//------------------------------// // Chapter 14 // Story: Warframe: Rebirth // by REDMAMBA //------------------------------// Chapter 14 It was strange coming to terms with what she had lost. Both Celestia and Cadence were very understanding and caring, listening through the few stories Raven did tell. It was amazing that Raven could skirt around the fact that she was an alien. That in itself was truly amazing, but how long was that little lie, or lack thereof, going to last? Yet another thing for a later date... But as of right now, that was some storm last night though. At least it passed without incident. Well… mostly without incident. Leaves littered the streets, and a tree or two had fallen, but no one was injured. But on the bright side, Celestia did let Raven sleep in a little longer than usual. It was also nice that mare was willing to get Raven up this time instead of one of the maids. Once Raven was dressed and teeth brushed -much to her chagrin- the duo headed for breakfast. The pair walked in content silence down the halls of the brightly lit castle. As they rounded one of the many corners of the castle, the pair froze in their tracks. Celestia wasted no time in grabbing Raven and lifting her into the air with her magic as a stretcher and several medical personnel rolled by. One mare sat on top of the body, both hands pushed firm onto the figures armored chest. “Come on!” she screamed as she continued her compressions. “I got no pulse here!” “I still can't find an opening!” another mare screamed as she held a needle and an I.V. bag as she ran alongside the stretcher. “Move!” the only stallion in the group ordered as he pushed the stretcher. “We need to get him to the E.R. NOW!” Raven, who was still hovering, looked towards her mother, before back towards the group that had recently ran by. Both stood in shock as they watched the group of medical ponies continue down the hall and around a corner. “Should we… investi…” Raven started before she was unable to speak the last word. Celestia nodded her head and wasted little time in jogging towards the medical bay. Raven for her part, just hung out… literally. The pair continued to follow the group of panicked medical personnel. All the two could see were the bright white boots of the soldier as they followed. The group of medical ponies and two princesses rounded corner after corner before entering the medical wing. “What is going on?” Celestia demanded as she put Raven back on her feet, who started to unwrinkle her shirt and pants. Nearby, one of the many nurses stepped away and turned to face the pair. “Your majesty’” she bowed. “A guard found this Minotaur in the gardens! He was unresponsive and not breathing. We started CPR, but he still isn’t responding!” Nearby, Raven turned her gaze away from the two older women and towards the still working team. Below the mare on the soldier's chest, she could see the smooth, bright armor underneath. It was purple and white in color. A pair of massive horns rested atop his head. But she had a feeling she could not shake. “Frost…” It was very familiar. Way to familiar. She had known it long enough. Both the nurse and Celestia stopped talking as they turned towards the child as Raven walked her way towards the bed. Like a friend, a long-lost lover. She could hear it… She could feel it… Together… as one. The lucid dream. Margulis. “Sweetie-” one nurse started as she took a step to grab the child. With a push of her hand, Raven lifted and moved the mare back several feet, much to the mares surprise. With another gesture, she gently removed the mare on the figure's chest and placed her on the floor, much to her surprise too. Once she was next to the bed, the child held up a hand. She curled her fingers as the energy within her started to move. A massive white orb manifested in her open palm. Everyone watched in bewildering awe at the child. Raven’s gaze moved back towards the figure. “Together as one,” she spoke in Orokin. “Welcome home… Frost.” She slapped her open palm on the figure's chest. Raven's eye rolled up into her head as she fell limp on top of the figure. “Raven!?” Before Celestia could even move, the soldier's right hand twitched. Slowly, his limp body started to move. Carefully, he lifted his head and wrapped a caring arm around the child. He adjusted her accordingly so he could sit up and cradle the child in his arms. Holding her bridal style, he let his massive armored legs hang over the side of the bed. Every medical technician in the room watched in awe as he was seemingly brought back to life. Celestia, however, was furious. “You son of a- give my daughter back!” she demanded. Her horn ignited and