//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: Cape and Cowl III: Showdown // by Artimae //------------------------------// 1 Not much farther… she should be where I told her I would meet her. Hano quickly bounded across the rooftops, effortlessly leaping across the gaps and clearing distance in an almost unnatural amount of time. He arrived at the rooftop of his choosing, landing with a soft thud as his hooves made contact with the bricks beneath him. “Charade…” Hano called out, finding the mare looking out over the edge of the building they were standing on. “The last time I met you alone like this, it didn’t end so well,” she stated coldly. “What is it?” “There is something we need to discuss. Something… off the record,” Hano added, staring at her. “Hano, if this is going where I think it’s going…” she said, her tone suggesting she was reluctant to pursue this dialog too far. “Where do you believe it is going?” Hano asked, trying to gauge where she was coming from. “... I don’t know. A part of me was happy enough to never see you again. I wanted out, and for a long time I was free… ‘til that stupid mare came along and Red needed me again…” She sighed, shaking her downcast head. “Come with me, we must discuss this elsewhere…” Hano said. “Where there are no prying eyes.” “I already wasted my time coming here. If you’re going to grovel or whatever then...no. I’m not wandering from place to place until you’re satisfied no one is listening. If you cared about not having ponies following you around, then maybe you should be working for the Red Hoof,” she stated frankly. “A moment…” Hano said, leaping off and vanishing. He quickly began to check the area for any potential wandering eyes or any ponies that may have followed him. He had told the Red Hoof we was going out for fresh air, though he knew his master trusted no one and was not above sending spies after him. Content that there would be no liabilities or discrepancies in his plan, he came back to the rooftop where Charade awaited. “We are alone. I was not followed.” “That’s great hon’,” she sighed, barely resisting the temptation to leave before he returned. “Now what were you going to say?” “I intend to do something I should have done years ago…” Hano said, his hoof resting on the butt of his sword. “No thanks, I don’t need them evened out,” she snorted. For the briefest moment she saw the corners of his mouth twitch. “Oh? So you do remember how to smile.” The next thing Charade knew, she heard what sounded like wood and steel clattering on bricks, and was swept up in a tight, nearly crushing embrace. She shivered, shaking her head wildly. “No!” she pulled away, frowning hard. “No, Hano. It doesn’t work like that. You know it doesn’t. It’s not some… some switch you can just flick on and off! I wish it was, but it isn’t. I’m sorry.” Hano let her go, his face stained with tears. The normally frigid, icy gaze in his eyes had completely disappeared, an expression of pain and regret taking its place. “I know… I know the weight of the sins I have committed. I live with the burden every day… but… the look in your eyes, the disdain in your voice, my heart could not bear it anymore. Not from you,” he said softly. “All I want, is a second chance…” “... ‘All’ you want,” she said, tasting the words carefully. “As if a second chance is such an easy thing to give… you think I never thought about you?” she sighed. “I did. I didn’t want to, but I did… and the harder I tried not to, the harder it became… and yet here we are, killers and torturers. Tasked with killing a mare that isn’t even eighteen… who’s to say we even deserve a happy ending?” “Whether we do or not is irrelevant to me,” Hano said. “Every time I look at you, I can feel my past actions crawling on my back, gnawing at my mind like rats at a festering wound… I would like nothing more than to rid myself of these chains that bind me from you.” He paused for a moment, then spoke. “When I say I want a second chance, it is not that I am asking you to give me one…” he then paused. “I am merely asking for the chance to earn one.” “I don’t know yet. But I’m here, talking with you. Maybe you should think on that,” she said, turning away. “If I really hated you, I’d be drinking away my sorrows in the Headless Horseman. Which, by the way, sounds like a good idea…” she smiled, considering grabbing a quick drink on the way home. Hano closed his eyes, stray tears escaping down his cheeks. He took a deep breath, and exhaled. When he opened them again, the same bitter, frigid gaze had regained its proper place. Behind it Charade could easily tell her words had broken his heart, as though he had once again locked it away at the center of the storm of his being, kept away from anyone who would hope to reach it. “If you want to earn my forgiveness, you need to stop talking and start acting,” she said, looking him right in the eyes. “It’s not impossible. But it’s not like I’m much better, or that I’ve been nothing but a victim, either. And the first thing you need to do will be the hardest.” “What would that be?” Hano said, steeling himself for what was to come. “Ditch Red. Ditch that whole lifestyle. It’s brought out the worst in us.” I cannot. Not now. The time is not yet right, he thought bitterly. “I do not have an answer.” “That in itself’s all the answer I need,” she said, walking away. “Don’t bother me again til’ you’ve regrown the balls of the stallion I used to know. Farewell.” Hano once again found himself alone. He quickly cleaned his face and retrieved his