//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Checking Up // Story: The Lost Crafter // by Jeffrey1000 //------------------------------// “Where are you going?” Stone asked. Steve was in the cave getting gear from the chest. “To Ponyville.” He said. “Ponyville?!?!” Are you insane?” He asked. “Listen, I have some friends there. I need to make sure they’re okay.” He said. “You have some friends there?” The Sargent asked. “Yeah. Four of them in fact.” He said. “Wow. You really are a master sneaker. How did you make four friends behind our backs?” “Well, I met two by accident and the other two by a misunderstanding.” He told him. “Look it’s a long story. I need to go now. Now that I have potions of invisibility I can travel to the town, undetected.” “Oh, that’s how you snuck by us.” “Yeah. Well, I’ll see you later. Take care of Jean for me.” “Alright. One more thing, Steve.” “Yes?” “Can you check up on my friends. I still feel very bad. I hurt them. And even though it was the right thing to do, that doesn’t take away the pain they’re feeling. I just want you to make sure they’re alright. You don’t even have to go in the barracks.” “Alright. I’ll make sure they’re okay.” Steve smiled. “I’ll see you later.” “Alright, bye.” Stone said. “I feel bad for Stone.” Steve told Derpy. “Why?” The mare asked. “He had to leave his friends behind for me.” He said. “They cared about each other a lot, but now I’ve torn them apart. I wish I could make it right.” “Well, why not just bring them back together?” “Because I was the one who split them. I need to make it up to them. Not just Stone, but his friends, too.” “I’m sure you’ll think of something when the time comes.” Derpy said. “Hopefully.” Steve said. “Anyways, how have you been?” “I’ve been good. Applejack came by and fixed the roof. Other than that, nothing too out of the ordinary. Just working my jobs and taking care of Dinky.” “Okay, cool. How’s Dinky?” “She’s good, too. She’s doing well in school, and she has a lot of friends.” “Good.” Steve said. “Well I just came to check up on you, I’ll see you around, I guess.” “Bye.” Derpy said. Steve walked to the doorway. He drank an invisibility potion. Derpy opened the door, just so it wouldn’t look suspicious. Steve walked out and made a break for the second place he wanted to go, Sweet Apple Acres. After a short run, Steve made it to where he wanted to go. Now he just needed to find the ponies he wanted to find. He went to the barn, and slowly opened the door. “Applejack? You in here? It’s me, Steve.” Steve said. “Steve? What are ya doin’ here?” She asked, walking into his view. “Wait where are ya?” “I’m invisible, in order to sneak around. Anyways, I was just checking up on you. Especially after what happened, I have to make sure you’re okay.” “Oh okay.” She said before realizing something. “Wait what happened?” “Princess Luna assumed I had knocked out her sister. I didn’t actually do it, but she attacked me anyways.” “Why? Why would she do that?” “Emotions. Not hate though. She did it out of love.” He told her. “Love?” She asked. “Love for her sister. They cared about each other a lot, so she acted out of love and assumed I did it. Personally, I don’t blame her.” He said. “Anyways, enough about me, how have you been?” “Ah’ve been pretty good. Apple sales are good. Ah just submitted my tax returns yesterday so that’s out of the way.” “Ugh, taxes. Never liked them.” “Me either, partner.” She said. “Not much else has happened.” “Cool. Well I should probably be on my way.” “Alright, bye.” Applejack said. “See ya.” Steve said. “Two more ponies.” Steve said. He had done so much running, he didn’t realize that the darkness of night was already setting in. “How did thou let them get away?!?!” A livid Luna yelled at the captain and the Corporal. “There were at least thirty of thee and only two of them!” She yelled. “We’re sorry, ma’am. They escaped on a dragon.” The captain explained rather calmly. That was one of his traits. He could remain calm under a lot of pressure. “A dragon?” “Yes, ma’am. We believe that is the creature’s friend.” The captain further elaborated. “Corporal Eagle.” Luna told her. “Y-yes ma’am?” She asked timidly. “Who was the pony that left with him?” “Y-you don’t know? H-he was right next to-.” She was cutoff. “Tell us who did it!” She angrily yelled. “I-it was S-Sargent Stone. He was-.” “Silence! I only wanted to know his name!” “Sorry, ma’am.” “Now, go get the creature. We don’t want you to capture it anymore. We would like for you to kill it.” She turned to two other guards. “You two, prepare the dungeon.” “Yes ma’am.” They said. Luna took off leaving the captain and Corporal alone in the barracks. “Kill it?” Eagle asked unsure. “If that’s what she asked...” the captain trailed off, “then I guess that’s what must be done. Remember what they told us in training.” “Good soldiers follow orders.” She said as they began to walk back to their rooms. “Yep. As much as I disagree I don’t see any reason why we should disobey it. Unless, of course, Stone is telling the truth.” The captain stopped. “You know what? We’re not going to kill it. We’re gonna let it stand trial.” “Are you sure? We’re gonna get fired for that.” She said. “I don’t care. It’s right. He must stand trial.” “Fine. If you go down, I’m going down with you. