Escape from Madnessby Templar22ChaptersCH1: Nature WalkCH2: Getting AnswersCH3: Switching TrainsCH4: Train RideCH1: Nature WalkThe pink mare tore down the lonely trail, branches tearing at her face and mane. Songbreeze panted heavily as she desperately tried to pull air into her exhausted lungs. She threw a glance over her shoulder, ensuring the blue stallion was following. The emaciated unicorn was lagging behind. For her trouble Songbreeze received a heavy branch to the nose. Blinking away tears she tried to urge her brother to greater efforts. Noteworthy drew in several shuddering breaths, beads of sweat streaming down his face. He leaned heavily on a tree, gasping for air. “Surely… surely they haven’t discovered I’m gone yet?” As a response the baying of several dogs sounded forth from the trail behind them. Shouts could be heard with the thundering of hooves. Grabbing Noteworthy, Songbreeze started running again. “STOP!” “THERE THEY ARE!” “COURSER! AFTER THEM!” Ignoring the shouts, the pair continued down the trail without slowing. Moonlight shone down on them. Unfortunately, it also shone upon the pale white stallion stepping out of the foliage into the center of the trail. “You’re a pretty thing.” The earth pony said with a crooked smile. Blood was seeping from a multitude of small cuts. “Let’s have some fun boys!” he said with a joyous shout. Several more pale ponies stepped out of the shadows, all of them sharing wicked grins. “Song, get behind me,” said Noteworthy, staggering forward. Most fortunately, that’s when the guards caught up with them. A pegasus in brown leather armor was the first on the scene. Several dogs trailing on the ground behind him. “MADNESS!,” he shouted pointing at the pale strangers. More leather armored guards turned the corner and joined him as he charged the strangers, weapons drawn. “Fresh MEAT my BROTH- gahk!?” a bolt of unicorn magic cutting him off. Even as his body fell, his “brothers” set upon the guards. The two forces clashed all around Songbreeze and Noteworthy. Pale ones attacking with bared teeth and lashing hooves as the guards exercised deadly force. Forgotten in the chaos around her, Song turned to flee. She had barely taken a step when a familiar pale earth pony staggered in front of her. “I still want my fun!” Stepping back with eyes wide, Song attempted to call for help. Nothing but a barely audible squeak issued forth. A squeak that was only heard by a familiar navy blue unicorn. “SONG!” shouted Noteworthy, struggling with a unicorn guard. Wresting the bayonet from the guards horn, he brought it down, butt first, making solid contact with his head. As the guard collapsed, Noteworthy charged to his sister’s aid, dodging tangles of guards and madponies. He pounced, blade held in his mouth. The distracted earth pony didn’t even get a chance to call for help as the Tevachian guard spike found it’s mark. Noteworthy withdrew the blade, only to bring it down again and again on the pale one. Suddenly winded as the adrenaline of battle faded, Noteworthy stumbled away from the slain stallion. Songbreeze looked in shock at her blood spattered brother before he grabbed her and started down the trail. They heard shouts and screams. They didn’t look back. Nor did they stop. As the sounds of battle faded away it was mercifully replaced by the sound of a train whistle. Finally, their destination came into view. Noteworthy glanced at his sister, a question in his eyes as they approached the edge of a large train yard. A bright green pegasus waiting for them. “Good, you made it. I thought they’d caught you.” He said to them. He held up a hoof. “The payment?” Songbreeze withdrew a small pouch from her saddlebag and tossed it to him. Catching it with a small jingle, the rail worker led them into the train yard. There were several trains of all sorts waiting there. Leading them to an old worn out freight hauler, he gestured with an elegant leg before an open cargo car. “Your carriage, madam,” He said with a friendly smile, though whether it was at Song or the bag of coinage was hard to tell. With a nod of thanks, the two fugitives clamored aboard the train as the engine started up. Without another word, the train pony pulled the large wooden doors shut, enshrouding them in darkness. With a small chuckle, the pegasus walked away counting the coins in the purse. “Pleasure doing business with you.” He said, smiling at the coin purse. With another blast of it’s whistle the freight train pulled away from the train yard. Brother and sister lay on the floor of the train car. Noteworthy lay on his back, silently watching his sister. “Songbreeze, I need you to tell me everything…” She levitated a small writing slate she had tucked in her scarf. Where shall I start? “Let’s start with what by the Nine happened to your voice?!” … Long story. “Good thing we have a long ride.” The crimson pegasus stalked down the disturbed trail. Not bothering to slow as he stepped over the corpses of pale ponies and guards alike. His eyes never once leaving the smaller hoof prints that dotted the trail. He came across where the small hoof prints had backed on themselves, just before a dead earth pony with multiple stab wounds. Following the small prints farther down the trail he saw them continue on. Suddenly looking up from the pathway he turned to the few assembled guards. “Losses?” “Two guards KIA and three more wounded Sir.” responded a bright gray unicorn. “Madness losses?” “Eight confirmed kills, and five prisoners. We believe this group to be stragglers from the siege. They could be involved in 2460’s escape.” The pegasus over to where the prisoners were being held by several unicorn guards. Kneeling down to the same level as one of the pale ponies he addressed the group. “What do you know of Noteworthy?” All he received were blank stares. Leaning in close, he brought his armored hoof across a unicorn mare’s face. He felt facial bones crack under the impact. “What do you know!?” The mare barely seemed to register the blow. She turned towards him, an odd half smile spreading across her face. Suddenly, she pursed her lips and sprayed the pegasus with blood and several teeth. He didn’t flinch. Nor did he flinch as he brought his wing, blade affixed across her throat. “SIR! Lieut. Courser has reported that the tracks lead to the train yard. He says he has a suspect in custody. A train worker was found with marked coins.” Stepping away from the prisoners he brought himself face to face with the now trembling silver unicorn. “Idgit! Why did you not inform me sooner!?” spreading his wings he made as if to take off. “Captain Back Track? What of the prisoners?” The captain only paused for a moment before replying as he took off. “I don’t remember seeing any prisoners.” Flying towards the train station, Back Track mused on the level of incompetency he was seeing in the newer recruits. Fool, he should know better than take pale ones prisoner. He heard several distinctive cracks of unicorn bolts. Good, much less paper work. Now to pay this train pony a visit... Author's Note My first chapter, of my first publication. I'm actually pretty satisfied with it, but I still feel like it's missing something. If you fine fillies and gentlecolts see anything wrong with it, whether grammar or story wise. Feel free to let fly with those comments and critiques! CH2: Getting Answers“What happened to your voice? By Celestia, please tell me it’s temporary.” Noteworthy said to the mare sitting across from him. The letters on the slate held by her magical grasp quickly rearranged themselves. I’m afraid it isn’t… Noteworthy leaned back, the news hitting him like a physical blow. “What… what happened to you?” his face suddenly grew fierce. “Did somepony hurt you?!” he started to pull himself up, making as if to go attack the one responsible. He was stopped by a warm pink glow pushing him back against the box where he had been resting. There is nothing you can do about it. In the dim lighting it was difficult to discern whether she was still sweating or had cried a tear or two. Noteworthy leaned his head back, his eyes closed, only to bolt upright again eyes wide. “S-song?! Why… why was I in prison!? Why were they, Courser, even Courser WAS AFTER ME!? What the BUCK!? WHAT IN TARTARTUS HAS HAPPENED!?” Song was at first taken aback and more than a little frightened by his sudden outburst. She quickly brought her slate up, almost in a defensive position as the letters seemed to roll across it’s surface with no real direction. fearscaredpleaselistencalm she took several breaths to regain control as Noteworthy sat staring at her. A hard look in his eyes. “Why the BUCK can I not remember anything!?” he was met with silence, from both Song and her slate. “I can’t remember anything since the- by Faust the siege!? What happened! Did the army finally show up!? Did they break through the shield?” The anger on his face was replaced with concern. “Did they break through the shield?” he asked again. Song looked uncomfortably away before levitating her slate. The shield was broken through. “How… how in Tartarus… how bad was it?” he asked, all signs of anger gone from his face. He felt a strange sensation in his right flank. Ignoring it he continued pressing his sister for details. “How did they break through?”