What Is Deserved
[Who are you, that you do not know your history?]
“More tea, anypony?”
“I’d take some tea, if you offered.”
“Ah, my apologies, Wings. Can I pour you a cup?”
“Nah, stuff’s vile.”
What the hell is going on here?
As I sat, bleary-eyed from sleep that was both insufficient and of poor quality, in the bar of a two-hundred-years-abandoned brothel, which had remarkably received countless awards for employment standards and practices, I couldn’t help but feel that the situation was bizarre.
My guests, more housemates now, were spread out throughout the bar’s booths. Cassie and Breeze sat together, while Wings and Schwarzwald had a table to themselves. I remained at the bar counter.
“Can’t we just get going already?” I groused, not caring about tea right now. I just wanted to head to Whinniepeg and rescue Undertow and Bosco. There was no telling how long they would be okay while held by the demonic gold fog creatures.
If I didn’t need your help to get them back, none of you, except maybe Schwarzwald, would even know where this place was, and you certainly wouldn’t be welcome here.
None of the four made any attempt to eat faster. “It’s best if you eat up, Snowflake. We will need our strength today.” Cassie accompanied her words with another dainty bite of her toast.
I’d already rushed through the meal put before me. Now, I impatiently waited for them to finish so we could head off. It would take hours to reach Whinniepeg from here, hours which Undertow and Bosco might not have, especially since their safety hinged upon the word of a creature that I didn’t even understand.
“Ease up a little, Snow. You’re too tense. We owe ya for the rooms, and promised we’d help you get ‘em back, so that’s what we’ll do.” Wings, while at odds with much of griffon culture, always made sure to collect on, and pay out, favours due.
“Listen to them, dahling. The golden fog will wait. They obviously want the Memory Orbs too much to risk injuring the little ones.”
My focus fell on Schwarzwald. Her conversation in the snow last night was a huge contributor to my mostly-sleepless night.
How do you and Watcher know each other, Schwarzwald? What does it mean that you do? Are you the real reason he approached me after my first trip to Neighlway?
Until last night, neither had given any indication that they knew the other. I’d spent hours last night, after rushing back inside to avoid being caught eavesdropping, going over all that I could remember of every single conversation that I’d had with either Schwarzwald OR Watcher, searching for any clues that would indicate that connection.
I couldn’t think of a damn thing.
Well, I suppose both of them did want me to be friendly with others. I told Watcher that I sent my friends away, and he said to go after them, and Schwarzwald pushed me to make peace with Wings, Cassie, and Breeze. I always thought that was just Schwarzwald looking to keep her fun going, but maybe they were swapping notes?
This begged the question as to what Schwarzwald’s motivations really were. Even after her midnight meeting, she’d been acting exactly the same as she always had. Whatever agenda it was that they’d been talking about hadn’t changed. They’d mentioned a ‘her’, who they’d apparently been discussing for weeks.
My eyes wandered over to Wings. Was she the ‘her’? Did Wings know about Watcher? If she didn’t, why hadn’t Schwarzwald told her? Wings hadn’t met Amber either, so what was Schwarzwald trying to hide?
One thing’s for certain. After we get Undertow and Bosco back, I need to have a talk with one of those two. Maybe before.
Yeah, why wait? I might not get another chance after.
“Hey, uh…” I had to stop again. Which one should I talk to? Talking to Schwarzwald directly might get me more answers, but it also might make things worse. If the secret was dangerous, she might turn against me, or do something drastic.
Wings, on the other hoof, might not even know anything at all. It might be a waste of time talking with her… she probably won’t kill me for asking though.
“Uh… Wings, can I talk to you in private for a second?” I tried to keep my voice and face neutral and natural as I spoke. I had no real way of gauging whether I was doing something unusual, as most of the four were naturally suspicious of me anyway.
Breeze, predictably, responded badly. “Why can’t you talk to her here? Got something to hide?”
“You’ve tried to kill me in the past!” I snapped back. “Just get ready to go. We won’t be long.”
“Bitch.”
I rolled my eyes, leaving Breeze to be chastised for her language. The clack of claws on the hard floor let me know that Wings was following me.
Stepping out into the brisk morning air, a slight breeze helped to further wake me up. The morning sky was, as always, overcast, but there was no snow falling, resulting in a fairly pleasant start.
Flapping her wings to keep her paws and claws above the cold snow, Wings still shivered slightly. “What’s up, Snow?”
Good question. “Um… about Schwarzwald…”
“Yeah?”
“You said that… you’d never spoken to Amber before, right? Even though she’s hired Schwarzwald plenty of times?”
She nodded as she clapped her claws together for warmth, breath misting out of her beak. “Yeah, what about it?”
I still didn’t even know how to broach the topic, and whether or not there was a problem at all. Schwarzwald had warned me that there were lots of different types of people in the Wasteland, and not all of them pleasant. “I just… wanted to see how you were doing with that.”
Even as the chilly winds increased, Wings’ shivering stilled slightly as she considered the situation, a far off look in her brilliant blue eyes. “Well I trust Schwarzwald, I mean, she’s never really given me any reason not to, and she’s done plenty to show me that she’s on my side when it counts.” She seemed to feel the cold again, as a full-body quiver ran up her. “Listen, her business is her business, and I’m sure she’s got plenty of contacts I don’t know about. I’ve got some she doesn’t know about… Listen, can we do this inside? It’s freezing out here!”
“One last question. About those contacts…” I hesitated. It was now or never. Did I trust Wings with this? I trusted Bosco, and Naiara, and Undertow on this, and most everything. They were easy to trust.
But Wings? For the most part, I still trusted Schwarzwald, although this Watcher business had thrown me for a loop. Schwarzwald vouched for Wings, sort of. She’d avoided saying that she outright trusted Wings, but I think that was more to mess with me than anything else. Wings herself had fought with me against the gold fog, and those Raiders, and hadn’t tried to take advantage of a naïve Stable pony, even though she and Schwarz could have easily beaten me and Bosco. Instead, she decided to put herself in my debt, just like that.
Wings knew about the Raider business, and still agreed to help me out. Sure she’d done some questionable things, like killing Four Fields, and stealing my Pi-
Wow, they were right. I really don’t think of that at first, when I think about Wings, do I?
I guess I did. “…About these contacts, did she ever mention one called Wa-“
“Hey, what the f…” I was interrupted by Breeze’s startled yell from within Hoofshine, accompanied by violent crashing.
“More of these things?!”
“Look out, dahlings!”
“GET ‘EM!”
Locking eyes with Wings, our conversation was instantly forgotten as we rushed to the door. Wings got there first, laying a claw on the handle, just in time for the door to slam open from the other side, ramming her back into me. We went down in a heap, sliding across the snow, but I still kept one eye on the door.
Shining in the white snow, it was hard to make out what was emerging. Light seemed to play across their surfaces, but by squinting, I could just about make out what they were.
‘These things’ turned out to be fog creatures, though where the Whinniepeg creatures had been warm gold, these ghosts were cold silver.
Pinned under Wings, I could only struggle to rise as the creatures briefly grouped just outside the door. “What are you? What do you want?”
A pair of solid red, featureless eyes formed briefly within one of the creatures, rippling in tandem with the rest of its mass. A harsh, raspy voice, barely a whisper really, emerged from the fog, even though no mouth could be seen. There was a familiarity to the voice, somehow. “We will not allow it! They shall not possess the memories!”
“Who are you?” Wings had freed herself from me, and was back in the air, her blue fire eyes glaring at the apparitions. “What do you want?” She echoed my earlier question.
Tremors ran through each fog. “We will not allow it!”
Three more fog ghosts emerged from the on-going chaos within Hoofshine Harlots, bearing a strange nucleus within their clouds.
“They have the Orbs!” Schwarzwald’s enraged shout was joined by the thunder of pursuing hooves.
Like a bomb had gone off in their midst, the herd of clouds exploded outwards in all directions, forcing Wings and I to reactively throw up our limbs to protect ourselves, though the Silver Fog just flowed over and around us.
A split second later, three ponies crowded into the doorway, dishevelled. Breeze’s eyes were wide. “They took the damn Orbs!”
My heart stopped. “What?”
Schwarzwald’s hoof shot out, tracking one of the escaping miasmas. “There, that one!” Without another word, she sprinted off after it, closely followed by Breeze.
Cassie made to follow, but abruptly changed direction. “I see another!” She too took wing.
Wheeling about, Wings and I were the only ones left, and there was still one Orb unaccounted for. I frantically scanned the trees, looking for any sign of our target. “Do you see it?”
Her grim silence was not comforting, and before I could say anything more, she shot upwards, above the tree line. Casting about this way and that, she finally fixed on a direction opposite to that travelled by Schwarzwald and Breeze.
With a mighty flap of her wings, she shot off, while I gave chase on the ground. “Wings! Where are they?”
She glanced down for the briefest of moments, just long enough to extend a talon. “Dead ahead! Up high!”
Following her outthrust talon, I raised my head off the forest floor. Ascending through the trees, into the open air above, was a solitary silver cloud, bearing a small sphere at its heart.
“GIVE THAT BACK! WE HAD A DEAL!” Silver or gold, it didn’t matter right now. These things had the same powers as those in Whinniepeg, and they were trying to go back on the deal we’d made.
I wouldn’t allow it, not with Bosco and Undertow’s wellbeing at stake.
As the orb-bearing Silver Fog burst through the tree canopy, Wings caught up, slashing with a hawkish cry. Her claws did nothing to the fog itself, but clipped the Memory Orb, sending it plummeting to the snow below.
A second fog beast rushed in from the side, morphing as it charged, until a silver Pegasus ghost slammed into Wings from the side. Slashing and kicking, the two fliers tumbled away.
The first Fog dove after the Memory Orb, trying to reach the fallen Memory before I did.
It was faster than me, and closer, but my horn was already glowing, with a dome of ice beginning to form over the Orb. As Undertow’s water shield had proven, whatever these things were, they couldn’t get through a magic barrier. All I had to do was complete the spell before it reached.
Apparently the Silver cloud realised this too, and shifted mid-dive. Where before it had been a shapeless mass, it reformed into an ever-elongating needle, driving downwards with increased speed and force. It struck the half-formed shield, shattering it on impact.
“NO!” My horn blazed as I attempted the spell again. However, the cloud had already engulfed the Orb, and was rising again. There wasn’t time for more ice, not while the Orb was moving and rising like that, so I did the only thing I could think of.
I dove straight into the centre of the silver fog, hooves reaching for the Orb.
Immediately, an unending buzzing invaded my skull, reverberating behind my eyes. A great sense of wrongness washed over me.
“OUT!” I heard in my mind. “Get away!”
Nausea ran through me, and I almost turned away there, just to make it stop. However, the glinting Memory Orb was so close…
I reached for it, fighting through what felt like tar, but it jerked to the side as my hoof grabbed at it, making me flail madly. Each time I went for it, it moved just enough that I couldn’t get a good grip.
“RRRAAAAGH!” I screamed in furious protest, the roar rippling through cloud, even as silver fog drifted onto my tongue. Lunging forward desperately, my teeth clacked shut on either side of the Orb.
“NOOOO!!!” Bellowed the voice in my head, but I didn’t care. I had the Orb now, and I wasn’t letting it go.
I was at point blank range, and very angry. I didn’t need control here. I just let the rage fuel whatever spell my horn would cast, firing it off into the fog creature. The rippling cloud shuddered and wavered as the spell continued, until finally the fog lost all cohesion, devolving into mere wisps.
With nothing to hold me up, I dropped to the ground, teeth still grasped tightly around the Orb. When I landed, my jaw popped agonisingly, but I willed my molars to hold tight. I couldn’t afford to lose the Orb now that I’d gotten it back.
The Silver Fog reformed a short distance away, and the red eyes reformed. “Give us the memories!”
“Have this instead!” Shooting downwards, Wings braked in mid-air, slingshotting the silver Pegasus she’d been battling straight into the cloud. As the two silver creatures jostled within each other, her revolvers were out, and she unloaded all twelve shots into the mess.
There was no blood, but they still withdrew, uttering a wordless howl of frustration as they went.
Guns empty, Wings landed beside me, caution and worry on her face. “Snow, did you get it?”
I spat out the Orb at her feet, before turning my head away and trying to puke out whatever silver fog I’d inadvertently swallowed.
Wings, having protectively scooped up the Orb, waited patiently until I was finished, constantly scanning the surroundings for more trouble, though none came. After I’d stopped retching, she couldn’t seem to help herself.
“’Least you missed my claw this time.”
It started in my chest, then spread to my shoulders, before tugging at the corners of my lips, and soon enough, the burgeoning smile turned into a full on laugh. I couldn’t help myself. Relief and exhaustion, and a little humour, combined into one, and for now, Wings’ little joke was the height of high comedy. I laughed and laughed and laughed, only halting when the dregs of my breakfast threatened to choke me if I didn’t stop.
