//------------------------------// // Hard to Star-Board // Story: Children of the Star // by Grey Ghost //------------------------------// Twilight stared in awe at the engines of the Shard. There was a faint hum from within the devices and an orange glow came off them. A pen scribbled furiously in her magic as Tempest explained how the Shard worked. “These engines have a crystal core, filled to the brim with magic. This magical energy can only be carried along special wires,” Tempest explained, pointing a hoof at a wire that peeked out from the metal casing. “The core itself can last under normal use for around a decade. They’re mined specifically in Gargan Roo.” “This is pretty amazing,” Sunset commented, leaning in close to the engines. “Do you know what these give off as a by-product?” “No, I have no idea what they produce, despite having been running this ship for months,” Tempest remarked, giving Sunset a flat look. “So by all means, tell me what they produce.” Sunset shrank a bit and looked up at Tempest apologetically “I don’t know. That’s why I asked.” “Maybe you could be less sarcastic?” Spike suggested, giving Tempest a weak smile. “You don’t have to bite a pony’s head off for asking a question.” Tempest snorted, ignoring Spike. “The emissions from these engines are the storm clouds that trail behind the ship.” She tapped on the engine. “The Storm king certainly knew how to market himself.” “Then these things run cleanly!” Sunset beamed, her eyes widening. “When we’re done with our journey, we should share this tech with Equestria! We could get away from coal and fossil fuels.” “What’s a ‘fossil fuel?” Trixie asked poking at a readout. In her mind, she pictured someone hooking an old skull to a magical generator. “Sounds like a pain. I’ve had my share of digging, thank you very much.” “In the human world,” Sunset started, looking between everyone. “It was discovered that there was a natural process that converted fossils into a substance called oil. It’s highly combustible and is the energy source for a lot of human vehicles. But, the emissions from these engines have terrible environmental effects so humans have been looking for a way to replace them.” “Again, that’s if we can find Star Dust within our lifetimes,” Tempest pointed out. “Princess Twilight and Spike are the only ones among us that can afford centuries of searching,” she concluded, pointing a hoof between the two. Twilight smiled, putting her wing over Tempest’s back. “It won’t take us centuries. He probably left us clues or something to find him! So!” She levitated a scroll out of her saddle bags. “Where are we going first?” “Celestia mentioned the facility where Star Dust’s experiment created the Badlands,” Tempest started, pulling a map from her armor. “We should start from there. Its close to the changelings, which will be our next stop, followed by the dragonlands.” “Then we have our first goal!” Moondancer beamed, pushing her glasses back into place. “We can’t waste any time! Set a course, Fizzle!” A flat look found itself leveled at the cream colored mare. “Don’t call me that.” Without another word, Tempest pushed her way past the group and down the hall. “You ladies coming or are you going to start singing songs?” “Says the mare who sang a villain song,” Twilight whispered to the others, giggling. “It was a pretty good song too. I’d recommend it if the message wasn’t so cynical.” Gritting her teeth, Tempest straightened herself up. She just had to put up with them for a little longer. They’d beg her to get off the ship soon enough.  Zoning them out, she made her way to the bridge. “Alright you worthless sacks of fur, we’re going heading to the Badlands. I want us there last Tuesday.” “Aye Commander!” a chorus of voices called back, the group of yetis working frantically at the controls. Minutes later and the Shard lurched as the ropes holding it to the port were taken away. The ship shuddered again and slowly ascended into the skies. Tempest nodded, viewing their ascent from the bridge. Her list of goals didn’t elicit the reaction that she had intended. At the very least, she had expected Twilight to flinch at the mention of changelings. “Grubber!” she barked, standing on an elevated overlook above the bridge crew. It gave her a full view of each workstation and window with the mere turn of a head. “Get your sycophantic ass over here!” A few moments later, and a familiar weight was on her back. “Reporting for duty, Commander!” Grubber’s voice chimed in. He chuckled nervously as Tempest glared back at him. “Attention!” Tempest snapped, turning her ire to her siblings. She smirked inwardly as the group scrambled into a line. “This is not a please cruise and I will not suffer dead weight.” Walking the line, Tempest gave each