//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: The Angel of Equestria // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chapter 16 “Um, boss, why are we in this forest again?” A diamond dog asked the leader of their group of five. “You idiot, because she asked us to meet her here at that old castle Celestia and Luna used to use.” Responded the leader, king Cerberus of the diamond dogs. “But, isn’t it dangerous in here, you know with the manticores, timberwolves, and cockatrice about?” Asked another. Cerberus was getting annoyed that his lackeys were acting so nervous. “Look you fools, do you want to be the one to anger her, I don’t, now quite whining and keep up.” Cerberus led his troops through the woods to an ancient looking castle that had been abandoned for what looked like centuries, walls were fallen, windows were shattered, and vines were taking over the structure. Cerberus led them through what was left of the castle’s front entrance to the center of the room. The diamond dogs looked around nervously. Cerberus called out to the empty room. “Dark Flash, we came just like you asked, are you here?!” From behind a stone structure at the center with multiple pedastals, a small fox came out from behind it. The fur was black and it had very dark blue eyes. It’s eyes seemed to pierce through the kings as he stared back in curiousness, after a moment, the king had enough. “Shoo, go away you pest, beat it.” The fox seemed to glare at him, in a brilliant flash of dark light, the fox changed form. Standing before the diamond dogs was a tall slender pony form, an alicorn with dark grey fur and a purple and blue mane swirled like Luna’s. Cerberus and the dogs immediately were startled by this. “Is that any way to greet your hostess?” She asked with a smirk. Cerberus immediately began apologizing. “Lady Dark Flash, forgive me, I didn’t know it was you.” The alicorn approached Cerberus. “I know, I was just messing with you. I needed a good laugh.” Her good humored voice then turned sour. “You know, since you let the element of generosity get away from your dirty claws!” She expressed as she glared at Cerberus. “I gave you that amulet to make a strong warrior for your elite fighting dog and you still were unable to hold on to her, care to explain?” She asked as she lowered her head to Cerberus's eye level. Cerberus gulped as he gave a nervous smile. “Well, uh mistress, it’s like this, you see, there was this creature, he came out of nowhere and just beat Brutus. I swear it wasn’t our fault, the creature’s strength was unlike anything we had ever seen.” Dark Flash pulled her head back from Cerberus. “A creature, what kind of creature, what could possibly have the strength to fight off such a huge diamond dog?” “We….we don’t know what it was, we’ve never seen anything like it before, it was similar in form to us, but it had no fur and was taller, it also had these black wings and was wearing black armor.” Dark Flash raised a hoof to her chin in thought. “Hmmm, perhaps this creature is the same one that killed that dragon I placed a greed spell on. He was meant to be a way to weaken Celestia’s forces so I could take over, but since he failed, I need a new plan.” She turned her attention back to Cerberus. “Where is this creature now?” She asked. “It is living in Ponyville my lady.” Cerberus answered with a nervous gulp. “It looks like I may need to investigate this creature for myself. You have fouled up one too many times, consider yourself lucky I’m letting you live.” With that, she shot out a bolt of magic and turned one of the diamond dogs to dust. The others cried in fear and were now shaking. “Consider that a warning, I never want to see you foul ups again, understand?” She said as she lowered her head to Cerberus’s eye level and locked eyes. Cerberus simply nodded. “Good, now be gone with you.” The dogs turned tail and ran out as fast as they could. Now she was alone, she began to think. “This creature may prove to be a hinderance to my plans to rule. Something will have to be done about it.” *** A young boy in nothing but white underwear stood in front of a bathroom mirror with brown tiling on the floors and walls, he glared at his reflection with angry tears forming, his black wings slowly spread out, he brought them back to their original position. He gritted his teeth, raised his hand and formed a fist, just before he thrust it forward, a white aura surrounded it, he thrust his fist forward at the mirror, shattering it and making a crater in the wall behind it. The boy slowly pulled his fist back with shock on his face, he opened his fist and looked at his hand, he feel to his knees and covered his face with both hands as he cried. The scene dissolved away to a new one, the same young boy was now wearing clothes and was eaves dropping on a man and woman while looking at them through a cracked door. He could hear that the man was on a phone. “Yes sir, I understand…….yes…..yes of course, we will do as you ask.” The man said as he spoke over the phone, the conversation finished and the man hung the cordless phone up. The woman spoke up. “Well, what did he want?” “We are to put the subject under and study his body for a way to duplicate the process. This is a top priority.” “What, you mean shut down his brain? But we can’t, he’s just a kid!” The woman argued. “We did this much to him already, there is no turning back now, if we don’t.” “I know…..all right, we’ll do it.” The woman interrupted. “No.” The boy whispered. He stepped back from the door with tears in his eyes. He ran from the door as fast as he could. *** “NO!” Charles awoke with a start, panting heavily as he sat up in his bed. He looked around again, upon realizing he just had another dream, he placed a hand over his face. He felt the skin under his eyes were wet. He had been crying in his sleep. “Damn nightmares, when will they stop?” He asked himself in a whisper. “Charles, are you all right?” Twilight asked as she came into the room. “Were you…..crying?” She saw his eyes were a little red, his cheeks were a little wet too. Charles looked over to Twilight as she approached. