//------------------------------// // 18 - Ad Astra Per Aspera // Story: Cypress Zero // by Odd_Sarge //------------------------------// “My name is Fokienia.” The mess hall of Central Command really was a mess. “What’s yours?” But that could be fixed in time. Destroyed furniture could be replaced, and disabler beam burns could be scrubbed out. Probably. “...My name is C23.” “So you do talk!” Fokienia pursed her lips. “But that’s not your name. Not one that matters. You had to have had one.” She looked around at the other seated ponies. “You all had to.” The cyborgs stared blankly at her. In truth, it was difficult to tell they were cyborgs at all. But now that they were close, and weren’t actively moving, Fokienia could see the augmentations they had. She was capable of scanning electronics, and so far as she could see, the skulls of these ponies were filled to the brim with more electronics than she or Sequoia had ever held. They weren’t simple, either: there were definitely traces of neurostimulators, and for the most part, their strength came from whatever training had been placed in the apparent data-banks, which were dangerously crammed into their heads in an all too literal way. The reasoning behind their enhanced endurance could be seen in the tiny glazed sheen across their eyes: like her and Sequoia, their blood had been treated with hyperplasma, but the sheer amount present in these ponies... Without a doubt, were it not for their dulled receptors, the pain they would be suffering from would be immense. A chill sat deep in Fokienia’s bones. If the Project had gotten away with all of this... She closed her eyes, and breathed. “It doesn’t matter. We can get help, now.” As she spoke, Concord was currently coordinating their raids on operative hideouts... and the Facility. She was all too glad to never see that place again. “No more Containment. We’re free.” She didn’t tell them that the Equestrian soldiers now assisting Concord and the ponies of Cypress weren’t exactly letting them free. She barely understood what would happen to all of them before the princess’ armada lifted Cypress Station—and the system at large—out of lockdown. She glanced briefly over her withers at the plethora of Equestrian troops guarding the sides and entrances to the cafeteria, then back to the cyborgs. All she knew was that her friends were safe, the detention center in Concord HQ was filled with operatives like Gold Actual, and the ‘compliant and neutrals’ like herself just had to wait. She was more than happy to. The doors to the mess hall opened again. Fokienia sat up expectantly. Sundown, Sequoia, and Cold had all been taken away one-by-one, and for the longest time, it had just been her and the cyborgs. The pony at the door wasn’t one she knew. All of the Equestrian soldiers looked the same. It was a weird facet of their force that she wasn’t sure how to take: even the cyborgs still kept their individuality. “Miss Fokienia?” The guard asked. She twitched at the odd addition to her name. “Yes?” He nodded. “Come with me, if you would.” She glanced back at the cyborgs. They followed her every move. Just like the guards watching them in turn. “What about them?” “You’re all receiving the same treatment. Now please, the princess is waiting.” Fokienia blinked, and with a quick wave at the cyborgs, hurried over to the guard. The giddiness in her steps didn’t go unnoticed by the soldiers around, but she didn’t bat an eye at their smiles. The princess, it turned out, had been receiving everypony in the control room. And the princess was not the one she knew. “You’re not Princess Celestia.” The eyes of all the ponies in the room, including her friends, stared at Fokienia with enough energy to genuinely discomfort her. The alicorn just smiled. “No. But I have answered Cypress’ call for aid. And I am most pleased to meet another ardent defender of peace.” Her coat was a dark blue, and rivulets of black were pressed to the coat on her haunches. The alicorn’s cutie mark was that of a thick crescent moon which sat against the dark splotches, and a less accurate moon was pressed to her peytral. The rest of the shiny black regalia she bore in place of Princess Celestia’s gold customs accentuated her tone in a much darker manner than Fokienia expected. But the genuine smile she wore, and the lightness in the alicorn’s graceful tone indicated otherwise: it was very nearly motherly, as the soft tenderness behind her words settled sweetly on Fokienia’s heart. She’d listened to a few audio recordings of the Princess of Equestria, so she very well knew what she expected to hear. The last touch of light that made following the alicorn a viable prospect could be found in her mane and tail: the striking resemblance of stars streaking through her ethereal hair sent ripples of delight through Fokienia’s heart. Dark as she first appeared, a close