//------------------------------// // Chaptre Four // Story: Heartbeat // by Vietmane Veteran //------------------------------// [Sorry that the chapters are getting shorter. This might be fixed soon.] Heartbeat woke to the sound of clicking. Like metal tapping metal, but the needles were giant. She raised her head. "Don't lower your hood. They think that you are just a Tartarus-blooded. The Main Six have gotten their own car, and we're in it." Car? They were in some sort of carpartment. The outside was moving. Were they in some sort of giant wagon? Wait, car, carpartment. OH! There was the orange one of the kinfolk, sitting next to the blue Pegasus with the rainbow mane and tail. Her Cutie Mark was a cloud striking with red, yellow, and blue lightning. The one that called her 'cool'. The slang was obviously positive. There was Pinkie, performing a trick with large, flat, white things. Those are called plates. What? Wait, you didn't even have dishes when you were alive? Just didn't recongnize them, since they weren't wood. Before Heartbeat's inner conversation could go further, something tapped her head. She looked up to see the Brother. "I don't mean to intrude, but do you have any spare rolls of toilet paper, 15 lollipops, and 3 or 4 apple cream pies? Just nod or shake your head." Heartbeat shook her head. The Brother sat on the ceiling with an upset huff. "Can't find anybody with those things. And I'm still needing 3 cup sized pitchers filled with red paint." "Discord, couldn't you just create the items? Or buy them?" asked the pink maned pegasus. Her Cutie Mark was 3 pink... Those are butterflies. Heartbeat had never seen an actual butterfly. "Let me explain, oh wife of a handsome draconeques." A oven appeared behind him. "I am on a scavenger hunt for these items. If I simply bought them, I'd be cheating. If I created them myself, that would take the fun out of things. And, call it a hunch or call it a sammich [for those translating, a sammich is an "Ultimate Sandwich"], but I know that I will get these items from all the same place! Oh, the cake's done." He reached into the oven with his tail and pulled out a burnt pie. "Perfect." "Discord, darling, you can be so random. And it's nice to see that your friend has woken, Small Yellow. Oh, sorry. Yakyakistahn habits. Now then, we have long time to wait, so who is hungry?" Rarity asked, her giant coat making her look odd in her seat. Pinkie stopped spinning the plates and made them land neatly on the ground. "You want some Dalokohs chocolate right now, dontcha, 'Pretty Dress Pony'?" "Pinkie, honestly, do you have to keep bringing that up? So I went a bit nutty over it for a week. You yourself admitted it was some the best chocolate you taste." Pinkie and the blue one giggled. "What? What wrong? Was it something I say?" The 2 tried harder to keep their laughter back, and the orange one and the yellow one gave a chuckle. "What I say? What I say that is so funny to ponies?" Finally, the two burst out laughing. "Oh, my gosh, Rarity! You keep slipping back into the Yak accent! You didn't even realize it! Oh, my side! Oh, oh!" the blue one exclaimed. She had her left wing pressed against her side. Rarity made a noise of complaint. "Well, you could of told me that, Rainbow. Besides, it rude to laugh at how yaks talk. Pony talk is odd to them." "You did it again!" Rainbow exclaimed. Rarity looked to Fluttershy, to see that even she was softly laughing. She then looked at the ceiling of the carpartment. Discord had painted a picture of Rarity rearing up to stomp on a log. Behind her was a hut, and she was in some sort of snowy area. "Look, Rarity Dress Pony! It's your favorite stomping log!" "H- How you know about that? I never show you it." "I came to visit you, and I saw you stomping it. You speak excellent Yak Talk, but you really need to sound more fearsome when you shout 'Rarity smash big log'. Oh, don't be upset, you're among friends! And only one stranger, but once I remove this afro, I'll be myself again." He reached into his left ear and removed a black ball of fuzz. He became a large turtle when he did this. "Ah, that's better," he said, causing almost everyone to laugh. Heartbeat just looked in confusion. She didn't have much idea of what was happening. Brother seemed to be able to transform into other things, most likely by one of his horns. But his horns must of had a glow that was outside of Heartbeat's spectrum in sight. Spectrum? Uh, color of light that reaches the eyes. Is that Canterlot? Oh, we remember Canterlot! We had so much fun! Going to school, getting in trouble, snowball fights, and weaving! We got our Cutie Marks by weaving baskets! And a cradle! "Howdy, Heartbeat. Don' know if Cheese told y'all