The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Chapter 9 - Updates

Several days later Mio walks into the alley. She is wearing her black cloak from last time as she treads down the unlit backstreet slowly. Looking around nervously, she gasps and falls backwards as Sereb and Scootaloo jump out from behind a large dumpster. Mio frowns as she gets up.

“You could’ve just stepped out normally!”

Scootaloo grins. “I guess. But it’s kinda fun scaring you.”

Mio scowls as she looks left and right. “Where’s your master, bloodsucker?”

Arc clears his throat. “Right behind you.”

Jumping ahead, she whirls around to see Arc.

“How’d you DO that?!”

“Professional secret. After all, moving silently is important for someone in my position.”

“What do you want from me this time?!”

“A status report.”

Scootaloo nods. “Right. But not here.”

“Where then?”

Arc chuckles. “Somewhere a bit more… comfortable.

Putting a hand on Mio’s shoulders, he nods to Sereb. Returning to his normal form, the wolf’s horn glows as he casts a sleep spell on Mio. As she loses consciousness Arc sweeps her off her feet and turns to the others as he opens a portal.

“Let’s get moving.”

Stepping through, Arc sets Mio down in a chair. Turning to Sereb as he closes the portal, Arc nods. Casting another spell to revive the woman, she looks around. They are in the middle of the same dining room. As before a pizza, bottle of soda, and salad are waiting for them. Arc motions to the food before them.

“I do hope you’ll eat something this time.”

Scootaloo grins. “Yeah. That salad was pretty good.”

Arc nods. “As is the pizza.”

“Can I have hers if she doesn’t eat it again?”

“I guess.”

Mio picks up the salad and sits it down before her. Picking up a fork she stabs it into the greens and takes a bite.

“It’s not bad.”

Arc chuckles as he sits down with a plateful of pizza. “Not afraid it’s poisoned?”

Mio shakes her head as she swallows. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Scootaloo narrows her eyes. “What do you mean?!”

“If any harm comes to me, you’ll lose your only link to Hammer.”

Arc nods. “You’re right. But as I said last time, we’re not going to hurt you or your sisters.”

Mio narrows her eyes. “Forgive me if I still don’t believe you.”

Arc sets a sealed bottle of water before Mio. She takes it and cracks it open as he serves Scootaloo a slice.

“Thanks!”

Arc nods as he sets some food on the floor for Sereb. “Plenty for everyone.”

Mil turns to Scootaloo. “Before we get started, have a questions for your little friend, Arc.”

“Me?”

“Yes. How does a vampire like you eat food?”

Scootaloo appears confused. “A what?”

“You’re supposed to get your nutrition from drinking blood, are you not?”

Arc rolls his eyes. “I think you’ve been watching too many movies, Mio.”

Scootaloo sticks out her tongue, clearly disgusted. “Yeah! Why would I drink blood?!”

Arc nods. “Right. Pizza probably tastes better too.”

“So she isn’t a vampire?”

Arc grins mischievously. “Oh, I didn’t say that.”

Scootaloo flashes her fangs menacingly as Mio looks at her. Arc continues as she does so.

“She can still enslave you if you’d like.”

Mio instinctively draws back. “I’ll pass.”

Scootaloo grins. “How about I drain her life force then?”

Arc shakes his head. “Nah. She’d weaken too fast.”

Mio gasps. “You say that so casually.”

“I’m used to this situation. You’re the newcomer here. But enough chit-chat about whatnot. I need to know how things are going on your end.”

“When Hammer read your initial email I thought she was going to swallow her own tongue.”

Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “Is that… good?”

“Yeah. But what exactly did she say?”

“She was excited beyond words to hear from you. And just in time too. Her apartment along with her physical and mental state were all disaster zones.”

Arc frowns as he tosses Sereb another bite of pizza. “Was she now?”

Mio nods fervently. “Yes! Everything was a mess when I got there that day!”

Scootaloo scoffs. “It couldn’t have been that bad.”

“Oh really? Hammer along with her apartment smelled like rotting food and body odor mixed together.”

Arc wrinkles his nose. “Yuck.”

Mio sighs. “I tried talking her back to normal before doing it your way.”

“And…?”

“She ran into the shower to get cleaned up after I reminded her that you wouldn’t like seeing her in that state.”

“Good. Sounds like she needed it.”

“Together we cleaned the apartment from top to bottom before going to the store for food to fill her empty refrigerator.”

“How was she at the store?”

