//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Betrayed // Story: The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds // by Kamahido //------------------------------// The Equinox slowly takes off as Arc leads the last of the citizens onto the Mid Deck. He gestures to the rows of bunk beds with a wave of his hand. “Everyone can bed down here. Further on is another bay of more beds which can be used if these are all filled. However that wing will be mostly for military personnel. If anyone needs medical attention we have facilities upstairs. Between the bays down the way is the cafeteria. We have plenty of supplies, so don’t worry about us running out anytime soon. Everyone has free reign of the ship with the exception of the Bridge and Engine Room. We have a Library, Rec Room, and an Observation Deck that is available for use.” Mayor Mare approaches Arc. “Thank you, sir. We appreciate the hospitality.” Arc sighs. “It seems the least I can do, considering all that happened because of me.” Applejack frowns. “None of that was your fault, Arc!” Pinkie’s mane deflates. “Yeah! It was all Decimus!” Fluttershy grits her teeth. “That stallion was nothing but bad news!” Rainbow Dash grins. “Well, we took care of his troops while Hammer finished the job!” Hammer nods soberly. “He didn’t deserve to keep sucking air.” “Thanks for the support everyone. But right now we need to see about keeping the citizens here safe until they can return home.” Derpy raises a hoof. “I’ll take care of the meals.” “Yeah! Mom and I have lots of experience cooking back at the orphanage!” The Cakes step forward. “My husband and I can help in the kitchen as well.” “Right. We’re mostly pastry chefs though.” Derpy smiles. “That will be quite helpful. I’m not very good at desserts personally.” Arc turns to his troops. “See to it everyone is settled into a bunk and send anyone whom is injured upstairs to the Infirmary.” Max salutes. “We’ll see to it, sir.” Xenos nods soberly. “Yeah. These ponies have been through a lot already.” Hugh motions to the Kitchen. “Afterwards we’ll see about helping out in here.” Viktor sighs. “They’ll need all the help they can get.” Arc sighs. “I’ll see if I can lend a hand later too. But I need to take care of business right now.” “We’ll have food ready soon, dad!” Derpy giggles. “Yes. Don’t be late for meals now.” “I’ll try not to be. See you later.” Arc turns and quickly leaves via a teleporter. Dinky looks to her mother. “Mom? Is dad okay?” Derpy shakes her head. “He’s… not really.” Fluttershy nods sadly. “Rarity looked like she was hurt pretty badly when they brought her in. Rainbow Dash too.” Applejack smiles. “We could go see them later. I’m sure both Rarity and Rainbow Dash would like that.” Apple Bloom looks to her older sister. “Can Dinky and I come too?” Dinky nods. “Yeah. I’m sure Sweetie Belle’s feeling really sad right now. She’s still not returning my calls.” Auriel appears confused. “Calls?” “Telepathic calls, that is.” Auriel shrugs. “Maybe she’s asleep.” Apple Bloom shakes her head. “No, she’s awake. That I can feel too.” Sereb bows his head. “Sometimes we all just need a little space alone to work through things in our minds.” Rose puts a hand on pair of fillies’ heads. “Right. Give her some time.” Meanwhile, Arc appears on the teleporter pad on the Bridge. He walks over to the captain’s chair to find Soarin sitting there nervously. “Um… everything okay?” Soarin shakes his head. “No, sir. Thing are really… out of whack in here right now.” “I know having so many extra passengers is going to be tough, but…” Lemon Hearts interrupts him. “That’s not what he means, sir.” “Oh?” Wrangler looks away nervously. “We’re… short on crew.” Moon Dancer bows her head. “One very important member, that is.” Arc frowns. “What are you all getting at?” Thunderlane sighs. “The commander found Captain Tight Ship’s resignation on his desk a short time after everypony boarded.” Arc gasps. “Tight Ship’s gone?!” Soarin nods sadly as he holds up a paper. “Yes sir.” “Why?!” “He said he couldn’t fight against his oldest friends.” “Celestia?” Wrangler nods. “And Decimus.” “They have a history?” Moon Dancer bows her head. “Yes sir. I remember hearing stories from him about their academy days.” Thunderlane