//------------------------------// // The Rising Sun against the Darkness // Story: Out of my Element // by TheLostwriter //------------------------------// Out of My Element Chapter 13: The Rising Sun against the Darkness It felt good to stretch without the limitations of the brace. I felt almost every joint in my body pop and I had needed that. The stretch was followed by a yawn. I looked at Logia and asked, "So how much longer do these ceremonies take?" "Sh, this is new," replied Logia as she elbowed me in the chest. "This is the first time Luna has been at the main ceremony." "Isn't that because she was on the moon for all but the last few," I whispered back. "Yeah." "And she wasn't really herself for the first one," I continued to whisper. She elbowed me again, harder this time. "Stop, they may not be your royalty but they are mine," she whispered back. She made a good point what was I in this land. Was I viewed as a foreign national, a refugee or did they even care. That was a question for another day. "I think it's time I prepare my surprise," I told to her. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a white bodied pegasus with a blond mane looked over at me. She made a gesture as if asking if I was talking to her. I responded with a confused look and shook my head. Looking back at Logia I smiled and said, "come on for this to work we need to be near the edge of the ceremony grounds." "What are you going to do," she asked. "You're not going to do something stupid and embarrass me are you?" "I hope not," I replied with a quick glance over at her. I went back to scanning the area behind the crowd. I Jumped when Logia stepped beside me and asked, "Steel tell me what are you doing?" "An old friend of the Princess would probably like to be here," I answered. "Ah, there we go far enough away to be hidden close enough that he can see." "You're talking about Jack right, so you built something so he could move around," she puzzled aloud. "Did you build him his own body?" "Sort of you'll see," I answered as activated the two way radio the one thing I had kept with me, everything else Applejack had offered to watch. "Jack do you have a fix on me?" "Yes," his voice sounded very excited. "Alright then bring it here." The blue vortex of energy that came from Star Swirls teleport spell stirred the dust in front of me. It deposited a small projector array on the ground. The projector was about the size of a video camera and the sensor system the same. Both systems were mounted on a tripod and both were independently mounted. I switched the device on and it began to hum then a blue bodied unicorn with a red mane shimmered into focus. The unicorn looked around and the camera followed pointing at where he looked. "So this is what has grown up around my house, I wonder what it's done to my property value," said Jack through the radio. "Welcome back to the land under the sky Jack," I said as I walked over to the image. "You ready to watch the sun come up?" "Yes, if only I could feel the light touch me, but this will have to be good enough," he said with an almost pained expression. "I wonder if after all this time if she'll recognize me." "Do not fear Star Swirl, if I recognize you my sister most assuredly will." We both jumped and I looked at the voice. As I stood there staring in surprise the image of Jack had already fallen into a bow as had Logia. "Hello, princess," I said. Jack growled something at me that I couldn't make out through the radio and Logia glanced at me with a little panic in her eyes. The princess looked at the three of us then asked, "I know Star Swirl, and Steel but I don't know your friend, who is she?"   "This is Logia," I answered."She's the archeologist that was sent to the old castle in the woods." "Oh, then please rise Miss Logia my last report informed me you were a friend of the Elements. I no longer, demand continuous display of this nature, you rise as well Star Swirl." She turned her gaze towards me, "You however Steel are not, I may have met you before but that does not excuses you from respecting your princess." "I'm sorry Princess," I bowed my head slightly. "In the society I came from we have no royalty." Wait my princess, well I guess that means I'm a citizen. She looked surprised at my comment and asked, "If you have no royalty who leads your land?" "It was a democratic republic, we elected our leaders." "Oh," she replied with a smile, "so 'tis the same form of government used by the Griffins. I have often wondered about how a Republic would work in this land." "I don't know how well that would work Princess Luna," answered Jack. "With you and your sister as powerful and popular as you are, any elected official could not stand against you. There voice would be lost under yours." "I can see where that could be true. I have also seen through examining the Griffon's system that anger between different philosophies of thought can split the population." I looked over at Logia, she had stood up but it was obvious she was suppressing a shaking fit. Her eyes were desperately looking everywhere but at the princess, panicked eventually she said "Excuse me princess.” She inhaled deeply before attempting to continue, but I cut her off. "If you want to continue your