//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: The Face-off // Story: The Lost Crafter // by Jeffrey1000 //------------------------------// Steve stared at the base. He watched as the snow fell softly down onto the ground. This is just perfect, he thought to himself sarcastically. He never really liked snow. Sure, it helped him hide, but other than that it was just useless. While temperatures never really bothered him, what did bother him was the darker nights, and shorter days because that meant more monsters. Clearing his mind of his past, he regained focus on the task at hand: that damn base. He continued to watch the guards to the front entrance to the brig. There was only one entrance, and he wouldn’t be able to sneak through without getting caught. However, they, probably, didn’t take into effect the fact that he was a crafter. He came up with a plan that might work. He pulled out his shovel, and began to dig down. Once he hit stone, he pulled out his pickaxe and dug down a little bit further. After he broke a few more blocks, he turned to the direction of the prison. He made sure to make this hole “dragon friendly,” so they’d have an easy escape route. After a good minute of digging, he saw what he wanted to see, the iron bars of a prison cell. “Where the buck are they?” Sargent Stone asked in demand of answers. “They’re still in their barracks, sir.” The Corporal replied. “Shit.” He said under his breath. He took off in search of the barracks he was looking for. Once he got to the building, he looked for the specific room. “Room 14, 15, 16.” He counted under his breath, until he found what he was looking for. “Ah ha!” He exclaimed. He knocked on the door ferociously. “Iron Wings, open up!” The door was opened and on the other side was a timid looking Iron Wings. If Stone was being honest, he could understand. He was usually a calm stallion and hardly ever got mad. If he did, that meant shit was going down. “Yes, sir?” She asked. “You and Hawk Eye were due on guard duty five minutes ago!” He yelled, clearly showing his anger. “Sorry, sir. We will leave right away, sir.” She said. “Alright, don’t let me down.” He said in a more calm voice. He turned and headed away from the room. Iron Wings shut their door and turned to her partner. “Ready?” She asked. “Yep.” Was all Hawk Eye said. “Then let’s go.” They began to sprint to the brig as fast as they can. After a short talk with the guards, they hurried down the stairs to the cell they were looking for. Inside was a lonely dragon. “We have to remain vigilant.” She told him. “Yes, I know. I’m not an idiot.” He said. “Now I need to find which cell she’s in.” Steve said under his breath. He quietly stepped out of the cell’s open doors. He began to sneak through the brig, occasionally ducking behind corners to evade the guards. He took his armor off in order to remain quiet. He discarded several items he didn’t need in order to make room in his inventory. He tossed them aside to where no one would see them. He heard a few voices talking from a hall to his left. “We have to remain vigilant.” One said. “Yes, I know I’m not an idiot.” Another responded. “Keep an eye out for the creature.” She told him before all conversation stopped. Steve recognized one of the voices, but he didn’t know from where. He thought about it for a second. Then it hit him, “Just know, that this isn’t over, yet.” The mare said. Steve finally got a good look. She had a white coat, a yellow mane, and emerald green eyes. Her flanks had wings that appeared to be made of iron on it. Those words echoed throughout his mind. Iron Wings. It was her. “She’s right. This isn’t over yet.” He whispered under his breath. He decided now was a time to make a move. Quickly rounding the corner, he pulled out his shield and sword and ran right at them. “Look! There it is!” Hawk Eye yelled. Steve ran up to him quickly punched him across the face. He was sent flying back, but recovered quickly. Iron Wings made her move and attempted to stab Steve with her spear. He easily blocked it with his sword, then struck her across the face with his fist. There was a small stirring in the cell that caught their attention. “Steve?” Jean asked. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna get you out.” He said. “No you’re not.” Iron Wings said full of anger. She pushed her spear deeper into his shield. Now they were meeting eye to eye. “Remember me?” She asked. “Unfortunately, yes. And just know you are not gonna win this because you can beat me up all you want, you can almost kill me, but the moment you fuck with my friends,” he leaned right in her face, “you pay the price.” He pulled his sword back, and sliced her spear in half. He quickly kicked her in the chest and sent her flying back. Hawk Eye was now back up on his feet and began to charge at the crafter, but Steve easily dodged his attack before kicking him into the wall. “Thanks Steve!” Jean said. “But how are you gonna get me out? The cell is protected with a special enchant-.” He pulled out his pickaxe, and broke the lock holding the cell close. “Come on, we gotta get out of here before more guards come.” “Yeah.” Jean agreed. They heard a shout come from behind them. “He’s here! The creature is here! And he’s got the dragon!” A guard shouted. “Let’s move.” Steve said. The duo began to take off for the tunnel Steve made. “Stop! In the name of Equestria!” A guard shouted. “Fuck off!” Steve responded. Jean and him arrived at the cell, with the tunnel. Steve threw the door open. “Quickly, get in the tunnel.” He instructed Jean. She jumped in the tunnel and Steve followed suit. “They’re escaping through a tunnel!” The guard shouted. “Wait for them to surface!” Steve and Jean hurried down the tunnel. They quickly arrived at the entrance. Steve quickly place ladders as he climbed upwards. Once they reached the surface, Steve looked around to make sure there was no one close enough to catch them. He looked at Jean. “We’re clear. Let’s move.” He whispered. He jumped up and turned to help Jean up. Once he pulled her up he heard someone else yell. “There they are!” A guard yelled. “That’s our cue.” Steve said. The two took off in a sprint, with the guards following suit. It was a little harder to run in the snow, but they still managed. He had rescued Jean, but now they needed to escape the guards. “What happened?” Stone asked calmly. He looked at the two pegasi in front of him with a disappointing look on his face. “I’m not mad, I just wanna know.” “He came in through a tunnel, snuck past the guards, and surprise attacked us. After that, he broke the chains lose and freed the prisoner.” Iron Wings explained. “How did he tunnel down quickly?” “We don’t know, sir.” Hawk Eye responded. “He’s probably just that powerful.” “We’re gonna need more power then. Perhaps more troops.” Stone thought. “That won’t be necessary.” A voice from behind them said. It was the captain. “I have just received word that Princess Celestia is on her way here.” “Have they lost their minds?” Stone asked. “He already knocked out one of them, and they’re gonna send another?” “Apparently so.” Was all the captain said. “Now come on, we’ve got a creature to catch. “I think we lost them.” Steve said catching his breath. “Yeah.” Jean agreed, also panting heavily. “I’m gonna head back to my cave.” “Alright.” Steve said. He turned to check their backs before realizing something. “Wait, Jean.” He said grabbing her attention. “I might need to crash over at yours tonight. I don’t know if you remember, but I lost my home.” “How could I forget?” She asked rhetorically. “Eh, sure. I mean it’s the least I could after you saved my ass. By the way, thanks.” “No need to thank me. It was my fault you ended up in there. I should be apologizing. I’m sorry.” He apologized. “You already made it up. You risked your life to bust me out of there. There’s no need to apologize.” She told him. “Fair point, but still, I’m sorry.” “It’s okay.” Jean said. “Now let’s head home before we get attacked again.”