Wings had been chuckling along at first, though had stopped long before I did, resulting in an awkward wait as she let me keep laughing. When I was done, she put a vomit-free claw around my shoulders, and steered me back towards the distant Hoofshine Harlots, taking a moment to find it, in the snow that had begun to fall while we fought.
~~~~~~
Slumping into a chair, I concentrated on getting my breathing under control. What was that back there? More of them? And what’s the idea of trying to steal the Orbs? We’re already bringing them back to Whinniepeg today anyway!
Wings was faring better, though still seemed shaken by the fight. “This is getting ridiculous now. First gold, and now silver? I mean what the fuck?”
“I’unno.” I exhaled. “I guess the big one in Whinniepeg changed its mind, decided to just take the Orbs instead. Maybe all it needed us for was to show it where they were.”
Her scepticism remained. “I don’t know about that. I get the feeling that there’s more going on. Why did these ones look different? And did you hear what they said? ‘They shall not possess the memories’.”
My head lolled over to look at her. “What are you saying?”
She shrugged, though her eyes remained guarded. “I think this new attack might not have come from Whinniepeg. These silver pricks aren’t on the same side as the goldies in the basement.”
“…If that’s true, then we can’t let them get this Orb, or the others.”
Wings winked, to my annoyance. “I wouldn’t worry about that last part. I’m sure the others’ll get the Memory Orbs back. They’re plenty strong enough to take on a few clouds.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
“Then we go get the Orbs back. End of discussion.” I felt momentarily buoyed by her confidence, but it soon faded back into worry. I wouldn’t be at ease until the others showed up with the remaining two Orbs, and even then, Undertow and Bosco had to go free before I’d relax.
Plus I have to be sure that Naiara will recover. The list just keeps getting longer.
I jumped as the front door handle turned. Wings and I were on alert immediately, magic and weapons ready. We breathed a sigh of relief as a mop of red and black mane came into view first. “Cassie!”
She, in turn, showed joy at our success. “Ah, you prevailed as well. I am glad to see you two unharmed.” Tucked under her wing was the second Orb. She glanced around swiftly. “The others?”
We shook our heads. “No sign of ‘em yet. Just gotta wait.”
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Cassie’s face became resolved. “As you say. In the meantime…” Using her wing, she flipped Orb into my lap, where it clinked against the one already there. “Please do not lose it this time.”
My hooves encircled the two spheres in my grasp. “No chance of that.”
Giving a satisfied nod, Cassie turned to Wings. “A word in private, please?”
Slothfully rising, Wings mock-scowled. “Everybody wants a chat today.” She followed the Pegasus further down the corridor, until they were out of hearing range.
I took the opportunity to drag myself down into the basement suite, taking the time to bury the Memory Orbs as deep into my belongings as I could. That particular bag wasn’t going to leave my side until we reached Whinniepeg. Try and steal from me again, you bastards!
Returning to the bar, I stretched out in one of the booths. I couldn’t see the door, but at least I could hear it, and I was plenty comfortable.
Breeze and Schwarzwald announced their return with a noisy clatter. “Cassie? You back yet?”
I raised my head just enough that I could see over the backrest with one eye. Breeze and Schwarzwald were standing in the foyer. Schwarzwald seemed deep in thought, while Breeze was fluttering her wings agitatedly.
Her sister’s response echoed down the hallway. “In my room, Breeze.”
“Stay there, we’ll be right in. Gotta talk about something!” She immediately set off down the corridor.
Schwarzwald didn’t. She’s spotted my reclining form, and held up the third and final Orb.
She got it back! A warm rush filled my heart.
Smirking, the mercenary mare rolled the Orb along the wooden floor towards me. I twisted my body to snag it as it rolled past my booth, quickly depositing it with the others.
When I looked back, Schwarzwald had disappeared, though I could hear her hoof steps fading down the hallway.
I made no move to rise and follow, deciding to take a quick rest here, safe in the knowledge that I had the Orbs back, before getting the others set to go. There was little to keep us here right now, so they could have their little chat while I took a few minutes respite.
Kinda wish I had someone to talk to, though. What would Naiara say in this situation? Or Bosco? A numb loneliness struck me, as I realised just how much I missed them right now. I trusted Wings, was on relatively good terms with Schwarzwald, and tolerated the twins, but Bosco, Naiara, and Undertow were true friends, and I would give anything to get them back.
~~~~~~
As soon as their conversation had finished, I’d insisted that we double-time it to Whinniepeg. No more waiting, no more resting, and definitely no more chances to have something I needed stolen from me. I was going to get my friends back today, and I wouldn’t brook any argument on that front.
We were on edge the entire time, and there was no chance that we’d be caught off guard. The three fliers kept a triangular formation above Schwarzwald and I, who stuck together in the centre. It was virtually impossible for me to be blindsided, and the fog creatures, silver OR gold, seemed to understand that. No attempt was made, and we reached Whinniepeg not long after noon.
We wasted no time in heading for the tallest structure in town, the only one still fully standing after the bombs dropped.
Inside, we experienced a rather different trip than either of the other times I’d been here. Descending each floor was much easier than before, too. Last time, coming across a blockage in our path had forced hours of backtracking as we searched for another path to travel.
This time, if we came to a bad blockage that barred our passage downwards, within moments it would melt away into just so much golden fog, leaving an empty corridor.
“Oh, you bastards.” We’d said that in unison the first time we saw this. After the third instance of this, we didn’t even slow down, merely walking through the suddenly incorporeal rubble and debris as it swirled around our ankles.
Somehow, the fog creatures never chose to get out of our way before we reached the blockage, which seemed rather mocking to me. Still, it hardly mattered since our progress went relatively unheeded.
As we descended the long, straight staircase that led to the grand cube where we’d met the golden Alicorn, we took no chances; Cassie was loading her rifle and checking the condition, Breeze was adjusting the hidden gadgetry within her greaves and Cassie’s bracers, Wings was spinning and cleaning her revolvers, Schwarzwald was testing the revs on her gatling gun, along with the other heavy guns fitted to her battle saddle. I had no gun, and so merely concentrated on keeping my magic ready, using what Undertow had taught me to get some last minute practice and arcane warm-up.
Whatever happened down there, all seven of us would be leaving. There would be no compromise on that point, Alicorn be damned.
Apparently satisfied with the condition of her battle saddle, Schwarzwald nudged my shoulder. “Be sure to remain calm, Snowflake.” She stopped, and an impish grin came on. “At least until we have the little ones back. After that, I would not necessarily decry some activity, dahling.”
“We get them, and we get out. That’s the only priority right now.” As much as I wanted to revenge myself upon the giant demon, I wanted my friends back more. “We’ll deal with these things another time.” Preferably with a few dozen megaspells.
“Get ‘em back, and get gone.” Wings agreed. I was relying on the others to make sure that I didn’t trade escape for revenge. I didn’t really trust myself not to mess things up like that.
“Buuut, if you get the chance…” I left my wish unsaid. Everyone present knew what it was.
Undertow and Bosco take priority, but if somebody gets a free shot then they should take it.
Stepping down onto the floor of the cube room, we spread out into the same formation as last time: Cassie and Breeze on the left, Wings and I on the right, with Schwarzwald back and in the middle as cover.
It was dark, like it had been before, but we all knew better than to strain our eyes, since the light would be coming soon.
It did. It wasn’t nearly as blinding this time, instead growing steadily from a low glow to full brightness.
When the light had reached its peak, the Gold Fog seemed to coalesce out of thin air. It remained in its amorphous state for a moment, before again transitioning to the Alicorn.
Damn, it’s still scary.
It gazed impassively down at us, and the multi-voice rumbled around the confines of the room. “You return. Have you brought what we demand?”
I purposefully ignored the question for the moment. “Where are Undertow and Bosco? Show them to me.”
The Alicorn frowned. “Show us the Memory Orbs, and you shall see your friends.”
Wings stepped up. “Hell no. All five of us have seen this scam before. You get nothing until we see that they’re safe and sound.”
The frown became a snarl, and just like last time, the facial shift seemed unnatural, more like flickering frames on a video. “Griffon, do not presume to talk so freely with us.” Green flames licked out of the Alicorn’s nostrils.
Breeze took up the challenge next. “Hey monster, don’t think you can scare us so easily. We know how badly you want this, so make with the ponies already!”
Seriously, does she have to taunt the giant demon?
Said giant demon reared both massive hooves and slammed them down again, shaking the entire room and unbalancing the two of us that couldn’t take flight. Flames licked out of its pseudo-mouth, and were dragged up to circle its horn.
Wordlessly, we stared at it, and it back at us, unsure of what was going to happen next. Wings’ claws were twitching, just millimetres away from her holsters, while behind me, I could hear Cassie and Schwarzwald tapping their hooves against the metal of their guns.
A ripple of some unfathomable emotion crossed the Alicorn’s face, and the flames orbiting its horn grew more intense, finally resulting in a flash. Having lived through that once, we all had our eyes averted and shielded, so as not to be robbed of our sight.
Peaking around my hoof, I saw that the door at the back of the room had reappeared, and was swinging open ponderously. Beyond, there was nothing, just total blackness. I stared at it expectantly.
A far-off hoof sounded from within the blackness. Then came another, and soon there was a weak, slow, arrhythmic procession.
Leaning forward, nearly on the tips of my hooves, my eyes strained to make out anything from the void. “Un… Undertow? Bosco?”
Ten agonising, muscle-clenching seconds passed before a watery voice responded from the gloom. “…Lady Snow?”
The tiniest of laughs escaped me. “Undertow!”
My laugh died as soon as the shape of my two friends formed out of the dark.
Tottering slowly forward, the two blinked within the sudden light. Undertow’s waterlogged mane looked more ragged than usual, and there were bags visible even under her dark goggles. Her steps were shaky and uneven, and slight tremors ran along her body as she moved.
Bosco was even worse. The sickly sweat from yesterday remained, and his charcoal coat was filthy and uneven. His mane stuck both to his forehead, and outwards at odd angles. He seemed to be just on the right side of nauseous at all times, swallowing often, and breathing through his mouth. Most telling of all, though, was the way he leaned onto Undertow, barely making any effort to steady his legs.
He can’t even stand up! “Bosco! What happened to you?”
An eyelid cracked open, revealing a tired, bloodshot eye underneath. He took an age to focus on me. “S-Snow? I… I’m…” He sank to the floor, not even up to talking.
Undertow followed him down, keeping him from hurting himself in the fall. “Shh, do not speak, Bosco. Save your strength.”
This wasn’t usual behaviour from either of them. Neither looked like they had slept since Whitepony. “Undertow, what happened?”
She was cut off from answering by the golden Alicorn, evidently having grown tired of waiting. “Enough! Here are your ponies. Do you have the Orbs?”
My eyes were still locked on the two struggling ponies, and not on the giant demon between me and them. Still, it was between me and them, and the easiest way to get to them was to give it what it wanted. I began to dig through my bag, trying to reach the Orbs at the bottom.
I had just laid hoof on one of them magic spheres when a dry, pain-filled gasp reached my ears, barely more than a whisper. “Don’t do it.”
Surprised, I looked back at the colt. He was lying against Undertow as she tried to soothe him, but one grey eye was fixed on me, not blinking. “Don’t… give them… my Orbs, Snow.”
Green flame shot over their heads, causing Undertow to duck, and cover Bosco with her hooves. “BE SILENT!”
The charcoal colt ignored the monstrosity, still watching my rummaging hoof. “I… won’t give up my Memory Orbs. Not… not to…” He broke off as a hacking fit racked his body.
“Bosco!” What does he mean?
“Shit, he’s in a bad way.” Breeze and the others seemed unsure of what to do next. Resistance from Bosco was not something we’d expected.
Cassie was looking between all present. “We cannot just leave him in such a wretched condition! He will not survive.”
Wings and Schwarzwald had their guns drawn and trained on the starry eyes of the Alicorn. “What have you done to them, monster?”
“We have showed them the truth of the matter. Their weakness is no fault of ours. Now, the Memory Orbs.” The fiend’s eyes, such as they were, clearly showed that they would bear no disagreement, and severe malice was implied.
“Nnnnnooo.” Was all Bosco managed to whimper, before keeling over.
“Bosco!” Undertow was right there to catch him, gently shaking him for revival. “Please, Bosco, Lady Snow and the others are here. You will be fine, but you must hold on a little while longer.” Wrapping her hooves around him, she gingerly moved his head to her lap, and stroked his cheek.
“Undertow-dahling, is he…”
Worry poured off her, but she still summoned a firm voice as she responded. “He is unconscious, but you must get us out of here, and soon. Bosco is… he… this place is bad for him!”
What happened to you, Bosco? “Alright, I understand.” I turned to my allies. “There’s no time for this, I’m giving up the Orbs.”
None of them looked happy about it, but nobody disagreed either.
I’m sorry Bosco, but I just can’t risk it when you’re in that bad state. I gathered the Orbs in my hooves, holding them up for the Alicorn to see. “Here! Here they are! Just take them, and let Bosco and Undertow go!”
