“Nothing from our search parties?”
The Bringer shook his head, the large, shadow-entity in front of him letting out a growl. The gesture was interrupted by another, more steady tone, an individual in the shadows chuckling.
“Patience. You have a kingdom that spans many leagues. It cannot all be searched easily, much less in a day,” the individual mused, hooves tapping on the stone, for it appeared to be a stallion indeed. “To that end, we have other methods of flushing out and eliminating our foes. With the destruction of the primary dispersion coil, perhaps it is time we let our assets practice. The repairs will be complete within a week, but all of our other assets are intact. They must be tested.”
At that, the King of Shadows turned to the pony and smiled, the latter’s features still not visible as a dark coloration appeared to keep him hidden in the darkness.
“Oh, that is right, they were your idea. I assume you are quite eager to prove their worth? They required significant energy expenditures on my part.”
The pony nodded, the Bringer shuddering as the individual’s mouth parted, showing normally flat teeth that had been recently filed to fangs before a concealment spell masked the self-mutilation.
“They will prove their worth. For an eternal reign, you need eternal soldiers, do you not?” the pony chuckled. “I think they are getting restless as well.” He then turned to the Bringer, and the large gryphon felt a shiver down his spine. The eyes, a golden yellow that seemed to match a brief bit of long mane flickered over to match his gaze. The look was cold, calculating and utterly devoid of any care.
The Bringer had never seen such a thing before, let alone in a pony. There was a disturbing, predatory and calculated eagerness behind this creature’s eyes. The fact the pony conversed with his master on such an equal footing also unsettled the gryphon to no end.
“Have your forces continue their sweeps for the week,” the pony remarked calmly. “Then have them withdraw to the fortress. We need to apply the immunity spells against the Cloak we will deploy. The formula hasn’t changed for our oversea agents.”
The King of Shadows let out a grunt, nodding to the Bringer who promptly scampered away.
“They still cannot survive outside of the gas?” the Shadow asked, eliciting a shake of the head.
“No. Unfortunately they cannot. But it matters little in the long run. Now all we must do is wait for our prey to be caught. I must return; I cannot arouse suspicion just yet. I have spoken with our cells in Equestria; they can poison the water supply at any time. I do believe we are safe here, for now.”
“Agreed.”
The room was then empty with the *crack* of a teleportation spell, leaving the King of Shadows to his thoughts; and dark thoughts they were indeed.
Knife Twist cracked her neck as she surveyed the field in front of her. While a boring job, it was hers, and she took it seriously. Apparently, this Organization could produce their own rations, of which they grew their own wheat, vegetables, fruit, and farmed their own freshwater fish.
It was rather impressive, if she was being honest. From her limited access, the Thestral had seen only cutting-edge equipment, along with building codes that raised more than a few questions to the security-minded ex-Captain.
For example; why were the walls heavily reinforced? Heavily locked doors leading down to somewhere? She had only seen this sort of fortification once before; the Canterlot Bunkers. The entire facility, even the cafeteria, was built to withstand a blast from…Knife wasn’t sure what. Even the windows on closer examination were a thick type of glass, strange, barely-visible threads running through their depths. The more she paid attention, the more the Ex-Captain noticed arrow slits and buried rooms across the entire island.
This wasn’t just the location of a charitable organization; the builders of this island were expecting nothing less than an all-out siege. But why? She had only heard whisperings of more confrontational aspects of the organization, but otherwise just rumors.
A few golems trotted here and there along cobblestone paths, and a familiar Alicorn landed next to the Thestrel with a smile. Their lunch had ended a while ago, each of the individuals going back to their respective positions, but it had been actually a nice experience, and for that Knife was still learning to appreciate.
“Back to work?” Luna asked calmly, the two of them looking over as Hammer was conversing with the golems.
“Yup. I’m not about to mess this up,” Knife replied, her ears perking up, eyes narrowing behind the custom sunglasses. Something quite abruptly made her fur itch along her spine.
“Hmm. You sense that as well?” Luna asked softly.
“Something is off. Not sure what though,” Knife agreed. Her eyes then widened, the mare flipping up her weapon up; a rather bulky spear. With a hop, she flared her wings once and hurled it towards Hammer. The Stallion didn’t have time to dodge, partially ducking as he anticipated the-
A shimmering blob creeping up on him blocked the strike, the reptile’s concealment spell fading with an abrupt, bloody gurgle as the spear buried itself completely in his back. Dropping a dagger, the creature spasmed once in front of Hammer, and then lay still, body starting to turn to ash as a disposal spell activated.
