Chapter 18: The Right Hand of God
Doctor Hemos was not happy at the new turn of events. Captain Barricade was his responsibility and certainly not well enough to be discharged. A formal complaint had already been drafted in his mind to be sent to his superiors, but he had no immediate authority to override Major Stormcloud.
It was decided that Barricade would forgo her armor. She always wished to make an impression, but assembling the pieces and trying to move with them proved to be too troublesome. That, and Hemos would not stop having a fit about the armor aggravating her wounds. She didn’t want to be rushed back to the hospital due to some torn stitches or have to listen to Hemos drone any longer. She wasn’t sure which prospect she dreaded more: being coddled or dealing with Hemos.
Hemos knew better than to give the captain grief, especially with Stormcloud a few yards away. Muttering under his breath, he gave Barricade one last check up before a pony pushed a bloated cloud into the hospital.
“Ugh,” Barricade groaned. “I can walk on my own.”
“I want this by the book, captain, and that includes you. It’s protocol.” Stormcloud eyed her cooly. “Get on the cloud.”
Barricade huffed, but there was nothing stopping Stormcloud. Climbing onto its fluffy surface, she sat on her rump and opened her wings. Whenever a pony was too injured to walk or a pegasus’s wings too injured to fly, they were given a cloud as a means of transportation. Barricade’s wounds were no longer life threatening, but they were fresh enough for Hemos to prescribe bed rest and, therefore, necessitated the use of a cloud for any exertive distance.
Lightning Chaser moaned and facehoofed at the new turn of events; if Barricade was no longer present to divert Hemos’ attention, it would fall upon the hospital’s last remaining patient: her. Hemos cackled darkly.
“You’re coming too, doctor. I want an eye on her,” Stormcloud ordered. Hemos eyed Stormcloud questioningly, but nodded in acceptance and prepared a saddlebag.
“Keep the place running smooth until I return,” he called to the nurses on staff. He began stuffing items neatly into his personal bag: notepad, an emergency med kit, a few personal and work-related items, and he was ready. Grabbing a cloak to ward off the rain, he joined the stoic major, two Royal Guardponies, and a disgruntled captain for their trip to the creature’s tent.
As they left, Lieutenant Chaser thrust a hoof into the air victoriously. Sure, the doctor would return, but a few more moments without Hemos’ legendarily crude bedside manner was always good.
A bubbly, blond-maned nurse with an empty vial cutie mark entered from the back carrying a brain scan. “We just received your test results, Ms. Chaser. The concussion is minor, as predicted, so you're allowed to leave, but not permitted to return to active duty as of yet.”
“Buck yeah, I’m gone.” Lightning Chaser promptly hopped off the bed and signed the document’s in the nurse’s outstretched hoof. After signing her release form, the nurse called to her while she was on her way out.
“You can stay if you wish. It’s still raining outside.”
Lightning Chaser’s thoughts turned to the inevitable return of the doctor. She shivered slightly. “Bite my fat, furry flank.”
Most ponies imagined the armor of the Royal Guard to be heavy and cumbersome, not realizing that the forging process used Magi to enchant the molten steel as it was being cast in the forges. Spells and enchantments were woven into the very heart of the metal, decreasing their weight and adding attributes like flexibility and resistance to minor spells.
One of those added enchantments was an Endure Elements spell to help resist extreme cold and heat. Without her armor, it was actually less comfortable for Barricade as she drifted on her cloud.
The cloak was thick enough to take most of the bite out of the downpour, but she could feel a trickle of wetness run across her skin every time she beat her wings. As she was not allowed to do something as childishly simple as walk, her only means of locomotion were to flap her wings to propel her cloud foreword.
Stormcloud walked south with head held high and without a word. The dappled, gray pegasus, clad in his golden armor, kept his face blank until they reached an intersection. “I’m afraid I must part with you here. I am returning to Canterlot with Princess Celestia and promised to meet with her before our departure. Continue; I’ll meet with you shortly.”
Doctor Hemos and Captain Barricade nodded, “Yes, Major,” they spoke together.
Stormcloud and his two pony entourage headed east while Barricade and Hemos continued south to their destination. They did not get very far, for as soon as they passed the mess hall, they were spotted by a pony that quickly scampered out into the deluge to join them.
“Captain!’
The pair stopped momentarily. “Well met, Corporal Shade.”
Shade shifted uncomfortably in the rain before standing tall. “I just wanted to tell you that Princess Luna has been informed and...” He trailed off and shifted again again.
“You’re going to catch pneumonia if you just keep standing in place. Spit it out,” Barricade mumbled. Having to ride around on a cloud had blackened her mood to be as dark as the storm.
“I... I wish to apologize for my earlier behavior, captain. I was out of line.”
Barricade waved the Corporal off, clearly not in the mood to dwell on such matters. “Apology accepted.” Without so much as a parting goodbye, Barricade beat her wings and propelled herself down the street. Hemos cantered after her and, surprisingly, so did Shade.
“Talk while you walk, Corporal; I’m not stopping.” Barricade called without turning her head. She really wanted off that cloud.
Shade quickened his pace to match hers. “I’ve been thinking. Should we tell the citizens of Ponyville our suspicions about the second creature?”
“Not a chance,” she replied curtly.
Shade blinked back surprise. He could tell she was in a sour mood, but he didn’t expect an answer that abrupt. “But they have the right to know!”
“Know what!? That a creature we know absolutely nothing about managed to slip away from from us, managed to fight monsters in the Everfree Forest on even ground, built a portal out of unknown materials, and hasn’t been seen since?”
“Yes! Then they at least know something is still wrong! If a creature is that stealthy and that dangerous, they deserve to know that something is out there. At least give them a fighting chance.”
