7 - Pain! Lots and Lots of Pain!
Extended Holiday
Chapter 007: Pain! Lots and Lots of Pain!
“And so, the hero Link struck down the evil demon with his sword of evil’s bane,” Taze said mysteriously as he talked to the small brown colt in the hospital bed beside him. “Though even as he landed the final blow, he knew that the battle was not over, and someday the evil would rise again. But for now, he could rest.”
The small brown colt with two-toned orange mane and tail gaped at Taze from his bed across the way. “Woah,” he breathed. The console he had been playing with an hour earlier now lay forgotten at his side. “That was incredible!”
Taze grinned. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
“But that can’t have been the only evil he had to fight, right? I mean, magic’s always got something new to face. Does he ever travel through time again?”
“Oh, it was not the only evil.” Taze nodded. “But Link would not be the only hero.”
“He wouldn’t? But I thought he was the hero of time. Doesn’t that mean he’s always the hero?”
“Yes and no.” Taze grinned. “Have you ever heard of the term reincarnation?”
The colt shook his head. “No. What’s that?”
“It’s the idea that when someone or something dies, they will be reborn again as a baby and start a new life cycle.”
“Does that mean it happens to everyone in that story?”
Taze shook his head. “Not quite. You remember the three goddesses?”
The colt nodded.
“Each had picked one to be their special champion. The goddess of wisdom chose the princess. The goddess of power chose the evil king, and the goddess of courage chose the hero. It was such that the three would be reborn in a constant cycle for many, many eons.”
The colt frowned, then cocked his head. “Okay. But how long’s an eon?”
“A few hundred years,” Taze said.
The colt whistled. “That’s a long time.”
“Yup.” Taze nodded. “There are other stories I’ll have to tell you later.”
The colt frowned. “But aren’t you going to be released soon?”
Taze nodded. His dislocated arm had been easily, if painfully, reset, but he’d been kept for observation for the last two days after his collapse. “I’ll visit you.”
The colt pouted. “And I was hoping to visit the arcade here during the wedding, too.”
“I’m sure you’ll get another chance. You should be glad you and your mother are both okay. A broken leg is the least of what could have happened.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “Thanks for helping me out, Mister. It’s … nice to have someone to just talk to after everything.” He smiled timidly. “I don’t have any bits I can offer, but you can play some on my game, if you want.”
“Honestly, Button, it’s just been worth it having someone to talk to. I’ll try your game out some other time. Okay?”
Button frowned. “All right. But … maybe I can tell you some stories from back home, then.” He chuckled. “You wouldn’t believe the stuff we get up to in Ponyville.”
“Oh, go ahead. I'm sure this will be good.” He chuckled.
“Did I just hear somebody mention Ponyville?” Matthew smiled as a Pegasus wheeled him into the room in a wheelchair.
“Oh, hey, Matthew,” Taze greeted. “Button Mash here was just about to tell me some stories about his hometown.”
Matthew grinned. “By all means.” He nodded toward the colt. “A pleasure to meet you, Button Mash. My name is Matthew Connor. In case you hadn’t guessed, Taze and I are old friends.” He chuckled. “And it looks like he may have made a new friend in you, if my ears don’t deceive me.”
“He’s one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met!”
Matthew chuckled. “Oh? You’ll have to tell me which ones he’s shared with you later, then. For now, though, I think the spotlight is meant to be on you, young colt. Just what tales of your home were you hoping to share?”
Button Mash grinned. “I’ll start with the tale of the great bunny stampede.”
Twilight Sparkle smiled timidly as she entered the hospital ward. “Hello? Taze? Matthew?” she called. “Am I in the right room?”
“Miss Sparkle?” Matthew responded. “We’re down here, by the window.”
A few moments later, Twilight paced beyond the curtains to where the two friends laid on their beds. They no longer wore their hospital gowns. Instead, each was garbed in their respective spare clothing as delivered by a Thestral representative from Luna’s guard. A tiny purple dragon with green spikes on his head peeked out from behind the mare to peer at the humans.
“Hello, Twilight. It’s nice to see you’re doing well,” Taze said. “Also, I appreciate you making sure to visit without your … usual entourage,” Taze noted.
Twilight winced. “Yes, Princess Luna advised against it. And since she seems to know you three the best, I decided to follow her advice.” Twilight sighed. “I’ve … also been asked to talk with you about Shawn. The doctors said you’ve been asking to see him?”
Matthew nodded. “We were wondering why he wasn’t in our room. Your healing magics worked so well for us. We half expected to see him getting wheeled into the ward a few hours after we woke up.”
Twilight winced. “Even magic has its limits, Matthew. That’s part of the reason why I’m here.”
“Are you saying we can’t see him?”
Twilight shook her head. “No, you can. But before you do, you need to be ready for what you’ll be walking into.”
“To be frank, Twilight, there is no way he should be alive right now. As we’re not being taken to a morgue, I’ll be happy to know he’s still breathing,” Taze said.
“It won’t be pretty,” she warned. “The doctors had to pump out his lungs, realign his bones, set his spinal column, and put his whole body in a cast to keep him from moving in his sleep. In all likelihood, … he may never walk again. And we still don’t know how his brain will react to the trauma. The amount of bruising and concussion he experienced could leave him a vegetable for the rest of his days.”
“Thank you for your honesty, Twilight,” Matthew said. “But if it’s all right with you, we’d like to focus on taking things one step at a time. Like Taze said, the fact that Shawn is even alive is enough for us for now. And having the chance to visit with him, even if it’s only for a little while, might help to guide him back to us.”
Twilight nodded. “Spike and I will show you two the way.” She smiled at the bed where Button Mash lay completely immersed in his video game. Meanwhile, Spike waved nervously toward the two humans.
“You okay there, little guy?” Taze asked as he and Matthew rose to join the pair.
Spike averted his gaze. “I, uh, … kind of thought you’d still be mad at me. You know, … after everything you said after the rehearsal….”
Matthew raised a brow. “Why should we be mad at you? You’re still what we’d call a minor in our world. You were just following the adults, weren’t you?”
“But—”
“But nothing,” Taze said. “You acted to what you saw others doing around you. You’re young enough to still be learning how the world works.”
“So, you’re not going to be mad at me?”
