//------------------------------// // Chapter Fifty-three // Story: Freedom Through Harmony // by Electricut //------------------------------// Chapter Fifty-three Trixie was in rough shape, but wasn’t too far gone. Phil set to work immediately thawing the ice off her body, working first on the frost encroaching on her head ever-so-carefully, then working faster on her arms and chest. She remained conscious through the whole ordeal, not allowing the ice or panic to take over her mind. Phil wasn’t sure whether she was perfectly in control of the situation, or too determined and bloody minded to accept the gravity of the situation- that she could well have died just then- but he was glad all the same. Trixie may have been hurt, but was in far better shape than Phil mentally. He was still in full overdrive mode, constantly looking over his back for any signs of the assailant’s stirring, or any possible further attack from anything else out there. Trixie was holding it together much better, but she was worried just the same. After being thawed out completely, she stood and started digging through her and Phil’s packs. It was slow work, since she was still freezing from her icy prison, and the cold air wasn’t helping. Shivering the whole time, Trixie retrieved several lengths of loose cloth from her bags, and handed them to Phil. “I c-can’t count on having a s-steady hand like this...” She explained, rubbing her arms, annoyed. “I need you to t-tie her up. Once she c-comes to, we’ll try and g-get some answers.” Phil gingerly took the cloth strips, then cast out a hand and re-lit the fire. “Get warm.” He said simply. “I’ll take care of it, you just focus on staying warm.” Phil didn’t wait for discussion. He gave Trixie a gentle push over to the log seat, then turned and set to work on their captive. She remained fully unconscious, but not knowing how long it would last, Phil worked quickly. He started by jamming her sword deep into the ground a few yards away from the campsite, then wrapping several lengths of cloth tightly around the blade. Her hands were bound behind her back and to the sword, and the cloth already on the sword would make sure she didn’t cut her bonds away in secret. It was clear she wasn’t going anywhere like this. With the hilt as close to the ground as it was, it would take a mighty effort for her to even stand up, so he felt confident leaving her legs unbound. Phil then tied another cloth strip around her eyes: it was only fitting that since she had attacked when his and Trixie’s vision had been next to null, he would take away her vision in turn. Satisfied that she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, Phil returned to the campsite. Trixie was hunched over the fire, still shivering violently, with her sleep roll and a spare blanket draped over her shoulders. She heard him approach and looked quizzically up at him. “I got her.” Phil answered. “If she wakes up and tries to leave, we’ll know.” She nodded thankfully and turned her attention back to the fire. The coffee pot was again set to boil, and soon both clutched a pair of steaming mugs close to their chests. Despite the caffeine, Trixie still could barely keep her eyes open. Muttering something close to a ‘goodnight’ to Phil, she pulled away her sleep roll and laid it on the ground next to the log, close to the fire, and curled up tightly within the spare blanket. Within minutes she was asleep, cocooned in her sheets, but still shivering slightly. Phil, on the other hand, knew he would get no sleep that night. His nerves were shot, and he didn’t feel at all safe any longer without a watch. And with Trixie still recovering from being frozen, probably unable to avoid catching a cold because of it, he knew he had to stick it out and keep watch alone. Phil remained dutifully awake through the night, keeping both a close eye on his prisoner and a close watch over his friend’s condition. For the most part, neither stirred the whole time. He kept the coffee pot filled, a fresh mug in his hands every hour or so. Phil remained on full alert the whole night, jumping at every tiny sound, but nothing else tried to kill him. Eventually, he became calm and tired enough to ease himself off the log seat, and sat against it, closer to the fire. He stroked Trixie’s hair back from her face gently, and could tell she had obtained a fever. Phil remained there the rest of the night, guarding over his friend loyally. As much as he wished he could get some sleep, as tired as he got, and as confident as he was that the two were safe from any further harm, he remained awake until dawn. The foggy haze that had covered the land and created the arena of fear and mystery the night before finally settled, covering the grassy fields in thick, cloudy dewdrops. Phil gave a mighty yawn, stretching his arms wide. It had been a very long night, and he had never been so happy to see the sunlight above him. Trixie coughed beside him, already pushing herself to a sitting position. Phil made a move to stop her, but she waved him away impatiently. “I got it, kid.” She insisted. “...Look. I’m not dumb, Phil. I’ve noticed your attitude towards me... your desire to stand up and be the hero as best you can, and protect me... Whether it’s just because you’re that kind of guy, or you’re substituting me for my sister- I don’t care. You’re a good ally, but I can handle myself without help.” Trixie’s words stung. Phil almost fought back, but realized glumly that there was some truth to them. He missed Twilight already, and wished she were here with him. But as much as he wanted her to be, Trixie was not her sister. A little shaky still, Trixie sat upright, looking around blearily. “We’re in rough shape right now, Phil... We should get to Emberton as soon as possible, but I don’t know how