The snarl on the behemoth’s face shimmer-shifted into a smirk. “Very well. Leave the Orbs on the floor. Once we have them, you may ‘make with the ponies’.”
Grimacing, I rolled the Orbs along the floor towards it. They came to rest halfway to it. Raising a colossal hoof, thin golden tendrils emerged from the flat, and meandered towards the Orbs.
When the probing appendages were mere inches from the Orbs, they drew back slightly, before making a swift grab at the spheres, as if to prevent our trying to take them back at the last moment.
They were half-right. At the last possible moment, each Orb rolled away from the tendril trying to snare it. “What?”
The Alicorn tried again, but the Orbs seemed to have a mind of their own, always avoiding its reach by the smallest of margins. Fury erupted across its face. “WHAT IS THIS?”
None of us had any answer either. My heart had gone cold as I realised that something was amiss. The consequences to Bosco and Undertow could be dire.
Whatever veneer of composure that the Gold Fog goliath had been affected was rapidly eroding, as its attempts to retrieve the Orbs became more angry and stilted. “WE SHALL NOT BE DENIED!” More and more golden tendrils burst from its hoof, swarming in to ensnare the roving Memory Orbs. Once it looked like all avenues of retreat had been cut off, the tendril masses moved in as one.
The Memory Orbs moved again in response, but this was no slight dodge. They shot straight up in the air, clearing the probes half a dozen yards.
Then they exploded.
“What?!”
“What?!”
There was no fire in the explosion, however, but a familiar silver fog. Where before there had been three Orbs, now there were three small silver clouds.
Flames re-emerged from the Alicorn’s mouth. “YOU DARE!” Bellowing wordlessly, it released a stream at the mists, who dodged, and shot up again, until they were almost touching the ceiling.
An answering cry was given to the Alicorn’s furious cry, as more and more silver fog began to pour in from the stairs where we had come from, joining up with the three smaller clouds.
We watched, open mouthed, as within seconds there was a silver swarm that was nearly the size of golden pony idol.
Our jaws dropped a little further as it began to morph, just as the Gold Fog had done, after we defeated the Faux-lar Bears.
Even the Alicorn seemed shocked to see a shining silver Cerberus growling at it.
“What…
“…In…”
“…The…”
“…Hell…”
“…Is…”
“…Happening?!”
Instead of answering, the monstrous three-headed dog rumbled forward, snapping and biting at the Alicorn, who reared up and kicked in response. They collided in a thunderous slam, sending us all scrambling to avoid being crushed beneath their brawl.
Pressed up against the side of the room, I shook my head to get my bearings. As flashes between various legs, I caught sight of Undertow trying weakly to drag Bosco away from the titanic struggle.
“Get them out of there!” I ordered, jumping forward, only to be bowled back by the swinging Cerberus tail.
As I slammed down to the ground, the others were already surging past me. Wings paused long enough to drag me upright, before taking flight and darting up and attempting to avoid the snapping jaws, beating wings and slashing horn of the battling juggernauts.
Cassie, Breeze, and Wings had gone high, but the gusts being thrown by the golden alicorn’s feathers was driving them back. Schwarzwald and I had no more success on the ground, as the stomping hooves and scrabbling paws made it impossible to keep our balance. In less than a minute, we were all breathing heavily from the exertion and adrenaline.
As we watched, the Alicorn drove its prominent horn straight up through the skull of the Cerberus’ middle head, spearing it from jaw to crown, and out again. Undeterred by this, the remaining two heads sank their fangs into the Alicorn’s wings, pulling and tearing, until finally, with a terrible yowl, the wings were torn off entirely.
Slamming to the ground, the wings did not bleed, nor flap their last. Instead, the Gold Fog abominations shifted, blurring and transforming, until the two golden Molar Bears reappeared instead.
This new development set us all back, but the two giants continued their struggle. Not even seeming to notice its missing wings, the Alicorn tugged and yanked, its horn dragging the central head this way and that, until finally it was torn clear off.
The silver Cerberus’ resilience was the equal of its opponent. The severed head burst into a cloud of silver, pulling away from the horn, and re-formed as a strange, wolf-like creature, that seemed to be made of twigs and leaves.
Their injuries catching up to them, the main bodies of the creatures began to break down faster, as the remaining two Cerberus heads broke off, reforming as lions with bat wings and snake tails. They resumed the fight against the two Molar Bears, while the Alicorn’s head became a golden Tarantubaa, which began a grotesque bout against the silver wood wolf.
The prominent remains of each colossus also lost cohesion, giving birth to a swarm of golden Hissyflits, and what looked almost like silver spritebots, but more organic.
It was a hell of a show.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” Cassie’s queasy complaint snapped us all out of our daze.
“We have to get through, keep trying!”
I lost track of the others almost immediately in the chaos, as fantastic creature copies bit and raked and clubbed at each other all around us. The din they created was almost deafening.
Worse of all, though, was that I still couldn’t get through. No matter what I tried, every angle, direction, or approach, was blocked, completely unintentionally, by the Fog creatures, creatures who I was absolutely sure had forgotten all about us.
“Dammit, let me through!” I was reduced to yelling at everything after a dozen fruitless attempts. If you don’t care enough to keep track of us, couldn’t you bastards at least take it somewhere else? I have to get to them!
I briefly wished that I was more capable with a gun at that moment. Surely the others were having more success by blasting their way through, while I was stuck trying to simply avoid trouble, and avoid getting swept up in the fray.
Something grabbed at my shoulder, and I kicked out blindly. Whatever it was let go, and I raced off to another point, trying to find a way to spot Undertow and Bosco, as I’d lost them in the brawl.
“Snowflake!” The hoof landed on my shoulder again. It was Breeze. “Come on! We got ‘em already!”
“Wait, what?”
Breeze jerked her head towards the stairs. “Yeah, Wings got to ‘em a minute ago. You’re the only one left. Come on!”
I hadn’t noticed anything close to that. “I… you mean it? She did?”
“Yeah, now stop fucking around down here! We gotta go!” She accompanied this with a strong tug at my front leg.
Confused, and feeling a whole host of other emotions at the same time, I followed the Pegasus back to the stairs. At the base, I could see one, two, three… FOUR and FIVE bodies further up.
Elated, I charged up the stairs after them, with Breeze struggling to keep up. They’re okay!
~~~~~~
Despite the poor condition of Undertow and Bosco, we were able to get out of the building, and out of Whinniepeg entirely, without incident. Carrying Bosco, and half-carrying half-dragging Undertow, we were able to keep up a pretty solid pace all the way to Hoofshine Harlots.
When we were safely inside, with all possible security and locks in place, we put Bosco to bed in his room. Undertow needed rest too.
After that, we could finally relax for a second. There was little to be done until they recovered. Schwarzwald and the twins had disappeared into their rooms the moment we set up the lockdown. I made sure that Bosco was comfortable, and safe, before venturing to the bar.
I didn’t really need a drink, but I’d poured one anyway. I passed the time by rediscovering one of the few abilities I’d had in the Stable: Making ice cubes. It didn’t take me much time at all to get the hang of it again.Thank you, Undertow.
Wings slid onto the barstool next to me. “You gonna drink that, or just play with it?”
The drink was passed over without preamble. I listened to the clinkclink of the ice cubes as she took a swig.
“Thanks… for getting them out.”
She set the glass down and wiped her beak. “Told ya we would.”
A non-committal grunt was my reply.
Wings noticed. “What’s wrong with you? Thought you’d be smiling. We just fought off two giant bastards and got away clean.”
“Yeah.” I droned, idly creating another ice cube in her glass.
“…Are you worried about them? They’re gonna be fine, Snow. They’re safe here.”
Safe, despite being the only two people in this building who haven’t taken a shot at me. “…Bosco’s in bad shape.”
“He’ll pull through. We won, Snow. Crack a smile, will ya?” She tried to nudge me good-naturedly, but I flinched away, and hopped off the stool.
“’m gonna check on Undertow.” I muttered, stalking out of the bar without a backwards glance.
Undertow was dragging her blanket and pillow out of her room when I approached. She was heading for Bosco’s room. “Undertow, what are you doing?”
She paused to give me a brief nod in greeting, before resuming her efforts. “I am concerned for Bosco, Lady Snow. I wish to make sure that he will not be suffering after his ordeal. I shall sit in with him.”
“…Okay. What did happen to you two? Are you suffering at all?”
The blanket corner I’d been bending down to pick up was snatched away. “I… am fine, Lady Snow. I would rather not discuss it at the moment, though.”
Blinking at her actions, I tried to ignore the blanket thing. “Are you sure? Bosco should be fine for now. He’s just sleeping. It can’t have been easy for you to keep up your shield for so long and…”
“Please, Lady Ice, I feel that Bosco should take priority right now.” She gathered up the rest of her bedding and draped it over her shoulders. “Excuse me.” Without another word, she disappeared into Bosco’s room.
“…”
I returned to the bar with a melancholy air. Wings was nursing a second drink. “You’re rubbing off on her, I think.” She swirled the liquor in her glass. “Think I can get some help, Lady Ice?”
I jerked at that. “What? Oh, right… the drink. Sure.” My horn briefly glowed, and the clinkclink of ice sounded in her glass tumbler.
“Much better, thanks.”
I grunted again, grabbing the now empty first glass, and pouring myself another drink. Wings cheerily waited until I was seated before speaking up. “So what now?”
“Well I was expecting a little more excitement when she saw me again.” I replied, distractedly.
“What? Not that. I meant, what will happen next for you guys? It looks like those Silver Fog guys pulled a fast one with the Orbs. You gonna go looking for ‘em?”
You’ve just got all the answers, don’t you? “That’s Bosco’s choice. They’re his Memory Orbs.” There was also the matter of the Raider summit to attend, but I wasn’t about to tell Wings that, after what had happened with Four Fields. “Schwarzwald needs to get the info to Amber when Bosco wakes up, too.”
Wings took another sip of her drink, savouring the flavour as she mulled things over. “There is that. I think I’ll see if I can get Cassie and Breeze to come along for that, too. We can all meet Amber together.”
“You just love bringing ponies along, don’t you?” I mutter-grumbled under my breath.
She caught it, though. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Can’t believe she got them out without me.
The stared at me for a long time, and I made sure to stare at my glass just as long. Finally she relented, taking another hard drag. “Whatever. Tell me about Undertow.”
“She’s fine, leave her alone!” I snapped, before covering my mouth with my hooves.
“The fuck, Snow?!” She drained the last of her drink angrily, and began to leave. “What’s your problem?”
“…Sorry.” I said to the empty bar.
~~~~~~
“What do you mean you don’t know where my Memory Orbs are?!”
Bosco had awakened at around 1am, still looking quite the worse for wear, but much livelier than before. He’d picked up where he left off at his collapse in Whinniepeg.
“There were silver fog monsters too, not just gold, and they stole the Memory Orbs just as we were about to leave to come get you. We thought we’d got them back, but it looks like they swapped them out at some point.”
“Remarkably clever, if you think about it , dahling.” Schwarzwald was present in the room, as were Undertow and I. The three fliers were busy elsewhere.
“Oh, I’m so fucking glad you’re impressed, Schwarzwald!” Bosco’s temperament was definitely altered by his captivity and weakened state.
“Come on, Bosco, don’t be like that.” I tried to calm things down. “We were all fooled. It’s not her fault.”
“No, it’s YOURS!” He began, but his breath caught in his throat, and he had to break off his rant.
Undertow, staying close to him, rubbed his back and offered some water. “Please calm down, Bosco. You are still unwell.”
“I told her not to give up the Orbs! And she ignored me!”
’She’ is right here. “I know, Bosco, and I’m sorry, but I didn’t see any other way to get you back. That golden Alicorn was powerful.”
“You know nothing, Snow. The shit we saw…”
“Bosco!” Undertow interrupted. “This is not the time.”
Breathing raggedly, the two stared each other down. I watched in silence, very disturbed by these developments.
Just what happened in there? Undertow seems okay, but Bosco? Whatever happened really did a number on him. “Bosco… are you really okay? What happened in there?”
“This is not the time, Lady Ice.” Undertow repeated emphatically.
Chastised, I relented, falling into glum silence.
Bosco wasn’t done though. “They weren’t your Orbs to give away, Snowflake. They’re mine. I told you not to give them to him, fake or not, and you ignored me. Why?”
“You were in danger! Undertow was too!”
“Undertow saw what I saw, did she disagree?” He snapped back.
Both of us looked to the Deep Diver. “…The Memory Orbs belong to Bosco, Lady Ice, and are his to do as he wishes with. I do not approve of his putting himself in more danger, but it was his choice and should be respected.”
“But he put you in more danger too!” I cried. This was one point I wasn’t going to back down on. Even if, as she said, Bosco could decide what to do with himself and his Orbs, he shouldn’t be doing it at the expense of Undertow’s safety.
“I still agree with Bosco.”
