Sequel to Solar Sails: Marooned In Equestria. Sarin Miles has become a permanent resident of Equestria. Now she needs to figure out what to do with herself.
Sarin Miles - Modified Soldier and alien - has just become a permanent addition to Equestria. Abandoned by her species in a world of ponies, she needs to adapt to living in the capitol, Canterlot. And she has no idea where to proceed. Such is her new mission: to figure out what her mission is.
Elsewhere in Canterlot, Whole Heart, the flawed Crystal Pony, seeks a place in a country she's just arrived in. How will these expatriate outcasts cross paths, here in the beating heart of Equestria?
Warning: Readers should probably read Marooned In Equestria to understand the characters and the wider universe the series exists in. Additionally, this story necessarily contains spoilers for Marooned. Reader discretion advised.
Sitting in the Canterlot castle donut shop, Sarin Miles stared at the shop's proprietor pleadingly. Before her, on the counter, was a plate adorned with a barely nibbled cruller. Her empty cup remained clutched in her fingers. “Please.”
“I think you've had about enough, two legs,” said Donut Joe, staring at the sad display before him. He looked outside, seeing that the sun went down. “It's late, girl. Gotta close shop.”
“...please...” reiterated Sarin, looking forlornly at her pastry. She sighed, picking up her donut and continuing her slow quest to finish it. It was a quest she'd embarked upon well before sundown, a last order to round out an entire plethora of pastries she sampled. One last order she made back when she still rode high on the taste of sugar, when the delayed reaction to food consumption hadn't kicked in and told her she was full.
She'd never been allowed to consume so many donuts before. Not back in the military. Not back in the Empire.
“Ugh...” grunted Donut Joe, shaking his head. “Look girly...girly...Sarin!”
Sarin looked up with alarm. “Yes sir?” She shot a hand to her forehead in a salute.
“This ain't the army kid,” Joe said. “And this has got to stop. You've been coming in here every day for the last week and wolfing down my donuts, like you got nothing better to do. Now I wouldn't have a problem, two legs, because the royal treasury is covering your tab. But there comes a time when you got to put down the hot chocolates and move on.” Donut Joe took off his apron, folding it. “I mean really, you got anything to do with yourself?”
Sarin looked down again, this time pulling a hand close to examine it. What AM I doing with myself, she wondered.
Sergeant Sarin Miles was, or had been, one of many Modified Soldiers in the Fatae Empire. A Fatae, biologically modified to serve as a super soldier. Born from a tube, raised to adulthood in the ways of combat, and eventually set to work against the Empire's many enemies. She fought from the shining hills of Ergoros to the Glencost system, and visited many worlds.
Did I mention I was from space, she had said when talking to Donut Joe, the first day she came in. He hadn't been so sure about the assertion, but couldn't argue the evidence of his own eyes.
Fatae were bipedal, with long, pointed ears. The average, capitol planet Fatae individual had skin like almonds, and hair white like snow, or golden yellow, or brown. Dark or light skins ran the gamut as well, but the “default” tone was considered brown, for as racist as that admittedly was. Sarin's skin wasn't like that. She was an MS, the product of genetic engineering. And genetic engineering was unpredictable as it was powerful.
MS G7-H3 was her designation, denoting her belonging to the G7 series, a series of soldiers known for their specialized “tricks”, as well as for their appearances ravaged by side effects of the modification process. Sarin's skin was bone white, but was broken up by blotches of blue around various parts of her body. These included around her yellow eyes, one on her forehead forming a crude downward pointing triangle, and more at the splintered tips of her long ears. As well as in various spots around the rest of her body. Her hair was an off-white. Her body had lean muscle, but that was from years of military training. Not that she was as buff as she would otherwise be.
A recent stint in the Canterlot dungeons, bound, wrecked havoc on her muscles, as brief as it had been.
Every sub-series of the G7s had a specialty. An area they were geared towards. Some had tougher skin, some could absorb and discharge energy, some were made to be super strong. Some could even use magic more effectively than others. For Sarin Miles, sub-series H, she was rated for three things: Celerity, Dexterity, and Flexibility.
When Donut Joe had, out of curiosity, asked for a demonstration of her flexibility, Sarin demonstrated her well-practiced contortion skills. He asked in no uncertain terms to never do it in his shop ever again. Scared too many customers away.
One day, Sarin was assigned to travel to a newly discovered world and scout the surface. It had attracted the Empire's attention because of its unusual rotational and lunar movements, and for its abundant emanations of magical energy. When she jumped on the solar sailed ships, she arrived and was sent down. But complications – mostly having to do with an errant sonic rainboom – caused her and her landing party to crash. The rest died on impact, and the radio rendered inoperable. Sarin was stranded with no way to contact the main ship.
By the time she learned the main ship had left the system on the assumption she'd died, Sarin had already spent a month on the planet. In the country called Equestria. And in all that time, she thought she had a purpose. Contact the ship, get rescued. She did many things on the planet in that time, like kill a hostile beast, sneak around, spy on ponies, break into the home of a scholar princess, and take an astronomer hostage. Among other things. It was for the latter two that she was eventually apprehended by the Equestria Royal Guard.
From there she suffered a bit of an emotional breakdown. She was dealing with plenty of issues at the time.
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna apparently thought her life and issues were sufficiently tragic, and took pity on her. Forgave her sins, past and present. And freed her. Sarin could come and go as she pleased. But with rescue long gone, all the imperial secrets she labored to hide from the ponies fully revealed, and even her own faith in her Empire shaken to its core...
“...so?” said Donut Joe.
Sarin shot back up. She sighed, brushing her hair back. “I really don't know. I spent so long on this planet with various goals or hang ups...and yet now...I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing.”
“You don't have anything?”
The modified soldier rubbed her chin. “Well...I did meet with Princess Twilight Sparkle and her apparently important friends. I made a bunch of promises and deals with them.”
“No kidding? You know Twilight and her friends?”
“Yes,” said Sarin. “More or less.” She looked down at the cruller again. Still not hungry enough to finish it. “I kind of stalked the princess for a while – it's a long story. Anyway, there was stuff I talked to them about...” She shook her head. “But one of them, helping the farmer with her harvest, won't happen for two months yet.”
“Wait, why you helping her with farming apples?”
“I stole some, back when I was in hiding,” Sarin responded. “It's a long story. Don't want to talk about it. The rest of the stuff I could do now if I wanted, but I should get in touch with them again.” She grimaced. How long before it would be appropriate to contact people – ponies – again after one punched one of their friends? Did it lessen or lengthen the time if the pony in question deserved it?
Why should they be mad, Sarin thought. Rainbow Dash deserved worse, really, and that's an objective fact. They knew that as well. Should have hit harder, really. For Sorchess and Bidd.
“So if you can't get your business with Twilight and her friends done yet, what are you going to do?” asked Donut Joe. He was busily cleaning things behind the counter.
“I don't know,” said Sarin, shutting her eyes.
“Sounds like you're devoid of an overriding purpose there, two legs.”
Sarin opened her eyes again. She looked at the baker. “I guess.”
“Well, since you're just spinning your wheels,” said Donut Joe, grabbing a cup and pouring some liquid into it, “maybe now it's time to just...do some small things. Errands.”
“Errands?”
“For example, have you seen Canterlot? Like, really seen it?”
“...no, I haven't,” Sarin admitted. In truth, her own growing infamy amongst society – the biped brought in at early hours to the castle dungeons in chains – Sarin hadn't done much running around. In fact, there were any number of things she could do in the city, she supposed.
“And you're an army girl, right two legs?”
“Yes,” Sarin said, standing up straight.
“Have you been working out since they released you?”
“...no, I haven't,” she answered, eyebrows drooping. Her respect for her superiors in the army had dropped to an all time low, but to her dismay she stilled cared about what they would think of her then. Wallowing in doubt, aimless, letting her skills and body go south. Sarin Miles suddenly flushed, feeling an intense, personal shame. Where had her discipline gone?
“And if, after you get through all that,” said Donut Joe, layering a fresh supply of marsh mellows in the liquid confection he concocted, “you still don't know what you're doing, maybe you should go out and see what a girl like you can do. Find yourself a new life goal. Cause if the donuts you're baking turn out too burnt to eat, what do you do?”
Sarin blinked. The ponies on this world had a nasty habit of speaking exclusively in metaphors pertaining to their special talents. It was disconcerting. And confusing. “Um...”
“You just take a new set of ingredients and bake yourself a new batch,” Donut Joe concluded, smirking. Finally, he examined his latest creation and handed it across the counter. “Here you go. One for the road.”
Taking the cup gently in her hands, Sarin smiled. “Thank you, Joe.”
“And I do mean road, girl!” Donut Joe said sternly. “So get going!”
Sarin rose to her feet and stalked out the door.
“And don't come back until you can look me in the eye and say you've made progress!” Joe shouted at the retreating Fatae. When she was gone, he looked down at her plate. At the abandoned donut. He grunted, picking it up. “I just hope that girl doesn't bite off any more that she can't chew.” He looked at the pastry, then shrugged, gobbling it up.
No use letting good food go to waste.
“We have now arrived at Canterlot Train Station. Thank you for riding with us, and enjoy your stay.”
The doors on the train opened, allowing the flood of ponies to spill out onto the platform. Most were various varieties of native to Equestria proper, businessponies and tourists returning from the icy north. Their pastel plainness made them stand out in contrast to the Crystal Empire's shining brilliance. But back at home, amongst members of their own kind, they all fit in perfectly.
It was there in Canterlot, beating heart of Equestria, that a lone Crystal Pony would truly stand out. A Crystal Pony like the one who wandered out last, laden with suitcases.
Whole Heart was a thoroughly out of shape mare, thin of legs and pudgy of barrel. Great effort went into carrying her possessions; such that she had. She'd sold everything else back in the Crystal Empire, along with her house.
Her coat was a mint green, her mane straight cut purple in two tones. A plain and serviceable style, to match a personality so at odds with her race's typical ostentation. Orange, gem-angled eyes peeked behind a countenance of melancholy. It was an affect fought against by the mare at every opportunity, to little success.
Cutie mark: a blue heart “slotting” into an golden orange heart frame. In spite of her mark and her name, Whole Heart had no friends. She was thoroughly not a cohesive whole.
That would be her flaw. As well as the result of her literal Flaw.
She struggled across the platform and to the customs house, relishing the paperwork that would give her the chance to shrug off the damnable load. It helped that she relished the paperwork in and of itself. One of the few things I can do very well, she mused. Don't need to fit in to be good at clerical work.
The processing was, unfortunately, brutally short. She sat the last of the completed forms on the customs desk, lamenting how easily the ponies of Equestria accepted visitors into their country. Then again, she supposed she was in yet another minority that truly enjoyed such things.
Whole Heart sighed, taking up her burden again and exiting the station.
Such was the most polite greeting Sarin Miles received while jogging through the streets of Canterlot. Most others gasped, gawked, muttered and moaned, or simply tried desperately to avoid staring as the Fatae ran past. It was everything Sarin feared and more when she decided to run beyond the gates of Canterlot Castle.
But they'll just have to deal, thought Sarin, brushing away the shocked reception.