. He grabbed her writing slate and began reading it like a newspaper as words wrote themselves across the surface. Noteworthy… there was a traitor in Cairnhoof. Noteworthy physically flinched as he read that. The feeling in his side became more pronounced with each word he read. He was able to tear a sm-… are you alright? she asked, noticing his growing discomfort. The sensation in his flank had developed into physical pain. Desperate for answers, Noteworthy set his jaw and ignored it, he motioned for her to continue. “Who would betray all of us!? By Monentius, tell me it wasn’t one of the guard!” Before Song could answer, the pain in Noteworthy’s side flared anew. With a grunt, the blue stallion fell to the floor of the train car. “Song!? What in Faust’s name is wrong with me!?” As a response, Songbreeze’s horn flared to life, filling the car with black light. Approaching the downed Noteworthy, she enveloped his head in her magic. As she did so, Noteworthy heard a familiar voice in his head. ”-spells wore off.” “S-song?” Noteworthy managed to get out before his vision tunneled, and the world turned sideways. Captain Back Track sat inspecting his front hooves, his rear hooves up on the desk in front of him. He was humming a happy marching tune to himself, feeling nostalgic for the good ole’ days. Ah, the life of a real soldier. Out in the field, fighting for the glory of the empire. Those were the da- “I already told you I won’t talk!” Back Track was interrupted from his musings by the pegasus bound to a chair seated in front of him, a thin trickle of blood dripping from his nose. Back Track leaned closer to him across the desk. “That remains to be seen.” Getting up from his seat, the crimson pegasus stretched and swept his gaze around the room. “Nice office you have here.” “Oh you can cut that out! Your friend over there already beat me up.” He said as he jerked his head in the direction of Courser, who was standing in a corner. “You’ll have to try harder than the good cop/ bad cop routine.” Walking around the desk, a small smile on his face, Back Track brought himself face to face with the green stallion. “Would you like to know a secret?” he leaned in close, and said in a whisper. “He’s the good cop.” The train pony looked at him, his eyes going wide. “The-the good cop!?” he managed to stammer “B-but tha-” “Yes, that makes me the bad cop.” After looking over the stallion’s various cuts and bruises, Back Track continued. “I assure you, I’ll do worse things than what your co-workers will do when they discover you talked.” The train worker didn’t respond as he mentally weighed his options. Seeing his indecision, Back Track laid a large knife on his desk, stroking it fondly. “I’ll give you a minute to think about it, then we start with your ears.” … “What do you want to know?” asked the trainpony, slumping in his seat. “You will tell me where prisoner 2460, and the mare that aided his escape are headed.” Before the stallion could respond he added “Their final destination, not where that train is headed.” The look on the pony’s face told him that was exactly what he was going to tell him. He didn’t respond at first. Seeing his hesitation, Back Track picked up the knife and walked around the desk. “Canterlot… they’re headed for Canterlot.” “How soon?” Having already betrayed them the train pony saw no reason to continue covering for them. “They’re due to arrive tomorrow after switching trains in Galloptown.” Back Track leaned in closer with the knife. “That’s all I know I swear! They’ll probably be picked up by somepony in Canterlot but I don’t know who I swear!” “Oh, I believe you.” The train pony relaxed slightly. “However, there is still the small matter of you accepting a bribe to aid two criminals escape Tevachia.” The color drained from the green pegasus’s face as he realized what was coming. “Please! Wait! No-no” He struggled against his bonds as Back Track seized him by the lapels of his vest. “You know the law.” He grabbed his left ear. “Let Tevachian justice be served.” With that, he severed a large part of the appendage with one flick of the knife. The stallion screamed as blood ran down the side of his already bruised face in a thin river of crimson. Without bothering to check his handy-work, Back Track turned on his hoof and headed for the door. “Courser, assemble the others, we have to stop them before they cross that border!” Author's Note I assure you future installments will be more regular and better written. This chapter is in fact unedited. (Word of advice to new authors, don't publish unedited stuff) I fully intend to come back at some point and rewrite chapters one and two. CH3: Switching TrainsNoteworthy stood alone in a mist of swirling darkness. He struggled to recall where he was, or how he got there. Taking a few tentative steps into the unknown, Noteworthy was pleased to find the pain in his flank was gone. The smile on his face however, disappeared just as fast as it had come. ”Am I dead?” As a response, a shadowy figure appeared out of the darkness. Striking up his magic, Noteworthy issued his challenge. “Stand and be recognized!” The stranger, his face obscured by the darkness, slowly made his way forward. “I am warning you!” said Noteworthy, his horn aglow. The personage made no sign of stopping, or even slowing. Noteworthy fired a bolt of energy several feet above the on comer’s head. As his horn flashed blue, the blackness suddenly cleared. As if somepony had turned a light on. The stranger was suddenly revealed to Noteworthy, who with a gasp of surprise, disengaged his horn. “Mr. Pen!?” Noteworthy stammered out, taking an involuntary step back. Sure enough, it was the gray whiskered old gentlecolt that kept the library at Cairnhoof. Noteworthy smiled in greeting, Gray Pen however didn’t seem to notice. He just stood there, looking strangely disappointed. Noteworthy quickly closed the gap between them, “What happ-“ His question was cut off by his old friend punching him roughly in the shoulder. Noteworthy jerked back, more in surprise than pain. Gray Pen pulled his foreleg back to strike him again. Instinctively, Noteworthy went down into a half crouch. Recharging his horn. Even as the old stallion prepared to swing at him again, Noteworthy couldn’t bring himself to retaliate against the once kindly librarian. Burning with embarrassment, he turned to flee from the ancient pony. Only to be confronted by a small blue filly, a filly who was looking at him as if he had just stolen her candy. “What the bu-“ She smacked him. Logic failing him, Noteworthy tried to back away, only to walk into Gray Pen, who promptly hit him again. Turning again, trying desperately to find a way out, he found to his horror that he was surrounded by ponies of all ages. All of them wearing that same upset look. He recognized many of them as fellow guard. Several he had seen around the castle, but many more were strangers to him. As they closed in on him, Noteworthy suddenly felt very, very afraid. * * * The rolling grasslands interrupted only by patches of forest slid idly past out the crack in the door of the train car. Song took no notice of the enchanting scenery. She sat staring at the still form of Noteworthy. Her writing slate was tucked back securely in her scarf. The peacefulness of the scene was only interrupted by the two empty glass vials lazily rolling around the floor. After using one on him, her brother had thankfully stopped thrashing about in his sleep. Sighing deeply, she leaned her back against one of the many crates and allowed her mind to drift back towards happier times. She had just sung her first solo, as a member of the Tevachian National Youth choir. She was backstage with several of her friends, when her brother had walked in. It was technically against the rules but nopony seemed to mind, least of all Noteworthy. Supportive as ever he quickly swept her up in a large hug. “Song, you were amazing! Makes me wonder why you need all these backup singers.” He said sweeping one hoof over the whole choir. Several of whom gave him angry glances. “You shameless flatter” However Songbreeze did stand a bit taller with the compliment. “Is Father here?” she asked. Eyes full of hope, she quickly scanned the crowd. “He couldn’t make it Song, I’m sorry.” He never could make it. “Mom would’ve come... do you think she would’ve been pro-“ “Now hold it right there, we both know Mom’s proud of us, you especially.” Noteworthy seemed to realize her ill mood had prevailed. “How about this, I’m heading to basic next week so why not use the last of my bits and have a night out on the town?” “You really mean it?” “Of course, just me and you and that colt in the tenor section you’ve been making eyes at all night.” Song remembered laughing and hitting him in the shoulder. