//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 : Confrontation, It's whats for dinner. // Story: Shifting Equilibriums // by kugetsu //------------------------------// Through the winding passage of a small mountain range, one of the few vessels used by the ponies for mass transportation chugs away. In an age of magic wonder, one might question the reason behind keeping such an antique going. Sometimes they would use fossil fuels like coal, other times pure horsepower in the form of sturdy earth ponies. But it was simple and comfortable, and as such, served it's purpose without fail. As some would say, there was nothing like a long slow journey to put things into perspective... "But I wanna fly!" yelled Rainbow Dash, already trying to unlatch a window. "Rainbow we already talk about this..." Twilight Sparkle tried to reason, where Applejack just tried to hold onto her rainbow themed friend's tail with little leverage or help. "We agreed that we would put our heads together on the way to Canterlot." "And some of us agreed that we needed to take a kinder, GENTLER, approach to our unique problem." Rarity chimed in just as Applejack succeeded in pulling rainbow back in, much to the dismay and frustration of the latter. "Yeah and..." Rainbow fussed about, picking herself back up and off Applejack, "maybe that's been the problem all along." "Ah'm somewhat in agreement with Rainbow here, "Applejack said as she fiddled with her crooked Stetson, "We all know where that fella came from wasn't kind or gentle. And from what we've been hearing from the Princesses and Twilight's visits," she continues as she stomps a hoof on Rainbow's tail, "maybe we need to figure something too sweet too fast just gonna leave a bitter taste." "Ahh!" Pinkie suddenly shouted out, "RARITY!", causing everypony to jump a little, and one a lot. "Ahh!" Rarity shrieked, "Pinkie!". "You said I couldn't bring my party cannon along because this wasn't that type of fun..." Pinkie said, still showing confusion on her face at the words fun and no party cannon, "And now AJ and Rainbow!" "See what you two started?" Rarity deadpanned to the two in question. "um... I think I agree with Rainbow and Applejack..." Fluttershy said, gaining the full attention of the other five, much to her own dismay as she shrunk down a bit. "Good gracious, why?" Rarity questioned. "Well.. um..." Fluttershy began to whisper, before entirely clamping down. Applejack, the ever observant and more cut to the chase kind of pony gal, trotted over to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, I think I got us a compromise," Applejack said as Fluttershy perked up a bit, "You tell me whats going on in your noggin and I will tell the others loud and clear." Nodding, Fluttershy leaned up a bit and whispered something to Applejack. "She said that maybe He can't hear us over all the noise." Applejack said, raising part of her brow. "What noise?" Twilight asked, a bit perplexed herself, "Did you find something wrong with his hearing when you were mending or later when you checked up on him?" Fluttershy shook her head, before leaning more towards Applejack who was still looking at the others. "Fluttershy says its not it's ears but it's...mind?" Applejack, a bit more confused, resounded to the others. "Telepathy?" Rarity asked aloud. Fluttershy, shaking her head, finally reached over and pulled Applejack closer. After a few minutes of a one sided whisper, she got a few back from Applejack whose eyes seemed to have softened a bit, before nodding for final confirmation. Before Applejack said anything else, she gave one last look back at Fluttershy who was looking less shy and more sad. "Okay y'all." Applejack said, coughing to clear her throat for what appeared like quite the climatic translation from their shy friend, "Fluttershy went and explained to me everything and... " she paused "I gotta tell ya, I'm rather humbled by how much heart she has in it". "Go on..." Rainbow twirls a hoof, earning several disapproving glances. "Fluttershy thinks Sentinel can't hear something as soft as kindness. He grew up in someplace worse than Tartarus, and since none of us knows him that personally, none of us know how to tell just how much of him stayed there." Applejack explained, "But worse, nopony knows how much of that stuff came along for the ride." "So you're saying he can't hear us because he's still fighting?" Twilight asked towards both Fluttershy and Applejack. Fluttershy nods, but then gives Applejack a rather dismayed look, signalling for her to continue. "Fluttershy says just cause something gets treated horribly don't mean that they turn out mean and vicious." Applejack looks around and notes she just tugged at some strings. "They just keep trying to survive until they forget that they are trying so hard," as she loops those strings around her hoof. "Just so that one day they might have a chance to lay down and let go in peace." as she finally cuts them. Everypony was silent, even Rainbow Dash, whose brow was furrowed as she really didn't like the sudden taste in the air. "That just means that we have to be as loud as we can so that when he lets go, he knows somepony is still holding on!" Pinkie says with a cheer that, given the premise, was both astounding and incredibly sad. "That was such a wonderfully nice thing to..." "And if that don't work, just blast him with the party cannon and drag him back screaming." Pinkie said, smiling even wider. The only sound was Rainbow slamming against the window, desperately trying to unlatch it. Meanwhile; Sentinel He had forgotten just how long he'd been sitting there, staring at the wall, staring back at himself. The liquid on the tip of the brush had long since dried, ruining yet another instrument by which his heart was able to express