//------------------------------// // 13 - The Wild // Story: Black Feather // by Recon777 //------------------------------// The platoon came to a halt where the race trail sharply veered northward. Amidst the dense forest, Nyx was aware it would eventually curl back eastward, leading back to the familiar territory of Ponyville. Her focus shifted to the platoon’s leader, Lieutenant Daisy, known by the callsign ‘The Daisycutter,’ standing beside her. The lieutenant had taken a liking to Nyx, her conversational tone relaxing over the course of the journey. This change was exclusive to Nyx, as Daisy maintained her hardened military demeanor with everyone else, including Rumble. Nyx wondered what it was about her that might have made Daisy regard her almost as a friend. Had they crossed paths before? If so, Nyx had no recollection of it. Daisy retrieved a well-worn map from her pack, unfurling it on a sturdy tree stump. Nyx, A.Pone, and two corporals gathered around as Daisy traced their route with a steady hoof. “The map indicates there should be a nearby path,” she announced, her resolve evident. “We have to keep heading west, straight into the Wild.” Indeed, the region west of Whitetail bore the ominous label “The Wild” on the map, a territory ponies rarely ventured into, and if they did, it was against better advice. Not that the Wild was anything like Everfree, a place teeming with inexplicable dangers and a curse that generated monstrous creatures seemingly out of nothing. By contrast, the Wild was merely that. Wild. Nyx recalled her friend Apple Bloom’s story from their childhood about the time she was nearly devoured by a chimera out this way. But an armed platoon of twenty-two was not the same as a defenseless farmer filly and her big sister. Nyx’s eyes scanned the map, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar terrain ahead. After a brief search, Windy called out, having located the path they were seeking. It was a rugged trail that broke off from the race trail before descending alongside an embankment into the increasingly dense forest below. It was a notably rough start, the supply wagons barely navigating between the thicker saplings that lined the edges of the winding path. Several soldiers took the lead to clear the way, while Nyx and Windy remained close to the wagons, nudging them telekinetically whenever they threatened to tip over. The ambient sounds of the forest that surrounded them had also shifted, becoming increasingly unfamiliar and amplifying the sense of isolation from civilization. As they advanced along the overgrown trail, vines and brambles clawed at their progress, making the journey laborious and uncomfortable. Nyx couldn’t help but feel a creeping unease, the unfamiliarity of this remote section of the forest weighing on her. Windy, too, seemed on edge, her eyes darting around the thick woods as if it might swallow her up, never to be found again. The unicorn decided to voice what she was feeling. “How much further will it be like this?” she asked, her misery evident. Dinky, for her part, was silent though Nyx wondered how much of a strain this was putting on her friend. Nyx responded to Windy, injecting a touch of sarcasm to lighten the mood. “It stays ‘nice’ like this for some time. Eventually, it leads to the fire swamp, and beyond that, the bayou. But we should be fine; it’s not like the chimeras carry guns or anything.” Windy grumbled sourly, “Oh, that sounds like heaps of fun.” Their journey soon brought them to a wide, shallow stream, where an aging wooden bridge had succumbed to the decay of time. Crossing was no longer an option, so they waded through the water, the squelching of their hooves in the silt adding to the discomfort of their already arduous trek. Half way across, Nyx looked back, seeing Dinky still standing at the edge of the stream. Windy, who had been walking beside her, had only begun the reluctant crossing herself. “You coming?” Nyx called back to her friend. Dinky hesitated, looking miserable. Her eyes locked with Nyx’s. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?” “You can’t just pop over to the other side?” Dinky shook her head. “I’ve never been here before. Remember, I can only jump to places I’ve been.” Nyx had forgotten because she knew her mother could teleport to places she could see. “You’ll just have to walk then. It’s alright. A bit gross, but it’ll wash off.” Dinky made a grimace and began walking into the stream, the sticky muck no doubt enveloping her hooves just as it had Nyx’s. With his hooves splashing slightly in the water, Rumble landed in the stream next to Dinky. “Come on. We’ll do it together.” Dinky returned his encouraging smile and the two plodded on through until eventually reaching dry land again. On the other side of the stream, the trail began to show signs of improvement. Daisy turned to Nyx, her gaze steadfast as she spread her map open once more. “Nyx, you and Flitter fly ahead and scout for zebras or any other potential threats. We need to be aware of any surprises before we reach the fire swamp. Our rendezvous will be this clearing, marked here on the