The Equestrian Odyssey - A Tale of Two Worlds

by Kamahido

Preface - Volume 50 - Working Through the Holidays

In our previous volume, Arc is stunned to learn that Rieper is Shelly’s father. Maria asks Arc to get Rieper’s files on Shelly from Damocles Base. As Auriel leaves to get her father, Arc and Maria talk together. He asks what Auriel has told her of the whole herd idea. Learning that Maria has a rough understanding of it, Arc asks how she feels about the idea. Remaining indifferent, Maria reminds Arc that should he harm Auriel her father will seek vengeance. Leaving for Earth, Arc and the squad talk over ways to get into the base again. Ruling out several ideas, they eventually come up with the plan of entering via invitation. Asking to speak to Max privately, the others leave the basement. Arc confronts Max regarding the small surveillance camera he asked Rose to plant during their mission to the hospital recently. Allowing Max to see Shelly via the camera whenever she was decent, Arc gives him some alone time.

Arc and his squad, along with Hammer and Auriel, prepare infiltrate Damocles Base again. Having gone over the plan, the squad puts on fatigues and stand before Arc, Hammer, and Auriel for inspection. Auriel leads the squad out the door and across the street to some bushes as Arc and Hammer, along with Viktor, head to the garage. Hammer kicks the door in with her muddy boots to let them in. Arc looks over the center column of his Jeep which has been removed. Pointing to the wires, Hammer tells him that the vehicle is ready to be hotwired. Arc joins the group across the street as Viktor goes inside and calls the police. Marshal Raynor drives out and catches Hammer in the act. As he arrests her, Auriel and the squad rush toward them. Identifying herself as Colonel Diva, Auriel tells Raynor of Hammers many crimes and insists that he turn her over. Initially refusing, Hammer makes a break for it. Hugh and Max tackle her and force Hammer to the ground. Auriel requests Raynor’s vehicle and is given the keys. They get in and drive away as Raynor is left standing in the driveway... before he forgets that his lunch is still in the vehicle.

Driving away, the group celebrates the success of the plan’s first phase. Opening her shirt, Auriel helps a shrunken Arc out and into the palm of her hand. Finding a pair of sunglasses, they use the metal end to unlock Hammer’s cuffs. She leans against Hugh in order to get more comfortable as they discuss the plan. Arriving at the base, Hammer is recuffed. Pulling up to the guard shack Auriel is asked for a password. Telling them to let them in, or else, the soldier’s quickly comply. Heading for the building at the center they take the elevator down. Auriel orders the soldiers to help her transport Hammer to the Brig. As she is put in a cell, Hugh stays behind to pretend to beat information out of her. Ordering the Brig guards to stay away from the cell, Auriel heads for Rieper’s quarters. Asking him if there has even been a case of someone gaining extraordinary magical powers without outside stimuli, Auriel makes up a story about Hammer doing so. Getting Rieper’s attention with the tale, he asks her to bring Hammer to his lab for an examination. Returning to the Brig, Auriel gets in Hammer’s face in an attempt to intimidate her. However Arc uses the opportunity to move from Auriel’s shirt to Hammer’s. Losing his footing, he faceplants into the side of Hammer’s breast though. Motioning to her chest with a glance, Hammer signals Auriel that Arc is ready to move. Max calls out from down the corridor with a fake call from the general. As Auriel leaves with the guards to answer it, Arc returns to his normal size and dons a magic cloak. Blowing the cell door off its hinges with a Telekinesis Spell, Arc follows Hammer into the corridor as she takes up a battle ready stance.

Easily taking down the soldiers, well... actually Arc did that, Hammer faces Diva personally. Taking a dive for the sake of the mission, Auriel pretends to lose. As Hammer taunts her, she finds herself taking a fist from Hugh to the side of the head. Auriel orders her taken to Rieper’s lab where she is stripped and forcefully examined by the doctor. While doing so, Arc takes the opportunity to copy the relevant contents of Rieper’s archives. Finishes his task, he waits for Rieper to complete his. Auriel covers the now naked Hammer with a sheet before opening the lab door and ordering Max and Hugh to carry her out. Spotting a janitor’s closet door, they head for it. After verifying the Hammer is okay he shrinks her down and picks her up.