already, but I'm Applejack. Pleasure to make your aquantence. I was told of how you two met because of that dreadful zompony. Whew! Bet you were glad you got away so easy, huh?" Heartbeat stared at Applejack's hoof. She made the temperature of her mouth increase. Then, she breathed out over Applejack's hoof. She hissed in pain and drew her hoof back. "Didn't realize you don' like bein' touched." "Um, I don't mean to intrude, but we're about to pull in," the yellow one said. "Ooh! Fluttershy, I know where we should go! That place where Rarity gets discounts and they serve big fancy foods!" Pinkie shouted. "Seriously, Pink Po- Pinkie! I was going to say Pinkie!" "Yeah, yeah. Just remember proper manners. Slurp your soup and leave some uneaten food on your plate, Rarity," Rainbow Dash said, trying to keep a smile off her face. "I know that! I also know that is Yak manners, not Canterlot manners. Thought you could trip me up, Rainbow?" "Hey, how come you don't call Dashie 'darling' anymore?" Pinkie asked, bouncing over. "Well, it doesn't feel right, seeing as how that's what Applejack calls her. You, sometimes, but I'm sure Cheese Sandwich calls you things like that. Fluttershy has never called Discord anything other than his name, so it's alright with him. Discord only calls Fluttershy by her name or by 'wife of a handsome draconeques', so there's no problem there. Oh, look, we're at the station!" They walked up through the 'cars', catching glimpses of the outside through the cracks between the cars and the windows inside. They disembarked. Heartbeat turned to look at what had transported them. She saw a train engine. Those were just plans and concept during her lives closest to this time. Not for me. Have you been on one before, Flaps? No, but I've seen them. Look out! A painter came running off the train, a paint bucket on his back and hat, one held by his teeth, and a fourth in his tail. He crashed into a pony selling lollipops. 3 of the cans went flying, and several lollipops fell to the ground. The two started apoligizing to each other. A griffon slipped on a lollipop and dropped his case. It burst open, 4 rolls of toilet paper rolled away. He looked at them, reached, and noticed the time on his ankle- wrist? -watch. He closed his case and took off at a gallop. A zebra slipped on another lollipop, dropping her pies. The three small pitchers that she had ballanced on her head fell to the ground and shattered among the spilt paint. The lollipop vender turned to her and started apoligizing. Discord snapped his fingers, and the entire mess floated into a picnic basket. "Perfect! Now to go to that restuarant." They walked through the city. Sandy Shore recongnized where some shops used to be. There was the hat shop, which used to sell pies. Needle shop that sold hats. And many more. Eventually, Discord and Fluttershy ventured off, in search of a place to prepare the prank. They continued on their way, until they reached the restuarant. When they entered, the waiter gave them all looks of dislike and suspesion. "I'm not sorry to dissapoint you ragband bunch, but here, we have standards. You may of somehow, in your short intellect, have recongized this to be a restaurant, but this is a place for the respected of Canterlot. And furthermore, one needs a reservation for this restaurant. And you. You thought you could pretend to be Rarity, as you wore a Yak jacket? Those are creatures so foul, Rarity would never associate herself with them." Rarity's face reddened and her cheeks puffed out. She started to shout. "How dare you?! They has never been a need for reservations before, I am Rarity, I am married to a Yakyakistahn citizen, these are my friends, and you are an uncultered oaf! I demand you bring Lost Marbles here!" "We have no worker of that name here, imposter." "He's your manager! Get him at once!" "Gladly. Just so I can see how far he can throw you out." He walked off, heading for the back. "Wow, sugar cube. You were mighty fierce there." "That. Was. Amazing. Almost as awsome as my Eye's Apple. Almost." "Wait, was that complement meant fowa me or fowa Rarity, Darling?" "Why not both? You're both close to my heart. You're just closer." "Aw, thanks, Darling. And y'all the brightest bit of color in mah life." Heartbeat felt very uncomfortable at this flirting between the married mares. Little Cheese's face, however, seemed to say that she found the interaction adorable. Before it could go on longer, the waiter from before was thrown from the back, sailing through the air, and landed in front of Rarity, He rubbed his horn as he got back onto his hooves. "Your usual table is ready and waiting for you, Misses Rarity. The boss would also like to know if I should be