The Crucible of Restoration

by Golden Paw

Chapter Four

The flatbed hauler crawled slowly across the airstrip. The heavy tracks pulled the machine along with its cargo at a lumbering pace that set ‘Pipsqueak’s’ nerves rattling. He was eager to be over and done with the job and transporting that thing.

He looked at the dark pyramid. Its sheer smooth sides black luster radiated an aura of disquiet, seeping from every join and bleeding a pall into the air around it. The chamber was the size of a small room and seemed to drink in the sunlight, leaving a chilled haze that reached out for several inches about it. Despite sitting on the conveyer like a triangular hole into the darkest abyss there was a kind of ‘unlight’ which emanated from his charge. As if the darkness cast its own illumination in some perverse way.

“Steady ‘Handle’. Straighten her up a bit and you should have a clear run to the Bloomberg!” ‘Pip’ called out to the dark brown earth pony driver who was sweating in the hauler’s cabin. The pyramid was fastened securely to the flat bed by woven straps but Pip was in no mood to take any chances.

Pipsqueak watched intently as ‘Handlebar’ fussed about the controls and corrected his course. It had been the longest fifteen minutes of Pip’s life. The simple journey from the storage compound to the airship should have been a piece of cake. But with their cargo lurking on a pallet, which in turn rested on the flat bed, seemed to stretch time outwards. Pulling at Pip’s senses like claws raked over his mind.

He ruffled his brown mane for what felt like the hundredth time before screwing up his mottled white and brown face. Pip trusted his betters. Twilight had never let them down before and his dear Applebloom was on board with this plan as well. When Pipsqueak’s wife had given him the plans for the ‘safety chamber’ Pip hadn’t stopped to wonder what it was for. But looking at the rune covered sides of their charge Pip wasn’t so sure anymore.

The pyramid seemed to radiate wrongness. Clashing with the natural order of things in a manner that seeped into the soul and chilled his heart. The forging of the metal had been the easy part; any technician worth his salt could do that. It was made out of strange materials for sure, but there was nothing ‘unworldly’ about it. Not until Twilight had enchanted the smooth panels anyhow.

That’s when the troubles began; little things would go missing in the workshops. Tools were secured one moment then they’d be gone, or moved to a completely new place. Pip would come into work and then seem to forget what he’d been doing only hours before. Whole sections of his day would simply be a blurry haze and he wasn’t the only one that was suffering the symptoms either.

The construction of the chamber seemed to have a life of its own too. Pip would enter the workshops, the ‘fuzziness’ would happen and the pyramid began to take shape. Pipsqueak didn’t want to think of himself a fool, the most likely answer was that he was building the pyramid but simply couldn’t remember doing such. That scared him more than anything else. Was Twilight messing with his head and if so why?

Things had gotten better once the safety pyramid was finished at least, no more blank spots in Pip’s memory. Maybe he should ask ‘A.B’ about it? His wife had never complained about such troubles and she’d been working on the project right from the start. Not that A.B would ever admit to such problems even if she did Pipsqueak mused. But that just left Pip with more questions than answers, was Applebloom in on it too?

Shaking his head Pipsqueak came back to the task at hoof. The hauler was nearing its destination. The Bloomberg loomed over the scene; its reassuring bulk an anchor of comfort in this unsettling time.

With a ‘thunk’ the hauler’s treads met the loading ramp and Pip stood clear as the transport angled upwards and began its climb into the cargo bay. The metal shuddered and clanged as it took the surprising weight of the pyramid. It was far heavier than its size would indicate and Pip couldn’t help but wonder what was inside.

He’d been given strict orders to not, under any circumstances, open the heavily warded hatches that adorned the cubicle's walls. That was fine with him, all Pip wanted to do was have this thing loaded in time for the Bloomberg’s departure.

Applebloom could get very techy about missed deadlines at the best of times and with her current moods he feared the apocalyptic wrath that would ensue should his team be found wanting. He certainly feared it more than whatever strangeness the pyramid contained.

With a further squeal of metal on metal the hauler leveled out and slowly crawled into the cargo bay proper. Pip followed it in, checking the space for potential hazards. within the Bloomberg was a microcosm of the business outside.

In the darker confines of the bay pallets full of supplies were nestled in ordered rows. Piled high so that they nearly touched the curved ribbed ceiling above. Water, rations and other necessities of survival all arranged before him. Stored in and around the curved ceiling which bowed downwards in its centre, following the shape of Bloomberg’s central flotation just above.

