//------------------------------// // Chapter XXI // Story: Papa Gehrman // by SolidArc5542 //------------------------------// “Oedon,” Gascoigne breathed out, clutching his head, accidentally smacking himself with his axe. Ignoring the self-inflicted pain, the hunter stumbled backwards. “What does this mean?” ‘It means nothing,’ Oedon harshly replied. ‘Why? Why is it here?’ Gascoigne thought, shaking his head furiously. ‘It’s probably my mind playing tricks on me, it’s done that before, so it’s nothing new.’ ‘It is not your mind that is playing tricks on you. I am here because you are here. I am here because you have the blood of old coursing through your veins. This world. This strange, clean world does not need its ‘streets cleansed’ like you, and many other hunters once said,' Oedon replied. Gascoigne shook his head. “Why are you here? Your name has been mentioned by… someone, but how is it possible. Vicar Laurence told me that Great Ones answer when called upon, he told all of his fateful Church hunters. But how is it possible you are talking to me? How can they,” Gascoigne said, pointing his finger at the two ponies. “Not hear you?” 'None of you concern. You will never see your wife again unless you stop what you are doing.' “But Sombra… the Great One… he told me. He promised me I--.” ‘You will listen to what I have to say,’ Oedon cut the hunter off. ‘I have been listening, wondering. This Sombra, he is not one of our kin. He is nothing more than an imposter. You have been deceived, forced to obey his will.’ “I obey no one,” Gascoigne retorted. ‘Then prove it,’ Oedon taunted. ‘If Sombra is truly a Great One, then have him prove it.’ “How?” Gascoigne asked. ‘Ask him something only you know. He told you he would return you to your family, so that means he must know them. Ask him about your family, and uncover the truth. Only then will you see what you have become, and what you have done.’ “Wait!” Gascoigne exclaimed, holding his hands out. “Please tell me if my wife and children are all right. Sombra promised me he’d take me back, and I still believe him. But if you truly are as great as it was mentioned by the Choir and their followers, then please tell me: Are they all right?” he asked, a hint of hope in his voice as the hunter felt his heart ache for the answer he had been longing for. ‘I will be watching, like I always have,’ Came Oedon’s reply. “No! Wait! Please, I must know!” Gascoigne shouted in desperation. This time, Oedon did not reply. Gehrman and Shining, along with Twilight and the others walked through the halls of the Crystal Palace. Pinkie was humming a happy tone, while everyone else stared eye-wide at the palace's interior beauty. Taking a quick glance at Shining Armor, Gehrman noticed the black crystals around his horn. “Dear, oh dear, what happened to you?” he asked, getting the white coated stallion’s attention. “What do you mean?” Shining asked, raising an eyebrow at him. “Well, your horn,” Gehrman said, stopping in his tracks. “There are crystals everywhere,” he said as he got on one knee to meet the Prince on eye-level. “They weren’t there when we first met. What happened?” “I… may or may not have done something incredibly stupid,” Shining admitted shamefully. “You see, when Sombra, or his shadow attacked us, it didn’t just go for you.” “That was a shadow?” Gehrman questioned, scratching his cheek. “Looked more like smoke.” “Either way,” Shining said, getting back to the subject. “For some reason—unknown to me, of course—the shadow was able to split itself. I had no idea that Sombra was that powerful. It might sound ridiculous but I think that Sombra’s evil, his dark energy might affect all that is good. You see, these crystals that are spread all across the Empire, it’s like they have a will of their own. When love triumphs, they will stay as they are right now. But should evil triumph, well… here’s the perfect example of that.” He said, motioning to his horn. “So you got black crystals, so what?” Gehrman replied. “It’s bad news. Sombra was able to split himself, who knows how much more he can do. He attacked me, and he would have gotten to twilight as well. I did what I could, but he was just too strong.” Shining admitted, looking down at his hooves. “Just between you and me,” he whispered in Gehrman’s ears. “Something broke into the palace last night and attacked Cadance. She’s all right, but I fear it might come back. It’s a miracle Cadance was strong enough to keep the barrier running. She’s such a strong mare.” “Whatever attacked her, won’t be able to do it a second time,” Gehrman said with determination, getting up as he stretched his