The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 7 - Setting Things Right

Arc and company turn back toward the Lunar Destiny. He takes off his helmet, pulls back his headpiece's respirator and touches his earring.

“Lemon Hearts, do you copy?”

“Right here sir!”

“Tell Stellar Flare that it's safe to come out and take a look at the ship.”

“Yes sir. She and her team are in the middle of looking over Engineering at the moment, but I'll pass on the message.”

“Thank you. Arc out.”

Ember frowns. “I guess there's nothing left to do here.”

Arc shakes his head. “On the contrary. I want to go back into the Pirate Stronghold and take a look around.”

Max looks confused. “What?! But why sir?!”

Arc puts his respirator and helmet back on and mounts Sereb. “I just wanted to see if there were any survivors.”

Ember grits her teeth! “Maybe your forgot, but they wanted to wipe out Panthera!”

“The Storm King wanted to commit genocide. Whether or not his underlings knew about his plans is unknown.”

Sereb nods. “To die in such a horrible manner is something no creature should have to face.”

Max nods. “Shall we come with you sir?”

Arc shakes his head. “No. There might still be toxic gas in there. You boys stay out here and look after the ship.”

“Yes sir!”

Ember frowns. “If you're going in there, I'm coming with you!”

“Fine. Hop on!”

Ember quickly jumps on Sereb's back behind Arc and the pair cautiously approach the base. As they enter and look around, they see no signs of life!

“This is terrible!”

Arc looks over the dead bodies of the pirates. “I'll say! The Storm King was out of his mind!”

The trio walks every path throughout the base but can find no survivors. Sereb growls.

“Even the plants along the path are dead.”

Ember shakes her head. “Why would he install something like that?! What POSSIBLE reason could there have been?!”

Arc turns to her. “Perhaps in case of a mutiny? Or if an enemy force invaded! Either way, I think he just wanted the last laugh, as it were.”

Ember gestures with a claw at the dead bodies! “Well I don't see ANYTHING funny about THIS!”

Sereb nods. “Nor do I.”

“Yeah. Well it doesn't look like anyone survived the wrath of The Storm King.”

Ember sighs. “Should we head back to the ship?”

“Not quite yet. I want to check out the Storm King's office first. We might be able to find something there.”

Sereb walks on. “Such as?”

Arc shrugs. “Like maybe why he was such a douche?”

“Because he was CRAZY?!”

“There has to more to it than that, Ember! I want to know what his endgame was! Was there a more rational reason for doing all of this?! Or was he truly just insane? It won't take long.”

“Fine...”

Arc and company make their way back to the Storm King's office past all his fallen soldiers. Sereb lets out a long sigh.

“Is there no end to this depravity?!”

“We'll send some of our forces here to bury the bodies. As terrible as the Storm King was, his forces don't deserve to just lie here and rot!”

Ember nods solemnly. “Yeah...”

Arriving at the office doors the group makes their way inside.

“Check everything. We don't want to miss any clues!”

Sereb sniffs around the room. “Very well.”

Ember looks over the bookcases! “There's a lot of books over here on military tactics! Maybe he really was trying to conquer the world!”

Arc walks over to the desk and opens the drawers. “Not much to speak of over here. Just your normal desk stuff. Pencils, erasers, white-out.”

He makes his way to the last drawer. Tugging on it, he finds it does not budge!

“Huh, it's stuck.”

Sereb nods. “Or locked.”

“Good! That means there's something of importance in here!”

Arc pulls with all his might to no avail!

“Time to get rough with it!”

He punches the drawer. An alarm klaxon goes off all over the base! Ember facepalms!

“Darn it, Arc!”

“Whoops. At least no one's going to respond to that alarm.”

Arc peeks into the smashed drawer and pulls something out.

“There's just a piece of paper in here.”

Sereb nods. “What does it say?”

“Odd... it just says ‘turn around’.”