Twilight smiled kindly. “I told you they wouldn’t hold it against you.”
Spike smiled softly. “So, does that mean it’s cool if I get to know you guys?”
Taze chuckled. “Sure. I see no issue with that.”
The ICU unit where Shawn resided was flanked by a number of guards at the entry. One of them held a list on a clipboard and scanned it as the four approached. “Names?” she asked.
“Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Matthew Conner, and Taze Klim.”
She checked the list, then nodded. “Hold still, please.”
One of the other guards came forward with a squirt bottle and sprayed a mist in each of the members’ faces. When no visible reaction occurred, she nodded to the one with the clipboard. “They’re real.”
The guards pulled back from the door. “You’re free to enter, Lady Sparkle.”
Twilight winced as they passed through the doors. “I really wish they’d stop calling me that.”
Matthew couldn’t help but chuckle. “The price of fame.”
“Now don’t you start,” Twilight said.
“If the lady wishes,” Matthew teased. Then he sighed. “My apologies, Twilight. It’s a human trait. We often enjoy poking fun at our friends and closer acquaintances.”
“Sounds like you and Rainbow Dash would get along swimmingly,” Twilight muttered.
Then the time for chatter was past as they approached the lone bed in the room. The steady beeping of a magical heart monitor measured the pulses of life that struggled for every inch. True to the mare’s warning, the human’s body was indeed encased in plaster, though not so heavily covered as the mare had described. It appeared that in the days since his initial checking in, the human’s body had managed to mend certain portions. His hands were free, as was his right arm. His left arm and torso were still heavily coated, and the plaster stretched down to just above his knees. A series of pulleys and supports held him in place as he breathed within the cast. His eyes were shut, and an IV drip with a brightly colored fluid flowed through his cast into his bloodstream.
“And the stab wound?” Matthew asked as he gazed at his friend.
“From what I’ve been told, that was one of the easier things to heal. He’ll scar a little from it, but that’s the worst his body will have to show after,” Twilight answered.
“I’m guessing he barely survived?” Taze asked.
“Honestly, there’s no barely about it. He should have been dead. There was severe internal hemorrhaging from multiple points in his system. Muscle and nerve endings were cut, blood vessels burst from the trauma. He’s lucky he didn’t open any arteries. About the only way I can think of for how he survived all that trauma and the shock that went with it is that the gods decided they wanted him to keep living.”
“You have gods in this world?” Matthew asked.
“Oh, yes,” Twilight said. “Though only two that we have actual verifiable evidence of existing. There’s Faust, our creator goddess, and her father, Sleipnir. A lot of people actually believe Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are Faust’s daughters. It’s why so many people swear using their names.”
“What about the other races?” Taze asked.
“Well, each have their own theologies that they adhere to. Some don’t have any gods at all, and focus more on achieving spiritual enlightenment. I remember reading about Minotaurs one time after Fluttershy took a course from one. They worship three gods called the hecatoncheires. The Zebras seem to focus more on the spirit and honoring nature than they do on any particular deity, though they claim to have been adopted by the children of the earth, whatever that means. Oh, and then there’s the Gryphons. They worship the winds from each of the four cardinal directions. Each one is supposed to embody an aspect that they try to live up to throughout their lives, so they can be worthy to stand before those gods in the next life.”
“You don’t believe their gods exist?” Taze asked. “Your tone seems overly clinical.”
“I believe they can exist,” Twilight corrected. “But since there’s no direct evidence that proves it one way or the other, I try to keep myself out of any of those kinds of arguments and just focus on what facts and knowledge we do have.”
“Fair enough.” Taze nodded. “So, I guess the next question is what comes next?”
“For now, we need to be assured his mental faculties are intact,” a familiar voice spoke as Luna entered the room.
“Didn’t that end badly the last time you tried?” Matthew asked. “I mean, assuming you’re planning what I think you’re planning.”
“Admittedly, yes, but I am not delving into his memories this time, just ensuring he is intact.”
“If … if you do get to talk to him. Can you … tell him we’re waiting for him? I don’t know if it’ll help, but if it can help him or comfort him, I’d like him to know.”
“I’ll be sure to.” Luna nodded. “Though it would probably be best if you all waited in the hall.”
“Is it that dangerous?”
“I honestly have no answer for you,” Luna replied.
Twilight rested a gentle hoof on Matthew’s leg. “Come on, Matthew. Let’s do what she asked. Princess Luna knows what she’s doing. You both trust her, don’t you?”
Matthew clenched his hands. “I know we can trust you, at least, Twilight.” He sighed. “What do you think, Taze?”
Taze sighed after some contemplation. “Best leave her to it. The last thing we need is to find out he’s a vegetable.”
Matthew nodded. “Let’s go, then, before I lose my nerve.”
Twilight looked back just once before they closed the door. “Good luck, Princess.” Then the door closed, and a bright white light began to flow from the cracks around it.
Shawn stood before a Changeling’s corpse, just recently deceased as he removed the glaive from its throat. He was near the room assigned to his friends and himself, and given the glaive’s appearance, it was its first use since the invasion. Beyond that, however, the hall almost fluctuated as static covered anything he was uncertain on. “How long...?” he muttered to himself, looking to the glaive in his hand.
Luna stood off to the side, manipulating the dreamscape around her to be unnoticed as she observed what was happening.
Before anything more could happen, everything suddenly shifted, and the world spun beneath their feet. Shawn leaned against a large crystal, grimacing in pain as he tried to clear his head. “A day, at least. The wedding.” His thoughts continued on as he followed the same path as before, finding Twilight and Cadance. “How long was I left bleeding?”
He grabbed the side of his head as the world fell to obscurity once more. “No odds could have been changed. Maybe a shift in guard, a different time, but not that,” he muttered his thoughts.
“Why?” was the question he landed on, looking to the glaive in his hand once again. “Everyone else is all right at the least. ...I think?”
“Your friends are safe, Lord Shawn,” Luna said as she made her presence known.
Shawn turned toward Luna slowly before giving a small nod. “That’s good,” he replied before a faint chuckle escaped him.
“Your body is broken, and you’ve been unconscious for some time. I entered your psyche to make sure you were still … intact.”
“I should be dead,” Shawn replied as a matter of fact. “I lost a lot of blood, and … that drop should have ended it. Completely.”