Knife flew down to retrieve her spear, Hammer staring at her in shock as Luna followed.
“You…whoa,” Hammer said, shaking his head in surprise as Knife ripped the weapon from the dissolving creature “Thank you. I mean, how did you catch that?”
“Bad concealment spell,” Knife explained, the three of them watching as the body now vanished with a slight breeze, blowing the ash as if nothing were ever there. “It was poorly tuned and cheap for mass production. It appears like a heat mirage, but if you don’t approach from the right angle, the sun throws off odd, small shadows on your entire body. I learned both how to detect them, and employ them during…”
Her voice was immediate cut off by Hammer, surprisingly, the stallion appearing unwilling to let the Ex-Captain slip into any self-beratement.
“That’s impressive,” Hammer said, still a bit in shock but recovering quickly. “I do believe there’s a better use for your skills rather than watching wheat. We didn’t detect any remaining creatures on the island, and that was after a thorough scan. Clearly, they have found a way to evade such a thing. What do you say to a promotion and re-assignment to a hunting trip? I’d feel much better about making sure none of those individuals were left on this island.”
Knife’s fanged grin was as good an answer as any even before she agreed, a quick glance to Luna showing that the Alicorn approved.
“Well, let me get the paperwork started and clear it with Varti. Considering your actions during the attack, and saving my flank just now, I’d say we can trust you with a bit more than a field of wheat. Just give me a bit to get the details…”
“Hammered out?” Luna butted in, the stallion letting out a groan.
“You’ve been spending too much time with the Commander.”
“Mmmm. Or not enough,” the Alicorn sighed wistfully, the other two ponies not able to resist a mutual chuckle at that.
“Well, thank you again, Knife Twist. We’ll talk again soon.”
As Hammer made a beeline towards Varti’s lab, he didn’t miss the high-pitched squealing and a certain thestrel jumping up and down with joy behind him. She had just barely started work; but the ex-captain had saved both the life of a Princess, and his own.
That lent more trust than any resume ever could. He doubted Varti would voice any objections. Any past hesitation about having Knife Twist on the Island had most certainly been put to rest.
Some Time Later
“A guard?” Onyx asked with a raised eyebrow, Varti and Luna nodding once. The three were sitting out on one of the many pavilions dotting the island, the scenery second to none as they looked out across the ocean.
“You were already studying to be a police pony. There are plenty low-security positions here. Boring work, but work nonetheless,” the Yak said honestly. “I agree that it is better than you being idle. It will be a supervised position of course. There is one position that going to open up soon on overwatch duty in the food production section. Before that, however, we may need your assistance locating some guests who have overstayed their welcome. You can sense Limbo energy, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect, then that is your first assignment. Starlight thinks both you and Icait having jobs, even part-time ones will help you adjust, especially in this time of stress,” Luna added, “giving you a bit of trust and seeing how you handle the responsibility.”
“What is Icait going to be doing?”
“Librarian. There’s a side project where she can help catalogue archives from quite a few races,” Varti said, pausing as Onyx let out what almost sounded like a soft chuckle.
“She would,” Onyx muttered, “In that case, I accept. I have disliked being idle, so even if it is boring work, it’s a task.”
“You will also be receiving instruction on how to adjust to life from another individual,” Luna added. “I don’t know when Iust will show himself, but he said that he’d help guide you through acclimating to this mortal plane.”
Onyx blinked in utter confusion.
“And he is…?”
“A pony afflicted by the Limbo energies. That is all I know, and so you share a connection to that realm,” Luna explained.
“That’s correct, more or less,” a deep voice rumbled, drawing all three pairs of eyes over to their left.
The shadow pony’s wispy body was sitting next to them, dagger-like appendages retreating to be simple, cloud-like formations. Onyx’s eyes widened; the same ‘limb’ movements being nearly identical to his own. Yet this new individual was different. Larger, older, and carried itself with the experience and assurance one can only get from a long existence.
“I am one of Emperor Thundering’s oldest friends. I know the dangers of Limbo energies and the connection they hold. I also know how difficult it is to adjust to life,” Iust explained calmly. “Nice to meet you, Onyx.”
“Erm…” the other shadow pony seemed genuinely at a loss for words. Somehow it was both very calming, and at the same time unsettling to sense the same radiating energy that Onyx was accustomed to.
