//------------------------------//
// Preface - Volume 35 - A Woman Scorned 
// Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds 
// by Kamahido 
//------------------------------//

In our previous volume, Arc and Scootaloo board a train to Manehattan in order to locate a ship. Being attacked by muggers at the station, they make short work of them before getting advice from the leader on how to get a ship ride. Taking a taxi to the low rent district, the pair take an involuntary cold shower and get in bed together. Scootaloo tells her ‘big brother’ that she loves him for the first time, causing memories of Dinky to flood Arc’s mind. Meanwhile, Celestia shows Twilight to her new room filled with books. Going to sleep Twilight finds herself in the Lunar Realm again. Approaching Luna she confesses her anger at having to becoming a princess. Luna tells her that she will one day regret her decision.

Arc and Scootaloo leave the Inn the next morning and head to the Writ Board. Finding one that asks for a courier, they make their way to the shop. Entering, Scootaloo bribes the assistant into getting her boss. Offering her services, the mare is unimpressed. Offering the filly a chance to prove herself, she sends her to the warehouses to retrieve an overdue order. Arriving, Scootaloo finds the thugs from earlier. Beating them to a pulp (with Arc’s help) she forces them to bring the order to the shop. Gaining the trust of the owner, Suri Polomare, Scootaloo gains passage on a ship bound for Trottingham.

Arriving at their destination, they find a guard and gain directions to the customer. Arriving at a truly massive house they ring the bell and are greeted by a butler. Leading them into the house he pays them for the job. Leaving, Arc and Scootaloo find the Writ Board and take a job fixing books in the local library. Over a sandwich with the librarian she tells her alias and is asked to do a special story time with the townsfoals. Not wanting to hear the books they’ve have read to them a hundred times, Scootaloo tells them of her adventures in Dodge Junction. As evening approaches she sends them home.

Leaving the library, the pair find the Inn and get a room. Shortly after arriving a messenger delivers a letter to their room. Reading it, Scootaloo realizes she has been summoned by the master of the house they delivered the clothes to earlier. Returning, the butler escorts her to the bedside of a sick and failing stallion. He gives her a lockbox and an 8x10 photo of a gray mare with an unkempt mane. Telling her she is his missing daughter, he asks her to search the land and give her a small lockbox. Leaving the room, the butler escorts Scootaloo to a lavish guest room and orders food to be brought to her. Later that night she and Arc are awakened to a loud knock on the door. Answering, they find the butler waiting for them. He informs them that Iron Hooves wishes to see her. Heading for the room they are just in time to see several nurses run inside. Waiting for the doctor, he informs them that the master of the house has died. Entering, the butler finds the note on the table and gives it to Scootaloo as he pulls the suit she delivered from the wardrobe. Escorting Scootaloo to the docks, he explains what happened to the foreman. Introducing her to the ship’s captain, Scootaloo presents her letter and asks to be brought to the Dragon Lands. Agreeing, the captain takes her aboard and gives her a room. As they wait for the ship to leave the dock Scootaloo expresses her desire to be adopted officially by Arc. Promising to look into the matter if he is able to she hugs him and promises to become the best daughter ever.

The next morning a young cabin boy named Marco wakes them up. Telling them they are approaching the Dragon Lands, they head up to the deck to meet with the captain. As they are about to part, Mullet runs over and tells of a problem with the engines. Being forced to land on the beach they get to work fixing the ship as Arc and Scootaloo head down the beach. Finding a Dragon Fruit bush, they add the required amount to the potion and wait for it to glow. As before, Arc voices his concerns regarding whether or not he should remember. Scootaloo convinces him that it’s for the best and he drinks the potion. Remembering everything in a colossal way, Arc returns to the ship with Scootaloo. Convincing the captain not to leave them there, the pair head inland to Pyreston.

Arriving at the Throne of the Dragon Lord, Arc is able to convince Ember that he is indeed whom he says he is. She teleports them to Forsaken Village where they retrieve Sereb. Heading back to the Solar Macaw they board and, flying through the night, reach Light’s Hope as dawn breaks the next day. Sereb leads Ember and Scootaloo around the side of the building as Derpy and Dinky approach Arc’s memorial. Spying Arc standing there, both run to him happily and embrace.