fired." "Only if you persist in this repulgent behavior." With a toss of her mane, she trotted to a large table in the back. Everyone took their seats. Heartbeat blushed when Little Cheese sat next to her. Heartbeat attempted to pick up the menu. After several failed attempts, Little Cheese open her's and set it up so both could see. Heartbeat gave a smile. She gazed around in curriosity. What other creatures eat here? Wait, was that-? He's here! She poked Little Cheese in the arm as Pinkie started to fidget. "Huh? Yeah, Heartbeat?" "It's Father, he's here. What do I do?" "Wave, silly. Maybe he was just scared about being a parent ealier." So, Heartbeat gave a wave. This seemed to get Father's attention. He gazed in horror, and Heatbeat flinched backwards, into the arms of Little Cheese. "Hey, are you are alright? Did that stallian cast a spell at you? Uh, Rarity, speakin' of spells, is he makin' a fireball or a beacon?" "Beacon." Father stood onto a table and took a deep breath. "THERE'S THE ZOMBIE! GUARDS! IT'S HERE!" He swung his head and sent off a signal. It raced outside and let off a red flash of light; a much lighter tone than Father's normal magic. "There must be some mistake," Applejack called out. "This here is justa Tartarus-Blooded. She's no zompony. See?" She pulled down Heartbeat's hood. "Gah! What the?! It is a zompony! But you were on the train with us!" A light blue glow covered Heartbeat's head and her hood was pulled back over her face. But Rarity's actions were not enough to make the guards stop running for the table. Little Cheese's hoof grabbed Heartbeat's. "Time to run! Again! This is a huge amount of excercise!" She pulled Heartbeat off her hooves. Heartbeat followed right beside, hoof tightly gripping Little Cheese's. Her hearts pumped hard and fast, but not because of the hoof-holding. She was terrified, more so than before. She saw royal guards chasing her. Parts of her was remembering the horror story of 'The Dead Thing', a story that filled her with a deep sense of dread. If the guards thought she was like The Dead Thing, then she was going to be dead. "What do we do?! Where do we go?! Little Cheese, where are we going?" "Just stick with me! I think I know where Twilight is!" More running. So much running. We had a good night of sleep, so we should have a large amount of endurence today. Run, run, run. As fast as a zippy. You can't catch me. I'm the ginger bread pony. What is a zippy? Why are you asking this when we're being chased!? "Quick, let's go in here! Under that table!" Heartbeat was pulled into a small library. She and Little Cheese raced across the carpeted floor and behind a bookcase. She was hoofed a book. "If we just read, we won't be bothered," Little Cheese whispered as the sound of the guards passed the shop. Heartbeat looked at the book's cover. 'Shifting Love.' On the cover was a colorful changeling touching noses and looking lovingly into the eyes of a goat. "I think we're in the romance section." Little Cheese looked at the covers of the books she was stacking. "So we are. Romance is sucha beautiful thing, ain't it? Some ponies think it's mush, and sometimes it can be. Some can also be choosy where they find love, but everything is entitled to their own opinion. Did you know that plants are tech-en-ech-ly both male and female? Well, some of them. I'ma going to find a copy of 'Spooky Stories'. I'll be back." She did small bounces towards another bookcase. Heartbeat looked at the back of the book. 'A changling finds herself forced to the mountains due to unseen circumstances. There, she finds a village of goats. She learns their lifestyle and even falls in love with a maturing goat. Will she win the admiration of the creature of her heart, or will her attempts be chewed up?' She opened the cover and began reading. ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() 'She reached her hoof over to the next platform. She could just change her legs to better suit the rocky environment, but she wanted to prove herself to him. She pulled herself up. But she started to slip! Her injured wings tried to pop from their casing to steady herself, but-' Heartbeat looked up from the story as she heard the door open. "Hello? Is it okay if we come in? Your open sign isn't up, but your lights are on." "Well, certainly, you two may come in. But I must ask that you remove your disguise, Ma'am." "I'm sorry, my what?" "Your disguise. While I admit that it bears an exact resemblince of her majisty, I would like you to remove it all the same. I just hope you didn't use it to trick any creatures." "Why do you think it's a disguise?" "Why would the Princess ever come to my Reading Room when she has the Archives to entertain her?" "I just