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat there. “It’s nothing, I’m fine.” Twilight gave a concerned look. “Charles, I’m your friend remember, you can trust me, please tell me what’s wrong.” Charles gave a sigh as he hung his head, he brought it back up and rubbed his hand over his face and stopped it over his chin. He removed his hand and began to tell her what had happened. “I……had another nightmare last night.” “Another nightmare, you’ve been having these before?” “Unfortunately, it’s not every night, but it’s very annoying when it happens. I just want to forget.” “Charles, what are these nightmares you’re having, what are they about?” Charles looked to the side. “Memories…..of my past, of what I went through.” Twilight put a hoof on his knee. “Oh Charles, I wish there was something I could do to help.” Charles looked at Twilight again and gave a small smile. “Hey, don’t worry about it, it’s my problem, I never let them get to me before and I’m not about to let them get to me now.” Twilight’s concern was still apparent on her face. “Charles, are you sure your all right?” “I’m fine, now why don’t you let me worry about making breakfast this morning, since you liked the pizza me and Pinkie made, I just know you’re going to love another dish from my world, just let me get cleaned up and ready for the day and I’ll make it for you and Spike.” Charles stood up and made his way to the bathroom. Twilight was still worried for Charles but there wasn’t really anything she could do, so she left his room and let him get ready. A few minutes later, Charles emerged from his room wearing his all black outfit, he was also wearing the necklace he received from the timberwolves. Twilight and Spike were in the kitchen waiting for him. “All right then, I hope you two are ready for something new and delicious. If you thought the pizza was good, wait till you try what I have in store.” “Who.” (Hello.) “What?” Charles asked at the mysterious voice that came from nowhere. “Who.” (I said hello.) Twilight heard the voice too, but of course all she heard wash the who. “Oh, Owlowicious, there you are, I was hoping you and Charles would get a chance to meet.” Charles looked to Twilight who now had an owl perched on her head. He looked curiously. “Oh, hello there.” Charles said to the owl, a little confused at the sudden appearance. Twilight introduced. “Charles, this is Owlowicious, he’s my pet and nighttime assistant. Owlowicious, this is Charles, the one I told you about.” “Who.” (Nice to meet you.) “Well, it’s nice to meet you too, you kind of startled me there.” “Who.” (Sorry, I didn’t mean to.) “That’s fine.” Spike and Twilight looked at Charles curiously. Spike decided to speak up. “Um, Charles, can you understand him?” Charles looked at Spike. “Yeah, remember, my necklace lets me understand other animals.” “Your what?” Twilight understood. “That’s right, Spike, Charles had a bit of an adventure yesterday and got a necklace that lets him understand other animals.” “Really, cool, that’s pretty neat. So Charles, what’s this other new dish you want to make for us?” Charles replied happily. “It’s called French toast. It’s simple enough to make. If you want, you can watch me make it.” Twilight smiled at this prospect, she and Spike agreed. The three gathered around as Charles went through the kitchen to first make sure they had the ingredients for it. Luckily they did. The two watched as Charles prepared the meal and cooked up the food. “Oh boy, this is looking great. I can’t wait to try it.” Spike complimented. “It sure does, what is it called again?” Twilight asked as Charles watched the bread cooking in the pan. “It’s called French toast, it’s a recipe from a country back on earth.” “So, is the country called French then?” Spike asked. Charles snickred. “Tch, no, the country is called france.” “How many countries are there on earth?” Twilight asked. “I’m not exactly sure, but I think it’s over a hundred.” “Over a hundred, that’s incredible.” “Well, looks like the food is done.” Charles made use of the multiple cookers on the stove to make three pieces for each of them. He used the spatula and placed the food on the plates. “Now for the butter and syrup.” Before serving, Charles spread the butter on each piece then put on the syrup as the French toast was stacked. “And voila, French toast. Bon appetite.” He said in a fake French accent. The three sat down and began to dig in. Once again, Charles’s ears were met with a satisfied ‘MMMMM’ from Twilight and Spike. “I take it you like the new recipe?” “You bet.” Spike said