The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 6 - Friend... Caretaker... and More...

Arc, Derpy, and Dinky drive down the road toward his house. Dinky looks over to him.

“We’re going home?”

Derpy appears confused. “I thought you had some things planned?”

“Kinda. We were going to see a movie, then…”

Dinky interrupts. “A movie? On TV?”

“No, sweetheart. At a movie theater.”

“What’s that?”

“Think of it like a place where they show movies on a REALLY big screen.”

“How big?”

Arc chuckles. “The screen is as tall as my house.”

Derpy gasps. “That IS big!”

“Yes, well… they stopped showing that film at noon today, so that’s out. Afterwards we were going to head to a place called Chuck-e-Cheese. They have pizza and fun games that you would have loved, Dinky.”

“We can still go, dad. I’m kinda hungry after all that work.”

Arc shakes his head. “Now it’s time for the next phase of my plan though, my dear.”

Derpy looks to him. “Plan?”

“You’ll see.”

Arc pulls the Jeep into the driveway and gets out with Derpy and Dinky. He leads them inside the house and into the living room.

“Everything should be ready by now.”

Calling forth his gauntlet Arc opens a portal.

“Let’s go you two.”

Derpy takes Arc’s hand as Dinky grabs onto the other. Together they walk though the portal’s swirling energies. Arriving on the other side Derpy looks around, confused.

“Where… where ARE we?”

Dinky turns to her father. “The campsite?”

“Yup. This way.”

Arc leads them toward the large tent. Inside they find two sets of garments laid out. Arc turns to them as he picks the smaller one up.

“This is a child’s swimsuit, Dinky. I think you’ll find it a bit more comfortable to swim in than the t-shirt and shorts you wore last time.”

Dinky grins as she takes it. “Thanks dad! Last time my shirt kept floating up.”

“I did notice you had to keep pulling it down.”

He reaches over and picks up an adult size suit before turning to Derpy.

“The guys picked you up one too. Now I know you aren’t one for feeling constricted, so I understand if you don’t want to wear this.

Derpy appears nervous. “I… don’t know if I can do that. It looks pretty tight fitting.”

Dinky attempts to pull the swimsuit over her clothes. “How do you put this thing on?”

Arc chuckles. “No, no Dinky. You have to take all your clothes off first.”

“Oh. Okay!”

She begins pulling down her skirt. Arc shakes his head.

“Wait for me to leave first!”

Dinky looks confused as she pulls her skirt back up. “Why dad? You’ve seen me without clothes on before.”

“That was when we first arrived. You jumped through the portal without putting something on first, so there wasn’t much choice there.”

Dinky looks sheepishly at him. “I just don’t understand what the big deal is, dad.”

Derpy walks over to Dinky. “Your father told me before that human mares and stallion have to cover their… parts.”

“That’s another thing I don’t get. Why? I mean… you’ve seen mom and I’s mare parts lots of times back home, dad.”

“Well… it’s different here, sweetheart.”

“But how? I looked at my flank in the mirror back at your house. Everything looked really similar to my filly parts back in Equestria.”

Derpy sighs. “I think I understand why your father wants us to cover up. Do you remember when I first came here, Dinky?”

“You mean when you freaked out?”

“Yes, sweetie. I couldn’t take it anymore and threw off my robe while Arc was still in the room. Even though I was free of the confines of that robe, I suddenly felt… exposed. And just like being hemmed into my robe felt wrong, being uncovered felt even more off!”

“But dad covered you in a blanket and pulled you into his lap.”

“That did make me feel better. Being covered and consoled.”

Arc nods. “Human adults have a thing about modesty, Dinky. But as a little girl, you probably don’t have that yet.”

“Is there something wrong with me?!”

“No sweetheart. But just because you’re okay with being uncovered doesn’t mean it’s okay here on Earth.”

He turns back to Derpy.

“As for you, my friend, I might have something here that will help you feel a bit more comfortable.”

Pulling out a couple towels from a bag in the corner Arc removes something from the bottom before turning back to Derpy.

