//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - The Sanctuary // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// Minerva stands up straight at the sound of Cherry’s voice but does not turn around as she responds nervously. “Is… is that you, Cherry?” “It is. I’m right behind you.” Minerva turns around very slowly and looks down. Before her on the ground sits a figure covered in a dark black cloak. “Cherry?” “This is something the Hero often uses when he’s trying to conceal his presence or identity.” “Okay. But why are you wearing it?” “The truth is, I… I just wanted to say something first.” “What is it?” Cherry responds nervously. “I… don’t look like you, Minerva. Like I said before, I’m not a human.” “That’s okay. What are you then?” “It’s… difficult to explain.” Minerva looks at the robed figure before her. “I can’t see your face. Even with the noonday sun overhead.” “Yes, I did that. If you really want to see who I am, then you only need to ask.” Minerva nods and takes a deep breath. “Okay, Cherry. I’m ready when you are.” Cherry makes a small nod. She allows the black cloak to slip off her body and fall to the ground. Minerva gasps. “You… you really aren’t a human!” Cherry shakes her head as she sheepishly looks up at Minerva. “No, I’m not.” Minerva falls to her knees to look Cherry in the eye. “What… are you exactly?!” Cherry smiles nervously as she looks Minerva in the eye. “I’m a pony, my friend.” “A horse?” “Yes. An Earth Pony to be exact.” Minerva looks Cherry over. “You’re so much smaller than a horse… pony back on Earth!” “Is that a problem?” Minerva shakes her head. “No, no! I was just making a comparison. So this is what you really look like?” “Yes. At least it was.” “Was?” Cherry looks toward the house. “Why don’t I show you everything? Let you get to know my story. That is, if you can keep a secret.” Minerva nods. “In this instance I can. After all, I don’t think anyone would believe me even if I did tell them.” “Probably not. Let’s step to the side.” “Huh?” Minerva looks up to see three rough looking stallions running toward them. She instinctively jumps back as Cherry does the same. “Who ARE they?!” “Some of Buffalo Bull’s gang members.” “Who?” “A stallion who wanted to marry me.” The front door opens. Cherry peeks out and immediately closes it. Minerva turns to Cherry, surprised. “That was you!” “Yes. I’m just showing you my memories. This happened some time back. Just watch.” A few moments later the front door opens and Ember looks out coolly at the stallions. “Who’s that?” “Dragon.” “She really looks like that?!” “Well, she IS a dragon.” A few moments later Arc, clad in Eidolon’s Ward, jumps out the window to flank the group. They run away. “So the Hero saved you?” Cherry nods. “Yes. But it didn’t stop there.” The house fades away and is replaced with the Town Square. Every one of townsponies are there with Buffalo Bull and Cherry at the front of the group. Minerva raises an eyebrow. “Um… are your feet in chains?” Cherry sighs. “Yes. Buffalo Bull forced me to wear that dress and the chains.” “So you married him?!” “Not exactly. Watch.” Suddenly the priest punches Buffalo Bull in the face. Minerva gasps. “What the…?!” Throwing away his robe as he catches his spear Arc stands tall over the stallions as Ember whisks Cherry to safety. “That’s a relief!” Cherry shakes her head. “There’s more.” The pair suddenly find themselves in the chapel. Cherry lies on the floor badly injured along with Buffalo Bull. Minerva’s eyes grow wide. “What happened?!” “I tried to stop that beast and the Hero from fighting. The stallion hit me… HARD!” Minerva nods as the scene fades away. “Did the Hero win?!” “Yes. Buffalo Bull is still in prison for all he did.” “Good!” Cherry winces. “The next part is kinda… hard.” The hospital room in Dodge Junction comes into view. Ruby sits next to Cherry’s bed. “Who’s that?” “My sister, Ruby. She’s looking after me while the Hero and Dragon arrange a train to come here to ferry me to his town some distance away.” Minerva looks at the mare on the bed. “Are you… okay?” Cherry shakes her head. “I’m dying.” “WHAT?!” “I urgently needed heart surgery to repair the damage. Unfortunately, the hospital in Ponyville was the closest one that could help me. The Hero paid a ton of money to a very wicked stallion for safe passage there.” The hospital fades away as they return to the front of Cherry’s house. Minerva looks around to see the sun has already set and the stars have come out. She motions for Minerva to follow her. “The surgery was a success. When I was strong enough, the Hero brought me home along