//------------------------------// // Developments // Story: Why is life? // by Daxisle //------------------------------// Developments Dear Princess Celestia. Our departure hadn't gone as well as expected. Apparently somepony, not going to mention who, decided it was a good idea to give his personal retort to the feminist leaning city we were staying in. (Caution is recommended on reading the follow up report on the subject.) Luckily we left with out too much incident, and are at the end of a three day travel to a new city by the name of "Vickors". -The names in the Federation are admittedly unorthodox. Not just of the places; but the citizen's names on their own.- The weather is starting to warm finally, so perhaps I'll be able to give you better detail on the vegetation and land scape once it's a bit more lively. Oh, before I forget, there was an incident that I still don't know what to make of. Big Macintosh had approached a lost colt and offered to assist helping the pony find his mother. But once the mother was found, she, for some reason, accused him of being a... fillyphile. And no, from what I understand, he hadn't done anything to the poor colt. More will be elaborated in the follow up report. On a brighter note, Spike has actually begun to develop wings! Wings princess. When he'd grown before, he didn't have them. I wonder why he does now. He's growing up faster than ever before. But I suppose we have Sin and Mac to thank for that. I'll send those follow up reports as soon as I can. You're faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. "No, I'm telling you, it's just a weird saying is all." Spike said defensively, trying to get at the newly sprouting appendages from his shoulder blades. "Well so is 'oh brother'." Sin replied. "Where did that saying even come from? What does one expect their "brother" to do?" Spike nodded in admittance. "But still, 'god damn it', what is 'god' anyway?" "Wha' in Tarnation are ya'll talkin' about?" AJ asked frowning. "That's another one!" Spike exclaimed with a smile. "What is 'tarnation? Is it a nation that's made out of tar or something?" Macintosh chuckled, Things had lightened up considerably since Spike had gotten the stubs on his shoulder blades. Hopefully he wouldn't fall back into his slump after... the incident. Still, everyone seemed in a good mood for once, even Sin and Shade were inclusive to the current topic. "Speaking of sayings." Shade pressed his lips together. "What is tom foolery? And what in Tartarus is a Tom?" "Ah got one." Mac smiled. "Why do ponies have door knobs?" Now that one got everyone's attention. "No, seriously. hooves don' open doors." No, that had been bothering him ever since he'd had to open them. A griffin's claw or minotaurs hand seemed suitable for the task. But ponies... had... hooves! Who thought such architecture was a good idea? "Tha's a good poin'." Applejack agreed. "Same could be sai' fo' hammers n' tea cups actually." "Well, mostly unicorns use those silly." Pinkie smiled. "Most other ponies use normal cups." Everyone getting along and having a friendly discussion on shallow topics, no immediate lessons to be learned, no brooding lectures, no deep rooted philosophical discussions, and no drama. Mac took a moment to appreciate the fact for a moment. Ever since they had all come to the Federation, it was one bad incident after another. Sin's killing, Malich's unexplained appearance, the frigged cold, Twilight being insulted, Shade being an ass, and Spike... Well, now wasn't the time for that. Everyone was just having a bit of light hearted fun for once. Why ruin the good mood? Hours passed as the troop continued traveling on the road side. Passing caravans and lone individuals of every race and type. The weather had definitely taken a turn for the better, even if they were traveling farther north. The air was crisp, the sun shining and the wind still. It almost reminded him of the tranquility of Equestria. Finally, the sun was begining to set, and Sin called for setting up camp. "Hold on." Ace protested, "Let's keep going." "Why?" Sin asked. "My families spa is just a half a mile up." Ace nodded the way they were going. "Your family owns a spa?" The golden stallion's eyes narrowed. "Yea. Venus Relaxation, I told you this when we were going over the rout to Unitas!" Sin placed a hoof to his chin. "You did, didn't you? Yea, I'd rather not." "Why?" "You guys go ahead if you want." Ace repeated his single symbolic question again, a bit more forcefully. Sin shrugged