“What is it?”

“A bikini.”

Dinky raises an eyebrow. “A what?

“Think of it as a different kind of swimsuit.”

Derpy looks it over. “They kinda remind me of a bra and panties.”

“I guess you could say that. Now then, it’s a lot more… revealing than the other swimsuit, but less constricting.”

Derpy smiles. “I think I’ll try them both and see what feels better.”

“Okay. I’ll leave so you two can get changed. There’s a pair of sandals in that bag for each of you as well.”

“Thank you, Arc.”

Arc leaves the tent and zips up the opening. A few minutes later Derpy calls out to him.

“Arc?”

“Yes?”

“Um… we’re a little confused about something. What kind of undergarments do we wear with these?”

Dinky grunts. “Yeah. The ones I have on are kinda weird feeling under here.”

“Oh! You’re supposed to take them off before putting on the swimsuit.”

“Do we put something else on?”

“No, just the swimsuit.”

“Okay. Thanks dad!”

“You’re welcome.”

A short time later Dinky steps out of the tent in her new swimsuit. She runs over to her father and does a little twirl.

“How do I look, dad?!”

“Very pretty, sweetheart. How’s your mother doing?”

“She’s having a little trouble.”

“Oh? What with?”

“The top part.”

“Ah… okay.”

He walks over to the tent and clears his throat.

“Derpy? How’s it going in there?”

“I can’t seem to figure this thing out.”

“Do you need help?”

“Y-yes.”

“Can I come in?”

“Okay.”

Stepping into the tent Arc finds Derpy crouching in a corner facing away from him. She is holding the top to her chest with the strings dangling down her back.

“I just don’t know what went wrong!”

Arc walks over to her. “Let me help you with that.”

Taking the two strings dangling at her sides Arc pulls them tight. Derpy gasps slightly and blushes.

“Sorry. Is that too tight?”

Derpy shakes her head silently as Arc ties the knot.

“There you go. Try standing up and walking around a bit.”

She does so as Arc looks her over.

“It looks like everything is staying put. How do you feel about that outfit?”

“Better than I did with the one like Dinky’s.”

“Too constricting?”

Derpy nods. “This one only covers my mare parts. But it lets me feel… free, I guess.”

“I’m glad you like it. Now let’s get moving.”

She takes Arc’s hand as he leads her out of the tent. Dinky looks her mother up and down before nodding approvingly.

“You look great, mom!”

“Thank you, sweetie.”

Arc motions with a nod. “Follow me, you two.”

Dinky takes his other hand and they walk through the woods. She looks around happily.

“I like this place.”

“Have you been here before, sweetie?”

Dinky nods. “Dad took me here last time. It was lots of fun!”

She looks to her father.

“So what’s the plan?”

Arc chuckles as they step out of the tree line onto the beach. “What’s that over there?”

Dinky looks down the beach. She spots a table with food set out, balloons, streamers, a cooler, a volleyball net, and a roaring fire. Arc’s squad along with Auriel, Ember, Sereb, and Rose wave at them in bathing suits of their own. Derpy looks to Arc.

“What is this?”

“Beach party!”

Arc runs toward the others as Derpy and Dinky try to keep up. Dinky giggles happily as Derpy smiles silently. Xenos is the first to speak.

“Glad you could make it, sir!”

Hugh grins. “We were starting to think maybe you three were having so much fun elsewhere that you wouldn’t show.”

Viktor looks to Arc. “Is Max coming, sir?”

Arc shakes his head. “No. He’s staying with Shelly. She had a bad day earlier.”

Dinky nods. “They’re having supper together!”

Auriel appears genuinely concerned. “I hope she’ll be okay.”

Arc sighs. “That’s complicated.”

Derpy looks up at the banner. “What’s that say, Arc?”

“Arrivederci. It means good-bye in Italian.”

Ember frowns. “I still don’t get it.”

Rose shrugs. “Neither do I.”

Arc sighs. “Well, this is goodbye to Earth for all of us. After tomorrow I don’t think humanity will welcome the Hero of Light anymore.”

