Chapter 7 - Mystical Search
Arc holds out Cherry’s pendant. Channeling his magic into it he opens a portal. A few moments later Auriel steps though in her human form. Smiling nervously she looks to Arc.
“H-hi.”
Arc smiles at her as he closes the portal. “Glad to see you again, Auriel. How are your wounds?”
Auriel puts a hand on her midsection. “They’ve all pretty much healed.”
Derpy nods approvingly. “That’s good. So you’re feeling better then?”
“Much. But I’m really sorry for crashing your date, Derpy.”
Derpy sighs. “It’s okay. After all, this sounds important.”
Arc puts a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll make it up to you and the fillies somehow.”
Ember grins. “Yeah. I’ll even help him do that if need be.”
Auriel turns to Ember. “I believe we could help by finishing this up as quickly as possible, Ember.”
Brightwing nods as she lands on Auriel’s head happily. “Yes, yes! Listen to pretty demon girl!”
Ember rolls her eyes. “Whatever. Quit hitting on one of Arc’s fiancés.”
Brightwing appears confused. “Fian… what?”
Derpy smiles. “It means they’re going to get married someday.”
“Oh! So her name ‘Mary’ then?!
Arc rolls his eyes. “Not exactly.”
Auriel looks out a nearby window. “Maybe we should get to the matter at hand, Arc. I can feel something… off here.”
“Describe ‘off’.”
“I don’t really know how to say it. But I can feel it in my bones.”
Ember shrugs. “So where do we start looking for this phantom menace?”
Arc turns to Ember. “No idea. Didn’t Sunburst give you any clues?”
“He just said he was working on it.”
Auriel frowns. “But we can’t just sit around waiting for that. We need to be proactive.”
Derpy looks to Arc. “Could you just… drive around town?”
“It’s probably all we can do right now.”
Auriel giggles. “Brightwing and I will be your scanners then.”
Brightwing does a backflip before landing back on Auriel’s head. “Hooray for us!”
Arc groans. “That just leaves one last thing to do. And it’s the hardest.”
Ember chuckles. “Figure out which way to start driving?”
“No. Tell the fillies that I have to go.”
Auriel grimaces. “Yes, they were very excited to be at the center of attention for this trip.”
Derpy smiles. “They’ll understand, I’m sure.”
Arc sighs. “Yeah. But this is exactly what I’m trying to get away from.”
Ember smirks. “Then we’ll have to hurry up and get this done. But I’ve got an idea that could solve that problem.”
“What is it?”
“We could just Blink outside and get your Jeep without passing Dinky and her friends!”
Auriel raises an eyebrow. “But then they wouldn’t know he was gone.”
“Exactly!”
Ember turns to Arc before continuing.
“Then we could try to get this figured while Derpy just tells them you’re taking a nap, or something. We resolve the matter and Blink back up here. You go downstairs like nothing even happened afterwards and the date continues.”
Derpy frowns. “I don’t think this is a very good idea, Arc.”
Auriel shrugs. “If they ask you could just tell them the truth.”
Arc shakes his head. “I suppose that’s true, Auriel. But I’d rather just be upfront with them about the whole thing right from the start.”
Brightwing nods approvingly. “Friend right! Be good thing!”
“Let’s head downstairs and tell the fillies about this.”
Leading the way, the group proceeds downstairs. They find the fillies sitting in front of the television together. Dinky looks over to her father as he enters the room.
“Hi dad. You and mom finish your talk?”
“Kinda. Um… there’s something going on.”
Apple Bloom looks over. “Oh?”
Arc turns and motions for Ember, Auriel, and Brightwing to step forward. The fillies appear confused. Sweetie Belle is the first to speak.
“What’s… going on?”
Ember shrugs. “Something’s up here on Earth.”
Scootaloo raises an eyebrow. “Can you tell us what it is?”
Auriel bows her head. “Brightwing told us about it and Sunburst verified their claims. However we don’t yet know what is causing these strange feelings.”
