//------------------------------// // In God we trust, all others we monitor... // Story: Defender // by Kaibble //------------------------------// Princess Celestia was galloping as fast as her legs would take her through the castle’s elaborate basement. Urgent news had come to her. Urgent news that not just demanded, but required her attention. She turned a corner just in time to see a pony pushing a metal cart with something on it covered by a sheet into a room. The pony was accompanied by several members of the Royal Guard, including its captain. “Your Majesty!” The captain said, bowing quickly. “What are you doing here?” Celestia slowly walked up to the metal cart. “When I heard that another had been found I had to see for myself.” She turned, eyes wavering, to the Royal Guard Captain. “Is it true Shining Armor? Has there been another?” Shining Armor’s head lowered solemnly. “I am afraid so your Majesty.” Celestia looked upon the sheet with a mixture of sadness and fear. The first time had been one time too many, but this was the fourth and they were still no closer to an answer. “Remove the cloth.” Shining Armor’s eyes widened. “Your Majesty?” “I wish to see her.” “But your Majesty-” “CAPTAIN Armor.” Celestia said firmly, eyes still on the sheet. “I know it is your job to protect me from all forms of harm but I must do this. Now please,” her voice gradually quieted down, “remove the cloth or I will do it myself.” Shining Armor let out a heavy hearted sigh and nodded to the pony pushing the cart. The pony nodded back and clenched his teeth on the sheet. After hesitating for a moment he finally pulled the sheet off, doing so gently as if he might break what was underneath if he pulled to hard, and revealed the carts grim contents. Tears flowed freely from Celestia’s eyes now. On the cart lay a young pegasus mare. Her once shining silver coat had faded to a dull gray, her bright, sky blue eyes now closed forever in eternal stillness. The only mark on her other than her silver arrow cutie mark was a small, circular wound above her left foreleg, just about were her heart would be. “This is Lieutenant Steelwing’s niece isn’t it?” Her voice wavered. “Silverstreak.” “Yes your Majesty.” Shining Armor replied quietly. “If I remember correctly he was quite fond of her.” “She’s been like a daughter to him since her parents passed.” Armor said, his eyes now on the mare as well. “She was going to attend the Royal Flight Academy at the start of the next semester. He was very proud of her.” Celestia closed her eyes and laid her forehead on the mare’s side, tears still rolling down her face. “I am sorry…” She whispered. “I am sorry I could not protect you… I am sorry I failed you…” “Your Majesty…” Armor said, coming to her side. “The doctors, they must…” “Yes, of course.” Celestia lifted her head from the mare’s side and gave her one last glance as the sheet was thrown back over her. The cart was pushed into the room, followed closely by the Royal Guards. Except Shining Armor, who stayed with Celestia. “Do we know anything new?” The Princess asked, wiping the tears from her face. “I’m afraid not.” Armor said, doing little to mask his frustration. “She was… killed like the others, a single puncture wound in a vital area.” Celestia remained silent. The captain now looked to the floor. “There’s been some talk among the guards. Most of them think the human has something to do with this.” The Princess turned to him in surprise. “Beckett? But how could that be possible? He’s been under constant watch since he came here, there’s no way he could have committed these crimes!” “To be fair we have no idea what these humans are capable of.” Armor said. “And one of the guards confirmed that he saw something similar to what was pulled out of the victims in the human’s equipment. Not to mention that the first killing just happened to occur on the day he appeared here!” Celestia shook her head. “It also took place while he was still unconscious in the hospital. If it will make you feel better I will ask Twilight Sparkle to keep a closer eye on him. However, the last report she sent me indicated that she sensed no unusual potential in him, magical or otherwise.” “That only brings us to a more troubling alternative your Majesty.” Armor lowered his voice to a whisper. “What if there are more of them?” The Princess closed her eyes in thought. “The draw of magical energy that opened the portal just to let Beckett, one human alone, through was massive and I sensed it right away. If there had been another I would know.” Her eyes suddenly snapped open in realization. “Unless…” Celestia suddenly took off down the hallway, heading back up to the main floor. A rather surprised Shining Armor did his best to keep up with her as she raced out the castle and into the royal gardens. She slowed to a stop as she came upon a large statue. The statue itself could be mistaken for a failed attempt at modern art. It looked like each body part had been scavenged from whatever animals were available at the time. The casual observer would likely assume such a creature couldn’t possibly exist, but Celestia knew better. This was Discord, the Draconequus. Almost half a year ago he had nearly succeeded in plunging Equestria into never ending chaos. Luckily the Elements of Harmony were able to defeat him and banish him back to his stone prison. But there were precious few creatures in Equestria that could open a dimensional hole of such magnitude while simultaneously being able to mask the magic energy signature, and he had already escaped once before. Celestia turned to one of the guards posted on the statue. “Has there been any change? Anything unusual at all?” The guard threw up a crisp salute. “Ma’am! Sergeant Chevron reports this post all secure with no unusual activity!” The sergeant dropped his salute