The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

VOLUME FINALE - Chapter 11 - Camping... and More

A portal opens in the small clearing. Arc and company step out as Max, Hugh, and Xenos walk over.

“Welcome to our base of operations, sir.”

“Have a nice trip?”

Arc looks behind him as the portal closes. “It was certainly quick.”

Hugh joins them. “Hey there, Dinky!”

“Hi everypony!”

“That’s ‘everyone’, sweetheart. Remember?”

“Opps. Sorry, dad.”

“It’s fine.”

Max turns to Auriel. “Welcome to Earth.”

“Thank you.”

Xenos looks nervous. “Sorry about… you know.”

“It’s okay.”

Sereb shakes his head as Max speaks.

“I didn’t really believe it when Xenos told us what happened. But now that I’ve actually seen her, I understand how they could have mistaken you for Diva.”

Hugh nods. “The resemblance really is striking.”

Arc clears his throat. “In any case, where’s Rose?”

Xenos points to the beach. “She’s in the bushes.”

Auriel appears confused. “Oh?”

Max nods and lowers his voice. “She doesn’t want to be seen.”

Arc shrugs. “While I don’t think the base is actively watching for anything way over here, that’s not a bad idea. Any transports come by lately?”

Max nods. “One a day, sir.”

Xenos sighs. “But they seem to come at random times.”

Hugh looks in the direction of the beach. “Rose is trying to nail down some kind of pattern so we can do something with that knowledge.”

Arc grins. “Good. I’ll go check in with her.”

Max turns to him. “Are you planning on staying awhile, sir?”

“A day or so. Why?”

“I just didn’t see you bring any gear.”

Hugh chuckles. “It’s probably stored in his ring.”

“Well… yes and no.”

Pulling something from his ring, Arc sets it on the ground. He casts the Matter Compacting counter spell on it. A few moments later his Jeep returns to normal size.

“There we go. I brought another tent, sleeping bags, food, and bug spray.”

Xenos grins. “We’ll get your tent set up while you’re gone, sir.”

“Thanks, but I’ll do that in a few minutes. You want to come with me, Dinky?”

“Sure!”

Running toward her father she takes his hand and the pair walk toward the beach. Max turns to Auriel.

“So how are you liking Earth?”

“Well, it’s certainly a change from both Tartarus and Equestria.”

Hugh looks hopeful “That’s a good thing, right?”

“Kinda. I’m seeing similarities and difference between the cultures.”

Xenos appears confused. “Like what?”

“Shops, entertainment, vehicular transport, relationships… they all exist in both worlds. However on Earth they’re much larger and more intense.”

Max raises an eyebrow. “I’m a little confused. Relationships are bigger here?”

“Perhaps that’s not the proper word for it. How about… faster?”

Hugh frowns. “Are you sure you’re not talking about vehicles?”

“Yes.”

Xenos thinks for a moment before speaking. “Can you give us an example?”

“Well, I’m told that a woman named Hammer is a very bad human, and that Arc has faced her in combat several times as the Hero of Light.”

Max nods. “That’s true.”

“He’s been able to move past that.”

Hugh appears confused. “Oh? How do you know that?”

“Arc took her on a very nice date last night.”

Xenos stares at her in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what?”

“Arc and Hammer went on a date.”

Max sighs. “That word must mean something different to you, Auriel.”

Sereb chuckles. “What she says is indeed true.”

Auriel nods. “He met her at the mall the other day. They talked and she gave him her phone number.”

Sereb nods. “Arc put on his suit and took Hammer out for pizza. However…”

Xenos fumes. “What?!”

Max pulls out his radio. “I’ll call Viktor. See what really happened.”

Pressing a few buttons Max speaks into the receiver.

“Base camp to Viktor.”

“Viktor here.”

“Did the commander go anywhere last night?”

“Yes, he went on a date with Hammer. Why do you ask?”

Max’s pupils shrink as he drops the radio.

“Hello? Max? Are you there?”

Xenos picks up the radio as Max attempts to regain his senses. “Um… are you sure?”

“Very. He ordered us to listen in. I recorded the audio of the entire thing.”

