Chapter 10: Rightful Treason
Earlier...
There was only one place for the human to go, the Everfree forest. But before the Commander could head out, he needed to make a few preparations. His first destination was the armory. The human was dangerous. It would take more than cloth mail and smooth maces to fight it.
The commander made his way through the marketplace and towards the Guard Hall. It was a large building compared to most of Ponyville. The hall consisted of everything the Ponyville Guard needed under a single roof. The offices for himself and his officers stood on the second floor, but the armory was locked away in the basement. The jailhouse was right next to the barracks, and the mess hall next to that. The barracks housed only a few members of the guard because many lived in their own home. Behind the hall was the training area and even a small workshop.
He was proud of the monument. Every time he approached, ever since he was just a foal, he could help but smile to himself, and today was no different. He used his magic to open the main doors and enter the Guard Hall.
Immediately, two guards already inside snapped to attention upon seeing him. One of them called out, “Sir, do you need anything?”
The commander didn’t stop. “At ease, regular. Where’s your officer?”
The two regulars relaxed. “He’s upstairs going over a few reports. About the search for the human, I think.”
By the time the regular was done, the commander was already heading upstairs. It didn’t take long for him to locate the only office being used right now. He opened the door and walked inside to find a dark green pagasus with short-cut orange hair. His helmet seemed to have been knocked to the floor and his desk was littered with a sea of unorganized papers. He seemed very stressed.
The sudden presence of the Commander himself did not ease the officer. The officer snapped his head and perked up. “Commander. How’re you doin’. Status on the human, I’m guessin’?”
A simple nod was the only response
The officer relaxed his shoulders as he sighed before bluntly saying, “Nothing. We’re still searching, but so far, there hasn’t been a single trace or trail of the monster. The good news is, I think we can safely say it isn’t anywhere in Ponyville.”
“Fine,” The commander took a moment to think. “Keep and eye out, and resume normal patrols. Send me a message immediately if anypony sees it at all.”
“Will do, sir!”
He left the office and the officer. He walked a little farther, to the end of the hall, to his own office. This office was a little bigger than the ones issued to officers. The desk was dark, smooth, and polished wood. The wall to his right held various papers and pictures. Some where framed documents and awards, while others were pictures and crayon draws made my his foal. Maybe they’d never get into a real art museum, but to him, each piece was too good for any museum.
The other wall was a bookshelf. Only a fraction of the shelves were actually holding books. Much of it was actually being used as a display case. There was a small ruby, a clay sculpture of a bird by his artist of a filly. A few newspaper cutouts where held in frames as well as a few pictures of his wife and filly.
The top shelf, however, was what the commander has his attention on. There lay a piece that just might find itself in a real museum; a set of twin long swords. They stood beautifully and patiently for their time of use. The handles were black, but the hand guards were shiny and metallic. The sheaths where a thick blue, but silver metal streaks gave pattern and emotion to the otherwise bland color. Though made of silver, the long and graceful streaks looked as if they were simply painted onto the sheaths.
The swords were so valuable; they each had a name, Lebre and Laya. They stood patient for several years, but it was now their time. The commander used his magic to gently lift the swords off the stand. After meddling with the straps a bit, each sword now laid securely on his back; each one crossed the other and the handles standing out above his shoulders.
Now that Lebre and Laya were secure, he left his office and the hall.
Now he was ready to kill the human.
Leadhoof was only a few yards for the hall before some one called out for him. “Commander!”
The call came from behind, and the commander turned to face whoever it was. The green pegasus officer from before quickly flew up to him. The office tossed a rolled scroll towards his commander, who in turn, grabbed it with his magic.
Before the commander could check to see what is was, the officer answered his question, “It’s a message, sir. From Princess Sparkle.”
***
It was getting late in the evening. The human had escaped nearly an hour ago. The Ponyville Guard along with most of Ponyville’s citizens searched under every pebble and around every corner in an effort to find the dangerous and elusive creature. Most of them at least.
Twilight Sparkle paced around her library in small, endless laps by its many shelves. She mumbled to herself, mentally preparing for what was about to happen soon enough. And as she expected, the bell above the library door rang as it opened.
A stallion peered his head through the door and walked inside. He was one of the local guards. His build was heavy, but mot bulky. He wore the Guard’s standard short robe and mail, but his helmet was special. Unlike the rest of the guards, his helmet boasted several erect, bright red bristles; the helmet was very similar to those worn by ancient pegasi guards. Its purpose was for others to easily recognize him and his authority. He was the commander of the Ponyville Guard.