Dinky raises an eyebrow as she turns to her father. “So what are you going to do?”
“Try to find out where it’s coming from, for starters.”
Derpy nods. “Your father’s hoping to wrap this up quickly so he can come back home to stay.”
Apple Bloom frowns. “Do you HAVE to go, Arc?”
“Kinda do.”
Sweetie Belle gasps. “But…!”
Dinky interrupts her. “Come on. If my dad says he has to do something then I say we let him get to it.”
Ember grins. “The sooner we start the sooner we’re done. At least that’s what I think.”
Arc looks to the girls sadly. “I’m really sorry about this, but…”
Scootaloo interrupts him. “Does anyone else hear that?”
Derpy appears confused. “Hear what, dear?”
“Kind of a low hum.”
Arc looks around. “Yeah, what is that?”
Sweetie Belle frowns. “I hear it too!”
Dinky furrows her brow. “Yeah. What could it be?”
Apple Bloom sighs. “I don’t hear anything.”
Derpy shrugs. “Me either.”
Ember cups a claw to her ear. “It’s kinda… droning.”
Auriel puts her arms around herself. “Makes me uneasy.”
Arc frowns. “Then we’d better get going.”
“Can I come too, Big Brother?”
“I’d rather you stayed here with the others.”
“But…!”
Derpy looks to him. “Arc, I think you should take Scootaloo.”
“You do?”
“Yes. She could help you.”
“We went on our own adventures in the past and I helped you out then. Let me be of use again.”
“Well… okay.”
“Thanks, Big Brother!”
Arc turns to Dinky as Scootaloo hurries to get her shoes on.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Dinky appears hopeful. “In time for supper?”
Arc grins as he tousles her hair. “Hope so. After all, I’d hate to miss that.”
Dinky grins as he tousles her hair. Kneeling down, he turns to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Sorry about this.”
Apple Bloom grins. “Come back soon though.”
Sweetie Belle giggles. “Yeah. I want to see more of Earth with my friends.”
“I will.”
Arc heads to the door with the others. Walking over to the garage he opens the door and motions to the Jeep.
“Everyone in.”
They pile into the Jeep as Arc takes his place in the driver’s seat. He turns to Ember and Brightwing.
“Um… you two should probably keep your heads down.”
Brightwing appears confused. “Friend?”
Ember groans. “He means it’d cause a stir if we were seen by others.”
“Couldn’t we just turn them into humans, Big Brother?”
“I wish we could. But Ember’s the only one here whom knows the Transformation Spell, and she can’t cast it on herself.”
Auriel giggles. “That and I don’t think Brightwing would do too well as… anything else.”
“Brightwing happy just being Brightwing!”
Ember climbs into the back cargo area. “Come over here then. We’ll be the ‘sensors’ as Auriel called them.”
“Okay, Dragon Lord!”
Auriel turns to Arc. “Am I okay here in the front?”
“Oh course. You’re a human right now, after all.”
Scootaloo grins. “Right. No one would look twice at us as we are.”
Nodding, Arc presses the button to open the overhead door. As it does so he puts the vehicle in gear and turns out onto the road. Driving, he looks to Auriel.
“Anything?”
Auriel shakes her head. “Just the sound.”
“Scootaloo?”
“I’m feeling a sort of vibration in the air for some reason. But what about you, Big Brother?”
“To me it’s just a low pitched sound. If Ember hadn’t called to tell me about it I probably wouldn’t have noticed.”
Ember calls out from the back. “You can thank Brightwing for that.”
Brightwing giggles. “Yay!”
Arc chuckles. “How about you two? Any clues on where to go?”
Ember shakes her head. “Nothing yet. Just keep driving.”
“Okay. First around town.”
The groups spends the next couple hours driving the streets of Angel Grove. However the sound is unchanged. Auriel turns to Arc.
“Should we expand our search?”
“Probably should.”
Scootaloo peeks around the front seat. “Where to though?”
“Let’s just drive out of town. Maybe the quiet country roads will help bring us closer to the answer.”