“And cause a panic,” Barricade countered. She wished to stop there, but arguing brightened her mood, so she continued with her thoughts. “Public confidence has already been shaken due to the appearance of the Farlander Portal, and just a spitting distance away from Canterlot and Ponyville, no less. We have one of the creatures. We will use that to boost morale and confidence, and only then will we reveal that there is another hiding out there. Who knows, maybe this creature can give us some pointers on where to start looking.”
“It’s an awfully big risk. That builder alien snuck into our perimeter undetected. If a creature we know about can do that, what can this other one do?”
“I’m not saying you’re wrong, Corporal, but this is our best option, considering what we have. We will act based on what we know, not what we think.”
“I don’t like it.”
“You don’t have to. Just follow orders.” Barricade’s tone made it clear that the conversation was finished.
“Very well, Captain. I hope you recover soon.” The two exchanged a nod and Shade turned on his hoof and galloped into the stormy night.
Night... as she watched Shade race off into the darkness, her body reminded her just how exhausted she really was. Being awake all day, running patrols, coordinating an entire base, and getting mortally wounded had taken a gave toll on her. Her muscles felt like jelly and she felt the beckoning call of sleep behind the comforting darkness of her eyelids.
Hemos saw the weariness of his charge and opened his mouth to make a statement. “Not a word,” Barricade said before he could. Knowing he would get nowhere reasoning with the stubborn mare, he let it go, if momentarily.
Even from a distance, they could see that the creature’s containment tent was enshrouded in the red bubble of shielding magic. As they approached their target, the pair spotted a large crowd of off duty Guardponies jostling for a peek inside. The Night Guards at the door refused to grant entry, no matter when the curious crowd offered boons, food, leave time, and, in one case case, sexual favors.
Barricade sighed and hopped off her cloud. Hemos took a concerned step forward as she winced upon landing, but she waved him off. “This isn't a petting zoo! Off with ya!”
Those that recognized Barricade’s voice scattered immediately, but there were a few whom had not yet encountered the burly mare. A very, very foolish Night Guard called over his shoulder, “Beat it!”
One of the fleeing guards called over his shoulder to their woeful brethren, “Fly, you fool! You know not your peril!”
Barricade smiled wickedly; ‘Oh, tonight is a good night.’ The Guard eyed his comrades questioningly, curious as to the source of their sudden and unprompted actions. Hearing the hooffalls of somepony behind him, he turned around to chastise his guest.
Barricade trotted into the tent with a very pleased smile on her face, nearly kicking over a bucket of water on her way in. Doctor Hemos – shockingly – shared a crooked smile. “I think I’ll be seeing him in the infirmary when I return.”
“Admit it; you loved it as much as I did. And I didn’t touch the colt.”
“I’m sure his therapy sessions will agree with you.”
Barricade snorted, which, in turn, made the doctor wheeze. ‘Is that how he laughs?’ Barricade thought. She didn’t ponder such things for much longer, for she only just noticed how tense the mood in the room truly was.
Hexxus Incantus had taken over as the magus on guard and his horn cloaked in ruby-red light; it was his barrier Barricade and Doctor Hemos had passed through just outside the tent. Hexxus had on his face an expression of rapt attention, whilst the dozen Night Guards looked ready to spring any second.
The source of everyone’s ire was, of course, the alien biped working his strange magic. He had acquired four planks and arranged them in a square on the ground. Barricade must have blinked, because some type of workbench popped into existence by some unknown means.
“I swear to Celestia, Captain Barricade, he just punched it, is all. I swear it, I swear to Celestia, I do,” one Night Guard babbled in a single breath as soon as he lay his eyes on her. She was about to ask what he was talking about before she spotted a one meter wide square hole in the ground. “Gone! He punched the ground out of existence! Dirt punch, captain! Dirt Punch! I swear to – ”
“Quiet!” Barricade’s call for silence also garnered the attention of the biped. He waved slowly upon seeing her extensive pink hair, but said nothing.
“Has he said anything?” Barricade asked the nearest soldier.
“Not a word, Captain. He just sat there for just over an hour and then started to get nervous, conjuring weapons at will and getting spooked at the slightest movement. Just a few moments before you got here, he started conjuring stuff and punching dirt.” The soldier sighed after he said that. “I’m so applying for leave on psychological grounds when my shift is done.”
“Orders, Captain?” asked the pony in charge of the squad, a Lieutenant with an unknown name.
“You!” Barricade shouted at the creature, but Hexxus held out a hoof to stop her.
“This is our chance. He’s behaving out of his own instincts and impulses, not out of self defense. This is the perfect opportunity to observe the creature’s nature and behavior.”
“We don’t know what he’s trying to do,” Barricade whispered back. The creature had stopped his activities and watched Barricade curiously due to her outburst.
“And this is the perfect time to rectify that. His powers are strange and fantastic, but that’s no reason to be frightened of him. Let us learn from him. The base is swarming with Magi and soldiers; let us give him a little leeway.”
“Your barrier’s still intact, right.”
“Of course, Captain. Above and below ground with a twenty feet diameter.” Indeed, his horn was cloaked in a ruby-red glow. “Unless he knows barrier cancellation magic, he is securely contained.”
“Very well.” A beat. “Let him do as he wishes for now, everypony.”
“Yes, Captain!” the squad replied. The creature, upon seeing Barricade was not going to interact with him any longer, continued his work. He placed two wooden planks onto the workbench and slammed his right hand down.
Pop!
With an audible sound, the planks shifted into a small collection of sticks. The Night Guards surrounding him gasped in unison.
“Easy, soldiers,” Barricade commanded. “Be ready to make a move, but let him be.” Barricade moved closer to Hexxus.
The creature, unsure if he appreciated the new level of attention, shifted uncomfortably under this newfound scrutiny. He examined his guards, searching for any hostile intent in their posture. Finding none, he nervously continued his work, a keen eye still on the ponies.