Arc and company do so. Looking out the window they see the gas jets again emerging from around the perimeter wall. Ember calmly puts on her mask.

“Yeah... that isn't going to do much to us.”

Suddenly the gas jets begin shooting flames! The nearby buildings are almost immediately incinerated as the temperature quickly rises in the office! Sereb frowns.

“Oh dear.”

Arc tosses the paper aside. “I hate that guy.”

“We've got to get out of here, Arc!

Sereb looks around. “But how? Magic is, more or less, ineffective here.”

Arc thinks. “There's a way out of this. I know it!”

As the temperature of the room quickly reaches dangerous levels and the walls begin to burn through, Ember looks to him!

“Better hurry Arc!”

Ember and Sereb stand back to back with Arc in the center of the room!

“I got nothing! It... it can't end! Not like this... I won't let it... I WON'T LET IT!!!”

Arc levitates as two golden wings emerge from his back! He quickly grabs Ember and Sereb before smashing through the roof of the office! In a few moments they touch down outside the pirate’s base! Ember falls to her knees as Arc lets go of her, coughing!

“That... that was TOO close! Why did you wait so long to do that Arc?!”

Arc flops down on the grass as his wings vanish and rolls over onto his back exhausted!

“I didn’t know I could!”

Sereb rolls around in the grass, sighing contentedly. “Ahhhhhhh...”

Arc's squad runs up to the trio! Max looks down at Arc!

“Is everypony alright?!”

Ember nods weakly. “Thanks to Arc, yes.”

Xenos looks to the base in flames! “What happened?!”

Arc slowly gets up and dusts himself off. “Just a little going away present from the Storm King.”

Sereb nods. “From beyond the grave.”

“He really didn't want anything left behind! Look!”

Ember points a claw! The group turns to see the thick compound walls buckling under the intense heat as the entire base appears to collapse in on itself!

Hugh shakes his head. “Nothing could have survived THAT!”

Viktor nods. “Methinks that is what the Storm King was going for. Scorched earth!”

Ember sighs. “At least we made it out in time!”

Arc helps Ember up. “Yeah.”

The sky is filled with clouds and begins to downpour. Ember chuckles.

“That's convenient!”

Max nods as the group returns to the Lunar Destiny. “It doesn't rain here often, but when it does...”

Arc looks up at the sky. “When it rains it pours... literally in this case.”

“Look on the bright side Arc. The flames can't take a downpour like this for long. Look, they're already dying down.”

Arc looks back to see the fire almost completely extinguished.

“Great.”

They board the ship as Arc turns to his squad.

“Good work out there today. Why don't you boys get dried off?”

The squad salutes Arc and heads to the Living Quarters. Arc turns to Ember and Sereb.

“That goes for us too.”

Sereb shakes himself dry and pelts Arc and Ember with water.

Arc sighs. “Thank you, Sereb. I needed that.”

Ember narrows her eyes. “Yeah...”

“I did not see how either of you could have gotten any wetter.”

Arc sighs. “I guess not. Follow me you two.”

As the group makes their way toward Arc's Cabin, Ember looks down at her armor.

“I could stand to just get out of this suit! It's rather uncomfortable.”

Arc nods. “That's to be expected.”

“Why's that?!”

“You don't traditionally wear clothes.”

“Oh... right.”

Upon arriving back at his room Arc quickly grabs a fresh set of raiments and heads toward his bathroom. He looks over his shoulder at Ember and Sereb.

“There should be some extra towels in the cupboard over there.”

Ember nods as she removes her armor. “Thanks Arc.”

“I won't be long.”

Arc closes the bathroom door and removes his armor. He then carefully removes the chemical suit. Sniffing the cloth, he makes a face!

“I hope Canterlot Castle has a good dry cleaner! This thing is rank!”

He steps into the shower and cleans himself vigorously! Arc scratches at his head as he washes his hair, trying to remove the memories of the day as he mutters to himself!

