//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Rune Cascade // by Valtyra //------------------------------// Frederick walked up the hill towards the castle, his grip tightening onto the small bag containing Twilight’s book. He didn’t exactly know if she owned the book already and if she did, wouldn’t really know if he would be disappointed; he most certainly would have expected it, she basically owned a library after all. Feeling a bit downtrodden after buying a gift that she could possibly already have, Frederick walked over to a bench and sat down. Not really feeling like going back to the castle now, he took the book out and opened it to the first page; taking care not to damage it. “Hmm, interesting.” He mumbled, reading through. From what Frederick could guess, it seemed as if the magic in both worlds were almost the same but with some differences. The first was that magic was a lot more active in Equestria. Frederick rolled his eyes and sighed, “Of course...” he muttered. The second was that there wasn’t any blood magic, from what Frederick read; it simply couldn’t be made by ponies, they are too affected by magic to be corrupted entirely. Frederick looked up from the book, “Wow,” he said, finding a new level of respect for them. He spent about twenty minutes reading some of spells in the book. Frederick wasn’t a talented mage, or had any interest, but something about Star swirl really got him interested in learning. “Maybe I could incorporate Runes into spells...” he thought, bagging the book away and getting up, “I’ll have to ask Twilight to teach me, that’ll be fun.” He thought, bringing a smile to his face. He turned towards the castle and started walking back. “Should I get it gift-wrapped... no, that’s stupid and cheesy... it’s not like it’s a big deal.” He mumbled, taking care not to look like a crazy person; unfortunately, it wasn’t convincing anyone. “Excuse me sir,” a voice asked from behind Frederick, “can you turn around?” Frederick did so and saw two police ponies standing here in front of him, “Uh, hi. Is there a problem officer?” “I’ve been told you’ve been disturbing the peace around here,” one of the officers, obviously older, said, looking to the other. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Frederick replied, knowing what was about to happen. “I have to ask you to come with us to the station.” The officer asked, taking out a set of uncomfortable looking hoof cuffs. Frederick sighed, placed the book in his back pocket and held out his hands, “Be gentle,” He asked. ___ Celestia and Twilight walked out of the spa with their manes and tails looking absolutely fabulous, their mood improved and in the case of Twilight, a mind completely free of Frederick. “Wait, so he didn’t know they were snakes!” Twilight asked, gasping for breath. “No, he simply inserted them without thinking.” “Oh, oh wow... I think I’ll use that against shining sometime...” Twilight said, grinning with glee. Celestia smiled down at her student, it’s been so long since she’d seen her simply let go and have fun; it was helping to actually make her feel a little younger for a change. “Shall we go back to my proper quarters, I have some wine I’ve been saving.” Celestia asked, nudging Twilight playfully. “I don’t know, I’m not known to handily my drink that well...” “How much do you drink?” Celestia said, faking shock. “Uh... not a lot. I may have had a little too much at the party and slept on...” Twilight’s face fell and she looked away. “Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to...” “No, it’s alright. I have to get over this, I just don’t know how...” “I can tell him to move out, if you’d like?” “No!” Twilight shouted, before covering her mouth “I mean, that’s alright...” Celestia smiled and nodded, “Please, we are friends and I can take a little shouting; I am a grown mare, last I checked...” Twilight looked up into Celestia’s eyes, “I want him stay, and I’ll deal with it in time.” “Okay,” Celestia whispered, “let’s go.” The two of them trotted off towards Celestia’s chambers. They walked the way they arrived and opened the doors to the throne room, but before they could enter, a guard pony rushed up to the princess. “Princess,” he gasped and bowed low to the floor, “I bring news from the city.” “Rise and show.” She commanded, filling the role of Princess in an instant; gone was a friend, mentor. In its place was one of the rulers. “It’s about your guest, Sir Frederick,” at his name, Celestia frowned and Twilight tensed up, “he’s been arrested, for disturbing the peace in the noble district.” “Which station is he being held at?” She asked, holding her frown. The longer she thought about it, the less she liked hearing about it. “3rd on mane, reports say there’s quite a crowd, mostly noble ponies.” “Alright. Thank you, dismissed.” The guard saluted and rushed off somewhere else. Celestia turned to Twilight, “I think it’s best if you stay here.” “What, why?” Twilight asked, confusion evident on her face, “I want to go, and I want to see if he’s ok.” She argued. Celestia sighed; there was no way of stopping her now. “Alright, I’ll teleport up there, grab hold of my wing.” Celestia held her wing out towards Twilight, who held it gently in her hoof. Within seconds, the sound of crackling and the smell of ozone filled the air. The warps through space and landed behind the group of noble ponies waiting outside the police station. They were holding signs with weird pictures that kind of seemed the same shape as Frederick, but the pair couldn’t be sure. “What is the meaning of this?” Celestia shouted out to the