Scooping up the sticks, they shifted unnaturally into a thick, brown sludge and circled his arm. The shapeless sticks held that form for just a moment before rushing towards the creature’s chest and vanishing from sight. Immediately afterwards, a dull gray blob took its place in his right hand. Pointing to the ground adjacent to his stone seat, the ooze leaped from the creatures hand like an asp and solidified into two cobblestone cubes next to his stone seat.
“Fascinating,” breathed the professor. “To casually wield power as impossible as it is unique...”
“What do you mean?” asked Barricade.
“Such perfection does not occur in nature, or even by magic. There is always a margin of error involved: a slight discrepancy in magical regents, location not quantumly exact; a spell or motion cannot be performed exactly the same way twice. It’s just not physically possible.
“But this creature can conjure items in exact dimensions every time.” The creature nodded at his craftsmanship and conjured pair of sticks. “I would gamble that if we measured those two stone cubes, their dimensions would equal each other perfectly right down to the millimeter, even in composition. Nopony in Equestria – in the world! – can reproduce such a feat, not even the Princesses, the Archmage, or Twilight Sparkle.”
The creature paired the sticks together like a staff and thrust them into the two cobblestone blocks. The cobblestone lost cohesion and hissed. Barricade wasn’t sure what just happened, and even Hemos cocked his head in confusion. Grunting in exertion, the creature yanked on the sticks.
Barricade was pretty sure she missed something, for the items had transfigured into an unremarkable garden hoe. “A hoe?” Hemos questioned. Indeed, everyone present could see the teeth-like protrusions running across the stone head. The leftover bits of cobblestone not used in the hoe’s construction crumbled into ash and scattered in the slight wind funneling through the tent flap.
Hexxus chuckled in delight. “Marvelous! I’ve never seen such wondrous magic!”
The creature began raking the ground around the hole, tilling the soil. The creature, however, was unsatisfied with his work. He stared at the tilled ground questioningly, unsure of some obscure event within the depths of his mind. After a few moments of contemplation, the creature absorbed his hoe into his body and got to his knees. Raising a closed fist, he thrust it into the dirt with all his might.
Just like the cobblestone moments ago, the soil rippled as if made of liquid and vanished from sight. “Overridden...” Hexxus stared at the creature in complete awe.
“What do you mean, professor?” Barricade asked.
“His abilities. His magic is so different from our own, it needs to override normal physics in order to function properly.” Hexxus’ smile of delight only widened as the same cube of dirt replaced the square the creature had just absorbed. “Yes! Let’s see if I’m right...”
“What are you talking about?” she asked irritably.
The creature raked his hoe across the dirt once more. Instead of the shaky lines cut into the dirt like before, each line was even and uniform. He nodded in satisfaction; it was perfection once more.
“Yes. Yes!” Hexxus almost pranced in excitement. “His powers aren’t compatible with the rules governing Equestria’s laws of magic and thermodynamics, so he’s absorbing materials and forcibly converting them to abide by the rules governing his own magic.”
“That is most definitely not something to be excited about,” said Barricade, alarmed.
“I can’t help but be fascinated at something so strange and fantastic.”
Both fell silent as the creature picked up the bucket of water and brought it to his makeshift farm. “I thought he would like to wash up a little, so I asked for that to be brought here,” Hexxus whispered in her ear. “It looks like we’ll need another if he is about to do what I think he is.”
The creature absorbed the bucket of water and conjured it once again. The clear liquid that had been sloshing about within its iron confines had stilled to a mirror smooth finish. Walking back to his farm, he set the bucket on the ground and proceeded to remove his shirt.
“Sweet Celestia, what happened to you...” Hemos breathed. That was the closest Barricade had ever heard the doctor come to cursing, and she could see why. As the creature proceeded to wring out his shirt of all the offending perspiration and rainwater staining it, his back was on display for all to see. Dozens of scars, perhaps even hundreds, marred his muscled form from neck to loins. Scrapes, scratches, slashes, bites, burns, and bruises, every wound imaginable was emblazoned across his back. From serious penetration wounds to what looked like chemical burns, Barricade was amazed that the creature hadn’t died ten times over.
Without even bothering with his wounds, some of them fresh due to his most recent fight, he put his shirt back on and dumped the water bucket into the hole. The water poured from the bucket in a single, unnatural stream, not even rippling or flowing as the bucket emptied.
Satisfied that his tiny farm was properly watered and the soil tilled, he switched the bucket with his next item: a handful of seeds. One olive-tinted seed was selected for each portion of tilled earth. He nodded one last time and rubbed his hands together; his work was done. Whatever magic he had just cast seemed to take much out of the creature’s stamina; he was close to panting and was perspiring heavily. Several of the creature wounds remained untended as well; that was something she was about to fix.
Before Barricade could call for Hemos, the creature conjured a loaf of bread and began to devour it happily. When finished - just like last time - there was a noticeable improvement in the creature’s vitality. His cheeks flushed with color, his visible wounds sealed to naught but scars, and he held himself higher as his exhaustion vanished.
“Doctor... look him over, will you?”
Hemos placed a hoof forward to do so and was nearly barreled over by a galloping pony. Diamond Solitaire, clad in his Council robes, dashed through the entrance. The creature also watched the entrance, curious as to the identity of the new arrival. “My humblest apologies for my tardiness, Master Hexxus; I am afraid I am not accustomed to such a late hour.” True to his word, Diamond’s usually pristine robes were disheveled and unwashed and his rain cloak was half hazardly fitted.
Hexxus sighed happily. “As much as I would love to stay and learn some more, I - too - am weary at this late hour. Captain Barricade,” He nodded to the pegasus. “Doctor Hemos, Master Solitaire.” The group nodded back and Diamond’s horn cloaked itself in white to replace Hexxus’ own containment shield. “Oh! Before I forget, he was writing in some sort of diary or journal earlier. If we had the chance of examining it, we may be able to decrypt his language and find a common dialog between our races.” Barricade nodded, shuffling that thought away for later. “Farewell.” Professor Hexxus vanished in a flash of light.