her hands flared with magical energy as she took a hate filled step towards the pair. The figure held a calm hand up, stopping the mare. His massive armored head slowly turned around the room. The cold stare and faceless helmet bore fear into everypony in the room. As he came to an end, his gaze fell towards the child in his arms. He ran a hand through her hair and examined her for carefully. He slowly lifted his head towards the eldest mare in the room not long after. Celestia’s gaze bore down on him. “What did you do to her!?” Slowly, he lifted a hand and pointed towards the child's head, then up to his. “Hello, mother…” the man spoke, in a strange, robotic voice. The mare's eyes widened at the sound. Celestia couldn’t comprehend what she was hearing and seeing as her jaw bounced up and down lightly. The figure rose from the bed and stood in front of the still gawking mare. As he stood, his massive horns had several inches on Celestia, causing him to tower over her like a giant. Everypony in the room suddenly felt smaller. One mare, near the figure, felt a chill as the air temperature seemed to drop. “Perhaps… my room be best?” the man asked. All the medical personnel were dumbfounded. Here they were, doing everything they could to save this guy’s life, and Raven walks in and brings him back like nothing! All the medical personnel stepped back in shock as he took his first steps, heading for the door. Once he reached it, he turned back and motion with his head for Celestia to follow before leaving down the hallway. *** Frost sat down on Raven’s bed before it fell backwards with a thump, the girl disconnecting herself from the warframe by lifting her hand away. With a groan, Raven sat in his lap, holding her aching head. On her way back, she remembered something. A room, in her ship. That memory lead to another, the somatic link. She was going to need that to pilot this frame! How the hell was she to make one of those!? Opening her eye, she lowered her hand and turned to face the warframe. Through the link she had, she knew he was a Frost, and a prime at that. This one was a custom skinned frame, dawned in the Frost Harka Skin. His primary color was white in nature, while his chest, and tunic were light purple in color, accented with a dark grey. Pressing her hands against his chest, making sure to avoid channeling her energy, Raven easily noticed the white and black Gazal Chest piece, and a pair Foros arm guards with diamond Shekaras. Looking lower, she saw a matching set of Foros leg guards, and a bright purple cloak hanging from his shoulders. To top it all off, he wore a sigil to the left of the chest piece on his abdomen that Raven didn’t recognize. “Raven!?” The girl lifted her head and looked over her shoulder. A concerned Celestia stood in the doorway before rushing in and grabbing the child and hauling her away. “Ah! Oof! Mom!” she protested as she was dragged to the door. “Stay away from that thing!” Celestia protested. Oh, like hell it was… “Mom… mom… MOM! PUT ME DOWN!” Raven shouted at the top of her lungs, wiggling enough for Celestia to drop her and stumble. “Stop!” Taking a firm stance, Raven stood in her room while a still nervous Celestia stood in the hall. Shocked and slightly confused how Raven got out of her god-like grip, Celestia turned to face her daughter. “Raven, what are you doing!? That thing is-” “Armor!” Celestia blinked once, then twice. “Excuse me?” “Armor!” Raven repeated. “It’s armor.” She turned to face the limp form that sat on her bed. Celestia honestly waited for that suit of armor to rise to its feet and fight. It… gave off a very bad vibe… and energy reading. The mare could sense the energy coming from it. It felt… cold… Like dark magic cold… *** “What did you want to ask me, Princess?” Captain Bronze asked as he followed Celestia through the halls of the Castle. He was still rather confused and worried as to why the princess pulled him away from some rather important paperwork and cadet training. She had this air of nervousness that he could sense. He did not like it at all! The mare continued to stay silent as they rounded a corner and towards the princess’s personal chambers. She wasted little time in opening the doors, leaving Bronze to salute the two confused guards at each side of said doors. As soon as the stallion stepped through, the doors slammed shut, startling the military stallion. Now he was really wishing he had his sword. “...Princess?” Celestia disappeared into another room. Bronze, still confused and worried, slowly reached back and pulled a dagger from the back of his belt. Following cautiously, the dagger hidden in his grasp, the stallion stepped into