The hauler finished its shuffle forward before coming to a hissing stop. Everyone in the hold watched the transport with curious eyes. Rumours and ‘pipe whispers’ abounded among the crew about their new mission. None of them had been told where they were going or why, only to obey. It was far from the normal state of affairs the crew were used to and Pip felt it as keenly as the rest of them.

“Alright, alright ya’ll. This here cargo ain’t gonna store itself. Stop yer gorpin n get back ter work,” Applebloom’s stern tones resounded about the confined space and Pip smiled with relief.

“Hi Honey, we’re almost done loading….” Pip began and instantly regretted it.

“It’s ‘Boss’ when we’re on duty Pip yer know that!” Applebloom snapped back as she emerged from behind a stack of water barrels. Despite her harsh tones she looked genuinely happy to see him.

Several of the work crews chuckled before a warning glance from Applebloom silenced them. She advanced upon the hauler and its dark passenger with a resentful expression, “Didn’t give yer any trouble did he?”

Applebloom nuzzled up to Pip with affection and he rubbed his cheek against hers in return, “Nothing we couldn’t handle Boss.” Evidently she didn’t have to follow the same protocols of title in the workplace. Guess that’s a perk of being in charge.

“Yer sure? Yer lookin a might bit pale there. Has that thing been gettin in yer head?” Applebloom asked tenderly.

It never ceased to amaze Pip just how unpredictable Applebloom could be. I know she’s going through a lot right now, but does she have to act quite so odd? Between vomiting in the mornings to the sudden bouts of uncharacteristic ‘niceness’ Pip didn’t know whether he was coming or going.

Pip forced a hesitant smile, “Of course Boss. No strange creepy pyramid is going to get the better of me.”

Appleboom smiled contentedly before her eyes filled with anger, “No not that way yer dummy! Do I have ter do everything myself?”

Pipsqueak could only lean aside as Applebloom thundered past and closed on a hapless pegasus who’d been stacking boxes of rations. “If yer stack them steaks on the oat rations yer risk cross contamination! Didn’t yer mother ever teach yer ter never store uncooked meat at the top!”

The blue pegasus mare wilted under Applebloom’s tirade, her face a picture shock and Pip felt that things were right in the world again. Well at least for the moment. A metallic ‘shunk’ drew his attention back to the hauler. Handlebar was busily unfastening the straps holding their ‘passenger’ secure.

“She’s a ball of fire that one no mistake. You’re a braver stallion than I Pip,” Handle commented, his brown face creased in a playful grin.

Pipsqueak cocked his eyebrow, “Well she may be that Handle, but she’s my ball of fire.” He glanced quickly to check Applebloom was still mid censure before lowering his voice conspiratorially, “She’s far sweeter when you get to know her better, under all that rough and tough exterior is a mare with a heart of gold.”

He sidled around the hauler to help Handle with the remaining straps, “She’s been a bit more flighty since we got the news.”

Handlebar nodded with a knowing smile, “Yeah the first one is always the worst, when my ‘Cloudy’ was having our first she didn’t know what to do with herself. One minute I was the light of her life, the next I was public enemy number one.”

The final strap came undone with a clatter and Handlebar began pulling the freed lengths before gathering them into a bundle, “You think it’s rough now wait until the little bundle of joy actually arrives. Sleepless nights, burped up leftovers and little presents all wrapped up in nappies.”

Pip squeak caught the bundle Handle passed over, “Awww you make it sound so lovely. How did ponies ever survive with such wonders to look forward to in parenting.”

Handle chuckled as he trotted over to a console and sounded the all clear buzzer, “Well when you hold them for the first time and your heart melts within you, that’s when you know it’s all worth it.”

Both ponies backed up as a third wheeled up with a loader. The heavy duty vehicle positioned itself alongside the hauler, it’s large wheel giving off little sparks. With a flash the six wheels under its chassis were bound magically to the deck plating. The loader was a squat and blocky vehicle, built to do its job and little more. As with everything else related to the Bloomberg was decked out in dark green paint and bore the seal of T.C.A.P industries.

Pip nodded to the driver who saluted back from the bulky cab and worked away at the controls. A long metal arm extended out over the hauler and dropped several heavy looking chains. Handlebar hopped onto the flatbed and began tugging at them, “So what’s the misses hoping for? Filly, colt?”

