The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 11- Bad Timing

Arc, Sereb and Ember sit with Rose as she rests. Ember turn to Arc.

“How long do you think she’ll be like this?”

“Hard to say. But last time it just took a good night’s sleep.”

“That’ll take hours!”

Arc nods. “Yes, I know.”

Sereb sighs. “There are no shortcuts to some aspects of life, I’m afraid.”

Arc looks down at Rose’s unconscious form and put a hand on her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Rose.”

Ember frowns. “Where do you suppose she’s been?”

“Not a clue. But… it’s still my fault she’s like this. If I hadn’t spoken to her the way I did…”

“Don’t blame yourself, Arc. Everyone makes mistakes.”

“Yeah. But mine just got Rose…”

Sereb sniffs the air and growls. “We are not alone here.”

A familiar voice calls out.

“She’ll be just fine.”

They turn to see Wiseman sitting in a chair across the room. Arc approaches him.

“Wiseman! What happened to Rose?!”

He stands up and walks over to them. “Nothing really. She just pushed herself a little too far.”

Ember frowns. “What does that mean?!”

“She’ll explain when she wakes up.”

Arc narrows his eyes. “I’m assuming you didn’t come here just to tell us that.”

“That is correct. Truth be told I have another bit of advice for you.”

Sereb frowns. “Be still my beating heart.”

Ember rolls her eyes. “Great. Does it look like we have time for…?”

“This you will MAKE time for!”

Arc folds his arms over his chest. “I’ll be the judge of that. What’s the message?”

“The Shards have a factory producing something that they should not possess.”

Ember’s eyes grow wide. “WHAT?!”

Arc chuckles. “I hate to break this to you Wiseman, but the Shard’s factory burned to the ground during my recent battle with Mio.”

“The one I’m referring to is underground.”

Ember looks confused. “Under that factory?”

“No. This one is their main facility in an abandoned mine.”

Arc thinks for a moment. “There aren’t any mines around here that I’m aware of. Are you sure?”

Wiseman chuckles as Arc removes a map from his ring. “Yes, the mine is quite old. I doubt you’d find it on any modern maps.”

Arc sighs. “Of course. Well, are you going to tell me where it is?”

Wiseman steps toward Arc. “I can, yes. May I see your map please?”

Arc sets the map down on the nearby end table. Wiseman points a gloved finger at a point.

“The only remaining mine entrance can be found here.”

Ember looks over Arc’s shoulder. “That’s pretty close to the Shard Base!”

Sereb turns to Wiseman. “Quite the coincidence.”

“I knew you’d say that, Sereb. This is yet another situation that could either end well, or very badly.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “Another?”

“The apartment building, the abandoned hospital and its recent explosion along with the pizzeria incident.”

Arc frowns. “How did those things end well?!”

Wiseman counts on his fingers as he speaks. “The apartment building had only one fatality. Your friend’s pizzeria saw only slight property damage and no loss of life. That battle at the hospital only saw The Rider’s and Rose injured. And the hospital explosion did not occur until everyone inside had been given time to escape.”

Ember gasps. “Escape? There where Riders in there?!”

Wiseman chuckles. “A couple eager reporters.”

Arc’s neck snaps over to Ember. “Minerva and her cameraman!”

“Maybe that’s why they haven’t been at the station!”

Wiseman chuckles. “Have no fear. She was able to get out in plenty of time along with her… partner.”

Arc looks relieved. “Good! I’m glad she doesn’t know about this mine though.”

Wiseman shrugs. “She does.”

Ember glares at him. “WHAT? WHO TOLD HER?!”

“I did. Just like I told her about the apartment fire, your scuffle at Roberto’s Pizza, and your altercation with The Riders at the abandoned hospital.”

Arc narrows his eyes. “Why did you…?!”

“Are you certain now is the best time for questions? After all, Minerva is already at the mine.”

Ember calls forth her armor. “Then we need to get there NOW!”

Sereb growls as he returns to his true form. “That we do!”

