//------------------------------// // Preface - Volume 15 - Dinner, Dolls, and Demigods // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// In our previous volume, Arc mentors Flash Sentry on the fine art of love. Afterwards he learns the terrible truth that his squad was brainwashed as foals by Tempest. Reporting this to the princesses, he advises them to test their own soldiers for such mental meddling. Returning to Light’s Hope, Arc is informed that the griffon Council of Lords have granted him an audience. Heading back to Griffonstone a day early, Arc requests to see the neighboring town of Griffon’s Gate. As per General Blackbeak’s orders, Natalya arranges transport for Arc and his Honor Guards about a freighter named the ‘Solar Macaw”. Captain Celaeno and her crew take Arc hostage in an attempt to deliver him to the rebels. Arc is able to escape and force the crew to take him to their original destination. After they land, he arrests the crew and, placing a sigil, teleports everyone back to Canterlot. As Arc and his Honor Guards return to Griffon’s Gate, they enter the city to find its inhabitants, a large number of younglings, hungry and living in deplorable living conditions. Befriending a young brother and sister, they lead him to their ‘home’. A dump on the edge of town. The group is attacked by a group of savage creatures Marauders. Fighting off the beasts, and killing their leader, Arc and the others continue with the orphans to their living space. They find another of their friends was earlier injured by the beasts they fought. Natalya is reunited with her brother Gallus, whom had been caring for the younglings. Natalya and Gallus argue as Arc cleans the injured youngling’s wounds. Taking her into town for medical treatment they are told that vagrants aren’t welcome and are shooed out of the clinic. Arc opens a portal back to Ponyville Hospital to help the injured griffon. After an examination by Doctor Horse, she is admitted and treatment begins. Arc invites Gallus and the others to Derpy’s house for supper and a safe place to sleep. Upon reaching Derpy’s house, Arc suggests the younglings be bathed. Gallus does so with Natalya’s help. Over supper Gallus storms out of the house as Natalya follows him. She and Gallus share a thoughtful talk in the backyard before returning to the warm house and a good night’s sleep. The next morning Arc, Gallus, Natalya and the younglings head for the hospital to check on Glynda. Doctor Horse reports she is doing well on her antibiotics. He examines Ginny’s wing and finds it healed improperly. Offering to surgically repair the damage, Ginny is wheeled away to the Operating Room as the others wait with Glynda. The next day Arc stands before the Council of Lords. He extends Equestria’s desire to form a peace treaty. In return, Arc offers to take the orphans that plague Griffon’s Gate back to Equestria. Arc and his friends return to Ponyville Hospital to check on the younglings. He returns home with Geoffrey and Gigi as Natalya and Gallus stay at the hospital with Glynda and Ginny. The next morning the younglings are released from the hospital. Arc takes them to the New Beginnings Orphanage to observe the school there. As the students enter the classroom Cheerilee introduces them and begins the school day. As the students head out for recess Arc calls a meeting in Coco Pommel’s office. He brings Derpy, Cheerilee, Coco Pommel, and the others up to speed on the status of the proposed treaty before heading to Canterlot. Joining Shining Armor and Trixie in the Audience Chamber, he informs them of the proposed treaty as well as his adventures in their land. Heading for the Canterlot Dungeon, Arc releases Captain Celaeno and her crew. Ordering them to return to Griffon’s Gate, the sailors happily comply. However, on their way they are boarded by a shadowy figure whom demands they deliver Arc to him. Refusing, he attempts to set the ship on fire, but is stopped by Arc and Ember whom stowed away. The rebel flies up and fires a flare gun at the deck. Arc and company escape to Redemption Village to get medical help for the captain. They decide to make a new home with the Redeemed taking care of their Writ Board. Arc and Ember escort Derpy and Dinky to Earth for the Christmas season. Derpy initially has difficulty with the idea of clothing. However, Arc is able to find a solution to the problem by giving her one of his mother’s dresses. After lunch, Arc’s squad brings him up the speed on the additional crime in town while he was gone. Arc, Sereb, and Ember head to the Shard base in an attempt to locate a cache of stolen weapons. They find them hidden in the Maintenance Department under lock and key along with the truck of electronics the fed allegedly took as evidence. Discovered by Frank’s lieutenant, Stingray, Arc and Ember find their magic inoperable. They improvise and make a quick