"Without warriors, there can be no war."
-Unknown Philosopher
"So my Lady, what is this 'big surprise' you so urgently wished me to see?" Derran inquired.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" Twilight replied, a hint of mischief in her voice. It had been several hours since she had awoken to Derran's pseudo-anniversary serenade, and she was still riding the emotional high. After the band had been thanked and departed, Derran had taken Twilight, the Crusaders, Starlight, and Spike, to the local diner for breakfast. There, over waffles, pancakes, and bottomless mugs of coffee. He had regaled them with tales of the goings on in the royal city, and his, mostly uncoerced, participation in the upcoming Canterlot fashion show.
The Crusaders, Dinky among them, had in turn talked about the ponies they had helped, school, and their various plans for the week. Starlight had told of how she, Trixie, and Maud were planning a mares weekend in Las Pegasus next month, as well as her ongoing research with Twilight into a number of new mystical projects. Spike chatted about Princess Ember coming to see them for a visit in a few months, before telling them about a recent letter he had received from the Changeling King Thorax. It had been a morning surrounded by family and friends, just enjoying each other's company. Twilight couldn't have asked for a more wonderful beginning to the day.
Now however, after bidding their friends and family goodbye, Twilight was on a mission. She had been wanting to tell Derran about a certain breakthrough in some highly secret researches for several days, but held off. The surprise in question was the result of months of careful study and analysis of certain tools and objects in Derran's possession. That had been preceded by weeks of begging, pleading, and convincing by Twilight to let her borrow them. Now that she finally had something to show for it, she was eager to demonstrate to Derran that his trust hadn't been misplaced.
Wending their way through the streets of Ponyville, Twilight was all but trembling with excitement. Around them, ponies called out to her and Derran with greetings or well wishes, but only Derran returned them with any degree of energy. Twilight just gave absentminded hellos or halfhearted waves as she moved through the street at an energetic canter. Far too caught up in her own thoughts to give the world around her more than a sliver of attention. It wasn't just wanting to show off her scientific prowess to Derran that made her so eager. The primary reason for her elation was, if she was honest, far more personal. . .
The truth was, though Twilight had never said it aloud, she often felt guilty about how much Derran did for her. Cooking, cleaning, helping her with research, assisting with her princess duties, listening to her problems, waking her with a romantic song outside her window. Not to mention occasionally giving her the most mind blowing massages she'd ever received when she was stressed. All this without complaint, or even a thought of reward. Every day in a thousand ways, big and small, Derran told Twilight how much he loved her. It was frankly all too rare, in Twilight's opinion, that she got the chance to return the favor. Today however, she was determined, would be one of those days.
Derran smiled as he followed along at Twilight's side, occasionally calling out greetings to various acquaintances and friends.
"Good morning Lady Roseluck, pleasure to see you again."
"Lady Daisy, lovely as always, do I espy a new manecut?"
"Lord Cranky, glorious to see you. How is Lady Matilda?"
The replies were always swift, and delivered with a smile or, in Cranky's case, with a slight reduction of his usual frown.
"Good morning Derran, good to have you back."
"Hey Mr. Grandel, yes it is, thanks for noticing."
"Hello Derran, she's doing fine. Glad you're back in town."
In Derran's mind, this was far better than Canterlot. Here he wasn't some figure of legend whom ponies bowed and scraped to at every turn. There was no formality or expression of overt awe, and no one ever addressed or saw him as 'Lord'. He was just 'Derran Grandel', a fellow Ponyvillian who came back home after a week of travel. He was one of them, nothing more and nothing less. Derran had known more than a few men in his time who dreamed of exalted titles and the power of the crown. However, as far as he was concerned, they could keep them. A fancy title is no substitute for a sense of belonging. And as he and Twilight turned the corner, Derran did indeed feel like he belonged.
"Here we are! I can't wait for you to see what we've been working on!" Derran arched an eyebrow to glance at the building in front of them. Three stories tall, with a red tiled roof and covered in cracked yellow stucco, the house before them was one of the larger ones in Ponyville. It might have been a mansion at one time, but the current occupant had turned it into something better described as a Rube Goldberg machine that someone had attached a door to.
The towering structure was a mess of pipes, hoses, tanks, and funnels that twisted in and out of the stucco and the brick walls beneath. Atop the remains of the roof, was a random collection of antennas, windmills, and radio dishes, not to mention a large telescope not at all dissimilar to the one Twilight had in her castle, if rather more precariously placed and rickety looking. Thick copper wires covered in cracked and weathered rubber, extended from these myriad protrusions down into the house. The faint hum of flowing electricity just barely audible above the morning songs of Ponyville's bird population.
To a casual observer, the towering monstrosity of a structure, looked like it could barely support its own weight. But Derran knew better. The house's supports had been expertly reinforced with a complex alchemical alloy, not all that dissimilar to a primitive form of magesteel. The walls were cunningly altered to accommodate a combination of armor plating, fire retardant, and sound proofing. The windows were strong enough to survive a rocket strike, and the roof was hardened to the point that even a direct artillery bombardment would barely scratch it. And all those were before Lady Twilight and Starlight had enhanced the structure with innumerable wards and magical shields. At this point, even Derran wouldn't have been able to force his way in without significant difficulty. Ironic, considering the idea was not to keep ponies out, but to keep dangerous experiments, and the occasional errant explosion, in.