of them her sternest frown. “You will earn your keep. Is that understood?” “Understood!” the group of mares answered in unison. “I am Captain and Grubber is my second; our word is law.” Stopping in front of Twilight, Tempest snorted. “From here on out, your royal status is meaningless. I expect our orders to be followed, that includes those given by the senior staff.” “Ugh, Trixie doesn't want to take orders from a badger!” “I'm actually a hedgehog.” “That's even worse! Trixie will not be bossed around by a woodland animal!” Huffing, Trixie pushed the brim of her hat up. She opened her mouth to complain further when a bolt of raw magic struck her chest. “Insubordination will not be tolerated,” Tempest countered, her horn crackling. “Doing so will net you a cozy spot in the brig. Is that understood?” Before Trixie could speak up, Sunset shoved a hoof in her mouth. “Crystal, Tempest.” Turning her head, she glared at Trixie. “Isn’t that right, Trixie?” Trixie pushed Sunset away, making a face. “Yes, crystal clear,” Trixie grumbled, rubbing her chest. “Good,” Tempest resumed her walk, eyeing each of them closely. “You'll each be assigned to a section of the ship, where you will perform your duties to the best of your abilities. Glasses!” Tempest barked, stopping in front of Moondancer. “It’s Moondancer, ma’am,” the bespectacled mare said. “And what do you want me to do?” “As I understand, you're good with magic theory. Report to Montgomery in the engine room.” Moondancer snapped a salute, a smile on her muzzle. “Can do, ma’am!” Turning on her hoof, she exited the bridge. The next few minutes was spent dispensing each of them an assignment: Starlight was sent to security, Twilight joined the crew on the lower level at navigation, Trixie to the balloon maintenance team, Sunset joined the crow's nest team. Only Spike was left without a job. “What about me?” Spike inquired, nervously wringing his hands. Tempest regarded him harshly for a moment, placing a hoof on his head. “You'll be our active ensign. You won't have any specific duties, instead, you'll go where the ship needs you. Since we're in friendly skies, you can spend the day with Paris learning how to work the helm.” Spike's eyes lit up and he nodded at the mare. “Ensign Spike, I like the sound of that. You can count on me for anything, Tempest!” In a matter of moments, he was standing beside the yeti at the helm. “Ready to begin when you are, Paris.” Tempest resumed her position on her overlook, staring out into the sky ahead of her. Her reverie only lasted a moment before Grubber spoke up. “I bet the blue one snaps first,” he commented, leaning against Tempest's neck. “She's got like no chill.” Sensing Tempest tensing up, he scooted back and weakly patted her mohawk. “I'll uh...be quiet.” “Oh no, please, continue. My day is just so boring without your colorful commentary.” While the hedgehog was obnoxious, Tempest couldn't help but agree with him. Trixie's pride was a clear weak point to abuse. With the right pressure, she likely wouldn't last a week. “You think we'll find anything out in the desert?” Grubber asked, hopping off Tempest's back. Waddling over to a large globe behind her position, he moved a finger over the surface. ”We'll be pretty close to Klugetown. Those guys might get ideas, y’know, now that the Storm King's gone.” “We'll be able to handle that rabble,” Tempest dismissed, keeping her eyes forward. “As for finding anything, it's possible, but I highly doubt it. This mission was likely a death sentence in the eye of most of the council.” “Yeah, with the king gone, betcha lots of dudes are gonna be gunnin’ to fill the spot.” Spinning the globe, Grubber's imagination ran rampant with possibility. “I know a few guys in the Armada who were always whispering about taking over. Most of em got away during the storm.” “Luckily, the ones you're talking about were even more incompetent than the Storm King, and nearly as deranged,” Tempest said, finally looking over her shoulder. “I dunno about that.” Stopping the globe, Grubber wore a frown. “I think like, whatever's left of the Armadas gonna have like, splinter factions. All fightin’ for dominance and stuff.” Throwing his hands up for dramatic effect, he continued. “We're still flying the guy’s colors, ya know. People are gonna think stuff.” “I'd rather not get into pointless fights,” Tempest said, nodding in thought. Stepping up to the globe, she nudged it gently with her hoof. Such a big world, so many places for a pony to hide, even an alicorn. She could spend the rest of her life searching and never finding. Lowering her hoof, her gaze lingered on the Storm King emblems stamped across the surface. “They aren't his colors anymore, Grubber.” “That's not how people are gonna see it,” Grubber