A large lake situated at the bottom of Canterlot Mountain, the result of the amount of waterfalls the city provided towards the feet of the mountain itself. But now it was surrounded by Unicorns and Pegasus Guards, both parties searching every inch, trying to find the fugitive that just escaped.
The unicorns scanned the area with scrying spells, trying to find him. According to one of the guards who saw him leap the wall, the creature landed into the lake and didn’t surface for the time the guard took to mobilize. Pegasus guards flew around the perimeter, trying to see if the creature managed to escape the lake without being seen, but a small forest surrounded the lake, providing enough cover for the fugitive to hide.
The search continued until the sun started to set.
“We’ve been scanning this lake all day and found nothing!” a unicorn guard spoke up, frustrated. “Unless that creature knows how to breathe under water or turn invisible, he’s probably long gone from here!”
“These scrying spells were made to search any lifeforms despite their hiding abilities or skills.” another guard spoke. “There’s no way he can hide for us.”
“Well, we completely underestimated him and were played for fools while he ran around Canterlot in a game of tag!” a pegasus guard shouted from above both unicorns who were commenting, before approaching the shore of the lake, saluting at his superior officer. “Sir, this is the eleventh search and there’s nothing to report.” He announced.
The officer sighed, looking towards the setting sun, then the lake. “Give one last round, then we return to the castle. Maybe the Night Guard will be luckier in the search.” He ordered the guard, who saluted and flew off.
The last search took another hour. Unfortunately, and to great chagrin for the guards, without success making all the search parties groan in frustration. The unicorns embarked in the traditional royal chariots with the Pegasus Guards pulling them, departing from the lake towards the castle. When the last chariot got out of view, a small group of trees not far from the lake started to twist and turn, revealing an opening on the ground between them. A hand got out, grabbing the nearest branch, pulling the body out and revealing Mike.
“Finally.” He breathed in relief.
***
Mikes' P.O.V.
I kept looking up, searching the twilight sky for any gold or indigo gleams, signaling either the Day Guard or the Night Guard. After a full minute without any signs, I got out of my temporary hideout and stretched.
Only to fall flat on the ground.
“Ugh. Ouch… Right…” I muttered, turning around to lay on my back with a grimace. “Better deal with my cramps first.”
I sat up and winced at the jolt of pain that ran through my spine, as the strain I put myself into as I ran through Canterlot finally got me back. Hard.
Side-effects after pushing myself through the second warning: temporary paralysis on the whole body. But nothing I can’t handle.
All the muscles in my legs were completely stiff from the cramps, refusing to move. I carefully prodded them, feeling the right place where the pain was more intense. After wincing a couple of times and pinpointing the right places, a quick massage got them back into working condition.
From a general point of view, this escape wasn’t one of my best, although I had some luck.
After the long fall directly into the lake, I managed to recover just in time to swim towards the shore and controlled some small trees to surround and hide my presence. Unfortunately, I managed to recover after falling into the lake, getting a massive belly-flop.
I can still feel my whole torso numb from the impact. That’s gonna take some time to recover, but right now time is something I don’t have.
Doing some squats and stretches, I tested my legs. They still twitched from the pain, but it was barely noticeable. I looked towards Canterlot, making sure nopony was coming, then climbed a tree to look at the sky.
The sun was starting to set while the moon was preparing to rise. Marshmallow and Moon Pie must’ve recovered from the treatment I gave them, meaning that if they decide, the next patrol of Guards will have them around. Orienting myself through the setting sun and rising moon, I climbed down the tree.
I froze when I noticed that I wasn’t alone.
Perching on a branch at the tree right in front of me, staring in curiosity was a phoenix. It leaned its head, observing me from head to feet, as if looking for something.
But the funny thing was that what made me freeze in place wasn’t the fact of being watched. It was the familiar magic the bird emanated.
“May I ask who you are?” I asked politely.
“I am Philomina, Princess Celestias’ phoenix.” The phoenix spoke mentally.