“Why Storm King?! Why did you kill your own troops?! They were loyal... and you betrayed them!”

Arc is about to bang his fist against the wall in frustration, but stops himself!

“Woah! Let's not put holes in the ship!”

He looks down at the crystal in his chest and observes the ones in his shoulders and wrists.

“What ARE these things really?! And why do I feel so connected to them?!”

Arc rolls his eyes.

“Silly choice of words, I guess.”

He steps out of the shower and dries himself off. After putting on fresh raiments he steps out of the shower to see Ember towel drying Sereb.

“Please Ember. That is not necessary.”

“I don't want you to catch a cold! Just hold still!”

Sereb sighs. “Very well.”

A few moments later Arc walks over to the pair.

“Um, Ember? I think you should stop now.”

Ember continues with her chore as she looks to Arc. “Why?”

“Apparently Equestria hasn't invented fabric softener yet.”

“Fabric what now?”

Arc sighs. “Watch.

He quickly removes the towel from Sereb's back. His hair suddenly stands straight up and outward in all directions like Fluffle Puff! Ember falls backwards in wild hysterics!

“Lookin' good Sereb!”

Sereb frowns. “I doubt that.”

Arc nods. “That's a new look for sure!”

“I do not like this.”

Ember sits up, still laughing! “But you look so adorable like that!”

“Arc, how do I get back to normal?”

“It will dissipate over time. You can stay in here until it does.”

Sereb lies down on the floor. “Thank you. I believe I shall.”

Ember slowly composes herself. “What about us?”

“Let's head to the Bridge and see how the ship took that last blow.”

“Right behind you.”

Arc and Ember make their way to the Bridge. Soarin greets them from the captain’s chair.

“Feeling better sir?”

Arc nods. “A bit. How are things down in Engineering?”

“A few minor repairs had to be made. Other than that, things are looking good down there!”

Ember looks out the window. “And the hull?”

“Captain Tight ship is outside with Chief Engineer Stellar Flare examining the damage as we speak. We should know more soon.”

Queen Fiona approaches Arc with her husband soberly. “Lord Arc, we know you're busy but could we please speak with you?”

“Alright.”

Arc leads the king and queen along with Ember to the Teleporter Pad.

“Meeting Room!”

In a flash the group find themselves in the Meeting Room. The group sits down.

“Now then... what is it you wanted to tell me?”

Queen Fiona sadly removes her crown and gives it to her rather confused looking husband. “I... I just wanted to surrender myself to your custody now.”

The king’s eyes grow wide! “What?!”

“As you now know, I was working with the Storm King all along. I betrayed my husband, my throne, the citizens of Panthera, and... and you and your Kindness to all of us Lord Arc!”

The queen bows her head.

“I would like to accompany you to Canterlot... to stand trial for my crimes against your nation.”

King Felix gasps. "Working with the Storm King!? Fiona, why?!”

“The Storm King promised me he would let our subjects live if I gave him whatever he wanted. I... I had no choice.”

“Why didn't you say something?! I could have helped you, my dear!”

The queen shakes her head. “He warned me not to tell a soul about our meetings or any correspondences with his agents! They weren't all bad, mind you! Some of his troops were very nice! Like his second in command, Grubber. He for one seemed very out of place among the guards!”

Arc sighs. “That matters little. They're all gone now.”

Queen Fiona suddenly look up to Arc, hopeful! “Any sign of Grubber down there?”

“None. But he might have made it out, as I didn't see his body.”

“That's good. He at the very least deserves a second chance!”

The queen looks to Ember.

“If you would be so kind as to escort me to a cell now, I'll come quietly.”

King Felix stands up suddenly and turns to Arc! “NO! You can't take my wife away! I'll never see her again!”

Ember sighs. “What do we do Arc?”

King Felix removes his crown and offers it to Arc! “Please Lord Arc! You can have Panthera! You can have all of Abyssinia! I know you’ll rule with justice and honor! Just please don't take Fiona away from me!”

