//------------------------------// // Chapter 11 // Story: Experiment: GENESIS // by Typographical Error //------------------------------// Chapter 11 Blue galloped back into the house, the strangest mixture of hope and fear flooding through her. He was awake, after all these years they could be reunited again. A family once more. That thought made her smile as she ran towards the sleeping Dual. But another through rear-ended that one, and it made her smile slip. What is he was lying? What if Dual was right, and this was just a trap? She shook her head, driving the thought away. She couldn’t start thinking that way, or else she would become as paranoid as Dual was. She knelt down, shaking him awake. He rolled slightly, black eyes opening to look up at her. He smiled slightly when he saw her, a little care piercing his hard exterior. But that care vanished when he saw her expression, only to be replaced by worry. “What is it?” he asked, reaching up to touch her cheek. She just looked down at him. “He’s awake, isn’t he?” She nodded. With a quick flap of his wings he was on his hooves, already walking towards the bedroom. He threw the door open, bringing his hooves to his lips. A shrill whistle rang through the room, instantly waking up the other three. Green, of course, looked like this was the most horrid atrocity ever committed to ponykind. Yellow and Red, meanwhile, were awake and alert almost immediately. “What’s going on?” Red asked, rubbing his eyes in an effort to wake himself up. Green just glared at Dual. “Yeah, what’s so important you had to do that?” Her head was nodding up and down. She looked like she was about ready to fall back to sleep. “Orange is awake.” Dual said simply. That was enough to get her attention. She jumped out of the bed, galloping over to him. “Is he, is he really? What are we going to do?” Yellow and Red walked up behind her, their eyes asking the same thing. Dual turned to look at Blue, shrugging. “We should wake up Twilight first.” she said, turning to leave, but Dual stopped her with a hoof on her shoulder. “You get them awake, I will talk to Twilight.” Blue nodded as he walked passed her and up the stairs. Twilight’s room was dark, the curtains pulled closed, although a small sliver of light created a bright line on the floor as he walked towards her bed. A small smile came to his lips as he looked down at her. Normally stressed and reserved during the day, her sleep was the complete opposite. Her legs were splayed out in all directions, and her mane was a tangled mess on the pillow. Every so often a small snore would escape her lips, followed by an almost imperceptible glow of her horn. As he looked down at her, Dual saw her less as the imposing figure that had breathed life into them, and more as a normal pony. A friend, possibly. The smile stayed put as he reached up and gently nudged her shoulder with his hoof. “Hmmm?” A soft, questioning moan left her throat as she gently rolled over, a single eye opening. She took a moment to focus on Dual, but she finally did. “Uhh, good morning. What’s going on?” Dual didn’t waste any time. “Orange is awake.” Twilight’s other eyes flashed open, and she sat bolt upright in bed. “He is!? Is he alright?” Dual shrugged, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “I don’t know. Blue is getting the others ready to see him. But I wanted to say something to you first.” Twilight gave him a curious looked, swinging her legs out from under her and standing up. “What do you want to say?” Dual took a deep breath. “I wanted to apologize for how I acted yesterday. It was wrong of me to completely shoot down your idea of helping Orange. For all I know, he could be telling the truth, and he deserves a chance.” Twilight nodded, smiling slightly. “That’s very bold of you. And I understand why you don’t trust him.” She pulled him into a tight embrace, one he wasn’t completely comfortable with. “But you have to give him a chance to prove himself. You trusted me, and look where you are now.” She let him go with a small kiss on the cheek, like any mother would do, and turned to the stairs, leaving Dual feeling more confused than he had been a minute ago. He shook his head and followed her down the stairs, towards where the others were waiting. Blue had the others gathered around the door and they all looked wide awake. Except for Green, whose head kept nodding forward like she was ready to fall asleep. Twilight was smiling down at them, but there was worry behind the smile. She walked over and gently pulled Blue aside. Dual walked over with them, although it was impossible to be out of earshot of the others. “I think we should leave Green and the others here.” Twilight said, looking a little nervous. She knew they could hear her. “This could get dangerous for the younger ones, and I don’t want them hurt.” Blue and Dual exchanged a quick glance, then looked back at Twilight. “After everything that has happened, you want use to keep them away from a half-dead Orange?” Dual scoffed. “I think he is the worst of our problems right now.” “They should really be there to see him. Even if it does get ugly.” Blue agreed. Twilight just bit her lip, shaking her head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Please, just this once, leave them here.” Her tone was pleading, and it struck a chord in Dual. He had never heard her sound that way. Usually it was coming from them. He sighed loudly, dropping his head. “Fine, but just