//------------------------------// // Rrrrrrrrenovation // Story: W.A.F.E. // by DNA Hochburger //------------------------------// "Hey, FREEZER, do you know where DNA is?" asks Scootaloo with the other three CMC behind her. The human looks over the edge of his mug at the foals. "No, I don´t. Why?" "Well, Princess Celestia and a whole group of guards with boxes wait infront of the castle. They say they bring the new furniture," explains the orange filly. He raises an eyebrow. "You can´t be serious." "I´m afraid she is very serious," comes a voice from the entrance of the room. They turn to find a smiling Celestia and a frowning guard in different coloured armor there. FREEZER lifts one of his hands to welcome her in his usual disinterested voice. "Hi, Princess." She nods. "To you too, FREEZER. I am here because DNA asked me to bring some things for the castle." "Yeah. I think he mentioned somethink like that, but he isn´t in at the moment," replies the human. The guard at Celestias side frowns even more, but says nothing. Celestia cocks an eyebrow and her head. "Oh. Where is he?" FREEZER just shrugs his shoulders before taking a gulb from his mug. The guard that has been stanfding next to the sun princess until now doing nothing, but frowning, turns his head to her. "Princess, I don´t think it´s good to stay here if the one who called us isn´t even here." His boss turns to him. "I think we can wait for a bit, captain." She turns back to the air user. "FREEZER, would you be so kind to let me and my little ponies stay here for a bit, until DNA returns?" The sentence is arranged as an question delivered with a sweet tone, but FREEZER can clearly hear the command behind it hearing it already so often from DNA before. He sighs before just nodding in defeat, knowing he is powerless in his position. "Captain, please get the others inside. We will wait." The stallion salutes and then leaving to follow the command, but not before shooting one last dirty look to FREEZER. As soon as the pony male is out the door Celestia turns back to the human. "FREEZER, would you be a good host and get us all something to drink please." Again to all it sounds as if she had asked, but again FREEZER knows better. He stands up an makes his way to the kitchen, a single thought in his mind. DNA, I fucking hate you! The stallions and the couple of mares had a good time in the dining room drinking their non-alcoholic beverages. Well all but one. Shining Armor turns to Princess Celestia. "Princess, I think we have waited long enough now. You have royal duties to fulfill and these guards have duties to attend to too." The princess turns her head to him smiling. "Captain, these guards have been working hard and I think they have earned themself a little relief. Besides technically they are doing their job and protect me, but because we are under friends they can relax a bit. Also I have no appointment for today and anything that might come up can be handled by my sister." He growls a bit, but refrains himself from saying anything else. "Wow. You´re a stick in the mud. Isn´t he Celestia?" asks FREEZER smirking behind his mug so nopony can see it. The stallion glares at him. "What do you think adressing the Princess like that?" The human puts down his drink showing all the smile abdoring his lips. "Oh doesn´t someone like the way I talk with Celly." He stomps his hoof on the table silencing the conversations in the room. "Stop talking like that to the Princess!" Princess Celestia is about to interfere when she notices FREEZER motioning her to stay siltent. She frowns even more as she already is, but chooses to trust him. "What you wanne do ´bout it? Maybe..." he let´s go a fake gasp putting a hand in front of his mouth, "...fight?" He chukles the smile coming back to face. "Yeah as if. You wouldn´t stand a chance against me even if you would try. I would even bet you couldn´t even touch me." His smile grows as he sees the stallion on the table with him boiling with anger. "OKAY! THAT´S IT! YOU! ME! FIGHT! NOW!" "Hehehe. Sure I accept. But let´s get to the entrance, so I can throw you out when I´m done with you." States the human before walking out of the door. The guards stay behind shortly looking from the door to their captain. Celestia puts a hoof on the stallions shoulder. "Captain, you don´t have to do this." He jerks his heads towards her. "I´m sorry, princess, but this is something I want to settle." And with that he also leaves the room. Celestia sighs, dropping her head. "What have I gotten myself into this time?" mutters Celestia under her breath. One of her female guards approaches her. "Princess, should we follow them maybe?" The sun monarch nods. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea," replies Princess Celestia, already standing motioning the others to follow. When they finally arrive at the entrance they see the two combatants already standing opposite of each other. The captain of the royal guards to their left in his fighting stance and the human to their right standing relaxed with his hands in his pockets. Shinging Armor makes the first move firing a beam at FREEZER, which the human sidesteps easily enough. But as the beam flies the royal guard captain charges head first. The human sighs at the attack and simply steps out of the way letting the stallion trip in the process. As the challenger gets back on his four hooves the human leans forward a bit and asks with a mock voice, "Oh did you fall? I hope you didn´t hurt yourself." The captain sprints for the biped again, who simply walks out of the way, but this time the stallion is prepared and in a flash is behind FREEZER. Shining Armor fires another beam at the human at almost point blank range. That is his plan until he realizes the human isn´t infront of him anymore. But before he has anytime to think his hoofs depart from the beatiful ground. For a moment he knows what a pegasus feels before making himself acquainted with the wall. Shining Armor removes himself from the wall, his armor having taken most of the damage. "Well. I thought maybe the Captain of the royal guard has some skills to bring a challange." The voice comes from his side. The stallion snaps his head to his side just to see the mad smile on FREEZERs face as he kicks him again, but not before the captain can create a shield around himself. The white unicorn bounces harmlessly of the wall. He then lets the shield around him pop to form a shield dome around the human. Shining Armor laughs. "So what are you going to do now?" FREEZER snips at the dome making it vibrate. "Jokes actually on you. You can´t get to me either. True I can´t reach you now that is a bit annoying." He starts pacing. A breeze sweeps through the room. Magic sure is weird. He can just make dome where I can´t get through, but wind. I guess it makes sense. He doesn´t want to kill me, he is still a soft pony after all. The air tamer stops and after a couple of seconds slaps himself in the face. He groans. "Of course . That was stupid. How could I forget." He turns to his opponent that is still sneering on the other side of the magical barrier. "I´m gonna give you a chance to run. Because if I´m right this is gonna hurt... a lot." He´s out of options already? And now he tries intimmidating me. "First you boast and now you can´t hold it up. Come on show me what you are going to do. I am not going to move." The human shrugs. "Your decision." He changes his stance to be a bit depper, while taking one arm close to his body the hand to a fist and closing his eyes. Feel the air around you, imagine what you want and then do the right movement to get the right respondes. The pegasi in the room take instinctively a step back as the air gets uneasy. Is he seriously considering to punch the shield? That won't work and I think FREEZER knows that, but what is he trying to do? Then Celestias eyes widen in cold realisation. He can control the air. That means... Suddenly the entrance of the castle is being swung open and an scream fills the air at the same time, "STOP!" There in the entrance of the castle stands a being that is bigger than FREEZER completely clad in black. Out from under it´s hood two red glowing orbs have them locked in place. It starts to talk, its voice clam now, but commanding. "I think this is enough. Allies shouldn´t fight themself like that." The orbs focus the the green haired human in specific. "Especially when the fight is this unfair." The guards get enough of them together to form a protective line between their princess and the entity raising their wepons. The two dots wander over the shivering guards before landing on Celestia. She wouldn´t be ashamed to admit that she is scared as it looks at her, or as she feels, into her soul. Only centuries of politics and expirience allow her to stay calm at the moment. After some moments the creature takes its hood off revealing of an non smiling DNA. "First order of buisness," he stomps his foot on the ground making the weapons of the guards drop out of their grip. "Good now that is cleared," he begins walking towards Shining Armor, who at this point tries to be the corner. As he stands before him he goes into his knees. "I have to say I am very disappointed in you Shining Armor. To think you let yourself be overheated that easily. Tsk, tsk, tsk." He shakes his head before looking him in the eyes again. "But there are more important things right now." He snips the unicorn against the