Ember walks over to Viktor and leans in.

“They both had a great time too. Arc’s even planning to ask her out again later this week.”

Hugh grabs the radio. “Is everyone over there crazy?! Why would the commander DO something like that?!”

Viktor sighs. “You’ll have to ask him yourselves.”

Hugh grits his teeth. “We will! Base camp out!”

He gives the radio back to Max as Auriel frowns.

“Why is it so hard for all of you to believe that Arc took a human female out?”

Max groans. “Because it’s not just any female! It’s Hammer!”

Hugh turns to Xenos. “Maybe they were hallucinating.”

“Or some kind of poison has taken hold of their minds.”

Max nods. “We should probably get everyone to a hospital back in Equestria.”

Sereb rolls his eyes. “You should run that by Arc when he gets back.”

Xenos nods angrily. “That we will!”

Meanwhile, Arc and Dinky approach a large bush. Rose sits facing it watching the bridge.

“See anything yet, Rose?”

“Quite a bit actually. I’m recording every movement and time stamping the data in my memory banks for later review.”

“Nothing my dad can use though?”

Rose shakes her head. “At the moment, no. But I’ll keep trying.”

“Keep at it. When Dinky and I head home in a day or two we’ll take you with us.”

“Oh?”

“I want you to download the data you’re recording into the computer so Viktor can print it out and look it over. Maybe there’s something you missed.”

“It isn’t likely I did. However I must admit that I’m certainly not infallible.”

Dinky shrugs. “Maybe it just needs someone with a fresh perspective.”

Cherry calls out. “Or there really could be no pattern to find.”

Rose nods. “That is also possible, yes.”

“Either way, thanks for doing this.”

“It’s my pleasure, Arc.”

“Dad, can we play on the beach?!”

“Later, sweetheart. We have work to do.”

Dinky frowns. “Work?”

“Right. Now let’s head back to the campsite and pitch our tent. You remember how we did that when your mother and I took you camping, don’t you?”

“Kinda. That’s feels like such a long time ago though.”

“Well, it sorta was.”

Cherry giggles. “This I have to see!”

“Yes well… do you need anything, Rose?”

“No, thank you. At least on of your squad is usually here with me. That and they keep my water bottle filled.”

“Are you using a lot of energy?”

“Very little actually. My sensors aren’t very helpful here, so I’m sticking to optical unless a truck comes by.”

Dinky grins. “Are you scanning it?”

“Yes. However that has proven fruitless, as they’re all shielded.”

Arc raises an eyebrow. “You mean armor-plated?”

“Not exactly. The trucks must be made out of some kind of material that prevents me from scanning the interior. Either that or its cargo is having that effect.”

Dinky sighs. “So they could be carrying anything?”

Arc nods. “Right. Personnel, weapons… pineapples for all we know.”

He gazes out at the bridge before turning back to Rose.

“Keep trying. We have to figure this out before Sunburst has everything ready back home.”

“I understand and will do my best.”

“Thanks. That’s really all I can ask at this point.”

Dinky grabs her father’s hand. “Come on, dad! Let’s get back to camp!”

“Okay, sweetheart. We’ll see you later Rose.”

Arc and Dinky walk away. Rose watches them as they leave and smiles.

“Ah, to be so loved. You’re a very lucky little filly, Dinky. Or should I say… little girl.”

Meanwhile, the pair walk back toward their campsite. Dinky turns to her father.

“Dad?”

“Hm?”

“Did you mean what you said back there?”

“Yes. We really need to get a schedule on those trucks.”

“No, no! I mean about the other thing.”

“Which other…”

“The part about figuring this out before Mister Sunburst has everything ready back home. Did you really mean that you view Equestria as your home?”

“Oh! I… guess I did say that, didn’t I.”

“Yeah, dad.”

“Well… I know I was born here on Earth and have friends here. But I’ve really put down roots in Equestria over the past year or so.”

“So which one do you consider home?”

“Truthfully… both.”

Dinky looks confused. “Both?”

Arc nods. “Yes, sweetheart. A person isn’t really limited to one place they can call ‘home’.”

“They’re not?”

“No. Home is really any place you feel safe, comfortable, and at peace.”