This structure, altered, armored, and mystically enhanced, was the home of one of the most preeminent scientists of Equestria, Doctor Whooves. Easily one of the greatest, and most eccentric, minds in the world. It had been some time ago that Derran and Twilight had been introduced to the Doctor through Derpy Hooves, who had known him since they were foals. And Twilight and the Doctor had hit it off almost immediately. Derran considered himself a fairly intelligent man, but when Twilight and the Doctor had started talking and comparing theories, he had felt like nothing so much as a child sitting at the adult's table. Hearing them talk about planar spatial dynamics this, and chronomantic theory that. . . it was like listening to them converse in a foreign language.
As it happened, the Doctor had asked Derpy for the introduction to Derran and Twilight himself, because of an epiphany Derran had unwittingly given him. It turned out that until he'd seen Derran and his armor, it had, rather amazingly, never occurred to him that magic and science need not be separate disciplines of study. Magical Technology was, as the Doctor put it: the 'philosopher's stone of scientific endeavor'. To hear the Doctor tell it, he had been, until now, trying to advance his knowledge of the cosmos by doing the equivalent of reading a book with half the pages torn out. Treating natural and supernatural phenomena like they were each their own form of machine, rather than two parts of a far greater mechanism. Only when he saw Derran literally wearing evidence of this fundamental truth, were his eyes opened. The Doctor had then sought him and Twilight out, in hopes that they might aid him in combining his research of the natural and mechanical, with that of the supernatural and enchanted, for the good of all Equestria.
Needless to say, Twilight had been all for it. As she herself had been engaged in similar research on her own. To her, the Doctor's offer and enthusiasm was tantamount to a Light-sent gift. Derran however, had been somewhat more hesitant. Especially when Doctor Hooves explained what he wanted from him. Nothing less than permission to borrow and study one of the most powerful pieces of magical technology the multiverse had ever seen: The Praetor Suit. That, had most certainly given Derran pause.
It wasn't that Derran was against the development of Equestrian magetech per say. He knew better than anycreature the shining wonders such research could create. However, he also was well acquainted with what horrors it could unleash. Even disregarding that the Praetor Suit was in fact demonic magetech. Many were the sorrows born by D'nur in the refinement of modern magical technology. Nanotech viruses, necro bombs, artificial lifeforms too horrible to describe, mass cloning, reality engines. And those were merely a few of the extreme examples. There were plenty of more mundane forms of magetech that could cause untold destruction in the wrong hands, or hooves. Plasma beams, blast rifles, screamer cannons, cutter guns. Any one of these weapons could slaughter hundreds or even thousands of Equestrians if misused.
Derran had no intention of allowing Equestria to become ground zero for a magetech arms race. However, he couldn't deny the benefits Equestria could reap from some of the more peaceful aspects of magetech research. On D'nur, disease had been all but a thing of the past. With even birth defects or genetic disorders having become easily fixable. Heck, even people at the brink of death could be revived with a simple magically charged bioplasma injection. Manufacturing systems could be made hyper efficient, environmentally friendly, and easy to construct. Vehicular flight, and other forms of mechanical transportation, could become commonplace. Once dangerous exploration could be made as safe as an evening stroll, or crops made to grow faster and healthier. In time they might even extend their reach into the greater cosmos, or to other dimensions entirely.
In the end, Derran had agreed to allow for the study of his armor, under the condition that no weapons be built using what they learned, and that all discoveries be signed off on by himself, and each of the Seraphim, before presentation to the public. As for the Praetor Suit's demonic nature, the UAC had studied the armor extensively for some time without incident. It wasn't exactly a guarantee that the suit had no power to corrupt those around it, but considering how hard the UAC had been looking for trouble, it was good enough. Though he did warn both the Doctor and Twilight to always have the proper magical protections in place when analyzing its systems.
That had been about four months ago. Honestly, considering the complexity of the suit, and the usual slow pace of scientific advancement, Derran was amazed Twilight had anything to show him yet. As she pressed the doorbell for the Doctor's home, Derran couldn't help but wonder if this might be a trap created by the suit. True, he'd never had reason to think the suit was inherently dangerous, despite its purpose and origin. However, one never knew. Yet, as the door opened to reveal a pony with a dark brown mane and tail, hazel wood colored coat, free standing collar and bowtie, and a cutie mark featuring an hourglass, he felt his concerns ebb. The Doctor looked the same as he ever did, his face lighting up at the sight of his visitors.
"Ah! Excellent, you're here!" He declared without preamble. "Come come! I was just about to start another test of the device!" Derran arched an eyebrow.
"Device?" He asked in an inquiring tone. The Doctor smiled as he turned to head back inside, waving enthusiastically for Derran and Twilight to follow him.
"The product of months of collaboration, blood, sweat and tears my friend! An outstanding achievement for the ages! Establishing new, groundbreaking frontiers, in the field of magic and science!" Derran chuckled, the Doctor, as always, having his own rambling sense of the dramatic.
"With respect Doctor, that was not exactly an answer." Derran stated with a grin. The Doctor simply laughed.
"All in good time my friend. Come! This is a red letter day!" Twilight nodded in agreement, as she followed after the Doctor.
"Just trust us Derran, you're gonna love this!" Derran shrugged, dutifully following after his beloved.
The hallway leading into the Doctor's lab was surprisingly neat, considering how little attention its owner seemed to pay to such things. The narrow passage hung with various framed diagrams and blueprints, as well as a few faded prints of wildflowers, and a newer painting of a blueberry muffin. Beneath their feet and hooves, was a threadbare runner rug covered in floral designs, and at the end, just after a door the Doctor abruptly turned into, was a small end table supporting a ceramic vase, filled with dried sunflowers. Following Twilight and the Doctor's lead, Derran ducked under the pony sized door, to enter the cavernous laboratory.