Sarin's entrance into the capitol of Equestria had not been a pleasant one. Trussed up in chains, exhausted from a long night of espionage and threatening ponies with weapons, Sarin had become the show for what few residents were around during the early morning. Mostly those getting an early start or a late bid for bed. Enough ponies had seen her to warrant more than a few rumors. A strange biped marched into the castle dungeons? That makes for great gossip.
As far as Sarin witnessed, the residents of the city hadn't quite believed the rumors. Had doubted. Jogging down the streets casually, with no apparent guard escort, Sarin summarily put their doubts to rest. Much to their shock and horror.
And I'll make a habit of doing it so long as I live in this town. So get used to it. I need my exercise.
She shot off a salute to a pair of guards stationed under an awning. They blinked, but made no move against her. If Princess Celestia vouched for the strange creature, it was sufficient. Not that she remained unmonitored; Sarin could swear that pegasus soldiers flew about, ducking behind buildings so as to keep tabs on her comings and goings.
Made sense. Even with a pardon, the modified soldier posed a possible risk. She had killed at least one creature in the time she walked on the planet. Admittedly, it was a voice stealing, pony devouring, hodgepodge monster. A detail of covert observers was hardly unreasonable for the foreseeable future.
She couldn't get any proper spy work done for her Empire anyway. Not without a line of communication. And not when she started to suspect that the powers that be were more than a little evil.
Rounding a corner, Sarin's path brought her side by side with a pony, also engaged in jogging. He wore a red track suit, and had a tan coat and brown mane. Casual glance at his cutie mark revealed a checkered flag.
Turning to face his new companion, the pony – an earth pony – drew a shocked expression. Eyes splayed, he sputtered a moment, then said, “Oh! Hi...you...”
“Hello!” Sarin chirped, flashing the pony a smile.
“...what are you...?” the pony said, his narrowing inquisitively. “...doing! That is. What are you doing?” His expression became more apologetic, followed by a forced, terse, breathless laugh.
“Jogging.”
“Oh,” said the pony, suddenly looking straight ahead. He shook his head, wincing. Sarin couldn't be sure, but it seemed like her companion realized how stupid his question seemed. “I'm sorry.”
“No problem.”
“So...are you that...something or other?” he asked. “The one everypony kept talking about?”
“Probably.”
“The one who got taken to the castle in chains?” he continued, beginning to look uneasy.
“Yep,” Sarin said. “Princess Celestia let me go after a while, so now I'm jogging.”
“Huh,” said the pony, his nervousness seeming to fade. “Now you're jogging?”
“Yes.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes.”
“...you sound like my kind of...” began the pony, grinning. He quickly discovered his ignorance. “...my kind of...”
“Fatae,” said Sarin helpfully. She flashed another smile. “And thank you.”
The pony smiled, his step growing lighter. As the modified soldier increased her pace to keep up with the stallion, he said, “So you're a Fatae? What's your name?”
“Sarin,” she said. “Sarin Miles.”
“Nice to meet you Sarin,” the stallion said, stopping to jog in place on his hind legs so he could extend a forehoof. Sarin returned the place-jogging, limb extending gesture and shook his hoof. He continued, “My name's Cantering Place. Of the Place family.” Cantering Place pronounced his name with a silent G.
“Nice to meet you, likewise,” Sarin said.
“What do you like most about running, Sarin?” Cantering asked.
Odd question. It made Sarin pause, stroking her chin while looking wistfully away. “I guess...I like running because it's what I was made to do.”
“Really? Like a special talent?”
“If by special talent, you mean I was engineering by Fatae science to be very good at running fast,” explained Sarin, “then yes, absolutely.”
Cantering Place continued his own stationary jog, pondering this interesting concept. “...so you fancy you're pretty good on speed, eh?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I guess I do.” She smiled.
The pony jogger grinned back. “How about we test that theory? Race to Canterlot Square?”
Then they took off into a run, leaving pedestrians who had watched the unusual exchange to gawk in their wake.
To her dismay, Whole Heart was unable to catch a cab carriage. Physically unable, as it turns out. Even unburdened by her luggage, the crystal mare was slow as a rule. Just trotting after a carriage for ten seconds, only to see a suited unicorn jump in and demand egress, left Whole Heart gasping for breath. She bent over, sucking air desperately.
She took in her surroundings. The street in front of the hotel had no other waiting cabs. She groaned, gasping. Whole Heart would have to walk, and she had numerous places to go that day.
The crystal pony had a tidy sum of bits – exchanged from Crystal Currency back home – but they weren't a fortune. As it turned out, a hotel in the capitol of Equestria cost a lot, so she couldn't afford to stay for more than a week where she was. So in addition to finding employment, Whole Heart needed to find cheaper lodging.
Which meant additional running. Whole Heart felt like ducking back inside and brushing the entire ordeal off.
Instead she started walking. Necessity may have been the mother of invention, but she was also a harsh mistress. At least that's what Whole Heart thought, her chest still thumping minutes after her run. Somewhere in the distance behind her, she could hear the rush of wind. It passed soon enough, like two gales rushing down a perpendicular street.
Whole Heart considered her options. Being that the Crystal Empire held strong ties to the Canterlot royalty, she could attempt to inquire about jobs at he castle. She worked hard, and she'd heard legendary tales of the magnitude of Canterlot's bureaucracy. If anypony needed help, it would be them.
But then again, since the castle had such ties to her home country, the possibility existed that most of the staff were partially familiar with crystal ponies in general. Which meant they would know what most of them looked like.
Which means they'll be thoroughly unimpressed by me and my imperfection, Whole Heart thought, dejectedly. No, better to save the castle as a last resort. She didn't think the gleam of her skin could hide her Flaw. Not from them.
Whole Heart sighed, then sighed again when she turned over her shoulder and realized how little progress she'd made.
It's going to be one of those days, isn't it?
The two joggers panted together, resting at the foot of the Canterlot Square fountain. Sarin smiled, while Cantering Place let out sporadic chuckles. Around them, ponies dotted the sidewalks, chancing furtive glances or staring outright. Not just because of the Fatae's appearance.
“Can't believe it,” Cantering said, stroking his mane. “Didn't think anypony could run that fast.”
“Told you I was designed for speed,” Sarin said, barely out of breath. She chuckled alongside the pony.
“Here I was, not believing you,” Cantering said. He stuck a hoof out to wave into the distance. “And then bam! You pull out ahead and leave me in the dust at the last second.” He peeked over to his new companion. “You held back that whole way, didn't you?”
“Didn't want to make you feel bad,” Sarin said, giddy when the stallion responded with another amused chuckle. “Besides, you weren't half bad yourself.”
“Ah, if you thought that was impressive, you should see my brother Trotting.”
“Trotting Place?”
“Yep,” confirmed Cantering Place. “Lives over in Trottingham.”
“Is this an intentional theme?” Sarin asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not at first,” said Cantering, wiping sweat from his brow. “I moved here to Canterlot a while back. Trotting thought it was the funniest thing, so he left our home in Baltimare and moved to Trottingham. Just to supply the pun.”
“Does he like it there?”
“Oh yeah,” he said, waving a hoof. “He met his lovely life there.”
They continued their conversation until around noon. When the sun reached its apex, Cantering said, “Ah, this has been nice. But I got to go. See you on the streets tomorrow morning?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Sarin said. “It's been so long since I had anyone to run with, let alone talk to.” An accurate statement. Truth be told, aside from superior officers making sure she kept up her training regiment, she spent her time running alone. It was an activity she enjoyed – a pastime she knew she didn't fail at – but which was supremely lonely.
As Cantering Place jogged off, waving as he went, Sarin waved back. A bubbling sensation sat in her stomach. She felt better after that good run than she had in a long, long time.
I think I might come to love running again, she thought, taking off back towards the castle. Her feet felt light as a feather.
I think I might come to hate running, Whole Heart thought, trudging back to the hotel as the setting sun painted the sky a brilliant red. Her hooves felt heavy as lead.
Not one lead on a job. Eight different businesses visited, and none had need for a secretary. No papers needed pushing, no messages taken. Everypony had an assistant or help already. With each passing disappointment, Whole Heart's hooves grew slower, her gait more labored. By the time she'd given up and turned for home – or rather the hotel she stayed at – she felt like she would need entire days to heal from that day's exertion. No doubt she would feel it all the worse in the morning.
She'd even stopped by one of the only other hotels in town. No vacancies. She would have to sleep in her pricier one for the foreseeable future.
At this rate I'll run out of bits before I find a job, she thought. How can a city like this not have employment opportunities?
Plodding along, the crystal mare passed a young stallion, laden with books. He glanced her way, then almost kept moving. Then he stopped and stared. “Excuse me, miss?”
“Huh?” said Whole Heart, unable to properly remove the edge of frustration from her voice. “What do you want?”
“You're a Crystal Pony, right” he said, nervously.
“No, I'm a Saddle Arabian,” said Whole Heart, scowling. She shook her head, trying to dispel her foul mood. “Sorry, long day. Is there some reason a crystal pony surprises you?”
The pony's face lit up. “Oh, not at all. I study Crystal Pony anatomy at Canterlot Academy. It's just that...well...I've never seen...something like that in my studies.” He pointed to her body.
Part of Whole Heart would have been confused at the lack of explanation. It would, if another part didn't already instinctively know to what he referred. The mare grew nervous.
Sarin Miles struggled beneath the enormous stack of tomes. She hobbled through the Canterlot Royal Library, stumbling once or twice as she made her way to a table. Nearly falling the remaining meter, Sarin let the books tumble onto the surface with a loud clatter. From a distance away, Sarin heard the disapproving shush of the librarian.
“Sorry,” Sarin whispered, staggering to her feet, using the back of a chair as support. As she seated herself, she felt the dull throb in her arms.
Not even weight training compares to hauling books, Sarin mused, rubbing her sore arms. I'll need to add such strength training to my usual regiment. If I can find a gym somewhere in this land, that is.
She pulled a rolled scroll from her belt and unfurled it. All one meter of its length. She sighed, taking stock of which volumes she'd obtained. The scroll Sarin read arrived the day before, delivered by way of magical fire to land at the feet of Princess Celestia. It happened while Sarin enjoyed dinner with her majesty, alongside a number of stuffy nobleponies.
It was that list of important and informative texts Sarin asked Twilight Sparkle to compile for her. Being a scholar intimately familiar with the Canterlot library, as well as a studious and organized intellectual, Twilight seemed the ideal choice for reference to helpful materials. Sarin lamented that spying on the residents of Ponyville, hearing their gossip and stealing their newspaper, only provided so much knowledge about the world she now called home.
Sarin further lamented her underestimation of Twilight Sparkle's thorough organization. The list was extensive, seemingly covering every possible subject Sarin could think to research. And several she didn't think of, or indeed felt like reading about. When would she ever need to study...Gyromancy: Applications, Abbreviations, Aberrations, And Historical Contexts?
I'm a soldier, Sarin thought, holding her head. Or at least I was. I don't need to understand the intricacies of magical theory. I barely comprehend the magic that lets me understand other languages.