“She hasn’t said. We only found out a few weeks ago you see,” Pipsqueak replied as he pulled the chains up and over the pyramid. Trying his best to ignore the chilly sensation which spread over him as he leaned in close, “We’d be happy with a healthy earth pony to be honest. Pegasi and unicorns can be such a pain when their young.”

“True, do you know how hard it is to ‘ground’ a daughter who can simply fly away?” Handle said, snapping the locks shut and yanking on them to ensure they were secure. Their task completed both ponies hopped down and backed off.

With a crackling sound the loader powered up its core, flashes of light seeping from the crystal housing. Metal strained and creaked until with painful slowness the dark container began to arise.

“Well I’m happy for you Pip, if a little worried. If they turn out like your better half then the world is in trouble!” Handlebar shouted as he headed back to the hauler’s cab.

“I heard that Handle! Yer just pray that they’re more fergiving than I am!” Applebloom called over the reverberating roar of the hauler’s engine starting up.

“Sorry Boss, didn’t hear that!” Handle bellowed flicking his ear theatrically as he began moving the hauler slowly backwards.

Applebloom’s reply was lost amid the clanking and grinding but Pipsqueak was sure there was a flash of fire in her eyes. Her mouth continued to work while her hoof shook, the words drowned by the sounds of machinery. She continued to gesticulate and rage even as the hauler reached the edge of the ramp and began its steady descent downwards again.

Pip could only smile as her words came back into focus, “.......Yer can be easily replaced yer here!” Applebloom’s fury finally spent she rounded on Pip, her eyes bright. “I suppose yer agree with him huh? If we have a filly yer’ll be disappointed?”

Pipsqueak looked at Applebloom and saw the hidden fear in her eyes, this was as new to her as it was for him. She was going to be a mother, have to care for a new young life which they had brought into the world. All the mechanical knowhow in the world didn’t prepare a pony for that.

“If we do then the world had better watch out, because then their will be not one but two incredible mares about,” Pip assured raising his hoof to ruffle Applebloom’s mane. “You’re just great Boss and any foal we make will be so too.”

He felt his heart leap as Applebloom gave him a weak smile, “Yer really think so?”

“No doubt at all Boss. It could be a zebra and I’d love them all the same knowing they came from you.” Pipsqueak assured.

Applebloom’s whole face seemed to glow and she darted forward, hugged Pip tightly and giving him a long kiss on the lips. Pipsqueak hugged her back and stared blissfully into her eyes. She grinned back at him, “Yer know I could be convinced to let yer call me ‘Honey’ with smooth talk like that Pip.”

“If you say so Bos...Honey,” Pip said dreamily.

“Well it would be great if you and Honey could move their flanks, we still have a safety chamber to install!” Handlebar shouted from the cargo bay’s ramp and the moment fractured.

“Handle I am gonna buck yer muzzle through yer skull if yer dare call me Honey again!” Applebloom bellowed so loudly it caused Pip’s ears to ring.

She heeded the warning though and with a grunt Applebloom cleared the space under the pyramid, pulling Pip along with her. In the brief moment of romance neither had notice they were directly under where the safety chamber was to be placed, it’s black square base looming above them like a dark cloud.

With them finally clear the loader was finally able to lower the pyramid. With careful slowness it inched towards the floor until a heavy ‘fumph’ that seemed far more foreboding than the simple sound suggested.

“Boss I’ve been meaning to ask, what is that thing for?” Pip began his hoof still clasping Appleblooms. She stared at the safety chamber and he knew that she was troubled too. It was in the way her hoof twitched and the slight tightening of her jaw. She doesn’t like this thing anymore than I do.

---

“Are you alright in there Impasse?” Foresight asked as she stood on an overhanging gantry watching the hustle and bustle below.

“The container is sufficient for my needs Foresight,” Impasse replied and Foresight tried to picture the lithi bound securely within.

Twilight certainly knew her stuff. The enchantments within the chamber held Impasse completely still, shielding him from the rigors of transport. Held in a gravity charm of such skill that, even if the Bloomberg were to crash, Foresight doubted Impasse would feel the slightest tremble.

“You won’t have to be in there too long if all goes to plan, just be patient alright?” Foresight fought down the irrational fear that pulled at her heart. Impasse was tough. More than tough, he was solid. Solid But brittle, the centuries of wear took their toll on ponies whatever they were made of. If anything were to happen to him then Foresight didn’t….