Mio groans. “Hammer talked about you endlessly. I tried to change the subject a few times, of course. But it didn’t do me any good. She always found a way to get it right back to you.”

Scootaloo frowns. “Give us an example.”

“While walking the isles she kept asking me what kinds of food should she have on hand for when you came back.”

“What else?”

“She also wanted my help picking out an outfit from her closet to wear for you.”

Scootaloo frowns. “Clothes?”

Mio nods. “I found a little black dress. No idea where she got it though.”

Arc chuckles. “From the mall.”

“Nice try. But Hammer’s never bought anything like that when she, Stingray, and I went there.”

“I bought it for her during our second date.”

Mio gasps. “You were the one who was behind that?!”

“That I was.”

Mio moves to stand, but Sereb growls at her viscously. Sitting back down she looks Arc in the eye.

“If you so much as even TRY to molest Hammer, I’ll…!”

Scootaloo licks her fangs. “You’ll what?!”

“…take you down before her dress has a chance to hit the floor!”

Scootaloo glares at the woman. “I’d like to see you TRY!”

Arc frowns. “Let it go.”

He turns back to Mio.

“I’m not trying to do anything that might hurt Hammer.”

“Any more than you already have, you mean?!”

“Yeah.”

Mio appears confused. “Wait, what?”

“I’m agreeing with you. After all, I’m the one at fault here.”

“That you are.”

Scootaloo grits her teeth. “Hey! He’s trying to make it right!”

Mio shakes her head. “I just don’t know what to make of you, Arc.”

“What do you mean?”

“You claim to want to help Hammer. However, you’re forcing what appears to be a little girl at your side as an ‘enforcer’.”

“I’m not a little girl.”

“Right. And although she’s my thrall, I do take very good care of her.”

Scootaloo nods fervently. “That he does!”

Arc folds his hands and looks the young woman in the eye evenly. “But tell me something, Mio. How did Hammer’s mindset change during the rest of the week?”

“She’s been getting progressively better. This afternoon she was pretty much back to normal.”

Arc nods. “I’m glad my daily e-mails are helping.”

“They are. But it’s a band-aid on a broken leg.”

Scootaloo appears confused. “What?”

“She means it’s a nice thought, but ultimately doesn’t solve the real problem.”

Mio nods. “Precisely.”

Scootaloo frowns. “So what will?”

“I’m still working on that.”

Mio narrows her eyes. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Help Hammer. I mean, it’s not like you really care about her.”

Arc sighs. “I guess I did give that impression based on my actions. But she’s a really nice woman.”

“Whom you befriended for nefarious purposes!”

“We did become friends, yes. She was so happy when we were together. So kind and innocent.”

Mio raises an eyebrow. “We ARE talking about the same person, right?”

Arc nods. “I am, yes. Are you?”

“Probably not. Hammer isn’t capable of what you’re describing.”

“How so?”

“She’s… for lack of a better analogy… a few sandwiches short of a picnic lunch.”

Sereb growls as Arc motions for him to be silent.

“What makes you say that?”

“I’ve known her a lot longer than you have! She’s quite the extremist!”

Scootaloo frowns. “Explain.?”

Mio grins wickedly. “Should she ever find out how you manipulated her into serving your own ends, her love for you will quickly turn into the most intense hatred you’ve ever experienced.”

Scootaloo clenches a small fist. “Bring it on! We’re ready!”

Arc shakes his head. “No, we’re not.”

“But…!”

“I’m not fighting Hammer. After all, I deserve whatever she dishes out.”

Mio nods smugly. “Believe me when I say that it’ll be a full course meal.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

Mio stares at Arc, dumbfounded. “What’s your endgame here? I mean, you can’t just e-mail her forever.”

Scootaloo scoffs. “We don’t have to tell you anything!”

“Calm down.”

He turns to Mio.

“Ultimately, I’m trying to let her down lightly. Break up with her in a way that doesn’t leave her in a catatonic state.”

“I’m not sure if I should be thanking you or stopping you.”

“Me either.”

“Not that I believe you. It’s just that I don’t have anything else to go on.”

Mio looks Arc in the eye soberly.

“But if I believe that Hammer is in any real danger from your antics, I won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to protect her.”

“No arguments there.”

“Big Brother?!”

Arc sighs. “It’s more than I did for Hammer.”

Mio groans. “Can I go now?”

“Sure. But I’ll need to contact you regarding out next rendezvous.”

Mio rolls her eyes. “Want my cell phone number?”

