//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: A New Name Enters the List // Story: The (Mis)adventures of Nava: Book Two // by Navanastra //------------------------------// Chapter 3: A New Name Enters The List. Edited by: Rainbowblitz, Chrome Masquerade Proofread by: Fistfire “Well, this is definitely how I imagine both Dash and Cloud making an entrance together. Both troublesome and loud at the same time.” I thought to myself as I looked over to the two mares hiding themselves on the right side of my bed, opposite the door. The doctor simply sighed. “Sometimes it feels like I am not getting paid enough for this.” I heard him mutter all the way here. Though, for some odd reason, his very appearance somehow made me uneasy. Not just that, but I just kept eyeing that horn of his every once in awhile. And no, it’s not for any dirty reasons either. It just makes me feel paranoid. That’s all. “Once again I am so, so, so sorry for these two, Doctor Stitch. More accurately for my sister. She has always been more… foal-minded, compared to others.” Flitter apologized, which in turn caused Cloud to glare at her from my right. “Hey! I am NOT foal-minded. I prefer to call myself more of a rebel than anything else.” Cloud retorted, though this was the moment where Dash had to add her two cents as well. Or two bits, as would be the proper term now. “Um… actually you do tend to be foalish at times, there, Cloud. The incident back at the weather factory a week ago says otherwise.” Dash put in while smirking at the memory. The humor obviously was lost on me because… well, duh. “Oh, zip it! It was half your idea, anyway.” Cloud countered while looking off to the side, obviously defeated. Well, this seriously is what has been missing in my life for a while. In my new life, that is. The strange friendship and chemistry of these three mares. Yes, even the two sisters because half the time they behave more like old high school classmates than mature sisters, and to be honest I kind of like it. It really caused me to form a small smile on my muzzle, despite my current and upcoming situation. But then again, it could also just be me trying to escape reality for a bit, which in turn might not be such a bad move after all. I was brought out of my musing when Flitter suddenly tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up to her and saw her giving me a gentle smile as she sat herself down next to my bed. I would guess the doctor just decided to let them in and have their way. Despite this hospital's rules for visiting hours. “Hey. How are you feeling, Nava?” She started, which in turn made me look back down on myself with a small sigh. “Not as good as you’d probably hope. I feel weak, drained and stiff. And overall completely confused on what happened to me in the first place. The last memories I can recall are back at AJ’s farm, and after that nothing but empty blanks and silence.” I answered. Well, it is true that I kind of know what happened to me, according to the nurse, but it’s also true that I generally have no accounts and feelings on what supposedly happened to me either. So overall, I have one giant blank of nothing. Her smile wavers a bit after I said that, though what was lost got replaced. A hoof gently being placed on my left shoulder in a caring manner. “I think you should ask Cloud over here about what happened to you. She was there after all and is the sole reason as to why you are even alive in the first place.” Flitter explained. I was surprised, to say the least, and turning my gaze to my right seemed to confirm her claim as Cloud’s previous sass was replaced with what I can only guess was regret, with her gaze firmly locked on the bed sheets. Dash, too, had lost her smug and sported more of a neutral look instead. The atmosphere suddenly went from calm to foreboding with the flick of a switch. Though something else was making me feel uneasy as well. Some kind of sense of dread, if I want to be honest to myself. “Well…it was…” “You got almost killed by a blood crystal, draining you both of your magic and life force.” A new voice suddenly announced. I turned my gaze to its source only for my tired eyes to go wide at the individual who was stepping into the room. It was a thestral. A thestral mare, to be exact. Clad completely in your standard night guard armor -minus the helmet which in turn perfectly exposes her ruff, short-cut and jagged double toned mane and her orange eyes-. But most importantly, she exuded an aura of power and dominance. An individual who does not shy away from doing the unthinkable. An individual who doesn’t take crap from anyone. I don’t know why I am capable of noticing these traits or how I was sensing them. But it could also be just -once again- my alicorn senses doing these things once more, like they have always done without my understanding. But at least it’s still working just fine, unlike the rest of me. “It’s BUCKING you again. For your information ME, AJ and Shimmer have respected your bargain and told not a single soul about what happened back in the Everfree Forest. So it’s not OUR fault that the princesses know about him.” Cloud Chaser snarled and eventually barked out. Half of it confusing me, since I have no idea what really happened or who this… Shimmer she spoke of is. Or more accurately, I can’t remember. But whatever happened it was -according to Cloud- in the Everfree forest. So basically I went to the Everfree and something happened to me inside it that caused me to be in a coma for over a month. For some reason that idea is igniting some… feeling inside of me, but I just can’t really put a finger on it to really remember what it was. Or