Carrying Hammer back to their vehicle the group leaves the base and turns back onto the main road. However as they celebrate the victory A military Jeep nearly runs them off the road from the opposite direction. Xenos is able to steer away in time, but the other vehicle goes off the road and hits a tree. Getting out to check on the driver they are surprised with Stingray herself gets out. Hammer reveals herself, in the nude no less. Taken aback, Stingray insists that Hammer come with her back to base for help. Refusing, Stingray moves to attack. Arc steps forward and faces Stingray himself. Offering her a free hit, he grabs her fist before it connects. Punching her around with the others for a few moments, Hammer eventually finishes her sister off with a blow to the face. Returning to the vehicle they continue on home. Arriving, Arc tells the squad to order pizza and watch a movie as Hammer heads upstairs to shower. Auriel tells Arc to check on Hammer as the mission was deeply disturbing from her point of view. Entering the bathroom, he tries to talk to Hammer for a few moments before being asked to wait in the bedroom. Hammer enters wrapped in a towel. Lying down together she confesses her recent, and not so recent, fantasies about being violated by Arc in a rather kinky way. Reassuring her that he is okay with her having those thoughts, Arc holds Hammer as she lies on top of him happily.

As the sun sets Arc sits up with Hammer. She heads to the Guest Room for clothes while he walks downstairs. Telling his squad that he is heading back to Equestria they ask to stay. Granting the request Arc heads down to the basement with Auriel. Making sure that she understands that what transpired in Rieper’s lab should be kept between them they return to Canterlot Castle via transdimensional portal. Entering Auriel’s room they find her parents in bed together reading. Handing over the flash drive, Arc also provides a laptop while Auriel gives her mother a power adapter for it. Leaving the family to their work, Arc takes a portal to Derpy’s new house. Arriving he is warmly greeted by both Derpy and Dinky. After putting Dinky to bed the pair lie down in Derpy’s bed together. Wishing Arc were bare, he disrobes for some skin on skin time. After having a heart to heart talk about Derpy’s mane color being thought of as rather plain the conversation shifts to her idea of tutoring. Wanting to catch up to the others in terms of intellect, Derpy asks if she should quit her job and focus on her studies or not. Arc is unable to advise her as such is a very personal decision.

Waking up to Dinky knocking on their door, Arc quickly dresses before letting her in. Asking how her mother slept, Dinky is happy to hear that she did well with Arc next to her. The pair leave for the Orphanage as Arc returns via portal to his parent’s room back on Earth. Finding Hammer lying naked on the bed, he gets in with her to cuddle. As the sun rises she awakens. Happy to see him, Hammer asks to shower with Arc back in Canterlot. Agreeing, he gets a fire going as Hammer hurries into the bathroom. Entering, Arc finds the shower going full tilt at max temperature and Hammer lying on a couch seductively. Picking her up, Arc carries Hammer into the shower (after lowering the temperature of the water) and sets her down. Apologizing to her about yesterday again, she stops him. Telling Arc that she’s over it, he inquires as to how such a thing is possible. Hammer informs Arc that it wasn’t the first time Rieper had given her a physical and that she was actually more upset about getting off thinking about him. Turning the conversation to brighter matters, Hammer recommends more dates and him going out with Rainbow Dash too. Agreeing to help him plan something for her in return for his honesty with Mio, Hammer pulls Arc onto her chest as she responds slyly to his ‘advances’.

Getting out of the shower, Hammer and Arc dress and leave the room. Volunteering to get some food from the kitchen for their breakfast, Hammer suggests that they eat together in an effort to get to Mio. She returns to her room to help Mio shower while Arc gets the food. Pushing a cart toward the room, he is met at the door by Hammer. Reminding him to wear his armor, he calls it forth along with a mask. Questioning it, Arc reminds her that he typically eats during breakfast. Entering the room, he waits while Hammer helps Mio out of the shower and dresses her. Stepping out of the bathroom Mio attempts to walk over to the Hero but trips and has to be caught by him instead. Helping her to the table, she sits down as Arc serves them all. Making small talk of the nation’s history, the conversation eventually moves to Mio’s condition. Demanding to know if the soldiers whom were ordered to watch her had allowed her out of bed, Mio reports that they did not. Arc volunteers to watch Mio while Hammer goes to her office to get some work done.

As Hammer leaves, Arc suggests that they get some fresh air together. Leading Mio out onto the balcony, Arc Blinks them both down to the Royal Gardens below. Answering her questions about his magic ring and whatnot the pair come to a bench and sit down. Asking about Arc’s relationship with Hammer, Mio reaffirms her disdain for the young man. Reminding Mio that Hammer and Arc are all but engaged, Mio asks to strengthen her bond with the Hero romantically. Arc informs her that since the three of them are such good friends he couldn’t entertain the idea of dating someone whom didn’t like Arc.