the other room, which was the princess’s personal study. “Captain,” Celestia suddenly said, spinning to face the stallion. “I… I need help…” she pleaded. The stallion recoiled back like he had just been slapped. “What?” “I need help!” Celestia repeated, with a look of worry upon her features. Confused, the stallion glanced to the side, expecting somepony to jump out and yell ‘surprise’! Feeling a sense of calm, he sheathed the dagger and stepped forward. “With what, if I may be so bold to ask?” Celestia opened her mouth, but no words came. Turning around, she grabbed a pair of doors behind her and opened them abruptly. Inside, stood the suit of armor from earlier. It took a lot of convincing, and equal amounts of yelling before Celestia finally confiscated it from her daughter. This… this suit just felt wrong… It had to be contained. Confused, Bronze’s brow furrowed while he turned his head, confused. “A suit of armor?” he questioned, stepping forward to take a closer look. As he examined it, it was indeed a suit of armor. Now that he thought about it, he did hear about a minotaur being taken to the infirmary? “This suit was found early this morning by one of the castle staff,” Celestia explained. “It was thought to be a medical emergency until Raven walked in and made it work. That was when she explained that it was a suit of armor and not a living being like we thought.” “Okay… I’m still lost here,” the stallion honestly admitted. “It’s a suit of armor… they’re generally made of steel. Of all the ponies in the world, you would be one of the many that would know that!” Celestia sighed. “Yes… I would… until these were brought to me.” The mare stepped forward and reached in the closet, pulling a rather large spear, a metallic rectangle, and a sword out. Stepping to the side, she placed them on a nearby desk “I was hoping you could help me.” The stallion stepped forward and grabbed the black and red spear. “Holy crap… this thing is way too heavy to be a spear!” he said, lifting the metallic throwing weapon. “Why does it need this many spikes?” he asked no one in particular, examining the massive spiked head. Placing it down not long afterwards, he grabbed the jet black rectangle. “I have no clue what this is.” Placing it back down, he grabbed the sword, the tassel on the end of the handle swaying with each movement. A chill ran up his spine. Did… did the temperature just drop a little? “This is a rather well-crafted blade. But I don’t see how-OW!” he shouted in pain, shaking his hand vigorously. That… that wasn’t an enchanted blade! “This… this thing is made of ice!” he shouted. No wonder it was so cold! The blade was solid ice! “That is impressive…” Celestia was just as interested as he was, but stayed silent while he examined the weapons. Placing the sword down, he grabbed the spear yet again. Deciding to examine the other end, he held it close, trying to figure out what the two cylinders at the front where used for. As he adjusted his hand, he inadvertently placed it on the trigger of the weapon. Firing a blazing ball of fire. “SHIT!” he shouted, recoiling back as the ball of flame singed his eyebrows, the fireball exploded when it impacted against the wall, above a shelf of books. Celestia was about to smother the flames with her magic, but the embers died out before they hit the ground. The scorch mark was not going away anytime soon though. Both stallion and mare were now very concerned. Dumbfounded, Bronze stared at the mark on the wall before down at the weapon in his hands. Gently, very gently, he placed the weapon down on the desk. Okay… well… both ponies know now that was definitely not a spear. He held up a hand and pointed a finger at the three weapons. “I’m not going to even touch that box!” he said nervously, pointing at the metal box. The two stood in silence for some time, staring at the weapons, expecting them to jump up and bite them. “Let's examine the armor!” Bronze suggested after some time of just awkward silence. “Agreed,” Celestia agreed. As the pair stepped forward, they each grabbed a hand and started to pull. As soon as their hands connected, both felt a shock travel up their spines, their eyes shooting wide open. *** Both Bronze and Celestia groaned as they sat up, said ponies aching from head to hoof. Bronze was the first to rise, ignoring ho throbbing head and horn. Rushing over, he grabbed the princess and helped her to her hooves. As soon as the pair stood, Bronze gave her a thumb up before they started to examine their surroundings. And it was not the castle… They were in a white room. No matter where the duo searched, all they saw was white. They didn’t even appear to be standing