I looked at her, surprised. Normally, this kind doesn’t talk. “Philomina, huh?” I repeated, raising an eyebrow. “How did you know I was here?”
“I was taught at a young age to locate your power once you were free. That and to follow the trail of destruction caused by the ponies who would try to catch you.” She replied, disguising a small giggle. “Although I never expected to assist quite the show.”
I narrowed my eyes at the answer. Can speak naturally, was taught how to locate me… “Do you by any chance know a phoenix named Fire Strike?” I asked, just to make sure.
Philomina nodded. “Yes. He is my grandfather.”
I blinked in surprise and chuckled. “Your grandfather? Well, who would have guessed?” I commented with a smile. “That might explain how you can talk.”
“Very few can talk like me.” Philomina explained. “Only those who descended from Fire Strike have the ability to obtain speech, but only a few used them.” She looked aside. “I almost thought that I wouldn’t need mine after so long.”
“When was the last time you talked?”
“Before Princess Luna was banished to the moon as Nightmare Moon.”
“That was a millennia ago, give or take a few years. But why?”
“My grandfather has been observing the Princesses ever since you were turned to stone.” She started recounting. “He found a small forest, not far from the Badlands and stablished his nest. With the passing years, more phoenixes appeared and found his territory, and he welcomed them, keeping them protected against any threat from outside or to their offspring. Each year he flew to where they were staying, moving silently to try and find you but without success.
For a thousand years he told his offspring and his offsprings’ offspring a story about a warrior who was not from this World, that he called a friend and was strongly bonded with. They fought side-by-side against powerful creatures who would threat those who were weak or he considered precious friends. But due to a terrible incident between a current war, he ended up becoming the martyr of all the races, fighting their leaders all at once and at the same time, ending with his defeat and turned to stone.
When Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia banished her, grandfather saw her mourning and came with a plan.
He gathered his kin and asked for a volunteer to become the Princess companion pet. It would come with three conditions: the first was that the volunteer couldn’t reveal to anypony that he could speak; the second was to learn how to detect him in case he finally got free from his prison; the third was to make contact and guide him to where he was waiting.
Between the dozens of phoenix chicks, I was the only one who volunteered.”
I listened to her story in silence, contemplating every piece of the plan. “So let me get this straight.” I started. “After Luna was banished, Fire Strike sent you as a chick to Celestia in order to keep her company, while having the mission to meet me in case I managed to get free from my prison, in order to reunite with him once more.” I looked at her. “Is that right?”
The phoenix nodded.
“Gotta admit, that was very well planned.” Considering the story he told his offspring, he made sure that I would be seen in high regard. “Although putting you with such a mission at a young age…” I sat down, looking at the phoenix. “Did you ever regret taking that mission?”
Philomina shook her head, looking at me with a smile on her beak. “I also had the mission to bond with Princess Celestia and cheer her up when she was down. Together with being myself. And I was the mischievous one of the family.”
I laughed. “Oh, that’s a good one.”
“Indeed. But…” she looked towards Canterlot, a painful look in her eyes.
I nodded. “I understand.” I got up from the branch and climbed the rest of the tree down. “So you want to stay with Celestia after your mission is done.” I raised my right arm, allowing the phoenix to fly down and perch on it. She nodded. “You can return to Celestia or you can return to your family. I’m not forcing you to come with me.”
Philomina looked at me. “I… always admired you. Grandfather told stories about your adventures and I wanted to meet you face to face. But… it would be best if I stay with the Princess. We’ve been together for a long time.”
“It is your choice, and I’m sure Fire Strike would be proud of you.” Philomina puffed her chest, happy for my compliment. “So, without any more delays, can you tell me where he is hiding, please?”
Philomina tilted her head. “I thought I told you already. In the same place he stablished his nest. Near the Badlands. He told me you would know if I mention the Dragon Migration.”
I stared at her blankly for a moment before chuckling, as a thought came into my head. “Yeah, I know where that is.” I looked at Philomina with a smile. “Thanks for telling me where I can find him.”
Philomina nodded. “It’s a shame, though.” She commented. “Now I have to come back and pretend I can’t talk again.”
