//------------------------------// // Chapter the Thirteenth: Working for the Weekend // Story: Doing His Duty // by Dick McKickEm //------------------------------// Doing His Duty A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fan fiction by Wolfram and Hart CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Working for the Weekend Being a civilian again was weird. Flash couldn’t even remember the last time he was out in the general public without a uniform of any kind. No helmet, no breastplate, no blade at his side, and save for a set of standard issue saddlebags, Flash was walking about Canterlot’s districts in his birthday suit. He felt naked. Well, he was naked, but not just physically. The off-duty guard imagined himself as a bird without feathers, completely vulnerable, like there was a big bullseye painted on his flank in place of a lightning bolt. Perhaps it was just his guard instinct. Sometimes it was hard to turn off. Regardless, it wouldn’t be his only venture out-of-uniform in the days to come, so the sooner he got used to it, the sooner he wouldn’t be spending his liberty nights on a razor’s edge. It was time to let his guard down for a while and ease out the pressure that had been building up in him since Maretonia. Canterlot’s shopping district seemed like the best place to do such a thing. Until his paperwork for an actual house goes through, he’d have no place to put any of the wonderful knick knacks that filled the windows of the cozy shops lining the cobble streets. It didn’t hurt to look, though. Perhaps there was a nearby restaurant that was open this late in the night. With the outrageous paycheck he pulled, even the snootiest of the overpriced establishments couldn’t turn him away. With an uncomfortable gait, Flash perused the whitewashed buildings aimlessly, reading this sign and that, not really finding anything that stood out to him. The sheer variety was overwhelming.  He hadn’t known what chocolate was until early adulthood, and they’ve got entire rutting stores dedicated to it! He didn’t even recognize the names of any of the dishes that were written in flowery lettering on the restaurant's’ advertisements. What the hell was ratatouille? It didn’t exactly sound nutritious. And he was pretty sure he once knew a stallion by the name of “fettuccine alfredo” when he was a kid. Then again, since birth his meals consisted mostly of oats and potatoes three times a day. “Bah.” Flash murmured to himself. “Why do I feel like such an old man?” Naturally, nopony answered. It didn’t even matter anyhow. Nearly all establishments save for the twenty-four-hour hayburger joints were closed. Then out of the corner of his eye, he caught a light. This yellow light poured out from the circular windows of a tiny two-story cottage. This place wedged between two much larger restaurants stood out like a lump of coal in a bucket of golden nuggets, with it’s walls made of plain oaken planks and a roof whose terracotta tiles cultivated a minor garden of moss. Despite its rickety appearance, this was the only place that still appeared to be open for business. The clip-clop of Flash’s hooves filled the lonely cobblestone streets as he drew closer to this interesting building. He noticed the windows were stained with a fine layer of grime and the sign hanging from an iron bar over the entrance was barely legible. It was in the vague shape of a six-pointed star and read in plain text “Radiant Sorcery: Canterlot’s Finest Magic and Trinket Shop” Perhaps “finest” would have been a bit of a stretch. Maybe if it was the only magic shop in the city. Then again, what did he know about magic anyway? That's stuff’s for unicorns and princesses. Though he did take an interest in this particular shop, Celestia knows why. Flash took a peek through the murky window, he could only glimpse general shapes and colors through the thoroughly disgusting pieces of glass, and what he could make out were the silhouettes of a few ponies amongst the shelves of unidentifiable goods. It seemed he was not the only one to be touring the streets at this time of night. Intrigued, he pushed open the door. Flash was greeted with a song of creaky hinges harmonizing with an old cowbell that hung loosely above the doorframe. Luna’s tears, that place was a mess. It was the first thing Flash noticed. It was like somepony had tried to stuff an entire outdoor flea market into one building. There was very little floor space left unoccupied by various forms of junk and junk accessories. It didn’t help that most of the lighting was from several candles scattered sparsely around