//------------------------------// // Indulgence // Story: Slender Stallion // by Smore98 //------------------------------// Maneshot had his eyes on two things, his friend and the picture on the wall. He could not bare to keep away from Clear Dawn's current condition, but was overly curious of the picture on the wall. The picture with Celestia and a Stallion. A picture of an incredibly white stallion with a crossed circle cutie mark. A picture of an incredibly white stallion. A picture of a stallion. A picture. Maneshot was broken out of his hypnotized state with a groan coming from the bed. He quickly trotted to the side of Clear Dawn, who had begun to stir. She revealed her magenta eyes and looked around the room. She then focused her eyes on a blue figure by the side of the bed. Maneshot could not help but chuckle, "How did you sleep?" Clear Dawn looked at the ceiling for a few moments before answering, "I feel like I got hit by a truck." Maneshot looked to the floor in shame, "Well... a wall, technically." "I'm not gonna ask." Maneshot released a sigh of relief from this statement. He looked out the window to notice that the moon has been raised, which could explain the sound of metallic hoofs coming from the outside of the door. He saw the mane of Celestia as the door opened, and as she walked in, she was accompanied by her sister. Celestia looked to the bed to find the pegasus has regained consciousness, and sighed in relief, which Maneshot gladly shared. Maneshot took note of Luna's presence in the room, as it seemed to grow much darker as she entered. She had a similar face of disturbance her sister had when the news was broken. He only knew what her plans are for the return of the Operator. However, it is unlikely he will find out beforehand. Clear Dawn examined her surroundings, and decided to get off the bed. She clearly seemed to be confused on where she was. It didn't take long before she ask where she was. Celestia offered the explanation, which Maneshot had no problem with, and simply said she was knocked unconscious after mildly fainting and hitting her head on the wall nearby. Maneshot couldn't help but notice the trivial explanation that the princess made up. He was more baffled to see Clear Dawn agree with it. He resisted the urge to facehoof. It was a matter of time before Luna finally got down to the matter at hand. While she did not share her sistes major concern, the Lunar keeper still had the determination to stop the upcoming threat. "What has thou brought to us that requires our attention?" Luna voiced. Maneshot still had not got used to Luna's loud posture, as it took a moment for him to regain his hearing. "W-well Princess Luna. It seems we have a major urgency at this very moment. And we require your assistance." Luna seemed disatisfied by this, remarking, "My sister already told me this. I am here to conclude with the matter at hoof. I ask for DETAILS." Clear Dawn suddenly blurted out, "A faceless supernatural being has preparing to attack Equestria with a cult of his, and appearently, it has a history with Princess Celestia! Please, we are running out of time!" A hint of desperation was heard from her groggy state. Luna's expressions changed from annoyance to confusion, and she then faced her sister asking,"Tia, what of this being do you know of?" The look on Celestia's face was pure anxiety and worry by her sister's questioning. It was clear she did not remember who they were dealing with now. Celestia than took a breath, looked into her sister's eyes, and said the name. Luna stood for a moment, eyes wide, sweat dripping from her mane. She staggered as she walked to the two ponies that were standing by. "H-h-how do you know of... him?" A major tense of desperation clogged her voice. Maneshot could only look at the picture of Celestia and the Stallion, who's coat and mane shared the same pearl color as Celestia's coat. It was clear that whoever the Operator previously was, he had a long history with the Princesses of Equestria. It seemed unreal how a lean, soothing alchemist could turn to the monster that was haunting him and Clear Dawn. At that point, he could only share Celestia's sorrow of the return of a longtime friend, and a forgotten enemy. It seemed unreal, almost impossible for such a thing to happen. Yet here he was, standing with the two ruler's of Equestria, finding out that the return of a past threat is actually a past acquaintance of Celestia and possibly Luna. These turn of event's has answered very little, and gather even more questions. Clear Dawn was trying her best to calm the two Princess's down, but that didn't seem to be working. Maneshot finally built the courage to trot over to the two, and softly ask, "Is there any other past evidence of the Operator?" Celestia looked to her sister, who stood up and began leading the way to the Archives. _-_-_-_-_-_ Maneshot was quite taken back by the incredible amount of documents resting in the room for only Celestia knows how long, literally. It practically held everything, from spells, past historical events, mystical creatures, and... notable figures. Luna approached this section, carefully reaching the end of the corridor. There were bits of dust here and there, clearly showing the age of this part of the Archives. Luna grabbed a folder that lied between a couple of books, and laid it