Chapter 20: Home Again
Outside her throne room the sound of her subjects celebrating could still be heard. It'd gone on all through the night and well into the morning. It was now approaching early afternoon. Still, Princess Celestia allowed them their chance for revelry. With her mother's death, Galaxia's spell on their minds had lifted freeing everypony from her control. Celestia knew very well that once the celebrations had ended, once the rebuilding was finished her little ponies' thoughts would start to turn inward. To the dark deeds some had comitted. She was not looking forward to that time.
She, and she alone had seen to her mother's remains. Knowing full well any pony would assist her if ordered to, but also knowing they would HAVE to be ordered to assist brought an unpleasant taste to her mouth. Despite all Galaxia had done, she was still her mother. How could Luna have said the things she did last night? To not even shed a single tear over the death of the woman who'd given them life.
Fists clenched tightly at her sides Celestia rose and strode briskly to the balcony overlooking Canterlot and much of the land beyond. There not too far in the distance she could see it. The Citadel of Harmony, floating merrily in the air above Ponyville. No doubt Jubilant Surprise was having the party of a lifetime over her mother's demise.
***
"She won't come out. She won't let anypony in either." Pinkie Pie fretted outside her daughter's door in the Citadel, looking with worry to her filly's closest friends. Lyra, Echo, and Moon Dancer all regarded the sealed door frowning.
"She is using Mercy's shield to hold it shut. None of our Arms are its match Pinkie Pie, we cannot force the shield down and the door open." Moon Dancer gently ran a hoof along the shimmering pink door.
Echo growled audibly glaring out the window toward distant Canterlot. "It's all that... puffed up Princess' fault! She said such awful things to her! I still think I should give her a piece of my mind!"
Frowning reproachfully Moon Dancer cleared her throat firmly. "While my sister's words were out of line, try to recall she is grieving for her mother Echo. She will come around given time. Celestia is not the sort to hold a grudge. When the rawness of the wound heals some I am confident she will come to Jubilant and apologize."
Lyra gave the shield a tap herself. "I think that's what she needs too. Time. We should all give her a little space."
"Sounds advice Miss Heartstrings. Come everypony, let us see where we can make ourselves useful hm? There are plenty of wounded who could benefit from our assistance."
Lyra followed after Moon Dancer, Echo soon doing so reluctantly. Only Pinkie Pie remained, slowly slumping to the floor and laying outside Jubilant's door. "I'm right here for you Surprise. Whenever you want to come out."
***
Jubilant Surprise sat at the edge of the enchanted porcelain tub within her chambers in the Citadel, hot water running non stop as she took a scouring pad to Mercy's blade, scrubbing vigorously. As she had been doing from the moment she entered the chambers hours ago.
I believe the blade is as clean as mortal hands can get it Jubilant. Or immortal in your case I suppose.
Scowling at the unseen spectre of her blade, Jubilant shook her head firmly. "I still see some stains. There... and there. It's not clean yet."
There was a pause as Bleeding Heart considered her next words. Jubilant perhaps you should speak with somepony hm? Your mother is just outside the door.
The woman's frantic motions slowed as she turned her head to regard the glowing pink doorway, held sealed shut by her blade's magic. "I... no. I can't see her. Not yet. Not like this."
Like what, Jubilant?
Holding both hands up to the blade's surface Jubilant was a touch wild-eyed. "Like this! Look at them they're...they're covered in..."
Soap and hot water is what they are covered in Jubilant Surprise. What you are feeling is unfortunately natural for a young knight in your position. Taking the life of a fellow pony or human in this case is never easy. Nor should it be. If you feel nothing after such an action then one has cause to worry.
For just a moment Jubilant stopped her frantic scrubbing, and stared down at her reflection in the water. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and stood, sliding Mercy back into its sheath. "Thank you Heart."
I am here to aid and guide you Jubilant Surprise, never hesitate to call upon me.
"All done with your incredibly vigorous scrub I hope?" Discord quipped cheerfully from the bed of Jubilant's chamber.
The woman's eyes widened as her head whipped from him to the door. "How did you get in here?!"
"Magic. Just because the door is sealed doesn't mean I can't walk through the walls or ceiling. Try to keep up hm?"
Eyes narrowing slightly at her flippant uncle Jubilant marched passed him toward the window. He was reclining in his human guise, hideous suit in place while his cane was leaning against the bed. "Did you need something?"