“So I could consider Earth my home too?”

“If you wanted to, sure. But tell me, why do you feel that way?”

Dinky smiles up at her father. “Because you’re here, dad! To me, home is anywhere you and mom are!”

Arc chuckles. “Yeah, I can get behind that, sweetheart.”

Returning to the clearing Arc and Dinky head for the Jeep. They pull out their new tent and walk it over to the smaller one. Unrolling it, Dinky grins as she pulls her end taunt.

“This really is a lot bigger than the tent back in Equestria, dad!”

Arc shrugs. “Biggest one they had, yes.”

Auriel looks the large tent up and down. “I’m sure you know what you’re doing, Arc. But this does seem a bit extreme for just you, I, and Dinky.”

“The guys and I are going to sleep here. You and Dinky will take the other tent.”

Max turns to him. “We don’t mind the smaller one, sir.”

Arc sighs. “It has to be a bit crowded in there. After all, it’s really designed for two maximum.”

Xenos chuckles. “If you want the big one for yourself, Dinky, and Auriel we can manage, sir.”

Arc shakes his head. “No, no. It’s just the right size for them.”

In short order the tent is pitched and the sleeping bags transferred. Arc steps back with Dinky to survey their work.

“There we go. Now we’re ready for tonight.”

“It’s good to be prepared.”

Auriel giggles. “That is it. What now, Arc?”

“Well… how about we take a hike?”

Dinky grins. “That sounds like fun!”

Auriel smiles. “Yes, it’ll give me a chance to collect some plant samples for study. Just let me get my notebook.”

Arc turns to the others as Auriel heads to the Jeep for her day pack. “You guys want to come?”

Max shakes his head. “Thanks, sir. But we’ve already scouted the area.”

Hugh nods. “We’ll just hold down the fort here.”

Xenos steps forward. “I wouldn’t mind…”

Max gives Xenos a nudge before he continues.

“…wouldn’t mind… staying here with the others.”

“Suit yourselves.”

Arc takes Dinky’s hand as Auriel rejoins them.

“I’m ready.”

Arc motions with a wave of his hand. “Let’s go.”

They set off into the woods. Xenos frowns at Max.

“What gives?! You know I love hiking!”

“The commander needs more family time with his daughter.”

Hugh sighs. “He can’t really do that if we’re tagging along.”

Xenos groans. “Fine…”

Meanwhile, Arc, Dinky, and Auriel trek through the woods. Dinky look around, clearly impressed.

“The trees here are so BIG!”

Auriel nods. “Agreed! Some of them are simply massive!”

“One of the first things I noticed was that most of the trees back in Equestria were tiny compared to what we have here on Earth.”

Auriel puts her hand on a nearby trunk. “Are all trees like this?”

“No. Some of them are even bigger.”

“Really dad?!”

Arc nods. “Yes. However we do have our share of smaller ones. A lot of fruit bearing trees are a lot shorter. They’re more like the ones back in Equestria.”

Auriel smiles as she takes notes. “Interesting. Do you think we could find any?”

“Probably not around here. The bigger trees don’t let enough sunlight through to allow them to grow.”

Dinky grins. “That makes sense.”

“There are apple orchards about an hour’s drive from here. Maybe we could go see them sometime.”

“Sounds like fun!”

Auriel nods happily. “Yes. I could run some tests on them.”

“Miss Auriel, you seem to really like plants.”

“Oh, I do! They’re simply incredible!”

Dinky look around. “They don’t look too special to me.”

“Well remember, where I come from plants don’t exist.”

Dinky gasps. “None?”

Arc shakes his head. “Tartarus doesn’t have any . Well, there was the swamp I met the Marquis. But those aren’t exactly what I would call pleasant.”

Auriel shudders. “They’re more brambles and thorns than anything.”

“Sounds awful.”

Auriel sighs. “It is. That’s why I’m studying plants. To be able to grow them when my artificial sun is up and running.”

Arc turns to her. “How’s that coming?”

“We’re getting there. I wish we could roll out the plan sooner. But rushing things won’t help anyone back there.”

Dinky looks around.

“Can we find a stream, dad?”