back. “Now let’s go.” Catching up with their friends, who had not noticed them slacking off, Gehrman and Shining reached the throne room, along with Twilight and the others. Using her magic to open the door, Twilight was the first to enter. The rest followed, and their mouths went agape—except for Shining Armor and Gehrman—at what they were greeted with. There sat Princess Cadance, her body wrapped in bandages and her eyes almost closed from exhaustion. Trotting up towards her sister-in-law, Twilight shouted out her name. “Cadance!” Twilight shouted, getting the attention of the Princess of love as she slowly got off her throne. “Twilight,” Cadance breathed out, slowly walking towards her sister-in-law. “How are you doing this fine afternoon?” she asked, cracking a smile. “What happened to you?” Twilight exclaimed in shock as her eyes scanned over her, observing every piece of bandage wrapped around her body. “Did you fell down the stairs, or something?” she asked. Cadance shook her head. “I wish that were the case, but it’s not,” she replied, looking down at the floor in shame. “I was… attacked.” She admitted, looking at Twilight. “Some creature made its way into the palace and attacked me. I was unable to defend myself and it quickly got the upper hoof on me. I’m afraid, Twilight. Afraid that it might come back.” “Don’t worry, Cadance,” Twilight said in a reassuring tone. “You’ll be safe with us,” she said, looking back at her friends. Cadance smiled at her sister-in-law. Glancing at her friends, her eyes widened when she laid eyes upon the creature that stood behind them. “Twilight,” she whispered. “Who’s your friend?” she asked, pointing her hoof at said creature. “Oh,” Twilight replied, looking at Gehrman. “That would be Gehrman. He’s been with us for a couple of days. He’s really nice and polite.” She replied, motioning for Gehrman to come closer. Gehrman happily complied, walking towards the Princess of Love. The clomping of his peg leg hitting the floor of the palace echoed through the throne room. Cadance could only watch as he walked towards her, towering over everyone inside her throne room. Looking up at the man as he finally reached her, she felt a lump in her throat as she recalled the creature that had attacked her. For some reason Gehrman reminded her of said attacker. But it couldn’t be. Why would her attacker be with Twilight and the other Elements of Harmony? “Greetings, your majesty,” Gehrman said, bowing his head respectfully. “I am pleased to meet you, at last. Though I wish it were under different circumstances. I do not know what happened to you, but all I can say is: I am terribly sorry your eternal beauty has been degraded to this level.” “Oh, stop it,” Cadance said, waving a dismissive hoof at him as a hint of red appeared on her cheeks. “I’m not that pretty. Besides, we have other things to discuss,” she said, her tone suddenly getting serious. Looking back at Twilight, she continued. “Twilight, I need to inform you about a few things my attacker said to me.” Twilight nodded her head. Motioning for Cadance to continue, she levitated as scroll and a quill out of Gehrman’s left pocket. “Hey, when did you put that in there?” Gehrman asked, checking his pockets for any other strange materials. “Well, I was out of space so I figured you wouldn’t mind.” Twilight replied, giving him a cheeky smile. “I cannot believe I did not notice,” Gehrman mumbled to himself. “Must be my age.” Cadance cleared her throat, getting their attention. “Okay everypony, listen up. Last night I was attacked by a creature, a creature Gehrman over here shares resemblance of. It attacked me and questioned me. He said he was searching for the Crystal Heart. I do not know what the Crystal Heart is, nor does Shiny… but I think that it must be very valuable to him.” “This is interesting to say the least,” Twilight commented, scratching her chin. “So the creature that attacked you looks like Gehrman. Perhaps it’s the same species? Hm, and the creature is looking for the Crystal Heart, but you nor Shining Armor have any idea what it is… perhaps we can find some sort of information?” Taking a glance at her big brother, she continued. “Is there any way I can get some information on the Crystal Empire?” “I’m not sure,” Shining replied, glancing down at the floor. “Listen, Twily. Cadance is tired. She’s been beaten and broken. She is using every last bit of strength to keep the barrier up, but I’m afraid that it will not last forever. We have to find a way to protect the Empire, without having to use Cadance’s magic. But since Cadance is focusing on keeping the Empire safe and sound, and