Chapter 8: One last Thing
“Did I do okay?” Wyatt asked the others
Grace chuckled. “Damn A, Wyatt. You were great.”
“I was nervous. Could you tell?”
“Damn, yeah. But that’s okay. Here we go.”
Johann smiled. “You did rally great, Wyatt, I couldn’t have made it better.”
“Thanks.”
Blazkowicz picked up a small box from the General’s lifeless body. “Anya.” He knelled down. “You make me strong and weak at the same time. Will you marry me?”
The woman gasped, covering her mouth, sobbing in happiness. “Oh, William. Yes!”
Johann smiled at them, they both had earned it.
Out of nowhere was the sound of clapping. They all turned into the direction, seeing James was the one who made the sound, smiling at the American. “My congratulations, Blazkowicz and great speech.”
Wyatt, Boone, Anya and Grace aimed their weapons at him, only for William to make a sign to lower their weapons. “Stand down, he was the one who gave us this information.”
His friends looked confused at him but did as told.
“Yes, I have. With Frau Engel's end, I doubt the Reich will hold power in the not-so-former USA for long. And that's where I come in. And don’t worry about your daughter’s friend, Johann, I’ll make sure they will be okay.” He said and left.
“Wh-What?” Wyatt was confused.
“Trust me, he will be a great help in defeating the Reich,” William replied.
Not questioning his leader, Wyatt just nodded and they all made their way back to the U-boat.
“I think I gonna hit the hay.” The filly said as she was quite exhausted, walking towards her quarter as they were back, leaving Fray, Balthazar and Johann in the hanger.
“I never thought I would say this, but we make a good team, Fletcher.” The golden pony admitted embarrassed.
“I have to agree with that. You also did great, Johann.” Fray complimented him.
“Thanks, you were great too.” He replied, then could swear he had seen a strange shadow in the helicopter but dismissed it. “Let’s get some rest, we all have earned it.”
Suddenly, there was a loud Thud! Behind them and low-pitched electronic noise, making them turn around.
Fray’s eyes went wide in shock as they saw a robotic Pegasus mare with fiery navy-blue coat with matching eyes and flowing silver mane. “You got to be kidding me!” Fray yelled before the robot charged at Bauer, throwing him against the door.
The mare then leaped at Fray who barely managed to extend his blade, raising it towards the robot. With a metallic groan, the robot made an electronic dying noise as it writhed impaled and deactivated, it’s blade inches away from his neck. “Close, tough guy...very close...” Fray said relieved before another Thud! and low-pitched electronic noise entered his ears, another robot jumping from the helicopter.
A grey bat pony with pure white eyes. This robot lunged at him and threw him to the ground, struggling with him before he managed to behead it and threw it off him.
To his horror, the robot stood up fast, apparently able to still work with missing head, the neck of the body sparked.
In the moment it charged, Balthazar rammed his blade into the robot’s chest, it let out a dying noise as he pulled his blade out, falling twitching to the ground. “And stay down!” The stallion yelled before helping Fray up.
“I...don't understand. Are they here...Were they here?” Fray looked at the bodies frantically. “They couldn't have been...Its not like them...Its not!” Fletcher exclaimed shocked, trying to understand as his friend laid his hoof on his shoulder.
The golden armored pony tried to think of the right words.
“Richmond had your memories scanned, remember? He could have just based the robotic design off what he saw, like with the Nightmare Moon robot. They're probably still back in Equestria.” Balthazar tried to calm him down.
“I...I hope so...”
“And if they were in there, we both did them a favor.”
The green stallion let out a sigh. “I suppose.”
They checked Johann. “You okay?” Fray asked with concern.
“Except for my head, good. Help me up.” Bauer replied with a dazed voice, Fletcher grabbed his right arm, Balthazar the other arm, lying him down on a bed in the Infirmary. “I’ll be okay. Just…need to rest.”
“Alright.” Then the two cyborgs brought the remainings of the robots to Set’s lab, thinking they could be of use for him.
Despite this, the young man recovered quickly, just in time as James transmitted the whereabouts of the last remaining Übercommander, as William had assassinated all other Übercommanders.
Bauer read loud the Intel Günther had sent them.
“Gernot Herrmann, served on the Ausmerzer during the Liberation War 1951. Awarded for heroism during the Washington riots, 1953. Captured 26 terrorists and killed 13 during the Siege of Silver Canyon, 1955. Currently posted at an abandoned bunker in the Riverside area of Manhattan.”
“Good, let’s move out. You will need this.” William gave Johann a Rebreather, a device that enables a person to safety breath in heavily radioactive and toxic environment.
“Thanks.”
“Our bodies can provide protection against radiation at any level,” Fray said to show they could join without problems.
They then boarded the helicopter, flying to Riverside.
They got dropped off at a part of the subway, the roof was partially destroyed and it was dark, so both men had to use flashlights, while the unicorns had built-in Night-Vision.
As the group carefully walked towards the entrance, they noticed corpses of soldiers being scattered in the bunker, and parts of the corridors were collapsed. “I guess someone attacked this place before.” Bauer suspected.
“That is very likely but stay alert,” William whispered, making a hold sign as the mechanical sounds of a patrolling ÜberSoldat could be heard ahead. Peeking around the corner, he saw said robot having his back to him.
