//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: The best......and worst of humanity. // Story: Five years of Ice, A thousand years of Flame // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// “So, how long has he been running for?” “Coming up on three hours now, AJ, and thank you for letting us use the farm. His body seems to be built for endurance, as I had him do sprints earlier and he got tired very easily. But with a steady pace, he doesn't seem to want to stop.” The orange mare beside Twilight took her Stetson off and wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. “Well, he may not want to, but Ah think it's time fer some lunch.” She hoped over the fence and galloped to meet him, and they came to a stop next to Twilight. “Lookie here, y'all may be having a good time, but it is boilin' out here, why don't y'all come have something to eat and drink. Ya can carry on tomorrow.” He looked at Twilight and she nodded, turning in the direction on the farmhouse. “Is there somewhere I can wash up? I stink after all that running.” “Sure sugarcube, there's the shower in t' house, or we got a old pump out back if ya wanna cool off.” “Old pump it is.” She waved a hoof to the side of he building, watching as he tore his t-shirt off. It was left hanging on the porch railing, and she thought she'd give it a quick wash for him. As she went to pick it up, she was hit by the smell of a good days work... something that had always been a turn on for her. Before she knew it, she made her way round the side of the house. His voice quickly snapped her back to reality. “See something you like?” Her eyes instantly focused on his rear end, and he just laughed at her. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, and turned to gallop off, now in much need of a cooling off herself. The shower would do. On the other side of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash was just finishing her weather duties, ready to start her stunt training when a voice from below called out. “There you are, my little Rainbow! Come down and give momma a hug!” “Moooom! Do you have to do that in public? Or anywhere else for that matter?” Despite her tone of voice, there was a smile on her face as she flew down to meet the other mare. She had a pink coat, with a blue mane, and two blue lightning bolts for a cutie mark. You could see the family resemblance at a glance. A orange blur darted out and hugged the older mare's leg. “Firefly, you're home!” “Now Scootaloo, I know I'm not your real mother, but I thought we had talked about this?” The filly cast her gaze to the ground. “I'm sorry, mom.” She was swept up in Firefly's legs, and pulled into a crushing hug. After pulling away enough to breath, she spoke again. “Can I go play with my friends? I know you and Bifrost... sorry, dad, are just getting home, and it would be easier for you to unpack without me in the way.” There was a gust of wind as blue pegasus stallion landed next to them, his rainbow mane whipping around. “Of course you can go play with your friends, Scoots. Just be back in time for dinner, your big sister is bringing some friends over.” “Cool, thanks dad, I'll see you later!” Before anypony could say anything, she was off on her scooter, heading into the direction of a certain fanishionista's. “I don't think you should have done that, dad. Not after she and her friends made a visitor from another world fall down the stairs of Canterlot Castle and get stabbed in the back. It's cool though, he forgave them.” Her parent’s mouths dropped open in shock, and Rainbow completely ignored it. “So anyway, who's Spitty bringing this time?” “Well, she is bringing her coltfriend, Rapidfire. And I think Soarin wants to pay a visit. Always nice to see my recruits every now and then. There was another reason for him coming as well...” “Sweetie Belle, get down here this instant!” The shout was one of the most unlady like things that Magnum or Pearl Belle had ever heard. The white mare sighed and turned back to her parents. “I'm sorry about this, mother, father, but I shall let her tell you why she is grounded, and still has almost two months to go.” There was the sound of filly's hooves on the stairs, and the all turned to see a smaller white blur attach itself to the pink mare's foreleg, holding on tightly. “Mommy!! Take me home, please!!! Rarity's being really mean!” “I am NOT being mean, I am being perfectly reasonable, especially after what you did in Canterlot, in front of all the princesses, no less!” “Uh, Rarity?” “Yes, mother?” “What did she do?” “She and her silly friends were being 'monster catchers', and it ended up with a guest of the princesses at the bottom of the stairs with a spear in his back. Two months being grounded is a perfectly reasonable punishment, don't you agree, father?” The stallion looked from one mare to the other, finally settling on the filly with tear filled eyes staring at the ground. “Sweetie Belle.” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Is this true?” She nodded. “Is he okay?” Another nod. “And has he forgiven you?” “He... gave us a cupcake each.” “Well then, I think it's all sorted out then.” “Father, how can you say that! She needs to be punis...” “And she will be, by me and her mother, NOT her sister! If you do end up going after that pegasus stallion, then you need to know when and what to say!” With that, he walked out of Carousel Boutique, Pearl and Sweetie Belle following. Rarity just stood there, mouth open. “They know about him? This is the. Worst. Possible. Thing!” “Could Ah have a word with you?” I turned round to see a massive red pony staring at me, his blonde mane wafting around in the slight breeze, a stand of hay sticking out the corner of his mouth. “Sure, what do you need?” “Ah was wonderin' why mah sister threw me out the shower after switchin' it t' cold with me in it.” “To be honest, I don't know. I was just cleaning up at that old water pump, and caught her staring at me.” “Had you been workin' all day?” “Uh, no. Well, sort of. I had just finished up a three hour run. I was quite sweaty, which is why I'm glad Twilight had me bring a spare change of clothes.” “Ah see. Well that explains it.” “I... see. Care to fill me in?” “Mah sister... well, she likes the musky scent of a stallion that's been workin' the fields all day. It's why she has her eye on somepony who sometimes helps on t' farm.” “Are you saying... my smell turned her on?” “Eeyup.” “MAC! Keep it down would ya? Ah don't need the whole town t' hear my personal preferences! And what are ya doing outta bed? Get back in it!” “Ah wanted a word with our visitor here. And Ah was wonderin' how long Princess Sparkle was gonna be around today.” “I can answer that for you...Mac, was it?” The stallion nodded at me, flipping the hay to the other corner. “Well, she'll be here as long as I am, she is 'testing' me. Why are yo so interested?” Now, being a red pony, you'd think that visual shows of embarrassment would be hard to see. And you'd be right, but thankfully I had an ally. “Big Mac, are you... do you... like Twilight?” “Princess Sparkle.” “She's mah friend, Mac, and she don't like being called that. She's told you that lots o' times!” “Ah don't care, it's what Ah'll always call her.” He turned and strode back in to the house. “So... AJ. Your brother and Twilight huh? Think they'd go well together?” “Actually, yeah, Ah do. He may not look it, and nearly everypony thinks he's jus' t' muscle o' the farm. But he's actually the reason we do so well. He's always renegotiatin' use better deals, and 'is way with numbers is nothing Ah could ever hope t' match.” “I think somepony heard.” AJ stared at me confused, until I leant down behind her and picked up a purple feather. “Who else that has this colour coat would have reason to be round here right now?” “...nopony, that's who. C'mon, this way, but keep quiet!” Mac had just climbed back into bed to carry on resting when he heard his door slowly pushed open. He awaited the inquisition from his sister, either one of them, but he wasn't expecting who he got. “So Mr Apple, how long?” “Since Ah first laid my eyes upon yours, your highness.” He heard hesitant hoosteps come closer, stopping about halfway to the bed. “Please, Twilight is fine. Why didn't you say anything sooner?” “Yer gonna think Ah mighty foalish... but Ah was scared. How could somepony like me get the attention of such a beautiful mare? Don't worry, Ah won't say anything around town, princess.” There was more hoofsteps as she walked round the side of the bed which he was facing, pressing her muzzle close to his. “I said to call me Twilight. And you've had my attention since you took off with Smarty Pants and never returned her.” She smiled as his eyes went wide. “Thank you for keeping her safe.” She started to inch closer. “Ah wouldn't do that if Ah were you, Ah've got a right nasty cold.” “And I can help you get rid of it, now shush.” He held his breath as she closed her eyes and broke the gap, gently bringing her soft lips to his. He closed his eyes as well, and thought he heard her purr. They both pulled away and opened their eyes at a shout from out side, turning to see AJ and their visitor looking in through the window. “Twi? With mah brother? Why didn't either of you say anythin'?” The other head had disappeared back down the ladder. I made my way back around the front of the house, just about to head inside when I saw two blurs charging towards me. Once they got closer I recognised them as two of the fillies from Canterlot. They slowed down and came to a stop seeing me. The white unicorn, Sweetie Belle if I remembered correctly, looked round nervously before speaking to me. “Help! We need help! Something has got Applebloom!” I opened the front door, sticking my head in the gap. “Applejack, Twilight, get your butts down here now!” there was the sound of hooves on the floor as they charged down the stairs. “AJ, Applebloom is missing, I may need your help. Twilight, I need you to go back to the library and get the metal boxes marked ' HMWA-Xii' and 'HMWSR-Xii.', then get back here as soon as possible.” She nodded once and disappeared in a flash of light. I turned back to the fillies. “Where did you last see her?” “We were down by the club house, it's this way!” The turned and ran off, but I followed AJ. It was safe to assume that she knew a quicker way, and I was right. We got there before the two fillies, and started to look round. AJ started with the tree house that was present, whilst I walked the tree line. Something caught me eye as I scrutinised the ground. “AJ, come here!” She galloped over and looked at the ground where I was pointing. “Ah don't see it. What did ya find?” I lifted up my leg and slammed it into the mud, then pulled it