sighs. “Best friends those two.” Arc clenches a fist. “But he knows everything that’s happened thus far! Why would he even CONSIDER helping Decimus or Celestia at this point?!” Soarin grimaces. “Apparently he believes in their judgement and wants to be there for them when he’s needed most.” The stallion sighs as he stands and looks at Arc and hands over the letter. “He recommended me as his successor, sir. But ultimately the choice is up to you.” Arc nods. “I trust that you can command this ship, Soarin?” “Yes sir. But I’m not as good at it as…” “That’s because you aren’t.” “Sir?” Arc puts a hand on Soarin’s shoulder. “Don’t try to be Tight Ship. Just do the best you can as you are.” He turns to the rest of the crew. “Can I count on everyone else to do what they can to help me stop this madness?” Lemon Hearts stands. “I’m with you, sir. After all, every act I’ve witnessed has always been for the betterment of everypony in the land. But right now Princess Celestia’s newly appointed Hero of Light isn’t even trying to protect anypony.” Wrangler grits her teeth. “Yeah! He’s just going around and trampling ponies under his hooves to get to you, sir! We have to stop him and show the princess that she was wrong to try and give him your job!” Thunderlane frowns. “We can’t just sit idly by while the citizens are forced to suffer this tyranny. It has to end, and you’re the only one with the authority to do anything right now.” Moon Dancer looks to Arc. “I’ve analyzed the situation and have found that nearly everything that both the princess and Decimus have done to be in direct contrast with what protocol calls for. You don’t imprison innocents against their will and use them as bait in the name of trying to protect them from a phantom menace.” Soarin looks to Arc soberly. “Captain Tight Ship is a stallion I’ve always looked up to. He’s brave, honest, loyal, and kind. But the thing that always impressed me was how he had such a great relationship with Princess Celestia and Captain Decimus. I can honestly say that they were always the best of friends. But now he’s blindly following Celestia as she leads Equestria off a proverbial cliff by Decimus’ side.” “Thanks, everyone. I’ll need all the help I can get.” Arc turns to Soarin before continuing. Clearing his throat he speaks. “As the Hero of Light, I hereby promote you to captain of The Equinox, Soarin. Always do your best to keep this ship and its occupants safe.” “I will, sir.” “Good. Now we need to get moving.” Thunderlane grins. “Where to, sir?” “Canterlot. I need to stop Celestia as soon as possible. Hopefully before Decimus… respawns, or whatever he does to keep coming back.” Moon Dancer looks over her console. “I’ll keep watch for incoming threats, sir.” Wrangler grins. “And the weapons will be standing by.” Lemon Hearts puts on her headphones. “If there’s anything interesting on the radio I’ll see to it you hear about it, sir.” Thunderlane grips the controls. “And I’ll get you there quickly and safely, sir. Give me two hours and we’ll be in Canterlot’s air space.” “Thank you, everyone. With any luck this will be over before we know it. But if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on someone.” Leaving the Bridge, Arc heads for the Infirmary. Entering, he finds Sweetie Belle lying on a bed next to her mother. She looks up sadly as Arc walks over to them. “Hey.” Arc forces a smile. “How is she?” “Nurse Redheart says she’ll be okay with some rest.” “Can you tell me what happened?” “Some really mean looking guards broke into Carousel Boutique when Rarity didn’t answer the door. They smashed through the bedroom door where we were hiding. Rarity… tried to fight them off by throwing some stuff at them. But that just made them mad.” She puts a small hoof on Rarity’s fetlock before continuing. “When they charged at us, Rarity… my mom threw herself on top of me. They started hitting her… calling her bad names and telling her to just come quietly. A few times they hoofed her in the head, but she wouldn’t budge. Mom… started bleeding when they slammed her face into the floor one time too many. Eventually she went limp and they dragged us to the orphanage. Arc takes Rarity’s hoof as he gently pats Sweetie Belle’s head. “I’m sorry this happened. You and Rarity