//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirty Six: Kaleidoscope // Story: Cure For a Toxin // by RadBunny //------------------------------// Gelliana woke up to sunlight. The rays filtered through the holes in their mud shelter, the gryphoness stifling a groan. She must have dozed off; limbs stiff from still being buried in mud. I need a shower. We both need a shower. Being stuck in the mud for more than half a day brought quite a few less-than-pleasant issues to the fore; but it was either that or be eaten. The creatures had returned at multiple times during the night under the cover of the gas. Gelliana had only fallen asleep in stints; the last break having been a few hours since seeing one of the monsters. Toxic was out cold, most likely for the better. He had woken up a few times during the night but only for brief stints. They couldn’t talk, not with those things roaming about. A simple touch, a squeeze of her stallion’s hoof, or resting her muddy claws on the pony’s cheek was all Gelliana could spare. And yet that seemed to be enough, Toxic seeming less and less fearful every time he came out of the unconscious slumber. His symptoms were still severe; shakes and shivering violently in waves whenever he was lucid. Neither of them had eaten much other than carefully taking bites of a ration bar here and there in their muddy hovel. Gelliana frowned, Toxic now stirring rather violently. Spasming this way and that, muffled noises even reached through the gag. It wasn’t in a controlled manner; he was most definitely still asleep. And yet now Gelliana had a different idea, one that was both good, and potentially bad at the same time. They couldn’t move and she had to keep Toxic quiet. If he got any louder… Reaching into the pack Gelliana withdrew a muddy crystal, placing it on Toxic’s spasming forelimb. I hope this works. SMAL had only briefly explained the crystal in one of their many ‘lesson’ sessions. There was an emergency exit function so Gelliana wouldn’t get trapped inside a dream, along with a constant clock function. Along with that, there wasn’t any way the user could actually be harmed. From what Gelliana understood, she could try to influence things in a positive manner, similar to how Princess Luna guided potential nightmares away. All said and done, it was rather safe, a self-contained bubble of dream magic. But it was still unknown, and unfortunately, they were out of options. Gelliana could try and hold Toxic’s mouth shut or re-gag him, but she was exhausted. Dream-crystal it is. Tapping the item, Gelliana took a deep breath and tried to clear her mind as best as she could. With a surprisingly natural flow of magic, her vision faded for a moment before reappearing. Huh. There was no abrupt yanking into the dream realm, nor a hugely noticeable physical change. One moment she was looking at Toxic’s forelimb and crystal, the next, at a grassy floor, her body able to move freely. She couldn’t help but fluff her feathers; it was a pleasurable feeling beyond words even if in a dream ‘self’. Shower is desperately needed. Now where… The grassy field Gelliana made her way through was surrounded by darkness. Black trees rising up to the sky where a large clock slowly ticked away. It didn’t seem to pass any faster or slower here in the dream realm; likely due to the magic. That will make things easier. I can pop out and check to see how we’re doing. Just need to keep Toxic quiet and help him break from whatever nasty thing he’s dreaming about. The gryphoness steeled herself for that. There was no filter; she would see the nightmare in full force even if it couldn’t physically harm her. The prospect of seeing the horrors her stallion had to endure was daunting, but she kept walking forward regardless. Even if their lives weren’t at stake, she’d try this method regardless. I know you’d do the same for me, Tox. The scene abruptly changed. Grass was still underneath Gelliana’s claws, but the view ahead was the opposite of a rustic field. The white, sterile walls of a hospital greeted Gelliana, her eyes narrowing as she heard sobbing. Walking through the only door in the hallway, the gryphoness froze. Slumped in front of a hospital bed, Toxic’s demeanor was that of utter defeat. What made Gelliana pause, however, was that her face stared back, her own form lying in the bed. “I thought you loved