with his friends.” They walk through the front door and look at the couch. A mare and a shrouded figure lie on the couch together. “Is he some kind of shadow?” Cherry shakes her head. “No. But the Hero wouldn’t want anyone knowing his identity. You understand, right?” “I suppose.” Cherry looks back toward the couch. “In any case, I asked him to be my special somepony.” “Is that like asking someone to go out with you?” “Yes. But he refused.” “He said no?! Then why are you two cuddled up together?!” “Because of his reasoning behind the decision. You see, he was very busy with his job of protecting my homeworld. This was before his sojourn to Earth.” “Is that why we don’t see him for weeks at a time?” Cherry nods. “Yes. He and Dragon go back and forth. Later one evening I even asked him to marry me.” “I assume he said no.” Cherry sighs. “That’s right. For the same reasons as before.” “Cherry, you’re a nice… mare, I guess. But why would you keep chasing someone who doesn’t have time for you?” “You’ll see.” The scene before them darkens and is replaced with the hospital room in the Crystal Empire. Silhouettes of Arc’s friends fill the room as Cherry lies on the bed with him. “Sometime later the Hero himself was poisoned. His friends and family gathered here in what we thought would be the end of him.” Minerva looks around the room at the shadows around them. “His friends are ponies too?” “Yes. But I’m not sure they would want others knowing about them, so I blacked them out.” “Makes sense.” “A risky procedure was attempted, and was ultimately successful. I’ll leave the details out for now.” As the scene recalibrates Arc kneels in front of Cherry with the ornate box. As it opens the gold and platinum engagement pendent comes into view. Minerva gasps. “That’s the most beautiful pendant I’ve ever seen! Did you offer to marry him again?!” Cherry shakes her head and blushes happily. “No. He asked me.” “WHAT?!” “There was a lot going on at the time, but he asked me nonetheless.” “What about his duties?!” “The Hero was planning to retire upon completing his mission on Earth. He and I were to be married at that time.” “Just what IS his mission?” “I’m sorry, Minerva. But that’s a secret.” As the pair move closer to enjoy their first kiss the ground shakes as the yaks attack the gates some distance away. “What’s going on?!” “The invasion.” The room resets as Cherry herself now lies in the hospital bed. Arc and his friends enter the room. Cherry shakes her head as Arc again shows her the pendant. Minerva frowns. “Wait! Are you telling him no?!” “There was an accident. As I was helping evacuate the city a wagon loaded with crates fell on me. It was pushed over by the stallion who was supposed to be protecting everypony.” Cherry looks sadly over to the shadow of Arc. “I lost my memories of the Hero that day.” “Amnesia?!” “Yes. As we flew home aboard his airship he explained his feelings to me. But in my current state I couldn’t return them. I… I called off the engagement, and he accepted. He could have forced me to marry him at that point.” “Forced you? How?!” “At that time he was our nation’s Lord Regent.” “Like… your king?!” Cherry nods. “Yes. You see our leaders had both fallen ill and could not rule the country. According to our nation Order of Succession the Hero of Light is next in line to sit on the throne.” “Even though he’s not a pony?!” “The law doesn’t specify species requirements, so he took the role.” “Did your leaders recover?” “Thanks to the Hero’s efforts, yes. He found a tome that contained the knowledge of how to heal them and defended the castle from an attack as the cure was being made. Eventually our princesses became strong enough to able to retake their thrones.” The scene again darkens as the background changes to that of Canterlot Castle’s Ballroom. Luna and Cadance kneel before Arc as he puts their crowns back on their heads. “Your… your leaders are much larger than you are.” “They’re known as alicorns as they possess the strength of the Earth Pony, the flight of the Pegasus and the magic of the Unicorn.” “It… I…” Cherry points a hoof toward the door. Minerva turns to see a well-dressed Cherry leave the Ballroom. “Something inside me back then just kinda felt kinda funny. I still didn’t remember my former fiancé, but I desperately wanted to! Going for a walk to clear my head I ran into some trouble.” “Define ‘trouble’.” “Look up at that balcony.” Minerva does so just in time to see Cherry’s flailing body come crashing down onto a table. The guards hurry over as the party guests run out the doors. A moment later Arc rushes through an