horn making him lose his concentration and thus making the dome flicker out. When Shining Armor finally comes out of his daze he realizes that the biped is carrying him to the middle of the room and that he is missing his armor. The white haired human turns towards the still unorganized guards. "Come on you lousy pack form up! Pick up the slack!" After the solidiers don´t move he leans forward. "Now!" That got them moving and they scramble around picking up their weapons and then standing at attention in one solid line. He looks them up and down before nodding in satisfaction. DNA then turns to Celestia and waves her over. "Celestia, please come over her for the moment." She recalculate does as he asks. "DNA, what´s happening?" Her voice is firm, but it still betrays how confused she is. He smiles at her. "I will explain everything in..." he looks up and right before continuing, "... in about five to ten minutes." The sun princess stares at him and is about to reply when he takes her hoof and puts it on the captains shoulder, much to the confusion and shock of the two involved. DNA looks around checking on everything again, before he gives a pleased nod. "Ok everypony just go with it, in three, two, one and show time." It still feels weird, being able to travel the Everfree without having to worry about being attacked. I haven´t heard a single hostile sound since I stepped in. I guess as crazy as he acts, he does know how to do what he does, thinks Twilight as she gets closer to the Castle of the Elements. But when the now fixed entrance gets in sight she notices something strange. Why is there Princess Celestias personal chariot and a box wagon. Both alone would make sense, but together? She continues that thought as she follows the path. Maybe bad timing? She swings open both doors leading into the building and freezes immediately at the sight before her. Princess Celestia has a hoof on the shoulder of her brother, with a couple of guards behind the sun monarch and DNA standing a bit off to the side. Both sides stare at each other in silents and shock. That is until a certain human interrupts it. "Oh Twilight, what suprise! I didn´t expect you to show up!" It is terrible acting and everyone could have told it is, but the confusion and the shock probably obscure her perception a bit and so she simply shakes her head and says, "Yeah, I didn´t expect... this here too." She turns to her brother and sprints over to him before hugging him. "BBBFF, I´m sooo happy to see you." She releases herself from the hug. "And while I love to see you again, I have to ask. Why are you here?" "Um... Well... you see..." begins Shining Armor to stutter. "I think I can help explain this. You see, we actually wanted to suprise you with this, because Shining here actually has gotten one week off from work and decided to spent it with you here in Ponyville." Everyponys eyes in the room go wide, but for different reasons. Twilight gasps and turns back to her brother. "Is that true brother?" "Um..." begins the white unicorn. On one hoof he doesn´t want to disappoint his sister now that her hopes are up. On the other he has an obligation to the princesses. I´m sorry, Princess. "Of course, little sister." She squees and hugs him, which he awkwardly returns. "Ah the love between siblings. A truly strong bond. Anyways I´d love to chat with you a bit more, but we have work to do." He leans back and picks up a suitcase nopony has noticed until now. "Here are his things and now get out, because he only has holidays for a week so get going." Twilight takes the bag in her magical grip and her brother before walking out, while practically dragging her brother behind her. But before she closes the door she calls back, "Thanks." DNA waves until she is out the castle and he is sure that the two siblings don´t come back. Princess Celestia blinks away the jolt before asking, "Did you just get rid of my captain, infront of my muzzle?" "Don´t worry about it. I´m sure you can come out without him for a week," answers the human in a carefree voice. "That´s not the point," replies the sun princess in a monotonous tone. "Well now is not the time to worry over it." She is about to retort, when the earth tamer suddenly points to the guard. "You, get the things. It´s time to furnish." The guards rush off to get furniture. Celestia facehoofs. How? The sun is already decending. "Good job, everypony. Thank you all for helping me today. You were a great help," thanks DNA the guards. They cheer, happy to be finally finished. He turns to Celestia. "Please, follow me Celestia. I´d like to talk with you for a moment before you leave." He already walks ahead when one of the female guards rushes over to the