“You would give me dominion over your country to be with your wife?!”

The king fervently nods! “I know you will lead our land to prosperity and keep its citizens safe! Probably better than we ourselves can.”

The king picks up his wife's crown as well and offers them to Arc!

“Now Lord Arc, please accept my offer! I beg this of you!”

Arc looks at the crowns on the table before him. He slides them back toward their respective owners.

“It's okay. Things turned out alright in the end! The Storm King is gone forever and your subjects have food again! Everything will be okay in time!”

Queen Fiona looks to Arc with a confused look on her face! “But Lord Arc! I must pay for my crimes!”

Ember nods. “She does raise a good point Arc!”

“Well, as Lord Regent of Equestria I'm officially pardoning her for her crimes against us. That is, if the king agrees to do the same.”

King Felix nods happily! “Yes, I do! Thank you Lord Arc, for being so Generous!”

Queen Fiona begins to tear up. “I don't know what to say! It's all just so overwhelming!”

“You will always have a friend here Lord Arc! As King, I hereby declare our two nations as allies!”

Arc stands up and shakes the king's paw. “I'd like that. Thank you.”

The intercom chirps on the table as Lemon Heart’s voice comes over the speaker.

“Lord Arc?”

Arc pushes a button on the intercom. “Yes, go ahead!”

“Chief Engineer Stellar Flare reports that the ship's hull took the blow just as it was designed to! All damage has been repaired and we can take off anytime.”

“Thank you.”

Arc turns off the intercom as Ember looks to him.

“We should get back to Canterlot soon Arc.”

“Agreed. However, there is one last thing I must do before we leave.”

He leads the others back to the Bridge. Soarin announces them!

“Royals on the Bridge!”

Arc walks over to Tight Ship soberly.

“Captain! I want to see the pirate base from the air.”

Tight Ship nods. “Make it happen Thunderlane.”

“You got it!”

The Lunar Destiny is soon airborne! Thunderlane flies over the base as the rain stops. There is nothing left but twisted ruins of the largest buildings.

“Take us a good thousand meters away from the base then turn back to face it.”

Thunderlane nods! “Yes sir!”

Ember turns to him, confused. “Why Arc?”

“You'll see.”

In short order Arc's instructions are carried out. As they look at the wreckage before them, Arc walks over to the main window and stares out at it. He does not turn around as he addresses all assembled.

"Everyone stand."

The crew does so and Arc continues.

“I had hoped to give the pirates a proper burial. But thanks to the Storm King, we can't even do that.”

He looks out the window for a time.

“Another human once wrote something for his wife before his own death. I feel it's fitting right now.”

Arc clears his throat before continuing.

“Death is nothing at all,
You have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever you were to each other, you still are.
Speak of each other in the same easy way you always did.
Laugh, as you always laughed, at the little jokes you enjoyed together.
Spoken without the shadow of a ghost in it.
Life means all it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
Death is inevitable, so why should you be out of mind because you are out of sight?
You are but waiting for us, - for an interval very near.
Nothing is past or lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before,
Only better and happier.
You will be together forever.
All is well.”

There is a moment of silence on the Bridge.

“Captain… hold the ship here.”

Arc suddenly Blinks down to stand before the ruins of the Pirate Base.

“Ashes to ashes... dust to dust.”

Arc slowly kneels down and puts his hand on the ground. A strange sigil forms and the ground begins to shake! A moment later the Marquis bursts forth with a bestial roar! He extends a tendril as Arc jumps down into it!

“ARC! IS THERE TROUBLE?!”

“Marquis... I need you to destabilize the ground under this base so it sinks into the ground. There's no one left alive in it.”

“VERY WELL, MY FRIEND!”

The Marquis quickly burrows underground! A short time later the base begins to sink into the soft ground! Soon there is nothing left of it. Arc watches from a distance, respectfully.

