The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Preface - Volume 28 - Princesses and Plans

In our previous volume, Arc and his friends are surprised to see Hammer drive onto the beach in a tank and hop out in a swimsuit. She invites herself to the gathering and joins them for a lunch of hotdogs and chips. After several more games of volleyball they hit the water. Arc teaches Dinky how to float along with a simple swimming technique. As they do so Auriel sits with Sereb on the shore. Confessing her own feelings, Sereb promises to keep the matter to himself, as Auriel is worried that it would only strain their working relationship.

As the sun sets, Arc and company make smores on the beach. Asking to speak to him privately, Hammer and Arc take a walk on the beach. As they walk, Hammer makes a request of Arc before they return to the others. Saying goodbye, Hammer walks to the Charger and drives back into the lake. The squad voice their concerns to Arc of Hammer’s potential treachery. Announcing that he’s already set up another date with her, they insist on listening in via Arc’s earring. Agreeing, he leads the group back to the campsite. After putting Dinky to bed, his squad thanks him for always listening to their concerns, be they professional or personal. After they head for the larger tent Auriel approaches Arc and asks to be allowed to sleep with him and Dinky in their tent. He agrees, but only if Auriel stays clothed. Lying there together in the dark, she thanks him for all he’s done to encourage her since coming to Equestria.

A few days later Arc returns to his house to prepare for his date. Ember and Viktor voice their concerns, but Arc insists that the risks are justified. Putting on his suit, he heads for the Jeep. Looking behind him to make sure Ember didn’t hide in the back seat, Arc drives down the road. Following the directions given to him by Hammer, he arrives at the same apartment building Minerva lives in. As he enters and rides the elevator Arc finds that their apartments are on opposite ends of the building though. Heading toward the apartment Hammer shares with her sisters he comes to the door. Before he can knock the door opens to reveal his date… dressed in an olive green dress. Leading him inside, Hammer sits down with him on the couch as they wait for Stingray and Mio. The other two women descend the stairs a short time later. Looking down their noses at him, Arc does his best to be civil throughout the conversation. Eventually they leave and head downstairs to the parking garage. Seeing Hammer very nervous, Arc questions her about it. She confesses that her sisters don’t always have her best interests in mind. Asking if her dress is appropriate, Arc truthfully answers in the negative.

Taking Hammer to the clothing store, he helps her pick out a more appropriate dress before heading to a nearby steakhouse. Not knowing what steak is, Hammer allows Arc to order for them both. As they wait Marshal Raynor approaches their table. Having recognized Hammer from Minerva’s broadcast at The Rider’s hideout he questions her. Arc is able to convince him that his date is not the woman from the video and that she is no threat to the town. Hammer is impressed by Arc assumed connections with the law, and speaks more freely. After dinner they catch a movie before Arc drives his date back to her apartment. On the way she asks him to pull over to speak of something important. Arriving home, Arc finds that Ember had followed them the entire evening cloaked and shrunken down. Entering the house they find Wiseman waiting for them. He cautions Arc against his plan to use Hammer for information, claiming it will not end well for either of them. After taking a shower Arc returns to the campsite via a sigil. Finding Sereb and Auriel sitting around the campfire he walks over to them. Confessing that she is afraid to sleep, Arc takes her to his tent and falls asleep with her body pressed against his. The next morning Arc informs the rest of his squad about his date and Hammer’s request to hire him. Laying out the job to follow both Mio and Stingray, he assigns pairs to tail each target and take pictures along with a detailed report of their comings and goings.

The following night arc drives to Hammer’s apartment. Knocking as instructed, he enters to find Hammer sitting at the kitchen table waiting for him. Presenting her with his evidence proving Mio has been breaking into the Angel Grove Youth Center to exercise, she can scarcely believe it. Harder still when Arc presents her with his findings of Stingray’s after work activities. She is surprised beyond words to know that her sister is attending finishing school along with classes for knitting and cooking. Utterly shocked, Hammer asks for Arc’s advice. Warning her not to bring up the matter, she pays him and offers another assignment. Returning to his Jeep, Arc hurries home only to help his friends out in the woods return to the basement via portal. After getting dried off, they have a meeting downstairs. Arc pulls out a truck schedule and presents it to the others. Announcing that Hammer herself gave it to him, Arc begins to lay out the beginnings of a plan to enter the base again.