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d really laughed. Come to think of it, Song couldn’t remember the name of that tenor either. Funny how some things begin to feel less important. Song was interrupted from her nostalgia by the train’s sharp whistle, alerting them that they were nearing Galloptown. Loathe to awaken her brother, she began repacking her bag. Making sure to bury the empty vial deep in the bags, she happened to glance out the crack in the door. What she saw had her rousing Noteworthy with a not so gentle shock spell. “A-“ She quickly clamped his mouth shut with her magic. Pulling him towards the wall, she held him up so he could see what she had seen. Outside, standing on the train platform, were at least half a dozen uniformed guards. After he nodded his understanding, Song released him from her magical grasp. She held up her writing slate. ”Stay silent, stay close” Her horn began to glow brighter. Realizing what she meant to do, Noteworthy stepped in and tried to add his own magic to her spell. All he felt was head splitting pain coming from his horn. Falling to his knees, he moved a hoof to his horn. Song quickly stopped him from reaching his forehead with her magic. Shaking her head, she continued with her spell as they heard shouting from outside. With a loud bang, she teleported both of them out of the car. Strangely enough, Noteworthy could’ve sworn he had felt some of his own magic in the spell. * * * “Sergeant! I thought I ordered you to have your men out of uniform!” Back Track said irritably, landing near the platform. Every stallion on the platform suddenly took great interest in the sky, none of them wishing to feel the captain’s wrath. “Now we’ve lost the element of su-“ He was cut off by what appeared to be a small explosion in the train car. …Cursed unicorns “Find them! They couldn’t have gone far.” Back Track split up the guards and soon they were fanned out, searching Galloptown from top to bottom. * * * Sometime later, with the moon still high in the sky, two guards, a unicorn and an earth pony were searching the south western perimeter of Galloptown, conversing in low tones. They nervously glanced around corners and into windows. “Do you think they’re around here Steel?” the earth pony asked his companion. “Doubt it, this place has already been checked… twice.” Replied the unicorn as he opened a dumpster and peered inside. “Well, that train they’re supposed to take leaves any minute now.” The street lamp above them flickered and died. The two stallions instinctively grouped closer together as the darkness closed in on them. “That’s odd, must need more charge,” said Steel sounding more annoyed than scared. He fired a small burst of orange magic into the lamp. Nothing happened. The lamp managed to briefly flicker before going dark again. “Well buck.” A strangled yelp could be heard farther back in the shadows. “What in Tar-…” He suddenly realized he was alone. “Stone? Stone you there?” he inquired of the darkness. Steel’s horn flared to life once more. “Stone, if you’re messing with me I’ll have your hide…” he squinted into the dark of the night. Trying to see through the heavy shadows, He thought he saw movement down an alleyway. The only illumination being the light from his horn, he slowly advanced down the alley. Suddenly a large shadow danced before him. He realized it was his own. Turning a quick 180, the guard found himself face to face with Stone Wall, who was at the moment being choked out by a very desperate looking blue earth pony. Following standard Tevachian guard doctrine, he aimed his horn and offered his ultimatum. “Drop him or I’ll give you a third e-“ A blast of pink energy came out of the shadows like lightning, striking him in his side. He could feel the strength in his legs give out under him. As he fell, the blue stallion under the lamppost released Stone who dropped like a sack of rocks. Mustering his remaining strength, Steel managed to raise his head. The blue stallion didn’t seem to notice as he conversed with a pink mare who stepped out of the shadows. With a snarl of defiance, Steel released a bolt of magic into the air. After flying over the rooftops, it exploded with a loud BANG. “Rot in Tarta-“ he was cut off by another bolt of pink magic to the head. The last thing he heard before blacking out was the blue pony commenting to the one that shot him, “Well, so much for stealth.” * * * “Song we need to move. Now!” The mare in question didn’t move a muscle. She was busy staring at the downed guard lying at her hooves. Noteworthy grabbed her and forced her to look into his eyes. “Song, listen to me, you didn’t kill him. I know a stunner when I see it.” Her mouth moved but no sound came forth. Cursing under his breath, he started physically pulling his sister up the alleyway. ‘We need to move, this place’ll be swarming with guards.” Turning the corner they managed to crash into two such guards. It was unclear as to who was more surprised, but unfortunately for the two hapless guards, Noteworthy had a quicker reaction time. Slamming a hoof to the side of the first guard’s helmeted head, he managed to reduce the second guard’s deadly stab with a short sword into a painful graze. Tripping the guard in the process, Noteworthy continued, thankful that his sister had recovered enough to follow him. Hearing the shouts of more approaching guards he tried to charge up his horn. The head splitting pain ricocheted within his skull. Gasping for breath, he leaned against a wall and put a hoof to his forehead. He ignored the small squeak of protest from behind, and felt around his horn, or where it should have been. He still felt the pain but his mind had gone numb. He suddenly felt a little weak. ”It’s gone?” His horn was gone, and where it should have been there was nothing but a stump a few meager inches tall. Just tapping it sent shockwaves through his head. Brain going into autopilot, he moved once again in the direction of the train. He could see it now, the train, not much farther. Some diluted part of his mind told to just get to the train and all would be made well. Strangely enough that small part of his mind sounded like his sister. “Come on Song! It’s not much farther!” he shouted triumphantly over his shoulder, as he shouldered a guard out of his way. He felt oddly elated, like there was no power in the universe that could stop him. The train wasn’t far at all now. Only a few guards stood in his path. A pink bolt streaked over his shoulder dispatching another oncoming guard. ”Good old Song” Three more guards tried to encircle him. Baring his teeth Noteworthy launched himself at them, all signs of weariness gone. He did however, fail to notice the faint pink aura surrounding him. * * * I over did it. Song thought to herself, as she watched her brother take on half a dozen guards single hooved. She had only meant to inspire him, not send him into a rampage. She fired a bolt at an earth pony trying to swing around her brothers back. * * * Captain Back Track heard the signal blast, though to his ire it was on the other side of town. He, Courser, and two other pegasi had been checking farther down the tracks, in case the fugitives had teleported out of town all together with the intention of getting on the train down rail. Cursing savagely under his breath he turned to the two rank and file pegasi with him. “You stay here with the lieutenant, you’re with me. Lieutenant, if that train makes it past me, stop them at all costs. Understood?” “Yes sir, they won’t get away this time.” “Make sure of it, Courser.” CH4: Train RideThe last of the guards sagged to the floor after receiving a magic bolt courtesy of Song. The stillness of the night once again prevailed, only broken by Noteworthy’s faint panting. He quickly checked over himself, finding to his relief no new wounds. He quickly turned to his sister, who rapidly pulled out her slate again. I’m fine, they didn’t get me. “About time we had some good news, get on the train. I need a second.” As he said that, Noteworthy stooped over one of the downed unicorn guards and began wrenching the bayonet from his horn. Stepping over the limp form he repeated the process on another guard. Song raised an eyebrow in question. “If I can’t have magic, the least I can have is a weapon. One of these is bound to fit.” He fumbled for a bit trying to remove one of the horn spikes. Wiping a hoof across his eyes he stepped back for a moment. He looked down quizzically at his hooves. “What the buck?” Stepping backwards, he managed to trip over one of the downed guards. By the time he had gotten his hooves under him again, Song was by his side helping him towards the train car, which seemed impossibly far away for some reason. She held his small collection of blades in her magical grasp as she supported him all the way to the train car’s door. His legs feeling like jelly, Noteworthy managed to heave himself into the car just as the shriek of the train’s whistle could be heard. He barely managed to crawl over to a crate under his own power. “Song, it’s happening again. Everything’s going fuzzy.” He could feel himself sweating profusely. “It’s okay, Worthy. Just drink.” He could hear his sister’s sweet voice as a vial was pushed to his lips. “Just drink.” “Thanks sis.” He downed the contents of the vial in one quick gulp. “Rest easy.” Song’s melodic voice was very soothing as the welcoming folds of darkness approached from all sides. Somewhere deep in Noteworthy’s mind a spark of a thought came to life. Since when could Song talk? Alarm bells, though dulled, rang out in his head. He struggled to pull himself up, but whatever was happening to him combined with whatever was in that vial had left him weak as a kitten. A soft pink hoof pushed him back with ease. His sister’s glowing horn filled what remained of his vision. “I’m sorry.” Song’s voice bounced around his skull as he blacked out. Again. * * * Back Track landed catlike on the roof of the slow moving train, the other guard landing close by. They were able to move around fairly easily without having to bend over double, seeing as the train was still slowly accelerating. They slowly made their way down the length of the locomotive, ears pressed down to the roof. They knew that any sound they heard from below could only be the fugitives; it was merely a cargo train after all. They had to hurry and check each car before the train crossed the border. Far ahead of them, one of the rearmost cargo cars was faintly glowing with pink magic. “All too easy,” said the captain as he motioned for the other guard to follow him. * * * Song sat busily attending to her once again unconscious brother. She had known the early stages were going to be hard, but she also knew that her brother was resilient and that he would make it. She did a brief recheck of him. The illusion spell she had cast rippled away to reveal the true Noteworthy. She could feel some of the near constant strain on her horn fade away, as she watched the stallion that had only a moment ago been the picture of health degrade to almost nothing but skin, bones, and