The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 5 - 'R' Rated

Rainbow Dash hovers over the table angrily. “We need to tell Princess Luna about this right away!”

Apple Bloom sighs. “But what can she do about it?”

Sweetie Belle nods sadly. “Right. That and we don’t really have any physical proof of anything.”

Rose frowns. “Regardless, she must be informed of her sister’s actions that night.”

Pinkie grits her teeth angrily. “Yeah! If she’s lying about this, what else aren’t we being told?!”

Fluttershy’s ears droop. “It’s hard to believe Princess Celestia could have done such a thing. And to Arc, no less!”

Applejack nods fervently. “Well, we need to get this ball rolling.”

Rarity looks around. “But how do we make her believe us?”

Sereb frowns. “By presenting the truth in a calm, collected, and logical manner.”

Cherry calls out. “I think I might have a better idea though.”

Apple Bloom looks to the helmet. “What is it, Miss Cherry?”

Meanwhile, Twilight paces around the room as Luna looks out the window stoically.

“You really do need to calm yourself, Twilight.”

“I know. But I’m just so nervous!”

“You heard Sandstorm Mirage. Your friends have returned safely to civilization and requested an immediate audience with me to discuss their findings.”

“That’s what has me upset!”

“Oh? You’re worried they haven’t found anything useful?”

“Worse. What if they’ve found out that Princess Celestia really is guilty?!”

Luna sighs. “If that’s the truth, so be it.”

“But what if…?!”

“Twilight.”

“Yes?”

“You know my sister better than anypony in the kingdom. She’s shared her knowledge and wisdom with you since you were a filly, correct?”

“That’s true, yes.”

“Then you should trust her judgment. Hasn’t she always acted in the best interests of everypony?”

“I… suppose she has.”

“And has she ever done anything you would consider… a mistake?”

“Never! She’s flawless in that regard!”

“Then it should be a simple task for you to have faith in her.”

“But she’s been so distant since Arc brought her home! Whatever was done to her out there may have… altered her in some way!”

“You have to understand that the role of princess is always a risky one. At any time one could be…”

There is a knock at the door. Luna opens it with her magic. Sandstorm Mirage walks in and salutes as Luna addresses him.

“Have Twilight’s friends arrived?”

Sandstorm Mirage shakes his head. “No, your highness. They have just sent word requesting you to instead meet them at Light’s Hope.”

Twilight appears confused. “Oh? Why’s that?”

“Unknown, miss. However they said all would be clear there.”

Luna stands. “Very well. We will travel there momentarily. Inform the guards my lover and I do not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Twilight raises an eyebrow. “But won’t that raise suspicion?”

Luna shakes her head. “No. In fact I have an idea to use it to our advantage. Please follow me, Twilight.”

“Oh, um… okay.”

Walking over to the bed Luna lies down and rolls over to look away from the door. Motioning for Twilight to lay down on the bed in front of her, she turns her head to the sergeant again.

“Is any part of Twilight visible from the door?”

“No, Princess Luna.”

Luna looks to Twilight. “Put one of your rear hooves on my hip.”

Twilight’s eyes grow wide. “WHAT?!”

“On my cutie mark to be exact.”

“But…!

“We don’t have time for this, Twilight. Do as I say.”

“Y-yes.”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight raises a rear hoof and gently places it on Luna’s backside as instructed.

“Like that?”

“Yes, Twilight. Sergeant?”

“Your highness?”

“Can you see Twilight’s hoof from the door now?”

“I can, yes.”

Luna nods soberly. “Good. Now when you leave the room I want you to open the door wide, turn back, slowly bow, wish me a good rest of my day, and close the door very slowly. Then inform the guards that whomsoever interrupts my lover and I before supper will suffer dire consequences.”

“Yes, Princess Luna.”

Twilight appears confused. “What should I do?”

“Just lie there and very still and don’t make a sound. I’ll do the rest.”