wanted to get a book a student of mine recomended. The Canterlot Library hasn't been updated, and she said that I could find a copy of the book here." "That story sounds plausible. Oh, all right. You may keep the disguise on. But if you wish to fill out a Library card, please do so with true information." Heartbeat and Little Cheese looked over the children's section bookcase. There was a new Princess? She must be the Princess of the stars. And- Oh, Father is with her! They sat down by a table near the bookcase where the two fillies were hiding. "That thing has followed me, I just know it. I thought I had left before it could imprint, but it seems that I was too late." "Are you sure that it was searching for you? Maybe that was just coincidence." "Your Majisty, you too know of how the spells I had cast work. You know how an Undead of that sort behaves." "I know, but Pinkie and Rarity said that it was nice, and I trust my friends. But the spells you cast were precise." "I say that I should go to the Crystal Empire by train. It will try to follow, and now that we know what it looks like, we can have it denied from any transportation. It will freeze to death before it can reach the Empire." "But a zombie lacks major intellegence. And Discord had been watching it. He also said it was an intelligent creature, but that might of been Discord being Discord. I'm not sure what to do. On one hoof, the only thing that could have inteferred with the spells you cast was the love of a creature, and unless timber wolves felt actual love towards your illegel experiment, I don't see how that was possible. On the other hoof, you might have messed up a spell in that final project. And you did say it was a body that you didn't recongize. Perhaps someone else had charms in it already." "Not illegal. Otherwise, I'd be locked up by now. So far, you have found everything I've done to be in legal standards." "Well, it's moraly wrong, and plus, you had literal months to see that you wouldn't be able to train an Undead to be the perfect daughter. But I don't know what to do. On one hoof, your spells were accurite and precise. On the other hoof, your description of the creature did not match what the spells were supposed to do. And Pinkie mentioned that it ate fire, and fire is the something an Undead fears. You left out the spells meant for it to have higher intelligence, but if it is evil, than that would be the only way for it to fake fear, like it did when Lil' Cheese took it to see Rarity." "By the way, Rarity is most likely under some sort of spell. She and the farm pony-" "Applejack." "She and Applejack both gave very different discriptions of the outfit it wore. Rarity is a sensible pony who would not intentially endanger another goodhearted creature. And she knows what a zombie is capable of. Remember 'The Bell Toller'?" "How could I forget her? I just don't get the mindsets of these Grogar cults. Oh, and I've been meaning to ask you about reflective magic. Rarity mentioned of how one of the bodies you used showed in a mirror with their Cutie Mark." "Well, an evil spirit can be trapped inside of a silver mirror. If a zombie's Cutie Mark is on a silver surface, they will appear to be a dead, but whole, version of themselves in the reflection. And an Undead can see a healthy version of themself, but only they can see it. Silver can also reveal any spirits inside or around someone or something. That's what the flashes of light in a reflection sometimes are. Sometimes, all the spirits shape will be spread out behind their vessle, unless they have all agreed to look like their chosen form." "Well, what about crystal ponies?" "Yet another reason to go to the Crystal Empire. To complete the research on this threat." "Again, you had literal months." "Well, I have my tickets bought! I am packed! I shall commence to the station." "Well, I can't stop you from doing that. You go ahead, I'm going to fill out a library card here." She floated over two cards. She filled one out as Father left, and floated the other over the bookcase. "Hello, you two. I noticed you sitting there. Here's a card if you want one. Or do you already have one?" "They have not taken a card, Ma'am. If the Princess shows any confusion when I thank her for visiting my humble Reading Room, then I'll know if you're a changeling." She got up and left, a smirk on her face. Heartbeat looked at the card. Little Cheese came over with a pen and started writing Heartbeat's information. She put in her name. For species, Pony-Tartarus Blooded-Undead. Age was 'recent'. Little Cheese bounced over with the card. "We're be checking out 'Shifting Love', 'Flaming Hearts', and 'To Love a Mage'. Could we also check out 'The Forgetful Alchemist'?' It's