The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 8 - Official Orders

“Open up!”

Arc frowns. “Uh oh…”

Cherry gasps. “Decimus!”

“You’d better hide, dad!”

Coco Pommel points a hood. “In my quarters! Hurry!”

Arc Blinks into the next room as Derpy unlocks and opens the door. Captain Decimus enters quickly wearing armor very similar to the traditional Heroes of Light. His Crest of Light is prominently displayed on his shoulder.

“Matron! I have need of some of your facilities for a few days or so!”

“Sir?”

“Canterlot is sending over a number of troops to aid me in my duties. They will need to be housed here while the base down the road is modified.”

Coco Pommel frowns. “But this is an orphanage!”

“It’s a government owned building, and I have need of it temporarily. After all, I’m sure you have extra beds available.”

Scootaloo steps forward. “Captain.”

Decimus smiles as he removes his helmet. “Ah, Scarlet Filly! Forgive me, but I didn’t see you back there.”

“No offense taken, sir. But if I may, what are you doing so far from the capital?”

“As the new Hero of Light I’m planning to use the base down the path as my center of operations. But first it needs to be properly cleaned and organized.”

“I’m not attempting to tell you how to operate, captain, but wouldn’t it be easier to work from Canterlot?”

“Not for something like this. I’m looking for the fugitive former Hero of Light.”

Coco Pommel frowns. “But he passed away!”

Derpy nods as she points a hoof. “Yes! His grave is just down the road!”

Decimus scoffs. “Just a memorial there. My taking his base serves to cut him off from a potential seat of power.”

Dinky frowns. “You think he was trying to take over?!”

“Most likely. That and he had many allies in this town. My presence will keep him away. But I assume that’s what led you here, Scarlett Filly.”

“Truthfully, I had another reason to visit this facility.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. You see, I’m actually an orphan.”

Decimus nods soberly. “Not to sound callous, but I assumed as much.”

“I came here to see what my options were.”

Coco Pommel clears her throat loudly. “She claims to not have any other known relatives.”

Decimus rolls his eyes. “And?”

“The law clearly states that she is to be entrusted to my care until proper adoptive parents can be found and approved.”

“That may be the case normally, yes. However, the Scarlet Filly is an exceptional individual.”

Derpy appears confused. “She is?”

“Oh yes. If you’d read the reports of what she’s accomplished thus far I’m sure you’d agree that she can’t be contained to this shabby orphanage.”

“But she’s much too young to be traveling the land unaccompanied!”

Decimus frowns. “Then have ‘Emancipation Papers’ drawn up.”

“That’s a rather lengthy process though. She’d have to appear before the princesses for an interview and prove that she’s capable of paying her own bills, cooking her own food, and holding a steady job.”

Decimus waves his hoof dismissively. “No need for that. Just write up the papers and I’ll sign them.”

“But the law clearly states that only the princesses themselves can authorize…!”

“You seem to forget that I hold the same power to authorize such things, matron! Now then, as the Hero of Light, I hereby ORDER you to draw up those papers immediately!”

Coco Pommel sighs. “Very well.”

Pulling two blank forms from her desk Coco Pommel writes a few things before pushing them toward Decimus.

“I just need your signature on both forms along with the Scarlet Filly’s.”

Decimus picks up the pen and signs his name before giving it to Scootaloo to do the same. Coco Pommel looks them over for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll send this one to Canterlot today.”

Decimus nods. “Be sure the other copy is issued to her.”

“Yes sir.”

“Thank you for your help, captain.

Decimus nods. “It’s no trouble. After all, heroes such as ourselves can’t be held back by petty bureaucracy. Now then, I’ll leave you to your investigation.”

Turning, he leaves the office. Scootaloo sighs as Arc steps back into the room.

“That didn’t go as I had hoped.”

Derpy appears confused. “How so?”

Dinky nods. “Yeah. If Decimus hadn’t done that, you’d have to stay here at the orphanage.”

Coco Pommel slides the other form to Scootaloo. “With this, you’re not bound by a legal guardian or my own authority.”

Dinky turns to Derpy. “What’s that mean, mom?”

“I don’t actually know.”

Cherry calls out. “That she can come and go as she pleases. Like an adult.”

Coco Pommel nods. “Right.”

“But that isn’t what I wanted!”

Coco Pommel appears confused. “It isn’t?”

Arc sighs. “Like I was saying before Decimus showed up…”

Dinky gasps. “Dad! Decimus is heading to your base!”

“Yes, I heard that.”

Derpy turns to look out the window. “But everypony’s still there!”

“Not anymore.”

Cherry sounds confused. “Arc?”

“As soon as I heard that I used the phone in your quarters to call the base. By now our friends and squad have all fled.”

Scootaloo breathes a sigh of relief. “That’s good, I suppose. But it doesn’t change anything for me.”

Dinky turns to her father. “What was the plan then, dad?”