away. “Are you telling me... that there is more of you?” There was almost an identical boot print next to mine. “It seems that way. And look, your sister didn't go without a fight.” She looked at the large pool of red liquid on the floor. “But... how can you be sure that isn't mah sisters?” Her eyes started to tear up, just as the other fillies arrived. “AJ, trust me. That isn't Applebloom's. Now I want you two to take her back to the farm house and keep her there. When Twilight comes back, send her to me. Can you do that?” They both nodded to me. “Good, make sure you stay with her.” They all turned and galloped off. I walked around looking for more evidence, finding another pool of blood heading towards the trees. Whatever this was had been bleeding a lot... or there was more than one. A flash behind me signalled the arrival of Twilight. “I got your items. Where do you want them?” I took them from her and clipped them around my belt. “I need two things from you. The first is a promise that you will not stop me under any circumstance.” “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She followed each line with a wave of her hoof. “Right. And the other thing, I need... some of your magic.” “Do you... are you sure?” “Yes.” Twilight nodded once and summoned a cup, before filling it with liquid magic. “Get out of here before I drink it. I promise I won't be back until I find her.” She gave an exasperated sigh. “I can't do that. I'm supposed to watch you, to make sure you don't become a threat to us.” “Twilight, whilst I am still breathing I'll always be a threat to you. But I never break my promises. Please, trust me this once.” “Okay... I'll do it.” She turned and trotted back to the farmhouse. I waited till I couldn't see her, and raised the cup to my mouth. This time it smelt of plums. I down the contents, waiting for the expected headache, but nothing came. I just felt energised, like I could do anything. I then found I could 'see' the scent of the blood, making a orange haze wherever it lay. I started to follow it. I didn't know how long I had been following the blood, but eventually it opened into a massive clearing. I could see around twenty bright orange humanoid shapes milling about, and one dull orange non humanoid shape in the middle. Near a fire. I concentrated really hard and managed to 'turn off' my 'feral' abilities, allowing me to see what I though was a cliff was actually a space craft. It wasn't like the previous two I had seen, sleek and in good condition, but this one was mismatch of panels and rope, which seemed to be the only thing holding it together. I crept out of the tree line and entered the clearing. The things milling about instantly ran over to me, and I saw that they were the same things from Earth. At least I found out how they managed to get on board the Friendship. The other humans came close, weapons raised, and sniffed me. I seemed to pass their test, and was allowed to continue. I could see Applebloom hanging upside down from a pole, her hooves tied above it. There was a small streak of dried blood in one corner of her mouth. Sitting in front of her was clearly the alpha for the group. A space was made for me near the fire, and I went to sit down. I watched as he placed an antique rifle down on the ground, keeping his knives. I did the same, placing my metal cases down. “So... what you want?” “I've come here for her.” “No. She my meal.” “Wrong, she's my meal, and she's not ready yet.” “Ha! We find you ship! You have no clan! We in charge! We eat all animals here, then go look for more!” “How about we make a deal?” “We listen.” “Let me have her, and I'll take the engines from your ship to repair mine. I'll then leave, and you can have this entire world. What do you say?” There was commotion near the tree line, and I saw some of them come to the fire, carrying a lavender pony. I could then hear the difference between English and Equestrian. It sounded more like a code, the syllables almost the same but in seemingly random order. I hoped talking to her in Equestrian would show them how long I had been here. “Twilight, what are you doing?” “What am I doing? What are you doing? You said you'd bring her back, not leave us to them!” “I asked you to trust me, and you betrayed that trust, remember, I keep my promises.” I watched as they put her in the same position as Applebloom. “Twilight, don't use your magic, it'll attract them. Just go with it, and I promise you WILL get out of this.” She said nothing as they tightened the ropes, and I turned back to the alpha. “Okay, that one is mine too. Do we have a deal?” He rubbed his chin for a moment, before smiling and pulling out his knife. “We have deal. Now we do blood oath!” I watched as he drew the knife across his right palm, blood dripping from it. I pulled out one of my own knives and did the same, standing to meet him in the middle. He held out his hand and I went to shake it. Instead I pulled him close and shoved my knife into his chest, twisting as I pulled it out. He fell onto the fire, instantly dead. I heard the others around me snarling and growling, working out who was going to attack. It gave me enough time to 'turn on' my feral side, just in time to see one of them leap at me. She managed to knock me to the floor, not caring about the knife going into her neck. I pushed her off me and stood up, roaring at all the others. They