//------------------------------// // XXIII : Celestia // Story: The Steadfast Sky // by Greytercakes //------------------------------// The Steadfast Sky : Chapter 23 The Grey Potter http://cosmicponyfanfiction.tumblr.com/ ~Celestia~ Once, in a time so long ago, when we first landed outside the walls, I had been so afraid of sleeping on the ground. Not that it was uncomfortable. Not that it was dirty. Alright, maybe those were problems. But another icky, icky problem was the bugs. The bugs and the little skittering animals... I kept thinking I’d wake up and they’d be all over me. Nasty! But that didn’t wind up being as big of an issue as I had assumed, and after two weeks of ground sleeping, I suppose it became borderline fine. I’d rather sleep in a bed, but it was not that bad. But in the Sickle Ravens’ hideout, there were rats. And I could hear them. Scratching. I’m sure in a few more nights I’d get used to the concept of rats as well but... that wasn’t a good thing! This is not a healthy condition ponies should be getting used to! Okay, okay Tia. Enough thinking about rats. Think about something else. Goodness, I was so glad to be back out in the streets, even though the crowds made it difficult to keep up with Pith. The other few Ravens didn’t even seem to try, vanishing in and out of sight, weaving through the crowds. “You know…” I said on the offhand, nearly pressing into a wall in my attempt to make room for a five cart caravan. “This city seems full of a lot of different species, many I’ve never seen before in my life.” “Sorry?” Pith shouted over his shoulder, floppy hat pulled over his horn. I waited for the carts to pass before repeating myself, shouting anyway. He nodded, “That’s Stringhalt for you!”  “How come the Sickle Ravens...”  “The what, Tia?” he said, nonchalant. I rolled my eyes. “How come ‘your boys’ are only Earth Ponies and Unicorns? Please don’t tell me it’s the same thing as your ‘no girls’ policy…” “Not at all.” He cut in front of me, forcing us down another, wider street. “Stringhalt is a trade city, and most the species you see are only passing through. The only large permanent population would be the Zebras, and a few of my boys are Zebras. Didn’t you notice?”  “Were the Zebras...” I think back to the gathering in the main room, the dozens of blurred together faces. “The Earth Ponies with the stripes?” He nodded. “Zebras around here tend to stick to their own communities though… maybe I’ll show you their neighborhood sometime.” He thought for a moment. “Other than that, the only other permanent population would be the griffins. And they don’t tend to play nice with ponies.” I decided not to answer. Certainly, all I had seen from the griffins were the slavedrivers, the boisterous group in a bar we passed. But that couldn’t represent all of them, could it? I looked up at the cloud spires, reaching down towards us. In their city there must be griffin bakers, griffin seamstresses, normal griffins who wanted no trouble. Unless they relied entirely on labor from ponies, from Pegasi... I... didn’t really know enough to say. So I let it be. Pith nudged me, then shoved me down another rain and trash-slicked alley. Three Ravens ran past us, peered into the next street, then waved him through. Such extensive measures, just to avoid just a few guards! Things were loud around us once more as we entered a market street, packed with foot traffic. I watched as our little entourage scattered once more among the crowds. It made sense for them, really, it’s not like they were trying to talk with us. I thought they were only acting as Pith’s guards. But then I spied a small one discreetly pull bread from one of the stalls, quietly trotting away with the loaf held in his mouth. I nudged Pith in the side, pointing to the offending colt. “One of your Ravens just—!” “Don’t point!” he snapped, “It’s very rude!” Then, he was silent for a while. I stared at him as he looked at nothing in particular. “Pith...?” I asked, a bit bewildered. “Poor street kids,” he stated simply with a shrug of his shoulders. I snorted. “Is that your excuse?” “Is that disdain I detect in your voice, Princess?” he asked, voice close to laughing. “Is that disdain I detect in your voice?” I shot back. “Here, Princess Tia!” I snapped my eyes down. A younger colt was rushing to keep up with me, a carefully balanced apple bobbing on his nose. He grinned as his head bobbed and weaved, trying as hard as he could to avoid the other ponies in the streets. “I got this for you!” I stare at the apple. Knowing where it came from, do I dare accept it? Or…? “Thank you, Sprout.” Pith took the apple from the colt, holding the stem in his teeth. “I’ll hang onto it for the Princess until she’s ready.” “Ready?” I