She motions for the sergeant to leave. As he unlocks the door, Luna begins throatily moaning. The guards outside turn at such sounds and look inside as Sandstorm Mirage opens the door wide.

“I do hope you enjoy the rest of your day, Princess Luna.”

Luna breathes heavily as she almost screams out the words. “Oh yes! Yes! Yes I will!”

She continues crying out in mock ecstasy as Sandstorm Mirage closes the door behind him and turns to the guards.

“As all of you could probably hear, Princess Luna is having some… private time with her lover. She does not wish to be disturbed for the rest of the afternoon. Failure to do so will result in… shall we say… dire consequences. Does everypony understand?”

They nod silently as the sergeant turns and walks down the corridor. Looking to one another, they nod and grin approvingly. Meanwhile, Luna stands and walks to the center of the room. Twilight joins her, looking confused.

“What was that all about?”

“I wanted the guards to believe you and I were having a very passionate afternoon of sex.”

“WHAT?! WHY?!”

Luna chuckles. “To keep them away.”

“I would think that would do the opposite!”

“Oh, believe me, they wouldn’t DARE spy on me!”

“Um… why not?”

Luna grins darkly. “Because they know I wouldn’t stop at just killing them.”

Twilight gulps. “I… don’t think I want to hear any more.”

“Yes, that’s probably for the best. But in any case, we should probably get moving.”

“To Light’s Hope?”

“Indeed. Follow me.”

Channeling her magic, Luna opens a dark portal. Gesturing to it she looks to Twilight.

“Right this way.”

Stepping though the pair reappear in the Main Hall of Light’s Hope. Arc’s squad stands ready to receive them. Max is the first to speak.

“Right this way, your highness.”

“What is this about?”

Xenos shrugs. “No idea, Princess Luna.”

Hugh sighs. “They were kinda too busy to explain it at the time.”

Viktor nods. “But little Dinky says she can make it work.”

Twilight raises an eyebrow. “Dinky?! So they found the missing fillies?!”

Max smiles. “Yes. They’ll explain everything.”

Arriving at Arc’s office, they enter to Twilight’s friends hurriedly setting up a strange looking machine. Pinkie is the first to notice the newcomers.

“Twilight!”

Twilight waves happily. “Hey there everypony! Um… you’re all okay, right?”

Rainbow Dash grins. “We’re fine.”

Applejack bows her head. “A bit tired. But otherwise unhurt.”

Rarity gestures to the fillies with a wave of her hoof. “And that goes for these three too. More or less, that is.”

Sweetie Belle grins. “It really was an interesting trip.”

Apple Bloom rubs her still tender side. “Yeah. And painful.”

Sereb sighs. “Our wounds have mostly healed. However, we cannot rest until this matter is resolved.”

Luna raises an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? What matter?”

Derpy puts her hooves on Dinky’s shoulders. “My little one here says she’s discovered the truth behind what happened that night in the eastern wing of the castle.”

Luna nods. “I’m interested to know that myself. However, why did you feel it was necessary for us to meet here instead of Canterlot Castle?”

Rose puts her hand on a device. “Because of this.”

Luna raises an eyebrow. “The projector prototype?”

Twilight puts a hoof to her chin. “I remember that thing. Arc used it to show us what had happened during his battle at the New Beginnings Orphanage.”

Max turns to Rose. “Ma’am, how did he…?”

“It receives the electronic pulses in someone’s brain and translates them into visible images that are then projected on the screen across the room.”

Luna points to several crystals nearby. “It can also record those memories in a crystal for later viewing.”

Viktor gasps. “You mean this actually works?!”

Rarity giggles. “That it does.”

Luna sighs. “Indeed. But the cost of materials are far too high to mass produce them. To date, there are only three working models.”

She turns to Dinky as she sits down next to the machine.

“Tell me… were you there that night, little one?”

Dinky shakes her head. “No, Princess Luna.”

“Then how were you planning on showing me anything regarding that event?”