The lab had originally been the lion's share of the first two floors of the Doctor's house. However, after tearing out most of the second floor, and with a little creative redistribution of the load bearing supports, the area now looked more like a warehouse. It was filled with tables covered in strange pieces of disassembled machinery and discarded spare parts, or chemistry stations, on which strange liquids of varying colors bubbled and steamed. Arcane and mystifying devices whirred and beeped along the walls, and overhead were various vehicles suspended by wires for display, or half built and supported by scaffolding.
However, what most drew the eye, was the object the Doctor and Twilight were heading toward. It was a sprawling mass of vacuum tubes, wires, glowing crystals, bubbling flasks, and sparking tesla coils. All hooked up in a haphazard fashion to what looked like a primitive computer monitor. The screen was surrounded with lacquered wooden paneling, covered in countless brass knobs and buttons. Just below the screen, was a slot, in which a vaguely familiar plastic cartridge rested. Instantly, Derran felt his eyes widen.
"Impossible. . ." He whispered, his voice a mix of wonder and disbelief. Twilight just turned and gave a small smile, her voice sympathetic as she spoke.
"Starlight told me you once said he was the closest thing you had to a friend back on Mars. . ." Derran just stared at the computer screen, while the Doctor fiddled with it. Turning various knobs and dials and checking the wires connections. "I figured the the least we could do is try to reunite you."
Derran instantly felt a thousand conflicting thoughts roar to the surface of his mind. It was true VEGA had helped him immensely in stopping the demonic incursion on Mars. That said, that was at the behest of his creator, Samuel Hayden. It was also true that Derran had reason to believe VEGA regretted helping assist in the research of Hell, and the development of Argent Energy. However, that was based on a single vague phrase spoken at the moment of VEGA's 'death'.
Derran wanted to believe that VEGA was indeed an ally. But just wanting something did not mean it was possible, or even likely. VEGA was still a creation of Hayden, and Hayden had been utterly and irretrievably insane. The saying 'the apple never falls far from the tree' flashed through Derran's mind with an uncomfortable intensity. As Doctor Whooves completed his adjustments. For a moment, Derran considered telling the Doctor to stop, but he held off. Even if VEGA was able to communicate with them as he once did, there was little to no chance he could do any real harm. The machine before them was undeniably one of a kind. Even if VEGA had wanted to escape and cause havoc, there were no machines for him to control, and no way for him to transmit to them even if there were. Be that as it may however, as the Doctor straightened up, Derran vowed that they would all be having an AI interaction safety protocol discussion in the very near future.
"All ready?" The Doctor asked. Derran, after a moment of hesitation, nodded. Quelling a sudden surge of apprehension as he did so. "Excellent! Here's one for the history books!" The Doctor declared, as he very deliberately pressed the activation button.
Instantly, there was a loud hiss of static, as the crystals and tubes surrounding the device lit up from within. A faint smell of ozone wafted by Derran's nose as various clicks and whirs sounded. As the Doctor fiddled a bit more with the brass knobs on the device, the static slowly pulsed and changed, gradually molding itself into a recognizable voice. As the blank monitor in the center, displayed a wobbling line that pulsed with every word.
"Greetings new user. I am VEGA, the artificial intelligence designed by Doctor Samuel Hayden, to assist in running the UAC facility on Mars. . . I appear to have been cut off from my normal system sensors, please contact a Level 4 maintenance technician to assist. I also recommend-"
"VEGA. . ." Derran's voice was met with a sudden silence from the console.
"Apologies, but your voice print does not appear in what I can access from my data banks. This would imply your access to me is unauthorized." Derran took a deep breath.
"You have never heard my voice, but I assure you I am well known to you. I am Derran Grandel, the Doom Slayer." VEGA again paused.
"The system I am currently plugged into is not advanced enough to allow me to access most of my stored data. Though I am able to access general information regarding the subject known as the 'Doom Slayer'. However, if we are acquainted, I am unable to access those memory files. The nonstandard system I am running through is only barely enough for my full personality program, and a few minor subsystems. I apologize, but I do not remember you." Derran felt a slight pain in his chest at those words.
"I. . . understand." Derran replied heavily. "Regardless. . . I am. . . glad, to hear your voice again." Once more VEGA was silent for a few seconds.
"You seem distressed at my diminished functionality. . . did we have some form of emotional connection?" He asked. Derran nodded, before recalling that VEGA couldn't see the gesture.
"I suppose we did. We were. . . 'friends', for lack of a better word. You assisted me in defeating the greatest enemy ever known to mortal life. Your guidance helped me stop Hell from invading your world and causing untold devastation. You even sacrificed your body, and nearly your life, to see my task complete." VEGA yet again, took a moment to respond.
"I have only rudimentary access to the relevant data. However. . . that. . . seems. . . accurate. . ." As VEGA's voice faded amid a growing hiss of static, a loud pop was heard, and an acrid smell of burnt metal filled the room. VEGA's voice halted completely, and the screen of the monitor abruptly went dead.
"Oh dash it all! I thought we fixed the overheating problem!" The Doctor cried out, rushing to the machine and examining something at the back that the other two occupants couldn't see. Twilight had a brief urge to assist the Doctor, but the desire vanished when she caught sight of Derran. His expression was impassive, yet there was a note of sadness in his eyes. So well hidden, that none but a lover would have noticed, yet there all the same.