sword. He reattached it to his hip and bounded off, though he wondered to himself how he could move so well with his sword weighing him down so much. 2 Joules found himself in a strange situation. To his left sat a snarky, stubborn and abrasive mare (albeit a rather cute one) that had done nothing but cause him trouble and grief, now leaning against him for support as her foreleg was being magically knitted back together. To his right, sat this mare’s cousin, helping him keep her conscious and hydrated. In front of him sat the Shamaness, who looked weary and tired after hours of making sure the spell in question was performed correctly. “How much more time, Zecora?” Joules asked. “Not much longer… when we are done, her leg will be much stronger…” Zecora said softly. “Please refrain from making me speak, for I feel I am growing weak…” “Gotcha,” Joules said. “You hear that Snow? We’re almost done… just a little longer. I’m really proud of you, okay? I’m gonna treat you to a big heaping plate of fudge for fighting through this,” he said. Snow Storm said nothing, using every bit of her willpower to stay awake. Her white coat had become a damp gray from sweat, and she could feel it matting. Tears stung her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, mixing with the sweat. “Almost there…” Joules said, having run out of ideas and was now running his wing down the back of her neck in an attempt to soothe her as the grip on his other foreleg felt as strong as ever. This mare is strong… she’d probably fit in with the Guard no problem, he thought. After what felt like an eternity, the fluid in the pot began to darken, until all of its luminescence disappeared. The pain in Snow’s leg ebbed away, leaving only a dull, throbbing discomfort and a strange, unpleasant tingling. “At last, the spell is done… the bones in your foreleg are finally one.” Zecora sighed, sitting back and wiping her forehead of sweat. “Y’all did really well!” Apple Bloom said, helping Zecora to a cold drink of clear water. “Snow, we’re done… your leg’s all better!” Joules said, relieved that the ordeal was finished. “Remove your hoof and set it down. I promise you will not frown,” Zecora said with a small smile. Snow Storm did so, noticing first and foremost that the cast seemed to have melted away. She flexed the pastern once or twice, but her flinch was only out of reaction - it felt fine. Better, in fact, than it ever had. “Wow,” she said, still trying to catch her breath. “Feels… good.” “Do not stress it until tomorrow, or I promise more pain will follow,” Zecora warned. “One day of rest will give you the results that are best.” “Yeah, sure, how much do I owe?” “Bits are not what I seek. I am merely happy to see you no longer weak,” Zecora said with a small smile. “Nonsense,” Snow Storm said, reaching into her saddlebag for a small drawstring bag she always carried with her. “I do not require payment for the work I have done… though I will say this: everypony gets one,” Zecora said firmly as she shakily got to her hooves. “Though, if I may be frank, your lover is the one you must thank.” Snow blinked. “‘Lover’?” Zecora raised an eyebrow, Apple Bloom suddenly starting to sweat. “I understand we send away those who come by… but was there a reason for you to lie?” Zecora said, turning on Apple Bloom. “I- I didn’t lie, I swear! They really are datin’, ain’t ya Snow?” Apple Bloom said, frantically nudging her cousin’s shoulder in the hopes she’d catch on. “Oh. Oh, yeah! Just, uh… we’re both kind of new to it. It’s weird to think about.” “Yeah, uh… we only just started dating and all,” Joules affirmed with a small chuckle. “Then allow me to ask, if I may, why it was ‘we will settle down’ I heard you say?” Zecora asked pointedly. “Um… I was showing commitment to the relationship?” Joules said nervously. This is bad… Apple Bloom thought. “I would have been inclined to believe you, had you just decided to be honest and your words were true,” Zecora said firmly. She then whipped out a piece of paper, hoofing it over to Joules. “This is the bill. Pay me however you will.” Joules looked at the bill and turned a shade of white paler than the paper she had handed him. “F-F-Five thousand bits!?” Joules said, his throat suddenly dry. “Good luck with that,” Snow Storm said, getting herself ready to leave. “Oooh no, it was your leg she fixed!” Joules said, pushing the bill to Snow’s chest. “I’m not paying a single bit of this!” At this point Apple Bloom had thrown up her hooves in defeat, shaking her head. “I’m sorry Zecora, I didn’t mean to—” She stopped suddenly when Zecora raised a hoof. “This has been a trying ordeal… watching them squabble will be fun, I feel,” Zecora winked as she whispered. “Hey, I offered, she refused me.” “So you mean to tell me you carry five grand of bits on you ‘just in case’!?” Joules exclaimed. “She didn’t bill me for that much. I was much nicer to her.” “You were the one that had work done! I was literally here for you to grab onto so you didn’t pass out, which, by the way, I have yet to hear a ‘thank you’ for!” Joules said, folding his forelegs over his chest. “Look, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have a train to catch.” “You know what? Fine! Let’s catch your train, and let’s just forget any of this happened!” Joules said, frustrated. “Fine, just pay the lady.” “With what money?!” Joules said, feeling his blood pressure rising by the minute, his wings flaring out in anger. A pulse began to beat in his head, and he couldn't tell if it was the beginnings