//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: The Resistance // Story: Children of Chaos // by shirotora //------------------------------// Chapter 8: The Resistance “Well, Ah'd say that settles it,” Autumn said, breaking the brothers out of their stupor, “We're in the future.” “W... what?” Streak managed to stutter out, “What... How... you, all three of you are dead. You died five hundred years ago.” “N-no we didn't,” Blaze finally said, “Surprise did something weird. That cave-in was just this mornin' to us.” “Hold on,” Oak said, “Who are you?” “This is my little brother, Streak,” Blaze informed. Oak's eyes went wide, “What? But how? You'd have to be over five hundred years old?” “Five hundred and twelve,” Streak specified, “Dragony live longer than full blood ponies.” Oak looked to his cyan companion, who just shot him a grin. “I told you I was only part pony,” Blaze explained. Oak shot him a bemused look, “I hang out with a guy that's half tiger, and his changeling fillyfriend. I think I can handle anything any of you throw at me.” Autumn laughed, “Ah wouldn't count on that, shug.” “Why? Are you secretly half manticore?” the botanist joked, “Wait, no, you can control timber wolves?” “Nah, but mah uncle can.” The big brown earth pony just stared at her as if awaiting the punch line. “Ah'm serious,” Autumn said with a chuckle, “He's a druid. They're the ones that made timber wolves to begin with.” “Does everypony from Ponyville have some weird, freaky power or ancestry?” “Who cares,” Streak interrupted, “We have more important things to deal with. We need to get out of the city, and join up with the resistance.” the old stallion turned away muttering to himself, “I knew today was going to get weird. Why else would she send me out here to save three random ponies?” “She who?” inquired Blaze. “Kataya,” Streak answered, “She said there would be three ponies getting hassled by soldiers today, and that I needed to save them.” “Kataya?!” Autumn perked up at the name, “How is she? Is she back with them rebel guys?” “Honestly, I don't know,” Streak answered, “The last time I saw her, was when she left the day after my twenty fifth birthday. She keeps in contact via messages.” Streak lead the three time travelers to a small broom closet in the back of the building they were in. with a pull on a small warning label on the wall, a hidden panel slid away, revealing a ladder leading down. “Come on,” the old dragony said as he led the others into the bowels of the city. As Streak lead his brother and his friends through the old sewers he filled them in on what had happened in the past five hundred years. None could believe it. “I was so mad at him for the longest time,” Streak said, “I knew uncle Shiro wasn't to blame, but... I just needed to blame someone.” “I'm sorry I left you, Streak,” Blaze apologized. “Don't be. You didn't know what was going to happen. And I go by Tiriel now. I let Streak die with his family.” “Tiriel? Isn't that draconic?” Oak inquired. “You're a smart guy. Most ponies don't get that,” Tiriel said, “It means 'one who stands against'.” “'Cause you're the leader of these here resistance guys we're goin' to see?” Autumn asked rhetorically, “So... are we almost outta this muck? It's startin' to mess with mah nose.” “Ha!” Tiriel laughed, “So having enhanced senses isn't always so great is it?” “Hey, shut up!” Autumn scolded. “Don't worry,” Oak assured the mare, “I get you don't want me to know what makes you different, so I won't try to figure it out.” “Thanks,” Autumn gave him a small smile, “Ah'll tell ya sometime, but not 'til we get to know each other a bit better, 'kay?” “Fair enough.” The quartet traveled for another ten minutes, before coming to a metal grate. Tiriel pried it open and led the others out of the sewer and into the fresh air. “It's about dern time. Ah thought we'd never get out of there,” Autumn said in relief. “Yeah, tell me about it,” Blaze agreed, “I'm going to need to soak for hours to get the smell out. Hey, bro, you guys have shampoo, don't you?” Tiriel rolled his eyes, “Yes, but none of that ridiculous stuff you like so much. Only what we get from supply raids.” “What?!” Blaze gasped, “No, no, no, I can't use that cheap stuff! This level of awesome takes the good stuff!” The rebel leader sighed, “Well we don't have much of an income here and we only steal from the government. Things aren't like when you disappeared. We're at war here, Sky Blaze.” The now younger dragony flinched at the use of his whole name. He bowed his head in defeat. “I'll tell you what,” Tiriel said, “Every now and then, some officer requisitions the stuff. If we find any, you'll have first take... well, unless any of the crew that recovers it wants it. They get first choice on luxury items.” Listening from a distance to the exchange between the two siblings, Oak leaned to Autumn and asked in a