//------------------------------// // Situation: Sickbay // Story: Chessmaster through Life and Shadows // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// It had been several days since the trio had secretly made their way into Manehatten. Keeping to the shadows, they had slipped past the guards at the station when they arrived and had made their base in one of the abandoned buildings at the edge of town. The vivid dream was still prominent in Rainbow’s mind, and it had started to affect her judgement when it came to spreading her mother’s message to the masses, at times getting careless. One incident included purposely tumbling into a garlic stand when trying to flee from a Solar Guard, but to her dismay he had lost her. That had put her out of commission, and only by a stroke of luck was Windy able to get her back to the base unseen, but Rainbow now had a severe case of the Germaren Sneasles and was the most wanted pony in Manehatten. “You are lucky that I found you in time Rainbow,” Windy said as she gave Rainbow another dose of medicine, which tasted like a blend of pure ginger and bitterroot. “Take it easy the next few days and you should be back walking around like normal. Care to tell me what happened?” “Yeah,” Rainbow said after drowning the pill in water to save her taste buds unwelcome torture. “Was spreading out flyers when a stallion came up to me. Seemed innocent enough, asking about how I envisioned Equestria would be with my mom in charge and such. Well, he seemed interested and wanted me to meet a few of his ‘pegasi friends’ to see if they would be interested as well. Like an idiot I followed with my guard down, and lo and behold I walked straight into a freaking trap, he led me to Commander Hurricane and a few off duty Wonderbolts…” Windy stopped dampening a cloth that she was going to put on Rainbow’s head. Everything then clicked into place, and she didn’t need her adoptive daughter to finish her story. The stallion she had first met was actually an undercover Solar Guard, and he had led the thestral right into a trap. Hurricane had recognized Rainbow on sight, and wanted her to return to Canterlot, and when Rainbow refused the soldier gave chase. She managed to lose him, but at the expense of not paying attention to where she was going and crashed into the stand. “Don’t you worry Rainbow,” Windy said applying the cloth. “Me and Crypt will take turns on watch the next few days while you rest and recover. The medicine is bitter, but it is an old family recipe I know that should get rid of your condition in less than ninety hours.” “Ok Windy,” Rainbow said before getting wracked by a coughing fit. “I will just lay here on my old-sofa-turned-bed until then.” Windy nodded. “Good, now I got to make a run to the market, Crypt will keep watch while I am gone. If I am not back in three hours then be concerned, but until then just relax to the best of your ability. Take care my little Prism and see you soon.” Rainbow waited until she was absolutely sure that Windy had left before really bringing what she wanted to think about to the forefront of her mind. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell her I did it on purpose… I was hoping I would be caught, but I freaking blew that plan. Maybe I should try and sneak out, but then again I don’t want to infect anypony with this disease, and it is a good thing Windy had Crypt cast a spell to make the two of them immune and not carriers. I miss my mom, but that dream was a warning, one that I should take to my nonbeating heart and listen to...” “You have the face of a mare with a lot on her mind.” Crypt Keeper’s voice made Rainbow jump, she had not heard him come to the doorway. “Anything you want to get off yer hooves?” “No Crypt, I just was thinking about how badly having the Germaren Sneasles sucks,” Rainbow said shaking her head, thankful that Crypt seemed to buy the lie. “I can’t imagine the full pain a living pony has to deal with from this bucking disease.” “Had it in my youth,” Crypt said sitting down at the entrance to the room. “sucks like Tartarus I tell you. My mother had the darndest time trying to get rid of it, and by the time it went away we were in debt.” Rainbow flinched at that, another wave of bone rattling coughs not helping any. “Sorry to hear that Crypt, did everything eventually turn out ok?” “Took several years but she did manage to settle back down into normalcy.” Crypt’s tone was distant, his eyes having a hollow look to them as he looked back at his memories. “There is nothing in this world that can compare to a mother’s soft touch, or to their love Rainbow, cherish that always.” “Yeah…” Rainbow said with a sigh, a silent tear rolling down her cheek. “I can’t wait to be reunited with mom, I miss her so much and I’m constantly thinking about her.” “You have her looks Rainbow,” Crypt said catching the sick thestral off guard. “I see a lot of her in you. Don’t bother asking me for every specific detail, I honestly won’t be able to list them, but I feel the magic flowing from you. It is powerful, dominate, but at the same time trusting. "You are the Embodiment of Loyalty in its purest form, likely the result of your Element bonding with you. I hope that you just keep to the right path and don’t succumb to the darkness, and ask others for help with that. Loyalty is a double edged sword, with its equal opposite being betrayal, so you need to work on separating the two into their parts, I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do have the life experience to give you my advice, and I’m thankful you haven’t ask me to stop.” Rainbow gave Crypt a smile. Despite being older than him, she really did value his input. “That is something I strive