and waved off the question. "C'mon Sin!" Pinkie said happily. "Spa's are relaxing and rejuvenating and fun!" Again Sin waved off the request and continued to trot on. Mac kinda had to side with the stallion on this one. Spas were more of a chick thing. Applejack only went to one once, and that was because Rarity dragged her along after Fluttershy canceled on her for some reason or another. She said it wasn't too bad, but it still wasn't her thing. "How about you Dash?" Ace called. "You up for some relaxation?" Surprisingly, Rainbow actually agreed to the venture. And with a little convincing, AJ went with it too. Wait what? Eventually, the mare's convinced Spike to join them and then the question was given to him. Well, everyone else was acting out of character, why not? Try everything in life once, right? Six out of eight was healthy enough, but Ace had to extend the invitation to Shade. Who was the only one to act predictably. "I'd rather roll around in molten lava and walk through a field of cacti. No offense." He said polity, some how. Ace shrugged and the troop caught up with the survivalist. Mac couldn't help but smile dumbly as he submerged his body into the golden spa bath. The warm water was just the right temperature to relax but not scold. He could feel every muscle beneath the relaxing liquid unwind, putting his mind into a euphoria of bliss and contentment. Small bubbles tickled his coat like hundreds of tiny hooves trying to remove the stress of his life. This was what he was missing out on? Screw masculinity, this was amazing! He slowly opened his eyes and observed his surroundings again. The white textile walls and mirrors hidden by thin layers of steam gave a certain sense of security and solitude. The second tub next to him stood stagnant, yet still steaming and relaxing, the sinus soothing air quelled any sense of conflict in his mind. If there was ever a paradise on earth... A knock came from the door, but he didn't care. He was in Nirvana. "Oh, there you are Big Mac." His eyes shot open, that voice. Sure enough, one Twilight Sparkled had entered the room and with proceeding hoofclops, slowly approached the unoccupied bath. "Mind if I join you?" He smiled "No' at all." Mac nodded. With permission, that was for some reason needed, given; said mare lowered herself into the tub. As he looked over, Mac couldn't help but feel a pleasant surprise to the sight of Twilight's mane done up in a bun, revealing more of her petite and slender neck. 'Beautiful.' Slowly, the mare began to lower herself into the water, her moans of pleasure were too much to go unnoticed. Blushing, the stallion tried to avert his gaze from her form. 'Was she doing that on purpose?' Was the only thought he could focus on. The rest of his thoughts hit a wall, or were to jumbled to focus on. Eventually, she was situated, leaning back the same way Mac was. This was the perfect time! They were alone, finally, and in a relaxed situation. Now all he had to do was start a conversation and slowly ease his way into the subject. "..." "..." Any minute now... "..." Alright, this is ridiculous! 'Okay Big Macintosh, come on now. You've known Twilight for two years now. This isn't that hard. On the count of three you say something. 1.. 2...3 "Hey Big Mac?" Twilight called, holding his words in his gaping mouth. "Is it alright if we talk?" And suddenly, butterflies in the stomach. Sin stood a good distance away from the entrance of the establishment, small shimmers of steam flew freely from the outside baths behind the main building. Though, he wasn't out here for that. "I know you're there," He called from out of the blue, a plan formulated in his mind. "You been following me ever since the border." A few choice words of provocation later, an onyx mare clad in the typical Triple M. coat ventured forth from a brush and eyed Sin for a moment. "Your brother said you were clever." Sin stood silently, his eyes analyzing the pony's form for any potential weapons before he spoke. "Indeed." He turned his head back to the spa, he knew that Malich would send some kind of observer; but he wasn't the only one who wanted information of it. "Tell me, what has become of Senator Windmane?" His stalker chuckled darkly. "And why would I tell you that?" She asked, her raspy voice already getting on his nerves. The cloaked stallion shook his head. "Always has to be difficult. When you're ready." Before the agent could question what the stallion was talking about, two yells erupted from behind a near