Anger flashed through me. “Dammit, you’re supposed to be under my protection! Why are you going against the safe path?”
Harsh, disbelieving laughter burst from the colt. “Are you fucking serious?! This? From you? We know what we’re doing, Snowflake! You’re the only one who doesn’t.”
Undertow was not happy either. “Lady Ice, I may be under your protection, but I still have choices to make on my own.” Hurt leaked into her words. “I had hoped that you understood by now.”
“What’s to understand? I’m getting jumped on all sides for trying to keep my friends safe and alive? You’re welcome, by the way!”
“Ah ah ah, Snowflake-dahling, you know that is wrong. Wings already explained it to you. The fog creatures would not have killed them, as they went through too much effort to capture them alive in Whitepony.” Schwarzwald was not helping my case, and I seethed at her for it.
“Well I guess I’m wrong about everything then, aren’t I? I may as well go ahead and go meet Caber Toss by myself, since nobody else likes the decisions I make!”
Sensing that I was not in a particularly happy mood, Undertow relented slightly. “Lady Snow, you know that I will be with you, in this and other enterprises.” Her frown deepened, and a waiver slipped into her voice. “Please do not suggest this again.”
The ‘now look what you did’ look that the bedridden Bosco was shooting me only served to remind me that Undertow really didn’t like this kind of talk. Shame ran through me. I should know better. She’s just back from being kidnapped. So’s Bosco. I shouldn’t be snapping at them like this. They got back safe after all. That’s what matters.
Before any more careless words could be said, Schwarzwald’s communicator beeped, and she excused herself to listen in. It served to break the tension in the room, just a little. “…Look, Bosco…”
He waved me off, still a little angrily. “Just leave it alone, Snow. I need to start figuring out how to find my Memory Orbs. That… probably means that I won’t be coming with you to the Raider meet.” Even with the dark circles around his eyes, he managed to look a little apologetic.
It made me feel terrible. I’d been yelling at a very sick colt. A very sick friend. He needed rest, and help, and really shouldn’t even be considering coming with me to meet some of the Wasteland’s most dangerous ponies. “That’s probably best, Boss Colt.” He managed a weak smile at the nickname. “You take care of yourself. We’ll catch up after.”
He couldn’t hide the relief at my telling him to stay away. He really was shaken up by what he’d been through… or he just wanted to get away from me.
“So…” Schwarzwald re-entered the room, still holding the communicator. “Will you be wanting to travel with us for a little while, Bosco-dahling?”
The suggestion shocked me into speechlessness. What? No!
He blinked at the sudden invitation. “You don’t mind? Will the others?”
I mind! I wished I could say that, but couldn’t form the words out loud.
“Hah! They agreed to work with Snowflake, and they hate her. Having you along will be a lovely experience by contrast.”
“I… that’s, um…”
Why are you even considering this, Bosco?
Come on, Snow, say something! “…You’d keep him safe?” No, dammit! Say you don’t want him to go! He can’t go with Schwarzwald’s group, Breeze might hurt him! Cassie might hurt him! Hell, Schwarzwald might hurt him!
“Of course, mistress, corpses are no fun. Especially handsome colts like him.”
Showing that he still had some coltishness in him, Bosco blushed. “Well, yeah, Schwarz, that’d be great. But why the sudden offer?”
She held up the communicator. “I just spoke with Amber, and she believes that, since you hold the information she seeks, it would be best if I looked after you until we delivered it to her. And on that note…”
She turned to me. “Amber wondered if you would be available for a visit this later today? She wouldn’t elaborate on what she wanted, however it is usually positive if she is taking an interest like this.”
“Today? Uh, where is she?” Who the hell cares? Why aren’t I asking Bosco to stay?
“She is in Lethbridle, in the southern quarter. I can provide you with directions, or she can have somepony meet you at the northern gate. She said to tell you that she would arrange it so that you wouldn’t be bothered when in the city. Assuming Red Ice can keep a low profile for a night, anyway.” Her sinful smile told me that she both doubted my ability, and my intention, to do so.
I turned to Undertow. Help me out here! “Is that enough time to still make the Raider summit tomorrow?”
We both did some quick mental calculations. She finished first. “I believe so, assuming we do not leave too late in the morning.”
The whole thing was still throwing me for a loop. I could have spent more time thinking through everything, but everything on my end seemed maddeningly fine, at least at for now. “…Well, fine then! We’ll go visit Amber. Schwarzwald, can you tell her that I’ll be bringing a guest?”
She gave a mock bow. “At once, mistress.”
To hell with your ‘mistress’!
~~~~~~
“…And please be sure to avoid excess activity, until you are fully recovered.”
Bosco’s communicator, now Undertow’s, crackled as the colt on the other end replied, a hint of put-uponness in his voice. “Yeah, Undertow, I got it, I’ll be taking it easy for a little while. Don’t worry.”
Against his words, she clearly did. “Stay safe, Bosco. Lady Snow and I will see you soon.”
“Yeah, you too. Make sure she looks after you, Undertow, and you watch out for her.” With a small pop, the line went dead.
Without another word, Undertow stashed away the communicator, given to her by Bosco, and continued walking towards Lethbridle with me, with only the sound of our hooves crunching in the falling snow breaking the peace.
I chose not to comment, on either Bosco’s words or his actions in giving Undertow the communicator and not me. Worse still, he agreed with Schwarzwald when she suggested that Undertow not let me access it!
How many times am I going to have to go through this game? First Breeze and Naiara, though it’s not so surprising that Breeze doesn’t want me calling her, then Schwarzwald and Bosco, and now even Undertow is getting a communicator that I can’t use. Undertow! I’d only tried to push the issue one time, shortly after we’d left Hoofshine, which I wasn’t thrilled about either, since the other five were still there and I didn’t want them taking advantage of my hospitality. When I’d raised the issue with Undertow, she’d refused, saying that the communicator still belonged to Bosco, and things had gotten a little heated.
This is all Schwarzwald’s fault! She started this nonsense, and now it’s rubbing off on Bosco and Undertow. They’re supposed to be on MY side! Her stupid games are causing me all kinds of problems.
I wonder if Wings gets as much grief from her as I do? Do the twins?
Does Watcher? That last one gave me pause. I kept pace with Undertow as we walked, along the empty path, though withdrew my attention inwards.
Schwarzwald mentioned something about testing ‘her’. I’d assumed she meant Wings, since she spends most of her time with her, but was she actually talking about me? When I talked to Watcher, he’d been less them impressed after finding out that I wasn’t Princess Cadence. We hadn’t spoken since the cave at Crystal Point, back when I still had my Pipbuck.
My eyes widened. “My Pipbuck!”
Startled by my apparent non-sequitur, Undertow had jumped slightly. “What was that, Lady Snow?”
For the briefest of moments, I regarded her with suspicion, before admonishing myself. Don’t think like that, she’s Undertow. You know her. “N-nothing, Undertow. Just thinking out loud.”
“Would you like to discuss your thoughts?”
“…Nnno, not yet. Sorry, but I’m still working through everything. I’ll let you know if I need your help.”
She stared back, her dark goggles hiding her eyes, like always. “As you say, Lady…” She paused briefly, which triggered a nervous lump in my throat. “…Lady Snow.”
Relieved, the lump began to fade, though didn’t disappear entirely. Would it kill her to take those goggles off for a-no, stop it! That’s not fair. “I’m really sorry, Undertow, I just want to think about stuff on my own for a little while longer.”
Mouth set in a thin line, she nodded and turned forwards again.
After a minute or so, my thoughts returned to the Pipbuck. Wings and Cassie took it, and Watcher had the code to contact me through it. Did he contact them, or Schwarzwald? Do they know more than they’re letting on? How much did I really know about any of them? Were they messing me around?
An hour later, spent in silent contemplation for me, and unreadable silence for Undertow, my fears hadn’t vanished.
Bzzt! “Undertow, you there?”
This time, we both jumped.
The voice was neither Bosco, not Schwarzwald. Confused, Undertow timidly opened the channel. “Who is this?”
“It’s Breeze, ya moron.” We shared a look. Breeze hated Undertow, why was she calling her? “I’m patching Naiara in, says she wants a word.” The abrasive Pegasus couldn’t hide her excitement at hearing from the zebra, which was the only relationship she had, aside from her sister, that she was openly positive about.
I shared some of her elation. “Naiara’s okay? That’s great!”
Sporting her own small smile, Undertow clicked the mic again. “Thank you very much, Aqua Breeze. I would be delighted to talk with Naiara again.”
“Yeah, whatever, monster.” She just couldn’t resist getting a shot in, it seemed, though it lacked her usual fervour.
After a short burst of interference, the background static changed, and a new voice came through the speaker. “Undertow?”
She perked up upon hearing the zebra’s voice. “Naiara, I am here. It is good to hear from you!”
A soft chuckle came through, though it seemed a little off, somehow. “Yeah, sweetie, you too. Are you okay? The fog monsters didn’t hurt you, did they?”
“I am fine, Naiara, thank you. Are you healed? Lady Snow told me that you were injured.”
“Snow did? Is she there?” She sounded less than pleased about this, which stung somewhat.
“She is. Would you like to talk to her?”
Yes!
“Nah, that’s okay.” What?! “I’m fine. Zebra remedies and all. What about Bosco? I hear he got it the worst.”
Grimacing, Undertow nodded, even though Naiara couldn’t see her. “I am afraid so. It… affected him quite strongly, though I am not sure why. He is resting for now, and we will reconvene later.”
Naiara was no happier than Undertow. “Yeah, that’s probably best. Breeze and Schwarzwald won’t let anything happen to him, I’m sure. We just need time to let him work things out.”
“Why doesn’t she want to talk to me?” I hissed to Undertow, trying to get her to relay the message.
Crushingly, an annoyed look and a turned shoulder was all I received.
“Anyway,” Naiara continued. “I still can’t move fast enough to get to Hoofshine Harlots tonight and see Bosco, but Breeze tells me that you and Snow are heading to Lethbridle to meet up with somepony, right?”
She does, does she? Is this Schwarzwald’s doing too? I was getting really worried now. Nobody was behaving normally.
“Yes, that’s correct. Amber Bernstein, I believe was the name.”
“Right, her. Any who, I was thinking I’d meet up with you guys in Lethbridle, and we can all go see her together. I’m up for anything, so long as it means Cept isn’t fussing over me.”
Undertow cocked her head to the side, which was infuriatingly cute since Naiara still couldn’t see her. “Who?”
“Oh, right. You never met him. He’s another zebra in my tribe. It’s not important, except that he overreacts way too much when anyzebra gets hurt.”
There was the slightest of looks in my direction before Undertow responded. “He seems kind.”
Naiara chuckled again. “Too late, Undertow, Breeze already called dibs on him.”
Flustered, Undertow waved her hoof in denial. “Ah, I did not mean…”
“Hehehe. I’ll see you guys at Lethbridle.” With that, the line went dead, before Undertow could respond.
~~~~~~
“WAIT WAIT WAIT, PUT THE WEAPONS AWAY!” Aquamarine and Glacier magical auras blazed as we stood ready for battle.
“At what point, pray tell, did this seem like a good idea, Red Ice?” A short distance away, on the other side of the wall of angry, gun-toting bodyguards, stood Amber Bernstein.
Rather than the elaborate dress from the previous instance, where she had met us in the snowy hills and valleys between Lethbridle and Cefar, she wore a more practical, business-like blouse, though still in a stylish cut. The dress had been a vibrant blue, while this outfit was a restrained grey. The quality still stood out, even to my untrained eye.
It had all been going swimmingly enough, until Naiara’s hood dropped.
Apparently two hundred years and millions of deaths isn’t enough to convince ponies that hating zebras is a waste of time, and takes away good opportunities. I couldn’t help but think that Stable 61 had a point, at least on this matter. The war was too long ago for this still to be happening.
“Amber,” I besieged her. “I give you my word that she isn’t a threat. She’s just here to meet with me, I swear!”
Her haughty gaze remained unchanged. “Your word, you say? Interesting. Don’t move from that spot.” She turned and exited the room for a full minute, leaving us in a very tense standoff with her squad of protectors, none of whom seemed particularly willing to let this go.
“Very well,” she began, re-entering the situation. “I will allow it, this once. However, do call ahead next time.” Her expression, combined with her tone, let us know that she really wasn’t kidding.
The bodyguards reluctantly stood aside, and we fell into step behind her, still flanked by armed ponies. They only stopped when we reached her offices, taking up the entire floor of this high-rise. Bernstein cap coffers apparently ran deep. The building we were in was one of the tallest in Lethbridle, in the heart of the rich district. All the top employers, and highest administration staff, made their homes in this area.
Or so Amber’s aides had informed us as they escorted us up to this floor, before we were passed into the care of Amber’s personal protection platoon.
Said platoon, after bookending us all the way to Amber’s door, arranged themselves along the walls, watching for trouble, as their employer paused at the doors and turned to us. “Would you like to come in?”
