//------------------------------// // Challenge Accepted // Story: One Last Quest // by Vanner //------------------------------// Chapter 13: Challenge Accepted He comes at you with a hoof, you come at him with a horn. That’s the Kin of Luna way. “I keep telling you, Celestia hates me,” said Pokey. Cheerilee ignored the remark as she dug through a stack of boxes. She finally came to the scroll she was looking for and began reading its contents. “I mean, it has got to be personal at this point. Why else would she send us out to find something she already has?” “Because there’s more royalty than just her,” said Cheerilee. She showed Pokey and Medley the scroll she had been searching for. It had been embossed with an official royal seal, and contained enough legal language to make any pony’s head spin. Pokey raised an eyebrow of the top of the scroll. He couldn’t read half the words on the page. “What are we looking at?” asked Pokey. “And who is Blueblood?” asked Medley as she scanned further down the paper. Cheerilee looked over the scroll in disgust. “Blueblood is a prince who thought the Ruby of Brilliance would look great in his home,” she said. “Let me guess,” said Pokey. “This was ten years ago.” “Actually, it was part of a spring redecoration,” Cheerilee replied as she rolled another inch. “Isn’t prince a fairly significant title?” asked Medley. “I’d hate to go upsetting the nobility and wind up in prison. We’ll just explain that we’re on a mission from the princess, and he’s sure to give us the stone.” “I doubt that,” said Cheerilee. “He’s likely to treat us as commoners.” She looked over the rim of her glasses at Medley. “I’d say we have less chance of getting to him then we would of getting to Luna.” “Great,” groaned Pokey. “Another stuffy, over bred, pain in the flank royalty to kiss up to.” “I’m sure he’s not that bad,” Cheerilee lied. She looked through the archive one last time before placing her boxes back on the table to be re-shelved. “So, then we’ll go find Ingrid Marie and...” “What about the ruby?” asked Medley. “We’ll have to get that last,” said Cheerilee. She looked back at the Hamite cases. “Ingrid Marie may be a stuck up nag, but she’s not royalty. We can get in to see her, and we don’t even need an appointment. I spent part of my graduate studies as a secretary. You’d be surprised what you can get with a few kind words and a bottle of wine.” They made their way back up the elevator and to the front desk, where Dr. Yorsets was quietly napping. He snapped to attention as the elevator door clanked open. The unicorn smiled as Cheerilee and her companions approached. “You find what you were looking for?” he asked. “Yes and no,” said Cheerilee. “Isn’t that always the way with research?” “It really is,” said Dr. Yorsets. “Anything else I can do for you?” “Actually there is,” replied Cheerilee. “Where is Dr. Marie’s office?” “She’s the assistant dean, these days,” said Dr. Yorsets. “I’m glad I got tenured when I did, else she would have gotten me fired long ago.” “Well I hope to make her miserable for you,” smirked Cheerilee. She extended a hoof to her professor. “Do take care of yourself, sir.” “You too, darling,” he replied as he shook hooves. The trio walked through the massive double doors of the Archive and out into the campus. The sun hung low in the sky; the day had been passing the ponies by as they canvassed Canterlot. Something caught Pokey’s eye as they exited; the distraction caused him to walk face first into a large white stallion. “Pardon me,” said Pokey. “How dare you!” whined the white unicorn. “A commoner has touched me! The indignity of it!” It was then Pokey noticed the amber maned stallion had otherwise surrounded himself with several other large unicorn stallions. Cheerilee had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from swearing. The stallion stared at Pokey expectantly. “Aren’t you going to bow in the presence of your prince?” he demanded. The other stallions surrounding him moved up. It was a clearly presented challenge to the blue unicorn. “And why would I bow to you?” asked Pokey. “You look like another stuffy, inbred blue blood to me.” Cheerilee cleared her throat loudly, as if trying to warn Pokey of something. Pokey was too busy with his macho posturing to notice. “How