“I promised that I would adopt Scootaloo myself.”

Scootaloo looks to Coco Pommel, hopefully. “Can we still do that?!”

Coco Pommel sighs and shakes her head as she holds up the other form. “I’m afraid not. With this document you’re legally considered an adult and ineligible for adoption.”

Arc kneels down and puts a hand on her shoulder. “Look, Scootaloo. I may not be able to legally adopt you. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t stay together.”

Dinky walks over to the sad filly. “Right. After all, you’re an adult now.”

“Can I still call you Big Brother?”

“Sure. And we can still travel together.”

Cherry gasps. “Travel?!”

Derpy frowns. “But you just got here, Arc!”

“I know. However with Decimus looking for me, it would be very dangerous for me to stay in town.”

Dinky grits her teeth. “That’s not fair! Decimus is the bad stallion, not you, dad!”

“Agreed. But until I have some kind of plan, I need to lay low.”

Coco Pommel nods sadly. “But where would you go?”

“We could go stay with Ruby back at the ranch, Arc.”

Arc shakes his head. “No, Cherry. Then SHE’D be in danger.”

Derpy frowns. “But you have to stay somewhere, Arc!”

“I know, Derpy. Let’s go meet the others. See if they have any ideas.”

Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “Others?”

“Rarity said everyone would head to her shop. We can meet them there.”

“And you have a sigil just outside, dad! Just let me run home real quick and fetch it for you along with your knife!”

She runs out the door. A short time later Dinky returns with the gauntlet and knife in her saddlebags. Arc takes them and nods as he calls forth a portal and turns to the matron.

“In any case, thanks for the help Coco Pommel.”

“You’re welcome. I’m only sorry I couldn’t help you as originally intended. Be careful out there.”

Allowing the others to go first, Arc raises his hood before following them through. Hurrying inside the shop Rarity closes and locks the door behind him. Decloaking, he looks around the room.

“Sorry about the quick exit, everyone.”

Applejack smiles warmly. “It ain’t your fault, Arc.”

Pinkie grins. “Yeah! It’s that mean old Decimus’!”

Rainbow Dash clops her front hooves together. “How about I head over there and try to catch him?!”

Fluttershy grimaces. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“Why not?!”

Rarity sighs. “For starters, because it would be treason.”

Scootaloo appears confused. “What’s that?”

Arc looks to her. “Betraying your country. You see… uh oh…”

Rarity turns to him. “Arc?”

“Where’s Ember and Sereb?”

Pinkie raises a hoof. “They said something about taking care of… something!”

Rainbow Dash grins. “Great! They’ll deal with Decimus!”

Arc facepalms. “That’s bad!”

Derpy looks to Arc. “How? I mean, they’re not citizens of Equestria.”

Arc frowns as he heads for the door. “That’s worse! It’ll cause a war!”

Opening the door, Arc sees Ember and Sereb standing there as they prepare to knock.

“Where were you two?!”

“Taking care of something.”

“Get in here!”

Shrugging, they enter. Arc closes the door and looks to them.

“Please tell me you two didn’t go after Decimus!”

Sereb growls. “Decimus is here?!”

Ember calls forth her armor and spear. “No! But I will now!”

Scootaloo walks over to them. “Please calm down, miss! If Big Brother says it’s a bad idea, we should believe him.”

Arc groans. “Think about what the resulting war would do to our nations!”

Sereb frowns. “We were not even aware he was in town.”

Arc chuckles. “Oh… right. I don’t recall saying why everyone had to leave the base. Sorry about that. So where do you go?”

“To get this.”

Opening Sereb’s saddlebags Ember pulls out a small box. Handing it to Arc, she smiles.

“I figured you missed this.”

Reaching inside the box, Arc pulls out a cupcake.

“Thanks you two.”

Taking a bite, Arc sits down in a nearby chair.

“Well… now what?”

Ember grips her spear tightly. “We could take down Decimus!”

“Didn’t I just explain how that’s a bad idea?!”

Sereb growls. “As was his idea to attempt to kill you, Arc!”

“He’ll get what’s coming to him. But first we need to know more of his plans.”

Scootaloo frowns. “If he’s so bad why not just off him?”

Dinky sighs. “Because he’d just come back.”

“How?!”

Derpy shrugs. “We have no idea.”

Rainbow Dash grits her teeth. “Right! That guy must have nine lives!”

Rarity appears hopeful. “You could stay here with me, Arc.”

Applejack steps forward. “Or at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“Mom and I would like it if you were close by too, dad.”

“Thanks for the offers everyone. However, I can’t stay in Ponyville at the moment.”

Ember pipes up. “How about the Dragon Lands?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of… something at least on the continent.”

Sereb growls. “Anywhere in Equestria would put you in danger, Arc.”

“Well, I want to be able to come right back if trouble arises.”

“Big Brother!”

“Yes, Scootaloo?”

“I know where we can go!”

Oh?”