pointed out, stepping away from the globe. “And if there are people looking to pick up the pieces, you're an obvious target.” Tempest met his gaze, a steel like edge to her features. “Let them try, hedgehog. The king is dead, long live the queen.” Grubber's eyes lit up and he rubbed his hands together. “Ohoho, are we gonna make our own move on that turf? Nice.” Pausing, he glanced down at Twilight. “What about your family? Ya just giving up your search?” “I can do both, Grubber,” Tempest dismissed. “The Storm King's territory all falls within the terms of my exile. They have no authority outside of Equestria. Besides, it's either me or a hoofful of power drunk morons.” “Whatever you say.” Grubber snapped a salute, a grin on his face. “Don't think I could say no to being second-in-command to a queen.” “We're a few days from Klugetown. I want you to gauge the crew’s opinion on the matter,” Tempest ordered, walking back to her spot. “If the crew isn't behind us, we call it off.” Grubber saluted once more, giving her a quick assurance. “And Grubber, be careful.” Tempest glanced back, her gaze soft. “I don't think I could handle these ponies by myself.” Grubber managed a warm smile, nodding at her. “Hey, I'll do what I can, boss. Have I ever been anything but on your side?”  With the matter settled, the two returned to their duties. Tempest stared out over the lifeless sands of the Badlands. A contingency of yetis were scouring the area for any signs of Star Dust’s lab. Given how long it had been since the accident, she had ordered her crew to dig. “Grubber,” she spoke, turning her head to her underling. “How much water do we have?” “Our reserves are basically full right now, Tempest,” Grubber answered, sipping from his own canteen. “Just had the supply report done after lunch.” “Lay out the map,” she ordered, gesturing in front of her. Grubber hopped off her back, reached into his armor and unrolled a map before her. Using a few loose rocks to keep it open, he did a quick flourish. “As you command, boss lady.” Leaning her neck down, Tempest gave the map a once over. “Hmm, if our navigation team is accurate, then we should be here.” She tapped a hoof against the map. “We just need to dig until we find a way into the lab.” “The princess got all the guys organized into shifts,” Grubber informed, pointing further out to where Twilight was organizing gear. “Goin’ pretty good so far.” “Yes, it seems like neurosis runs in the family,” Tempest admitted, watching Twilight do inventory. “Don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who enjoys bureaucracy. Are we sure she’s not the Princess of Beancounting?” “If she was more vicious, I'd say she was gunning for control of the ship,” Grubber commented. He cringed at Tempest’s narrowed eyes. “But uh, I don't think there's an underhanded bone in her body.”   Devising it was better to let it go, Tempest returned her attention to the map. “Anyway, keep an eye on the water supply. The lab doesn't come before us. Make sure the yetis get as much as they need.” “I always do, boss lady,” Grubber replied, giving a thumbs up. “I’ll make another check after this shift goes on their next meal break. If we’re lucky, we won’t need to collect rainwater for a couple weeks.” Grabbing her own canteen, Tempest took a short drink. “I wonder how long it’ll take before they send someone to get their princess back.” “Ten bits says her big brother shows up personally,” Grubber said, snickering at the thought. “Ya know, is he your brother too? Or like, is he only related to her? Kinda reminds me of this one lady, who had kids with this one guy, then broke up with him and got with his dad and had kids with his dad. Like, are those kids siblings or like uncles and nieces and nephews and stuff?” “I am not even going to begin unpacking the cornucopia of awful that was that story,” Tempest deadpanned, looking down at the hedgehog. “But to answer the first question, no, I am not related by blood to Twilight’s older brother. She and I are half-siblings, we only share Star Dust as a genetic parent. She and Shining Armor share a mother. Do you understand or do I need to have flash cards made for you?” “Nah, I’m good.” Grubber waved her off before climbing onto her back. “Your dad really got around huh? Ever like, wonder if ya got any more siblings out there they don’t know about?” “Donating to a clinic isn’t getting around, Grubber,” Tempest said, rolling her eyes. “You do know how those work, right?” “Course I do!” Grubber snorted, leaning against her neck. “I used to know a lot of guys who need help with the ladies. My cousin knew this one guy who was so scared of chicks his mom had to give him a potion that like, made him get over it.” “Do you have a personal story for every situation?” Tempest