across the table. A few documents slid out, revealing some information about 'Der Ritter'. Unfortunately, not even 20% of the the information was actually readable, as the rest was redacted, including date of birth, age, relation to royalty, and date of death. Some papers were basically unreadable, while others barely had words on them. One paper only held the Operator's mark. Luna's horn glowed only for a moment before all the files were extinguished of their black markings. Of course..., Maneshot sighed in his mind. Luna gave the entire folder to Maneshot, "I apologize for not having anything else of notable help on his past. The Royal Guard set pre-caution to not let this information hold into the wrong hands, as it held secrets of Ritter's home, his current state, and his banishment. If anybody got their hands on it, they were endanger of a full on assault from him. We have seen previous attacks based on this, and we have left this under our eye for so long." Clear Dawn was skeptical from this information. "If that is the case, why are you giving it to us?" "Because...", Luna looked to the moon overhead of them, which glowed lighter than most nights, "... we will keep you under the eye of our guards, as you cannot leave this castle. That would potentially risk not only the loss of the documents, but may risk your death." a stern look seemed to hold an image on Luna's face. Celestia mostly stood in the back, staring out the window. She had been quiet the entire time, not even a clop from her direction. Maneshot wondered if this behavior is the result of Luna's stern and monotone personality, though it could just be the news itself. Maneshot enveloped the folder with his magic, neatly gathering all loose papers and putting them in. He thanked the princess, and asked where they will be staying. Luna kept on with the monotone behavior, "You shall sleep in the guest room near Celestia's room. A few guards will stay by the door to keep any threats in. We might also have to put a guard inside just in case of a break in into the room. I shall patrol the castle, keeping an eye on the Everfree's borders for any anomalous activity." With this, she walked out the the Archives, leaving Maneshot, Dawn, and Celestia in the room. The atmosphere felt awkward, to say the least. Celestia broke the silence, "It can't be his fault..." Maneshot turned his head. He thought she was talking about the Operator. She continued, "Something must have triggered his step into madness. He couldn't just snap like that." Maneshot took a glance at the revived picture... no, painting. Celestia must have had this at an age before photographic devices were made. However, the shadowing and detail were superb, making it practically lifelike. It had the rough texture feel of a painting, but the smooth look of a photograph. If only the artist were still alive... "I will leave you two be. Again, your room will be staying in the room across from mine. I must immediately inform my protege for her thoughts on the situation. I will get back to you two soon..." with that, Celestia reprieved herself from the room. Maneshot and Dawn just stood in the middle of the Archives, the only light seemed to be from the ends of the columns of bookshelves and the glass dome. Maneshot looked uneasily at Clear Dawn, "You think we can survive the night?" Clear Dawn just stared blankly at him, and just started walking. Jeez, I know Clear Dawn isn't one to talk, but this is quite the one to talk..., he muttered in his mind, following Clear Dawn to the room. But this is just unlike her. Walking down the hall to the room, Maneshot took another gander at the surrounding environment. It was quite breathtaking, even if he had seen it a few times beforehand, like the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. He chuckled at that name, thinking that it belongs to some character from new-fangled XBuck game, 'Ponies Creed: Revelations'. It was just a mouthful, since her actual name was just Cadance. Well, maybe her husband Shining Armor will try and straighten out the name. Shining Armor... "Wait", Maneshot stopped suddenly, with Clear Dawn looking back, "Didn't Celestia say she was going to bring her protege to help her? She nodded. Maneshot just continued walking, but seemed far calmer then before. Clear Dawn held a questioning look. "Why do you care who the protege is?" Maneshot just looked back in surprise, "Do you even know who she is?" Dawn just shook her head. Instant facehoof to Maneshot. "Twlight Sparkle." "Oh." Clear Dawn just stared blankly at him. Maneshot just continued walking until he got to the room. He wanted to check on Celestia and see if she was alright, but suggested against it. A couple guards had already arrived to the door, and they seemed to be keeping an eye on them. Maneshot explained who they were, and the guards opened the door for them. It was quite unremarkable, to say the least. Not much decoration put in. There were the regular blinds, bed, and a few pictures here and there, but nothing of full exquisite. Then again, Maneshot thought, It is just a guest room. He was just criticizing everything now. He laid the papers on a nearby desk, opened the folder, and took a look... _________________________________________________________________________________________ High fives to the best procrastinator of all-time?