by hill. Both turned to see what had happened, a moment later, Shade trotted over the bluff with an all to satisfied smile on his face. The onyx mare's confidence wavered upon the revelation of her two accomplices, hopefully, sleep endued dismissal. Though, she'd only showed it for a moment. "Very clever." She nodded than turned her attention back to her target, who now had a fully loaded crossbow aimed at her chest. "Alright, Windmane is alive." Well that was a relief at least. "And where is he?" "Your brother is holding him in the head quarters. He's most anxious for you to arrive." Sin's heart felt a nice twinge at the notion. He hadn't seen Malich since his company had been hired by Princess Luna to remove the ruby slave driver. What few words they spoke during the encounter weren't exactly the most pleasant the two had shared. "Why does he want me to come to him?" He had a good idea, but now it was time to solidify his suspicions. The stalker rolled her eyes and shook her head, "'Fraid I can't tell you that." 'Wrong answer.' The agent's breath caught in her throat as a bolt sped past her cheek by mere inches. She was so dumbstruck, that she hadn't noticed Sin charge forth until she was on the ground, his hoof pushing down on her chest. "I'll make this simple." He growled pushing the assaulting appendage down her diaphragm, resulting in a muted gasp. "I've been having a very-" he twisted his hoof forcefully, "-bad few months. traveling with a group of mares who have no idea when to shut up, a dragon who'd lost his innocence after murdering a border agent, and a psychopath hellbent on making me as paranoid as fucking possible." "Now, I'm going to ask you again; and this time." He pushed his hoof down farther, causing the mare to moan in pain. "I'd better get a more satisfying answer." Every word he spoke had a seething anger that he'd repressed for the time he'd spent with the girls. He'd preferred his introverted solitude, finding the company of others nice for a time, an hour or so tops; but often needing twice as long to recover. How he'd held it together for so long, with out exploding on them in one critical tirade or another, was actually a mystery to him even now. The mare gave him a defiant look, though one of surprise overtook it before she desperately looked at her forelegs. Quick to catch on, the liberty pony gave her a malicious smirk, explaining that there was a particular artery of the pony anatomy where, if just enough pressure was placed, would cut off blood-flow to both the upper and lower extremities. The ungodly pain and impairment of breath was just an added bonus for him at this point. He eased up, allowing the agent a grateful few breaths. Unfortunately. for her, the circulation wouldn't come back for a few minutes, with as hard as he was pressing. "Now, why does Malich want me to come to Unitas?" He stood expectantly. Eventually, the mare gained better control of her breathing, but still held to her vow of silence. Sin shook his head and dug back into her diaphragm, he could keep this up all night if he had to. There was a certain quality he'd developed over the years, one that most didn't have and none ever should. He hated the fact that he had it, but since did; and the situation called for it, why not take the small amount of joy in the pain he was causing? He lifted his hoof forwards, away from the artery and up into the organs. The agent gasped in protest, tears began to fall from her eyes as her assailant began exploring, and irritating her respiratory system. A quick look up found Shade stood relatively apathetic to his methods of interrogation, so at least he wouldn't interfere. Once the mare was in a constant muted scream, Sin gave her reprieve again, he couldn't have her passing out due to excruciation now, could he? Suddenly, Sin flinched as he felt a force slam into him and knock him off of the mare and straight unto his side. He wasn't sure who did it, but as he lay on the earth with a repressed rage coursing through him, they were not walking away from it. "It's about what happened back at S. Equine." Twilight blushed recalling how horrible she felt. The insult had stuck with her, to this day she couldn't understand why anypony would say such a mean thing to her. It wasn't her fault where she was born, yet they spoke as if it were a crime against nature. "But when you held me in your legs-" She smiled gently at him. "I felt a lot better." Mac's cheeks flushed, play it cool Big Mac, play it cool. "Happy ta help, I'm jus' sorreh they were so mean ta ya." Still, he wasn't clear on the specifics but Twilight dismissed the subject before he could ask, it would seem she was done with that part of the topic. "I just wanted to say, thank you." She smiled looking over at him. "Well, what 'r-" He stopped, he wanted to deck himself in the face. 