me,” dream-Gelliana sighed, the feathers on her face abruptly falling out. “And this is how you repay me. How could I ever have loved someone like you?” Toxic’s shoulders shook with sobs at that. “You did this to me, Toxic. And after-” “HEY!” The entire room spasmed, the scene freezing as Toxic turned around, tears streaming down his face. Gelliana’s wings were flared protectively, the gryphoness walking over and glaring at the dream mock-up. “Get away from him,” she hissed, “I would never say that! You’re just fear; you’re not me!” The dream-form abruptly fragmenting into shreds, vanishing on an invisible wind as Gelliana took a moment to regain her focus. Seeing the distressing scene had pricked at her heart more than the gryphoness had thought possible. This is one of your nightmares, Tox? You told me how it’s a worry, hurting the ones you love. “Gells?” Turning around to wrap Toxic up in a hug, Gelliana nodded. “I’m here, Toxic. The real me.” Tentatively returning the gesture, Toxic then hugged Gelliana in an iron grip. Burying his face into her feathers, his sides heaved before the pony could get himself under control. “You’re here, not a dream?” “Well, yes a dream. But I am actually here,” Gelliana clarified. “I used the dream crystal. You were being noisy; I needed you to be quiet so we can stay hidden.” Toxic nodded, taking a few deep breaths as he separated reluctantly from Gelliana. “Oh, ok, that makes sense,” he murmured, the gryphoness managing a smile. “I mean, we can still hug if you want. It’s nice to feel clean after an entire day in mud.” The innocent statement made Toxic smile as he nodded in agreement. He apparently decided to take her up on the offer and leaned into her embrace again. “And Tox?” Gelliana whispered after a few moments of enjoying her special somepony’s embrace. “Hmm?” “I’d never say that to you. Ever.” It took a moment for the stallion to register what Gelliana was talking about. But when it did, he took a surprised breath and simply hugged her closer. She rocked him back and forth, once again treasuring the fact that he was so willing to show how vulnerable he was at times. Toxic’s breathing and posture relaxed, but that abruptly changed as he reluctantly pulled away from the hug. The sound of hooves echoed through the dream-scape, the stallion letting out a growl. “Oh, not this again,” he hissed. “I can’t ever break it. It’s like a foal’s nightmare chasing you down a hallway.” “What is it?” Gelliana asked, noticing how Toxic refused to meet her gaze. “It’s-just don’t let her get close to me.” To the gryphoness’s surprise, Celestia walked through the door. “You know that I don’t have a choice in this matter,” she said softly, a syringe levitated in her magical grip. “This is a dream. You have no power of me here,” Toxic growled, still moving to the opposite side of the hospital bed. “Perhaps. But you know as well as I do that this is inevitable,” ‘Celestia’ replied, “I cannot allow you to die. Equestria cannot allow it.” “So, you’d force that fate on me?!” Toxic snarled, “I know you have backup plans! Even if this is just my fears, I know this isn’t just my imagination! You still haven’t found a replacement for me, have you?!” “I have not.” Having stayed quiet, Gelliana now moved quickly. Jumping onto one of the hospital chairs, she snatched the syringe out of the air, landing on the bed. With a swift motion, she shattered the container against the floor, glaring at the dream-Celestia. “Get out. Toxic and I have things to talk about,” she said, the gryphoness’s anxiety flaring as ‘Celestia’ stared her down. Not Celestia. It’s not her. It still made Gelliana want to burrow under a pile of pillows. She just back-talked the Princess. ‘Celestia’ abruptly nodded and left, Toxic staring at Gelliana in surprise. “Wow, Gells.” “Uh, yeah, give me a minute,” Gelliana admitted, hopping down to sit next to Toxic as she leaned on an offered shoulder. A brief glance upwards indicated not long had passed; still a bit more time. When the near-panic had passed, Gelliana turned to look at her coltfriend. A playful smile twitched at her beak, claws reaching up to unhook a now-obsolete necklace. “You don’t need this around me,” she said, the gryphoness leaning in to give him a kiss; a gesture returned with an intensity that make Gelliana squeak in surprise before parting. She never would get tired of seeing