It was undoubtedly rude to not look directly at her when we answered, but the excess of guns really drew the eye. “Uh… yes, please.”
I still managed to catch sight of Amber’s warm, welcoming smile, as she spread her hooves wide. “Then I welcome you to my home, at least for the moment. Do come inside, you three.”
She turned, drawing a key from an inside pocket of her blouse, and made to put it into the lock. Just before turning it, she had to stop, and address us again. “oh, yes. Do be so kind as to surrender your weapons before entering. I do not believe that you will attempt to harm me, but my honourable defenders insist upon it.”
They’re not gonna like this answer. “Uh… we don’t have any weapons.”
Her open, friendly smile didn’t fade. “Oh? How surprising. Not often you see a pony with your reputation going unarmed.”
“Well, y’know, unicorns and all…”
Amber seemed to anticipate this, and winked conspiratorially. “Ah yes, the horns. We can hardly remove them, now can we? Or, at least not in a way that will allow them to be reattached later.”
“Heh… heh… heh.” I felt like the laughter might have been expected.
Amber’s eyes panned over to Naiara, who stared back openly. “And you? You are clearly no unicorn.”
Naiara, though still recovering from the slash across along her ribs, puffed herself up in pride. “I don’t need a horn OR weapons.”
Her self-confidence ran straight into Amber’s highbrow scrutiny. “Hmm, yes, I suppose it would be difficult to find somepony willing to supply firearms to an exotic such as yourself.”
“EXOTIC?!” Naiara’s good mood disappeared faster than the fog creatures.
Momentarily forgetting the situation we were in, I jumped in on reflex. “Amber! Don’t call her that, it’s rude!”
Still wearing her now-more-obviously false smile, she showed no regret. “Oh, calling a sub-pony an exotic is rude in Lethbridle? Noted.”
“I’ll sub-pony my hoof up your plot!”
I had to break off my outraged glare to turn and block Naiara from Stompeii Emboli-ing Amber into paste. “Naiara, Naiara, calm down! She’s wrong, I know, but she has friends!”
With my attention focused on Naiara and Amber, I couldn’t see Undertow, but the faint resonance of her familiar water magic, coupled with the guards snapping their guns up, let me know that she was stepping in to help. Good intentions but bad timing, Undertow.
“Did you ask me here, just to insult my friends, Amber?” I was perfectly willing to turn around and leave right now. Schwarzwald could deal with the Bernstein Conclave from now on, and leave us out of it.
Naiara hadn’t even looked at the score of guns being pointed at us, instead bringing herself under control, even while maintaining a glare towards the bigoted mare.
Amber was equal to it, not looking away. For several seconds, nothing happened, as the guards waited for Amber to give the order, while we waited to see how we’d survive this.
Finally, to the surprise of almost all present, Amber cracked a smile. “Come in, Naiara. You too, Red Ice, Undertow.” Apparently sure that we wouldn’t attack while she was facing away, she turned and strolled inside, carefree as can be.
Even more incredible, her guards lowered their weapons and resumed their posts, as if that was nothing new.
We remained in the corridor, slightly lost as to what to do now, with confusion supplanting any anger we might have felt.
“Psst, you’re fine. In you go.” The closest guard, while struggling to rein in his amused smirk, leaned in just enough to break through the trance.
“Were you… with Schwarzwald, Bosco, and I up in the hills? When we caught the Tarantubaas?” I’d been focused on Amber then, and so would have struggled to recognise him.
His smirk grew bashful. “Yeah, kinda. Go on in.” He repeated.
“I don’t remember her being like this back then.” She’d been short with all present, except Schwarzwald, but not outright insulting like she had been just then.
The nameless guard just shrugged. “She was cold.”
~~~~~~
The surprisingly spacious interior of Amber’s property was far more showy than the non-descript exterior. Through the double doors we passed through an atrium, with offices and meeting rooms off to the sides, and an emblem emblazoned everywhere. The bold black ‘B’ with an equally sharp silver ‘C’ curling through the holes adorned every wall. Clearly Amber was proud of her Bernstein Conclave, and didn’t hesitate to make it known.
At the far end of the business area, we climbed a set of lacquered wood stairs to the living area, which incredibly took up another floor all by itself.
Just how much money does this girl have?
Amber was nowhere in sight but, at each corner of the elaborate dwelling, there was always a maid with a spotless apron, or sharply dressed butler, to direct us, always with a respectful bow and without saying a word.
Somehow, they were never there when I looked back.
Naiara, still smarting from the treatment she’d received at the entrance, did not act impressed. “If she’s got this many caps, what’s the point of all this? Are we supposed to be impressed at her ego?”
“Schwarzwald says she works very hard.” I supplied. Naiara shouldn’t have been treated the way she was, but Amber clearly had done very well for herself.
“Then she should boast about that, not about her money.” Groused the zebra, before falling into silence.
Undertow, meanwhile, simply continued to look around quietly, looking as they she was enjoying the peace. She hadn’t really had any since being uprooted from her cabin at Soft Swell Lake, and wasn’t likely to get any in the near future either. There was too much riding on the next few days.
There was a distinct lack of Bernstein Conclave emblems within Amber’s living areas, which could have meant lots of different things.
She might not want to take her work home with her… or it just wouldn’t match the rest of the furniture?
Finally, we emerged into an open area, with cushions arranged in a crescent around a fountain jutting from the wall. Our host was currently reclining on the fountain’s edge, elegantly dipping a hoof into the clear liquid. Her business attire from before was gone, and she was dressed in more simple, casual fabrics. Again, there was an obvious level of quality there.
“Water.” she spoke without looking up. “Completely radiation-free. Purified and triple filtered. May I offer you a drink?” Withdrawing her hoof, she daintily dried it with a towel.
Neither Naiara nor Undertow spoke up, so it fell to me to answer. Amber seemed to respond to good manners, so ignoring the question would undoubtedly be seen as rude. “We’re fine, thank you.”
Better than fine, if things go to hell, since that fountain’s one giant weapon for Undertow.
“As you wish.” Now, she did look up, meeting Naiara’s eyes directly with a smile. “I would like to apologise for my words earlier. I… have had little dealings with non-ponies, and wanted to ascertain who you were as an individual, not just as a zebra. I also wish to clarify that I do not truly believe zebra to be inferior to ponies.”
She bristled at Amber’s words. “I’d be more ready to believe you if you hadn’t had a dozen grunts with guns pointed at us when you were doing your little ‘test’.”
Amber flashed a helpless smile. “The perils of business, I am afraid. I have many competitors, not all of them scrupulous. My protectors are a… necessary evil.”
“Fascinating.” She delivered this deadpan. “What’s your point?”
Amber’s beatific smile didn’t fade. “I merely wished to put you at ease. My bodyguards will not set hoof within my home unless I personally invite them. We do not have to talk as enemies here. And, again, I am sorry for earlier. The way I acted was for a purpose, but I do not claim to be justified in the means to that end.”
“Um… what?” I was pretty lost by this point. Amber was using lots of words, but I still didn’t get it.
An eyebrow was raised. “…I am saying that I do not belief zebra to be ‘exotics’, or ‘sub-ponies’, or anything of the sort. I was testing Naiara. I wanted to see how she reacted to the way I treated her. She calmed very quickly, quite impressive.”
Instead of defusing the situation, Amber’s words put us back on edge. “How do you know my name?”
Along with a slight upward curve in the corner of her lips, Amber’s eyes took on a focused appearance. “You recall that I briefly excused myself? I was in communication with Schwarzwald, and sought her opinion on you and Undertow.”
“What did she tell you?” I blurted instantly, deepening Amber’s calculating gaze. If she’s put Undertow in more danger after Whinniepeg…
“Well, the conversation cost me an extra two thousand caps, though that is irrelevant. Schwarzwald chose not to tell me much beyond your names, instead she focused on your… physiques.”
I don’t know what I expected. “Of course she did. Nothing else?”
“No.” Amber said pointedly. “Nothing else.”
“Two thousand caps for a couple of names? You got jipped, Bernstein.” Naiara couldn’t hide her gloating.
“Oh?” There was scorn in Amber’s retort. “I disagree. It is a small price to pay. There is power in names. Wouldn’t you agree, Red Ice?”
I just made a face. “That’d be more impressive if I hadn’t told the entire Wasteland myself.”
“And look what has happened since you did.” She continued, undeterred. She almost sounded like she expected it. “Your recent actions have driven the powerful ponies of this city to a fever pitch. You called out the Steel Rangers on one side, and Plottawa on the other. Further still, you have been running around, seemingly here, there and everywhere, driving the Raiders to revolution! Do you think Snowflake could have done so?”
“I am Snowflake!”
She turned back to the fountain for a moment. “I wonder just how much longer you will be able to say that with a straight face…”
Her reverie ended as quickly as it began. “But enough of this. I think it high time that I explain why I asked you here, don’t you?”
“Would be nice, unless you wanna insult my friends some more?”
Bidding us sit, she reclined upon a soft cushion before answering. “I’ll remind you that I did apologise for that, and did not mean true offence. No, the reason I called you here is that I have an event planned for tonight, and I believe your unique standing with the various powers of the region will allow you to perfectly assist me.”
She had our attention now. Mine and Naiara’s, at least. Undertow was watching the flowing water in the fountain, though she was probably listening closely. “Assist you with what?”
Familiar confidence graced her cheeks, reminding me of Schwarzwald when she was about to demonstrate her prowess all over the face of the stupid colt at Nightcap’s bar. “I am hosting a social event tonight, at a venue not far from here, with almost all of Lethbridle’s elite, plus a few ponies from further afield. I would like you to survey the crowd during the event, paying attention to any secrets that may be revealed in conversation.”
I shared a confused look with Naiara. “Me? Weren’t you just saying that Red Ice has all the snobs on edge? They won’t tell me anything.”
Again, the Bernstein leader had anticipated this. “How fortunate, for all of us, that they will not know that it is you. The event I speak of is a formal dance. More than that, it is a masquerade ball. Anonymity does wonders when loosening tongues, after all. A gown for your body and cutie mark, with a mask to cover your face, should hide your identity, as I doubt there are any guests who would be able to place your voice, and even fewer who might put the pieces together and discern who you really are.”
Undertow was openly paying attention now, which was good, as I was feeling very lost. “You want me to… go to a party… and dance?”
“Close. I want you to come to a dance party, and listen.”
I still wasn’t putting the pieces together myself. “But… me? I can’t dance.”
She shook her head. “I am not asking you to dance. I am asking you to watch those who do, and those who do not. They may be the more important ponies to listen to.”
“The Bernstein Conclave doesn’t have spies of its own?” Naiara challenged.
“If I did, I would hardly confirm it. If wind were to reach my guests that I was openly having them monitored, I would lose any chance of gaining their favour. I do hope to make a good impression tonight, after all. I am planning on spending considerable time in Lethbridle from now on, and fostering good relationships with the decision makers of the city is my primary goal. Your task will simply be an extra edge in those efforts.”
“But, why?” I asked, still a little unclear on the whole idea.
Amber blinked. “I have already explained… unless you are asking what I am offering in exchange for your services?”
Good point. “…Well I wasn’t, but now I am.”
Her confusion at my confusion didn’t last long, at least openly. “I offer you two rewards for this. The first is simple: 1000 caps to each of you.”
“Each of us?” My two friends hadn’t been mentioned as part of the plan so far.
“Yes. I wish to speak more with Naiara, about her and her zebra, and I do not believe that Undertow would be with you, Red Ice, if not for a good reason. I believe I am correct in thinking that she has noteworthy abilities, yes?”
Oh, I can totally answer this one, at least. “Very much so, yes. Undertow is extremely worthy of note. That is one hundred percent true.” I turned adoring eyes on the blushing filly.
“Yes, Schwarzwald mentioned that you were very fond of her. I am all the more convinced.”
I reluctantly turned away from Undertow, realising that I’d been swept up into the pace of the conversation, and hadn’t been paying her the attention I should have. Especially after Whinniepeg. Gotta watch that. “Did Schwarzwald also tell you what would happen if you try anything funny with ANY of my friends, not just Undertow and Naiara?”
“Not in so many words, but I believe I can guess.” The threat was definitely noticed, though she didn’t immediately turn aggressive. “Three thousand caps, then?”
I held up a hoof. “Hold on, what’s the second thing?”
Cocking her head to the windows running the length of one wall, and the view beyond, Amber made her pitch. “As I said, I shall be staying in Lethbridle for the foreseeable future. So long as you contact me, I propose to put Red Ice, and any associates and acquaintances she wishes, under Bernstein protection within the city walls. I guarantee that you will sleep easy at night, no matter where you choose to make your bed, if you aid me tonight.”
“That’s… very generous.” Naiara was struggling to maintain her anger at the earth mare.
I found myself recalling Schwarzwald’s words from when she made the offer of going to Whitepony for Amber.“Do not fret, dahling, Amber is nothing if not honest. She prides herself on it. Not for any misguided notion of honour, merely that her business partners appreciate it.” This was a business decision, but the terms were not harsh. Amber was willing to pay in caps and, more importantly, with a long-running promise to protect not only me, but also my friends.