with a mouthful. Twilight, who had manners, chuckled at Spike, then answered when her mouth wasn’t full. “It is very good Charles, thank you.” The three then just sat there and ate until they were done and it was time for Charles to head out and check in for his duties until Celestia and Luna arrived. Charles arrived at town hall just in time to see Shadow Fang coming out wearing his full body armor and weapons on his back. “Charles.” He simply greeted. “Shadow Fang.” Charles returned the favor. “You are starting to slowly gain respect, but don’t let it go to head, I still say you are weakling.” He scoffed. That seemed to rile Charles up. “Weakling, who are you calling a weakling!” Charles pointed a finger at Shadow Fang, then spread out both his hands and spread his wings. “I helped you all fight off a hoard of diamond dogs, killed a giant one and rescued Rarity, killed a DRAGON, and gained an alliance with the timberwolves and manticores! Tell me, does that sound like a weakling to you?” Shadow Fang scoffed. “There is more to strength then what enemies one can kill, you want prove you are not weakling, don’t show fear.” Charles crossed his arms in front of him. “What are you talking about?” “Having ability to turn to wolf beast, I have ability to sense fear, you wreaked of it before.” “So, what’s wrong with feeling fear, I may have been afraid, but I came out on top.” Shadow Fang pressed on. “Fear makes you weak, fear makes you hesitant, or too quick to act, makes you unable to think straight, you want I should stop calling you weak, show no fear, only then will I think better of you.” “Yeah, well I don’t need you to think better of my, I have plenty of friends who think highly of me, so you can keep your no fear notions to yourself. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to check in.” Charles walked past Shadow Fang and made his way to Captain Thrash’s office. Upon entering, Lt. Storm Chaser and private Black Cloud was there. Charles gave his greeting. “Good morning captian, Lt. Storm Chaser, sirs, and hello Black cloud.” Black Cloud just gave a warm smile. Storm Chaser greeted back. “Good morning Private Charles, the captain here just told us about what happened yesterday, is it really true that you managed to kill a dragon and secure peace with the timberwolves and manticores?” “Yes sir, they gave me this necklace…” Charles held up the necklace to show it. “…so I would be able to understand them, it can allow me to understand all animals.” “Nice, well done private, I’d say your off to a fantastic start as a guard.” Charles let the necklace drape back down. “Thank you sir.” Captain Lightning Thrash then interupted. “Charles, today I want you to patrol the town with private Black cloud.” “Yes sir, but I should inform you that later today at about ten I think, the princesses will be coming by to speak with me. It will be about the alliance I have made.” “Understood private, until then, I want you patrolling the town, understand.” Charles gave a salute. “Yes sir, I won’t let you down sir.” Black cloud then gave a salute as well. “Good, now you two get out there and make sure there’s no trouble.” “That may be hard to do sir, considering Discord is around, from what I’ve seen so far, it may be hard to tell when someone is in real trouble, or if Discord is just playing one of his pranks.” “I understand that, just do your best.” Lightning Thrash instructed. “Yes sir, we will sir.” Charles and Black cloud then made their way out to begin their patrol. This was going to be awkward for Charles since Black Cloud didn’t talk much. “So, Black Cloud, um,…..” Black Cloud looked up at Charles. “What town are you from?” Black Cloud looked away for a moment, then back to Charles. “Like Shadow Fang, I too am from Stalliongrad.” Black Cloud had a russian accent as well, his voice sounded young. “I see, are you and him friends?” Charles asked. “Nyet, we may be from same place, but we are not friends.” Charles smirked a little. “Gee, I can’t imagine why, he’s such a charmer.” He said with sarcasm thick in his voice. Black Cloud looked at Charles curiously. “You, think he is good? But you have had arguments, yes?” “I was being sarcastic.” Black Cloud was still a little confused as he thought about it. Realization finally struck. “Oh, you were making joke yes? I get it, you say he is charmer when he is not, funny.” Charles snickered a little at Black Cloud. “So Black Cloud, if you don’t mind me asking, why did you come to Ponyville?” Black Cloud’s smile faded. “I was…..no longer welcome there.” “Really, what happened? That is, if you don’t want to talk about it, I’d understand.” Black Cloud shook his head and looked back at Charles. “Nyet, I can talk, is just……difficult to discuss. I am what the ponies call, a pyromaniac. I enjoy fire.” Charles took a good look at Black cloud now and noticed a large scar over his left eye, and an even bigger one that ran from just under his jaw down to his stomach. “I see.” He said uneasily. “I set fire to the town hall of Stalliongrad. I was chased out, was bad enough being bat pony, but one who sets the town hall on fire was last straw, I had to leave, I do regret what I did, but has not quelled my love of the flame.” “So you came to Ponyville after that?” “Yes, I wanted to make up for my mistakes, I couldn’t do it at home town, so I came here, hoping