to do. I want to make the right choices, but I can’t help but second guess those same decisions at times, then everything I do becomes confusing.” “Even though you are an undead vampony, you are still a pony.” Crypt said in a sage-like tone. “You still have morals and ideals, and know right from wrong. The second guessing comes from fear, nothing more, trust your gut and heart for that is where your true choices are at. The mind can be corrupted, your soul however cannot, unless of course dark magic is involved.” “I guess you are right…” Rainbow said sitting up, feeling a little bit better about herself. “but you know what I really miss? I really miss the days from when I was young; me, mom, and Auntie Tia would spend hours just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. Everything seemed so simple back then, and I cherished every second of it.” “I feel ya,” For the first time since she had met Crypt, she could see that he was on the verge of crying. “I know that feeling all too well, nopony knows what they have until it is gone. That is one of the many things I regret about my life choices, but if I could go back in time and change anything I wouldn’t dare.” Rainbow raised an eyebrow, her expression falling flat. “Why not? If I could go back in time, I would undo every wrong thing that I have done, starting with falling into Commander Blackwing’s trap.” Crypt said nothing, instead rising up to his hooves and slowly trotting over to Rainbow. Each step was in perfect rhythm, the sound of his hooves hitting the wooden floor echoing like a dreadful heartbeat in the batpony’s ears to the point they started to ring. Anticipation built in her, a cold sweat forming on her brow as the gravespony leaned to her ear. “If you did that…” Crypt said in a tone that seemed heavier than normal. “then what life lessons would you have learned, princess?” “I-“ Rainbow’s thought process crawled to a halt. That one statement completely obliterated every single belief she had, adding to her internal turmoil that started with that dream with Fille. In a sense, it opened up her mind to more possibilities, and she realized that everything wasn’t as black and white as it seemed. “I don’t know Crypt, I honestly don’t have an answer for that.” Crypt chuckled as he straightened himself back up. “That was the answer I was expecting, if you had answered me in any other way I would have called you a liar. Every action has consequences, and it doesn’t matter which action you choose, they are still there. I used to wrestle when the grave business was slow, and one thing I had to remind myself of was that one mistake can cause one to rest in peace.” Rainbow’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped at his last statement. Thinking back to her very first encounter with Crypt Keeper, she suddenly realized why the way he looked was familiar to her. Time warped itself in her mind, running in reverse to show what Crypt would look like as a young stallion, and the answer almost sent her into a star struck-like state. “Y-your The G-“ Rainbow stuttered her words, only stopping because Crypt moved his hoof to his mouth in a “shhh” gesture, but that didn’t stop her from mentally fanfillying. “I got to get his autograph!” “In a past time I was,” Crypt said in a whisper. “but I am no longer him. He was born in the ring, and he died in the ring, and I have no regrets about it. I am now just a humble gravespony and graveyard protector, ensuring the bodies of the dead are not disturbed.” “So who, or what, is watching them now since you are here?” Rainbow asked while trying to keep herself composed. “Surely there is somepony you trust enough to do your job in your absence.” Crypt gave Rainbow a small smirk, barely noticeable at the corner of his muzzle. “Oh don’t worry about them, the pony I have looking over them is like a… brother to me.” That was the straw the broke the camel’s back. Rainbow softly squealed, and if she was in full shape she would have flown back to Canterlot as fast as she could to grab her most cherished poster. Crypt’s smirk grew, soon becoming a full fledged smile as he chuckled at the mare’s reaction. “Close your eyes Rainbow.” Crypt gently said, and once Rainbow did she heard him trot out the room. All was quiet for a few minutes, then she heard him return. “Ok, now you can open them.” Rainbow opened her eyes and stared at Crypt, her jaw hanging wide. He was standing in the doorway, wearing his trench coat with his flat brimmed hat pulled down so just his eyes were visible in the low light caused by his glowing horn. A shiver ran down Rainbow’s spine, for she was looking right into the whites of Crypt’s eyes, similar to how a shark’s look before striking their prey. Crypt made his way across the room, hiding a smile from hearing Rainbow repeatedly mutter “oh my gosh” under her breath. Once he reached the bed, he made his eyes return to normal as he looked down at her. “I think,” Crypt said taking off his hat and placing it on Rainbow’s head, then wrapping his coat around her. “this looks better on you than me. After all, dead ponies tell no tales, now do they?” “Except those that are undead,” Rainbow replied after a small coughing fit. “Then you have everything to worry about, nopony can hide from the Queen of the Damned.” “Queen of the Damned huh?” Crypt said with a chuckle. “Why I swear, if I was thirty years younger we could have teamed up, but alas that was in the past. Now, the primary focus is your health, and you need to worry about nothing but that.” Rainbow tilted her head, looking at him mildly confused. “You kidding me right? How can I worry about only my health when I am living my life on the lam?” Crypt’s features turned stern, a small