“Hmmm… I think I can help with that.”
She looked at me. “How?”
“Do you know the order of the Elements I have to gather?”
Philomina shook her head. “No, grandfather only told me that there were five Elements, Fire, Ice, Lightning, Nature and Wind. Why?”
I smiled, stroking her neck. “Keep the order of the Elements that you said in mind. Because I’m going to need to play stalker on Celestia after getting Fire Strike.” She looks at me, confused. I just winked. “If Celestia doesn’t know where I’m going, I have to provide her a little hint. And if she knows where they are, the easier it is for me.”
Philominas’ eyes widened as she understood what I was saying. “And then I can talk freely.” She narrowed her eyes. “You know she’s not going to like this.”
“You already fulfilled your mission.” I noted. “Consider it your prize for a job well done.”
The phoenix stared at me for a moment, then nodded, taking off from my arm towards Canterlot. In mid-flight, she suddenly changed course, allowing me to see several chariots coming out from the walls.
My eyes widened. “Oh crud, I lost track of time!”
Orienting myself, I started running through the forest, ending on a vast plain. The moonlight provided me enough illumination to see a good distance around the plain, helping me finding the train tracks. But it would also expose me to the guards that were coming down.
“Not sure if I can outrun them in an open field.” I muttered, rubbing one of my legs. Suddenly, a train whistle was heard. “But maybe I don’t have to.”
Near the foot of Canterlot Mountain, the Friendship Express was coming out of a tunnel. I smiled as I started to run towards the last train to Ponyville. Hiding behind a tree near the tracks, I waited for the last car to pass, before jumping right into the back. Working quickly with the door, I opened it and entered, closing just as I noticed a Night Guard coming out of the woods. I sighed in relief before turning around.
“Seriously?” I muttered, deadpan.
Several ponies were staring at me, surprised at my sudden intrusion. I instantly recognized some of them from Canterlot while running around. And those stares are starting to change.
‘Think Think Think Think Think…’ my mind raced, trying to find a way to reach Ponyville without raising a panic onboard. ‘Hijacking? No, bad idea, I don’t know how to pilot a train. Hostage situation? Same problem, I’m trying to avoid the villain route, thank you.’ A mare was starting to inhale deeply, getting ready to scream. The environment was starting to get too tense…
Wait… tense?
“Mares and gentlecolts of all ages, I’m truly sorry for barging in unannounced.” I started speaking, hoping I could somehow subdue the panic. “I’m guessing some of you may have heard or saw me running around Canterlot, but I assure you that whatever you are thinking, it is nothing more than just a huge misunderstanding.” Some eyebrows were raised. “Please allow me to introduce myself.” I straightened myself, giving everypony a polite bow. “My name is Mike Elemental, and I’m a massagist with the title Holy Hands.”
Holy Hands. The second title I earned after the first one. The title that currently fits me.
Curious about why I have such a strange title? Two reasons: first, besides the minotaur race, I’m the only other race who have hands; second, I can make any race fall to the ground after a good rub.
Don’t get weird ideas and let me explain.
After a few years upon my arrival, adapting to my current situation and settling in, I decided to learn the pressure points of every race. The result? I got myself the gift of giving massages to everyone.
It can be useful out of battle to gain a few bits, and useful in battle when disabling an opponent. And getting them to talk.
C’mon. Did you really think I did something dirty to Celestia or Luna? Keep your dirty minds out of the gutter, I’m not interested in dating outside my own species… unless they’re anthro.
Don’t judge me, I know how many people reading this would think about it, and I’ve seen several artworks before ending in here.
But back on topic, all I did was give them a massage. And considering Celestia’s state, she needed one of my treatments. Luna though, wasn’t as tense. Maybe because she was just awoken to see what was going on, and I was short on time to give her a better treatment. Gotta offer her a better one the next time we meet. I just hope it isn’t during battle. Not in the mood to face them without my powers.
After my introduction, silence reigned in the car, the only sound coming from outside. I could feel everypony staring at me in confusion.