Toxic’s eyes dampen, nothing but appreciation and love shining in those green depths. “Now, can you please tell me what that was all about? I think I have an idea,” she asked, “this has to do with a fear, the fear, right?” Toxic seemed to shrink at that. The pony wouldn’t meet her eyes, instead focusing on one of the plants in the hospital room. The fact that Gelliana’s reaction to his aversion was to scoot closer made the stallion visibly melt, leaning against the feathery head that rested on his shoulder. “If you don’t want to talk about it, if it’s too much, I get it,” Gelliana said softly, “we have enough to worry about as it is.” “I want you to know,” Toxic said, “especially now.” “Especially now?” She felt the pony shudder at that. “In case the worse happens,” he admitted softly. “In case I can’t tell you later.” Gelliana didn’t have a reply to that. It was a possibility both of them knew was present, always lurking, even now. But they tried not to think of how close it was. “It’s about living forever, huh?” she asked, Toxic nodding once. “In a nutshell,” he mumbled. “I know Celestia has plans in case I am about to die. I fear she will use them. I do not know what they encompass, only that there is something she keeps locked away. It’s not even so much as concrete evidence as much of a feeling. I know she tried to find a replacement for me, someone to give me a break. I haven’t heard anything about that in years.” He paused, looking up at the sky. “You should first go check to see if we’re still safe,” Toxic whispered, “I’ll be right here for when you get back and we can continue. It’ll give me a bit to collect my thoughts.” It only took a few moments; Gelliana activating the fail-safe spell to check the real world. As nothing had changed, she waited a few minutes before returning, taking her place nestled up against her stallion. “Still safe?” he asked. “Still quiet. The sun is rising, so it’s going to get warm. We’ll have to move, maybe tonight,” she mused. “So, that feeling?” “Right. Just, I am the only one in Equestria who can do the jobs that I am given,” Toxic stated. “Equestria is at risk if no creature can. Therefore, I know I’ll be kept alive in some form until a replacement is found. And t-that-I just…” He shrank against the gryphoness, Gelliana reaching over to hold one of Toxic’s hooves tight. “You don’t seem too bothered by the idea of being ageless, but that sounds worse than a pit in Tartarus for me,” Toxic said. “I can’t do it again.” “Do what again?” Gelliana asked. At this, Toxic’s voice cracked, tears trickling down his cheeks as he lowered his head, desperately seeking a comforting embrace. “Be the last one left.” Gelliana shifted to let Toxic lean into her arms, the gryphoness’s heart aching as he cried. So, I was right. She thought. Of course, it would have to do with Oakbark. you can’t just get over that. It’s a part of you, however small or large. “You’re afraid of being forced to watch others…” Gelliana didn’t finish the sentence, there was no need to. “I already have watched so many creatures die, Gells,” Toxic whispered. “To have that be an assurance, to know everycreature I love, loved, or will love will die? Being ageless, kept alive somehow; that’s not a gift. That’s a prison sentence. A death sentence, even if not a physical one.” The pony then paused, seeming to shrink a bit further. “Honestly, I think I would rather die than that,” he admitted, “I don’t think I can do it. I’m already so close to losing it, Gells. That would send me over the edge. I haven’t broken amid all of this, but that, that would break me.” Gelliana couldn’t find any words to counter his argument. From Toxic’s point of view, it sounded like, indeed, a fate worse than death. “What if you weren’t alone, though?” she ventured to ask, “wouldn’t that make it a bit better?” Toxic let out a huff at that. “They don’t hand out a cure to old age on a platter,” he replied, “even if Nacreous pretty much achieved it with those golem-forms, it’s very hit or miss. You don’t just get to ‘poof’ someone into being immortal outside of being an Alicorn or some other crazy magic like a Satyr’s paw. Well, not to my knowledge at least,” he paused, finally nodding. “But if I knew I wouldn’t have to be alone, I think that would make it bearable. I’ve never let myself think about that.” “I mean, centuries to try out new foods,” Gelliana