discussion with Jack you'll need this," I said as I passed her the radio and continued with, "However Logia and I must take our leave of you. I was just setting up the projector, but I want to have a good view of the ceremony after all it is my first time to attend." She slowly tilted her head, "we give you leave." I walked over to Logia standing in between her and the princess. Then said, "come on let's go find a place with a good view." She looked at me eyes fixed on my face; she nodded very quickly and then walked beside me keeping me in between her and the princess. "Logia, what's wrong," I asked once we were clear. She nervously looked around then whispered, "I've heard stories, when she came back from the moon she was so entrenched in the old ways that she imprisoned those that didn't show her proper respect. I never thought I would actually meet her. I'm not high enough in academia or society to be allowed into the royal court." "So what would you say if I was to introduce you to Celestia," I asked. Her eyes widened, "I'm good," she squeaked. "Why would the princess want to speak to me?" "They did fund your expedition." "Yes but that was through an intermediary, I was to report to them and they would pass on the information to the court." "Hmm, so say if we, as in you and I ended up at the meeting that Celestia and Luna are having with everyone else." Her pupils constricted and a look of terror shot across her face, "Oh no, no I couldn't." I stopped stuck a leg out to stop her, "Logia what's wrong? I can somewhat understand your fear of Luna, but what's your problem with Celestia? You were a little grumpy with me for my comments earlier, and now you're trembling at the idea of meeting them face to face." She looked at me and then pushed by my block in silence. "Logia come on talk to me, one minute it's like we can't shut up, the next something happens, my fault or something else and you clam up." She looked around and then lured me into an alleyway. She wrapped herself around my neck and in a hushed whisper said, "I can't let them get a good look at me. It might be okay if Luna saw me but not Celestia." I tried to draw back to look into her face but she held on to me to tight, so I returned the whisper. "Why?" "I told you about my father and that he died on a mission for Dressage. Well I found out about that mission from Percetio while we were preparing for my dig." She swallowed, and nuzzled my neck before she continued. "Just shy of twenty years ago, Equestria and the Griffin Republic where going to formalize a decade long cease fire agreement with a treaty.There were elements of both sides that wanted to return to open hostilities, Dressage was one of those elements. My father's mission was to attempt an assassination of Celestia using griffin technology and escape undetected. He failed and was captured, their agents have several ways to remove themselves from those situations." I had no idea what to say to this. I was concerned that I would end up corrupting this world but there seemed to be corruption just under the surface anyway. I squeezed the unicorn tightly. "That explains what happened with your father, but why you?" "I look like him, from the colors and patterns in my hair to my eyes. Celestia will recognize me," she squeezed me back and I could feel tears falling from her eyes. "Why are you here then," I asked, "if you're so scared of being recognized why be here?" "You," she nuzzled my neck as she spoke. "If I was in the crowd I can be lost, he taught me that, but standing in the open in front of the princess," her statement died off. It took me a moment to regain the ability to speak, "Logia, you should know that I wouldn't let anything happen to you." "You," she laughed, "You would stand between the Princess of the Sun and me." "Like you said they're not my princesses and I wouldn't count me out on my ability to be distracting." My god, I can't believe I said that, I thought, whether it was the cheese factor of the statement or the idea of fighting both deities I couldn't tell. Either way it was a disturbing thought.   "You’re definitely distracting to me," she answered just before placing a kiss on my cheek. "Hey now, you two need to calm down and remember you're in public," yelled a voice from above. We both jumped and pulled away from each other. Logia looked away embarrassed and I looked up. "Rainbow Dash what are you doing up there creeping on people?" "We're ponies Steel, you'll never fit in if you keep using words like that," she said with a laugh. She was perched on the roof of one of the nearby buildings. "If you want to see the sunrise you need to get out there, the ceremony's about to start." I looked away from the observer above and asked, "You want to go find a spot?" "I have a better idea," she said as her horn began to glow. My whole body was enveloped in her magic and I was picked off the ground. I now knew how a dog felt when they tucked there tail between their legs as I was doing the same. Once I reached roof level I was placed beside Rainbow. I had the most displeased face that I could make on and I wore it as much for the way I placed on the roof, as for Rainbows outright laughter. Before I realized it Logia was beside me. "How did you do that," I asked as the surprise of her suddenly nuzzling my neck melted away. "There are quite a number of similarities, between archaeologists and what my father dreamed for me," she whispered in my ear.   