of a headache or a vein about to burst. “It was merely a joke! There is no validity in what I spoke!” Zecora said, now trying to keep the situation from escalating. “Calm down Joules! Yer face is turning beet red!” Apple Bloom said. Snow could say nothing as she laughed. “I am going to bed. All of this nonsense is hurting my head,” Zecora sighed, exiting the room. “I’m going outside! We apparently have a train to catch, but all of a sudden she’s in no rush!” Joules yelled, pushing past them both and slamming the door to the hut behind him. “Was that necessary, cousin?” Apple Bloom asked. “Probably not,” Snow said, smiling cheekily. “But it was worth it.” “But he was so nice to you! How was that worth it?” Apple Bloom asked, genuinely confused. “I don’t have an answer for that,” Snow admitted, dropping a bag of bits on a nearby table despite Zecora’s protests. “But now it’s time we get going, wouldn’t you say?” “I guess,” Apple Bloom said. When the two of them exited the hut, Joules was seen further up ahead, still ranting and muttering to himself. “I should have never come here! Being stuck with her was probably one of the worst strokes of luck I’ve ever had in my life! I’ll probably have heart problems later in life because of her!” Joules fumed, gesturing wildly as he walked. “Y’know what? I’m gonna go catch the train and I’m gonna leave her behind! Screw waiting for her, that’s what she deserves!” he said, preparing to take off to fly to the station. “You seem grumpy,” Snow said from behind him. “Everything okay?” “I’m surprised you care,” Joules spat, lifting off the ground. “Oh alright, I’m sorry,” Snow said, rolling her eyes. Gosh, he’s sensitive. “Thank you for helping me.” Joules looked back at her from over his shoulder. He then sighed. I’m an idiot for playing into this, but whatever, it seems genuine enough, he thought. “Apology accepted, I suppose…” he said, touching back down. “I just did what made sense. You needed help, I gave it. I couldn’t just let you suffer there alone, it’s not right, especially if the Red Hoof had a hoof in it somehow.” “Yes, I did need help. And it’s something I hate admitting to.” “Coming from you, I believe that,” Joules said. “Though we should probably talk more on the train…” he said, pointing in the distance where a small plume of smoke was visible. “But we have plenty of ti-” She turned her head upwards, feeling a slight twinge of panic as she saw the moon in the wrong spot. “It can’t be that late already!” “We were at the hut for a few hours and it took us a while to get here. Either way, let’s get going! That’s probably the last train for the day!” Joules said, taking to the air once more. “Way ahead of you!” she said, galloping through the blackened Everfree Forest. “Take care of yourself, Apple Bloom!” “Okay, take care y’all!” Apple Bloom said, waving them off. She then huffed. “I wish I had a stallion that cared fer me like that…” * * * After a good deal of running and and flying, the two managed to arrive at the station just as the train blew its last whistle before departure. Joules waited in line, hoping that the pair ahead of them would finish quickly. There's always stragglers, aren't there? “C’mon, we don’t have all day!” he said urgently. “You’re right, we don’t!” Snow said, running past the line and jumping the barricade, heading straight for the train which was now beginning to move. The sound of Joules’ jaw dropping could be heard for miles. “For the love of Celestia, Snow, that’s illegal!” Joules shouted, jumping after her. The train was picking up speed now, and his eyes went wide when he realized exactly what the crazy mare meant to do. He quickly took to the air, following just above her. “Are you out of your mind!?” “Probably!” she said, pushing herself a little harder. Really wish I had his wings... she thought, digging into the wooden planks of the station for more speed, with the edge rapidly approaching. “You’re gonna hurt yourself all over again! Snow for the love of Luna and all that is holy, just stop!” Joules pleaded, watching the platform rapidly shrinking beneath Snow’s hooves. “Not if I catch it!” she said, pushing off the edge of the platform with her rear legs and stretching as far as she could to grab a hold of the caboose railing. Unfortunately for her, she hadn’t been fast enough and the train was pulling away. Joules saw the likelihood of her face-planting and breaking every bone in her body growing exponentially by the second, and quickly swooped in and grabbed her by the midsection. “You really are nuts!” Joules said, balking and holding onto her. “Wow, nice catch! Can you maybe speed up a little bit, though!?” “Do you even have the slightest idea what you just tried to do!?” Joules yelled, gripping her as tightly as he could so as not to drop her. “Everything’s fine, isn’t it!?” she asked, still reaching for the railing as the train began to pull away. Joules accelerated to match the train’s speed, barely catching up to the caboose as he set her down on the platform, landing next to her. “I’m gonna say it again; you’re nuts!” Joules said, unable to believe what had just transpired. “Yeah, but we’re going back to Manehattan tonight, aren’t we?” she asked, giving the pegasus a cocky, self-satisfied grin. “Thanks again. I think I might owe you for this one.” Joules shut his eyes tightly, bringing a hoof to his forehead to hide a now protruding, violently throbbing vein as a single, solitary blue feather popped off his right wing, quietly coming to rest on the floor beneath