The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Preface - Volume 42 - Dinners and Divisions

In our previous volume, Arc walks down the corridor of Canterlot Castle toward Twilight’s room. Informing her of his orders for all castle staff to return tomorrow morning, Arc reiterates his desire to help her lead the nation. Arriving at the bedroom, he finds the rest of the Mane 6 waiting for them. Asking to speak to him privately, Twilight and Arc head to the bathroom for a chat. Thanking him for convincing her to take the throne, Twilight also informs Arc that Celestia is indeed the genuine article. Insisting that her mentor was not a changeling in disguise, they kiss and leave the bathroom. Arc heads down another corridor with Scootaloo in tow. Going over their plans to have her infiltrate Decimus’ ranks in Light’s Hope, the two part ways again as they arrive at Arc’s room. Entering, he finds Ember (in her human form) and Hammer sitting on his bed wearing nothing but their bras and panties. Beckoning him to the bed, Arc tells them of his need to make a phone call. Asking the switchboard operator to connect him with the Crystal Hospital, he inquires of Auriel’s condition. Being told that they were successful in removing the shrapnel, he asks to be notified when Auriel is fit to be transferred to Canterlot Castle’s Infirmary. Turning back to Ember and Hammer, the pair appear regretful in their advances on him while Auriel lies in a hospital bed alone on the other side of the country. Moving to leave, Arc calls them back. Admitting that he does enjoy sleeping with them, they lie down for a good night’s rest.

Awakening, Arc raises the sun and continues lying with Ember and Hammer. Kibitz enters to wake them. Asking for help rousing Twilight, Arc tells Kibitz to turn around while his bedmates head to the bathroom to shower. Following them, Ember takes his presence as a desire to… you know. The women argue for a few moments on whom will be first before Hammer sits down to watch. Turning them both down, Arc gets to showering. Heading to Twilight’s room sometime later Arc enters alone and wakes Twilight and the others before waiting in the corridor for them to get ready. Making their way to the Dining Room for breakfast, Arc tells Kibitz of the changes to the sleeping arrangement that will need to be made before the conversation turns to more important matters. Informing Twilight of Platinum Valve’s fears that Decimus and Celestia may be trying to dust off an old trick of King Sombra, it is suggested that they look in the armory for information regarding such enslavement technology. Twilight admits that she cannot help open the vault door and Cadance cannot do it alone. Sending for Flash Sentry and Platinum Valve, Arc and company continue to brainstorm ideas of what to do next.

As the stallion and filly arrive, Arc and company explain the situation to them. Flash Sentry assures Twilight that such a device could not be present in Canterlot. Platinum Valve voices her concerns regarding a potential red herring left behind by Decimus. A guard arrives to report a large number of ponies at the gates. Investigating, Ember tells them that they are simply there for audiences. Arc volunteers to help Twilight get them caught back up before she asks to speak to him alone. He soothes her inhibitions by informing Twilight that no one is ever truly ready to lead. Asking for a kiss, Arc does so with gusto. Giving Twilight the needed push to be able to lead, he leaves the room with Kibitz to take a place in the Conference Room. As her friends return they talk about an idea Twilight had regarding Arc.

As audiences end for the day Arc returns to the Throne Room. From there he and the others head to the Dining Room for a well-deserved meal. Hearing Saffron is back he warns the others that they may be disturbed by his upcoming meal as it will most likely contain meat. The reaffirm their feelings that Arc needs such things to remain healthy. Sitting down at the new round table they munch on delicacies as Saffron brings Arc a steak. Flash Sentry, Ember, and Hammer enter the room with a report of a suspected mind control device inside Manehattan’s Mare Statue. Presenting their evidence to Twilight, Arc insists that the statue be destroyed to protect the citizens. Flash Sentry also reports of the civil unrest all over the country. He tells them that Baltimare, Dodge Junction, Vanhoover, Canterlot, Appleloosa, and the Ponyville refugees have sided with Princess Twilight. However conversely Las Pegasus, Fillydelphia, Cloudsdale, Trottingham, Rainbow Falls, and Tall Tale’s leaders have sworn to support Princess Celestia and Decimus. Hearing that Manehattan is neutral, Arc still insist that the Mare Statue needs to go. Hammer warns him that he is playing into Decimus’ hand with such a plan, as it will make him look like a terrorist. Arc however refuses to allow the citizens to be mentally enslaved by their enemies.