were very brave to stand up to them.” Sweetie Belle shakes her head. “No, Arc. My mom was just too frantic to think rationally.” “What do you mean?” “When we got to the orphanage they let me walk on my own. I saw that nopony else was hurt. Just Rarity and Rainbow Dash.” A weak voice rings out as Rarity’s fetlock moves slightly. “…right.” They looks down to see Rarity gazing up at them through her two black eyes. Arc gasps. “Rarity!” “MOM!” Rarity forces a smile. “I’m… all right, Sweetie Belle. Are you hurt?” “I’m fine! Arc’s here too, mom! He killed the bad stallions!” “I knew… he would.” “My troops did most of that. I was busy getting you two out of there.” Rarity coughs. “Thank… you.” “But why did you fight back, mom?! We both could have just walked out of there!” “Because… I thought… they were there… to take you away… from me… Sweetie Belle.” Sweetie Belle gasps. “What?! But why would they have…?” Arc interrupts her. “Now, now. Let’s not dwell that too much.” Rarity looks around. “Where… are we?” “The Equinox. My Infirmary to be exact.” “What happened… in Ponyville?” Sweetie Belle grins. “Arc and his soldiers came and saved everypony! We’re flying away now with the entire town!” “Everypony?” Arc nods. “Yes. They’ll be safe from Decimus in here.” Sweetie Belle appears suddenly nervous. “Where are we going now?” “Canterlot. My forces and I are going to confront Celestia about this matter right away.” Rarity frowns. “Matter?” “He rounded up the entire town and held them hostage in an attempt to lure me out of hiding.” Sweetie Belle gasps. “Do you think the princess told him to do that, Arc?!” “No idea. But either way she has to know what he did. And if she refuses to see reason, I’ll knock her right off that throne!” “Arc… you… you can’t!” Arc nods. “Oh yes I can. I’m the only one who can legally challenge her right now.” Rarity shakes her head weakly. “No… please don’t! She’ll… she’ll… kill you!” “Maybe. But I’m not letting this go. I was wrong to suggest you and the others return to Ponyville. What happened to you and the rest of the townsponies is squarely on my shoulders.” Sweetie Belle nods soberly. “The princess can’t be allowed to keep doing things like this to innocent ponies!” Rarity grimaces. “But… without her… who will…?” “If she goes down I’ll call for Cadance to take the Equestrian throne while I try to find Luna.” Sweetie Belle gasps. “What about Miss Twilight?” Rarity nods. “Yes. She’s… a princess… too.” Arc sighs. “That may be true. But I don’t think she’ll be in any shape emotionally to do anything if I take down her mentor. Hopefully it won’t come to that though.” Redheart’s office door opens. She and Rainbow Dash walk out together as the Pegasus gnaws at the restrains on her wing. “Now remember to rest yourself properly. And for Celestia’s sake keep those bandages on!” Rainbow Dash groans. “But I can’t let Arc see me like this! He’ll think I’m a…!” She turns to see Arc frowning at her, his arms crossed over his chest. A few moments of silence passes between them. Rainbow Dash nervously moves her head away from the bandages holding her wing to her side. “It’s… really not that bad. In fact, it doesn’t even hurt anymore!” Redheart rolls her eyes as she pokes the pegasus’ wing. “Not even here?” Rainbow Dash gasps and falls to her knees in pain as Rarity looks to Redheart. “How… is she?” “Quite a bit better than you, miss. A fractured wing along with numerous bumps and bruises.” Arc helps the mare stand up. “Did the guards get you too, Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow Dash sighs. “Yeah. I saw a bunch of them going from house to house from the sky. When I turned to fly away a couple of them came after me.” “So you flew to Rarity’s place?” “Not exactly. A couple more flew out of a nearby cloud and forced me to the ground in front of the shop. When Rarity peeked out the window I told her to make a run for it. That must’ve set off the guards, as the next thing I knew they were breaking down the shop’s front door.” Rarity grimaces. “Why… did they…?” Rainbow Dash bows her head. “I don’t know, Rarity. It all just happened so fast!” Arc frowns. “Well, they won’t be doing that to anyone else. My squad tells me all of Decimus’ forces were killed in the skirmish.” Sweetie