The Voyage to Asclepius

We approach the base camp Asclepius. It takes us a mere few minutes by motorcycle, and I soon find myself outside a set of sturdy-looking sandstone pillars that acts as a gate. They're both about five (5) meters high, and two (2) meters wide. In between the pillars is a pair of large wooden doors that towers over Blizzard and myself. A brown pegasus and a silver dog stand guard in front of gate.

Black Blizzard and I come to a halt on our motorbike in front of the guards. They seem to recognize Blizzard, but they glare ominously at me.

"He's fine, let us in." He says.

The guards nod, and each walk to the middle of the gate. They pull on the giant handles, and the large wooden door opens. Behind it are rows and rows of tents and buildings. After Black Blizzard shuts off the motorcycle we disembark and enter the gated town, leaving the motorbike in the care of the guards.

The sand doesn't blow as hard within these sandstone walls, and I think the inhabitants of this town appreciate that. Merchant stalls full of groceries and goods are scattered around the town. Ponies and dogs of all kinds walk around this mysterious desert outpost.

"What is this place?" I ask my canine companion.

He replies, "This is the safest haven for miles around. Welcome to Asclepius."

Asclepius? Isn't that...

I look around, and see posters stuck to building walls. The posters have the exact same symbol on them as the one in the old city, outside the restaurant, did.

"So you're the ones who drew these posters. I've seen your work in an old city I had just come from."

The dog nods, "Yes. Although, I don't recall placing any posters in that abandoned place. We only put these up in the streets of Caduceus. The reason for that is so that the government doesn't suspect our plans, and it shows the people who believe in our rebellion when and where we're going to strike. Our followers know to check the back of the posters, while the law enforcers leave them up without touching them."

I then remind myself of why I'm here. Misaki May and Shrubbery.

"So what about that timberwolf and the filly that came here?"

He gestures for me to follow, and I cooperate. Not too far from the gates is a small igloo-like building that is made of sandstone, rather, what's left of it.

"This is just a small part of the damage they did. They-- rather *she*, took a few weapons, and a whole lot of medicine."

How much exactly did she take?

"Think of a squadron. Maybe about the size of four (4) ponies and three (3) diamond dogs. Now double that."

Good grief.

"She's yours right? You gotta fix this, or get her back here with the medicine and weapons." Blizzard speaks in a serious tone.

"B-But... I don't know where she could even--"

"Caduceus. The only place around here for miles is Caduceus. And you wanted to go there in the first place right? Well?"

"T-Then, can you take me there?!" I ask desperately.

He remains silent, as we walk through the chatter-filled streets of Asclepius. Feeling like a nuisance, I decide to shut up. The streets are bustling with ponies and dogs carrying bags and cargo back and forth across the streets to what I'm assuming are other shops. Suddenly, a group of pony children and pups begin to chase each other around me. Perhaps they know I'm new in town? Black Blizzard shoos them off playfully.

"Let's not bother our new guest now, you'll get plenty of chances to play with him alright?"

The children nod, and run off to play elsewhere. That was a quick persona change if I've ever seen one.

We walk for a few minutes, and we finally come up to a house made of bricks and wood in the middle of the other sandstone architecture. Where could they even get the materials around here? They must go out pretty far to find them.

The dog walks up to the wooden door.

"Celestia's crown, may it rule forever." Black Blizzard whispers.

Is that a password? I'll be sure to remember that.

*CLICK*

The doors makes a strange noise, and I can only suspect that it's been unlocked from the inside.

"Come in." He instructs, and I follow.

It's rather dark inside, no windows. There are lamps hanging from the ceiling, but they're not very bright. The smell of smoke sails through my nostrils. Somewhere in the house, a cigarette has been lit. I follow the dog into another room, where a table and seven (7) chairs sit.

And in those chairs, four (4) mares sit silently. The light isn't bright enough to see any details about them. But I know that they're mares, and I know that one of them is smoking.

"Sit." Blizzard says, as he pulls up a seat.

I place my rump on the wooden stool next to his, and a good distance away from the intimidating mares.

"Alright ladies. We have a new recruit on the S.I.R.T."

"S-Sirt?" I ask for an explanation.

And then... A sweet, yet fierce voice comes from the group of mares, "Special Infiltration Recon Team."

Surely they're joking. This sounds so cheesy it's not even funny anymore.

"It's no joke. And if you think it is, you have every right to leave. Although, we might choose to shoot you before you get past the gates." Another voice, a different one this time, comes from the group of mare again.

