//------------------------------// // Adventure // Story: The Quiet Kid: Sicut Vult // by aegishailstorm //------------------------------// "Bang! Crack!" Bullets met wooden targets on a shooting ranger deep within the Everfree forest. William was drilling himself again. Trying to keep the Canterlot bombing from 3 day's prior out of his head. It wasn't his fault, obviously, he couldn't have possibly known about it. This was Equestria he was in after all. Not Syria. Not Iraq. Not Aphganistan. Not Myanmar. Not Crimea. Equestria was supposed to be a magical paradise. Fun. In the normal kind of way. But regardless, that didn't change the fact that someone must've wanted the princesses, or someone else at that coronation ceremony dead. In the dead silence of the dawn, he holstered his weapons and sat down on a stump to think. "This is what I wanted, something to do. So, now I have my damn wish, what do I do with it?" He went over his options. The simplest, and he thought best option, was to find who or what tried to blow him up and put a bullet in their head. Jack Bauer style. But he knew his friends would have something to say about him just walking out of town and waging a one man war like the old days. He whistled the intro to Yankee Doodle then started off towards town. "Oh- I've never liked the fall months! Everything looks so Garishly orange!" William heard Ponyville before he saw it. "For once Rarity, you and I agree on something, 'Cept I hate 'em for a whole different reason. They remind me of grade school. Ah!" He shook at the memories, advanced algebra had taken a... less than healthy toll on his mental health. But he had gotten though it. "Hey Will!" It was Crimson Starwatcher, the wolfpony was clearly irritated by something. He still didn't like being called 'Will'. He quickly made his way across the bridge which linked the fields on the southeastern side of town to the Town Square, spanning over a small creek which really didn't need such a large and extravagant bridge. "I'll let is pass this time. What is it?" "There's royal guards stationed at every intersection. They asked for my ID twice! Do I look like I have pockets?" William snickered, "If it's any consolation, it's not my fault that they're here. It's Celestia's, and they're here on her assistance. It was her last official order as this nations matriarch. Just follow me and they'll leave ya be." "William! You've gotta-" He held up his hand, stopping the white and blue alicorn on an Equestrian bit. "Is this about the guards, or something else?" Joey's face made an awkward stare. "Twilight let Chrysalis teach teach the foals as part of her 'reformation' process." William facepalmed. "Sorry Crimson, duty calls. Just mention my name, most of these guards operate on a 'nightclub' basis with important people." She nodded, though the concerned expression on her face showed that she was as confused, if not more so than him about the incompetency of the guards. "... Anyway younglings! That, is how you manage a hive during the winter." William tapped on the door of a classroom. "Got a moment?" He tapped on the doorframe. The former changeling queen turned to him with an expression of apathy across her face. "Yes, yes I do." She said with a shrug. The class surrounding her got up from their spots and walked off. Leaving William and Chrysalis alone in the room. "Twilight and the others sent me to watch you." He explained. " I caught the last part of your 'lesson'. Missing home?" Chrysalis scoffed and turned her head away. "No, not at all! They turned their backs on me, their queen and-" The changeling paused and looked down at William, who responded with a chuckle. " Well, I couldn't care less about you 'reclaiming your kingdom.' But, I did come here with an opinion of my own. How about you go back to your hive and try do make... ugh, peace with Thorax and the others?" She frowned. "They disavowed me, I disavowed them. I want nothing to do with them anymore!" "Are ya sure?" Chrysalis thought about it for a moment. And then nodded. "I suppose you are right. Well, I'm not really a fan of Ponyville. " "You hate it, you absolutely despise it." William folded his arms and stepped closer. "And, you can leave whenever you want." Chrysalis raised a chitin eyebrow, " And what?" "You wanna leave? C'mon. Go get your things packed up and go. It really ain't that big of a deal. And you're not one for emotions anyway." "Except when I'm hungry!" She responded slyly. "Well, let's go then." The changeling's expression changed almost instantly, from one of indifference. To that of an eager filly begging her mother to buy some candy. William couldn't help but laugh at the reaction. Although he wasn't quite sure what she was excited about. Just an instant ago she had been despising the idea. Several minutes later, and she was ready to go. The fact that she didn't have any bags to pack made things much easier. William simply manifested a rucksack and threw some items from the school commissary into it. As they were about to step out the front door, after Chrysalis had bid goodbye to the few 'associates she had met during her time in Ponyville. She called them associates rather than friends oddly enough. Although this didn't bother William. He had encountered many different types of phobias on his journey. Frankly, he understood why Chrysalis still possessed it. But at the same time, couldn't care less. He wasn't known for valuing the opinions of others much. Unless they directly impacted his own life. Some in Equestria though less of him for that. But, again, he didn't care. "Alright, we're going northwest. Obviously, no rail line would be able to take us were we're going. Though, it will get us close. C'mon." Chrysalis and William walked to the radio station. And were joined by Joey. "Where are you off to now?" The alicorn called out, trotting up to the pair and stopping just shy of 3 paces. Chrysalis was about to say something, but William stepped in. "She's homesick. So I'm bringing her back to the hive." "I though you hated the place?" "Oh, because of all the hundreds of them I killed in defense of Ponyville. Nah! I'm sure they're over it." Chrysalis rolled her eyes and scoffed humorously. There was a moment of awkward silence, and then William muttered, " Well, we're leaving. Please don't ruin the idyllic magic paradise. " He motioned for her to move, and the two boarded the train. "Nothing he does makes sense." The alicorn turned and walked off the platform. William couldn't figure out who the passengers in the car were staring at more on the ride there, himself or the Changeling queen. William was geared to the teeth in armor. And Chrysalis was well... Chrysalis. She just had to glance in the direction of a possible dissident. And they would immediately become interested in their hooves. After about 3 hours, the train arrived at it's farthest north western station on the rail line. They had passed by several small towns, including one he was quite fond of, Greenville, was it? Where he had first met that elderly mare, what was her name again? Greystone. He wanted to visit her, but he was busy at the moment. "Well, we're here." William raised his hand and gestured to the wilderness ahead of them. " According to my map, the hive should be a 18 mile walk north of here." He groaned at the prospect of the round trip. "I don't suppose you'd carry your own things?" Chrysalis laughed. "I might be royalty, but I'm not lazy." She said, raising what few things she had brought along from Ponyville and setting them. "Ok then, would it be too much to ask if I could fly on your back the rest of the way there." She laughed, then her face went dark- Well, darker than it already was. "No. Not a chance. Not even you." He shrugged and hefted the straps of his day pack. "Figures. Well, let's-a go!" He gave the 'forward' signal with his hand, and walked off into the woods. With Chrysalis close behind him. Though, she eventually managed to push her way in front of him. Insisting that she lead. William was irritated. But, he didn't protest. "Let her feel important." The voice in his head said. "She'll be out of the way in a little while." Well, that last statement was most definitely not true. Based on the fact that they still had a good 17 mile's left to go. And William's feet were already beginning to hurt from all the walking he had done during the day.