It wasn’t clearing my name, but it might allow me to spend time in Lethbridle with my friends. They had nothing keeping them away, but there were plenty of people who’d make things very difficult for Red Ice.
For the short term at least, it was very tempting.
“If Lady Snow agreed to this,” her silence broken, Undertow got straight to the point. “how would you keep her safe?”
“Isn’t she a good little sister?” Naiara couldn’t help herself, even here.
“Well, Undertow, if ‘Lady Snow’ said yes,” Amber made it very clear that she thought the way Undertow addressed me was significant. “then I would offer not only my own personnel to guard her, but also would negotiate a permanent security arrangement with the Lethbridle guards. I would also make sure that as little emphasis was put on her being Red Ice as possible.”
“That is… agreeable.”
Naiara raised a hoof. “Question?”
“Yes?” Amber turned an appraising eye on her.
“You want us at your party tonight, but we aren’t exactly swimming in fancy clothes right now. It’s gonna be hard for us to fit in.”
In response, Amber clapped her hooves together. Suddenly, the room was full of activity, as servants wheeled in racks of evening wear. “While that technically wasn’t a question, it was a good point. Luckily, I planned ahead and prepared a selection. My personal tailors…” three earth ponies, adorned with measuring tape, pins, and other assorted tools, bowed. “…will adjust your choices to fit your measurements. I assure you that they are very good.”
“I get to wear a fancy dress?” Squeaked Naiara delighted at this new development.
All eyes turned to me, waiting on my answer.
~~~~~~
Well this is nice and all, but I still prefer Vanchoofer.
The party was in full swing, and the guest list was long. The main floor of the venue, a private club in downtown Lethbridle, was full of guests and servers, all wearing elegant masks.
I was standing over to the side, near the shadows, and the raised platform where Amber Bernstein was holding court. There were at least a dozen ponies around her, all looking to shake hooves and meet this new southern success. Somehow managing to make a ‘radscorpion’ mask look classy, Ms. Bernstein looked to be in her element.
A sea of strange creature likenesses littered the room: Manticores, Radscorpions, Minotaurs, Griffons, other such radiation-born creatures like ‘bloatsprites’ or ‘radigators’, and even a few Old Equestria critters were on offer, though not even those wearing them seemed to really know what they were.
I did, and had elected to don a snowy owl mask for myself. Undertow, at my recommendation, was an otter, while Naiara had taken a timberwolf.
Speaking of Naiara, I could see in the middle of the floor, having the time of her life as she danced with many a stallion. As her long, wine red dress covered her stripes, as did her mask, the only thing being shown off was her graceful moves and athletic body, both of which were drawing notice. She did not lack for dance partners, and I was sure it wouldn’t be hard for her to get them spilling any secrets they thought she’d be impressed by. It was hardly an approach that would work for me, but I didn’t doubt for a moment that Amber would be getting good value with her caps from the zebra.
Undertow was a different story, however. Her discomfort in large crowds made putting her in the middle of it all a bad idea. Luckily, Amber had had a fountain, even bigger than the one in her quarters, installed in the centre of the room, and Undertow was positioned on a balcony above, using her magic to put on a display of aquatic acrobatics, drawing lots of ‘ooh’s and ‘ahh’s from the gathered guests. She was putting them at ease, and appeared to be a part of the staff.
Plenty of ponies had briefly visited the balconies to talk in private over the hour or so since the party started, and even more would do so before the night was up. They dismissed Undertow as a part of the performance, not realising that her natural affinity for water magic made this barely an effort for her. She wasn’t hearing as much as Naiara, but would probably be hearing higher quality talk, and none of it would be aimed at getting her into bed.
Well, if it is, then I’ll be having words with whatever scheister is trying his luck.
The fiery red-orange gown she wore probably didn’t help matters. I wasn’t crazy about the slits down the sides, as it left her showing an awful lot of leg, but the tailors had been adamant that it worked, also Undertow seemed to like it… and it did look good on her. She still wore her goggles under the mask though, which actually served to support the ruse that she was a mere stagehoof. Her mane did too, as its waterlogged base state had stubbornly resisted all attempts to style or dry.
Brushing it for a while was relaxing though, like back when I used to comb out the tangles in my brothers’ fur, when they got too big to do it themselves.
I think she liked it too.
My strategy was kind of a mix of both Naiara’s style and Undertow’s. I wasn’t planning on jumping in to the middle of every group and taking over the conversation, nor was I intending to stay in one place all night.
My conversation starter was the uncommon owl mask, and matching white-grey dress, which I could back up with some other points about pre-megaspell Equestria. Hopefully that’d be enough to keep me on the outskirts of a group long enough for me to overhear what the ringleaders were saying. This satellite approach could be repeated for group after group, hopefully until I’d learned a few juicy details.
We’d been at it for an hour, and I’d learned a few things which might interest Amber, mostly about who was sleeping with who when they weren’t supposed to be, and I’d stepped out onto the veranda for some air. Leaning against the railing and looking back in at the party, I was able to enjoy Undertow’s performance for a little while.
Beautiful… I thought, as one particular trick caught the light in just the right way, the water hanging in the air for seconds on end. So engrossed, was I, in the display, that I didn’t realise that somebody was on the railing behind me, until they tapped me on the shoulder.
“YEEEK!” Reflexively jerking away, I spun around to see who’d snuck up on me.
“Good evening.” Wearing a form-fitting black dress, with a crimson band around her waist, covering the tell-tale lumps where her wings were, was Cassie.
“What are you doing here?” I gaped.
“Be at ease, Sn-“ My name turned into a small cough, as she realised the consequences that a careless utterance could bring upon me, Naiara, and Undertow. “Be at ease, fair lady, we have a mutual friend who wished to have a pair of eyes at this party…”
“…Aaand she does have really good eyes.” Wings landed on the barrier next to Cassie, wearing no dress, but clutching a black-and-red manticore mask in her claw. “Snagged you a mask, some moron on the roof was drunk and snoring his horn off.”
Gracefully accepting the mask, Cassie briefly inspected it before donning the disguise. “Thank you, Wings. I’ll be heading inside now. Don’t dawdle too long, or else there may be trouble.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” Wings waved her inside. “Just gonna chat with Sn-… this one for a little while, then I’m gone.”
“Is Breeze with you?” I asked, looking to the skies. “Schwarzwald?”
Cassie sniffed. “Schwarzwald cannot fly, and to carry her would have been to risk discovery. And Breeze? Well, we agreed that it was best that she stayed behind this time.” Nodding her farewell, Cassie made a refined bee-line for the party.
I agreed with the unspoken message: Breeze was far too volatile for a gathering such as this. She’d have caused a scene.
If not for the fountain, we’d have had a hard time with Undertow, too.
Wings and I watched Cassie blend into the crowd, until the general party hubbub was all that was heard. “...Dress looks nice on ya.”
Really? I let myself be flattered for a moment, before moving on. “How’s Bosco?”
The chocolate-and-cream griffon let out a long sigh. “Twitchy. I dunno what he went through down in that basement, since he’s not telling, but those fog things really messed him up. He’s jumping at shadows.”
That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “Does he know what he wants to do next? The Silver ones took his Memory Orbs. Is he gonna try to get them back?”
“Yeah, that’s what he says, but he really doesn’t have the first clue how to do that, and he can’t seem to sit still long enough to think up a plan.”
What happened down there, Bosco? Why won’t Undertow tell me? “…Thanks, for getting them out of there.”
She punched me lightly in the shoulder. “No problem, you’d have done the same.”
“I couldn’t. Not alone.” ...But you did.
And why am I unhappy about that?
“Relax, um… girl. They’re out, and we’re not gonna let them get taken again. Bosco’ll get better. You just gotta give him time.”
I nodded, still downcast. “Mhm. Still, it means a lot to me that you all helped.”
She laughed this off. “Hey, we got a free place to crash out of it. I’d say we’re good.”
“What about what you put into it? What about Gull Gulf?”
“…”
I was still facing the party, which made Wings’ silence all the more oppressive. More secrets? Yay. “…What’s your name, Wings?”
“…”
I could see that she’d said all she was going to on that end. “Thanks again, Wings, but I gotta get back to the party. Look after Bosco for me, and yourself.”
“…Sure, Snow. Catch you later.” With a flap of her namesake, she took off into the overcast sky.
I was still looking inside at the party.
~~~~~~
“…thing after the party? You should join us for a drink or two. We can show you the sights, babe.”
“Yeah, we know all the best places in town. We’ll show you a real party.”
“…No thank you. I have an early start tomorrow.”
Like any suicidally stupid predator, neither colt knew when to quit. Instead of taking the hint to leave Undertow alone as she worked, they stepped in closer, still wearing fake smiles.
“Come on, babe, don’t blow us off just like that. Give us a chance.”
“Yeah, honey, don’t be hatin’.”
I caught Naiara’s eye in the crowd, and beckoned for her to join me. She nodded, and then I did the same with Cassie, who was more reluctant, but still came.
“I said no. I am busy. Please leave me to my work.” Undertow was trying really hard not to kill them, I could see it. She didn’t want to blow our cover, and was suffering for it. She was fixedly looking at the fountain as her horn glowed, ignoring the two idiots hitting on her.
Unfortunately, they didn’t take that well. Growling beneath his mask, the lead colt, a wheat-coloured earth pony with a red tag cutie mark, reached a hoof out and shoved her shoulder. “Listen, bitch, I don’t think you understand what I’m saying. You’re coming out with us tonight, or you’re in a crate heading to Plottawa tomorrow. You get me?”
His crony, an off-white thickset unicorn whose cutie mark was a red awning, also took the chance to shove her. “Yeah, his dad’s the head of the Merchant’s Guild, and mine’s his second-in-command. You ever want to eat in this town again, gurl, you come out with us tonight.”
“Fascinating.” There was nothing in that word that promised good things.
Startled, the two jokers spun around to see that I stood right behind them, flanked by Naiara and Cassie. None of us were smiling. “So you two are the sons of the Merchant’s Guild leaders, huh? Good to know.”
Incredibly, while his lackey was going even paler than usual, the earth colt didn’t seem to understand the situation he was in. “What’s it to you, nag? This is between us and her, now get lost before we teach you what it means to cross our families.”
“Yeeahhh,” Naiara drawled. “See, thing about that is… you don’t know who we are, ‘cause of the masks, while we know exactly who you two jokers are.”
His composure slipped. “I…”
Luckily for him, the unicorn had recovered enough to grab his shoulder. “Chad, bro, let’s just get out of here.”
Unluckily for him, ‘Chad’ failed to take the way out. “What the hell, Fisher? You’re gonna let a bunch of fillies boss us around like chumps? We…”
“…Were just leaving.” Cassie finished for him.
Chad just couldn’t let it go, though. “You don’t fucking talk to me like that! No mare talks to me like that! All you’re good for is sucking my…” He suddenly broke off, eyes wide.
Fisher was staring, jaw dropped, at the ice growing over Chad’s pelvic region.
My horn’s glow faded. “That’ll melt, eventually. Say one more word, just one, and you’ll leave here a gelding. Nothing to suck. Understand, jackhole?”
I looked past him to Undertow. “Keep working, miss, you didn’t see anything.”
Looking immensely relieved, she nodded and turned back to the fountain.
Cassie tapped the other one on the shoulder, who flinched away. “Fisher, was it? Why don’t you take your friend home? He seems to have gotten a chill.”
His pupils had shrunk to pinpricks, and he was so scared that he’d stopped blinking. “I… yes, ma’am. Sorry, ladies.”
Chad could only make pathetic squeaking noises as he was, very gingerly, led away.
When they were gone, I moved up and gave Undertow a big hug. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
She held me back just as tightly, though I could feel her slight tremors. “I am fine, Lady Snow. It’s just…”
“I know.” I rubbed her back gently. You didn’t want to kill them, but they wouldn’t have given you a choice.“I know.”
After the hug broke, I turned to the others. “Stay with her, will you? I’m going to go report this little tidbit to Amber.”
Both nodded their consent.
“And if they come back?” My expression turned vicious. “Hurt them.”
Spinning on my heel, I stalked away, allowing myself to feel the full force of my anger. Those two little shits DARE lay a hoof on her?!
Down on the party level, I began to make my way towards Amber, standing alone on the raised dias. Unfortunately, as I set hoof on the dance floor, the musicians started up a lively tune, and ponies began to move to the rhythm, obscuring my path.
Still, I pushed on, trying to avoid, go around, or simply shoulder aside the couples in my way. My mood had soured, and the appeal of the party was rapidly draining away. I just wanted to let Amber know what we’d overheard, and then call it a night.
After narrowly avoiding being pincered between several groups dancing together, I found that my hoof had caught on something. Still looking towards Amber, I gave it a few quick jerks, but it was stuck tight. Vexed, I sighed and turned around to see what was trapping it.
