Fallout Equestria : Black And White

by Philweasel


Chapter 2.3 - The Path of the Righteous

Chapter 2.3 - The Path of the Righteous

“Mighty obliged to you darling. That kind of welcome to strangers is rare around these parts.”

Star Swirl wasn’t sure if she was already regretting giving it as the big zebra and his companion moved over to the fire, invited by her polite and slightly over enthusiastic welcome. She couldn’t help it, between Esau’s silence, Char’s insistent warnings of hostility and the zebra’s own powerfully friendly grin her social anxiety levels were reaching critical. She was hopeful that at the very least inviting them in would allow some of that tension to dissipate, “No problem. Um... so, what are you doing wandering the desert?” She noted his lack of a heavy pack, “You don’t look like a merchant.”

“I’m a courier actually.” He motioned to himself, and then the smaller zebra behind, “Names Tarishi, this little lady is Kunani.”

“Star Swirl. This is Esau.”

Esau nodded slowly, his eyes still narrowed and suspicious, “Not a lot out here anymore. Quite what are you couriering exactly?”

Tarishi chuckled, setting down by the fire. Kunani moved in next to him and he took a moment to make sure she was comfortable before answering, “Come up from Bitter Bottom, heading towards the Entitidi lands. Just some messages, letters to ma, that sort of thing.”

Esau relaxed slightly, and he seemed more interested now as well, “So, you’ve been up in the Nenata highlands recently?”

Tarishi nodded, chuckling, “I have indeed. Was born and bred.”

“Then you know what’s happening with Starhammer? The army amassing there?”

Tarishi sighed, taking a moment to exchange glances with Kunani before answering somewhat reluctantly, “Yeah. Good for me at the moment actually, having all those troops just standing around. Bandits don’t dare go near, and lots of zebra wanting packages delivered to their kids on the front line. But he’s going to have to do something with them eventually huh?”

“And you know what that is?”

Tarishi shook his head, “No clue. Zebra are saying he’s going to push into the camel lands, try to steal their technology and use it to drive down into the Golden Coast.”

Star Swirl had heard about this ‘Star Hammer’. Caesar’s ranger had mentioned him, a new warlord in the area. He had called him... a warlord with a messiah complex if she remembered correctly, “Who is this ‘Star Hammer’ exactly?

Esau turned to her, “Last year, the head of the Inwaka clan was killed in a duel against an unknown adventurer, who took his place as clan chief. Since then he has named himself Starhammer, and justified his name with claims of killing many demons.” He nodded gravely, “Starhammer has recently been recruiting large numbers of soldiers, forging an army unmatched in these lands.”

“Whatever the case, let’s just hope it’s good profit.” Tarishi pulled some cans out of his pack, getting back onto his hooves and moving over to the fire, “If either of you are still hungry, this one’s on me.”

Star Swirl was actually, and waited patiently as he cooked up what looked like it would be a pretty delicious meal. Kunani helped, the two a tightly organised team as Tarishi stirred and Kunani added careful sprinklings of herbs. She tested a drop and nodded in satisfaction, raising her left hoof and moving it in a complex series of movements. Tarishi laughed and returned a set of hoof movements of his own, turning his head to Star Swirl and Esau, “She says it tastes slightly less like ass than normal.”

Star Swirl was wondering what the hoof symbols were about. She should have guessed from the start, even knowing a little of it herself, “She’s mute?”

Tarishi nodded, “And deaf. But don’t go thinking she’s some fragile flower. She’s the one looking after me most of the time.” He looked across at her, the smaller zebra looking embarrassed for a moment before turning away and making a big deal of routing through her pack. Tarishi chuckled, lowering his voice, “She can lip read well enough, just make sure you’re facing her when you speak.”

Star Swirl wished she had learnt more sign language now. She felt uncomfortable not being able to speak with the little zebra, feeling like she was leaving her out. She tried to remember some of the signs, bringing them to mind. She absentmindedly signed her name, running through a couple of others she could still remember. Tarishi just looked confused however, Kunani turning and gazing at the signs in interest for a moment before signing something else to Tarishi. The big zebra grinned apologetically at her, “She says that’s Equestrian Standard. She signs with Gentalian.”

Star Swirl curled her lip in annoyance, “Zebra... languages.”

Kunani signed something else, Tarishi chuckling as he translated, “She expressed relief that her deafness meant she only had to learn to read them.”

“All of them?”

“All 32.”

Esau frowned, “There’s 22 languages in the zebra lands.”

Kunani took a deep breath, wearily signing something else. Tarishi translated, with a wince of sympathy, “That includes Camel, Old Arabian, Equestrian, Draconic and several zebra languages so dead that she read them off stone tablets.”

“You speak most of them now Star Swirl. Unfortunately I do not know sign language. This is most embarrassing, you must make an effort to learn for me.”

Star Swirl frowned at Char’s interjection, “Really?”

“What do you think you’re speaking now? I regret my Irasi might be somewhat archic, but you are well understood are you not?”

She was speaking... Irasi? She didn’t even notice, but now she mentioned it the words did feel strange coming from her lips.

“Oh, and try not to answer me out loud. The others will find it odd. Fortunately your reply was in context.”

Kunani was indeed blushing a little, signing something short before turning away once more. Tarishi smiled warmly at her before turning back to Star Swirl, “She had a broad education. Makes her the brains of this little group.”

“How did you meet?”

Tarishi smiled nostalgically as he scooped up the stew, serving it out, “She was standing up to a group of thugs who were intimidating some foals, trying to take one of the mares. I moved to help her, though she already had half of them down before I even got there.”

Star Swirl looked at the little zebra. She didn’t even carry a weapon, “She did?”

“She’s tougher than she looks.” Tarishi chuckled, “And let’s just say we make a good team. And she can cook!” He grinned at Star Swirl, looking back at the little zebra with fond gleam in his eye, “A mare like that doesn’t come around every day.”

Star Swirl smiled, surprised that she wasn’t jealous. Maybe they were just that cute a couple.

~

It was first light, just emerging from the icy cold and moving to only slightly unpleasant coolness. They emerged from the cave well rested and ready to continue their journey, Tarishi and Esau in front and Star Swirl and Kunani behind. This left Star Swirl feeling a little nervous, eager to talk to the young zebra but not really sure how to approach it. It was frustrating, she seemed interesting and knowledgeable and it was a zebra knowledge, something of these lands rather than the flawed Equestrian interpretation of it. Being so close, yet unable to access it was incredibly frustrating.

She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she only noticed the spears pointed at them when she nearly ran straight into Esau’s rump.

“That’s it, no sudden moves from you lot!” A large zebra growled as he pointed the sharpened wooden spike at a lightly smiling Tarishi, “You just hand over all your possessions, and we’ll be moving on nice and friendly like.”

Tarishi simply chuckled, not seeming the least bit intimidated, “And you need them quite obviously. What happened to you?”

Another one of the zebra grimaced, Star Swirl noting that there was four of them and they did indeed seem a pretty pathetic lot, all bruised, blooded and completely devoid of armour or weapon, save the sharpened sticks they were carrying. The bandit in question growled in response to Tarishi, “What you talking about!?”