questioned. Grubber grinned, making a show of brushing his armor off. “I know lots of people, boss lady. Ya just gotta keep an ear open for the right things.” Tempest nodded, looking back over the working crew. With everything in order, she decided to go back to the ship to evaluate the regular upkeep. She left Grubber behind to oversee the search, having had her fill of his stories for the day. Still, she had to admit that he was less… intense than usual. He hadn't even snuck away from his duties to nap. Whatever was causing the change, she welcomed it. Perhaps because of the changes to her own personality? Her own outlook on life had changed, taking a turn to brighter side of life. She doubted she would be breaking out into song about friendship anytime soon, but little things no longer set her off like they once had. “Hey, Fizzy!” Sunset greeted, meeting Tempest at the gangway. “Everything looking good out there?” “Sunset, how many times have I told you not to call me that?” Tempest questioned, doing her best not to scowl. “But yes, thanks to Twilight’s rotation suggestion, the work is progressing smoothly.” “Isn’t it a younger sibling’s job to annoy the older sibling?” Sunset questioned. “You are older than me, aren’t you?” “That’d be flawless logic, if I weren’t in charge of this ship,” Tempest shot back, resting a hoof on the smaller mare’s shoulder. “Keep it up and I’m dropping you off at the Equestrian border.” Rolling her eyes, Sunset pulled away. “Do you ever have fun, or are you too emo for that?” “I worked for a despotic idiot for the last few months,” Tempest replied, starting her rounds again. “And now I’m an exile with a basically impossible mission. Do either of those sound like fun times to you?” Sunset frowned, following Tempest as she began to walk. “No, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it drag you down.” “I've been fixated on one goal for a long time, Sunset,” she started, glancing at the jagged stub of her horn. “But now that I cannot fulfill it, I need new things to occupy my time. Fun could be on the agenda. When we're not busy.” “I doubt you actually even know how to use fun,” Sunset countered. “I wouldn’t worry though, we can get you up to speed.” “I'd argue with you, but you'd find a way to snark back,” Tempest said, coming to a stop at a door. “So, how have you taken to your responsibilities here? Any complaints you want to rattle off in hopes of getting special treatment?” Sunset chuckled, waving her hoof. “As if you'd ever give special treatment. Spotting is a little dull, but talking with Jack makes it way better. He’s actually very insightful. You sure these guys are supposed to be an army?” “It takes all types to be a good soldier,” Tempest answered, glancing back at Sunset as she stepped through the door. “Were you expecting nothing but mindless grunts?” “No, but, they don’t seem like the type to be an evil army.” “We all have our reasons for being here,” Tempest reasoned, motioning for the saluting yetis to be at ease. “Most saw it as a way to expand past the dismal landscape of the yeti homeland. There’s a reason he called himself the ‘Storm King’.” Sunset nodded, looking out across the room. Wanting more than what life had dealt her was something she understood. “I think I can empathize,” she finally said, turning back to Tempest. “I didn’t come from much either. I was living on the streets by myself before Celestia found me.” Tempest's expression softened as she heard that. She knew what it was like to try and make it on her own. “And here I thought you were all pampered like Twilight.” Shrugging, Sunset managed a smile. “I did get a little pampered, but only after I ate out of garbage cans for a few weeks.” A popping sound and a bright light interrupted the conversation, depositing an excited Twilight beside them. “We found it!” She declared, dancing in place with a manic smile. “Already?” Tempest questioned, turning to walk out the door. “Seems that rotation schedule was truly effective. Good work, Twilight.” “Less talking, more discovering!” Lighting her horn again, she teleported them to the dig site then poofed away again. It only took her a few more trips to bring the rest of their siblings. “This is so exciting!” Twilight declared, rearing up and kicking the air. Spike shook his head, a kitchen knife still in his hand. “Twi, mind teleporting this back before you charge into the lab?” Chuckling weakly, Twilight teleported the knife away. “Sorry, Spike.” Patting his head, she moved to the front of the group. “We just found the doors, it shouldn’t be too hard to get them open.” She stepped up to the doors, lighting up her horn and encompassing them in her aura. Putting in a bit of effort, she willed for the doors to open. A loud grinding sound