Maybe asking Twilight Sparkle for her assistance in the matter was a mistake? No, the aid was helpful. Just horribly excessive. Sarin sighed, setting the list on the table. She would need to pen a thankful reply, one that would bridge her towards establishing lines of communication about Sarin's many obligations in Ponyville. She needed to know when and where she had to travel to accomplish the tasks. Aid the Apple family in their next harvest to make up for the apples she stole. Be properly fit for the clothes Rarity insisted on designing for her. Attending Pinkamena Diane Pie's party(s). Cuddle with Fluttershy's adorable animals (the thought made Sarin giddy). Actively avoid Rainbow Dash, so as not to do anything more to punish the pegasus. Even if she deserved it. So very much to do in one town.
...where would I stay in meantime, she thought, tapping her lips. I guess I could try Base Two...wait...
“Here's the last one. Say cheese curds!”
“C-cheese curds...”
The camera flash went off, lighting the facets of her crystal body. Whole Heart blinked, staggering back into a nearby chair.
“That's it! We're done,” said the university student, bright smile on his face. He carefully collected the last of the negatives and stored them in boxes for later. “I feel confident the photos will make great reference for the book!”
“You think so?” asked Whole Heart, rubbing her aching hooves. For whatever reason the student insisted she stand up when taking the photographs. Something about needing a range of angles of her midsection. The crystal pony sighed. At least it ended.
They exited the workroom, walking to the front desk of the university. When they were nearly out, the student rubbed his hooves. “Oh I'm excited! My book on Crystal Pony anatomy is so much better for your contribution.”
“Y-yeah, glad I could help,” Whole Heart said, putting on a smile. She scratched a knee. “So is the part where I get paid?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, almost forgot,” said the student, smile dropping. He fished through his saddlebag and removed a bag of bits. Whole Heart noticed it wasn't that big or full. “Thank you kindly for your help in advancing science.” He dropped the bag into Whole Heart's eager hooves. “I would offer to send you a free copy of the book when it's published...” he began, putting on a nervous smile, “but you know how expensive textbooks are these days.”
“Oh yeah, I understand,” said Whole Heart, politely taking her leave with a few passing pleasantries. In truth, she had to take the stallion's word on that. The Crystal Empire didn't really have a university, let alone monopolistic price points on school textbooks. She had learned her trade as most in the Empire learned theirs: apprenticeship. Her education had come under the watch of a very mild crystal clerk, one who'd taken pity on her for her Flaw.
Whole Heart sighed, jingling the bits in their sack. The payment, in retrospect, was probably generous on the research student's part; compensation for the time of a pitiable creature like her.
She walked down the street, stopping by a shop with a mirror in the window. She turned to the reflective surface, mournfully taking in the Flaw as she'd done many times before. It was a thin internal fracture deep in her trunk. The cleavage was fairly large, noticeable to anypony at a glance.
Flaws, or imperfections as some in the Crystal Empire called them, were body deformities wholly unique to crystal ponies. When in the best of health, crystal ponies shown brilliantly like gems. Translucent flesh glinted in the light, and if one were particularly focused, one could perhaps see things behind them. Thankfully their internal organs were invisible, as was anything passing through their bodies. Many crystal ponies counted such as another aspect of the same magic that left crystal ponies more “normal” like regular ponies when not at their fullest health. Like the business with King Sombra.
What that magic failed to hide were inclusions and other impurities in their bodies. These imperfections – these Flaws – ranged from general cloudiness to feathering to carbon scores...or in Whole Heart's case, a sickening internal fracture. It caught the light and stood out against the majority of crystal ponies. Other Flaws were treated as symptoms of other medical issues. Fractures were medical issues unto themselves, and were quite debilitating to have. As a matter of fact, Whole Heart was among the luckier ponies born with such a Flaw. Most others came out still born, or died shortly after birth.
Then again, Whole Heart thought with a displeased frown as she stared at her deformity, sometimes I wonder how lucky I really was to get a fracture that didn't immediately kill me.
She shook her head, forcing her eyes away from the mirror. Whole Heart moved forward again, jingling the bit bag again. The paltry sum she received allowing the student to document her Flaw in photographs – a new technology she hadn't personally encountered before – was appreciated. Really. But the student had taken as many pictures as he could, and even then Whole Heart thought he was being excessive in an attempt to “make it worth their respective times”. It was all she could reasonably get from that opportunity.
Was that all she could look forward to in Canterlot? Temporary work portioned to her out of pity?
Whole Heart suddenly felt extremely depressed. She hung her head, placing the sack of precious bits into her saddlebag. She felt so bad emotionally she hardly noted how much her feet hurt.
The door opened, a very bored looking earth pony turning into a very dumbfounded earth pony when he saw who came rapping at his door.
“Hello,” said Sarin, nervously smiling. She held her hands clasped together in front of her. Weaving her fingers together, she said, “Is there a Turnip Turner living here?”
The pony stared for a number of seconds before blinking rapidly. “...uh...” he toned, “...what are you...”
“Fatae.”
“Excuse me?” the stallion said, squinting.
“I am a Fatae, that's my species,” responded Sarin Miles. “That is what you were asking, right? What I am?”
“...uh...yes...I'm sorry,” the pony said, squirming where he stood. “What was your question again, miss...?”
“Sarin Miles,” said Sarin. “And I wanted to know if Turnip Turner lived here. I checked records at the post office, and found the stallion named Turnip Turner was a resident here at some point. Is that you?”
“...why do you want to know?” the stallion asked, seeming less out of depth and more suspicious.
“Because a stallion named Turnip Turner lived at one time at a residence in Ponyville,” explained Sarin, patiently. “I was squatting in that house not too long ago, and I gathered Turnip Turner was the last one to hold the deed.”
The stallion blinked for several seconds, gripping the door frame with a hoof. “...you should maybe come inside...”
“You're sure the crystal mare stays at this hotel?” asked the heavyset earth pony.
“No doubt,” said the skinny unicorn, stroking his beard. “Saw her come out the other day.” He looked back from his associate to the hotel doors across the street.
“She could have been visiting someone in a hotel,” ventured the large earth pony stallion. He liked to remind ponies how, while he certainly had no university education like his associate, he wasn't a nimrod.
“Would make sense,” said the unicorn, “except I saw her checking in with a big load of suitcases. Mare is staying in the hotel.” He looked up the street, then lit up. “Hey it's her! Look!” He pointed down the street. There, a shimmering mare walked, mint coat, purple mane, orange eyes. Pleasantly plump, heart shaped cutie mark.
“Oh wow,” the earth pony said, whistling. “She sure does look pretty. Especially how the sun catches her...what do you call the surfaces of a cut gem?”
“Facets,” said the unicorn, eyes fixed on the mare. “And she does have a fine set of facets.” He stroked his beard again.
The crystal pony trudged along the walkway, eyes downcast. The setting sun glinted off her mint-colored hide.
“So we gonna...?”
“Not here,” the unicorn said, pulling hard on his beard. Grimacing, he motioned to his associate to avert their direct ogles. “Street's crowded, hotel has security.” The unicorn, checked the position of the sun, and verified it to be sunset. “Too late anyway. We'll follow her tomorrow. Come on.” He got up from his chair. He stalked away from the table, followed by the earth pony.
“So your name is Sarin?”
“Yes,” answered the modified soldier, accepting the offered cup of tea. “Does that make you Turnip Turner?”
“Hardly,” grunted the stallion homeowner, settling into his own chair at the kitchen table. “Turnip Turner was my father. My name's Radish Router.”
“Oh,” said Sarin, taking a sip of her tea. It tasted bitter, but she made no complaint. “Nice to meet you Radish Router.”
“Hmm,” said Radish. “So you said you were staying in the old Ponyville estate?”
“Yes. As you can probably guess, I'm not originally from Equestria.” Sarin stroked the brim of the teacup with her finger. “You can say I was a vagrant, refusing to enter into pony society proper. So when I was in the Ponyville area, I broke into this old, abandoned house and stayed there for three weeks.” She took another sip of tea. Exhaling happily, she said, “I found a lot of old documents belonging to various family members, and saw your father's name among them. Decided he was worth looking up while I was here. Is he still around?”
“Afraid not,” said Radish Router, frowning. “Passed away a couple years ago.”
“I'm sorry.”
“No, it's okay. And yeah, my dad used to live in that house back in the day.” The stallion sipped his tea. “When he passed, his belongings went to me. I've still got all the stuff here, including the deed to the house.”
“Hmm...” Sarin hummed, nodding her head.
Radish Router nodded too, expression grown contemplative. Sipping more tea, his face relaxed. “Do you want it?”
Sarin blinked. “Want what?”
“The deed to the house.”
“What? I never said anything about wanting to get the deed,” Sarin said, trying to wave off the suggestion. “I just...”
“But you did stay in the house when nopony else ever would,” said Radish. “Got more use from the old place than anyone in my family has in years.” Another sip of tea. “You can have the deed if you want. No charge.”
“I couldn't possibly,” Sarin said, frowning. She clutched the teacup, tracing the rim with her fingers. “Couldn't possibly take property like that.”
Radish Router chuckled, shaking his head. He stood from the table, walking across the kitchen. He stood at a battered, water-stained writing desk, pulling cabinets open. Sarin could see him rifle through stacks of yellowed papers. Satisfied, Radish walked back, setting a piece of paper on the table before taking his seat again.
“You know,” Radish began, “My father hated that old place.”
Sarin looked taken aback. She blinked at the pony. Her hand lifted up from the cup and stroked the four flared points on her ear.
Radish continued, “He hated it back there. Told me some pretty messed up horror stories about it.”
“Yeah, I gathered some pretty bad things happened there over the years,” Sarin explained.
“Dad never got around to properly explaining how it all went down, beginning to end,” Radish said, looking sadly down at the deed. “I remember, for years, he'd bring folks over to our place here, or head out there on day trips to meet them. He tried for so long so sell the house. If I had it right, he tried to sell it at soon as uncle Vigor died, and the deed passed to dad.” Radish smiled in a manner of...nostalgia? “Dad tried everything he could to sell the house. But in the end nopony wanted it. First because Dad dared to ask for a reasonable price given the property value. Then because of the overwhelmingly negative things said about it that just piled up. And then because the house had fallen so far into disrepair that it looked appropriately haunted.
“And I just think...” Radish Router shook his head. “I think it got to the point where dad was too old to keep making the trips. So he just gave up; unable to even give the house away.” He looked up at Sarin. “So if I can give it away to anyone...finally settle the matter once and for all...I guess I'd feel good about it being to somepony...some Fatae, who could really use it.”
Sarin ran fingers through her hair, stopping to scratch her scalp. Having a house all her own? Owning property on the strange world she was stranded upon? Advantages is what it would be, but it also meant other things. Property taxes for one, assuming ponies paid them. Did the prospect of not paying property taxes to Ponyville partially motivate Radish Router's generosity? Did Radish's family even pay the taxes, or would Sarin walk into Ponyville and be met with a sizable bill of back taxes? Or did the Ponyville tax collectors even care about the house, given its dreadful reputation?