“You’re trying to hold up what is clearly a well armed, well trained group with sharp sticks.” Tarishi laughed, even as the spear hovered an inch from his face, “You are the least intimidating bandits I have ever encountered, well done indeed.”

“You better take us seriously!” One of the bandits, a particularly ugly example, moved in behind the group, advancing on Kunani with intent, “Or else it’s your pretty little mare going to be paying the price!”

He lunged forwards and took Kunani’s mane in his teeth, pulling her backwards and pressing the tip of his spear into her neck. She gave a pained, gasping screech as she was pulled back, surprising the zebra and causing him to press a little harder than intended, a little silver of blood trickling down her neck...

Tarishi shoved his assailant away and span on the spot, steel flashing. The ugly zebra’s head detached from his neck with a single clean slice.

Everyone reacted, though the bandits were just a little too slow. Kunani cantered backwards slightly and flung a thin cloud of just over the ugly zebra’s neckstump, causing it to hiss as the wound was cauterised with the foul smell of burning flesh. He hit the floor with only a small trickle of crimson, his head rolling into a corner.

The three other bandits charged. Unfortunately their targets were Esau and Tarishi. Esau came into the attack, pushing the spear away and drawing his pistol with one smooth movement, pressing the barrel into his attacker’s eye. A single shot was all it took. Tarishi didn’t even turn, twisting his body away from the thrust and seizing the bandit’s head between his legs. He threw himself into a hard spin and the bandit yelled briefly before his neck gave way with a harsh crack. The last hesitated fatally, a gunshot from Esau and a blade strike from Tarishi carving him into strips.

The bandits all hit the floor silent and dead. Tarishi’s eyes turned up to Kunani in panic, his mouth hanging open expectantly. She took a moment to compose herself before signing wearily, a slight hint of anger in her expression. His relief was obvious, a small smile edging across his face, “Sorry doll, but no zebra lays hands on you.”

She signed again in brief chopping motions before shaking her head and touching a hoof to her neck. Star Swirl moved to inspect it herself but quickly realised it wasn’t serious, and that Kunani was doing a good job of it herself. She appeared to be applying some green cream to the area...

“That’s a healing paste, and that dust from before is a sealing solution. She’s a talented alchemist, possibly a shaman.”

Tarishi interrupted Char, giving them all an apologetic bow, “Kunani just told me off for putting you all in danger. She’s right, I apologise.”

Star Swirl wasn’t really blaming him. They could all take care of themselves, and they had to escape sometime. She also found his concern rather cute, “Um... no problem. Sorry I wasn’t much help.”

“Well the matter was resolved without serious incident, and four bandits lay dead. A good result.” Esau nodded flatly to the group, “Let us continue on our way.”

~

Star Swirl was definitely beginning to warm to the decision to tag along with Tarishi and Kunani as they made their way to their next destination, a prominent trading outpost called Zealous Point. Star Swirl was eager to learn more about this land and Tarishi tired of translating for Kunani, so together they proceeded to teach her some of her signs and choice bits of lore to keep her interested. Star Swirl was surprised to find she picked it up pretty quickly, less so when she detected Char working away at the back of her mind. She was beginning to see the benefits of their partnership, Star Swirl had never been all that smart.

As for the lore, Kunani was unfortunately determined to be non-specific, and changed the subject whenever they got too deep into a subject. Star Swirl got the impression she wasn’t trusted, though she was sure it wasn’t personal. This was the power, strength and secrets of her people after all, and she was a pony.

She definitely got the sense that there was a lot more out here than just some barbarian tribes and a few villages though. Kunani hinted at places of learning, organised archaeology missions and it was clear that there was significant trade with the camels and even some homebrew heavy industry supplying the zebra out here. Any mention of Caesar of the East or Garm was swiftly and somewhat gruffly rebuffed however, along with mention of any sort of geography in that direction. That was enough to confirm her suspicions, that the Nagara Strip was the heart of their civilisation. That was... somewhat surprising, but in hindsight maybe not. There was nothing there, no big cities, no major military outposts, the soil there was poor and the climate unforgiving. The only area of real worth there was Garm.

But that was before the war. The lack of anything there meant it would have received little attention from Equestria’s megaspells, and was likely the most fertile place out here by brutal comparison with the rest of the radioactive hellhole the world had become. And if Chisa really had survived, that was likely the last major city outside the Golden Coast still standing.

Zealous Point soon came up on the horizon, Esau’s hoof steps instantly slowing. Star Swirl saw it too, the trading post having swelled considerably beyond its walls. A large collection of tents, trucks and banners stretched outwards, distant figures in large numbers milling about between them. Tarishi simply moved forward however, turning back to smile at them, “Have no fear, I came through this way remember. Just a scouting party, and I’ve dealt with these boys before. A little rough sometimes, but not a bad lot.”

Esau just grunted, following him reluctantly as they continued on their way.

They soon passed a checkpoint built into the hills at the side of the road, an old cafe by the looks of it. It was heavily reinforced with metal plating and with the sign transformed into a watchtower, a heavy machine gun facing down at them through a view hole. A zebra cautiously emerged from the cafe, clad in old world light legionnaire armour and baring a blue sash on his left shoulder which depicted a large hammer falling upon a shattering star. Tarishi waved his hoof for the others to stop and moved up to meet the zebra, moving close and speaking too quietly for anyone to hear. Eventually they broke off, the zebra moving back into the cafe and Tarishi returning with a smile, “We can go on through.”

Esau glared suspiciously, “What did you say to him?”

“Well he knew me, but I am travelling with a Princess and a heavily bandaged brute of a zebra. You can understand he was a little reluctant to let you through.” Tarishi laughed, clapping Esau on the side heartily and giving him a huge grin, “But I managed to convince him that ya’all are harmless.”

Star Swirl almost laughed at Esau’s expression, ever so slightly taken off guard by the zebra’s friendliness. Still she couldn’t help but be nervous, surrounded by a whole lot of firepower wielded by zebra she knew nothing about, “Um... I’m not a princess. I’m an alicorn.”

He turned to look at her, just staring for a moment before nodding softly, “My mistake darling. But I’m still going to call you Princess. Suits you better.”

She blushed and turned away, feeling rather jealous of Kunani now. Even if he wasn’t exactly good looking, he made up for it with roguish charm.

‘Don’t trust him! He’s lying to you!’

Be quiet Char. She wished the spirit would tell her something more concrete than ‘I don’t like him’. Then she might believe her a little more.

~

They continued into the town itself, soldiers watching primly as they passed. There were a lot of them, two hundred at least, reasonably well armed and well trained. It wasn’t quite up to Caesar or NCR levels but the old war equipment they carried was well repaired and some effort had been taken to turn it into a recognisable uniform. The ones on the road mostly carried assault rifles mounted on battle saddles, others in towers or on the walls carrying long rifles fitted with scopes and hoof grips.

The town didn’t look to have been invaded, there was no battle damage and the soldiers seemed to be interacting quite peacefully with the locals. A few nervous glances were in evidence and mothers were dragging their overly curious children away, still that was to be expected with a crowd of heavily armed foreigners in residence.

“This is not a scouting party.”