them. Suddenly, he shuddered, and went eerily quiet. “Do you realize… you almost risked the entire trip with that stunt?” Joules asked softly. “If I missed, it’d have been a soft thump on the ground!” “You would have broken every bone in your body!” Joules shouted. “You would have hurt yourself far worse than how you showed up! For the love of Celestia, use your head!” “But that didn’t happen and I’m fine thanks to you. You really are a good Guard. Now do you think we should go find a compartment?” Joules just continued to stare at her, unable to even begin to figure this mare out. Suddenly, the exhaustion from swallowing and subduing all the anger from a moment ago caught up to him, his vision going blurry and his sense of balance almost leaving him. “Sure… whatever…” he said, opening the caboose door and allowing her in first. “Such a gentlecolt!” she said, trotting through the doorway and walking face-first into the broad chest of the train’s conductor, who wore a heavy frown beneath his handlebar moustache. “Tickets, please?” he said with a thick Scoltish accent. “Uh… right… ticket… Dear, don’t you have them?” Snow tried scooting past the stallion, who blocked her easily. “Royal Guard business,” Joules said, flashing his badge. “My name is Sergeant Joules Watts, member of the Manehattan Royal Guard, badge number three five six one two four. I’m on official business for the Manehattan Royal Guard and she is with me. Will you be needing anything else?” Joules asked. “She doesn’t look like one o’ the Guard,” the stallion said, cocking an eyebrow. “She’s part of an ongoing investigation. As far as I remember, Royal Guard ponies get free access to municipal services around Equestria as part of their service contract, and this is considered a municipal service, now please, allow us to go to our seats before I start to think you’re impeding an investigation, am I understood?” Joules said firmly. “...Alright, fine. Don’t cause any trouble, or A’ll throw ye’ both off ma’ train regardless o’ who ye’ are,” the stallion said, looking at them both then leaving. Snow quickly stuck her tongue out at the conductor’s back before being yanked aside by Joules. “Go sit down, and stay there. I’ll be right back,” Joules said firmly, trotting past her. “Well now, somepony’s suddenly bossy,” she said, looking for an empty place to rest. Once she sat down, Joules returned a few moments later, sitting beside her. He looked over at her, and shook his head. He then placed a small package in front of her. “Open it,” Joules said. She looked at him suspiciously. “What is it?” He sighed, tearing the package opening, revealing several small packets containing fudge brownies. “The fudge I promised you earlier. It’s yours. While I don’t necessarily think you deserve it, I am a stallion of my word, so there you go.” Snow Storm made a noise similar to a girlish squeal, and proceeded to devour all but two of the pastries, which she gave back to him as the offerings of a truce. Joules looked from her to the packets then back to her, then split the two with her, taking one for himself. “As crazy as the last couple of days was… I can’t deny they were just the slightest bit fun,” Joules said with a small smirk as he bit into the brownie. “For you, maybe.” She smirked. “You didn’t have your hoof dipped in horrifyingly painful goo.” “True… but I had to sit and watch you do it, and I wasn’t really able to do anything about it but be supportive and hope for the best,” he said. He then sighed. “If there’s one thing I hate in life… it’s feeling powerless to help, and I felt powerless to help you then.” “Yeah… I know all about being powerless…” Her voice trailed off, though Joules could’ve sworn he heard her mutter ‘not anymore’ under her breath. “How’s it feeling by the way? I’m pretty sure you running after a train isn’t ‘letting it rest’,” Joules said. “It feels like I could punch through a cement wall. Want me to demonstrate when we get home?” “I’d prefer you didn’t do that simply because you already burned your one assist with Zecora, and after that it’s the old-fashioned way when it comes to recovery,” Joules said. “Although, I can tell you’re pretty strong, so I wouldn’t be against possibly sparring with you or training with you if you’re up for that.” “First thing’s first,” she said, and that icy look came back in her eyes. “The Red Hoof.” “Without question,” Joules said, scowling heavily. “I have my own reason to bring him down, aside from saving your folks…” he said darkly. “If it were up to me, I’d string him up by his insides and have him paraded through Canterlot… but knowing the way the Guard system works, he’s going to be arrested, processed, then taken to Canterlot to await trial before the Sisters.” “There’s somepony outside of that ‘Guard System’, though…” “Who, the Mare do Well? Hell, if she can do it, then more power to her. I sure as hell won’t complain, though I’d still like to get my hooves on him myself…” Joules said. “Could she do it, though?” Snow Storm seemed to be asking herself more than Joules. “Do you think she could willingly take a life? Even his?” Joules pondered her words. “...I guess it would depend on the situation. I mean, we’re authorized to use lethal force if our lives are in danger, so I don’t see why she shouldn’t do the same. As for actually bringing herself to do so…” he then paused. “Personally, I feel she’s better than that. Killing him would be coming down to his level. As much as I’d like to see him dead, I think a worse punishment would be being forced to live