princess. "Princess, should I accompany you?" Celestia throws a glance to DNA that seems to ask for approval if the guard is allowed to come along or not. He just chuckles. "I doesn´t matter to me either way." A choice? wonders Celestia. He never gave me one before. Well I guess there´s a first for everything. She turns back to the guard. "Yes, please do." The human leads them into the dining room, where he, once they are in, closes the door, before motioning them both to sit down. "So," he begins adressing the guard, much to the suprise of both mares, "You saw the performance of your captain a couple of hours ago. What did you think about it? And by the way, feel free to speak what´s on your mind." The mare looks to Celestia seeking permission. When she gains it she turns back to the black clad biped. "Well not to sound rude, but his performance was... lacking to say it nice. Not only was he easily provoced, but in the end FREEZRE was true to his word and for one didn´t break a sweat and the captain couldn´t touch him." "Who do you think won?" "While it was no straight up victory I would say the win belongs to FREEZER. Shortly before you stoped the battle I felt the air change. It felt uneasy. Whatever it is FREEZER did back there it would have won him the fight for sure" admits the mare. "To be precise he charged a blow that, if he would have released it, could have smashed a wall and it was directed at Shining Armors horn," explains DNA. "But in the end you are saying, that FREEZER was stronger than him?" "Yes, that would be the case," answers the mare. "Then please tell me," begins the human, "How does it make you fell? To know that your captain was beaten so easily?" She squirms a bit on her pillow. "Well I would lie if I´d said that it doesn´t make me feel at least a bit uncomfortable and unsafe. But he is on our side so I guess that makes it better. Besides, in the end the captain was unharmed." "Would you feel safer if you were able to fight like him? I mean like FREEZER," inquires DNA. Both females eyes widen. "I´m afraid I don´t understand, sir." "Really? I thought I phrased it quite simple," states DNA, his smile vanishing from his face. "But I shall repeat myself. Would it make you feel safer, if you were as strong as FREEZER?" The guard clears her throat composing herself again. "W-well I guess that would make me feel safer. Yes." The smile returns to the humans lips. "And what would you do with that kind of power?" checks DNA. "I guess I would use it to protect the princesses and my family," answers the mare. "You have family?" "Yes, I do. My husband Stone Sentry and my son, he´s a guard too," replies the pegasus. DNA nods satisfied. "Very well. You are dismissed." She stands up and salutes. "Yes, sir." She turns away and walks out, closing the door behind her. Celestia looks at the door her guard just left through. "Why did she just treated you as her superior?" He waves the question off. "That doesn´t matter right now." "I feel it does," reponds the princess. He waves a finger at her. "No, it doesn´t. What does matter is how you feel about it." She sighs. "You mean your suptel suggestion that my guads are weak compared to FREEZER and you would be willing to teach some of them?" The human waves his hand showing it was partially right what she said. "Well essentially." Celestia shakes her head lightly, taking a deep breath. "To be honest, I´m not sure. Would you give me some time to think about it?" "But of course. You should get going thou. Or else you are going to be late for dinner with your sister." The princess of the sun nods. "Yes, you are right. I should be going." Both of them stand up and DNA holds the door open for Celestia. She then gathers up her guards and departs. DNA stays at the entrance to his castle waving off the princess and her guards as they fly over the Everfree back to Canterlot. When they are finally crossed the boundry of the forest he turns back and enters his home. As he makes his way back to the dining room he writes a message to FREEZER. 'Okay, they are gone. You can bring her now.' 