map. By the time we get there, the troops will be tired from pulling the wagons. We’ll take an hour to rest and do drills. Windy will send up a flare every ten minutes to guide you back.” Nyx nodded in acknowledgment, eager to assist. “We’ll do our best.” With those words, she and Flitter took to the skies, leaving the dense forest below and embarking into the unknown. As the midday heat gradually yielded to early afternoon, Nyx and Flitter soared through the sky, their sharp senses attuned to potential threats. Nyx’s T.E.I. spell, an impressive feat of thaumatic spellcrafting authored by one of the preeminent scholars at the science academy, stood as a testament to modern magical engineering. Although Nyx herself lacked the ability to cast the spell, the technological marvel resting at the base of her horn bridged the gap in skill. This device could be encoded with spells crafted by one pony, enabling them to be cast by another without the skill. While the theoretical underpinnings lay beyond Nyx’s interests, it had become all the rage among the science nerds at her mother’s institute. In contrast, Flitter was a natural empath. All changelings were attuned to the emotional landscape of the Lifestream, but the results were more nuanced, akin to smell or taste. For Flitter, a person’s anger manifested like a bitterness or foul odor, intensifying as she approached the source. As a seasoned empath, her understanding of others’ emotions had evolved into a reliable skill. Nyx’s indicator was different, augmenting her vision and specifically highlighting an aggressor, but only to a short range. There were other distinctions, such as the fact that hostile animals showed up for Nyx but not at all for Flitter. Nevertheless, by working together, the duo had effectively pinpointed the sniper’s position last week in time to save Dusty. Today, the lieutenant had wisely employed their teamwork for this scouting run. Flitter turned her gaze toward Nyx in flight, her voice tinged with curiosity. “So, Nyx, how are you feeling about the mission so far? What do you think of these ponies we’re traveling with?” Surveying the breathtaking vista surrounding them, Nyx contemplated their journey. It felt like a surreal dream, an erstwhile impossibility now unfolding before her eyes. “It’s still hard to believe, Flitter. I never thought we’d be here, on a real mission. I do like the ponies of the platoon so far. They’re funny, how they talk—especially A.Pone. He talks so gruff, but he comes off like someone from the comics, you know?” Flitter chuckled. “I agree; they are fascinating. I’ve sensed various emotions among the soldiers, which they are really bad at hiding, by the way. Many are relaxed or even bored, while others genuinely relish this venture into the unknown. But it’s the unicorns that concern me; they seem to be struggling the most.” Nyx’s curiosity was piqued. “Dinky? Why would she be struggling? She didn’t hide how eager she was for this mission, despite my protests.” Flitter pondered the question. “It runs deeper than that. I sense something’s been brewing within her for a while, only now surfacing. Oddly enough, it might have to do with not teleporting around like she usually does. Sticking with the same group of ponies isn’t normal for her.” Nyx found the insight intriguing. “It hasn’t been that long,” she pointed out. “True, but for someone whose life resembles a humming bird, used to constant movement, this must feel strange. It’s just an impression, though; I could be wrong. What’s your take on the lieutenant? She seems more open to you than the rest of us, though it’s not clear to me as to why.” After a moment’s reflection, Nyx replied, “She’s pretty intriguing, I’ll admit. It’s like she knows me and yet at the same time doesn’t know me. What do you make of that?” “Well, you are a public figure, whether you like it or not,” Flitter remarked with a knowing look. “Consider that toy of you that Dusty had. That is your public image. I can say one thing for sure, though: her curiosity about you is off the charts. She’s probably never spent any time around an alicorn before, so it’s not terribly surprising.” Nyx rolled her eyes. She wondered if she’d ever be able to shake the whole ‘public image’ thing. When could she just have a normal life like a normal person? “Flitter, she’s a lieutenant in the Lunar Division. If she knows Luna at all, alicorns shouldn’t be that mysterious to her.” “You and Luna are close. Don’t forget that the princess has a very different relationship with her subjects than with her friends.” Flitter had a point. “Fair enough. So here’s a weird one—why do you think almost the whole platoon is made up of earth ponies? Not a single pegasus among them.” Flitter speculated, “Pegasi might be less enthusiastic about enlisting due to their very heavy casualties early in the war. Earth ponies, especially the young ones, often believe they’re invincible.” Nyx nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. And we wouldn’t want to discourage our most effective fighting force, would we?” “Exactly,” Flitter agreed. As they continued their flight, Nyx’s