“Well. I suppose we can get to know each other in time. I simply wished to say hello and let you know that you are not the only creature affected by, or rather, from Limbo with noble intentions. Unless I am incorrect, I have gone through many of the same struggles as you.”
Onyx snorted at that. This random creature thinking it knew him? Hardly. He was-
“Perhaps a bit of convincing is needed. While I used to be a pony, I believe the process is the same. The dreams are getting worse, aren’t they?”
That made Onyx stare in shock, grey eyes widening in surprise. How had this creature known that?!
Iust let out a slight grin.
“Mmm. Then perhaps we will speak sooner rather than later. If you have a companion, perhaps they can help with that. To that end, you’ll meet Gaudi soon enough. Your Windigo friend will be meeting her first. I think they’ll get along quite well.”
With that, Iust nodded and vanished, leaving Onyx staring while Luna rolled her eyes.
“Nacreous said he was a bit blunt and dramatic,” she muttered, “and the individual Gaudi is quite interesting as well. They both seem to be able to relate to you, at least from what we can tell, and want to help.”
“I am not sure whether to be thankful or a bit concerned,” Onyx muttered, Varti letting out a chuckle.
“When dealing with ageless beings? Probably a bit of both.”
Onyx let out a snort, then gestured towards the Yak.
“What’s this about rooting out some individuals?” he asked, the Professor nodding.
“Ah, yes. You and a squad of individuals can perform fly-overs to scan for any remaining cloaked individuals. If they’re using any Limbo energy, you can track it and make sure they are eliminated. Capture would be nice, but I have no assumptions about that,” Varti explained, Onyx simply nodding.
“Well, I’ll send you the details when we’re ready.”
Very few creatures would be able to tell, but there was the distant possibility that the shadow-pony was excited…
Unfortunately, Luna appeared well-versed in digging out emotions from statue-like individuals, a rather obvious smirk sliding onto her face as they walked back to the complex, Varti describing Onyx’s new wheat-watching position.
Icait happily stacked the large crystal plates into their respective cubbies, then moved on to the next large set that needed to be sorted. The Librarian was an artificial entity, but still was nice enough to work with. They were in the process of hiring a living individual, but for now Icait could help organize the massive amount of information stored on the island.
It was so cool!
Hundreds of years from every race was etched into these magical tablets, each storing a thousand books, ready to be read! It was a dream for the Windigo, the information ranging from historical records to love poems.
And she got to help organize it! It was also nice and peaceful in the library, massive, stone and wood shelves with the soft hum of magic making her feel-
“HIYA!”
Icait let out a high-pitched squeak, the pitch of which likely would have shattered glass as the Kirin frowned in front of her, then rubbed her forelimb in embarrassment.
“Oh. Right. Sorry, I tend to do that,” Gaudi admitted. “Probably should have led with something a bit less startling. Like, hi! I’m a friend! My name’s Gaudi!” The Kirin settled on the floor and sat down, waiting for Icait to recover. “Better?”
The Windigo took a few deep breaths before nodding, Gaudi waiting patiently.
“A b-bit. Um, who are you again?” Icait finally asked, Gaudi taking an exaggerated and giggly bow.
“Oh! Yeah, probably should have led with that,” the Kirin thought to herself. “I mean, I’m a friend, and I’m just here to help!”
“How?” Icait asked curiously.
“Wellllll, because you remind me of, well me! And my bestest friend is going to help your best friend! The grumpy shadow pony!” Gaudi declared. “I mean, my best friend is a very different type of besty-best friend, but we both have been through what you’re going through!”
“What we’re going through?” It was clear the flustered Windigo was only half following.
“Yup! Adjusting to life, living in the ‘real’ world, learning how to experience emotions in a different way, that sort of thing!” the Kirin gushed. “Like, we both started out as mortal creatures, you didn’t, but we still had to adjust to life as non-mortals. So we share that and just want to help!”
She then let out a giggle, drifting closer as her voice dropped to a whisper.
“I personally think Limbo makes creatures grumpy,” Gaudi said softly. “Iust is such a grump. Cuddly, but still a total, dramatic grump. Am I wrong in suggesting Onyx is something like that too?”
Icait couldn’t help but smile, Gaudi’s demeanor rather infectious.
“I don’t know about the cuddly, but he’s definitely a grump.”
The Kirin let out a happy squeal, then winced and waved a hoof.
