Celestia Quest 3

"I think I'd prefer to listen. I'm already in this far, might as well see how deep the rabbit hole goes."

 

Celestia raises an eyebrow at your expression, but says nothing of it. "If that is what you want." She turns to the Elements and her sister, gesturing to an open spot on the ground. "Everypony come take a seat and I will describe what happened at the exchange."

 

Exchange? Hmm, so she was trying to get something there? Whatever it was, it didn't go as planned. You take up a spot next to Celestia, with Pinkie on your other side. Pinkie seems concerned; a much different sort of aura than you felt from her a moment ago. Celestia keeps her face fairly passive, much as you would expect from a ruler, but there is some gloom peeking through.

 

"It was an ambush."

 

Luna is the first to react, putting a hoof on her sister's side, checking for bruises and cuts but keeping an eye on Celestia's face as well. "Were you hurt?"

 

Celestia shakes her head. "No. I came out of the ordeal a bit worse for wear, but if a few thousand years are unable wear me down, an evening skirmish certainly won't. In fact, I would say your appearance was a bit lucky, traveler. If all of those unicorns had been able to focus on me, I may not have made it out in quite the same condition. You split their attentions between us and even took a couple out yourself."

 

The circle of ponies turns to face you. You try to hide your smile as a burst of pride wells up within you, but something of a smirk makes its way to your face. "Just glad I could help."

 

"And I appreciate it very much." Taking a deep breath, Celestia collects herself before continuing. She isn't looking forward to the next part, you can tell. "Twilight was not there. The unicorns' intention was to take the offering, kill me with it, and leave. Two birds with one stone, as it were."

 

Rainbow Dash bounces up, grabbing everyone's attention. "Are you kidding me?! Those rotten little worms! If I ever—"

 

"Rainbow Dash!" shouts Luna. "That is not helping. We want Twilight back as much as you, but clearly we will need to find a different approach instead of simple negotiation."

 

"Uh, sorry for asking, but who is Twilight and what was the offering? I'm assuming she's some kind of hostage?" you ask.

 

Celestia is the first to answer, though not without some vitriol in her voice. "Yes, a hostage. She is the fourth princess of Equestria, the newest member of the royal family, and dear friend to all of us. She'd be with us now on this excursion if not..." Forcing herself to stop, Celestia closes her eyes and looks to the ground. Her sister gives a supporting rub on the her side, opening her mouth to speak, but Celestia resumes first. "Yes, sister, I know I should not blame myself. Still, it is much easier to."

 

 

 

 

"So... if negotiations won't work, how will we get this 'Twilight' back?"

 

Luna answers you this time. "We find where our enemy hides, and take her back. They have proven they can be trusted as much as a changeling."

 

"Excuse me, princess, as I am merely a citizen and no tactician, but won't they use Twilight's life as leverage should we start searching for them? And if we find them, how can we get her back before they hurt her?" Rarity asks.

 

"We must use stealth, speed and cunning, Element of Generosity. Our Worldshard will buy us further time. They still want it, so we will act as though we might still part with it."

 

 

"So this 'Worldshard' was the offering? What's so special about it? Why do they want it?"

 

Celestia straightens her neck back up, returning from her somber state. "The Worldshard is an old object of power, a relic from the time when the world was still young. A time before even my sister and I. In the right hooves—or wrong, depending on your point of view—it could wreak havoc."

 

You rub your chin in thought. "Then they're after it for it's power?"

 

"That is my assumption, yes."

 

Crossing your arms, you let out a deep breath. Sounds like just another crazed grab for power, hardly a revolution, unless the enemy was much stronger than Celestia let on.

 

 

"What do you know about this group, other than they don't want you in power?"

 

"Their leader is a former advisor of mine, one who left when my sister returned. We did not always agree, but he was oft a wise voice at my side. As of late, I listened to him less and less, and when I decided to bring my sister back, he could not handle our differences any further. He quit and left, though I wished him the best on his travels." She frowns. "This is not how I envisioned he would spend his time and knowledge."

 

 

 

 

"Maybe your old advisor isn't entirely in control of his own mind. These sort of tactics hardly seem fitting of someone who you valued for his wisdom."

 

Rarity murmurs an agreement.

 

Nodding, Celestia replies, "I agree these tactics are quite out-of-character for him. And, as cruel as it may sound, I hope he is not in control of his mind, that I might find cause for mercy. He was always very adamant about his thoughts, and put the well-being of Equestria above all else. I only hope he has not taken his conviction to an extreme."

