Chapter 16 – Plus 500 Vespene Gas
The bright, lavender flash receded as quickly as it began. The ponies caught in its magical grasp found their sight in the second the spell was finished. Slightly dazed for not having teleported very often the ponies had to gather their bearings before coming to grips with what just happened with their friends. Fluttershy was the first to cry.
“No Fluttershy. Please don’t cry. We have to keep smiling. Come on Fluttershy I know you can do it, let me see that smile.” The pegasus could only look to her with a tear filled face. Pinkie, in turn, could only bring her close for a hug with a waning smile of her own.
“Well girls…it looks like we’re just outside Solitude. We should go tell that general friend what happened.”
“That might be the best thing to do. You go on ahead, Rarity. We’ll be right behind you once we’re done here.” Pinkie says to her friend.
With that, Rarity walks into the city. Hearing to stories of when Applejack met the general helped, but wasn’t enough. She needed to speak with a guard to find the rest of the way. Once there, it didn’t take long to convince General Tullius to help.
“Do you know how many vampires are out there?”
“Unfortunately no. All we were able to see was a bunch of ruffians that worked for them.”
“They shouldn’t be a problem. My men will be able to take care of them but I’m more concerned about the vampires.” Tullius was trying to draw a plan on the war table he had in the castle while he was explaining. “For our attack to work we're going to need Barix as well as the Dawnguard.”
“I thought your men were trained soldiers. Surely they can held a few monsters.”
“I don’t doubt the skills of my men, but they have never fought against vampires before. With Barix gone missing and the Dawnguard being stationed across Skyrim, The odds of us succeeding aren’t looking so good.”
An imperial scout walks into the room.
“Sir, a small detachment of Dawnguard warriors just showed up. They said they were on the way to investigate the ruins when they heard vampires might be active again.”
“Good work soldier. Is there any sign of Barix?”
“None yet, sir. The other scouts are checking the beach, forests, and surrounding areas, but we still have no signs of his whereabouts.”
“Damn. Good work anyway. Make sure the Dawnguard warriors are properly equipped and ready. You’re dismissed.” The scout left for his duties. “I have to be honest with you miss Rarity, I don’t feel too confident about this.”
With that Tullius left to check on the soldiers. Rarity was completely lost. Twilight, and recently Barix, always knew what to do. They always had all the answers. They were the smart ones. Now…she was all alone in the fight. It was her time to step up to take on the danger. While Rarity wasn’t truly alone in this, she certainly felt alone.
“Barix…where did you go?”
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“Ow. My head.”
Barix awoke on the ground seemingly on a wood platform.
“Gear…check. Weapons…check. Bound and chained up…not checked. Uhh. Splitting headache…check. Whoever you are, you want me for something. What do you want?”
“To give you a lesson.”
Barix knew that voice. He heard it only one time before, but that one time stuck with him so well that he could tell it from miles away in a giant crowd of others. It was the voice of the one creature that remained a mystery to him. The khajiit that beat him at the one thing he’s good at.
“White Fang. It had to be you.”
“Were you expecting somebody else?” The heavy, khajiit accent always present in his voice.
“You better have had a good reason for bringing me here.” Barix get’s to his feet. “You’ve taken me from my friends right before we got attacked.”
“You do not need to worry. White Fang’s master wouldn’t have said to do this if it didn’t work out in the end.”
“However much I’d love to know who your master is, I’m a bit short on time. Why am I here? And make it quick.”
“You have trouble controlling your instincts, yes?”
“…I won’t ask how you know about that. But I do want to know what you want done.”
“I have been instructed to train you on controlling your other self.”
“What do you mean other self?”
“Do not act like you cannot feel the presence inside.” White Fang grabs ahold of one of his axes. “Your training begins.”
White Fang rushed Barix who backed up before tripping. He fell backwards landing half on the platform and half off. It was only then did he take a good look at his surroundings. The woodwork was a small, six foot long, stand-alone platform that seemed to hover in midair. The surrounding area was nothing but a black void, probably the work of a daedric prince but he couldn’t tell which. Composing himself fast enough Barix was able to draw his sword to block the next attack.