pierced their ears as Twilight’s magic slowly slid the doors open. Sunset and Starlight added their own magic, opening the doors wide enough for a pony to step through. Someone however beat them to it. A body slumped out of the opening, staring up at the sky. The body recieved the standard reactions, ranging from tempered caution to outright screams. Tempest pushed her sisters to the side, kneeling down next to the fallen pony. Before her laid a dry husk with slightly translucent skin. With previously unseen gentleness, she eased the body on its side, revealing a long rip along the spine. “Celestia mentioned that there was a connection between changelings and Star Dust. I don't think this pony died here.” Standing up, she stepped away from the husk. “Almost looks like a cicada shell.” Twilight's squeamishness disappeared, curiosity overtaking her. She leaned in, examining the remains. “Fascinating, there's no sign of this pony's skeleton.” “Obviously, Sparkle, they turned into a bug,” Trixie pointed out, adjusting her hat. “I thought you were smart.” A blank look overtook Twilight's face. With a quick spell, Trixie's hat was pulled down over her entire head. “As I was saying, I believe that the insides of this pony liquified, much like the process a caterpillar goes through when it becomes a butterfly.” Without thinking, she reached her hoof into the husk. “Mmhmm, as I thought, no evidence of internal organs. In this arid climate, those would still be at least partially intact after three-hundred years.” The gathered group minus Tempest and Trixie were visibly uncomfortable with Twilight’s actions. Stepping into the gap, Moondancer peered into the darkness. “Why would they leave anypony here?” “Radiation, most likely,” Sunset spoke up, looking down at the body. “If it got intense enough to turn this place into the Badlands, they probably didn't think anyone survived.” Frowning deeply, she looked at Twilight. “Please tell me you know a radiation monitor spell.” “I do!” Twilight chirped, her horn glowing. “I thought it might come in handy so I studied one with Starlight on the way here.” “Then please, use it. I want to know if I can still have kids after this.” Nodding, Twilight let her spell fire off into darkness. She stood silently for over a minute, her magic ebbing and flowing. With a quick nod, she let her aura die. “Good news, the radiation in the area is at perfectly safe levels. There’s no chance of us getting sick.” Turning over to Sunset she added, “And you can have all the kids you want.” “How can that be? It was bad enough 300 years ago to kill everything in about a hundred miles in each direction. How is this place not hotter than a power plant?” Starlight stepped forward, her own horn lighting up. “Here, let me give a second opinion.” A few minutes later and she turned back to Sunset. “Either we’re messing up this spell, or there really isn’t any dangerous amount of radiation in the area.” “That just doesn’t make any sense,” Sunset insisted. Moondancer rubbed her chin, glancing at the husk. “Hmm, say, if the ponies at the lab adapted by becoming changelings, isn’t it possible that some other life form adapted by absorbing radiation?” “Enough to remove it completely?” Sunset questioned, raising her eyebrow. “Consider how many giant life forms call this planet their home,” Moon Dancer started, motioning with a hoof. “And now think about a local population being mutated by a one hundred mile radius blast.” “We can continue this conversation inside, ladies.” Tempest moved past Sunset and into the workshop. “It’s hot and you talking just makes it hotter. Blue, you’re on light duty.” “Trixie has a name, Fizzlepop,” Trixie grumbled, walking after the tall mare and generating a bright glow with her horn. “Please address Trixie with it.” “If you do your job without so much bitching, maybe,” Tempest replied, keeping her eyes forward and examining the decrepit state of the tunnel. Most of the metal lining the walls had twisted and warped, a testament to just how badly everything had gone. Along the way, they found a few more husks like the one at the entrance. All of the equipment they could see was warped beyond repair. And that’s if it was recognizable. The doors to more than a few rooms had melted to the point that no no magic was going to move them. Deciding against trying to cut them open, they continued into the facility. More body husks started to appear, along with discarded changeling shells. Hardened changeling goo began to appear on the walls, long since dried out and useless. Tempest tapped her hoof against a patch that was on the floor. At that slight touch, the ancient material crumbled away. “Lousy material,” she commented, lowering her hoof. “It’s tough when it’s fresh,” Twilight commented, coming