Tarishi chuckled at Esau’s bluntly stated suspicion, “Not even a fraction of the full host, I assure you.”

Esau narrowed his eyes, “But still too large for stealth, and far in excess of what would be needed for simply scouting out the area. They are here for another mission.”

“Really.” Tarishi chuckled to himself, leading them onwards through the town and into a cluster of tents and shacks beyond, “You can ask their leader yourself. I can introduce you, and I know he’ll want to meet such interesting travellers.”

Esau looked hesitant, still Star Swirl was curious herself. She hadn’t sensed any deception so far, and she did want to meet a representative of this ‘Star Hammer’. Friend or foe, he was obviously important, and it was better to know your enemy.

They soon approached a larger, central building, looking like some sort of school. A broken clocktower stretched above, faded words above proclaiming it as Zealous Academy for Young Stallions, a picture of a smug looking older zebra beaming out at them, “Is that Zealous?”

“It is.” Tarishi grinned, “There’s plaques around this place, talking about how wonderful he is. Place is famous for them, folks here have made up all kinds of fanciful stories about the guy. Bet you anything he was just some mid card general with a talent for self promotion, but at the very least he brought this place together, made it a successful, well known settlement.”

“Just because he’s got his face on a few of the buildings around here?”

Tarishi laughed, “Of course! Ever hear of Cuppa Joes?”

Star Swirl had seen the image around a couple of places, “It was a chain of restaurants before the war.”

“Stretched all the way into zebra territories, hundreds of stores all over the word. Because people recognised them. Because they built a mythology around their face and name, and people wanted to buy into that.” He grinned charmingly at Star Swirl, “Never underestimate the power of a good myth. You likely know as well as I do that the All-Mother was just a big, selfish, not too bright dragon, but with her age, size and name she managed to fool every zebra into thinking she was something special. Celestia might have set herself up as a Goddess, but you’re living proof that you can achieve the same results with a little science and magic.”

Star Swirl blushed at the comparison, “I’m not like Celestia.”

Tarishi chuckled, “See? How do you know? Have you ever seen her fight? I’ve seen records, I know for a fact she can bleed. Ever see her cast magic? I’ve read letters from her, marvelling at the achievements of other mages and wishing she had that kind of talent.” He shook his head, turning away, “She built a myth, and you want to believe it. You want to belong to the story that she wrote about herself, the story she wrote to bring her nation together.”

“And is this true of Star Hammer?” Esau spoke up, his voice a carefully neutral rumble, “Does he want a myth, to draw zebra to his banner?”

Tarishi grinned enigmatically, pausing a moment before answering, “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but he’s just another zebra. Demons aren’t all that hard to kill, powerful yes, but stupid, impulsive and predicable. But it makes for a good story.” He turned to look across at Esau, “Don’t you agree that the world needs unity? The NCR was formed on the back of Regina and Littlepip, and because of their example it holds together seventeen years later. What if that could be repeated here?”

Esau grunted dismissively, “Isn’t that what the two Caesars are trying to do?”

“The last thing Caesar of the East wants is unity. He works to keep the tribes apart and out of the hooves of any one warlord, fears the return of the Empire more than any zebra. And besides, he’s too mysterious and shrouded in myth. Never letting any zebra but your closest advisors see you breeds stories, but doesn’t equal leadership.” Tarishi grinned, “Caesar of the West on the other hand... he’s a good ruler don’t get me wrong, but he ‘anit got the strength of character to unite an Empire.”

Esau’s eyes narrowed in thoughtful anger, Star Swirl seeking a little more clarity in his meaning, “Strength of character?”

Tarishi nodded, “He spent his childhood being bullied and abused by his father and brother, told that he was unworthy and weak. His entire motivation for ruling is to prove his worth, and his subjects can sense that neediness and lack of self esteem.”

Esau looked doubtful, “His empire is working so far.”

“He inherited it, and large regions still openly wish his older brother was in charge.” He grinned at Star Swirl, nodding his head, “When he’s parading in front of your subjects, tell me what you see.”

Star Swirl had to admit that she saw it too, “A vain diva, desperate for attention. It always seemed odd to me, because he’s intelligent and rules well...”

“Rulership is about perception. You need to be the icon that the nation is built around, maintaining the perception of infallibility and strength.” Tarishi shook his head, “Caesar can build a strong nation, but it will never have the strength to expand without collapsing under internal divisions. Those under his command know he’s just another zebra, because he hasn’t convinced them otherwise.”

Star Swirl... found that a really depressing thought. Her naivety was precious to her, after all it was hard to be inoffensive and useless unless you trusted in the strength of those above you. But yes, although they were all exceptional ponies... Velvet Remedy was self righteous and often obstructed the work of the Followers with her over management of things that could manage quite well without her. Regina had been an excellent team leader and an adept political player, but herself was only of moderate intelligence and really made very few actual decisions. Twilight Frost understood the alicorns perfectly and was resolute and steadfast in her morals, but believed the best of those who really didn’t deserve it and shied away from real conflict too much to ever make meaningful change.

They were just... ponies. Like any other. Great, but flawed. Smarter than the average, but reachable by mere mortals. Was Celestia the same? Was she truly not the living, perfect Goddess of legend, but a smart, kind pony who inspired her subjects to forge an empire in her name?

“I’m here to introduce these folks to Star Hammer.”

Star Swirl looked up as Tarishi addressed the guards at the door, the pair moving apart without argument to allow them passage. He grinned at them and opened the door, allowing them to move into the main hall. It was still filled with posters of the Empire, bold stark messages with words like “DIGNITY” “SERVICE” and “STRIVE”. They had none of the art of Rarity’s ministry of Image, still they had a definite impact to them.

Esau turned aggressively to face Tarishi as they made it inside, eyes questioning, “Why did they let us through so easily? And is it true what you said, that Star Hammer is here personally?”

“Well you’ll know the answer to one of those questions at least. You’ll understand once you’re introduced to him.” Tarishi beckoned them on, “Follow me.”

It was a short journey, finally ending at what used to be the headmaster’s office. They entered one at a time, Star Swirl among the last. She gasped as she set eyes upon one of the biggest zebra she had ever seen, dressed in heavy metal armor that did nothing to disguise layers of rippling muscle. He was standing at a table in the middle of the room with a lithe female zebra and a small, glass domed robot, all of them turning to look at their new arrivals.

“Species = Alicorn. Meeting = Unexpected.”

“I’ll say.” The female stated in a deep, rather sultry voice, resting her front hooves on the table in front, “Kunani did say as much, but I never actually expected the real deal. Guess she’s proved me wrong again.”

The robot blinked its lights, turning its domed head to Esau, “Esau = Intitate of Organisation = Pariah Order. Presence = Helpful.”

“Isn’t it nice to be appreciated Esau?” Tarishi chuckled as he moved forward to meet the large zebra, grinning up at him triumphantly, “Check it out, Kunani’s vision paid off after all.”

The large zebra observed Star Swirl and Esau for a moment before finally speaking, his voice low and full of cool gravitas, “As you say Lord Starhammer. We have been awaiting your return.”

Star Swirl blinked, “Star...”