look provided Fokienia with the hope she sought. Princess Luna was not Princess Celestia, but she still carried the regality and glow befitting a leader of ponykind. “I am Princess Luna. But you, Fokienia, may call me Luna.” Fokienia, somehow managing to pull herself together, bowed for Luna as she would for Princess Celestia. Luna didn’t speak until she’d risen again. “Your companions have informed me of much. But they spoke of you most highly.” She paused. “Even in the wake of the great destruction you have caused...” To the side, Sundown awkwardly shifted. Sequoia settled her with a wing. She quickly shrugged it off, but not as roughly as Fokienia expected. Fokienia looked to Cold. He had been cleaned up since being taken from the cafeteria, and he looked like his usual self. He nodded at her. If he was so brave and strong, then she could be, too. Her throat still fell dry as she went to reply. “I...” Luna raised a foreleg in a staying motion. “Your actions need no justification. As we speak, I am certain of several happenings, and as my ponies continue our investigation, I am further certain that we will find all actions taken by you to have been necessary, and many more as outcomes of happenstance. Sundown Periapsis, a most loyal subject from the tribe of the night, has confessed a great deal on your behalf.” The princess beamed briefly at the bat pony, then returned to Fokienia. “But as many truths have been tested, and passed, I have only found it fitting to deliver amnesty in return for your acts of valor and redemption, as I have for others beyond this place.” “Others?” The princess nodded. “I do not wish to heavily persecute those involved in this... conflict. Along with my advisors, we see no need. Equestria has seen vast, scathing waves of violence in these passing centuries. Despite my role as the piercing horn of Equestria, I have tried to take after my sister, to offer leniency to ponies where I can. I have seen the ends an ill-held grudge can create.” She paused. “We must treat this situation with respect to all, in spite of the lines crossed here. I would be a fool to preach against redemption, especially where great bouts of effort have been poured into the path of atrocity.” A puff of air escaped her nostrils. “But that is enough of that. Some ponies—certain... corporate entities, shall we say—will require more forgiveness than others, but you and your companions are far from that fate. You have done Equestria and its citizens a great service.” Having only acted on the feelings she’d rekindled, Fokienia didn’t know what to say. “I must thank you again, captain.” Now, the princess turned to Cold. “Were it not for your leadership in this time, I would not be here today. Furthermore, I must confess that what I have learned from our prior conversing has led me to question my own decisions in the current Griffonian Conflict. When I return to the systems of strife, I am sure to lend my hoof more willingly to those beyond ponykind.” She bowed her neck. “You have my utmost, immortal respect. The involvement of the kirin ways in this history will not go unnoticed. Our stars will remember the path to peace as you have taught me. I will ensure it.” Searing Cold bowed deep, and slow. “Thank you, princess. I’m honored.” She gave him a satisfied nod. “And I as well, for you have done more than teach me. You have saved a most precious gift for ponykind as a whole to learn from.” When she turned again, Fokienia was caught off-guard: Luna’s eyes were predatory in a strangely desirable way. She swept the room. “Fokienia, Sequoia, and the machinations behind them will prove to be a boon.” Sundown suddenly sputtered. “P-Princess Luna!” She stepped forward. “There’s nothing good about—” A guard in a deeply-hued purple set of metal armor suddenly stepped into view. Fokienia hadn’t seen him anywhere, and yet, the bat pony now had a spear pressed a hooftip from Sundown’s throat. The action made the room, save for the princess, harshly flinch. Luna’s eyes were hard as she stared Sundown in the eye. “Sergeant, I shall allow our subject to finish.” When the sharp-point of the spear curled away, Sundown swallowed thickly, then continued. “Princess, with all due respect, I gave Fokienia the means to escape because the Facility’s research had to stop. Nopony was going to stop them, and I knew something had to be done before they made their move.” “Yes,” Luna replied simply. “That is why there are thirty-four of these ponies awaiting judgement. Two of whom stand among us, now. Because this Facility’s research sought resolution.” “Are you going to destroy us?” Sequoia’s voice was a dull monotone, but the words made Fokienia shake. The princess took a sharp breath, and leveled off with Sequoia. He was half a head shorter than the alicorn, but she still craned her neck slightly to look at him. “No such examples will be