Luna nodded. “Yes. Our doctors were somewhat baffled by that as well.”
Shawn looked his hand over as he thought. “It’s … more effort than I expected.”
“You thought we’d simply let you die?” Luna asked.
“We were used as bait,” Shawn replied as he clenched his hand into a fist. After a moment, he relaxed his grip and lowered his hand to his side before turning to Luna once again.
“Ah,” Luna nodded sadly. “Yes. And it was a particularly distasteful tactic. But the thing about Celestia is she will always attempt to put herself morally in the right. Be it that or the sound verbal thrashing your friend gave her, she is likely making sure that every chance to survive is afforded to you short of phoenix tears.”
“So guilt drives her actions.” Shawn hummed to himself. “What a nation.”
She sighed. “Well, unfortunately, she’s been ruling alone for a thousand years. Also, neither of us is quite the ruler our father was.”
Shawn looked to Luna once more before sighing. “At least you’ve been direct with me, for the most part. Though some things still elude me.”
“I’m a warrior, Lord Shawn, mostly a blunt instrument. My sister is a politician at heart.”
“And yet, that one part of your statement keeps confusing me. Why do you keep using that title?”
“So there is no confusion between us, can you clarify that statement?” Luna asked.
“You keep calling me a ‘lord.’ You’ve seen my memories. You’ve seen who I am and what I am. Why do you keep up the act established when we both know it’s a falsehood, made up BS that came by complete accident and fear? You aren’t an idiot, and neither is your sister.”
“I’d have thought Crescent would have explained Thestral culture to you. It is my culture as well.” Luna smirked. “We do not give titles based on land or because some crazy mare throws a sword at you. We bestow titles based on actions and earned respect.”
Shawn’s head drooped as he looked at the floor. “He didn’t get that far, no,” he commented softly. “But, still … I’m just some foreign creature who got lucky.”
Luna gave a deep laugh. “My friend, what do you think combat is? Not everyone is born with a body that can survive all but the gravest of injuries and strength that can powder stone. Luck is what every warrior must believe in, just as they accept that one day, it will fail them.”
“Then luck weighed heavily on me for that all.” Shawn sighed. “I’ve never used a sword for combat, nor a dagger, nor glaive even. Ex Divinia etiam, I was a carpenter. I built furniture or some strange custom things to order.”
“My father used to tell me when a problem was that big, break it into smaller parts and work on those separately. Eventually, the big picture will come to you.”
Shawn rubbed the back of his neck. “I suppose he must have known what he was talking about if he was ruling a whole kingdom.”
“Not in the slightest, according to him.” Luna laughed. “But it gave me the courage to accomplish a lot of things in my life. I realize my sister has a lot to make up for, but I hope you will consider me a friend going forward?”
Shawn was silent for a moment before giving a small nod. “You’ve been honest with me, and though I despise the situation I was thrown into, you at least gave me a warning.”
Luna nodded. “I should return to tell your friends. They worry about you a lot.” She flared her wings, then paused. “Oh, one more question before I go. Which fits better for a knife handle, the blue or the gold?”
Shawn blinked a few times. “I … suppose it depends on the material? Lighter materials would be gold, darker would be blue.”
Luna nodded. “I’ll attempt to visit you regularly and keep you updated. I would not be in a hurry to wake up, honestly. It will not be a pleasant experience.”
“I … would rather accept the pain than be left alone. My mind wanders a lot, and I’m starting to feel anxious for some reason.”
“Very well.” Luna nodded. “Just … try not to bite your tongue off from the pain,” she warned.
With that, she released her dreamwalking spell and returned to the hospital room. Little time had passed in the waking realm, thanks to that unique aspect of time that exists in dreams. But it proved sufficient for her needs as she turned from the bed and opened the door with her magic.
“You may come in,” she called out.
The group entered cautiously as Twilight frowned in concern. “Is he all right?”
“The good news is that his mind is intact and in order.” Luna smiled. “He wants to wake up. The bad news will be when he wakes up…” She trailed off as she turned to the human in the bed.
“Fuuuuuuuuck…” Shawn exhaled the word in a long drawn out hiss as his brain processed the pain he was experiencing.
“... That will happen.”
Donut Joe, or Pony Joe as the locals liked to call him, was an expert on donuts. As a pastry chef, he prided himself on being able to craft that extra special sugary treat that fit each person who entered his store. He had a sixth sense about his customers, and he was always ready to serve each one the ideal fit for their day. And that was what troubled him so much. Why had he decided to craft a maple donut with bacon in the middle of the morning rush? None of his customers ate meat during that time. He sighed and shook his head as he laid the creation aside and turned back to his coffee pot. His horn glowed as he measured out the grounds and inserted the filter to brew a fresh pot. Cream and sugar waited with mixing straws to allow Ponies the chance to blend their drinks how they liked. The usual assortment of extra donuts laid on his display shelves while fresh baked pies sat on tiers at the edge of the counter near his walk-in refrigerator.
Taze looked around as he walked through the door, seemingly oblivious to the stares that followed the sight of him, Matthew, and their escort. “You're sure this is the best place for coffee?” he asked.
“Let’s just say a key ingredient in that potion of ours for staying up in the day comes from this shop,” Moonshade replied.
“Well, as long as they sell hot chocolate, too, I’m game,” Matthew said.
Joe raised a quizzical brow as the new customers approached, but that was the only indication of anything out of the ordinary. “Moonshade. It’s been a while,” Joe noted. “How’re things up at the castle?”
“You’ve read the papers, Joe. You know how things are right now.”
“I know the papers aren’t always truthful,” he said as he sent a bolt of magic toward the coffee. Steaming water hissed as it began to stream through the filter and into the pot. “Give me a couple of minutes, and I’ll have a fresh pot ready for you.” He smiled as he levitated the plate and its donut onto the counter. “Guess I must’ve made this one for you. Either that or one of your big friends there, I suppose.”
“Is that maple and bacon?” Taze asked.
Joe nodded. “Yup. Most meat eaters go for pork round these parts. Or venison, if you can catch the deer.” He shrugged. “Way I see it, you can never go wrong with bacon when it comes to a carnivore.”
“That's because bacon’s amazing.” Taze laughed, taking the donut.