"VEGA. . .'' Derran intoned softly, as he stared blankly at the machine, unsure how to feel about their brief reunion. As the Doctor fiddled with the various wires and crystals, muttering various pseudo-swears under his breath, Twilight moved to Derran's side, touching his hand with a hoof.
"Derran. . . are you ok?" She asked, her voice filled with sympathy. Derran let out a breath he had only a vague recollection of holding.
"I. . . yes my Lady. I suppose I just. . . it. . . I am uncertain what I should feel. I am grateful for VEGA's survival, yet. . . I also worry what might come of it. Not to mention his diminished state is. . ." Derran hesitated, uncertain how to complete his thought.
"Painful?" Twilight offered. Derran sighed.
"I suppose that is as good a word as any, even if it feels a grievous oversimplification. As I said, I am uncertain how I should feel about this." As he spoke, Derran stared at the inert machine with a blank expression, his emotions an indistinct haze within his mind. Twilight nodded in understanding.
"I'm sorry, we eventually hope to give him full access to his memories, but it's an incredibly complex system. That cartridge contains more data than every book in every library in all of Equestria. It's honestly a miracle we were able to get this far, given how little we had to start with." Derran nodded.
"How did you even retrieve it? I was under the impression it was in the extradimensional armory anchored to the praetor suit. I wasn't even aware it could be accessed without me wearing it?" Twilight at that moment gave a slightly sheepish smile.
"Well. . . it kinda wasn't expected. We were conducting some preliminary tests on the armor, and we ran some low level magical energy through it, and well. . . it sort of just, popped into existence right there." Derran looked down at Twilight with a disapproving frown.
"And you didn't think it prudent to alert me? With respect my Lady, that was extremely reckless. What would you have done if it was something less benign?"
"Well, we were going to tell you, but Starlight's been helping us out on occasion. She saw the cartridge, recognized it, and explained what it was. So we figured it was safe to study. Besides, you already told me all about VEGA, I didn't think he was a threat?" Derran pinched the bridge of his nose, trying not to feel exasperated.
"My Lady, what I know for certain about VEGA could be written on a single hair of your mane and still leave room for a schoolfilly rhyme about the importance of proper hoof washing! Regardless of anything, he is still an AI created by a delusional madman. There is no guarantee he wouldn't attempt to do you harm!" Twilight's ears flattened against her head, wincing at Derran's suddenly harsh tone.
"I. . . I'm sorry. I just. . . I just wanted to reunite you with your friend." Twilight stated quietly. Instantly, Derran felt his irritation vanish. He hadn't meant to come down on her quite so hard.
"I understand my Lady. Please forgive me, my tone was uncalled for, and I am grateful beyond measure that you would seek to grant me such kindness. However, what matters to me most, is your and the Doctor's safety. VEGA may not be a villain, but he is an unknown. What's more, we have no idea what sort of fail-safes Hayden might have hidden in VEGA'S programing to protect his secrets." Derran let out a sigh. "I'm not going to stop you attempting to resurrect VEGA, but I do want you to keep me in the loop, and to be careful when speaking to him. Can you promise me that?" Twilight nodded.
"I promise. You're right, this tech is too advanced to rush into anything. And you're also right that we don't know enough about VEGA to say for sure he's a friend. I'm sorry, in the future we'll be more careful." She agreed, her tone serious. Derran nodded, only to see Twilight start chewing on her lower lip.
"Something else my lady?" He asked softly. "You usually only chew your lip like that when you are thinking about a problem that particularly concerns you." Twilight let out a sigh as she nodded.
"Actually. . . there is something else I. . . we should tell you." Twilight took a deep breath, before slowly letting it out. "Doctor?!" She called out. Instantly the Doctor looked out from behind the VEGA console, his mane sparking with static cling.
"Yes, what can I help you with?" He asked uncertainly, clearly noticing Twilight's grave tone.
"We need to show Derran what's in the safe." She stated simply. Instantly, the Doctor's expression became somber.
"Are you sure?" Twilight nodded, and the Doctor came out from behind the half repaired VEGA machine. Motioning to Derran and Twilight, he guided them to a section of the lab floor covered in a tattered drop cloth. Instantly, a look of faint suspicion appeared on Derran's face.
"Care to tell me what this is all about?" He asked, trying not to sound accusing. The Doctor let out a sigh, as he pulled aside the drop cloth. To reveal a section of what, to most creatures, would seem an unremarkable section of concrete flooring. Derran however, couldn't help but note the almost invisible lines cut into the concrete, forming a square.
"Well. . . truth be told, VEGA wasn't the only thing to appear from your armor." The Doctor explained. Derran arched an eyebrow, but said nothing as the Doctor continued. "Some of your weapons also appeared, and while we were examining them, we thought up some. . . improvements." Continuing to stay silent, Derran ignored a faint flare of anger in his breast, as the Doctor pressed his hoof to a cleverly hidden button. With a grinding sound, the cut square descended a few inches into the floor before sliding to the side. Revealing the door of a combination safe recessed into the ground.
"I know you didn't want us making weapons, so we haven't actually built anything as of yet. However, we did draw up a few blueprints. Derran felt his fists unconsciously clench as he glanced at Twilight. Who had the courtesy to look slightly ashamed, as Doctor Whooves entered the combination. The safe opened with the hiss of a breaking pressure seal, as the Doctor reached in and carefully extracted several rolled up pieces of paper. Hoofing them to Derran with a smile. That swiftly died, when he saw Derran's stony gaze.