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“Barix…where did you go?”
Rarity and Fluttershy were sitting outside the local bar with some drinks. They were waiting for any news from Tullius, but that was over a few hours ago. Tension was slowly building. If anything they had to stay calm, for if there was anyone who could help their friends, it was Tullius. At least that’s what Barix had mentioned once before.
“Rarity, I need to speak to you about tomorrow. Do you have time?” The two mares look to the approaching questioner, General Tullius.
“Of course. Fluttershy dear, I’ll meet you in the room later on. Can you make it back by yourself?”
“I-I should be fine. You go. Somepony needs to care of the important things.” With a quick nod, Fluttershy’s generous friend left with the general.
Once inside the war room in the castle they got started.
“What’s wrong general? I don’t think you would call me in here for no reason.”
“Exactly. I wanted to tell you our plan of action for tomorrow.”
“Are we leaving already?”
“Yes. We can’t wait any longer. Whatever forces we have are going to load up in ships and head out at midnight.”
“What about Barix?”
“Trust me when I say I’m the last one who wants to go without him but we have no choice. We don’t know what they’re planning or how far they’ve come to full strength. We’ll have to hope he finds his way back in time.”
“I do hope you’re right about this. What time are we leaving?”
“We set sail tomorrow night after final preparations are made.”
“Why not earlier?”
“If we leave later we run the risk of reaching them at night, something none of us want. Also some of my men need to return from patrol. You can retire for now. Make sure you do everything you need to before we depart.”
With a silent nod Rarity walks out of the war room. Making her way to her room she noticed something. Fluttershy was staring quite oddly at some of the people going home. Thinking nothing of it the unicorn proceeded inside. Fluttershy on the other hoof, couldn’t help but notice the blood flowing through their veins and the rhythmic beat she heard in their chests.
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“A cement block.” Deadpan was the country mares tone.
“Oh come on. How are you so good at this?”
“Cause, Rainbow, that’s the only thing we see in here.”
“…oh. Then we need to play something else.”
“What else do ya suggest? An eatin contest? Let’s just grab ourselves some uh this here dust and have a snack.” Twilight started moaning and squirming in her shackles during Applejacks sarcasm.
“Hey, I’m just trying to keep us entertained before the others get here. Anyway, what’s going on with Twi?”
“Mmm. Mmmm mm mmm mmm.” It was then proceeded with some jaw movements, what she could anyway.
“Ah think she’s hungry.”
“No duh. We haven’t had anything to eat since we got here. Give up the thought of food Twi. They won’t remove your gag when they know you can shout.”
“MMM! MMMMM MMM!” Twilight moved herself so the gag was almost pushed into Dashes mouth.
“Hey what’s your deal! Get away from me!”
“MMMM!”
“Oh ok. Now ah get it. She want’s you ta take it off.”
“Ooohhh. Why didn’t you say so?” Dash was given an ‘are you serious?’ look. “You know what I mean.” Twilight tried to stay still as Rainbow Dash was pulling at the gag. With some work she was able to remove it.
“That feels so much better. Now I know how Pinkie felt when Trixie took away her mouth.” Relief washed over Twilight.
“Hope ya got something for us. We’re drawin a blank.”
“I do have a plan. These vampires can’t be as tough in close quarters. After all they had to send a whole gang of mercenaries to get us.”
“Sounds good Twi. I’m ready whenever you girls are.” Rainbow was eager to get back into the fight.
“Not ta put a damp in the situation but...why didn’t we just take off that magic dampener of yer’s when the guard fell asleep?”
…
“Oh, right.”
A few awkward hoof motions and Rainbow got the dampener off her friend. Twilight loosened all the ropes and bandings keeping them detained.
“Much better. So Twilight, what next?”
“We’re getting out of here. Now.” Twilight blasts the door open with a firebolt. “You two get up close and knock ‘em down. I’ll stay out of reach in case-AHH.” Twilight tried to run out the cage but unknowingly made her wing twitch in the process.