exterior door and over to her. “I must’ve broken everything in the fall. It took all my strength to warn him of the assassin.” “You were a distraction?!” “Yes. The Hero called forth his armor just in time to deflect the crossbow bolt. Watch.” As the bolt bounces harmlessly off Eidolon’s Ward, Minerva looks to the balcony to see a stallion jump off and fly straight at Arc. Moving deftly, Arc turns just in time to plant a fist in the traitor’s gut. A Magic Blade sticks out of his back. “He got him!” Wind Rider is thrown to the floor. He looks up to Arc as he holds his bleeding gut. “Please... have... mercy, sir!” Arc angrily points to Cherry. “What mercy did you show her?!” “I... I...!” Arc raises his arm. “You don't deserve to be my enemy... DIE HERE!” He thrusts his Magic Blade into Wind Rider's heart. With a final gasp the traitorous stallion is no more. Doctor Whooves runs up with a small medical team. He quickly examines Cherry, sighs, and motions to a nurse. “I'm sorry sir. She's bleeding internally almost everywhere. There's nothing I can do for her.” The nurse gives the doctor a syringe. He injects the mare and stands back up. “A strong painkiller is the best I can do. Please forgive me, miss.” Arc drops to his knees as he takes Cherry in his arms. “Cherry…” She looks up at him, weakly. “My love!” “Cherry?! You... you remember me?!” “Yes... I remember... everything. Meeting you... baking with you... loving you... wanting to... be with you.” Arc squeezes Cherry’s hoof. There is desperation in his voice as the tears begin to flow. “Cherry! Don't die! You're back to normal! You... you can't...!” Cherry shakes her head sadly. “Nothing... can stop that now... my... love. Please... don't ever forget me... as I... forgot... you. Please... find... happiness... with... another...” She coughs up a mouthful of blood. Arc shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut. “Cherry... I love you SO much!” “Will... you... marry... me?” Arc nods as she holds her hoof to his face. “The answer is yes, my dear!” Cherry smiles and nods. “Take... care... of... Ruby... please.” “I will! I promise! If she needs a place to live, I'll take her in myself! She'll always have a home and food to eat no matter what happens!” Arc picks Cherry up and sets her on his lap. He wraps his arms around her and holds her close. “This... this is what... was missing... from my... life. Your touch. One last... request...” “Name it!” Cherry looks up at Arc with her luminous green eyes. A small smile on her face. “A... good... night... kiss.” Arc wordlessly moves towards Cherry's face. The pair share a kiss for what feels like forever before Cherry pulls back and smiles up at him. “Good... bye. I... will... always... lo... ve... y...o... u.....................” Cherry's body goes limp. Tears stream down Arc’s face as he holds the love of his life to his chest.” “Ch-Cherry... wake up. Cherry? CHERRY!!!” The scene before them fades away. Cherry looks at the now empty spot where she and Arc had been sitting only moments ago. In a moment Cherry Hill Ranch reappears before them. “I’m glad I was able to die in his arms with my memories intact. To be able to say… goodbye.” “But you’re here! How is this possible?!” “The jewel in his armor’s chest plate. Somehow it allowed my soul to enter into it. I was trapped there for some time… alone and unable to communicate with him.” “I’m… sorry to hear that.” “The Hero took my death very hard. I’m glad to be by his side again. Or more accurately, that I will be with him again soon.” “You really love him, don’t you?” Cherry nods as she turns to Minerva. “More than words can say. At the time of my death I didn’t feel the pain of my broken body any longer thanks to the shot from the doctor. But my heart ached at the thought of leaving him behind.” Minerva walks over to Cherry and kneels down next to her. “That must’ve been hard on both of you.” Cherry nods sadly. “Yes. My sister took it especially hard. She blamed him for my death, and even tried to badly hurt him.” Minerva nods silently as Cherry continues. “But… even through all her verbal and physical abuse he kept his promise. He stayed with my sister and cared for her through that trying time.” “The Hero sounds like a… a wonderful person.” “More than words can say! He’s done so much for my land! Even more than your own. I do wish you and he could meet and talk about these things face to face.” Minerva looks away. “I’d… like that too.” Cherry sighs as she shakes her head. “He’d never agree to that though.” “Why not?” “His identity along with his workload keep him very busy. I’m in his head