Returning to Hammer’s room, they arrive a few moments after Hammer does. Upset that Mio was allowed to go outside, Hammer helps her go to the bathroom before taking her back to the bed. Showing off a ‘princess size’ wheelchair that she brought on her wat back from the office, Hammer tells Mio that she can use it to leave the room without straining herself. Returning to her office, Arc offers to give Mio a bit of a tour. Showing her the Royal Library, Mio marvels at the sheer number of book on the shelves. Asking to see them, Arc is forced to refuse as he is not yet able to say if Mio is truly on their side yet. Moving on, Mio makes mention of the training facilities back at Damocles Base. Offering to show her the facilities at his base, Arc opens a portal and pushes Mio through.

Arriving back at his base, Mio is impressed by the architecture of the corridors. Coming to the Training Hall, they enter to find a competition going on. Two stallions are sparing. As one is declared the winner by Sandstorm Mirage he spots Arc at the back of the room. Calling for attention, the sergeant hurries over to his commanding officer. After explaining that the event was sanctioned by then-Lieutenant Flash Sentry, Sandstorm Mirage tells Arc that the finals are about to begin. Staying to watch, Arc and Mio see the sergeant defeat the newcomer to defend his title. Challenging Arc to an exhibition match, he accepts. Able to nimbly dodge any blow from Arc, he changes it up by using distractions and magical guile to defeat Sandstorm Mirage. Beating him by being creative, Arc uses it as a learning experience to the other troops. As they leave to continue their training Mio looks to Arc and beg to join him. So intense is her devotion that Arc, unable to contain the secret any longer, removes his helmet to expose his identity. Seeing whom he is, Mio puts everything she has into attacks. Even as weak as her spells are she passes out from the strain. Calling for Doctor Whooves to meet him in his quarters in the castle, Arc also asks that Hammer be sent as well to give an immediate security consultation.

Mio awakens in Arc’s room thinking that what happened was all a dream. After hearing what she remembers, Hammer has no choice but to inform her that everything she said was indeed true. Asking to see both Arc and the doctor, Hammer calls them in. Doctor Whooves informs Mio that her stunt in taxing her mana pool has set back her recovery time. Instructing her to rest for the next few days before doing anything strenuous, the doctor leaves the room. After Mio and Hammer argue for a time the idea of locking Mio up for her crimes comes up. However, Arc defends her and refuses to press assault charges. Hammer begrudgingly agrees, but insists on guards outside the door. Arc volunteers to wait for the guards to come as Hammer heads back to her office. After making sure the stallions understand their order Arc leaves them to their duty.

Heading to Hammer’s office to report her sister secured, Hammer admits that she doesn’t actually believe Mio needs to be guarded. Confessing to using the ‘good cop, bad cop’ routine, she needles Arc about having feelings for her sister. Admitting that he never gave any thought to the idea of other humans joining the herd, Hammer is unable to say one way or the other if she’d be upset about such a thing. Arc volunteers to help Hammer get caught back up on her paperwork. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash confronts Luna about what was said in the Ponyville Town Hall between her and Arc before storming off. Finishing their work, Arc and Hammer part ways as she gets lunch. Heading back to his room, Arc enters and finds Mio feverish. She and he verbally spar before Arc accuses her of being jealous of Hammer. Dismissing his claims, Arc admits that he could easily end her life right then and there. Instead he pulls a bottle of liquid to himself with a Telekinesis Spell before pouring her a cup.

Continuing with their meal, Hammer and Arc confess numerous wrongs they’ve both committed against one another. Eventually, Hammer tells Mio of her revelations regarding her treatment over the years. Mio denies any wrong doing for a time before being buried by Hammer’s evidence. Admitting that what Hammer says is indeed true, Mio asks for forgiveness. Agreeing to do so on the condition that she give Arc a chance, Mio agrees. Helping Mio back to bed, she notices the heavily falling snow. After being assured that such is normal in Equestria, she and Hammer sit there watching it as Arc leaves the room.

Heading to Auriel’s quarters, Arc is admitted and stands before Maria. She gives him a plastic case containing a single syringe. Explaining to him that it will cure Bloodletter, Arc is somewhat upset that she has been putting such a matter before Shelly’s case. Defending her actions as simply creating an antidote for him in an hour, Arc accuses her of not telling him everything. Maria counters by reminding Arc that she has answered every question he asked of her. Agreeing, he announces his intention to use the cure on Bloodletter as soon as possible. Auriel asks to come along to help. While initially hesitant, Arc is reminded that neither he nor his squad is trained in how to administer a shot. Auriel agrees to take Auriel to do the deed and leaves the room with her. Going to his room to inform Hammer of the situation, Auriel is asked by Mio to come in. Looking her over, Mio is surprised at her appearance as well as her intellectual prowess. After learning that Arc will be going to help Bloodletter, Hammer askes to come as well to make her past mistake right. Auriel agrees to stay with Mio to allow Hammer to take her place. They leave the room together as Auriel sits down next to the bed. Arc opens a portal to allow Hammer to head to his place and start planning with the squad. Heading to the Audience Chamber, Arc speaks to Twilight and Luna regarding the idea of having a herd party in his Sanctuary. Luna advises him on the magical aspect of the plan while Twilight lends her insight of her friends to the matter. Afterwards Luna asks about Rainbow Dash. Telling the pair that she was out of sorts the last time they met, Luna is reminded that their friend is a bit impetuous and dismisses the matter as it stands.

