Chapters YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
"Are you familiar with The Golden Horseshoe?" Princess Celestia asked.
"No." Simon responded
"It is an artifact of Equestrian mythology. It holds immeasurable power. Enough to destroy an army, or give it life."
"Life?" Jesse asked.
"Yes. It is said to have legendary healing abilities. Enough to even bring back the dead. But it is just a legend."
"Are you sure?" Simon asked, "They called Bigfoot a legend, and now he's a national attraction!"
"Bigfoot?" Celestia asked.
"Nevermind. Continue with the Golden Horseshoe."
"Well, it was believed to be only a legend, until Howard Carter discovered evidence of the Horseshoe's resurrection abilities. He believes that the legend could exist, somewhere lost in the Wilderness of Equestria. If you could find it, it could bring life to your friend."
Simon was overjoyed at this second chance to save his friend's life. "Where do we start?" He asked.
"That's the problem." Celestia continued, "Carter spent the rest of his life searching for the Horseshoe, but disappeared a few year later. We found his journal, which described him nearly finding it, but it was nowhere to be seen. We don't know the exact location of the Horseshoe, but I would suggest Neighagara falls."
"Where's that?" Simon asked.
"I can arrange a private airship ride, mister Lane. And Mister Cox. Are you in?"
Jesse thought it over, "Sure, we're in. But we'll need backup."
"How do you plan to get backup?" Simon asked.
"You see," Jesse said, "When I landed, I landed with my laptop. It should still be where I fell; if we can get it, we can call in backup."
********
The twelve (Simon, Jesse, Sjin, Rainbow, Pinkie, AJ, Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle) Ventured to the city center, and searched for the Laptop. But it was nowhere to be found. They searched under rocks, in tall grass, but it was nowhere.
"Where could it be?" Jesse asked.
"Are you sure you landed here?" Rarity questioned.
"Positive." he confirmed, "Right here." he pointed to the spot on the ground where he first impacted.
He could see the discoloration of the grass where the laptop must've landed, but it wasn't there. There was only one explanation:
It was stolen.
"If we're going on this quest," Jesse said, "We'll need the backup the laptop will bring."
"Then we have to find it." Sjin said.
"Precisely." Jesse replied, "Twilight. Any ideas?"
"Well," Twilight said, "I can only think of one pony with a lust of technology in Ponyville. He's a newcomer, who arrived about the same time Simon did, actually."
"What's his name?" Sjin asked.
"Everypony calls him Silvertongue." Twilight explained.
"Where can we find him?" Simon asked.
"Follow me." Twilight galloped away, the eleven other in tow.
********
Silvertongue stood there, in his dimly lit house, staring at his wall of monitors. He clacked away on his newly found laptop, trying to break into it and decipher the secrets it held.
His hacking was legendary, and it took him no more than a few minutes to bypass Jesse's password and enter his computer documents. Each and every one appeared on the screens, and he slowly collected everything there was to know about Jesse Cox. It would help him immensely on his mission.
And then he found it: the jackpot. The JLC.Une file. he opened it, and it came up with every known fact about Jesse Louis Cox. His age, Place of Birth, strengths, weaknesses, greatest fears, everything.
Silvertongue couldn't help laughing maniacally as he devised many ways to destroy him. And then he noticed his YouTube Connection.
He found every one of his YouTuber friends, and through the magic of technology, got each of there .Une files. SRL.Une, JHB.Une, etc. And he found out everything there was to know about Jesse Cox and his friends.
He had served his master well, and now was the time to contact him. But video connection was impossible. He would just have to visit him in person. He dragged every .Une file onto his jump-drive, put it in his saddlebag, exited every open page, (Over 300 pages), and prepared to leave.
He flung the saddle over his back, and opened the door, ready to meet his master. Then he was faced with the nine ponies and three humans coming for Jesse laptop. He recognized each and every one from there .Une files, and quickly shut the door. If they discovered what he had done, his master would kill him for sure.
There was a clanging on the door as Jesse knocked rigorously. "Hey!" He shouted, "Open up, thief!"