suggested, “explore places, learn dozens of hobbies; maybe I’m just looking on the bright side. But like, if I could do that and have it be with someone I love, that doesn’t seem that bad. That sounds amazing actually.” She could feel Toxic’s brow furrow, the pony seeming to think very very hard about that. After a few moments, he finally spoke, a soft sniffle leaving his muzzle. “When you put it like that, it sounds…” his voice trailed off, hitching softly, “it actually sounds beautiful. More than I can imagine. I just never had the chance to think that way; I couldn’t let myself think about that,” he admitted, “but finally taking a break, letting the Organization take over…” “You do need a vacation,” Gelliana interjected, “you could totally take a decade to live on a deserted island.” He was smiling now, but the gesture waned as the stallion pulled away, still holding her claws. “Gells, even with all of that, can you promise me?” he asked, voice cracking on the last few words. “Please?” “To what?” “If the choice is there, to let me die, or,” he took a few deep breaths, tears briming in Toxic’s green eyes, “or to live forever, alone, please don’t let them keep me alive. Please stop them. I can’t do it. I can’t watch everyone die again. My parents, my brother, Varti, you. Please, don’t let them force that fate on me. Don’t let me be the last one left again.” Gelliana stared at him, finally nodded firmly as much as it hurt. Alone. That was the caveat her mind clung to. If Toxic was going to be forced to be alive, forever, with no creature at his side… “I promise.” I don’t know if I could bring myself to punch a Princess. But in this case, I’d try. There was another question then cemented itself in the gryphoness’s heart, one she almost immediately answered. However, it required a lot more thought and time once they were out of here. If there was a choice, to be with Toxic, would I? The sky above them flashed, the timer starting to shimmer. “I guess the crystal needs to recharge,” Toxic grumbled, reaching forward to give Gelliana another hug. “Thank you, Gells,” he whispered, lovingly nuzzling her cheek until he made his way to her beak where he gave her a long kiss. “Anytime, Toxic,” she managed to say, facial-feathers fluffing even in a dream. “I apologize in advance for being filthy in the real world.” “I think we’re both filthy,” she admitted, “just no bathing jokes. I know you have a few of them.” Even through the emotional turmoil, that loving, roguish grin slid onto Toxic’s face as he nodded. “Just serious for now. Let’s get out of this place. Thank you for,” he paused, jaw tightening as emotion clogged the stallion’s throat, “thank you for being there for me. Through all of this. I don’t know what I would have done without you.” “You are quite welcome. Just pay me back with a spa week and we’ll call it even,” Gelliana said with a smile. “I’m not going anywhere.” As Gelliana vanished, those final words made Toxic smile, the hospital slowly changing to a peaceful, grassy field. “I hope not Gells,” he said to himself, curling up on the grass to doze. “I don’t want you to. Not now, not ever.” Gelliana shifted in the wet mud, the gryphoness letting out a grumble. It was nearly mid-day now, but they still couldn’t move. How could she? There was nowhere to go. She couldn’t carry Toxic on her own, nor avoid capture. Her limbs were aching from being prone for so long. So, the gryphoness got to work. Since she hadn’t seen creatures out and about ever since the early morning, Gelliana began to dig. Pushing mud out towards the river-side of their hole and digging into the riverbank. It didn’t take as long as she thought; when you were so muddy as they were, getting even muddier wasn’t a concern. Within an hour, the gryphoness had hollowed out a sizeable hole, big enough to curl her body in and actually stretch, one limb at a time. Oh, stars above that feels good. It was another hour to make the hole even larger, finally tugging Toxic into it and trying to clean him off as best she could. She had helped him wash off a few times with SMAL when he was sick the past few weeks, but now… It’s different. Having someone rely on her so completely, and knowing it was a stallion she loved more than anything made even the simple gesture of wiping mud off of the unconscious pony’s face a bit more intimate. It was in an odd way she