Assuming there were taxes, moving in would necessitate obtaining furnishings for it. Sarin then shuddered at the considerable amount of work that would be needed to bring the dilapidated structure up to code, whatever that was in Ponyville. Existing furniture sorted, junk thrown out, windows replaced, boards nailed down, bug infestations exterminated, walls painted, carpets washed, floors scrubbed. Lawns cut, fences strengthened, shutters oiled, plumbing cleared of obstructions, water flow reestablished with the town authority.
So much work, so little time, so little money. To accept the house was to commit to the property.
It was to say “I'm prepared to make this plot of rotten wood and barren land mine, for the rest of my life.”
What AM I going to do with the rest of my life, she suddenly thought. Even if I get rescued by the next ship that arrives in however many months or years it takes, I don't know if I want to go back to the military. I kind of want to retire...but then what am I doing? If I'm just retiring, what's the difference between retirement from service here and retirement on one of the imperial planets?
And what if the Empire decides I still haven't worked off the debt they incurred making me? If I commit to the house, will I just have to leave it to ruin when I went back? If I went back?
Sarin Miles circled around in her mind, contemplating options. Options and uncertainties. Most importantly, she felt the profound desire to reject the decision, put off making it. But then she shook her head. No, she was trapping herself in an uncertainty spiral. Was that a thing? She brushed two hands' worth of fingers through her hair.
“So do you want it?” said Radish Router, pushing the deed forward so it was in the center of the table.
Sarin stared at it. If nothing else, to refuse the gift – a gift of house and property where she had neither – would be the height of rudeness. This long suffering pony wanted nothing more than to rid himself of terrible memories. And did so through immense generosity to a bizarre creature he just met whose only qualification for owning the house was squatting in it.
Looking at the paper, Sarin sighed. She picked it up. “Alright...and thank you, Radish Router.”
“No problem,” said the pony. He smiled, then looked over to the writing desk. Sarin could almost see the wistful manner in which he stared. “You'll probably appreciate the place more than anypony in my family ever could.”
As Sarin left the earth pony's home, she hugged the deed to her chest. She smiled, then smiled wider as the full implications set in.
The unicorn hair stylist pushed the modified soldier with his fore-hooves. Sarin Miles backed up, not exactly scared of physical harm so much as taken aback by the pony's conduct. She looked around, seeing a number of customers and staff ogling the scene with puzzled looks or slack jaws.
Sarin backed off again when the stylist started shoving. “Whoa hold on! What's your deal?” she asked, frowning.
“Don't think you can fool me,” said the stylist, brandishing brushes and scissors with is magic. “I know who you are.” He pointed a hoof in Sarin's face. “You're that...gaudy creature the royal guard hauled into the dungeons. Well I'll not have a dangerous...thing...in my boutique! So out with you! Shoo!”
“Okay fine!” Sarin yelled, retreating out the front door. She looked back to see the proprietor glaring at her. He slammed the door with a loud clatter, disturbing a number of pedestrians. If any of them had failed to notice the alien before, they certainly did now, looking from her to the door frantically. Sarin glared at them, causing most to return to their activities, fearfully pretending to ignore her. One pegasus mare with jewelry merely snorted and raised her nose, waltzing up to the door and entering.
Sarin heard the stylist welcome the pony more warmly, even from outside. “Fine,” said muttered Sarin, turning away. She stomped a few meters away, then slowed to a walk. Shoulders drooping, her grim frown turned into a disappointed one. “...fine...” She sighed, reaching up to stroke a lock of her off-white hair.
Guess I'm not going to get a haircut today, she thought, eyes threatening to water.
Thinking back, Sarin supposed such treatment was to be expected. Her stay in Canterlot as a former prisoner was bound to be more than just friendly meetings and free houses. In fact, getting so much positive treatment was more than she could have reasonably expected. Making her way down the street, Sarin further supposed, given her reputation as a rumor made real, the stylist was justified in wanting to protect his store and its customers.
Didn't stop Sarin from feeling hurt. She pouted.
The hair on her head grew down to her shoulders now. Normally Sarin would never permit it to get that far – long hair is ever a hassle and a risk for a fighter. But between being stranded on Equestria, the drama preceding it, the drama that followed after it, the efforts to survive and escape, and her extended incarceration, Sarin just hadn't the time to manage it. Taking a pair of scissors to her locks would certainly solve the problem.
Yet, in spite of herself, in spite of her upbringing and inclinations, Sarin had wanted to get the hair not just cut, but styled. Walking along, she scanned the crowds. Pretty pastel ponies with their pretty pastel perms. Or curls, or whatever. Sarin envied them, she realized. Envied the pretty mares...the pretty girls she saw back in the Empire.
Sarin rubbed the bridge of her nose. Why should I care to look pretty? Doesn't matter, a waste of time. It's not for me to look good, to have nice hair or makeup or beautiful clothes. I'm just a soldier.
Didn't change how insecure she felt.
Whole Heart slammed the door on the office building, fuming. Another onerous rejection.
Another devastating failure. Whole Heart growled. “What does a mare have to do to get a job in this town?” she screamed, stamping a hoof. After tense, angry moments, she allowed the foul mood to dissipate. When it had, she was only left with more profound disappointment.
She was fairly certain, given what she'd heard around town, that the one she just left was the last business she could apply to in the city. The last job she was qualified to do. There were no other opportunities, at least none she knew. Or maybe she was just projecting her poor luck onto Canterlot, and she was just giving up out of frustration. She didn't know, and was starting to not care. She was lost, running out of bits, and out of avenues to pursue.
Well, except for the one, she thought, sighing. Guess I can't put it off any longer.
Depressed, Whole Heart started down the path to Canterlot Castle.
Honestly, she didn't know why she hadn't done it in the first place.
Sarin sat on a high wall, overlooking the courtyard where guards ran drills. She stroked her newly shortened hair, cut to half its length at least. When professional styling proved impossible, Sarin returned to the castle and asked one of Celestia's personal beauty staff to give her a quick cut. They were more than happy to oblige, even going so far as to wash it for her and brush out the tangles. And they didn't even ask for payment.
That was another thing Sarin wished she'd realized earlier. Stylists asked for payment in their boutiques, and Sarin had not a bit to her name. Blunder narrowly avoided.
Thinking of money brought the Fatae back to the guards. They served for the glory and safety of their country, yet most certainly they were paid. Sarin received payment back in the Empire, though she hardly spent it. Imagining the money she wouldn't be able to use down in Equestria made Sarin cringe. Such a waste.
As was Sarin in that castle. Groaning, she stood up. In spite of all the errands completed and the inroads made, true purpose eluded her. With no enemies to fight, no orders to follow, the Fatae woman floundered. Not only was she out of her element when it came to society – a state she as a modified soldier accepted long before – but she also was out of her element when it came to her lifestyle. She maintained a body fit for combat, yet knew no applications for it. She had discipline maintained out of habit rather than need.
The common unpleasant persons in her life remained, if replaced with unpleasant ponies, yet she had no reason to put up with them as she had before. In the military, people were always yelling at her or each other for one reason or another. It was just the way of things. Sarin worked through it out of duty; it had to be done. On Equestria, no duty existed, no work needed doing that she could see. She just was, and it left her restless. She needed that structure. Needed some duty. Needed to find that purpose.
...needed to go back out to the streets and finish her errands for that day. If nothing else, she could accomplish the items on her to do list.
It's something, at least, she thought, drifting down to the exits. With renewed determination, Sarin Miles walked out of the castle gates.
It's over, she thought, meandering down to the exits. With dashed hopes, Whole Heart staggered out of the castle gates.
She'd gained access to the castle and asked around for the one in charge of hiring staff. Eventually she found him, a stuffy looking old stallion with a prodigious mustache. To him Whole Heart inquired about work.
To her despair, the stallion replied in no uncertain terms that they had altogether enough help. He politely disengaged, stating she had to see to Princess Celestia about a schedule. With that, the crystal pony was left to retreat, crestfallen.
So she trudged around Canterlot, dazed and depressed. Her hooves hurt. A lot. Days of running around the city, scaling stairs, standing in lines and poorly seated waiting rooms. Whole Heart was exhausted, further drained by the constant stream of rejection.
So is this how it ends? I give up my entire life in the Crystal Empire, my job, my home, my possessions. I uproot myself completely, travel to a country I've never been to before, a thousand years from when we were the most technologically advanced on the planet. Endured the unfamiliar, the strange, the alien. And walked more in one week than I have in the previous month.
And nothing? I just have to give up? I did all this for nothing?
Whole Heart's eyes filled with tears. She hung her head, struggling to put one painful foot in front of another.
“Excuse me miss.”
It would be so easy, just to curl into a ball.
“If we might have a moment of your time?”
Curl up, on the ground. Let it all go. Cry a river.
“Miss.”
Cry until all of Canterlot is drowned in her salty tears. Maybe if she looked pathetic enough, someone would offer her some of that precious pity. Offer her a job...
“Miss!”
Whole Heart looked up with a start. Teardrops fell down her cheek.
Two stallions stood in front of her, one a muscular earth pony, the other a lanky unicorn with a beard. They flashed bright smiles. The heavyset one was bright yellow, with a brown mane and a cutie mark like a coil of rope. The unicorn's coat was gray, topped with black hair. He bore a cutie mark like a gem-appraiser's eyepiece.
“Glad we got you attention, miss,” said the unicorn. “We've seen you running around town, and couldn't help but find out that you are currently looking for employment. Is this correct?”
Blinking, the crystal pony stammered, “Y-yes, I am.”
“And by your terrible state, may I assume you've had no luck?”
“...yes...” said Whole Heart, peering back down to her feet.
“So unfortunate,” said the unicorn, shaking his head. “Tut tut tut, that's just awful. Isn't it?” He looked up to his associate.
“Yep,” said the heavyset pony, frowning dramatically.
“Fortunately, we might be able to help you.”
Whole Heart's face shot up. Incredulously she stared at the two. “Really?” she choked.
“Indeed we can!” said the unicorn, seating himself on his haunches. “We represent the Safe Sounds Import Company, and we're currently looking for ponies with work ethic and lovely...facets of their personality.”
Frankly, she felt the crack about facets was horribly offensive. But the promise of a job excited her so much, she dismissed it as a well-meaning joke. “You'd really give me a job?” Eyes sparkling – more than usual – her face lit up with a tentative, hopeful smile.
“Absolutely!” said the unicorn, rising to a standing position. He gestured down a side street. “If you'd just follow me, we can talk all about it.”
“Thank you so much!” Sarin cheered, shutting the door of the small fabricator's shop.
A trip to the shop had been in order once Sarin woke up that morning and realized she had been wearing the same set of clothes for more than a month. A simple uniform and a set of undergarments were all she had on her when she crashed, and in all her business she'd neglected that fact like she neglected her hair.
When she stepped in, she asked the proprietor if a set of shirt, pants, and undergarments could be sewn together based on hers. The owner, a young mare with styled hair and heavy bags under her eyes, seemed receptive to the idea but hardly motivated. That was until Sarin let slip that Rarity – THE Rarity – was creating an entire ensemble for the alien.
Who knew there were so many down on their luck fashion students, with aspirations for greatness, to be found in broken down fabricator shops? Who knew many of them looked up to Rarity as a figure of fashion greatness?
Not Sarin, who betrayed an utter ignorance of the Element of Generosity's fame. “Is she really that big?” she had said.
