The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 16 - Identity Crisis

Arc and Xenos walk in the back door together. Ember and the others are waiting for them in the kitchen. She rushes over to him with Rose.

“Are you okay?!”

Arc nods as he recalls his armor. “Yes, Ember. But what about you?”

Ember leads him into the Living Room with Rose’s help. “I’m fine!”

Sereb shakes his head. “You are now.”

Max nods. “Ember was kinda… uh… punchy earlier.”

Rose looks him over as she sits down beside. “My scanners don’t show any lasting damage though.”

Ember glares at Arc as she plants herself on the other side of him. “Start talking! Did you finish off that witch?!”

“Um… that got complicated.”

Rose frowns. “Ember told us the woman from the Shard Base was there! The one with magic!”

“Y-yeah.”

Hugh looks nervous. “How did you escape, sir?!”

Max grins. “I bet he outsmarted her.”

Xenos chuckles. “He probably just punched her in the face.”

Viktor nods. “Do tell, sir.”

Ember’s eye twitches. “Yes… NOW!!!”

“Okay. Here’s how it happened…”

Arc recounts the story of his adventure with Mio. Max raises an eyebrow.

“You just left her there, sir?”

“She called the Shards for pickup. I’m sure they’ve gotten her by now.”

Rose nods. “Are you certain she was okay?”

“Considering what happened I’m surprised either of us made it out of there. But what about you, Ember?”

“What about me?!”

“Mio really did a number on you back there. You okay?”

“I think I hit my head. Last thing I remember is these guys pulling me out.”

Xenos looks away. “Yes sir. Ember… fainted.”

“Really?”

Sereb grins. “Something like that.”

“I felt better when I woke up.”

Rose looks Ember over. “There appears to be no permanent damage.”

“Good. I was worried some of that debris hit you, Ember. When it gets light we should head back over there and check that place out again.”

Max sighs. “That might be a problem, sir.”

“How so?”

Ember nods. “The factory is toast!”

“WHAT?! You mean the whole thing collapsed?!”

Rose shakes her head. “It was on fire when we showed up.”

Arc appears confused. “Define ‘on fire’.”

Xenos frowns. “Fully involved barbeque.”

Max sights. “You should be more careful with that fire magic, sir.”

Ember glares at Max. “Arc didn’t do that! I’m sure of it!”

“Yeah. Mio shut off my magic pretty much as soon as she saw me.”

Max appears confused. “So she set the fire?!”

“Maybe not. When that crane thing came down it might have sparked something. Anything on the police scanner about that?”

Hugh nods. “When we came back there were calls going back and forth. Sounded pretty bad.”

“No one hurt though, right?”

Viktor shakes his head and looks relieved. “Nothing we overheard, no.”

“Good! I was afraid her bodyguards didn’t make it out.”

Ember shudders. “Yeah. Those guys were big though!”

“Agreed. Where they found members like that is beyond me.”

Sereb clears his throat. “Getting back to the matter at paw. Were you able to find anything?”

Ember shakes her head. “It all happened so fast. As soon as I saw Mio, I just kinda reacted. Didn’t even think about the guys we were following.”

“I heard them run out as you charged, Ember.”

“Why didn’t you go after them then?!”

“And leave you against those bodyguards AND Mio?! No way!”

Max nods. “Did you at least get a glimpse of what they had?”

Ember shrugs. “Boxes of something or other. Couldn’t tell.”

Rose puts a finger to her chin thoughtfully. “What about the factory itself? Was it just a meeting point, or were they building something?”

“That equipment did look like it had seen some use recently. Ember?”

“Yeah. And some of the supplies in there were fresh.”

Xenos frowns. “Any idea what?”

Arc shrugs. “Well, it was a machine shop back in the day. Although I still can’t imagine what they could have been up to in a place like that.”

Viktor chuckles. “Maybe some of them like tinkering?”

Ember rolls her eyes. “Maybe. But I doubt they’d be so secretive about something as mundane as THAT!”

Hugh nods. “Nor would they send someone like Mio out there in the middle of the night.”

Arc sighs. “Yeah. Well it looks like my end of the mission was a failure. You guys do any better?”

Rose smiles. “We did.”

Max nods. “Those Shards were delivering a briefcase to Hammer at the warehouse.”

Hugh gives Arc a thumbs up. “We got it though.”

“Good. At least tonight wasn’t a total loss. Why don’t we all get some sleep and take a look at it in the morning?”

Ember puts an arm around his shoulders. “That’s probably for the best. After what happened, you need rest Arc.”

“Yeah. I think I need a shower before bed though. That cave adventure was one of the dirtier times I’ve had.”

Viktor chuckles as he looks Arc up and down. “Agreed, sir.”