Sweetie Belle pipes up. “We went to the Nightborn Citadel and got something called the All-Seeing Eye.”

Luna gasps. “What?! Impossible!”

Apple Bloom nods. “Dinky used it at the Castle of the Two Sisters to see what really happened that night.”

Derpy smiles. “You were very brave to do that, Dinky. I know it can’t have been easy to see such things.”

Fluttershy shudders. “I don’t really want to see this. But… I do want to know the truth as well.”

Rainbow Dash grins. “Let’s get this thing going!”

Rose turns to the others. “Alright. Everything’s set up. Dinky, there’s a crystal next to the projector. Please pick it up and concentrate on the events in question when you are ready.”

“Okay. Here goes.”

Closing her eyes, Dinky focuses. A few moments later the screen displays Arc standing before Captain Decimus and Admiral Gaston. Words are exchanged as Arc appears to be losing his patience with the pair before him. Suddenly, Celestia’s horn impales Arc’s midsection. Everyone present gasps. Rainbow Dash is the first to speak.

“She really did do it!”

Pinkie grits her teeth. “That’s terrible!”

Fluttershy sobs. “How awful!”

Rarity stomps a hoof angrily. “She’s a monster!”

Applejack stands there, mouth agape. “He… didn’t even DO anything to her!”

Twilight puts a hoof to her head. “How… why…?”

Sereb frowns. “There is more.”

Rose nods. “Yes. Keep watching everyone.”

Arc is blasted out a window. He floats down the river holding his wounds. Eventually he heads for the bank only to be attacked by Timberwolves. Trying in vain to defend himself, Arc is wounded further. Luna winces as she speaks.

“What an end for such a brave…”

She stops talking as a pony in a black cloak drives away the assailants and drags Arc away. The final scenes shows Arc in a hospital of some kind before walking with a foal in a black cloak. Dinky sighs and looks to Luna.

“That’s all there is.”

“So he IS alive!”

Sereb nods. “Indeed.”

Rose smiles. “Now all we have to do is find that place.”

Apple Bloom steps forward. “Dinky already had an idea regarding that.”

Sweetie Belle grins. “Yeah.”

“I think we shouldn’t go after him.”

Twilight gasps. “What?!”

“If my dad is staying away, he must have a really good reason.”

Rose puts a finger to her chin. “Right. Arc always has a plan. What it is still eludes me though.”

Rainbow Dash grits her teeth. “Well, we still have to act on this end!”

Applejack appears confused. “Act?”

Rarity nods indignantly. “I think she means Princess Celestia along with Captain Decimus and Admiral Gaston need to be held accountable for their actions.”

Fluttershy frowns. “They did lie about it to everypony.”

Twilight gasps. “But… but Princess Celestia wouldn’t have done that without a good reason! R-right, Luna?!”

“I want to believe that, Twilight. However, it did appear she acted with great malice and decisively.”

Rose holds up the filled crystal. “Would this be enough evidence for a conviction?”

Rarity grimaces. “I would hope so!”

Luna shakes her head. “Unlikely, no.”

Sweetie Belle groans. “What else would we need?!”

Twilight sighs. “Lacking any other evidence, a confession from either the captain or the admiral would do it.”

Rainbow Dash moans. “But they’ll never give us that!”

Pinkie nods fervently. “Right! They’re the bad guys!”

Apple Bloom trots in place nervously. “Is there any other way?!”

Max nods. “An eyewitness account.”

Viktor sighs. “But there weren’t any other witnesses.”

Xenos grits his teeth. “Yes, there was.”

Hugh appears confused. “What? Who?”

Dinky nods. “My dad.”

Rarity grins. “If he were to come back and publicly testify against Princess Celestia, there would be no doubt!”

Twilight’s ears droop. “I suppose not. With this crystal and his testimony, it would be an open and shut case.”

Applejack turns to her friend. “Twilight?”

“This… this is just so much to take in! I’m still having trouble believing it’s real!”