this once.” Twilight perked up, smiling again. Dual turned and looked at the others, who were frowning. Green even looked mad. “You heard her. Sorry guys, but you have to stay.” “Oh, please? I really want to go!” Yellow’s voice was almost as pleading as Twilight, but Dual just shook his head. “I’m sorry. But if all goes well, hopefully you will be seeing him soon.” Dual walked over and opened the door. Bright sunlight flooded in, and all the Gens closed their eyes against it, waiting for the glare to pass. Twilight and blue walked outside with him, leaving Green and the others to stare out the windows at them. When they were a few yards away, Twilight turned back to face the house. Her eyes were closed and her horn was glowing brightly. Slowly, a magical shield fell over the tree house, casting a dark, purple shadow over the tree inside. She opened her eyes and grinned at her handiwork, turning back to face Dual and Blue. “That should keep them safe until we get back.” she said, beginning to walk towards Fluttershy’s cottage, Blue and Dual following in her wake. ***** When they reached her house, they were startled to find all the curtains closed. They couldn’t even see any lights on in any of the windows. Twilight galloped forwards, knocking loudly against the door. Dual and Blue just exchange a glance, each thinking the same thing. Had Orange done something? Twilight continued knocking right up to the point when Fluttershy opened the door, rubbing her head with her hoof. “Could you please stop that?” She flinched slightly, adding, “You know, if you want to...” Twilight smiled sheepishly, taking a few steps back. “Sorry, I thought something was wrong. How is he doing?” Fluttershy took a step back, allowing them inside. Twilight walked in, followed by Dual and Blue. Inside it was dark, darker than Twilight’s bedroom had been. A single, tiny beam of light fell from where a curtain was ripped in the corner, but that was the only light in the room. So when they saw two bright orange eyes staring back at them from the darkness, they were startled. Orange was covered in bandages still, his midsection wrapped tightly in gauze and tape. Cloth wound up and down his legs, some of it stained a soft red. But he still smiled when he saw them, his orange eyes lighting up. He was sitting in a plush chair near the fireplace, which was cold right then. “Hello.” he said quietly, his voice rough, like he had been yelling. “It’s good to see you again.” Blue felt Dual tense up next to her, and she placed a hoof on her shoulder, giving him a look that said, “Give him a chance”. With an exasperated sigh, Dual relaxed, but not completely. His wings were still held stiffly at his side. Twilight was the complete opposite. With a smile she trotted over, inspecting every inch of his that she could see through the bandages. If he cared that she was looking him over like a Saint Bernard at a pet show, he didn’t let it be known. A silence fell over them as they each started at one another, until finally, Dual spoke up. “You look like Tartarus.” he said, face as straight as possible. His sentence hung in the air for a moment, before Orange burst out laughing. It was a rough, coarse laugh, and it soon dissolved into violent coughs, but at least he had laughed. he wiped a small amount of blood off his lips before taking a deep breath, smiling up at them. “Heh, yeah. I guess I do look pretty bad.” As he said this he extended his wings, showing the bandages that covered most of the right wing, and about half of the left. A splint was showing through the bandages on the right wing, and thick cloth padding was taped under the bandages on the left. But through all of this, he was still smiling. Blue felt herself being drawn towards him, towards that smile. The small, half-smile with the smallest amount of teeth showing. The smile she had seen for so many years, only to have it pulled from her life. Through the black fur and feathers she could see so much of him underneath. The way he cocked his head just slightly to the right, the way his wings were always partially unfolded. Even the eyes were the same. Eyes that were aged by the horrors they had seen. It was Orange, the pony who had died next to her in the cage. His gaze softened when he saw her staring. “Hello, Blue. You look very pretty. Time has been well to you.” His voice held a caring she hadn’t heard for a long time. Dual stepped forward slightly, eyeing Orange with mistrust. Fluttershy was hanging back, near the door still, while Twilight was still circling Orange. “H-he wanted me to keep the blinds shut.” Fluttershy said, voice quiet. “He said the light hurt his eyes.” Twilight nodded, taking a few steps back. “His eyes are oversensitive, even more than yours.” She looked over at Blue while she said this. “I would like to say it has been a long time since I saw you last, but I’m afraid I can’t.” “About a week? Two? Hasn’t been that long, mom.” When he said this both Dual and Blue perked up. He knew? Twilight saw them shift, the atmosphere in the room changing, and her ears pinned back against her head. “He has known me longer than you.” she explained. “Known me more in depth, I mean. He knew who I was shortly after...” Her voice trailed off. Orange smiled at her, then looked back at Dual and Blue. “After I died, she means. They....reconstructed me, I guess is the right term, and she explained who she was. Our mother.” He reached a hoof out towards Twilight, and