Chapter Eleven: Memories

***

Mixed memories and images played through my head, a flood of emotions of anger and grief racked my body. I struggled to remember where I was, what had happened. Apollo? Where was he? He’d be able to tell me where I was, surely. I groaned and dared to slowly flutter my eyes open.

“Shite!” A northern braytish mare’s voice cried out. “He’s actually waking up this time!” She yelled, galloping hoofsteps rushed past my head and disappeared beyond.

Unlike the last time I had woken up in confusion, I didn’t meet blinding light. Instead I was met with a comfortably dark room, one fairly familiar with me, though I couldn’t place a paw on it.

Hoof. Place a hoof on it, the hell is wrong with me? I lifted a foreleg to try and rub my head, suddenly shooting pain erupted in my chest, causing me to groan and lower my leg slowly.

That arrow wound healed up nicely ten years ago! I groaned internally, lifting the sheets to inspect my chest, I blinked a few times trying to comprehend what I saw. I wasn’t a wolf, I was a pony. Well, duh, of course. Why did I keep switching back and forth like that?

“Midnight!” Apollo yelled as he barged into th- no that was Ballpoint. His voice was identical, but different accent for sure. Penny and Momo quickly followed behind him and sat beside my bed.

I sat up slowly wincing from the occasional shooting pain, I felt so incredibly dizzy. “Whas going on?” I slurred, if anywolf was going to explain things to me, I knew Ballpollo would be the most trustworthy.

“Aw bloody hell lad, how many hooves am I holding up?” Ballpoint raised a hoof and grinned.

I squinted and swayed in place. “Sev’n” I proudly announced. Easy.

“Aw fer cryin’ out loud. Penny, he’s as high as the moon.” Ballpoint sighed and sat down next to Stella, her blue and black mane was a disheveled mess, hell everypony looked worn out. What’d I miss?

Penny smiled and poked my shoulder, I lazily fell backwards onto my pillow once more, the pain in my chest felt relieved for the time being. I let out a huge sigh and stared at the dark, plain metal ceiling. Something kept gnawing at the back of my mind, something super important but I just couldn’t place a paw on it.

“Flara, what happened to you?” I asked with closed eyes, I felt like my head was swimming.

“W-who?” Penny asked.

“Your coat, it’s the wrong noun. You look funny.” I pointed to Penny’s coat, it was the correct color, but she wasn’t a wolf like me.

“Well he’s wasted.” Momo deadpanned.

“I think he’s still a wee bit loony from the last dose of med-x I gave him.” Flara frowned, and felt my forehead with a hoof.

Ballpoint sighed and stood up, trotting over to my bedside. I stared at him with wide eyes, everything was so familiar, yet everything was so different. Where did all of these memories come from? Here stood Apollo, identical in every way, even similar in soul. But he was radically different than how I remembered the last time I saw him on that porch so many years ago.

I closed my eyes and focused on not feeling sick, the swaying sensation was growing more and more nauseating, I felt my stomach lurch and I twisted on my side, vomiting clear liquid onto the floor, my chest sprang out in shooting pain from the sudden movement.

Ballpoint let out a yelp and jumped back, grimacing. He held a foreleg to his nose and gave Penny a concerned glance.

“He’s fine lad, don’t worry. Fetch me that mop in the kitchenette will ye?” She nudged Ballpoint’s side and he gladly complied, disappearing behind the door.

Momo gave me a wry smile, standing up and heading back out to the suite’s main room, probably pretty disgusted from my display. I felt embarrassment well up, but I was too confused to process anything more than basic functions. I felt Penny lean down and gently kiss my forehead, I recoiled slightly, confused to all tartarus.

“F-flara, you know what I told you…” I stammered and tried to remember what I had told her.

“Told me what? Who’s this Flara that ye are talking about?” Penny looked concerned and hurt from my reaction. She should know, especially since she and I had been through this already! Right?

“You,” I weakly pointed a hoof to her chest. “I told you… my heart was forever taken. Even though she’s not with us anymore…” I sniffled, remembering a death, feeling grief and pain. But the exact details surpassed my memory. I began to feel tears trickling down my face, I felt so unbelievably sad, but no idea why.

“Midnight…” Penny frowned, placing a hoof on my shoulder. “She’s not gone forever, we’ll find her. I- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, I was just… trying to be nice... ”

“Here’s yer mop, but ye aren’t gonna make me clean that up!” Ballpoint spat the mop out of his mouth at the end of the bed.

“Of course she’s gone forever!” I ignored Apollo’s entrance and snapped at Flara, slapping her hoof away. “I built her tomb my fucking self, I barely came to terms with it after four fucking years! How dare you?!” I hollard, cringing suddenly from shooting pains in my chest.

Ballpoint stammered and stopped smiling, concern quickly overtaking his expression. Penny’s followed likewise, and she took a few timid steps back.

“Midnight… ye need some rest.” She motioned for Ballpoint to leave the room with her. They both trotted to the door, and she gave me one last concerned look before slipping out of the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

Damned ponies and their damn narrow thoughts. How could she have forgotten. I sniffled and slowly turned onto my side, trying my best to not stir the pain in my chest.

My thoughts felt clouded, they didn’t feel like my own. I had a gut feeling that my memories weren’t lining up right. Something was unbelievably important for me to do, something had to happen soon. A sense of urgency was brewing in the back of my mind, but I simply couldn’t place a paw on it. I closed my eyes and focused on the swaying, I quickly felt relaxation overtake my body and drifted into a deep sleep.

ooOO***OOoo

“Blast these mongrels!” Apollo shouted, diving to my left, narrowly dodging a crossbow bolt shot by one of the Taken.