'What are friends for? What? Are you trying to friend zone yourself? ' Crisis averted, but damage was already done. He chanced a look to find the unicorn staring expectantly. "What are...?" Come on, Gotta find a save. "What 'r ya thankin' me fer?" Twilight gave him a tilted her head. It wasn't perfect, and he may come off as simple, but if this played out right... "I'm thanking you for being there for me." He shrugged. "No need tah thank me Twi'. It was more n' my pleasure." Saved-ish, She didn't answer with anything, but it was more of a waiting silence. "Ah mean, ta be honest-" His voice lowered and the trailed off. "What?" "Ta be honest," He said a little louder. "I rather liked it. Not the part 'bout you bein' hurt, but holdin' ya n' all." Smooth mac, real smooth. "You mean that?" Twilight asked, a serious look in her eye. "I do." Mac nodded. "I just- I- I want to know where we stand." She sighed. "After we got back to Equestria, things just kinda... Stopped. And I was looking forward to seeing you again, but than you called me-" She paused, "Well, as you can immagine, that kinda made things a tiny bit awkward." Her voice perked slightly. Mac chuckled, "Yea, Ah s'pose it did. N' Ah'm sorry fer it." He smiled at her. "But Ah do want you ta know that-" "Oww!" Cried Spike as he was pushed head first on a massage table, a blue unicorn with a blue man manning the movement. "Sorry." She chuckled awkwardly before placing him right next to Twilight. "But this will help with your congestion." The dragon took a deep breath and relaxed before the mare got to work on his back, careful around the stubs that constituted his emerging wings. "Spike!" Twilight called. "O-o-h-h h-h-e-e-y-y T-w-i-i-i." He managed against he beat of his masseuse hitting his back. Mac rolled his eyes. That was just absolute perfect timing, all well; he was still to relaxed to be upset. As annoying as the interruption was, at least things were still pleasant and undramatic. "Dammit Shade, I will-" To his surprise, Shade was standing on the other side of him, still looking on with disinterest. What he found when he looked to his assailant was a frowning Pinkie Pie, staring at him with both anger and concern. "Pinkie!" "W- What did you think you were doing to her?!" She demanded, fighting back tears. 'Oh boy, here we go with the water works.' The stallion stood, a sudden rush of pain shooting from the leg he'd injured a few days ago. 'Eh? oh yea, that happened.' The way Pinkie Pie was standing, she had every intent on defending the now free breathing Triple M. agent behind her. He had to get the information before she recovered. "I'm sorry Miss Pie, however, I don't have time for this. Shade, please restrain her until I'm through." "Nah, I'm good." Sin inquired as to why his help wasn't given, though Shade merely shrugged and continuously said he didn't feel like it. Or something along those lines. 'well, fuck you too, guy.' Though, he had to take a moment to acknowledge that he had heavily relayed on the insane pony's brute strength a lot, perhaps a bit too much. Still, where did she come from? He was sure he saw her go into the spa. Dammit, he knew he should have moved farther away. It didn't matter now, he'd berate himself later. So many choices, yet most of them were closed off due to the fact he didn't want to hurt the pink mare. That only left the most time consuming choice, if practicality and appearances were elements to consider. He tried to quickly explain that this pony had been following them since they had crossed the border. When he'd said Shade had stayed in his room at the last city, he actually asked the pegasus to stalk Twilight, Pinkie and himself, and observe anyone who might be following them. This mare fit the bill, and Sin was just waiting for the chance to question her. "And that's how you ask a pony a question!" Pinkie threw her hooves up into the air. Sin began to move closer, he noticed the agents hooves beginning to move again, it wouldn't be long now until she was completely unabridged in her body control. As he drew within a few yards, the party mare placed herself directly between the two, a determined look on her face. He tried to push past, though he was blocked at every turn. "Pinkie, get out of the way." He seethed, his tolerance dwindling. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to." Pinkie flinched at the words. That hurt Sin himself for some reason, but she stood fast. "No. I wont move." Stand off. Every second that went by was another lost chance to re-subdue his stalker, yet his bluff was called. Probably the weakest of the four mares was now standing her ground against him. His feelings on how to approach the matter conflicted on all fronts. He respected her for protecting a weaker pony, yet grew agitated with her stubbornness. Though, it was something else that stopped him; something that he'd felt very rarely from any other sentient being. Fear. Despite Twilight's brilliance, he still held the belief that his pony was the most intelligent out of the group. There had been little evidence of it, but his instincts had yet to steer him wrong. The agent rolled onto her side, and that's when Sin made the biggest mistake of the encounter, he looked into the sky blue of the pink ponies eyes and his inner conflict doubled. Not a well known fact, but his goggles were meant to hide the fact he never looked anyone in the eye. What he saw surprised him actually. There was the expected determination and defiance, but there was something else. Compassion? Why was she looking at him like that? A quick movement from behind her disrupted the stand off. "Get down!" He yelled tackling Pinkie to the ground. The world slowed as the agent threw herself directly at the two, her head making contact with Sin's right leg covering Pinkie's head, the injured leg. "FUCK!" He hissed as the mare used her momentum to roll over the two and land with a stagger. She offered a wry smirk and bolted off into the night. 'Dammit! Why is it always the fucking leg!' "Are you alright?" He heard Pinkie ask. Sin looked down to find here eyes were riddled with concern and worry. "Absolutely fantastic, Are you ok?" He asked in reply, Pinkie nodded and he looked back to where the agent had run. He removed himself from the mare and attempted to give pursuit. Key word being; attempted. His leg buckled from a sharp jolt under him resulting in the pony falling face first into the dirt road. 'I'm going to kill her... Painfully.' "Sin!" Pinkie yelled 'and HER!' She leaned down and examined for, what he assumed, damages. He used his other foreleg to push her away. "Get off!" He growled, Pinkie drew back, visibly hurt. "Why'd you push me? I was in the-" "No I don't care what you were doing!" She cut him off, her hurt expression hardening. "There was no reason to hurt her like that!" 'fuck off there wasn't!' He thought as he looked up to the stern mare's eyes. He began to stand, he hated being looked down on like that. His struggling broke the mare's sternness yet again, and she lifted a hoof to help. "You'd like to think that." She stopped. "My brother sent her, I was trying to figure out why he wanted me to come back." Once he was a little more than eye level with the mare, he continued to explain how he'd been trying to gain the status of Windmane, and why Malich had abducted him. It wasn't clear if the agent even knew what his reasons for return was, but thanks to Pinkie, he'd lost his chance to find out. "I- I'm sorry." The aforementioned said weakly. Sin didn't accept her apology, he knew the culture she lived in, love and tolerance and all of that. Instead he waved her off and began to limp back to the Spa. "For getting you hurt." Sin looked back. "I'm sorry that you got hurt because of me." Her demeanor calmed. "But I'm not sorry I stopped you from torturing her." With a shake of his head, the cripple continued onwards. "Do- Do you forgive me?" He stopped again, that word... He never quite understood it, even for all of his thought and time spent dwelling on the concept. Forgiveness, it was basically the idea that one would accept the deed done against them, and hold no hard feelings over it. No matter how awful or scarring. He turned around. "I have held grudges since I was a colt, Miss Pie." His voice grew darker and more serious. "I do not forgive. I can be civil, I can drop the issue, but I have, and will, never forgive anyone for anything." He turned and limped away again, he heard the his associate say something, but he was far to enraged to care. Forgive? Forgiveness is the easy way out, it was, essentially, saying something terrible done to someone was okay . That was not "okay", and by no means acceptable.