Tarishi chuckled at her expression, motioning to those assembled, “My I introduce you to my general, Icoxal and Zenali, leader of my scouts. This here is Representative 5, ambassador from the Lost Legion.”

Star Swirl finally found her words, “You lied to us!”

Tarishi shook his head, still grinning that grin of his unabated, “Not at all. I am a courier, and my name is Tarishi. You don’t think my parents called me Starhammer do you? They would have been fascinating zebra.” He chuckled, shrugging his shoulders, “Though ponies do go for those sorts of names, so I can see why you would think so.”

Esau grunted, facing off against the zebra, “Half truths and lies of omission, the tales of your smugness and self regard are true indeed.”

Tarishi laughed “The tales of my smugness and self regard could fill a book, just ask Kunani.”

Esau’s voice lowered to a growl, clearly growing angry at his casual manner, “Why did you bring us here?”

Tarishi looked down at Kunani, the little zebra pausing for a moment before taking some dust out of a little satchel at her side and pressing her lips to it. She held it there for a moment, lips softly moving, before throwing it into the air before her. It sparkled and crackled, forming into a line of recognizable words written in golden glitter.

‘Because it’s your destiny.’

“Kunani saw you standing right there, speaking to me just like that. And her predictions have never steered me wrong.” Star Hammer looked back at them, firm confidence upon his grinning face, “Don’t you worry none, I mean you absolutely no harm. I’ve just got a job for you, that you might well be interested in demon hunter.”

Esau continued to glare, eventually speaking slowly and cautiously, “Speak.”

“There’s a demon in these lands, I’m sure you’ve heard of her.”

Esau spoke bluntly, “Princess Luna.”

Starhammer chuckled, “If she’s Princess Luna, then I’m Zephyr Stormstrung. But she is dangerous, and greatly needing killing. And she’s after something that will make her even more dangerous.”

“And what’s that?”

Starhammer just smiled, “Well, that I’ll leave to more qualified hoofs. Invited an expert down, very experienced, very interested in the subject. I think you know him.”

Esau glared angrily at Starhammer, his voice rumbling, “Tradash the Black?”

“He’s on his way. Apparently he was supposed to meet you further down the road?” Starhammer grinned, “I told him you would be here, waiting for him. See, everything is working out.”

Esau frowned, “Because you are manipulating events to your benefit.”

“We are all manipulating events to our benefit Esau.” He looked down at Kunani, smiling warmly at the zebra, “I’m just a little more informed. If you like her so much, get your own.”

Esau glared, “I make my own destiny.”

“Can’t fight against your spiral Esau. It just keeps pulling you back in.” Starhammer chuckled, nodding at the pair, “I’ve got you rooms at the inn, I hope they’re suitable. Go, I’m sure you want some rest after your long journey.”

~

Star Swirl... wasn’t sure when she had nodded off. But this was definitely not the zebra lands.

Or rather it was. After a moment Char popped up above a nearby hillside, her small, cute, filly Celestia face filling with enthusiasm at her presence, “Star Swirl, I was wondering when you would fall asleep!”

Star Swirl looked around, locating herself a short distance from the valley of the Star Demons where she had last departed this place, “Did you bring me back here?”

“You have a bond to this place. It was easy.” Char paused for a moment before reluctantly nodding, “But yes. It’s nice to see you... in the flesh so to speak. And we do need to talk.”

“About Starhammer?”

“Yes.”

“You could have just talked to me in my head... like you’ve been doing all day.”

Char just frowned at her challenging tone, hopping down from the hill and landing beside her with a little buzz of her wings. She strutted proudly across the sands as she answered Star’s accusations, “He had a powerful shaman with him, and you’re travelling with a member of the pariah order. I’m cautious as to how much I can get away with without them noticing.”

“They can hear you speak?”

“They can hear me talk about them.” Char corrected. She seemed to debate internally for a second or two before fixing Star Swirl with a penetrating and accusatory glare, “You’re meeting a lot of dangerous zebra. It’s making me nervous.”

Star Swirl had noticed that, seeming to be just surrounded by proud, powerful badasses these days. Still, dangerous in general didn’t mean dangerous to her... not necessarily anyway, “Why don’t you trust Starhammer? Or Esau for that matter?”

“Both would have lots of reasons to distrust me for a start.” Char averted her eyes, looking nervous as she explained, “That weapon on Starhammer’s back? It’s a Varasu blade. It’s designed to cut things both spiritual and physical, designed... to kill things like me.”

“Well he is a demon slayer.”

“You don’t quite understand what the weapon does.” Char continued, looking even more nervous and slightly sickened, “It severs the Etheric presence of whatever it kills, separating them entirely from this world.”

Star Swirl was getting lost, “Etheric?”

Char hesitated before answering, a little impatiently, “Let me put it this way. You’ve heard of Shining Armor right?”

“Sure. He was Twilight Sparkle’s brother.”

“Pretty important, yes?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Expect him to be here somewhere?”

Star Swirl was getting a bad feeling about this, “Yes... in Canterlot I suppose.”

Char nodded, her expression grim, “He is here. As a monument. A tombstone.” She glared flatly at Star Swirl, “He can never manifest as a talking, moving creature like the others you met, because he was killed by one of those blades.”

Star Swirl’s mouth dropped open in horror, “They... killed his soul?”

“Separated it from all contact with the living world, yes. Even I have no idea what lies beyond, or what effect the weapon could have there.” Char grimaced, squirming slightly in horror at the concept, “But you get the idea of the kind of horrors that weapon could cause. And his particular blade is a further horror still. I sensed the essence of those he has killed bound inside the blade, wailing at me for release.”

“He’s... stolen their souls?”

Char nodded, “Why he would do such a thing is beyond me, an abomination...”

Star Swirl had to admit, it was sounding pretty evil. But now she was sure Char was overstating the case, “I didn’t feel anything.”

“Well you are not a spirit, not trained in seeing the etheric.”

“Maybe he isn’t either. Maybe he thinks it’s just a cool sword.”

Char frowned glumly at her, “Maybe him, but the mare with him could not fail to notice.”

Star Swirl curled her lip, “Kunani?”

Char nodded, “That zebra, she is a shaman of great power. She may be the more dangerous of the two, and I detect a strong bond between them.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but deliver some snark or this last point, “Um... I’m pretty sure blind, deaf, coma victims could detect a strong bond between them. They weren’t exactly hiding it.”

Char’s little offended face was hilarious, the little alicorn huffing and puffing, “I am not talking about some mammalian sexual contract, I’m talking magic. Old magic... though likely strengthened by their romantic connection, I will not discount the power of love.” Char looked Star Swirl in the eye, her expression warning, “Do not engage them together. I’ve seen that kind of bond vaporise tougher things that you or I when weaponised.”

Star Swirl had read about such things, though she wasn’t sure if she actually believed it. According to the tales a whole army of ravaging beasts had been destroyed by a single pegasus and her lover back in the time before the war, which sounded nice and romantic but made Star Swirl wonder why romantic couples across Equestria weren’t vaporising dragons. Still, her cynicism had been proven wrong before, “Well I wasn’t intending on fighting him. What about Esau?”