gaze swept across the landscape. The southern mountain range leveled out, curving off to the southwest on the horizon. To the east, Canterlot Mountain had vanished from view, but ahead, to the west, a thick, smoky haze loomed. The trees there had darkened, an unpleasant odor wafting toward them. Flitter broke the silence, identifying the ominous sight. “So that’s the fire swamp?” Nyx responded wryly, “Not the best vacation spot, it seems.” Expressing concern, Flitter asked, “Are we really going to walk through that, Nyx? It’s going to be miserable.” Nyx’s tone reflected the same sentiment. “I don’t see any way around it. Let’s go a bit further and wrap it up. I haven’t seen a hint of zebras the whole flight, just the occasional predator here and there. How about you?” “Same…” Flitter echoed. “I’ve felt nothing either. I’m pretty certain there’s no zebras at least as far as the fire swamp. We should get back and let them know. We don’t want to be stuck in there after dark.” Appreciating Flitter’s practicality, Nyx agreed. With some daylight left, they had a decent chance to reach the bayou before nightfall, provided all went smoothly. Committing their course to memory, the two friends turned back, soaring eastward with the breeze. In the distance, a brilliant flare burst into the sky, followed by an explosion of colorful fireworks. Nyx shook her head with a wry chuckle. “Windy sure knows how to express herself. At least it’s hard to miss.” The pair of scouts gracefully touched down in the clearing, where the platoon was taking a brief respite. Glancing around, Nyx saw a mix of weariness and energy among the soldiers. The three wagon pullers, their fatigue etched in every movement, contrasted with the bustling energy of others engaged in various activities. The clearing had been divided into distinct areas, likely at Lieutenant Daisy’s direction. Several soldiers were engaged in combat drills, including hoof sparring as well as weapons practice. At the far end, a black stallion led marksmanship practice, the crackling shots reverberating toward a line of paper targets on wooden posts. Spotting Flitter in the distance, he signaled her to join. With a nod to Nyx, Flitter excused herself, trotting toward the sharpshooters. Lieutenant Daisy was working with Dinky and Rumble. They had pulled Rumble’s lancer frame out of its wagon, examining the device as its thin metal framework climbed up Rumble’s legs and spread over his body. Nyx had seen these devices in the past, but never up close. The lancer frame was probably the most important innovation to come out of the Former Villain’s Initiative, since the start of the war. Upon approaching the trio, Nyx saw that Daisy was showing Dinky how to reload Rumble’s autoguns. Dinky’s attention was riveted onto the instructions she was being given, a good sign that she was feeling useful. Rumble’s gaze caught sight of Nyx for a moment, prompting a smile from them both. “Now repeat that ten more times,” Daisy ordered before her attention shifted to Nyx. Her initial formality softened. “I didn’t see you come in,” she said to the alicorn, her tone warm. “What have you found?” “Can I see your map?” Nyx requested. Daisy retrieved her map from her pack, laying it out on a substantial rock. At this, Nyx used her hoof as a guide, tracing the scouted route. “We’ve scouted to here,” she began. “Everything from here to here is clear, but beyond this point, I started spotting predators. Nothing to worry about, but the fire swamp will be difficult to see through, so we’ll want to get out of it before it gets dark. The trail forks multiple times, veering away from our intended path, but we found a route here and here that should guide us all the way through.” “Good work, Nyx,” Daisy commended. “I appreciate the update. We’re taking forty-five to rest and hone combat skills. I like my ponies sharp. It’s my first time with this platoon, and I want to know what I can expect.” “Done all ten, Lieutenant!” Dinky’s voice rang out as she approached, radiating satisfaction. “That’s what I like to see, Dinky. Spend a few minutes with the rifle and scattergun soldiers, ensuring you know their ammunition needs and where it’s stored in the wagon. After that, you’re dismissed until we depart, which is forty-five minutes from now.” “I won’t let you down,” Dinky declared before vanishing. She instantly reappeared next to a soldier across the clearing, causing a mild start. Nyx chuckled, shaking her head as she observed her friend in action. “If Dinky can teleport as well as she claims, she’ll make the perfect resupply pony,” Daisy remarked. Nyx admired the practicality of the idea, realizing she hadn’t considered Dinky’s unique talent in that light before. Just then, Platinum Dawn, one of the stallions who had pulled the wagons, nearly collided with Nyx and Daisy as his attention fixated on Rumble soaring overhead, autoguns deployed. Swiftly regaining composure, he saluted his lieutenant. “Shouldn’t you be resting, Platinum?” Daisy asked. “I am resting,” the sturdy dapple-grey replied with a grin, passing a pair of apples from his pack to the lieutenant. She