Rainbow looked at us in disgust and said, "I'm going to get another roof if you two don't tone that down, forget it I'm getting a new one now." I laughed a little as she left. When the first rays of sunlight shot out from the horizon and the warm colors played across the sky, Logia whispered, "it's about to start." I looked over towards the golden icon in the center of the city plaza, and leaned into her as I waited. "You know this whole thing makes me think, both Luna and Celestia control celestial bodies, at least that's what we've been told." "They do," she answered, "remember about a month back Luna was distracted and lowered the moon late."     "Yes, that's part of where I'm going with this, and from what I've observed the constellations change their place in the sky at night." "Yes," she answered looking at me with an expression that told me I had said something that caught her attention. "That is only possible from my understanding if this planet orbits the sun, and if that's true." "It is true," said a voice behind me. It startled me enough that I probably would have fallen off the roof if I hadn't been sitting. It was close enough as it was, turning around I saw who it was and quickly placed myself between Logia and the princess. "The world has changed greatly in the years since my imprisonment and so has my sister. There was a time that for just making that observation it would be a crime. The old legends have slowly fallen away as our subjects have become in general more civilized." I took a step forward, "Princess Luna," I began and she cut me off with a wave of her hoof. "As I have told my subjects, it is Luna, just Luna." I looked back at Logia and flashed a grin before returning to my question for the princess. "Alright Luna, why then do you continue with the lie that Celestia controls the sun and you control the moon?" "It is not a lie, I do control the moon, and my sister does control the sun. However we have found that controlling the rotation of the planet to be easier and we are less likely to destroy it." I did my best to control my reaction, "That seems a little elaborate, why do you do this then all other forces seam equal shouldn't the planet take care of itself." "Star Swirl asked the same questions," she said with a laugh, "you two are quite similar." "Except I'm better looking," chimed in Jack over the radio. "I do not know the specifics because it was discussed between my sister and he shortly after my banishment. However it cannot be denied that Celestia and I are needed." She looked past me to the platform and said, "Oh she's about to arrive." I turned my attention back towards the golden statue of the rising sun and found Logia trying her best to hide behind my body. "Stay calm," I whispered in the unicorn’s ear, "I'm going to talk to her." I turned back towards the princess, "Luna if you would I have something more private I need to discuss with you." She twisted her head slightly, and I could see her eyes shift from me to Logia and into the plaza, "Can we continue this afterwards, I wish to see the ceremony event." "Princes please, we can move back to the roof's ridge line, you can still see the ceremony from there." She looked at me, then past me to Logia, and I could feel the mare shivering behind me. "Very well Steel," she said with a sigh. I looked back towards Logia and smiled before following the princess up to the apex of the roof. "What do you wish to speak about?" "Nothing really it was for Logia, she gets nervous around you," I looked down at the mare sitting near the eaves. Luna huffed, "this is not the first time somepony has been frightened of me because of my past," she frowned, "however that number has been fewer in recent years." "I don't think this has anything to do with your past, it's more of hers', well her families. She's terrified that you and your sister will hold a grudge against her because of that." The Princess of the Night wore a confused expression as she asked, "do you know the cause of her concern?" I sighed, "I do but I gained that knowledge in confidence and I'm not going to betray that." "Yes, I can see that. Please inform her for me that since my return I have learned several things about the population of Equestria. The greatest is they are forgiving, they would not become that way if the sins of the parent were still passed to the foal." She looked at me for a moment and then she looked up towards the sun; I did as well in time to see Celestia leap up in front of the rising sun statue. She had timed the leap and the sun’s passage just right so she past in front just as the sun bathed the crowd with light. I walked down the roof and sat beside Logia in silence. She looked over at me and asked, "What did you talk to her about." "I just told her you had an issue with family history and the royalty that made you nervous around them, that was it." Her eye's widened and pupils narrowed, then she yelled, "You told her!" I did my best to take the blows she threw without showing the pain. "I only told her that, nothing specific. Her reply