"Easy Strings. We don't want to scare him just yet." Black Blizzard intervenes.

Just yet?

"What the hell is he supposed to be anyways? What role does he have in our team?" A third voice asks.

"It's too dark in here. Do you mind?" Black Blizzard turns to the mare furthest on my left.

Suddenly I see a horn glow, on the right side of the mares this time. Then, the lamp above the table has a sudden boost in light and the room is illuminated a bit more.

"Ah, I apologize ladies. It's hard to tell ponies apart from just the voices." The dog to my right apologizes-- Wait... There's no longer a dog sitting next to me!

I jump off and away from my seat.

"W-Where did--"

"Hm? Oh, Phooey. It wore off." A black unicorn sits where Black Blizzard should be.

"W-Wore off?"

"Yes. Changeling armour. Developed and sold to us by a traveling changeling a little while ago. I use it to conceal my identity here in Asclepius." The unicorn explains.

I calm down, and sit next to the dog-- Rather, the unicorn.

But now, I can see the four mares in front of my quite clearly. A blue earth pony in a frilly black dress sits on the far left. Next to her is green pegasus who is currently polishing off her glossy revolver. On the pegasus' left, a white unicorn sits with a tiny golden harp on her back. And finally, on the far right end of the table; A skin coloured earth pony sits with her hind legs on the table with five (5) cards held in front of her face. Each pony looks as uninterested as the next.

"Can you four at least show some interest? Or at least pretend to." The black unicorn requests.

"Not a chance. We work fine on our own. Why do we need a male--"

"Sexism isn't going to solve anything. And besides, this young strapping colt has traits from his father that we need." He says.

"My... Dad?" I ask.

The pegasus speaks up, "Don't you see? He doesn't even have a father. I know an orphan when I see one. I've been there kid, don't worry." Her words are comforting, and at the same time, they leave a harsh sting.

"He has a father. We all do. He just hasn't met him yet. And now he can, on our next trip to Caduceus."

"W-What?!" Three of the mares shout, as do I, in synchronization. The mare on the far left remains quiet, but shows a sign of interest in her eyes.

"You're name is Apollo Coronis, and your father is trapped in that so-called 'City of Hope'."

...I'm shocked. I can't move, and so many thoughts are swirling around in my brain like a tornado. He just dumped that on me, he really just did.

"Wait. You don't know who I am! I don't even know who I am!"

"Well you got one more surprise kid, one of the mares in front of you... Is your mother." Black Blizzard keeps piling on the outrageous.

*THWOCK*

A knife pierces the wood of the table, just inches from the edge. It looks like the blade was thrown at Blizzard. And it looks like the marksman was... The pony in the frilly dress? She's the last one I would have expected to do something like that.

"Ah, let me introduce you to the rest of your team, Apollo."

He calls me by a name that sounds so familiar, yet so unknown.

"On the far left, the mare that just tried to kill me, that's Thorns. She deals with... The stealth and surprise aspect of our group."

"Next to her is firearms expert, Dove. Sniper rifles, shotguns, pistols, you name it; she's got it. And she's also trained with it too."

"And the one with the golden piece of noise and racket on her back is Strings. She's the diplomat. Any deals need to be made with someone inside, she's got it handled."

"And finally, the gambler on the right over there is our tactician and leader."

"I thought you were the leader though?" I interrupt.

The earth pony on the right cuts me off and interjects into the conversation, "He's the distraction, and if needed, support. I'm the leader because I'm the one who organized this band of lunatics. I'm the one who sets the one common goal between us in this room. Your father. The name's Ace. Remember it, and address me with it when I give you orders."

Yes sir...

"Now. We head for Caduceus immediately. I don't want to explain the plan twice, so Dove you do it. Since you're the one with the most comfort with him."

Dove turns to Ace, "You little--"

They begin to argue, but Black Blizzard pulls me off to another room.

"You'll need this." He hands me a watch with the word 'MAST' etched into it. "I see you've kept the gun. You can have it, I have more. Now, here's the plan for Caduceus..."

Looks like I'll get more answers than I bargained for. And even more questions than when I started.

But still... Who are these ponies? Four (4) mares who, one of which could potentially be my mother. And my father, he's here in this world too. Maybe it's fate, or a God of some sort smiling upon me with fortune. But where in the world is Misaki and that Timberwolf?

Will I ever get the answers I'm looking for?

But wait, I already have one.

Apollo Coronis...