They knew it was him who stole the laptop. It wouldn't take them very long to get in, so Silvertongue devised a plan.
He hooked up his smoke machines to a trip wire, and laid it a few inches above the bottom of the door. Then, he galloped backward, and pressed the button to unlock the large metal bar holding the door closed.
The door swung open, breaking the wire, and turning on the smoke machines. they spewed smoke at the twelve, and blinded them. Silvertongue then broke through the confusion, and galloped away from the house. He had escaped.
When the smoke cleared, Silvertongue was nowhere to be found.
"He must've gotten past us in the smoke!" Sjin said, "Where did he go?"
Simon turned, and saw the silver and grey pony galloping away, "There!" He pointed, "Trying to leave town!"
Rainbow Dash took off in pursuit, saying, "I've got this punk."
The rest now searched the massive stockpile of electronics for Jesse's laptop.
It was massive. The biggest collection of technology Jesse had ever seen. It had everything. iPhones, laptops, Surface Tablets, Supercomputers, Amplifiers, everything.
Then they found the wall of monitors, and connected to it, Jesse's Laptop.
"Finally." Jesse said, yanking it from the cords, "Time to call in the cavalry."
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Silvertongue was already out of town before Rainbow Dash caught up to him, tackling him to the ground. He rolled, his saddlebags flying off down the road, opening, and throwing his Jump-drive an extra few yards. He would get it, but he was pinned by Rainbow Dash.
The Pegasus saw the open saddlebags, and flew to them to investigate.
Silvertongue grabbed her tail before she could get very far, throwing her into the ground. He climbed over her, as she tried to reach for the saddlebag, but in doing so, pushed it a few more feet away. Silvertongue got over her head, and tried to gallop to them, but not before Rainbow recovered and flew up behind him, throwing him far in front.
He landed right in front of his Jump-Drive. He tried to grab it, but he just wasn't close enough. He tried inching a few inches forward as Rainbow checked the saddlebags for anything else, but he just couldn't get close enough without pushing it a little further.
He finally grabbed it, just before Rainbow threw the saddlebags down. She noticed him with it, and tackled him, knocking it out of his grip. She grabbed it in her mouth, and was about to fly off, when Silvertongue wrapped his hooves around her neck, and threw her to the ground. The drive slipped out of her mouth, and a few more feet down the road.
It was a shoving match, trying to see who would get there first. Until Silvertongue noticed Rainbow's advantage: Her Wings.
He tried to even the plating field by gripping one of the wings tightly in his mouth, which made Rainbow cringe, but did nothing.
She got ahead, and grabbed the Jump-Drive for herself. But as ever, Silvertongue was never far behind. This time, He tackled her by the wing, and gripped it down to the ground with his elbow. He grabbed the end of the wing, and bent it upward toward himself until he heard a crack, and a howl in pain from Rainbow Dash, dropping the drive.
He grabbed it once more, and galloped off, leaving the wounded Rainbow Dash.
********
Jesse had retired to the library, clacking at his keyboard. Then he had a problem. "Twilight," He asked, "Do you have an internet connection here?"
"No," Twilight said, "It's just a giant tree. But I know Silvertongue had some wireless modems. I can send Applejack to get them for you."
"I'd be obliged." AJ said.
"Thanks, Applejack." Jesse complimented.
"No problem, Jesse." She replied as she galloped off, back to Silvertongue's house.
"So, Jesse," Simon asked, "What's the plan again?"
"If I can upload a YouTube video, send out a Tweet, and Update my Facebook, I should be able to call the grand pantheon of YouTube Glory to our aid. Not to mention, the army of the Space Butterfly."
"Why do we need so many people?" Sjin asked.
"We'll need a force to cover our tracks. If anyone finds out what we're doing, trying to resurrect a terrorist, they'll be on us like that *Snap*, and we'll need some soldiers."
"Don't you think an army would draw a bit of attention?" Asked Rarity, "Especially when it's made up of a species not very common in Equestria?"