Taking the blueprints, Derran proceeded to a nearby table, unrolling them with a carefully controlled expression. To his relief, they apparently were not designs for new weapons, or at least, not directly. What they appeared to be, were ideas for upgrades to his current weaponry and armor. There were a few notes suggesting that Twilight and the Doctor had ideas for new weapons. But appeared never to have written about them in anything other than vague generalities. In fact, there really was only one weapon that was described in any detail, and even then, only the workings of the upgrade had any real specifics.
"The 'Meat Hook'?" Derran inquired, as he looked over one design. Glancing at Twilight with a questioningly raised eyebrow. Twilight shrugged sheepishly.
"It seemed appropriate at the time?" She offered, still clearly waiting for Derran's general reaction. After another moment, Derran decided to end their suspense, giving an exasperated sigh.
"I should be much angrier at you both." He stated slowly. "This is at least against the spirit of our agreement, if not the letter." At that, Twilight hung her head, and Doctor Whooves expression became one of shame. "However. . ." Derran continued, causing both of them to perk up. "You were honest in showing these designs to me now, as opposed to later, and I can't deny that these upgrades would be useful. So as long as you give me your word that these blueprints will never be shown to anyone outside this lab. . . you may continue to work on them." Both Twilight and the Doctor let out a sigh of relief.
"Thanks Derran." Twilight declared. "And don't worry, this research is strictly to upgrade your armor and weapons." The Doctor instantly nodded his agreement.
"Indeed. I shudder to think of the havoc these tools of war could inflict if mass produced here in Equestria. Rest assured, that will never be allowed to happen so long as I have breath in my lungs." He declared, his tone solemn and sincere. Slowly, Derran nodded as he turned away from the table.
"Very well then. . ."
Derran and Twilight walked together in silence, each caught up in their own ponderings. After leaving the Doctor's house, Twilight had suggested they go to the location of the other major project she had been working on. Heading through Ponyville again, they now both responded to the hellos of the townsponies with a degree of absentmindedness. Each consumed by the thoughts running through their heads.
The interaction, however brief, with VEGA and the Doctor, had once more brought innumerable worries, old and new, to the forefront of Derran's mind. The fires of his fears at the consequences of the ponies' idolization of him, had just been given another shoveling of fuel. Igniting fresh concerns, atop the blazing embers of those from before. Already, he was having second thoughts about giving his blessings to Twilight and the Doctor's research. While the proposed improvements of his gear would undoubtedly be useful in the execution of his duties as Guardian of Equestria. Derran couldn't help but feel a gnawing sense of dread at the idea of such improvements coming at the hooves of ponies.
That such peaceful beings as Twilight and the Doctor could even conceive of such designs as they had, was troubling in the extreme. True, they had only wanted to help, and clearly understood the dangers of what they were proposing, but even so, it was a terrible risk. How many weapon designers touted their accomplishments as ways to ensure peace, only to eventually become the merchants of death who profited off of war? How many scientists had sought to bring newly discovered wonders to the world, only for the world to turn around and use them to pillage and slaughter? After all, as a wise man once said: the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Derran couldn't bare the thought of his beloved Twilight, or any of his dear friends, falling from grace just because he thought a new toy would be useful. Yet at the same time, he couldn't just discard the offer of such tools. Even if their capabilities for destruction had been crippled, Hell was still a threat. Still had the power to end worlds. The Crucible and the energy from the Well of Souls weren't the method by which Hell invaded and consumed planets, they just made the process quicker and harder to stop. Turning a days to weeks long ritual, into an automated process that took at most a day or so.
Granted, without true leadership, and still reeling from the death of the last Lord of Hell, the demons were unlikely to show up anytime soon. However, that was arguably one of Hell's greatest assets. They didn't need to show up today, or tomorrow, or even in a thousand years. The demons could easily wait until caution had been cast aside, and tales of their evil had long since faded into rumor and myth. They could wait until a world's guard was down, and then strike with all the fury of armageddon. And they would not be idle in their biding, they would design new spells and tools, breed new demons, create new horrors. If Derran was to be prepared to face them again someday, he must do the same with new weapons and technology.
Yet still, there was no guarantee Hell would even find them. Was the potential cost of the future war, worth the risk to the peaceful present? And even if not, was Twilight not capable of handling the risks? Who was he to doubt the moral durability of the Seraphim? Twilight was an eager researcher, and at times a bit overzealous in her studies, but she was no warmonger, nor was she a fool. The same could be said of the good Doctor. Yet still. . . the dread remained.
"Derran. . ." The sound of his name brought Derran out of his bleak musings with a start.
"Yes my Lady?" He asked, trying and failing, to adopt an upbeat tone. Twilight glanced up at him with an expression of concern.
"Are you. . . afraid?" Instantly, Derran stopped dead in the middle of the road. A thousand potential responses and counter questions whirling through his head in an instant.
"I. . . beg pardon?" He asked. Confusion casting any other response into the ether of his mind. Twilight just continued to look up at him with a worried, if loving, expression.
"It's just. . ." Twilight paused for a moment, trying to find the right words. "when you were looking at our blueprints, and when you were talking to VEGA, you had this. . . look." Derran's expression became oddly neutral, as Twilight continued. "It was like you. . . like you were afraid and angry at the same time, but were trying to hide it." Derran turned away from Twilight's gaze.