was that you carry none of your parent’s sins." She scrunched up her nose and looked away. Eventually she said, "So you didn't say anything about my father." "No, all I said was, it was something to do with your family's past. You trusted me with the specifics and I cannot throw that away," I answered in as much of a matter-of-fact tone as I could manage. She looked back at me and scanned me from head to toe, well hoof and said, "I don't know about you, sometimes I can't imagine not being around you the next I'm so mad at what you do I want to be as far away as I can." "Just don't hide in the woods again, please. I haven't got all the burrs out of my tail yet from the first romp." "There you go that's a perfect example, the idea that I would run off again. Do you see me as being that weak, or are you implying something else more enjoyable." Her face expressed her irritation, her eyes the heat of anger one second, a softer warmth the next. "I was trying to make a joke. Other than that I meant no implication, I can see that there was one but it wasn't intended." I smiled weakly, but against all other instinct and the advisement of at least one of the voices in my head I stood my ground. She grumbled and stood up, "I'm getting down from here, I want some space until we figure each other out." "That's going to take a while," I responded as she leaped down from the roof onto the wall of the building on the opposite side of the alley. She then bounded off that wall and onto the ground with little effort. What kind of archeology did she deal with, I wondered as she walked out into the plaza. I sat and watched her disappear into the mingling crowd with a sigh. "Is she upset with you," asked Luna as she walked up behind me, her hoof steps light on the thatched roof. I watched the crowded plaza as I answered, "I don't know maybe." "I have watched the hearts of ponies as they have danced in the fields of love. That is something my sister lacks knowledge of, the joys of two hearts under the moon." She paused when she noticed me looking up at her, "forgive me," she asked. "While I have been practicing to adjust my voice and mannerisms to a more modern set, I have not been as successful on tideing my gregariousness. My previous point is that your friend Miss Logia is quite taken with you, and I can tell you with her." "I'm sorry princess but you would have to be blind not to see that." She laughed slightly, "Yes, I agree. However I believe that there is more. As I was attempting to say before in far too many words is I have watched the greatest romantics of this world, you two have something special." I rolled my eyes, and a smirk spread across my face. "Thank you princess, but I think it's by far too soon to say that." She laughed again and an equal smirk spread across her face, "do not laugh at my observations Steel. What is that lovely colloquialism, I knows it when I see's it." I couldn't hold in my laughter as I spoke, "thank you for that encouragement on that front but for now I feel it would be best if I collected the projector and head for the library for the meeting with your sister." I looked out over the crowd, "I think she needs a little time alone." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Logia yawned as she cut through the crowded, what what that arrogant fool thinking, she grumbled as she walked across the plaza. When she finally got the nerve to look back at Steel she was surprised to see that he was gone. She quickly looked around at the faces that surrounded her looking for his and her heart fell, not from lack of his presence but from the fact that she was looking for him. Fool, looking for him like that, you’re behaving like a school yard filly. It's undignified. She laughed slightly as she continued to berate herself in her thoughts. Just as undignified as cowering in fear behind him, you’re going to have to grow up. She grumbled nonsensically to herself as she scanned the crowd looking for ponies to avoid. During one sweep of the area behind her she saw the hologram of Star Swirl waving frantically with a wide toothy grin, and then he was gone. She took several quick steps in that direction before seeing Steel and Luna walk out from behind the building. Steel was carrying the projector over his back. Logia quickly ducked back into the crowd, her irritation returned at her behavior. This was stupid, I'm going to have to face them eventually. "Logia, where's your date?" "I'm not in the mood Flash Bang," she replied to the pegasus as she landed. "Oh that bad, do you want me to give him an attitude adjustment?" "No, I don't think that will be necessary." She stopped and ran her tongue over her lips before asking, "Where is Firestorm?" "Ah, the commander is resting; she partied rather excessively last night, a little to much cider if you know what I mean." "So that's what that firework display last night was about?" "You saw that," asked the copper pegasus as she pawed the ground. "Everyone with eye's saw that," Logia replied her eyes became more hostel before she continued. "I also know you two were trying to visit the underground lab last night." Flash Bang stepped back and opened her mouth slowly several times as if trying out different answers. Eventually she spoke, "yes