“You got one?”

“No!”

Arc looks at her evenly for a long moment. Eventually Mio sighs and looks away.

“…yes.”

Arc grins as he pulls a notepad from his pocket. “What is it?”

Begrudgingly, Mio recites the number as Arc writes it down before standing up.

“I think we’ve got everything we need for now.”

Scootaloo turns to Arc. “What do we do with her?”

“You want a lift back to your apartment?”

Mio frowns. “Thanks, but I think I’ll call a cab.”

“Fine. But we have to be going.”

Heading for the door, Arc motions for Sereb and Scootaloo to follow him. Mio begins dialing as they leave.

“That scumbag. Hammer really has bad taste in men.”

Meanwhile, Arc and his friends walk around to the back of the restaurant. Looking around, Arc calls forth his gauntlet and opens a portal back to his basement. Stepping off of it, he looks to Sereb.

“What did you think?”

“I didn’t sense any deception in her words tonight.”

Scootaloo frowns. “How about last time?”

“Mixed.”

“She’s telling me exactly what I need to know to fix this.”

Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “I thought you wanted to know more about some organization.”

“Ultimately I do. But helping Hammer should come first.”

Sereb sighs. “May I ask why?”

“Because she didn’t deserve to be used like that. And if I help her sister, Mio might let more information slip.”

Scootaloo shakes her head. “That seems unlikely.”

Sereb looks to Arc. “So your plan is to get inside Mio’s head now?”

Arc nods. “In a manner of speaking.”

“How is that different than what you did before, Big Brother?

“I’m not trying to manipulate Mio into any kind of a relationship. Just into giving me what could be lifesaving information on her sister. That and if we can expose this so-called Organization’s plans we might be able to turn that information over to the authorities.”

Sereb nods. “Many lives would be saved.”

“Exactly. Stop them before things go any further.”

Scootaloo sighs. “What now though?”

“I want you to get some sleep now. Cherry and I need to go see someone about following up on a lead.”

“You don’t want me to come?”

Arc shakes his head. “Nah, it’s really late. That and this person isn’t connected to the Organization in any way. I’ll be just fine with them.”

Scootaloo sighs. “Fine.”

Scootaloo heads for the stairs as Arc powers up his sigil and vanishes. Frowning she looks back at the sigil.

“Watch yourself out there, Big Brother.”

Meanwhile, Arc reappears on a rooftop. He gazes out over the silent city wistfully for a time before sighing.

“Things look so peaceful from up here.”

Cherry giggles. “I think everypony is just sleeping.”

“Angel Grove’s always been a pretty quiet town. The Shards were probably the biggest disturbance to that.”

“Do you think they still pose a threat?”

Arc shakes his head. “Nah. Frank’s learned that there’s a new path for him and the others to follow. Getting real jobs and pooling together shows that much.”

“But what do you think they’ll do when their powers mature? Not everyone will take the high road.”

“We’ll handle that problem if it comes. Right now they all deserve a chance to prove themselves. But let’s get inside and see your old friend.”

“It has been awhile.”

Taking a deep breath, Arc Blinks downward. Looking around for a moment before removing his cloak, Arc calls forth Eidolon’s Ward. As it melts away he steps out and turns around to face it.

“I think I’ll let you go see her.”

Eidolon’s Ward nods. “Yes, that’s probably for the best.”

Walking down the hall, the armor puts a gauntlet on the knob. Pushing gently, the door opens slowly. Entering the room Cherry looks toward Minerva’s bed. Seeing her friend lying there peacefully sleeping she smiles inwardly. Turning back to the living room she approaches Arc on the couch.

“She’s asleep.”

Arc chuckles. “Well, it IS nighttime after all.”

“I don’t really want to wake her.”

“Kinda hard to talk with her asleep though.”

“There is another option, you know.”

Arc frowns. “Not a big fan of that one.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s our special little place.”

“You’ve let others in there before!”

Arc sighs. “I guess that’s true.”

“And she’s done everything asked of her.”

“Fine, fine…”

Arc lays down on the couch and closes his eyes. Eidolon’s Ward watches over him until his breathing slows and he falls asleep. Adjusting his cloak to properly cover his face, she heads for the bedroom again. Walking over to the bed Cherry looks at her friend for a long moment before sitting down in the chair next to her. Carefully removing her helmet she slowly and meticulously places it on Minera’s head. Transferring her consciousness to the helmet the armor lifelessly leans back in the chair. A few moments later Minerva awakens in the Sanctuary. She looks around, clearly confused.