dare you!” he said again. “Gentlecolts, take care of this ruffian.” The stallions took a step forward as Pokey shifted into a battle stance. They paused a moment as they came to the realization that this wasn’t their normal commoner. “Sir,” said one of the stallions. “I’m pretty sure he’s not a commoner. That armor he’s wearing is uh...” The unicorn searched for the appropriate words. “Well it might be nobility.” “From what backwards country?” scoffed the white stallion. “I’ve never seen anything like it, and it’s certainly far inferior to my own.” “I am a Kin of Luna,” said Pokey. “And I suggest you keep walking if you want to keep your pretty hoofs unscuffed.” “You have challenged my honor!” scoffed the stallion. He floated a white slipper from his pocket, and slapped Pokey’s chest with it. “I challenge you to a duel.” Pokey’s laughter came so quickly he didn’t have time to suppress it. He let out a short guffaw before regaining his composure. “Well, do you accept, Kin?” demanded the stallion. Pokey considered for a moment before floating off one of his armored shoes. He cracked the white stallion across the face with it. The white stallion fell to the ground in a heap of twitching unicorn. “I accept,” said Pokey. “Have your second meet mine at the Canterlot Commons Inn at seven to discuss preparations.” He put his shoe back on, and trotted away. The mares followed, though they were far too stunned to comment. As they got further away on campus, Cheerilee regained enough composure to explode at Pokey. “Do you know who that was?” she demanded. “Some stuffy, inbred blue blood?” asked Pokey. He really hadn’t considered who he had just challenged. “That was THE stuffy inbred Blueblood that we were looking for!” shouted Cheerilee. “You… you… just assaulted royalty!” Pokey shrugged. “I accepted his challenge,” said Pokey. “I don’t wear slippers, so I used what I had.” Cheerilee’s protests turned to strangled noises of rage. Pokey giggled underneath his helmet as they trotted for the administrative offices. “We’re never going to get the ruby from him now,” said Cheerilee. “I hope you’re happy with yourself.” “We’ll just have Celestia order him to give it up,” said Pokey. “It’s not like he has any real authority anyway. We do live in an autocracy, you know.” “You’re surprisingly well spoken for someone who can barely read,” noted Medley. “Explore enough of the world, my dear Medley,” replied Pokey, putting on sarcastic airs, “and you too will learn all sorts of things. Things like when to use proper etiquette, or when to smack some pony upside the head with an iron boot.” “Who’s your second?” asked Medley. “Do you even know any pony in this city that’d be willing to fight for you?” Pokey paused, and looked at the pegasus. “That’s a great question,” he said. “I’m even more impressed that you know what a second is.” “Explore enough of the world...” Medley parroted in the same sarcastic tone. “I guess it’s going to be Cheerilee,” said Pokey. He nodded to the earth pony. “I’m not going to fight Blueblood if you chicken out,” huffed Cheerilee. “No, you’re not,” said Pokey, “because I’m not going to chicken out. You just need to set up the time and place with his second, so I can wipe that smirk off his over-bred face.” They trotted to the administrative offices to find them still open. The administrative office was a castle in its own right, but in miniature. The spiraling outdoor staircases led to the highest levels where purple domed roofs held golden spires. The lower half of the building was made of pure white marble, and featured a massive carving of Celestia raising the sun. Cheerilee stood unimpressed. “This way,” she said cheerfully. She pranced up the stairs knowing that what she was about to do would annoy Ingrid about as much as possible. They came to the office door at the top of the stairs. It hung open and creaked softly in the gentle breeze. The secretary’s desk had been cleaned out, and the inner door hung open. A few bottles of cider rolled across the carpet as the ponies stepped into the office. The walls had been papered with a red, quilt like texture, trimmed at the edges with gold. A border of yellow with red apples paraded around the ceiling, traveling down the walls at the hutch on the far wall. A beige unicorn with an umber mane sat slumped over on her desk. Tears spotted the beautiful wood surface, and an obnoxiously pink piece of paper sat crumpled at the edge. The unicorn looked up to see the visiting ponies. “Dr. Marie?” asked Cheerilee, quietly. “Are you alright?” “Oh, um...” she wiped her eyes. “Yes, what can I do for you?” “Dr. Marie, you may not remember me...” started Cheerilee. “No, I remember you,” she sniffed. “It’s good to see you again, Cheerilee.” “Yes,” said Cheerilee. She looked around the office at the empty cider bottles before seeing that the bright pink paper was a termination slip. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine,” she sniffed. “I’ve just been terminated. Fired. Given the old heave ho. I guess all my years of being a nag have finally caught up with me.” She blew her nose into a handkerchief, filling the room with a stunning rendition of a foghorn. She floated it away, stuffing it inside her desk. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” said Cheerilee. “What happened?” “Oh, I upset that snotty young aristocrat Blueblood when I wouldn’t give him some stone I acquired a few years ago.” She gestured over to a small glass display case that contained a sapphire the size of an acorn. The gem lit up the room with a soft blue glow. “That, coupled with my less aggressive stance towards non-unicorn students made it easy for the board to dismiss me. I didn’t even care about that stupid stone really. I just didn’t want that foppish gelding getting his hooves on it.” She looked at the stone; tears still formed at the corners of her eyes. She floated another cider from beneath her desk, and struggled to open the cap. Pokey walked up and snapped it off with the ridge of his horn. “Thank you,” she sniffed. “Though I'm surprised you would treat your horn like that. Most spells require precision trimming to function.” “Not mine,” said Pokey. “None of them have anything do with precision.” “I believe I could have taught you some things back in the day,” said Ingrid. She gave Pokey the once over, and smiled. Ingrid pushed back a wisp of mane from her tear stained face. “I probably still could, if you’ve got some time.” She winked at Pokey before she turned back to Cheerilee. “I’m guessing you’re not here on a social call, considering I single hooofedly ruined your academic career.” “We’re actually here about that stone,” said Cheerilee. “Celestia asked us to find the four Stones of Brillance, and you just happened to have one.” Ingrid took another sip of her cider. “There’s four of these?” she asked. “Where are the other three?” Cheerilee dug the diamond necklace out of her saddlebag as Medley pulled the emerald collar from hers. The three stones lit up the room with an unearthly aqua light that poured from the windows and onto the campus. The light died down after a moment. Ingrid Marie was speechless. “That is the single most beautiful thing I have seen in my entire career,” she gasped at last. “I’ll happily give you the stone. Do you know where the last one is?” “Blueblood has it, apparently,” said Medley. “But we’re going to have a heck of a time getting it. Pokey cold cocked him with an iron shoe after he challenged him to a duel.” “Oh, that braggart had it coming, I’m sure,” smirked Ingrid. “But I’ll let you in on a little secret. He has a massive gambling problem. It’s in your best interest to get that stone away from him before he pawns it off to goddess knows who.” “Fantastic,” muttered Pokey. “I’m sorry you’ve gotten yourself terminated,” said Cheerilee. “There are always open positions at Ponyville schools if you feel you can handle a bunch of young fillies and colts.” “Maybe it’s all the cider talking,” said Ingrid. “But that sounds like a splendid idea.” “Then I hope to see you soon,” said Cheerilee, taking the sapphire. “Please take care of yourself.” “You too dear,” said Ingrid as they made for the door. She looked down at her drawer, and spoke again. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Your paper on the Kin of Luna Rebellion was the finest scholarly article I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.” She pulled a dusty sheaf of paper from her drawer, and dropped it on her desk. She floated a stamp from a wire rack and marked the stack with a large APPROVED FOR DEFENSE. The stack floated to Cheerilee’s pack, and found its home among her other books and maps. “I met a donkey a while back who changed my mind about the Kin, and non unicorns in general,” said Ingrid. “He was a doctor who proved to me that you didn’t need magic to do great things. It’s because of him I started seeing what other equines could do, and it reminded me what I did to you. I dug up your paper as a reminder that my own prejudices robbed the academic world of a brilliant mind.” She looked at the stamp, and tossed it out the window. “Maybe I can make children happy like you, instead of making adults miserable.” Cheerilee trotted to her old professor, and gave her a hug. She walked out the door, flanked by Medley and Pokey. Ingrid stared for a moment at her desk and near empty office. Her horn glowed as she lifted the desk, and flipped it upside down. She giggled as the inkwells soaked into the rug, and the cider bottles rolled across the floor. “Well that was kind of anticlimactic,” complained Pokey. “I was expecting some serious academic kung fu, or at least a mane pulling cat fight.” “Sorry to disappoint,” said Cheerilee, looking back at the tower. “I really hope she does come to Ponyville.” “I thought you hated her?” said Medley. “I used to,” said Cheerilee. She continued down the steps. “But hate is a funny thing. It can turn to pity in a second when you realize that the pony you hate isn’t a monster, but misinformed. I’m sure no one knows that better than you.” She smiled. “I think she’ll be alright.” Medley looked up at the clock tower. “We have to get to the inn so we can meet with Blueblood’s second,” she said, pointing to the time. “I can’t wait,” giggled Pokey. “I haven’t fought a duel in years.” They arrived in short order at the Canterlot Commons Inn. Despite being one of the cheapest hotels in Canterlot, the trio would be forced to share a room due to cost, rather than simply wanting to remain close. The common area was littered with the underclass of Canterlot. A single impeccably dressed grey stallion with a white mane and a compass rose cutie mark sat with his flank against the wall. The stallion was busy fending off drunks trying to roll him for booze money. The entire room stopped to stare as Pokey entered the bar like some samurai from legend. The stallion immediately stood up, and ran to Pokey. “Oh thank goddess you’re here,” he said. “I’m South Pole, Blueblood’s lawyer, err... second.” He extended a hoof, smiling nervously. “Can we go somewhere else?” he asked, looking around. “Anywhere else?” “This is the only place we can afford,” lied Pokey. “Quite frankly we were expecting more camping and less hotels. Our purses are running on fumes.” While this wasn’t strictly true, Pokey was pretty sure he could weasel a better place to stay out of this guy. “I can put you up in a much nicer place close to campus if you’ll just get me out of here,” begged South Pole. “I’ve been here for an hour, and I’m afraid I might get shived if I stay longer.” Pokey and South Pole stepped outside to find Medley and Cheerilee yelling at two drunken earth ponies, explaining that they were not for rent. Pokey took a step toward them as his horn pulsed with its terrifying black light. “Problem, gentlecolts?” he asked. The earth ponies scrambled over themselves to get away from the terrifying samurai unicorn. He turned back to the grey stallion. “Lead on.” “Well, if it isn’t South Pole,” said Cheerilee with a smirk. “I haven’t seen you since you left for law school in Manehatten.” “Cheerilee!” he said. His face lit up with joy. “I... didn’t expect to find you hanging around with an armored lunatic.” Pokey shot a look at South, and he cringed in terror. “Not that there’s anything wrong with hanging out with armored lunatics in shady parts of Canterlot. I’m kind of envious. About the armor.” He adjusted his tie. “Shall we go? To some place less... stabby?” They called a carriage and within minutes were in a far nicer neighborhood. Cheerilee flounced her candy striped hair at the grey stallion. “So how did you come to work for Blueblood?” asked Cheerilee. “My law firm assigned me to him,” South Pole said. “He’s always in some sort of trouble and making challenges to others. When he saw I was on the Canterlot University fencing