Luna sighs. “As am I, Twilight. But we must do what is right for the country. These wrongs must be made right at any cost.”

Rainbow Dash clops her hooves together. “So are we going to bust into Canterlot Castle and confront her directly?!”

Sereb growls. “That would be suicide.”

Rose sighs. “Right. Everyone saw Princess Celestia’s power. She could just vaporize all of us to keep the matter quiet.”

Pinkie frowns. “So we’re not going to do ANYTHING?!”

Rarity gasps. “There must be some way to…!”

Luna nods. “There is. But we need Arc to spearhead whatever offensive takes place.”

Max stands at attention. “I volunteer to join the fight when that time comes!”

Xenos grins. “Me too!”

Viktor takes up a battle ready position. “This is what we signed up for!”

Hugh appear apprehensive. “But aren’t we supposed to defend the princesses? This just doesn’t seem right to me.”

Luna turns to the squad. “Your sworn duty is to protect and serve Equestria alongside the Hero of Light. His entire purpose for existing is to stop a power hungry monarch who has gone astray. Now I know that may not sound like something you can do, but with Arc’s help it can be accomplished.”

Dinky grits her teeth. “If we just let this go, who knows just how far Princess Celestia will go?!”

Derpy nods. “It would be nice if we could gauge just how far she’s gone already. Any luck with the lover plan, Twilight?”

Twilight shakes her head. “Nothing yet, no.”

Luna sighs. “I too am a bit concerned. Celestia should have called for Twilight the moment word reached her.”

Rainbow Dash shrugs. “Maybe it just hasn’t.”

“It should have. After all, Twilight and I have been going at it pretty hard while everypony else was gone.”

There is an awkward silence. Eventually Luna bows her head and breaks it.

“That… came out wrong.”

Apple Bloom looks confused. “I don’t get it.”

Applejack blushes slightly. “That’s fine, Apple Bloom.”

Sweetie Belle looks to Dinky. “Is there anything else we can do?”

“No. We got this evidence, so I think the rest is up to the Element Bearers.”

Rarity looks to Twilight. “It is?”

“Dinky’s right. It’s our job to not only wield the Elements of Harmony, but to help maintain order.”

Fluttershy takes a step back, nervously. “We are?”

Luna nods. “To a degree, yes.”

Rose smiles as she looks to Twilight and her friends. “While no official decree or law currently exists on the books, the Elements have always been used to protect the peace of this land.”

Twilight nods with conviction. “The Princess Celestia I remember would have wanted us to do that.”

Fluttershy grimaces. “What about her though?”

Twilight sighs. “No matter what happened to her, she’d want us to do the right thing.”

Rainbow Dash raises a hoof. “Crazy idea here, but… couldn’t we use the Elements of Harmony to send her to the moon… or something?”

Derpy’s eyes grow wide. “For a thousand years?!”

Twilight gasps. “I’d never see her again!”

Sereb sighs. “That may be for the best.”

Luna frowns. “While a hard decision to make, I agree. Celestia must be stopped, and her accomplices arrested.”

Rarity appears hopeful. “But not until Arc comes back though, right?”

“Sadly, yes. He’s the only one with the authority to take or order such action against a ruling princess.”

Rainbow Dash groans. “So what now?!”

“Luna and I will return to the castle and continue with our plan. The rest of you should go home and wait for a message from us.”

Applejack gasps. “What?!”

Pinkie shakes her head. “We should be at the castle with you!”

Max sighs. “I know you all would like that. But it’s best for everypony if you stay here in Ponyville where it’s safe.”

Hugh nods. “If something happens they can send word to us here.”

Viktor grins. “We’ll get you out of here if it appears danger is coming.”

Xenos stomps a large hoof. “Yeah. You can count on us.”

Luna looks to the Element Bearers. “There is one other matter I need to inform you of. I sent word to Sunburst the other day to request the Elements of Harmony be returned.”

Rainbow Dash grins. “Great! Where are they?!”

“He… doesn’t have them.”