scars. Scars that were still healing. The fighting had reopened a few of them, and Song tended to these. Wiping a clean rag across several of the deeper cuts she pulled one of her bags closer to her. As she rifled through the bag, her ears perked up as she heard a small noise above her. * * * Back Track put a hoof to his lips, glaring at the offending less than stealthy guard. * * * Song stepped away from her brother, her horn still glowing. She raised her head towards the ceiling, listening intently. * * * The pegasus guard tried as hard as he could to drop his hoof softly. But a small clink could still be heard as his armored hoof came down. * * * Song started firing. * * * Back Track swore savagely as the roof beside him exploded in a spray of magic and splinters. Several similar bolts of energy were released all along the train car. His wingman reared up on his hind legs. “She’s shooting at us! That crazy bi-“ he was cut off mid shout as he was enveloped in a shower of magic and splinters. His limp form slid off the roof before Back Track could stop it, rolling several times as it hit the ground rapidly disappearing in the distance. An ugly snarl on his face Back Track took to the air, trying to get out of range of the magic missiles. Seeing the heavily damaged roof of the car, an idea came to mind. Hopefully he would live to regret it. * * * Noteworthy fought to regain consciousness, though whatever Song had given him was definitely wasn’t helping. That was assuming that was his sister. He wasn’t sure of anything anymore. He remembered Song telling him she was mute… but that didn’t make any sense, she had spoken to him. He could’ve sworn she had… He heard noises, noises coming from outside his mind. That was a good sign right? Him hearing noises meant that he couldn’t be that much out of it. He managed to crack one eye open. What he saw didn’t help him put any pieces together. Song standing in the middle of the car, shooting magic at the ceiling. “S-song?” There was the sound of something thumping down on the roof and sliding off, yet his sister kept firing, completely oblivious to the fact that he was awake. Noteworthy tried to pull himself up, but found he lacked the strength. Song slowly lowered her head, horn no longer glowing. She then noticed the stallion trying desperately to pull himself up. Her mouth opened but no words came out, as she walked over and reached for the slate in her scarf. But before she had a chance to pull it out, a loud crash could be heard from above, as a leather clad crimson bundle tore through the weakened roof. A now-familiar bald head raised itself as Captain Back Track treated them to one of his rare smiles. “I have you now.” * * * Courser and his companion touched down on the train. They were nearing the border and yet the Captain had not appeared with the prisoners. They were arguing over whether or not to break international laws and illegally stop the technically Equestria owned train without a warrant when they saw flashed of pink light far down the train, the dense fog making it hard to make out just what was happening. “Lieutenant, should we assist the captain?” “Aye, let’s go.” Courser responded as they took off towards the rear of the train. * * * Song was panicking. Everything had gone to plan, or at least almost to plan up until this point. Now there was a pegasus guard, a captain no less, in the confines of the train car with them. She suddenly regretted giving Noteworthy the sedative so soon. “You and 2460 are hereby under arrest. Will you come quietly?” he asked, taking note of the unconscious stallion leaning against one of the crates. As a response Song’s horn began to glow again. “I’ll take that as a no.” said Back Track as he quickly drew a hoof blade, strapping it to his foreleg. Song’s horn continued to glow but seemingly no magic came forth. She was concentrating fiercely on casting one last spell. She knew that if she used more magic she would have to dip into her “special” supply, which wouldn’t end well. She also knew there was no way she could fight the famed Captain Back Track, at least not without help. * * * Noteworthy’s drug addled brain was still trying to make sense of the pegasus that seemed to just appear before his sister as he heard his sister’s voice. “Noteworthy, I need you.” He blinked rapidly, attempting to rise again. She needed him. * * * Back Track slowly advanced on the mare, her eyes shut tight in concentration. He didn’t know what she was trying to pull but frankly he didn’t care, whatever it was, he would put a stop to it. “Enough of that horn head.” he stepped closer bringing his blade up in case the pink mare suddenly tried anything. She must be cracked in the head. Back Track mused to himself as he closed the distance between them. * * * “Noteworthy… please, I need you.” Song couldn’t afford to put anymore magic into the spell, other wise she might- Oh No She could feel it happening, the familiar burning beneath her scarf. I Can’t lose control, I can’t, I can’t! * * * The first sign Back Track had that Noteworthy was awake was when, with a bellow of rage, he’d thrown his forelegs around his neck from behind, dragging him to the ground. “Don’t you dare touch my sister!” He snarled into his ear. With a wordless battle cry, Back Track slammed his elbows repeatedly into the stallion behind him, driving the breath from Noteworthy’s lungs. Gasping for air, Noteworthy was forced to release his grip under the captain’s continued assault. They both ended up in a tangled heap, each trying to gain advantage over the other. The captain trying to bring his blade to bear, while Noteworthy tried his hardest to fend him off. Seeing the blade get closer and closer, Noteworthy desperately bucked the pegasus off himself. By the time Noteworthy had gotten to his hooves, the captain was at him again, making wild slashing movements and quick thrusts with the blade fixed to his hoof. Noteworthy gave ground, having no real room to use his own horn mounted blade. As he leapt back to avoid the blade, Noteworthy felt a warm trickle down his momentarily exposed underbelly. He knew he was outmatched, especially in his current state. All his guard training couldn’t compare to the years of experience embodied by his opponent. He needed a change of strategy. He had an idea, a crazy, stupid idea, but surrender was out of the question. The stallion currently trying to kill him was a pegasus, he used his greater flexibility and mobility to his advantage, so Noteworthy was going to take away that advantage. * * * Back Track knew he had them. Whether or not Courser showed up, Back Track knew he could easily handle this personally. The mare most likely trembling in the corner posed little threat to him, and he knew he could easily beat 2460. True, the former guard had put up a valiant effort but it was time to finish this needless fight. To his surprise, Noteworthy was the one who finished it. The captain had forced the blue stallion further and further towards the back of the train car, when suddenly he stood his ground and came in close, almost bear hugging Back Track, attempting to gain control of the knife. ”Fool, that’s the oldest trick in the book.” Back Track thought to himself as instead of fighting against the move, he allowed the stallion’s momentum to carry them both into a stack of crates which promptly crashed down upon them both. However only one was expecting it, and he was also the only one wearing armor. Disentangling himself from the stunned fugitive, he turned to face the mare who wasn’t cowering in the shadows. In fact, she now stood with energy almost dripping off her horn as she released a magical blast which Captain Back Tack had the misfortune of being on the receiving end. “Lower your horn or I’ll-” Whatever threat he was about to make was lost as he took an extraordinarily power bolt of energy straight to the face, throwing him to the back of the car. * * * Courser saw the flash of magic, and quickly went into a dive straight through the hole made by the captain. He landed on his hooves and took the situation in at a glance as his wingman landed next to him. He took note of the downed captain, the slightly moving prone figure beneath several boxes and a familiar pink mare advancing on the Captain, her horn filling the whole car with light. Strangely enough, her saddle bag was also faintly glowing. “Song? Songbreeze is that you?” He and the other pegasus cautiously approached the mare who had stopped just before the captain. “Song?” She turned her head, but when Courser saw her eyes, and he knew they weren’t dealing with the same mare he had once known. Her eyes were pitch black, like twin dark pearls set into her head. Her scarf seemed to be smoldering at the knot, and excess magic dripped from her horn. The other guard took a step forward before Courser could stop him. The spell building in Song’s horn suddenly released itself, and dark lightning lashed out at the two guards before her. Courser found himself experiencing pain, the likes of which he had never known as he and the remaining guard were hurled like ragdolls over her head towards the captain. They had barely picked themselves up before Song hit them again with flickering tendrils of hatred, this time hurling them all bodily through the wall of the car. * * * Noteworthy managed to shove off the largest of the crates pressing down on him, struggling to get up. His mind dully registered the flashes of light and shouts of the guards around him. He looked up and saw his sister standing tall, shocking them all with witch fire. “…You’re not Song.” He felt the enticing folds of darkness pulling him down, and he allowed blissful sleep to take him from the horrid events of the present. Author's Note Sorry for the delay.