I sprinted forward, and readied my sword between my fangs, wielding the steel blade with practiced ease. The archer had just began reloading his crossbow, I seized the opportunity leaping forward and slashed for his chest. I felt the sword deflect smoothly off of another wolf’s sword, glancing off to my left. I quickly pirouetted, regaining my balance and faced the Taken who had parried my blow. I spread my legs apart, taking a defensive stance, ready for a counterattack.

The Taken swordswolf who had protected the archer stepped forward, readjusting his mighty longsword. These damned traitors were nothing more than obstacles, we had not come this far to be killed by the pawn who wrongfully worshipped the Ripper. These wolves were corrupted to the core, their sense of right and wrong twisted into believing that salvation would come if they allowed the Ripper to consume yet another world.

The Taken slowly circled me, studying my stance. His grey meteorite armor clicked and clacked as he traced a circle, taking my attention. I knew this tactic, I was fully prepared to dodge the bolt and parry his blow immediately after. I just hoped Apollo would take the archer by surprise by the time he fired his bow.

The Taken snarled, baring his teeth around the hilt of his longsword, the mighty weapon was nearly twice the length of my own, one cleave would easily break my stance. I would have to skillfully deflect the blade away and step within his guard. Only then would I be able to take him out of the battlefield.

About an hour ago, we had all rushed into the temple, taking advantage of the night to pathe our way to the chambers where they were summoning the Ripper. Apollo and I had sprinted ahead of the other four, hoping to stop the ritual before they completed it. The others remained behind to watch our backs and prevent anywolf from flanking us. After months of tracking down the Taken, we finally found their ritual chambers. Years had passed since we first discovered who the Taken were, and time was growing far too short to bring an end to their madness.

Apollo and I had fought through, wolf upon wolf, of well armed and trained Taken warriors, but we had finally found ourselves before the mighty stone doors of the chambers. Now, the only things that stood between us and the priests inside were these last Taken guards; an archer and three warriors.

I watched out of my peripheral vision as the archer aimed his crossbow at me, the swordswolf was now to my left as well. I readied myself, waiting for the opportunity to move. Then, just as predicted, the warrior leapt forward as the archer released the bolt. I wasted no time and let gravity do the work for me, falling limp and dodging the bolt overhead. I quickly rolled to the right, narrowly missing the swordswolf’s swing, the tip of his sword swooshed past me, taking a few hairs from my unarmored tail.

I quickly stood to all fours and felt my strength grow sound, I Spirit Walked two steps through and behind the warrior, instantly appearing back in the physical world by use of Transcendence. My strength waned a bit, but the short burst of the spell was perfectly utilized to conserve my energy. With the Taken swordswolf confused, and the archer reloading once more, I quickly flipped the point of ‘Angel’ around and dove towards the warrior. I felt the blade bite successfully into the wolf before me, jabbing the blade between his shoulder pauldron and flank armor, blood splashed against my muzzle as I held the blade in place. The Taken howled in pain and attempted to twist out of my reach, my sword was entirely stuck as his body twisted and turned.

I wasted no time, having experienced this same scenario countless times in the past. I steeled my gaze and focused on the torches that adorned the open air pillars around us. With the proper sight picture and sensation, I willed ‘Angel’ to act as my medium, and ignited the blade in a violent burst of volcanic flame. The Taken swordswolf didn’t even have time to react before his body was cremated in seconds, flames bursting through the chinks in his armor. A blackened and charred skeleton slumped to the floor followed by the splitting clang of his armor.

Something wasn’t right however, I whipped my sword out of the carcass and looked towards the archer. His expression was stricken with fear, but he dutifully steadied his crossbow right at me. That. Was not supposed to happen. What had become of Apollo? He was supposed to assist me!

I made the split second decision to use Spirit Walk once more, my weathered middle aged body could only take so much spellcasting in a prolonged battle like this. I stepped half a pace to my right and reentered the physical world as quickly as possible to conserve my strength. Immediately, I felt the trailing turbulence as the bolt whistled past my head. The archer spat out his crossbow and swore, drawing his short sword and charging for me. I took a moment to search for Apollo, quickly laying my eyes upon him being overwhelmed by the other two swordswolves.

I switched my focus back to the amateur swordswolf before me, his face was determined, but I could see the fear in his eyes; concern, doubt, uncertainty. He was not like the rest of the Taken - perhaps a new recruit. I flipped my blade back over to my left, reading the steel for an off sided strike.

Just as the archer sloppily swung his sword towards me, I feigned a strike, throwing him off balance as he cringed; expecting a blow. I ducked down under his over-swung attack and turned around, stepping within his guard. I used my momentum and smacked him upon the head with the flat of my blade, causing him to spin off to my right and dance trying to regain his balance.

I leapt forward and shoved my paw against his head, smashing him down onto the cobbled ground and pinning his skull upon the floor. He yelped out in pain and attempted to push me off, but I summoned my draining strength once more to purge his memories. I watched as his expression grew blank, his glassy eyes stared beyond me without any further movement. Though unconscious, he would awaken later without the faintest clue of the Taken or any of their teachings.

I quickly leapt off of his limp body and sprinted towards Apollo who was stuck in a defensive stance, parrying blow after blow from the remaining Taken warriors. I eagerly closed the distance, jumping on the back of one of the warriors, toppling us both over and momentarily distracting the other. Apollo seized the opportunity and quickly flicked his blade over, jabbing the chest of the confused Taken warrior.

