Arc, Maria, and Max reappear in Arc’s basement. Max hurries to turn on the lights, waking the others. Xenos calls out angrily.
“Hey! What’s the big...!”
Arc smirks. “Sorry, big guy.”
Hugh looks over sleepily. “Sir...?”
“Up and at em’, fellas. We’ve got work to do.”
Viktor hops off his bunk. “What do you need us to do, sir?”
Arc motions to Maria. “This is Doctor Knowles. We’re going to help her see Shelly.”
Max looks at the wall clock. “At this hour, sir?”
“Yup. Viktor, get your computer up and running. The rest of you could probably got back to sleep though.”
Xenos sighs as he sits up. “Not really going to be able to though, sir.”
Hugh motions to their desks. “We could watch via the other monitors.”
“If you want to, fine. But this is pure stealth at the moment. I’m going to head over there and help the good doctor here see whatever she needs to.”
Max helps Maria over to Viktor’s chair as he stands. “This way, ma’am.”
Arc looks to Maria as Hugh puts a headset on her. “You call the shots and I’ll do my very best to accommodate.”
Maria smiles. “Very well. Shall we begin?”
Max raises an eyebrow. “Uh... sir?”
“What is it, Max?”
“Shouldn’t we have left a note, or something, before leaving the castle?”
Maria shakes her head. “Not to worry. Auriel is a very heavy sleeper. She most likely won’t awaken for several more hours.”
Hugh grimaces. “But if she does...?”
Xenos turns to Arc. “Couldn’t you make a quick note and just send it back through a portal to Auriel’s room?”
Max grits his teeth and smiles nervously. “What are you talking about, Xenos? The commander doesn’t have a sigil in her private quarters.”
Hugh raises an eyebrow. “Yes, he does. It’s under the rug in the middle of the...”
Arc facepalms. “You guys do realize that Doctor Knowles here is Auriel’s mother, right?”
There is a stunned silence for several moments. Eventually Xenos breaks it.
“I think the commander removed that sigil a while back.”
The others nod as Arc turns to Maria.
“Uh...”
Maria frowns. “We can discuss this later. Right now I’d like to get underway.”
“Very well.”
Pulling a magic cloak from his ring Arc puts it on and steps onto his sigil. Cloaking, he activates it and teleports to the roof of the hospital. Blinking down to ground level he walks toward the main entrance. Waiting for someone to enter, Arc follows them inside and makes his way down the corridor silently. Coming to Shelly’s room he Blinks through the door. Standing just on the other side of the door for a few moments listening Arc hears nothing but the beeps and hums of the machines around Shelly’s bed. Decloaking, he removes the cloak and stuffs it into his ring before slowly stepping forward. Spying Lily asleep in her chair he casts a quick spell on her before touching his earring and speaking.
“Arc to base.”
Viktor calls out. “Read you loud and clear, sir.”
“I’m in Shelly’s room now.”
Hugh looks at his monitor. “And Lily?”
“A well-placed Sleep Spell should keep her out for a bit.”
Xenos grimaces. “You should still move quickly, sir.”
“Agreed. You there, Doctor Knowles?”
“I am, yes. Can you give me a better visual from over the bed?”
“Alright.”
Reaching under the machine, Arc picks up the disk-like transmitter and holds it over Shelly. Maria frowns.
“Her forehead appears sweaty. Verify.”
Arc touches Shelly’s forehead.
“Slightly damp, yes. But also warm.”
“The chart doesn’t say anything about a fever of any kind. Is there a thermometer around?”
“I see one on the counter nearby.”
“Check.”
Pulling out the thermometer from its case Arc looks it over for a few moments before finding a disposable protector, snapping it on the end he puts it in Shelly’s ear. Looking at the readout he frowns.
“One-hundred point three.”
“Slightly feverish. Next expose her arm.”
Doing so, Arc pulls back the covers.
“Bring the camera closer to her very slowly.”
Arc moves the camera as instructed.
“Now I want to see her fingernails.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Why would you...?”
“Trust me.”
Sighing, Arc brings the camera closer to Shelly’s fingers.
“Keep going... more...”
Maria presses a few keys to manually adjust the camera before calling out again.
“Very good. Now put her arm back under the covers and zoom in on her face.”
Following the directions, Arc moves in.
“Closer to her right cheek. More... more... there, stop.”
Looking at the screen carefully Maria squints.
“Go to the restroom and dampen a paper towel. Then rub her cheek.”
Arc sighs. “Fine. But this better start making sense.”
“It’s the last examination, I assure you.”
Arc gets the paper towel as directed and walks back to Shelly’s bedside. Wiping it across her cheek he frowns.
“Makeup?”
Max raises an eyebrow. “I didn’t know she even wore that.”
Maria squints at the monitor. “Keep rubbing. Get it down to bare skin.”