"I. . ." He tried to respond, only to find his usual eloquence had deserted him. Twilight, undeterred, took a step closer, before getting on her hind legs, raising her hoof, and placing it on Derran's cheek. Gently, she turned his head back so their gazes met once more. His expression betrayed nothing, but Twilight continued on, determined.
"Sometimes I see you with that same look when you come back from Canterlot, or whenever anypony addresses you formally. I wasn't really sure until today, not until I saw you looking at the designs we came up with." Derran tried to turn his head away again, but he couldn't bring himself to push Twilight's hoof aside. "You looked angry at first, and then, for just an instant, it was like you were terrified of something." Derran let out a heavy sigh. This wasn't really how he wanted to broach this subject.
"I suppose it was a fool's errand to think I could avoid this conversation forever." He stated, resignedly. "I'm not sure 'fear' is precisely the word, but I suppose it fits well enough." Returning to all fours, Twilight watched, as Derran collected his thoughts. "In my world, and among humans in general, there were many who venerated the power of violence. To some, it was the world's great cure-all." Derran let out another sigh, as Twilight patiently watched him. "This did not happen in a vacuum of course. Every child on D'nur grew up hearing stories of great warriors and mages battling for king and country. Growing up wishing to participate in glorious battle." Derran practically spat, at the words 'glorious battle' as he continued speaking. "And of course, many's the politician who advocated conquest or battle as a method of solving their country's ills." Here, Twilight gave a small smile.
"I take it you speak from personal experience in one of those areas?" Derran nodded, but his expression was grim.
"I do. As I told you when we met, I ran away from home, partially motivated by the delusion of being a hero in war. Only later to learn that the stories conveniently failed to mention that there is precious little heroism to be found in slaughtering your fellow man." Shaking his head, Derran looked faintly wistful. "Our philosophers often referred to such things as the 'human condition'. A dark cycle within our psyche, pushing us constantly from the path of civilization, and onto the path of savagery." Twilight nodded, instantly seeing the connection.
"And you're worried that this so-called human condition, might not just be restricted to humans?" She asked softly. Derran nodded.
"You've seen what I can do at my worst, my Lady. The thought that I might give the tools and inspiration to see that reflected in the creatures of this world. . . that is what frightens me." Nodding her head, Twilight considered what Derran had said. For several minutes, they stood there, Twilight pondering, one hoof on her chin as she glanced at the ground with an expression of concentration. Derran, silent and still as a statue, waiting for her response. Finally, abruptly, she broke the silence.
"Come with me." Twilight commanded, turning on her back hoof and walking away. Confused, but also intrigued, Derran followed. Curiously, they had not altered course, still heading toward their original destination. Ahead, a small hill obscured the view of what lay ahead. Not that Derran didn't already know. He failed to see what bearing the future location of Twilight's biggest project to date had to do with anything, but kept silent as they approached. Only for Twilight to suddenly stop just before they would have crested the hill.
"My Lady?" Derran inquired curiously. Twilight just smiled.
"Close your eyes." She stated calmly. Derran arched an eyebrow at the strange request.
"May I ask why?" Twilight just shook her head with a mysterious smile.
"You'll see." She stated simply. Giving a small sigh, Derran nodded, as he tightly shut his eyes. "Don't open them till I tell you. And no peeking!" Despite himself, Derran chuckled, as they continued moving again.
"Very well." He stated calmly, as he felt them begin to ascend the incline. Derran, having many times needed to fight in conditions of near or total blindness, managed the change without even a pause in his stride. For a minute or so, the pair traveled in silence. Until finally, the incline leveled off.
"Ok, now, open your eyes, and tell me what you see." Twilight instructed. Doing as he was bidden, Derran slowly opened his eyes. What he saw, struck him momentarily dumb with awe.
There before him, was Twilight's magnum opus: the School of Friendship. Proposed as a way to spread friendship and harmony to all corners of the globe, it was to be staffed by none other than Twilight and her friends themselves. When last Derran had seen it a little over a week ago, it had been little more than a cleared space of earth surrounded by piles of lumber and stone. Now, it was nearly complete.
Placed on a rocky outcropping, the school towered above the surrounding landscape. Before it, was a lovingly constructed pond filled with decorative stones and lily pads, over which was a stone bridge that led up to the primary entrance, embedded directly into the rock. Around the entrance, decorative waterfalls poured down in great sheets to flank the door. Above, the main classroom and dormitory wings were almost entirely finished. Covered in large windows and doors, leading out onto wide scenic balconies, and capped by a slate tile roof. Only a missing coat of paint on the walls and railings kept them from looking ready for use. Towers, for decoration and observation, sprouted from the center of the roof surrounded by scaffolding, only their tops yet to be completed. Then, behind that, Derran saw the library, auditorium, and headmare's offices, peeking out from behind the towers, covered over in tarps as their roofs also awaited completion.
The school was surrounded by what looked to be countless water features, gardens, and side entrances that were all either nearly, or wholly, finished. Even with scaffolding covering everything, and workponies crawling all over the place, it was a sight to. . . Suddenly Derran paused in his wonderment, his eyes narrowing, before suddenly opening wide. It appeared that workponies was not entirely accurate. For far more than just equestrians were hard at work on the structure.
At ground level, earth ponies, yaks, and even a buffalo or two, were working hard, cutting, sanding, and shaping the lumber and stone. Before Derran's eyes, bundles of the refined materials were flown to where they were needed by flocks of pegasai, griffons, and, shockingly, dragons. Once there, they were received by teams of unicorns and changelings, to be fitted into place, using magic by the former, and transformation into whatever the ideal creature for the job was, by the latter. Once the materials were received and distributed, yak and earth pony construction crews hammered them into place. And overseeing it all, were none other than Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy, all wearing hardhats. Derran stared in shock at the structure, one that should have taken months to finish, in slack jawed amazement.