all the time, but I try to stay quiet so he can concentrate.” “Cherry… I… why?” “Why what?” “Why show me all this?” Cherry smiles at her. “Because you’re my friend, Minerva. That and I trust you to not to tell anyone else about this. Regardless of whether or not they’ll believe you.” Minerva looks down sadly. “It’s just… I’ve never had a friend like you.” Cherry giggles. “You mean a horse?” “No, that’s not it.” Cherry puts a reassuring hoof on Minerva’s shoulder. “Then what is it?” “I… it’s just… no one’s ever really stuck with me. Stayed by my side when things got hard.” “Like back at the hospital?” “Right! Usually when bad things happen everyone leaves you until the crisis blows over. Then they come back… sometimes.” “Well, to be fair, I couldn’t have walked out on you back then. Even if I had wanted to do so.” “Y-yeah, I guess not. But you didn’t let me give up and give in to the hopelessness that our situation certainly warranted.” “I learned from watching the Hero to never give up. Even when things look really, REALLY bad!” “Ever?” “He never gave up on me. Not once! Sometimes we all just need a little encouragement to keep going.” “Sometimes a LOT!” “I suppose so. But what is it that’s bothering you, Minerva? You can tell me. We’re friends, right?” “We are. But, I… I can’t!” “Can’t tell me?” “Right. Cherry, if you knew the truth, I don’t think you’d want to stick around.” “I really doubt that. But…” Minerva interrupts her. “Cherry, I’d like out of here.” “Out of the Sanctuary?” “Yes.” “Is something…?” “I don’t belong here! This is a special place for you and the Hero, after all! Now I… I just need to get out of here!” “But… very well. Close your eyes.” Minerva quickly does so. A moment later she finds herself back in her bed. Cherry calls out to her. “Minerva, what’s wrong? Did I say something…?” Minerva quickly removes the helmet and sets it down on the bed before getting up and hurrying out of the bedroom and into to the Bathroom. She turns on the sink and splashes water on her face as she mutters to herself. “I… I can’t tell her the truth! Cherry would absolutely HATE me for what I did!” Minerva wipes her face with a hand towel and tosses it into the hamper. She takes a few deep breathes as she looks back toward the door. “I just don’t know what to do! What CAN I do?!” Minerva hears Cherry calling out to her from the Bedroom. Walking slowly back to her room she stands in the doorway looking at the helmet. It is lying on its side pointed away from her. “Cherry, I… um…” “Minerva? What’s gotten into you?! Please set me upright!” “O-okay.” Minerva cautiously picks the helmet up and sets it on a table looking out the window. “Are you alright?! Your hands are shaking, Minerva!” “I just… I think I need some air.” “Perhaps you just need to step out onto the patio.” Minerva shakes her head as she walks to her dresser for more weather appropriate clothes. “Um… I think I really just need to take a walk.” “At this hour?” “Yes.” “At least take me with you!” Minerva stops just inside the doorway. “I… I need some time to myself to… think about something.” “Minerva, whatever is bothering you, I…” Minerva’s voice breaks as she leaves the room. “Don’t worry, Cherry. I’ll… I’ll take good care of you.” Cherry calls out after her. “Minerva! Wait!” But Minerva does not stop. She heads to the bathroom to hastily change before grabbing her keys and purse. Putting a hand on the apartment door and looking back toward her open bedroom door, she sighs. “I’ll figure this out, Cherry.” Turning the doorknob Minerva steps out into the hall. After locking the door she takes the elevator to the first floor, pausing as she approaches the exterior door. “Why do I feel like I’m leaving a child unattended?” Shaking her head, Minerva leaves the building and starts walking down the street. The streetlamps are her only company as the roads are completely devoid of traffic of any kind. She looks around and sighs. “I’ve never felt so utterly alone. Not even BEFORE I met Cherry. Is this really what friendship is all about?!” She kicks a can down the sidewalk. “When I found out she was in that helmet I was so scared she was some kind of poltergeist. Or that the Hero himself was inhabiting it somehow.” Minerva continues walking with no true destination in mind. “Cherry really should be with the Hero. After all, she loves him and he loves her, right? But… where would that leave me? After she leaves I’ll probably never see her again! Then I’ll be no better off than I was before!” Passing a dark alley, a hand suddenly reaches out and grabs Minerva’s wrist as another covers her mouth.