“Holy Hands?” a voice spoke up. I raised my head to see a grey stallion looking at me. “Never heard of such title.”
“Of course not.” I replied. “After all, I’ve been travelling overseas, far away from Equestria, so my name and title hasn’t reached here yet.”
“And why Hands?” a mare in the crowd asked.
I raised my arms, wiggling my fingers. “It’s not everyday that you can see a creature like me. Especially one that can work with much more precision than hooves or claws.”
Some ponies changed looks. Then a pale blue unicorn got up and approached me, eyeing me up and down. “Much more precision?” he asked in sarcasm. “I seriously doubt that.”
I raised an eyebrow at the comment. “How so?”
“Because I’m the renowned massagist from Canterlot. Cloud Touch is my name, and I never heard of somepony…” he eyed me again “…or thing… with such title, especially a massagist.”
I glanced at the stallion’s flank. A hoofprint on a cloud. How ironic as the name matches the Cutie Mark for almost everypony. Too bad that sometimes their personality doesn’t match their name when out of their jobs.
I focused on Clouds’ body for a few seconds. “So you won’t recognize me as a massagist?”
The stallion glared at me. “If I would, then it would be an insult to those in my line of office.” He turned around “Honestly, a creature like you being a massagist and having his own title? Preposterous!”
This guy is starting to get on my nerves. “So what title do you have?” I asked.
Cloud glanced at me with a smug smile. “Platinum Hoof.”
Oh?
“I’m one of the ten high level massagists in all Equestria.”
Only ten, huh?
“And one of Princess Celestias’ private massagists.” He declared proudly.
Everypony inside the car stared in awe at Cloud Touch, as he raised his head in defiance towards me. I pursed my lips for a moment. So he’s one of Celestia massagists, huh?
“Well? Aren’t you going to say something?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Time to get this pony off his pedestal. “You did an awful job with the Princess.” I replied.
Everypony gasped at my comment. Cloud Touch just stared at me, outraged. “Excuse me?! You dare saying I didn’t do my job perfectly with Princess Celestia?!!”
“How many pressure points do you think an Alicorn has?” I asked, leaning on the door with my arms crossed.
“What?”
“Earth ponies have around a hundred and twenty pressure points, due to their constant use of physical strength.” I started. “Pegasus ponies have around a hundred and fifty because of their wings. Unicorns have around a hundred and forty, mostly around their neck and horn.” I narrowed my eyes. “Alicorns are the combination of the three kinds. Take the base hundred for the pony kind, add twenty from the Earth Ponies, fifty from the Unicorns and forty from the Pegasus. That gives a total of two hundred and ten pressure points.”
Cloud Touch stared at me, mouth agape from my explanation. “H-how do you know that?” he asked, trying to retain some of his dignity.
I smirked, watching as the tables turned around. “I didn’t get my title just for show. I earned it through hard work.” I stretched my arms, warming them up. “In order to give a good treatment to a client, first you must know his race to know where to touch, find the points where the pressure is more accumulated and release them in order to relief the client of all tension and stress they may have.” I started rubbing my hands. “I just glanced at Princess Celestia and could see all the tension and stress she had from not having a good treatment. Since she was treated as a Unicorn.” I stretched my fingers, making them crack loudly. Some ponies near me winced at the noise. “I took care of it before leaving the city. I don’t think she’s going to need your services for the next month, if she doesn’t start stressing out again.” I looked at the baffled unicorn. “Next time the Princess asks for a massage, don’t give her the treatment meant for a Unicorn. She is an Alicorn, meaning that you’re not treating one kind, but three at the same time.”
Cloud Touch glared at me, fuming. He stomped towards me, his pale blue face becoming slightly purple. “Who do you think you are for giving me lessons? Who do you think you’re talking to by telling me how to do my job??!!!!”
“A veteran in this line of work.” I replied simply, never breaking eye contact.
Cloud Touch glared at me, his eyes starting to become bloodshot from his rage. I prepared myself for any attempt of attack, but noticed something different.