I could help the guard. Captain Thrash let me join and I have done what I could ever since.” “And the flamethrower?” Charles was curious about it. “As was said, a unicorn friend of mine named Holy Singularity made it for me, he is head of science department for Celestia.” “So, about the whole bat pony thing, I don’t mean to get personal, I’m just curious about it, how many of you are there, and why are they looked down on, or is it just you?” “I do not know how many of us there are, just because we are similar to bats in appearance, does not mean we act like them, we are just like every other pony in Equestria. For some reason, the eyes and wings seem to….how you say, creep them out. The pink one, Pinkie Pie, is only pony in Ponyville who is not afraid of me, I am grateful for it too. She is only friend I have in town.” “What about Dusk Fang and Dawn Fang, Dusk Fang has wings like you but his brother doesn’t, are they bat ponies or what?” “I think they are part bat pony, but gene is more prominent in Dusk Fang.” “I see.” “About my friend, Holy Singularity, I have been writing to him about you and is most curious to meet you as well, seems he has taken liking to you as well just from my letters. He too is looked down upon by others for his beliefs.” “And what beliefs would that be?” “He and his team believe strongly in technology, they try to make such things and enchant them with magic, they practically worship it, despite the fact there is not much here. Pinkie and Holy are only friends I have.” Charles looked down at Black Cloud in thought. “Well, I’ll be your friend, you seem like a nice enough pony. Besides, I do owe you for saving my butt from the timberwolves the first time I tried to fight them.” He gave a warm smile to Black Cloud. Black Cloud looked a little surprised by this. “Really, you would like us to be friends?” “Why not, your pretty handy, or…..hoofy or…….WHATEVER, what I mean is you are good with that flamethrower of yours, so yes, I would like us to be friends.” Black Cloud grew a big smile on his face. “Thank you Charles, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have friend, especially one who knows what is like to be considered out cast like me.” Charles smirked. “Hey, we outcasts have to stick together, right.” Black Cloud nodded. “Da, we stick together, like good comrades.” The two continued on their patrol without any incidents, no trouble in ponyville today, other than the occasional prank from Discord who thought it hilarious to give some poor pony’s mailbox sharp teeth, frightening Derpy when she came by to collect the mail. Charles and Black Cloud were passing by as the scene occurred. They weren’t sure what they could do about it other than try to comfort Derpy. Well, Charles comforted Derpy while Black Cloud hung back. “Derpy, are you all right?” She was on her back as Charles supported her, she was shaking and pointed a hoof at the mailbox. “That…..that thing tried to bite off my hoof.” She cried. Charles looked at the mailbox and saw sharp teeth nashing away as it barked. Charles frowned. “DISCORD!” In a flash, Discord appeared, laughing at Derpy’s misfortune. “HA ha ha ha ha, oh you should have seen the look on your face, PRICELESS, HA HA HA!” Charles glared at Discord. “Discord, that wasn’t very nice.” “Oh lighten up, it was just a harmless prank, you know how I like to do such things right?” Derpy got up and glared at Discord as well. “That wasn’t funny Discord, I almost lost a leg.” Discord looked to Derpy. “Relax, the teeth are rubber, look.” Discord then moved over to the mailbox and stuck his hand in, the teeth tried desperately to chew his lion paw off, but the teeth just bent in different directions. “See, harmless.” Charles rolled his eyes. “Even so, you still scared Derpy here.” “Fine, I’m sorry Derpy, I was just having a bit of fun. Can you ever forgive me.” Derpy finally got up on all fours and raised a hoof to her chin in thought. “Well, I guess it was pretty funny, all right, I forgive you.” Discord snapped his fingers and the mailbox was back to normal. “There we go, back to normal. Well, I’m off, I’ve got lots more things to do. See you later Charles.” Discord then disappeared in a flash. Charles turned his attention to Derpy. “Are you all right Derpy?” Derpy looked to Charles with a smile, her eyes still askew. “Yeah, I’m ok, thanks for coming to make sure.” “No problem, me and Black Cloud better get back to our patrol, you take care of yourself now.” Charles then left and continued on. The rest of the patrol was uneventful and soon, it was finally time for Charles to head off to the library for his meeting with Celestia and Luna. “Well Black Cloud, it was fun, but I need to get going, I’ll see you around, you take care now, bye.” Charles waved to Black Cloud as he began to leave. Black Cloud returned the favor. “Farewell my new friend, I will see you later yes?” “Yes, once the meeting is done, I imagine I’ll need to get back to my patrol, we’ll meet up then.” Charles spread his black wings and flew off for the library. As he approached, he saw a golden chariot being pulled by four pegasai approaching with Celestia in it, next to it was a dark blue chariot with bat ponies pulling it in dark blue armor, Luna sitting in it. “Well, looks like it’s time, I wonder how they’ll take the news that I met with their parents.”