we did attempt to enter the lab, and we were removed in such a way that Firestorm's life was put in danger." "Then you're lucky that you both were unharmed as it is." "I didn't agree with the commanders orders, however she is my superior." The pegasus stood in a familiar stance to Logia, it was one that her father taught her, at attention, ready to be dressed down. "If you would, Miss Logia would you apologize to Steel for me?" "Why so formal now," asked Logia with a smirk creeping across her face. The pegasus started to speak again and paused, going through this pattern several more times before settling on her statement. "I feel that the goals of the organization can be met through different means but I'm not in a position to make that decision." Logias smirk became a true smile as she said, "Flash Bang you and I may just get along splendidly. In fact you remind me of Percetio, he was an idealist as well." The pegasus flashed a smile and quickly hid it behind a focused face, "Thank you ma'am, I noticed you were looking for someone earlier. The six elements, Steel and both princesses are in the currently in the library." "Thank you, you are observant." "It is my job," replied the pegasus, "I was about to get some food, would you like to join me?" "No thank you, I think I'm about to go and face," she paused to swallow and steady her voice, "a couple of my fears." "That's good for you, do you want me to come along," asked the Flash Bang, "I am your bodyguard." "No thank you, you would only get in the way should something happen." The pegasus looked Logia over, "you know that makes me want to follow you even more." "It's alright I'm going to be with the Princesses." "I guess if something is going to harm you there I would be in the way," grumbled the copper pegasus. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I leaned against one of the carved busts near the library entrance, wearing the crown off kilter. It wasn't plugged in; I didn't want or need the magic now.  It felt good to lean on something and it felt natural, which was something I had been missing. The meeting here had gone extremely well. My two topics for discussion had been the reintroduction of Jack, or Star Swirl, to Celestia and the presentation of our sensor pylon to the rest of the group. There had been little discussion on the actual plan, mostly because we had already discussed it to ad nauseam and everyone understood what was needed. Afterword the meeting had devolved into an interesting gathering of friends, and as far as I was concerned there were only a few missing. There were a couple discussions that I inadvertently took my leave from in the form of short naps. One such discussion was something about Luna and a nightmare outside the castle. Hopefully her nightmare was not as bad as our walking mountain. I sighed, and looked around the room with groggy eyes. I was exhausted and no matter how euphoric I had been about losing the need for the body brace I was getting tired. It was evident in everyone else they were needing sleep as well. Well almost everyone, I thought, the Princesses looked like they could go a few more days without sleep.   Eventually after a rousing game of pass the yawn that even the princesses ended up playing everyone decided to call the meeting close due to lack of sleep. While Twilight said her long goodbye to her mentor I ended up retrieving the radio from Luna and using it send the projector back to the lab. I waited until the party was winding down to announce that I would be going out to place the sensor beacon before I went to bed. Celestia walked over to me her sister right behind her and bowed her head to mine as she spoke, "thank you, Steel it was enjoyable to see Star Swirl again." "It was no problem princess, I just want to give him a chance to get out and see the world. If I hadn't been able to construct the projector I would have suggested we move the meeting to the lab," my statement was followed by a yawn. "Excuses me," I muttered as I fought through another yawn. Luna smiled at me as she walked past; it was a knowing smile that sent chills down my spine. The worst part was that the chill almost induced a cramp in the neck muscles that were healing from the reforming of the prongs. Once I recovered from the pain I heard the door opening followed by a panicked gasp, and I knew what that meant. I wouldn't get any sleep soon. I turned around to see Logia in the most stoic state of panic I had ever seen. She had obviously not expected the door to open, and she was frozen in the middle of preparing herself to enter the library. The only thing moving, showing panic at all was her eyes, but she seemed to radiate fear. Luna stepped forward excusing herself as she pushed past a confused Celestia. "Miss Logia, I as Luna Princess of the Night, in my authority forgive you for whatever crimes your family has participated in, it is if they never happened. As the one whose power is from and to the night's sky I do make it so." Logia's eyes darted between the two princesses and a small whimper escaped her lips. Her stoic stance previously carve in stone began to crumble as she shook. Luna looked towards her even more confused sister, "my oath still carries its weight even now does it