Blazkowicz sneaked behind him then hit the glowing power cell on the robot’s back, the robot sparked and let out a dying sound as it shut down, falling face-first to the ground. Fray took notice of a deactivated robot to his right next to a weapon cabinet, apparently in rest mode or out of power. To be better safe than sorry, he beaded the ÜberSoldat with his blade.
They sneaked through the corridors, disabling more patrolling and resting robots and from time to time a few Super soldiers by blowing up their jetpacks, walking downstairs until they came to a control room, seeing a few soldiers in yellow hazmat suits patrolling around on the other side downstairs.
“No way can we get past them undetected,” Bauer whispered before a fast mechanic sound greeted his ears, a robotic dog slamming itself into William, knocking him down.
Fray reacted quickly, throwing the robot of him, so the American could destroy it with his Dieselkraftwerk, making it explode into pieces.
This, however, alerted the soldiers, some ran up the stairs to assault, while one manned a mounted Lasergewehr, firing it into the control room, making the group diving for cover.
Fray tried to take aim but the laser pinned him down as William and Bauer neutralized any Soldier entering the room. “I don’t have a clear shot!”
In response, Balthazar prepared a grenade. “Catch!” He threw it towards the soldier manning the laser weapon, the grenade exploded into flames, making the German scream in pain and rolling on the ground to put it out before he died.
As the area was clear, Johann collected the ammo from the fallen enemies. “I really don’t get it. What’s the point in deploying men into a wasteland with zero population? It’s a waste of manpower.”
“Beats me,” Fray commented as they took the ladder at the other end up, coming to a small pier outside the bunker, the Übercommander pacing around, guarded by another of those large robots they had fought on the Ausmerzer.
William took aim with his scoped Assault Rifle and fired, blood splattered from the officer’s head, stumbling around before falling to the ground in a puddle of blood.
The robot opened fire with his Übergewehrs, but as the group was behind a wall on a hillock, he couldn’t effectively hit them.
Balthazar switched to his fireball firing mode as he and the others aimed for the arms, destroying the robot quickly.
Blazkowicz then inspected the corpse of the officer, holding up an ID. “That was our target, mission complete, let’s return to base.”
“No, we should check why he was here,” Fray suggested. “Could be important.”
“If you insist.”
They searched every corner of the bunker, finding only supplies of food and ammo but nothing else. “I guess he was hiding here from any attack.” Balthazar suspected.
“Looks like that was the case,” William replied and they returned to the U-boat.
As Johann looked after Dinky, his heart melted.
The filly was sleeping on the bed, Set’s pet cat Shoshana was curled up on the blanket, also sleeping peacefully.
As Shoshana was actually a hybrid creature, consisting of the head of a Siamese cat with the torso and limbs of a Squirrel monkey, it was a bit creepy for Johann at first but he got used to it. As far as he knew, the head originally belonged to the ship's cat of the Eva's Hammer, whom Set Roth found hunting for rats in the engine room; the body was that of a Squirrel monkey he found chewing on a blasting cap in Belize. The cat was suffering from terminal bowel cancer and as Set had grown attached to it he endeavored to transfer its head onto the body of the brain-dead but otherwise healthy monkey.
Feeling a bit exhausted from the mission, Bauer carefully snuggled himself next to Dinky, she wrapped a leg around him in her sleep.
With a sigh he fell asleep, happy to know the way was open for James.
Fletcher and Balthazar decided to go to the shooting range, practicing.
While the high score was 305 points, by the sniper of the New Orleans Resistance Cell, Mary Sue 'Professor' Ellington.
Due to his skills as Archer, Fray beat her record with 445 points, Balthazar close behind with 430 points. “Not bad.” The green stallion was impressed.
“Thanks.” As they were about to walk out, they saw on the scoreboard that Shoshana had the fastest killing house time, having cleared it in seventeen seconds.
“How in the world can a cat do that?” Fray wondered.
“No idea, but do you think you can beat it?” Balthazar asked him.
Fray grinned. “Only one way to find out.”
He walked into the killing house, sprinting and shooting at the same time, hitting every target, then used his constrictor harness gadget to use a shortcut through the pips near the shooting range, finishing it in fourteen seconds. “Let’s see how anyone beats that.”
Balthazar chuckled. “Yes. How about a round of billiard?”
Fletcher smiled. “With pleasure!”
In the bar, also known as club Kreisau, the two played against each other, Fletcher could easily sink the balls due to his Archer skills. Still, Balthazar proved to be quite a challenging opponent, doing some impressive trick shots.
But eventually, Fray won. “Good game, Fletcher.” The golden unicorn had enjoyed it despite having lost.
A yawn greeted their ears. “That was good.” Johann and Dinky came in.
“I take you rested well?” Fray asked, earned nods as response.
“Yeah, we have. I might try the arcade machine.” Bauer pointed to the Arcade machine quarter.
“And I wanted to ask, when I’ll be able to get home, would you like to come with me and my stepfather?” The filly asked them.
It didn’t look long to get up with an answer.
“Yes, Dinky, it’s the closest possibility we could have to a normal life. Maybe, we could serve under Luna’s and Celestia’s service here.” Fray replied.
“But until then, we do what we can to make sure the flame of the revolution burns bright for all to see,” Balthazar added.
“And you did well,” William said as he joined with the others, smiling.