'k' comes the reply. He closes the chat and rubs his hands. "Everything goes as planned... I guess." How did I end up like this? thinks the blue mare as she follows the human. How did I get into such a mess? They get to a door like they already passed so many, but this time he opens it and motions for her to step in. She does so, but he isn´t following, instead he is closing the door behind her. She jumps a bit when the lock falls in place. Trixie inspects the chamber she is in. It is illuminated by chandeliers that are hanging from the ceiling and candles that are standing on the incredible long table. The same table the other human sits, the one she met hours ago. DNA points at the opposite of the table. She seats herself in the cushion and finds to her pleasant suprise that it´s more comfortable than she expected it to be. The human clears his throat before beginning the conversation. "I´m sorry for the inconvenience until now, I hope it wasn´t too bad." Trixie is a bit suprised by how nice he is, not like the other one. "I am fine." DNA raises suprised an eyebrow. "What happened to 'The Great and Powerful Trixie'?" "The other one disliked how I spoke," states Trixie. "Yes, I see that he wouldn´t like that. I´m sorry if he was rude about it, but feel free to do it in my presence, I always like individuality." She shakes her. "No. 'The Great and Powerful Trixie' was an act. I´m no more than a simple mare that lost everything and lives in the woods now," explains the former showmare with a sad tone. "Yes about that. How did you surive out in the Everfree all alone? Not to say you´re weak, but that seems pretty impressive," says the human. "My family didn´t come from Equestria. They never told me from where they came, but they taught me how to live in and with the forest," answers Trixie. She sighs. "Listen, when this is everything you wanted to talk with me about I´m out. I have more important things to do than to sit here and talk with you." "No no no no. I can assure you that isn´t why I wanted to talk with you. I wanted to know if you´d like to maybe live here," respondes DNA a bit shyishly. Trixie blinks once then blinks a second time before simply asking, "What?" "Well I thought since you live in the forest and I have space to spare that you could live here if you like," replies the biped. She shakes her head in disbelieve. "Let me get this straight: You want me to live here with you and FREEZER and want nothing in return?" "Almost," begins the human, "I let you stay here, give you your own room, keep you fed and you in return do task for me. Nothing big of course. Maybe clean something or get the mail from the post office, because I´m pretty sure they don´t deliver it into the Everfree." The blue mare nods. "So I would be like a servant then?" He taps his chin. "Essentialy." On one hoof I´d have a roof over my head, even a own room and I´d have enough to eat. But on the other what would happen to my freedom? "And what would be with time off or hours of work?" DNA chukles. "Good you think first before you act. I like that." He thinks for a second. "How about one day before until one day after an Equestrian Holiday, thirty days off and on weekends you are free to do what you want. In addition you get... let´s see. How about fifty bits a month?" It is not that much, but he is giving me a place to stay and he would provide all the food. And besides if he didn´t mention it I wouldn't have thought about the pay. "Okay, but under one condition." The human raises an eyebrow in expectation on what she could want. "You have to get sweets and snacks!" exclaims the blue mare pointing a hoof at him. He blinks in suprise before falling over laughing. She blushes a bit. "W-what is so funny?" The human sits up again, still ringing for air. "Nothing. It´s just that I totally forgot that there are these kind of things." Now it´s Trixie turn to be suprised. "You... forgot that snacks and sweets exist?" "Yes, I did. Back where I come from I wasn´t allowed to eat stuff like that. So I guess it just slipped my mind," replies DNA, finally having his lungs full of air again. "What did you do to deserve such an punishment?" digs the former showmare further. DNA rubs the back of his head. "Oh you know, my mother didn´t want me to get to fat. But going back to the requirement that you set. Of course I´m gonna buy snacks and sweets. I welcome you as the first and with that head servant of the Castle of the Elements." "Yay?" exclaims Trixie meekly and a bit unsure. "You are making a big deal out of that." "I know! Isn´t it great?" responds the human, making almost no sense. "Anyway, I think you should be quite hungry by now and as luck would have it, it is dinner time." The mares belly grumbles and she blushes. "Yes food sounds great." He claps his hands together as he stands up. "Perfect the others should arrive shortly." "You mean with others just FREEZER, right?" "No, I mean FREEZER and four foals," explains the biped. Trixies eyes widen a bit. "Here are foals?" DNA raises a eyebrow again. "Is that going to be a problem?" She waves her front hooves infront of her, while shaking her head. "NO! Of course not. I was just suprised, that´s all." His smile widens again. "Good to hear." With that he turns to the door that leads to the kitchen and closes it behind him. Wonderful! One down and I hope a lot more to go. I´m so exited.