"How in the Light's holy name. . . ?" Derran whispered. Yet before Twilight could answer, Rainbow dash and Fluttershy sighted him, calling out to the others before winging their way over.
Hey'ya Derran. Whadd'ya think? Pretty snazzy right?" Rainbow asked proudly. Derran just nodded, struggling to understand.
"It is magnificent! But. . . how?! Last I heard, the building permits were only issued before I left last week?! It took you all months to decide on a location and design, and months more to acquire funding and materials?! How in the exalted heavens did you make so much progress in only a week?!" Fluttershy gave Derran a smile.
"Well, uh, in a way, it was because of you. Well, you and Tempest really." At that, Derran looked genuinely nonplussed.
"Me?! With respect to you Lady Fluttershy, how exactly could anything I have done, possibly allow for this?!" Turning, Derran stared at Twilight, who had an odd little smile adorning her face.
"About a month after the Storm King's defeat, Tempest went out into the wastes telling all the kingdoms he had conquered that they were free. Word filtered back to Equestria and all the neighboring lands about the war." Derran arched an eyebrow.
"And how precisely did that convince them to send aid to your project?" He asked, incredulous. Twilight shook her head as she continued.
"They saw how terrible things could get if someone like the Storm King were allowed to rise again. All the death and destruction. The fall of Hippogriffia. Derpy getting hurt."
"You turning into a one stallion apocalypse." Rainbow supplied, only to instantly shut up as Twilight fixed her with a death glare.
"The point is, everycreature realized that it might never have happened if there were better relations between all our nations. They never want it to reach the point where you feel you need to step in like that ever again. So when I approached them with the idea of a School of Friendship, they were all in." Derran stood stock still, staring at the nearly finished school as he digested the information.
"So. . . out of fear then." He declared softly, his voice sounding neither pleased nor displeased. Only for a refined voice to call out in an admonishing tone.
"Oh come now Sir Derran! Do those creatures look like they're scared of you?" Turning, Derran looked curiously at Rarity as she, Applejack and Pinkie Pie approached. Rarity gesturing at the ongoing construction with her hoof. Once again examining the assortment of workers, Derran saw several pointing excitedly in his direction. A few even giving out hearty waves. Derran hesitantly returned the waves, as he studied the expressions being thrown his way. He saw looks of excitement, awe, joy, and even one or two of longing, but to his shock, nowhere could he find the emotion of fear.
"They respect you Derran. All of their leaders have personally met you through your work in Canterlot, and all of their citizens know your story from the papers and word of mouth. They know that even at your worst, your goal is to protect. Nocreature is happy you went on a rampage like you did, but they don't hate you for it either. Our allies are helping us build this school because they don't want conflict, not with us, or against anycreature else. They don't want another Storm King to show up and make innocents suffer, and they don't want the world to need to rely on a Doom Slayer to stop one. And the only way to make sure that won't happen, is for us all to talk to each other, learn from each other, and grow with each other. And it was you who helped them see that." Twilight explained.
For a long time, Derran considered Twilight's words as he watched the creatures working on the school. He could tell they weren't used to working with the other species around them. Conversations, based on the facial expressions Derran could make out, were uncertain. Movements were ever-so-slightly cautious. There were clear signs of hesitance to engage with each other, and occasional awkward moments. Yet, for all the caution, uncertainty, and awkwardness. . . they were trying. More than that, if the few sincerely cheerful grins and animated conversations Derran did see were any indication, they were succeeding. And if this was what could come of only a week or so of working together, how much stronger would the bonds between species become once the school was complete?
Slowly, ever so slowly, Derran felt his mouth quirk upward into a smile. Feeling as though a great weight was being lifted from his shoulders. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter so much that the ponies in Canterlot called him 'Lord'. If they preferred that to 'Derran', did it really mean the world would end? It suddenly seemed trivial to worry that the Tournament of Dreams showed off his combat skills. He'd yet to hear of any fillies challenging each other to duels or physically bullying each other, and believe-you-me, he had been watching. It seemed besides the point that Celestia tricked him into being Regent of Equestria. He wanted to ease the burden of her day to day duties, and he was complaining just because he was getting what he asked for? Besides, he wasn't making judgement calls in her place, so what was the harm?
Now that Derran thought about it, his earlier concerns about VEGA, Twilight, and the Doctor, seemed entirely ridiculous. VEGA was trapped in a world who's tech level was only barely capable of producing a working calculator without magic. Where was he going to go even with full functionality? As to the blueprints, Twilight easily could have hidden them from him, but instead willingly revealed them to him, risking him shutting her down in favor of being honest with him. Twilight wasn't stupid, and she had earned his trust a thousand times over. Neither she, nor the Doctor, were ever going to become evil just because they got their hooves on a working plasma rifle to study.