Char’s expression softened, the alicorn looking wistful as she stared up at the sky, “I cannot say whether he can be trusted, but his order? The Pariahs? They have always been noble and honest, and I see no reason why they would not continue to be so.”

Star Swirl frowned, this being the first time she had heard of this... order, “Starhammer said he was a demon hunter.”

Char shook her head, “A simplification. The order of Radiant Soul were demon hunters, thugs wielding swords like Starhammer’s, killing all they deemed unnatural. The Pariah... they challenged such an approach, pointed out the pain and death they caused in their search for peace.” Char smiled at some long distant memory, her eyes misting a little, “They sought to understand, find a better way for all of us. They learned how to extract Star Demons from their hosts without killing them, what such creatures wanted and how to reason with them.”

“You have experience with them?”

“One such group confronted me once, cornered me when I was alone and in full knowledge that I did not belong in this world. The Order of Radiant Soul would have killed me and my host for no crime but existing. The Pariah’s however... they judged me fairly, and let me go on my way.”

“Really?” Star Swirl wondered what he was doing with her then, it wasn’t as if...

Um... wait a moment, “Does he... know about you?”

Char grimaced, “I don’t know. I hope not, but it certainly seems a coincidence that he’s following you. Be careful, I cannot vouch for this particular zebra’s motives or honor. He could have taken that symbol off one of the dead for all we know.”

Star Swirl nodded, in full agreement, “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Good. I...”


“Well what are you two fine ladies doing hanging about these parts?”

Star Swirl’s eyes twisted up to the nearby bluff from where the voice had sounded, spotting the pony standing boldly atop. And not just any pony, but the one type of pony she hoped never to see again. Clad in leathers, spikes and blood, the mud brown coloured unicorn had a cutie mark of a pony decapitated by a chainsaw and a huge razor edged baseball bat strapped across his back. He gave a gold toothed grin as he saw her and Char standing before him, looking around briefly before returning his gaze to the mares, “They certainly are mighty strange parts. Mind telling me where we are exactly?”

Star Swirl wasn’t quite sure what to say, “It’s... the dreamscape.”

“Well, how about that?” The unicorn turned his head sideways, giving them a lopsided smirk, “That meant pretty much nothing to me sweetheart. Think just because I’m a unicorn I speak ‘mystic nonsense’?”

Star Swirl didn’t quite understand what was going on here. This unicorn didn’t seem to fit. He wasn’t a famous historical figure that she had heard of, he wasn’t even a zebra. Why was he here? “Who are you?”

“Bloody Razor, professional psychotic killer and merciless pillager. Bloody to my friends.” He grinned at them, “Now, hand over any valuables ladies, and we can all go on our way.”

Star Swirl frowned deeply, not about to be intimidated so easily, “Do we look like we have any valuables?”

Bloody Razor chuckled, his eyes filling with dark intent as he advanced on Star Swirl, “I’m sure you have something to offer me.”

Star Swirl gritted her teeth in anger, only a slight hint of caution stopping her from thrashing this fool right here and now. She stamped her hoof and drew herself tall, ears fully erect, “Take another step and you won’t be moving again.”

Char’s eyes darted nervously between them, “Star Swirl, watch out. He’s not a spirit...”

“Is that so girly?” Bloody Razor laughed, waving a hoof at the pair, “You don’t even have a weapon, unless you plan to hit me with the filly.”

Star Swirl hated raiders. Hated, hated, hated them. She welcomed the chance to show one his place, “You really think an alicorn needs a weapon to flatten one stupid raider?”

Bloody Razor gave a roaring laugh, staring in great amusement at Star Swirl, “An alicorn huh?”

Char glared disapprovingly at her, “Star Swirl, you’re just a unicorn here, remember?”

“Oh yeah...” Star Swirl blushed at her mistake, knowing she must have sounded pretty stupid, “I... I can still take you!”

Bloody Razor lowered himself into a crouch, “Really? Show me what you’ve got.”

He asked for it. And Star Swirl did hate raiders, and was well aware that most of them couldn’t put up a fight against anypony but unarmed civilians. She wasn’t a civilian, and she was never defenseless. She launched herself forward like a rocket, hoof snapping out for a devastating blow to his jaw.

He darted to the side with impressive speed, striking out with his own attack. Star Swirl just dodged it with a moment to spare, growling and feinting to the side with her hooves before charging in straight on with her horn. He caught her and threw her to the side, both of them tumbling briefly before charging straight back into the fray.

He was good. They snapped back and forth with carefully studied attacks, neither managing to land anything game changing. Eventually they both got serious.

Star Swirl tackled him backwards and repeatedly thumped him against the ground, Bloody Razor smacking her between the legs with a knee and twisting her ear with a free hoof. She grunted in pain and let him go, attacking while he was still struggling away and bloodying his lip with a hoof. He headbutted her in response, Star Swirl wincing away with a long gore mark on her cheek.

He was fast. He darted in low and took her hooves out from under her, thumping her in the jaw as she fell and flinging her to the ground. She struggled to rise but he was already atop her, hoof lashing down to take her in the face again and again, drawing blood and splintering bone. She tried to resist but he was bigger, meaner and stronger than she was, Star Swirl totally outmatched. He finally threw her aside with a mighty heave and struck her with his telekinesis, flinging her into a rockface with a crack.

“Star Swirl! Open your heart to me, give me your power!”

Star Swirl opened her eyes through the pain, looking up at Char sitting above. She looked desperate, afraid. She remembered her hesitation at taking her offer before, remembered her fear at what she represented... but then she looked at Bloody Razor advancing on her and realized she didn’t have much choice.

She opened herself up to Char, just the simple act of thinking it allowing the spirit to seize hold of her in a single rush of shared consciousness.

At that moment everything became heightened, her magic burning more powerful than ever before, her senses sharper and more alert, her body strong and resistant. She ignited her shields and Bloody Razor was easily knocked backwards, Star Swirl noting with breathless joy that this was just like what she had felt when she was in Celestia’s body.

Of course she was still heavily injured, with a still very much standing raider just a few feet away.

She shouldn’t have worried however.

A black streak flew overhead and struck him away with a powerful thrust, Bloody Razor skidding back onto his hooves as the new figure’s horn ignited with a burst of incandescent light and flung him into a nearby rock formation with a roar of focused magic. Rubble tumbled down and the raider disappeared at sight, not reappearing again.

Star Swirl could only gaze in wonder at the figure.

It was an alicorn… almost. The white of Celestia’s coat had gone, along with the soft fur. In its place was hard black carapace, mirroring the light in shining bands of rainbow color. Her body was sleek and slim, her hooves ending in sharp spines at the heels. Her wings were not like that of a pegasus, but beautiful butterfly wings of vivid and luminous color. Her horn too was twisted and sharp like that of a beetle. The only thing that still identified her was the cutie mark still present on her flank. Star Swirl gasped as she very gently lifted herself to her hooves, every part of her aching at the effort. She swore, just as she had recovered from the previous vicious beating...

“Star Swirl!” Char turned, her eyes widening in concern and her horn lighting up once more. The magic washed over her, sweeping her pain away and replacing it with a calming warmth that made her want to lie down... she collapsed with a thump, Char galloping over to her side and laying a hoof on her shoulder, “Stay there.”