couldn’t explain; nor did she expect others to understand. It was an amusing realization, one that made Gelliana mentally roll her eyes. This was nothing like the fluffy romances she enjoyed reading about. That much was obvious, and yet there was another steady, secure feeling that prompted a slight smile. It’s much more. I’d argue even better. Not so much their situation, but just, everything. She felt comfortable around Toxic, enough so that this sort of help wasn’t awkward or the like. She was just helping the creature she loved. Seeing Toxic almost die multiple times, and then being the primary creature to help him; it made the gryphoness have a thought that refused to be silenced. I really don’t mind this. The fact she knew he’d eventually be alright was the driving factor, the hope that kept the gryphoness going. Her stallion was there, just buried underneath a poisoned body. And he wasn’t even completely gone; the moments of lucidity showing that much. Gelliana knew that trying to explain her feelings would likely require a lot of time; or at least some therapy (to which Toxic agreed they were both going to attend as soon as they got back,) but there was something more to it all. The gryphoness was quickly realizing that there really wasn’t any other creature who could understand what they were going through. I’ve heard warriors say that fighting alongside someone creates an unbreakable bond. So, what did all of this do for us? It didn’t break us apart. I’d say it pushed us closer in a way I really don’t fully understand yet. I certainly don’t know how I’m going to explain this to my parents. That made Gelliana blush rather furiously. That was a quick way to give herself a panic attack. They didn’t even know she had been dating Toxic steadily… Deep breaths, girl. Worry about that later when Toxic can give you a hug. Such thoughts faded as warmth flooded the gryphoness’s chest with relief, Toxic opening his eyes, coughing out the muddy gag and stretching. “No sign since early morning. It’s almost mid-day now,” Gelliana whispered. “And we are under a lot of dirt. So, short whispers are ok, I think.” “Sounds good,” Toxic said, wincing as his voice was dry and raw, accepting a dirty canteen eagerly and looking around. “You’ve been busy.” “Just a bit,” she admitted with a grateful smile. The pair didn’t say much else, downing some more water and a set of rations as they waited for nightfall. They didn’t have to wait nearly that long, however, for their brief respite to be interrupted. Only a few hours after Gelliana had enlarged their shelter, an odd set of footfalls was heard nearby. The pair stayed silent, something moving around the riverbank. “Hello!” someone whispered, a very small, glowing form walking into their shelter, no larger than a mouse. “Ah, excellent!” Gelliana and Toxic could only stare, the figure enlarging to a lunchbox-sized gryphon. “I am quite pleased to see you two alive and well,” the individual said, bowing his head and jumping about excitedly before sitting in front of them. “Apologies. I am CESAL. I am here to help you!” “W-wha?” Gelliana managed to say, the gryphon wincing. “Perhaps this will clear things up. Sorry, I am still new to all of this.” A familiar but small mare now appeared next to him, abruptly waving to Gelliana. “SMAL,” Gelliana squeaked, the pony nodding as she smiled widely. “I am glad to see you both alright. I am sorry that I could not return sooner,” SMAL said, ears flattening, “I was about to permanently shut down when he found me. Our cores are hidden nearby.” “And you are?” Toxic asked, looking at CESAL, the gryphon bowing respectfully. “I am sorry, Director. I am very new to all of this. Living, that is,” CESAL admitted. “Living?” That word made Toxic blink. “Correct,” CESAL stated, sitting up proudly. “I was created by Varti a few days ago to aid you all. However, due to accelerated logic processes, I have been able to do a lot of thinking. My official designation is ‘Crisis and Emergency Supportive Assistant Lexicon.’ I was created using the conflicting, adaptive code that initially was going to corrupt SMAL’s programming. I have repaired that damage.” “…huh,” Toxic murmured, “and what is your exact purpose then?” CESAL smiled, gesturing to the two curious individuals. “I am programmed with set of directives as a safeguard,” he admitted, “but I was given a choice by Varti what to do outside of that. Initially, I chose to come here and help. Primarily, my directives are to repair SMAL. I also have directives to help you and Gelliana escape by any means necessary; directives I have shared with SMAL.” At that, Toxic and Gelliana couldn’t help but grin. “That is good to hear, CESAL. I would like to hear more of your ‘life’ when we are safe,” Toxic said, the gryphon’s head then cocking. “Of course, Director. I would be happy to explain. Interesting, your voice shows unique but dangerous and damaging auditory alterations. Gelliana appears unaffected. Fascinating.” “I guess I’m the only one who gets to appreciate his voice fully,” the gryphoness interjected, CESAL actually letting out a soft chuckle at that, the entity nodding in agreement. “It would appear to be so. Hmmm,” the gryphon then appeared to think for a moment. “Unfortunately, we will have to stay here until evening due to activity on the sensor net. They are not close, but patrols are still random and frequent enough. Is that a pleasant enough plan?” Looking at each other, covered in mud and goodness-knows what else, Toxic and Gelliana blinked. Sore and wet to the bone, the pair began to laugh, stifling the sound in their forelimbs as their sides shook. CESAL appeared to be rather bemused, SMAL finally gesturing towards the exhausted pair of chuckling creatures. “I think you need to use ‘pleasant’ in a different context,” the mare remarked, CESAL’s eyes widening. “Ah.” Onyx had found himself proud that he wasn’t an overly-emotional individual. His emotions were kept under lock and key, in a safe, at the bottom of a lagoon. And yet a certain ethereal mare seemed determined to break into said safe repeatedly. Their first ‘date’ had begun really without much fanfare. It was just a movie night with the two of them. They met at the usual room and had begun watching the latest ‘happy’ movie, at Icait’s request. He would never admit to liking such films, nor to how they made his chest warm. That would be silly. Despite the first half of the movie going smoothly, when he had gone to retrieve snacks for the pair, Onyx returned to find Icait pacing mid-air. “You, are nervous,” Onyx stated flatly as the Windigo mare flitted about the room. “Of course I am!” she sighed, finally settling down next to the shadow-stallion. “The movie is half-over, I don’t know if you’re having fun, it’s our first date, you left to get snacks and that could mean you aren’t having fun but I don’t- Icait’s entire face lit up in a blush as Onyx calmly pushed a sugary pastry into her mouth, rolling his eyes afterwards as he settled down on his cushion. “We are watching a movie together. There is no reason for our behavior to change at all,” he remarked calmly with his usual, slightly-grumpy tone. “We already live together. We are just having an outing.” The shadow-pony’s heart abruptly fell, a sensation that genuinely surprised him as Icait’s ears drooped. “I know, but I just can’t tell if you are having fun. I didn’t know…I mean, no change at all?” she asked, seeming genuinely deflated. It was wrong, seeing her so sad. What had he said? Think. Think-oh. “I meant in general,” the shadow-pony backpedaled, letting out a frustrated huff. “There is no need for us to act odd around each other. I find you interesting, you find me interesting. This just adds another aspect to it. Friendship and then…something else. That is what I mean. We are both inexperienced to this; I told you I don’t even know how to act other than I enjoy your company.” Her ears perked back up at that, Onyx finally making the connection. “I suppose I should remind you of that more often,” he admitted softly, almost more to himself than Icait, grey eyes flicking to his hooves. He could feel the Windigo’s gaze on him, so he finally turned to look at her, almost palpable eager hope radiating from her ethereal frame. “As I said before. I enjoy your company…quite a bit, in ways I don’t enjoy talking about publicly because of reasons,” he grumbled, “I only left to get snacks because I know you like to eat sweet things while watching movies. Not because I was bored or not having a good time.” Icait’s eyes were wide at the long dialogue, clearly not having expected such a thing from the shadow pony. “I am…” Onyx paused, the stallion letting out a frustrated sigh, “I am sorry that my usual way of