“Big? She's the biggest rising star in the fashion world!” the proprietor had said, eyes lighting up, rubbing her hooves together excitedly. And just like that, the mare was promising to create replacements for Sarin's clothes by the next day. In exchange for dropping the mare's name to Rarity the next time they crossed paths, of course. Which was more than fair, Sarin supposed, given her otherwise lack of ability to pay.
As Sarin ruminated on her latest free acquisition – simultaneously wondering if she was a horrible person for taking advantage of so much generosity – she made her way back to the castle. She was no closer to finding her long term goal, but she had a new skip in her step.
Maybe if I keep going, she thought, my new mission will jump out and present itself.
Unlikely of course. Sarin began to whistle happily...
Whole Heart shrank further against the wall, tears falling anew from her eyes. But no longer were they tears of despair. They were tears of fear. “P-please...” she whimpered, orange eyes darting between her two aggressors. “Please...just l-let me go...”
The gray-coated stallion shook his head, grinning. He stroked his prodigious beard. “Oh no, we can't possibly do that. We need you. Isn't that right?” He turned up to look at his stockier counterpart.
“Yep, we sure do,” the yellow-coated stallion responded, rummaging through a nearby box. Finally, he pulled a coil of rope from the box. He started to unravel it.
Whole gasped upon seeing the rope. She frantically turned to the bearded stallion. “What are you going to do with that? What do you want with me?!” Shakes and shudders started overwhelming her crystalline body.
“Well you're a crystal pony, miss,” said the bearded stallion. “When I said we worked at Safe Sounds Import Company, I was being honest.”
“'Cept what we import and export ain't strictly legal, see?” said the heavyset yellow pony. He winked at Whole Heart.
“That's right,” said the gray pony. “Right now, we've got a buyer in the Griffin Kingdom who has been looking for a crystal pony. Seeing as they're so rare, and so hard to capture without attention, he's willing to pay a pretty penny. You just happened to be around, and alone. No one's gonna miss you anytime soon.”
Sweat fell down Whole's neck. She took a massive, painful gulp. “B-but...but you d-don't want me!” she said, waving her forehooves in front of her. “I mean, l-look at me! I'm fat! I'm plain! I don't have the same luster as other crystal ponies! And b-besides!” She turned so her side faced the two stallions, displaying her Flaw fully. “I've got this awful fracture!” Whole Heart began shakily smiling, desperately trying to convey as helpful an affect as possible. “You won't hardly get much money for me with this! You should just leave me and find another crystal pony that's better!”
As she nodded frantically, sweat soaking her face, the realization that her selfish request could damn some innocent stranger set in. She frowned guiltily, then resumed her fearful smile.
Unfortunately the gray stallion barely registered the complication. Instead he waved it off. “Oh my dear, we've known about that bit for some time,” he said. “We've been watching you for a while.” He glanced at the Flaw visible through her hide, then shrugged. “I'll have you know our buyer really – really – wants a crystal pony, and will have no qualms about flaws, fractures, or feathering. If anything, we could tell him he's getting a rare beauty, and he might cough up more money. Trust me, sometimes flaws increase a stone's value.” He flashed her a toothy, sinister smile.
The smile dropped right off Whole's face, replaced with a steadily increasing mortal dread. “No please! I don't want to...no! No! Please Celestia no!” She started shouting again, flailing forelegs forward. She looked past the two, but the alley was very narrow. And assuming she could somehow squeeze past, she would need to outrun them.
Impossible. Simply impossible. Even if she wasn't exhausted, Whole would never make it more than a few meters before her out of shape body gave out. She was only getting out of the situation if rescue arrived. “Somepony help me!” she shouted again.
“Shut her up,” the bearded pony said, beckoning to his associate.
“On it,” said the heavyset stallion, stomping forward with uncoiled rope around his hooves.
“No!” Whole screamed, feeling her kicks land impotently against the yellow brute's tightened hide. Felt the rope wrap around her. She struggled, but her legs were slowly bound.
This can't be happening, she thought, shutting her eyes. She tried to flail more, but found her legs immobile. This can't be happening! Why is it me? Why did they have to come after me? Why is it always me?!
“Somepony! Anypony!” she gasped, thick rope being tied around her body. The yellow stallion went and found a gag from his box and walked back over. “No please!” she shouted. “Someone! I don't care who, just someone! Help!” Heavy streams of tears flowed out of her eyes; Whole Heart shut them tight. About to utter another panicked screech, she felt the gag press against her lips, demanding access.
The distraught crystal pony shook the gag away, turning to the side again. “Help! Help! HELP!” She felt the gag force its way into her mouth, hooves stretching around her head to secure the clasps. Whole Heart released a guttural groan from behind the gag.
“Hey! Leave her alone!”
Hooves holding her stopped. Whole Heart opened her eyes, seeing her tormentors arrested in place. As they looked behind them, the crystal pony peeked over their shoulders. She blinked. At the very end of the alley was...
Whole Heart didn't know what kind of creature she was looking at.
Sarin Miles breathed deeply. Hands clenched, stance rigid, she glared into the alley. The sight before her was, thankfully, unambiguous. Unambiguous and deplorable.
“Let. Her. Go,” she commanded.
The two stallions – one gray and skinny, the other large and yellow – merely stared at the party crasher. Their faces showed shock and confusion. Slowly, they turned to look at each other.
Gray stallion, the one with the black beard, was the first to speak. “What?” he asked dumbfounded, looking back at the pale biped.
“I said let her go!” Sarin shouted, reveling in how the stallions flinched. Planting a foot down, Sarin sank low and shot forward. Celerity allowed her to cover the several meters of distance in a second, until she stopped shortly before the group of ponies. “Now.”
Flinching yet again, the two stallions quaked. But in seconds, the bearded one seemed to regain his resolve. “No,” he said, meeting Sarin's gaze without flinching. “No, I don't think so.” His horn flared up with an azure glow.
From the corner of her eye, Sarin saw a similar blue aura flare up. Warrior's instinct kicking in, she jumped back just as a glowing spear swept swept in front of her in a wide horizontal slash. Planting her feet on the ground again, Sarin saw the spear settle into a levitated guard stance in front of the gray unicorn.
“Hah!” the unicorn grunted, thrusting the spear forward.
A note of inspiration hit Sarin, and she allowed the spear to travel a little past her by twisting out of the way. As the spear began to retract, Sarin grasped the offending weapon with both hands. She allowed the spear to pull her along bodily until she'd covered some of the gap. Then she dug her heel into the ground and pulled. The force was enough to stop her completely.
“Uh?” the bearded one grunted. Grimacing, he intensified the glow at his horn.
Sarin felt the shaft of the weapon pull back against her grip. Consequently, she pulled back harder. When the unicorn set his teeth, she felt the spear pull with greater strength, and she responded in kind. But as the tug-of-war continued, Sarin's arms began to protest the effort. Looking over, she saw the unicorn's eyes snap shut in exertion. Sarin blinked, then smiled.
Well if he wants it back so badly, she thought, letting the dastardly plan form.
Leaning forward, the modified soldier reversed her momentum. Pushing instead of pulling. She bridged the remaining gap, allowing the pull of the magic do much of the work. Drawing close, she dipped the spear downwards, then twisted the butt end up.
Right into the unicorn's gut.
“Aack!” the bearded one gasped, eyes wide open. His lips quivered, and his stance faltered. Dropping to the ground, he curled into a ball, clutching his struck stomach. “Ah! Oh!”
Looking down at his fallen comrade, the heavyset stallion turned a scowl at the biped. “Now you'll get it!” he shouted, rearing up and attempting a left hook.
Sarin stepped back, letting the hoof sail off mark. Skin tingled as she felt the rush of air flow past her in the leg's wake. A second step back, then another to avoid the next flying hoof. Her opponent was a physically imposing figure, who began to lunge more in each attack. Realizing a mere step would be insufficient, Sarin contorted her form to sidestep a downward stomp.
As the maneuver repeated, the earth pony stallion snorted. “Stand still, you freak!” he spat. Literally spat, with a spray of fluid shooting out his mouth. He retreated a step or two, then reared back. With the full force of his mighty legs, he lunged with hooves stretched to either side.
In a split second, Sarin noted his trajectory. Those forehooves nearly scraped the sides of the alley, and his speed was enough to potentially floor her in caught. She might not have enough time to retreat. So instead, she dipped low and ran to meet him. She rolled, using her body's engineered flexibility to twist her between the pony's back hooves. She allowed herself to roll for a bit, then landed on her feet, angling to face the stallion when she stopped.
The stallion landed with a dull thud, sprawled on his stomach, forelegs gripped to his chest. Looking down at them, he gawked at seeing them empty. “What the...?”
Sarin stood up, pulled her foot back, and drove it into the stallion's flank. Kicked it as hard as she could.
“Wah!” the yellow earth pony yelped, flipping over and onto his back. Dust billowed up where he landed, his eyes straining to see. Then they locked onto the modified soldier, taking in her stance while upside down. “Uh...” he began, cringing under Sarin's stone stare. Then he blinked, smiling. “He he.”
As if I didn't know he's behind me, idiot, Sarin thought, turning around.
The spear shot forth, but Sarin grabbed it with one hand and pushed it aside. Stepping ahead, she reached her other hand out at the unicorn. Her fingers took hold of his beard, tugging.
“Gah!” the unicorn yelped painfully. Instantly the glow of his horn ceased, and he started waving hooves in front of him. “N-no, please!”
“Should have listened to her then,” Sarin retorted, tilting her head to indicate the end of the alley.
In the distance, the crystal mare sat, rope bound, face still slick with tears. She was staring in shock. She probably couldn't muster a sound even if she wasn't gagged.
“Please! I'm sorry,” said the unicorn frantically. “I'll never do it again! I promise! Just don't- AH!” He yelped, the grip on his beard growing tighter.
“No, you won't,” said Sarin. Mustering all her strength, she turned around and pulled at the beard. Were it merely one strand, such a force would easily pull the hair free at the root. For an entire beard, force was distributed evenly, causing the hairs to continue pulling. The unicorn screamed as he went flying over Sarin's shoulder, arching overhead. Tears fell from his face from the immense pain at his jaw.
The burly earth pony had risen to his feet, but flattened in surprise as his compatriot came falling right on top of him. Two ponies sank to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. When the dust cleared, they were in a pile, squirming around, grunting in pain. The brute's face contorted, hooves rubbing his sore head. His partner likewise rubbed his chin, letting out pathetic whines.
When they opened their eyes, they froze. Sarin stood at the foot of the heap looking down. Her Imperial standard issue survival knife lay in her hand. It was fortuitous that the castle guards returned her knife. Unlike the light pistol, which would undoubtedly be studied by Equestria's finest scientists, the knife was nothing special. It was sharp, and it could cut. That was it. Once photos were taken for records, they returned the weapon. Keeping it would only mean diverting storage space for the thing, and they knew full well Sarin could obtain a serviceable knife anywhere, any time she pleased.
“So,” Sarin said, fixing her glare upon the would-be kidnappers. “Are you going to get lost?” She held up the knife so it could glint in the light. “Or am I going to have to make geldings out of the both of you?”