Two more hooves, apparently. Oaken furred, and bearing a lattice of misshapen scars.
What happened to this guy? I tried again to pull my hoof away, but the stallion’s grip didn’t loosen a millimetre. Looking up into his face, I saw that he was wearing a white owl mask, just like me, and underneath sported a bright smile.
“Can you dance as well as your friends?” His voice was warm and friendly.
“Huh?”
The grin widened. “Let’s find out!”
I didn’t get a chance to reply, as he pulled me perfectly into formation with the other dancers, and began moving us through the steps of the dance, with me protesting all the while.
“Hey! I don’t wanna dance right now. Lemme go!” He was stronger than me, though, much stronger, and wouldn’t release me. What’s your problem, jackhole? You’re lucky we’re in the middle of everybody, means I can’t use my ice magic to stick you to the floor.
Hold on… why does this seem familiar? I’ve never danced like this befOH HELL I HAVE!!! Tensing up, I couldn’t stop my eyes travelling back to the stallion’s face, with only the hazel eyes visible under the mask. Smiling like a cat with a mouse, he gave a quick shake of his head, and I caught a glimpse of wavy blond locks.
Breath catching in my throat, I redoubled my efforts to get myself out of his grasp.
Those hazel eyes glinted. He leaned in and spoke quietly. “Red Ice. It has been some time.”
I kept tugging, but somehow he made it part of the dance. “Let… me… go! What are you even doing here?”Oh damn. Naiara, Cassie, anyone, help me out!
Undaunted, Peanut kept the lead as the music picked up. “You’ve been quite busy since we last spoke. Not a day goes by without my hearing your name… well, one of them at least, Snowflake.”
“What are you even doing here?” I hissed again, entirely unhappy that I couldn’t get away. And the fact that I can’t dance doesn’t help either!
He shrugged, but somehow, infuriatingly, did it in rhythm. “As you might have guessed, I can’t resist a dance. Plus, I have friends here.”
“You have friends?”
We twirled with the other dancers before he responded. “Hey now, that’s harsh. I like to think I’m a nice enough guy to be around.”
“You’re a slaver!”
He winked. “True, but doesn’t mean I’m not good company.”
I just gaped. “…Are you drunk right now?”
“Now now, Snowflake, that’s very rude. I’m trying to have a conversation with you.”
“About what? What could WE possibly have to talk about? You’re trying to kill me!” It was getting harder and harder to keep my voice down.
A quick one-two-three. “Well, perhaps later, but not tonight. In fact, I had no idea you would even be here tonight. Imagine my surprise.”
What? “Then how did you know it was me?”
Short bow. “Masks only hide so much. You forget, we’ve met in person before, met and… danced. I got a good look at the way you move. You can’t hide that from me with a dress, even one as nice as yours. It’s for that reason that I also know your hoof-fighter friend is up on the balcony. I apologise, but she wears her better.”
“Yeah, I know.” Catching myself, I shook my head. “If you’re not looking to kill me, then what? You gonna try to catch me here, in the middle of all these people? I have friends here, you know.”
“Oh, I’m sure you do. Also lots of enemies, too. That’s actually kind of the point.” An edge crept into his voice, even though the tone remained warm. “You’ve managed to fool lots of ponies since we met in Plottawa, Red Ice, and gained quite a reputation for yourself. Tonight, I just want to remind you that I’ve seen just how little you can do, with my own eyes. I won’t be forgetting about these scars on my hooves either.”
The music died down, and only then did he let me go. “Song’s over. Time’s up. I’ll be seeing you around.”
He melted back into the throng as the dance floor began to clear, leaving me standing there with my heart going a hundred miles per minute.
“I’ve gotta get out of here.” I whispered to myself, and immediately moved to find Amber, moving faster than what she’d consider dignified, trying to outrun the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I found her off to the side of the fountain, in the shadows I had been standing in prior to meeting Cassie and Wings. She was issuing orders to staff, and they left as I arrived. “Ah, Snowflake. I trust that you have had a productive evening?”
“Can I talk to you?” I puffed out, still struggling to get my breathing under control.
“Of course, follow me.” She led us out onto the balcony. “How may I help you?”
Taking a deep breath didn't seem to help. “You invited the boss of Plottawa here?”
“Ah, you mean Peanut? Indeed I did. He approached me about working more closely with Red Eye, though I doubt much will come of it. Red Eye is merely a client, however high profile. We have no official ties.”
“Did you know he had a price on my head when you invited me earlier?”
She gave me a pitying look. “Well, you are the notorious criminal, Red Ice, after all. It’s hardly surprising.”
I couldn’t believe her, or this. “Any other dangerous groups invited?”
Amber didn’t shy away from the question. “Certainly, though many declined. Some are more influential than dangerous. Chief Rockhaunch was supposed to make an appearance, but he pulled out at the last minute.”
He’d rather be doing his job than… whatever this is. Good for him.
“And we cannot forget the Steel Rangers, though they squabble with the gate guards about having armoured ponies within Lethbridle’s walls. I invited Fedexi Lexi of Sprinkles Supplies too, but again, business called her away. A pity, but they have a good reputation. I shall try again at another date.”
“You can definitely trust them. Sprinkles Supplies, I mean… not the Rangers. I spent a little time on a job for Lexi. She knows what she’s doing.”
"An endorsement from Red Ice herself? How interesting.” She held up a hoof to forestall my warning. “No, I won’t be making that public. It would do me no good to have open dealings with you, not just yet.”
“’Not just yet’?”
She smiled a beatific smile. “I do believe that Red Ice’s name will be influential for some time yet, and not always so negatively. A mutual respectful relationship forged in secret now will be all the more important, when the public’s perception shifts.”
That caught me off guard. “You think it will?”
“I think that Schwarzwald has taken an interest in you, and I have learned to respect her judgement.”
That was not a full answer, more half an answer to that question and half to another, but it still lifted my spirits somewhat, to have a pony who didn’t think I was all the way gone.
“Speaking of Schwarzwald, she says the Bernstein Conclave does more business down south. What brought you this far up?”
For the first time, she looked to be on the backhoof in the conversation. “I… felt confident to leave my established operations in the hooves of some promising Bernstein cousins. They have some leeway, but I have put checks in place that will ensure a healthy profit while I am away… exploring this new market.”
“Just business then?”
“Er… yes.”
Liar. “We were talking a little at Whitepony, me and Bosco and Schwarz.” Her eyes glittered dangerously at the familiar form of address. “And we wondered whether we could get a different method of payment, not caps.”
I had her attention now. She’d straightened her spine, and gave off the impression of someone getting ready to bargain. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, your Conclave is pretty far reaching, with tons of people working under you, right?”
The smallest inkling of pride shone through. “That’s correct.”
“Well, we were wondering if we could trade our caps for a future favour from the Conclave, though we’re not sure what yet.”
“…Intriguing, but unspecific. I might be able to accommodate this, but I have final say on whether I accept doing you this favour as a form of payment, and can decide to pay you caps instead at any point.”
That’s probably the best I could hope for. “Deal. It’s just me and Bosco who want this, I think. Schwarzwald said she was probably happy with caps, but you can talk that out with her when she brings you the Whitepony data.”
Half her attention was elsewhere, most likely on how the meeting with Schwarzwald would go… or just on Schwarzwald. “I’ll be certain to bring it up. Speaking of data, do you have anything to report tonight?”
“Actually, I heard something very interesting about the leaders of the Merchant’s Guild…”
~~~~~~
There’d been no sign of Peanut for the rest of the night, and we’d been set up in Amber’s servant quarters for safety during the night. She’d also given us an escort all the way to the gate before dawn, and we managed to slip away without any unwelcome eyes spotting us.
Now, finally, we were on the way to the Raider chief meet up. The day had arrived at last.
Just a little while longer, and I can start to change things for the better.
I looked over to Undertow, at my right shoulder. She returned the happy smile I gave her, though with the same slight unease I felt. There was still a chance this could all go to hell. A lot more people knew about this than just the two of us and Naiara, who was on my other side, and none of them really were interested in seeing it come to fruition.
The meet up was in the afternoon, and we’d gotten an early start. The route was quiet, as was the morning, so we were making good time at our current pace, and didn’t need to hurry.
It was a pleasant enough day, though quite cool. A light snowfall had come on during the night, a sure sign that winter was on its way down from the northern mountains.
Having spent a childhood staring at the white, this hardly fazed me. I was almost exuberant to see all my hard work finally pay off.
Still, it hadn’t been without setbacks, and I had to make reparations for that. “Listen guys, I know this is important and all, but I think that, after today, we can leave the Raiders for a little while. We need to help Bosco get his Memory Orbs back before we do anything else. It wouldn’t be fair to leave things as they are.”
“I agree, Lady Snow. I want to help Bosco too.”
Strangely, Naiara didn’t respond, not even to look at us. She just kept walking with glazed eyes.
“Naiara?” No response.
“NAIARA!”
She snapped back to reality with a few rapid blinks. “Huh? What?”
“Do you agree?”
It took her a few seconds to answer. When she did, it was not what I was expecting. She looked away as she responded. “Just… focus on today for now, Snow.”
Her jade eyes were downcast. “Hey, you alright?”
A hoof slipped under her cloak for a second, but came back empty. “I… don’t know.”
I was getting worried now. “Naiara, what’s wrong?”
I tried to reach out a comforting hoof, but she shied away from it, looking guilty. “Snow… I’ve got something to tell you.”
I groaned inwardly, but made the effort to hide it on my face. “What’s wrong, Naiara?”
“Atesh… he says he’s calling in the favour you owe him. Today, at the Raider meeting.”
“What? How does he know about it?”
Naiara reacted long before my brain caught up. “I swear I didn’t tell him! I didn’t even tell Cept!”
Would you need to? I thought bitterly. You showed after Whitepony that there are always zebra around. I relented on seeing her pained expression. “Easy, svara, I believe you. You couldn’t have told him when you were hurt, there wouldn’t be enough time for this. Atesh must’ve just found out some other way.”
Her relief was palpable. “Unten, svara. I promise that it won’t get in the way of what you’re trying to do here. Atesh even promised it wouldn’t!”
I trust you, Naiara, but that doesn’t mean I trust HIM. I’m still gonna have to watch out for this. “…I understand, Naiara. So long as it doesn’t ruin what I’m trying to do, then it should be fine. That being said, I want to get my stuff out of the way first, before we handle Atesh’s stuff. That okay?”
Naiara jumped over and gave me a hug. “Totally, Snow, thanks for understanding. All you’ve gotta do is stay out of it, while I handle the zebra business. I can’t leave the tribe hanging, you know?”
“…I know.” Please don’t go against me in this, Naiara. Not you.
Please.
~~~~~~
We stood on the same hilltop where we’d spoken with Four Fields, days and days ago.
Naiara, significantly more upbeat after coming clean, was gazing down at the camp. “Welcome to Barnstormer territory, Undertow.”
The Deep Diver remained impassive behind her goggles, instead choosing to watch the solitary figure down in the camp. “…It’s very dry.”
“Yeah, it’s a dump, I know. So why don’t we take pity on our poor eyes and just head down there?”
It was a dump, and had somehow gotten even worse in the brief time since we’d last been here. Four Fields’ death must have sparked infighting, as several of the already-ramshackle structures lay collapsed and blood-stained.
When we entered the village, the single pony we’d spotted from the hill made no move to acknowledge us. He or she, impossible to tell under the thick cloak that covered their entire body, sat beside one of the few remaining intact cauldrons, stirring a broth with a ladle wrapped in dark blue magic.
Naiara stepped forward, sniffing at the concoction, before pulling a face. “They completely ignored my advice. Same weak sauce as always.”
“I’m sure you can bring it up at the meeting.” I turned to the shrouded pony. “Is Caber Toss here yet?”
Wordlessly, the ladle rose from the stew, and began banging on the side of the cauldron.
After a few moments, a booming voice emerged from Four Fields’ former shelter. “Ho, so they’re here then? We’ll be reet oot.”
“We?” I shared a look with Naiara and Undertow. Who had Caber Toss brought to the meeting?
Stepping out, the powerful stallion was the same as I remembered. Caber Toss still wore nothing but a bandolier over his orange coat, with the massive shotgun and axe tucked inside. His blue-and-green tartan mane and facial hair were as unruly as ever. He broke into a wide grin as he set eyes on us. “Aha! Y’made it! Good goin’ Red Ice. Fantastic job all roond. A pity about Four Fields, but the crazy bastart’s still got plenty o’ Raiders who need guidin’. Ah’ve been looking after ‘em up til today.”
He suddenly stopped and scratched his head ruefully. “Well, ah say it was me, but really it was mah bonnie lass! ‘Mon out, sweetheart.”
“Sweetheart?” We chorused.