Suddenly, a white light blinded everyone in the room.
As they all uncovered their eyes, they saw two Alicorns standing in front of them, a blue one and a white one, Dinky grinned upon recognizing them.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna!” The filly exclaimed in glee, out of instinct, Fray and Balthazar bowed.
“Hello, Dinky, I cannot say how happy we are to see you both unharmed. And I see you made some friends.” Celestia smiled at the two cyborgs, appearing not to be confused at all.
“Well…yes, your highnesses, I’m Fletcher Fray and this is Balthazar.” Fray introduced himself and his friend, feeling a bit embarrassed about it.
“Pleasure to meet you.” The Princess of the sun said, then turned to William. “Mr. Blazkowicz, we couldn’t meet the last time given the circumstances, we want to give our thanks to you and your friends for keeping my subjects save.”
He waved a hand. “It’s nothing your highness, we did only what was right.”
“Thank you for everything. I will never forget that.” Then she turned back to the Alicorns. “I have a friend in Mesquite, can I say goodbye to him before we leave?”
“Of course,” Luna replied with a warm smile.
“I’ll inform the resistance forces there, so you won’t have trouble with them.” Grace headed for the radio room, while the five ponies with Johann and William headed for the hanger.
As the helicopter reached Blazkowicz’s hometown, the resistance fighters welcomed him. “It’s an honor that you are here, Blazkowicz.” One of them said a bit nervous.”
“It’s nice to see it free from the Reich,” William replied as they saw German flags being torn and wrecks of all kinds of robots, walking to a house.
The other resistance members gave the ponies confused looks, while looking suspiciously at Johann, which made him a bit unsettled.
The American knocked on the door and Isabella opened it “Hello, Blazkowicz. What brings me the honor?”
“Well, Dinky wanted to see your son before going home.” He replied.
The mother understood, noticing the two Alicorns, calling her son.
He smiled upon seeing the filly. “I can’t say how happy I am to see you again, Dinky.”
“Me too, but…It’s time for me to go.” She told with regret, causing the smile of her friend to vanish, looking sad to the ground.
“I…understand. I will miss you, but…”He looked up, smiling again. “You can finally be with your family again.” Peter then hugged her. “You were a good friend, Dinky.”
She returned it. “You too, stay that way. Goodbye.”
“And so, the journey comes to an end.” They heard a new voice, turning around to see James and Jonas, the resistance fighters aimed their weapons at them. To Dinky’s and Johann’s surprise, they both stayed calm, showing no sign of fear.
“Wait, they are on our side, being spies in the German Oberkommando.” William held up a hand.
“If you say so, Blazkowicz.” One of the resistance members said and they lowered their weapons, knowing they could trust him.
“Thank you, Blazkowicz. Dinky, Johann, it was a pleasure to know you. May you have a peaceful journey home.” James said to them.
Johann saluted. “It was an honor working with you.”
The officer tipped his cap. “So it was for me. Goodbye.”
The group then gathered around the Alicorns. “Cover your eyes,” Celestia warned before using the spell.
In a matter of seconds, the group was in the throne room of Canterlot, Dinky’s family and friends already waiting for her and Johann.
“Dinky! My little muffin, you’re okay!” Her mother, father and big sister hugged her with joy while Johann got happily hugged by his wife.
“Yes, thanks to new friends I made.” She pointed to the two cyborgs. “Everypony, everyone, those are Fletcher Fray and Balthazar.”
“Hello,” Fray replied, his comrade waved instead.
“Pleasure. We are all very grateful for keeping Dinky save.” Time Turner shook his hoof.
“So Dinky, how did you get to know them?” Tootsie asked curiously.
The filly’s stepfather took the word, being uncomfortable about it. “It’s a long story and there is a…suggestive scene you shouldn’t see.”
“This won’t be a problem,” Luna assured as she cast her memory spell, allowing everyone to see what Dinky and Johann had experienced.
As the suggestive scene came, everyone closed his eyes like on command.
Celestia had her head lowered after it was over. “My condolences for what happened to you, Fletcher and Balthazar. We will do everything we can to get you back to your Equestria.”
“Thank you, your highness.” Both spoke in unison, being honored and grateful.
“If you like, you can live with us until the time comes.” The grey Pegasus offered.
The green unicorn smiled. “I accept.”
“How could I refuse such a polite offer?” Balthazar asked.
Dinky and Johann used this to show them Ponyville and Canterlot, also introducing their friends to them.
While not being the party type, Fray and Balthazar enjoyed Pinkie’s welcome party, feeling kinda happy to be in pony society again, despite not being in their Equestria.
They were fascinated as the hooves family showed them Ponyville and Canterlot, making them wonder if Luna’s banishment had also triggered a civil war here or if they did exist in this universe, but decided against it to ask the princesses about it, out of fear of waking bad memories.
They rested the night with the hooves family in Canterlot.
While “sleeping”, Fletcher woke up, hearing a strange noise, noticing that Balthazar was not next to him and the door to the balcony was open.
Walking to it, he saw his friend looking at the stars and moon. “Never thought to see you out here,” Fray said to Balthazar, surprised.
“Just because I’m on Celestia’s side, doesn’t mean I enjoy the stars at night from time to time. But, every time I saw the stars while on Venus, I wondered what has become of our Equestria. Celestia, Canterlot, everything. If we can live with the changes if we can return.” The golden armored pony told with concern.
