"... and so we have conducted interviews and found a suitable candidate to act as the baby's nanny and guardian: Briana Sykes. Fancy Pants and Fleur-de-lis have already offered to provide Ms. Sykes' food and lodging and have also offered a generous salary for her services. The adoption will follow through as planned. If any of you have advice to give the future parents please write it down and submit it to the front desk of the Hotel Humansville. That is all I have to say on this matter and this issue is closed. Thank you for your time. I will now step back for Captain Joyner. He has an important announcement so please listen carefully." Artex stepped back and the good Captain stepped up in his place.
The crowd was quiet. Some tidbits of news about the raid had circulated through the populace and they were eager to hear of the new developments.
"Citizens of New Humansville, in case you have not heard, we have successfully completed a raid on the Bloodmage safe house and rescued our kidnapped friends. What you may not be aware of is that we did not do so alone. We encountered a single Pegasus stallion who had been raised alongside the Bloodmages. He helped us with information about the compound and saved many lives. He helped us even though he gained nothing by doing so. He is not a Bloodmage. He was a researcher and once he discovered what the others had been doing he became... very upset. He has asked to be granted a pardon. He was unaware of the crimes his associates had been perpetrating and he has expressed very strong feelings about how wrong they were for doing so. The revelation has hurt him a great deal and he is recovering from the shock. Once he has recovered he wishes to learn about how to integrate and I ask that all of you will give him such a chance. As of right now he is afraid of Unicorns due to how he was taught to perceive them. He is willing to unlearn what he was taught, but it will take time."
Mike paused briefly and observed the reactions of the crowd. They murmured to one another, but nobody was yelling or throwing fruit so there was hope, "I will leave this up to you. This lone Pegasus stallion took a chance to help us get our people back and it has cost him everything he has ever been taught. He asks for permission to live among us and learn from us. I say we give him that chance. By show of hands or hooves, who is willing to give him a chance?"
The crowd went silent. Not a single hand or hoof was raised. Mike raised his own hand in support of Starburst hoping that it would encourage others to do so as well. Slowly, one by one, hands and hooves rose into the air. Within less than a minute nearly every hand and hoof was lifted in support.
Mike smiled and lowered his hand, "Thank you for your willingness to show him some kindness. His name is Starburst and he will hopefully be recovering soon. Once he does, he will need a place to stay. Do I have any volunteers who are willing to open their doors for him?"
A hefty, meaty hand shot up immediately. Mike's eyes traced the hand back to the owner. Kolo stood firm with his hand raised and beside him Buzz Butter also had her hoof raised. Mike was surprised. Kolo and Buzz Butter lived with Tina and Merlin. It was sure to be an interesting situation.
"Please come see me after these announcements." Mike licked his lips and screwed up his courage yet again, "We also received reinforcements after the raid, but from a source we never expected. A task force of... Diamond Dogs arrived shortly after the raid." The crowd erupted into angry shouting.
Mike sighed quietly and waited for the crowd to calm themselves. It was not a short wait.
Eventually they quieted down enough for him to continue, "They were there to do the same thing we were. They were there to attack the Bloodmages, and they weren't alone. We discovered last night that a group of people from Bangalore, India had been transported into the Diamond Dog caves. The Diamond Dogs have taken good care of the people and they are as close as family." The crowd fell silent at the statement.
Mike continued, "They dug their way from the Diamond Dog City/States to the same location we had found. We offered for them to stay with us for a few days and they agreed. I expect every one of you to treat them with respect. There will be no foul words or deeds pertaining to our guests. They have offered themselves as allies and we need all the allies we can get. They have also offered to pay for their food and lodgings in precious gems and jewels. This could open a huge avenue of trade with a close neighbor and a chance to interact with a new species. I am glad to say that some of the people from India do speak English. Also remember to be culturally sensitive as many of the people are Hindu. As for the Diamond Dogs, I cannot tell you how to feel about them but I can tell you that this far they have conducted themselves very politely and expect all of you to be polite to them in return."
Mike paused once more to give the crowd time to assimilate the information before he finished his announcement, "There is one last item on the agenda today. During the raid, we discovered that many of the Bloodmages we fought and were forced to kill, were parents of foals. Many of these foals are now orphans and some may have even seen their parents killed."
The crowd was silent in a very sobering manner. Mike nodded slightly and continued, "We have found forty-seven foals who have no known living relatives. They are currently being cared for by the medical staff at the hospital. These foals will be kept in New Humansville. The Princesses agreed that any other place in Equestria might force the foals to possibly be subjected to hate crimes because of the decisions their parents made. Despite New Humansville not being on any maps yet, we are apparently the single most cosmopolitan of any town in all of Equestria. Any interested families or couples must submit a written letter of interest. Those of you who are interested please submit your letters of interest to the Community Welfare Guardian Headquarters and we will sort them as appropriate. This is not something to decide lightly. Oh and because of the wildly different methods for raising foals instead of babies, Fleur-de-lis and her Pediatrician will be acting as tutors for those who decide to adopt. They have a great deal of experience with caring for foals so utilize them as a resource. That is all. Thank you for your time."
* * *
Chris sat next to Luna in her hospital room. Her legs were almost healed but he refused to leave her side for any reason. Their food was brought to them and there was a bathroom and shower in the room. Chris and Luna each sat on one of the two beds in the room, one right next to the other. Neither spoke. Chris had related to Luna about what had happened with the raid and especially what occurred with Midnight Haze. Luna had listened with rapt attention and afterwards the two sat in their beds meditating on the recent events. Neither one had spoken a single word since.