fast we can safely go in this condition.” Phil nodded wordlessly. “If we’re in no rush, then we could probably get there by tomorrow night. We’ve got enough supplies to last until then-” He was interrupted by a noise a short distance from the campsite: their prisoner was stirring, trying to figure out what had happened. Realizing she was blinded and bound, she thrashed around for a bit before settling, defeated. Phil motioned for Trixie to stay where she was, told her she could whip up some breakfast if she felt up to it when she complained, and made his way over to the cloaked assailant. Phil was drowsy from lack of sleep, but he was still in better shape than his partner; he would handle the interrogation. The prisoner must have heard his footsteps as he approached, because she raised her head as though to face him. Blindfolded, though, it was an act of futility. As he stood over her a short distance away, he knew she was running through her remaining options. “Who are you?” Phil began. “And what was all that last night?” “I could ask the same thing.” She spoke, with a strong voice belying her defeated position. “You’re the one with the wings, and fire magic, aren’t you? How do you have both? I’ve only ever known one other person with that kind of power, and... I kind of doubt you got yours the same way.” “I’m not really in a position of owing you answers.” Phil answered cooly. His confidence had returned; he was once again in control of the situation. “Now talk.” The prisoner sighed heavily. “I’m ashamed. Fact is, I was trying to incapacitate the two of you and steal your stuff. Didn’t want to kill you at first, but it kind of became that towards the end... Ah man, how I’ve fallen... Used to be, the whole world knew my name and face. I was a hero. I’m nothing more than a common thief now...” “That performance last night was nothing I’d expect from a common thief.” Phil stated. He hadn’t meant any compliments by it, though. He needed to know why such a powerful warrior was reduced to thievery, and still wanted her identity. “I’ll ask again: who are you? While we’re on it, where’d you pick up such powerful ice magic? That’s not something an average pickpocket would have the ability to use. Seems like you pulled out all the stops for us: why?” The mysterious assailant looked away, abashed. She didn’t speak for a long while, seeming to be considering her answer. “Like I said, I wasn’t always this desperate. I was once a hero: one of the legendary Wonderbolts. Name’s Misty.” Phil raised his eyebrows in surprise, forgetting that she couldn’t see him. He had the fleeting thought that Rainbow Dash would be so jealous that they had met a Wonderbolt, but she continued: “But now... ever since Spitfire left, times have been tough. We fell apart pretty quick under Soren’s ‘leadership’, and I went my separate way from most of them. I didn’t know ice magic at the time though; it was a parting gift from our team’s mage. It’s a horribly brutal form of fighting, and I wouldn’t use it at all if I had a choice, but... I felt it necessary. “Because you’re the queen’s apprentice, aren’t you? The ‘human phoenix’, right? As soon as I realized that’s who I was dealing with, I had to step up my game and try to take you out. I don’t know who your partner is, so I just held her down, but I was trying to kill you. If I’m going to do anything more with my life, I wanted to strike out against the queen, just to spite her. It’s nothing personal, really, just- I don’t like her. Seems like she’s got too much power, you know?” Phil let out a relieved breath. She’s on our side. I need to get her to understand that. She’s too good an ally to pass up. “Well, yes, I am the human phoenix.” Phil admitted, setting the bait. “But you might have heard on the streets that I went missing all of a sudden? Truth is, I ran away. Defected. My partner and I are traveling from town to town right now. See, I share in your philosophy: I’m against the queen as well, but more personally.” Misty’s eyebrow rose fractionally, her curiosity piqued. “That right?” She said, trying to sound disinterested. “We’re trying to garner support in different cities and towns.” Phil explained. “To get a real resistance going. Let me say this: if you were attacking us because of my apparent allegiance to the throne, then you have nothing to worry about. Further...” He turned back to look to Trixie, who had been listening intently to the conversation. She gave him a confirming nod, and he turned back to Misty: “If you truly want to strike out against Celestia, we’d be glad to have you, and will free you immediately.” Misty gave the idea some thought. “And if I refuse?” She inquired, though the tone in her voice told Phil she didn’t really intend to do that. “Then we’d be better off leaving you tied up here, wouldn’t we?” Was Phil’s simple answer. She nodded slightly, conceding the point, then sat up straighter. “Well, I guess my choice is obvious then, isn’t it? I’m in. Now please untie me. I’m starting to cramp up already.” Phil smiled and moved behind her to release her. “You probably already know my name- Phil. My partner, who I might add is now sick thanks to being frozen, is Trixie. Good to have you, Misty.” “No hard feelings.” Trixie chimed in. “Just business, I get it. I’ve always been a fast healer. A better night’s sleep than tonights’ will probably be enough.” “Sorry about that.” Misty said sheepishly, as her blindfold fell off her eyes. “But I guess you should count yourself lucky you didn’t get frostbite from that. That, unfortunately, happens most of the time when people get frozen that bad. If you’re still feeling bad when we arrive at... Where are we going? Emberton? Yeah, House Leo’ll probably heal you. Me and Lord Blake have spoken a few times, I’ll put in a good word for you.”