not?" "Of course Luna… That oath is something I haven't heard in, since before your banishment. May I know who this mare is," she asked her sister. "Her name is Logia, she and Steel seem to have a close relationship." I blushed slightly, but most of it was caused by the sleep deprived jeers from Rainbow Dash. "If it wasn't for that oath I would ask what her crime was but as you have said it is as if they never happened," commented Celestia to her sister. The Princess of the Sun then turned her attention to the unicorn now tearing up in front of her. "Logia, I have heard of you in the reports from my Twilight. I feel so sorry for what happened to your expedition and what you had to go through in the forest. Remember if you become lost in your heart you have found a group of friends here as solid as any stone." Logia slowly shifted out of the princesses’ path. She looked at me as they past, and then stuttered, "Princess, thank you for continuing to fund my time here."       Celestia stopped and glanced down at the unicorn, "what do you mean? The treasury cut your funding after the attack and shifted that reserve to help the families of those who died." This appeared to be enough of a shock to force Logia's mind back into gear, "If you’re not funding me then who is?" Another round of yawns swept through the mortal ponies present ending with Applejack stating, "That sounds like something to solve after we get some sleep." "I agree," Added Twilight sheepishly, "and Steel still has to plant that beacon." "Thanks," I muttered the lack of sleep slowing my speech into a drawl. "Well then sister, I believe we should leave and allow them to get some sleep," said Luna in an attempt to coax her sister along. "Yes," replied Celestia as she glanced at Logia both wearing confused looks. Her tone changed to the more familiar and light notes that she had used before as she looked towards her sister. "I do not look forward to the work we postponed for our short vacation," she then looked back into the library and said, "sleep well my ponies." The two princesses walked out away from the library to meet their limited guards and then took flight. I heard Rainbow mutter something so I turned around to see if I could make anything out, "You'd think the guards would have kept Logia out." Twilight answered, "They are trying to keep the populaces calm. With all the weird things going on, fewer guards mean they feel safe if they feel safe everyone else is safe." "They're god who's going to hurt them," I interjected. Rainbow Dash agreed with me and Twilight continued, "True, and considering they were together and we're here with the six of us. I can't think of anywhere safer to be." "Right," I replied with a yawn, "I'm going to make sure Logia is functional and can get home. Then I'll place the beacon; see y'all when I wake up." I then trotted out the door and found Logia with a vacant expression staring off into space. "Why," she whispered, "why would they do that?" When she finally saw me the anger that boiled up in her eyes should have terrified me, but with my lack of sleep, I just didn't care. Well that not true I was a bit nervous she had proven on several occasions that she could throw a punch if needed. "It's you," she yelled, "They’re paying me to stay close to you. I told them I quit and they still try to play me!" "Keep quiet unless you want to tell everyone," I whispered through clenched teeth. She puffed her cheeks and slowly exhaled. "I guess you're right," she muttered her eyes still showing the anger just beneath her surface. After a moment she said, "Let's go plant your beacon, I should be able to vent out there." I nodded and followed her as we walked out towards the edge of town. She was still fuming as we walked up the hill towards the Everfree Forest. Every once in awhile I would notice Logia gazing back towards the town with such intensity that I felt like I would figure out what building she was looking at when it burst into flames. Eventually we had either traveled far enough that she felt safe for an outburst or she just couldn't contain it all. "Those patronizing, arrogant, self righteous," she followed her statement with a predatory growl. "I'm going to get them back for this," she looked at me and roared, "You, do you have anything to say." I stepped back, "I haven't even figured out what you're talking about." She shook her head, the anger fading somewhat, "I'm sorry Steel I don't mean to blame you." Anger flared with her next statement, "I can't stand them." Her voice began to waver, "I never wanted to be part of this. I just wanted to get away from them." Her body shivered as she spoke, "I just, wanted to stand on my own away from Dressage." She stopped walking and I just barely saw the tear streaks on her coat before she looked away. I walked up beside her but stayed silent and watched her.  "Well," she asked wiping away the tears with a fetlock, "aren't you going to say anything." "What do you want me to say?" "I don't know, say something." I looked down the hill; we were overlooking the field that I had arrived in. The wagon's tire tracks had cut through the topsoil and I could still see them. The long sweeping turn was still visible and it turning into a straight run through the blue flowers that ended at a cluster of young trees all scared about three feet up. "What is that?" "It's called Poison Joke, and when I told you say something, I was hoping for something more us related," she grumbled. "I'm sorry,” I replied as I nuzzled her neck. "It's just that I don't remember Poison Joke looking like a little blue Audrey Two."          "What, are you talking about?" "It's right there, in the tire tracks. There's another, they're scattered throughout the others." "I don't see them." Damn, I thought as I reset the crown, I didn't want to use this thing again for a while. Once it had activated I reached out and pulled one of the plants out of the ground and brought it over. "So help me if you yell feed me I will burn this place to the ground," I muttered to the plant. "What is that?" asked Logia repeating my question. "I have no clue, I'm going to take it back to the lab and look at it," I answered. "Okay, Jack can you hear me," I asked into the radio. "Yes." "Then send me the beacon." The grass beside me spun in the vortex as the beacon appeared on the ground. "Are we getting a data feed from it still?" "Yes," replied Jack over the radio. "Okay I'm going to put it out into the center of the field." "That would be best," he answered, "even if it's not centered if you place it in the poison joke that will prevent tampering."                A quick grin flashed across my face when I saw Logia walking around and eying the sensor. I then asked, "You done examining it?" Logia stepped away from the tripod mounted cylinder, "yeah, how do you build these thing." "Magic," I said with a smile as I hovered the beacon over to its position. She huffed and looked at me, "If Dressage ever got there hooves on you I would fear for the world." "There I'm done," I announced, "Jack do you still have good contact." "Yes." "Thank you," I said into the radio. Then I looked at Logia, "The only thing keeping me from sleep is you, and I'll hold off on that as long as I can, at least until we get you calm down." "Get me calmed down, your almost as bad as they are," she said sticking her nose into the air. "That's not what I meant. Give me a grain of salt here, I'm exhausted." "Steel only you and Dressage have ever gotten me this angry. Why do you feel it's necessary to build on their mistake?" "I'm not trying to; I'm just fumbling around like an idiot trying to keep his head above water." "At least you have something going for you Steel, you're honest and I like that," she said with a smile. "Thanks, I think." I stopped and looked back into town and it dawned on me that she had been looking at the large suite earlier. "What are you going to do about your friends from the organization," I asked. "Well Firestorm is going to be the problem." she said with a sigh. "However Flash Bang at least has honor. She wanted me to tell you she apologized for trying to sneak into the lab. The problem with her is she's extremely loyal to the organization, no matter her own personal views." "I meant more short term as in where are you staying tonight?" She leveled her gaze back towards the town and spoke slowly choosing her words. "I don't want to go back to my suite not with them there, and the only ponies I know in town have decided that they were going to bed early. All except for," she paused then looked at me in silence. " Except for me," I continued her thought. "Yes, except for you. I guess I'll have to decide who I'm angrier at," as she spoke her gaze returned to the town. After several moments that were punctuated by my yawns she said, "I guess with you, there is at least a small redeeming factor." "You know I can only take so many insults before I decide to leave."  My eyes were starting to dry and for some reason the ground was starting to look very comfortable. "You might want to make your decision soon I don’t think I'm going to last much longer." "Fine, I'll crash at the lab then," she said. Then after looking me over she continued, "you're right you look terrible." "This just isn't my day is it," I muttered. I then spoke to the radio, "Jack you hear that. What do I need to do for us both to be tran..." my words were interrupted by the swirling vortex of blue light, “...sported." We were back in the lab and I asked, "how did you do that Jack?" "The sensor pylon can detect several things, I could see you with it," the hologram replied. "Nice, well I'm going to bed. Monitor the data stream and see what you can figure out," I told him as I walked into the alcove and opened the door to my bedroom. I noticed Logia standing beside me after I had walked through the threshold and asked, "Why are you following me?" She gave me a dejected face and said, "I don't know where the beds are, heck I don't even know if there are other beds. So I thought I would just follow you." "The guestroom is through the opposite door, if you want it." She nodded and walked back through the door. I smiled to myself after she left and staggered over to the bed. It was large big enough for two to fit comfortably, and I climbed in burying myself under the blankets. I was almost asleep when I heard the door open and shortly after felt the mattress sink as a second body laid down. I smiled as I drifted off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The image of Jack laughed and shook his head, those two, he thought. The hologram's face frowned as the computer that controlled it began to process thoughts in rapid succession. Steel is happy right now and that's good but if they continue with the idea of combating that thing, he's going to need help. Oh that's an Idea. The hologram vanished and was replaced with projected armor designs.I think he'll like this, Jack thought as focused his processing on the task at hand, and sent the regulating of  the Sensor Pylon to one of his subroutines.          