behind your head." The griffon turned and brought down the book. "Anything else?" "Well, do you have 'Racing Hearts and Stereotypes'?" "Indeed, but that one may be a bit too lovey-dovey for either of you. Nonetheless, you have checked out your maximum of books." "Okie Dokie Lokie! Com'n, Heartbeat!" Suddenly, she was right next to Heartbeat, pulling her by the hoof once again. They raced through the city, dodging guards and rotten food. Tartarus Blooded must really not be liked. Heartbeat wondered if it was that Tartarus Blooded acted cruel as a normal behavior, or if was simply because they looked horrifying. She didn't really know anything about them besides from it seemed they were a species formed in Tartarus. They made their way to the train station, where a crystal train was pulled in. "Uh, Little Cheese? What are we doing here?" "Shh, I'm looking for a likely pony. Ooh, there!" The odd pair ran up to a mail mare with a large box over her head. She was making odd 'whoosh' sounds. "Hiya, Miss Derpy! Can we come aboard the trian as a package?" The box tilted oddly. The mare under it must of moved her head. Little Cheese poked her head under the box. "They're being speciest," she whispered. "What? Well, that's not fair. Here, get in the box. I'll take ya onboard by carboard." She flipped the box off her head with a giggle. Little Cheese hunkered down by the box, letting Heartbeat use her as a stepping stool. They waited as they were lifted, moved, dropped with an "Oops. Sorry," and slid over. "Okay, so, I'm the only one allowed in the mail car, so you're safe here. Come on out." Little Cheese hopped out, pulling Heartbeat behind her. While Little Cheese landed on all four hooves, Heartbeat hit the ground and collasped. For some unknown reason, she started to laugh. Little Cheese and Miss Derpy laughed with her. Then the train started moving, and Derpy fell onto a package. "Oopsies. Hey, do you want to hear a story about the Bronze Box and the Mad Doc?" "Sure! Can you tell the one about the Jackles?" "Sure thing! Alright, so, the Doc and I were just having another normal day, with me messing with his experiments as usual..." ()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()() "... So then, Rose Luck pushed a button that stopped the signal. I ended up getting rescued from the metal ponies later, though. My fault for being so clumsy, I guess. Well, I wasn't being held captive anymore, but they didn't know the code to let down the light shield anymore, so we had to wait for the Doc to arrive." "And you say he used to be a hand?" Little Cheese said, lowering the picture of the Bronze Box from her face. "Yeperooski! Oh, look, we're nearing the edge. You should be alright, but you might feel very tingly while you're in the sheild. Ready?" The air seemed to brighten in a spot, moving through the car like a wave. Derpy's wrinkles dissapeared, and she appeared rejuvinated. Little Cheese's mane grew shiny, as if someone put sparkles in it. Her eyes had an extra gleam, but perhaps that was just her. Heartbeat's body felt odd. She started to remember. She flinched, as the first memories that came back were of Sombra. And the mines! Work, work, work, going deeper, where it was colder. Work more to become warmer, she was in love with the warmth, heat filling her body. She didn't know when it was too much; she fell asleep by the opening of a furnace, and never woke up. She realized just how cold it was, and she began shivering. "Heartbeat, are you allright? Heartbeat?" the yellow filly asked. Who was she? "Who's Heartbeat? I'm Winnie Winter, or just Winter. Why is it so cold?" She looked out the window, and caught her reflection. She looked healthy, her cystal layer bright and pearly. Her mane was still in giant thick curls, but they were stringy. She looked healthy, but not quite all the way. And why was the Dead Thing inside her? She didn't summon it, but there it was, like looking at an uneaten Crystal Peach and seeing the pit inside. "Wait, is the Dead Thing called Heartbeat? Did you summon it? Golly, it's talking when I'm talking! Wait, the Crystal Empire is back to normal! How long have I been sleeping? Why are we in a silent Drill Machine?" "Winter, focus!" the yellow filly said. Winter closed her mouth. Was she talking a lot again? "Wait, why are there voices in my head? Am I possessed? Or are those my ancestors?" Where did you come from? I think entering the shield woke her up. We have no control over the body! "Wait, control? Oh, I am possessed. These spirits want to control my body, but I am a strong indivisual. Why do you think I was sent to the mines instead of being made a soldier? Since when did the Dead Thing make wings appear on their host? I