thanked him and extended one to Nyx. “Come, sit with me a moment,” Daisy invited Nyx. The two made their way to the clearing’s edge, where naturally smooth rocky formations provided comfortable seating. “You’ve fought zebras before,” Daisy stated as they settled in. “Yeah, a little,” Nyx replied. “I’m not supposed to, but it happens sometimes. Like lately, we’ve been testing this short-range threat detection spell. Ended up walking right into an ambush we weren’t ready for.” “That’s why they call it an ambush,” Daisy noted. “But then there was the incident at the school.” Nyx winced. “Feels like everyone knows about that now.” Daisy raised an eyebrow with a bit of a scowl. “Why do you do that?” Her tone bordered on annoyance. “I… I mean I know I’m not supposed to get involved, but—” “What? No, why do you hide from heroism?” Nyx blinked. “Heroism? I thought you were talking about what I did to the zebras after the attack.” Daisy’s expression became perplexed. “You killed them, right? From what I heard, it was rather… spectacular. But you saved the colt. That’s what matters, is it not?” “Of course it is!” Nyx blurted out. “So don’t hide from it. You were a hero that day, and the good you did is what matters. Yes, this war is awful, but we do what we have to if we don’t want our loved ones to die.” Nyx paused, considering Daisy’s words. The whole thing was turning into a muddled mess in her mind. Her expression became pained as the age-old conflict in her heart resurfaced. “My purpose is to protect ponies,” she said simply. “I’m not hiding from heroism. I… I’m just not supposed to kill anyone.” “Who told you that?” Daisy asked. “It’s just what’s right. Isn’t it?” Nyx replied, feeling increasingly unsure. “Nyx, you’ve clearly spent a lot of time learning to fight, or Princess Luna wouldn’t have sent you with us today. Did you think you could just fight off the zebras without killing them, and they’d all run away like in a child’s comic story or something?” Nyx said nothing. Had she really thought this? Had some naive part of her childhood still clung to the belief that you could resolve conflicts with a mortal foe and they’d just give up and go away? “No, I know what you’re talking about,” Nyx replied at last. “I used to think that. When I made the vow, it never crossed my mind that I might have to take a life. I know that’s sometimes the only way it works, even though I hate it.” The lieutenant spent a moment pondering Nyx’s words. “Was this your first time? Having to kill to save someone, I mean,” she asked. “I…” Nyx sighed, shaking her head and not really wanting to dredge this up again. “About three years ago, I stopped an assassination in Aria. Well, mostly stopped.” “I remember hearing about that,” Daisy said. “What happened?” Nyx’s voice softened as she recalled that day. “Arkadian special forces had infiltrated the city. Over twenty of them attacked during an induction ceremony, assassinating the new captain and taking out a bunch of civilians in a chaotic attack. I ended up killing all of them, but the war spell put me in the hospital. It was the first time I’ve saved ponies in a way that ended up causing the deaths of others.” Daisy nodded, taking a bite from her apple. “That would mess up anyone who wasn’t trained for it. I don’t envy you. Tell me about this vow you mentioned.” Nyx considered it a personal matter, but since she brought it up, she might as well explain. “I made a promise to Luna and Celestia many years ago. Because I was physically stronger than my loved ones, and I could endure more than they could, I dedicated my life to protecting ponies. I didn’t realize how conflicted I would feel about it when the war began. Ponies started dying and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.” “Yeah, I see the problem. How old were you when the war broke out?” “Sixteen,” Nyx replied. “So you were just a child when you made this vow. It’s commendable, but did you really think you could protect every pony?” Nyx nodded, feeling her gut tighten. Childhood guilt still clung onto her heart, despite her attempts to shake it over the years. Daisy shook her head slowly, her face full of sympathy. “I’m sorry you had to carry that burden. But by now, you understand how things are. You simply can’t save everyone.” “It was a big hit to come to terms with that,” Nyx admitted. “And another big hit when I knew that sometimes I’d have to kill my enemy in the process.” “And what about the zebras?” Daisy asked. “I never made a vow to protect them. I’m not out to kill them, but my commitment is to protecting ponies, however stressful the war makes that for me.” “Have you considered renouncing the vow? Just for your conscience’s sake, I mean.” “I can’t. It’s who I am.” Daisy nodded. “I can respect that. But if I might give some insight, what happened at the school was a success, and you should feel good about it. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.” Nyx nodded. “I understand.” Daisy continued, “Nyx, you’ve been on a journey with this vow that has become your identity… And that journey is not over.” Daisy broke from the topic with a sudden shake of her head and an astonished smile on her lips. “But wow, that day in Aria! I guess that’s what it’s like being an alicorn?” “Sorry, what?” Nyx asked, raising an eyebrow and unsure of Daisy’s direction. With a satisfied crunch, Daisy finished her apple, expertly tossing the core away. “Well, from what I’ve heard, your abilities could be downright catastrophic. If legend is to be believed, a single alicorn can wipe out large armies or level mountains.” Nyx stared at her for a moment, trying to decide if she was being serious. The earnest expression on her face made Nyx guess she actually might be. At this, it was all she could do to fight back a burst of laughter. “Haven’t heard that one in a long time, Daisy,” she said, suppressing a chuckle and wiping an eye with a hoof. “I wouldn’t put much faith in the old bedtime stories. Alicorns aren’t the titans that the ancient legends talk about. Those stories are just made up to give little colts and fillies interesting pony-tales to read.” Daisy pondered this for a moment. “Hmm. Well, someone must have had a vivid imagination then. Someone seemed to think alicorns were terrifying.” Nyx considered this. Alicorn power was largely a mystery even to her. Luna had strongly hinted that Nyx may end up remembering further war spells that Luna had crafted in ages past. But nothing on the scale of the ancient legends. Even Luna herself had no such power. Perhaps the stories were merely hyperbolic. “Well, I’m not saying we can’t do some pretty scary stuff,” Nyx conceded. “I mean, you’re right about Aria three years ago. I accidentally turned twenty-three zebras into meat confetti. It nearly killed me, though. It’s not something I can use in a fight just because I want to. And in a war this size, it wouldn’t tip the scales anyway.” Daisy shook her head with an amused chuckle. “So, you can’t defeat entire armies with a wave of your hoof and make my platoon famous for winning the war, then.” She poked Nyx in the side in jest. “That’s too bad. We sure could use a ‘legend’ like that right about now, wouldn’t you say?” “I don’t know, Daisy,” Nyx said with a more serious tone. “All the alicorns in those stories weren’t the slightest bit interested in helping out with pony concerns.” “Perhaps you’re right,” Daisy remarked, thoughtfully. “Perhaps you’re right.” Nyx finished her apple, glancing across the clearing to the soldiers engaged in marksmanship training. Flitter was still there, taking aim at a paper target. Nyx could make out the smile on her face as one of the stallions guided her aim. “I never expected Flitter to take an interest in weapons training,” Nyx mentioned absently. Daisy followed Nyx’s gaze. “Midnight’s our best shot with a rifle,” she commented. “That black stallion over there with Flitter. Of course, A.Pone likes to think he is. And with a crossbow, he’d be right.” She paused, watching for another moment before letting out a chuckle. “Somepony seems to be enjoying herself.” “She sure is,” Nyx replied with a subtle smile. “It’s good to see. I worry about her sometimes. She’s been through so much, but she hides it well most of the time.” “You’re welcome to join them if you want. We’ve still got time before we head out.” “Me? Oh, guns really aren’t my thing, Daisy. Thanks, though.” Daisy looked pointedly at her. “It occurs to me that I have absolutely no idea what kind of fighter you are. I mean, unless your thing is always to incinerate your opponent?” “That was an accident,” Nyx emphatically declared. “I have no idea what happened there.” Luna’s warning lingered in her thoughts, reminding her that this kind of thing, or worse, might yet happen again. She shrugged off the sudden chill that ran down her back. “Blades, then? I’m partial to those myself, though a good rifle is essential at range.” Nyx glanced at Daisy’s forelegs. “Wait, those are real?” Daisy held up a hoof, revealing a slightly yellowish thick metal band just above the fetlock joint. Her other foreleg sported its twin, making a matching set. “I thought they were just jewelry.” Nyx had seen aurora blades in action many times. She always wondered how they worked, the operators seemingly able to control their form with a mere thought. Daisy gave a nod, and the metal flowed like liquid out, curving and solidifying into the glinting edge of a deadly blade before finally retreating back into the decorative form of a foreleg band. “I didn’t think ponies could control Arkadian liquid metal,” Nyx commented in astonishment. “We can—it just takes training and practice. Are you skilled with that sword you’re carrying?” Nyx telekinetically drew her new sword from its scabbard, giving it a flourish for a moment. “This one’s a lot better than my old one,” she commented. “I’m still getting used to the improved balance.” Daisy whistled in admiration. “May I?” Nyx passed the sword to Daisy. Daisy examined the sword for a moment. “It’s beautiful.” “It was a gift from Luna. It means a lot to me. She trained me on the sword years ago.” Daisy stood up, returning the sword to Nyx’s grip. “Show me.” “Pardon?” “Time to show me what you’re made of, Nyx. You and me, one on one.”