The two stallions cringed, letting out painful gasps. They clambered to their feet, frantically knocking into each other as they rose. Keeping eyes fixed in terror on the Fatae, they ran full tilt towards the end of the alley.
Where they slammed blindly into a pair of rigid, unmoving armored pegasus guards.
So there were guards following me, Sarin thought, blinking.
Frightfully shaking, the criminals looked up at the guards, then back at Sarin. Suddenly they gripped the legs of the pegasi. “Please!” said the unicorn, a tear running down his face.
“It was us, we did it!” said the earth pony.
“We'll confess!”
“Just get us away from her!” The earth pony pointed a hoof shakily at the Fatae.
“Yeah! That bitch is crazy! Arrest us, anything! Just don't leave us alone with her!”
The guards looked down on the criminals, then looked up at Sarin. By this point, Sarin had already walked back to the bound crystal pony and began cutting through the bonds.
Sarin Miles looked up at the guards. To her relief, the guards merely smiled mildly. One nodded approval, then took out a whistle to call backup.
She could hear distant fluttering and the sobs of the two kidnappers, but Sarin turned her eyes back to the victim. Fitting the knife under the gag, she cut out, severing it. “Are you alright?” she asked.
Spitting out the gag, Whole Heart stared into the strange biped's yellow eyes. The moisture from her earlier tears increased as Whole began to cry again. She nodded, letting the drops trail down.
“Okay,” said Sarin, looking back down at the ropes again. “Let me just get the rest of these.” Using the knife, she sliced and sawed through the bindings until the entire mess tumbled away. With that done, she returned the blade to its sheath. “There, you're fr-”
Whole Heart wrapped her forelegs around the soldier's midsection, burying her soaked face into Sarin's chest. “Thank you!” she choked, voice raspy and raw. “Thank you so much! I don't...I d-don't know what...what I'd d-do...or what would h-happen if you hadn't c-come along...” Whole let the tears flow out, feeling her savior's shirt absorb the fluids. “Thank you! ...thank you...”
Sarin Miles crouched there, looking in shock down at the poor mint pony. She still held her arms up where they'd shot when the creature hugged her. Slowly, Sarin brought the arms down, folding around the pony. Sarin returned the hug, not caring she could feel tears soaking into her chest. Her shocked expression softened. “It's okay,” cooed Sarin, stroking the short purple mane. “It's okay. I've got you. It's going to be alright.”
It felt right. It felt correct. It felt like the kind of thing she'd been denied for so long growing up. It felt like something a hurt person – Fatae or Pony – needed more than anything in times of distress. Like something...something the strong are supposed to do for the hurt and the lost.
Sarin cooed more in the pony's ears, shushing as the poor thing sobbed. Finally, she asked, “Can you tell me your name?”
A muffled choke issued from her chest in reply, “Whole...Whole Heart...” She sniffed.
Sarin smiled. “It's going to be okay, Whole Heart. My name is Sarin. Sarin Miles.” Patting the mare's head, Sarin gripped Whole closer. “Everything's going to be okay.”
The modified soldier lifted the teapot provided to the pair, pouring steamy liquid into the mare's cup. She filled her own cup as well. In all that, she kept the mare's face in her immediate line of sight.
Whole Heart sniffed, brushing the back of her hoof over her nose. “Better. Thank you, Sarin. For every-”
“Stop, please, I know,” said Sarin Miles, extending her hand, palm out, to shush Whole. “You've thanked me enough.”
“But I haven't!” said Whole, voice cracking. She paused at the sound, then said more quietly, “You saved me. Saved my life. Kept me from becoming a....a commodity to be sold and traded to rich Griffins.” It was perfectly possible, Whole supposed, that the buyer in question had been a pony residing in the Griffin Kingdom, but that seemed unlikely. Then again, at the moment Whole simply wanted to deny that a fellow pony could be so heartless.
And yet, she just got saved from kidnapper/slavers who were very much ponies.
Once Whole Heart calmed down, face drenched and salty, guards came over to where she remained in Sarin's arms. They had requested she come to the station with them, so she could give a formal statement. Her aggressors had already been hauled in by that point. At Whole's request, Sarin accompanied her, waiting patiently for the guards to finish their business with the traumatized mare.
With nothing to do, Sarin walked Whole to the guard station cafeteria. Sarin seated herself at an adjacent corner to Whole. Close enough if the mare needed a hug, far enough to give her space if she suddenly found any contact objectionable. Either was likely, as far as the Fatae could tell.
“So where are you staying?” asked Sarin, scooping sugar into her tea. “Sugar?”
“Two lumps please,” said Whole, eying the dish. As Sarin spooned some in Whole's cup, the mare said, “I'm staying at a hotel right now. But I don't know how much longer I'll be able to stay there.”
“Why's that?” Sarin asked, lines of concern etching onto her brow.
“I've been looking for work in the city,” responded Whole, sighing. “I came down with the hopes of a new start, but the job hunt hasn't been going well. And the hotel is expensive.”
“I'm sorry.”
“It's just,” began Whole, pushing her teacup around with her hooves, “I came all the way from the Empire, and nothing's going my...”
“The Empire?” said Sarin, face lighting up. Had she misheard?
“Oh, the Crystal Empire,” clarified Whole, growing slightly confused.
“The Crystal Empire, huh?” said Sarin. She'd forgotten, in her stay, that there was in fact an empire of sorts on that planet. And that Whole, a crystal pony, would naturally be from there. Categorical blunder.
“Yeah,” said Whole. “Which empire did you think it was?”
“Mine.”
“What? Yours?”
It would need to be explained at some point, though by then Sarin had grown a notch tired of doing so. After giving the rundown to the Princesses – all three she'd met – the process became tedious. That and the existential crisis it would likely invoke in the common pony made Sarin hesitant to reveal her truly extraterrestrial origins. Saying she was from far away, from a foreign country, usually sufficed.
But, perhaps Whole Heart deserved the truth. Sarin couldn't say why, but she felt it was necessary. Perhaps it would even help the poor mare, somehow.
“Yep,” said Sarin, pausing to mentally order her thoughts. This would take time. “My Empire. The one I come from. The Fatae Empire. This might seem insane, but I'm not from this world...”
So Sarin Miles told Whole Heart. Told her about the Fatae, and their Empire that spanned a sizable chunk of the galaxy. Told her of the Modified Soldier program – aka the Psalms Initiative, though Sarin didn't share that factoid. Told of her mission to gather information. Told of the crash, and subsequent time in the wilderness and hiding amongst ponies. And finally, told of her eventual capture and pardon, as well as of her understanding that she was trapped on the planet, perhaps forever.
Sarin debated whether to tell of her emotional breakdown, but decided against it. All in all, the explanation took almost an hour. Their tea lay half sipped and cold on the table.
“...wow...” said Whole Heart finally, once Sarin had stopped talking. Sarin couldn't honestly tell whether the mare believed it. But nonetheless, Whole said, “So...you can never go home again?”
“I don't know about never,” said Sarin, taking a swig of her tea only to scrunch her face at how cold and bitter it tasted. “But for the time being, I'm not going anywhere. The crew of the ship hasn't even returned to imperial space yet, and I can't be sure they'll even send another one. I may never get home.” Sarin sighed. “I'm trying to accept that possibility.” She really was, hard as the process could be. “Why did you leave your Empire?”
Whole Heart's sad, sympathetic face changed to an anxious one. “Me?”
“Yes,” said Sarin. “Are you feeling up to sharing? It's okay if you aren't.”
The crystal mare thought a moment, looking down at the table. Reciprocity. “No,” she said. “You told me all about your past. It's only fair if I talk about mine.” She inhaled, exhaled. “What do you know about the Crystal Empire?”
“I've heard a bit,” said Sarin, scratching her head. “Not a lot though. Only that it's far to the North, is the home of the crystal ponies, and that it wasn't there a couple years ago.”
“Kind of right,” said Whole. “We were a great state a thousand years ago. I remember things used to be simpler then.”
“Wait, you remember?” Sarin suddenly realized she had no right to be skeptical, given the unbelievable yarn she spun only minutes before. “I mean, go on.”
“We were cursed by King Sombra,” explained Whole Heart, looking troubled. “It left us locked in time for a millennium until just recently. Once we got out, we rejoined the world...and after a while, I decided to join it by leaving the Empire. I...couldn't stay there anymore...”
“Why?”
Shifting in her chair sideways, Whole allowed the modified soldier a better view of her body. She gestured to her midsection. “My Flaw. Surely you noticed.”
Indeed Sarin had. But given the general unusual nature of the crystal ponies, she hadn't thought much of it. Plus, she'd had other things on her mind, like making sure the mare was alright. Thinking about it, Sarin suddenly considered their talk might not be helping at that point. “I did...I assumed most or many had such things. Is it unusual?”
Whole nodded. “Not just unusual. Statistically almost impossible.”
“Why's that?”
“Because a Flaw like this,” Whole pointed, “a deep internal fracture...almost no one sees this kind of thing. Because most foals who are born with it...don't last long.”
Sarin shifted uncomfortably. “Oh...”
“My mother actually thought I was a miracle baby,” Whole said, smiling warmly at the thought. “That I was born alive was amazing enough. That I lasted out of foalhood was more amazing still.” Her smile dropped. “But my mom was also very protective of me. No doctors could guess at how long or even if I could survive long term, so mom was very overprotective. Didn't let me out of the house to play. Afraid that tripping or falling off a high place would be just the event that would cause me to split in two along that fault.
“And since I never got out to exercise...” Whole examined her chubby body, “Combined with the health problems my fracture produced, I ended up being fat. And no one wanted to hang out with the fat girl.” She sighed, throat tightening. “Or...at least I thought that was the entire story...”
“There's more?” said Sarin, worried.
Whole nodded. “One day, I asked one of the fillies my age what I could do to stop being such a loser.” The mare rubbed her nose, sniffling. “And she said...she said, 'Doesn't matter if you stopped being fat, Whole Heart. My parents told me not to associate with you. Said you might shatter at any moment, and we shouldn't get involved.' That's what she said.” Whole's eyes began to water. “That's what she said...”
“Whole, I'm sorry!” Sarin said, reaching a hand out to touch the mare.
While the crystal pony permitted the contact, she raised her voice, “And she was right! No one wants to get attached to the filly who could drop dead any day. No one wanted to hang out with the sickly, fat, doomed, fractured girl! I was always by myself. And when my mother died, I really didn't have anyone!” Tears began to form, threatening to spill out.
Sarin stood up and crouched close, hugging Whole. As the fresh tears fell down, Whole Heart reciprocated the hug. “Thank you Sarin.”
The modified soldier broke off, returning to her seat. “So what finally made you leave?”
“The curse being lifted.”
“Why's that?”
Whole wiped a tear away. “When we first got back, King Sombra still had power. His curse was still in effect. While that happened, we were...reduced. Couldn't remember our old lives or a time when we were happy. Didn't shine or glimmer. We looked like regular ponies, but duller.” Then surprisingly, Whole smiled. “And I was glad, believe it or not. Because for the first time in my life, I looked like everyone else. When the Crystal Fair went on, I could have fun with everypony without being singled out. I didn't feel lonely.