His blade sparked off of the metal armor, sliding across the surface, but quickly found it’s way home into the gap between chest and shoulder. Apollo pushed harder onto the blade stabbing deeper into the screaming warrior, he then twisted his head and removed the blade, expertly turning around in place and slicing the head clean off the warrior's body, silencing him forever.

The warrior I had just tackled cried out and attempted to stand up, his confidence was waning, clearly he knew he fought a losing battle. I spared him no second thought however, thinking of those who had been slaughtered for years by these sub-wolven monsters, the struggles of this never-ending journey, the dear friends I had lost on the way, and finally. My beloved wife. I raised my sword and brought it down across his neck, executing him from this world. Not a single pang of guilt left to spare in my soul.

Without any warning I felt something impact my shoulder, piercing the mirrored steel armor that adorned my body. I dropped my sword and cried out in pain as it clanged noisily across the stone ground. I quickly scanned around me for the archer, just as another bolt struck Apollo upon his flank, causing him to stumble. Somewolf, somewhere, had a height advantage over us, we were running out of time! The ritual would begin at an-

Just as I had began that thought, a blindingly bright light erupted between the crack of the stone doors before us. I gasped in disbelief as I realized it was too late. Another bolt whistled past me and struck Apollo in the throat, he slumped over helplessly trying to reach for his neck as blood bubbled mercilessly out of his windpipe.

“Apollo!” I screamed and dove after him, my body began shaking from panic and loss of blood from the bolt lodged in my shoulder.

All of this, wasted. Years of surviving by the skin of our teeth, tracking, killing, hiding, planning. Gone. We had failed. I faced the doors with tears in my eyes, complete and utter defeat filled my mind. I felt my shoulder throb as blood readily gushed from my wound. Another bolt pierced the armor on my back, I slumped over onto the stone feeling worn and numb, focusing on nothing by the stone columns and the night sky beyond. The ritual had begun. Lupus, like many worlds before it, would be completely and utterly eradicated.

Without the Angel, I knew my journey would be in vain, yet I risked my life and the lives of my friends to put an end it it all, foolishly continuing in blind revenge. In the end, I shouldn’t have been so surprised. I, Guardian of Lupus,had failed to protect Scarlet. I had failed as a Guardian, as a husband, as the last remaining hope for all of the innocent lives from our worlds.

I closed my tear-filled eyes and imagined at long last I would be able to join my beautiful wife once more. Scarlet. I’m sorry.

***

I snapped my eyes open and gasped for air, the feeling of excruciating pain from the bolts quickly dissipated. I was soaked in sweat, breathing heavily and panicked. This time, I had remembered that dream vividly. It was so foreign and bizarre to me, why had I thought of it? What did it all mean? I slowly calmed my breath and sat up, my chest felt remarkably better, albeit sore.

It was clearly day outside, bright white light poured into the window, casting straight shadows upon the room. I assumed we were still above the clouds, no winter sun was this bright. The battle of my dreams replayed in my head as I stared at the brightly lit wall. Had I seen another glimpse of my future? Was I to fight in Lupus years from now? What about Scarlet, would she die in the years to come?

My last thought haunted me and I felt fear grip my heart, that was not a future I would ever want to live. I suddenly widened my eyes in realization, floods of memories returned to me as I relived what had happened before I lost consciousness.

I need to find Scarlet! They took her! They fucking took her! I panicked internally and threw the blankets off of me. Rolling off the bed and landing painfully on all fours.

I stumbled about the brightly lit room, desperately trying to find my barding, my weapons. I couldn't tell how many days had passed since falling unconscious, I began shaking in panic and fatigue.

My body was not well, I could tell I needed more rest, to recover. But at what cost? Every hour I wasted, Scarlet was left alone and in danger. I needed to track her down and help her.

Unable to find my gear, I barged into the suite’s center room, taking a very unaware Momo off guard.

“Where's my stuff?!” I hollard, limping pathetically across the room.

Momo had nearly toppled her chair over, she failed her hooves and righted herself, pushing her mane behind her ear once more.

“Luna’s flaming moon! Midnight, ye need to calm down!” Ballpoint quickly rushed out of his room, he was only wearing a towel over his flanks, his jet black mane and leathery wings still dripping wet.

I rushed passed him, quickly scanning his room, finally spotting my weapons. I limped towards them, grabbing my rifle and slung it over my back.

I was just about to swing my saddlebags onto my flanks, when a damp white hoof knocked them out of my teeth. I whipped around and glared angrily at Ballpoint.

Doesn't he understand? We need to find her! Luna knows what they’re doing to her! I felt tears well up in my eyes.

Scarlet was all I had left that I would consider family, the last pony in Equestria that I was so close to. More importantly she was the mare I loved, the one pony I would sacrifice anything for in a heartbeat…

I fell down onto my flanks and began sobbing uncontrollably, I had completely lost it. Maybe it was remnants of emotions from my odd dreams, maybe it was simply my own weakness and grief finally catching up to me since we left the Stable. But at that moment I had no hope, I was lost, confused, scared. What could I do? I had no idea where Scarlet might be, I was wounded and weak, there was nothing I could do to help her.

“M-Midnight, I…” Ballpoint reached out a hoof in apology. I pushed him away and turned my head in embarrassment, trying desperately to regain my composure.

Momo poked her head into the room, shooting an angry look at Ballpoint. He shrugged defensively and backpedaled, letting her approach me.