Nodding, Arc continues rubbing the makeup off. Holding the camera to Shelly’s cheek Maria frowns.
“Acne.”
Xenos frowns. “What’s that?”
Maria turns to him, clearly confused. “A skin condition. How did you grow up not knowing about...”
Hugh interrupts her. “We’re ponies, ma’am.”
“Ah. That makes sense.”
Viktor raises an eyebrow. “And you’re just willing to accept that?”
“Yes.”
Max appears skeptical. “That doesn’t seem a bit... weird to you?”
Maria shakes her head as she makes some notes on a piece of paper. “My husband is the demon king and our daughter is a demon scientist. Believe me, you being ponies doesn’t even register on my ‘weird’ scale.”
Arc sighs. “Please tell me that the excessive chatter means you’ve got what you need, doctor.”
“Yes, Arc. I’ll cross-reference this with what I have back in my daughter’s room. You can come back now.”
“Alright. Arc out.”
He touches the earring, severing the connection. Looking down at Shelly for a few moments he gives her a light kiss on her forehead and strokes her hair before putting the camera back in its original place. Stepping into the bathroom he tosses the paper towel in the waste basket, calls forth his gauntlet, opens a portal, and steps through. Reappearing back in his basement Arc looks to Maria.
“We should be getting you back to the castle now.”
Maria stands and rips the paper from the pad. “Very well. I got what I needed.”
Opening a portal he motions for her to step through before turning to his squad.
“Thanks guys. Um... as you were.”
Stepping through his own portal, Arc vanishes as it closes. Viktor turns to Hugh.
“As we were?”
“I think he was telling us that we could go back to bed.”
Xenos grins. “Yeah. What do you think, Max? Max?”
They turn to see their friend staring at the computer monitor. He zooms in on Shelly’s face and touches the screen.
“Rest well... Shelly.”
Viktor walks over to him. “Hey. You okay?”
Max nods. “I am, yes.”
Hugh gestures to the bunks. “We should probably get some rest now.”
Xenos turns. “Sounds good to me.”
Max shakes his head. “You guys go ahead. I just want to... watch a bit longer.”
Shrugging, they do as suggested. Meanwhile, Arc and Maria reappear on the sigil in Auriel’s room. Maria looks at him as the portal closes.
“Thank you for the trip.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I do have one request though.”
“What is it?”
Maria points to the rug. “Would you please move this?”
Sighing, Arc rolls up the rug to expose the sigil underneath. Maria looks it over before turning her gaze back to Arc.
“Might I ask why you have something like this in my daughter’s room?”
Arc looks away nervously. “To open portals to my room.”
Maria raises an eyebrow. “Dare I ask what you do there?”
“Just... cuddle mostly.”
“And?”
“Sometimes we... shower together.”
Maria smiles. “There. Was that so hard?”
“Uh... aren’t you supposed to be angry?”
Maria gestures to Auriel lying on the floor nearby. “My daughter is a grown woman. She is fully capable of making her own relationship choices as well as deciding whom to sleep with.”
“If it makes you feel any better I’ve never violated Auriel in any way.”
“She said as much.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “Wait! You knew?!”
Maria nods. “Yes indeed. Auriel told me all about your adventures with her. Both in and outside the bedroom.”
“Did she also mention... our future?”
“The herd?”
“Right.”
“She did. In fact, it was a two hour conversation.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“As I said, Auriel is fully capable of making her own choices. Considering all the trouble you’re going through to help Shelly, my own daughter is in good hands.”
She gestures to the room around them before continuing.
“That and I’m sure you’re fully able to house and care for my daughter should you impregnate her.”
Arc blushes. “I... uh... I will, yes.”
“Then there is nothing for me to be angry about regarding your relationship. And my own husband has told me that you have his personal approval in this regard as well.”
“That’s... kinda reassuring.”
Maria grimaces. “Considering what demonkind believe regarding sexuality... your herd idea, albeit outside the cultural norm of both Earth and Equestria, is still leagues better in my eyes than anything she would have become involved in back in Tartarus.”
“If it makes you feel any better she spent most of her time in the library reading your books.”
“Auriel did mention that, yes. And the fact that she also confessed that she’s never been with another demon sexually before.”
“She’s still a virgin in regards to me as well.”
“I believe you. But I ask one thing in return.”
“What’s that?”
Maria smiles. “Please take very good care of Auriel. No matter her age she’ll always be my little girl.”
“I will. Promise.”
Maria walks slowly over to the bed and sits down. “Thank you. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”
Arc moves to stand before her. “It can’t have been easy to go from knowing her as an infant to waking up to a fully grown adult.”
“It wasn’t. However I can’t change the past. The best I can do is to be here for her now.”
“Want me to carry her to bed for you?”
“Hers or yours?”
“Y-yours.”
“That would be nice, yes. However I do believe that she would prefer to wake up next to you rather than me.”