itself. This hadn't been the first time he'd sat here alone. The princesses had expressed well over a month ago that he should find a proper way to express himself. Whether they knew it or not, such a request was already being fulfilled, deep inside Canterlot Castle where nopony even ventures forth anymore. He'd taken notice at how ponies really enjoyed being constantly around other ponies. So slowly, every day, he would go forth and look for someplace that nopony would want to ever be. Empty. He had no misconceptions about the Princesses knowing exactly who was where at all times. He figured at the very least they were tolerating his solitude, or at the very best, respecting it. So it came to no surprise that when at first he felt he had to sneak to get to his little haven, he eventually found such efforts weren't needed any longer. Guards and maids who used to impede his secretive journey suddenly changed their routines and routes, giving him no more reason to do anything, but walk down. And down, and down. "If any of those ponies ever find this place," Sentinel said aloud, "I'll deny everything." Same time; Canterlot Castle, Royal Throne Room Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat upon their thrones, silent, as they both were in contemplation as they awaited their incoming guests. They had sent out invitations across Equestria for something reminiscent of the Gala, but not quite the same. The point of this ceremony wasn't so much of a mere social gathering but one for closure, some recognition, and hopefully accepted opportunities. Completion of all repairs of Canterlot had finally finished after three long months. They'd been able to teach and get to an acceptable level of speech for Sentinel as well, much to the delight of Twilight, as her patience on asking him literally everything was at the breaking point. Speaking of Sentinel... "Does thy sister believe this be the best course of action?" Princess Luna inquired to her right. "This will be the first time all of us are back together again at the same time." Princess Celestia said to her left, "While he's made great progress, I am still greatly concerned about his state of mind." she then paused, "Are things improving..." "Nay." Luna softly replied, "It is a battle to not let pity cloud our thoughts, as that is something we do not think he deserves." she said, getting a look from her sister, "We believe somepony whose traveled the road Sentinel has deserves more respect, than what pity would ever be able to grant." Taking a minute to think to herself, she crooked her head a little before breaking the silence, "Well, what do all of you think of our rather unique citizen?" "Nice..." the guard before her on the left said. "Respectful..." the guard before her on the right said. "Ornery!" yelled the guard facing her from the double doors on the right. "Hard worker..." the guard facing her from the double doors on the left said. At each remark Princess Celestia had nodded thoughtfully, before her eyes sprung open and she looked towards the guard at the double doors on the right. "Ornery?" Celestia questioned as she quirked her brow, along with Princess Luna. "..." The guardstallion, unsure of how to explain, started to sweat a bit under both princess's gaze. "At ease." Princess Luna said. "Thy is given permission to forgo usual decorum while in uniform if need be to explain." The guardstallion relaxed a bit, sitting down on his flank as he seemed to search for a way to explain without sounding silly or insulting to Sentinel whom he actually thought was pretty fun to be around. "Well, it a few days after he had arrived..." the guardstallion began to explain. Day Three "This. Is. So..." Rarity growled out, "Frustrating!" "Whats wrong Rarity," asked Rainbow Dash as she grinned, "Having trouble getting your point across?" Rarity proceeded to turn around, several pin needles held by her magical grasp as they too turned, causing Rainbow to take a jump back along with flaring her wings. She hated needles. "Well, if you must know Rainbow Dash," Rarity said rather snooty, "Sentinel here is being absolutely uncooperative is all." "If somepony who looked nothing like what a somepony should look like was yelling at me when I couldn't understand a lick of what they were sayin," Applejack interjected, "I'd be a bit unruly too." "But he's just sitting there." Fluttershy spoke up her observation. "That's the problem Fluttershy darling," Rarity says as she turns to Fluttershy, who hunkers down when all the pin needles do the same, "It's like he's totally ignoring me and all I wish to do is make him something fabulous to wear!" she nearly yells the last part. Perspective : Sentinel Sentinel was just sitting there perfectly still, minding his own and still grasping at the proverbial straw. While not by any rights afraid, he couldn't help but admit the strange mannerisms of these equines were... colorful. He also had to note that the guards standing near him, while not giving off anything but a sense of security, appeared to be perfect twins. But after he took note, he noted once again that there were two types of guards. White, and Black. All looked exactly the same. However he was brought back as the white and cyan equines seem to be bickering, quite loudly. The white one seemed to be threatening the cyan one with needles, as the cyan flared it's wings as if it was some form of territorial posturing. --------------------------------------------------- "...and I'm telling you," Rainbow growled back, "Stop trying to force it to wear what you want like its some pet!" "I'm just trying to help!" Rarity yells back as Fluttershy hides behind an annoyed Applejack, "unlike a certain somepony!" "Whats that supposed to mean!?" Rainbow Dash bellowed as she flared her wings up