Star Swirl didn’t see why. She felt... nice, “What... was that?” A silly grin spread itself across her face, “It feels nice...”

“I dulled your pain receptors, triggered endorphins. Now stay down and let me repair the damage.”

Star Swirl felt the bones in her muzzle shift as Char’s magic went to work. It was uncomfortable, but not painful, “Do you... know what you’re doing? I don’t want to look funny...”

Char smiled fondly at her as she continued, “Of course. I’ve always been fascinated by equine anatomy, I’ve studied it quite extensively.”

“That sounds... a little creepy...”

Char sighed, gently shifting the flow of her magic as rainbow light sank into her flesh, “In truth, yes. In the past my experiments may have been less than ethical. I always sought to help, to improve, but in the past did not understand you enough to ask first.”

Star Swirl couldn’t help but relax, falling into a pleasant daze, “Improve how?”

“Um...” She paused, hesitant, “Remember, I was born in an age of constant strife. My first host was a greedy, hateful zebra, who used me to hurt others to feed his own hungers. I learned firsthand the darker impulses at the heart of equine kind. He used me to create monsters for his army, used my magic to twist creatures into living weapons.”

That sounded a lot like Twilight Sparkle and the alicorns. Understandably there was some emotions triggered by her words, “Any I would know?”

Char nodded, slowly at first but a little more enthusiastically after a moment, “Manticores are my creation. They were originally little more than beasts of war, it gave me great pleasure to see them become a natural part of many ecosystems. Not my intention I assure you, I can take no credit for their success.”

Success? She supposed you could say that, “They’re deadly wasteland killers.”

She gave a rather offended look at Star Swirl’s dismissal, “Many creatures kill other creatures. You could say I would be more embarrassed if I had created ponies, considering how much of the ecosystem they are responsible for wiping clean.”

“A... fair point.” Star Swirl was a little star struck now she thought about it. Scholars had always debated whether the manticore’s unusual physiology meant that it had been magically created, now she was in the presence of the ‘wizard who done it’, “That body...”

Char looked down at her new, powerful, dangerous looking form. She looked a little embarrassed now, hesitantly nodding her head, “I designed this form, yes. It is the one I am most experienced with in combat.”

Star Swirl admired it wistfully. It was quite beautiful, in a somewhat creepy kind of way, “It’s nice...”

“Thank you.”

“Any others I would know?”

“Most have gone extinct, either naturally or forcefully. Some bred into their original species and vanished.” Char smiled for a moment, looking a little playful, “You heard what Esau said yes? That ponies were originally zebra before they were magically experimented on?”

Star Swirl’s ears really did prick up now, “True?”

“Sorry, I don’t know the answer to that one. I can see the evidence in your DNA, but the event was before even my time.”

“You can... see my DNA?”

Char giggled girlishly, “Well I meant general pony DNA, but yes, I can. We spirits have an... insight into your biology that gives us our ability to manipulate it in the first place. Your biology is rather fascinating actually.”

She was just saying that to get it into bed. Star Swirl tried to hide her embarrassment at having it so... openly discussed, questioning that statement, “How so?”

“It is... ugly. Junk sequences, evolutionary dead ends, the history of your species written in your every cell.”

Star Swirl frowned as Char’s magic faded, getting to her hooves and testing her jaw. It felt good, Char standing there expectantly. She didn’t seem to have meant the previous statement as an insult, though she didn’t see how it could be taken any other way, “My DNA is ugly?”

Char chuckled, clearly in on the joke. She gave a big smile, a little bit of an exited squeak in her voice, “It is the difference between a factory made replica and a hand forged antique Star Swirl. I look at your biology and I see cause and effect, physics and chemistry. I see systems, and straight lines. I have never been an artist.” Her expression faded as her words continued, the spirit giving a big sigh, “The manticores are not affected by IMP are they?”

Star Swirl shook her head. It was a well known mystery, “No.”

“A species needs their junk sequences, randomisation of traits, vulnerability to mutation. It is how they evolve. The creatures I created had none of those things.” She shook her head with deep regret, “They were pale imitations of the real thing. The manticore only succeeded by mistake, by rising above my flawed designs.”

Star Swirl felt sorry for her. This obviously upset her deeply, despite her upbeat demeanor... no, the better word was frustrated. Star Swirl understood that, to be so poor at a subject she desperately wanted to master, “Maybe all you need is more practice?”

Char’s expression darkened, “My second host said that also. She wanted to use my powers for good, to create creatures who could bring love and harmony back into the world.”

Star Swirl sensed an unhappy ending, “What happened?”

“They too escaped my original intentions.” Char sighed, shaking her head, “You should get back. Esau is attempting to wake you.”

~

She awoke to Esau shaking her shoulders, arising blearily off the table and wincing at her stiff neck. She was in the sitting area of the rooms they had been assigned, the book she had been studying laid out on the dining table before her. She had evidently fallen asleep while reading it, “Wheh, ung, gah?”

“You should choose a proper bed.”

“I guess I must have just nodded off...” She rose, flexing her muscles as Esau made for the door, “Where are you going?”

Esau turned, observing her cautiously. After a moment he spoke, “I sense my master approaching. I am going to meet him.”

Star Swirl wondered why he was being so hostile. Still, it wasn’t as if she had ever understood him, “Should I come?”

“If you wish.” He turned and left, Stat Swirl following behind as they stepped outside. Esau turned his head for signs of anyone approaching, Star Swirl scanning the crowds herself. As normal there were quite a few zebra around but Esau didn’t pick out any of them, and indeed none looked like they deserved the name ‘Tradash the Black’.

That’s when she heard the low crack of a pegasus in flight, looking up to see a dot on the horizon, approaching them fast. It was an artful flyer for sure, appearing to have a passenger larger than them yet still keeping their balance in the high winds. The flier turned towards her and Esau and dropped suddenly, air breaking before them as they came down worryingly fast and steep.

Others turned to look, some yelling out in fear as the pegasus dropped towards them. They needn’t have worried, she leveled out at the last moment and came in to a perfect and elegant landing, hoofs barely scraping the ground. She pulled a face as she touched down, throwing her rider ignobly into the dirt and scraping what looked like a bit of vomit off her neck, “Eww... noth cawying you’th again...”

Her passenger picked himself up, looking a little shaky as he tried to straighten out his cloak. He turned to the pegasus indigently, ruffling the pair of bloodwings sticking from his back, “I didn’t ask you to! I am perfectly capable of flying myself!”

“Youthf too slow. And whothever heard oth a flyer gething airthick anywath?” She glared at her passenger for a second more before she noticed Star Swirl, surprised for a moment before offering a big... smile? “Staf Swirl!”

Star Swirl returned an only slightly nervous smile back, “Clear Skies. What... what are you doing here?”

“Earffing bits, estphishing a basf of operaphions.” The pegasus ghoul shrugged her shoulders, “Not saph back in Demonivore.”

Not safe? What had happened back there? “Why not?”

“Ehh, not sure of thph detailphs. Pophlics.” She grimaced, “I hate pothlics. And anywathy, thiph guy wants to speath to you.”