Arc touches his ring and calls forth Eidolon’s Ward along with his mask. “Agreed! Minerva’s going to need help!”

Wiseman nods. “I believe I can assist you with that.”

Ember glares at him. “Haven’t you done enough?!”

Arc frowns. “Yeah! We’ll take it from here!”

Wiseman sighs. “As it stands, I don’t think you’ll be able to find the mine in time to help your friend.”

Ember groans. “Then what do you suggest we do?! Call the guards?!”

Arc shakes his head. “They’ll never find the place! And that’s if they believe us!”

Wiseman turns to Arc. “I can take you there now if you’d like.”

“HOW?!”

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Ember. Or should I just call you Dragon?”

Arc sighs. “Fine. Let’s go.”

“Very well.”

Wiseman raises a hand. The world around them flashes white. In the blink of an eye Arc, Sereb and Ember find themselves outside the abandoned mine. Ember looks around.

“Wiseman?! Where are you?!”

Arc sighs. “As usual, he’s not around.”

“I REALLY hate that guy!”

Arc nods. “Agreed. But let’s get inside. We can talk about Wiseman after we figure this mess out.”

Ember sighs as they head for the mine entrance. “Fine! But the next time we see that guy…!”

Arc touches his earring. “Arc to Viktor. Come in.”

“Viktor here. Do you want us to start making lunch now sir?”

“Forget lunch. Ember and I are heading into an abandoned mine.”

Viktor nearly falls out of his seat. “WHAT?!”

He quickly turns to the others.

“Red alert! Comms!”

They drop what they’re doing and hurry to their stations. Max puts on his headphones.

“Sir! How can we…?!”

“Not much. I’m assuming we’re going to lose you when we go too deep.”

Xenos frowns. “Shall we drive out there and help?!”

“No time. Can my camera’s record video by themselves?”

Hugh nods. “Yes! But if won’t be the best clarity.”

“I’ll take that over nothing. Start recording, Viktor.”

“Yes sir.”

He presses a few button on the keyboard before him.

“Done. As soon as we lose the signal your cameras will begin recording on your end. I’ll download that data as soon as you get back.”

Arc nods as they arrive at the elevator. “Good! We’ll lose you momentarily.”

Xenos looks at his screen. “Woah! That is one big hole!”

Hugh nods. “Deep too!”

Max sighs. “I wish Rose was here to analyze this.”

Ember nods. “She’s upstairs resting at the moment.”

Viktor gasps. “Is she alright?!”

Arc nods. “Yes. A bit of sleep and she’ll be good as new… I think. But we’ve got to get moving now.”

Max sounds nervous. “Be careful, sir!”

“I will. Arc out.”

Arc touches his earring and looks down the shaft. He quickly casts a Light Spell as Ember peeks over the edge.

“I can’t see the bottom. How about you, Sereb?”

“Nothing. How far down do you suppose…?”

Ember shrugs. “It doesn’t really matter how far it is since we can’t get down there!”

Arc looks over to some machinery nearby. “My guess is there was supposed to be an elevator here.”

“Where is it?”

Arc points down the hole. “Someone took it down already.”

Ember turns to Arc. “Think it was Minerva?”

“I hope not, but probably yes.”

Sereb frowns. “How do we get down then?”

“I think I know a way, but it’s kinda risky.”

Ember turns to him. “Even you can’t Blink THAT far, Arc!”

“Probably could if the bottom was in sight.”

Sereb shakes his head. “The light is too low for that though.”

Arc climbs on Sereb’s back and extends a hand. “Right. Let’s go, Ember.”

She takes Arc’s hand and hops up into the saddle behind him.

“What’s the plan?”

“Sereb… jump.”

Sereb turns around. “I beg your pardon?”

“Trust me.”

Ember frowns. “I don’t like this plan!”

Arc nods. “Neither do I. But we don’t have time to think of something else right now.”

Sereb sighs. “Very well.”

Ember puts her arms around Arc and clings to him.

“I’m with you to the end, Arc. But I kinda hoped the end wouldn’t come so soon!”