scoffed. Ready to accept stolen goods, is that what he means? “Okay!” Sprout cheerfully charged off, lurking around yet another stall, certainly planning on swiping something else. I frowned at Pith as he stowed the apple in my saddlebags. “Keep walking, Tia,” he said calmly. I immediately stopped, but it wasn’t long until the flow of the ponies forced me forward. “Why stealing, Pith?” I demanded. “Why not begging?” He tilted his head slightly. “Do you know how humiliating that is, Tia?” “Yes. I do.” I retorted. He finally, finally turned to look at me, an eyebrow raised. “Alright. Show me.” “Really?” “If you think it’s better, then beg for something.” He waved a hoof down the street, “Go to one of these vendors and demand food.” “Must I?” I asked. “Put your bits where your buck’s at, Princess,” he replied, face stern. I huffed a bit, then forced my way past him, past a few other ponies, or whatever I was encountering. I approached a stall, hesitant. Hesitant is good. I let my nerves define me as I trotted towards a cart of tiny baked pastries. Tarts. Goodness, it had been weeks since I had a nice pastry… “Excuse me,” I asked lightly, fluttering my eyelashes. “What flavor are these?” “Oh!” The storekeeper, a thin Earth Pony, chuckled. He waved a hoof over his wares. “Well, these are cherry, these are apple, and those are rhubarb.” I looked over each type carefully, by all appearances intensely interested. Although, what the heck is up with this city and their apples? I know the Apple Family is in charge and all, but do apples really need to be everywhere? “Those all sound so good!” All but the apple ones, really. I giggled, voice already creeping an octave higher. “I can’t decide! What’s your favorite, mister?” “Me? Well!” he laughed again. A good sign! “I like apple best.” Bah, of course. “But I baked all of them fresh this morning, I assure you.” “You made all of these by yourself?!” I gasp, bouncing on my hooves a little. “Wow… how do you find the time?” “Hard work and diligence, miss,” he nodded proudly. “I’m impressed!” I squeak. Okay, maybe going too high. I stop talking, and instead, I stare at the pastries for a long, long time. Scanning back, scanning forth, scanning back... “Well, you gonna buy one?” the owner finally asks. “I only have enough for one…” I pouted, acting sad. “I can’t decide which I want! They all look so good!” “Here.” He smiled. “If you buy one, I’ll throw in an apple one for you.” “Really?! Thanks!” I grabbed a rhubarb and an… apple tart. “How much would that be?” “Just a bit for you, miss!” I returned his broad smile and hovered over one little copper coin. Love it, yet hate it when they make things cheap for me. “Thank you mister, you’re too kind!” I practically squeal. “You’re welcome, enjoy!” I trotted back to Pith, instantly letting my demeanor drop back to normal. I took a savage bite of the little tart, refusing to let myself gloat. Oh! Goodness, this tart is delicious! It’s been too long since I’ve had a taste of something sweet, of sugar at all really. I… feel a bit guilty though, enjoying this with Discord and Luna gone… “That’s not begging, that’s bartering,” Pith pointed out, interrupting my gloomy thoughts. “It’s trying to get handouts. That’s begging,” I retorted, offering him the apple pastry. Well, I sure as heck didn’t want it. He immediately chomped down on the tart, and my aura, much like an Earth Pony would. I eyed his covered horn. He could use magic fine, couldn’t he...? When had I seen him use magic anyway? “You paid for suffg—” he said through his mouthful, “So, mm,” he swallowed, “It’s bartering.” I rolled my eyes. It’s not a point worth fighting for. Deliberately, I took the daintiest bite of my pastry. “Well, whatever it is,” I said, finishing off the tart. “I‘ve been doing it for the past few years now. I know its humiliating but it’s a little more… moral than just taking things.” “We take what we need, Princess,” Pith replied, voice sharp. Then, he smiled his dark tone away. “Though it does surprise me to hear that you’ve been bartering much at all, nevermind for years.” “Really?” I snapped. “And why exactly does that surprise you?” “You did introduce yourself to me as a baroness. I would think that you were loaded.” “Oh.” My irritation faded a little. “I was, once. But I guess the title’s meaningless now.” We walked quietly for a while, taking another back alley detour in the meantime. Almost as soon as we walked back onto a main road, Pith spoke up.  “However well that might have worked,” he said, “I don’t think any of my boys will be able to use their sex appeal to persuade the shopkeepers.” “Sex appeal?!” I cried, whipping around to glare at him. “That was… I was being cute, darn you! Like I was a little filly! Your boys can act cute, can’t they?!” “Cute…” he looked me up and down. “Maybe during those ‘few years’ you described, Tia. But not anymore. Now, it’s pretty much sex appeal.” “Eaugh.” I look over myself, just a year from being full grown… but still a filly! Who would think that this is sex appeal? “Moving on!” I barked, “You said you were going to show me where my friends are being kept. I assume that’s where we’re heading now?” Again, he chuckled. “In a rush, are you, Princess?” “You only use ‘Princess’ when you’re mocking me,” I shot back. He shrugged. “Or when my Ravens are within earshot.” “But when it’s between us, it’s always mocking.” “Hm,” he looked back at me, “Sorry, I don’t mean to offend you.” Again, he seemed sincere, maybe even somber. And yet... I feel as though it’s difficult to tell what he’s really thinking. He just insulted me, and I know he meant it. Is he only trying to divert my anger? I just don’t know... I remember last night, how easily he was able to switch between demeanours. What was he thinking right now? Again, I just feel as though I have to let it go. “Please?” I asked, trying to catch his eye, even as he casually refuses to look. “I just want to know where they are.” “We’re making our way there now,” he replied, giving me the slightest glance. “The crowd’s thinner up on the hill, so I was waiting for noon to come around, when most will be out for lunch, or whatever the elite call it.” He let it sink in a moment as we were pushed aside to make room for a line of guards. With no alleyway to duck into, Pith pulled his cap low over his eyes, using his hoof. “We’re wanted, you know.” “Not everyone’s going to recognize us,” I point out. “The ponies around the correctional facility might recognize me,” he clarifies. “So, what, are you an escapee from there?” I joke. “If there’s a unicorn on the outside,” Pith said, voice tense as the last of the guards pass, “He’s an escapee.” “Oh.” Conversation was light as we slowly made our way up the hill. He told his Ravens to scatter for now. To avoid more risk, he explained me. But if he really wanted to reduce the risk, why did he lead me here himself? And why wasn’t he covering himself with a cloak, to avoid recognition of his ‘cutie marks’? I didn’t know, and I didn’t want to ask. Buildings were more fancy up here, more orderly and placed in careful rows, following the uneven slopes as best they could. The streets were almost bare in comparison to the masses below, mostly consisting of foot traffic with the occasional carriage here and there, pulled by ponies with trim manes and dapper suits. “Act natural. The place is coming up on your right.” I turned to see, but he stopped me before I got a good glance. “Don’t look directly at it. Watch out of the corner of your eye.” “Why? How is sightseeing going to draw attention to us?” “I know what I’m doing. Now hush up.” Oh, I don’t doubt you do. But I have a better plan. I stared at the buildings around me, examining the architecture of each one closely, making it seem completely natural when my eyes fall over the school building. It didn’t really stand out from its surroundings all that much. Same color, same design... It was a bit longer, with a centralized entryway and a third floor. But otherwise, completely unassuming. “So,” I refrained from using the unicorn’s name, lest he snap at me once more, “What are we going to do now?” “Wait until we have enough information on the place.” “That’s it? Don’t you have all the information you need? I mean,” I tried to catch up with him again, see his face. “Isn’t this something you do often?” For a second, his face fell. Hard. I thought he was going to scream at me, but he almost instantly returned to his typical nonchalance. “They change their locks, their guards, their tactics each time we break in,” he replied, voice even, “We have to learn more before we attempt a rescue again.” “And you’re certain my sister—” “One hundred percent positive,” he quickly said over me. “If there’s anything I do know about the system, it’s how they handle the unicorn delinquents.” “She is not a delinquent.” “Fine, she isn’t,” he replied, irritation on the edge of his voice. “But they consider her one.” “Alright.” I nod. “So how long until we’ve got enough information?” He looked to the side. Not to avoid my gaze, but rather to sort his thoughts. “Networks are being prepped, which may be a day or two... maybe four.” He paused. “If we cant get a hold of Brick Breaker. Then maybe a day of plotting, a few test runs, maybe a week in guard raids to get the weapons we need. Yesterday’s attack did not get us what we needed...” I already didn’t like the numbers he was racking up. Not at all. But a more pertinent question sprung to