team, he appointed me as his so called second.” He floated a stack of papers out of his saddle bag, and passed them to Pokey. “Now if you’ll sign here, here, and here, we can pay you the standard amount to not show up.” “Shouldn’t you be discussing this with her?” asked Medley. South Pole looked at Cheerilee uncertainly. “You’re his second?” he asked. “I guess,” replied Cheerilee. “It was either me or her, and she’s pregnant.” South took a deep breath, and floated the papers to her. “Okay, so YOU sign here, here, and here...” “Oh he’s most definitely coming to this fight,” said Cheerilee. “Blueblood has sullied the honor of the Kin of Luna, and Pokey demands satisfaction.” She embellished her speech with great dignity to try to quantify the scale of Blueblood’s injustice. She hoped it sounded as ridiculous as she thought it did. “You’re kidding me,” said South Pole. “You’re a Kin? You look so... knightly. I thought the Kin were all, you know, terrorists.” “Wow,” said Cheerilee. “I realize you slept through that class, but really, terrorists?” She tutted at the unicorn. “I’m disappointed in you, South. I thought you were better than that.” “Wait,” interrupted Pokey. “This guy was the stallion you distracted yourself with during your Buffalo Studies class?” Pokey shook his head. “Cheerilee, I thought you had better taste in stallions back then.” Medley looked confused. “I thought you dated mares...” “THAT WAS A PHASE, DAMNIT,” shrieked Cheerilee. South Pole coughed, trying to steer the conversation back to what amounted to reality. “At any rate,” continued South, “you really want to fight a duel with Blueblood?” “I cracked him with my shoe for a reason,” said Pokey. “And it wasn’t because he had a fly on him.” “Well you’ve made me happy at least,” said South Pole, as they pulled up to the hotel. They exited the carriage to Canterlot Carriage Suites. The building was made of the same white marble that adorned most of the city, and rose twenty five stories into the sky. Though dwarfed by the other buildings around it, and its luxury faded from the years, it had that certain charm that one only found in smoky bars and old jazz clubs. The ponies walked inside the lounge area and stood at the low tables. “Why would your employer getting in a duel make you happy?” asked Cheerilee. “Because it’d be nice to see his massive ego cut down a notch,” said South Pole. He levitated a pen from his satchel. “Don’t get me wrong, Blueblood’s no slouch when it comes to duels. He wins most of them, and he’s put ponies in the ground before.” South tapped his pen on the table, and started writing things on the documents. “But you look like you’ve seen real combat, and that armor of yours is straight out of a history book. Now, as to the terms of the fight...” “Any pony else hungry?” asked Medley. “I could use some donuts.” “There’s a wonderful donut place down the street,” said South Pole. “I’ll buy.” South Pole ordered a room for the trio before they left in search of fried pastries. A short walk brought them to the donut shop near campus. Behind the counter stood a light tan unicorn with a brown mane and a cutie mark of sprinkled donut. In front of the counter sat a small purple and green dragon; he was nursing a cup of hot chocolate. Spike turned around as the door bell chimed, and his face went white. “Uh, hi guys,” Spike said, as he backed away from the ponies. “W...what’s up?” Pokey wrapped Spike in a telekinetic blanket before he had the chance to run. Pokey slammed the dragon to the ground. With murder in his eyes, Pokey’s horn sparked with dark light. “Hey!” yelled the stallion behind the counter. “You leave him alone!” “This lizard ruined my life,” snarled Pokey. “As a lawyer,” said South, “I have to advise you that assaulting a dragon in the city of Canterlot carries with it serious jail time.” “Please don’t hurt him,” said Cheerilee. “I’m sure that Celestia’s punished him for what he’s done already.” Pokey slammed Spike into the ceiling with his telekinetic powers. He threw spike into the wall before letting him drop to the floor. Pokey stomped out of the donut shop. He was cursing a blue streak as he left. Spike wobbled to his feet. “I thought he was going to kill me,” said Spike. “Well I wouldn’t have stopped him,” said Medley. “I very