“Midnight…” she began, taking a seat across from me, her eyes reflected pain and understanding, she too was just as afraid. “We’ll find her, I promise. Silver’s already on a possible lead. Penny left soon after you started recovering, hoping to join him.” Momo gently explained, placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“H-how long was I o-out?” I stammered as I shook from waves of tears, fighting to suppress my emotions.

Momo’s eyes softened in pity, “three days.”

“T-t-three days?!” I widened my eyes in terror, Scarlet was gone for that long? I felt my head swim, growing nauseous.

“Aw shite, watch out!” Ballpoint leapt forward and righted me as I almost fainted. “Aight’ laddie, yer weak, ye need food and rest. Everything's going to be okay, I swear it or I ain't a bat. Ye hear?” he reassured me, I wasn't convinced but nodded nonetheless.

If I had any hope left in me, it was enough to recognize I needed to gain my strength back. I wouldn't be very useful for Scarlet dead from starvation anyway.

“Aye, good, now Momo whipped up some food fer ye not long ago, with yer stirrin’ an’ sweatin’ we figured ye’d come about soon.” Ballpoint gestured for me to lean up against him for support.

With one last sniffle I nodded and shakily stood up on all fours, leaning against him and making our way to the kitchenette. Momo cantered past us and grabbed a beat up metal pot from the low burning stove, bringing it over to the table where I sat.

“Thanks guys…” I spoke lamely, staring at the table.

My thoughts drifted toward my dream, the death of Scarlet, failure, regret. I blinked rapidly to clear my eyes. I had no idea what it was, but at that very moment, it seemed that that future for me was very real.

“Hey, hey Midnight…” Momo cooed softly, serving some mushy brown food on a plate for me. “Try not to overthink it, just focus on eating alright pal?”

I subconsciously lifted the spoon, closing my eyes and taking a breath. I had to steel my nerves for the time being, I just had to take things one step at a time. I placed the food in my mouth and instantly recoiled, nearly spitting it out.

“What the buck is this?!” I stared in horror at the hyper-salty food.

Off the corner of my eye Ballpoint was desperately cutting a hoof across his neck, motioning for me to not continue. It was too late.

“What the buck is what?” Momo switched moods in a heartbeat. “There something wrong with my cooking?!” she leaned close to my face in anger.

“N-no ma’am!” I stammered and shoved another spoonful of mystery salt into my mouth, my eyes began to water.

“Damn straight,” Momo huffed and flicked her mane. “This is loaded with nutritional stuff I found laying around and plenty of salt, ‘cause you were sweating so much. So eat the whole plate, and drink lots of water, kay?”

I nodded and painfully began eating more, I was greatful to take my mind off of things with the painful food, and light bickering with my friends. Like I had thought, one step at a time.

***

With the plate finished, and about a canteen and a half of water later, Ballpoint showed me to the showers just down the hall. The lukewarm water and lonesome thoughts helped me feel a lot less shaken up. At least physically, I started to feel more comfortable. I was honestly super thankful for Ballpoint and Momo’s help, I knew I was putting a lot on the plate and they helped me out in stride. I couldn't have had better ponies by my side.

“Feeling better now?” Ballpoint asked as I walked passed him and Momo, they were laying on the couch together, weapons and equipment ready to go.

I lifted my head up from the last preening I was doing on my wing and gave him a faint smile, I may not have been in my best shape, but I felt leaps and bounds better than before. I had already dressed in my barding - minus the font plate - my weapons and ammunition were all ready to rock and roll, all that was left was an idea I had proposed to them not long ago.

“Look, are ya sure about this?” Momo gave me a worried glance. “How do you know he’ll have a lead?”

“Trust me I just know, he's more or less asked for me to see him.” I tried to explain. “You won't even know I'm gone, time stops for me when I visit Lupus.” I shrugged as Momo scratched her head trying to wrap it around the idea.

While in the shower, I had noticed one of the lights was flickering bright blue, not far off from the work of Ignis, I knew he wished to speak with me, urgently too. The best place for any private conversation between him and I was Lupus, so that's where I intended to go.

I gave both of my friends one last reassuring smile and closed my eyes. I remembered Ignis had explained that since I was as much a member of the Wolf world as I was Equestria, I should be able to just will myself…

ooOO**OOoo

“Ah finally you arrive,” I was greeted with the voice of Ignis, though unlike my previous encounters with him in Lupus, he sounded like he was physically talking to me.

I opened my eyes and found myself on the hill once more, the ancient tree was now lit with torches however. In fact, the whole world seemed much more vivid, less like a dream. I blinked in surprise, I felt as if I was completely physically present in this world.

The hill we sat upon felt uncomfortably familiar, as if I had sat upon its crest many nights. The dirt path leading down behind Ignis, lit by red floating fires, elicited a pang of nostalgia.

“Is there something wrong?” Ignis asked, tilting his head at my confusion.

“Yeah, this.” I waved a paw in the air. “It's… familiar… it's all real?”

Ignis’ expression darkened, but only for a moment, he nodded and looked around him. “Perhaps the spell you used to travel here has been strengthened. It's of trivial matter, we must focus on why I've requested you here.”

I gave him a skeptical look, he seemed tense, but I didn't push any further. Scarlet was what was important for now.

“What did you need to talk about? You know about Scarlet right?!” I quickly stood up, my heartbeat quickened as I anticipated his answer.

