour more, then I’ll head back. If it’s too far, then I’d just die on the way, or get eaten by a dragon. Right now, everything just seems quiet. Captain Sunshine Eartheart of Her Majesty Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards Truly I must be dreaming, or dying I can barely muster the energy to look up, “Sparkling Soda?” I must be dead. She simply beams at me. “You’re alive!” She crouches next to me. “Here, have some water.” She offers me her canteen. I eagerly drink, instantly feeling strength returning to my body. She then offers me a sandwich, I grab it eagerly, eating almost all of it instantly. Never have I been so undignified. “Help me up, will you?” She pulls me up, and I lean on her for support. “Can you walk?” “I’m not sure, I may need help.” “So be it. You’re only three hours away from the wall.” I sigh in a relief that turns to pain. “Where are my soldiers? Where is The Princess?” “The soldiers, I have no idea. The Princess is in Goldford. She’s got a few broken bones, but that’s all.” “We must find the soldiers.” “Not in your condition.” “Damn my mortality!” Sparkling supports me as we return to Goldford. “Try not to talk too much, you can do that when you’re better.” I growl but comply. I suppose this is what it’s like to have one’s life saved. I feel infinitely lighter, I feel terrible for this. I am probably a far stronger pony, yet this filly is half carrying me through three miles of wasteland without so much as a complaint. I can hear her panting occasionally, and she’ll take the odd swig from her flask, but not once does she complain. “There look! The wall!” That’s all she says. “GOLD DUST!” She shouts. “I SURVIVED!” She sits us both down. “We’re safe.” She sighs. “We’re safe.” Within minutes, I can see lights coming from the wall towards us.