//------------------------------// // Chapter XIX: Discussion in the Pantheon. // Story: Lightning Bolt of Rome // by CrackedInkWell //------------------------------// “I can’t begin to describe how relieved everyone is,” Titus said. ”Although I must admit, it was very embarrassing that it happened it all.” The two stallions rested on velvet pillows as they listened to the Emperor. The three were currently in their newest residence -- the Pantheon -- where, aside from the obvious hole in the center, was richly decorated. There were finely sculpted marble statues of gods and goddesses spread throughout the room along with gold leafing on the etched symbols that dotted the dome itself. “That is without mentioning how honored Rome is to have another god among us, Lord Mars,” Titus said to the scarlet unicorn who, unlike the Pegasus, was still wearing his armor. “The pleasure is all mine.” Spear placed a hoof underneath his chin as he pointed towards Lightning with the other. “He wasn’t too much trouble, was he?” “Oh, no trouble at all,” the Emperor lied. “It looks like harmony can be restored to the cosmos now that you’ve found your father.” The Drill Sergeant’s eyes widened. He was going to ask about the last part, but Caesar spoke first. “However, if you wouldn’t have a problem with me asking, is it possible that you could stay for the next few days?” “What for?” “I’m putting the finishing touches on our newest amphitheater. I had hoped that the both of you would be there for its grand opening. In your honor, of course.” “Eh… why not?” The unicorn stretched. “After what I’ve been through, I could really use a bit of a break.” Titus nodded. “Yes, and again, a thousand apologies for what those ruffians had done to you from Crete to here.” “No harm was done. I was sent to fetch him, and he’s been found.” “Agreed.” The Emperor soon excused him and wished for the two gods to have a peaceful slumber on his way out. Alone among the flickering lamps, burning incense, and the feasts of offering at their hooves, the Captain of the Guard turned to his fellow comrade. “So, what took you guys so long?” “I’m sorry, Captain.” The unicorn lit his horn, levitating one of the many glasses of wine over to him. “We were trying to figure out what was happening ourselves. After you just popped right out of the sky, we were trying to figure out exactly what had happened. Celestia launched an investigation to find out what the cause of your disappearance was." “And how did you get here?” “Long story short,” he quickly downed one of the cups before grabbing another, “I suspected that there must have been some bad magic incorporated with that cloud that you guys were passing over. After I tracked it down, I got hit by lightning, and the next thing I knew, I was trapped on an island and got captured by those weird apes. We sailed for about a week with them holding onto my horn so I couldn’t do anything. When we landed, I managed to escape, found you, and now I’m here drinking this really tasty wine.” The pale pegasus rolled his eyes. “And my family? What about them?” “Midnight’s been really worried, I can tell ya that. Want some?” He offered one of the cups to Bolt. “Maybe later. So, what happened to her?” “Well, since you’ve been gone for a while, the company agreed to lend her a helping hoof with the kid until she’s able to stand on her own. She’s just hoping she doesn’t end up a widow.” “I can only imagine,” Lightning sighed. “Has anything new happened in Equestria since I left?” Spear Head hummed in thought. “Except for the fact that Sunbutt is going on a diet (again), the only noteworthy thing that comes to mind was that Princess Twilight’s home was destroyed.” “What?!” “It’s true. There was a battle in Ponyville not too long ago. We probably would have looked for you sooner if Celestia hadn’t foreseen a threat that needed to be taken care of. The town itself suffered some damage and, luckily, nopony was hurt. However, the Princess’s home was completely demolished. Not to say that there wasn’t any good news, though. Before I left, I heard that her new home was made entirely out of crystal. Don’t ask me how that happened.” “Poor Twilight…” Spear nodded as he moved on to some of the fruit offerings. He found a bowl of red grapes and slowly levitated them one by one. “So,” Bolt said, trying to change the conversation, “how are things going between you and… I’m sorry, who was it again?” “You mean Orange Leaf?” Bolt nodded. “Well, I guess it’s getting better. So far, we’ve only been on a hoofful of dates and he doesn’t mind my unpredictable schedule since he is just as chaotic. Plus, he knows that I might be gone for quite a while anyway.” “Good to hear, I suppose.” The Captain turned towards a bowl of cheeses. “So what about this place?” the unicorn asked. “Have they been treating you well?” “For the most part. When everypony here thinks you’re a god, you’re treated as if you can do no wrong. On a whole, though, the people here are weird. “How so?” “Okay. Take, for instance, their sports. Right now, what are the most popular sports in Equestria?” Spear tilted his head. “Uh… hoofball, races… baseball… what else am I forget-- oh, soccer! And I think wrestling.” “Okay, here’s my real question. In any of those sports, does anypony end up dying from participating in them?” The Drill Sergeant blinked. “Sorry?” “In Rome, from what I’ve seen, playing in a sport is practically a death sentence. For example, their races are horse-drawn chariots where they go around a circular track. There are no rules, except for not dying I suppose. Also, they have to use real weapons to fight each other, and if the spectators can choose if they want the loser to live or die.” “That’s… pretty harsh.” “And yet, even though they don’t seem to care when their athletes are harmed, those that live are practically treated like heroes because they weren’t stabbed.” “Wait a minute. I thought you said that they think you’re the king of their gods. How come you haven’t changed the rules or something?” Bolt let out a frustrated sigh, putting a hoof to his head. “Because after I crash landed here, I hit my head pretty hard. They think that I have amnesia since I’ve been denying that I’m Jupiter, so they don’t take anything I say too seriously. No matter what I say, they keep insisting that I’m Jupiter. They’ve even restricted me from leaving the city until I’m ‘well’ again.” “What about me?” “Huh?” The unicorn placed his bowl on the floor. “I mean, think about it. They haven’t said that I’m nuts, have they?” “Well, not exactly…” “So, between the two of us, I’m the ‘sane’ one, right?” “Where are you going with this?” “All I’m saying is that they won’t take you seriously because you’ve hit your head. So, maybe they would be willing to listen to me.” Lightning Bolt stared at the Drill Sergeant in silence, beginning to get the full picture of his plan. “Besides,” Spear added, “since I started studying that cloud, I noticed that it follows a certain pattern in the weather. If this place is anything like our world, I can pinpoint where it’ll be going next.” “Drill Sergeant Spear Head,” the Captain raised his cup, “you’re a genius.” The unicorn levitated his glass to the Captains. “To going home.” With an earthly clink, the two stallions downed their toast.