“Correct, I know where she is, and I know she is safe,” Ignis explained. I felt a tremendous weight lifted off my shoulders and I let out a sigh of relief, almost crying once more. “But,” Ignis lifted a paw, his expression growing serious, “it is a matter of what one defines as ‘safe’”.

“What do you mean?” I tensed up.

Dammit as long as she's not hurt!

“She's not,” Ignis shook his head, okay, I had forgotten he could read my thoughts. “But from what I've gathered, she's being held captive. I had been searching for the Black Ones’ headquarters with the Paladins, and it happened that one of the Alicorns was able to cast a spell that could allow us to view one of their rooms. Either by sheer luck alone, or by enchantment, we had found your Scarlet there, in lavish captivity.” he shook his head.

“Lavish Captivity?” I asked, taking a seat once more. “You're telling me that whoever took her, is pampering her?” I couldn't have been more relieved to hear that, but something told me that it was far more sinister than it appeared.

“Precisely, and my sentiments exactly Midnight, I do not trust that she is being held in such nice conditions for no reason.” he read my mind, again. “I don't know where it is, and I'll be damned to find out soon enough, all I can tell you is that she is safe for the time being, and that you must reach her before it is too late.”

“Cryptic.” I deadpanned. “What's ‘too late’ supposed to mean? Huh?” I gave Ignis a dirty look, he was the last wolf I would have expected to be pessimistic about all this. Actually he was the only wolf I knew, but that's besides the point.

“There is more to this than it appears, I only wish to aid in saving her and preventing anything from happening to begin with. With good fortune, I may never need to explain, we must stop the Black ones before it happens.” Ignis sighed and explained, lifting a paw to silence me when I began to object. “We’re wasting time, I believe your friend Silver has a very good idea where to begin finding the Black Daylight headquarters, so you should seek him and join him. I will continue my end and keep you updated.” He stood to full height giving me a sharp nod.

“Fine, but you could show at least a speck of hope that we’ll get her back before it's ‘too late’”. I sat down and did air quotes with my paws, huffing.

“We will argue about this later, I must go back to the Paladins now. For the time being we will have to suspend your training. Farewell, I hope we find your Scarlet.” he gave me a weak smile before vanishing in smoke and fire.

I sat and waited, by now I would have returned to Equestria with the completion of the spell. But, nothing happened. The faint rustle of wind and chirping insects filled the silent night, I stood and turned a small circle looking around me in confusion.

Behind me, without the fog that the Spirit Walking spell used to cast, I could see far below the hill into the forested landscape. There sat an ancient temple, ruined and overgrown through time. Everything felt so oddly familiar, I snorted and turned around once more, deciding to do some light exploration. If time was frozen in Equestria while I was here, and I didn't use any strength to hold a spell, what was the harm?

I followed the dirt path closely, taking care not to touch the bobbing red flames the lit up the path every so hooves. Eventually, the winding path straightened out and I found myself upon an elegant marble bridge, spanning between two peaks of the hill. A pathway was cut clean through the hilltop leading further and beyond. A beautiful marble porch sat upon the middle of the bridge, adorned by a lavish stone arch.

I nonchalantly trotted toward the porch, looking around me, my nails clicked lightly against the cold marble floor as I progressed. I felt the most particular sense of déja-vu, and the eerie loneliness gave me a sense of discomfort.

As I approached the stone arch, I noticed there lay an ornate marble rectangle, almost like a table, maybe an altar of some kind? The bright moonlight gave the porch a very mystical feel, I traced the light up upon the arch and noticed an engraving.

Just as I began to read, a tremendous clap of thunder erupted behind me causing me to nearly jump out of my skin. I whipped around in terror and saw Ignis galloping towards me. With every step his paws made, flames flickered and smouldered against the floor. He was absolutely livid, baring his fangs in fury.

“BEGONE FROM HERE!” Ignis roared, I began shaking in terror and backpeddeled, I felt like a foal caught red-hoofed by his parents. “ARE YOU SO FOOLISH AS TO PLAY WITH THIS WORLD? ONE STEP MORE AND YOUR ACTIONS COULD VERY WELL HAVE ENDED US ALL!” his voice rang both in my head and aloud.

I had absolutely no clue what he was talking about, but I was so terrified I quickly imagined being back aboard the Hail Storm and vanished in a cloud of smoke and fire.

***

“Soo… when are you going to meet with him?” Ballpoint asked, tearing my gaze away from the wall.

My body did not feel fear or adrenaline like I had on Lupus, however my mind sure as hell did. I quickly sat down and shook my head, trying to process Ignis’ outburst.

“Aye, lad, ye okay?” Ball pointed asked louder, standing up from the couch, leaving Momo to nearly fall over from not having anypony to lean next to.

“Ah, yeah I'm good, I'm fine.” I wiggled my hoof motioning him to sit down again. “I already spoke with him.”

“It's been less than a second,” Moro mumbled, sitting back up upon the couch. “Brief conversation eh?” she chuckled.

I nodded and explained what had gone on between Ignis and I, I explained Scarlet’s whereabouts and condition, as well as meeting with Silver. I left out what had happened after though, I decided to keep that subject to myself.

“By Luna’s grace, at least the lass is safe.” Ballpoint sighed and looked visually relieved.

Momo nodded and stretched, standing up. “Let's not waste a second longer then, Silver’s in Renaissance, he's got the ‘OK’ from the top banana and wants us to leave for Vanhoover, if you're up for it, I'm sure he'd take you on board.”