thought they only added a horn. What am I wearing? Where's my white dress? Where's my armour? Is Sombra the ruler, or did we become liberated?" "Talkin' is kinda my thing sometimes, so let me answer your questions. Heartbeat is the name you all agreed on; I think you just think it's cold; I don't know; I didn't summon the Dead Thing; over a thousand years; we're in a train because we're going to the Empire; the voices are the other dead who you share the body with; in a sense; no; because your mind is too strong; I wouldn't know; that's the outfit I picked for yous; I don't know; I don't know; and you're under the rule of Princess Flurry Heart, Princess of strong emotions. I think." The train stopped with a soft lurch. "Wait, so there's a council in my body?" In a sense. "Well, you all will just have to be along for the ride, because I don't want someone else to dictate my actions since there's no more Sombra." Uh, oh. You can't do that! We're a Union! "What's your name, cheese pony?" "Little Cheese! Don't worry, fellas, I'll convince her. Now, we need to find a place to sleep. How about the castle? Follow me!" Little Cheese grabbed Winter's hoof and pulled her out through the window. A risky filly. How nice. Why do you sound so calm with everything? You weren't even bothered by the notion of being possessed. If you act calm, you are calm. If you are calm, act calm. It helps others. "Wait, do you know where we are going?" "I have no idea!" "On where we're going, or knowing?" "Both!" Ooh, there was a throb of affection. Yeah, we've been trying to stop him from doing that. Well, have you ever seen a mare with a stallian's nose? No? Neither have I, but have you ever seen a colt with a stallians muzzle? I hear their skull changes shape as they get older. What? "Wait, how did we end up in the castle?" Wait, what? When did that happen? "You were too caught up in your thoughts to notice, silly. Also, I asked a guard to teleport us. Said we knew Spike! Showed him a picture of Spike and me eating cheese wheels. Hey, his teleportation is really on key! We're in a sleeping barrack or something. Alright, pick a bed, and I'll take one of the other bunks." She sat down to wait. We should sleep near the door, in case we need to run again. No, by the back, so they can't grab us if they storm in. Unicorns would make any hiding useless, so let's focus on comfort. Do you really need a debate on where to sleep? Just pick a bed. Not a top bunk. Scared of hights. But we like sleeping high up! Lets us dream about flying! Aren't you two unicorns? Yes, we're Unicorns. I chose the top bunk of this bed. Hey! Winter climbed up into a top bunk and tried to get comfortable. The others complained, but there was a sensation that went throughout the body, making it impossible to get comfortable. "Decide yet? Lota desicions. You cozy up there?" "No. One of them is feeling wierd." I think he's scared. "Scared? He's a pegasus. And we're not that far up. Stop being such a golden." Golden? Gold is soft. Anything made from it would be heavy and exremely dentable. Alright, bottom bunk, please! "No, I'm not going to let you dictate what I do. I'm done being dictated." "But it's not a dictatorship! He's scared, and they're trying to help! It's a council of friends!" "Why should I listen to you then?" "I'm your friend. I- I am, right?" Please don't hurt her feelings. "Ain't I?" Winter stared. She slowly climbed out of the top bunk and went to the ground. She listened to the voices in her head. She walked up to Little Cheese. "No, you are not." Little Cheese lowered her head, her ears flattening and her mane and tail doing the same. "You're more than that to them. Six days into their new life, and you are the most important thing to happen to them in any of their lives." Her ears lifted, her mane and tail poofed back up. "They trust you and your values completly. Even the Princess has lowered her standards for you. I will follow any orders from you. So, give me the order, and I'll join the council within." "I order you to decide. The council, or stay in control." "Which do you want?" "I repeat; I order YOU to decide, Winnie Winter." Winter thought about this. She came to the logical conclusion that she did not want to hear complaints all the time, so she receeded backwards into her mind, until Winter was Heartbeat again. "That felt wierd." "Think you can do a middle bunk?" Nooooo. "Nay. We shall rest upon the lowest 'bunk'. We shall see you in the morning." "Here's the book you were readin'," Little Cheese said, pulling said book from her mane. That explains the odd shapes in her hair when she was sad. Heartbeat took the book. She placed it on the pillow, by her head. She closed her eyes, and fell asleep.