getaway out a window. Arc takes Derpy and Dinky to Shelly’s Kitchen for breakfast and to introduce Derpy to other humans. Afterwards they head for the mall to buy Derpy some proper human clothes that won’t restrict her and cause another panic attack. The next day Arc and company set up and decorate the Christmas tree. Explaining the tradition of the season to them, an announcement comes over the radio asking for help with accidents caused by the weather. Arc and his squad head out to help. Several days later Arc heads to the Farburg Orphanage with Frank and Ember to deliver toys to the children living there. After speaking with Headmistress Kulara however, the group finds they didn’t bring enough presents. Venturing out again, they head to a local toy store for more. Returning to the orphanage they help with Story Time as Ember reads. Seeing a sad little girl in a corner Arc heads over to her. Not making any progress, he askes what she wants for Christmas. Crying, the little girl asks for her mother. As the children head to the cafeteria for supper Arc is told that the girl is the one he rescued from the apartment fire. Frank drives the pair back to his base. Arc and Ember get in his Jeep and drive home. On the way Arc stops on the side of the road to vent his frustrations. Returning home, they discover Ember’s hurt ankle. After wrapping it, they sit down to supper as a family. Arc tells the others of the little girl, and of his plan to help make her wish come true. Teleporting back to the orphanage, Arc breaks into the headmistress’ office to get information on her mother. The next morning Arc, Derpy, and Dinky head a few houses down to visit a man who escaped the fire. Ben tells them of the building superintendent’s office, and the pair head to see him as Dinky plays with her new friends. Acquiring a business card from the building super, they head to the address on it in search of a woman whom often visited Sam. Arriving, they find the woman is a Vice President. Fortunately she arrives in the Atrium in time to meet with them. Arc and Derpy follow Penelope Parker upstairs to her office. They tell her about the fire and Sam’s death. She informs them about Sam’s estranged wife and her drinking problem. Heading to the local elementary school, Arc Blinks inside the office and finds the girl’s file with her mother’s last known address and contact information for her place of employment. As he is about to leave the building Wiseman shows up and warn him of the dangers of knowing the truth. Failing to find the woman at her last known address, Derpy and Arc head to her employer. a small restaurant. After questioning the manager Cybil arrives, drunk. They drive her back to her apartment, but her roommate has had the locks changed. Taking her back to his house, Arc sees to it she is bathed and put to bed. Arc caries Cybil to bed. As he and the others are talking downstairs, Cybil appears at the top of the stairs. Still naked, she hits on them before taking a fist from Derpy. The next morning he informs her of Sam’s death. She does not take it well. Cybil stays in Arc’s room in shock for some time. Ember and Arc meet up with Marshal Raynor to turn in the stolen guns and electronics. They return home to make their annual trip to the orphanage for a Christmas party. Cybil confesses to causing her daughter’s injury. The incoherent woman tells Arc of her earlier actions burning her daughter’s hands. Arc takes her to the orphanage to fulfill the girls wish. Headmistress Kulara speaks to Cybil and informs her of her inability to release the girl to her. Cybil asks her to find a loving family to take her in. Arc fetches the girl so the two can say goodbye. The girl begs her mother not to leave her alone again and the pair embrace as Arc and Kulara leave the room. Early the next morning Arc and his friends have breakfast together. Cybil and her daughter, Angel, join them for the day with the authorization of Kulara. Shelly and Lily arrive shortly thereafter to help cook Christmas dinner. While it cooks, they watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ together. After the movie Arc leaves to make a phone call. As they sit down to eat there is a knock at the front door. Arc moves to answer it, and returns with Frank. They sit down together for the meal as Wiseman watches them through the window. Much has happened. However, even more questions remain unanswered. Why was Tempest brainwashing foals? What will become of Captain Celaeno and her crew in Redemption Village? And what of Gallus and his youngling friends? Will the Council of Lords approve a treaty with Equestria? Will the Little Hooves Orphanage be able to hold such a large number of new arrivals? How did the Shards retrieve the truck of electronics from the feds? Will Cybil be able to beat her addiction? And what of Angel? Time will tell. Sooner or later… time will tell.