crowd. They turned around and rushed over; one of the nobler looking ponies stepped forwards and started explaining, not bothering to bow. “Your majesty, I must demand you get rid of that monstrous creature in there!” She said, his voice high and shrill, “he was seen wandering around, looting bins and stealing items from vendors!” “Any proof?” The princess asked, trying to stay calm and collected in front of the stupidity. “Why yes, eye witnesses. Surely you would believe your own nephew, Prince Blueblood?” The noble pony replied, suddenly stricken smug. Prince Blueblood walked through the crowd and causally strolled up to the princess, “Aunty, I saw everything. That monster easy terrorising the neighbourhood, I want it gone.” He moaned. Celestia sighed; Twilight could see the frustration on her face at having to deal with these ponies, she was thankful Celestia never let her talk to them. “Before I make any decision, I will see the creature,” Celestia said, gaining replies such as “too right” and “Excellent decision” from the crowed. “Come Twi, let’s examine it,” Celestia said, turning back. Twilight nodded and moved closer, almost under Celestia; she did this lest she touched one of the crowd. Once out of the way, Twilight stepped out and blushed, “sorry...” “No need to apologise, I don’t mind,” Celestia replied, feeling motherly and protective. She began feeling like this as soon as she heard about the accident that started this whole thing and began feeling more protective of Twilight than ever before. “Oh, ok...” Twilight said, walking up the steps to the station. She was feeling closer to Celestia than ever; it was making her feel nice. The pair walked into the station and looked about. A sizable number of guards were stationed outside one of the cell doors, indicating that Frederick was obviously in there. “I want to speak to the officer in charge!” Celestia demanded. The police looked over wide eyed, one of then scurried off into a room in the back. A few minutes later, he rushed out and over to the Princess, “Ma’am, he’s ready to see you...” the pony whimpered. Rolling her eyes, Celestia walked past the shaking pony with Twilight hot on her hooves. She walked into the room, seeing a sweating pony sitting in a small chair behind the desk and instantly knew this would be straightforward. “Sir, what is in that cell out there?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. “Princess, we found it wandering outside. It stole from one of the vendors,” he took the book from the top drawer and hoofed it over the desk haphazardly, making Twilight cringe, “he was caught with this. It was also acting weird and upsetting some of the residents.” Twilight picked up the book in her magic and uncreased some edges, “Princess, why would he buy this?” “I don’t know Twilight...” “Ma’am, he didn’t buy it. The vendor came to us after and said she witnessed him take it.” The officer interjected, looking back and forth between the pair. “I want to see it,” Celestia demanded. “Of course, I shall give you our best guar-” “You do not think I am able to defend myself?” Celestia interrupted. “Of course I do, please go straight in!” The officer replied, almost shaking. “Good, come Twilight, we must interrogate it.” “Yes Princess.” Twilight kept hold of the book and followed Celestia out of the room. They walked around some desks and made it to the cell door. “Open it,” the Princess said. The police did as they were told and opened the door enough for the Princess and Twilight to step through, closing it afterwards. The pair saw Frederick laying on the blue, cold stone floor with his back against the wall, asleep. His hands and feet were bound and then wrapped around a nail that had been impacted to the floor, leaving him with very little room to move. He was hunched over his knees in a quite uncomfortable looking position and the sound of a slight wheezing made it sound like he had been beaten. Twilight couldn’t stand it and rushed over, dropping the book on the floor, ripping some of the pages. By the time she had reached him, which was only a couple of feet, there were tears threatening to stream down her face, “Frederick, oh no...” she got close and heard his wheezing. Without thinking, her eyes glowed white and she ripped the nails out of the ground with a harsh crack, freeing him. She levitated him over and onto his back, moving over to his side, leaning over his face. Opening his eyes, he looked over at a frazzled looking Twilight, her horn glowing and bits of stone laying around her, “I’m so glad to see you,” he checked out, grabbing his chest and coughing. Twilight whimpered, moved some hair out of her face and placed a hoof onto his chest. She turned to Celestia, “Help him!” She shouted, her hoof trembling against his warm chest. The Princess’s horn glowed gold and so did Frederick’s chest. A few minutes later, his wheezing died down, back into normal breathing, “Thank you,” Twilight said, “thank you...” “I see you found the book,” Frederick whispered, “I guess the surprise is gone.” “What do you mean?” Twilight asked, confused at how he could even think of the book at a time like that. She levitated the book over and wiped away some stray tears, “why did you have it?” She asked, disbelieving even herself. “I got it... I bought it, for you.” Frederick replied. He rose and leaned against the wall, this time feeling better with not having to be hunched over and having broken ribs. “For me, why?” Twilight asked, looking down at the book, she breathed sharply when Frederick moved some hair from her face, can tensed up as he moved her gaze