Arc and Hammer board The Equinox together. Meeting the others on the Bridge Arc orders the ship to take off as soon as possible. Ember and Hammer convince him to go back to his room to sleep as they sit on his couch together and talk quietly. Eventually they too fall asleep. As the sun sets a figure walks into the room silently. Ember, hearing the clopping of hooves, lunges at the intruder. Knocking them away, she inadvertently wakes the others up. They pull a knife and throw it at Arc whom calls forth his armor just in time. Trying to escape they head for the door as Hammer fires at them, hitting their fetlock. Arc recognize the assassin as Spitfire and orders Wrangler and Redheart to report to his room. As the mare it taken away they head to the Bridge. Nearing the city they all Blink down together. Platinum Valve runs off on her own mission to confirm the presence of a mind control crystal. Entering the Mare Statue via an access panel, she climbs electrical cables to get into the main catwalk. Meanwhile, Arc stalls Decimus by letting him monologue. Platinum Valve picks the lock for a door that leads to a ladder. Climbing it she finds herself inside the torch. Spying a large number of metal plates aimed in all directions, she opens a housing to expose a large crystal. Slamming the cover shut again she pulls a radio and reports her findings to Sunburst. Notifying Lemon Hearts, he passes on the filly’s instructions on their next phase. Throwing a tool at the glass, Platinum Valve stumbles out the window. Arc Blinks up, catches her, turns around to protect her, and orders his ship to fire at the torch. As The Equinox does so they spot the crystal flying through the air. Arc’s squad along with Ember catch it and drop it in front of the podium which is now covered in debris. Moon Dancer confirms that the gem in question is indeed a mind control crystal.

Arc sends Platinum Valve back to The Equinox via portal for medical treatment before turning his attention back to the crystal before them. However as he approaches it Decimus leaps out from under some rubble and lunges at Arc. Before anyone can do anything Sereb tackles the stallion and bites his throat, killing him. Returning to his quarters with the crystal and the others he tells them to go get cleaned up before heading to the Infirmary. Learning that Platinum Valve will recover with a good night’s sleep, the conversation turns to the crystal in question. Arc checks on Spitfire behind a curtain. Finding her unconscious he is told that she will never fully recover physically. Heading back to his room he runs into Stellar Flare and Sunburst whom are heading to the Infirmary. Ever the overbearing mother, she insists that her son needs an examination to which Sunburst disagrees. Arc reminds her that he is a fully grown stallion whom is capable of caring for himself. Parting ways, he returns to his quarters to Hammer coming out of the bathroom. Asking to sleep with him, Arc declines saying he’s too tired for such things. A few moments after she leaves there is a knock at the door. Opening it, Arc finds Ember standing before him. Asking to help him get cleaned up, he relents being too tired to fight with her. Getting into the shower Arc voices his regrets over how he handled Spitfire’s attack. Appearing tired, Arc bathes Ember before sending her out of the bathroom to rest. After cleaning himself up he dresses and returns to his room. However he finds Ember lying on the floor at the foot of the bed. Asking her why she is doing such a thing Ember appears very upset and refer to him as ‘master’. Promising to do better for him, Arc looks to his ring and frowns.

Removing the crystal from his ring, Arc chucks it into the corner before turning his attention back to Ember. She returns to normal with little recollection of what just happened. Heading to bed as the ship continues its journey, Arc and Ember awaken as the ship lands early the next morning. Lemon Hearts calls him to pass on a message from Ashe requesting a meeting. Heading to her room with Ember, Arc asks what it is she wants. Telling them both that she wishes to remain in Equestria, Arc offers her a deal in exchange for a good word. Taking her back to his quarters aboard The Equinox Arc puts the gem back in his ring and attempts to mentally dominate Ashe. A short time later he is able to convince her to clean his toilet both inside and out. Ashe becomes nearly frantic when Arc presses her to do a better job. Returning her to the couch Arc releases his hold on her and convinces her that she merely fell asleep. Heading to the Audience Chamber with the crystal, Arc reports his findings to Twilight and the rest of the Mane 6. Calling Cadance in Canterlot, she helps Twilight open the vault to safely store away the crystal. However before they leave she presents to Arc a very old shield that nullifies any magic levied against it.