“Ah gotcha Twi.” Applejack wormed her way under her friend, picking her up.
“What are you doing? We’re a sitting duck now.”
“Stop getting your tail in a knot. I can take care of any vamps coming our way. Just point the way out.” Rainbow began flying out of the cell, nothing able to stop her.
“Dang it Rainbow! Wait fer us.”
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Barix kneels, bloody and beaten. Stab wounds adorn his body. White Fang stands tall over his challenger without a bruise in sight.
“Have you learned your lesson yet?”
“...Shove it...”
“When will you learn? Your time grows short here.”
“What do you care? All you’re doing is following your master's commands like the good little kitty you are.”
“*sign* You will never control your beast half if you don’t focus. Instead you make smartass quips about White Fang’s species. Get up, you need to keep...”
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
“It would seem that you are needed back home. You’re friends are going to die if you’re not there to help them.”
“What! Send me back now!”
“Very well. Realize this, your training will continue at a later time.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Barix drifted unconscious by an unseen force. Some time later he woke up. Gathering himself as per the usual, he began his mental checklist. All gear accounted for. No restraints or bruises. Location is in front of an old castle...wait. Old castle?
“Castle Volkihar. There’s no way-.”
“FLUTTERSHY!”
Thought was nonexistent and reaction took over as the dragonborn ran into the castle. Busting down the front doors he saw that bodies were littering the floor. Most of them were clearly humans. Making his way through the corridors to the sound of screaming all the while a war was being fought around him. The Dawnguard and Legion versus the Vampires and their pet hounds.
Barix ran past everything, only focusing on the screams of a handful. He ran into the throne room where the main battle was about to begin. Everyone was already grouped off. Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash in one. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Tullius, and a few dawnguard in the other. Vampires were closing in on them as Vingalmo* stood near the throne with Fluttershy close by. Vampires surrounded everyone.
“Hey,” Everyone looked at him “I not leaving here until you blood suckers are dead.”
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The Legion, along with their allies the Dawnguard, arrived on shore near the back of the castle. Daybreak was upon them and they needed to climb the wall fast. The plan was already set in motion so the troops got right to work taking out their grappling hooks. The wall was high enough so that most soldiers were having trouble getting the hook over the ledge.
“Fluttershy, quick. You must fly those hooks up to the ledge.”
“O-ok. I’ll try.”
With a small flight up, the canary mare dropped the grapple hooks to be secured. With a secured tug the soldiers down below start climbing up. Soldiers and soldiers got to the top with Rarity being, very awkwardly carried, up to the top. Pinkie somehow made it up on her own. Upon arrival, Tullius starts going to work with his military self.
“Rarity! I can’t find Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie comes running from inside.
“What?” A double take confirmed that. “Where did she go.”
“I climbed my way up way up, well actually I walked up here not climbed, but when I got here I saw Fluttershy walking away. Maybe not so much away but deeper inside the castle. I tried to stop here but she wouldn’t respond when I said something. I ran after her and even though I tried to keep up I soon found some vampires. They tried to get me but I was too fast so I-”
“Calm down darling. What we need to do is find her. General?”
“What is it? We’re about to head out.” Tullius along with a few men were the only ones left behind.
“We need to find our Fluttershy. She’s in the castle somewhere.”
“We can try to find her on the way. In the mean time we have some undead to vanquish.”
Tullius lead his followers threw the halls of the old castle. Already, battles littered the halls. Vampires and soldiers at each others throats. It was things like these that put a heavy heart on Pinkie. Soon enough the group came to the main chamber.
“Fluttershy!” The two mares shout as they see their canary friend.
It was followed by a nasty hiss from the now vampiric pony. Vingalmo was very surprised by the new invaders. Not so much due to his new blood thirsty pet. The vampire lord turns to one of his lackeys.
“How the they get in here? You were suppose to make sure this didn’t happen.”
“Awesome! You guys made it.” Dash was hovering above Applejack and Twilight.
“That’s it! Kill them all!”
“Hey!” Everyone turns to see the dragonborn. “I’m not leaving until all you blood suckers are dead.”