“Sorry! Just, I’m teeeechnically one of the ‘gods’ of the north. I can tell you about that later. Basically, we’re the diet version of the Elements of Harmony for some remote tribes,” Gaudi explained. “And I’m the ‘god’ of love! And laughter, and happy stuff! So, sorry if I start suggesting stuff or getting a bit too over-the-top with things. I can’t help it! But I’m reaaaaaally trying to tone it down. I promise.”
Icait blinked, ears twitching at that. This was toned down?
“…ok, maybe I have some work to do,” Gaudi admitted. “But I just wanted to say hi!”
The Windigo grinned at that, shaking an outstretched hoof.
“Well, nice to meet you, Gaudi,” she finally said. “So, are we going to chat often? Or…?”
“I’d like that!” was the immediate reply. “But first I have to sort something out with Mr. Grumples. But I think regular meetings would be good, just because we have a general idea of how weird it can be to see life from a not-aging perspective. So, I’ll pop in in another few days?”
After a brief nod from Icait, the Kirin vanished, but not before Icait began to giggle to herself.
“Mr. Grumples. I wonder how mad Onyx will be if I call him that.”
She knew it’d be totally worth it.
Gelliana looked up from the large, waterproof volume she was reading; an emergency survival book put together by Toxic and stashed in one of the large crates. Considering there was a section of crossword puzzles and riddles, it was meant to help pass the time for anyone stuck in an isolating situation. There was even a small compartment in the crate with other books; but she left that alone for now.
The stallion was sitting still, heartbeat slow but strong as he meditated. There were flickers of magical energy that occasionally ran up and down the stallion’s limbs, and the gryphoness could almost hear a soft ‘hum’ of power, the unicorn’s horn sparking occasionally. Despite the suppression field, apparently some of Toxic’s leyline meditation worked. He said it didn’t help like it usually did, but it was something.
He had tried to explain it briefly, but as someone who didn’t use magic it was a bit much to grasp. Connecting with the magical force of the land? That was pretty incredible. She had made a note to ask him about it again when she was less overwhelmed, because it sounded awesome. The best analogy the stallion had used was sitting in huge waves on the shore of an ocean, letting it push and pull you. Gelliana could relate to that at least, the few times she had been to the beach. The raw power yet strange peaceful ebb and flow of it.
Something then caught her gaze, a flash out of her peripheral vision.
There it is again.
Ever since he had started the exercise, Toxic’s armor had glowed every so often, and Gelliana couldn’t help but investigate. She was glad that there was an exercise that could calm him, but the glowing armor? The curious gryphoness couldn’t help herself.
Walking over and picking up the largest piece; a breastplate, the gryphoness’s eyes widened as she turned it over in her claws. For the oddest reason, a warmth suddenly filled her frame, as if Toxic was right there hugging her. It wasn’t just like a fireplace heat; but a familiar warmth.
What is this?
It was deeper than the heat of a fire, far more tender than anything she had ever felt before- no, there had been inklings of this in her most wistful dreams. It was a peace, a sense of safety and comfort the gryphoness hadn’t ever felt before.
The symbol of a lighthouse wreathed with wings and set in a shield looked back at her, glowing a soft golden. Flickers of pink magic danced across the gryphoness’s claws, the piece of metal seeming to feel less cold in her grip.
Gelliana didn’t know what the symbol meant, but she know how it made her feel. Whatever Toxic was a part of, it was powerful.
She didn’t even notice the unicorn now sitting next to her; how long had she been staring like this?
Looking over to her coltfriend, the gryphoness felt a loving flutter in her chest. There was something in his eyes that matched the power in this symbol; a determination, a fire that made her heart sing as Toxic pressed his shoulder to hers.
“What is this?” she whispered, the unicorn not saying anything at first as he observed the magical tendrils across her talons with a soft, affectionate and knowing smile.
“My symbol,” Toxic said simply, and Gelliana watched as sparks danced over the armor and seemed to jump towards the stallion. She didn’t miss that his heartbeat sped up on seeing a few pink sparks pop over to her claws, nor that his gaze softened ever so slightly. The stallion definitely seemed to know something a bit more about that, or suspect something at least.
“Your symbol?” she asked.
“There’s so much you don’t know about me, Gells,” Toxic admitted, taking the piece of armor and setting it back down, much to the gryphoness’s hidden and surprising sadness. “But I don’t know how far to…” his voice drifted off, the unicorn shaking his head. “I’m so sick of keeping secrets, but-”
“I get it, Tox. I’m not asking you to lay everything on me, but I feel really, really small right now,” Gelliana admitted, “And I don’t mean physically. I can tell there is something really powerful going on; with you, the armor, this entire situation. I’m only asking you to tell me what you’re comfortable with.”