“I’m not sure there’s one around here.”

Auriel frowns. “That’s a shame. I wanted to take some water samples.”

“What for?”

“To compare them to those from Equestria. I’d also like to take some from a stable body of water.”

Arc smiles. “Like a lake?”

“Yes.”

Arc points back toward the camp. “There’s one not far from where we’re camping.”

Dinky shudders. “Is it safe though? I thought you wanted your squad to stay hidden.”

Arc shrugs. “It’s a public beach. No one goes there though, as it’s pretty far off the beaten path.”

Auriel looks hopeful. “How far exactly?”

“A couple hour’s hike from the main road.”

Dinky giggles. “Thank Celestia for portals, huh dad?”

“Yup. I don’t mind the walk, but I’d hate to make it every time we came here.”

Auriel clears her throat. “Arc, what can you tell me about agriculture?”

“Can you be more specific?”

“Does Earth have farms?”

Arc nods. “Oh yes. Just like Equestria, food has to be grown to feed the population.”

“Are there any nearby?”

“There’s some near the apple orchards. I’ll take you and Dinky there if there’s time another day.”

Dinky throws up her hands excitedly. “Road trip!”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Television.”

Arc sighs. “Oh boy. I think you may be getting the wrong idea how life works here, sweetheart.”

Auriel tilts her head to one side. “Is television not a credible source of information?”

“For some things, yes. I’m told you’ve been watching nature shows and documentaries pretty heavily.”

“I have. Should I perhaps read more books instead?”

No, no. TV is fine for that.”

Dinky appears confused. “What isn’t accurate about it then?”

“Well… reality shows for starters.”

Auriel raises an eyebrow. “What are they?”

“Shows the depict people supposedly living normal lives. They’re marketed as being close to reality, but in fact are heavily scripted.”

“Why’s that?”

“Real life isn’t usually that interesting. Certainly not enough that people would tune in to watch.”

Dinky looks up at the noonday sun as they walk on.

“It’s getting kinda hot.”

Auriel turns to Arc. “The weather report says the temperature should continue rising all week.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re out here.”

“Why’s that, dad?”

“Because we can hit up the beach.”

Auriel looks confused. “What’s a beach?”

“Yeah, dad. I wanna know too.”

“It’s… uh… the land around a lake, I guess.”

Dinky shrugs. “What’s so special about that?”

“Why don’t we head back and I’ll show you?”

Auriel nods. “I suppose so. I can take my water samples.”

Dinky grins. “Sounds good.”

Arc chuckles. “It’s cooler there too.”

Dinky’s eyes light up excitedly. “Let’s go!”

Hurrying back to the camp they find Arc’s squad stacking wood. Max turns to Arc as he approaches.

“Is this enough, sir?”

“That should be more than enough for a couple meals.”

Hugh looks up at the sun overhead. “As hot as it’s been getting, we weren’t keen on the idea of making more heat.”

Max nods. “But if you want a hot meal, we’ll oblige, sir.”

Sereb grins toothily. “Shall we go hunting, Arc?”

Arc shakes his head. “That won’t be necessary, Sereb. I brought hot dogs.”

Auriel appear nervous. “Dogs?”

Dinky wrinkles her nose. “I don’t think we have those back in Equestria.”

Arc thinks for a moment. “They’re… you know what, I don’t know what they’re supposed to be made of. But certainly not dog meat.”

Xenos sighs. “That’s a relief, sir. But we thought you’d be gone quite a bit longer. Did something happen?”

“Oh, no. Dinky and Auriel were just asking about what a beach is.”

Max looks toward the woods. “Well, it’s certainly pretty. But we’ve stayed away from it as best we could.”

Arc chuckles. “No need to do that. Like I was saying before, this is public land. In fact, I even brought a couple beach games.”

Sereb frowns. “Games?”

Arc walks over to the Jeep and pulls out a box.

“To the beach, everyone.”

Leading the way Arc walks through the woods with Dinky at his side. A short time later she turns to him.

“Dad? What’s that sound?”

“Which one?”

“It sounds kinda like gusts of wind. But only for a second.”

“Those are called ‘waves’.”