“But then the curse was lifted completely, and we returned to normal,” said Whole, her nervous smile dropping. “Which was good of course, because we weren't cursed...but bad because everything went back to normal. Including me.” By this point Whole was dehydrated, so she slammed back her teacup, taking the bitter liquid in. “I tried to go back to living, but I just couldn't. I had tasted what it was like not to be singled out, to not be different...to not be lonely. I just couldn't keep living like that.” She sniffed, eyes fixed sadly on the table. She looked up. “So I left.”
Sarin stared at the pony. She felt like crying too. She felt that way because of how close the story hit. “I understand.”
“What?” said Whole, frown turning into a scowl. “How? How could you possibly understand what I've gone through?”
“Because of what I didn't tell you about my life,” said Sarin, calmly. “I never told you what Fatae look like.”
The scowl dropped from Whole's face, and she just looked confused. “What they look like? But I can see you...”
“And what you see,” Sarin said, splaying hands outward to indicate her whole form, “is not representative of my species. The pale skin, the white hair, the blotches of color everywhere. The ears that look like they've been chewed on...none of them are things Fatae are supposed to have.” She rubbed the blue rings around her eyes. “All of this was the side effects of the process that made us living weapons. All the G7s have such unnatural traits.”
Whole Heart was stunned. She couldn't believe it. “Really? You aren't just lying to make me feel better?”
Preposterous. Stupid. Sarin laughed. “I wish I was,” she said, shaking her head. “I wish I could say that I'm normal for my species, that I fit in. But I'm a G7; I can never fit in. Everyone stares when we come around, because we look so strange...and because they distrust us.”
“Distrust you?”
Might as well go all the way. “Your people, the crystal ponies,” Sarin began. “They look at you and feel pity. When the Fatae look at me, they feel fear. Not just because we work for the government, but because Modified Soldiers haven't had the best public relations.” An enormous understatement. Sarin thought of the G6s. She shuddered involuntarily.
“What's wrong?” Whole said, noticing Sarin's reaction. “Is it that bad?”
Sarin nodded. “And I can't even take comfort with my own kind, because I don't have any other G7s my age. I was created individually to fill a vacancy. Every other G7 is a decade or more older than me.” Her eyes began to water; she suppressed the urge to cry. “I know what you're going through, Whole Heart.” She looked up at the pony. “Because I've also gone my entire life not knowing friends.”
For a while, Whole Heart merely stared at the Fatae. It just didn't seem possible. It had to be a lie. A deception concocted by an admittedly well-meaning alien to dull Whole's emotions. An attempt to cheat...at something...It couldn't be true. Whole Heart didn't have anyone who really understood. No one ever had.
Yet every time Whole looked at the alien, the supposition seemed wrong. The way the soldier held herself when she talked about her isolation. The subtle twitches of her face. The way her voice quivered. How her bright yellow eyes glistened in the fading light of the station. Whole Heart wasn't an expert on reading ponies – and therefore had even less expertise trying to read a Fatae – but the signs didn't agree with what her expectations demanded.
Maybe Sarin was lying about being from space. But wherever she came from, Sarin firmly believed her own story, especially when it came to her outcast nature. Whether she came from an obscure part of the world or another entirely...Sarin wasn't lying about that.
Whole Heart started crying harder. Abandoning her chair, she rushed over and hugged Sarin. It was difficult because her feet still hurt. But she clung to the soldier all the same. Whole felt the alien – or whatever she was – return the hug. The woman smelt of sweat and tears (probably Whole's own), and an unfamiliar musk.
After a minute or so, a voice came out from nearby. “Hey you two. I don't mean to interrupt, but the cafeteria is closing soon.”
Embarrassed, the two disengaged. Sarin scratched her head. Whole chuckled.
Sarin was the first to speak. “...so what happens now?”
“...I don't know...” said Whole Heart, face drooping. “I'm still jobless and almost out of money. I got saved – thank you by the way – but I'm back where I started at the beginning of the day.”
“Do you have any plans?” asked Sarin.
“Aside from you, I don't know anypony in this town,” said Whole Heart. “If there was some help, some in I could exploit, I could move forward. But...” Whole frowned. “At this point, I might as well go back to the Crystal Empire. There's no more I can do on my own.”
Sarin contemplated those words. She felt like she had the opposite problem. She had every opportunity, every advantage afforded to her. Friendly ponies seemed to line up to offer aid. But she still needed to personally find that elusive purpose. If she couldn't, all her efforts were wasted.
Well no, she thought, correcting herself. I accomplished one thing good. I saved Whole Heart from slavery. If I hadn't been there, who knows where she might be now?
The more Sarin considered this point, the more she found herself liking it. The more she felt good about what she did. Not just as a moral good, but because it felt natural. Fighting against wrongs. Defending the weak. It's basically what she, as a soldier, was designed and trained to do. Why couldn't she just do that?
Why can't I just do that?
“...I have an idea,” Sarin said finally.
“You're asking for what now?” Princess Celestia said.
Sarin Miles stood resolutely before the throne of Equestria, looking up to the day diarch. Not that the day diarch ought to have remained at her post, given how late it had drawn. Moonlight spilled through the stained glass depicting the greatest events in recent Equestrian memory (most involving Princess Twilight Sparkle and her band). Just behind Sarin, Whole Heart shifted uneasily from sore foot to sore foot. She would only steal fleeting glances at her new ruler.
Said ruler retained her benign countenance, yet the bags beneath her eyes betrayed her long, tiring daylight activities. “Yes, you said that already, Sarin Miles,” she said, shaking her head. Why hadn't she turned in early and let Luna handle the matter, like Celestia had wanted? “I just don't understand your meaning. What job are you looking for that it requires such a late visit?”
The modified soldier coughed, becoming increasingly aware of how little the hour helped her case. “I apologize, you majesty,” she said. Standing up straight, Sarin mustered her thoughts. Her ultimate goal would require extensive explanation, and the correct approach. “Since you graciously pardoned the crimes I committed in Equestria, I've thought long and hard on my next course of action. Unfortunately, I found myself at a loss as to what to do. As a soldier, I've long drifted through life, fulfilling orders passed down from on high without question.
“Now that I'm cut off from my Fatae superiors, there are no orders,” she continued, spreading out her hands, palms out. “I'm a weapon without a target. A tool without purpose.”
“Oh dear,” said Celestia, “surely you don't think of yourself as a mere weapon.” The Princess flashed a sad, concerned look down on the alien. “You are a person, not an object.”
“But that's just the problem,” said Sarin, frowning. “A weapon is all I've ever been. I was manufactured to fight battles in the place of my masters.” She smiled somberly, “Don't get me wrong, Princess. Your grace and mercy have permitted me to act as I see fit. I can be more than a mere tool here. But as one who has always been a weapon, always been a soldier, I know no other way to live.”
She gestured behind her to the crystal mare, sending Whole Heart jumping in surprise. “So when I saved this innocent immigrant from ponies wishing her harm...”
“For which I am most grateful,” Celestia said, smiling warmly.
Sarin nodded. “...I found myself doing the first, most worthwhile thing I've done on this world,” Sarin continued. She grinned up at the Princess. “I realized I cannot abandon that mission I was created for. To protect the innocent and fight the enemies that would harm them.”
“Oh?” asked Celestia, tilting her head questioningly.
The Fatae nodded. “Which is why I ask of you now...” She paused, taking a deep breath. Might as well proceed. The worst that can happen is to be refused. “...to make me one of your agents.”
“Agents?” Celestia's eyes went wide, her smile dropping away. She merely stared in bewilderment. Around the throne room, royal guard members looked to each other in apprehension.
Even Whole Heart looked up to the biped, dumbfounded. This was Sarin's brilliant idea?
“Yes!” Sarin said, raising a resolutely clenched fist. For emphasis. “If you would have me, I would pledge myself to the safety of Equestria and all her citizens. After all, for all know my Empire has abandoned me. If it's not too much trouble, can I be your soldier?” Her eyes glinted, those sunflower eyes in the moonlight. A massive smile spread across her face.
Please say yes, Sarin thought. Please say yes please say yes please say yes.
Princess Celestia turned away, mulling over the suggestion. Scratching her chin with a hoof, she hummed softly. “...are you sure, Sarin Miles?” she asked, cocking an eye towards the Fatae. “What you ask...it is not something to be taken lightly. What capacity of service are you offering, just so there's no confusion?”
“To investigate threats to this country and her residents,” Sarin said, firmly. Celestia didn't say no. That's a start. “To find them, to stop them, to stalk them where they sleep, and bring them to justice where applicable.” She brought a hand up and fixed a salute. “I do not think I need to remind you of my capabilities as a fighter. Or as a tracker.”
“Well no,” Celestia said. “I guess you don't.” The Princess rubbed her chin further, staring at the modified soldier. The modified soldier who seemed, for the first time since they met, positively...chipper. And there were many threats hiding in the cracks of the world, many she hadn't seen in centuries. Perhaps a dedicated specialist in raw combat could be useful... “Very well,” Celestia said, setting her foot down. “If you feel your talents and time are best spent in defense of my little ponies, I daresay it would be wrong to deny you. I will agree to commission your services.”
Sarin shook on the spot, barely holding her salute. She was overjoyed, allowing the smile to creep onto her face. “Oh thank you, you majesty!”
Behind her, Whole Heart smiled too. “Good for you, Sarin!” she said, putting a congratulatory hoof on Sarin's hip.
“There's just a few conditions I must insist on,” said Sarin, not taking her eyes off the Princess.
“What?” said Whole Heart, smile dropping in confusion.
“Conditions?” said Celestia, equally confused. She put on a gentle but concerned smile. “Isn't it presumptuous to request conditions to your employment so soon after getting the job?”
“Not really, your majesty,” Sarin said, standing firm. She was done letting her employers dictate fully the terms of her service, especially when her last employer was dictating terms when she was an infant. “I consider it only fair to establish the rules within which I'll work.”
“Hmm...very well,” said Celestia. “What are your conditions?”
“First, that I never be required to act against the Fatae Empire, its agents, or its people.”
Celestia leaned back in surprise.
“Understand, princess,” Sarin said, becoming more serious. “I may have been abandoned, but that doesn't mean I've abandoned my species. I could act as intermediary between them and yourself, but acting as their enemy is simply out of the question. They are my countrymen after all. It would be like asking Whole Heart here to act against her fellow crystal ponies.” She pointed to the mare behind her, who cringed at being put on the spot. “Is this a fair condition?”
“...I suppose,” said the princess, considering the crystal pony as Sarin's example. Of course the idea of Equestria going to war with the Crystal Empire was preposterous. It was ruled by Princess Cadence and Shining Armour, parts of the Royal Family with whom Celestia and Luna were on good terms with. But as for the Fatae Empire, Celestia could not account for their actions. Thinking about it, though, the diarch couldn't muster the emotion to tell the woman she would be required to stab her people in the back if relations turned sour. And a Fatae, especially one with ties to the Fatae military, could provide invaluable aid in negotiating with them. “No, I think it's a very acceptable request,” said Celestia. “But if so, I have my own request.”
Sarin frowned, but put a nervous smile up a second later. “Of course.”