“And what can I get for you two, then?” he asked as he turned his attention to Moonshade and Matthew. “I don’t have any medals, but my donuts are the best in the business. I’d say you more than earned a tab.” He chuckled. “Go on. Pick what you want. It’s my treat.”
Matthew looked at the items. “Uh … I’ll have a hot chocolate, please, and … maybe a tea cake?” he asked, even as he eyed the jelly donuts.
“Now there’s an order I haven’t had in a while.” Joe chuckled. “I’ll bake you one to knock your socks off.”
“Tea cake? Really?” Taze asked with a chuckle.
“What? I have a craving for it, and maybe some herbal tea.”
“A bun, Matthew,” Taze deadpanned. “You're asking for a bun. It has neither tea nor cake in it. It is simply a bun.”
“Oh, I thought they had glaze or nuts or raisins in them? Well, I feel silly.”
“I mean, probably somebody heard the term tea cake and decided to make them like that, but yeah, it’s a bun.”
“Boys, I’m loaded with donuts up the wazoo. If you want another one, it’s not gonna be a problem,” Joe assured them. “Hey, Moonsahde, you wanna get in on the action?”
“Yeah. Bring us a platter and a carafe, Joe,” Moonshade called out. “On the palace’s bill.”
Joe shook his head. “Not this time. You and Princess Luna fought like demons. Like I said, this is my treat.” He chuckled and levitated a platter. “Let’s see if we can’t wake up those tastebuds with a little sugar.”
“Are you sure I can’t just sleep in one of your barracks?” Matthew asked as he gazed across the desk to the Thestral Commander. “I trust the Lunar Guard more, after everything we’ve been through. And seeing how Shawn’s stuck in the hospital, and Taze is upset with Celestia at the moment, to say the least, we’d rather not go back to staying in the castle. To be honest, some other form of external housing would be preferable, either something close to your barracks or the hospital.” He sighed. “I know that’s probably asking a lot. I know that with the real royal wedding happening, there isn’t likely to be any room at an inn.”
“I can’t say I don’t understand your position,” Commander Nightshade admitted. “This wasn’t something we planned on. It will take time for me to see what we can do.”
“That’s all I ask.” He chuckled. “I mean, we’d be happy to stay in the hospital, but there’s no real reason for us to stay there as patients, and we wouldn’t dream of taking up beds meant for other people who need help. To be frank, those three days I spent there were the shortest stay I’ve ever had in one, not counting when I got my wisdom teeth removed.”
“For now, I might have one option for you, but that would depend on your attitude toward those of the non-equestrian variety.”
“Captain, before coming to Equestria, I loved studying other cultures from my home planet. Back home, we only had one truly sapient species. From what I have observed, you have as many sapient species as we had nations back home. So, if anything, that will be an adventure, and humanity, as a general stereotype, loves adventure.”
Nightshade nodded a few times. “Have Moonshade direct you to the lower quarter. Look for an inn called the Traitor's Tail. Tell the Gryphon at the counter you're there for the reservation for Artemis.”
Matthew grinned. “I love this! I’ll go talk to Moonshade right away and inform Taze. I hope you’ll help with moving our luggage?”
“I’ll have the Night Guard take care of it after the shift change. It’s for the best that the Solar Guard know very little about this.”
“I won’t say a word,” Matthew promised.
“Everything should be expensed to Luna's account. So don’t worry about money during your stay. Just don’t go overboard.”
“Back home, my father found out that he underspent on an account, and his company refunded him what they felt was normal expenses. Suffice it to say, I follow his example. I can be very frugal. I suppose we should establish the kind of budget that would be permitted, though, so there are no mistakes made. Permission to go for middle-of-the-road expenses?”
Nightshade nodded, then fixed the human with his one good eye “Remember. This meeting didn’t happen.”
Matthew nodded. “Of course. I hope the intel I offered from our side of the attack has proven useful,” he added with a wink. “That is the reason you asked me to come here, after all, isn’t it?”
A hint of a smile twitched at Nightshade’s lips before settling back into that same hard mask. “You helped, human. That's more than many did.” With that, Nightshade got to his hooves. “Can you see yourself out, or should I get you a guide?”
“You never took Moonshade off our watch. If I have gotten to know her at all in the time we’ve been together, she’s probably outside waiting for the meeting to end to keep me from getting lost.”
Nightshade nodded again. “Then please leave. I have things to take care of.”
“Understood, captain.” Matthew moved to attention and offered a salute with his best military bearing. Then he performed a crisp about face and marched to the door.
The gravity in the air was palpable as Celestia approached the guarded chamber. The dark blue armor the guards wore glinted in the midday light, and their eyes flashed as they blinked at her approach before drawing their weapons.
“State your business,” one of them demanded.
Celestia nodded. “I’ve come to ask an audience with the patient, if he is willing to receive me.”
The guards kept their weapons leveled as they repeated the procedure they had for Taze, Matthew, and Moonshade. When there was no visible reaction from Celestia, they nodded.
“Princess Luna has made us aware of your intent. She has also asked us to honor Lord Shawn’s wishes, even over your own.”
Celestia nodded. “I understand.”
The guard passed through the doors, and a tense silence followed as the conference was held between the human and the Thestral. In due course, the guard returned with a sober expression. “He has agreed to see you,” she said with a coldly neutral tone. “You may enter.”
The room was quiet, and carried the kind of tension that seemed to suspend the seconds in their own separate eternities. Sunlight filtered through the window to spread over the floor as Celestia strode with the slow walk of a prisoner condemned. She squared her shoulders as she reached the bed, and raised her head to face the hero who had given everything for the sake of her kingdom. The hero she had deliberately put in harm’s way, and whose body now sat in forced suspension while it struggled to recover.
“I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now,” she began softly. “I can’t defend my actions. I did what I did because the kingdom was at risk, and I knew you three would be able to smoke the threat out as an unknown.”
“Sure you did,” Shawn commented flatly as his gaze bored into her. “We’ve been here for two weeks at the most. You just threw us out there. Don’t give me that.”