mind. “Yesterday’s attack?” I asked sweetly, “When did that happen?” He was silent for a moment, then turned back to me and grinned. “During a rainstorm?” “During a... Wait, that’s the reason you...?!” “I told you already,” he interjected, cutting me off before I could fully collect my thoughts. “You. Are. Convenient. For that attack, and for this operation.” He looked away. “Look, your sister will be saved within two weeks. I’m helping you. Consider it your payment, if you must.” Two weeks?! Two weeks of sleeping with rats… no, more importantly, two weeks where Luna and Discord are all alone and god knows what is happening to them. I looked back at the school, almost out of sight. Pith talks about the place like they’re brainwashing young unicorns... what would happen to Luna in two short weeks? And Discord... where in Equestria was he at all? I wondered, though, would he be any easier to save? “Alright, so, the school is a difficult obstacle,” I stated. “Are we going to go look for Discord then, determine where he is in the meantime?” He thought for a moment as we continued heading down the hill. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to start looking,” he said slowly, “But if he’s in the menagerie, we might have to wait until nightfall to sneak in. It’s far too close to Big Apple’s property… Well, technically he owns it. But...” He shook his head. “Sorry, tangent. Let’s check a few other places, and then we’ll see about the garden.” “And I don’t have to wait two weeks to save him?” “I doubt it. Just a couple busted locks, and we’ll have him out by midnight.” “Good.” Pith quietly rolled his eyes, and off we went. ~¤~ It was night again, over twenty-four hours since Luna and Discord were both taken from me. Pith and I stood outside a stone wall about twice as tall as the average pony. Beyond it, I could see what looked like a forest again, a patch of green in the center of this stone and concrete city. Inside the park, it was dark as a forest would be, and we’d be exploring it without any magic to light our way. It was dark in the streets, of course, but there were still window lights and the occasional lantern hanging off a doorframe.  “Now, don’t get your hopes up, Tia,” Pith said as I hoisted him up to the top of the wall. “We’re still not positive that your friend is here either.” “I have to know.” I gasped for breath, rolling the bruises out of my shoulders. How could such a thin little colt be so heavy? He leaned down towards me, and I jumped into his forelegs. With a few heaves, there was a small burst of magic from his horn. Brown. So he can use magic... His aura pulled along with his legs, heaving me up, my stomach scraping on the stone. “Ow... alright. No turning back now, Pith.” “Sure.” We dropped to the other side, waited quietly for our eyes to adjust as best they could, then we began walking. We were in what looked to be a fancy garden. Despite all the trees, there wasn’t a single fallen leaf on the ground, though there were plenty of petals lying here and there. Grass was everywhere, cut even and short, with perfect cobblestone paths curving and cutting around the landscape. It almost looked like a fairytale ideal of a forest... And I wondered for a moment if there were even any insects here. “This just looks like a park to me,” I said, looking around. “Yeah.” Pith looked around as well. I couldn’t see his expression, but from his tone of voice... “What are we looking for, Pith?” “I don’t know,” he admitted, “I haven’t been here before.” “You... you haven’t?” “Nope. We had a plan once to release all the animals and create a distraction for... well, it doesn’t matter now. It didn’t pan out anyway. Don’t worry,” he hastily tried to recover, “I know this city, and I know this is where Big Apple displays the animals he captures. I just don’t know exactly what we’re looking for.” “Well, the animals can’t just be wandering around. It’s too easy to escape that way.” I peer through the dark, trying to make out shapes in the distance. One shadow seemed to stick out among the trees, a sort of thick cylinder. Carefully, I try to point it out to Pith “Is that a cage...? Or a gazebo?” He was silent, for maybe a bit too long. I think he was looking where I was pointing, so... “A what?” “A gazebo.” “So you do see a creature out there? Where? What’s a gazebo look like?” “No, the building!” I don't know whether I should laugh, or buck something in frustration. “That building, do you think its a... a covered patio thing?” “It looks too solid to be a patio. Maybe it’s a cage. You know, something we were expecting.” Okay, now I felt like bucking something. This has been a long day, my legs are killing me from all this walking, and...! “You know what?!” I started. A