 

 

"If you knew him so well, did he give any hint at where he might be heading?"

 

"He did not. While I did not wish him to depart and still held respect for his knowledge, I regret to say the feeling was likely not mutual. He left 'in a huff', as it were."

 

 

Nodding, you think on all Celestia and Luna have told you. The mere idea of a kidnapper sickens you, a hate for this fallen advisor already burning up within you. It also pains you to see Celestia so saddened by the kidnapping of her friend Twilight. Maybe you haven't known Celestia all that long, but she saved your ass back in that cavern and has been nothing but kind since. Her sister may be a bit blunt, but she's alright by you, too. Really, all of these ponies have been welcoming, albeit some more than others. They don't deserve to go through this, and as out-of-place as you may be...

 

"I'd like to help. I can't sit here, being useless, while your friend is out there, captive."

 

Pinkie scoots over to you and nuzzles your shoulder, surprising you a bit with the sudden touch, but you pat her mane once you recognize what she's doing. Luna seems a little suspicious, but doesn't voice any objection.

 

"I can hardly ask that of you, traveler. While I appreciate your help back in the cavern and your openminded-ness at greeting my friends, this is still a matter very beyond you and, as demonstrated today, quite dangerous."

 

"Consider it payback for saving me back there, then. I owe it to you."

 

"There is no debt between us. Do not do this out of some sense of duty."

 

You frown, crossing your arms. She's being awfully stubborn on this. "I'm doing it because I hate ass—er, punks that kidnap people. Well, ponies, in your case. I want to do this."

 

Sighing, Celestia shakes her head, but you can see a smile beneath that exasperation. "If you are determined, I will not be the one to stand in your way. But it is late now, and I must retire. My sister can answer any further questions you have, though I think it would be best if you rested as well." Celestia stands up, signalling for everyone else to do so as well. She makes her way to the tent exit, but pauses before leaving. "Luna, please make sure our new friend sees a doctor before retiring for the night. And," she says turning to you, "thank you."

 

 

 

 

"So, can I get a crossbow or what? I guess you guys probably don't have armor that would fit me, but if I could get some leather or something it would be great."

 

Luna sizes you up. "Normally I'd object to such a swift adoption of weapons, but the circumstances have deemed such measures necessary. We can provide a weapon, and I can likely find or commission some light armor, if that is what you wish."

 

"Yeah. I did not exactly feel confident in that last fight. Some armor and a weapon would be great."

 

Luna nods, but regards you cautiously. "I would hope you are not eager to use such methods. I am not pleased with our enemies' actions, either, but killing them would still be a last option."

 

Still suspicious of me, huh, Luna? You can see where she's coming from, given both the time and location of your appearance. She may see you as a spy, even if you're not from the same world.

 

Pain flares up in your arm and you cradle it, wincing. "How about that doctor?"

 

"Indeed. Follow me."

 

After giving the Elements a short goodbye, you follow Luna out of the tent. The sun has since set, and the moon fills the area with a dull glow. Torches are set up near most of the tents in the camp, some lighting the faces of guards. A chill runs up your spine at the cool air.

 

That armor may be useful for protecting you from more than blows.

 

Luna leads you to a small cluster of tents lying before a much larger tent, white like the princess' but with a large red cross in the front. Curious how your worlds share that similarity.

 

You're forced to duck your head as you enter. The inside of the tent reveals rows of beds, most unoccupied, and a few nurses and doctors walking about. They all make note of your and Luna's entrance, though some more graceful about it than others. Luna grabs the nearest doctor, who has you sit on the nearest bed. It's much closer to the ground than you're used to, forcing you to bunch up your legs and bend them awkwardly.

 

"So, what is giving you trouble?"

 

The doctor, a unicorn, speaks plainly and clearly. You half expected him to mumble or stutter like the guard you first met, but it seems like this pony has seen much more shocking things than an alien like you.

 

"It's my elbow." You hold it up to show him but the pain flares up again and you pull it back down. "Landed on it pretty rough."

 

"Hmmm." He grabs your arm with magic and moves it in a few different directions, noting a few things mentally and watching your reaction. After that, he uses a different spell on your elbow, though you're not quite sure what it does. Scribbling some things down, he releases your arm back to you.

 

"Nothing broken, just a pretty bad bruising. Don't use that arm for a day or so and it will heal up. I know some magic that would fix such an injury on ponies, but as you're not a pony, I'd rather not risk it. Here," he says, floating a sling over your neck, "that should make it a bit more comfortable."

 

Curt and to the point. You can respect that.