the area, so most of the items were cast in shadow. It was like a Nightmare Night funhouse, only take out the fun and add a healthy layer of dust. At the very back of this shop standing behind a glass counter laden with some of the better-preserved items stood a middle-aged earth pony with a coat grey like soot. He perched an exotic-looking circular hat atop his head and a pair of spectacles on his muzzle. He gave Flash a small smile and an acknowledging wave before returning to his conversation with two mares that he glimpsed from the window. The presumed storekeeper looked a bit hot under the collar. A forced smile was etched upon his face as he politely conversed with these two brightly colored mares that had yet to give him so much as a glance. Oh no… Flash recognized one of those mares with their backs turned to him. He could tell who she was within a split second of laying eyes upon her. A light lavender coat, spiraling unicorn horn, and pegasus wings folded at her side. Yet again, he was in the presence of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself. At this point Flash was absolutely positive that some higher power than he reveled in putting the guard in highly uncomfortable situations. He considered just turning around and walking out. To Tartarus with whatever zany adventure hanging around the Princesses of Friendship would fling him into, he wanted some Celestia-damned peace and quiet for once. Sadly, he just couldn’t help himself. Oddly enough, he didn’t recognize the pony that stood at the princess’s side. This one was a unicorn and had a coat like Twilight’s, but a bit on the pinker side. Her mane was a deep shade of purple with sky-blue streaks running through it. Flash tentatively crept closer into the shop, being careful as not to disturb their conversation. “Now, mister Curio, I understand that our description is a bit rough, but I believe that it is ample information for you recall somepony you had met several hours ago.” Twilight spoke to the shopkeeper with a reserved and polite tone. It quite reminded him of Princess Celestia when she wasn’t taking her anger out on a gryphon royal. “I am sorry, Your Grace,” the stallion laughed nervously “but I must decline. My customers tend to be very private ponies, and even if I did see the pony you described I would not compromise their privacy in such a way. Uhmm again, my apologies.” The other pony grumbled. “Let’s go, Twilight, we need to hurry if we’re going to catch her. This guy obviously doesn’t want to help us.” “No!” she stomped her hoof on the ground, kicking up a small ring of dust. “This is a matter of grave importance!” “Fine, let’s try it my way, then.” The other pony’s horn lit up with a soft blue glow that quickly spread to and enveloped the stallion. She telekinetically grabbed the poor shopkeeper by his woolen scarf and hoisted him off the ground. His hind hooves kicked wildly, knocking a knickknack or two off of the counter and shattering them to bits. “Listen here, you little rat-!” Twilight gasped, lighting her own horn and zapping that mare with a small spark of arcane lightning. She didn't look to be hurt, but the spell holding up the earth pony dissipated at once, letting him drop to the floor with a hollow thud. “Starlight!” Twilight scolded the mare like a foal with their hooves in the cookie jar. “That is not how we treat ponies!” Flash seemed to recall Twilight throwing a certain helpless zebra around in a very similar way a few weeks earlier. At this point, the two of them noticed Flash witnessing their little exchange. “Uh, good evening princess.” Flash tried to look like he just walked in and heard absolutely none of it. “Flash!” Oh great, him and the princess were on a first name basis. That probably broke every fraternization law ever written for the Royal Guard. “I haven't seen you since Maretonia. How have things been?” Realizing that he forgot to do so, the pegasus instantly lowered his head and neck for yet another bow. “Very well, Your Grace.” The other mare apparently named “Starlight” tried to stifle a girlish giggle. Twilight rolled her eyes. “Flash, you know you only have to do that when you're on duty.” Flash popped upright instantly. “Oh, right. Of course.” “Now,” Starlight said, turning around “let’s get back to- Aaannd he's gone.” “Huh?” Twilight did a double-take. Indeed there was no skeevy shopkeeper in sight. “Oh horseapples!” “What strong language for a princess of Equestria.” Starlight mused aloud with a smug mug. “I’ll be right back.” Without a word more, Twilight disappeared with a flash of her horn and a shower of purple