“I have no doubt we can. I mean we managed to adapt to becoming cyborgs, so why shouldn’t we be able to adapt to that?” Fray countered.
“Fair point. Have you thought of the concept of being…”He paused for a moment before abruptly finishing, “ageless?”
“No. Why?” Fletcher asked confused.
“Because, you Eternal Knights swore a vow. To not rest until you placed Princess Luna on the throne of Equestria. I doubt you can uphold that when we return home. The civil war has costed both many lives, it can’t be allowed to happen again. We both, White Wolf and Midnight Blade are the best choices to make sure it won’t happen again. We could be the Bearers of our princesses.”
Fray thought about it, it sounded reasonable. “I’ll think about.”
In the morning, the family breakfasted with the princesses, while the two unicorns enjoyed the sunrise on the balcony.
“There’s nothing more beautiful in the morning than the sunrise.” Balthazar enjoyed the sight, then turned to Fray. ”Can you believe humans living in Equestria?” He paused again for a moment. “given they are only a myth?”
“Not really at first, but it’s fascinating how they came all here and get along, despite being from different timelines and cultures,” Fletcher replied, watching how Dinky was happy eating with her stepparents.
“Yes, it’s quite interesting. I never thought I would ever see one.”
“Me too. But tell me, what was the point in using the name of the pony that saved you as colt instead of your real name? The way you talk and your appearance are a dead giveaway. And Richmond would have no other pony stuffed into a robot that looks like you.” Fray pointed out, his voice and expression neutral.
“I knew you would figure it out eventually. Isn’t it obvious? If I had used my real name, you would have never worked together with me.”
“Fair point. But why? You could have killed me the moment you regained control over your actions.”
Balthazar sighed. “I've had...a lot of time to think...In a year of silence and numbness, thinking is something you do a fair amount of. Yet you're hesitant to do it. Like being buried alive, you fear breathing for you know it won't last. Your mind will degrade in time...and perhaps madness will be an escape. Yet I did not feel my mind change. And I start to wonder if it already had long ago. Madness, illusion, and falsehoods, years of them, only from my lips and only for my ears. Yet they gave me no better protection than truth. In war, the first casualty is truth. Always. I do not know what they think of me or if they even remember me. But tomorrow, I intend to find out, whatever my fate leads to. I am ready...to stand in Celestia's light and accept the judgement I sought upon my enemies. For I now realize...my greatest enemy...is myself.”
That was quite surprising for Fletcher, having never seen his enemy like this before, saying nothing for what seemed like minutes.
“I…I never thought I would say that but…it was an honor to fight by your side in this conflict-“
Before Fletcher could say Balthazar’s real name, a white light in the middle of the room cut him off and caused him to cover his eyes.
As it vanished, they all saw another Celestia, together with a blue Pegasus and grey bat pony in the room, White Wolf and Midnight Blade, Dinky and Johann assumed.
The white Alicorn from Fray’s and Balthazar’s Equestria stepped forward. “Excuse our unannounced visit, but we are looking for two missing ponies, are they here?”
Before anypony of the adults could give a reply, Dinky stepped forward. “Yes, they are.” and pointed to them.
While this Celestia had a neutral reaction, the bat pony and Pegasus looked confused and shocked at Fletcher.
“Fletch…is that really you?” The mare asked.
“Yes. Or better said what’s left of me.” The green stallion replied.
Balthazar walked towards his princess. “Your Highness, I can’t say how happy I am to see you again.” He sounded really happy, hugging her.
“Me too.”
The bat pony smiled at Fletcher. “One month of searching hasn’t been in vain. I was really worried we had lost you.” The stallion sounded relieved. “So, would you like to tell what happened to you and why you are in an Equestria with humans?”
“It’s kind of a long story.” Fray then cleared his throat. “Everypony, everyone, my friends White Wolf and Midnight Blade.” He pointed to the Pegasus and bat pony.
The young unicorn stretched her hoof out. “Pleasure to meet you. I owe Fletcher my life.” With that, she and Johann told them and the other Celestia how all those human citizens landed on Earth and how they met Fray and Balthazar without going too much into detail, the other princess of the sun, Wolf and Midnight listened patiently.
After the filly was finished, Midnight said to her, "I’m sorry to hear what happened to you. Fletcher, I’m proud of you.” He smiled with pride at the unicorn stallion.
“But what caused that magic storm?” Helmut asked into the round.
“I believe I can answer that.” A purple Alicorn, Princess Twilight Sparkle walked into the room. “I was helping the weather team creating a rain cloud, which went out of control and…well, caused this storm in your vicinity.” She had her head lowered in guilt.
“No aren’t to blame, Twilight, if this hadn’t happened, Fletcher and Balthazar would still be trapped on the Venus under Richmond’s control. “Dinky pointed out, causing her to smile weakly.
“This reminds me, can you tell us how you and Balthazar did end up on Earth?” Midnight asked.
“To be honest, neither I nor he can remember much,” Fray replied.
“This won’t be a problem, I know a spell that could help with this.” The white Alicorn of his universe said, lighting up her horn, touching his forehead with it. A white light engulfed everyone.