"A giveaway or not," Jesse said, "We'll need an army. And who better than that of the Space Butterfly?"
"Butterfly?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yes, the Space Butterfly, dreamer of reality, and god of all things." Jesse explained, "It should be a full-blown religion by now back on Earth."
"I doubt it," Simon critiqued.
Applejack returned, a Modem and several cords in her mouth.
And then began the process of hooking it up.
********
Silvertongue was deep in the Everfree forest when he finally found it: the only place in Equestria where he could contact his master: the Altar of Benedictus.
Benedictus LeDark was a pony who ventured into the then called Fortooth forest, and established the pre-second-century civilization of Everfree. During the Third war, though, the capital city of Nureth was demolished, and the country fell apart. But not before the ponies of Everfree constructed a massive altar to their founder, Benedictus LeDark.
Though most of the Altar was destroyed by Equestrians and time, the only part Silvertongue wanted was the Gateway of Nureth. This arch was the only way to travel between his world, and that of his master's.
Swallowing his nerves, Silvertongue stepped through the Gateway, and was sucked into a vortex.
A few minutes later, he was thrown into an iron hallway. He looked down at his hands. He was comfortable with his human form, since he used it every week or two to communicate with his master. He got up, picked the Jump-Drive off the ground, and brought it with him to his Master's Office.
He knocked on the door, and was welcomed inside by his dark master. "Hello, Silvertongue," Doctor Sriviramen greeted, "I sincerely hope you accomplished your mission... for your sake."
"Y-yes, sir." Silvertongue nervously said, handing the Jump-Drive to him. Sriviramen plugged it into his laptop, and soon, all the .Une files were present.
"Well done, Silvertongue," Sriviramen said, "You have not failed your master."
"T-thank you, sir."
"However, you did draw too much unnecessary attention to yourself. Not to mention the fact that you let our Technology Outpost fall into the hands of those... rebels."
"I-I'm sincerely sorry, sir. I did the best I could, I-it just..."
Sriviramen covered his kronie's mouth with his hand, and said, "Sorry doesn't cut it, Silvertongue. Either you repay your debt, and retake the outpost, or you pay the ultimate price." He pulled a knife from his lab coat, and held it against Silvertongue's throat.
"I-I can do anything, sir, just please, let me live."
Sriviramen threw his minion to the floor, and stepped on his back, "Then take back the outpost. At all costs."
"H-how?" Silvertongue asked, "I-I'm only one pony."
Sriviramen leaned down and said, "I can give you an army. An army of the Damned. They will follow you to hell if it mean pleasing their master. Much like yourself. Will you take the outpost back?"
"Y-yes, sir." Silvertongue promised.
"Then," Sriviramen said, "Get to work."
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Silvertongue promptly departed, not wishing to stay any closer to his psychotic master. He wondered what sort of army Sriviramen had assembled, but an army of the damned sounded good.
He went through the Interdimensional portal, and wound up back at the Altar of Benedictus. But this time, there was a pony standing before him. One with a brown coat, and head and mane shadowed by a dark cloak.
"Mister Silvertongue?" The Stallion asked in a dark, mysterious voice.
"Yes. You are?"
"Names mean nothing." The pony replied with haste, "All you need to know is that I'm a friend."
"A friend, eh?" Silvertongue said, "I'm sorry, sir, I'm in no need for a friend at the moment."
"I beg to differ, Silver." He said, blocking his path as he tried to escape, "You and me, we're one in the same. The doctor has sent me."
"Why?" Silvertongue asked, backing up.
"To bring you your army." the mystery stallion said.
"Well, then, by all means, lead the way." Silvertongue encouraged.
"As you wish." And with that, the cloaked pony turned, and trotted away from the altar, Silvertongue not close behind.
********
After hours of clacking on his keyboard and speaking to it, Jesse finally showed the final product to his companions. It was a YouTube video, entitled:
YouTubers Unite!
Jesse pressed the spacebar key, and the video played.