“Uh... indeed.” Her former passenger straightened out his cloak and placed his glasses back upon his nose, his smile only slightly spoiled by his continuing nausea, “Tradash the Black, at your service my dear.”

When she had first heard the name she had expected some bone covered, skull shaking shaman with a painted face, wondering how anypony got the nickname ‘the black’. She was surprised therefore to find out that he wasn’t remotely scary, in fact he looked like a librarian, charmingly middle aged with a pair of neat spectacles and a poorly combed mane. It was obvious where he got the name however, indeed at first glance she thought he was a pony. It took a moment to spot the stripes, so dark grey as to be almost indistinguishable from the rest of his coat. The black huh? Is that all it took to get a nickname these days? “Um, it’s a pleasure...” She remembered the original reason she had been sent to see him, “Your student Ember told me that you were the one to see about my cutie mark.”

“Ember hmm, really?” Tradash placed a hoof against his goatee, eyes searching her with an incisive intelligence, “Let us go inside shall we? This is a conversation that requires a little privacy.”

~

“So, Ember sent you to find me did he? How interesting.”

Her, Tradash and Esau were all sat in a private room inside the inn, Esau still watchful and armed for any danger. Tradash had sat them down casually, ordering them all drinks and generally acting much like the absent minded professor he appeared to be. It wasn’t doing much to allay her nervousness, “Why is it interesting? Wasn’t he your student?”

“Hmm? Yes, a student of mine, before he turned to evil.”

She blinked, “What?”

Tradash smiled broadly, the old zebra looking rather pleased with her reaction, “I was joking. Mostly.” He shrugged his shoulders and gave a world weary sigh, “Rather... before he met a pretty girl, with big eyes, soft fur and a road to spiritual enlightenment that didn’t involve hanging around in caves with old men.”

That sounded familiar, “Sunshine Ivory?”

Tradash chuckled, “Did you know she was a mercenary?”

No, she didn’t. She wondered if they were talking about the same pony, “White fur, looks like Celestia, head of her church?”

“The same. You speak as if being pretty was a bad thing for a hired gun.” Tradash adjusted his glasses with a hoof, looking cheerfully across at her, “She was charming, skilled and dedicated to improving the lives of the common folk. You can see why a lot of zebra followed her.”

She didn’t like the tone he had said that in, “That’s a bad thing?”

“Let’s just say it’s not a good idea to get in her way.” He rubbed his head, gently hooving the burnt area under his ear, “As I have discovered.”

Esau spoke up, his voice concerned, “How did it go? I felt you struggle, even separated as we were.”

Tradash gave a weary nod, “It’s been a very long time since I fought a unicorn in direct combat, yet alone one as powerful as her. If she was fighting to kill she might well have, it’s fortunate for me she was happy simply driving me off.”

The fight in the storm, between the white pony and the older figure. It was... “It was you?! And Sunshine Ivory?!”

Tradash gave a soft nod, “Yes, it was me. She was coming for you Star Swirl, and I stopped her.”

Esau gave his master a warning glance, Star Swirl about ready to storm out right there and then... but she didn’t. She couldn’t help but notice that Char was unsure, and that made her uncertain as well. She obviously wasn’t getting the full story, “Ok, then Ember sending me to you was interesting then. If you’re opposed to her, why did she send me to you in the first place?”

Tradash nodded in agreement with her wonderings, moving over to inspect her. She couldn’t help but feel the Deja-vu as he did so, remembering when she first met Ember and Sunshine Ivory. Like it was there his hooves gently prodded at her cutie mark and horn, Star Swirl closing her eyes and waiting for the unwanted touching to be over.

Eventually he spoke, voice quiet and restrained, “So, that’s how it is... tell me Star Swirl, did you drink anything while you were there?”

She still remembered the taste, Sweet Sunset she remembered it was called... “I... yes.”

“Please my girl, don’t accept drinks from pretty strangers. You’ll live longer.” Tradash shook his head, looking wearily up at her, “Are you aware from where you got the power to defeat Rainbow Dash?”

She was. It was fairly obvious, now she thought about it. The figure that had told her how to defeat Rainbow Dash, that had given her encouragement and knowledge? It had been Princess Celestia. And she knew one mare who looked just like Princess Celestia...

‘Please Star Swirl, I was trying to help. You needed what was in the heart!’

She ignored Char, not sure how she felt about it all, “There’s a spirit in my head. She calls herself Char.”

Esau grunted, “A spirit?”

“If that’s what she chooses to call herself.” Tradash spoke kindly, considering this for a moment before speaking, “And it has a fully formed personality, opinions, ambitions?”

“Um... yes.”

“Then it is old. Char... hmm...” Tradash nodded to himself, seeming to come to some sort of conclusion, “It has the spiral mark ‘radiant gatherer insect’?”

She didn’t even know that one, “Actually it’s a pony, with a butterfly cutie mark.”

Tradash gave a satisfied nod, “Ah yes, I have guessed correctly. Charaxes, the Queen of Butterflies. My, my, where did Sunshine Ivory find you?”

”Tell him I don’t want to talk”

“Um, she doesn’t want to talk.” Star Swirl felt a quiver of fear and the desire to run, now. She knew it came from Char, felt the spirit begging Star Swirl to get her away from these zebra. She tried her best to calm the spirit, feeling a little protective of her as she faced off against Tradash, “She hasn’t done anything to hurt me.”

Esau snorted angrily, “You’re not the one we’re worried about.”

“Please Esau, I assure you. Char is not our enemy.” Tradash shushed him with soft tones, smiling grandfatherly at Star Swirl, “But she is extremely dangerous none the less. Are you aware what she truly is? Has she told you?”

Star Swirl felt her own fear now, not sure what was going on. To be honest the entire idea of spirits seemed like hogwash to her, superstitious nonsense, “She told me she was formed of the dreams of zebra...”

Esau bluntly interrupted her before she got any further, “Don’t be a fool.” His eyes blazed with accusation, “She’s a Star Demon.”

“They... don’t exist.” Star Swirl stated it with as much authority as she could muster, “They’re just stories. Propaganda used to discredit Princess Luna.”

Esau looked properly angry now, stepping towards her with a dark look in his eyes. His voice too dripped with barely contained wrath, “Are you stupid girl?! Come here, play games with some of the most dangerous political figures in existence, prancing around like an alicorn is something those here see every day! Messing up the ambitions of Caesar himself with your selfish whims, the only one even trying to drag this wasteland out of the mire! Now you deny the very existence of the evil creature you’ve bound to your soul, a creature that destroyed our entire civilization!”

Tradash spoke simply and calmly, “Esau, calm yourself.”

“I will not!” He growled animalisticly at her, eyes burning with hatred as his hoof dropped to the pistol at his side, “Better to end her now, before she causes more trouble!”

”Accept me Star Swirl, let me empower you! Without it you could die!”

Star Swirl hesitated, Esau taking one more step... before Tradash was standing before him, his dark fur almost seeming to vibrate as he held a hoof out warningly. He hadn’t teleported, she had seen movement, but it had been like reality itself had suddenly contracted for him. Esau had certainly stopped, backing away as Tradash spoke with a grave weight in his voice, “Only an animal acts on instinct, killing because it feels threatened. You speak to her of immaturity, ignorance? You bring shame on yourself Esau.”