Arc nods as they approach the edge. “Trust me, Ember.”

Ember nods as Sereb turns to look at Arc.

“Go ahead.”

Sereb jumps down the shaft. Arc holds onto the saddle’s handle with one gauntlet and raises the other. Their descent slows to a more manageable rate. Ember opens her eyes.

“What the…? Are we flying?!”

Arc shakes his head. “No. I’m just using my magic to pick Sereb up.”

Sereb chuckles. “And you as well. Indirectly.”

“Right.”

A short time later they touch down on the lift at the bottom of the shaft. Ember gasps.

“Look!”

She points down the tunnel at a light some distance away.

“That’s a good place to start. Let’s go, Sereb.”

Sereb silently begins walking toward the light. Ember looks around.

“These wall supports look positively ancient!”

Sereb nods. “It would appear Wiseman was right about the age of the mine.”

Arc sighs. “I’ll have to take your word on that.”

Ember turns to him confused. “Which part?”

“The part about the supports.”

Sereb looks over his shoulder to Arc. “Can you not see them?”

Arc shakes his head. “Nope. No True Sight enchantment without my helmet.”

“That’s right!”

Ember removes her helmet and passes it to Arc.

“Wear mine. I can see in the dark alright without it.”

Arc pushes her hand away gently. “True. But then everyone can see who you are.”

“So?!”

“That and your head is much softer as a human.”

Ember frowns. “As is yours!”

“I’ll be fine. Just keep your helmet on, Ember.”

“But…!”

Sereb interrupts her. “Ember.”

Ember frowns and does as she is told

“Fine.”

The trio continue on their way. Reaching the light they poke their heads around the corner. Ember frowns.

“What a setup!”

Sereb growls. “This is more than the other factory ever had.”

Arc nods. “Agreed. They’ve really streamlined production here. I just wish we could get a sample of what’s in those syringes and vials.”

Ember turns to Arc. “I can try. Give me a cloak.”

Arc shakes his head. “Wouldn’t work. Look.”

He points to a corner of the room. Stingray, Hammer, and Mio are looking out over the process floor. Sereb grimaces.

“Mio would see right through your cloak, Ember.”

“I’ll take that chance!”

“No, you won’t. We need a better plan to take this place down.”

Sereb looks confused. “Take it down?”

Ember nods. “We can’t let production continue, Sereb.”

“Right. But all three lieutenants AND what has to be every Shard member would be a bit much for us.”

Ember frowns. “Fine.”

Arc sighs. “Well, at least Minerva didn’t show up.”

Sereb sniffs the air. “She’s here.”

“What? Where?!”

Sereb looks around. “I don’t see her. But her scent is certainly in the air.”

Arc frowns. “Great. No we REALLY have to be careful!”

“Wait! What are they doing over there?”

Arc and company watch as Stingray, Hammer, and Mio step onto a platform nearby together and vanish from sight. Arc grins.

“That’s a break. Now we should be able to sneak around undetected.”

He is about to pull out the magic robes from his ring when a whistle blows and the machines stop. Sereb turns to Arc.

“Do you think they’ve spotted us?”

“No. That sounds more like a quitting time signal.”

Ember grins. “This mission just keeps getting easier.”

The Shards walk toward a small platform and look up as someone walks out toward them. Ember gasps.

“Is that…?!”

Arc frowns. “Yup. Diva.”

Sereb growls. “Good thing we didn’t head out there.”

Ember nods. “I’m with you, Sereb.”

“Let’s listen in.”

As the Shards leave the immediate area Arc and company advance quietly. They hide behind a large machine as Diva begins to speak.

“Good job, everyone. We now have enough product to start the next phase of our plan.”

Snake cautiously steps forward. “Uh… begging your pardon, but what IS the next phase?”

“I’m glad you asked. But first, aren’t all of you a bit curious as to what exactly you’ve been making?”

Jackal grins as he walks over with a sack over his shoulder. “Yeah! We been working hard! What for?”

The rest of the Shards look to one another and nod. Diva smiles at them.