scowl emerging on his muzzle as he furrowed his brows. “That is solely your choice Rainbow, nopony forced you to come. You could be in Canterlot resting on the softest bed possible, learning how to rule Equestria proper, but you decided you hated your Aunt. I have been doing some deep thinking while meditating, and came to the conclusion that you need to quit running and stand muzzle to muzzle with Celestia. You look absolutely miserable, and Fille’s spirit visited me to trust me with the task of keeping you on the straight and narrow.” Rainbow paled at the mention of the Lunar Spirit, another violent shiver running down her spine that caused her coat hairs to stand on end. “Fille? I thought that she was just something my mind made up during that dream, you mean to tell me-“ “I deal with the dead all the time Rainbow,” Crypt said not even trying to mask his annoyance. “you honestly think that I couldn’t talk to spirits? Shame on you if you thought that, but anyway, I talk to them and on rare occasions one comes to me with a task. Your true feelings were shown in the dream, which Fille herself showed me, and I think that once you get better you need to talk to your Aunt. Your hatred is faltering it seems, question is will you let it continue to do so?” “I just might,” Rainbow’s answer came with no hesitation, her tone firm. “and honestly I’m sick and tired of running. What I want most is for my mother to return, and I long for the day I can snuggle against her again, but I am also scared. I am not the pegasus she knew, I’m now a vampony thestral that lurks in the shadows, and my biggest fear is she will reject me.” “Remember what I said earlier about betrayal?” Crypt Keeper asked applying another cool washcloth, gently lifting her head up and placing it on the back of Rainbow’s head. Once her head was lowered, and sighing at the coolness, she nodded and allowed her idol to continue. “That is what is causing those thoughts, the ones closest to you stabbing you in the back. Since your vendetta against Celestia is waning, it has to find another outlet to show itself in order to maintain your Element’s balance.” “So it is going to try and use my longing as its outlet then…” Rainbow said in a soft tone, like she was that to herself. “I can’t let that happen Crypt, what do you suggest?” “I suggest you use meditation and try to find your balance,” Crypt said heading for the door. “I said it before, and I won’t say it again. Another thing is you are a horrible liar, and I am not an idiot, your story doesn't add up because you always check your surroundings while airborne.” “Horseapples…” Rainbow mumbled under her breath, then felt ashamed for swearing in front of Crypt. “Ok you got me, I crashed into the cart on purpose, but to be fair I didn’t think I would get Germaren Sneasles as a result.” Crypt did not move from his spot, instead turning his neck to look back at her. “That falls under bashfulness and not having the foresight to think things fully through. I am disappointed that you lied to cover your intentions, however I understand why you felt the need to do so. You didn’t want to anger Windy, so you tried to worm your way around the actual circumstances, and that is going to have a negative effect. Everything eventually comes out in the wash, so it might not be today or a year from now, but she will find out the truth. Now if you will excuse me, I must return to my post, the sight perimeter spell I cast is wearing off.” Crypt then started to trot down the hall, his hoofsteps becoming further away and leaving Rainbow alone once more. Guilt then washed over her like a waterfall, making her body feel heavy as Crypt Keeper’s words reverberated in her skull. Gathering up all the strength she could muster, only stopping for a moment due to sneezing enough to make her lightheaded, she bounded out of bed and took off down the hall. She was thankful that Crypt hadn’t got too far ahead and caught him a few passages from her room. “Crypt Keeper,” Rainbow said straining her voice, making Crypt turn in place. He caught her in his magic as her legs gave out, and helped keep her upright as her strength drained from overexertion. “I just want to say that I’m sorry for lying…” “Dammit Rainbow…” Crypt said with a grunt due to Rainbow’s weight. “I accept your apology, but don’t leave bed again unless there is an absolute emergency. Got it?” “Y-yes sir.” Rainbow weakly replied before starting to sneeze, each rattling her bones and having enough force to be felt in Crypt’s side. “Wait, what if I have to use the bathroom?” “If you do, try and hold it in until Windy gets back.” Crypt nearly fumbled his words, a little embarrassed by Rainbow’s question. “I don’t think her or anypony else would like the idea of you being alone in the bathroom with a stranger of a stallion, somepony might get the wrong idea.” Crypt heard a soft “I wouldn’t mind”, but feeling Rainbow’s forehead showed that her fever had returned with a vengeance. Playing it off as the fever talking, Crypt didn’t say a word as he gently laid Rainbow, who was now fast asleep, into her bed before returning to his post. Exactly three hours after Windy had left, Crypt saw her turn through a back alley that had been serving as their walkway. He immediately became concerned, however, when he saw that she had no grocery bags and she was acting like she was hiding. Crouching into cover, he heard the approaching sound of pegasi wings come from the opposite direction that Windy was approaching from. Not even a minute later two Wonderbolts, Commander Hurricane and General Firefly, landed on the roof. “I must warn the others…” Crypt thought to himself before teleporting downstairs, knowing the fun was about to begin.