Leaving town, they continue driving. Ember frowns.
“Is it just me or is that getting louder?”
Auriel nods soberly. “That it is.”
Scootaloo groans. “But we still don’t know where it’s coming from.”
Arc grins. “However we’re on the right track now.”
Brightwing sticks her head over the seat. “Friend?”
“This might just be a blessing in disguise. Now that we’re outside the city limits buildings are fewer and far between.”
Ember frowns as she looks up. “So?”
“That means that it should be easier to notice anything out of the ordinary here.”
Scootaloo grins. “Like a building giving off strange sounds?”
“Right. In town we’d have spent a good bit of time figuring out where it was coming from. Out here we should have an easier time of things.”
Auriel points. “What’s that?”
Arc turns to look. “A grove of trees from the look of things.”
Ember chuckles. “Wanna bet it’s more than that?”
Scootaloo shrugs. “One way to find out.”
Pulling over, Arc puts the vehicle in park, tosses Ember a magic cloak, and gets out with the others. Ember points a claw.
“Sounds like its coming from over there.”
Auriel grimaces. “Maybe you and Ember should put on your armor, Arc.”
“I don’t really think this is going to be dangerous.”
“It could be though, Big Brother.”
“Brightwing think friends should be cautious!”
Arc sighs. “Fine.”
Calling forth their armor, Arc and Ember take the lead as Auriel and Scootaloo follow behind with Brightwing perched on Auriel’s head. Scootaloo sighs as she looks up at the creature.
“You probably shouldn’t be up there. After all, anyone could see you.”
“Maybe make new friends that way!”
Arc shakes his head. “I doubt it.”
Auriel turns to Ember. “What if I carried her?”
Brightwing gasps happily. “Brightwing would like that!”
Ember shrugs. “Go ahead then.”
The little creature hops down into Auriel’s arms. Curling up, she looks up into Auriel’s face with a toothless grin.
“This is nice!”
“Glad you’re comfortable.”
Scootaloo groans. “Then let’s carry on.”
Heading for the grove, they spy a small stream bubbling up from the side of a rock and pooling slightly before snaking its way away from the trees. Scootaloo looks around intently.
“Very picturesque.”
Ember grins. “I think it looks kinda romantic.”
Arc turns to her. “Oh? Why’s that?”
“Because it’s far enough from the road that whatever happens here wouldn’t be seen.”
“Dragon Lord has idea?!”
Ember nods. “Yeah. It’s a nice make-out spot.”
Auriel appears confused. “Make… out?”
Arc groans. “She means…”
He looks to Scootaloo before continuing.
“Let’s table this topic for now.”
Scootaloo rolls her eyes. “I know what ‘making out’ is, Big Brother.”
“You do?”
“My dad used to use that term a lot.”
Ember grins under her helmet. “So you wanna come here some night and make out then, Arc?”
“Stay on point here.”
Auriel clears her throat. “Let’s look around the area for clues. “
Ember nods as she looks around. “Fine. That sound is DEFINITELY coming from here.”
“Should we split up, Big Brother?”
Arc looks around. “Probably should. We’ll cover more ground that way. I’ll go this way, Ember you go that way, and Scootaloo can go that way.”
Auriel smiles. “What about me?”
“You should probably stay here with Brightwing.”
Ember chuckles. “Right. She’s not exactly light.”
Scootaloo shrugs. “We could use Auriel as a bit of a touchstone. Meet back here in a few minutes.”
Auriel nods. “Okay. See you all in a bit?”
Arc turns to the others. “Alright. We’ll meet back here in five minutes, report whatever it is we see, and head out again if need be.”
Agreeing, they go their separate ways. Auriel kneels down and allows Brightwing to plop down on the ground. Shuffling in the leaves for a few moments happily she looks all around.
“This place… is nice!”
“Yes, it is.”
“Lots of tasties around here too!”
“Tasties?”
Brightwing nods. “Bugs and fishies! Good for eating!”
Auriel giggles. “Well, I suppose it’s a far cry from the Dragon Lands though.”