sparkles. “Wh-where’d she go?” Flash asked. Things were happening so fast! Starlight shrugged. “Uh-dunna.” A quiet moment passed, with both of the ponies standing about, trying not to make any awkward eye-contact. “So you're that Flash Sentry guy Twilight talked about?” Flash’s stomach did a backflip. Her question carried enough force to nearly knock the poor guard over. “The princess talks about me?!” Flash faked a cough. He didn’t mean to raise his voice that high. “Mmm hmm. She said you were that crazy guard guy who had Spike set you on fire and helped Luna save Maretonia.” ‘Crazy guard guy’, oh boy did he make a lasting impression. Flash let out a nervous chuckle. “Sounds like me.” “So, uh, did the princess say anything else ab-” Poof, a gust of wind and more sparkly magic. Twilight was back, this time with the shopkeeper in her telekinetic grip. He squirmed and wriggled, trying to break free of his invisible bindings to no avail. “I’m sorry, Mister Curio, it seems you've left your shop with two unsatisfied customers waiting on you.” Twilight said, levitating Curio so he could look her in the eye. “Allright, allright, I know when to squeal!” he said shakily. “The mare you want was in here this morning looking for some information. I hasn’t even opened up shop yet. She wanted to know where to find The Witch of the Waves, and I told her.” Who the hell was that? Flash didn’t recognize that title at all. Starlight furrowed her brow. “Who the hay is that?” “That's- that's what I thought too!” Curio stuttered. “I looked it up in an encyclopedia, it was a an old legend. I didn't know what to tell her, so I just gave her a children’s book with that little short story in it. She read the thing and walked out, muttering something about having a lot of hoofwork to do. That's everything I know, swear to Celestia!" “Well, I believe him.” Starlight chirped. “Haha this is way more fun than a friendship lesson.” Twilight glowered at her friend a moment before returning attention to the stallion. “And where exactly is this Witch of the Waves?” "The ocean, I'd assume.” Flash said. “Gee, Twilight your friend here sure is a bright one.” the pinkish unicorn chimed sarcastically. How rude! He hardly even knew the mare! “I don't know.” The earth pony admitted. “Let me go and I'll get the same book I gave her.” “Sure.” Twilight let go of the spell, this time letting Curio land gently on his hooves. The shopkeeper rushed off again, this time he ducked back behind the counter and came up with plain old tome in his teeth. He gently set it down and flipped through the pages. “All I can give you is a few pages out of a book of popular myths. This is the one right here.” He tapped the open book. “Now, as I have nothing more to offer you, I do bid you adieu, Your Grace.” Curio promptly did a left-face and disappeared further into the bowels of his shop. The three of them gathered around the book. “Let’s see here…” Twilight craned her neck and squinted her eyes to read the dusty old faded words on the page, muttering to herself. “What does it day?” Starlight asked. “Exactly what I hoped it wouldn't.” Twilight groaned. “It refers to this ‘Witch of the Waves’ by another name; ‘The Mother of Sirens’.” That name didn't ring any of Flash’s bells either. “And that means what, exactly?” “Well, it means that the sirens have family in Equestria, and they're itching for a reunion.” Oh how Flash loved answers that only served to raise more questions. “Sirens? You mean the old sailor’s tale?” “Precisely.” Yeah, that sounded like fun. They were chasing down fairy tales. “Ah ha!” Twilight triumphantly pointed a hoof to a single paragraph in the book. “Legend tells that the Witch still slumbers beneath the salt of the Tumbling Sea in a cave blacker than the deepest abyss!” How lovely. “We've got a direction, Starlight!” the princess slapped the book closed and shoved it into her saddlebags, pausing to flick a few bits on the shop’s counter. She turned around and galloped for the exit, stopping at the threshold to regard Flash and Star “She's headed west! Who’s up for a witch hunt?” “Should I gather the torches and pitchforks?” Starlight asked with a trace of humor in her voice. “That won't be necessary, come on!” She turned and took off into the night, quickly becoming a simple purple shape in the sky. “You ponies have too much energy.” Flash breathed. Starlight trotted after the princess at a moderate pace. She cocked her head back and looked at Flash expectantly. “You coming or not?” Oh Tartarus no. “Uhhm, sure? Not like I have any other plans, heh.” ‘Damn me and my weakness for pretty mares.’ He mentally berated himself. “Then keep up.” Starlight’s horn ignited, instantly enveloping the mare in a baby blue glow. At once she was lifted off of the floor like a feather on the wind. She bolted out of the store and into the sky much like the Alicorn before her. Hold the phone. Flying unicorns. Flying Unicorns...? * * * The open skies. It had been quite a long time since Flash flew such a long distance on his own. The guard’s life seldom had room for things as simple as that. Equestria’s landscape crept past him mile by mile as the three ponies flew through the night. Below him, Flash idly watched as the seas of golden wheat that sprang up from the fields gradually transformed into dark forests of ancient oaks. Above them, a canvas of constellations peeked through the gathering clouds, dimly lighting their path to the ocean. The wind underneath his wings was quite refreshing on this early summer eve. The heat and humidity of the daytime faded away, leaving only the cool comfort of the night.  Flash allowed himself to yawn. Smacking his lips, he felt like he would doze off right then and there. The pink unicorn swerved closer to him, stopping five feet away from the pegasus and raising her voice over the wind whipping in their ears. “Sleepy?” “Just a bit.” Flash answered. “I'll be fine.” “Okay." “We should probably stop for the night, I’m starting to get headaches!” Starlight shouted at Twilight. The princess nodded in response, rotating her wings and shedding some of her altitude. The others did the same, charting a downward path to the sparse woods below them. As three sets of hooves met the ground, Starlight gave a relieved sigh, letting her spell dissipate. “Oh hay,” she hissed, rubbing her temples. “I'm going to feel that in the morning. What I'd give to be an alicorn. Some wings would be nice.” “Hey now, this throne isn't big enough for two ponies.” the princess joked, patting her apprentice on the back. Twilight rubbed her eyes and let out a mighty yawn. “Unngh, I haven't slept since before the siren escaped.” “I'll set up camp.” Flash said, starting to kick away loose leaves and debris from the forest floor, carving a rough firepit into the dirt. “Actually, there's no need for that.” the princess interjected. “Oh no, Princess, I insist. This is no work for a-” Flash shut his trap when a stray branch enveloped in a distinct arcane aura flew past his muzzle. Twilight Sparkle was weaving her magic once more, bringing to life a tornado of inanimate objects and lighting up the dark forest with a bright purple glow. A collection of dry tree branches, loose stones and crackling dead leaves danced about, swirling around them and converging on a single point where Flash had begun his work. Within moments, Twilight had set up an adequate fire pit, stocked with a night’s worth of wood. Crack. A small spark emanated from the alicorn’s horn. At once the pile of sticks erupted into flames, flaring high for a moment then shrinking to a manageable size. Starlight snorted. “Showoff.” * * * Soon enough, the ponies were lying comfortably on warm bedrolls that Twilight had - for lack of a better word - “poofed” in with her magic. Starlight Glimmer’s head had already hit the pillow while Flash and the princess remained awake, electing to quietly stare at the glowing orange flames and listen to the aimless choir of crickets and owls singing the song of the dark. “So…” Flash said slowly. “If I may ask, Your Grace, who is this mare we’re after? She must be quite dangerous to have Princess Twilight Sparkle hot on her hooves.” Flash knew he had struck a nerve when he saw Twilight cringe at the question. "Oh, I didn't mean- “It’s my fault.” She spoke like a filly who was being scolded by her mother, averting her eyes to the ground. “She’s a siren. Or rather, she used to be. She and her sisters were trapped in the, umm..." “In the what?" “They were trapped somewhere else by Starswirl the Bearded a long time ago. The place was unearthed by my friends and I last year where the sirens ran amok. We defeated them, though! Their power sources were broken and they technically should be harmless, but they found out how to escape this place, and It’s my fault for not sealing it when I could.” “Should be, Your Grace?" Twilight sighed. Flash didn’t like the guilty look on her face. “Without their amulets, they're unable to cast their spells, yes, but what if they found a way to bypass that? Whatever they are planning, it's in Equestria’s best interest for us to stop it!" Flash nodded solemnly. “Looks like I'm working for the weekend. Princess, I pledge to be at your beck and call until this crisis is resolved. Whatever you need, say the word and it will be done.