Hugh nods soberly. “It’s for the best, sir.”

Xenos sighs. “Yeah. We can’t rescue the princess without making a scene, mind you.”

Viktor grins. “So let’s just have a good time for now.”

Dinky throws her hands up happily. “Yeah!”

She grabs her mother’s hand and pulls her toward the water.

“Come on, mom! Let go swimming!”

“But I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you! Want to help, dad?!”

Arc grins. “Sure.”

He turns to the others as he hurries after his family.

“What are you guys doing? This is a beach party! Let’s go swimming!”

The squad runs after him as Ember, Rose, and Auriel giggle and walk toward the water. Auriel turns to Ember.

“I’ve never been swimming before.”

“Me either. But I can’t imagine it’s too hard.”

She turns to Rose.

“How about you?”

Rose shakes her head. “I can’t swim very well due to a lack of buoyancy.”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Auriel sighs. “Come on, Ember. I’ll explain it in the water.”

Meanwhile, Arc turns to Derpy as they stand in the water up to their waists.

“Okay, now just lean back into my arms.”

“O-okay.”

“Don’t worry, mom. Dad taught me this way too.”

Arc gently lays Derpy back until she is lying in the water.

“Now just lie there calmly and…”

Sereb pricks up his ears and barks loudly. Arc and company look around, confused. In a few moments a familiar looking tank surfaces and drives ashore. Derpy jumps up and wraps her arms around Arc.

“What is…?!”

Dinky throws her hands up happily. “YAY! Miss Hammer’s here!”

Arc looks nervous. “Uh… yeah. Don’t worry, Derpy. She’s… um… somewhat friendly.”

“Someone who drives around in an armored chariot?!”

Dinky grins. “That’s just her vehicle, the ‘Charger’.”

Xenos turns to him. “Uh, sir? Were you expecting company?”

“Truthfully, no.”

Hugh shakes his head. “Couldn’t she have just called?”

Viktor turns to him. “She may have. No one’s been at the house all day, remember?”

Arc motions for everyone to follow him. They walk toward the tank together and wait, but nothing happens. Dinky turns to her father.

“Is Miss Hammer okay in there?”

“I sure hope so.”

Auriel appears confused. “Maybe you should check on her.”

Arc nods as he turns to Rose. “Anything?”

Rose shakes her head. “My scans can’t penetrate that vehicle’s hull.”

Ember grins. “I guess we’ll have to do it the old fashioned way.”

Arc steps forward. “I’ll do it.”

Derpy steps back with Dinky. “Be careful, Arc!”

Hopping up on the treads Arc hoists himself up to the tank’s body. He taps lightly on the hatch. Hearing no response he grabs the handle and gives it a mighty pull to peek inside.

“Hammer?”

A hand reaches up and grabs Arc by the front of his shirt before pulling him down and slamming the hatch behind him. Ember charges forward.

“ARC!”

Rose grabs her wrist. “Ember, wait!”

“This is no time for…!”

“I believe he’ll be fine.”

Derpy frowns. “Are you sure?”

Rose nods. “When the hatch opened I was able to scan the occupant. It’s just Hammer.”

Dinky looks confused. “Why did she do that?”

Hugh grins. “We’ll let your dad explain that to you.”

Viktor laughs. “In a few years, that is.”

Auriel looks to Xenos. “Are you certain he’ll be okay?”

“Considering what happened last time, I think the commander’s having the time of his life in there.”

Meanwhile Arc falls into Hammer’s lap. She grins hugely at him as her arms wrap around his neck and pulls him into her supple chest. Arc notices she is wearing her skimpy swimsuit again.

“Hey there, handsome! Nice of you to drop by!”

“Um… nice to see you too, Hammer. Is something wrong?”

Hammer shakes her head. “Not really. I just saw y’all having a good time over here again and thought I’d stop by. Is… is that okay?”

“Sure. But… can I get up?”

Hammer grins. “I know there ain't much room in here.”

She pulls down one of her straps, seductively.