acting makes you think I don’t enjoy being around you. Nothing could be further from the truth. I will try to remember that.” He stiffened in surprise as Icait sniffled, reaching over to give him a tentative hug. “Thank you, Onyx,” she whispered, “I really was wondering. I do wonder a lot of the time.” “I will make it a point to ensure you don’t ‘wonder’ as much,” Onyx stated, a slight but genuine smile on his features. “And you are welcome. I am trying, but it is difficult.” “I know. So, thank you again. I don’t expect you to change from being who you are, even if that is a grump most of the time.” Icait let him go, but she was clearly still fidgeting as the intermission began to wind down. “I know you want to ask me something, Icait,” he sighed, “whatever it is, I promise I will not roll my eyes at it, or scoff. I am trying to be better about that.” “I know,” she admitted with a smile, “and I appreciate it. I’m still working on trying to not be so worrying. Flighty. Stuff. I was just wondering if you wanted to…” Onyx put two and two together; mainly that Icait was wringing her hooves. “I do not think holding hooves on the first date violates any social faux-pas,” Onyx said. “I have absolutely zero experience with this.” The shadow pony admitted that he didn’t see the point of such a gesture, at least in terms of immediate payoff, and many others for that matter. But seeing Icait happy that was just ok with it; that did make him happy. I will try, for her. Perhaps I can learn how to be a better creature this way too. That is what Starlight hinted at, at least. I just cannot hurt Icait. I do not want that. And she doesn’t want to hurt me. That last thought made Onyx’s eyes widen. He had never really thought about that before. He was truly with a trusting party. No ulterior motives, no secret plans, just a Windigo who found him interesting. A strange sense of calm, a warmth that made Onyx’s hooves tingle spread through his body. It was a new addition to the word he already had assigned to how he felt around Icait. Safe. With those positive reinforcers in mind, Onyx took a leap of faith. In this case, it was reaching over to hold Icait’s hoof. Her immediate squeak made something flutter in his chest, something that pulled the corners of the usually-scowling mouth upwards immediately. Onyx wasn’t sure why, but he liked that sound. After a few moments, Icait gave his hoof a squeeze; and the shadow pony had to admit he rather enjoyed this. A simple method of contact, a gesture of care. It was so primitive but effective. “Not so bad?” she asked, Onyx shaking his head. “It is… a silly gesture,” he said, promptly squeezing Icait’s hoof as she began to pull it back at his words. “I never said I didn’t like it,” he added with a slight grumble, that adorable squeak leaving Icait’s mouth again as the movie started back up. As far as first dates went, Onyx would count it as a success. The fact Icait leaned on his shoulder only solidified that fact. Pick paced the platform restlessly, massive cranes loading dozens of crates onto the vessel in the background. The pre-flight checks were nearly complete; all that was being loaded now were secondary supplies. “The other ships just got back,” Varti said softly, trotting up to stand on the platform. “They can be repaired within a few hours. Darkness will not be our ally this time.” “No, I don’t think it will be,” Pick admitted, eyes narrowing. “That gives us half a day then. We won’t have the element of surprise, but counting on that is what cost us this last attempt.” “True, but I doubt the Shadow-King will expect another attempt so soon,” Varti mused. “And we may have backup. I’ve sent teams to Equestria to aid with their infrastructure-hostage issue. If the Shadow-King has agents ready to poison their water supply, we’ll find them. The antigen is almost ready for deployment and testing in a water-soluble state, so we could inject it in the water as a countermeasure if necessary.” The Fleet Commander only nodded, clearly preoccupied until Varti shoved his shoulder, nearly toppling the golem-pony over. “We’ll get him back, Pick.” The pony looked down, his forelimb sparking with magic as the vessel in front of them responded in kind, guide-wings flaring. “No holds barred this time,” Pick hissed. “Let’s see how they like it when their target isn’t a bunch of civilians or two lone creatures.”