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I order you to get some sleep. If I wake up and see you standing watch or something I'll personally knock you out, you big dork.” She smiled at him. Flash felt he shouldn't retain eye contact after that, his wandered to the fire. “And relax. Haven't I reminded you not to be so formal all the time?” “Yes, Your Grace.” “We'll work on that later.” she chuckled. “Anyway, good night.” “Good night, Your Grace.” * * * The smell of the sea hung heavy in the air. Aria Blaze used all of her strength to fight the tide that washed in and out of the cave, starting barely above the sand and rising to her flanks, then receding back a moment later. Her mane was soaked and unmanageable at this point as it dragged behind her, but she didn't care. It was not a time for vanity, but for humility. That night she would have to swallow whatever pride was left intact after her latest failure. How she missed her true form. Her pony body was even less mobile than that of a human, and her sight in the dark was laughable. Though she couldn't deny how much cuter it made her. “Mother?” Aria called, her words reverberating off of the cavern walls. “It’s me, Aria. Are you home?” At first, there was no reply, but Aria could feel the shifting of the waves as something moved around her in the darkness. "Why do you present yourself to me in a form so foul?” That voice sent shivers down her spine as it echoed throughout the cavern. Aria took a deep breath, steeling herself for the tongue-lashing that was to come. “Mother, we made a mistake. Our phylacteries were destroyed. Our powers are lost.” The mare squinted, trying to pick the form of her mother out of the blackness. “Where are your sisters?” the mother asked, her voice soft. “Do they yet live?” “Yes!” Aria said, nodding her head eagerly. “They're still on the other side, they sent me because we need your guidance.” Then she saw it. A brief glimpse of shimmering green scales reflecting the light of the moon. The waves nearly toppled her over as the presence grew nearer, but Aria stood as steady as a rock. The only thing she could make out was a pair of glowing pink eyes almost as big around as her head. “I am relieved to see that my legacy still remains.” Aria was prepared for yelling, but none came. Her mother’s orbs radiated serenity. Hesitantly, she asked “So… you’re not mad at us?” “Mmmm, no.” the witch purred. “Age has taught me patience. Patience has given me wisdom. What kind of a mother bares rage toward her children? I am, in fact, pleased to see you in good health after all these years, Aria. So, what kind of counsel do you desire, child?” “We need a direction.” Aria said. “Even Adagio doesn’t know what to do. We’re powerless, no better than common mud ponies. How can we go back to the way it was?” “I may have the answers you seek. I know what you need, my daugher, but what do you want?” “Revenge.” Aria gritted her teeth. “I want to return to that world and see those filthy weak things bow before my sisters and I. If it weren't for those brats and their magic, we'd be queens.” Aria saw her mother's lips pull back into a wicked smile, revealing a full mouth of pure white razors. “A worthy cause.” “We were so close, Mother, you have no idea. That place has no Equestrian magic, if only we had some to feed off of, then we would have won without a contest.” Out of the corner of her eye, Aria noticed a glimmer. She turned her head to see a spiny green tail that ended in a webbed fin. Dangling gingerly from this fin was an amulet; a beautiful crimson gem set in gold. “The solution is simple. This was your father’s before he passed. It is the only one left, so you will have to share with your sisters. Take it and return to that place, bring somepony that wields Equestrian magic with you, then seal the way. Send Sonata and Adagio my regards.” Carefully, Aria slipped the necklace off of the fin and clutched it to her breast to keep the waves from washing it away. The stone was warm to the touch, and seemed to fill her with a familiar feeling of power. “Thank you, Mother.” “And don't forget-” The water level rose even higher as The Witch of the Waves moved closer to her foal. Aria could make out her whole face, the head of a pony bound in emerald scales, spines protruding from the crown of the skull, running down her spine and smaller fins on either side. “-mother loves her fillies.” For the first time in a long while, Aria gave a genuine smile. “And the fillies love their mother.”