I rolled my shoulders, feeling a bit sore in the chest, both physically and emotionally, but ready to continue regardless. I steeled my nerves, no pony takes my beautiful mare away from me without a bullet with their name on it. “Let's get her back.”

<><><>

“Your food, madame.” the hoity toity Butler mumbled smoothly as he bowed and placed a tarnished silver platter on the lavish table.

“For the last time, take your bloody dishes and fuck off.” I hollard, taking the silver lid in my teeth and throwing it at the Butler.

The old silverware sailed passed his head as he ducked, already knowing what it felt like to get hit from the last time. The platter lid clanged like a gong against the oak paneled wall, washing to a stop as it settled on the polished floor.

“Of course madame, bon appetite.” he deadpanned and picked up the lid, placing it upon his back and trotting over to the door.

He pinned a keypad upon the wall with a hoof, taking care to block my view, the old metal door slid up on creaking rollers. I listened carefully to the tone of the keys, hoping to make some sense of the code.

Ever since I regained consciousness in this blasted room, I've been trying desperately to find an escape. After brute force didn't work - the guards would rush in and pin me to the floor until I calmed down - I opted to try and break the code. So far I knew it was seven numbers long and each key played a different tone. That lead to a lot of combinations, too many, if I was going to be honest.

I groaned in frustration, slamming my hooves onto the polished wooden floor, it had been three bloody days since I had woken up. By all means, however, the room I was being held in was not something I would complain about; ornate furnishings, a huge and comfortable bed, shelves of books and parchment paper. But the proximity activated bomb collar around my neck was a bit of a turn off.

Since waking up, every day at twelve in the afternoon, a brown unicorn who I named Mr. Hat-and-suit, would enter my room and start asking me nonsense questions; “What was my foalhood like”, “did I ever notice any ponies behave strangely around me”, “do I know who my guardian is”. All of which I refused to answer, especially the last.

The interrogation was simple and short. The stallion would nod at the unsuccessful session and tell me farewell, then resume the next day. I knew he was trying to break me by attrition, eventually send me to give in after such a slow process, but Luna damn would I not give up. Something told me, however, that I was not allowed to be hurt in any way if possible. I feared for what the future had in store for me. I knew they were in no rush, I knew that whatever they were doing, it was going to take time, and so was my interrogation.

I took a seat at the table, sitting upon a cushioned chair and looked down at the food in disdain. Fresh fruit and hay met my eyes, how they managed to grow such food in the wasteland surpassed me. I felt wrong, this food was just a gimmick to make me feel falsely comfortable.

I sighed and began eating, I stood a better chance escaping well fed rather than dead from starvation anyway.

When I finished, satisfying my hunger, I stood up and trotted over to my bed. The musty blankets and large creaking mattress greeted me as I lay down and stared at the desk to my left.

I hope the others are safe. I thought to myself with concern.

I knew we had been attacked abroad the Hail Storm, and I knew I was entirely alone here. I just had to hope that Midnight and the others made it out okay.

I rolled over and stared at the ceiling, How had the Black Daylight known where we were? We were practically invisible above the clouds. I pondered.

I knew they were the Black Daylight because of the guards who would come in and restrain me if I ‘misbehaved’. They were dressed in the telltale armor after all. But all that did was raise more questions, how had they gotten above the clouds if they were all earth ponies and unicorns?

My thoughts were interrupted by the pin pad being activated on the other side of the door, my heightened hearing easily picked it up. I rolled my eyes, ready for my daily questionnaire. I heard the door slide open and hoofsteps slowly approach me.

“Now listen here ya bloody wank-stain, you might as well leave now because I'm not answering anything today.” I huffed and cried out, not sparing him a glance.

“Now is that anyway to greet me after it's been so long?” a female voice asked, I felt my blood instantly run cold. I knew that voice, I had grown up hearing it my whole life.

I quickly shot up, sitting atop the bed with wide eyes, I felt my gut lurch and my legs shake as fear gripped my heart.

“It’s been too long sister, I've missed you.” Nova smiled, venom dripping in her tone.

What struck me, immediately, wasn't seeing her so out of place. But rather it was seeing her. Nova , like myself, was a pure bred thestral. However, since the last time I've seen her, she was radically different. I cringed and felt nauseous as I studied her.

Where her wings once we're, two barely visible stumps lay underneath a black coat she wore, her wings had been entirely severed off. Her ears were trimmed, the fur no longer stuck up in tufts, her fangs; missing. Somepony had pulled them out, in her enthusiastic grin sat two holes in their place. The only thing about her still distinguishing of a bat pony were her golden slit eyes.

“W- what’d you d- do to yourself?” I stammered in horror. Both terrified by what extent her transformation must've been, and by being in the presence of the stone cold lunatic.

“I’ve enhanced my body, with the help of the Daylight, I’m no longer a filthy bat. They’ve deemed me ‘pure.’ Isn’t it marvelous?” She batted her eyes and turned in place, looking herself over.

“Marvelous? You look like a bloody torture victim!” I paused, “I hope it bloody hurt, you ugly wraith.” I spat, glaring at her.

Nova snarled and leapt forward, pinning me onto the bed. I yelped in surprise, struggling to push her off, she was always bigger than me since we were foals, I could barely fight her!

“I’m fucking BEAUTIFUL!” She screamed into my face, I flattened my ears and closed me eyes wincing from her voice. “The priests told me I was no longer cursed, that I could join them, I could lead ponies and command! They told me I could have anything I want, and now I have it all!” She hollard into my ear, the power hungry psychotic mare was getting on my nerves.