rapping sound, hollow, like someone was tapping on a pane of glass. I looked around, confused, as the sound stopped, then started again, rapping far more urgently. I tried to see through the darkness as Pith started trotting forward, towards the cage or gazebo or whatever it was. I followed, getting a better look as we got closer. It looked like a kind of little glass house, but I couldn’t see anything inside of it. Nothing except one frantically bouncing figure, long and lizardlike, eyes little bobbing lights in the dark... “Discord!” I cried. Discord leaned against the glass, pressing his face, his forefeet against it. Even in the dark, I could see his wide, relieved grin… and a shackle on every paw. I wanted to burst out laughing as I approached him. Finally! finally, something’s gone right today! Discord’s right here, right in front of me, and we have the ability to get him out! Or... “Discord!” I half shouted, leaning against the glass. “Is there some way in?” He lurched backward, still smiling, and wave his forefoot to the side. He tried to say something, but it was muffled by the glass. He vanished, black space behind him shaking strangely... Oh! They’re curtains! I saw the black mass shake a little as he moved, occasionally popping his head out to check up on us, waving me around the building. Finally, he stopped, pressed up against the glass, and to my surprise, a thin panel actually popped out, lifting it upwards on a hinge. “Tia! You have no idea how good it is to see you!” He wormed his way through the window, barely big enough for him to fit, and threw his forelegs around me, pulling me into a tight hug. “Aw man, I can’t believe you’re here! You’re actually here!” “I…” I laughed a little, feeling his weird, stiff fur push into my face. Never before had I been so relieved to feel it. “It’s good to see you too, Discord. I was so afraid we wouldn’t find you!” “Find me?! You know, I thought you were in jail, and that I’d have to find a way to come help you!” “I escaped, or, was never caught, I guess!” I nod to Pith, fumbling with my words in my joy. “Thanks to a local rebel force, a wonderful, wonderful...! This is Pith, by the way.” “But what about Luna?!” Discord continued over me, “Is Luna with you, did she escape too?!” “No, she’s been taken to a unicorn school. Ah, I mean,” I glance over at Pith, wondering how he felt about being glossed over. Level-headed as ever, far as I could tell. “She’s in a correctional facility. But she’ll be fine, don’t worry. We’re getting both of you out!” Discord gave me another tight squeeze, refusing to let go. Fine by me, I was just as relieved to see my friend well... but it felt like he was cutting off circulation in my back. My shoulders were starting to feel a little numb. “Are things that bad here, Discord? Are they treating you right?” “I guess they’re treating me fine, considering that I’m just some kind of fancy monster they can gawk at.” His tone dropped a little, grew bitter, but his grip didn’t fade. “I hate it… there’s nothing to do, so I just stew in my own thoughts, and… I’ve missed you, both of you, like crazy!” “Gosh Discord,” I laugh nervously, “It’s only been a day!” “A day of torture, if you ask me!” “Yeah… yeah.” I didn’t want to say it in front of Pith, but I almost feel the same way. This has been a torturous day... “It’s been a long day without you, without either of you,” I admit. We hug for a bit longer, then I laugh nervously. “Alright, you can let go, Discord. You’re squeezing me so hard, my back’s getting all numb.” Discord cursed and dropped me, squirming back between the panes of glass. But strangely, my back didn’t feel any better. “Sorry, sorry, that’s not it. It’s these cuffs!” he cried, glowing eyes flicking downwards, chains clattering. “It’s like those freaking lassos. They make you all numb, and…” Out of nowhere, Pith swore. I turned to him, barely able to make out his expression. “Pith?” “They’ve got you in smooze cuffs,” he said, tone bitter. “That makes things much more complicated.” “What, why?” “If they were normal cuffs, we could use magic to break them off right now. Your friend just showed that he can fit through the window with little problem, so we’d be out of here in a flash.” He shook his head. “But now things are a bit different. The smooze inside those sacs absorbs magic, or stops it, or whatever. The gunk stops everything, body, brain, magic… We would actually need the real, physical key to unlock them. I’m sorry, but,” he looked at me, expression hidden, voice even, even as it always is. “There’s no way we can get him out if he’s got those on.” “I... there’s got to...” I fumbled with my words. I had, we just, we just found him! “Can’t we...” “I got it!” Discord squeaked, voice