The next evening Arc puts on his royal raiments and waits in his room. Ember, Hammer, and Scootaloo come to check on him together. Upon seeing her, Arc questions what Scootaloo is doing there as she’s supposed to be with Decimus. Telling him that Decimus told her to return to Canterlot and act as a mole in Twilight’s administration, she then questions what he is wearing. As the three leave Arc continues waiting. A knock rings out a short time later to Rarity standing at his door. Inviting her inside, Arc assumes she is his date. Revealing that she is only there to explain the events leading up to this evening, Rarity leaves to check up on his real date. A few minutes later another knock rings out. Answering the door again Arc is met with the sight of Fluttershy in a formal gown. She gives Arc a card which contains a list of date options from Rarity. Heading to the castle drawbridge they find a carriage which takes the pair to ‘The Tasty Treat’. As they wait for their food, Fluttershy tells Arc of her brother, Zephyr Breeze, whom is the black sheep of their family along with her very humble upbringing. Finishing their meal they leave the restaurant and decide to visit a local indoor nature preserve.

Arriving at their destination Arc pays the entrance fee and leads Fluttershy inside. She marvels at the lengths taken to make it an authentic experience. Arc watches her speak to a robin before asking more about her ability to speak to various creatures. Asking him to try, she motions for a squirrel to approach them. Arc tries unsuccessfully to communicate with the squirrel before being given some advice on how to do so. Taking the suggestions, Arc is able to crudely talk to the creature which surprises both him and Fluttershy. The squirrel raises his concerns regarding Celestia’s absence and recommends that Arc act decisively in the matter. Leaving the preserve several hours later Arc notes that Rarity listed several hotels for them to stay at afterwards. Fluttershy asks to go to one surprisingly and their escort recommends a five star room privy only to royalty. Taking Fluttershy there, they take off their formal clothes before meeting up in front of the fireplace. Fluttershy confesses to eating her animal’s food sometimes rather than cooking herself a proper meal. Thinking Arc will be horrified, she is surprised to find that he is indifferent to such things. Overjoyed, she leaps into his arms to give him a hug before pulling him down on top of her. Locking lips, the pair kiss for a long moment as Fluttershy enjoys her first kiss. Lying down together Arc falls asleep as Fluttershy laments the fact that she is still keeping secrets from him.

Arc and Fluttershy awaken early the next morning and return to the castle. Heading to the Dining Room they are greeted by the others. Telling them of their date, Fluttershy informs everyone of Arc’s newfound ability to talk to animals. While Twilight voices a desire to study such a thing more in depth she admits that they have much more important matters to attend to. After telling the others that Light’s Hope is currently impregnable she then breaks the news to them that they most likely have enough fuel to last six months. In the meantime she suggests sending Arc to Cloudsdale on a mission of diplomacy. He agrees to do so as Ember, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash volunteer to accompany him.

‘Landing’ at Cloudsdale, Arc and company disembark together. Asking to speak to him alone, Arc takes Rainbow Dash back to his quarters aboard ship. She confesses that she has not told her parents about their relationship or the herd idea. Arc warns her against hiding such things from them and she agrees to tell them when the time is right. Returning to the others they walk to Rainbow Dash’s parent’s house. Opening the door for them, Rainbow Dash calls loudly for her mother. A middle aged mare hurries to meet her. She appears nervous as the others are introduced to her. Coming to Arc however they see that he is no longer present. Scootaloo goes outside to look for him. Finding Arc leaning against the house she leads him back inside and over to Windy Whistles. She appears very frightened and even leaps back as she touches his gauntlet. Recalling his armor Arc tries again to shake her hoof properly, this time with slightly better success. Windy tells her daughter that Cloudsdale has always supported the proper rulers of the land, which leads to Rainbow Dash storming out with the others. Walking away from the house she apologizes for her mother’s behavior. Suggesting that they go see her father at the Rainbow Factory they begin heading there.