As Fletcher opened his eyes, he found himself in the middle of a battlefield with dead bodies scattered around them, the battle seemingly over, some trees burning and smoke covered some of the area. After getting up he heard a groan of pain to his right, seeing a unicorn stallion with grey coat with blue-grey dapple pattern over his face and back and a Crimson mane and ochre eyes, being dressed in lunar armor, rubbing his head, a shield and spear next to him.
“Are you okay, Rigel?” Fray asked helping him up.
“I’m fine.” Rigel relied. He was an expert in defense and Fray’s most trusted soldier, being his personal bodyguard. He had a family in Eventrist, having liked the night since he was a colt. Like Fletcher himself, Rigel was a pony who tried to avoid unnecessary kills, being a rather calm and pleasant pony to have, always knowing a joke to keep morale high. He was wearing a bandage over his left eye, having suffered an injury shortly before this but this didn’t affect his mood in the slightest.
Coughing from the some alerted them, seeing Balthazar together with a Pegasus stallion in golden armor coming out of the smoke. The Pegasus had a Cream-white coat a Peach mane tied in a ponytail and green eyes, growing a beard. Rigel knew him.
Uriah, he used to be his best friend before the civil war. Now he was Balthazar’s most devoted soldier, who's best at sneak attacks, armed with two swords.
He used to be friendly yet serious pony before the war, trying to protect anypony in need, often risking his own life.
He pointed his swords at the two lunar members, who in return pointed their weapons at him and Balthazar. Fray could see in Uriah’s eyes that deep within, he still cared for his former friend, the same was for Rigel, as both trembled slightly as they looked into each other’s eyes.
After a few seconds, Fletcher and Balthazar, raised one hoof to order their body guards to stand down.
The golden armored unicorn looked around, seeing the dead bodies before he spoke, “A shame...I was told the Farmans were barbarians. I never believed them until now.” His voice was neutral.
“Nothing you can say will make me hate you more than I do now, teacher's pet.” Fletcher countered.
“You act like such a zealot yet the only real reason you fight so hard is to end this terrible war. Just as I do.” Balthazar pointed out.
Fray chuckled. “Oh, was that not a joke?”
“My civility is wearing thin, Fletcher Fray. I am giving you a chance to escape it all and to have what you truly seek.” Balthazar replied unamused.
“And what's that, then?”
“A home...a family...a life.” The golden armored stallion offered.
“Under your rule?” Fletcher asked suspicious.
“No. Under yours.” The golden armored unicorn explained, “You're not from here. Equestria is a realm you shall never understand. Why struggle eternally and fall, which will happen I assure you, when you could simply hang up your bow and end the conflict that grips at your heart, the conflict that tore you from your family.” Balthazar paused for a moment.
Rigel eyed the officer of Celestia’s forces with distrust, Fletcher would never believe him. Or would he? The bodyguard couldn’t tell as the Eternal Knight had a neutral expression the entire time.
“I know it all, Fletcher Fray. Your noble lineage. The love-story of your parents, brought a tear to my eye, truly...shame how it ended. Your grandfather and the poor fillies he died to save. Your poor niece, Ruhlinda. Has she forgiven you, yet? There could be a chance. Return home. Continue the noble line of Armbrust. Meet a nice Stirropean mare and have plenty of darling children. I wish you all the best. We will need someone to rule Farmany in Celestia's name. I can think of none more worthy than you.”
Balthazar’s words sounded reasonable to Rigel but still, he couldn’t imagine that Fray would ever agree to this.
“In Celestia's name. Why does that always sound like 'In Your Name'?” The Eternal Knight deadpanned, not impressed.
Balthazar rolled his eyes. “Oh, do stop being so objectionable. You have no real loyalty to Luna, what did she do that her sister didn't? If it weren't for Celestia, you'd be dying in some trench on the Reinland. Face it, Fray, your loyalty is wasted on Nightmare Moon and those that worship her. The light of Celestia's sun touches all who will rise their heads to it. Is this not so much easier?”
Fletcher hesitated before saying, “...Yeah...yeah, it is.”
“S-sir?” Rigel asked confused as Fletcher walked towards Balthazar, shaking his hoof.
This can’t be! The lunar soldier thought in disbelief, Fray would never agree to this, leaving everything behind he worked so hard on. But it was happening right before his eyes. He can’t be betraying the lunar republic, he can’t! He would never do this!
“Thing is, though...” Fray drew his bow and grinned. “...I don't like easy.”
With a hint of surprise and shock, Balthazar took a step back as Fray charged at him, only to be blocked by Uriah, holding the green stallion back by swinging his swords at the green stallion to buy time for his commander.
In the moment Balthazar casted a teleport spell in form of a portal, his bodyguard got knocked down by Fray and kept busy by Rigel, blocking every strike with his shield.
“You won’t go anywhere!” Fletcher shouted as he tackled Balthazar, who still was trying to calibrate the portal, into it.
With nopony to control it, the portal started to suck the two bodyguards in who tried to hold into something in vain.
Before everything went black for Rigel, a large Tree trunk hit his hind legs.
Dazed, Fletcher regained consciousness, groaning. “What a flight.” He got up, seeing Rigel, Balthazar and Uriah next to him.
“My hind legs are broken.” Rigel said as Fray checked him, letting out a scream of pain.
“Yep, that’s broken. What is this place?” Fray looked around, shocked as he saw several eyeless bodies with torn backs on slabs, causing Uriah to vomit.