Belle appears relieved. “That’s good!” Arc turns to the nurse. “What’s Rarity’s condition, Redheart?” “She sustained a mild concussion as well as a few fractured bones.” “Will she be okay?” “With some bedrest, yes.” Arc appears relieved. “Good. Now then I need to deal with Celestia before Decimus comes back.” Rarity gasps as she attempts to get up. “But you…!” Redheart puts a hoof on the mare’s chest. “Calm yourself, miss. You’re in no condition to be moving around.” Rainbow Dash grins. “Not to worry. I’ll go with him.” Arc raises an eyebrow skeptically. “With a fractured wing?” “I can still fight!” Arc shakes his head. “That may technically be true. But you’re also in a significantly weakened state.” “Well, I have to do SOMETHING!” “Then stay here in the Infirmary and keep Rarity company.” “But I don’t want to lie around and…!” Redheart frowns. “I was leading you out here to do just that though!” Arc chuckles. “That settles it.” “But…!” Arc points to the mattress next to Rarity. “Bed. Now.” Rainbow Dash sighs. “…fine.” She climbs in as Redheart fluffs the pillow. Covering the mare with a blanket, Arc smiles at her. “Thanks.” “What for?” “Not arguing too much. After all, I know you don’t like lying around. But I want you to recover properly.” Rainbow Dash blushes slightly as Arc turns back to Redheart. “Keep them both in bed until you believe they’re recovered enough to move around.” “Yes sir.” Rarity turns her attention back to Arc. “Getting ready for… the mission?” “Yeah. With our improved engines it shouldn’t take too long for the ship to reach Canterlot.” Rainbow Dash appears worried. “You be careful down there.” Sweetie Belle smiles nervously. “Right, Arc. My mom and I will be waiting.” “I will. Get some rest you three.” As he turns to leave the Infirmary, Applejack suddenly runs in breathlessly. “Arc! We’ve got trouble!” “What’s wrong?!” “Sereb and Hammer caught a saboteur!” “Where?!” “This way!” The pair hurry out of the Infirmary and down the corridor together. They soon come to the Cargo Hold where Sereb has his paws on the chest of a yellow pony with a fiery mane. As he does so Hammer presses her gun to the mare’s temples. Arc looks over the scene before him as he approaches. “What’s going on here?!” Sereb cautiously steps back and turns to Arc as Hammer takes his place holding the captive down. “I smelled someone down here whom did not enter the ship with the others from Ponyville!” Hammer nods angrily. “She won’t say a word though. Want me to make her talk, Arc?” Arc shakes his head. “Let’s hold off on that for now. Besides, I already know who this is.” He motions for Hammer to step away as he looks the mare over. “It’s been a long time, Lieutenant Spitfire.” The mare glares at him as he continues. “Somehow I don’t think you were down here for supplies.” Spitfire looks daggers at him. “Just kill me at get it over with, will you?!” Arc frowns. “Wait. Kill?” “You’re a monster!” Sereb growls. “Watch your tongue, morsel!” Spitfire points a hoof to Applejack. “And you’re a traitor too!” “Wha?!” “You’re an Element Bearer! How DARE you betray Equestria!” Applejack narrows her eyes. “I don’t know what the hay you’re talking about! Arc here is trying to SAVE this land!” Arc nods. “Right. But why don’t we start with what you were doing down here.” “I was sent here to disable your ship.” Hammer’s fingers dig into the mare’s fetlocks. “Why?!” “To protect the princess from him!” Arc frowns. “How?” Stellar Flare walks over with a device under her fetlock. “She came here with an EMP. It would have fried enough of the electronics to force the ship to land.” Spitfire grits her teeth. “I’m still not sure how you knew I was here!” Sereb growls. “You reek of treachery!” Hammer nods fervently. “Yeah! What he said!” Arc looks to the intruder. “Let me guess. When we crashed, someone would have been waiting on the ground to finish the job?” Spitfire looks away. “Figure it out yourself, beast! But I do have a question for YOU!” Applejack grits her teeth. “You’re not in any position to…!” Arc interrupts her. “What is it?” “I wanna know why!” “Why, what?” “Why did you betray Princess Celestia?!” “I don’t understand what you mean.” Spitfire rolls her eyes. “Playing dumb won’t change anything. “The whole kingdom knows