Arriving at the factory they announce themselves. Even though he is the Hero of Light the guards still do not want to admit him or even Rainbow Dash. Spotting the Scarlet Filly among them the guards begin gushing over her before calling for an escort to admit her party. Heading to the office they find Rainbow Dash’s father, Bo Hothoof, sitting behind a desk working. Calling out to him the stallion hurries over to his daughter to embrace her properly. Explaining why they’re there Arc asks for the stallion’s help. Bo Hothoof tells Arc of the city’s opinion regarding him marching into Canterlot with soldiers to take the castle. Rainbow Dash and the others do their best to convince him that such a thing had to be done. Admitting to having his own problems, which Canterlot did nothing to help with, he enlists the aid of Arc and his friends in an attempt to find the missing workers. Arc forms a plan in his head before telling Rainbow Dash to leave at the end of the day with her father. Returning to The Equinox with the others he tells Ember that his plan will be a simple one with the proper help.

Returning to The Equinox, Arc briefs his friends on the plan after calling for some reinforcements. Later that night a mist snakes its way through Cloudsdale, over the factory wall, and into the building. Rematerializing, Arc opens a portal. Sereb and Rose step through and turn to him. Giving Rose a magic cloak, he tells her to take Sereb and scan everything while he and Sereb follow in their mist forms. Walking through the factory they find little out of the ordinary. That is, until they come to the warehouse. Finding a crate they open it and peek inside. Rose does not see anything out of place. However Sereb smells the guards on the contents. Hearing someone coming they close the crate back up haphazardly before stepping back to wait. Two guards approach and removes several boxes of condiments. Following them back to the cafeteria they watch as the group of stallions disappears into the adjoining kitchen. As Rose attempts to follow them Arc and Scootaloo rematerialize. Deciding that they should go first, they return to the mist form and sneak under the door. A few moments later Arc opens it to allow Rose and Sereb to enter. Looking around they see no sign of the group that entered before them. Sniffing the room Sereb smells their scent coming from the walk in freezer. Opening it, Rose steps inside and performs a scan. Finding nothing, Arc notices a shelving unit with numerous scratches on the floor near it. Deciding to leave Rose and Sereb behind to cover the entrance Arc and Scootaloo mist behind the shelves and re-materialize in a corridor. Walking on they find the guards feeding the condiments to a group of ponies in cages. Watching for a time, Arc eventually materializes between the guards and their prisoners. Giving them a chance to surrender, the guard go into a fit of rage and charge at the pair. Forced to kill all but two, the final guards commit suicide by stabbing each other through the chest. Arc calls for Ember and Hammer to surround the factory and detain anyone in or around it. Ordering medical reinforcements sent to his ship, he opens a portal to the Infirmary for the prisoners to use to escape.

Returning to Rose and Sereb, Arc asks them to hold their position until reinforcements arrive. Taking a portal back to The Equinox, Arc and Scootaloo find Redheart up to her neck in patients. Wrangler arrives with medical staff from the town and orders them to get to work. Heading for the Bridge Arc is told that the Cloudsdale Town Guard are revolting. Ordering his forces to detain the guards, Arc leaves to help weed out the traitors after giving ‘shelter in place orders’. The next morning he and his allies regroup at the Town Hall to talk over their success. Having taken no prisoners of value, Arc is told that the changeling forces either fled or were killed. Lemon Hearts contacts Arc to inform him that Canterlot’s soldiers have arrived and are being led by Twilight herself. Hurrying back to the ship he greets the princess on the deck as she orders Flash Sentry and his guards to begin rendering aid to the standing forces. Arc convinces Twilight to return to the safety of his own ship. That evening she addresses the city to pledge Canterlot’s protection to them by offering to allow the city to be moved into Canterlot airspace. Arc follows up with a call for unity in such a trying time before letting Flash Sentry make his own closing remarks. As they leave the balcony the group is met by Rainbow Dash’s parents. Surprised to see Fluttershy there, Bo informs her that Mrs. Shy is currently in the hospital.

However many questions remain unanswered. How will Auriel recover from her wounds? What will be the long term ramifications of an inexperienced leader on the throne? How does the Mare Statue fit into Decimus’ larger plans? What was Decimus REALLY trying to do in Manehattan? Will Platinum Valve really be okay? Why did Celestia commission that particular shield? What is Fluttershy (really) hiding? What else is Fluttershy keeping from Arc? Will everything turn out alright in Cloudsdale? What were those guards THINKING?! What exactly happened to Fluttershy’s mother?

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