“But if you want, I can show you just how agile this girl can be in tight places.”

“I… should probably get back to the others. You coming?”

Hammer sighs. “Sure. Why not?”

Arc reaches up and pushes the hatch open. He climbs out and reaches back for Hammer. Taking her hand he pulls her up and out. They hop down and land together on the sandy beach. Dinky runs over with her mother.

“Hi, Miss Hammer!”

Hammer grins. “Hey, kid!”

“This is my mom, Dawn!”

Derpy smiles nervously. “H-hello.”

Hammer grins as she shakes Derpy’s hand.

“Yo! Name’s Hammer!”

She turns to Arc.

“You were right. Daisy really take after her mother.”

“That she does.”

Auriel giggles. “Will you be joining us again, Miss Hammer?”

“Sure will! That is, if it’s okay with everybody.”

Ember shrugs. “Might as well, right?”

Arc nods. “Yup. The more the merrier.”

Hugh points to the water. “Well, how about we get back to swimming?”

Xenos grins. “Yeah. Race you guys there!”

They turn and head back to the water as Rose looks back to the fire.

“I think I’ll get some food going.”

Arc nods. “Okay. Thanks, Rose.”

He turns to Derpy.

“Should we get back to your lesson?”

Derpy smiles. “I’d like that.”

“Miss Hammer? Could you help me?”

“Sure thing! What with?!”

“I need someone to help me practice swimming.”

“Sure! I can do that.”

Dinky takes Hammer’s hand as they head for the water. Getting out a ways Dinky turns to her.

“Here’s what my dad showed me the other day.”

She demonstrates the doggie paddle moves. Hammer nods.

“Not bad. Keep it up!”

Dinky giggles. “Swimming is fun!”

“Sure is! Let me show you another way though.”

Hammer swims quickly through the water as she circles Dinky.

“That’s a lot different.”

Hammer laughs. “It’s called the butterfly stroke. You try it.”

Dinky does so.

“It’s… a lot more difficult, that’s for sure.”

“You like it?”

“I think I might with some more practice”.

“You looking to go fast?”

Dinky grins. “Yeah!”

“Try this one!”

Turning, Hammer lunges forward and reaches out with cupped hands as she kicks violently. Dinky claps as she swims by her. A moment later Hammer surfaces.

“My sister showed me that one. Can’t remember what it’s called though.”

“It looks hard.”

“Yeah, well… it does take a lot of energy and upper body strength. When I extend my hand for the next stroke I have to turn my head to one side and take another breath.”

“Makes sense.”

“A lot’s going on then. Pulling with your arms, kicking, and balancing your breathing. You see…”

Hammer is cut off as she suddenly vanishes under the surface of the lake.

“Miss Hammer?”

She surfaces a moment later with Arc behind her as Derpy walks through the water towards them. Hammer turns to him, frowning.

“What’s the big idea, Arc?!”

“Sorry I miscalculated. I was trying to just give your ankle a pull to scare you like my dad did when I was a kid.”

Dinky looks surprised. “How’d you get all the way over here without us seeing you, dad?”

Derpy giggles. “Your father was swimming underwater.”

“You can do that?!”

Arc nods. “Yes, Daisy. You just need to hold your breath and swim like this…”

Submerging, Arc demonstrates. He surfaces twenty or so feet away. Hammer laughs.

“Like a stealth sub!”

Arc nods as he walks back to them. “Silent and invisible.”

Dinky grins. “Yup! How’s it going with your lesson, mom?!”

“Let me show you.”

She carefully lies on her back in the water and floats there happily. Arc nods approvingly.

“That’s pretty good, Dawn.”

Dinky nods. “Remember, the trick is to stay calm and let yourself go limp, mom.”

“I was a little scared at first. But your father held me up for a few moments before letting go.”

Dinky turns to Arc. “Can I show mom the doggie paddle now?”

“Sure, sweetheart.”

Hammer looks to him. “Hey, Arc? Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Um… sure. What’s up?”

“Let’s take a walk. It’ll make this easier.”