"Hello there everybody, it's Jesse," he said, "As you can see, this isn't my home. No. It's quite a long story. You see, I came to this alternate universe through a portal in a Minecraft Server, of which the IP is below. It teleported me here, where I was brought in by these friendly ponies. But I need an army. An army to defend this peaceful race, and to revive my fallen friends, Lewis and Sips of the Yogscast. If you are willing to help, grab anything in your house that can be used as a rudimentary weapon, and enter the portal. We'll be expecting you, Army of the Space Butterfly. "
"Wow," Simon said, "That's great, Jesse!"
"Thanks!"
"How many people do you think will answer?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, hundreds. Thousands , even, if we're lucky."
"Thousands?!" Fluttershy gasped and hid under the podium in the library, "I don't know if I can talk to thousands of people."
"Oh, Fluttershy," Sjin chimed in, "I'm sure it'll be fine. They won't be able to keep their hands off of you!"
"That's what I'm afraid of." Fluttershy commented.
"That being besides the point," Simon continued, "When is it going up?"
"In about two hours. The internet here is awful." Jesse answered.
"Well, pardon me ," AJ said, "But I didn't see any of you gettin' off yer human rears to help!"
"Sorry," Jesse said, "But you seemed to have had it handled."
"Well, I can tell you one thing:" Applejack said, "If Rainbow were here, she'd have helped. She's loyal like that."
Simon now thought through his head everypony in the room. Pinkie, Rarity, and the Fillies had gone home, but still Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen. "Where is Rainbow, anyway?"
Everypony looked around the room, looking for their Cyan friend. "I-I'm not sure." Twilight said, "She went after Silvertongue, but hasn't come back yet."
"Well, then," Simon said, "We'll have to find her!"
********
As a matter of fact, Rainbow Dash was laying in pain on the path through the forest. Her wing stabbed her with a dagger of agony every time she tried to move, and she feared it may have been broken. She slowly, surely, and painfully crawled down the road, inch by inch, steadily getting closer... and closer... and closer to Ponyville.
She felt another stab of trauma as she snapped her neck to the skies, scanning the black and starry night for her house. But she could hardly see the stars themselves. She knew sleep was coming on, but she couldn't let it. If she slept, she would die. She knew it.
She desperately hoped somepony, or someone, would come to her aid. Jesse, Sjin, even Simon, would be enough to save her. But she saw no signs of any help coming anytime soon.
This wasn't her first injury. She had broken her wing before. Twice, in fact, but this time it hurt more than ever. There was the time her flying exercise went wrong, and she collided with the Earth at about 120 miles an hour, And then the time she was trapped in Ghastly Gorge. It was always her right wing. This one was, too. She looked to her side, expecting to see a vile, and crooked wing.
But what she saw was much wore worrying: There was a massive clearing just past the trees to her right, and it was steadily becoming darker, and darker. A wall of shadows was slowly closing in on the Pegasus, but she shook herself awake, in a desperate feud to fight off sleep, and looked again.
The darkness had fled, but it was still coming closer by the second. She looked to the skies once more, pain striking her as she did so. The stars were hardly visible now. Shame. They were her only comfort in a steadily darkening world.
She looked forward, trying to scan the horizon for her friends, and her vision shortened even further. Darkness soon overtook Ponyville, then the tree line, then the road, and finally, the darkness closed in on her, her eyes shut, and she was taken by the bliss of sleep.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
And so, they left.
Led by the twelve ponies and humans, the Space Yoggerfly army left from Ponyville, moving north. They exited the gate, and travelled to the outcropping. But it was still very far away -according to Sjin, about three days away- and they were exhausted after the first day.
Canterlot shimmered with the setting sun. When the amber glow descended under the mountains, the lowlands were plunged into darkness, while the light still exploded from the great mountain-set city. They made camp about a third of the way to the mountain, and some conversation started.
"Hey, Simon," Came a little voice as the Brit was pitching a tent.
Simon turned to find little Apple Bloom, one of the first ponies he had ever met in this world, looking up at him inquisitively. "Yes, Apple Bloom?" He asked.