Applejack raises an eyebrow. “Come again?”

“According to the message I received from him, Captain Decimus’ guards came to him and insisted that they should be taken to the vault. Sunburst refused, and the Elements were taken from his safe by force.”

Twilight gasps. “What?! So they STOLE them?!”

“It would appear so, yes.”

Rainbow Dash angrily takes flight. “So, let’s go pound him!”

Rarity holds up a hoof. “Wait! Remember, this is Captain Decimus we’re talking about!”

Derpy nods. “Right. Even Arc couldn’t kill him.”

Dinky steps forward. “You need to keep quiet about this. If Decimus feels somepony was going to do something he could just move them.”

Rose sighs. “Then you’d never find them again.”

Sweetie Belle looks to Apple Bloom. “So… what then?”

“I dunno.”

Luna frowns. “We need to stay the course with my plan to make my sister call for Twilight. As of right now there really isn’t anything else we can do.”

Rainbow Dash rubs her front hooves together wickedly. “I know something that might help!”

Applejack bow her head and sighs. “Break into the Audience Chamber?”

“BREAK INTO THE AUDIENCE CHAMBER, YES!!!”

Pinkie grins. “I have my party cannon right here! Let’s do it!”

Rose shakes her head. “That would be unwise.”

Sereb growls. “Indeed. Captain Decimus would simply call down the full force of the Equestrian military upon you.”

Luna grimaces. “Which is currently stationed at Canterlot Castle, no less.”

Derpy sighs. “And we can’t risk losing our Element Bearers.”

“Yeah. My dad wouldn’t want all of you to get hurt on his account.”

Rainbow Dash groans. “Ugh! Fine! I’m gonna go take a nap!”

She flies out the door and vanishes from sight. Luna turns to Twilight.

“Will she be alright?”

“I think so. Rainbow Dash isn’t wrong though. More so as the Element of Loyalty.”

Max nods. “After seeing a princess betray someone so faithfully loyal to our nation… well… we know how she feels.”

Viktor sighs. “We haven’t had any correspondence with the capital since the funeral.”

Hugh grimaces. “Canterlot appears to have forgotten us here.”

Xenos grits his teeth. “Yeah. Or could it just have been Decimus’ way of getting us away from the castle?”

Luna puts a hoof to her chin. “That is possible, yes. You four are certainly loyal to the Hero of Light, after all.”

Twilight smiles. “But with that, he has made his first mistake.”

Dinky appears confused. “Miss Twilight?”

“Think about it. You four are our aces in the hole. If something comes up here in Ponyville, you have the training and the skills to handle it.”

Sereb nods. “Indeed. You could get the Element Bearers along with these fillies to safety.”

Rose shudders. “They are indeed high value targets.”

Applejack gasps. “We are?”

Luna sighs. “Very. With the Hero of Light missing, you six are the only ones with the power to stop my sister should the need arise.”

Pinkie salutes. “We’ll do our best!”

Fluttershy stands up bravely. “Yes we will!”

Rarity puffs out her chest. “Arc would be proud of us.”

Applejack stomps a hoof. “Darn right!”

Twilight’s ears droop sadly. “I’ll… do what I have to as well.”

Luna smiles. “Good. I’m sure I can count on all of you.”

Meanwhile, Sandstorm Mirage listens in from the other side of the door. Turning around, he frowns and opens a dark portal.

“This is… unexpected. I’ll have to inform the Dark Lady of this turn of events right away!”

Comments

[Munro]

GAH who the hell is sandstorm mirage loyal to, its madening

[Kamahido]

11062563
This certainly isn't the first time it has been made apparent that he's not loyal.

More on that in a MUCH later volume.

[VeryDeadlyBee]

Viktor sighs. “But there weren’t any other witnesses.”

Rose.

[Kamahido]

11552490
I don't believe Rose was even in the castle the night of the incident. If memory serves correctly, she was back at the Golden Oaks Library with Aurora.