“The Crystal Empire!”

Derpy tilts her head to one side, confused. “Why there?”

“It’s part of the mainland, but not actually affiliated directly with Equestria, right?!”

Rarity sighs. “That’s only partially true, dear. It’s a separate country, yes. But at the same time ruled by the princesses.”

Arc puts a hand to his chin. “Crystal Empire, huh? That might work.”

Derpy appears surprised. “Arc?”

“Not so much the location, but who’s in charge over there.”

Rainbow Dash shrugs. “Princess Cadance?”

Fluttershy nods. “Remember, she went back there after the funeral.”

Arc looks up. “Who’s funeral?”

“Yours, sugarcube.”

“Oh?”

Pinkie nods. “It was really nice too! You’d have loved it! Say, why didn’t you come?!”

Max rolls his eyes. “He was kinda believed to be dead.”

Arc chuckles. “I’ll try to make it to the next one.”

Xenos sighs. “The only problem now is how to get there.”

“Right. I don’t have a sigil anywhere near that place.”

Ember grins. “We could take Sereb.”

“I don’t think he could carry all of us.”

Derpy frowns. “Huh?”

“Me, Ember, and Scootaloo.”

“What about mom and I, dad?!”

“You two are safest here. Remember, I’m a criminal at the moment.”

Derpy smiles. “We wouldn’t mind…”

“If I get caught, you’ll go to jail with me. Then who’ll take care of Dinky?”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Hugh looks out the window. “How about the train?”

Viktor nods. “Right! You could take it to Canterlot, and from there get a transfer to the Crystal Empire!”

Scootaloo grins. “We could get a private room like we did last time. That worked out pretty well.”

Sereb chimes in. “And I could stay in my Cub Form to avoid unwanted attention.”

Ember nods. “It’s plausible. When’s the next train out of here?”

Applejack sighs. “Tomorrow morning.”

“That means you can come home with us, dad!”

Rainbow Dash shakes her head. “Probably not a good idea.”

Dinky frowns. “Why not?”

Pinkie hangs her head. “Because that’s one of the first places they’d think to look!”

Fluttershy nods. “Everypony knew Arc had a room at Derpy’s house, after all.”

Rarity clears her throat. “In that case, you could stay here tonight. Nopony would think to look for you at my house, as our relationship is still a secret to pretty much everypony.”

“Thanks. But what about Ember and Sereb?”

Applejack steps forward. “They can spend the night in our guest room on the farm.”

Ember grins. “Awesome! Then tomorrow we’ll be off!”

Sereb nods. “On another adventure, no less.”

Arc looks around at those assembled. “Okay, it sounds like we have a plan.”

Dinky appears hopeful. “But what about today?”

Ember raises an eyebrow. “What about it?”

Pinkie thinks soberly. “They need something to kill time, right?”

Scootaloo nods. “I guess so. But like Big Brother said, anywhere we go will make somepony a target.”

Arc snaps his fingers. “There’s one place we could lay low for the day.”

Cherry calls out. “What about everypony’s safety?”

“Not to worry. I’ve got it covered.”

Arc turns to the Mane 6.

“There’s a few things I need to take care of anyways.”

Rarity looks hopeful. “You’ll be back before nightfall though, right?”

“Oh yes. That much I can assure you. But right now I need to take Derpy and Dinky for a bit.”

“Dad?”

Derpy smiles. “We’d love to come, of course. Nevertheless, it’d be nice to know what this is about.”

“Trust me. All will be explained shortly.”

Ember frowns. “What about us?!”

“I’ll see you and Sereb here at Rarity’s tomorrow morning.”

“But…!”

Sereb interrupts her. “Arc must have his reasons.”

Ember frowns. “Fine.”

Arc nods sadly and raises his gauntlet to open a portal. Motioning for Derpy and Dinky to enter along with Scootaloo he turns back to the others.

“I’ll see everyone tomorrow. Take care.”

Stepping through, Arc vanishes as the portal collapses. Rainbow Dash is the first to speak.

“What the heck do you suppose THAT was all about?!”

Applejack shrugs. “No idea. But he didn’t look too thrilled about it.”

Pinkie grins. “Why wouldn’t he be happy?! After all, Arc LOVES spending time with his family, right?!”

Fluttershy smiles warmly. “Of course. Maybe he just wants some time with them before heading to the Crystal Empire.”

Rarity nods. “That’s probably it. After all, who knows when he’ll be back.”

Ember clenches a fist. “He’ll be back when it’s safe.”

Sereb turns to her. “When do you suppose that would be?”

“As soon as Decimus bites the dust… AGAIN!!!”

Rainbow Dash spreads her wings. “I’m with you, Ember!”

Applejack frowns. “You two heard what Arc said though. No bloodshed.”

Ember turns and heads for the door. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it though.”

Comments

[Munro]

decimus is such a nusens, how he manage to show up just at the right time too -.-