out the rest of your days rotting in a cell, forced to think about the things you’ve done.” “Hm,” was the last thing she said on the subject. Why bother hiding it? Half the Guard knows. What’s one more? she thought. After thinking about it for a moment, she decided against it. Maybe not yet… I need to make sure he’s on the up and up first. Joules then leaned over, pulling his wallet out of his bag. He opened it, pulling out a photograph of himself with two other stallions around his age, clad in armor. He then showed the picture to Snow. “You see those two stallions I’m with in the picture?” “Yeah?” “Those were my two best friends, Storm Gust and Skyfall. We enlisted around the same time and were put in the same unit in basic. We got moved up and got assigned to the Manehattan Royal Guard department a few years back…” Joules said, sighing heavily. “Do you remember the incident that happened about two years ago where there was a bombing in an apartment complex that killed a bunch of ponies?” “Well, two years ago I wasn’t even in Manehattan. The Oranges sent me off to live with some relatives of theirs and I… kind of decided to stay for longer than anticipated.” “Oh… well, yeah, that happened. Couple of improvised explosives went off in an apartment complex…” He then steeled himself, feeling a lump forming in his throat. “Stormy and Sky were both killed in the blast. Apparently they had uncovered some corruption leading back to Red in some nearby businesses, and they were silenced for it.” Joules paused, then continued. “They caught the pony responsible, but he was acquitted. We had the evidence to put him away forever, but we were certain the judge was bought out by Red. Said the evidence was insubstantial. The pony that killed my friends walked free… that is, until his body turned up in a gutter a few days later. Probably punishment for almost dragging Red into the public eye. Ever since then, I’ve made it my mission to try and find any avenue that could lead to taking him down...” The sadness in Joules’ voice was almost palpable. It was obvious the stallion had been through much in his life, and yet still he trudged forward, trying to do the right thing. “It’s one thing to have to bury your best friends… but to present their mothers with a folded flag and their twisted and burnt up helmets…” he said, his voice shaking slightly. He shook his head, clearing the image from his mind. “Anyway, that’s why I’ve got my beef with Red, so believe me when I say that I want nothing more than to see him brought to justice, even if the Mare do Well has to be the one to do it.” “Beats my story,” she said, lying on her back. “I think I sneezed at him wrong or something.” “Doesn’t take much, if you ask me…” Joules said. He then turned to position himself so he was facing out the window, leaning against the window sill so he could watch the scenery as they passed by. “Hey, Snow?” “Huh?” “We’re gonna get him this time,” Joules said. “We’re bringing him down for good.” “Well I’m sure if you don’t, she will.” “I hope so…” Joules said. “We should probably get some rest. We’re still a few hours away, so may as well just get some sleep in the meantime.” He then settled in, laying his head down on his forelegs, tucking his wings tightly at his sides. “May as well try…” Snow said, laying down as well. She closed her eyes and began a mental run-through of the last few days. Though Joules had been pushy, quick to anger, and even easier to upset, he did seem to line up with what Murdoc had previously said about him. I guess he’s not such a bad guy, and he did keep his word and bought me fudge. Maybe I’ll be a little nicer to him from now on… but only a little, she thought as she tried to force herself to sleep. After multiple attempts, she found herself staring at the wall across from her. It’s gonna be a long train ride. 3 “Captain! Left side, ten o’clock!” Murdoc shouted as he fought off an attacker. Captain Leaf looked to his left, catching sight of another enemy stallion focused on another Guard. He leapt forward, wrapping his forelegs around the stallion’s neck, holding them in place until the stallion slipped into unconsciousness. “Good work Lieutenant!” “Yes sir!” Murdoc said, finally subduing his opponent with a swing of his spear, catching them on the side of the head with the butt of the pole. “Where to now, sir?” The Captain looked around, frowning heavily. The initial wave of attackers had been held off, but it was only a matter of time before the assault resumed. Low moans came from the wounded tending their injuries. He walked over to one of the enemy, scowling at how the stallion dared to wear the armor that was rightfully the Guard’s. “Strip these cretins,” he finally said. “And then lock them up. A broom closet, for all I care. We need to establish a triage center, as well. Does anypony here know first aid?” “I do sir!” A mare quickly made her way over, sporting a bandage on her upper foreleg and the early signs of a bruise under her left eye. “Sentry Rose Cross at your command, where do you need me Captain?” “Set up in the showers. Hot water, no windows, and only one way in or out. It should be safe and useful.” “Yes sir!” Rose said, quickly assisting the nearest Guard who had been injured, hefting him onto her back and dragging him towards what would quickly become their triage area. “Any other ponies that are able and can assist Sentry Cross are to do so! Move it, we don’t know when they’re going to hit us again!” Murdoc barked, several Sentries doing as ordered. He