CH1: Nature WalkThe pink mare tore down the lonely trail, branches tearing at her face and mane. Songbreeze panted heavily as she desperately tried to pull air into her exhausted lungs. She threw a glance over her shoulder, ensuring the blue stallion was following. The emaciated unicorn was lagging behind. For her trouble Songbreeze received a heavy branch to the nose. Blinking away tears she tried to urge her brother to greater efforts. Noteworthy drew in several shuddering breaths, beads of sweat streaming down his face. He leaned heavily on a tree, gasping for air. “Surely… surely they haven’t discovered I’m gone yet?” As a response the baying of several dogs sounded forth from the trail behind them. Shouts could be heard with the thundering of hooves. Grabbing Noteworthy, Songbreeze started running again. “STOP!” “THERE THEY ARE!” “COURSER! AFTER THEM!” Ignoring the shouts, the pair continued down the trail without slowing. Moonlight shone down on them. Unfortunately, it also shone upon the pale white stallion stepping out of the foliage into the center of the trail. “You’re a pretty thing.” The earth pony said with a crooked smile. Blood was seeping from a multitude of small cuts. “Let’s have some fun boys!” he said with a joyous shout. Several more pale ponies stepped out of the shadows, all of them sharing wicked grins. “Song, get behind me,” said Noteworthy, staggering forward. Most fortunately, that’s when the guards caught up with them. A pegasus in brown leather armor was the first on the scene. Several dogs trailing on the ground behind him. “MADNESS!,” he shouted pointing at the pale strangers. More leather armored guards turned the corner and joined him as he charged the strangers, weapons drawn. “Fresh MEAT my BROTH- gahk!?” a bolt of unicorn magic cutting him off. Even as his body fell, his “brothers” set upon the guards. The two forces clashed all around Songbreeze and Noteworthy. Pale ones attacking with bared teeth and lashing hooves as the guards exercised deadly force. Forgotten in the chaos around her, Song turned to flee. She had barely taken a step when a familiar pale earth pony staggered in front of her. “I still want my fun!” Stepping back with eyes wide, Song attempted to call for help. Nothing but a barely audible squeak issued forth. A squeak that was only heard by a familiar navy blue unicorn. “SONG!” shouted Noteworthy, struggling with a unicorn guard. Wresting the bayonet from the guards horn, he brought it down, butt first, making solid contact with his head. As the guard collapsed, Noteworthy charged to his sister’s aid, dodging tangles of guards and madponies. He pounced, blade held in his mouth. The distracted earth pony didn’t even get a chance to call for help as the Tevachian guard spike found it’s mark. Noteworthy withdrew the blade, only to bring it down again and again on the pale one. Suddenly winded as the adrenaline of battle faded, Noteworthy stumbled away from the slain stallion. Songbreeze looked in shock at her blood spattered brother before he grabbed her and started down the trail. They heard shouts and screams. They didn’t look back. Nor did they stop. As the sounds of battle faded away it was mercifully replaced by the sound of a train whistle. Finally, their destination came into view. Noteworthy glanced at his sister, a question in his eyes as they approached the edge of a large train yard. A bright green pegasus waiting for them. “Good, you made it. I thought they’d caught you.” He said to them. He held up a hoof. “The payment?” Songbreeze withdrew a small pouch from her saddlebag and tossed it to him. Catching it with a small jingle, the rail worker led them into the train yard. There were several trains of all sorts waiting there. Leading them to an old worn out freight hauler, he gestured with an elegant leg before an open cargo car. “Your carriage, madam,” He said with a friendly smile, though whether it was at Song or the bag of coinage was hard to tell. With a nod of thanks, the two fugitives clamored aboard the train as the engine started up. Without another word, the train pony pulled the large wooden doors shut, enshrouding them in darkness. With a small chuckle, the pegasus walked away counting the coins in the purse. “Pleasure doing business with you.” He said, smiling at the coin purse. With another blast of it’s whistle the freight train pulled away from the train yard. Brother and sister lay on the floor of the train car. Noteworthy lay on his back, silently watching his sister. “Songbreeze, I need you to tell me everything…” She levitated a small writing slate she had tucked in her scarf. Where shall I start? “Let’s start with what by the Nine happened to your voice?!” … Long story. “Good thing we have a long ride.” The crimson pegasus stalked down the disturbed trail. Not bothering to slow as he stepped over the corpses of pale ponies and guards alike. His eyes never once leaving the smaller hoof prints that dotted the trail. He came across where the small hoof prints had backed on themselves, just before a dead earth pony with multiple stab wounds. Following the small prints farther down the trail he saw them continue on. Suddenly looking up from the pathway he turned to the few assembled guards. “Losses?” “Two guards KIA and three more wounded Sir.” responded a bright gray unicorn. “Madness losses?” “Eight confirmed kills, and five prisoners. We believe this group to be stragglers from the siege. They could be involved in 2460’s escape.” The pegasus over to where the prisoners were being held by several unicorn guards. Kneeling down to the same level as one of the pale ponies he addressed the group. “What do you know of Noteworthy?” All he received were blank stares. Leaning in close, he brought his armored hoof across a unicorn mare’s face. He felt facial bones crack under the impact. “What do you know!?” The mare barely seemed to register the blow. She turned towards him, an odd half smile spreading across her face. Suddenly, she pursed her lips and sprayed the pegasus with blood and several teeth. He didn’t flinch. Nor did he flinch as he brought his wing, blade affixed across her throat. “SIR! Lieut. Courser has reported that the tracks lead to the train yard. He says he has a suspect in custody. A train worker was found with marked coins.” Stepping away from the prisoners he brought himself face to face with the now trembling silver unicorn. “Idgit! Why did you not inform me sooner!?” spreading his wings he made as if to take off. “Captain Back Track? What of the prisoners?” The captain only paused for a moment before replying as he took off. “I don’t remember seeing any prisoners.” Flying towards the train station, Back Track mused on the level of incompetency he was seeing in the newer recruits. Fool, he should know better than take pale ones prisoner. He heard several distinctive cracks of unicorn bolts. Good, much less paper work. Now to pay this train pony a visit... Author's Note My first chapter, of my first publication. I'm actually pretty satisfied with it, but I still feel like it's missing something. If you fine fillies and gentlecolts see anything wrong with it, whether grammar or story wise. Feel free to let fly with those comments and critiques!
CH2: Getting Answers“What happened to your voice? By Celestia, please tell me it’s temporary.” Noteworthy said to the mare sitting across from him. The letters on the slate held by her magical grasp quickly rearranged themselves. I’m afraid it isn’t… Noteworthy leaned back, the news hitting him like a physical blow. “What… what happened to you?” his face suddenly grew fierce. “Did somepony hurt you?!” he started to pull himself up, making as if to go attack the one responsible. He was stopped by a warm pink glow pushing him back against the box where he had been resting. There is nothing you can do about it. In the dim lighting it was difficult to discern whether she was still sweating or had cried a tear or two. Noteworthy leaned his head back, his eyes closed, only to bolt upright again eyes wide. “S-song?! Why… why was I in prison!? Why were they, Courser, even Courser WAS AFTER ME!? What the BUCK!? WHAT IN TARTARTUS HAS HAPPENED!?” Song was at first taken aback and more than a little frightened by his sudden outburst. She quickly brought her slate up, almost in a defensive position as the letters seemed to roll across it’s surface with no real direction. fearscaredpleaselistencalm she took several breaths to regain control as Noteworthy sat staring at her. A hard look in his eyes. “Why the BUCK can I not remember anything!?” he was met with silence, from both Song and her slate. “I can’t remember anything since the- by Faust the siege!? What happened! Did the army finally show up!? Did they break through the shield?” The anger on his face was replaced with concern. “Did they break through the shield?” he asked again. Song looked uncomfortably away before levitating her slate. The shield was broken through. “How… how in Tartarus… how bad was it?” he asked, all signs of anger gone from his face. He felt a strange sensation in his right flank. Ignoring it he continued pressing his sister for details. “How did they break through?”