The commander kept his head stiff and his voice clear, regulating to strict and ancient displays of discipline. “You called, your highness?”
Twilight turned to the commander. Though still new to it all, she tried her best to be calm and collected as a princess should be. “Yes, Commander Leadhoof. Please, have a seat.”
Leadhoof simply nodded his head once and sat down as instructed on the provided cushion. Twilight sat on the other cushion Spike had laid out for them, next to the commander.
They both kept calm and professional, but Leadhoof spoke first, “Is something the matter, m’lady?”
“There is, Commander, about the human.”
“Your highness, rest assured we will relocate it and we will bring and end to its terror. I believe it is safe to conclude he is no longer in Ponyville. The Guard is assuming it has fled to the Everfree forest and we are already making-“
Twilight raised a hoof, and Lead immediately stopped. “That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to call of the search.”
Lead’s eyebrows raised, momentarily unsure of what he heard. “C-call it off, m’lady? But it’s escaped, it’s on the loose. It is free to strike anypony at anytime until we capture it.”
“Perhaps, but he won’t.”
“B-but how can you be sure?”
“Tell me, Commander, have you or your Guards ever interacted with the human other than in violent altercations?”
Leadhoof took a moment to stare at the floor and think to himself, “No, we haven’t.”
“Well, I have. I’ve meet Dave, the human, and spoke to him on friendly terms. He’s only violent when he’s pushed to it. He’s a good pony, uh, human if you don’t constantly cause conflict with him.”
“You highness, I know it is by no means that I need question your orders, but for the sake of reason, why? Twice he’s attacked you personally; you of all ponies aught wish for its capture.”
“You have it all wrong. The attack at the Apple family’s barn was accidently provoked by me and my friends. No real harm was caused nor intended. The incident within the ruins was actually the opposite. Dave had saved myself and three of my friends from that chimera.”
Twilight stood up, he voice grew in anger, “In reality, Dave is a hero. I have and will see to it that anypony, whether pony or otherwise, will not be executed for such actions.”
“Princess, are you saying-?”
“Yes. I helped the human escape. Perhaps I don’t have the authority to pardon his crimes against me, but the crown means nothing if I cannot do what is right. Commander Leadhoof, by my order, you and all members of the Guard will cease searching for the human.”
Lead took several moments to think. His eyes slowly turned to the side and back again. After a few long moments, his gaze turned to the princess. His eyes were filled with conviction and determination. Lead stomped his hoof at the ground as he stood back to meet the princess. His stood taller than the young princess and his glare aimed downward a bit.
“You’re right, princess. If one cannot do what is right, the crown is worth nothing, but neither is rank. You may see and innocent human, and maybe its true, but I see ponies sent to the hospital with gruesome injuries. I see mare unable to sleep at night because they fear their foals may not be there the next morning. I see the security of my village shattered before my eyes.”
Lead broke his glare with Twilight and started walking towards the door, “Perhaps I don’t have the authority, but I will rebuild that security and ensure that that monster does not have the breath to ever hurt a single pony ever again.”
He opened the door and stepped through. Before closing the door, Leadhoof turned to the princess one last time, “Take my rank, take my freedom, or take my life, I don’t care. I will do what I see is right.”
He slammed the door behind him. A flash of light and a familiar sound indicated that Lead teleported away. Twilight looked calm and collected on the outside, but on the inside she was panicking. She was losing control of the situation, but on top of that, there wasn’t much she could do now.
She couldn’t just go out and tell everypony that Dave is a hero. They’re all convinced that he is a monster and now each and every one of them holds a heavy grudge against him. If she just made a sudden speech, claiming Dave a hero, it would cause mass confusion and chaos. Even if it’s false, it was best that the citizens of Ponyville remain organized under something. At least, until they all calmed down.
But who knows if she even has that much time.
***
Leadhoof felt no regret as he left the princess and her library. He may have just defied the young princess, but it was for the best. Princess Sparkle was too new, too young. She has yet to learn the darker side of leadership. Perhaps he’ll get thrown in his own jail, but it did not concern Leadhoof. He was a much more experienced leader than the princess. Truth be told, he valued his home far more than any princess. Should the safety of Ponyville or anypony in it be in jeopardy, he’d gladly defy even Princess Celestia.
Fuuaa-t’nn
The commander rapidly drew breath and panted and he landed. The young princess made teleportation look much easier than it really was. Much of the other ponies turned to face what has just appeared, but quickly returned their attention to their tasks as it was obvious who it was.
Leadhoof landed back in the market place. After catching his breath, he looked over himself, checking to make sure he hadn’t left something behind. Everything was in check, his helmet, tail, swords, and limbs were all where they were supposed to be.