The creature dropped its remaining seeds and conjured his sword. It bolted to the nearest corner, the Night Guard fleeing to avoid being bowled over. The creature’s eyes were wide, darting across the tent. Barricade noticed he wasn’t watching the Night Guard or even herself; he was watching the air above them for any signs of danger.
“Hey, hey! Easy!”
Her words meant nothing to the biped, whom only carefully scanned the tent with blade in hand. What little pleasure he garnered crafting his miniature farm vanished into a cold tightness. His muscles were tight and prepared for battle. Barricade needed to diffuse the situation before anypony got hurt, as the Night Guards slowly encroached.
“Do I need to remind anypony what I said last time I was here?” Barricade demanded. Sheepishly, the Night Guards backed off. The creature looked confused, not due to their actions, but due to his search not producing any results.
“Come on, big guy; there’s nothing here to hurt you. That was just Professor Hexxus,” Barricade soothed. She had stepped forward, but as a precaution, did not step within striking range.
The creature lowered his sword and examined Barricade with a questioning look. Lowering his sword, he held up his other hand in a closed fist and opened it. “I do not understand.” Barricade shook her head to reaffirm her confusion. Once again, the creature repeated the gesture.
“Perhaps he is attempting to convey his confusion with magic, Captain Barricade,” Diamond commentated. “If memory serves, I do not believe any unicorn has encountered our friend and displayed their abilities.”
“That’s true – cut the chatter!” Barricade ordered the Night Guard. A few were whispering to their wingponies. “That’s true, magus. Perhaps...” Barricade walked to the creature cautiously, still careful around him as long as he carried a weapon. Without her armor, she had the advantage of increased speed, but was still hindered by her wounds.
Barricade tugged on his shirt to get to his attention. She pointed to Diamond Solitaire. “Magus, please teleport a foot to your left, please.” Barricade backed away, just in case the creature started swinging out of surprise. Diamond vanished in a flash of white light and reappeared a slight distance away.
The creature once more huddled into the corner with surprise. He pointed at the magus and made the same flashing gesture with his hand. Barricade nodded. “Yes, that was him. Professor Hexxus did the same thing.” The creature’s widened in amazement, and pointed at Barricade. She shook her head.
The creature looked at her, not sure what to think. As quick as a flash, he returned to his workbench. He conjured wood, and began the motions once more, Barricade could not help but sit and watch the show before her. The creature’s actions were quick and practiced. What skill he lacked in swordsmanship, he most certainly made it up in building and craftsmanship. After a few swift moments, he carried a sign along with a quill and bag of ink and began to doodle.
He drew three very crude stick figures across its surface: an earth pony, a biped carrying a pickaxe, and a second biped, this one extremely tall with gangly limbs. He pointed to the pictogram of himself, made the gesture, and shook his head. Next, he pointed to the pony pictogram and tilted his head questioningly. Barricade shook her head and grabbed the quill with her teeth. Carefully, she scrawled a horn on the stick pony and pointed at Diamond Solitaire.
The creature nodded furiously in understanding. It then pointed at the tall creature, made the teleportation gesture, and nodded.
“Ooooooh, ponyfeathers,” Barricade swore in understanding.
“Captain?” Hemos asked questioningly.
Barricade didn’t answer the doctor. She grabbed the quill once more and scribbled a large rectangle above the two bipeds. The creature pointed to the figure representing himself, the tall figure, and the portal, and nodded.
“Captain?”
“There truly are two creatures, doctor, and he knows the other.”
The creature tapped Barricade’s shoulder to get attention. Turning curiously, she saw the creature was pointing at the sign displaying the three creatures. He was pointing at the tall creature specifically, and he shook his head.
Barricade also shook her head. “I don’t understand.” The creature pointed again, vehemently stressing something only it could understand. Barricade shook her head once more. The creature hissed and stomped in frustration.
“Hey! Take it easy!” Barricade glared at the creature. Neither could understand the other completely, but frustration at a language barrier was not just cause to have a fit. Plus, Barricade was making too much headway as it was; nopony deployed in Ponyville had detected neither hide nor hair of the second creature other than the fact that it existed. The creature standing in front of her was their best shot to learn why that was, and maybe get one up on it.
The creature took a few calming breaths, and then immediately conjured a sword. Barricade hopped backwards a step, but the creature only pointed at his crystalline blade, then to the Farlander, and shook his head.
“So... don’t attack it?” Barricade cocked her head in confusion. “Why?”
The creature could see that it’s intent was still not delivered properly. He dispelled his blade and pointed at his own eyes, then the eyes of the Farlander, and shook his head. Next, he covered his own eyes, pointed to them behind his palm, pointed to the Endermen, and nodded.
“...Don’t look?” She examined the blocky Farlander drawing. Judging by size alone, the Farlander had to be at least three times as tall as a pony, towering over even Princess Celestia. How could such a beast hide? Then again, if it had the power to teleport freely, her question was answered. ‘That’s why Lieutenant Chaser’s reinforcements didn’t find it at the waterfall; it just teleported away...’
As she turned to look at the drawing, the creature covered the crude drawing’s eyes and shook his head. “Don’t look it in the eyes... why?” Barricade nodded in understanding. The creature covered his eyes and nodded his head, then opened his eyes, conjured his sword, and stabbed his stick figure self.
“If you look at it, it attacks... I don’t know how that works, but alright.” Barricade once again nodded her understanding. The creature nodded back, satisfied that his message was successfully delivered.