“Where…? Cherry’s farm?”

“Ranch, actually.”

She turns around to see Cherry walking toward her.

“I must be dreaming.”

Cherry giggles. “You kinda are, yes. We’re in the Sanctuary again.”

Minerva gasps as Cherry helps her up. “H-how?!”

“The Hero and I came back to Earth.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Cherry sighs. “Normally I would agree.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There was an… incident back in my homeland. But I should probably let the Hero tell you about it.”

“He’s here too?”

Cherry nods and points a hoof. “Yes. He’s inside the house. Shall we?”

Minerva nods. “Lead the way.”

Cherry and Minerva walk toward the house. Entering, they find Arc sitting on the couch. He stands as the approach.

“Hello again, Minerva.”

“Welcome back to Earth. Cherry said there was some kind of problem back where you come from.”

“Yeah. It’s kinda a long story though.”

“I’d be willing to keep it to myself.”

Cherry turns to him. “She can be trusted, Hero.”

“Very well. I was able to find the one I was searching for.”

“In that military base?”

“Yes.”

“Who was it?”

“A mare by the name of… Princess Celestia.”

Minerva gasps. “Royalty?!”

Cherry nods soberly. “Our land has been searching for her for some time now.”

“But how did she get here?!”

Arc shrugs. “We don’t know. All that mattered was that we had to get her away from the military and back to Equestria safely.”

“We all saw you escape the military.”

Cherry gasps. “The whole town?”

“Probably most of the country. That story aired on every major network domestically and even international.”

Arc groans. “Great. I’m famous now.”

“More along the lines of ‘infamous’. Depending whom you talk to, that is.”

Cherry appears confused. “What do you mean?”

“I did just what you asked of me, Hero. Back then I reported on your attack of that military base. However, the military and the population are not exactly thrilled with what you were able to accomplish.”

“Yes, well… I knew it would most likely end that way.”

“Then why did you…?”

“To expose the military’s new toys. They would be forced to use them in order to counter my attack.”

Cherry raises an eyebrow. “You wanted humans to see what weapons they had?”

Arc nods. “Yes. To the best of my knowledge they’ve never announced anything even close to what we saw back there.”

Minerva puts a hand to her chin. “Various news organizations have polled their viewers. They’re split roughly half and half on whether or not the government was justified in hiding these machinations from the general public.”

Cherry looks to her friend. “And what do you think?”

“That we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. If they were able to hide things like that along with a pony princess, well… my journalistic side wants to know what else they’re keeping down there.”

Arc frowns. “Wait. That base is still active?”

“Of course. As costly as they are to build, you don’t abandon a base just because of a security breach. They replaced the door you blew up and installed more defenses both inside and outside the wall.”

“How much more secure is it?”

“If you thought it was a fortress back then, it’s more so now. By a lot.”

Arc shrugs. “Oh well. It’s not like we need to get in there again. Princess Celestia is back on her throne and Equestria is safe.”

Cherry looks skeptical. “Is it?”

Arc sighs. “Not really.”

“What happened over there?”

Cherry grimaces. “We’re… kinda in hiding.”

“But I thought you said you rescued the princess.”

Arc nods. “That we did. I even retook the throne for a time so the other two princesses could devote their time to caring for her.”

“I would have thought you’d be lauded as a hero.”

Cherry sighs. “He was. That is until an old enemy returned and convinced Princess Celestia that the Hero was actually the villain.”

“So they’re manipulating her?!”

Arc nods. “Yeah.”

“Then why are you here?”

Cherry’s ears droop. “It isn’t safe for the Hero back in our land. What with that traitor looking for him.”

“Fortunately the device we used to get here back then was dismantled by its creator.”

“So he can’t follow us.”

Minerva frowns. “Who’s to say that inventor isn’t on his side though.”

“I doubt it. Besides, the power source was taken and hidden away by one of the other princesses. No power, no portal.”

Minerva nods. “So what’s the plan?”

“One of my close friends is the personal student of Princess Celestia. She’s going to try and convince her of my true intentions.”

“But why would royalty listen to a lowly student?”

Cherry grins. “Because before we left she elevated her to the rank of ‘Princess of Friendship’.”

Minerva raises an eyebrow. “What does that even mean?”

“I’m not really sure. But that makes her a bona-fide princess.”

He points to his earring.