made, dear Sequoia. You present the means for a way forward.” As she paced back, the room drew its attention to the camera angle centered on the monitoring ring’s widescreen. The camera was pointed directly into the cafeteria. Fokienia could see the thirty-two cyborgs still sitting where she’d left them: their eyes were still pointed at the door she’d exited through. “These are our subjects,” Luna said softly. “In allowing Cypress to keep its independence, we allowed this technology to develop too far without a staying hoof.” She reflected for a moment, and Fokienia could tell her friends were thinking just as hard as the princess was. Luna came about again. “Since my sister’s late student’s passing, and the loss of a true, true friend... I have eagerly watched over the development of Equestria’s borders, and the technologies our little ponies have fronted to contend with the rigors of space. When I was a filly in ages long past, it was a scant concept to leave our homeworld. The stars could never hold physical form for us, we thought. Twilight Sparkle fulfilled this dream in decades of great cost.” Luna bowed her head, and spoke quietly. “She had been my first friend after a millennium of loneliness. She accomplished a great deal in her long, yet short life. A wonderful soul who understood friendship and magic in a way no single pony has since come close to.” She raised herself high. Fokienia swore she saw a tear, but the princess’ eyes appeared dry. “The ingenuity of Cypress reminded me of her work. It became my duty to ensure the Cypresseans could fulfill their ambitions, but to also do so in a way that maintained harmony. And I tried to keep out of the affairs of this place, for I feared I would topple the tentative balance required to mix technology and magic with an overtly cautious approach. Alas, it collapsed on its own.” Finally, Luna returned to Fokienia. “But, in the ashes of this conflict, you persevere. A pony pure of heart, holding the magic of friendship, but also the undeniable proof that technology and magic can co-exist without violence. You are a peacemaker, a pony as pure as the kirin before us.” Cold spoke up, and the purple-armored guard allowed him to speak in full. “I’m not exactly the greatest example of a kirin, Princess Luna.” “And yet, you have shown that this pony, a mix of machine and mare, can know peace. Can seek to understand friendship. Try to make sense of life’s tenets.” Luna smiled. “I see no reason why these ‘cyborgs’ cannot co-exist with Equestria, and give ponies the inspiration to pursue life-altering technologies.” “You want to make an example out of them?” Sundown asked. She didn’t step forward, but she fired a hot glare at the guard when he thumped the back of his spear into the floor. “In a way that has yet to be realized. This research... I can see it has taken the journey of life on a different course. Where technology is not simply a means to our existence, but a path of its own. Twilight Sparkle forged a path to the stars. Fokienia has trailblazed a way for healing. A healing of both the equine form, and the astral erosion of ponykind’s minds. Surely you see this, Sundown Periapsis?” When Sundown replied, she was the meekest Fokienia had ever heard her. “I joined the Project because I believed that we’d be healing ponies. I wanted to put my talents to use in giving ponies a way to build their strength. I was tired of believing my destiny would always be about fighting. But ponies will always abuse trust...” “To be sure, the ponies who developed this technology had conflicting ideologies, but what you say is simply not true.” The princess stepped forward, her wings extending slowly; they were expansive things, very nearly scraping the floor as she moved toward Sundown. The candor in her tone intensified. “I do not blame you for your beliefs. It is a conflict ponykind has faced since we began reaching for the stars. But I believe that any pony can change. Every pony has good in their heart. It is only a matter of being willing to find it, and that struggle has often conflicted with the danger and rigors of life among the celestial bodies.” She stopped a few hooves away from Sundown. “With proper guidance, this technology can bridge the gap across the fear ponies face of mixing technology with our very bodies. If we may morph ourselves with magic, why should technology face such stigmatism? Especially when technology can heal where magic cannot.” Princess Luna reached out with a hoof, and placed it gently on Sundown’s withers. “This, my little pony, is why I wish to give these ponies a chance.” “...I trust in your judgement, princess.” “I do not want your trust. I want you to trust in the ponies around you to do good.” Sundown sucked in a breath, then nodded. “I understand.” “Thank you. And thank you for the choices you’ve made. The suffering you’ve endured... and