Barricade got the attention of the Lieutenant on staff, a lean Night Guard with a single eye for a cutie mark. “Send word up the grape vine that I want this guy moved off site as soon as possible. He’s been cooperative so far, but I don’t want to push my luck any further than necessary. Have them select a spot well away from town and the Everfree Forest and staffed with enough Magi to keep him contained. Secondly, file an official report on what he just told us. I want an Addendum on the second creature’s traits and abilities ready to go by morning. Lastly, I want the Maji rolled out of their beds – Every. Last. One. – and have them shield the entire base against unauthorized teleportation. Leave no stone unturned, and if anypony gives this order grief, tell them to meet me personally.”
“Acknowledged, captain.” The Night Guard nodded to his second, a corporal, and exited.
“A wise precaution.” Diamond commented.
“I hope its not needed. If any ponies give that order grief, I can have the satisfaction of sending them to Hemos for a mandatory examination. Now doctor, if you please?”
Hemos sighed and stepped forward. The creature, understanding a little better the differences between the pony races, eyed his horn suspiciously. “Comprehensive and detailed musculature indicate he’s accustomed to extensive and hard labor. Digitoid appendages provide a more wide and free range of movement and dexterity.” Hemos stepped closer and the creature stepped back, still wary of the unicorn. “No noticeable indications that his abilities are biological in origin, but race is still undetermined, so that idea is still a possibility. Given cranial bone placement, facial and bodily follicle growth, posture, and assumed skeletal structure, I would hypothesize primate ancestry.”
Hemos took in his overall wellbeing and health. “He appears to be fit and in good health, but I cannot verify the accuracy of that hypothesis without more data. I don’t see any debilitating injuries or sickness leftover from his scars, so either his regenerative ability healed them, or he’s dabbled in enough medicine to fix them himself. Toned body and physical fitness imply healthy metabolism,” Hemos sneezed. “but hygiene is still an issue.”
Hemos wrinkled his nose, which fascinated the creature. Hemos took the advantage and swiftly scanned his opened mouth. “Jaw contains maxillary and mandibular lateral and central incisors in addition to a pair of maxillary and mandibular canines, indicating a carnivore.” That sent a ripple of anxiety through the crowd of Night Guards. The very idea that they were in the presence of a meat eater tensed muscles and tightened fears.
“I find that more than a little strange, doctor; you just saw him yourself eat – ” Barricade began, but the doctor interrupted her.
“Strike that. I see a couple sets of molars wedged in the back. Omnivore, not carnivore.” A few Night Guards audibly sighed in relief.
“Captain?” Came the voice of the one of the outside wardens. “Major Stormcloud is here to speak with you.”
Barricade opened the tent flap to let the dripping major inside. “You know, a rain cloak would do wonders, major.”
“Indeed it would. My escort was instructed to cast a ward for my trip here, but momentarily dropped it in excitement when she discovered she was coming here with me.” Stormcloud shook off the excess water staining his burnished gold armor and coat. Clad in full military regalia, it was only customary to fulfill traditional protocol; Barricade and those present stood at attention and saluted. The creature whirled about, confused and startled at the sudden, synchronized movement.
“At ease, soldiers.” He addressed Barricade, “The Princess is nearly ready to depart. Is there anything to report?”
“Plenty. The doc is performing a preliminary check-up right now and we’ve got a firmer grasp on how his abilities work,” she grinned conspiratorially. “But the real kicker is that this creature knows the other one.”
Stormcloud sighed happily. “More good news. I’ve been waiting for that for some time. However, can the creature speak? I wish to talk with him.”
“That’s a negative. He doesn’t understand our language and doesn’t speak any of his own. He’s made grunts and whimpers, so he clearly has a working pair of vocal chords, but he just doesn’t use them. Professor Hexxus said he carries a book of some kind; perhaps we can learn a common language from that, be he’s going to have to give it up first.”
Doctor Hemos had finished his preliminary examination and lazily walked over to greet them. “Major.”
“Well met, doctor. Now let me get a good look at this creature for myself.” Barricade and Hemos stepped aside for Stormcloud. The creature, curious as to the source of the Night Guard’s reaction, met his eyes.
His reaction was sudden and violent.
The air hissed with the sound of grinding stone as his sword raked across his cobblestone seat in his flight to the corner once again. Barricade was surprised at that fact that the blade was not pointed at her, but at the major.
Barricade braced herself for a potential fight, as did every other Night Guard on the room. The creature huddled in the corner and was shaking so violently that his sword threatened to fly out of his grip. It was more than just the uncertainty or simple fear, it was blind terror. Sweat streamed down his brow and into his eyes, his wide, horrified eyes. Such a reaction was not produced by the mere startelement like with Professor Hexxus. He was more than just threatened by the Major, he was scared out of his mind.
“Major... please back out of the room. Slowly.”
Despite Stormcloud being higher on the chain of command, he did as Barricade requested without question. The creature eyed the major like a coiled serpent, ready to strike in the space of the slightest breath. “Watch him close, but don’t do anything unless he attacks. And stay out of striking range,” Barricade addressed the group before following the major out into the night. Doctor Hemos and Diamond Solitaire followed suit, the former due to keeping track of his charge’s well-being and the latter out of sheer curiosity. The creature did not move from its corner, even to escape through the thin tent walls; his undivided attention remained firmly locked on the retreating major.
The four ponies met outside and out of the posted guards hearing range, passing through Diamond’s barrier with ease. He cast a secondary shielding spell, this one to dispel the rain in a bubble so they could speak without distraction.
“What just happened, captain?” Stormcloud asked over the drumming rain.
“I don’t know. He shouldn’t bear a grudge against you; you’ve only just arrived.”
Diamond held a hoof to his chin in thought. “Still, why does he hate him?”
“That wasn’t hate, magus. That was fear. Pure, unbridled fear,” Barricade said.
“Pupil dilation, increased sweating, shortness of breath; it was a classic panic attack,” Hemos added.
“...But why?” Stormcloud asked. “If anypony, he should be afraid of you, captain. You are the one who apprehended him. You are the one who defeated him.”
“I don’t know, major. I really don’t.”