At first, nopony could believe it, but the bodies looked similar to humans, which where only a myth in Equestria.
“Some kind of room-sized incinerator I imagine. There must be a button for the door. Soldier, try to find a way to open it.” Balthazar ordered his bodyguard who walked over a control box, sounding disgusted.
As the Pegasus used the box, the room filled with a muffled hiss that steadily erupted into a deafening mechanical howl, starting everypony. “What did you just do?” Balthazar asked.
“I'm sorry I thought it was for the door.” His body guard replied.
“Triggered the incinerators! Turn it off! Turn those dials!” The unicorn yelled, sounded slightly panicking.
Uriah in panic, pushed some of the other buttons but nothing seemed to stop the incinerators. “We’re screwed!” He yelled.
Fletcher tried to stay calm, looking for another way out, noticing that Balthazar tried to use magic but his horn made only sparks.
“My lord.” Uriah looked at his commander, lowering his head in fear.
“Don't be afraid...” The unicorn replied in a calming voice.
“Yes, master...I'm glad to have served you...to have...shared in your light.” The Pegasus accepted his fate, a single tear escaping his eye.
“You were most worthy of it, child.”
“Will I...Will I be saved? In the next life?” The guard asked with hope.
“Brave initiate...Worthy herald...I vow that I shall personally carry you to the gates of Paradise. You shall stand among those that gave all for our Princess Celestia...Your name will never be forgotten, nor will your sacrifice...brave, brave Celestine soldier.”
“There’s another door!” Fay shouted, pointing to a second door on the side of the room, pressing a button to open it. Uriah walked through first, Balthazar pushed Fray away, holding the door open.
“Get your soldier, quickly now!” He yelled as the incinerators were almost ready.
The Eternal Knight wasted no time, picking Rigel up with his magic, then carried him to the other room just in time as the incinerators went off, Balthazar barely made it as the armor of his left foreleg got set on fire.
He managed to pat it out. The stallion breathed heavily, then let out a sigh, relieved to be still alive.
“What is all this?” Uriah wondered as the room contained several large pods in the ground, knelling next to one to inspect it. “My Lord! Sir! Have you ever seen anythi-”
Without warning, a large human in metal armor, having a metal helmet and a boldly styled art-deco human face as mask smashed its way out of the pod, grabbing the pony with one arm by the head, lifting him into the air.
The stallion screamed in terror before the human crushed his skull with a terrifying cracking sound, killing him instantly, leaving the others shocked and a bloodied corpse.
The three other ponies just stared in shock at what they had just seen.
A pony killed in a brutal way they had never seen before.
Fear made their blood freeze and panicked if this thing could be defeated at all. Their eyes were small before the metal man let out an angry roar, tearing them out.
“Stay calm!” Balthazar yelled as the metal human charged at Fray who managed to keep his distance.
As Fletcher was about to grab his bow, he realized that he hadn’t it anymore, looking slightly panicking for a weapon to fight this large metal thing as he tried to avoid its punches.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that Balthazar’s horn glowed, firing a fire spell at the large metal human. He stumbled from the hit, the mask fell off. “It's face is exposed!” The stallion yelled, seeing a heavily scarred, nose-less and almost skeletal face behind it.
Fray quickly picked up Uriah’s swords and rammed them into the head of the creature, blood splattered and the metal human let out a dying groan as he fell on his knees, then on his stomach, defeated.
“You okay?” Balthazar asked.
“I’m good. The incinerators are off.” Fray replied as everything was quiet on the other side.
“Any way to get that door open? I'd rather fancy leaving this room.” Balthazar replied still a bit in shock, walking over the body of his bodyguard. “I’m sorry, soldier, may you rest in peace now. You won’t be forgotten.” He mourned him.
“Somepony’s coming.” Fletcher said as he faintly heard the sounds of hoof steps on the other side of the door.
A small window in the door opened and the smiling face of an elderly man greeted them. “What the hay?!” Fray exclaimed as the man pushed a button and the walls started to close in.
Balthazar looked frantic around, muttering, “Celestia save our souls!” Over and over again.
“C-C-Commander...Sir?” Rigel asked him, sounding scared and desperate.
“I'm here...I'm sorry...about this...You deserved better.” Fray replied calmly, taking a deep breath.
“It...It's fine.” The other unicorn replied before lowering his head and started to sob. “Just...find a way out of here, sir...And then...my family in Eventrist...my wife...and her foal...please take care of them.”
“I will, soldier. I promise. They'll be fine...They'll all be fine. You're a good soldier...I won't forget what you did for us. We will never forget you...nor those you love. I swear it. Do you hear me...I swear it.” Fray replied before the wall reached them, he struggled against it before it choked him unconscious, faintly hearing a voice before everything went black.
“What are you people doing in there?”
As Fletcher regained his senses, he had to realize he was restrained, stripped of his armor, unable to use magic, finding himself in the same room-sized they had barely, seeing Rigel, also restrained and stripped of his armor next to him, breathing rapidly, his expression terrified. Balthazar was of the opposite in the shadow, making only his silhouette visible.
A door opened and a man in a white lab coat walked in, having brown hair and green eyes, a scar over the left eye, with a broad face and average build. Fray couldn’t help himself but gulp, his heart racing in fear.
“I can see why General Strasse likes you both. Such resilient specimen. With you he could do great things.