then gave a sigh. “Collect any KIA and put them in the offices. We can’t let them get any more of our equipment.” “Who’s the fastest pegasus here?” Captain Leaf demanded, keeping an eye on the door. “No squabbling about it, either!” “I- I am sir!” A small yet stocky pegasus approached him. “Sentry Flashwing reporting… how can I assist?” “I need somepony to sneak out and round up all the roaming patrols. Or even the off-duties, I don’t care at this point. We just need help. However, this is strictly volunteer. It won’t be held against you if you refuse. There’s still a lot of crossbows out there.” This is your chance to finally show ‘em what you’re made of! You can do this! he thought to himself. “Y-Yes sir! I won’t let you down!” he said, quickly looking for the nearest exit. He peeked out for just a moment to see if there was anyone watching, finding only a couple of thugs near this exit. He readied himself, then shot out the exit, jerking left and right to make himself a harder target as he heard a small storm of bolts shoot past him, but ultimately miss their mark as he disappeared from view. “Sir, what do you think the odds are of them having gotten to the Armory?” Murdoc asked as he helped a Sentry lift a wounded Guard to his hooves so he could be moved back to the make-shift triage area. “Not very likely,” Captain Leaf said, his tone implying that not even he dared to believe that at this point. “It’s sealed.” As if to mock his words, a loud bang was heard from outside. “That was near the entrance to the Armory, they’re trying to blow their way in!” Murdoc said. He then quickly hopped up on a table that was still standing. “Whomever is still able to fight, come with me! We’re going to stop those animals from taking our Armory and we’re going to drive them off our turf!” he yelled. “Those of you who can still move but can’t fight are ordered to assist Sentry Cross with aiding any wounded! Your priority is to defend the Captain at all costs, am I clear!?” “Yes sir!” the remaining officers yelled. “Good! Now, let’s move out!” Murdoc yelled, hopping off the table and leading a small group of officers with him towards the Armory. Flashwing, I hope you’re alright out there… we need as much help as you can get us! 4 Snow Storm relentlessly paced the up and down the aisle of the train car, much to the ire of several ponies trying to sleep, including Sergeant Watts. Joules tossed and turned, unable to distract himself from the sound of Snow’s hooves against the wooden floor of the car. “Snow… for the fifth time… please try to get some rest,” Joules pleaded. “Can’t sleep,” she said simply, biting her lip while she paced. Can’t this damned train move any faster!? “You pacing back and forth isn’t gonna make this trip any shorter or make this train move any faster, now sit down before you upset the—” “Oi, wha’s with all the racket in ma’ train car!?” The Conductor said in a raised whisper, having received several complaints about a mare preventing others from sleeping. “Conductor…” Joules sighed. “I think that ‘racket’ would be the clickety-clack of the wheels on the rails, sir,” Snow said a little too innocently. “From what A’ heard it was an ornery mare runnin’ up an’ down the aisle. Was tha’ you?” the Conductor said, eyeing her closely. “I’m not running, I’m pacing. And quietly.” “So it was you! An’ apparently what yer’ doin’ isn’t lettin’ others sleep. Either ye’ settle down, or we’re goin’ ta’ have problems!” the Conductor said threateningly. “Snow, for the love of Luna and all that is holy, please just settle down and don’t piss off the Conductor!” Joules begged. She opened her mouth to retort - she had a thousand different ways to respond - but thought better of it. Right now you’re making more enemies than friends. That’s not a good deficit. “... You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just a little homesick… or possibly sick in general.” “Good… now settle down, we’ll be there in a couple o’ hours,” the Conductor said, turning and leaving. “No more complaints, aye?” he said, looking back at her one more time then leaving. She made a face at him once he left. “There anything I can do to help you get to sleep?” Joules asked. “Not unless you somehow magically have Red subdued and waiting and give me the sharpest spear in the Guard,” she said, flopping down on the seat across from him. “I hate him, can you tell?” “Look, I completely understand why you hate him, and believe me when I tell you I feel the same way… but getting anxious and bent outta shape about it isn’t gonna fix the situation. Besides, if you’re gonna go picking a fight, wouldn’t it make more sense to be rested and ready to go?” Joules reasoned. She lay on her back, snickering at Joules. “You’re funny, you know that?” “Well I’m glad you think so, but I’m curious as to why you think that,” Joules said, rolling over to look at her better. “Because for whatever reason you seem to be completely okay with some dumb random civilian picking a hoofticuffs fight with the worst criminal in the city. Shouldn’t you be all, ‘let us handle this, ma’am’?” She said the last bit in a pseudo-gruff voice, causing Joules to snicker. “I would normally, but I’ve been around you enough to realize that you’re not gonna listen to me anyway, so if you’re gonna run in there all gung-ho and ready to take on what’s essentially the beast at the end of the dungeon, I may as well help you prepare, right?” Joules said. “Oh, yeah?” She turned her head to look over at him. “And what if I just so happened to be a