Arc appears surprised. “Um... just so I’m sure I understand, you’re saying that you want me to take Auriel back to MY room?”
Maria nods. “That is correct.”
“Why?”
“Auriel told me all about her plans to one day marry you and bear children with you, Arc. I’ve never seen someone so happy before in my life.”
“She’s certainly come out of her shell since we met.”
“Auriel told me about what happened on your date as well.”
“Did she now?”
“Indeed. And how you didn’t give into her advances.”
“We’re not ready for that yet.”
“You mean that YOU aren’t ready.”
Arc sighs. “Can’t really argue with that.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Kinda.”
“Elaborate.”
“I do WANT children. It’s just... I don’t have time for my herdmates as it stands. That’s what’s keeping me from having a family and children.”
Maria sighs. “Yes, well... believe it or not, I do know how you feel.”
“Oh?”
“I too engrossed myself in my work years ago. Back when I worked for The Organization I rarely left the base. While others sought affection, relationships, and romance, I sought only knowledge.”
“Sounds lonely.”
Maria smile sadly. “I didn’t realize until I found myself in Tartarus just how much so.”
“So it worked out in the end?”
“Only after I came to terms with one simple truth.”
“Which was...?”
“That I didn’t want to be alone anymore.”
“But I thought you were alone doing research for King Malevolence.”
“I was indeed. But I told myself that if I ever got back to Earth that I would turn over a new leaf. Make some friends and perhaps even enter into a relationship.”
“And then you fell for the king?”
Maria smiles. “Admittedly, yes. I knew he was oafish and brash, yes. But during my time by his side I also saw a different side of him. One that was just as lonely and confused as I was.”
“His inability to have a family?”
“Correct.”
She looks to Auriel before returning her gaze to Arc.
“It’s not something I want my daughter to ever experience. And thanks to you, she won’t.”
“If she decides to join the herd, yes.”
“She will. Of that I’m certain.”
Maria looks to her notes as she continues.
“But for now I need to focus on my task.”
“Let me know the moment you know something.”
“I will.”
Arc walks over to Auriel and kneels down. Picking her up, he raises his gauntlet and opens a portal back to his room. As he leaves Maria smiles as she turns a page in her notebook.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you, Arc. But this situation is what it is.”
Meanwhile Arc walks over to the bed. Laying Auriel down carefully she moans softly. Arc smiles and pats her face tenderly. Auriel takes his hand and holds it close to her chest as Arc lays down next to her.
“You just rest now, Auriel. After all, you’ve certainly earned it.”
Putting his arms around her, Auriel presses her body against his as she sighs contentedly. Meanwhile, back in Hammer’s room, the two sisters lie awake together as the fireplace casts a warm glow around the room. Mio is the first to speak.
“Um...”
Hammer looks over from the couch. “Something wrong, Mio?”
“I just... don’t understand myself right now.”
“What’s there to know?! You’re smart and good at what you do!”
“Which is...?”
“Figure stuff out, organize other stuff, and cast spells, obviously!”
Mio sighs. “I’ve been doubting that lately.”
“But why?”
“Because... those three things are all that define me.”
“Someone has to do the pencil-pushing though.”
“Let’s look at it though.”
Mio holds up a single finger and starts counting.
“One... figuring stuff out as you called it. If you recall, I wasn’t able to ‘figure out’ how to build a machine to get me here.”
“No one could have done that though!”
“The Hero did.”
Hammer shakes her head. “Nah. That was Lead Sage Sunburst. He designed a machine that could... uh...”
“Could open a wormhole between worlds?”
“Yeah.”
“But I thought you said no one could do that?”
“No one but him! Come on, he’s the Lead Sage for crying out loud!”
Mio holds up a second finger. “Two... organize stuff. That’s not exactly a particularly useful skill.”
“Sure it is!”
Mio sighs. “A glorified secretary isn’t of much use on the battlefield.”
“Yeah they are! Look at Colonel Diva! She helps keep General Mustang organized!”
“But at the same time she’s an accomplished warrior AND tactician.”
“Well... you still have your magical prowess!”
Mio groans. “Not for long.”
“What are you talking about, Mio?”
“Third... my magic... isn’t what it used to be.”
Hammer frowns. “But you’re Ascended!”
Mio sighs. “I don’t get it either, but ever since I ran away from The Organization, my powers have been weakening.”
Hammer raises an eyebrow. “Come again?”
“They’re just not as powerful as they used to be.”
“That’s not possible! Even with your staff?!”
“I... don’t have it.”
“Where is it?!”
“Left back at Damocles Base. I left in a hurry and forgot it.”
Hammer gasps. “But you NEVER forget your staff!”
“First time for everything. And my magic hasn’t been the same since then.”
“Someone here could probably help you with that!”
“Like who?”