nearly died because of your thoughtless actions.” “Wait, you’re actually out looking for those stones?” asked Spike. “I thought you managed to get out of it.” “No,” said Cheerilee. “And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re short a party member.” Spike looked around and noted the absence of Redheart. Spike’s face dropped. He put his head in his hands and shook his head. “Oh, man,” he said. “I didn’t think that you could actually die out there. I thought that Celestia’s quests were all fun and games.” “Well, they’re not,” huffed Cheerilee. “Medley wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Luna’s intervention, and Pokey wasn’t exaggerating when he said you ruined his life. He’s sacrificed so much for this quest that there’s not much left of him to give.” “But you found the stones right?” asked Spike. “I mean, if you’ve got them, Celestia can just give him back the things he lost, right?” Cheerilee just shook her head. “You really don’t get it, do you?” she asked. “I realize that you’re just a child, but I would have hoped that being a dragon would have given you a better sense of perspective. You changed all of our lives. In Pokey’s case, it wasn’t for the better.” Cheerilee sighed. She looked out at Pokey stomping back to the hotel. “Go back to Ponyville, Spike. If I were you, I’d pray to the dragon gods for forgiveness. I’d also pray that you never meet Pokey in a dark alley, because if he sees you again, he will probably kill you.” Spike ran from the building and into the city in a blur of purple. Medley shot Cheerilee a confused look. “Why did you let him think Redheart died?” she asked. “Because it’ll make him think the next time he decides to shirk responsibility,” said Cheerilee. “Guilt is a harsh punishment, but it’s probably fitting for his crime.” “Are you gonna order something?” asked the stallion behind the counter. “Sorry about that,” said Cheerilee. “A Bostallion crème and a coffee.” “Coffee and an apple fritter,” said South Pole. “Alfalfa and maple walnut,” said Medley. South Pole stuck his tongue out at the horrid choice. “What?” she asked. “The whims of a pregnancy appetite are not to be questioned.” The ponies arrived back at the hotel to find Pokey pacing in a circle and muttering angrily about something. South Pole looked at Cheerilee with some uncertainty. Cheerilee only shrugged. “He’ll be fine,” said Cheerilee. “Now you were saying about the details?” “Oh, yes,” said South. “The prince prefers duels to be unarmored save for helms, with no magic, and to the first blood.” He pulled a few papers from his satchel. “That’s probably the safest for both parties, and it’s seen as the most civilized.” “Makes sense,” said Medley as she enjoyed her donut. “Now, you might want to consult with your armored friend over there about what he wants,” continued South, “but anything else, and I’ll have to consult with the Prince.” Cheerilee looked over to Pokey. He was still pacing and talking to himself. Cheerilee affixed a worried smile. “Let’s not bother him with the details just yet,” she said. “I’ll sign these for him.” Cheerilee clicked her pen, and scribbled her flowery autograph on the legal papers. “And there you have it.” “Fantastic,” replied South Pole. He floated the documents back to his satchel and looked around for a moment before moving to leave. He stopped halfway to the door, and turned around. “Wouldyouliketohavedinnertonight?” he blurted. His grey cheeks practically turned red with embarrassment. “Um...” said Cheerilee, caught dishoofed at the question. She looked at Medley, who grinned and nodded. “Well, I haven’t had a shower in two days, but... sure, I guess. Give me half an hour.” “Uh, great!” he said, nervously. “I’ll go call us a carriage.” He walked out of the hotel, leaving the pegasus and the earth pony exchanging looks. “Well, well,” smirked Medley. “Someone has a date.” “It’s not a date!” blushed Cheerilee. “I mean, he probably just wants to make sure of all the legal nonsense is squared away.” “Sounds like a date to me,” grinned Medley. “Let’s get you up to the room so you can get ready.” The girls disappeared upstairs, and Pokey stopped pacing. He closed his eyes for a moment, and drew a deep breath. He left to go find the hotel gym. He hoped they had a kicking bag.