Now done with the quick check, Leadhoof made his way through the market place and the large crowd of ponies towards the infamous Everfree forest. It was still just a guess, but where else could the human gallop to?
A few minutes passed filled with random shifting, dodging, and the occasional apology for bumping into another pony. Leadhoof was nearing the edge of the market and the crowed as thinning. Suddenly, he felt a tug at his mail.
Leadhoof looked down to see a small unicorn filly with a dark pink coat and a purple mane. When he looked down, she looked up with curious eyes and said, “Mr. Commander, can I ask you a question?”
Leadhoof couldn’t help but smile. Foals were always a weakness of his and part of the reason he became a guard. He shifted and laid on his stomach so as to better interact with the filly. As he did, he responded, “Of course you can, what is it?”
The filly lost eye contact and seemed a bit unsure about herself, “Um, you know that weird new thingy with just two legs.”
The human? This was and odd thing for a filly to ask about. “Yes, what about it?”
“Um, why does everypony hate it?”
Leadhoof blinked to himself in momentary surprise, “What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t get it. Everypony hates it so much, but all I’ve ever seen it do is run from ponies. I mean, it doesn’t seem like such a bad monster, so why can’t ponies just be nice to it? Maybe even be friends with it?”
Leadhoof sighed to himself, “Little filly, the creature does bad things and is very dangerous. Its adult business, okay? If you see the creature, you have to tell an adult right away.”
The filly seemed disappointed, “Oh, okay. But I still don’t think it’s such a bad monster.”
Another voice called out, a mare it sounded like. “Berry Pinch!”
Both Leadhoof and the filly turned to face the mare. Leadhoof recognized the mare. She made the best fruit punch and juices of any kind. Her name was Berry Punch.
Berry Punched called out again, “Pinch, please don’t bother the guard.”
Leadhoof got back up again and turned to Punch, “It’s alright, ma’am. She just had a question.”
Punch used a hoof to drag Pinch towards her. “Well, sorry about that. She can be a hoofful at times.”
Leadhoof waved his hoof, “Don’t worry about it. I understand exactly what you mean.” He turned around to continue his way towards the forest. “Well, have a nice day.”
Punch lifted up the filly and placed he on her back before responding, “You too!” She made her way back into the market place.
Pinch shifted and turned around on her sister’s back to face Leadhoof. She waved and called out, “Bye-bye Mr. Commander!”
***
It didn’t take much longer to reach the edge of the Everfree Forest. Just one long trail between farms and Leadhoof was looking up at the same trees that inspired countless horror stories. Even the commander of the Ponyville Guard had second thoughts about entering the forest. Old memories of the fearful place surfaced, but Leadhoof was quick to push them aside. Now was not the time for fear.
Determined and ready for the quest ahead, Leadhoof marched onward on one of the few trails within the forest. Within minutes of traveling, the forest was thick enough to block much of the sun. The atmosphere between each rock, fern, trunk, and leaf was dim and disturbing. He used his horn to illuminate the area and replace the missing sunlight.
Leadhoof did not stop, but kept every sense on alert. His ears twitched from side to side, listening for the slightest sign of anything. His lungs drew and released breath slowly as his nostrils took every slight second to analyze and plunder the air for any hints of danger. His hooves crushed the occasional twig or deceased leaf. Leadhoof’s eyes grew wide as his vision, careful to witness even the faintest movement.
His determination was unwavering. He’d find the human, sooner or later.
***
Or, maybe Leadhoof would find the human much later.
It’s been a while since he started his search. In hind sight, breaking off the trail might’ve been a bad idea. He wasn’t that lost. If bad turns to worse he could just teleport back to Ponyville.
Leadhoof’s search had been completely uneventful save a few rabbits, birds, and one cowardly manticore. He started considering that maybe the human was not in the Everfree forest at all.
Now he rested on a moss-covered, rocky edge. A cliff, if it could be called that, only a few feet above the small creek below. The large stone plate stuck out unusually far from the steep ground behind it, but that only made it an even better resting spot.
The creek had cut through the thick forest. Leadhoof took a moment to savor the sight, sound, and feel of it all. The unspoiled evening sun brought peace and beauty to the otherwise horrifying forest. The slow, calm water flowed tranquility through the guard’s ears. The stone and moss under Leadhoof had warmed all day in the sun; he couldn’t help but rub his leg on the soft, organic rug. When this was all over, he just had to come back with a few friends.