up to Tempest’s side. “Trust me on that.” “Trixie agrees,” Trixie spoke up. “It took Trixie a week to get it out of her mane.” Ignoring the two, Tempest continued to examine the room they were in. After a pass around, she pulled out the notes Celestia had given them from her saddlebag. “Blue, get behind me with the light, I need to check something.” “Trixie has told you she has a name!” Trixie snapped, though she followed Tempest’s command. “Do not take your envy out on me.” “And I told you I’d call you by your name if you quit your bitching,” Tempest shot back. “And what’s there to envy, your ability to talk in third pony?” Her eyes scanned over the pages, checking for anything relevant. “I’d rather to listen to another of Grubber’s stories.” Trixie grumbled to herself, doing her best to keep her horn steady and resisting the urge to smack the tall mare upside the head. “Trixie will show you envy.” Tempest put the notes away and started to walk again. “The main lab is a large circular room, and Star Dust’s office was attached to it. If there’s anything related to him in these ruins, then they’re further in.” “Yeah but, where would we even begin to look?” Moondancer questioned, pushing her glasses  back up. “Right now, there’s only one hall to go through,” Tempest said, keeping her pace. “If the path starts to diverge we can split into groups and decide on a meeting place. Is anybody opposed?” She got a chorus of ‘nos’, no one else really had any ideas. After a bit of walking, they came across their first fork in the path. Tempest turned towards the group, dividing them up. With her she took Twilight, Spike and Sunset. The other group was Starlight, Trixie and Moondancer. “Check each door,” Tempest instructed, charging her horn. “And make sure you pay attention. We don’t know if any changelings are still around.” “Hadn't considered the possibility of an active hive here,” Twilight started, glancing around the hall. With Trixie in the other group, she had taken up light duty. “I'd rather not have to fight changelings given our relationship with Thorax and his hive.” “Just pay attention,” Tempest responded, peering into a doorway. There were several stalls and exposed pipes. Tempest instantly retracted her head. Leave it to her luck to find the bathroom. With a motion for the girls to ignore the room, they carried on. The walk continued for some time, dried building material appearing more and more, sometimes coating entire sections of the tunnel. They tried another door, this one rusted shut on its hinges. Rearing back, Tempest gave the door a mighty kick with her hind legs. A loud creak echoed through the hall and the doors flew off their hinges before landing a couple feet away. “Twilight, light,” Tempest ordered, gesturing to the opening in front of her. Excusing herself past Tempest, Twilight swept her horn’s light over the room. It appeared to have been a lab at one point, but the broken open changeling cocoons showed that the room had been repurposed. Spike gulped, stepping into the room. “I hope whoever was in those cocoons is okay.” Tempest stepped up to the cocoons, putting her hoof to one. The material fell apart, creating a pile on the floor. “I think that’s a moot point, it’s clearly been a long time since anyone was in this thing.” “Best not to worry about it,” Sunset said, patting a spine on Spike’s head. “I don’t think this is the place we’re looking for.” The group quickly left the room, Spike giving the cocoons one last glance before catching up to the group. They tried several more doors, each one not giving them the room they wanted. Tempest snorted, charging her horn again. Only a few days in, and she was already hitting dead ends. “Maybe we should go to the meeting spot?” Twilight suggested, putting a hoof on Tempest’s shoulder. “I bet the others are having better luck.” “Fine,” Tempest grunted, pulling away from her. “Back the way we came.” Brushing past the others, she led the way back. It didn't take long for the group to make it to the meeting spot, though the others hadn't made it back yet. “Huh, I wonder where the others are?” Spike questioned, scratching his chin. “Maybe they already found the office?” “There's still time before we agreed to meet,” Tempest pointed out, sitting on her haunches. “We can give them a bit before we go after them.” Her ear flicked and then the other. “Look alive ladies, we have company.” Leaping forward, she barely avoided being crushed by a massive insectoid monster as it dropped from the ceiling. Charging her horn, Tempest stared the creature down. “What do you think girls? Well done or barbeque?” Disregarding any responses, she ran at the slobbering beast. What divine providence; something to hit. Maybe today wasn’t going to be such a waste.