whisper, “Why's he so worried about shampoo?” Autumn giggled, “He puts a lot into his looks. He gets it from him momma. Ma told me that the only two ponies she knows that take more than an hour to get ready are Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. The only difference between them is when you ask'em why, one uses words like 'fabulous' and 'beautiful', where the other uses 'awesome' and 'cool'.” Oak chuckled, “I guess he's trying to impress the ladies.” Autumn laughed, “More trying to impress the fellas.” Oak raised an eyebrow, “Wait... he's, uh...” “A colt cuddler?” Blaze's face was suddenly inches from his own, eyes lowered in a seductive gaze, “Why, you interested?” “Gah!” Oak stumbled back and fell on his rump. “Bwahaha! You should see your face! Priceless!” Blaze laughed at his newest friend, “You're alright, Oak. We should totally hang out sometime.” “Oh... uh...” Oak fidgeted nervously, “You're a cool guy and all, but I'm straight.” The dragony's mirth ground to a halt and turned into an irritated glare, “I mean as friends, dumbass. You're not my type, too serious.” “Oh... sorry... I never actually knew a gay guy before.” Blaze laughed, “Oh, you have. You just didn't know it. Gay guys are just any other. We just prefer baguettes over bagels.” “There's an image,” Tiriel laughed. “Ah'll never eat bagels again,” Autumn mumbled. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- The group walked for some time through the Everfree Forest. Not much conversation was had with everypony lost in their own thoughts. The three younger ponies were dwelling on their predicament, while the older was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that his brother was still alive. Eventually, they came to a large formation of rocks jutting from the ground. Tiriel lead them to a crevice between two massive boulders. The four squeezed through the opening into a hidden cave system beneath. They traveled for another ten minutes underground until Tiriel walked into a wall and passed right through. The others looked in mild surprise and followed. Once again, the three found themselves at the business end of several guns. The only difference was the ones holding them were dressed in old, worn armor of varying materials. “Stand down,” said the old dragony, “They're friends.” “Bringing home more strays?” said the voice of an older zebra in thick leather armor. He pointed to two soldiers, “You two, take them to holding cell B.” “Belay that,” Tiriel interrupted. “Sir, we need to-” “I know these three already, Zambis.” The zebra looked quizzically at his leader, “How so? You rarely leave Sanctuary.” “Kataya led me to them. This... is my elder brother,” Tiriel wrapped Blaze in his wing. Everyone present gawked at the two, disbelieving what they heard. “That's impossible sir,” Zambis said, “He's far too young.” “Time travel,” Tiriel stated as if it were simple. The zebra gave him a bemused look, “Time travel, sir? That's a bit farfetched, don't you think?” The old dragony laughed, “Not for old Ponyville. It once rained flaming cabbages.” “Oh yeah, that was an interesting day,” Blaze chuckled. “O... kay...” the old zebra had to wait for his brain to restart before continuing, “So what are we doing with them?” “Right now? Giving them protection,” Tiriel declared, “We'll figure out what to do after I contact Kataya. I'll be in my study writing a letter. Can you find a room for them for me?” “Very well,” Zambis compiled, “If you'll follow me.” The zebra walked off in a hurry, leaving the others to catch up. When they did, he spoke up, “So... you're from the past?” “As far as we can tell,” Oak answered, “We were exploring the caves under Canterlot when there was a cave in. Surprise did something her mother taught her, and sucked us into a pocket dimension. A rock with an explosive rune was also sucked in. We were separated from two of our friends and the other... well, she was right on the rock when it exploded. I doubt she made it.” “I'm sorry,” Zambis said sadly. The zebra looked back at Blaze, “Your brother is like a father to me. He took me in after my parents were killed. I was only four years old. We're all family here, so I'll say this once; If you do anything to harm my family, you're gone.” “We'll be on our best behavior,” Oak assured their host. “Good. Here's your room,” Zambis opened a door to a room with storage shelves lining the walls and several bedrolls laying around, “Bedrooms and storerooms are one and the same here. At least this one doesn't have anyone else in it right now.” “Thank you,” Autumn said as the rebel left them. “Let's get some shut-eye, guys,” Oak recommended. As Zambis shut the door he motioned a guard over, “I want you to keep an eye on them. They could be spies for all we know. If Tiriel gives you grief, tell him I told you to.” “Sir,” the soldier saluted and took up a place by the door.