“The idea of you defending my little ponies is admirable,” said Celestia. “But I'm concerned with your history as a soldier; particularly your training towards deadly means. If I'm to permit you to fight in our name, you must promise to pursue nonlethal solutions, and affect capture of hostile elements, whenever feasible. I will not have massacres in Equestria.”
The Fatae stared at the floor, fidgeting. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Whole Heart look to her expectantly. It appeared that Sarin's erstwhile companion held similar concerns. “Well...” mumbled Sarin, wringing her fingers.
“Well?” said Celestia, raising an eyebrow. “Can I count on you to uphold the standards of harmony whenever possible?”
“...yes,” said Sarin, resolve built up. She stared into the diarch's eyes. “Yes, I can do this, if you wish.”
“Good.” Celestia relaxed. “Any more conditions of your own?”
“Well, I would enjoy autonomy.”
“Autonomy?”
Sarin nodded curtly. “Of course if you request I investigate or tackle a situation, I will proceed to it with all haste. But if nothing pressing comes up, I'd like the freedom to travel Equestria, for the purposes of finding threats as they present themselves. Twice in my time on this world I've found threats hiding in plain sight, ones the royal guard missed. There are things hiding under rocks in this country, and I would like the chance to go around peeking under them. Is this acceptable?”
Thankfully this was far less dire a request. Truthfully, Celestia's greatest “agents” - Twilight Sparkle and her friends – were only occasionally fighting Equestria's battles. Most of the time they remained at home, and Celestia felt better for the relative quiet. If anything, another set of hooves – or hands rather – would permit her finest group of problem solvers to remain rested for the truly awful events. Affording that extra help the same opportunity for a quiet life was only fair. “I think that's more than acceptable. Though if so, I'll require regular reports, status updates, and notes about movements from you.”
At the end of the day, Sarin Miles remained a foreign agent. Regardless of her statements to the contrary, the Fatae could easily use her time and new position to scout Equestria's weaknesses for when her people returned. As much as she wanted to give the modified soldier uncontested trust, Celestia simply couldn't afford to allow such an unknown element unrestricted ability to come and go as she pleased.
Sarin Miles rubbed her chin thoughtfully. It was an eventuality she'd anticipated, and one she would be willing to accept...if she weren't so terrible at paperwork. She was a soldier, not a secretary...Sarin smiled. She smiled because it seemed almost too perfect. Another salute. “Very well, your highness,” Sarin said. “But if that's the case, it brings me to my last condition. I'll need an assistant.”
“Oh yes, I'm sure we can find a competent pony somewhere...” Celestia mused.
“No.”
“No?”
“No, your highness,” said Sarin Miles, shaking her head. “We don't need to find an assistant for me.”
She stepped back and ducked down, wrapping an arm around an otherwise distracted crystal mare. “I've already got one right here. My condition is that Whole Heart be hired as my assistant.”
Whole Heart almost missed the implications of the statement, she was so confused about why Sarin had called attention to her. Nervousness evaporated as the words set in. Whole turned her head to face Sarin. “...me? You want...me?” she said, blinking rapidly. Was this a dream?
“Yes, Whole,” Sarin said, nodding. She squeezed the mare around the shoulders. “I wouldn't want anybody...anypony...as my assistant except you. You deserve it.”
“Really?” said Whole, eyes beginning to water. She quickly turned to face the Princess. “Can I really?”
Princess Celestia looked over the crystal mare. Curious choice. But the way the two of them hugged, it seemed so familiar. It took Celestia a second to recognize it for what it was. She smiled warmly. “Yes, of course that's acceptable. I have no problem with this. You may have Whole Heart as your assistant, Sarin Miles.”
“Really?!” asked Whole, tears of joy forming in her eyes. An expectant smile began forming on her lips.
“Really,” said Celestia, beaming her smile warmer, more motherly.
The tears began flowing fully, but Whole Heart hardly noticed as she turned to Sarin with a bright, elated smile. “Oh thank you Princess!” she shouted. “And thank you Sarin! Thank you!” Whole wrapped her forelegs around the Fatae and embraced with all her might. Streams of joyful tears rolled off her cheeks. “Thank you thank you thank you!”
Sarin gripped the legs wound around her shoulders, then gave a warm hug in return. “You're welcome, Whole. Anything for a...”
She stopped. She'd do anything for a friend. A friend. Sarin Miles allowed the realization to take hold. She had a friend.
I've never had a friend before, she thought, looking back through her painful, lonely memories. Is this was friendship is like? Sarin's eyes began to water. So long alone, and Sarin Miles – pitiable MS G7-H3 – had made a friend.
Apparently the ruler of Equestria had the same realization, as she proudly watched the two girls. And so another seed of harmony was planted. But that seed, fresh as it was, needed cultivation. Celestia rose from her throne, walking gracefully forward. “It would seem you two have become something more than just victim and savior,” the alicorn said, bending her head down to it was level with the two. “If so, then I think I'd like to give my last condition.”
Sarin and Whole looked into the Princess' eyes, then at each other. They nervously hung off each other, apprehensive of the direction this turn would take.
“I've been on this world for a very long time, my little pony and Fatae,” said Celestia, looking the two over. “So I know friendship when I see it. But while I can't say much for Whole Heart, I know for a fact that you Sarin Miles are unfamiliar with the magic of friendship.”
Sarin withered under the statement, a knot in her throat developing. A more true statement could not have been said. A more accurate accusation not leveled against her. She nodded in assent, feeling a soft squeeze from beside her. Looking there, she found Whole Heart look sadly at her. Perhaps without the diarch meaning it, she'd struck a cord with both.
“So, as is my way,” continued Celestia, doing her best to look reassuring, “I require that, as part of your mission, you explore also the magnificent mysteries of friendship. Together. I expect, alongside your technical and observational letters, reports pertaining to what you've learned about friendship. From both of you, if possible. Whenever you learn something new, write me about it. Or, if you'd prefer, you can send your messages to Twilight Sparkle. She was my student, one who studied that same magic. If you ever have questions about harmony, hit her up.” Celestia winked, rising to a full standing position. “Is that acceptable?”
Sarin and Whole looked up, then smiled. Looking into each others' eyes, they turned back and nodded.
“Then I hereby induct you, Sarin Miles, and you, Whole Heart, into the services of Equestrian peace, safety, and harmony.” Celestia's wings spread out wide, casting the two in a deep shadow. “May your days be happy, and your work productive.”
Whole Heart's emotions grew explosively. She embraced her new friend again. Sarin Miles reciprocated, laughing. Whole nuzzled Sarin, letting herself feel joy whole-heartedly.
“And then what happened?” asked Donut Joe, placing a new cup of hot chocolate before the Fatae. Daylight streamed in through the window, letting the confections shine like the treasures Joe thought they were.
Sarin gratefully took her hot chocolate, then shrugged. “Well after that, we all went to bed,” she said, lapping away a whipped cream mustache. Not that anypony could tell the difference on her pale complexion. “Celestia even sent a guard to retrieve Whole Heart's belongings from her hotel. The Princess figured it would be better, since she was now in royal employ, for Whole to sleep in one of the guest rooms.”
“What?” asked Donut Joe, smirking. “You two girls didn't have a sleep over?”
“What's a sleep over?” said Sarin blankly.
“Eh, nevermind.” Donut Joe retrieved a glass from a recently vacated spot at the counter, proceeding to wash it. “I'm just glad to see you not being such a sad sack, two legs. You think you're done being lost?”
A good question. “I think...I think I'm going to be okay...” Sarin said finally, folding her arms. It seemed almost unbelievable. Just a week prior, Sarin had no direction. Emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and socially alienated from almost everyone on the planet. But in that week, she'd found many things. The will to stay strong, a new set of clothes, a gosh darned house. Most importantly, she found a friend.
Well actually, now that I think of it, thought Sarin, taking a swig from her chocolate confection drink, did I make only one friend?
Sarin heard the sound of coconuts banging together – her impression of what hooves clopping across the floor sounded like. A casual glance to the entrance of the bakery revealed a certain crystal pony.
“Hey Sarin!” Whole Heart called, waving a hoof over her head. She shuffled over, taking a deep sniff of fresh baked donuts. “Oh that smells heavenly!” Clapping her forehooves, she climbed onto a stool next to Sarin.
“Another donut, coming right up!” Donut Joe said, flashing a grin. “I'll break out one of my specials, just for you, glinty.”
“Glinty?” asked Whole, frowning.
“It's a term of endearment,” said Sarin, giggling. “Trust me.” The Fatae looked sidelong at her new friend, taking in the mint shape.
“Here you go, ma'am,” Donut Joe said, sliding a plate with an ostentatious pastry in front of Whole. An icing work of art. A confection beyond words.
Whole drooled. “Oh thank you!” she said, lifting the donut in her hooves and digging in. Flakes of glistening glaze fell off from the point of biting. No doubt any sane individual would lick their plate just to salvage the fragments.
As Sarin beheld her new friend – marveling at the mare's ability to pack away the sweets – she took notice of Whole's barrel. That rotund belly, the evidence of Whole's sedentary lifestyle. On the one hand, it gave the crystal a jovial charm. A point of interest for an otherwise plain pony whose only other call to fame was a deformity. That paunch certainly tied her together; Sarin could hardly imagine a skinny Whole.
But on the other hand. “Hey Whole,” Sarin said, having waited until the mare finished her donut.
“Yeah Sarin?” Whole said, licking her hooves in an attempt to capture any illusive grams of glaze. She wore a look of utter bliss.
“How would you like to meet another friend of mine?”
“You got yourself clothes, a house, and a job? All in one week?”
“Yep,” said Sarin, breathing heavily. She jogged alongside the red-dressed stallion, mindful of her pace.
“Sounds like you've had a fun time,” said Cantering Place, panting. A bemused smirk adorned his face. “You still going to come around running?”
“Whenever I'm in town,” said Sarin.
“Good to hear.” Cantering Place adopted a concerned expression, peeking behind them. “Is your friend going to be okay?”
Sarin looked back herself. Well behind them, just out of earshot, Whole Heart struggled to catch up. A thick layer of sweat sloshed off her mint fur, and she panted excessively. “Maybe we should wait for her,” said the soldier, stopping to jog in place.
As the two in shape joggers kept themselves active on the spot, a weary crystal mare ambled up to them. She looked sorely unamused. “Why...do I...have...to do...this?” she moaned breathlessly.
“Because as much as I love you, Whole, you need to become active,” said Sarin, putting on her most sympathetic expression. Had she been in the army, the expected treatment of a struggling trainee would be to browbeat them. Mostly to toughen them up and get them used to people yelling at them at all hours. The rest because Sarin long suspected her superiors to be universally unpleasant people. “If you're going to be my assistant, you'll need to be able to keep up with me.”
“Sarin, my dear, no one can keep up with you,” said Cantering Place playfully.
“Be that as it may, movement is what you need, Whole,” said Sarin, motioning to Cantering to begin moving on.
Upon seeing the two jog ahead just as she'd gotten to them, Whole Heart groaned. “But I hate running!” she whined, shutting her eyes so she could force herself to move faster. “I hate running so much! What is with this city and running?!”