Chris thought that after fourteen hours of silence he needed to speak, "I," he began quietly, "I don't really know how I feel about what I did to Midnight Haze. Did I go too far? Was I not harsh enough? Is she really worth the effort to try to save?" He sighed heavily, "I don't know." He looked at his bandaged, swollen hands, "I don't use a weapon because I've trained my body to be a weapon... but... is that all I am now... a weapon... a tool or thing used to bring pain?"
Luna breathed quietly, "Is that all you are?"
Chris clenched his fists, "I... I don't want to be. I just want to protect everybody... I want to be able to do what I can so that other people are spared the pain of having to do it but... we caused so much pain last night. I know in my head that we did the right thing but... it's... I'm not sure it's in my heart." He turned to the lunar Alicorn, "My heart aches Luna. We killed so many last night. It wasn't like with the Diamond Dogs when they attacked. They were already dead on the inside. What we did last night... I mean I know that we stopped them from making others suffer. They HAD to be stopped but..." Chris held his head in his hands, "It doesn't feel right... it felt... unnatural to me."
Luna breathed in, held it, then breathed out very slowly, "Do you know why it felt unnatural Chris?" she asked.
"If I did then I wouldn't have asked you." Chris said simply.
Luna hid a smirk, "Technically you didn't ask but that is beside the point. It felt unnatural because you are so in-tune with the Natural Magic of the world. Magic is meant to he used for creation, not destruction. Did you do it in anger or vengeance? Did you do it because you wanted to? Because you yearn for blood and battle? Or did you do it because you felt that had to?" She turned her head toward Chris, "When you were beating Midnight Haze, did you feel empowered? Invigorated? Energized? Or did you simply do what you felt?"
Chris pondered the question before answering, "I did what I felt. I mean I don't feel bad about it but that's part of what scares me. I should feel bad. I beat her to within an inch of her life and I..." he hung his head in shame, "I don't feel badly about it at all. I feel bad for those foals who lost their parents, but those adults knew what they were doing, just like us. I'm confused Luna."
"Come hither Chris." Luna beckoned, "Come sit with me."
Chris slid despondently off his bed and climbed into the bed with Luna. Without another word he embraced her, wrapping both of his arms around her in a hug, "I'm not trying to get fresh or anything. I just need to be close to somebody right now."
Luna reached her right wing out and held him close, "Take your time Chris." She nuzzled against his chest tenderly, "I cannot give you all the answers, my dear friend. Many answers must be found on your own. I can be a support for you though. A... 'shoulder to cry on', as you Humans say."
"I'm sorry to burden you with this Luna..." Chris began.
"Shush you." Luna gently admonished him, "A burden shared weighs only half as much. It is plain to see that this weighs heavily on you. I am more than willing to help you Christopher." Chris hugged her tighter and Luna began stroking his back with her wing.
"You know," Luna whispered quietly after a time, "The offer is still open for you, if you want it."
Chris groaned and snuggled deeper into Luna's coat, "I know." he sighed, "I know it's a risk... and an even bigger responsibility... but... I... I'm not certain yet. It would change everything." He lapsed into silence for several minutes. Eventually he pulled away from the lunar Alicorn and looked her in the eyes. His hands cupped her cheeks and he sighed again, "I care about you Luna. I didn't think I could. I know we're not perfect. Heck, I'm probably just as damaged as you are. But I care about you all the same." He looked down briefly, "At first I just thought you were an entitled snob. A bully for what you did to me. But I've gotten to know you. The real you. The one that you hide from everybody." He chuckled, "Remember when you said you once represented three of the Elements Of Harmony... well I know which ones you were aligned with: Loyalty, Generosity, and Honesty. Granted to Honesty part has been difficult for you recently... but it's there. I've seen the mare behind this mask you put on. It's a front, a wall to keep others away. You're an amazing woman... you're just stuck in a mare's body." He smiled and caressed her cheeks with his thumbs, "But I think that just makes you exotic and beautiful. I..." he closed his eyes and muttered, "I can't believe I'm saying this..." he opened his eyes and stared deeply into Luna's own massive eyes, "I think... that I've fallen for you. Would you... would you like to go out sometime?"
Luna kept her expression neutral and just stared back into Chris' eyes, 'I thought this was what I wanted... but now that I have the chance... am I ready for this? Sister and I swore off relationships long ago. I told Tia that I was going to do this but it's scary.' She looked deeply into the eyes of the man before her. She didn't know what she was looking for, 'I... I guess I'll never know if I don't try.'
"I... think I would like that Christopher... I think I would like that very much." Luna said quietly.
Chris swallowed, his mouth felt dry, "I don't know that we can make a relationship work but," he looked back up, "... but with you... I'm willing to try."
Without another word he leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. Luna tensed instantly, whimpering at the new, intimate contact. Nevertheless after a few moments, she leaned into the kiss, savoring the lips of the man she cared for. He was odd, strange, quirky, even bizarre at times, but she had discovered over time that beneath his unusual exterior, he had the heart of a servant. It was the kind of heart that best fit those who rule. She had been concerned that if anybody ever wanted to court her, that they would be doing so for the position, influence, and power. Chris was different. He didn't want any of those things. He disliked excessive responsibility and he loathed pomp and circumstance. He was one of the few she was willing to believe had it in them to make a good ruler. In the time she had known him, he had become her closest friend.
She had made him a very special, personal offer some weeks before but he had declined initially, stating that he needed time to think. That he was thinking of going through with it made her heart soar. They had already checked with a doctor to see if they were compatible and to both of their surprise, they were. Luna leaned deeper into the kiss, relishing the moment she had with Chris. Everything was about to change for them.
If he decided to go through with it, the aftereffects were sure to be full of surprises.