Esau took another step back, head dropping. His voice was low, defeated, “I apologize master.”

“I do too.” Star Swirl spoke quietly, feeling a little chastened herself. This was all very real and very serious, and she was dismissing it because it broke into her fragile little world view, “I’m sorry, but I... I don’t know anything about Star Demons. I thought they were stories.”

“Few really do.” Tradash spoke kindly as he turned, “Superstitions have done a lot of damage, both in causing some to deny, and others to ascribe malice far beyond what they’re truly capable of. That is what our order seeks to change.”

Star Swirl looked to the crescent moon necklaces, remembering what Char had said, “The Pariah Order?”

He nodded, “Indeed, one of the eight great orders. At present the oldest still in existence.” Tradash motioned to his necklace, holding the silver token in his hoof, “Known among the population as the Pariah Order, formed to study and understand demons and other magical parasites.” He looked up at her, his tone gentle but slightly accusing all the same, “Has Charaxes asked you to open yourself up to her, accept her full power?”

“Yes...”

“Don’t. She likely means well, but it is an addiction that will end poorly for you both.” Tradash sighed, settling down onto his haunches as he explained, “They are creatures like any other, rather simple to start off with actually. They feed on magic and emotions, and to maximize their bounty enter a symbiotic relationship with their hosts, dramatically increasing both.

Star Swirl’s mind instantly leapt back, remembering her emotional outbursts over the last few weeks, her increased sex drive, her anger and violence... “I have been feeling that...”

“Hmm.”

“But that was before I even spoke to her, before I accepted anything!”

”It was not intentional Star Swirl, sometimes there can be slight effects simply by my presence.”

Tradash nodded softly, shifting his glasses up and explaining, “They do not need permission Star Swirl, they can do and take what they want. Charaxes is unusual in that her sense of honor requires her to forge a contract, but it is an imposed restriction.”

“Why?” Star Swirl just shook her head in confusion, unable to understand how it had come to this. Sunshine Ivory had been kind, her idol in the way she had emulated Celestia. Now she learned that she had implanted a Star Demon inside her, a dark entity of pure evil straight out of the story books? “Why would she implant Char within me?”

“I can only imagine.” Tradash sighed, “I did not know her well. She seemed like a typical rich girl crusader determined to improve the lives of those less fortunate than her when I met her years ago, her noble goal contrasted by a certain arrogance and condescension. She was devious, and ruthless I suppose. She never fought fair, and killed without regret, but those she fought against unquestionably deserved it.” His face fell slightly, his voice quieting, “And she was always curious about our techniques to capture and control the demons. I did find that strange as they’re not exactly common threats, but assumed that it was simply academic curiosity.”

Esau grunted, “You’ve always been too quick to lecture on topics best left alone.”

“I am a proud pedagogue, and see no shame in that.” Tradash sighed as his proud expression faded to bitter resignation, “But it indeed seems that she has used those techniques to capture and implant Charaxes within you, with truly impressive skill no less.”

“Can you remove her?”

Tradash sighed, shaking his head, “I’m sorry Star Swirl, but Ember might well have sent you to me to show off his skills before his former master. His work is... magnificent, and very hard to reverse. I fear I would either damage you, or her, in the extraction.”

Esau’s brow furrowed deeply, “You worry about the demon?”

“She is life, and has committed no crime I see. Indeed she has behaved admirably.”

Star Swirl felt Char’s nervousness relax a little. Maybe she had been right about them, “Char said she encountered your order before, they said she was innocent of any crimes and let her go.”

“Truly?” Tradash smiled broadly, seeming to find this very interesting. He placed a hoof on the bridge of his muzzle, tapping the other against the table in front, “Our order survived the great war better than all of the others, but we still lost many of our eldest and most of our records. Indeed Charaxes may be of great help to my attempts to regain our history, she is after all an entity with memories stretching back to the cataclysm itself. If she could see fit to maybe grant me an interview...”

”Star Swirl, please tell this scholar to let the past lie buried. It is past, full of the dead. I have little interest discussing it.” Her voice took on a rather angry, frustrated tone, Star Swirl feeling the emotions burn through her, ”His world burns, and instead of putting out the fires he potters through the ashes. What use is history to a hungry zebra?”

Esau however had already replied, his voice now openly defiant and his posture angled aggressively towards his master, “Master, forgive me but I fear it is not I who cannot control myself. This pony has a disease, a virulent, destructive sickness that has already destroyed our civilization once, and your response is to ponder how it may help with your research.” He lowered his ears and slumped his shoulders in supplication, but truly he was fooling nopony with his tensed muscles and barely restrained anger filling his every word, “This is why we are pariahs, this is why our history is full of mistakes and self destruction. Have we learned nothing from Luna, Orono and Zerphraus, that our response to the very beings we were made to fight is to coo and admire?”

Tradash frowned in displeasure and turned to face Esau, though Star Swirl couldn’t help but feel the frail looking scholar seemed ridiculous standing up to the bandaged brute before him. Still he spoke without fear, only proud certainty, “Change never occurs without risk, and the noble, honorable road is never easy. Without Luna we would not understand half as much about the mechanics of possession, and what we have here is not an evil entity to admire, but an honorable spirit who we can learn much from.”

“Without Luna the war would have never occurred.”

“Nonsense!” Tradash exclaimed with an offended rumple of his nose, “You know as well as I do that one freed from possession suffers from no residual effects, and with that in mind Nightmare Moon’s period of actual activity is brief and virtually free of casualties. Princess Luna’s later actions are completely irrelevant to this discussion.”

Esau growled his response, clearly getting more and more furious, “It was only brief because Princess Celestia was there the first time, and the Mares of the Ministry the second!”

“Then I appoint you to do the same Esau.”

He paused, confusion breaking his anger for a moment, “What?”

Tradash nodded, “You will watch over Star Swirl and Charaxes. If she should surrender to temptation, if she should become dangerous to the innocent of the wasteland... then she is your responsibility to deal with.”

Esau’s face shifted dramatically under his bandages, struck dumb by Tradash’s request. Eventually he just nodded however, voice restrained, “As you wish master.”

Star Swirl looked over to him, unable to stop a little shiver. The extra firepower and a watchful eye were appreciated, but the Sword of Damocles hanging over her head wouldn’t make her sleep any easier.

Neither would being in a camp full of well armed tribals, or being bound towards a famous demon slaying wasteland warlord. Or having a Star Demon in her head. Or being stuck out in the desert, several thousand miles from home.

Her life sure had got complicated.

___________________________________________________

Level Up - Level 8 reached.

New Quest Perk acquired: Star Child – “And you will help, more than you’ve ever dreamed.”
Congratulations, you have a demonic entity from outer space living in your head! At this level it seems pretty awesome, and you get a extra +2 bonus to magic (equal to two points of intelligence).

New Perk acquired: Radiation Queen – “Oh great, now they regenerate too?”
You have an especially strong affinity with radiation. You can absorb it to power your abilities 25% faster, and healing from it is also increased by 25%.