Barricade took a moment to ponder events. The creature currently under guard had fought tooth and hoof to escape capture during the first incursion, encountering a member of Princess Luna’s personal guard, and the Princess herself. That was a unicorn, an alicorn, and a Night Guard, all of which the creature displayed little to no fear of. What was so different about these circumstances? Civilian, soldier, sovereign. What was the connection?
The creature had never seen Stormcloud until that point. What was the difference between him and herself? Gender? Was it that simple? Barricade did not think so. Soldier armor was mostly uniform in design, with the exception of rank engraved on each helmet and custom helmets assigned to officers. That gave the impression of uniformity among ranks, making it difficult to tell gender by armor alone.
Armor...
“Wait...”
The creature had encountered bare civilians, Princess Luna in her regalia, armored Night Guards, and herself. Stormcloud wore the same Royal Guardpony armor as herself, but right there lay the key difference between the creature meeting her, and the creature meeting the major: she was wearing a cloak during her battle with the creature. He couldn’t possible see her armor other than her helmet, and that was one of a kind.
Could it be that simple? Was that all that was going on?
“Major, if you please, I’d like you to do something for me.”
“And that would be what, captain?”
“Return to the creature’s containment room without your armor.”
That was not what Stormcloud thought he would hear. He barked a laugh and said, “I’m fairly certain I’m not his type.”
Barricade snorted and playfully punched Stormcloud in the shoulder. Due to the size differential, he stumbled before regaining his footing. “I should tell you how I met my husband some time.” Barricade digressed. “But I have a theory I need your help with. Please, bear with me for a moment.”
Stormcloud chuckled, but after a moment of thought, turned on his hooves to do exactly what he was asked to perform. After a few moments, the major returned to the tent entrance, completely bare save for his towershield cutie mark. “I have a very severe reprimand in mind if you are wasting my time, captain.”
“Ah!” Diamond winced. “He – no... no, I have him.”
“Magus Solitaire?” Stormcloud asked, concerned.
“Our friend just tried to escape by burrowing underground.”
The four ponies raced back into the tent. The Night Guard had crowded around a hole adjacent to the creature’s miniature garden, all peering down into the black depths.
“Wall!” Barricade commanded. The squad retreated to the tent walls, clearing a path.
“He’s trying to bludgeon through my spell, but he’s not successful. Whatever power he may have, it does not appear to be able to cancel my spell.” Barricade took a quick peek down the hole while Diamond cast a simple light spell to illuminate its depths. The creature had burrowed a depth of twenty feet – twenty! In just a few seconds! – and hacked at Diamond’s white shield with his pickaxe. Diamond winced with every strike, but his bubble held firm. With every strike, ripples coursed across the mirror-smooth surface, but the construct’s integrity remained steadfast.
“Are you done down there?” Barricade asked. The creature looked up and, upon seeing her familiar lengthy hair cascading into the hole, calmed ever so slightly. “Get up here.” Barricade tapped the ground on the edge of the hole and backed off. Diamond retreated as well, while Hemos remained near the entrance and Stormcloud braced himself for a potential fight.
The room eyed the hole gingerly, waiting for whatever wild machination or attack that would spring out of the depths. A minute passed. Than two. Than five.
“Magus?” Stormcloud questioned.
“He is burrowing to discover the extent of my barrier. He has not escaped, major,” Diamond replied, occasionally wincing. “He’s tunneling remarkably fast for a creature so large; I feel his steps across my shield.”
After a few more moments of wait, a pair of eyes peeked over the hole’s edge of the hole, taking in the whole room before ducking to safety. “Come out, you little gopher,” Barricade urged. She mentally facehoofed; with all she had been trying to teach the creature, she felt like she was raising a child again.
Recognizing the deep alto voice, the creature slowly rose from his sanctuary. How he had managed to climb that far out of it was a mystery until she recalled his conjuring abilities. With the delicacy of a mouse pursuing a tasty morsel, he planted his hands on the moist earth, pickaxe in hand, and pushed himself out.
Dirt and perspiration clung to his body. He wiped a forearm across his brow and fledgling beard, cleaning away the droplets of sweat at the cost of painting his face in streaks of brown. The soldiers painted across the room stood stock still, fearing the creature’s attack but the wrath of their superior even more. For a moment, nopony moved.
The creature scanned the room once again: a squad of guards – all pressed to the walls as ordered, a unicorn with his frightful and strange abilities, a doctor, a battle-hardened warrior and victor of their duel only hours earlier, and...
The creatures eyes took in Stormcloud, wings and all. Barricade dug her hooves into the dirt, ready to engage in fisticuffs once again if the creature provoked a fight. A fight which - thankfully - did not occur. He passed over Stormcloud with naught but mild curiosity at worst. Barricade waved to get the creature’s attention.
“Outside,” Stormcloud demanded. He knew, and Barricade knew in turn. This exact situation was what Barricade had predicted, and Stormcloud wanted to know why. “You two, stay.” Diamond nodded in acceptance, but Hemos was ready to argue. Stormcloud glared at him, not threatened, but full on dared him to object to his orders. Sensing it was not a battle that could be won, Hemos gulped and nodded.
“A moment, captain,” Diamond said. He shuffled off his rain cloak and presented it to here. “I suspect Doctor Hemos would be most displeased if your bindings became saturated in the rain.” Barricade accepted the cloak gratefully and donned it.
“You all will forget everything you have seen and heard within the last five minutes,” Barricade said. Sixteen sets of eyes saluted her; the Night Guard would indeed take what they experienced to their graves. The creature returned Barricade’s wave with a confused look on his face, eyes still wary of the horror that scared it only moments ago. Barricade exited the tent and spotted Stormcloud pacing on the grass nearby with an expression of deep contemplation on his face.
“I do not understand.”