Entering the base, Arc and company head for the kitchen together. Arc announces himself to his squad and helps them prepare a large breakfast as Ember and Sereb gather the rest of the Mane Six. Arriving, Arc emerges to a tidal wave of loving embraces. He introduced the Scarlet Filly to them and lets them know her secret identity. Sitting down to eat they all compare notes about what’s been going on in the meantime. Heading to the orphanage to check in with Coco Pommel, they attempt to speak to her about Scootaloo’s future. However before they can do that there is a loud knock at the door.

Captain Decimus opens the door and looks to Coco Pommel. Announcing that he needs to quarter his soldiers at the orphanage for a few day, she protests but is overruled. Scootaloo approaches Decimus and tells him of her reasons for being there. Decimus orders Coco Pommel to write up emancipation papers for Scootaloo which they all sign. Leaving, Scootaloo laments not being able to be adopted by Arc. Dinky retrieves her father’s knife and gauntlet from their house and returns to the office. Arc opens a portal to Rarity’s shop and hurries inside with the others. They decide Arc should relocated to the Crystal Empire until it’s safe to return. Taking his family through a portal Arc vanishes from sight.

Emerging from the portal, they find themselves in Redemption Village. Entering, Derpy and Dinky insist that Arc talk to Mythic Honor regarding armor. Heading for the Town Hall, they learn that the elder pony sent scouts to recover the pieces of Eidolon’s Ward. Although they were successful, he was unable to properly reforged the armor due to it being magically altered by the blast from Celestia. Escorting the group to the Inn, Mythic Honor sees to it that they get the finest room. Sitting Derpy down, Arc and Scootaloo tell her of Iron Hooves death and give her the lockbox. Inside is a letter in which he apologizes for how he treated her and leaves all he owns to her. Calling the foreman back in Trottingham, Derpy leaves the business management to him, opting to receive a monthly allowance rather than run things herself. Scootaloo levels with Derpy, telling her how her own father had used and abused her. Later they return to Ponyville together. Derpy and Dinky head home with Scootaloo in tow as Arc hides out at Rarity’s place.

Having a nice dinner together, Arc and Rarity do the dishes together. Inviting him upstairs to shower, Rarity gets her first look at a human’s… you know. Stepping into the shower with Arc, Rarity cleans him intimately before he does the same to her. Retiring to the bedroom together, Arc brushes Rarity’s mane as they talk. Asking to come with him to the Crystal Empire tomorrow Arc refuses, asking her to stay in the relative safety of Ponyville with Sweetie Belle and the others.

Two days later Arc, Ember, Sereb, and Scootaloo step onto the platform at the Crystal Empire train station. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie stick their heads out the window and call out to them. Leading Arc and company to a small outbuilding they are met inside by Derpy, Dinky, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity. Hearing that audiences have been put on hold, Arc explains a plan to see Cadance. Approaching the castle, they are stopped by the guards. Pretending to be there on a diplomatic mission regarding an international incident, Rarity introduces Ember, Sereb, and Scootaloo before warning the guard that failing to secure a resolution would most likely lead to war. Calling for his superior officer, they order the group to be brought to their office immediately. Arriving at the office they find the officer in question to be Trixie. Explaining their need, she takes them to the Audience Chamber at once. Entering, they find Cadance with Shining Armor at her side. Dismissing the guards, they inform them of Arc’s survival as he decloaks. Telling him he is no longer safe in Equestria, Cadance suggests he relocate to Earth for a time. Producing both the Elements of Harmony and a compact version of the S.P.E.A.R, Cadance tells Arc to say his goodbyes. Saving Rarity for last, they share a passionate kiss before he grabs Scootaloo and dives through the portal.

However, many questions still remain. What will become of Trottingham without Iron Hooves? Did Derpy do the right thing turning over control of the business to others? Will Scootaloo ever make good on her promise to tell the foals of Trottingham another story? Will Ember really be able to hold out for so long? And what of Rarity? Will Twilight really be okay in Canterlot without her friends? What is Decimus’ plan really?

Time will tell. Sooner or later… time will tell.