“Let me put together the pieces of the puzzle for you. You see this substance, when administered properly, can unlock a person’s latent abilities.”

Wolf’s eyes grow wide. “You mean… like magic, or something?!”

“Not exactly. It would certainly make a mage such as Mio more powerful. But only if one already possessed the gift of magic. With this concoction, we can make the world a better and much more fair place!”

The Shards cheer as Diva turns and motions to someone. A moment later two Shard members step forward dragging two people who are bound and gagged.

Ember grimaces. “Is that…?!”

Sereb growls. “Minerva Moore and her cameraman.”

“These two spies represent that which we are trying desperately to overcome.”

Diva kneels down and grabs Minerva by her hair to force her to look at the crowd.

“This harpy would expose us and our plans to the world if given half a chance! And for who, for WHAT?! A little payment and praise from her superiors!”

Diva slaps Minerva hard enough to knock her over and onto her back. Sereb winces.

“That looked painful.”

Ember turns to Arc as Diva stands over the woman and spits on her. “Aren’t we going to DO something?!”

“We will eventually.”

Sereb frowns. “What are we waiting for?”

“Diva to, hopefully, spill the beans on their plans. Don’t worry, we’ll step in if they get too rough for either of them.”

Diva puts her foot on Dave’s head.” This one who follows his little friend into the unknown is not much better.”

She rears back and kicks Dave in the stomach, knocking the air from him. Diva shakes her head as the Shards laugh.

“Pitiful.”

Diva turns her attention back to Minerva. She grabs the young woman by the front of her blouse, picks her up, and roughly slams her against a nearby machine as she pulls off her gag.

“So tell me. What did you expect to find here?”

Minerva looks to her assailant. “I… I just wanted a story!”

“Who squealed?

“S-squealed?”

Diva slaps Minerva again and allows her fall back to the floor. “YES! There’s no way you could’ve found us unless someone led you here! Who was it?!”

“I… I… I don’t know!”

Diva frowns. “You come knowingly into mortal danger, and you DON’T KNOW WHO TALKED?!”

“It’s the truth! We got a tip!”

“Anonymously, huh?”

Minerva nods fervently. “YES!”

Diva pulls her hand back to slap her victim again. Minerva squeezes her eyes shut, but Diva stops.

“I see. You really don’t know the identity of your tipster.”

Minerva breathes a sigh of relief. “That’s right!”

Diva nods. “I suppose you can’t help but be ignorant.”

“Please let us go! My partner and I just wanted to discover the truth! It’s our job, after all!”

“Very well, worm.”

Minerva sounds hopeful. “You… you mean it?!”

Diva kneels down and puts her hand under Minerva’s chin. “Of course. You were just doing your job, after all. Right?”

“R-right! I’m sorry about all this! Feel free to keep our camera and its contents!”

Diva uses her magic to pull what’s left of the camera to herself. “Oh, I’m taking it all right. But that’s not all I’m taking.”

Minerva draws back fearfully. “What?! But, we… we don’t have anything else to give!”

Diva grins wickedly. “Yes, you do. Your life.”

Comments

[Booster Spice]

I wonder just how combustible most of the componants of that production facility is, starting with the teleporter?

[Kamahido]

10459950
They're not getting out via the teleporter. That wouldn't end well, as they would just end up wherever the other side leads. It's safe to assume that doing so would be a prime example of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

[Booster Spice]

10460859

I was hoping setting fire to the teleporter would cause it to malfunction in such a way as to cause their displeasure to be violently demonstrated on the reciving end, without them having to actually head there?

Then once above ground, look for the large blaze?

[Kamahido]

10460957
Sounds like you've thought this through. I'd also like to point out Diva's apparent infatuation with explosives. First she tried to blow up Minerva along with the abandoned hospital. Now she's trying to blow her, and everyone else, up yet again. One wonders how many times she can attempt such a thing before finding success.

But in any case, you'll have your answer tomorrow when I post the VOLUME FINALE - Chapter 12 - Deception and Lies.