The joking tone was gone as he sat up and moved to stand beside her. "Not particularly. I just wanted to be here for you, like you were for me those years ago."
They stood in silence for a time, as they looked down upon Ponyville, the surviving inhabitants busily cleaning and rebuilding. Much of the cheer felt around Equestria was muted here. Everypony was happy to be free, but their home was destroyed and many friends were lost.
Gently the man laid his hand over her shoulder. "You did the right thing Surprise. You did what I, or Luna would have done in the same situation. Even Celestia would have struck her down. She left you no choice."
"I suppose Cadance would have done so too."
This brought an amused chortle from her uncle as he leaned against the window sill regarding her with amusement. "After the way she blew Sombra to pieces? I think she'd have dealt with Galaxia without hesitating."
"What about Twilight? Would she have done what I did? What you would do?"
Confusion crossed Discord's face at the seemingly random question. "Would Shining Armor have killed her? Or Rarity? Lyra? Would a pony who was truly a pony, one who was born in and belonged in Equestria be able to take a life like we could? Every threat dealt with by ponies wasn't killed, they were sealed away or imprisoned... but never killed."
A frown formed on Discord's face as he realized the point she was coming around to. "Jubilant you didn't kill Galaxia because of your human side. Everyone, human, or pony ... we all have the ability to take a life within us. There was a civil war that nearly tore the kingdom apart when Celestia and Luna split."
"Over a thousand years ago! It's been a thousand, a THOUSAND years since ponies have attacked each other. I'm sure there's the occasional lunatic now and then but a thousand years of peace? When have our people gone more than a hundred years without a war or violence that ends in death break out?"
Discord shook his head slowly. "You'd know the answer to that better than I."
"Spoiler alert! We haven't! All we do is fight... and kill... and suffer. And now we've brought that here. To these people." Her hands clenched the window sill tightly enough it began to crack. "...none of us belong here."
With a heavy sigh Discord stood beside his niece, gently rubbing her back. "Hey... hey don't say things like that. We've had our rough patches but look at what Celestia's done for Equestria? That thousand years of peace was due in large part to her."
"After her sister went insane and tried to cover the world in eternal night. After they dethroned YOU and turned you to stone. After they sealed away their insane mother. Are you seeing the pattern?"
"Equestria has it's share of unkind individuals even without our assistance Jubilant. King Sombra subjugated the Crystal Empire for decades. Queen Chrysalis tried to seize Canterlot a few years back. And there's that lich fellow, he's one hundred percent pony."
"Right. The Lich went insane trying to reproduce what was it? Alicorn immortality? Which wouldn't be here for him to lose his mind over if humans never set foot in Equestria."
"By that logic it's our fault that a heavy tome detailing Celestia's life falls off a high shelf and brains some poor pony below it."
Scowling up at him Jubilant shoved his arm away ungently. "That's a stupid comparison and you know it!"
The young woman could see her uncle was working very hard not to lose his own temper. "Jubilant you're focusing only on the negatives. We've brought plenty of good to Equestria as well. I think you need to cool off. Let's go down and help with the reconstruction hm? All your friends are down there helping out already."
Turning away from him she again looked out at the work on the town. "Has there been any sign of Rainbow Dash?"
Happy for the change in topic Discord nodded. "There has! She's staying with a friend in the griffon empire I believe. So that's a load off hm?"
Slowly she nodded. "And what about Moon Dancer? Her magic is gone for good?"
"Celestia or someone equally powerful could infuse her with enough magic to possibly jump start her alicorn genes again. But until things are calmed down she and Celestia decided to hold off just for a bit."
Another slow nod. "Uncle D, would you grab me a glass of water?"
Smiling brightly again he marched by her into the bathroom. "Happy to m'dear! Your mother's moping around outside. What say we let her in before she gets all creepy and starts talking to a pile of rocks hm?"
Frowning when she didn't answer, he sighed and stepped out of the bathroom with her water. "Jubilant just let her know you're..." He blinked realizing he was alone in the room. "Jubilant?"
The door burst inward as Pinkie Pie shoved her way into the room. "Hey silly filly! Finally took that shield down hu..." Pinkie blinked seeing only Discord in the room, cradling his cane with a deep frown. "...where's Surprise?"