instantly started to cower and back away. I was confused until I saw some females in the back, separate from the main group. The were sizing me up, and I worked out what just happened. I had become the alpha. “Back on the ship, now.” None of them moved, so I growled, and they started to move. Two went to pick up Twilight, and I slapped them away. “Leave them. I will deal with them!” They bowed their heads in submission and got on board. “Twilight, trust me. Wait till I return.” She nodded at me and looked over to Applebloom. “Please... hurry.” I gave her a salute and boarded the ship. Once I got to the bridge, it was clear the only one able to fly it was the alpha, as all the controls had been moved around a single chair. I opened up the nav software and saw it was already set to head to my ship. I looked at the images of the course, see what direction they were going. The others stood facing me as I typed in commands. A countdown appeared on all the terminals. “Right, I will meet you at my ship. I have some things to do here before I can leave.” One of the other males stepped forward. “We help you, alpha.” “NO! You will stay on board! No one is to leave, do you understand me?” “But what if you need...” I leapt forward and slammed his head against the wall. “No one must leave, do you understand me?” “Yes alpha, no one leaves.” “Good.” I got up and walked off the bridge, then off the ship, making sure the door got closed. Twilight's hooves had started to burn, the ropes really biting in. A small, timid voice from her right got her full attention. “Twilight? What's going on?” “Just... stay still Applebloom... I'll try and get us out of this, okay?” The filly nodded to her. She started with her rear legs, straining to get them loose. It hurt like hay, but she managed to get the right one free. Before she could start on the next one, she fell to the ground, landing with a dull thud. She looked up to see the ropes had been cut, and he was standing above her, eyes still tinted yellow. “I said... to wait for me.” There was a slight growl to his voice as the ship behind them took off. “I keep my promises.” He moved over to Applebloom, supporting her as he cut the ropes, gently wiping the dry blood away from her mouth and giving her some water. He moved over to the fire and picked his weapons back up. “Twilight, there is a canyon nearby, can you teleport us to it?” “Yes, it shouldn't be too hard.” Her horn started to glow. “Wait!” He closed his eyes in deep concentration, and when he reopened them they were back to his natural blue. “Wouldn't want to attack you as soon as we reappear.” She nodded once and let the spell loose. They flashed into existence on the edge of Ghastly Gorge, in time to see the ship cresting the tree line and gaining altitude. “Where are they going?” “They think they are going to the remains of my ship so I can repair it using parts from theirs.” He set Applebloom down gently and grabbed one of the boxes, pressing a button on the side to let it expand into a longer version of the weapon she saw that morning in the library. “They won't make it.” “What do you mean, 'they won't...” She was cut off as an explosion rocked the ship, its trajectory rapidly decreasing, giving a new course straight into the bottom of the canyon. She watched in horror as the remaining engine flared, trying to right its flight, but to no effect. She could see the faces of those on board, men, women, and even children. All of their gazes we fixed on him, before it dipped below the cliff edge. Five seconds went by before a massive explosion, to which Twilight threw up a shield around the three of them. Once the debris stopped falling and the fireball disappeared, she dropped the spell to see Applebloom shivering on the ground, with him just stood there, watching the wreckage through a small circular object on top of the weapon. He stayed that way for a good five minutes, not looking at them once. He made a small grunting noise as he pulled the weapon tighter to his shoulder, pulling the activation switch three times in rapid succession. He then turned round and picked Applebloom back up. “Come on little one, let's get you home.” “How can you do that?” “Do what?” “There were children on board! Families! Of your own people.” “They were not my people, Twilight. Those were the things from my world, the one that everybody deserted!” “And some were left behind! They were you people!” “Do you know what they were going to do to you, to Applebloom, and to the rest of you entire race?” “Of course not, I couldn't work it out in time. All I got from you was that we 'belonged' to you. What were they going to do?” “It doesn't matter now.” “I am a Princess of Equestria, and I demand to know why you just killed those on board in MY land! And just so you know how serious I am, I never use my title for anything!” “FINE! THEY WERE GOING TO FUCKING EAT YOU!” “Eat... us?” “Congratulations Twilight Sparkle, you've now met both ends of humanity's spectrum. Me, the best, as I'm the only remaining human from that time.” He kicked a rock off the cliff edge. “And them, the worst. And now they won't be a threat to you any more.” He just walked off towards the farm, nothing more to say on the matter. Twilight shook her head and followed. She'd wait to get back to Sweet Apple Acres, where she could snuggle down with her new special somepony and think.