a little more. "If you had your way you'd have it outside in a race," Rarity jabs low, "Just because its...new." then lower. "...least I wouldn't treat it like you do spike..." Rainbow mumbles, but just enough for all to hear. As Rarity and Rainbow grew utterly silent, giving cold stares to each other, Applejack and Fluttershy were moving backwards to the open doorway and safety. "How....DARE YOU!" Rarity almost shrieks as she drops all of her pin needles, grabbing one of the guard's helmets to chuck it at Rainbow who is hunched down ready to dodge anything coming her way. But nothing does, as Sentinel suddenly grabs the helmet in Rarity's grasp, breaking it in the process. As they all watch Sentinel staring intently at the helmet, they then watch as only his eyes moves towards the guardstallion whose the helmet belongs to. However, while normal for them and common knowledge, the guardmare who now stood there wide eyed... " Sentinel seemed to question towards the guardmare,"" then back towards the helmet. "Woohoo!" Rainbow explained, pointing a hoof at Rarity, "Denied!" "Just what do you..." Rarity begins to say, as a helmet is put on her head, causing a fabulous transformation. Back to Present Day "...and that is where the legend of the fabulous white stallion began." The stallion on the left side of the double doors said only loud enough for the mare on the right to hear, much to the stink eye that replied. "Ever since then, whenever he passes me, he stops and stares at me." The guardmare exclaims in frustration and just a hint of playfulness. "It's like he's purposely giving me the impression that he isn't sure its me, but then.. pluck!" she quickly lifts her helmet into the air as high as her forelegs will take it to show emphasis, before putting it back on and transforming. When the guards all look back up to their Princesses, they are split down the middle along with the Solar and Lunar. Princess Celestia is holding a hoof to her forehead below her horn, while Princess Luna is outright laughing her flank off, eventually causing even Princess Celestia to giggle. Just as they are both calming down, another guard enters the chambers. "Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, " he states as he kneels, "Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor have arrived." Both Celestia and Luna stand up with Celestia speaking, "Please, show them in." The guard nods before disappearing back through the double doors, before Cadance and Shining Armor enter shortly after. Both look just a bit tired from their long travel from the Crystal Empire, but still quite lively. "We are pleased to welcome thee back, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor." Princess Luna gestures. "It's good to be back," Cadance replies as Shining nods in confirmation. But before official, or even casual, conversation can begin, another guard enters and kneels. "My Princesses, and Prince." the guardstallion states before rising, "I'm pleased to announce that the bearers of harmony have just arrived to the castle gates." Princess Celestia smiles, always loving meeting the bearers when its not because of some threat or emergency, "Please escort them to the grand dining room." She tells the guard, "Tell the cooks to begin preparations for ten." "Only ten?" Shining questions, "Is..." "Sentinel has taken a rather..." Princess Celestia begins to say, but tries to search for a word as to not cause worry, "solitary living arrangement as of late and we've decided to respect his decision." Celestia continues, "But rest assured, he will be here later tonight." An hour later With Princess Celestia and Princess Luna at the fore front of the long table, Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor lined up on the left side, followed by Twilight and Pinkie. Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and finally Rainbow Dash lined up the opposing right side. While such a gather garnered casual conversation while food was still being prepared, it was the empty seats, or seat, that kept the bearers glancing and abnormally quiet. Princess Celestia, sensing the discomfort, felt perhaps an indirect subject might be best. "Twilight," Princess Celestia said, gaining the quick attention of Twilight along with everypony else, "In your last letter, you mentioned that after doing some more research on Sentinel's Auras that you've come to some sort of conclusion?" "Oh!" Twilight replied with a bit too much glee, "Well Sentinel was kind enough to let me run some tests on him when I came each time to see how he was doing on learning our language. Although he never seemed to give me any direct answers, he did at least help me confirm one conclusion." "And what might that be?" Applejack asked. "That for all intents and purposes, what Sentinel was doing was in fact, NOT magic based." Twilight beamed a rather dorky grin after stating. "I dunno," Applejack replied, "what he was doing seemed awful lot like something you'd see a unicorn do." "Normally that be true, but remember essentially magic is an internal or external energy source. You see," Twilight continued even through what sounded like a soft thump towards the mid right side of the table, "While both earth ponies and Pegasus are able to harness passive magic internally or externally only, unicorns can also harness actively in both." "Yeah I get that sugarcube." Applejack confirmed, "But I thought everything used magic in some manner here." "Well if you take Star Swirl's theory, " Twilight says as another soft thump is heard from the same area, followed by a soft thump and giggles to her right side, "about inter dimensional travel, then while something might be magic here, it wouldn't be in another." "So what you're saying, darling " Rarity interjects, "Is that Sentinel's