“At what bloody cost?” I asked quietly, “You’re nothing but a disfigured monster, a murderer, a bloody psychopath.” I glared at her eyes, matching her for the first time in my life. “You killed for power, and you never got it. So what, you ran away from the stable and begged?” I stabbed at her.

“The stable door opened shortly after we lost power.” Nova explained angrily. “Your mutated mut seized the administrative rights, so we had to kill the generators to force the door to open. When we exited we were met with the grace of the Daylight priests. They offered help and encouraged us, after the ethnic cleansing of course.” She grinned.

“Ethnic cleansing?” I blinked, trying to understand. Then it hit me. “You did-fucking-not!” I shrieked, trying to kick her off of me. My hooves flailed aimlessly as she pinned me down harder.

“They only slowed us down, those filthy mongrels, they were monsters bred in darkness! They made up only a small portion of the stable, and we executed them with ease. The priests congratulated me, offered me a position, they gave me my new body! They told me if I brought them you, I could become a priestess! A queen! It was so simple, I just had to follow your pipbuck tag. The mercenaries gladly took on the job when we offered enough caps.” She pinned me down harder and harder, I felt my shoulders start to burn as she angrily shoved me into the bed.

“You’re bloody delusional!” I screamed, twisting my lower body, landing a solid kick between her hind legs.

Nova flinched and eased up on the pressure as she winced, just enough for me to shove her off to the bed. I quickly got up and dove onto her, this time I was the one pinning her to the floor.

“You’ll never get power! They only used you to get me!” I yelled, smashing her shoulders onto the ground. “You’re insane! You’re a murder! Heartless!” I felt tears well up in my eyes. If I only had my Luna damned carbine with me right now! “You’re not my family, you’re my enemy! I’m going to kill you!” I screamed, throwing a punch across her face.

The door on the other side of the room opened and the guards rushed in, one of them activated a remote and I heard a telltale beep emit from the bomb collar around my neck. I froze in place, my eyes widening in fear, I felt my heart quicken as I realized how close I was to death. Nova squirmed out from underneath me, wiping her bloody nose with a hoof. She spat out a glob of blood, standing straight and regaining her composure.

“Are you okay Bishop Nova?” one of the stallions asked, an earth pony in full combat armor. The other guards all pointed their assault rifles at me.

“Yes, yes I’m fine.” She curtly replied, giving me an evil eye. “I’m done here, take me to my quarters.”

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded and walked her to the door. When Nova’s white tail cleared the exit, he gave a whistle and the other guards all lowered their weapons, following suit. The door slid closed behind them, once more sealing me in solitude.

I sat in stunned silence, trying desperately to process what had just occurred. I felt anger well in my chest, brewing into hatred, I wanted to strangle the life out of my “sister”.

She’s not my sister, not in all of Equestria. She alone is the reason all of this happened. I thought as I angrily stood up.

I cantered over to the table where my empty plate sat and glared at the silver, it’s pompous wealth mocked me, everything here was a joke, set up to give me a false sense of security. With Nova in charge here, I knew nothing was how it seemed. Even the very room I sat in was owned by her, used to break my will.

I felt my anger flare and I took the plate in my mouth and tossed it against the wall, the plate clattered and clanged as it fell upon the floor. Unsatisfied, I kicked the chair behind me, toppling it over and cracking the back. I galloped over to the desk and placed my forehooves onto it, swiping all of the ornate paper and utensils off, pushing books, smashing statuettes and shelves. I turned around and bucked the desk with as much strength as I could muster, the great oak furnishing leaned slowly, and finally fell onto the wooden floor with a mighty crash, splintering the shelf that sat atop of it.

I panted, standing around the destruction. I felt no better, in fact I felt worse. Tears formed in my eyes as I realized I was breaking, becoming the very thing that Nova wanted. She was succeeding. I slowly trotted back onto the bed, tears now freely flowing down my face. I needed Midnight, I needed Silver and Ballpoint, Momo, even Penny. I needed ponies I trusted. I needed to know that there was still hope.

I turned onto my side, feeling my stomach begin to ache, I held my waist and tried to think of happier times. Tried desperately to take my mind off of the hell I had found myself in.

***

“I don’t care if you’ve gotta shove a hoof up your ass to get it, just find me that damn shifting spanner!” Momo cried as she pushed off of the undercarriage, sliding back out from under the Vertubuck’s cockpit.

The maintenance pony nodded feverently and bolted over to the toolbox, they had been trying for almost an hour now to install the new laser designator system. Apparently ‘Reaper’ was getting an upgrade for the special operations unit we were in. General Breeze allowed Momo to install anything reasonable that would help us being on our own, the only problem was, this tech was ancient, and nothing seemed to be made to work together.

We had all come back aboard the Hail Storm after we met with Silver and Penny. We had found them discussing plans for Renaissance's role in defending Transylvania. Apparently public opinion was pretty low after the attack, understandably, but after many days of discussion they agreed to try and set up a front line of defense from any additional waves of Daylight soldiers crossing the mountains.

For the remaining days while I recovered, Silver spent time interrogating the Gryphon that I had knocked unconscious, getting leads of where they came from and who employed them. He managed to get an obscure location of the mercenary settlement. I just hoped we would be able to trot on in there, ask a few questions and find Scarlet. As if anything was that easy.

Currently, I was sitting next to Penny watching the two move about the Vertibuck, they had already repainted it solid black a few days ago, keeping the shark teeth and grim reaper decal of course. Momo decided to install a whole slurry of gadgets, including two missile pods on the sides. The thing was, missiles needed a guidance system, which was being a bitch to install..