Celestia’s jaw clenched. It was the only sign of the struggle within that she allowed to show. “Very well. I’ll speak to you plainly, then. Luna tells me that you prefer that kind of language, though it will likely leave both of us at greater odds than before.” She sighed and shook her head. “I am sorry—”
“No. You aren’t,” Shawn cut in. “Because there are only two ways that goes. Either you are a poor tactical leader and are completely incapable of understanding mortality and the risks of using bait or that ‘sorry,’ is insincere.” His brows lowered. “You don’t use bait unless you’re willing to lose it. Which means you were willing to gamble our lives.”
“Yes,” Celestia admitted. “I was. I was going to say I was sorry you were hurt, but that I was not sorry for what I did. I chose to put my people first. And I’m going to have to bear the consequences of that choice.”
“Some weight that must be, the lives of three humans with no connections in this world, nothing tying them to a singular thing. Next to nobody on the outside knowing we exist.” Shawn shook his head. “Sure.”
“The fact I’m visiting you here and now before any furor arises may seem like another political ploy to you. I can’t convince you otherwise, and my word probably means less than nothing to you now, but I am telling you the truth when I say I chose to come here and speak to you because you deserve it. Not as an honor, but as a right. It’s your right to judge me, to hate me, to say what you wish. And you need not fear reprise from me for it, though I suspect you wouldn’t, regardless.”
“One day,” Shawn spoke up. “One day, I’ll move on from this. One day, I’ll find a way to forgive you.” He gave a soft sigh as his gaze drifted toward the casts over his body. “But you know what I see right now, what I’ve been hearing?”
“From me or in your private thoughts?” Celestia asked.
“I see reminders. Every broken bone, every flash of pain that floods my nerves, every drop of blood I lost. I see reminders of what that choice did to me. The doctors talking amongst my friends about how there was a chance I was braindead, how there’s a chance I will never walk again.” He exhaled softly. “The mental scarring from this event. This is why I can’t forgive you, not anytime soon. What I see is the price we paid for your choice.”
Celestia nodded. “For what it’s worth, it is an infinite debt. And it is one that you may call upon whenever you wish.” She rose to all fours and turned back to the door. “I’m certain my presence distresses you. I’ll take my leave. You will likely see me again, but I will do my best to maintain a proper distance from you.” She paused by the doors. “You may not be of royal blood, but your words and your actions are worthy of such a mantle. There are only two others I’ve known to act in such a manner, regardless of circumstance.” Though Shawn could not see it, she smiled wryly. “Who knows? Perhaps the divine may yet have a purpose for you here.” Then she strode out the doors and closed them behind her.
Shawn waited a few seconds before sighing. “Ex Divinia etiam.
“You're sure he said down here?” Taze asked as he looked around their surroundings. It was certainly a lower district in the capital’s structure, but the quality of the buildings were difficult to differentiate from their fellows.
Moonshade rolled her eyes as she flicked her tail. Matthew looked to Taze. “We just have to follow Moonshade, Taze. The map also seems to agree with our progress. We’re just taking a roundabout path, probably to avoid possible trouble.”
“Actually, it was to avoid family members, but thanks for that,” Moonshade responded tersely.
“You have family here?” Matthew asked. He frowned as the memory of his own family’s faces flashed over his mind. Did they miss him? How worried must they have become by now?
Moonshade’s voice intruded on his reverie. “My sister and her foals live in this area. A lot of Thestrals live down here, actually.”
“I would love to meet some of your kinfolk sometime,” Matthew said. “After all, I know first hoof? Hand? That military life isn’t exactly normal. Home life must be different than on duty life.”
“Yeah, well, we don’t talk much,” Moonshade said. “Before Luna’s return, joining the guard was kind of like selling out.”
Matthew walked a little longer in silence. “You should see her or try to open up comms.” He gave a bitter laugh. “You never know when death or dimensional portals will take you away from family.” He squeezed Taze’s shoulder. “At least I have an adopted brother with me.”
She said nothing as she led them onwards. A series of signs and the occasional flash of golden writing over glass indicated the purpose of the buildings in the district as they passed by. Finally, they arrived at a nondescript stone building. Unlike many of its fellows, this one stretched up to four stories in height, and what appeared to be an aerie of sorts had been built into the topmost segment. Two signs jutted out from the face of the building, one at the topmost floor to mark the entrance there, and one on the ground floor. The image of a black Gryphon held an open book between its talons while its long slim black tail curved around its haunches. The words, Traitor’s Tail Inn had been carefully inscribed over the pages of the book.
“Well, I imagine that's us,” Taze said, examining the building.
Matthew looked at the inn and smiled. “Looks cozy.”
“Well, let's go,” Taze said as he headed for the entrance.
The inside of the building was incredibly well kept. The floorboards were all hardwood, but the furnishings were well crafted with soft furry cushions to support clientele. A number of stools and chairs that varied in size had been spread about the room by the check-in counter to allow customers the chance to wait in the event of a larger crowd. The room itself was decorated with antlers, shields, and a number of older arms to give the place an almost rustic sort of feel. A bored-looking Gryphon with saggy green eyes dozed as he leaned on his elbow. A broad stairwell circled the interior of the building while leaving enough room for customers to fly up or glide down at their leisure.
“Uh, hello?” Taze called as they approached the counter.
Matthew followed behind, but chose to focus on the displays. The weapons spoke not of battle or of the country, but with the siren call of history, and he couldn’t help but want to know more.
The Gryphon blinked slowly, then yawned as he stretched and groaned. “Can I help you, inspector?” he asked in a bored tone of voice as his eyes fell on Moonshade. “You’re a little early for your contraband search this month, aren’t you?”
Moonshade cleared her throat. “I’m not an inspector. I’m a member of the Lunar Guard. And I'm only the guard here. If I were here for an inspection, I would have brought a team with me.”
“That so?” the Gryphon asked as he eyed the strange companions. “Do you have a reservation, then?”
“Yes,” Matthew said absently as he turned from a coat of arms he’d been examining. “We have a reservation for Artemis.”
“I see.” The Gryphon remained absolutely relaxed as he reached under the counter to remove an intricately carved stone key. “We made the arrangements just the way you asked. Rest assured, you won’t be disturbed by any unwelcome guests, at least so long as the pay is good.” He smiled tiredly. “To the rest of the world, it may as well be like you were never here.” He proffered it to the trio. “Who will be the keeper?”
Taze gave Matthew a bump on the shoulder.