“Yes, yes! But Brightwing…!”
She is cut off as a portal opens in front of them. A young woman steps out with a strange looking device in her hand. Brightwing runs over to her and jumps, grabbing the implement in her mouth. Auriel gasps and runs over to the individual.
“I’m so sorry about…!”
The woman suddenly straightens up and salutes as she speaks.
“C-C-Colonel Diva?!”
Auriel appears confused. “I don’t…”
Her eyes grow wide as she steps back from the saluting figure before her.
“You’re… um… Sergeant Mio, right?”
Looking at Brightwing for a moment Mio appears bewildered.
“An experiment, ma’am?”
She looks at the creature whom still holds the device in its mouth as she cautiously takes a step forward.
“I’d better get that thing away from… whatever this is.”
Auriel holds up a hand. “You might want to let me do that.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Auriel steps forward. Holding out her hand she looks to Brightwing. Frowning, the little creature grunts, puts the device on the ground and steps back. However as Auriel reaches for it an invisible force pulls it swiftly away. She and Mio watch as it lands neatly in Arc’s gauntlet. He turns to her and frowns.
“What are you doing here, Mio?!”
Mio gasp as she takes a step back. “I… I was… um…”
Arc sighs and puts a hand to his helmet. “Sorry for the outburst.”
Brightwing grins. “Friend is back!”
Mio gasps. “That creepy little thing can TALK?!”
“Brightwing not thing! Brightwing is Brightwing!”
Arc nods. “Right. And neither of us is going to hurt you.”
He motions to the device in his gauntlet before continuing.
“However I get the feeling that this might have something to do with what we’ve been sensing.”
Mio looks away nervously. “I… don’t really…”
Auriel steps toward Mio. “Excuse me, but it’d be really helpful if you’d just tell us what we want to know about this, miss.”
Mio raises an eyebrow. “Wait a second! You… you’re not Colonel Diva!”
Auriel shakes her head. “No, I’m not. But we still need to know what’s going on here.”
“Brightwing feel something powerful going on here!”
Mio frowns as she turns to Auriel. “And why should I help either of you?! After what you two pulled off at Damocles Base I really should report you!”
Arc folds his arms over his chest. “Are you?”
There is a tense silence as Mio thinks. A few moments pass before she groans and shakes her head.
“No. No, I can’t.”
Auriel appears relieved. “Thank you.”
Mio sighs. “I don’t really have a choice though.”
Arc raises an eyebrow. “How’s that?”
“If I were to do so, something terrible might happen to Hammer.”
Auriel appears confused. “What exactly do you think would happen?”
Mio shrugs. “I… don’t know. And that’s what scares me.”
“You have my word that your sister is just fine.”
“While I do believe you, I’m not exactly happy with whom she went with.”
Auriel frowns. “Whom she…?”
Mio clenches a fist. “Arc! That scoundrel is up to no good!”
Arc sighs. “And what makes you say that?”
“He… he uses people to achieve his own goals! Even CHILDREN aren’t safe from his control!”
“The little girl with the red eyes?”
“Exactly!”
Ember and Scootaloo crash through the brush and run over to side with Arc. Ember points a spear at Mio as Brightwing giggles happily.
“Friends all together again!”
Ember yells at Mio. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing out here?!”
Scootaloo clenches a fist. “Back off, lady!”
Mio appears relieved at Scootaloo’s voice. “You?!”
“What about…?”
“The Hero rescued you from Arc?!”
Scootaloo grits her teeth. “What are you…?!”
Arc interrupts. “She’s safe with me or Arc at any time. Now I know you and him haven’t exactly had the best relationship in the past. But you can believe me when I say that Hammer is very happy with him.”
Ember nods. “Right! She’s having the time of her life!”
Brightwing giggles. “Yes! Friends are all happy together!”
Mio grits her teeth. “At least she THINKS so!”
Scootaloo frowns. “What are you talking about?!”
“Arc’s just using her! Like he used me!”