"About what happened at the castle a few days ago..."
"Yes?"
"It's just been so busy since then, that I haven't been able to tell you..."
'What?"
"That thing with you..." She looked at the metal brace on his back, which crept over his shoulder and glinted, "When Lewis shot you... and you died for a bit... It really tore us apart."
"Us?" Simon asked.
"Yeah. Me, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. We were just... It tore us apart to see you like that."
"Why?"
"Because! You are our friend, and we really care about you. It's hard to see a friend like that; so hurt."
Simon could see tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Apple Bloom." He knelt down to her level, "I really hate to do things like that. To my mates, and to the people I care about."
Apple bloom charged at him, and Simon caught her in his arms. He hugged her as she cried, and he whispered, "I'm sorry. I really am."
"I know you are, Simon." she wheezed out between sobs.
Simon continued to hug her as he stroked her hair.
********
Simon thought more and more about what Apple Bloom had said, and he had begun to realize something: He had changed. After the castle, he had changed. He lay in his makeshift bed, the straw not causing him any discomfort as his spine brace protected his skin. Inside the tent he had pitched, it was no warmer, nor cooler. It was a bit darker, but holes in the roof from where some of the Yognau(gh)ts were not very bright gave the moon time to shine through; Luna had been generous, and had gifted them the most beautiful moon he had seen in all his time since arriving in Equestria. How long had it been?
It had been two months from the Canterlot Battle to the funeral, and three or four days since then. Before the castle, he had only been around what, two, maybe three days? It hadn't been long at all, but it didn't take long to change. In those few months between his friends death and his eulogy, Simon hadn't really been social or public. Sjin hadn't been either, and Jesse was still trying to figure out where exactly he was.
Apple Bloom had persuaded Simon to stay at Sweet Apple Acres until the funeral, and he had worked his little British bum down to the core picking apples off trees. He could only imagine what work would be like on apple bucking day.
And there he realized it again: He had changed. He was Simon Lane, dammit! He wasn't an Apple Farmer, he wasn't a general, and he damn sure wasn't a hero. He was an averagely funny, slightly overweight, forty-or-so year old man from London, who made Minecraft and WoW videos for short attention span children on YouTube. That was who he was, not... this.
He heard himself audibly sighing as he grit his teeth, knowing this wasn't where he belonged. They didn't need him, they needed someone who was used to being in charge. They needed Lewis, for god's sake, not him! But... Lewis was dead. He was dead, and Simon was all they had. Oh, for god's sake, if only he were still around. He would help. He would offer advice, he'd take work off his mate's hands, he would lead, not-
"Simon?" Came a voice from outside the tent, as a little orange head popped through. "I heard you mumbling and talking to yourself. Something wrong?"
Simon sat up on his straw mat as he realized he must've started talking at some point. What she had heard, though, he had no clue. "No, Scootaloo, everything's fine."
"You sure?" She asked, concern in her face.
"I'm sure," Simon said, feigning a smile as best he could. What, with all the conventions he went to, and all the people he'd met there, he was used to faking happiness.
Scootaloo, still a little uneased, backed out slowly after saying, "Alright, Simon. Good night."
"Good night to you, too, little scoots." When she had left, Simon realized that there was something wrong. He was wrong. Everything he had done up until this point had been wrong. He should never have faced Lewis, gotten this massive wound. He should never have gone through the portal. He should never have let Lewis fall to mind control, to who knows who!?
Wait a minute...
Maybe he did know who was behind the mind control.
After all, the grimness, the talks about destiny, the gruesomeness yet the technological advancements of the mind control pointed to one and only one man. Simon forced his hand to his forehead, with an audible slap, ashamed with himself for not seeing it before:
Sriviramen .
Of COURSE it was Sriviramen. The crazed scientist had been talking about death for months. He had even killed most of the testificate staff! If any dark force were behind Lewis, it had to be him. Suddenly, Simon was renewed. He had found the man who had really taken Lewis' life. If only he could get back to their Minecraft world, he could exact revenge.