magic from where he's from isn't considered magic here?" "Not entirely." Twilight says as she scrunches her muzzle, "What it means is that where he came from it wasn't magic but something else based on the rules of their dimension. However, since those rules can't be applied here, once he came here his abilities have adapted to another source in order to work." "Have you been able to find out what the source is?" Celestia asked, genuinely intrigued. "Well I...um..." Twilight's demeanor suddenly shifted, "I...want to explain a few things about the auras he used first..." Sensing the change, and noticing the others all did as well, Celestia nodded her head. "First, his auras are passive, like an earth pony's magic, " She says, noting that everypony is listening, even Rainbow. "Second, is that at least for his healing aura, its not regenerative but repair based. That explains why he has scars all over his body." Twilight continues. "Third, the trigger seems to be when he is damaged. So essentially its a reactive aura that accelerates the body's natural healing that he has absolutely no control over." Everypony either nods on understanding or waits for the end to ask questions, feeling something big is yet to be told. "Finally.." Twilight lets out a deep sigh, "Since whatever source it used from where he came from does not exist here in ours, his auras have adapted to using another source entirely. However unlike the source of magic, which can be used until the user runs out of physical or mental stamina, the sourced used by his auras don't have the same fail safe." Applejack was about to ask something, when she looked over and saw Twilight sniffle. While so far the explanation does not seem to be entirely without problems, nothing seems drastic enough to elicit such a reaction. Princess Celestia, wanting to get to the bottom of this, decides enough is enough. "Twilight," Celestia gently directs to Twilight, "You're starting to worry all of us. What is it that you're not telling?" "The source..." Twilight sniffs a little before going on, "is his life force." While twilight got looks of worry and concern from her five fellow bearers along with Cadance and Shining, Princess Celestia and Luna wore very visible looks of shock. It wasn't until the other ponies looked towards Celestia and Luna that their look of concern and worry turned to something a little more fearful. "Are you sure?" Celestia asked Twilight. "StarSwirl the Bearded had experimented with different sources of energy to use in place of magic if the need ever arose." Twilight explained, "When I asked if he could show me the auras I casted one of StarSwirl's identifying spells, and it linked the source to Life energy." "I thought you said he couldn't control it?" Rainbow abruptly questioned, "So how the hay did he show you if it only happens when he is hurt?" Twilight suddenly got nervous, her ears drooping. Rainbow shot her a rather annoyed look in return. "The big jerk went and broke his fingers..." Twilight muttered. "What?!" almost all of them yelled. "I said the big jerk broke his fingers!" Twilight yelled right back, already rather upset at remembering when it happened. "Has thou been able to find his limit?" Luna bluntly asked, causing many to look at her in confusion. "Limit?" Rarity asked. "Basically, given how his abilities work and what they consume in the process," Twilight directed towards Rarity, "Sentinel has a limit once he starts getting hurt, until his auras kill him." "Isn't that...the same for everypony?" Applejack questioned. "No..." Celestia lowly answered, surprising everypony. "Essentially, if he were in a major confrontation or series of injuries, his life force might become dangerously low. If he were to suffer a non life threatening injury while in that state, something as simple as a superficial cut, his aura might activate and kill him." Applejack started to say something, but then just closed her mouth and let her head sink as the realization sunk in. "Is there anything that we can do?" Fluttershy, having been quiet all this time, said with tears threatening to emerge. "The only way would for Sentinel to become something that would allow him to adhere entirely to the rules of our dimension." Twilight responded, "While his auras would still exist, and still be passive, they should be able to use the same magic we all can as a source rather than his own life force." "Oh I know!" Pinkie yelled, turning heads "Why don't we make him into a pony?" "No." replied Sentinel, who had been standing at the doorway for Celestia only knows how long, causing everypony to either freeze, gasp in surprise, or send him a dirty look for ease dropping. "And just why the hay not!?" Rainbow yelled as she turned around to face Sentinel. "Hello to you too, Rainbow Dash." was all Sentinel said as he walked to the far end of the table to sit down. Rainbow dash was giving him almost a scowl for passing off her serious question, while the others mostly bore the look of concern. From the moment he answered no, Princess Celestia was internally debating with herself on how to proceed. She knew that Sentinel wouldn't be stronghoofed by anypony and that going about it in the wrong way could very easily alienate him from them. But she also knew that his abilities were essentially a deathtrap and one that had a solution and she wasn't about to let one of her subjects needlessly suffer just for the sake of it, along with how many would be hurt if something happened to Sentinel. Steeling herself, Princess Celestia was preparing to put her best hoof forward to try and steer this situation to the best possible outcome. It would take a great deal of charisma and grace to convince somepony like Sentinel, but... "Thou denial is denied." Princess Luna stated nonchalantly.