“When the time is right she’ll contact me via my earring. Then I’ll have to wait for my friends to open a portal for me from there, as my own recall device doesn’t work without its dismantled counterpart.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Not with the matters back in Equestria, no. But you can be useful in my current investigation.”

Cherry nods. “The Hero is trying to figure out what the commanding officer of that base is going to try next.”

“Right. I can’t imagine the general just giving up on his plans.”

“That much I do understand.”

Cherry appears confused. “Minerva?”

“Every day numerous trucks enter the base delivering supplies. At the time I just assumed you did a LOT of damage down there. But now I can only guess that they’re starting a new project.”

“Any idea what it might be?”

Minerva shakes her head. “Not a clue. No one over there is talking, and we can’t contact a live person for a statement.”

“Hero, we should do something.”

“I agree. But what?”

“Maybe we could break in there again. See for ourselves what’s going on.”

Minerva shakes her head. “Not a good idea. The defenses are impenetrable now. You’d be easily captured. While I’m sure there are numerous military officials whom would love to meet you, that probably isn’t the way to make friends.”

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to give the matter some more thought.”

“Please do. We don’t want anything happening to you.”

Cherry raises an eyebrow. “We?”

“Those whom support the Hero’s actions. You see, all of us were a bit shaken to know our military was keeping such things from us. Like I said, some people viewed it as a necessary evil while others took your side in exposing what was going on down there.”

Minerva thinks for a moment before continuing.

“If you’d like, I can arrange another interview.”

Cherry appears confused. “Interview. Whatever for?”

“A chance to tell your side of the story. Let our viewers know exactly what you found down there.”

Arc chuckles. “Believe me when I say that most people couldn’t handle what we found down there, Minerva.”

Cherry shudders. “Yes, it wasn’t pretty.”

“What did you find?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Try me.”

Arc sighs. “Alright. You already know they were holding Equestria’s princess down there. She appeared to have been heavily tortured and experimented on.”

“For what purpose?”

“She’s an embodiment of all three pony races…”

Minerva interrupts him. “Earth Ponies, Unicorns, and Pegasi?”

Cherry smiles. “I told her how our country works.”

Arc nods. “Yes. She’s strong, has wings, and a horn with which to cast spells. Princess Celestia is also capable of regenerating at an amazing rate.”

“And they were trying to figure out how she did that?”

“Not exactly. I’m guessing they were able to siphon off some of her power and artificially imbue some humans with magic.”

Minerva gasps. “That’s not good!”

Cherry frowns. “The facility you’ve seen from the road is just a front.”

Arc sighs. “Right. The main base is underground. And it’s HUGE!”

“What kind of facility is it?”

“Research mostly.”

“Any other projects?”

“Just the Shards.”

Minerva gasps. “They created the Shards?!”

Arc shakes his head. “No. But they did kidnap them some time ago. When I caught up with their leader a while back he told me they had somehow been given magical powers.”

“Wait! The Shards now have… MAGIC?!”

Cherry bows her head. “They do, yes.”

“Shouldn’t we call someone?!”

“Who?”

“I don’t know! The police or even the national guard might need to be mobilized!”

“That will not be necessary.”

“But they were dangerous enough as thugs! Now they can use powers like yours, right?!”

Cherry nods. “Yes. But they’re not the same humans you encountered in the past.”

“They’re currently learning to control their powers. Somehow it’s given them a bit more… temperament.”

“Are you certain they won’t just turn on us and try to take over?!”

“Pretty sure, yes.”

“And if they do?!”

Arc cracks his knuckles. “Then they know I’ll be there to stop them.”

Cherry turns to her friend. “The Shards have been given a second chance. We should let them use it to the best of their ability.”

Minerva groans. “I suppose you know what’s best, Hero. It’s not like I can do anything to stop you anyways. But if there’s nothing else I can do for you, might I be allowed to return home now? Morning comes early these days.”

Arc chuckles. “You’re forgetting something.”

Cherry giggles. “Right, Minerva. At the moment you’re still asleep.”

Comments

[Booster Spice]

Mustang has one side of the story, now Arc is getting the local other side?

[Munro]

for one thing i don't even want to imagine what kind of cruelties that crazy doctor would do to equestrian pony's

mustang and his organization could become a menace like the "Nazi<--(can't believe im saying this)

[Kamahido]

11076865
Or does Mustang have all sides?

[Kamahido]

11077104
They would be nothing but test subjects to him. Things to be used, abused, and discarded when no longer useful.