hoof in my case now. But... you know what? I will keep using human terminologies just to keep my roots and origin close to myself. Even though I still have no idea how or why I got teleported into Equestria in the first place. "Just more blank memories and questions to add to the ever growing list… just great." The mare in question simply smirked as she stood there in the doorway. The doctor, on the other hand, seemed to have had just about enough with all of these unannounced disturbances and was about to call the mare out on it when a quick hard stare from said mare immediately melted any problems he might’ve had about this situation completely away. He soon wasn’t feeling so well about this mare’s presence, judging by his nervous demeanor. I have no idea who this mare is or what her deal is with me and everyone else here. But I just know that with her now knowing of my existence, things are going to be a lot more… well, hectic, I guess I can say. “You and you. Out. I don’t need random ponies being here.” She casually demanded to both the doctor and the nurse who I forgot about. The doctor looked hesitant. “But… but I can’t… I mean, you can’t because this is…” He tried to argue when another hard glare from the mystery bat horse did the trick. He immediately excused himself afterwards with the nurse hot on his tail, leaving just me, Cloud, Flits, and Dash with this dominatrix of a thestral in the room. I do not like the situation I suddenly found myself in. If she is here, then I doubt that any of her vampire fanged friends are too far behind, if my last experience with them back in Cloudsdale is any proof. Her dangerous looking smirk quickly returned after doc and the nurse evacuated, even more so when she realized that all three of my visitors were glaring daggers at her, most especially Cloud. A type of look that basically screams, “I still have a bone to pick with you”. “Well! Now that we are all alone, we can just have a nice and civil conversation about our star and anomaly that is your timid little wannabe alicorn here.” She announced, which did nothing to alleviate the looks being aimed at her. She just rolled her eyes before stepping closer, only to be halted by Cloud as she impressively jumped over my bed and stood in between me and her. Followed by RD, who simply did the normal thing of just going around my bed to join the other two, to my left. “You do know that I can easily take all three of you on, don’t you? I am a hard-bred warrior of my homeland and clan. I have fought armies and participated in wars long before either of you could even walk properly on all fours.” The thestral mare said, with an unimpressed look and tone. Cloud momentarily flinched a bit before giving me a sideways glance and looking back at the armored mare. “I don’t care. You are not going to get your hooves on Nava for whatever sick game or idea you and your goons have in mind for him, now that he is finally awake and ok after his long recovery process.” Cloud bravely countered, a look and feel I never imagined was inside of her, judging by what I know of her so far. I would rather associate such behavior more toward her sister than her, to be honest. What did I miss this past month when I was out cold? The mare just scoffed. “Relax. I am not here to do anything or even take him away. I am just here to ask him a few questions, mostly because you really don’t meet an unknown stallion alicorn with completely different magic patterns compared to everything else. Including Chaos or Blood Magic.” She assured in a calm tone. Once again, I have no idea who she is or what her overall deal is with me, but the moment she mentioned magic I just started to feel some dread in the back of my head. Which is somewhat concerning, because before, the idea of magic was just completely neutral and unknown to me, to say the least. Sure, magic in general has been nothing but a hindrance and a problem for me most of the time, but still… Wait, did she say that I got almost killed because I allowed myself to be led and drained by a blood crystal? I needed to know. “Wait…I… I actually want to ask her something myself.” I voiced out. Both Cloud and Flitter looked at me with surprise. “What?! Why?” Cloud began. “She is the leader of the very night guards who have been hunting you since the Cloudsdale incident. You can’t trust them, especially after they literally threatened to kill us if we spoke out.” Cloud barked out at that last statement while glaring back at the mare in front of us. “Yeah, I have no idea why Celestia keeps these jerks around. Their loyalty obviously only belongs to whatever cause they have and not Equestria as a whole.” Dash added, which seemed to mostly amuse the mystery mare instead of annoy her. She just smirked. “Well, the reason why I and my fellow thestrals are here in Equestria in the first place is because you ponies just naturally tend to be rather skittish and poor fighters overall. Especially nowadays, after a thousand years of peace and isolation.” She explained before her expression went neutral. “Also, the other reason why I am here personally is thanks to a promise I made with your recently returned moon princess before Canterlot was even a thing. Even though I am not very fond of Equestria as a whole or these half breeds that most of your kind mistake for thestrals instead.” She put in with her neutral tone and expression. To be honest, the idea that she was actually over thousand years old is somewhat surprising for me to learn, though not impossible to believe either. This is a world full of magic and mythology, after all, so some level of suspension of disbelief is pretty much required