Toxic nodded, a confident gleam in his eye that caused a smile to slide onto his face. It was a look that Gelliana had seen quite a few times before, and every time it made her heart flutter.
“I think I’d better finish explaining one thing first,” he said. “That project I told you about? The Organization?”
“Y-yeah? The one about helping creatures?”
Opening his mouth, Toxic abruptly shut it again, a sudden emotion seeming to choke his words. The dampness in his green eyes was a fast clue that somehow, everything about this stallion and their situation was related.
“Saying it’s an organization to help doesn’t do it justice,” Toxic tried to explain, his voice hitching slightly. “It’s my dream, a group that can grow, will grow to be a nation, all dedicated to saving creatures when their own rulers can’t, or won’t.”
Another piece of the puzzle immediately locked into place, Gelliana’s eyes widening.
“There’s a reason I acted the way I did in that eatery, Gells,” Toxic said. “That reptile that first grabbed hold of you? I’ve seen him before. I nearly killed him; I nearly killed most of those monsters. You may have seen the scars around their arms; those were from me years ago.”
“What?!”
“Remember when I said I demanded my training from Celestia?” Toxic asked. “That didn’t happen until a long time after I was trapped underground. There was an entirely different reason for that.”
Gelliana stared, waiting for Toxic to continue. After so long, she was finally getting to see what was under all of his emotional armor.
“Do you remember an accident with a chemical plant on the Klugetown border, more than ten years ago?”
“Yeah,” Gelliana said after a moment, “I didn’t fully grasp it, I was in my teens, but I knew it was bad.”
“The accident was a lie,” Toxic stated, now picking up the piece of armor again and staring at it as he spoke. “It was a cover up to protect the public from the truth. To cover up what I did and ensure Equestria wasn’t held liable for it all.”
“What?”
“Varti’s daughter was kidnapped along with all of her classmates,” Toxic growled, the armor flaring in response. “Klugetown Slavers, and they planned to sell the two teachers and every filly, colt, and youngster there within the week.”
“I didn’t know they were that bold; to kidnap Equestrians,” Gelliana mused.
Toxic paused, then letting out a soft chuckle.
“I forget, you’re not as phased by stuff as much as others.”
Gelliana grinned, nodding firmly.
“Gryphon history isn’t as kind as Equestria’s, so I’m not nearly as sheltered as you might think. But these slavers; surely Celestia responded?!”
“She planned to. But they were on the edge of starting a war with the leading clan. She tried to negotiate, but all he was doing was stalling from what I can tell,” Toxic said. “Legionnaires were watching the warehouse but didn’t have orders to go ahead. By the time those orders would have come, they’d have left. But I didn’t need orders!”
“Wait, you…”
“I strapped on my heaviest hazard suit and teleported in from my Island,” Toxic said bluntly, that familiar fire now entering his gaze. “Of the dozens of reptiles in that filthy hovel, I cut off the limbs of all but three. They regenerate arms and legs over time, but they were at my mercy; limbless and tied up outside. Due to Klugetown law I was entitled to their ‘property’, as I had fought and won for it. The ‘Police Chief’ of Klugetown tried to protest it regardless, and I left him just like the others with the addition of a broken jaw and an imprint of my hoof on his face.”
Gelliana could only look at him in surprise. She wasn’t shocked, strangely enough. That scenario fit perfect with the Toxic she knew and had fallen in l-
“Children,” Toxic whispered, “innocent fillies set to be auctioned off. I know why Celestia did nothing- but I also know she could have done more! That is what started it all, when I realized there had to be someone to do it. And I realized I was willing to do it. It was a death sentence within Klugetown despite the legality and easily a decade in prison within Equestria if I was charged. But I’d do it again in a heartbeat!” the stallion growled the last sentence, the armor in his grasp flashing.
“I knew I needed training so I told Celestia to give me authorization or I’d find it myself. I think the guilt had started to eat at her, because I didn’t hear much of any opposition after that. If my hunch is correct, she ended things with that clan. A portion of their headquarters were turned to glass a few days later.”
“Wait, Celestia did that?”
