//------------------------------// // Chapter 28 // Story: Light Wanderings // by ed2481 //------------------------------// Edited by TacoTown Chapter 28 Ethan stood against the wall, his gear scraping against it. An annoyed grimace was easily seen on his face, and he had the blue bladed knife out, in the process of sharpening it with a whetstone. He and Twilight had been rushed through the Empire’s single city by Falchion’s gaurds rather quickly, and Ethan hadn’t gotten the chance to get a real impression of the place. All that he could really be certain of was that the longer he was there, the longer his corneas would feel like committing suicide via knife. Now they were in the castle’s war room. In front of him, Twilight and General Falchion were making plans and discussing the current problem. “So, Sombra’s aura only appeared a day or two ago?” Twilight clarified with Falchion. “That’s right Miss Sparkle, before that there were small hints of dark magic coming from the north, but nothing big enough for us to be concerned about. We assumed that it was a small time practitioner who’d gone north in search of Sombra’s power.” Falchion told her with a frown. “We should’ve known better, I should’ve known better.” “Falchion, this isn’t your fault.” Twilight told him, with a note of sympathy in her voice. “Yes, yes it is. I should’ve known better, my father would’ve known better.” Falchion said with a growl. “Yeah, well he seems to be dead, so can we move this along?” Ethan asked from where he was leaning. Falchion bristled and turned to glare at Ethan. “You will not speak so casually about my father’s death, human! He was a hero!” The large stallion told Ethan with narrowed eyes. “Join the club buddy.” Ethan told him simply. Falchion prepared to respond but Twilight stepped between the two and her voice changed slightly, turning both commanding and slightly regal. “You will both stop antagonizing at each other or I will be forced to separate you.” she declared. “Now Falchion, Ethan is right. We need to move this along before Sombra has time to marshal his forces.” Falchion glared at Ethan and snorted, before he turned back to the map in front of him. “We’ve pinpointed the location of the bastard’s cave.” the general said, pointing at a location about ten miles north of the empire’s shield. “I have the Crystal Guard on high alert, so we can bring a thousand guards to bear while still leaving adequate protection for the Empire if we die.” “Glad to know that you’ve got some confidence in us succeeding.” Ethan said sarcastically. Falchion ignored him and continued as if he’d never spoke in the first place. “Our forces will reach the location of the main enemy forces within four hours of marching, and we’ll be prepared to fight there and then.” “After four hours of marching through thick snow and slippery ice?” Twilight asked him with a raised eyebrow. “Our suits of armor are enchanted to allow us to walk atop it as if it were solid earth.” Falchion informed her with a small shrug. Twilight nodded to herself before she asked her next question. “How do you plan to keep us from being slaughtered by Sombra’s forces during the trip?” the mare asked. “He’s not going to let us simply stroll in with our army.” “Simple, we don’t let him do it.” Falchion said with a small smile. “And how exactly are you going to do that?” Ethan asked. “You’ll see when it’s time to march.” Falchion told him. “That’s not very comforting.” Ethan said before turning to Twilight. “Sparky, why don’t we just go there by ourselves and kill all of these zombies before turning this Sombra guy into giblets? I’ve fought far bigger threats than this by myself!” “Because Ethan, we need to have energy left over to fight Sombra himself. We won’t if we waste it all on the zombies.” Twilight told him. Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn’t think of anything to say to deny it. “Fine. When do we leave?” Ethan asked Falchion. “In half an hour. That’s how long it will take to prepare our forces. In the meantime, Miss Sparkle is allowed to roam the castle,” Falchion answered. “And what about me?” Ethan asked him with narrowed eyes. “You’re her guest. You must remain near her at all times.” Falchion said, meeting the man’s gaze. “And if I don’t?” “Then I would advise that you make yourself comfortable in a cell.” the stallion replied with a slight swish of his red mane. Ethan let out a low growl and moved forwards with the clear intention of punching the stallion, but Twilight’s aura wrapped around his arm before he had the chance to throw the punch. “Come on, Ethan, I’ll show you around the palace.” Twilight told him, half dragging the man as she made her way towards the door. Ethan let out another low growl, but decided that it would be easier to just go with Twilight. “Enjoy your wait.” Falchion told them cordially before turning back to the map table. “This is fucking ridiculous!” Ethan exclaimed angrily. “Where the hell does this prick get the idea that he can order me around? I’m the Lone Fucking Wanderer for Christ’s sake!” The man seethed as he walked down the incredibly shiny corridor beside Twilight. “He gets the idea from the fact that without Shining or Cadence around, he’s technically in control of the Empire until their return.” Twilight told him calmly. She’d hoped that a stroll around the palace would help Ethan use up his anger. She’d thought that it had been working, until she noticed that the longer he stewed the angrier he became. “Who the hell made him the head of the military?!” Ethan asked with a snarl. “That would be his father, with his last breath while Sombra’s crystal swarms ate him alive.” Twilight said. “What?” Ethan asked in surprise. “Yes. His father lead the resistance movement before the original fall of Sombra, then he, Falchion, and several other head officers were captured by Sombra and tortured to death. He and his father were the last alive. They somehow got out of their bonds and his father managed to stall Sombra long enough for Falchion to get away.” Twilight explained. “Hurmph.” Ethan grunted. “That still doesn’t give him the right to treat me like I’m five.” “Then stop acting like it!” Twilight told him aggravatedly. “Ethan, I understand that you’re under a lot of mental stress right now, but right now you’re acting like a spoiled fifteen year old filly who was told to go to her room.” she told him frankly. “Oh come off it Sparky, he’s the one who’s being an absolute dick to me for no reason!” Ethan exclaimed. “Not really, he’s heard Shining talk about you, and I’ve talked about you with him. He thinks that you’re a moron, and honestly if I didn’t know you better than I do then I’d agree with him!” Twilight said. Ethan grumbled, but he didn’t have anything to say to defend himself from that. The two sat in silence for several miniutes before Ethan spoke. “So, once we get through the army of zombies, what do you expect to face?” The man asked Twilight. “Well... the Nightmare is there, along with Sombra. So I’m willing to bet that there will be some powerful illusion spells.” Twilight said with a frown. “Other than that, I can’t predict much. They’re both extremely old and powerful magic users, so they probably know a few tricks that I don’t. However, we’ve got an ace up our sleeves.” “Which is?” Ethan asked with a raised eyebrow. “Well, there’s you.” Twilight said with a grin. “Compared to the things in the Wasteland, this is going to be a cakewalk.” “Heh, you’ve got that right.” Ethan said with a chuckle. “Besides, I’ve been feeling more powerful than ever lately.” the mare added with a smile. Ethan reached out and ruffled her mane with his metal clad hand, earning an annoyed snort from Twilight. “You’re right Sparky, let’s go kick these bastards’ asses so that I can go home and you can go have mindless sex with Sunny.” the man told her with a smile. “That’s the kind of smile I like to see.” Twilight said with a grin of her own. “Come on, it’s been about half an hour, let’s get back to Falchion.” “I can hardly contain my joy.” Ethan said sarcastically, but he began to follow the unicorn as she began to walk back in the direction of the command room. When the two arrived in the command room they found General Falchion surrounded by several dozen officers all of whom were staring at a map spread out on the table before them. They looked up as Twilight and Ethan entered the room. “It’s time.” Falchion said simply. “Good, let’s go kick ass.” Ethan said.