here. Plus, there is me as well. If anything I know about alicorns is correct, then I must be just as immune to the passage of time as Celly, Lulu and maybe Caddy as well. “Wait a minute. Are you implying that you are -at least- over thousand years old?” Dash questioned in disbelief, which was mimicked by Flitter, but mostly ignored by Cloud. The mare simply nodded before allowing herself to smirk once more. “That I am. How and why, though, is not important, nor is if you truly believe me or not. Just know that I am, and that I am not the only one back at home who doesn’t have to worry about the passage of time like most beings have to in this world.” She casually explained. Again, I really don’t see a reason to mark her as a liar because immortals do exist in this world, as far as I know. Or, at the very least, very long lasting lifespans and slow aging. Again, I am one of them. That level of acceptance was not shared by my companions though, or even Cloud this time as she rather looked more suspicious than anything else. But anyway, I just really needed to know more about what happened to me in the first place. Or, more precisely, what exactly happened in the span of one month while I was shut down thanks to whatever magical disaster I got myself into. She might be the one wanting my ass, but she is military personnel, which means that it is part of her job is to hoard as much information as possible and keep some of it in her head as well. Also, it gives me a somewhat good opportunity to learn more about her and this world's version of bat-ponies and how they differ from the ones I know so far. Plus I doubt I really have much of a choice anyway, given my current state and situation. I looked up towards Flitter and Cloud Chaser. “Hey, just let her get closer so she can ask me whatever question she has in mind and maybe I can get something out of her as well. Besides, it’s not like I -and maybe all of you- have a choice in that matter. I am sure that there are more than just her lounging in and around the hospital.” I suggest to them in hopes of finally moving this along and getting this done in a… less hectic way, rather than one that would get these three mares in danger. Whether Cloud’s accusation of her being ready to commit murder is legit or not, better to be safe than sorry. I am sure a thousand year old warrior knows a thing or two when it comes about taking on multiple opponents all at once. And I doubt that any of them -including Dash- really know how to fight properly to begin with. Sure, she is fast and athletic, but what do these attributes do for you in return when your opponents is always three steps ahead of you? The thestral smiled after hearing my willingness to just submit to whatever ideas she had in her head. Not that I really have much choice in the matter to begin with. Again, the whole being weak and bedridden at the moment. “See? Even your little friend over here agrees to my wishes to speak with him personally, and sure I can answer some of your interests as well. I really don’t have anything to hide or hold back anyway.” She announced, which in turn made all three of them look at me, confliction clearly visible on their features about the concept of letting someone as devious -and, according to Cloud, dangerous- individual get close to me. Dash was the one to speak up this time. “Are you really sure about this? I mean… she seems to have some kind of vendetta against you. If she has anything foul in mind for you, then letting her get closer to you would just be a terrible idea to start with.” She explained. I nod. “Yes, I am sure. Just let her have her way for now. It’s not like I can do much against her anyway.” I tried to reassure her. To be honest, I was a tad bit nervous about this idea myself. But then again, sometimes you have to be willing to sacrifice something in order to get what you want, or in this case to avoid trouble. Again, Dash and the two sisters seemed a bit hesitant about my idea before finally submitting. Cloud was still mostly suspicious about our new guest, but eventually also stepped away to allow Ms. Dominatrix a clear way to me. “Now this is what I wanted to see and hear from all of you. Nice and simple cooperation. In fact…” she began when all of the sudden two armored night guards entered the room, fully armed and ready to go smack someone hard if they so desired. “I just knew it! Her being all alone after having caused and witnessed the whole Cloudsdale incident myself was just too good to be true. Especially if she really is this ancient war veteran she claims to be. I am sure she always has a couple of males and females around her ready to smack some sense into anyone who dares stand in her way.” The expressions the other three had were pretty predictable as well. First surprise and then the usual glare and “I just knew it” kind of expression. But at the same time they knew that doing anything rash at this point is far out of the question. Or so I hope. “Do not worry. I really just want to have a more private conversation with your friend over here. You have my word as a clan and family member of the Bloodwings that I won’t do anything that may cause further harm to him. Because if I did, then Luna and I would be at each other’s throats at the end of the day. Which would suck for both of us.” She assured to each and every one of us, which honestly was still more or less worrying, given the fact that I will be alone with someone who most likely has killed hundreds or thousands in her life. No matter what race or species we are talking about. She might have even challenged a dragon at some point of her life, a feat I wouldn’t put past her thanks