on edge, “We can figure out the cuffs later! Here!” Something silver dropped from around Discord’s wrists, clanking and unfurling across the window pane. “Break this chain!” “That might work.” Pith looked to me. “You got anything that can break that? A spell?” “I…no,” I stammered, “I thought you would...” “Sorry, but I don’t.” “C’mon… you’re a rebel right?” Discord wormed his head out the window, looking over at Pith, “Wouldn’t you have some jail-breaking abilities?” “Not related,” Pith said swiftly. Related to what exactly? His cutie mark scars? “But I do have someone back at base that could help.” “Okay,” Discord said, nodding, horns clattering against the pane above him. “Alright. So how far away is your base?” Silence. “Pith...?” “Now don’t take this the wrong way...” Beside me, Discord made a small sound. “I’m sorry you two,” Pith continued, voice firm. “But we’re going to have to come back tomorrow night.” “NO!” Discord cried loudly, heaving himself out the window, his bright eyes wide, staring directly at me. “Don’t leave me here, Tia! C’mon… c’mon! I just saw you again, after so long! Don’t leave me here for another day!” “Pith…” I said carefully, unable to take my eyes away from Discord’s, “There’s got to be something more we can do. We can come back later tonight, can’t we?” “It’s over an hour to our base from here, and it would be over four hours to go from there, to here, and back again. Practically morning. I’m sorry, Tia, but we’ve just got to wait for another opportunity.” At the mention of my name, Discord’s eyes snapped over to Pith, staring, expressionless, and quiet. “Discord,” I tried to say, “I…” “It’s…” His voice squeaked, then became thin. “It’s not as bad as it could be here. You know, just, just so dull. I’ll be fine for another day.” “Are you sure, Discord?” “Do I have a choice?!” he snapped. The group was silent, then I reached out to Discord, giving him one last hug. “Stay safe.” “You too.” He vanished back behind the curtains, dragging the window shut behind him. As we left, I continued to stare at the little glass house, guilt gnawing at my gut as he reappeared, watching from his window. He tapped it again, and there was a vague suggestion of a point. I frowned, and tried to look forward. There wasn’t much to see in the garden, and looking over the walls themselves, there wasn’t that much to see there either, besides a few buildings’ second or third floors. But among what I could see, there was a curious little blue light, floating among the otherwise dark formless masses of the city. A color so familiar… One I recognized. “Luna…” I said softly. I watched it for as long as I could, barely pausing when we climbed back over the wall, not stopping when other buildings would obscure my vision. Even when Pith told me to get my head back together, I watched the little light as it stayed steady, vanished, and reappeared again, like clockwork. That is Luna, I know it is. Showing us the way to her, calling out… Instantly, my face tightened. “Pith! How long can we just sit here and do nothing?!” “As long as we have to, Tia.” “I can’t take it!” I yelled, trying to stem tears. “My friends…” “It’s only been a day,” he snapped, “Get a hold of yourself!” “It… I…” “Prin-cess!” Pith spun on me, for the first time that day actually frowning, not even attempting to use a smile to hide it. “I am sick to death of your whining! Do you know how long I had to wait, with my own friends stuck in these horrible places?! Do you know how much the Ravens have suffered, how much they’ve wanted to tear down the system, but could only look in fear as their friends were taken by ti, one by one!? Your case isn’t special or even unique, Princess Celestia. And you know what, this entire day is making me regret the hell out of letting you into my base. I should’ve just had Lil’ Hoof drag you out the moment I saw you!” “You’re a terrible leader!” I screamed back, avoiding his point, not even daring to think of his point. How dare he! “You have all the manpower in the world, yet you do nothing but sit on it, plodding around and dragging your feet when you could be doing something with it!” “You think I’m bad at this? Because I plan?!” He burst out laughing, spinning around and stalking away. I didn’t want to follow. I didn’t want to follow him at all. Using and manipulating ponies like that...why have I been following him around at all?! He turned, some distance away, and shouted back to me. “Well then, if I’m such a terrible leader, what would you do?!” “I don’t know! Better!” “Why don’t you try it sometime?!” “Fine!” “Alright, the operations are yours, the men are yours.” He spun back around, still shouting. “Good luck!” I stared at his retreating tail. “I’m sorry, what?!”