6/21/1173 14:47 Archive notes on Entity approach: Entry I Acceptable volume of data from the Type 1 Sensor Pylon has been acquired. Data shows that theory on determining approaching entity arrival time is possible. More data gathering suggested before attempt at mathematical proof should be tried.   6/21/1173 15:07.32 Archive notes on Entity approach: Entry II Data collection continuing at above predicted rate despite Type 1 Sensor Pylon developing transmission static adjusting transmission frequency to correct. 6/21/1173 15:34.45 Archive notes on Entity approach: Entry III Diagnostic failure on data transmission array subsystem. Potestatum core heat sensor, indicating above nominal temperature. Data acquisition rate increasing to above predicted rate. Full systems diagnostic enabled. Individual system diagnostics enabled. 6/21/1173 15:42.25 Archive notes on Entity approach: Entry IV System wide diagnostic failure. Potestatum core diagnostic failure, core failure likely. Transmitter system diagnostic, transmissions exceeding bandwidth limitation. Sensor array diagnostic, primary relay disabled switching to secondary and tertiary relays. What, core failure. The alarm had pulled Jacks processes back to the monitoring system.  How long until core failure? The computer spent seconds evaluating the request and returned 5.17 minutes at present rate of overload. Deactivate system. The computer sent out the order and he waited on the return transmission.   6/21/1173 15:42.47 Archive notes on Entity approach: Entry V System deactivation failure. Potestatum core diagnostic failure, core failure eminent. Transmitter system diagnostic, transmissions exceeding bandwidth limitation. Sensor array diagnostic secondary and tertiary relays fused remote deactivation impossible. Jack activated the alarms, and shortly thereafter Logia staggered out of Steels room. "What is that noise," she yelled over the siren. The siren volume decreased slightly and Jack replied. "The power core for the sensor pylon is about to blow up." "Well do something about it." "I can't. With the stone in a hyper accelerated state any magic used in the area will just add to the problem." "So what do you want me to do about it?" "Wake up Steel." Logia rolled her eyes, that Stallion must be exhausted if he could sleep through this noise. She went back to the bedroom and tapped Steel on the shoulder. "Wake up Steel," she tapped him again. She reached out with her magic and lifted an eye lid. Her scream echoed through lab. She continued to scream as she ran out into the main room, "there's something wrong with him. There are worms, black worms in both his eyes." "How?" asked Jack. "Oh, that's not good." "Of course it's not good he has worms in his eyes!" "Yes I agree but that's not what I was talking about. The data from the pylon suggest a huge pulse of energy from the rip caused the overload and another just hit. The core will detonate in the next 3 second." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------            In a small grove filled with blue flowers on the outer edge of a forest there sat a four foot tall cylinder with three legs that allowed it to stand. Smoke rose from the cylinder at several points and shortly thereafter the grove was enveloped in a pure light. The light floated just above the ground like fog for a mere instant before becoming the most efficient display of mass energy. The explosion ripped through the forest vaporizing the trees expanding the clearing a good fifty feet in every direction. The ground beneath torn apart leaving a bowl shaped crater twelve feet at its deepest and extending to the edge of the new clearing. Most of the plants were vaporized but a few were flung several hundred yards by the force of the explosion. The shock wave knocked down the closer trees that had just survived the heat of the explosion. A lance of light and flame shot upward piercing the clouded sky, forcing the clouds back. One particular survivor of the explosion a plant that shared its appearance with an earlier sample landed in front of a cross eyed pegasus. She laughed at its sudden appearance and she tapped it with a hoof before saying in astonishment, "a flying plant, never seen before." She leaned forward to sniff the flower. It looked different than any other flower she had ever seen. It had had several thorns growing at the edge of its main two petals. She inhaled deeply of its scent, it smelled good. Suddenly a sharp pain stabbed her nose and she opened her eyes to see that the flower had latched on to her face. She could see and feel the thorns burning presence where they had pierced the skin. She screamed and ran into town yelling, "Bad plant!"