Not giving a verbal response, he simply tilted the top of his cane toward Pinkie. The jewel with his half of his magic was gone.
***
Jubilant I do not believe this is a good idea! Reuniting both halves of the gem will only lead to trouble. Why did you steal it anyhow?
Not answering at first she willed herself back to Earth. The portal was easier to summon this time, what with the reuinted gem working at full strength. She emerged into her backyard with a soft sigh.
Jubilant?
"...it's Jennifer, Heart. I'm not going back to Equestria. Do you want me to I dunno, toss you back through the portal?"
...nay. You are my wielder and I am your partner until your life should end, however long that may be. Though I remind you, you cannot survive for a great length of time without Equestria restoring your mana.
"I'll... I dunno. I'll open a path back when I need to. I can recharge in the Everfree or the badlands or something."
Jennifer I realize the past few days have been extremely stressful for you, but I urge you to reconsider. If you wish time away at least inform your friends and family. Think of your mother and Echo.
"I... I left them a note. I just can't face them Bleeding Heart."
Very well Jennifer. Let us see your father hm?
"Yeah I..." Jen lifted her head looking around in confusion. "The sky is... purple."
This is not normal I presume.
"You presume right." Frowning now Jennifer turned to the house. The lights were off and she sighed realizing she didn't have a key. Trying the door out of some dim hope it was unlocked, she was surprised to find it swing open easily. "...dad never leaves the door unlocked."
Stepping inside she tried the light switch, but it was unresponsive. "Dad? Dad?! It's Jen! I'm home!"
Walking through the kitchen toward the front of the house she stopped dead, feeling her blood turn to ice. The front door was burst open and splinters were scattered all over the foyer. Eyes widening in fear she sprinted upstairs following abnormally large claw marks gouged into the wood of the walls and stairs. "Dad! Dad where are you?!"
They lead right to her father's bedroom, again the door blasted away from the frame. A powerful coppery scent filled the air as she edged closer to her father's bedroom. Already suspecting what she'd find, Jennifer pushed her way into her dad's room.
There was no sign of the creature that attacked her father, or of her father himself. Though the copious amount of blood splashed about the walls and floor told her all she needed to know. "Who... what could do this? Why would anyone..."
Jennifer you have more family in this realm do you not? They could be in danger as well. Focus on those you may be able to help.
Fighting back the tears Jennifer cast one look around her father's bedroom, before willing herself to her uncle's cabin.
***
Jennifer arrived to find near the entirety of the front wall torn away. Fearing the worst she entered slowly. Her heart soared with hope at a deep groan from beneath some of the debris. Rushing to the man buried beneath the remains of the wall she used her magic to fling it away. "Agent Samson?!"
It was indeed the huge agent from her time in government custody. He looked pretty banged up but didn't seem seriously harmed. "Holy shit kid, you actually showed up."
"Where's my uncle?! What's going on?!"
Gunshots from outside drew her attention. "He and Miller took off. The cats are after him, your dad, anyone related to you. They're looking for you."
She didn't wait to ask what the 'cats' were. Using her 'FInd It' spell she sprinted from the cabin toward the woods filling that made up the back yard. More gunfire than a blood curdling scream forced Jen to run faster, calling on her magic to speed her pace.
She burst into a clearing in time to see Agent Miller flung through the air trailing blood as the woman landed hard on the forest floor. Jen winced seeing the viscous scratches that seemed to have taken the bulk of the woman's face off. To her surprise Miller was stirring, feebly trying to rise. The loud CHOOM of a fired shotgun pulled her attention to the right.
A monstrous creature one could only vaguely call a cat only flinched back as her Uncle Derek's old hunting shotgun blew buckshot into its face. The thing was twice the size of a full grown lion, its hid bare and showing diseased scabby patches where visible. Huge spike dripping some foul ichor jutted from its body as odd angles. When it opened its mouth its jaws split into three revealing a gaping fang lined maw.
There was no hesitation for Jennifer this time. Letting all her fury flow out she grabbed the monster in her magic and hefted it into the air. It let out a yowl of surprise, that swiftly turned to pain. Jen clenched both hands tightly as if she were digging her fingers into something, then wrenched them apart with a scream of fury. The cat burst apart into gory pieces that were flung all about the forest.
Her Uncle only stared at her wide-eyed. "J... Jenny?"