“You’ve seen her outside the ‘Princess’ roll a few times on those lunches you had, right? She’s powerful, and I personally think she let her hope for diplomacy cloud the evil events that were going on under her nose. She’s recently broken out of that a bit; the incident with the Ice King which hasn’t really been publicized other than the flares of unrest for that time,” he let out a huff at that.
“But back then, I know for a fact that the leading Clan in Klugetown was never seen again.” Toxic’s shoulders slumped, the pony shaking his head sadly. “I said some rather harsh things to her after that. None of which I regret or didn’t mean, but the manner in which I said them I do wish I could change. I was angry, Gells. I accused her of not caring when I knew she did! But for the second time in my life, I saw her leave behind those who she promised to protect. When you make a promise you can’t keep, that makes your words rather meaningless, especially when you have the power to change things.”
He didn’t say anything for a few moments, the stallion finally actually smiling.
“That said, I want to see if I can mend things with her a bit, even on a basic level. While I cannot trust her ever again, I respect the weight Celestia has born. Perhaps she feels more guilt that I realize, because I’ve never had any opposition to my projects.”
“And that’s the organization. You made it to be like you were?” Gelliana asked, absolutely fascinated.
“Yes. It’s called the Last Light Organization,” his voice then dropped to a whisper, seeming to quaver slightly. “For when all other lights go out,” Toxic then regained his composure and continued.
“The Organization will be hated, despised, and possibly hunted down by those who oppose our actions. But at the same time, will draw strength from those it helps and supports. It’s a fine line to walk, but I hope the instances where we intervene in foreign lands are few and far between. That’s not the organization’s primary purpose.”
“What is?”
“To replace me.”
That caused another stare from the gryphoness, the stallion in question letting out a tired breath.
“I’m already cracking under the pressure of it all, and while I don’t know if I can ever stop fully, Gells, Last Light can take some, if not most of the burden from my shoulders. So, the purpose is two-fold, and I just hope they are doing alright. Varti is running things currently.”
Taking a moment to process it all, Gelliana finally scooted closer, enjoying feeling Toxic’s sides rise and fall against hers.
“I think it’s rather incredible what you’re doing,” she finally said, “thank you for explaining it; it is a bit overwhelming. So, you’re the leader of…”
“Well, fancy title is Director of an organization that can send emergency teams to any corner of the world in case of a chemical disaster,” Toxic said.
“Or teams of armored creatures to save somebody from slavers?”
A firm nod was Toxic’s reply.
“If necessary. I won’t say everything about it; but nocreature knows how extensive that portion of my organization is. I know how much it's needed, even if others deny it.”
There was that fire in his eyes again, and Gelliana felt it warm her chest, almost like the armor.
“I have a pretty good idea,” she whispered.
They didn’t speak for a bit, Toxic finally sighing in almost relief.
“I’ve never really ExpPlaiNed-” his voice abruptly warped, the stallion letting out a grunt.
Carefully levitating the amulet off of his neck, Toxic stared at the flickering gem in clear horror, the impact from the arrow during their escape having cracked the device. He thought it had just been a surface scratch, only barely reaching under the metal.
“No,” he whispered, then clamping his mouth shut. Dashing over and digging through the crate, his shoulders slumped as only half of a spare device was withdrawn; the backup amulet having been sliced in half along with part of the last-most crate, the portal having neatly cut apart a portion of supplies when it collapsed from the magical interference.
“Tox? It’s ok, we’ll figure something out,” Gelliana said, gesturing to the dirt floor. She could see the stallion starting to hyperventilate; somehow losing his voice was a deeper event than she thought. “You can draw on the floor? A spell? Maybe the SMAL can fix it?”
A shake of the head dashed that idea, Gelliana frowning.
“Well, we’ll have to figure something out. The SMAL can translate maybe? You send a magical message to her, and she tells me?”
A toss of the head was a ‘maybe’ from Toxic, the stallion sitting down as his rear limbs shook.
“Y’know, if it’s ok, Toxic, I do want to hear your voice,” Gelliana admitted, the pony looking at her in surprise. “Even if it gives me a migraine, I just want to hear you.”
Toxic’s jaw clenched at that, a few tears brimming at his eyes.
“DOn'T wAnT to HUrT YoU,” he whispered, shaking his head vigorously, the words seeming to be pulled out from a deeper part of the pony as the amulet’s modulating spell began to fail even further. “CAN’t…”
“I’m telling you it’s ok. I just want to hear what my coltfriend sounds like, just once,” Gelliana reassured him. A migraine to hear his real voice? Even if it sounded totally weird, at least she’d know another part of who Toxic really was.