she placed her own on it, smiling brightly. Blue and Dual just sat frozen, their tired minds trying to understand what was going on in front of them. Finally, Blue spoke. “What...what happened to you?” her voice was shaking slightly. Orange laughed, the scratchy sound grating on her ears. “Well, you saw what I did when you escaped. I waved. I did nothing to try to stop you. I was the leader, the hunter, the one trained to hunt you down and either bring you back, or end you.” The smile slipped off his lips as he spoke, replaced with a look of hate. “And I let you go. They considered that worse than mutiny, worse than treason. I was to be dispatched, immediately. So what did they do? Stick me out in the yard with dozens of those Preds. That’s what they call the black pegasi.” “Of course I was outnumbered, they knew that. They didn’t even give me a fighting chance. I fought, it was the only thing I could do, but it wasn’t enough. I knew I would die if I stayed, so I did the only thing I could think of. I ran. I ran to the fence and through the razor wire. I got out. I don’t know why, probably because they thought I would die out there, but they didn’t follow me. They just stayed at the fence, watching me.” “I wandered through the forest for a long time, until I found the city. I could smell you on the air, you five have a very distinctive smell.” The smile crossed his lips for a short second, but then it was gone again. “So, I followed the smell, and, well, here I am.” His eyes flashed back and forth for a second as he tried to think if he left anything out. Satisfied with his story, he smiled once more. Dual and Blue looked at each other. Dual was actually looking sorry for him, while Blue was just trying not to cry. Dual took a deep breath before speaking. “Normally I would ask how we can believe you, but I think the evidence is pretty clear. What I want to know, is if we can trust you.” “Dual!” Twilight scolded, stalking towards him. “Look at him! He’s half-dead!” “Yes, he is. I’m not denying that.” he said, staring down into her eyes. “What I’m saying is, they could have done that, and them used him as a homing device to find us. What makes you say he’s not a landmine they placed for us to step on?” “He’s not a--!” Twilight’s voice was cut off my Orange raising his hoof. She stopped and took a step back, glaring at Dual. Orange smiled and shrugged at Dual. “You don’t, that’s the thing. That could have been their plan. Let me escape, and follow the trail of blood straight to you. Or, they could think I’m dead out there, and went about their business. But what matters is this. You’re still alive, so you’re not safe.” Dual stalked up towards him, Twilight sucking in a quick breath. He walked forward until he was inches away from Orange’s face. He recognized every line, every curve. The little scar on his upper lip from trying to bite through the cage. Even his eyes were the same. The only thing different was his color. And Dual wanted desperately to trust him, but years of experience made that just about impossible. But everything Blue had said to him came flooding back, and he imagined himself in Orange’s place. Injured, broken. Dead, yet somehow alive. Experimented upon. Taken from everything he had ever known, and everyone he had ever loved. Made to hunt his only friends. And suddenly, it wasn’t hard to trust him. His face broke into a smile, as did Orange’s. He held his front hooves out and embraced his brother for the first time...he couldn’t ever remember hugging him. He felt Orange’s hooves slide around him, returning the embrace. He was about to break away when he felt another pair of hooves slide around his back. Blue pressed herself against them, silent tears falling down her face. They stood together for a long time, each trying to forget what had driven them apart years ago. Finally, with a sniff, Blue pulled away from the other two, stepping back a few feet. “We’ve missed you, Orange. We really have.” He cracked that smile again, looking over at Fluttershy. “Do you think I can go with them? Because I really want to see the others.” “Oh! Umm, well, if you don’t do anything too serious, and don’t fly around, or....” The rest of her sentence faded into nothing as she looked over at Twilight. “Just take care of him. He should be fine.” Twilight nodded, walking over and helping Orange out of the chair. He limped on every step, and he looked like he was almost unable to walk, but somehow he managed. Dual and Blue rushed over, interlocking their wings with Orange to give him some support. Twilight looked up at Fluttershy. “Is he safe enough to teleport?” Fluttershy looked unsure, but she nodded. “He should be fine. Just keep him safe.” Twilight nodded, walking forward and embracing Fluttershy. “I cannot thank you enough for this. If there is anything you need, ever, just ask.” Fluttershy blushed brightly, her mouth moving but only silence coming out. Twilight grinned broadly, walking over and standing next to Dual and the others, her horn glowing brightly. With a bright flash they were gone, leaving Fluttershy to stare at the spot they had been standing in. The next second the four of them reappeared in the library. Orange swayed slightly, face screwed up in pain. But after a few seconds it faded, and he stood upright again. With wide eyes he looked around the inside of the library, taking in every detail. A tiny smile appeared on his lips, and he took a few steps forward. A