the suffering you have inflicted... in time, you will see that others have already forgiven you, and that you may forgive yourself. It was the most difficult task I have ever faced. But I can assure you, you will be a better pony for it.” Sundown wiped her fresh, hot tears. “T-Thank you, princess.” “It is well to cry, my little pony.” And so, she did. As Sundown quietly cried, the princess enveloped the bat pony in her great wings. Sequoia stepped in again, settling his metal pinions over Luna’s own, and wrapping Sundown further. The princess didn’t seem to mind. Cold looked to Fokienia, and she bore a tiny smile for him. Cold smiled back. When the princess separated herself from Sundown, she hushed her subject’s apologies with a caress of her wings, and moved to stand between Fokienia and Cold. “There are some things I would wish to discuss in private, if you would join me?” She received an instant nod from Cold. “Of course, princess.” Seeing no reason to refuse the princess who’d comforted her surrogate mother, Fokienia joined them. As they strode through the halls together, the princess said nothing. Fokienia remarked in just how sizable the alicorn was: though Sequoia was taller than Fokienia, she was still impressed by how she stood a full head below the alicorn. It was especially impressive for a mare with so lithe a body; she’d often wondered if her imposing stature was a result of needing the body weight. But Princess Luna’s graceful façade proved otherwise. The princess led them to the patrol craft flight deck. While the corridors had been filled with guards, as they may have on any normal day in Cypress, the flight deck was entirely depopulated. The only things present were two patrol craft: the pristine one that had brought Fokienia here before, and the damaged one that still looked like a scrapped wreck. And yet, it had flown. By now, daybreak had come: Cypress Central’s orange hues had shifted back to artificial sunlight for the most part, though tinges of sunrise lingered at the far end of the city. Almost all of the smoke had been waved away, and the skies were once more filled with flocks of pegasi, although no carts or vehicles pulled through the working teams and scattered civilians. Cypress Central was already recovering from the four hour war they’d endured, and Fokienia could only hope that Cupresso and the cities beyond had fared a better fate. In her heart, she knew everything was going to be okay. The princess stood on the edge of the opening to the city below, just over the black-and-yellow hazard line etched there. Cold stood to her left, safely behind the line, while Fokienia joined her at the edge. For a time, they didn’t speak. Out over the smoldering embers of the war for Cypress, three peacemakers pondered the future that would come. “I am only sorry that I cannot stay longer,” the princess finally told them. “You’ve saved Cypress,” Cold replied. “You’ve saved us all, Princess Luna.” “Have I?” Luna turned to Fokienia. “There is much work to be done to fulfill the dream I envision. I can weave these dreams, but it is perhaps harder to bring them to fruition in the waking world. And it shows. It was through your joined efforts that you both brought peace. I am surely less experienced here than in the unwaking plane.” Fokienia tilted her head. “Where’s that?” Luna tittered. When Fokienia tilted her head further, Luna shook herself. “I apologize. I am not laughing at your lack of knowledge. The realm of dreams is not so much a physical place.” She took a breath. “I have devoted my immortal life to ensuring the continued existence of Equestria and its ponies. Often, the aspirations of my subjects appear in their dreams. It is there that I travel to help them conquer the doubt that plague their attempts at destiny. A pony who can conquer these fears and unknowns alone is a rare pony, indeed.” “I don’t have dreams.” “Oh, but you do, Fokienia. Dreams that you and I both share.” Fokienia tried to think of what they could possibly have shared. Dreams... aspirations... Luna had said so much in so little time, and not all of it was profoundly clear to her. “These ‘cyborgs’... Do you believe they are still ponies beneath?” “Yes,” Fokienia immediately replied. Of course they were still ponies. “Do you believe they can be saved? That they can earn their freedom as you and Sequoia have?” “Yes.” “If I were to task you with doing so, would you?” She hesitated. “I would try.” Luna smiled warmly. “As my sister might say, that is the correct answer.” “Where would I start?” “I would wish to keep contact with you, and help you. When I return to New Griffonia, I cannot say how long their war shall last, but I will do all I can to assist you as you feel necessary.” She paused. “I am making the assumption that you wish to stay in Cypress. I fear I may have been too quick to impose this request