His rage quickly subsided as he smirked at me. “Very well.” He said calmly. “If you’re so good as you say you are then prove it.”
I flexed my fingers, absent-minded. “Prove what?”
“Prove that you’re as good massagist as me.” Clouds’ grin never left his face. “If you do, then I’ll recognize you.”
'As if.' I thought. 'You’re just making an excuse to dirty my name and criticize my work.' I looked around, searching for a candidate for one of my treatments, but only one met my services.
And that one was right in front of me.
“How many titles range from yours?” I asked, making sure of one thing.
Cloud Touch raised an eyebrow. “It ranks from Bronze to Platinum. Platinum Hoof is the highest title given to the best massagists.” He replied, annoyed. “Why?”
I smiled. “Now I understand.”
The stallion tilted his head, confused. “Understand what?”
“Why there isn’t a Holy title around. Celestia never found anypony or anyone with my skills.”
“Excuse me?! What does that mean?” Cloud asked, his anger returning.
“Allow me to demonstrate.” I spoke calmly before my arms blurred.
A soft breeze surrounded Cloud Touch for five seconds, the unicorn looking at me surprised. When the breeze disappeared and my arms became visible, he narrowed his eyes. “What did you do?”
“Considering I’m not in the mood to be criticized, I gave you the Flash Treatment.” I replied. “It’s the fastest treatment I can give, especially to ponies who are always in a rush and can’t wait for a longer treatment. Generally used when they’re waiting for their turn while I deal with other patients.”
Cloud Touch stared at me with a raised eyebrow. “Well, I don’t see any-” he turned his head and that’s when the effects started.
Flash Treatment is the fastest treatment I have in my arsenal. It consists of hitting every point that will disable a creatures’ movements in a few seconds, or hitting several points that’ll make the target relax. One of its perks is its delayed reaction, perfect to catch an opponent off-guard. All it takes is for the target to give a slight move after I applied it, and the results are instantly shown.
Cloud Touch tensed as several cracks and pops were heard all around of his body, from his fetlocks to the base of his neck. When the last crack was heard, he fell to the ground of the train, a goofy smile on his muzzle. I crouched down to look at him. “So…” I started “what do you have to say about my title?”
Cloud Touch stared at me, attempting to glare but failing. Considering he just felt one of my treatments first hand, he couldn’t deny it.
“You… surpass me as a massagist…” he breathed out. “I… admit I was wrong.” he declared through clenched teeth. “I… recognize your title…”
Darn, it seems that I hurt his pride. But he kinda deserved it.
“Life lesson here, Cloud Touch: never underestimate someone, or somepony, despite their appeareances. You probably had very good teachers teaching you how to work with pressure points, but all of them probably failed one essential lesson.”
Cloud Touch looked at me. “And that is?”
I smiled. “It’s not poking around that you only find everyponies’ pressure points.” I raised his head so he could look me in the eyes “You have to see them in order to feel the right place to hit.”
Cloud Touch’s eyes widened when he looked at mine. I could see them in the reflection of his eyes.
Normally, my eye color is a brownish dark, but when I give the flash treatment, or a more careful one, it becomes sky blue.
I decided to call it Pressure Eye, due to its ability of allowing me to see the pressure points of everypony with fine detail.
The only ability I gained as I learned to give massages to every kind of creature in here.
The only side effect was its active time and cooldown. I could only keep it up for five seconds, then had to wait five full minutes to use it again. It’s a good thing I developed a good memory meanwhile. I sucked at short-term memorizing in the past.
I got up to look at everypony who was looking at us. Somehow, I could feel that they were eager with their stares.
“I’m going to be honest with all of you.” I started. “Considering that I don’t have any bit or gem to pay for this trip, I wish to pay with work. And also, if possible and you’re satisfied with my treatments, I would appreciate a little tip for a job well done. I can’t fill a stomach by massaging it, right?” a few chuckles were heard. “So…” I clapped my hands and rubbed them, heating them up. “Who’s first?”
Several hooves went up.