Arc returns to his parent’s room via sigil. Heading to the basement, he along with Hammer and the squad come up with a plan to infiltrate the hospital... again. Settling one a plan, they implement it that very night. Arc sends Max, wearing the stolen scrubs along with his badge, into the hospital ahead of them. He and Hammer follow a short time later. Waiting at the entrance, Hammer gives Arc time to look at the moon and transform into his Crimson form. Heading inside they make their way to the security office. Arc mesmerizes the guard and forces him to call ahead to the Intensive Care Unit. Escorting the pair there, he introduces them to the nurse in charge. Announcing the reason for their visit, Hammer asks to see ‘John Smith’ aka Bloodletter. Being escorted into the room Hammer asks some questions before Max enters with a IV bag. Telling the nurse it’s the doctor’s orders, she send him to man the desk while she hooks up the bag. However there is a hole in it which causes her to remove it. Returning to her desk to order a new bag, she is told by Max that the treatment order has been cancelled. Heading back to Hammer, the nurse is told that the steps being taken are necessary. As the go their separate ways Arc spies Max in Shelly’s room pretending to make some notes on her chart. Arc nods soberly and closes the door behind him.

Arc and Hammer return to the Jeep together. As they wait for Max, Arc explains to Hammer the pairs relationship. Max arrives and gets into the back seat. Telling them that he stayed with Shelly so that Lily could get something to eat, Hammer questions why she is doing such a thing so late. Returning home, Arc is given a stack of papers regarding Shelly’s most recent stats. Returning to his room in Canterlot Castle with them Arc spies Ember waiting for him on the couch. Hammer leaves to give them some alone time. Ember explains to Arc that the others have started eating together whenever possible to talk over the herd idea. She asks that he also come whenever possible to contribute to the discussion. Arc agrees to try before Ember becomes extremely hot and bothered talking about her own sexual wants and desires. Parting ways, Arc takes the printouts to Auriel’s room. Maria answers the door and accepts his papers. Frowning, she points out that there are inconsistencies. Needing more information, Arc summons Max to the room so Maria can question him. Not being able to adequately answer her questions, Arc opens a portal back to Earth and leads Max and Maria though.

Arriving in his basement, Arc wakes up his squad. Telling them they have a mission, Arc introduces Maria Knowles to the others. Ordering them to get on the computers to help, Arc puts on a magic cloak and heads over to the hospital. Making his way back to Shelly’s room, he is directed by Maria on how to check Shelly. After examining her clammy forehead, fingernails, temperature, and her cheeks for makeup, Maria tells Arc to return. Doing so, she takes the new information back to her room via portal with Arc. Asking him to remove the rug, Maria sees the sigil underneath. Inquiring as to why it is there, Arc admits to using it to bring Auriel to his room to shower and sleep together. Approving of his methods, Arc is surprised with Maria not just knows about the herd but also approves of it tentatively. Asking him to take Auriel back to his room, Arc complies as Maria gets to work. Laying her down, Auriel grabs onto his hand and holds it to her chest as Arc joins her on the bed. Meanwhile, Hammer and Mio talk about Mio’s insecurities. She admits that she feels worthless to everyone. Hammer does her best to reassure her that she’s still the best at what she does. As the topic of conversation turns to the Hero, Mio confesses that she merely wanted to be by his side in doing the right thing. Hammer informs her of the herd idea to which Mio, understandably, disagrees. Proposing that she study their relationship as her aide of sorts, Mio agrees to write a report on her findings. Approving of this, Hammer agrees to read it with a purely open mind.

However many questions remain unanswered. Is Max truly over Shelly? What became of Raynor’s lunch? Does Hammer have any other kinks she’d like to share with the group? Will Derpy quit her job at the Little Hooves Orphanage? What will Hammer come up with for Arc and Rainbow Dash’s date? Will Mio actually be able to bury the hatchet with Arc? Is Mio truly on the Hero’s side? What was Mio THINKING attacking Arc in his armor?! Will Mio really keep her end of the bargain and give Arc a chance? Did Luna really let what Rainbow Dash said go? How will Maria help Shelly, if she can, that is? What will Mio write in the anti-herd report?

Time will tell. Sooner of later... time will tell.