Barricade looked back at the temporary holding cell. “That creature encountered the Princess, myself, and a few Night Guards so far, and those are the ones that we know about, minus the civilians.”
Stormcloud perked up due to her specific choice of words. “What are you implying, captain?” Stormcloud demanded. Several couriers skittered around the pair, not wanting to catch his ire.
“I almost didn’t catch it myself,” She started to explain. Her voice was as hard as her superior’s. She knew the dire implications of what she was about to say, and knew neither was going to like it. She motioned for Stormcloud to follow her, setting a slow, deliberate pace in order to buy time to select her words very carefully. What she was about to explain had the potential to ruin lives and start wars.
Barricade did not elaborate on her words just yet. Past the tents she walked, weaving through soldiers and couriers alike in the deluge. Soon enough, the number of ponies they encountered grew fewer and fewer in number. The number of ponies were already few and far in between near the borders of the garrison, but Barricade’s intent was to find a location free of any prying eyes and ears. She soon found it in one of the supply tents free of any occupants. Stormcloud followed Barricade, knowing full well the mare desired privacy for what she needed to say.
“We’re as secure as we are going to get, Captain. No prying eyes. Now,” His eye dug into hers. “What’s going on?”
Barricade sighed and started retelling her theory, “We’ve never seen the creature’s kind, so assume for a moment he’s never seen ponies before. How would he react to... let’s say, a pair of sisters? What if he’s never seen a pony before, would he be able to tell them apart based on physical appearance alone?”
Stormcloud only took a nanosecond to respond, “Not likely. The genetic similarities would be too difficult for him to differentiate between the pair.”
“My thoughts exactly. He wouldn’t be able to tell us apart based on appearance alone, and that’s what threw me off. He’s escaped from both Princess Luna and Lieutenant Chaser. He almost killed me. That’s an Alicorn, a Night Guard, and a Royal Guardpony where he reacted in self preservation, not blind fear. Then I started thinking about the armor itself: two Royal Guardponies wearing their armor would appear nearly identical to him. That was what was confusing when he met you; we both wear standard issue armor, so why react to you and not me? ”
Stormcloud’s eyes lit up as he finally caught on to Barricade’s logic. “But you were wearing a rain cloak during your battle. He couldn’t see your armor.”
“Precisely. He saw you for the first time, and, to him, saw only a Royal Guardpony,” She leaned closer to Stormcloud, and when she spoke next, her voice was barely above a whisper. “He saw your armor and reacted in blind terror. Why should he be scared of just another pony? He’s fought worse than a soldier in the Everfree Forest; there’s an unconfirmed report he fought off a manticore. There is only one possible conclusion to draw from this.”
“I have not received any reports of any further incursions with the creature,” Stormcloud whispered, running a hoof through his graying mane. Why would a pony hide meeting the creature? He was the target of the biggest ponyhunt in the last twenty years, and yet with all those soldiers hunting for him, somepony encountered the creature and did not report the incident? Judging by his reaction, the trauma from the encounter was enough to scar him so deep that the mere sight of the Royal Guardpony sent the creature into a scared fit.
Somepony was hiding something and had the perfect means to do it: the creature couldn’t communicate with anypony.
“Neither have I, major. A Royal Guardpony encountered this creature and covered it up. Somepony’s not being honest with us and the question is, why?”
Near the eastern edge of the garrison, away from the bustle of military actions and the quiet hamlet, sat several carriages. Each one was decorated in elaborate scrollwork and pictograms and laurel leaves across all sides. Several dozen armored pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns stood guard, vigilant guardians to their liege currently residing in one of those very carriages. Although the air was not enough to chill anypony to the bone, the rain was still unpleasant and voluminous enough to incur their ire. The more experienced soldiers had grown accustomed to such conditions to to their training, but that did not lessen the burden until Shooting Star, a court mage, congregated with the soldiers and produced a barrier spell to redirect the rain.
Captain Aegis, head of Princess Celestia’s personal Honor Guard, had left his second in command, Lieutenant Stratus. The current ponies had spread out in a web around the carriage with some pegasi maintaining low flight to guard their airspace. It was tricky business; although lightning had become less frequent in recent hours, nopony wished to press their luck any more than necessary. An armored pegasi’s armor had enchantments to resist electrical discharge, but even a weak strike could cause debilitating burns.
Some ponies pawed at the ground, eager to return to Canterlot and get out of the storm, but none was more eager to return than the princess herself. Rain pelted Celestia’s carriage in droves, lulling the weary princess inside into a very relaxed state. She had been running the ponyhunt affairs alongside her sister all day and the fatigue had tired the monarch greatly. She lay on several plush cushions, a wine glass suspended within her magiced grip. Anypony that entered at that moment would see their strong ruler, burdened under the weight if recent events. Two creatures running loose and an attack on Canterlot cast a dark on broad shadow.
Celestia sipped the ruby-red liquid and sighed pleasantly. The drink warmed her blood and color flooded Celestia’s cheeks, although not due to inebriation. Celestia always enjoyed indulging herself in sweets or alcohol, but it was not appropriate to overindulge at that time. She was expecting company soon.
A knock echoed through the spacious carriage. Celestis couldn’t help but smile and chuckle. “Speak of Discord and he shall appear.” Celestia finished the remainder of her drink in a deep gulp, sighed, and rose from her resting place. Her hoofs did not produce noise in the equally plush carpet as she sauntered to the door. “Speak.”
“Highness, Major Stormcloud has arrived. He claims he has important news and wishes to convey it to you directly,” the servant replied.
Celestia composed herself, drawing her head up and brushing away the complacency only moments ago. Unlocking the door and opening the hinges, Celestia stepped outside. Shooting Star had stepped aside from her place near the carriage. The damp ground hissed at Celestia’s touch, evaporating the water in the drenched ground. Several guards looked away from the princess, both in reverence and the brilliance she exuded in the dark and stormy night.