how you tried to kill her!” Sereb bares his teeth. “You have that backwards.” Arc clenches a fist. “Right. In truth it was Celestia whom tried to kill ME.” Spitfire suddenly breaks free and lunges forward to attack Arc. Hammer grabs her rear hoof, stopping the mare mere inches from Arc as Sereb slams her to the deck with a blow from one of his massive paws. Hammer puts the barrel of her gun on the back of Spitfire’s head. “I’d stay down if I were you.” Spitfire turns to Hammer. “Don’t trust him! This… this THING will stab you in the back the moment he gets the chance!” Arc shakes his head. “Believe what you will about me. But when we met, I took you for an intelligent officer.” “Don’t insult me!” “I’m not. But you need to look at everything that’s happening and ask yourself one question.” Spitfire scoffs. “What’s that?!” “Do you really want to be a part of this?” “That’s why I joined the military originally! To keep the land safe from things like YOU!” “Then your efforts are a bit… misguided. I’m not the dangerous one here. Decimus and Gaston are plotting something.” Applejack nods with conviction. “Right! He tried to use the citizens of Ponyville as bait to lure Arc out into the open!” Hammer grits her teeth. “And tried to torch the building they were in!” “That’s a lie!” She points a hoof to Arc as she continues. “He’s the one whom set fire to Ponyville!” Sereb growls. “Arc did not have anything to do with the orphanage fire!” Applejack stomps the deck angrily. “Yeah! In fact he was the one whom freed all of us before the fire could spread!” “There’s no way that’s true! This monster set fire to the entire town!” Arc nods. “Last I checked it was still standing.” Spitfire groans. “Why do you keep lying like this?! It’s a simple matter to verify what the survivors told us!” Hammer raises an eyebrow. “Survivors?” “A few guards escaped and radioed the report back to Canterlot. Before leaving you ordered your ship to set the town ablaze!” “No, we didn’t.” Spitfire looks away. “I’m just wasting my breath! You’re so deep in lies that you can’t remember how to tell the truth!” Sereb raises a massive paw as he looks to Arc. “I’ve heard quite enough! Allow me to silence this traitor!” “No. I’ll deal with her myself. Let her up.” Hammer raises an eyebrow. “You sure about this, Arc?” “Very.” Warily, Hammer and Sereb release Spitfire. She looks to him coldly. “Going to finish me off yourself, huh?” Arc shakes his head. “Not exactly. Attack me.” “…what?” “You heard me.” Spitfire grins. “Looking for a challenge?” “I’m sure you’d like the chance to complete your mission. Come at me.” Spitfire looks Arc over for a few moments. Spreading her wings she zooms forward at breakneck speed. However as she nears Arc he sidesteps and grabs her by the mane. Using her own momentum, he redirects the mare to do a 180 only to slam into the deck. Groaning, she wipes away the blood forming in her nose. Arc leans forward and speaks to her softly. “I didn’t attack Ponyville.” She turns her head and looks daggers at him. Hammer and Sereb walk over to her. “We’ve gotta get rid of this mare!” “Yes. She’s out of her mind.” Spitfire coughs. “Just do whatever you had planned and let’s get this over with.” Arc nods. “Fine. Applejack, tie her up.” “Uh… okay.” Grabbing a nearby rope, Applejack soon has Spitfire’s hooves tied together. She look up at him bravely. “Coward.” “Think whatever you want of me. But what you believe isn’t the truth. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.” Calling forth his gauntlet, Arc opens a portal. Picking her up he tosses the bleeding mare through before closing it again. Hammer grins. “Where’d you send her?” “My old room in Canterlot Castle.” Applejack raises an eyebrow. “What?!” Sereb frowns. “Why?” “Because she’ll be able to get some medical attention there. That and I don’t have the facilities to hold her aboard the ship.” He turns to Stellar Flare. “Any idea how she got in here?” Stellar Flare nods as she holds up the mare’s saddlebags. “There’s a master key in here. It’s able to open any of our locks.” Hammer frowns. “Shouldn’t something like that that be with the captain?” Stellar Flare bows her head. “It was.” Arc frowns. “You mean…?” Stellar Flare sighs. “Yes. This belonged to Tight Ship.”