I’m keeping an eye out for any changes in the artic, we haven’t been able to gather information of any of the Crystal ponies.” “Then we will have to retrieve said information ourselves,” Gehrman replied, getting Shining’s attention. “I to saw what was out there. A shadow. It talked to me. We need to act fast if we are to protect this Empire from total devastation.” “What do you have in mind?” Shining asked, cocking an eyebrow at him. “We search every corner of the Empire until we find something useful. Staring now,” he replied. “Sounds good to me,” Shining replied, looking back at his little sister. “Good thing you decided to bring him along.” “Don’t look at me,” Twilight replied, looking at her friends. “It was Spike’s idea to bring him along. He said that it would be nice, having another… male on the team.” Bickering over who should go with who, Gehrman felt someone tug at his leg. Looking down, he saw that it was Cadance. Bending over, he spoke up. “What is it, your majesty?” he whispered. “Listen, I am in no position to ask this of you but… would you mind staying with me and Shiny? I know it might seem pretty dumb but… well… I’m afraid Shining won’t be able to hold back another assault. I mean, just look at his horn,” she said, her eyes falling upon Shining’s horn, which was still covered in black crystals. “Please, just stay. You seem like a nice pony.” “I believe the correct term is: Person. But if it’s what her majesty’s wishes, then I shall comply,” Gehrman replied. Clearing is throat loud enough to get everyone’s attention, the First Hunter continued. “Listen up everyone. I have decided to stay with Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor for their own protection. The rest of you will search the city for any information. But for your own safety, do not speak of the Crystal Heart to anyone. The creature that attacked Princess Cadance might still be out there, and it might start to stalk you to get any form of information. If he was able to enter the palace unnoticed, then he must be very good at what he does. So do not mention the Crystal Heart unless it is absolutely necessary.” Everyone nodded their head in agreement. “We’ll do whatever we can, Gerrie!” Pinkie said, hugging the hunter tightly. “I believe that, Miss Pinkie,” Gehrman replied, patting her back. “Now make haste.” He said, shooing her away. The First Hunter watched as Twilight and the others left the throne room leaving only him, Cadance, and Shining Armor inside the throne room. An awkward silence soon followed. For what seemed like minutes no one said a word. ‘Are they frightened?' Gehrman thought to himself. ‘It would explain why Princess Cadance asked me to stay at her side, but… what good is a huner who has nothing to fight for? My job was hunting beasts, nothing else. But now another human enters Equestria and attacks royalty for something said royalty does not possess. Hm, this is very peculiar.’ “Gehrman.” Gehrman turned his head to face Cadance, who has called out his name. “Yes, what is it?” he asked. “Let me ask you something: Have you ever been afraid?” Cadance asked. “Why are you asking me this?” Gehrman retorted, raising an eyebrow at her. “I just… I need to know if I’m not the only one. I feel so afraid all of a sudden. I’ve never felt like this before. Perhaps it’s because of the creature that attacked me, or perhaps it’s because of the threat looming over the Crystal Empire. But I just need to know: Have you ever been afraid, Gehrman?” “In a way, yes,” Gehrman replied. “What were you afraid of?” Cadance asked. “I was afraid I might never wake up again,” Gehrman solemnly replied. “Since you feel this way, let me tell you that it is nothing special, nor strange. You are afraid because you do not know what will happen if you fail. You are thinking about the things that can go wrong, instead of the things that can go right. I have done the same… sometimes, I still do. But let me give you one piece of advice: Never let your emotions take over, for they will cloud your judgment.” “But emotions are what makes one special,” Cadance retorted. “When you are staring into the face of death, your emotions will no longer matter. Just let it all go and charge. Charge and do not look back. Only then will you overcome that what you fear,” Gehrman replied. “Now if you will excuse me,” he said, walking an exit. An exit that lead to a balcony. “I will be on the look-out for any form of danger.” Slowly nodding her head, Cadance spoke up. “Overcome what you fear. But what is it that I fear? Fear of the… unknown?” “What was that?” Shining asked. “N-nothing,” Cadance replied. “Nothing at all.”