Major Stormcloud and two of his followers had bowed in her presence and continued to prostrate themselves as protocol demanded while in the presence of royalty. They did not move until the princess spoke, “Rise. What is your report?” Stormcloud rose and gazed upon his master. Celestia’s face was artfully smooth and barren of emotion. It was true strength, the might of a ruler that put her subjects before the safety and security of herself.
“I bring good news, Highness; naught two hours ago, Captain Barricade of the Pegasus Corps had successfully captured and contained one of the escaped creatures. So far, he has been reasonably cooperative, despite understandable fear of his situation. Captain Barricade was wounded in the scuffle, but First Lieutenant Doctor Hemos believes she will make a recovery.”
Celestia’s face was as still as porcelain until she carefully selected her response. “That relieves me greatly, Major Stormcloud. I wish to visit this creature myself, but that must wait until affairs in Canterlot have been settled. Send word to Princess Luna of this capture; she will have to take care of affairs in Ponyville and the Everfree.”
“It has already been done. I have received a missive from the princess stating she is coming to interrogate the creature herself, though that may be troublesome; he does not appear to be able to speak or understand our language.”
Troublesome indeed. Celestia digested his words before speaking. “Very well. Twilight Sparkle lives in Ponyville. She is as talented as any Magi, and I wish to have her input on this creature.”
Stormcloud nodded without question. “She will receive a missive with the morning post. However, I have one more piece of information. Captain Aegis is collecting four rather than two more squads for the return trip. I’m going to take this opportunity to learn about this creature, if you will it.”
“Permission granted.” Stormcloud nodded in thanks and took flight, taking extra special care to stay as low to the ground as possible. His entourage did not follow, instead folding in with the remainder of Celestia’s Honor Guard.
Celestia sighed, breathing in the moist, rural air. Being so far removed from Ponyville or the garrison, there was little in the air other than the heavy scent of water and fresh earth. It was a wonderful change of pace from the sterile purity of Canterlot Castle. The refreshing smells were enough of a change of pace that it made the monarch smile in satisfaction.
“I’ve always been a city mare myself,” Star commented. Celestia chuckled in embarrassment at her brief lapse of composure.
“It is not often that I can enjoy nature without the bustle of city life. You should try living in a rural town for awhile, Ms. Star; you might very well enjoy the experience.”
“Tried it once: wasn’t my cup of tea. I’ve never been one for a sedentary life. I need a little action and hustle to function, and I don’t get that out of small towns.”
“To each their own, Magus. Alert me when Captain Aegis and Major Stormcloud return. I will be retiring for the night.”
Shooting Star nodded and bowed as the princess turned on her hoofs. “Very well, Princess. Enjoy your rest.”
Celestia froze as soon as her hoof touched the carriage latch. Something... a something was all she had to describe it, drifted across her mind. Whether it was due to sleepiness or concern over recent events, she could not be certain.
Celestia closed her eyes and reached out with her divine light. In her mind’s eye, there was naught but darkness, and then there was a brilliant flash. Her totaled strength, well over a thousand chronicled years of learning and meditated growth, took the form of a single burning orb. It’s brilliance vanquished the shadows, pushing them back to the darker corners of her mind. It was a sun within an even greater sun, and its holy light revealed more than she anticipated. Within her mind, something shrunk back into the shadows as the light scorched the clutter that plagued her sleepy mind: a phantasmal shadow, a memory of darkness, slunk quietly away.
Celestia opened her eyes and turned around, examining the landscape before her. To the north lay the quiet town of Ponyville, and to the west her subjects raced to uncover the mystery behind the portal in the sky. She scanned all under her gaze, as not even the concealment offered by Luna’s sky was enough to shield what lay in front of her. The rain poured outside of the barrier given to the Princess. A scant few lights milled around town; a few ponies must have investigated the ruckus caused by the creature’s capture.
Nothing was out of place, yet she could not stop the prickling feeling crawling across the back of her neck. A nigh-indetectable tightness coursed through her bones, a readiness to attack or subdue anything that threatened her or her subjects. It was a readiness that would have gone unnoticed by anyone, but those loyal soldiers who stood in her present knew the Princess for years; some of them spent their whole life in the service to their country.
“Princess?” Lieutenant Stratus asked worriedly. He did not like to see the tightness to her eyes. He knew what it meant; danger was near.
Princess Celestia flared her wings, an unspoken signal to be prepared. Her Honor Guard fanned out in a ring around their liege, all looking into the night and skies for any signs of trouble. Cestia looked into her mind once more and fueled more of her strength and concentration into her internal flame. The shadows retreated further, but she detected no sign of the phantasm.
She could not shake that itch, that sneaking suspicion lurking in the darker corners of her mind. Not a single fragment of the landscape was out of place, right down to the last blade of grass. Out into the night, she extended her powers like a web, searching for any trouble. She could feel the burning lights that compromised the souls of her subjects. Further west, her filaments weaved through the base, searching for any sign of trouble. Everything appeared fine; everypony burned like a candle in the night. Everypony except...
She hesitated; there was something... blank in the base, as if it revealed only a reflection of light. That must have been the newly captured creature. She stretched her senses even further; deeper west, she could feel her sister shining like a sun and coming closer.
There was nothing hiding in the night. Hesitantly, she relaxed. “...It is nothing, my little ponies.” Celestia sighed. “I grow weary; alert me when Captain Aegis returns, and then prepare for departure. Tomorrow, we will enjoy the sunrise from within the walls of Canterlot. Let us discover what devilry reared its presence in my absence.”
Minecraft/MLP:FIM crossover.
For chapter updates and my ramblings, visit my page on Fimfiction HERE.
Chapter Commentary: LINK
Barricade is a character by KnightMysterio that I have been graciously allowed to use. Click the link to check out his stuff.
Edited by: Wolfmaster, Maverick Frond, Material Defender