*Rustle*
Leadhoof froze. Every muscle tensed and the world around him muted as his eyes focused on the sound behind him. Was it just another animal, or could it be the human? Leadhoof drew in a long breath, analyzing any sent from his new guest. It couldn’t be another rabbit, or manticore. This one was definitely new.
Leadhoof quickly got up and turned to face the abomination. With his magic, he simultaneously drew both Lebre and Laya. They growled at their new foe with the threatening sound of sleek metal on metal. Leadhoof angled his swords, now ready for a fight more than ever.
The creature, whatever it was, called out, “I know, in the Everfree, one must prepare, but is that anyway to greet a mare?”
An odd, robbed pony stepped out from behind a tree and into the evening light. Its eyes glowed a vicious and angled yellow under a dark hood. The figure only put Leadhoof more on edge.
It spoke again, “I’d appreciate if those swords were to stow, I did not come here to be your foe.”
With a hoof, the hooded pony removed the heavy shadow veiling its face, revealing it wasn’t a pony at all. The light gray skin and unique stripes, along with the short, stiff mane and the large brass earrings not only helped Leadhoof hoof to know what it was, but who she was.
It was Zecora, one of Equestria’s few alchemists and a talented potion craftsmare. Leadhoof relaxed and sheathed his swords.
He nodded his head in apology before saying, “It’s nice to see you ma’am.”
“It is nice to see you too, but tell me, why is it this forest you pass through? For what reason are you here; I though most ponies avoid this place with fear.” Zecora turned her back to Leadhoof and started scrapping some kind of plant off a nearby tree with her hoof. “I sense your patience is taxed and weak, is that why you relax at this creek?”
“No ma’am. I’m actually looking for something?”
“Ahhh. Is it a flower to cure your aches? Or perhaps the right ingredient for a cake?”
“Actually it’s-“
“The human, no doubt.” Zecora turned to face Leadhoof. “It’s not that hard to figure out.”
Leadhoof’s face wrinkled in confusion, but soon sighed in defeat. “I…well…yeah. Have you seen it?”
“Actually, I have. This forest has filled him with abuse. But I think I’ll let your friend tell you the news.” Zecora turned around again. She walked off and soon enough, disappeared into the Everfree forest once again.
Leadhoof’s features tensed again. He didn’t relax until the unique sound of flapping wings took his attention. He turned towards the sound, down and above the creek, and saw an exhausted green pegasus flying towards him.
The armored pegasus collapsed on the rocky landing just in front of Leadhoof. He loudly gasped for air before finally getting back up on is own four hooves and addressing his commander, “With all due respect sir, you can be a pain in the flank to find.”
“Catch you breath, officer. What is it?”
The officer snatched a few more breaths, “It’s the human, sir. It’s back in town.”
Leadhoof’s eyes widened in surprise, “What, where?”
“At the hospital, sir. Its, um… you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. We should get going.” The officer turned and opened his wings, ready to take flight again.
“No need, officer. Take a breather. I got this.”
The officer closed his wings and returned his attention to the commander. Leadhoof sat on his flanks. He closed his eyes and raised his head as his horn glowed and charged with arcane energy.
In a flash, literally, both ponies where gone.
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3792556 Well, so much for sleeping the next couple of weeks.
You lost me from the end of chapter 8 (where the human was caught by surprise and the commander broke the door handle in the hospital) to this chapter, it wasn't specified what's going on where.
Also, to answer your questions, I've seen detail-balance off in some places, but it's good overall. And about your updates, I'd rather you keep your updates until you're absolutely ready to put it up. Even if you say you can put the same amount of work into a chapter no matter what the speed, it isn't true, because you'll need to give yourself time to go over it and clean it up. Just keep your updates to whenever you finish a chapter, don't give yourself any deadlines.
3909201 this is just before he broke the door handle.
This chapter and chapter 9 are great! It was a little confusing at first but once I figured it out it made a lot of sense so, no need to edit it. Other than that, RELEASE QUICKER!!
3909281
I figured as much, but it could have been specified more, just for people who don't realize that. Something as simple as "Earlier..." could have done the trick.
3792556
Well knowing is only half the battle... The other half is experiencing it.
So where would I find said spiders?
3909453 done...
3909459
3909180 Geeze, didn't think that comment would have so much hype...
3911368 Dude, you wrote like five paragraphs, anything with that much content is going to be noticed.
If this story and most of these characters were made to make people super angry, you sure did a good job of doing that.
This story gave me such a gigantic headache. It's so horrible that I can't even write a longer comment. There are so many plot holes and it's horrible. I hope you understand why I have chosen to stop reading this story.
Sorry if this sounds kinda rude, I don't have the energy required to act nice right now.