“Uh…”

Dinky grins. “I’ll watch mom for you!”

Derpy nods. “We’ll be fine. After all, the water’s pretty shallow here.”

“That and it’s not like were alone.”

Dinky point to Arc’s squad playing a makeshift game with the volleyball in the water.

“Okay, Hammer. Let’s not take too long though.”

Hammer and Arc head for shore. Putting on their sandals they head for the tree line. Hammer slips her hand into his as Arc does his best to engage in small talk.

“It’s really nice out here.”

“Is it?”

Arc nods. “Yes. Very… peaceful.”

“Guess I never really noticed.”

“Busy?”

Hammer nods. “Always a project that needs doing.”

“Something wrong?”

Hammer sighs. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yup. Does it have anything to do with your sisters?”

She nods as they walk.

“I told them about Doctor Rieper and his pheromones project. They… didn’t believe me.”

“Admittedly it is a hard pill to swallow.”

“Normally I’d agree with you. But with all that hard evidence, I thought I could at least convince one of them!”

“Stingray?”

“Mio, actually. She’s usually the one to embrace reason and logic. My plan was to show her what was going on and together confront Stingray. That didn’t work at all.”

“What did Mio say?”

“That there was no way I could have gotten this data by myself, and that I was just making it up.”

Arc looks to her nervously. “You didn’t say anything about hiring help, did you?”

Hammer shakes her head. “I wanted to. But I figured if they knew you had been my source they might report you to the general. He might do something a bit… unpleasant.”

“Thanks.”

Hammer sighs. “The real problem is this puts me back at square one. But now I don’t have the resources to hire anyone else. Or you yourself, assuming you weren’t leaving town tomorrow, that is.”

“Y-yeah.”

Hammer smiles and blushes as she presses her body against his.

“That is… unless you’d be willing to take my case on credit.”

Arc shakes his head. “Sorry. I have a responsibility to my other client at the moment.”

Hammer nods sadly. “I understand. You’re a true professional, Arc. But… do you think you could help me after your next case is solved?”

“I… I don’t know, Hammer. That evidence I got for you really was the best there was. I’m sorry it didn’t work.”

“It’s not your fault. Heck, it convinced me right away. The thing that bothers me the most is that I thought my sisters were smarter than that.”

“Smarter?”

“Able to see the truth through lies, and all.”

Arc sighs. “I… see.”

“Do you have any advice?”

“Just this. Keep them safe, and… don’t lose their trust over this. If you do you’ll never convince them of anything.”

Hammer nods sadly as Arc turns to her.

“Sorry I don’t have anything better for you.”

“It’s the thought that counts. After all… you were the only one who believed me and tried to help.”

She pushes him to the ground and leaps on top.

“You’re a real man, Arc. Not all talk like some fellas I’ve met. Not always showing off. Not obsessed with your image and how others see you. But truly concerned about the well-being of your friends… and lover.”

“Hammer, I…”

“Sh…”

She puts a finger to his lips.

“Let me have this moment to remember you by.

Grabbing him by the side of the head Hammer pulls Arc into a steamy kiss that lasts far longer than either of them planned. Eventually, Hammer pulls back with her signature grin plastered across her face. She leans forward and whispers in his ear.

“If you ever want me, all you have to do is call. I’d leave everything behind and come at but a single word from you.”

Arc opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off as Hammer locks lips with him yet again.

Comments

[Booster Spice]

Arcs gonna have to be a bit more careful orhe is going to end up in the fountain or the pigpen.

[Kamahido]

10919522
He's not planning to see Hammer again anytime soon. At least not off the battlefield.

[VeryDeadlyBee]

“Yes, well… they stopped showing that film at noon today, so that’s out. Afterwards we were going to head to a place called Chuck-e-Cheese. They have pizza and fun games that you would have loved, Dinky.”

CHUCK-E-CHEESE
CHUCK-E-CHEESE
CHUCK-E-CHEESE
CHUCK-E-CHEESE
CHUCK-E-CHEESE
(I miss going to CHUCK-E-CHEESE)