Matthew opened his hand. “I’ll be the keeper of the key,” he answered.
The Gryphon nodded. “I’ll need a drop of your blood.” He extended a talon. “If you would give me your hand?”
“May I ask why you need my blood?” he asked with a frown.
“To bind the key to you, of course. The bearer will be the only one able to access your quarters unless someone opens it from the inside.”
“You know what? Nevermind. I'll do it. We don’t need you to turn into a spigot.” Taze stepped forward and offered his left hand.
The Gryphon nodded and pricked Taze on the palm until the blood began to well up. Then he pressed the head of the key firmly into place. Moments later, the lifeless stone transmuted into a red gem. “The key, and thus the lock, are now attuned to your blood,” he explained as he wiped off the talon with the aid of a handy cloth. “Will you require a bandage?”
“No, I should be fine. It’s just a small prick. My friend there has very thin blood. That’s why it had to be me,” he explained. “Thanks for offering, though.”
The Gryphon nodded. “It’s part of the service.” He chuckled and smiled wryly. “For a small fee, of course.” He groaned and flapped his wings, then landed on the floor next to them and stretched on all fours to work out the kinks. “This way,” he advised and guided them to a space beneath the stairwell where the stone walls were still exposed.
“So, going to guess the crown’s going to be receiving a nice bill when all this is done?” Taze chuckled as they followed.
“That depends on which side of the crown you’re talking about.” The host smirked and winked as he gestured toward the wall. “Present the key. The stone will remember the rest.”
Taze did as instructed. The gemstone flashed softly, and a keyhole appeared moments later. Taze didn’t need further prompting. As he turned the lock, a hidden seam revealed itself in the rock. The portal swung open silently to reveal a well-furnished apartment lined with three large nests that had been padded with clouds. Runes pulsed gently around the rims of the stone basins that held the structure of the nests together. A number of cots lined the edges of the walls, and stacks of blankets and bedding rolled and stacked along the edges of the floor to form an added makeshift sound barrier. Surprisingly enough, the ceiling actually was high enough to accommodate the humans’ height. Instead of lamps, phosphorescent crystals pulsed gently to provide enough light to navigate the space.
“I hope these accommodations will prove satisfactory. Rest assured, measures have been taken to ensure you receive the proper ventilation.” Their guide strode to a portion of the wall at the far end of the space that had been left bare. “And in the event that you do not wish to be seen coming and going from our establishment, the key’s contract entitles you to this separate entryway. You need only approach it for the key to function. You will also find that the key gives you access to a washroom and emergency aid station in the lower floor. The entrance lies in the space between your beds.”
“Thank you,” Taze said.
“Yes. Thank you,” Matthew echoed with a sigh. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes as he slid to the floor and tried to force his body to reax. He couldn’t understand why he still felt so on edge. “Will you be staying with us still, Moonshade, or have you been reassigned?” he asked.
“I haven’t received any alternate orders yet.” She shrugged.
“You’ll find that a cloudwalking spell has been applied as a part of the runework on your beds. Considering you’re land-walkers, I can only assume you’ve never slept on a cloud before.” The Gryphon smiled. “There are few things that compare.”
“Should we need to, is there a way to contact you?” Taze asked.
“You can walk to the desk, I suppose.” The Gryphon chuckled. “No, I’m afraid any contact in the form of a magical communication with the inn’s staff would be too risky. The whole point of this suite is to not be noticed and not be found. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if your friends in the Night Guard have their own little device they’ve planted somewhere in the aid room.” He chuckled again. “That seems like something Nightshade would do.”
With Moonshade’s help, Matthew was able to rise and reach the nest. Once he’d settled onto the cloud, the deep and steady breaths of sleep soon followed.
“Will there be anything else you require? I’m afraid that food and drink aren’t normally provided in this establishment, though I believe there are some rations in the aid room as well in the event of emergencies.”
“That's fine. Thank you. You have a good day,” Taze said.
“And you, sir. I don’t believe I’ve met any of your kind before.” He smirked. “It will be interesting to learn more about you, should you choose to remain with us long.” He strode to the patch of wall where they had entered and pressed an exposed portion of rock that jutted out from the surface. The door swung open once again. The Gryphon didn’t turn back as the door swung shut, though he did stoop to pick up a bundle of bandages from the piles that were stored under the stairwell. Then he was lost from view as the door sealed and the “guests” were left to their own devices.
“Well, this is … cozy?” Taze shrugged to Moonshade as he pulled out a book from one of his pockets and sat on the bed. He had to admit it was comfortable. Still, he didn’t feel quite tired enough to go to sleep yet, and so dove into the pages before him.
“Probably better than most of the rooms. It’s a place to stay for now,” Moonshade noted as she moved to one of the nests. Being a Thestral, she had some experience with cloud beds before, so she simply got comfortable and watched her charges. And so the three lay there, one asleep and the other two simply passing the time while they waited for sleep to take them.
It had been days since the great expulsion took place. The drone had to run for several miles to return to the city after his siblings sought to kill him. Without the connection, he was … other. He was no longer of the hive, despite having been raised in it for his whole life. The fear he felt was genuine, which helped when he encountered other Ponies. Sympathy was often a form of love. It sustained him in his travels, just enough to keep going. He needed answers. He needed … closure was the word the other Ponies had used. But most of all, he needed to not be alone.
Luck was on his side as he entered the city. The barrier that had repelled the invasion was no longer present. And the power that had cast him and his siblings of the hive out was nonexistent. That did not mean he was safe, however. Guards regularly patrolled the streets with potions and solutions whose very smell burned his nostrils and caused his eyes to water. A noxious substance. Perhaps poison. Or worse.
It took time and dedicated research to find where the humans had been staying. He’d staked out the hospital until the creatures that had forever scarred him finally entered the building. It was only a matter of time before the human with the broken heart would seek his treatment. From there, it was a simple matter of covert surveillance. The problem lay in the escort. The drone was certain he could overpower her, but by the time he succeeded, he would likely be surrounded or killed either by the strange creatures or by other guards. No, this would require more tact. If he was to succeed in his plan, he would need to wait until the creatures were alone. And he would need to know how to gain access to them.