upon finishing. Celestia continued to eye the statue. Something felt… wrong. She couldn’t put her hoof on it but something was bothering her. “You wouldn’t happen to know how much of our magical research staff is free would you Shining Armor?” “The last I heard was that most of the staff was working on sending the human back.” Armor said. “I want you to give them new orders. They are to pull their best off of that project and start examining the statue for any strange magical signatures.” “Right away your Majesty.” Armor turned to depart to the magic labs. “And Captain.” Armor stopped in his tracks and turned back. “Yes your Majesty?” The Princess’ face became somber. “Has the lieutenant been informed?” “Not yet.” Armor replied. “I was going to inform him myself.” “I will do it.” Celestia said. “He deserves no less.” Shining Armor nodded slowly. “Of course your Majesty.” He continued to the labs, leaving Celestia at the statue. Celestia sighed and looked up into the night sky, at the moon that she had raised. “I wish you were not ill sister, I need your support now more than ever.” *************** Jack was standing outside the Ponyville library, taking in the night air. Unlike the air in Afghanistan, which seemed to constantly force dust and sand down your throat, it was crisp and clear. The airman smirked to himself. As beautiful and clear as this night was he still found himself wishing he had a cigarette. He hadn’t had a smoke since he’d got here and the cravings were compiling on top of the stress he already felt. It was late and the party had ended hours ago. Everyone had gone home and Spike had gone to bed. Before going to sleep Twilight had showed Jack the room in the library’s basement that he would be staying in. She finally went to bed after Jack had promised her he would get some rest tonight. That had been two hours ago. Finally being alone had allowed Jack’s mind to drift back to the dream he’d had that morning. Rather than setting his mind at ease with answers it only burdened him with more questions. Was the rest of the team ok? What was the distress signal’s origin? Why had he been alone in the truck? Just how had he ended up upside down in a ravine? Before he could delve any deeper into all the possible outcomes of the event Jack was distracted by the sound of wings flapping over his head. He looked up and saw a small owl perched on one of the low branches of the library. Jack chuckled quietly. “I don’t suppose you can talk as well? Maybe you could offer me some wisdom?” The owl just stared at Jack blankly. “Who?” “You.” Jack said stiffly, now in a staring contest with the bird. After a few moments he laughed. “I guess that was a ‘hoo’ not a ‘who’.” He shook his head. “This place is gonna drive me crazy.” “Hoo.” The owl took off from the branch and landed on Jack’s head. Jack tilted his eyes up, trying to look at it but only getting a few feathers. “You’re rather personable for a wild animal aren’t you?” “Hoo.” The little owl settled itself on Jack’s head. Jack smiled. “Alright I guess you can hang out up there if you want, as long you don’t poop on my head.” Jack reached up and lightly scratched the back of the owl’s neck. “You got a name buddy?” “His name’s Owlowiscious.” Jack turned to the voice, seeing Twilight Sparkle walking up to them with a smile on her face. “And it seems he’s taken a liking to you.” “Maybe it’s because we’re both birds of prey.” Jack smiled. Twilight just her eyes at him. “Sorry, I didn’t wake you up did I?” Twilight shook her head. “No I was just getting some water and I saw the basement door open. When I saw you weren’t there I got worried that you might’ve run off.” “Hey, I promised to turn myself over to you didn’t I?” Jack said indignantly. “Yes but,” Twilight gave him a sideways glance, “I also seem to remember you promising to get some rest tonight.” Jack put his hands up in mock surrender. “You got me.” He put his hands down and looked up at the sky. “Sorry, I was just having trouble getting to sleep, still got a lot on my mind.” Twilight looked at him sympathetically. “Are you still worried about your friends?” Jack let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah. I mean, I remember a little of what happened before I came here but not enough to know that they’re alright, only that we were attacked.” Jack looked down at Twilight. “I don’t suppose you could use your magic to dig around in my head and pull those memories back up?” Twilight offered a small smile. “I wish I could, but being able to do magic doesn’t make me a psychic. And even if I was it would be dangerous to perform that kind of mental intrusion. You could end up a raving lunatic. Now come on, let’s both go to bed. You never know, you might have another dream.” Jack smiled as he followed the purple pony back into the library. “Yeah maybe you’re right. And Twilight?” Jack said stopping in the doorway. “Hm?” Twilight turned her head to look at him. “Thanks for looking out for me.” Twilight flashed a heartfelt smile. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t?” With that she continued up the stairs to her room. Jack smile, genuinely feeling a little better. Owlowicious flew off his head to the upper bookshelves as Jack walked over to the basement door. He started to walk down the steps when something stopped him in his tracks and made him turn around. It was a prickly feeling, the kind of feeling you get when something real bad is going down. He’d felt this before on several occasions, when convoy’s got hit or ops went bad. Jack’s combat instincts flared for the briefest of seconds before he remembered where he was. This was a place of peace. There hadn’t even been a recorded murder that he could remember from the books. He shook off the feeling and resumed walking down the stairs. “Probably just someone burning a pancake.”