. He grabbed her writing slate and began reading it like a newspaper as words wrote themselves across the surface. Noteworthy… there was a traitor in Cairnhoof. Noteworthy physically flinched as he read that. The feeling in his side became more pronounced with each word he read. He was able to tear a sm-… are you alright? she asked, noticing his growing discomfort. The sensation in his flank had developed into physical pain. Desperate for answers, Noteworthy set his jaw and ignored it, he motioned for her to continue. “Who would betray all of us!? By Monentius, tell me it wasn’t one of the guard!” Before Song could answer, the pain in Noteworthy’s side flared anew. With a grunt, the blue stallion fell to the floor of the train car. “Song!? What in Faust’s name is wrong with me!?” As a response, Songbreeze’s horn flared to life, filling the car with black light. Approaching the downed Noteworthy, she enveloped his head in her magic. As she did so, Noteworthy heard a familiar voice in his head. ”-spells wore off.” “S-song?” Noteworthy managed to get out before his vision tunneled, and the world turned sideways. Captain Back Track sat inspecting his front hooves, his rear hooves up on the desk in front of him. He was humming a happy marching tune to himself, feeling nostalgic for the good ole’ days. Ah, the life of a real soldier. Out in the field, fighting for the glory of the empire. Those were the da- “I already told you I won’t talk!” Back Track was interrupted from his musings by the pegasus bound to a chair seated in front of him, a thin trickle of blood dripping from his nose. Back Track leaned closer to him across the desk. “That remains to be seen.” Getting up from his seat, the crimson pegasus stretched and swept his gaze around the room. “Nice office you have here.” “Oh you can cut that out! Your friend over there already beat me up.” He said as he jerked his head in the direction of Courser, who was standing in a corner. “You’ll have to try harder than the good cop/ bad cop routine.” Walking around the desk, a small smile on his face, Back Track brought himself face to face with the green stallion. “Would you like to know a secret?” he leaned in close, and said in a whisper. “He’s the good cop.” The train pony looked at him, his eyes going wide. “The-the good cop!?” he managed to stammer “B-but tha-” “Yes, that makes me the bad cop.” After looking over the stallion’s various cuts and bruises, Back Track continued. “I assure you, I’ll do worse things than what your co-workers will do when they discover you talked.” The train worker didn’t respond as he mentally weighed his options. Seeing his indecision, Back Track laid a large knife on his desk, stroking it fondly. “I’ll give you a minute to think about it, then we start with your ears.” … “What do you want to know?” asked the trainpony, slumping in his seat. “You will tell me where prisoner 2460, and the mare that aided his escape are headed.” Before the stallion could respond he added “Their final destination, not where that train is headed.” The look on the pony’s face told him that was exactly what he was going to tell him. He didn’t respond at first. Seeing his hesitation, Back Track picked up the knife and walked around the desk. “Canterlot… they’re headed for Canterlot.” “How soon?” Having already betrayed them the train pony saw no reason to continue covering for them. “They’re due to arrive tomorrow after switching trains in Galloptown.” Back Track leaned in closer with the knife. “That’s all I know I swear! They’ll probably be picked up by somepony in Canterlot but I don’t know who I swear!” “Oh, I believe you.” The train pony relaxed slightly. “However, there is still the small matter of you accepting a bribe to aid two criminals escape Tevachia.” The color drained from the green pegasus’s face as he realized what was coming. “Please! Wait! No-no” He struggled against his bonds as Back Track seized him by the lapels of his vest. “You know the law.” He grabbed his left ear. “Let Tevachian justice be served.” With that, he severed a large part of the appendage with one flick of the knife. The stallion screamed as blood ran down the side of his already bruised face in a thin river of crimson. Without bothering to check his handy-work, Back Track turned on his hoof and headed for the door. “Courser, assemble the others, we have to stop them before they cross that border!” Author's Note I assure you future installments will be more regular and better written. This chapter is in fact unedited. (Word of advice to new authors, don't publish unedited stuff) I fully intend to come back at some point and rewrite chapters one and two.
CH3: Switching TrainsNoteworthy stood alone in a mist of swirling darkness. He struggled to recall where he was, or how he got there. Taking a few tentative steps into the unknown, Noteworthy was pleased to find the pain in his flank was gone. The smile on his face however, disappeared just as fast as it had come. ”Am I dead?” As a response, a shadowy figure appeared out of the darkness. Striking up his magic, Noteworthy issued his challenge. “Stand and be recognized!” The stranger, his face obscured by the darkness, slowly made his way forward. “I am warning you!” said Noteworthy, his horn aglow. The personage made no sign of stopping, or even slowing. Noteworthy fired a bolt of energy several feet above the on comer’s head. As his horn flashed blue, the blackness suddenly cleared. As if somepony had turned a light on. The stranger was suddenly revealed to Noteworthy, who with a gasp of surprise, disengaged his horn. “Mr. Pen!?” Noteworthy stammered out, taking an involuntary step back. Sure enough, it was the gray whiskered old gentlecolt that kept the library at Cairnhoof. Noteworthy smiled in greeting, Gray Pen however didn’t seem to notice. He just stood there, looking strangely disappointed. Noteworthy quickly closed the gap between them, “What happ-“ His question was cut off by his old friend punching him roughly in the shoulder. Noteworthy jerked back, more in surprise than pain. Gray Pen pulled his foreleg back to strike him again. Instinctively, Noteworthy went down into a half crouch. Recharging his horn. Even as the old stallion prepared to swing at him again, Noteworthy couldn’t bring himself to retaliate against the once kindly librarian. Burning with embarrassment, he turned to flee from the ancient pony. Only to be confronted by a small blue filly, a filly who was looking at him as if he had just stolen her candy. “What the bu-“ She smacked him. Logic failing him, Noteworthy tried to back away, only to walk into Gray Pen, who promptly hit him again. Turning again, trying desperately to find a way out, he found to his horror that he was surrounded by ponies of all ages. All of them wearing that same upset look. He recognized many of them as fellow guard. Several he had seen around the castle, but many more were strangers to him. As they closed in on him, Noteworthy suddenly felt very, very afraid. * * * The rolling grasslands interrupted only by patches of forest slid idly past out the crack in the door of the train car. Song took no notice of the enchanting scenery. She sat staring at the still form of Noteworthy. Her writing slate was tucked back securely in her scarf. The peacefulness of the scene was only interrupted by the two empty glass vials lazily rolling around the floor. After using one on him, her brother had thankfully stopped thrashing about in his sleep. Sighing deeply, she leaned her back against one of the many crates and allowed her mind to drift back towards happier times. She had just sung her first solo, as a member of the Tevachian National Youth choir. She was backstage with several of her friends, when her brother had walked in. It was technically against the rules but nopony seemed to mind, least of all Noteworthy. Supportive as ever he quickly swept her up in a large hug. “Song, you were amazing! Makes me wonder why you need all these backup singers.” He said sweeping one hoof over the whole choir. Several of whom gave him angry glances. “You shameless flatter” However Songbreeze did stand a bit taller with the compliment. “Is Father here?” she asked. Eyes full of hope, she quickly scanned the crowd. “He couldn’t make it Song, I’m sorry.” He never could make it. “Mom would’ve come... do you think she would’ve been pro-“ “Now hold it right there, we both know Mom’s proud of us, you especially.” Noteworthy seemed to realize her ill mood had prevailed. “How about this, I’m heading to basic next week so why not use the last of my bits and have a night out on the town?” “You really mean it?” “Of course, just me and you and that colt in the tenor section you’ve been making eyes at all night.” Song remembered laughing and hitting him in the shoulder. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d really laughed. Come to think of it, Song couldn’t remember the name of that tenor either. Funny how some things begin to feel less important. Song was interrupted from her nostalgia by the train’s sharp whistle, alerting them that they were nearing Galloptown. Loathe to awaken her brother, she began repacking her bag. Making sure to bury the empty vial deep in the bags, she happened to glance out the crack in the door. What she saw had her rousing Noteworthy with a not so gentle shock spell. “A-“ She quickly clamped his mouth shut with her magic. Pulling him towards the wall, she held him up so he could see what she had seen. Outside, standing on the train platform, were at least half a dozen uniformed guards. After he nodded his understanding, Song released him from her magical grasp. She held up her writing slate. ”Stay silent, stay close” Her horn began to glow brighter. Realizing what she meant to do, Noteworthy stepped in and tried to add his own magic to her spell. All he felt was head splitting pain coming from his horn. Falling to his knees, he moved a hoof to his horn. Song quickly stopped him from reaching his forehead with her magic. Shaking her head, she continued with her spell as they heard shouting from outside. With a loud bang, she teleported both of them out of the car. Strangely enough, Noteworthy could’ve sworn he had felt some of his own magic in the spell. * * * “Sergeant! I thought I ordered you to have your men out of uniform!” Back Track said irritably, landing near the platform. Every stallion on the platform suddenly took great interest in the sky, none of them wishing to feel the captain’s wrath. “Now we’ve lost the element of su-“ He was cut off by what appeared to be a small explosion in the train car. …Cursed unicorns “Find them! They couldn’t have gone far.” Back Track split up the guards and soon they were fanned out, searching Galloptown from top to bottom. * * * Sometime later, with the moon still high in the sky, two guards, a unicorn and an earth pony were searching the south western perimeter of Galloptown, conversing in low tones. They nervously glanced around corners and into windows. “Do you think they’re around here Steel?” the earth pony asked his companion. “Doubt it, this place has already been checked… twice.” Replied the unicorn as he opened a dumpster and peered inside. “Well, that train they’re supposed to take leaves any minute now.” The street lamp above them flickered and died. The two stallions instinctively grouped closer together as the darkness closed in on them. “That’s odd, must need more charge,” said Steel sounding more annoyed than scared. He fired a small burst of orange magic into the lamp. Nothing happened. The lamp managed to briefly flicker before going dark again. “Well buck.” A strangled yelp could be heard farther back in the shadows. “What in Tar-…” He suddenly realized he was alone. “Stone? Stone you there?” he inquired of the darkness. Steel’s horn flared to life once more. “Stone, if you’re messing with me I’ll have your hide…” he squinted into the dark of the night. Trying to see through the heavy shadows, He thought he saw movement down an alleyway. The only illumination being the light from his horn, he slowly advanced down the alley. Suddenly a large shadow danced before him. He realized it was his own. Turning a quick 180, the guard found himself face to face with Stone Wall, who was at the moment being choked out by a very desperate looking blue earth pony. Following standard Tevachian guard doctrine, he aimed his horn and offered his ultimatum. “Drop him or I’ll give you a third e-“ A blast of pink energy came out of the shadows like lightning, striking him in his side. He could feel the strength in his legs give out under him. As he fell, the blue stallion under the lamppost released Stone who dropped like a sack of rocks. Mustering his remaining strength, Steel managed to raise his head. The blue stallion didn’t seem to notice as he conversed with a pink mare who stepped out of the shadows. With a snarl of defiance, Steel released a bolt of magic into the air. After flying over the rooftops, it exploded with a loud BANG. “Rot in Tarta-“ he was cut off by another bolt of pink magic to the head. The last thing he heard before blacking out was the blue pony commenting to the one that shot him, “Well, so much for stealth.” * * * “Song we need to move. Now!” The mare in question didn’t move a muscle. She was busy staring at the downed guard lying at her hooves. Noteworthy grabbed her and forced her to look into his eyes. “Song, listen to me, you didn’t kill him. I know a stunner when I see it.” Her mouth moved but no sound came forth. Cursing under his breath, he started physically pulling his sister up the alleyway. ‘We need to move, this place’ll be swarming with guards.” Turning the corner they managed to crash into two such guards. It was unclear as to who was more surprised, but unfortunately for the two hapless guards, Noteworthy had a quicker reaction time. Slamming a hoof to the side of the first guard’s helmeted head, he managed to reduce the second guard’s deadly stab with a short sword into a painful graze. Tripping the guard in the process, Noteworthy continued, thankful that his sister had recovered enough to follow him. Hearing the shouts of more approaching guards he tried to charge up his horn. The head splitting pain ricocheted within his skull. Gasping for breath, he leaned against a wall and put a hoof to his forehead. He ignored the small squeak of protest from behind, and felt around his horn, or where it should have been. He still felt the pain but his mind had gone numb. He suddenly felt a little weak. ”It’s gone?” His horn was gone, and where it should have been there was nothing but a stump a few meager inches tall. Just tapping it sent shockwaves through his head. Brain going into autopilot, he moved once again in the direction of the train. He could see it now, the train, not much farther. Some diluted part of his mind told to just get to the train and all would be made well. Strangely enough that small part of his mind sounded like his sister. “Come on Song! It’s not much farther!” he shouted triumphantly over his shoulder, as he shouldered a guard out of his way. He felt oddly elated, like there was no power in the universe that could stop him. The train wasn’t far at all now. Only a few guards stood in his path. A pink bolt streaked over his shoulder dispatching another oncoming guard. ”Good old Song” Three more guards tried to encircle him. Baring his teeth Noteworthy launched himself at them, all signs of weariness gone. He did however, fail to notice the faint pink aura surrounding him. * * * I over did it. Song thought to herself, as she watched her brother take on half a dozen guards single hooved. She had only meant to inspire him, not send him into a rampage. She fired a bolt at an earth pony trying to swing around her brothers back. * * * Captain Back Track heard the signal blast, though to his ire it was on the other side of town. He, Courser, and two other pegasi had been checking farther down the tracks, in case the fugitives had teleported out of town all together with the intention of getting on the train down rail. Cursing savagely under his breath he turned to the two rank and file pegasi with him. “You stay here with the lieutenant, you’re with me. Lieutenant, if that train makes it past me, stop them at all costs. Understood?” “Yes sir, they won’t get away this time.” “Make sure of it, Courser.”
CH4: Train RideThe last of the guards sagged to the floor after receiving a magic bolt courtesy of Song. The stillness of the night once again prevailed, only broken by Noteworthy’s faint panting. He quickly checked over himself, finding to his relief no new wounds. He quickly turned to his sister, who rapidly pulled out her slate again. I’m fine, they didn’t get me. “About time we had some good news, get on the train. I need a second.” As he said that, Noteworthy stooped over one of the downed unicorn guards and began wrenching the bayonet from his horn. Stepping over the limp form he repeated the process on another guard. Song raised an eyebrow in question. “If I can’t have magic, the least I can have is a weapon. One of these is bound to fit.” He fumbled for a bit trying to remove one of the horn spikes. Wiping a hoof across his eyes he stepped back for a moment. He looked down quizzically at his hooves. “What the buck?” Stepping backwards, he managed to trip over one of the downed guards. By the time he had gotten his hooves under him again, Song was by his side helping him towards the train car, which seemed impossibly far away for some reason. She held his small collection of blades in her magical grasp as she supported him all the way to the train car’s door. His legs feeling like jelly, Noteworthy managed to heave himself into the car just as the shriek of the train’s whistle could be heard. He barely managed to crawl over to a crate under his own power. “Song, it’s happening again. Everything’s going fuzzy.” He could feel himself sweating profusely. “It’s okay, Worthy. Just drink.” He could hear his sister’s sweet voice as a vial was pushed to his lips. “Just drink.” “Thanks sis.” He downed the contents of the vial in one quick gulp. “Rest easy.” Song’s melodic voice was very soothing as the welcoming folds of darkness approached from all sides. Somewhere deep in Noteworthy’s mind a spark of a thought came to life. Since when could Song talk? Alarm bells, though dulled, rang out in his head. He struggled to pull himself up, but whatever was happening to him combined with whatever was in that vial had left him weak as a kitten. A soft pink hoof pushed him back with ease. His sister’s glowing horn filled what remained of his vision. “I’m sorry.” Song’s voice bounced around his skull as he blacked out. Again. * * * Back Track landed catlike on the roof of the slow moving train, the other guard landing close by. They were able to move around fairly easily without having to bend over double, seeing as the train was still slowly accelerating. They slowly made their way down the length of the locomotive, ears pressed down to the roof. They knew that any sound they heard from below could only be the fugitives; it was merely a cargo train after all. They had to hurry and check each car before the train crossed the border. Far ahead of them, one of the rearmost cargo cars was faintly glowing with pink magic. “All too easy,” said the captain as he motioned for the other guard to follow him. * * * Song sat busily attending to her once again unconscious brother. She had known the early stages were going to be hard, but she also knew that her brother was resilient and that he would make it. She did a brief recheck of him. The illusion spell she had cast rippled away to reveal the true Noteworthy. She could feel some of the near constant strain on her horn fade away, as she watched the stallion that had only a moment ago been the picture of health degrade to almost nothing but skin, bones, and scars. Scars that were still healing. The fighting