“You are still in my head Foresight.I warned you not to get attached to me,” Impasse’ dull voice rebounded around Foresight’s mind. She knew she shouldn’t, but Impasse was a hero of old. A knight from ancient days and though not ‘shining’ by any means still had a noble spirit. The years they’d traveled together the hardships they’d gone through. She couldn’t help but feel….

“You are ‘still’ in my head Foresight, Don’t think that way. You will only end up getting hurt again,” Impasse repeated.

Foresight blushed, thankful that the shadowy recesses above the working crews hid her face. She could feel the love and good nature of all those below. Pipsqueak and Applebloom’s burned like a beacon, everything Foresight wanted in her life, but through a chance of birth was almost impossible.

‘Ice hearts’ they call us, what a poor name. Foresight felt just like any other pony, longed for love and comfort. She longed for the special feelings that were expressed by normal pony folk, ones she’d only felt by proxy.

By their very nature a dark unicorn thrived in cold and when their emotions were flaring the aura of frost only intensified. Not a problem for others of her kind, but anypony else that got to close, let alone touch….

“Foresight even if they were to find a cure for my kind, you know that you cannot be normal. Don’t waste your feelings on that which cannot be. Find a dark stallion to give you what you long for,” Impasse thought, despite his urgings Foresight still hadn’t severed the link she held with him.

“It’s not that easy Impasse, the heart wants what it wants!” Foresight screamed into the emptiness that was Impasse’ core. “I know you Impasse. Your history the brave deeds you did before you became what you are and after. You can’t expect me not to feel something for you!”

Foresight trembled as frost spread rapidly across the gantry with a crackling sound. She fought down the sob, swallowing it with such vigor that Foresight strained her throat. The pain was there, aching in her soul and she wanted to let it go. Just forget the look on his face when….

“Enough Foresight, it’s not healthy to dwell on such things,” Impasse’ steady advice pulled her back.

Foresight glanced down at the containment chamber, to the dark pyramid that held the one so dear to her. The other ponies didn’t understand, they saw it as just some disturbing oddity. She could hear their distrust, sense their secret thoughts and fears.

They were scared of what they didn’t understand, oh they would hide it behind kind words and forced smiles but that didn’t change the truth of things. They feared her, they feared the association of all the cursed races with the infamous Nightmare Moon.

Darkness and cold weren’t inherently evil, there was beauty to be found within. That was what pained Foresight so much. What of sunlight and fire? They could burn and hurt just as easily. No it was the unknown that scared ponies. That drove them to make stupid decisions, to treat her like….

“They will understand Foresight, but it will take time,” Impasse assured. His words only pulled at Foresight’s anger.

“I’m not strong like you Impasse, I can’t wait this out like you do,” Foresight replied, still watching the happy ponies below.

“Strength? You give me too much credit Foresight. I am beyond feeling the pain not above it. That’s not strength, you may as well congratulate a mountain for lasting the centuries. All I have now is my thoughts, I can’t even feel the loss of what I once had. That’s not strength,” Impasse explained matter of factly.

“Sometimes I think it’s better not to feel anything….” Foresight whispered darkly.

She continued to watch the work crews finish storing supplies down below, alone in their heads with their worries and cares. It must be so simple and easy to not hear the thoughts of everyone else all the time. They had it easy.

“They don’t Foresight, everyone has their trials and troubles. The dark unicorns may be cursed, but think of all the good you have done. You have skills and talents, though scary to normal ponyfolk, are of great value. Did you ever think that things happen for a reason?” Impasse asked levely.

“If there is some grand design then I find its sense of humour greatly lacking,” Foresight mumbled as, with their jobs now complete, the work crews began filing out. The last of the workforce finally exited the cargo bay, their voices and thoughts fading until only the peaceful hum of the Bloomberg’s engines was all that was left.

Foresight let her shrouding magic fall, revealing her presence on the gantry and letting the weak light from the lamps above fall upon her. “Sorry Impasse, it just all gets to me sometimes. The unfairness of the world.”

She trotted slowly along the gantry, following its path around the cargo bay. It really was an amazing ship, nothing like Foresight had ever seen before. Maybe I’ve just had my head in ancient books for too long? It had been a good few years since she’d been back to Equestria, her journeys with Impasse and other dark unicorns spread throughout the world called Foresight far and wide.

There were so few of her people now. Unlike the bat pony colonies which had adapted well, her kind carried a far more sinister reputation. She’d even heard some bat ponies having children with normal pony folk, something the dark unicorns just couldn’t do. The last time she’d tried….no try not to remember it won’t help.