Auriel cups a hand to her ear. “Sound waves?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, just waves. You’ll see in a few minutes.”

Coming up to the edge of the woods, Dinky squints.

“It’s… kinda like a riverbank.”

Arc nods. “Yes. But much wider.”

He turns to Rose as they approach her hiding spot.

“We’re going to play on the beach. Would you like to join us?”

Rose shakes her head. “No, thank you. I’ll just watch.”

Max raises an eyebrow. “You sure?”

“Yes. Please have a good time.”

Arc shrugs. “Okay. But feel free to jump in anytime.”

He turns to Auriel and Dinky and gestures toward the water.

“This… is a beach.”

Auriel gasps. “It’s… beautiful!”

“We’re going to play here, dad?!”

Arc nods. “Sure are. At least as soon as all of you help me set up.”

Xenos looks confused. “Sir?”

Arc sets the box down and opens it. He pulls out two long sticks with netting wrapped around them and begins unrolling them as he turns to Max.

“Sink the pointed end into the ground as far as you can.”

“Yes sir.”

Doing as he is told Arc walks the other end away from him before doing the same.

“Auriel, there’s a mallet in that box. Would you bring it here please?”

“Okay.”

Approaching with said mallet Arc turns away from her and kneels down.

“Now I need you to get on my shoulders.”

“Huh?”

Arc chuckles. “I’ll lift you up so you can pound the sticks a bit deeper. We don’t want them coming loose during the game.”

Auriel looks nervous. “Why me?”

Xenos raises a hand. “I’d be happy to do it, sir.”

“That’s appreciated, but Auriel’s the lightest adult here.”

Auriel sighs. “Very well.”

Doing as she is told Auriel swings her legs over Arc’s shoulders. He grabs her calves and picks her slowly up. In short order both poles are hammered into the sand as deeply as Auriel is able

“How’s that?”

Max grabs a pole and gives it a good shake. “I don’t see it moving any deeper.”

Arc nods. “Good enough.”

Dinky looks to her father. “Now what?”

Arc grins as he carefully sets Auriel down and heads back to the box.

“One more thing…”

He pulls out a large, white ball.

“Now we can play!”

Xenos looks confused. “Play?”

“Yeah! Let me show you!”

Arc serves the ball. They watch it sail over the net and land in the sand.

“In this game two teams stand opposite the net. One person serves the ball and the other team has to hit it back. We go back and forth until the ball touches the ground.”

Hugh looks at the volleyball. “So we grab the ball and throw it back?”

Arc shakes his head. “No, you can only hit it. Catching it isn’t allowed.”

Xenos grins. “That doesn’t sound so hard.”

“It really isn’t. But it is a TON of fun! Okay, we need teams. Auriel, you and Dinky stay here with me. Hugh, Max, and Viktor go to the other side.”

They take their positions as Arc moves to one side.

“Okay, let’s practice a bit before we play a game.”

He serves the ball. It sails over the net to Hugh. The young man punches the ball which sends it into the net before falling to the sand.

“That… didn’t go as planned.”

Arc chuckles. “Try this.”

He puts his fists together.

“Toss the ball over and I’ll show you how to return it.”

Hugh does so. Arc hits it over as Max attempts to return it. He connects, but the ball flies to one side.

“Almost had it.”

“Good try. Throw it over again and I’ll show you how to return it another way.”

Max does so. Arc puts his hands in front of him as he looks upwards. Slapping the ball upward it sails over the net. Xenos successfully returns it.

“I got it!”

Arc grins. “Good!”

The ball plummets downward as Dinky runs toward it.

“Me next!”

She is able to hit the ball up, but not enough to clear the net. Arc runs forward.

“Watch this!”

As the ball gets lower, Arc jumps. Hitting the ball downward it smacks into the sand making an audible thump. Xenos’ eyes grow wide.

“Woah!”

Arc chuckles. “That’s called a ‘spike’. It takes a bit of practice to set up with your teammates, of course. But returning it’s really tough.”

Max nods. “I can see why.”

Hugh grins. “This game looks really fun, sir.”

Auriel giggles. “Yes, indeed! What’s it called?”