had reopened a few of them, and Song tended to these. Wiping a clean rag across several of the deeper cuts she pulled one of her bags closer to her. As she rifled through the bag, her ears perked up as she heard a small noise above her. * * * Back Track put a hoof to his lips, glaring at the offending less than stealthy guard. * * * Song stepped away from her brother, her horn still glowing. She raised her head towards the ceiling, listening intently. * * * The pegasus guard tried as hard as he could to drop his hoof softly. But a small clink could still be heard as his armored hoof came down. * * * Song started firing. * * * Back Track swore savagely as the roof beside him exploded in a spray of magic and splinters. Several similar bolts of energy were released all along the train car. His wingman reared up on his hind legs. “She’s shooting at us! That crazy bi-“ he was cut off mid shout as he was enveloped in a shower of magic and splinters. His limp form slid off the roof before Back Track could stop it, rolling several times as it hit the ground rapidly disappearing in the distance. An ugly snarl on his face Back Track took to the air, trying to get out of range of the magic missiles. Seeing the heavily damaged roof of the car, an idea came to mind. Hopefully he would live to regret it. * * * Noteworthy fought to regain consciousness, though whatever Song had given him was definitely wasn’t helping. That was assuming that was his sister. He wasn’t sure of anything anymore. He remembered Song telling him she was mute… but that didn’t make any sense, she had spoken to him. He could’ve sworn she had… He heard noises, noises coming from outside his mind. That was a good sign right? Him hearing noises meant that he couldn’t be that much out of it. He managed to crack one eye open. What he saw didn’t help him put any pieces together. Song standing in the middle of the car, shooting magic at the ceiling. “S-song?” There was the sound of something thumping down on the roof and sliding off, yet his sister kept firing, completely oblivious to the fact that he was awake. Noteworthy tried to pull himself up, but found he lacked the strength. Song slowly lowered her head, horn no longer glowing. She then noticed the stallion trying desperately to pull himself up. Her mouth opened but no words came out, as she walked over and reached for the slate in her scarf. But before she had a chance to pull it out, a loud crash could be heard from above, as a leather clad crimson bundle tore through the weakened roof. A now-familiar bald head raised itself as Captain Back Track treated them to one of his rare smiles. “I have you now.” * * * Courser and his companion touched down on the train. They were nearing the border and yet the Captain had not appeared with the prisoners. They were arguing over whether or not to break international laws and illegally stop the technically Equestria owned train without a warrant when they saw flashed of pink light far down the train, the dense fog making it hard to make out just what was happening. “Lieutenant, should we assist the captain?” “Aye, let’s go.” Courser responded as they took off towards the rear of the train. * * * Song was panicking. Everything had gone to plan, or at least almost to plan up until this point. Now there was a pegasus guard, a captain no less, in the confines of the train car with them. She suddenly regretted giving Noteworthy the sedative so soon. “You and 2460 are hereby under arrest. Will you come quietly?” he asked, taking note of the unconscious stallion leaning against one of the crates. As a response Song’s horn began to glow again. “I’ll take that as a no.” said Back Track as he quickly drew a hoof blade, strapping it to his foreleg. Song’s horn continued to glow but seemingly no magic came forth. She was concentrating fiercely on casting one last spell. She knew that if she used more magic she would have to dip into her “special” supply, which wouldn’t end well. She also knew there was no way she could fight the famed Captain Back Track, at least not without help. * * * Noteworthy’s drug addled brain was still trying to make sense of the pegasus that seemed to just appear before his sister as he heard his sister’s voice. “Noteworthy, I need you.” He blinked rapidly, attempting to rise again. She needed him. * * * Back Track slowly advanced on the mare, her eyes shut tight in concentration. He didn’t know what she was trying to pull but frankly he didn’t care, whatever it was, he would put a stop to it. “Enough of that horn head.” he stepped closer bringing his blade up in case the pink mare suddenly tried anything. She must be cracked in the head. Back Track mused to himself as he closed the distance between them. * * * “Noteworthy… please, I need you.” Song couldn’t afford to put anymore magic into the spell, other wise she might- Oh No She could feel it happening, the familiar burning beneath her scarf. I Can’t lose control, I can’t, I can’t! * * * The first sign Back Track had that Noteworthy was awake was when, with a bellow of rage, he’d thrown his forelegs around his neck from behind, dragging him to the ground. “Don’t you dare touch my sister!” He snarled into his ear. With a wordless battle cry, Back Track slammed his elbows repeatedly into the stallion behind him, driving the breath from Noteworthy’s lungs. Gasping for air, Noteworthy was forced to release his grip under the captain’s continued assault. They both ended up in a tangled heap, each trying to gain advantage over the other. The captain trying to bring his blade to bear, while Noteworthy tried his hardest to fend him off. Seeing the blade get closer and closer, Noteworthy desperately bucked the pegasus off himself. By the time Noteworthy had gotten to his hooves, the captain was at him again, making wild slashing movements and quick thrusts with the blade fixed to his hoof. Noteworthy gave ground, having no real room to use his own horn mounted blade. As he leapt back to avoid the blade, Noteworthy felt a warm trickle down his momentarily exposed underbelly. He knew he was outmatched, especially in his current state. All his guard training couldn’t compare to the years of experience embodied by his opponent. He needed a change of strategy. He had an idea, a crazy, stupid idea, but surrender was out of the question. The stallion currently trying to kill him was a pegasus, he used his greater flexibility and mobility to his advantage, so Noteworthy was going to take away that advantage. * * * Back Track knew he had them. Whether or not Courser showed up, Back Track knew he could easily handle this personally. The mare most likely trembling in the corner posed little threat to him, and he knew he could easily beat 2460. True, the former guard had put up a valiant effort but it was time to finish this needless fight. To his surprise, Noteworthy was the one who finished it. The captain had forced the blue stallion further and further towards the back of the train car, when suddenly he stood his ground and came in close, almost bear hugging Back Track, attempting to gain control of the knife. ”Fool, that’s the oldest trick in the book.” Back Track thought to himself as instead of fighting against the move, he allowed the stallion’s momentum to carry them both into a stack of crates which promptly crashed down upon them both. However only one was expecting it, and he was also the only one wearing armor. Disentangling himself from the stunned fugitive, he turned to face the mare who wasn’t cowering in the shadows. In fact, she now stood with energy almost dripping off her horn as she released a magical blast which Captain Back Tack had the misfortune of being on the receiving end. “Lower your horn or I’ll-” Whatever threat he was about to make was lost as he took an extraordinarily power bolt of energy straight to the face, throwing him to the back of the car. * * * Courser saw the flash of magic, and quickly went into a dive straight through the hole made by the captain. He landed on his hooves and took the situation in at a glance as his wingman landed next to him. He took note of the downed captain, the slightly moving prone figure beneath several boxes and a familiar pink mare advancing on the Captain, her horn filling the whole car with light. Strangely enough, her saddle bag was also faintly glowing. “Song? Songbreeze is that you?” He and the other pegasus cautiously approached the mare who had stopped just before the captain. “Song?” She turned her head, but when Courser saw her eyes, and he knew they weren’t dealing with the same mare he had once known. Her eyes were pitch black, like twin dark pearls set into her head. Her scarf seemed to be smoldering at the knot, and excess magic dripped from her horn. The other guard took a step forward before Courser could stop him. The spell building in Song’s horn suddenly released itself, and dark lightning lashed out at the two guards before her. Courser found himself experiencing pain, the likes of which he had never known as he and the remaining guard were hurled like ragdolls over her head towards the captain. They had barely picked themselves up before Song hit them again with flickering tendrils of hatred, this time hurling them all bodily through the wall of the car. * * * Noteworthy managed to shove off the largest of the crates pressing down on him, struggling to get up. His mind dully registered the flashes of light and shouts of the guards around him. He looked up and saw his sister standing tall, shocking them all with witch fire. “…You’re not Song.” He felt the enticing folds of darkness pulling him down, and he allowed blissful sleep to take him from the horrid events of the present. Author's Note Sorry for the delay.