A few days later Arc and Auriel wait on the side of a lonely back road with Ember. Shrinking down, they hitch a ride on the military transport that passes. Arriving, the pair hop out and wait for the guards to spot them. Seeing Auriel, they immediately believe that she’s Colonel Diva and fall into line. Entering the base with the truck they make their way to maintenance to find Hammer. Explaining that she gave him the task of breaking in to gauge his skills, Hammer explains the nuances of what exactly she wants of him. Requesting proof of the general’s wrongdoing, Hammer shows Arc the reward for success… a toolbox full of cash. Agreeing to her terms, Arc accepts a badge from the maintenance department that will open General Mustang’s office.

Heading down the corridor with Auriel hiding in the janitor’s cart, he wastes no time making his way to the office. Entering with the keycard, Arc helps Auriel out of the trash container. As she keeps watch at the door, Arc takes a sample of a strange drink in a decanter nearby. Trying the desk he finds all the drawers locked. Auriel calls out that someone is coming. Ducking into the bathroom to clean it as cover, he tells Auriel to greet whomever enters as an officer. General Mustang himself walks in with several folders which he gives to Auriel to file before taking her in his arms and kissing her passionately. Releasing her, the general pokes his head into his private restroom to warn Arc about being sloppy before he leaves. Walking down the corridor, he is approached by the Head of Security, Colonel Langrisser. Reporting a potential breach of security to his superior, General Mustang covers for Arc and Auriel, telling his subordinate that everything was authorized by him. Finishing his business in the general’s office, Arc and Auriel head for the research labs overlooking the office. Arc tries the card Hammer gave him on the door to no avail. However when Auriel uses her mother’s badge the door opens. Entering, Auriel heads for the filing cabinets to search for information on her mother, Maria Knowles. Finding her mother’s research notes, Auriel insists on taking the originals rather than copies. Arc puts the files in his ring as Auriel looks over the tubes the Shards are being held in. Announcing that they are indeed alive and well, she goes over the basic layout of the technology with Arc. Informing Arc that she can’t release the Shards at this time, Arc announces that he will do so during their assault on the base in the future.

Leaving the base in the military jeep left for them by Hammer, Arc and Auriel head for their rendezvous point, Shrinking the vehicle down, Arc takes it with him in his ring. Returning home, Arc orders everyone to bed. Later that night during a storm Arc awakens to Auriel sobbing into his chest. She confesses that not only did General Mustang kiss her, but that she liked it. Believing herself unworthy to be taken as a part of Arc’s herd, she begs him to help Twilight finish her artificial sun idea. Informing the young woman that he doesn’t hold the matter against her, Auriel asks Arc to help her reclaim her lost first kiss by kissing him. Arc agrees, and shares a passionate moment with her. The next morning they discuss what was learned the night before. Auriel announces that the notes she’s had time to read speak of using pheromones of some kind to further the Organization’s plans. Believing that the general may be attempting to create magically enhanced super soldiers, Arc announces his intention to speak to Hammer regarding the magical pheromones during their date that night.

As he readies himself, Dinky asks her father if he is in love with Hammer. Answering ‘no’, she points out that Rarity was ogling him at their last play date at the Ponyville Park. Heading to Hammer’s shared apartment, Arc arrives just as his date angrily leaves. Telling him as they drive that Stingray wants her to break up with Arc, they make their way to Roberto’s Pizza. As they eat Arc informs Hammer of the base’s pheromone research and how it’s most likely affecting her sisters. Leaving, Hammer’s purse is snatched by a rather shabby looking man whom runs behind the building. Arc gives chase only to find a dozen guys waiting for him. Refusing to return the purse, Arc beats the tar out of all of them. Hammer interrogates the leader on whom sent him. Admitting it was Stingray, she promptly knocks him out before leaving with Arc.