And every piece Gelliana was adoring more and more.
“Please? I promise if I get a headache it’s my own fault and I won’t blame you at all. But it’ll be worth it.”
As the amulet sputtered and faded, Toxic nodded once. With a wince, he pulled out the gem stuck in his fur, working his jaw as the magical device set along his throat was removed.
He seemed to be struggling to say even a single word with Gelliana there, limbs shaking with definite fear; but she wasn’t sure what from. It was as though there was a battle to even say a single word without the amulet, as though the knowledge that he could hurt…
Hurt me. Is that what-
“Gelliana”
She could barely hear it, even with her sensitive ears. There was a slight pain at her temples, but nothing too bad. The gryphoness assumed by her size that maybe she’d get a heavier impact by the bad part of Toxic’s voice. Even though her proportions were near identical, smaller ears made things vibrate differently, owl ancestry aside. Still, for him it’d be worth it.
“Couldn’t really hear that,” she admitted.
“G-Gelliana.”
Gelliana winced as even that single, soft word made her head ring, sharp pain stabbing into the sides of her head. It was like a vibrating hammer was rocketing around inside her ears, getting worse and worse as it traveled-
*pop*
She blinked in surprise, the pain abruptly vanishing as her ears twitched, an odd itch being present and then fading. It was like when acclimating to a higher altitude; a weird sort of painful pressure, and then an abrupt ear-popping, and the sensation was gone.
Huh.
“I think I heard that? Maybe?” she said cautiously. “But still here. Maybe one more time?”
“Gelliana?”
The gryphoness’s head whipped over to stare at Toxic, her heart in her throat. It was as though she had been half-blind whenever talking to her stallion, and now she could see. That single word was filled with emotion as he hung his head and spoke. Toxic’s voice was almost like a song, a strange, melodic coursing, rushing river over gravel where each tumbling stone had its own melody. It was still most definitely a stallion’s voice, but seemed to be almost melodic, different from any other she had heard.
It was beautiful.
A few tears ran from Gelliana’s violet eyes as she stared; she could hear it, every bit of fear, of hopeful affection, of lighthearted joy that was her coltfriend, having been hidden behind the monotone of the amulet. It was like seeing another emotional side of him, one that had been muted to her all this time. She finally could hear everything he was feeling, and it didn’t hurt at all.
“I can hear you,” she whispered, wanting nothing more than to hear him say something else again.
“What?” he whispered; the gryphoness feeling like her heart would beat out of her chest. Hearing genuine surprise, shock, hopefulness…
Hearing him.
“It d-doesn’t hurt,” she managed to say. “It did at first, but something in my ears popped.”
“I’m not hurting you?” Toxic asked a bit louder, Gelliana still struggling to process hearing the full weight of her coltfriend’s emotion’s after all this time.
“Not after that first ouch, but that was like a second,” she said, watching as a flurry of emotions danced across Toxic’s face; utter relief, shock, and then teary affection.
What must this be like for him? Going for however long knowing your voice can hurt others, only to now…
“Y-you can hear me,” he said, simply staring. “You c-can hear me.”
Tears began to flow from Toxic’s eyes, the stallion frozen in place.
“You can hear me.”
He darted forwards, wrapping Gelliana up in a hug as he sobbed. Giving her an almost frantic kiss on the cheek, the stallion then rocked her back and forth as he began to laugh interspersed with sobs.
“You can hear me!”
Gelliana hugged him back as tight as she could, the stallion’s voice making her happier than she could have ever imagined.
Joy, relief, utter bliss; she could hear it all. No more monotone blunting his emotions; Gelliana hadn’t realized how much she had wanted to hear this, to hear him.
“Gells,” he whispered softly, and hearing her nickname made the gryphoness start to cry as well. The affection that had always been curbed by the translating tool was now fully audible. Warm and carrying with it a weight that had been so long absent. It was a sound that the Gelliana didn’t realize she needed to hear until this moment, a word filled with affection and genuine longing for nothing but her.
And that made her only hug Toxic all the tighter.
“I hear you Toxic, I hear you,” she said reassuringly, “I can’t wait to hear more. I love your voice.”
That seemed to unlock another bout of tears, the emotional walls having long since fallen as Toxic cried in her arms, burying his head in her feathers.
Years of never having your own voice, and now I can hear it.
I can hear you.