“Farewell. May you all find peace in the next life.”

The Marquis emerges and stands next to Arc.

“IT IS DONE MY FRIEND!”

“Thank you, Marquis. Thank you for giving them at least some semblance of a burial. Can I take you home?”

“THAT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY! SIMPLY CAST YOUR SIGIL BACKWARDS TO RETURN ME HOME! AFTER ALL, IT IS NEARLY TIME TO ‘STAY AWHILE AND LISTEN’!”

Arc kneels down and does as he is told. As he forms the sigil, he looks up at his friend!

“Next time we should have more time to talk, Marquis.”

“I LOOK FORWARD TO IT, MY FRIEND! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!”

The Marquis vanishes from sight as he returns home. Arc turns back to the ship.

“You too, my friend.”

Arc Blinks back up to the Bridge. Ember walks quickly over to him!

“Was that the Marquis?!”

He nods. “Yes. It was the best way I could think of to bury the dead.”

Arc turns to Tight Ship.

“Let's get back to Panthera. There's nothing else to do here.”

Tight Ship nods and turns to his helmsman. “Onward to Panthera, Thunderlane!”

“Aye sir!”

In short order the ship returns to its previous spot outside the city. Arc turns to the captain.

“Keep the ship ready, Tight Ship. We'll be leaving very soon.”

“Yes sir!”

Arc leads the king and queen down the corridor. Ember and Sereb follow closely behind them.

“I'll walk you back to the base camp outside. But before I leave I have to say one more thank you to someone."

The group makes their way to medical tent. They soon spot Belle lying in bed holding her daughter.

“It's over, Belle. The Storm King will never trouble Abyssinia again.”

Belle looks nervous. “Are you sure?!”

Ember nods. “Yup! He's pushing up daisies as we speak! As is his crew!”

She breathes a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Lord Arc! You've given this land a second chance at life... like you did for my daughter here!”

The tiny kitten sleeps peacefully in her mother's paws with a small smile on her face.

“I just wish her father could be here today. He was lost to that terrible gas during the attack by the pirates."

The king solemnly nods. “I'm sorry to hear that miss.”

“He died protecting the ones he loved! We'll miss him, but we have to carry on.”

Queen Fiona looks to the kitten. “Your daughter looks a bit stronger today.”

Belle nods. “Yes! I'm told she should be up to a healthy weight in a month or so! She's going to be okay!”

Sereb smiles. “That is wonderful news.”

“Yes. I'm glad to hear things are looking up for you two. Thank you, Belle.”

Belle looks to Arc, confused. “Oh? What for?”

“If not for your bravery in telling me what was going in Panthera, I might not have been able to help.”

Arc reaches down and gently pets the kitten in Belle's paws.

“And this one would have been lost to you forever!”

She smiles! “Yes... thank you for everything!”

“You're welcome. Well, we need to be getting back to Equestria. Do you think your own staff can handle things here, your majesties?”

Queen Fiona nods! “Yes. Thanks to the supplies your brought, our own doctors and nurses should be able to treat everyone!”

King Felix smiles! “We'll be fine here Lord Arc! I'm sure Equestria has need of you now. Don't worry about us!”

Arc turns to Ember and Sereb. “Alright. Let's go you two.”

Ember nods! “Right behind you!”

Sereb nods. Arc stops and turns back to look at mother and child.

“Belle! I just realized something! I never even asked you what your daughter's name is!”

She looks down at the sleeping kitten in her paws and smiles. “Her name is... Hope.”

Comments

[GleamingKyler111]

King Felix shakes his head. “Working with the Storm King!? Fiona, why?!”

“Everyone stands.”

“I'll walk you back to the base camp outside. But before I leave, I have to say one more thank you to someone.”

(No errors in this comment after this point.)

She looks down at the sleeping kitten in her paws and smiles. “Her name is... Hope.”

Awwww...

[Kamahido]

11348940
Fixed.