“Aye, ah’m comin’. Hol’ on a sec, will yeh?” Emerging from the tent after Caber Toss was, incredibly, an even bigger and more imposing pony. When last we’d seen her, she was coming after us with murder in her eyes, swinging the ridiculous battle axe that she now bore on her back.
Sweet Lips was all smiles, just like Caber Toss, when she spotted us. “Wee lassies, yeh’re awright! Ah’m glad.”
“Glad? Last time we saw you, you were trying to kill us, even after we saved your village.”
She turned a loving gaze on Caber Toss. “Aye, ah’m awful sorry on that. Ah thought yeh were after mah fella. Ah’m persuaded that’s no’ the case, so it’s nae bother.” Nauseatingly, she still giggled like a schoolfilly when Caber stood on hooftips to plant a kiss on her almost-toothless mouth.
“Uhh… can we get started please?” The faster we got this over with, the happier I’d be.
If he was upset that I’d broken up his affectionate moment, Caber Toss didn’t show it. “Aye, nae danger, hen. ‘Mon an’ sit doon fer a wee while. This wee fella,” he indicated the shrouded pony. “will gi’ us some o’ this broth. Ah’m starvin’.”
Putting words to actions, Caber Toss and Sweet Lips parked themselves on the ground to one side of the cauldron, with the silent pony already preparing bowls of gruel.
Shrugging, we sat down across from them, ready to begin. “So where do we start?”
Scratching his impressive facial mane, Caber remained easy-going. “Hmm, ah dunno. Ne’er done this before. Why don’t yeh say what yeh’re wantin’ outta all this, an’ we’ll go from there?”
And we have done this before? Whatever. “Well, I’ll say this first. I didn’t get into this to turn the Raiders into an army. I’m not looking to start any fights. What I want is to get the Raiders to be treated the same as everybody else in the Wasteland, and to treat others the same. No more acting like savages. There are enough Haylanders, Barnstormers, Deep Divers and Woodpeckers with talents that you shouldn’t have to live as you do. What I want is to help the four groups to gain legitimacy.”
“Legitawhit?” Neither Caber Toss nor Sweet Lips seemed to understand the word.
“Legitimacy,” Naiara jumped in to assist. “it means that you won’t be looked down on anymore.”
“Ohhhhh! Aye, well, that sounds pretty good. What else?” The two were looking more enthusiastic now.
“Ummm...” I cast around for a little while, messing with the bowl of stew I’d been given to stall until I could figure out an answer. “Oh! Well, at least for starters, I want this Raider collective to follow my lead. I’ll be in charge, that was the deal, with Undertow here as my second in command, and then you two. We’ll all take care of the rest of the Raiders together.”
Undertow was looking at me strangely as I promoted her, but I couldn’t focus on it. I had to keep my eyes on the two more Raider-like Raiders.
Sweet Lips was still smiling. “Aye, grand. Nae bother lass. Yeh two can make the hard decisions, an’ we’ll make sure the rest o’ these eedjits stay in line. Should work out just fine.”
Caber nodded in agreement with his wife. “Aye, ah’m in, Red Ice. Sounds like a plan. Now that that’s settled, mind if we have a quick word wi’ Two-tone there?”
“Two-tone?” I looked at Naiara, who seemed to be avoiding looking back. She hasn’t been called that in forever. What’s going on?
Stepping forward, Naiara reached under her cloak again. This time, she withdrew a small box. It took me a little while, but I recognised it. “That’s the package we got for you from Nightcap’s, when we first met!”
Turning sad eyes on me, she nodded. “Yeah. Thanks again for that, Snow. This is what Atesh wanted. I’m giving it to the Raiders. It’ll only take a second.”
Seriously? I was confused, and more than a little worried, about this development. Naiara had been extremely protective of whatever was in the package when we retrieved it for her, and now she’s just giving it away? To Caber Toss? This was more than a little unnerving.
Still, I’d promised to stay out of things, as my debt to Atesh for his zebra finding the fog creatures in Whinniepeg. I’d just have to wait it out, and trust that Naiara wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what we were here for.
Stepping up to the Raider married couple, Naiara opened the box. I couldn’t see what was inside, but they seemed satisfied. “Aye, looks about right. Set it down right there, lass.”
Wordlessly, Naiara complied, and turned to me with an apologetic look.
That put her back to Caber Toss, who slammed the flat of his axe into the side of her head, sending her sprawling. She hit the dry, debris-strewn ground, and didn’t move.
“NAIARA!” Instantly Undertow and I sprang into action, horns blazing, as we faced the suddenly violent Raiders.
They were on us before we could blink. Caber Toss was wildly slashing at me with his axe, while Sweet Lips was pounding away at Undertow’s half-formed water shield. The only water around was in the bottles she carried with her, and it wasn’t enough to counter Ballbuster’s rampage.
I scrambled back as quickly as I could, but the sudden viciousness of the unrelenting assault made it impossible to conjure any magic. I was only just keeping myself out of range of Caber Toss’ axe.
Something caught me in the back of the legs, and I went down onto my back. Before I could blink, the bulky Raider was on me, sharp edge of his axe at my throat.
“LADY SNOW!” Undertow had spotted my distress, and the inattention cost her dearly. With a colossal downward swing, Ballbuster scattered the water shield, and then pinned her in the same manner as Caber Toss was restraining me.
I was still outraged at what had been done to Naiara, and glared daggers at him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Caber Toss? Let us go right now!”
It wasn’t Caber Toss who answered, though, or Sweet Lips. A soft chuckling, which quickly grew in volume, came from a little ways off. I watched as the thing that had tripped me up, the soup ladle, floated before my eyes. “Don’t blame them, Snowflake, they’re just doing as I asked. It’s why none of you are dead yet.”
Craning my neck, carefully so as to avoid nicking it on the blade of the axe, I turned to look at the only other soul for miles.
Slipping off his heavy hood, a mop of bleach-blond mane, framing a horn that glowed dark blue, came into view.
I could not believe my eyes. I was utterly flabbergasted by the pony standing there. “Latvi?”
The former scientist broke out in a massive grin as he shucked off the rest of the robes, revealing the same lab coat I’d last seen him in, when he’d been taking me through Lethbridle’s streets on the way to Plottawa, though it looked a little worse for wear now. “Hello, Red Ice. Good to see you again.”
He trotted over to the box lying on the ground, and flipped the lid up. “I really have to thank you for this. None of it would have been possible without your inspiring words.”
“My what?” I wanted no part in this madness, whatever it was.
His voice shifted into a poor facsimile of my own. “Is Lithu going to be happy being with a pony with so little ambition?” You were right. I was just gonna run to Plottawa, maybe be a bean counter or something, after I lost out on collecting your bounty. I was maybe ten minutes outside of Lethbridle, when I realised that you were speaking the truth. I could do so much more.”
He spread his hooves wide, and his grin turned manic. “A Raider army! Isn’t it great? And it’s all thanks to you, Red Ice!”
I forgot myself and tried to rise, hissing as Caber Toss’ axe drew blood. “N-NO! That’s not what I wanted! It’s never been what I wanted!”
Chortling, Latvi pranced around for a moment. “Well, that’s the thing, you see. None of this was ever going to be what YOU wanted. That’s because, even though you were the inspiration behind the goal, it was never your goal to begin with, we just let you think it was. Caber Toss just had to play to your heartstrings: The tired old Raider who wanted a better life.” His glee turned to scorn. “A soft-hearted Stable pony like you would eat it up with a spoon, and just look at what happened. And you didn’t once question why a Raider as capable as Caber Toss wanted to follow somepony else?”
Looking back, I had to wonder how I missed such a massive oversight for such a massive stallion. “So you did all this to get back at me?” I glowered.
He barked out another harsh laugh, shoulders shaking as he did. “NO! Don’t you get it? You’re not important anymore, Red Ice! You were a means to an end, and that end is the ambition you claim I lacked! Now I don’t need Plottawa anymore. I’m as strong as they are, stronger even! This Raider army will be feared throughout the Wasteland!”
He’s lost it! My eyes found Undertow, and I completely forgot about the insane stallion for a second.
She was shaking, either with fear or rage, and either way it broke my heart. She’d been through so much because of me, and now I’d dragged her into another disaster.
Breeze was right about me.
Latvi wasn’t done. “Now then, the best part. See, you might be thinking ‘why are the Raiders following this guy? He’s a weakling!’, and you’d be right. I’m not the most powerful or strong unicorn around. But I do have a very tricky kind of magic as my special talent. Do you remember what it is?”
“Memory magic.” I ground out.
He nodded so low it turned into a bow. “Memory magic. As you no doubt realise through Memory Orbs, even after ponies die, their memories keep going, spilling all sorts of secrets that just won’t stay buried. This is true for even the most powerful of ponies. Allow me to demonstrate.”
Up from Naiara’s box floated a strange object. It was like a torch, black at one thick end, and red the rest of the way, tapering in to a tip. Latvi gazed at it with obvious delight. “This is something very special, very special indeed. It belonged to a world-shaking pony from before the war. This guy even gave Celestia and Luna fits. This… is the horn of King Sombra.”
My eyes widened as Watcher’s words came back to me. Sombra? The guy who sealed away the Crystal Empire, and almost killed everyone? That Sombra? “B-but… he’s dead!”
The words ‘so what?’ might as well have been written across Latvi’s forehead. “Dead and gone, never to return, but you’re missing the point. A guy like Sombra didn’t just stop when he died, he left a legacy behind. From the way you reacted to the name, I’d assume you learned something about him in the Stable?”
“Y-yeah.” There was no way I was gonna let this monster know about Watcher.
Latvi was loving stroking the smooth shaft of the horn. “The body’s dead, but the horn remains, and I think it has a few tricks left up its sleeve.” He pointed to Naiara’s prone form. “Your zebra friends? They want crystals, enough so that they don’t ever have to come back to Equestria again. That’s half of what the war was about, you know. Sombra was the Crystal King, and they’re betting on my digging out some crystal growth spells in this horn to allow them to do just that.”
Atesh, you fucking moron, what have you done?! “It’s just a horn, it’s as dead as Sombra. There’s nothing left!”
Latvi’s own horn began to glow dark blue. “Let’s test that, shall we?” His magic began to swirl around Sombra’s horn, moving it this way and that, with occasional sparks jumping between the two horns.
Cracks began to appear in the ground around us, and from them sprang impure, misformed crystals, which crumbled as soon as they formed.
“Hmm, I’ll need to work on that.” Latvi didn’t seem terribly upset about having a malfunctioning spell coming from Sombra’s horn. “Still, at least we know, right?”
After a few more moments with his attention lost in the horn, Latvi went very still. “Oh, now that’s interesting.” His expression was intense, both haunted and excited at the same time. His eyes kept flicking between Undertow and I. “VERY interesting.”
“What? What have you done? Whatever it is, it’s bad news, don’t do it!”
Utter contempt showed through Latvi’s smile. “Oh now, Red Ice, don’t be silly.” Synchronised gasps escaped Undertow and I, as the stallion’s eyes turned green, and purple smoke began to pour from them. “How could I call myself a scientist if I pass up the chance to experiment? That wouldn’t be very… ambitious.”
I couldn’t move, couldn’t look away. Those green and purple eyes seemed to grow and grow and grow, until they ate the land and sky, and everything else, until they were all I could see.
Dimly, I heard Undertow’s voice, as if echoing from a great distance. “…Snow...Lady Snow…where are you…please…”
She sounded so far away, on the other side of those eyes. “Undertow, I’ll find you, just hold on!”
No matter my assurances, her voice faded more and more, until I couldn’t hear anything at all. All there was were those eyes.
“Don’t you worry your little head, Snowflake. She’s next.” Latvi’s voice came through much clearer than Undertow’s, and drowned her out.
“No, you can’t! She’s got nothing to do with this!”
“...Okay so THIS is a little to get back at you. I think I deserve just a little fun, all things considered.”
And then there was nothing.
~~~~~~
Level Up!
Perks gained: A Plague On All Your Houses – Not many groups actually LIKE Snowflake that much, but they have to recognise her. Her reputation increases with all factions.
~~~~~~
Author's Note:
The full names of the douchenozzle ponies hitting on Undertow are Chad Valley and Fisher Price, in case you were wondering.
On a more serious note: I am STILL completely conflicted on the presence of any level of Sombra in this story. We’ll have to see how it plays out.
As always, a big thank you to Hasbro, KKat, Y1 especially in this chapter, as he provided some great insights (his story, Conviction is definitely worth a read too),Cascadejackal and Void Heart (they did the artwork), and you, the readers. Please read and comment, and pass the word along if you like the story. Finally, because I find it a really funny coincidence to have another fic with a Stable 61 that’s set in Equestrian Canada, go read Fallout Equestria: Pure Hearts.
Enjoy the chapter, kiddies.
Toodles.
P.S. I've signed on as an editor/pre-reader for Fallout Equestria: Gaia Prevails by John Colt, who is one of the admins of the FoE wiki. It's an intriguing story that takes a new approach, and really deserves as much love as possible. Head on over and take a gander, if you please.