//------------------------------// // Concentrate, My Ebon to Your Mane // Story: Yaerfaerda // by Imploding Colon //------------------------------// “We've searched all over the Royal Palace, Secretary,” a guard said. “There's no sign of the Xonan. Or the Prince for that matter.” Another guard galloped up. “We have one team retracing their steps in the royal chambers. The other team is branching out and searching the courtyards immediately outside the palace.” Secretary Sharp Quill took a deep breath. He glared ahead as he trotted firmly down an ornate palace hallway. “She's a magically gifted unicorn. Is it possible that she could have teleported the two of them somewhere?” “Erm...” “Well?!” Sharp Quill snapped, purple eyes flaring. “Is it possible or isn't it?!” “Our knowledge of unicorn magic is limited, Secretary, sir. We could be talking ten meters... one hundred meters... it's difficult to say.” “Have you or have you not pledged your lives to the House of Evo?!” Sharp Quill snarled. “Difficulty is not the issue here! We must find the Prince so that he can be safely crowned King!” “We understand, sir! And we have all of our guards fanned out, searching for—” “Nnngh... such a waste of time.” Sharp Quill marched swiftly ahead. “Round up every Soul Sentry in the Capital. Focus their attention on the Palace. I refuse to believe that they both just disappeared!” “Sir, about the Soul Sentries,” one guard spoke up, struggling to keep up with Sharp Quill. “General Saikano's brigade reports that the perimeter is being drawn in towards the capital and...” The Secretary and his company of guards vanished down the far end of the hallway. Seconds later, a patch of wall shifted from the rest. Ebon Mane solidified, catching his breath as he reverted to his natural insectoid self. Wheezing, he crawled a few feet down the corridor, recovering from a prolonged period of active camouflage. Before he had the chance to relax, however, Ebon heard loud hoofsteps coming from around the nearby corner, accompanied by the unmistakable rattle of armor. Looking all around, Ebon discovered a door just five feet away. He dashed towards it and fiddled with the handle. To his joy, it opened to a dark chamber. Without a second's hesitation, he dashed into the enclosure and slammed the door shut. He heard the rattle of armor come and go. All was silent once again. With a shuddering breath, Ebon Mane turned around. He stared directly into four sets of glowing green eyes. “Aaaack!” he jumped back, cowering into a little carapace shell. He clenched his eyes shut, waiting to get the zap. However, nothing happened. More nervous than relieved, Ebon looked up. Sure enough, four Soul Sentries sat dead-still inside the compartment, facing the door he had just entered through. They appeared to be relaxing, judging by the lazy stances they all took, resting back on their haunches. Their antlers pulsed from side to side, and their ever-luminescent eyes cast a green sheen across the opposite wall. Blinking, Ebon stood up. He leaned to the left, then to the right. None of the Soul Sentries even bothered pivoting their necks. He gulped, raised a webbed hoof, and boldly waved it in front of their eyes. The four reindeer sat perfectly still, unaffected. Ebon's fanged muzzle hung open. Before he could articulate his confusion, he heard hoofsteps bounding up from the hallway outside. Shimmying, he rushed towards the far corner of the tight chamber and coated his exoskeleton with a dark sheen, blending with the shadows. Seconds later, the door opened to the royal hallway. Two royal soldiers peered in. Immediately, all four Soul Sentries stood up and aimed their antlers threateningly at the intrusion. “Wh-whoah!” one guard stammered. “Stand down. Authorization Saikano Gamma.” The Soul Sentries sat back down, their horns no longer brimming with hot mana. “Mother of God,” the other guard muttered. “I know they represent the best of the best, but that'll never cease to freak me out.” “Uh huh. Whatever. The Secretary is grilling us all, and we need every able-bodied hoof available in the Palace to search for the Prince.” “You sure about that?” “You want to get on Sharp Quill's bad side?” “No, of course not. But look.” One guard pointed at the Soul Sentries. “Looks like they're in a state of rest. Wouldn't we be overworking them if we pulled these Soul Sentries out now?” “Hmmm... good point.” The first guard took a deep breath. “Okay. We'll take two of them out; leave the other two to regain their energy.” “Sounds good to me.” A soldier trotted in, facing one Soul Sentry after another, staring him down face-to-face. “Follow. Authorization Saikano Alpha,” he repeated. Two of the Soul Sentries obediently stood up and followed the soldiers out. The door shut behind, leaving Ebon Mane alone with the remaining reindeer. Exhaling, Ebon returned to natural form with a flicker of green flame. He paced over to the door, pressing his webbed ear against it. The hoofsteps of the royal guard grew more and more distant. Once the corridor beyond was silent, Ebon turned and faced the two Soul Sentries again. They looked past him, unaffected by his presence. Ebon rubbed his chitinous chin in thought. He paused. Then, with a brave flash of green flame, he transformed into Eagle Eye. The Soul Sentries didn't budge. Ebon reverted back to his natural shell, panting for breath. Focusing once more, he morphed into his usual burgundy exterior. The Soul Sentries remained seated. Back to his black shell, Ebon sat back, gawking at them. “Why do they not even see me?” His glazed eyes darted about. Suddenly, he gasped. “It's... it's because I'm a changeling, isn't it?” He gulped. “After all, how would anyone suspect hive drones making it all this way...?” Silence. Ebon Mane shuddered. He looked up at the Soul Sentries. He gazed at their glowing green eyes. Looking down at his own hoof, he morphed one limb just long enough to cover up to his fetlock. He concentrated on the green flame wafting over him. At last, he relaxed, letting the green flame dissipate. Gnawing on his lower jaw, he stared up at the Sentries' green eyes once again. On buzzing wings, the changeling lifted up until he was staring face-to-face with the reindeer once again. Breathing heavily to steel himself, he grasped both sides of one reindeer's skull and leaned forward until their foreheads made contact. “Mother... I know you're here somewhere...” Ebon's limbs tightened as he seethed. “...but if I can't find you, then I'm going to have to make you come to me...” Seconds went by. Minutes... Ebon shuddered, for suddenly his eyes were glowing with the same luminosity as the guard in front of him. He winced as if with a deep pain, but nevertheless kept concentrating, his wings fluttering steadier and steadier as he relaxed his mind, forming an empathetic bond. The chamber hung in dead silence all around him...