“There!” Momo triumphantly shouted and took a step back from the laser designator. The little ball on a swivel mount under the nose looked pretty cool I wasn’t gonna lie.

“I think it’s on backwards.” The maintenance pony deadpanned, poking the ball with a hoof. “Isn’t the lense supposed to be facing forward?”

“Oh for fucks sake!” Momo groaned and facehooved. Grabbing a tool from her pocket and crawling under the nose once more.

I sighed and shook my head, this was ridiculous. I knew in the long run, having better equipment meant we stood a better chance of finding Scarlet quickly. But if we spent this much time sitting here on our asses, what was the point?

Penny nudged me with her shoulder, grabbing my attention. “Hey Midnight, it’ll be okay. We know she’s at least safe. We’ll find her.” She reassured me with kind eyes.

I nodded and stood up. I needed to do something, trot around maybe. Penny’s expression looked kind of hurt, I knew I was giving her the cold shoulder but I just wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. I trotted around the Vertibuck to the other side of the painted landing spot. Ballpoint and Silver were sitting on the ancient wooden ammo crates, cleaning their rifles and talking.

“I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them.” Silver scoffed, racking the bolt on his IS16. He frowned and took off the top cover, looking inside the gun once more. I was pretty sure he had gotten that rifle off a dead Daylight soldier.

“It’s the best lead we’ve got. Better than sitting and wanking about.” Ballpoint shrugged, leaning back and taking another drag from his cigarette.

“Aye, but if I know anything about bloody Gryphons, they shoot first, then ask questions later. Especially if there’s caps involved. Not to mention these Shard mercs’ are notorious for violence.” Silver sighed, tapping the top cover closed once more and racking the bolt again. The gun gave a positive metallic click. Satisfied, Silver set the rifle against one of the crates.

I trotted up to them and took a seat across from where they sat. Ballpoint raised an eyebrow and gave me a nod.

“How’s the installation going?” Silver gestured towards the vertibuck..

A loud clang shot out from behind me, we all snapped our heads to see what was up. “Fuck this shit!” Momo’s muffled voice carried over from under the aircraft.

“I think that answers your question.” I smirked. Silver rolled his eyes and stood up, adjusting his combat armor.

Silver had opted to remove some of the plates from his armor, instead of having a full heavy suit, he now only wore the chestplate, boots and leg guards. His deep grey-crimson coat shone through the gaps between the plates.

“I’m getting antsy sitting around, hell the more I sit, the more I think, And thinking makes me unsure.” He sighed. “We know the mercs are holed up in an old Arcane-Jet office building, that’s great and all, but we have no bloody clue where that is.”

“You’d think we’d be able to spot it, we have wings, hell, we even have a vertibuck. Won't we see it from the air?” I added, Vanhoover wasn’t that big was it?

Ballpoint scoffed, flicking his cigarette butt onto the metal floor. “We fly over a hundred hooves, and we’ll be lit up by any raider, mercenary, monster, alicorn, ye name it. Anypony that has a gun will be itching to shoot the pretty bat ponies out of the sky.”

“Exactly,” Silver cut in, “We’ll have to land somewhere near downtown, just outside of where things get rough. I can only imagine the city center would be crawling with Luna knows what. Then we’ll have to hoof it, or fly on our own the rest of the way. Hopefully the rooftops are low enough to conceal us.”

“Wait, you’re telling me you guys’ve never been in the city before?” I asked, dumbfounded. These were ponies who were by far the most intelligent and elite fighters I’ve ever met. I only assumed they were well travelled.

“Well… No.” Silver scratched the back of his head, trying to find words. “We really haven-”

Ballpoint chuckled and kicked Silver in the shoulder with a hoof, interrupting him. “We’ve barely bloody left Transylvania is what he’s saying.”

“We sure have mate!” Silver cut in, “Just, not very far…”

Ballpoint grinned and looked at me, “Uh-huh, and ye wonder why I’ve always been itching to see what was beyond those mountains.” He turned around and gazed out the enormous hangar bay doors, far across the hangar. “It’s about bloody time, I’m sick of only hearing what’s out there from the old Rafael scouts and occasional trader.”

“Yeah, and you won't bloody like it.” Silver sighed, grabbing his rifle and slinging it over his back. “I don’t care what fantasy you’ve imagined, but from what I know, it’s just violence and death.”

“Aye, whatever.” Ballpoint finally stood up, and I did as well out of awkwardness. “C’mon Captain Sunshine, look’s like Momo’s got it ready to go.”

We all trotted around the Vertibuck, meeting a satisfied Momo. She shot a proud grin to Ballpoint who returned likewise, he quickly trotted over and planted a light kiss on her cheek, eliciting a blush showing through her dark coat. We all climbed aboard, and I took a seat on my usual left side, trying my best to ignore the cute display. I missed Scarlet okay?

Momo clambered passed us, taking a seat and strapping herself in. She flicked various switches across the dashboard, lighting up screens in front of her. I noticed there was a new monitor installed next to her that was suction cupped onto the glass, and a black and white image of the landing pad appeared on the screen. I guessed that was the new guidance system.

I looked out the door to my left as it began to slide closed, the engines were just spooling up and various ponies in colorful clothing cantered around, directing Momo on her flight patterns. Momo flicked a transmission switch on her radio and began talking with the controllers, requesting permission to leave.

“About time.” I murmured to myself, the door to my left slid completely closed, latching in place with a metallic clang.