Hugh looks down at the floor. “We’ll clean up the mess.”

“Mess?”

Arc stands up to see a pile of dust around his seat. He yawns.

“Do it tomorrow. It’s been a long day for all of us.”

His squad nods as they head for the basement. Arc turns to Rose.

“Thanks for keeping my friends safe.”

“It was my pleasure. They’re all really nice.”

Ember turns to the android. “To be honest with you, I didn’t think you’d want to be away from Arc!”

“Oh… I, um…”

Arc sighs. “I had Rose’s directives removed.”

Ember looks confused. “Is that like an operation of some kind?”

“No. Well, kinda.”

Rose sighs. “Arc released me from mother’s original programing.”

Arc nods. “Rose is free to come and go as she pleases. That and she’s not forced to be in love with me anymore.”

“Oh. Um… why are you still here then, Rose?”

“EMBER!”

Ember frowns. “I didn’t mean it like that! Just that I figured she would be anxious to be on her own. Do her own thing.”

Rose sighs. “Admittedly that has occurred to me. But it’s a big world out there, and I’m not ready.”

“Rose is welcome here as long as she likes.”

“Thank you. But you really need some rest, Arc.”

He yawns. “Agreed. Good night you two. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Arc heads upstairs. Ember turns to Rose with an apologetic look on her face.

“Sorry. That sounded really rude of me back there.”

“It’s okay.”

“I don’t want you to think I want you to leave or anything!”

“Thank you. But I think there’s something you need to be doing right now.”

Meanwhile, Arc walks to his room, grabs clean clothes, and heads for the Bathroom to get cleaned up. He lets out a contented sigh as the dust of the day flows down the drain.

“Ahhhhhhh… that’s much better!”

He stands there silently and thinks for a time.

“Mio. What were you doing there? And why are you helping the Shards?”

Arc shakes his head as he steps out of the shower and dries off.

“This doesn’t make any sense! She said Frank was okay and all. But can I really trust what Mio says?”

Sighing, he towels off and dresses before heading for his parents old room. Opening the door he spots Ember hiding under the covers.

“I got your bed all nice and warm for you.”

Arc nods as he closes the door behind him. “Somehow I knew you’d be here, Ember.”

“Am I that predictable?”

As he sits down on the side of the bed. “Kinda. But that’s probably because I’ve known you for so long.”

Ember smiles at him. “And I know when you need me too.”

“I guess. Um… you are wearing clothes under there. Right?”

She pulls back the covers to reveal shorts and a tank top.

“Is this enough?”

Arc nods as he lies down next to her. “Yeah. I was kinda worried you’d be… um… you know…”

“Bare?”

“Right.”

“Believe me, I’d love to be! But I know that’d just make you uncomfortable.”

Arc nods. “That’s not the only reason you’re in here, is it?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yup.”

“While you were in the shower, Rose told me about what happened during your last visit to the Griffon Empire.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.”

Arc sighs. “I don’t remember large portions of that particular trip.”

“Rose talked about how she comforted you and kept you sane while you were poisoned by sleeping with you.”

Arc blushes. “I… vaguely remember that part.”

Ember wraps her arms around him. “Truth be told, I just want to do the same.”

“Thanks, Ember.”

She looks up at him with a sly smile. “There is one thing I’d like to know though.”

“Hm?”

“Did you have sex with her?”

Arc blushes and looks away. “I… I don’t think so.”

Ember grins. “She said you didn’t. But I just wanted to see how you’d react. So why didn’t you?”

Arc sighs. “Probably because part of me knew she was just acting on her programing.”

“But now she’s free of that?”

“Yes.”

“So if she were to want to… would you?”

Arc shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“Really?”

Arc nods sheepishly. “Yes. I mean, we’d have to really get to know each other first, but…”

Cherry giggles. “That’s surprising! Even to me!”

Ember quickly draws back at the sound of Cherry’s voice. “S-sorry!”

“You’re fine, Ember. So you like Rose then, Arc?”

“I… she just reminds me so much of you, Cherry. Sorry…”

“Don’t be! If you want some alone time with her, just let me know.”

Ember grins. “It’s fine with me as well. Just… don’t neglect me in the bedroom. I’ll even join you two if you want!”

Arc’s jaw drops. “I… wow. That came out of nowhere.”

Ember puts a hand on the side of his face as she smiles. “What’s the problem? I told you I’d be willing to share.”

“We’re not doing that, Ember!”

“Why not?!”

“Because… we’re just not, okay.”

Ember grins. “What if Rose wanted to?”

Cherry sighs. “Ember, stop.”

“Yeah.”