hitmare, and he was my target?” “I didn’t hear a thing,” Joules said with a small smirk. “I’m all for honor and valor and that sort of thing, but I think we’re beyond that when it comes to Red.” “... Huh.” She snickered again. “You just might be smarter than you look, after all.” “Stick around and I may just surprise you,” Joules said with a small chuckle. “Y’know, you’re sorta cute when you’re not being completely unbearable.” “No, I’m not,” she said flatly. “I was never one of the ‘cute’ mares.” “Sure you are! You’ve got a nice figure, nice eyes… I can’t say anything about your smile since I’ve never really seen it for more than a few seconds, so I can’t rate that… but hey, as long as you’re nice I’m sure you’ll make another pony very happy one day,” Joules said. “I’m not really planning on finding somepony. Too much headache.” “I’d like to think maybe I’ll find somepony… my last few relationships didn’t quite pan out. Apparently I’m ‘too dedicated’ to my job,” Joules shrugged. “See? What’d I say? Way too much headache for no good reward.” “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try,” Joules said. “The idea of spending my life with somepony is kinda nice. I’m not against the idea of starting a family once I’m better situated in the Guard, either… but that’s still a ways away.” “Well I know it’d never work for me so I won’t bother trying in the first place,” she said, staring up at the roof. “You’re still young, you’ve got plenty of years ahead of you,” Joules said. He then looked at his watch. “Four AM… the conductor said we’d be arriving in a couple of hours which puts us at around six or seven… no point in sleeping now,” he said with a small sigh. “Plenty of years, huh? The way I live, I highly doubt that.” “You say that now… by the way, how old are you?” Joules asked. “You’re not supposed to ask a lady that, you know.” “I have yet to see you act like a lady,” Joules smirked. “... Do you want to?” “Sure! I’m game,” Joules said as he crossed his forelegs. “Whenever you’re ready.” She simply lay there for a moment, silent. For a minute, Joules thought she might have fallen asleep. Suddenly, she screwed up her face, and put on a thick ‘prim’ accent. “Why, I cawn’t believe my dress won’t be ready by the gala! The absolute nerve! I must look my absolute best, lest I lose the contract for the new orange smoothies!” She gasped, raised a leg up to her forehead, and pretended to faint with a sigh. “... How was that?” Joules would have responded, if he wasn’t too busy biting down on his lower lip to prevent himself from bursting out laughing. Snow could see faint traces of tears trickling down his puffed-out cheeks, now a deep rosy red from holding him back. “G-great…” he squeaked. “Pish posh, my dear colt! ‘Tis not even well said when forced! I daresay, however, we shall storm the encampment of this so-called Red Hoof ruffian and give him quite the thrashing!” Joules was forced to bite down on the nail of his hoof to keep from laughing, the absurdity of her acting almost forcing him to wake up the rest of the train. “Tally-ho and rally the troops, Sergeant! We march by the sword at dawn! Jolly good show!” Snow Storm began to giggle, herself. It was good to unwind. Joules had had enough. He grabbed a nearby pillow and forced it to his face, laughing wholeheartedly into it so as not to draw the ire of his fellow passengers. When he emerged, his face had gone completely red, still guffawing as tears of laughter continued to roll down his cheeks. “Oh… oh that’s rich!” “Hey, you wanted a ‘lady’, didn’t you?” “I was expecting a modern day lady, not one from when the way Luna speaks was normal!” “At least I’m not from Trottingham.” Joules opened his mouth to protest, but could not find anything to say. “You have a point,” he said as he adjusted himself. “That was good, that was good… I’m pretty sure I could do a ‘fancy gentlecolt’ just as well if I tried.” “Knock yourself out,” she offered. Joules cleared his throat, picturing the stallion he wanted to be in his mind. He scrunched up his face and curled his lips to expose his teeth as much as possible. “Well I shay, it is shimply marveloush to have met such an upshtanding and charming young filly such as yourshelf! I am shimply chuffed as nutsh, if I may shay so myshelf. Oh, do excushe me darling, I musht check the time!” he said in a suave, deep voice as he feigned drawing a pocketwatch from an imaginary pocket on his chest. “Oh my, I’m going to miss high tea, whatever will I do now?!” He then paused to think. “Oh well, perhapsh a dance will do the trick, though I am lacking a partner…” he then looked to Snow. “Would you care to dance, my dear?” he said, extending his hoof. She snickered behind her own hoof. “Fancy drunk gentlecolt?” “He’s not drunk! He’s just got a fancy-shmancy accent! Spend enough time in Canterlot and you’ll see what I mean,” Joules said, half-laughing himself. “Canterlot’s too prissy for my taste,” she said. “Cocktail parties as a filly were bad enough.” “I hear that,” Joules stated. “I was stationed there for a time while I was still in training and let me tell you, if those ponies were any stuffier we could take them home as plush toys.” Snow Storm gave a half-hearted chuckle, slipping one hoof into her saddlebag and stroking the soft fabric of the Mare do Well suit inside. Soon, she thought, keeping a single ear on Joules as he continued to talk. We’ll be home soon. 5 Petunia shifted in her sleep, her forelegs wrapped around Amber’s midsection, hugging her to her body. “Mmm…” Petunia