Auriel gasps. “He would never…!”
Arc sighs. “Yes, well… no one is perfect, I suppose.”
Mio looks to Arc pleadingly. “Please… I just want to know if Hammer is safe.”
“She is, yes.”
“I’m sorry, but I need more than just words.”
Ember groans. “What else could he offer?!”
“Proof.”
“Pretty lady want Brightwing to make picture?!”
Auriel picks the small creature up. “Brightwing, hush!”
Arc frowns. “Elaborate.”
“I want physical proof that Hammer is safe.”
“How about a letter?”
Ember turns to him, confused. “A letter?”
“Hammer could certainly tell Mio here that she’s happy where she is via the written word.”
Arc turns back to Mio as he continues.
“After all, I’m sure you’d recognize her handwriting.”
Scootaloo looks to Mio. “How about it? Good enough for you?”
Mio nods soberly. “Very well. But I want it as soon as possible!”
“I can have it in my hand within the hour.”
“That quickly?!”
Brightwing giggles. “Friends very fast!”
Auriel smiles. “I’d have used the word ‘efficient’ personally.”
Arc nods soberly. “Very well. But I need you to do something for me in return.”
Mio frowns. “You’ve been hanging around Arc too long apparently.”
“All I want is you to tell me exactly what it is you’re doing all the way out here.”
He holds up the device before continuing.
“And what exactly this is.”
“Very well. I trust you that much, of course. However I need that letter within the hour or the deal’s off!”
“Fine.”
Ember steps between Arc and Mio. “Woah, woah! Wait a minute, Hero! We can’t just leave her alone like this!”
Scootaloo nods angrily. “Yeah! She could just run off with that thing in your hand!”
“You have my word that I will stay right here.”
“I do believe you, Mio. But it would appear my friends here don’t.”
Mio leans against a tree. “Then they can stay right here with me until you return.”
“Very well.”
He turns to Ember and Scootaloo as Brightwing flutters next to Auriel.
“I’ll take a portal back to base and talk to Hammer. You guys going to be okay out here while I’m gone?”
Ember clutches her spear tightly. “As long as she doesn’t try any funny business, yes.”
Scootaloo grimaces. “Ditto.”
Auriel nods. “Brightwing and I will watch her too.”
Brightwing bares her gums menacingly. “Pretty lady better be good!”
Arc sighs as he places a sigil. “Alright. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Stepping through, Arc vanishes as Mio looks to her guards.
“Don’t worry. I won’t try anything.”
“Brightwing not trust new lady very much!”
Auriel frowns as she looks down at Brightwing. “That’s not very nice.”
Mio scoffs. “Yes. After all, I did give you my assurance that I wouldn’t try anything foolish.”
Ember points her weapon at Mio. “Your word doesn’t mean much to us!”
Scootaloo puts a hand on Ember’s spear and gently pushes it down. “Yeah. But I believe her.”
“How can you...?!”
“Because she wants what is coming more than anything in the world.”
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interesting chapter
Intresting. Trialing out a local portal allows you to get anywhere on Earth, behind any defenses, but wasnt it origionally dimentional to let them steal Celestia?
I wonder if a Ark will befriend another enemy?
11399793
We know that The Organization did indeed capture Celestia. However the methods by which they did so have never been stated.
Only I know.
11399822
Time will tell. Sooner or later... time will tell.
Hopefully arc will Celestia kidnappers secrets including how they got her in the first place considering outside arc family nobody knew about equestria so unless sunset tattle and I know she bad but I don't think she that bad without a reason
Since when did Arc start pulling a Trixie and talking in third person?
11400438
He's doing that as Mio doesn't know that Arc and the Hero are one and the same. When she and Stingray tried to attack Arc with The Riders, Arc called for Cherry (in Eidolon's Ward) to come to his aid riding Sereb. So she thinks they're two different people.
11400438
Mio believes that Arc and The Hero are two seperate entities, so Arc is playing that to his advantage by speaking of himself in 3rd person while he is dressed as The Hero