“You don’t scare me!” The green pony taunted with a neutral voice, trying to hide his fear as the scientist looked him into the eyes.
“I like your eyes.” He said with a smile.
“Savour this moment, I insist...It will pale to what I'll do to you.” Balthazar taunted him too, unimpressed before Richmond looked him also into the eyes.
“I like yours too. I can see my master chose well, you both are good ones, like the young specimen before you. I will finish what General Strasse has started.” He then inspected the eyes of Rigel. “Not you. You are broken already. What a shame.” Lyle sounded disappointed, then took a scalpel out of his pocket.
Fray looked again at Balthazar. He appeared to tremble, his expression terrified as he saw the scalpel. The Eternal Knight could only see a reflection of Balthazar’s eyes, never having seen so much fear in them before.
Out of instinct, Fletcher closed his eyes as Balthazar let out painful screams, not able to bear the horrible scene in front of him. After the screams stopped, he heard Balthazar’s voice.
“Celestia…Fletcher…Anypony?” He asked scared, being in great pain.
“I’m here...I’ here...” He may been his enemy, but now, he couldn’t help but feel sorry with comforting him being the least he could do for him.
“In work like this it is easy to be tempered. To sense compassion. It gets old very fast. Losing oneself in sentiment...Very unproductive.” The voice of the man sounded in his ears, having no regrets for this.
Then more painful screams and the sound of machinery followed.
Fletcher’s seen suffering and death, ponies maimed and tortured. He thought he’d seen it all, but never seen such cruelty. Until now.
Not even Balthazar’s cruelty could match this.
As Balthazar’s screams of pain stopped, Fray had one last thought. Midnight, Wolf...I’m sorry.
In the moment he opened his eyes, the same man stood before him, holding the scalpel in front of his eyes.
Fletcher then screamed in pain from the scalpel was rammed into his eyes, feeling more pain than he could ever imagine in his life, screaming at the top of his lungs until he couldn’t feel anymore.
Rigel looked at the two lifeless bodies in shock, not believing what he had just witnessed, then in fear at the man who was holding two jars in his left hand, each one containing the brains of Fletcher and Balthazar respectively.
Breathing heavily, the unicorn watched in horror as the man turned the incinerator on, grinning evil.
“Auf wiedersehen.”
Midnight and Wolf jumped back at what they had seen after it ended, breathing heavily in shock, even the Celestia of their universe appeared to be slightly shocked.
For a moment there was a pause.
The leader of the Eternal Knights finally broke the silence, taking a deep breath.
“Oh, dear...Luna…”
“Poor Rigel, he was one of our best soldiers.” Wolf looked to the ground, feeling sad, but knew he had known the risks.
“I made a promise to look after those he left behind. I'll see it honored...But I must know, how goes the war??” Fray asked curious.
“Well, Fletch, the war is over. After you and Balthazar vanished, I and Wolf were so worried that we couldn’t led the republic effectively anymore. As such, a peace treaty has been made. After that, we and Princess Celestia worked together to find you.” Midnight explained.
“As we both had suspected.” Fletcher turned to Dinky. “It’s time for me and Balthazar to say goodbye. I really enjoyed my time with you and your stepfather.”
“And so did I. You both are good people. Stay that way.” Balthazar added.
“Thank you and we will.” the filly replied, happy for them to be finally able to return home.
As the four ponies gathered around Celestia, Midnight said to Fray, “Don’t worry, I’m sure Doctor Matsuyama can turn you back.”
“As long as he doesn’t implant a rabid ferret launcher into my chest again.” Fray replied with a disgusted voice.
The bat pony gave a nervous chuckle. “I will make sure this won’t happen again.”
Then the princess lighted up her horn and they vanished in a white light.
“Well, that the end of that. Fletcher and Balthazar are finally back where they belong.” Johann was happy that they could help them.
“Yes, thanks to us.” the young unicorn had pride in her voice, walking on the balcony watching the sunrise.
“Without us, they would have never returned home. We can be proud of ourselves for helping them regaining what they had lost.”
The filly’s family and Celestia joined her. “Indeed, Dinky. This is something you both can be really proud. I couldn’t be any prouder of you.” The Alicorn said to her with a proud smile.
As the foal and human watched the sunrise, they both hoped that Fray and Balthazar could return to their normal lives again. They had earned it.
They also wondered how their future would be.
Meanwhile in another Equestria
Fletcher couldn’t remember how much time had passed since the operation had been made that was supposed to make him whole again. Maybe some weeks, maybe a month.
He had lost track.
Slowly, he awoke, feeling numb, not able to move anything save for his eyes as he opened them, finding himself on a bed in the infirmary of his, Wolf’s and Midnight’s home, the Sunless Isle.
The door opened and Wolf and Midnight walked in with happy expressions.
“You’re woken up. It’s good to see you in flesh and blood again, Fletch. How are you feeling?” The Pegasus asked.
“Apart from feeling a bit numb, good.” Fray replied, wanting to get up but had no feeling in his body.
“Save your strength. We also wanted to give you something we found after you went missing.” Midnight reached for something in his saddlebag revealing Fletcher’s bow. “We found it right where you went missing.”
The unicorn smiled. “Thank you. Can’t say how happy I am to see it again, it’s a family heirloom after all.”