Foresight reached the bay’s floor and with slow deliberation walked around Impasse’ ‘casket’. She felt bad letting Pip and the others think it was the pyramid clouding their minds, muddling their memories. But it was far easier to do that than to explain the real reasons for the secrecy.

A mysterious box drew much of the attention away from her, letting Foresight at least find some peace from the constant stares and hushed whispers. While the crew were feeding on idle gossip about their cargo Foresight could do what she needed. She reached out a hoof to brush the dark metal, “Some things are best left unknown Impasse, you of all ponies should understand that.”

The sudden flare of another’s mind caused Foresight to jump, whirling around in shock to see a Twilight standing in the entrance to the cargo bay. Her face was stern and Foresight realised she couldn’t read anything from her.

“Brushed up on my mental wards Foresight. I don’t like the idea of anypony inside my head without my permission,” Twilight’s voice had an edge and Foresight sagged with defeat.

“You and every other pony out there princess, but I can promise you I only used my spells when needed,” Without turning Foresight continued to sweep her hoof across the pyramid, leaving tiny patterns of frost trailing in her wake. “I know you’re not happy with this Twi, I don’t need to read your mind to know that.”

“I think you greatly underestimate the kindness of ponies Foresight,” Twilight said coldly.

“I’ve seen it too many times princess. They say they’re welcoming and will accept any difference, but they can’t hide their true feelings, not from me,” Foresight traced her hoof across the casket’s only hatch, toying with the idea of opening it just to see Impasse inside. There was no sunlight here to threaten him now, not within the confines of the Bloomberg. Maybe she could let him walk free for a while?

“I only let you cloud the crew’s minds about the casket and its contents Foresight, that was the agreement and if you try anything else, then you will see me unhappy,” Twilight’s warning was refreshing, not that the tune was any different. But more the fact that with her mind blocked Foresight had to take her at face value.

“Even you don’t really trust me do you?” Foresight finally turned around to watch. There was a tense moment where neither mare spoke, Twilight’s eyes studying Foresight carefully.

“I don’t doubt your good intentions Foresight, just some of your actions. The scroll from the tomb, it still troubles me, it’s evil and you’re putting a lot of trust in the writings of a very nasty unicorn. One proven to be criminally insane.” Twilight’s reply didn’t surprise Foresight in the slightest.

“You looked me up then? It’s pretty horrific reading isn’t it,” Foresight replied trying to keep her voice steady.

“Exactly and that’s what worries me, how far have you gone in this cause of yours? What are you willing to do to get there?” Twilight’s gaze never wavered and Foresight saw her own eyes reflected within.

“I don’t think anyone knows that Twilight until they are called upon to make the choice. Would I murder another to get what I want? Would I crush hundreds in a falling town to get one step closer to my own goals?” Foresight felt her frustrations rise, “No doubt you’ve read up on me now? I would be very surprised if Celestia and Luna kept back my history from you now we’re working together.

Foresight felt the memories threatening to surface, of darker days and of some of the pains of her past. She’d seen horrors and evils that lived with Foresight to this day. But she’d also seen courage and faith, enough to stop the spread of darkness across the land.Was she proud of everything she’d done? No, but she’d done her best.

“I did,” Twilight answered carefully, “I know you’re a good pony at heart, that those atrocities were done by other dark unicorns. But you’re also one who’s seen a lot of pain and suffering. That leaves its mark Foresight.” Twilight approached now, with a sympathetic expression, “You’ve been off the map a few times Foresight and there’s no record of what you did, then you turn up with something like Severed’s scroll.”

“Oh how little you know Twilight, you’ve seen so little of the world outside Equestria and the harsh reality outside your realm.But what we all have in common is a love for our home and the goodness it stands for.” Both of them paused as the synthesized voice of Impasse called out from the pyramid. “Foresight is a heroine just as much as you Twilight. She is the reason we have this chance and I please ask that you trust her. She has her failings as we all do, but they will not endanger the mission, your ship or your crew.”

Foresight felt a flash of appreciation for Impasse, but all too quickly this guttered and died. Twilight’s face was still hard, clearly unconvinced, “I trust Luna and Celestia, but I really dislike all this cloak and dagger stuff alright.”

Twilight gave a little and Foresight caught a glimpse of her true thoughts; she did trust her, but was wrong hooved with all the recent revelations, “I’ll make you proud Twilight honest, just give me a chance. Will you?”

Twilight continued to stare at Foresight, her mouth forming a slight frown, “We’ll see.”