Wiping some blood from her cheek she eyed her uncle. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm... I'm good. But Miller got hit bad."
"She and Samson were here trying to protect you weren't they? Doing what I should have been here to do! What happened?!"
"I... the Master's been looking for you. Sending his freaks out to your school, hunting down your parents. Everyone you've come into contact with according to them." He nodded toward the moaning woman.
"The Master... who's the Master?" Jennifer moved to Miller's side, drawing Mercy slowly.
Eyeing her warily, her Uncle got to his feet approaching. "Right you've been gone for five years now huh? He showed up... three, maybe four ago? He does magic. Like crazy magic. No one could really put up a fight. He took over in maybe a week?"
Kneeling down Jennifer gently rolled Miller onto her back. The woman flinched and feebly tried to push her away. "It's alright, it's gonna be okay. Just relax." Glancing at her uncle Jen frowned. "I'm probably going to need you to carry me back to the cabin after this."
A pink glow was surrounding Miller's horrific cuts along her eyes and cheeks. A pink glow mirrored along Jen's face. Derek could only watch in horror as his niece's face began to rip and tear while Miller's healed. The last thing Jen saw before the world went dark was her Uncle rushing to catch her as she fell backwards.
***
Jennifer's face throbbed painfully, but she found she could blink her eyes open when she tried. Sitting up with a little grunt she looked around. She was in the room she always stayed in when she came to visit her Uncle on the weekends. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she slowly eased onto her feet. Someone had changed her clothes and dressed her in a loose shirt and baggy sweat pants. She hoped it was Miller.
Quietly making her way from the room she walked toward the kitchen, where the low murmur of voices quickly stopped. Samson, Miller, and her Uncle all looked up as she entered. "Uh... hi."
Miller chuckled and shook her head. "Hi. You grow my face back and get your own ripped off for the trouble, and you say hi. Hi Jennifer. It's really, REALLY good to see you."
Jen squinted at the female agent's eyes, she didn't remember them being that odd golden color. "Why is this Master guy trying to kill me and my family?"
It was Samson who answered. "That's what he calls himself. It's Sanders, the Doctor from the facility that got fired? Somehow he's been able to replicate the energy from that jewel on your sword there. It let him pretty much take over whatever he wanted. Made him go batshit crazy in the process."
Eyes drifting to Discord's jewel, Jennifer frowned. Yet another catastrophe that was her fault. Part of her said it was time to take action, to do something. But another, louder part of her was just... tired. Tired of constant strife and struggle.
"Kid you got no idea how glad we are you're here. With you around maybe we'll actually have a chance at turning this around."
The eagerness in the large Agent Samson's voice only forced a deeper frown from Jennifer. Walking passed the three at the table she stopped at what remained of the front door. "... I appreciate you trying to help my family. And I'm glad I was able to help you out Agent Miller but... that's it. I'm done fighting. I uh... yeah. I'm sorry but... that's it."
She didn't bother to look back at the pair of agents who sat staring at her dumbfounded. Or at her Uncle, who just had a look of profound sadness in his eyes as he regarded his niece. Her hunched posture and lowered head spoke of someone who'd endured a lifetime of suffering, and she was so young. Too young to walk and talk the way she was. He watched her step out of the cabin and start toward the woods. When Agent Samson moved to follow he laid a restraining hand on his arm. "Not now. I don't know what she's been through the last few years but... she needs time to heal. You're welcome to stay with us for the time being if you like."
Samson and Miller exchanged identical, unhappy looks. Hope had been dangled in front of their noses for such a brief time, only to have it snatched away.
***
Deep beneath Canterlot Castle lay a large smoothly carved chamber magically crafted right into the mountain itself. A pair of warmly burning enchanted torches bathed the stone chamber in a comforting orange glow. The only other thing occupying it was a large stone casket, unadorned save a single black rose atop the cover.
No guards were stationed over the body of Queen Galaxia or its resting place. And so no pony was about to see the unnatural black mist that writhed and flowed along the floor. It crept its way along the cavern and toward the stone sarcophagus, flowing up the sides and into the cracks sealing it shut.
Ever so slowly the lid began to twitch and shudder as it slid open. Galaxia's body slowly sat upright, her skin an unnaturally pallid white. When her eyes opened they were twin points of blazing red light. A smile slowly spread across her lips.
"Yes. Yes this will do just fine..."