away from the book towards himself. Frederick chucked, “You really don’t know?” He shook his head at the expression she was giving him, “You saved my life, you let me stay in your home, you’ve helped me almost fit in where I don’t belong. I thought I could get you something, as little as it was... and even though it was the Princesses money...” he turned to the princess, “sorry...” Celestia smiled and shook her head deciding to keep quiet. “This is... amazing,” Twilight paused and stared into Fredericks eyes, “thank you...” she whispered, leaning closer, her eyelids closing. “You’re welcome...” Frederick whispered back, not moving his own lids slowly closing as well; as if he couldn’t control them. Their lips touched, electricity flowed through and warmed their faces. Twilight reluctantly pulled back and caught her breath; oh how she wanted to stay there, on the floor, in the cold cell. To her, at that moment, it was better than heaven. “Wow...” She whispered, opening her eyes. Her nervousness was gone, replaced with utter bliss; she no longer had any reservations about him, she knee now. As naive as she was about love, she knew... Frederick opened his eyes as well, “Oh yes...” He agreed, suddenly aware of Celestia in the room. His eyes turned to her, his face bright red. He couldn’t see her in the room, it was like she was never there. He frowned and turned back to Twilight, who was looking over his face and licking her lips, caressing the flavour of, what looked to be her first kiss off of her tongue, savouring it. Twilight noticed him watching, “Something wrong?” She asked, worry on her face. “I did it wrong, didn’t I?” She muttered, before leaning forwards again, “I can fix this I can make it perfect!” “Twilight,” Frederick said as she continued to fret. “Twi, it was great,” She stopped and stared at Frederick, “really, you were.” “You mean it,” she asked, suddenly becoming all shy. “Yes,” he said coming her down, “though this is a bit sudden...” “Not for me,” Twilight mumbled, nuzzling Frederick’s hand. He looked down and an unreadable expression formed on his face, “Twi, can we talk about this?” She stopped and leant up, she moved to sitting beside Frederick on the stone floor, tail swishing behind her, “If you’re sure,” she said a little apprehensively. “I need to know why you kissed me.” “I... like you,” She whispered barely he arable. “What was that?” Frederick asked. “I... like you,” Twilight said, this time so he could hear it, “I’ve been worrying for days now... that’s why we came to see the Princess.” She admitted, looking guilty. “I see... why do you like me?” Twilight looked up at Frederick and frowned “I can’t... I can’t explain it; I just, do. It just is.” Twilight blushed and looked away. “I... ok.” He simply said, without anything else; there wasn’t anything else to say. Twilight quickly looked back up, “huh?” “I’ve been feeling stuff as well, I thought it was just gratitude. But now, I don’t think it is anymore.” Frederick looked away, “I could only think of what you’d do when I gave you that book... I only thought of you.” He paused, “I can only think of you.” He turned back a cupped Twilight’s face, she leaned into it, “I don’t know if this is fast, or slow in pony relationships, but it feels right.” He sighed, “I’ve said to multiple ponies that I wasn’t ready, or I’ve only been here for less than a week,” he looked about, “but they were excuses, they can’t work anymore.” “It does feel right. Oh Celestia, it does.” Twilight agreed, nodding her head and smiling. “I don’t know if I’m ever going to get home, but right now I care so little...” Frederick whispered, for once not caring about home. Twilight breathed in, “Can I kiss you, again?” Her face tinting slightly red. “I’d like that.” She moved forwards and touched lips again. The same feeling flowed through them; the warmth, the surge of emotions, it really felt right for both of them. “Ahem” The pair broke apart red faced and found Celestia standing there with a raised eyebrow, “That was a long kiss...” she said, with a small smile. Twilight started stuttering. Reacting, Frederick rose and walked over to Celestia. “Twilight said why you brought us to Canterlot. Being the closest family member, I must say; I will not hurt her, I promise you this.” He placed a hand over his heart and a steadfast expression on his face, “do you accept?” Celestia was taken aback by this display, this has never happened before, “uh, yes. Of course I do.” Frederick uncovered his heart and hugged Celestia, “Thank you, please forgive me for touching you.” Celestia didn’t really know what to do, she wasn’t sure what brought this whole situation together. Frederick stepped back, “That was used back on my world, for the parents of women. Men would ask to date their daughters, using that exact line.” He smiled, “I shall use it with her parents shortly. You were the closest relationship to mother in the vicinity, I hope you’ll forgive me if it seemed rude.” “Mother...” Celestia muttered under her breath. She felt tingly as she heard that. Shaking her head, “No, you were being noble, for that there is no rudeness. Make sure you ask her parents right away, I shall teleport you there now.” She turned to Twilight, “come now.” Twilight sat there with her mouth open. Slowly she realised that and closed it. She wandered over and held Fredericks leg with a hoof. Twilight looked up at Frederick, “you might want to close your eyes, I’m sure this is your first time. Also, find a bucket fast.” She grinned. “Ready?” Celestia asked. “Yes.” Celestia’s horn glowed and with a snap, the pair were gone.