The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Preface - Volume 9 - The Lord Regent - Part 3

In our previous volume, Arc, Twilight and Silver Hammer returned from the Lunar Realm. Shining Armor, thinking Arc had violated his sister, blasts him across the room and into a mirror. Arc’s side is cut badly, but is soon stitched up by Doctor Whooves.

Heading for the castle hanger, Arc and company board the newly completed airship. Arc christens the ship the ‘Lunar Destiny’ and they get underway. On route to Yakyakistan to talk peace, Arc suddenly collapses! Captain Tight Ship redirects the ship to the nearby Crystal Empire. As they near their destination, Arc begins having trouble breathing. Ember and Sereb rush him to the Infirmary and administer oxygen.

Landing, Arc is immediately brought to the hospital. Ember informs the doctor there of Arc’s condition and earlier injury. She then calls Derpy and Shining Armor to let them know of the incident. Sadly, she also calls Cherry to let her know the situation. Cherry agrees to accompany Arc’s squad to Ponyville, unaware of what has happened. Upon arriving, the doctor informs everyone of Arc’s diagnosis… Crystal Poisoning. The only treatment available is exposure to the Crystal Heart’s energy. However, no one has ever survived it.

As the heart is on its way, Arc regains consciousness long enough to say his goodbyes to his friends and family. The Heart is set up and started as everyone leaves the room. Meanwhile, Dinky runs to a broom closest to be alone. Calling out telepathically to her friends Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, they are able to teleport to her via… unexplained means. Running back to Arc’s room, the trio combines their power and, combining it with that of the Heart, cure Arc! As Doctor Horse re-examines him, he finds six crystals embedded in Arc, fused to the bone. Getting up and walking over to Cherry, Arc takes the opportunity to propose marriage to her with a beautiful gold pendant inlaid with diamonds and rubies. Accepting, he puts it around her neck and leans forward to kiss her. However, an explosion nearby interrupts them!

Running into the streets, they find panic everywhere! Arc and company rush to the Crystal Castle to speak to the stallion in charge, General Wind Rider! Entering the Throne Room, they find a general surrounded by his lieutenants, looking over a map. Arc learns he plans to surrender to the yak invaders without a fight! Assuming control, Arc orders the lieutenants to evacuate the civilians to the castle and prepare to defend the city. Derpy and Cherry volunteer to help with the evacuation as Arc commands the city from the castle. Ember and Sereb head out to help as well. They stumble across Filthy Rich and his family as they attempt to save some of their ‘valuables’. Shortly thereafter, Ember and Sereb run across a couple yaks, who have accidently blown a hole in the city wall. They convince the duo to return to their commander with bags filled with dirt. Ember, spotting the commander of the yaks, flies over to him in an effort to talk to him.

Failing to convince the commander to leave peacefully, Ember unwittingly challenges him to a Yakni-Kai. Knowing she cannot defeat him with strength alone, she changes to misdirection. As the commander and his soldiers dance, he accidently dances outside of the ring. Admitting defeat, he and his forces return to Yakyakistan. As Ember and the rest of her forces regroup, Derpy suddenly runs up screaming for help!

Derpy leads Ember and the Crystal Defenders to an overturned cart. Pointing a hoof, she tells them Cherry is trapped underneath! Digging frantically, they extract the injured mare! Ember orders two pegasi to transport her to the hospital as she, Derpy and Sereb return to the castle. Arc and company hurry to the hospital! As he waits for word, Arc contacts Canterlot and orders Shining Armor to dispatch General Virtuous Lance with troop carriers to the Crystal Empire.

Doctor Horse informs Arc that Cherry’s condition is rather precarious. He walks to the hospital room and sits with his betrothed until evening. Ember enters the room to inform Arc the soldiers he called for are nearly there. Ordering them to land at the Crystal Castle, he meets them there and calls for a conference in the Throne Room with the general. Bringing him up to speed on the situation, Arc orders him to watch over the Crystal Empire while he personally leads their forces. The next morning, Arc boards the Lunar Destiny to fly him and his troops to Yakyakistan. Unable to convince Prince Rutherford to stop his invasion plans, Arc challenges him to a Yakni-Kai! He soundly defeats the prince and convinces him that war with Equestria is not in eithers best interest.

As Arc flies back to the Crystal Empire, Cherry wakes up. The doctor examines her and asks her several questions which she is able to answer. Sadly… she asks Derpy who Arc is…

Arc returns to Cherry’s hospital room to find a mare whom doesn’t remember who his is, or his marriage proposal. He takes her back to Cherry Hill Ranch and explains the situation to Ruby. She does not take it well. Angrily, Ruby bucks Arc out the front door and down the steps! He lands on his back in the dirt as she and Cherry step out of the house. Blaming him, Ruby tells him to stay away from Cherry. To make matters worse, Cherry nods and asks him to leave. The pair head inside as Arc, dejectedly, walks over to the porch swing and sits down. Later that evening, Ruby steps outside and joins him. Having calmed down somewhat, she gives him a pocket watch that Cherry had intended he have before the accident, after which she asks him to leave. As Arc walks up the Lunar Destiny’s gangplank, Sereb asks him where they should go. He replies… “anywhere but here”.

Is the threat to Equestria halted? What are the strange crystals that now adorn Arc? What of General Wind Rider? Will Cherry be able to remember Arc?

Time will tell. Sooner or later… time will tell.