on you. I will not blame you if you wish to leave.” “No!” Fokienia took breath. “No, no I don’t want to leave.” “Searing Cold informed me that you wished to see the galaxy.” Luna’s brows furrowed. “Are you certain?” A part of her still wanted to. But at the same time... “I... I have family here. And friends.” Luna sighed in a certain way: it was almost exasperated. But whatever the princess was feeling, Fokienia knew it wasn’t aimed toward her. “As much as I am willing to forgive the governor, he will not be maintaining his position. His confessions, to his credit, were greatly detailed. But the extent of his attempts to evade Equestria’s regulations are simply too grievous to dismiss, without imposing on the autocracy of our ponies’ worlds.” “But I still want to stay with him. To get to know him. He’s... he’s my father.” Fokienia paused. “I... I have a dad. And the chance to get to know him.” “I see. And of course, your friends, yes... I simply wouldn’t want you to feel pressured to achieve this dream, Fokienia.” “No, I want to help you... Luna.” The princess nodded. “I am looking forward to forging a future for ponykind with you, Fokienia.” Smiling, she then turned to Cold. “Speaking of which... I must inquire about your deliveries.” Cold stood as tall as he could against the alicorn and the earth pony. “As you wish, princess.” “Your co-pilot, Officer Ripshot, I believe. He will be recovering for quite some time. Unfortunately, he does not have the resistance to heat as you do, and the beam that disabled your vessel was quite the blow.” Fokienia’s eyes went wide. “Cold! You were shot?” For some reason, she hadn’t even considered that they were burned because of what had occurred during their mission for the relay. Despite the circumstances, Luna smiled. “Bravely so.” “I’m glad to hear that Ripshot is alright.” Cold relaxed his withers. “I was getting worried when nopony would bring him up.” “From what remained of your vessel, ‘alright’ is not quite the word one should use.” Luna’s tone was grave. “T’was even luckier for your message to reach us. We had been preparing the Tantabus and its Friendship Drive for a warp across several Griffon quadrants. The diversion of our destination was as well-timed as fate could allow.” “I’m sorry for inconveniencing you with your rescue, then.” She leaned in, shocked. “You did not—” When Cold laughed, the princess hummed with playful disdain. “Ah, I see. I was informed by my investigators that you were quite a different kirin... most would not think to joke in my presence, no less in a time such as this.” “It comes with working with ponies, I suppose.” “Indeed. Which brings me to your history of smuggling in New Griffonia...” Cold shrugged his withers, still jovial. “It’s free trade.” “And courier-running for several local corporations that we have identified as aggressors in the bloomed conspiracy of this station at large.” Now, his face fell. “Yes...” “I’m sure you were aware of the illegal actions you took.” His voice grave: “Yes, Your Highness.” “But am I correct to say you were unaware of say, their connections to this... shall we say, anti-Cypressean effort?” “Yes. So long as the cargo was safe and not strictly illegal, I delivered it.” “And what did you plan on doing with the substantial amount of bits earned from your line of work?” “...Cypress is my home, Princess Luna.” Cold straightened out of his slouch. “I have intentions of marrying the mare of my life. As much as I am one for seeing the stars, I would ultimately wish to spend the next years of my life in a place with ponies I care for. I have invested almost all of the bits I’ve earned into contributing to my special somepony and her business, as well as funding several exploration-based corporations.” “And why is that?” “To find a homeworld for my tribe.” Luna was silenced by that. “If you believe that I should be prosecuted—” “No, that is not my intent, captain. I was simply curious, as I have a delivery I would wish to ask of you.” His ears perked upward. “And what would that be, might I ask?” She held a hoof up, then turned to Fokienia. “Fokienia... would you like to meet my sister?” “Who is your sister?” Luna glowed as she spoke. “Princess Celestia, who is currently residing in Canterlot Castle in a world quite far from here. You may know of her...” The Princess?! Or rather, the princess she knew?! “I-I would love to!” More than anything, she wanted to say. But now, there were many things vying for that position. But still. “My sister will be buried in her work, but I have it on good authority that she will be quite fond to make time to meet a pony as good at making friends as you. It will be a good break for you and her both... if that is a yes?” Fokienia was too occupied bursting with joy to do more than nod. “Yes, yes, yes!” Luna winked. “So now, Captain Searing Cold. Let us arrange a contract...”