Reconnaissance revealed a magical artifact they carried with them to open the way into their dwelling. The fact they no longer went to the castle could have meant any number of possibilities. The presence of a guard, however, heavily implied they still had support from the crown. Pretending to be the guard had possibilities, but the creatures already had means in place to ferret out the truth. If he didn’t have the code, he would be found out.
Much though it went against his nature, subtlety would not serve him here. He needed those answers. He just hoped he could make it work.
The knocking on the side alleyway was soft and timid at first. But eventually, he settled on a continual assault. It had worked for the barrier. Perhaps it would also work in this situation. He beat the stone regularly with his hoof. The clack carried through the alleyway. Still he beat with the same rhythm and cadence. His fetlock got sore. He kept going. His foreleg grew tired. He kept beating. The limb burned. He kept beating. He felt like the leg was ready to fall off.
And still, he kept beating.
He didn’t know what else to do.
The entrance finally began to rumble open, revealing the tall form of Taze standing inside it. In his hand was Matthew’s crossbow, complete with a bolt loaded in the cradle. He looked at the pony with a raised eyebrow. “I don’t know who you are, but let's set the rules down now. You run, I shoot. You make any sudden movements, I shoot. You play games with me and I’m sure you can deduce what happens.” He stepped to the side and gestured with the crossbow for him to enter.
Matthew peeked out from behind his friend with a glower on his face as he held his short sword. “Taze, I know we’re friends and all, but do me a favor and ask next time you want to use my crossbow.”
The Changeling raised a brow in confusion at the conflicting sense of … humor, of all things, but left the comment be as he strode into the room. He was not dead yet. That was better than he could have expected. He strode slowly and calmly into the room and then laid down on all fours to stare at the humans.
Taze handed Matthew the crossbow. “Keep it on him, just in case.”
Matthew nodded, as he waited for Taze to make his next move. He casually checked the weapon’s safety with his thumb while keeping the weapon fixed on their most curious blend of prisoner and guest.
“So, let's start with a name,” Taze said, sitting across from the Changeling.
“I have none. I … should not be an I. That … thing.” He gestured toward the crossbow with his muzzle. “It … did something to me. You did something to me. I … wish to understand. I … need to understand. But … I do not know why. I … am not supposed to question.”
Taze looked at Matthew with a raised eyebrow. “You got shot with a crossbow? You seem in pretty good shape for that. If it had hit you in the head, you’d probably be dead.”
The Changeling shook his head. “Not the head. You struck me in another place.” He gestured to his shoulder. “May I show you?”
“Just move slowly,” Taze said.
“I must revert to show. I will not fly. I will not attack. You will kill me first if I do. Is this not so?” he buzzed.
“Wait, are you a Changeling?” Taze asked, standing up suddenly.
The drone blinked in surprise. “You … did not know?”
“How would we know? Isn’t disguising part of what your species does?” Taze asked. his hand groped for the knife at his belt and settled on the handle. “Why come here?”
“Answers. Understanding. It is as I said.” he motioned toward Matthew. “You shot me. Now, I am … other. I am different. I am….” He trailed off silently as he gazed at the floor. “I am alone.” He pointed to his head. “They are gone. My hive, my … family is the word, yes?”
Taze nodded, looking to Matthew for an idea of what to do. Matthew motioned for the Changeling with his crossbow. “Continue.”
“I am … attacked by my own kind. They do not know me. They do not hear me. To them, I am an outsider, a threat. I am to be killed. But … I do not wish to be killed. I … I should not question the will of the queen. I should submit to death.” He shuddered. “But the dark is not where I wish to go. The dark took me away from the hive. What more would it take? I … I do not wish to lose more.” He looked imploringly at them with glossy eyes. “Why am I this way? Why do you torture me? This is … cruelty is the word, is it not? I am alone.” He sobbed as he laid his forelegs over his head. “I am alone….”
“Well, that confirms a hivemind.” Taze sighed. “But you talk like you haven’t been speaking long. How old are you?”
Matthew leaned forward and stared pensively. Emotions flashed like bolts of lightning to the Changeling’s senses, but his face remained neutral. He nodded slowly at Taze’s comment about a hive mind.
“Age?” the drone asked. “I … I do not kn-know.” His voice trembled, even as the sobs shook him like hiccups. “We live, we … feed. We … grow. And then we serve.”
Taze facepalmed, then groaned. “Vulpix, you might as well put the crossbow away. I honestly don’t think he’d know how to hurt us if he wanted to,” he commented.
Matthew nodded and slowly put the crossbow down. “Yeah,” he said softly. “He sounds like a five-year-old. No idea of right or wrong.”
“Well, no-name, let's start with the basics. You no longer live or die by your queen’s demand. You decide who you are, and you decide what you do. Do you understand?”
“It … hurts?” He frowned. “No, hurts is not right. But … it is close. I … do not like having to choose. It is….”
“Unnerving?” Taze offered. “It doesn’t feel correct?”
The Pony nodded.
“How was life in your hive? Did you eat well? Were you close to your kind?” Taze asked.
“We were always close. Even when infiltrators left the hive. We are always connected. We were always connected,” he corrected himself. “Our queen chose Equestria because it is bright. It is filled with love. We … need love.”
“I think my meaning was lost in translation. Were your hivemates kind to you? Did you love your family?”
“Changelings cannot produce love. It is why we must hunt for it.” He shook his head. “Kindness, hatred, fear, these things, these emotions were … flavors, textures, not things we made or had, save perhaps in combat just before—” He shuddered and curled up again. “—Before the blackness. Before they were no longer of the hive. A drone does not think. It does the will of its queen.”
“Even if that will is wrong?” Taze asked.
“The will of the queen is right. That is all that matters to a drone.”
“She got a lot of you killed for nothing in the invasion. Is that right?”
“Serving the queen is not nothing. We serve because … because….” He frowned. “We … do not think. I … I did not think….”
“And do changelings normally not think? A lot of those we killed seem capable of thinking,” Taze noted.
“Chains. Nodes. Control points. They focus the queen’s will, distill it, spread it. These … require more than a drone has. More than a drone … is capable.”
“So your queen chooses who gets to think and who doesn’t?”
The drone nodded. “Yes. May … may I become me now?”
Taze nodded.
Green fire flashed and consumed in an instant. When it was past, the typical drone stared at them with colored orbs.
