//------------------------------// // Just In Luck // Story: Innavedr // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// “Belle, what do you think you're doing?” The mare glanced over at her, then at the controls of the airship that she was operating. “I'm adjusting our course so that we can head southeast.” “Uhhh...” Kera blinked. “That's in the direction of Blue Nova.” Belle smiled awkwardly. “I'm well aware of that, Kera.” She gestured towards the rear of the cabin where twelve foals were scrunched together, some of them asleep from exhaustion and stress. “From what they all told me, it's safe to bet that we were positioned northwest of the maretropolis when we escaped Nightshade's zeppelin.” “No, what I mean is, why in the blue balls are we going to Ball Nova. Er, I mean Nova Balls. I mean—” “Maybe you should get some shuteye yourself, Kera.” The filly stomped her hooves. “I don't need sleep!” her voice cracked. “I need to know that you're not going to fly us into a brick wall or an army barricade or a mountain full of evil mana golem experiments or somecrap!” “I think I've proven to us all that my flight skills aren't that bad.” “Bellesmith, I know it's hard to believe, but I'm actually serious...” Kera trotted over, her tattooed face round with concern as she brushed a hoof across the mare's fetlock. “You're starting to freak me out.” “In what way?” “Ever since you woke up from what that Nightsux lady did to your head, you've been... been...” Belle raised an eyebrow. “Awesome?” “Yeah.” Kera grimaced. “And I'm not used to you being awesome.” Belle shrugged and looked forward out of the cockpit. “I'll try to take that as a compliment.” “For real, though. Are you okay? You sure you're right in the head?” “I've never felt better, if that's what you'd like to know.” “You sure?” “Kera...” Belle chuckled and ruffled the pony's mane. “What did I talk to you about earlier?” “You mean about risking all of our puny necks by going after a stallion whom you don't owe a single darn thing?” “I told you that everything is going to be alright,” Belle said. “And it is.” Kera sat back on her haunches and foled her forelimbs in a pout. “And just how can you promise me that?” “Because I didn't know before what I know now.” “Which is...?” Belle clung tighter to the controls as she glided the vessel over forests, valleys, and mountains that may or may not have been purple in color. “All my life, this Confederacy has done things to intimidate and frighten me. At first, I was blind to it. Then I met Rainbow Dash, and I was terrified by it. And now, I have shared her breath, her memories, and her spirit. And you know what?” Belle smiled. “Nothing frightens me anymore.” “You're sure of that?” “Heh. Kera, young or old, if you're one hundred percent certain of something, that means you're no longer living.” “I just don't think Phoenix deserves a second chance as much as you think he does.” “It isn't all about Phoenix,” Belle said. She glanced over her shoulder at the foals, then back at her flight pattern. “If I can get inside Nightshade's tower one more time, I can find out where their parents are being held.” “You think we can actually save all of them too?” “I'm willing. How about you?” “Erm...” “Be honest.” “I don't think this is the best idea,” Kera muttered. “We've risked so much as it is.” “Ah... Now, you see?” Belle pointed at her. “Nopony can be completely fearless. Not even you.” Kera squinted up at her. “And yourself...?” “I may no longer be scared, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid.” Kera couldn't help it; she giggled. Belle smiled wider. “Huh?” “You're crazy. You really, really are crazy.” “I'm free, Kera. I was born free, as were you and each of these children. I'm saving Phoenix because he doesn't deserve to be punished for doing something righteous. None of us do. Think about it, in the whole of Ledomare, are there any other ponies in the position to do what you and I and these foals are about to do?” “Meh.” Belle sighed. “How did I know that you were going to say that?” She shrugged. “Very well. All I'm going to ask of you is to mind the ship for a while.” “Mind... the ship...?” “For when I go into the tower to get Phoenix out.” Kera nearly vomited in disbelief. “You're going to march into Nightshade's building alone?!” “Well, I certainly wasn't going to bring along a marching band.” “I don't care how awesome you are! That's suicide, Belle!” “I am not committing suicide, Kera.” “And just how do you know that?” Belle carried a distant look on her face as she murmured, “Because somewhere, in a dream that hurt more than reality, I tried it. And it brought me nothing.” She gulped hard, her eyes moistening. “I have a chance to do something that my beloved will never have. I'm not going to waste it.” She gazed down at the foal. “And I am not about to waste you. Once we find a way into the city, we'll stop at the tower. I'll leave the ship to you. If things get too dangerous, you'll have the means to get out and bring these fillies with you.” “What if they come after us?” “They won't.” Belle smiled. “They want me, not you. That goes for the enforcers as well. Besides...” She gritted her teeth as she said with a slice of menace, “It will never get so bad that they'll come after you. I'll make them hurt before it ever gets that far.” Kera shivered slightly as she said, “Somehow, I-I kind of believe you.” “As long as someone does.” Belle suddenly blinked, for she felt a warm cheek nuzzling her hoof. She glanced down. Kera was hugging her. As if feeling the touch of Belle's eyes, she grunted, “This is just a one-time thing, okay? For luck.” “Right...” Belle smiled and ruffled her mane before accelerating the vehicle further southeast. “Luck.”