“Volleyball, as we have to ‘volley’ the ball back and forth.”

“Anything else we have to know before getting started, dad?”

“Oh! Just one thing!”

Grabbing a nearby stick Arc makes a large rectangle all around the net.

“When you hit the ball over it has to land inside this box. Anything else is out of bounds, and you don’t get a point.

Xenos groans. “Aw. I was just going to hit it as far as I could and watch you three try to chase it.”

Arc rolls his eyes. “Well, that wouldn’t make for much of a game, now would it?”

“No, sir.”

“Alright. Everyone ready to play?!”

They all yell out in unison. “YEAH!”

Meanwhile, Sereb lays down in the dirt next to Rose and looks over.

“You wish to join them, do you not?”

Rose sighs. “Yes. But someone needs to keep watch.”

“I would be willing to do so.”

“Thank you, but it should probably be me. I do have the sensors for this job, after all.”

“But there is more to it than that, isn’t there?”

“Someone needs to be our ace in the hole.”

Sereb raises an eyebrow. “Come again?”

“Backup in case something happens.”

“While I doubt we are in any danger, I do appreciate your cautious nature.”

Rose smiles. “I do what I can.”

“As do I. Let me keep you company.”

“There’s more to it than that for you as well though, isn’t there?”

Sereb sighs. “Yes. It is rather warm here for a fur coat.”

Rose giggles. “Stay here in the shade with me then.”

“That I will.”

Arc and the other’s play two games. Each side wins once. At the end of the third game Arc prepares to serve for the match point.

“Okay! We get this one, we win it all!”

Auriel appears confused. “All?”

Arc shrugs. “Figure of speech.”

Max grins. “We’re ready for you, sir!”

Xenos laughs. “Yeah! Let’s do it!”

Hugh grits his teeth happily. “Give it your best shot, sir!”

Grunting, Arc serves. As the teams go back and forth Sereb pricks up his ears.

“Something is amiss!”

Rose turns to him. “What do you mean?”

“I hear something… odd.”

“My scanners don’t show any changes. Are you certain?”

“Yes! Something is coming at us from the lake!”

“You’d better warn Arc!”

Nodding, Sereb charges forward barking wildly. The group turns to look as Arc catches the volleyball. Auriel turns to him.

“What’s the matter with Sereb?”

“No idea. Keep your eyes open though.”

Sereb runs toward the water and growls angrily as he dives in and under the water. Arc steps in front of Dinky and Auriel.

“Head back to the tree line.”

“Dad?”

“ Now, Dinky!”

Auriel grabs Dinky’s hand and starts running.

“Listen to your father!”

Dinky sighs and does as she is told. Arc’s squad hurries to his side. Max is the first to speak.

“Sir, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. But stay on your toes.”

Xenos clenches a fist. “Sereb wouldn’t have done that without a good reason.”

Hugh frowns. “Agreed. But right now he’s…”

He is cut off as Sereb ascends from the water on what appears to be a massive gun barrel. Arc gasps.

“What the heck…?!”

As the cannon continues to surface the body of a strange looking tank comes into view. It rolls onto the beach nimbly slowing momentarily. The engine guns to regain traction, knocking Sereb backwards onto the body of the vehicle. A moment later it stops. The hatch flies open flinging the errant wolf backwards into the lake as a familiar grinning face looks down at Arc and company.

“Hey there, Arc!”

Arc raises a hand to weakly wave. “Uh… hi there… Hammer.”

Comments

[Booster Spice]

I wonder how far out the bases sensor grid goes, like that clearing is the point where one of the evacuation tunnels is camoflaged etc.

Thats a big tank. Even more so for the power supply to be that reliable under that much water. Uboat peroxy tanks would be lucky to get a minute or so, and anything else if far more advanced than anything else accepted currently, like battaciter, flow cells or reactors.

[Kamahido]

10862329
The judge must've had a LOT to hide. After all, Cerulean Skies was able to pull several examples of judicial wrongdoing in just a few moments.

[Munro]

bwuahaha when your girlfriend show's up with a TANK xD

[Kamahido]

10866919
Hammer certainly knows how to make an entrance.