“Where did it hit you?”
The Changeling turned aside to reveal the place where the chitin had been broken. A green crust had formed along the cracks near the flesh.
Matthew looked at the wound with critical eyes. “Will that heal? It won’t cause pulling?” He paused, “Do you have an actual skeleton, or is your chitin your skeleton?”
The Changeling cocked its head in utter confusion. “What is … a skeleton?”
Taze looked pointedly at Matthew. “Let's start with the basics. Then you can ask again later, okay?” Matthew gave Taze a sheepish look, and Taze returned his attention to the Changeling. “I want you to think about something. I’m going to say it to you, and I don’t want you to say anything until you’ve really thought about what it means, okay? Here it is. ‘I think, therefore I am.’”
“I … think, therefore I am? That is all?” the Changeling asked.
“Tell me what you think it means.”
The Changeling frowned. “What I think….” he murmured. “I think. … I … think….”
“You work on that for a while,” Taze said as he turned to Matthew. “And me and you have to ponder a great mystery of our own.”
“Making sure Moonshade doesn’t kill this Changeling, I assume?” He took a piece of paper and began to write. “Intel gathering, perhaps?”
“That's a start,” Taze admitted. “Now, let’s see….” And with that, the two set about to figure out how to keep their new ward safe.
The now-familiar sound of doors opening and closing left Shawn heaving a heavy sigh. The solitary clip-clop indicated only one person this time, as opposed to the general pairing that the medical staff seemed to follow. They had been poking and prodding him constantly over the last few days to try and understand just how he was recuperating so quickly. That, and of course the phenomenon of his spinal column remaining completely intact, despite the sheer trauma that should have snapped it like a twig.
He opened his eyes and craned his neck to behold a familiar pastelle Alicorn with pink fur and multicolored mane and tail. The concern on her face soon shifted to surprise as the human not only planted his arms firmly on the bed, but pulled himself to an upright sitting position and shifted his legs ever so slightly to work the muscles.
“To be honest, I’m kind of surprised to see you,” Shawn commented.
That knocked the Alicorn out of her stupor. She frowned in response. “Why?”
“Given the whole incident, I figured your schedule would have been quite full,” he replied, rubbing the back of his head.
“Shawn, I love Shining, and I do still want to have our wedding, but you saved my life. I’m only sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
“It’s no problem,” he replied with a small smile. “The doctors have been trying to keep visitors limited anyway, so….”
Cadance smiled knowingly. “Would that be the doctors or Aunt Luna?”
“Both, as it turns out.” Shawn gave a brief chuckle. “There’s always a doctor and guard nearby. More so on the guards.”
“I’d say you’ve more than earned it.” Then she frowned. “For better or for worse, you’re going to be in the limelight now, and probably for some time to come.”
“Cadance, we were used as bait. That spotlight’s been shining on us for some time now,” he replied, giving a short wave of his hand.
Cadance winced. “Yes, Aunt Luna told me about that. Though hopefully, this light will be more of the good kind, or at least the inconvenient one instead.” She approached the bed and sat next to it. “How are you feeling? Is the wound closing up all right?”
“Yeah. By some miracle, most of the cuts and stabs missed anything vital. Which I still don’t see how. I’m just stuck here until I’m stable enough to walk around unassisted.”
“You’re already walking? After just a few days?”
“Barely.” Shawn sighed. “The muscles in my lower back are still healing, and it gives me trouble standing for long. Whatever magic they’re using to help me has been surprisingly quick. An injury like this back home, well … even if I survived, I’d probably have lost use of my arms and legs.”
Cadance’s voice softened as she looked over him. “How is it that you can be so brave when you’re so fragile?”
“Because I have next to nothing. All I have are my friends,” Shawn replied as he looked her squarely in the eyes. “So long as I can move, I’d try my hardest to save those close to me, because right now, … they’re all I have.”
Cadance was silent for a time, then laid a gentle wing on Shawn’s hand. “I … know what that’s like. I lost my home once, … a very long time ago. My family, everyone I knew. It was … hard rebuilding after that. It will probably be even harder for you.” She sighed. “I know I’m not from your world. But … if you’re willing, I’d like to count myself among those friends. One day, if not today.”
“I’d be happy to call you a friend.” Shawn gave a small smile. “You haven’t wronged me or my friends, and you came by despite everything going on.”
Cadance nodded and smiled as tears stood in her eyes. “Then, as a friend, would you and your friends be willing to attend the wedding as my guests of honor?”
After a few seconds, Shawn nodded. “When I see them, I’ll try to convince them. Though things are … strained, with Celestia. We’ll go for you.”
Cadance nodded. “If they don’t want to come, please don’t push them. I won’t be offended. And the same goes with you.” She took a deep breath. “That being said, Shawn, there is another reason that I came to see you. And … it has to do with that loss. When I saw you in the cave that day, all covered in blood, I … something broke open in my mind. It’s been … difficult, trying to piece those things that came through together. Part of those memories I mentioned, about losing family, … were among them. I … I’m afraid to learn more about that part of my life. But at the same time, … I need to know more. I don’t know why, but when I’m near you, I feel like I can almost touch that part of me, if that makes sense. I don’t know if it’s the memory of when we found you or something else, but … if you’re all right with it, would you be willing to … help me remember?”
Shawn blinked a few times. “I’m … unsure of how I can help, but, if there’s anything you have in mind, I’d be willing to try.”
Cadance smiled gently. “Thank you. Right now, though, it’s enough just to visit with you. We can look into the memories later.”
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"Matthew looked back at the taxi cab and sighed the last night had been… odd." Taxi cab? In Equestria? They don't have cars!
5247060 True, but if you'll remember "Rarity Takes Manehattan", they did still have Taxi services.
You seem to have lots of trouble with homophones.
It's Annie, not Anne.
7352409
Thank you very much for the comment and the pick up on the mistake, I shall be fixing that now.
I hope you enjoy the story, and we are working on editing, backwards to the front to prevent any bad jarring in the transitions.
Thank you again for the great comment.
Was that a Naruto reference?
8152484
Yes, yes it was. Season one of Naruto, when Team Seven passes the test.
It's not a DIRECT word for word quote but it works.
Entertaining how at this point they're thinking that what just happened was a 'war', given what they go through.