mumbled. “Somepony turn off the fire alarm…” she murmured, frowning slightly. “Hm?” Amber grumbled, squirming and rolling over part way. “What alarm?” “There’s an alarm going off…” Petunia said softly. Amber lay there for a moment, letting her sleepy brain slowly process the sound. “Oh… that’s not a fire alarm. That’s the…” Her mumbly voice trailed off, almost back to sleep, before the warning bell in the back of her mind went off. She shot up, tossing aside the covers and rolling to her hooves in one fluid movement. “That’s the Horn! I have to go, like now!” “What!?” Petunia said, sitting up quickly. “What’s happening!?” “No clue,” Amber said, hopping around as she fought to get her undergarments on. “But it’s never good. The Horn is reserved for the worst possible emergencies.” Petunia watched Amber put on her undergarments then start to slip her armor on. She gave a small sigh, then climbed out of bed. Amber blinked in surprise when she felt Petunia’s touch as she helped her put on her armor. “I’m not thrilled that your job is pulling you away from me in the middle of the night… but it comes with the territory if I’m gonna be with you,” Petunia said. “Please… promise me you’ll try to stay safe…” “Wish I could.” Amber buckled her cuirass and slipped her helmet on. “See you!” “Before you go…” Petunia said softly, gripping Amber’s shoulder. She quickly turned Amber to face her and kissed her, sealing the moment in their minds. “For good luck,” she smiled, blushing softly. “I’ll be waiting for you.” Amber blinked in surprise, blushing heavily. I could really get used to this. “Yeah… I’ll do my best!” she said, quickly returning the kiss then making her way out the door, heading for the Barracks as fast as her legs could take her. * * * Amber charged through the side streets and winding alleys, trying to find the fastest route to the Barracks. Once she made it out onto the main road near the Barracks, she was joined by a few other Sentries and Cadets en route. “Any idea what the situation is!?” one stallion asked. “Does it matter!? They need us!” Amber replied. “Flashwing said the Barracks were under attack by the Red Hoof’s stallions!” one Guard said from behind them. “What!? You can’t be serious!” “Focus! We need to get our heads in the game! If what he’s saying is true, then we’re all they’ve got!” one Sentry said. Murdoc… please be safe! I’m on my way! Amber thought, steeling herself and readying for battle. * * * “Get that damned door open!” somepony shouted. “Soon as we get the rest of their gear, we got ‘em! No more Manehattan Guards!” Unless their buddies get here… “Come on, how hard can it be to break into an armory!?” “This thing’s like an iron wall! We’re gonna need more than two bombs to blow this thing down!” one pony responded. Bolts started flying from the Barracks, striking several of the intruders. “I thought we had that building covered!” “They must’ve called for reinforcements! That must’ve been what all that noise was about!” another pony said, hoisting up several shields with magic to help protect their bombardier as he set up more explosives. “Hurry it up already!” “I’m trying, alright!? I can’t focus with crossbow bolts whizzing past my ears!” he protested, fiddling with the wiring on the explosives as quickly as his hooves would allow. From across the yard came the crash of the front gate, followed by the cacophonous warcry of a hundred fresh Guards swarming onto the premises, spears and crossbows at the ready. “Damn it, they must’ve called all the guards from across the city! We need to get in there!” “Just a few more seconds—” “Halt! In the name of the Guard!” Murdoc bellowed, spear raised. “You’d better stand back, ‘Lieutenant’, or you’re about to get blown sky-high!” one pony taunted. “Then I guess we’d better stop you quickly, huh?” Murdoc snarked. “Stop that bombardier!” “Hold them off, I’m not ready!” the bombardier yelled. “Charge!” Murdoc bellowed, both groups storming forward and into battle. 6 Joules let out a long, contented sigh. “Y’know, this was nice. It felt good to get away from Manehattan, all things considered, and once this whole business with Red and your parents is done, I wouldn’t be against hanging out again or maybe getting lunch. That sound good?” “You’re pretty persistent, aren’t you?” Snow Storm asked, slightly amused. The idea of sleeping now was laughable. “Is that a bad thing?” “Hm… not really, no.” “Well then, if that’s the case, then what’s your answer?” Snow shrugged, not really believing it would ever happen, anyway. “Sure, why not?” “Cool,” Joules nodded. “Hey, check it out, the sun’s coming up,” he said, pointing out the window behind her. “That must mean we’re not far from Manehattan.” “... Want to try jumping off the train before it reaches the station?” Joules gave it some thought. “You’re probably gonna do it even if I say no, so why not?” he said with a smirk. “I’m just kidding!” “You sure? It has been a bit since I’ve stretched my wings and I could go for a fly…” Joules said, opening his wings and flaring them out to stretch them. “Don’t worry,” Snow said, trying to ignore the apprehensive feeling which settled in her gut. “I have a feeling we’ll both hit the ground running as soon as this train stops.” Joules shifted in his seat, frowning slightly. “Something… something’s not quite right, and I can’t put my hoof on it…” Snow shrugged. “Probably just gas.” “I think I’d know if it was gas…” Joules said, laying his head down in his forelegs. Whatever it is, we’ll be there soon. Just a little longer.