to her character and the overall feel she gives off. Once more, good to know that at least ONE of my abilities seems to be working just fine, even though I still cannot explain. “You all just go ahead. I will be fine. I promise.” I tried to reassure them by sounding brave and confident, even though internally I really wasn’t. Once more there was unsureness and conflict happening inside of them, but luckily they agreed quickly as they all filed themselves out one by one, with Cloud being the last. She gave me one last worried look before the door was closed behind her, leaving me, her and the two new guests alone in the room. “Alright, you two go back out in the hall and watch the door. As I said, I would like to have a private conversation, here.” She suddenly ordered. The two guards in question nod before leaving the room as asked and closed the door behind them. Now I am truly alone with this thestral mare. “So finally here we are. You and I, face to face for the first time after a long and annoying fetch hunt. Not to mention the fact that you almost managed to kill yourself before I could get my hooves on you and fell into a coma for over a month afterwards.” She began while trotting closer to me with a predatory smirk on her sharp fanged muzzle. “Quite the slippery one you have become. Usually when I hunt something or have my keen eyes on a prize I pretty much get my hooves on it in just under a week. Situations like you are quite rare in my profession. Even rarer when said situations give me a bit of trouble.” She continued on before she was standing pretty much right next to me. Her tone and expression have become more and more neutral and unrecognizable with every sentence she spoke. I was slowly regretting my choice in letting her have her way, but to be honest it’s also a bit too early to make any drastic assumptions just yet. I really haven’t done or said anything towards her that might get me on her bad side. Beside the whole being one of the few to elude her keen senses that is. I just tried my best to keep myself level headed, but that determination quickly failed when she slowly lowered her head closer towards mine which in turn forced me to show her in just how uncomfortable I was by smiling nervously at her. I was really starting to think that I was screwed, and that surprisingly sweet scent of hers wasn’t doing much to help either. She is an ancient warrior but she is also still a female, and me having females THAT close to me where I can literally smell whatever natural odor they have is still very much awkward for me. Shy, antisocial and publicly awkward or not, I still have male hormones regardless. We simply stayed like this for a few, long seconds, her just staring deep into my eyes and taking in my features. Thankfully, she eventually broke off and gave me a more full on look before raising an eyebrow. “You… you’re not a pony are you?” She began, a statement that honestly took me very much by surprise. ”You have the eyes and stare of a predator, something which is impossible to see inside ponies’ eyes, even with both Celestia and Luna.” She continued on, sounding both intrigued and somewhat confused. Well, I am confused too, and baffled as well at just how quickly and easily she somehow managed to figure me out. It is true that a person’s eyes are a gateway to one’s soul, as far as I heard. But still, the idea that she managed to pick up my true origin by just staring into my eyes for a couple of moments is not just impressive but also shocking too. But then again, she does have a thousand years of experience under her belt as well. Do ponies wear belts? Whatever. She kept on looking me over with very curious-looking stares when she all of a sudden placed a hoof on my lips and gently parted them to reveal my teeth to her. The sudden action was both uncomfortable and awkward to me as I kept stock still with my eyes glued cautiously on the appendage in front of me. She eventually retreated her hoof before giving me yet more sets of very intrigued and surprised looks. “Your teeth are even arranged differently compared to most herbivores, almost similar to my kind’s, only with much shorter and less prominent canines.” She announced looking and sounding genuinely surprised for the first time. To be honest, this news was pretty surprising to me as well, mostly because I never really bothered to even think or even pay close attention to my current set of teeth ever since I woke up in this world. The fact that I was pretty much still an omnivore with almost human-like teeth is both amazing and somewhat confusing at the same time. Like, why did I get turned into an alicorn pony with a set of human-like teeth and diet instead of just being a fucking normal pony like everyone else here? Just another question to add to the ever growing list. But all of this doesn’t really matter at the moment because I’ve still got an overly bossy, powerful and intrigued thestral mare next to me. Speaking of. “Um… may I … may I ask what your name might be? Would be better than just calling you the thestral mare in my head over and over again.” I nervously asked, while hoping to maybe start getting some info out of her like how I originally wanted too. She just blinked a couple of times before looking back down at me with surprise clearly visible on her features. She blinked again before finally responding to my question. “Well… uh… my name is Glade. Just Glade. Captain of night guard, second child and first daughter of Berros Bloodwing and current head of the Bloodwing clan back in Kazas.” She answered normally and casually for the first time. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”