“Yes. Rest for now, Fletcher, you have earned it. We still have something to do.” The two ponies walked out of the room but the grey stallion stopped at the door. “Oh, before I forget, there is visit for you.”
As Midnight left the room, a thin young unicorn mare with a light green coat that was slightly more yellow than Fletcher's and pale-green eyes, wearing a blue-grey veil that covered her mane along with a gold and ebony necklace of office walking into the room.
“Ruhlinda, nice to see you.” Fray forced a smile as she had never felt good since the loss of a good friend and his departure to fight in the civil war.
“Hello, Fletcher.” She replied in a monotone voice, being very secluded. “The doctors say you're recovering. That's...good to hear. Things are fine in Stutegart...In case you wondered.”
“Glad to hear it, Ruhlinda.”
“While I can’t say I was happy to see you leave for the war, I’m still glad that you are alive and well after you…went missing.” The mare formed a barely noticeable smile. “The filly...she is a unicorn.”
“Yes.” Fletcher confirmed.
“Golden mane...wide eyes.”
“...yes.”
“Barely eight years old.”
“Ruh!” Fray exclaimed as he painfully thought back how similar Adalie, a unicorn filly that was Ruhlinda’s sister, looked to Dinky. “Ruh...I'm sorry.” He lowered his head in shame.
None of them said a word for a moment before the mare broke the silence.
“So am I.” He words earned her a puzzled look by Fray. “I look at you, lying here, fortunate to be alive. I hear how you've been cut open and toyed with in body and mind, how you've braved war and bloodshed...Over and over. And I think I did that to him. I pushed him to this life. I made him feel like he deserved this. That this was the only way he could make up for...what he did...” Tears appeared in her eyes. “What I made him think he did.” She stopped as Fletcher managed to put a hoof on her shoulder.
“Ruhlinda...Your mistakes as my cousin...Were born from my mistakes as Adalie's.”
Ruhlinda sniffed, dried her tears and nodded.
“Where’s Matsuyama?” Fray asked as he couldn’t see him anywhere.
“He’s studying this…suit of yours.”
Fletcher rolled his eyes. “That wouldn’t surprise me.”
“Yes. Anyway, get well soon.” The mare left the room.
Being alone again, the Eternal Knight wondered how Balthazar was doing.
In the personal infirmary of Princess Celestia, the work on Balthazar had been nearly completed. Just outside, enveloped in the late evening shadow, a Pegasus and a bat pony observed undetected. “I can’t say how happy I am to see you whole again.”
“Returning here, seeing you, after what seems like an eon in Tartarus...It is nothing less than bliss, your highness.” the stallion replied contentedly, his voice sounding soft and youthful freed from the metal shell.
“And I hear you braved a fate worse than death to rescue an imperiled foal.” Celestia added with admiration.
“I merely did what I felt what right. Though I will gladly accept any pride that comes from it.”
“The doctors say your recovery will be slow but steady. If there is anything else you need, you know I'm here for you, dear one.” The Alicorn brushed his mane fondly before noticing that he had a flat expression. “Is there anything?”
“Dear Princess...today I have seen the true face of war. More than that, I fear I have worn that face myself here in your domain. Your highness. Forgive me but...” He managed slowly to clutch her foreleg and started to weep. “I've done terrible things.”
Celestia stared her face uncertain. “...I see.” She blinked before steadily holding him and rocking him slightly. “Don't worry. We'll settle things out, I promise.”
“I don't want to hide anymore. I don't want to lie. Not to you...or them. I will face whatever fate they feel I deserve.” The stallion replied, accepting what would happen to him.
The Princess pressed his cheeks and looked into his eyes. “Listen to me. They aren't your judges. I am. And I promise, I'll look after you...my child.”
“This…can’t be…It’s really…him!” The blue mare couldn’t believe it.
“I’m afraid I have to agree. Let’s talk with Fray about this.” The bat pony suggested with a neutral voice.
Fletcher let out a sigh, having missed the comfort of an actual bed, as the door opened again, revealing a…not very pleased looking Pegasus and bat pony.
The blue pony grabbed Fray by the shoulders, pinning him down and growling ferociously. “We need to talk...friend!”
Midnight exclaimed in disgust, “I didn't want to say anything at first. Mainly because I didn't want to believe it. Swordsmaster Balthazar died during Nightmare Moon's fall. It seems your friend is far higher standing in Celestia's circle than we were led to believe. In fact, you might just say he's the highest!” The bat pony sounded disapproving. “Fletcher...You! Knew!”
Fray held his hooves up in surrender. “Okay, first, how was I supposed to know it was really him? I suspected it but never believed it was really him. Second, do you know the old saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend?’”
“He's nopony's friend. How, Fletcher? How was this allowed to happen?” Midnight asked calm.
“It might be hard to believe, but it appears our archenemy is no more.” With that, Fletcher told his friends what “Balthazar” had said to him on the balcony.
Both ponies thought about it for a moment. “Forgive me if I'm not convinced.” Wolf replied.
“But still, even if he accepted his mistakes and such, we should keep an eye on him, better safe than sorry.” Midnight added.
Fray nodded. “Indeed. He also suggested something that may come in handy for the future.”
“And that is?” Wolf and Midnight asked in unison, confused and eager at the same time.
“Did I ever tell you the definition of agelessness?”