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said. “Good night.” The captain replied. Before they split to head to their rooms, they heard someone yell. “There’s the creature!” They shouted. “We would like for you to kill it.” Luna said. “Shit.” Steve whispered. He turned to head home. Now he needed to stay away from the barracks. He needed to get back home to Jean and Stone. “There’s the creature!” Someone yelled. “Fuck.” He said under his breath. It was only now he realized his invisibility had worn off. He took off in a sprint. The guards ran behind him at full speed. “Come on! He’s this way!” One of them shouted. Steve quickly put on his armor just to be safe. He needed to get home. Steve outpaced the guards, however, his hunger was running low. “Gotta eat, gotta eat.” He said to himself. He slowed down and ate two bread to get his hunger up. “We’re right on his tail!” Another one shouted. Steve quickly took off again. He saw rustling in the bushes ahead of him. He turned left cause he didn’t want to take his chances on what was causing it. It was a good choice because several more guards emerged through the bushes to try and cut him off. He continued running. “Later.” He said. “Stop him!” The captain yelled. “You sure he’s alright.” Jean asked. “I get it he’s a tough guy, but he isn’t invincible.” “Come on, Jean.” Stone said. “He probably ran into a couple of guards. Nothing he can’t handle.” There was a sudden explosion coming from the forest. “I hope.” “Let’s get down there and check it out.” Jean said. “Yeah.” Stone agreed. They descended down the mountain quickly. Once they reached the ground, a bush in front of them started to rustle. Then, out fell a very tired crafter. “Hey guys.” He said panting. “We’ve got company.” Jean looked in horror at the many ponies of all kinds charging at them. “Shit.” Was all she said. “That’s what I said.” Steve joked. “Now’s not the time.” Stone said. “There’s at least sixty of them.” Steve quickly got off the ground. He pulled out his sword and shield and turned to the ponies. They emerged from the bushes behind Steve. The captain and Corporal led the way, followed by the general and one pony Steve wished to never see again. “Luna.” Steve whispered. “Well, well, well. Look what we have here.” She said. “The creature and his two companions. Stone, thou was a fool for betraying us. Thou is only 19 years old. How could thou be so sure of thyself despite being so naive.” “You’re only 19 years old?!” Steve asked loudly. “I’m old enough to know the truth.” Stone answered, ignoring Steve. Seeing Stone didn’t care, Steve just turned back to Luna. “Steve here has been wronged many times. It appears I’m the only one trying to make it right.” Stone finished. “Save it for the judge.” Corporal Eagle snarled at him. “That won’t be necessary, Corporal.” Luna said. “Guards, kill him.” She ordered. The guards hesitated for a second. Steve looked around at everyone. The guards, despite being angry at Stone, wore a hesitant look, excluding the captain and Corporal who continued staring at Stone. Stone returned the gaze with his face displaying anger towards his former comrades. Luna was thoroughly pissed. Her gaze was hard as a rock staring right at Steve. Jean wore a look of determination, but she was only determined to protect Steve and Stone, as she held no grudges. The guards eventually sprung into action, several charging right at Steve. He deflected swords, spears, magic, and bodes with his sword, being careful not to kill anyone. Another pony tried flanking him, only to be kicked aside by the crafter. Luna fired several shots at him, which he deflected away. Then Steve charged at Luna. He punched her across the face, and then went in for another punch. However, she reacted quickly and slapped his punch away. She then shot a bolt of magic at him, that he blocked with his shield. However, he was unable to block her hoof, that tripped him. He landed on his back, giving Luna an opportunity to finish him. Right before she could, however, Jean punched her across the face. “Thanks, Jean!” Steve said. He got back up and continued to attack Luna. Meanwhile Jean kicked two more guards, before punching them both away. She then flapped her wings causing a massive wind that pushed a lot of guards back. She punched a guard that came from her side, then kicked him towards Stone. Stone deflected a sword from his former captain before another guard came flying at him. Stone backed off of the captain to quickly uppercut the guard. The captain continued pursuing him. However, another guard tried shooting at Stone from behind. Stone ducked under the attack, and the magic struck the captain in the chest. Stone turned around and saw who shot the magic shot. His former best friend. The Corporal charged right at Stone sword raised high. She brought it down, only for it to be met by Stone’s. He pushed her back before sweeping her off her hooves with the flat side of the sword. She raised her sword to block his hit, but he slapped it out of her hoof. He then pointed the tip right at her. “That’s why I’m the Sargent.” He said. However, he was quickly interrupted by the captain coming in and tackling him. They rolled for a second and when they came to a stop the captain quickly got up and his horn lit up. However, before he could do anything, he was blown away by a punch. Steve stood over stone reaching out. “Thanks man.” Stone said. “No problem.” The two turned back at the fight. “There’s too many.” Steve stated. “No kidding.” Jean said, backing out of the group. They found themselves pressed up against the mountain. “Guys,” Steve said turning to his friends, “I just wanna let you know, if we die here, you guys were amazing friends.” “Thanks.” Was all Stone could say. Too many thoughts were going through his head. Was he really going to die this young? Jean, was also, speechless. “I know what you’re thinking.” Steve said to his companions. You guys are both very young.” Steve told them as the horse of guards closed in, slowly. “If I die, I want you to run as far away from here. Live the life you haven’t got to live yet.” The guards crept closer and closer. “Live the life that I would take away.” Steve said as he turned to the horde. Right before the guards got a hit off, they heard a voice from the sky shout out. “Enough of this!!!” It yelled.