on anything! It was just… white. Bronze gulped nervously. With a shaky hand, he reached for that dagger a second time. There was a hiss behind them… Bronze rapidly drew his blade and spun on his heels, making sure to put himself between the princess and whatever was behind them! Holding the blade at the ready, he took his defensive stance and ignited his horn. They saw nothing… Another hiss to their right caused them to turn that direction, once again to see nothing but the white abyss. “Show yourself!?” Bronze shouted into the witness. The temperature dropped… And it tanked fast. Both started to shiver violently as wisps of fog escaped their muzzles. Shaking violently, Bronze turned to face the princess. With a nod, both knew they had to find some sort of shelter and fast! As Bronze turned to face forward, he came face to face with a helmet. With a yelp of surprise, the stallion swung his blade. A hand grabbed his wrist, stopping the attack. Another came up and forcefully pulled the dagger from his grasp and threw it like a cheap piece of scrap metal. Disarmed, out of reflex, Bronze punched the figure in the side of the head. The man’s helmet recoiled slightly, but did little to deter him. “You are not the operator,” the suit said, lifting the stallion off his hooves and throwing him with a yelp. Bronze sailed several feet before he landed violently with a tumble. “Bronze!” Celestia shouted, concern for her friend very clear. Her concern turned to anger as her horn ignited. She lifted a hand, throwing a massive fireball. It impacted center mass, exploding a plume of smoke. When nothing happened for several seconds, Celestia turned her attention to Bronze, who was propping himself up on his elbows. A hand grabbed the mare by the throat! “Gak!” she choked as she was lifted into the air, her legs kicking in all directions and wings flapping furiously. Bronze gasped at the sight of his friend being lifted into the air by something that was not there just seconds ago! “You are not the operator!” the suit hissed angrily. “Only those who are worthy are allowed in this sacred place!” Bronze wasted little in rising to his hooves. In a fit of rage, he charged the suit. The stallion shouted at the top of his lungs, daring the suit to try and fight back! If the princess died today, he would fail as not only Captain of The Royal Guard, but as a friend. The stallion ignited his horn and used every ounce of mana he had and pushed it to his right hand. With a mighty leap, he held his fist high. He was frozen solid several feet from his target… Celestia could only watch in horror as Bronze’s frozen form shattered against the ground in hundreds of tiny pieces. The suit lowered his hand, the very one that fired the ice ball and turned to face the mare in his grasp. With a jerk, he pulled her face close to his helmet. “You are not the operator!” he shouted into her face, shaking her slightly. “You! Are! Not! WORTHY!” Celestia screamed out in utter agony as she felt she neck start to freeze. The pain was so unbearable! She could feel the very water in her cells freezing! The pain spread slowly down her form, she felt every ice crystal form in her blood, skin, and muscles. Oh, how she would just rather die now! Just before her face froze solid, all she could do was stare into that cold, dead helmet. “Bring me the operator!” he demanded, before she finally froze solid, her screams going deathly silent. Lifting the mare high, he smashed her frozen body into the ground, shattering it like glass. *** Both Bronze and Celestia were thrown from the suit in a violent electrical explosion. Celestia smashed into a bookshelf, shattering the shelves and sending books flying in all directions, many landing on top of herself. Bronze crashed back first into the desk that still held the weapons, sending they flying as she smashed the desk in two. Dazed, Celestia lifted her spinning head, her blurry vision left her very dazed and confused as to where she was. Bronze held up his burning hand by the wrist as shouted in agony, staring at the singed fur and burned skin. Not from the heat, but from the severe cold! The doors to the room slammed open as the two guards from outside rushed in. Both were in a state of utter horror once they entered the study. One immediately started to tend to Bronze, who was closest to the door, while the other rushed to Celestia’s side. As her vision started to clear, she ignored the stallion’s questions he was asking, her only focus being the suit of armor that sat several feet in front of her. No… that was no suit… It was alive! She watched in horror as its right hand slowly clenched into a fist before relaxing yet again.