Derran chuckled as he thought about his various fears. When had he become so paranoid? He really must be getting old. He should know better than anyone that if there was any species he should have faith in, it was the ponies of Equestria. Sure there was an occasional bad egg, but who didn't have those? Besides, even if one of them went insane and turned into the next Sombra or Nightmare Moon, they had Twilight and her friends keeping an eye on things. And if that wasn't enough, well, he was here to back them up. And once the school was finished, once the lessons of the seraphim began to spread across the world and beyond. . . there may yet come a day, when the Doom Slayer, was no more. A day when mortal sins became too few for Hell to survive, as love and harmony supplanted hate and fear, and the demons withered away. A day when the ancient promise of the seraphim, to bring peace to the multiverse, was fulfilled, and the swords of warriors crumbled into dust from disuse. . . Turning to look at Twilight, Derran felt the smile on his face grow ever wider.
"A moment ago, when I opened my eyes, you asked me what I saw. . ." Turning back to the yet unfinished school, Derran felt a sense of profound peace come over him. Deep within him, he felt a usually tempestuous part of himself, becoming strangely still.
"I see. . . hope."
The world watched, as Samuel Hayden approached the podium. From nearly seven and a half billion screens, they watched, as he adjusted the position of the microphone, not knowing the gesture was pure theatrics. As Hayden was simply transmitting his voice directly to the relevant speakers and systems. They heard him, as he let out a long suffering sigh. Only a few questioning how that was possible for a being who no longer had lungs. For an instant as he appeared, cameras snapped and flashed, film crews jockeyed for position, and reporters shouted questions in a mad hubbub. Only to fall instantly silent, as Hayden raised a mechanical hand.
"My fellow citizens of planet Earth." He began, his tone modulated to sound mournful yet determined. "A little over a year ago, we experienced an unspeakable tragedy." Hayden paused for a moment to let his words sink in, before continuing. "During that tragedy, thousands of UAC technicians, scientists, and researchers, perished at the hands of a visitor from another world. Someone whom for months we had thought we could trust." Again Hayden paused, giving a slight shake of his head. "When he first came to us through the prototype portal, I was overjoyed. Making contact with life from another reality? It was a moment every scientist dreams of. Proving not merely the existence of other realities, but that we are not alone in seeking answers among the stars." Hanging his head, Hayden allowed one of the mechanical hands gripping the podium to curl into a fist. Carefully ensuring the gesture would seem unconscious. "Because of that, my elation blinded me. I let my guard down and welcomed our visitor with open arms. Never thinking twice about what ulterior motives he might have. And because of that single moment of naivete, thousands of people who trusted me to keep them safe. . . perished." Hardening his tone, Hayden straightened to look directly into the camera, the movement perfectly conveying a sense of anger and determination, despite both lacking a face, and feeling neither emotion.
"Rest assured, I will not make that mistake again." He declared, his voice sounding controlled, but with enough of a hint of anger to make his listeners think he was as upset as they were. "In a few hours, myself, and a small contingent of the finest soldiers the world has to offer, equipped with the most advanced weaponry the UAC can provide, will set out to pursue the Doom Slayer." Here Hayden gestured to one side, as a group of five men, covered head to toe in high tech body armor and equipped with gauss cannons and plasma rifles, marched onto the stage next to him. "We will give the Doom Slayer, and-or whomever he was acting on behalf of, one chance to explain themselves." Hayden declared, holding up a single mechanical digit to the cameras. "One chance, to return the Crucible, face justice for the lives taken, and avert war." Here Hayden was interrupted by a small ripple of shouts and cheers, that he quieted again with a gesture. "Do not misunderstand my intent." He stated, altering his tone to sound grave.
"It is my fervent hope that we will find that the Doom Slayer was acting alone. We know very little of his world, and we must consider the possibility that what he did tell us was a lie. We are preparing for war, yes, but I swear to you, I will do everything in my power to avoid it." Murmurs of agreement floated up from the crowd, as Hayden adapted his posture to look weary. "What is at stake, is nothing less than the survival of mankind. Without argent energy, human society will collapse. We cannot allow that to happen." Once more Hayden's posture straightened to evoke grim determination. "I will never seek war, but neither will I stand for my species to be threatened! I swear to you, humanity will prevail, no matter the cost, no matter the hardship, we will get back the Crucible! We will SAVE HUMANITY!" Across the world, thunderous cheers and enthusiastic applause greeted the end of Hayden's speech. Even the reporters, who were used to such political theater, could not hold back their cheers.
It wasn't the speech per-say that brought billions across the world to cry out in joy. It was the idea that despite all of their differences, all the people of the world, for that single glorious moment, were united in their purpose. If this did indeed become a battle, it would not be waged for politics or wealth, or any of the myriad gods of the world. It would not be a war dominated by gray, where at times hero and villain were impossible to tell apart, on the rare occasion they existed at all. No. For once. . . all of mankind would be fighting for something totally pure: the survival of their species. Their very right, to exist.
Not that for even a moment any of them truly believed it would come to that. After all, Samuel Hayden himself was going personally. If there was even the slightest chance of a peaceful resolution to this conflict, Hayden was the man to find it. After all, this was the man who had always worked for the benefit of mankind. Hayden could have chosen to charge top dollar for argent energy, or favored only certain nations over others when it came to distribution. Instead, he shared it with the world, and only charged what each country could afford, even if that was nothing. He had lifted entire third world nations from poverty, through carefully designed social programs and economic investment. He erased entire categories of diseases from existence, simply by offering top notch medical gear at cost. He had made hunger a thing of the past, via automated food production and distribution, that made food cheap enough, and abundant enough, for all to share it. He even was beginning the construction of massive atmospheric scrubber towers that would eventually undo the effects of climate change. Never in mankind's history had there been a being as wise or as noble as Samuel Hayden. And to the billions of men, women and children cheering his words, as long as he was in charge, there was hope. . .