Returning the Hammer’s apartment, she looks over his ankle and hands to make sure there is no real damage. Finding nothing but bruises, Hammer slips into his lap. Offering Arc a night in her bed, he declines and moves to leave. Before he can do so however, Hammer plants a passionate kiss on his lips. Exiting the apartment, Arc realizes just how far he has inadvertently gotten with Hammer and begins to question his own morals. Driving aimlessly, he finds his way to a small diner just outside of town. Entering, Arc finds Wisemans sitting at a booth waiting for him. Advising the young man to either own up to his lies or leave Earth for good before he leaves gives Arc no further comfort. Returning home, he is greeted by Ember and Auriel in the kitchen. Confessing what happened that night, he heads upstairs for a quick shower before bed. Entering his parent’s room Arc finds the women waiting for him on the bed. Reminding them that he asked to be left alone, they remind him that he was there for them when needed and wish to return the favor.

Arc and Dinky enter his room in Canterlot Castle. Telling his daughter that he needs to meet with the princesses, Arc leaves the room. Dinky looks out over Canterlot for a few moments before lying back to sun herself. Kronos appears and reveals to her that Arc’s future will be full of danger. When Arc returns they make their way to the Little Hooves Orphanage. Heading for the cafeteria, Arc questions Frank regarding his former lieutenants before leaving the room to speak to Coco Pommel. Dinky leaves the room a short time later alone with a rather sad look on her face.

As Arc leaves Coco Pommel’s office he spies Dinky waiting for him. Asking for a chance to speak with him privately, Arc leads her into a storage room nearby. Dinky reveals to him Kronos’ message of pain and heartache in his future. Telling her of his plans to take her and her mother back to Earth, they make their way back to the kitchen to tell Derpy. After lunch the trio returns to Canterlot Castle and takes a portal back to Arc’s house. Carrying Derpy upstairs, Arc allows them to change into human clothes. Before they leave, Derpy asks to speak to the pair. Telling Arc that she believes both she and Dinky will be happier living on Earth as a human girl, Arc reveals his own plans to permanently relocate to Equestria following a successful final mission. Max knocks and requests his commanding officer’s presence downstairs. Arriving, Arc finds everyone waiting for him. They inform him that the government has ordered a nightly curfew until further notice. Believing General Mustang to be on the brink of a breakthrough, Arc announces that their special equipment will be ready on Saturday, and that they will assault the base the next day.

However, many questions yet remain. How far will Arc go to gain Hammer’s trust? Will he be able to hide his true identity from her? What rock has she been living under not to have heard of steak?! Did Hammer really expect Arc to get into the base undetected? What will Auriel find in her mother’s research notes? Does the general really have those under his command under a pheromone induced spell? How far will Hammer be willing to go for our heroes’ attention? What of Kronos’ cryptic warning? Will Arc and friends be able to rescue the princess and still escape unharmed?

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

Comments

[Kamahido]

10898364
You're almost caught up! You can do it!

Arc and Ember's relationship has certainly... evolved since they met. At first their relationship was one borne out of necessity in Tartarus. Then Arc defeated her and 'won' the right to take her as his mate. Now they are more than friends, but less than lovers.

[Malory]

How far will Arc go to gain Hammer’s trust?

Too far.

Will he be able to hide his true identity from her?

If he's smart... no, actually.

What rock has she been living under not to have heard of steak?!

Her own head.

Did Hammer really expect Arc to get into the base undetected?

Either she's naive as they say she is or HER secret is that she's actually a super genius and is twelve steps ahead of her sisters AND Arc.

What will Auriel find in her mother’s research notes?

Probably a nothing sandwich made by Wiseman himself.

Does the general really have those under his command under a pheromone induced spell?

Man I don't even know this guy so I can't even guess.

How far will Hammer be willing to go for our heroes’ attention?

I do NOT want to know but I will find out, won't I?

What of Kronos’ cryptic warning?

What warning? That something bad might totally happened but maybe not it's a 50-50 chance? Wow, amazing, the god of time said "the future looks bleak but also maybe not I can't give you a solid answer except when I do sometimes which is to say you'll live but also be sad maybe kinda I'm not sure ANYWAY BYE" which means... nothing, actually. Makes me prefer Wiseman, honestly.

Will Arc and friends be able to rescue the princess and still escape unharmed?

i.pinimg.com/736x/9b/89/9a/9b899afaf8e43cf961f0ee064b98eb54.jpg