small shuffling came from the room to the right, and Green stuck her head out. Immediately her eyes went wide and she charged out from the room toward Orange. He threw his hooves up in front of himself while Blue and Dual yelled at her to stop. She tackled him full-force, and they both went down, Orange with a yell of pain. Dual ran over, ready to pry the mare off him. But he stopped when he saw what she was doing. Green was tightly hugging Orange around the waist, tears falling from her eyes. orange just looked down at her, face screwed up in pain, but he was still smiling. She buried her face in the fun on his chest, voice muffled slightly. “I missed you so much,” she sniffed. Orange, eyes slightly wet, gently stroked her mane, tilting her head up so he could look at her. “I missed you too, kid.” His voice was soft and kind, but when he tried to move he grunted in pain. “You’ve gotten bigger.” Green giggled loudly, stepping off him and offering her hoof. He took it and pulled himself to his hooves. One of his wounds opened, and a small drip of blood fell to the floor, but besides that he looked no worse for wear after Green’s surprise attack. Twilight smiled, walking up and gently embracing Orange before looking around the house. “Where are the others?” she asked, looking over at Green. “I told them to wait in the room. Can they see him now?” Twilight nodded and Green’s face lit up. She turned back to the room, but Red and Yellow were already galloping out, identical smiles breaking across their faces. Orange knelt down on the floor so he could be at their height, and probably so he wasn’t tackled again. They embraced his chest, and he wrapped his hooves and wings around them, his eyes closed and a huge smile on his face. It was a long moment before he let them go, smiling down at them. “Look at you guys! Yellow, you’re so big now! And Red! You’re looking like a regular stallion now!” Blue had never seen him so happy, his orange eyes alive and bright. Blue felt Twilight walk up next to her, and she jumped slightly. She had completely forgotten she was there. “What do you think?” Twilight asked, smiling slightly. Blue smiled back at her, walking forward and wrapping her hooves around her. “I think it’s perfect,” Blue said quietly. “We’re back together again. We’re a family again.” ***** “I never would have believed he changed this much,” he said quietly, stroking Blue’s mane. “You need to learn to give ponies a change,” she replied, looking up at him from her place next to him. The two had found a large tree, not far from Twilight’s house, and had settled down onto it. From their point they could see the bedroom, and the other four ponies and they played and talked and laughed. It was almost like being back in Coltarado, except with a black pegasus playing at their side. Orange had Yellow in his hooves, throwing her into the air as high as he could, letting her open her wings and glide back down to him before he did it again. Even from their distance the two could see how happy she was. “I know, and I see how wrong I was now,” he said, looking down at her. She was absentmindedly drawing circles in the fur on his chest, and every now and then he would giggle slightly as she tickled him. A small grin passed over her lips as her hoof lingered over one of these spots, only stopping when he reached up and took hold of her hoof. She glanced up at him, the smile slipping from her lips as she felt her mouth go dry. it was a long moment before she broke the gaze, blushing slightly. “Do you think it’s true, what Twilight said. About us not being related in any way.” “I see no reason why she would lie about that,” Dual answered. His hoof had stopped stroking her mane, and it was now resting at the base of her neck. She was suddenly very aware of it being there. “Because I was just thinking about, you know, how we are a new species and all,” she said quickly, stumbling over the words. “Cause somepony, maybe Green and Orange, you know, will have to populate and have little foals, and--” “Blue?” “Yeah...” “Just hush.” With a small smile he tilted his head down, bringing his lips to hers for the first time. She felt his other hoof work its way around her back, pulling her closer to him. And, in the back of her mind, she felt herself doing the same thing. With a small gasp she felt herself fall forward onto his chest. She could feel his muscles under his skin and fur, yet he was so gentle with her. Every touch, every caress so soft, like it had been left by a butterfly. She could feel herself falling into the kiss, into him, the rest of the world fading away from view. It was just her laying on top of him, their lips locked. She felt a familiar warmth on her back as his wings wrapped around her, keeping her as close as possible to her. After a long while, the two broke apart, Blue smiling down at Dual, who was breathing heavy. With a sigh, Blue laid her head down on his chest, once again tracing circles with her hoof. He kissed her forehead, stroking her mane once more. “I believe what Twilight said,” Dual finally whispered, looking down at her. “You and I....who knows? We were probably made for each other.” Blue grinned, leaning forward and kissing him once again. This one was shorter than the other, but everything that had been unsaid in the first was finally out in the open. She leaned back with another sigh, flicking her tail back and forth across his legs. “Yeah. We were made for each other.”