“Lead Sage Sunburst, me, heck even Princess Twilight herself!”
“But that just means I’m not of use to anyone here.”
“Then why did you come?”
“Because I wanted to reconnect with my sister.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Hammer grins. “That wasn’t the only reason though.”
Mio blushes. “You’re right. I... I had wanted to team up with the Hero.”
“Arc, huh?”
“Obviously I didn’t know he and the Hero were one and the same!”
“So what? You two were going to make some kind of power couple?”
“Something like that. My thoughts were that with his magical powers and brawn, along with my magical knowledge to support him, we’d be unstoppable.”
“You’re still holding something back though, Mio.”
“And I... I wanted him to fall for me.”
Hammer scoffs. “Wow.”
“What’s wrong with that?!”
“He saved you once in the cave in and you started making long-ranged plans around him!”
“It wasn’t just that, Hammer. When Damocles Base was attacked, he had multiple chances to kill all of us. But he didn’t.”
“So?”
“I knew that he was special. Someone strong. Able to protect those he cared about as well as fight for his ideals. But at the same time kind and gentle enough to stop the battle when his opponents could no longer fight back.”
She smiles and blushes slightly before continuing.
“I... wanted to be a part of that.”
“And be protected?”
Mio giggles. “It probably sounds strange coming from me, but yes.”
“Not strange at all, Mio. In fact, I know exactly how you felt.”
“Do you now?”
“Yeah. That’s how I fell for Arc. He’s strong, smart, and determined.”
Mio sighs as she rolls over. “Well don’t worry. I’m not planning to try and get between you two.”
Hammer grimaces. “Mio... there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Please don’t say that you’re pregnant, Hammer.”
“No worries there. We haven’t gone that far yet.”
“Good.”
“The Hero and I... I mean Arc and I are... um...”
She fumbles to find the right worlds before throwing everything out there.
“Arc’sformingaherd.”
Mio raises an eyebrow. “Is that a horse pun? I’ve notices a lot of them since I came here.”
Hammer shakes her head. “No, this is literal. Arc is interested in forming what’s called a ‘herd’.”
“And what is that?”
“It’s... um... kinda like... a group marriage.”
Mio frowns. “Polyamory?”
“Not sure what that is.”
“Three or more people in a romantic relationship.”
“That sounds like it, yeah.”
“And Arc is doing that with you and Auriel?!”
“Uh... kinda trying to.”
“And you’re okay with it?!”
“Yup. But we’ve run into some snags.”
“To be expected.”
“First, there was the legality of such a thing. It’s not actually allowed.”
“Like back home?”
“Right. Second, Arc wanted to take things slow.”
Mio raises an eyebrow. “That’s... kinda surprising and not surprising at the same time. Why though?”
“So that everyone can get to know each other first.”
“Everyone?”
“Yeah.”
“You, him, and Auriel?”
“It’s not quite that simple though.”
Mio gasps. “There are OTHERS?!”
“A few, yeah.”
“How many?!”
“Um... ten.”
“TEN?!”
“Yup.”
“A human, a demon, and eight ponies?!”
Hammer shakes her head. “Seven ponies. The last one is a dragon.”
“Seriously?!”
“She’s really personable when you get to know her though.”
Mio groans. “You shouldn’t get involved in something like that, Hammer!”
“It’s my life, Mio!”
“I’m just worried that you’ll be just another trophy to him!”
“Arc ain’t like that!”
“How do you know?!”
“Because he’s insisting everyone take baby steps in this! No plodding ahead randomly!”
Mio gasps. “But it’s TEN FEMALES!”
“You know what, Mio?!”
“What, Hammer?!”
“I just wanted to say... that I think you’re absolutely right!”
Mio appears surprised. “I am?”
“Yes. Which is why I want you to use that big brain of yours to figure something out for me.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to know why this is a bad idea...”
Mio scoffs. “But I just TOLD you...!”
Hammer interrupts her. “...with accompanying, personally witnessed facts to back up your statements.”
“That’s... actually very reasonable.”
“So, will you do it?”
Mio nods. “Of course. After all, you’re still my sister.”
“Good. You’ll be my shadow as soon as you’re feeling better.”
“Shadow?”
“I’ll talk to Kibitz about making you an intern, or something.”
“But how will I support myself then?”
“Your room and board will be covered by the castle. I’ll have a second bed brought in so you and I can sleep properly from now on too.”
“All right, Hammer. But I want something in return.”
“What’s that?”
“If I’m going to do this, then you have to be willing to listen to me. Don’t just dismiss what I tell you regarding Arc.”
“Fine. But at the same time any statement against him, or the herd idea, have to be accompanied by verifiable facts no opinions.”
“Agreed. I’ll even put it into writing as an official report that you can read over at your leisure.”
Hammer grins as she lays down. “You do that. And I promise that I’ll read every... single... word.”