Ember shakes her head. “I just don’t understand you sometimes, Arc. You have the Dragon Lord’s daughter AND another female companion willing to do whatever you want. And YOU’RE not doing ANYTHING!”

“You know why, Ember.”

Cherry sighs. “Arc is free to sleep with whomever he desires. Just please don’t push him to do what he doesn’t want, Ember.”

“I… I’m sorry. It’s just, I really care about you, Arc. Like no one I’ve even met before!”

She snuggles up closer and presses her body against his.

“Any other dragon would have just taken what she wanted by now.”

“But not you?”

“No. I’ve learned that love is more than just sexual attraction and physical desires. It’s a mutual bond that’s so much more than I ever imagined it could be!”

Arc looks at her surprised. “Really? Then why do you always want to…?”

Ember moves in close to his ear and whispers. “I still want what I want, Arc. If you want to give it to me, I’m ready for you… anytime.”

“Um… thanks?”

Ember closes her eyes. “Good night.”

Arc and Ember fall asleep together. Meanwhile Rose and Sereb head up her room. He closes the door behind them and turns to her.

“What is it you wanted to speak to me about?”

Rose sits down on the bed. “I… I just wanted to ask you something.”

Sereb nods as he jumps up onto the bed next to her “Ask and I will try to answer.”

“Your purpose in life is to serve Arc. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“We share a Life Pact.”

“So it’s like your programing?”

“One might say that.”

“Do you ever feel… sad, or anything by that?”

“No.”

“Can you elaborate?”

“It is one of the greatest honors of my tribe. To be chosen by a great warrior and fight by their side. Arc is Equestria’s greatest of heroes. I couldn’t ask for a more worthy partner.”

“Do you ever… wonder how things could have been different for you?”

“In what way?”

“Like if you never met Arc.”

“I would still be living in my village for starters.”

“Would that be a bad thing?”

“At that time I was the weakest. Now, thanks to Arc’s guidance, I am the strongest. That would not have happened had I not met and traveled with him.”

“I see.”

“Tell me, why ask such things of me?”

“Ever since Arc ordered the deletion of my directives, I’ve been having certain thoughts about a great number of subjects.”

“As Arc would say, do you wish to speak to me about it?”

Rose sighs. “I now question EVERYTHING! Who I am, my future plans, whether or not I should even still exist!”

Sereb puts a paw on her hand. “You will always have a place with Arc.”

“But should I?! I was built to look like Miss Cherry! But I’m NOT her! I never was, and I never will be!”

“He accepts you…”

“Well, he shouldn’t!”

They are silent for a time.

“You feel as though you lack identity.”

“Y-yes.”

“Then be whom YOU want to be. Doesn’t being free of your directives mean you don’t have to hold to the predetermined notions programed into you?”

“I suppose so. But I don’t have an identity to return to!”

“Then make one for yourself.”

“How?!”

“Develop your own personality. Your own likes and dislikes. Learn, adapt, and overcome.”

“Where do I start?”

“You’ll have to figure that one out for yourself.”

“Let me change the question then. If you were in my position, what would you do?”

Sereb thinks for a moment.

“I would first learn whom I could trust. Then I’d stay by their side as long as possible.”

“What?! But why?”

“You are a pup, Rose. A whelp in the body of an adult.”

“I’ve been programed with…”

Sereb shakes his head as he interrupts her. “Programing is not a substitute for experience, little one. Stay here with Arc and the others while you discover who you truly are. When you are ready to take your place in this land, or in Equestria should that be your destiny, Arc will see you off with a smile.”

“Off?!”

“That is assuming your place is elsewhere.”

“And if it’s here?”

“Then it is here. The others will understand and support you. Of this I am certain.”

Rose sighs. “It looks like I have a lot to think about. Thank you for the talk, Sereb.”

“You are welcome. Arc gave me my purpose in life. If I can help you do the same, I’ll be happy to do so. Do you need some time alone?”

Rose nods. “I do.”

Sereb stands up and hops off the bed toward the door. “Very well. If you will open the door I will depart.”

Rose stands and does so. Sereb walks out into the hallway. He turns to look at her.

“You don’t have to worry. There’s a place for everyone somewhere it seems. Each of us has our own path to follow.”

Rose nods and closes the door. Sighing she turns and sits down on the bed again.

“But… how will I know which path is right?”

Comments

[Booster Spice]

Someone really didnt want that site investigating. Pity noone had a chemical scanner or a handy drop of water nearby to grab a video frame with teh emmision spectrua, rainbow in it. Then again, finding a totally new element through its light is a once in a lifetime thing?

[Kamahido]

10310936
Indeed. While the fire was completely accidental, one must still ask the question... what the heck are the Shards really up to?

[Theresa]

She will know when she finds it because she would be unhappy not doing it.