He got up, determined. He knew he wasn't fit for the camp, nor fighting a mastermind like Sriviramen, but he had a duty: A duty to avenge his friend's death. He had to leave. Quickly, he found some parchment and a quill. He started writing a letter. Once it had been finished, he signed it off, rolled it up, bound it with some Gaffa tape (The only tape they had brought with them), and got dressed. He brought the parchment with him as he snuck out, making sure to avoid anyone who was still awake.
He silently entered Sjin's tent, and placed the letter on the right side of his head. He knew he would find it. He had to fight back tears as he envisaged Sjin's reaction. But crying would only wake him up. He had to move swiftly and silently. He exited the tent, and made for one of the camp exits. Usually they would have been patrolled, but they hadn't really worked out ranks and such yet. Simon slipped past undetected, and took a few strides. He turned, taking a look at the magnificent camp. It had been done well, having only been constructed that morning.
He knew the army would be in good hands. He waved a solitary goodbye, turned again, and walked. He didn't know where he was going, but anywhere was a start.
He chocked under his breath, tears leaving unbarred now, "Don't worry, Lewis. I'm coming."
Author's Note
I'm trying to get this story to the original glory of the first one. I sure hope I make it, I'm not necessarily happy about how it's turned out...
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
He didn't know where he was going. He had just left camp, and headed northwest. He wasn't sure what he would find, but if he walked long enough, he would have to find somebody. Somebody to help; to direct him in any way where he might find the way back to his own world. But for now, Simon just walked. He walked and thought, mostly antagonizing himself for everything he had unrightly done. But those thoughts subsided now and again when he reminded himself that the army was in good hands, and that as soon as he found Sriviramen, he would grasp his throat with all his dwarven strength, and never let go. He would make him pay for what he did.
********
Doctor Sriviramen sat in his comfortable yet blocky chair. On his right, there was the ambassador for the changelings, on his left, his own most promising young commander: Archaenon. In front of them, Silvertongue and the Changeling Scout Tegmine told about their reports. Since Archaenon's tour of the brooding grounds, Silvertongue had returned to YogLabs, hooked up his flash drive, and had been exploring Simon Lane and Jesse Cox.
"Arch," He said, looking to his left, "What has Silvertongue learned of our allies?"
Archaenon eyed up his apprentice, and said, "He understands their power. He will help without question, fearing for his fragile life."
"What?" Silvertongue demanded, offended.
"Calm yourself, Silvertongue," his dark master said calmly, "It was but a compliment."
"I-it was?"
"Indeed. Those who are cowards such as yourself are by far strides more useful than the courageous and open minded. Those who fear for their life, we can trust more. Is that not right, Ambassador Blackblood?"
for the first time, the changeling ambassador's shrill voice rang out in response, "True, true. Those who do not fear us, we have to worry about revolting and attacking. But this one..." He eyed Silvertongue up, "He fears us. He would not dare attack us. He knows better."
"Is this true, Silvertongue?" Asked his master again, "Do you fear the changelings?"
"Y-yes, sir..." he stuttered out of fear. However, he wasn't sure if it was out of fear for the gruesome changelings, or for his master.
"Good." Sriviramen settled, his ravenous pet wolf lying by the side of the chair. "So," he said, "What have you learned?"
Silvertongue, in his tech-y domain once more, didn't hold back a bit as he explained what he had learned, "Well, first and foremost, master, I have learned that the dwarf is not alone. If my observations are correct, there are no less than 2600 soldiers at their disposal."
"Hmm." Sriviramen pondered this, "Blackblood. How many changelings to you have at the brooding grounds, ready for war as we speak?"
Blackblood now thought, "If we are to leave the grounds defenseless, we should have 500 changelings, ready as we speak."
Sriviramen frowned, "Even with my force of 1,000, we're still outnumbered by over 1,000 troops. What if we wait for the new ones to hatch? Then how many ill we have?"
"Well, there are 3,000 eggs, each with three to four changelings inside. Even with those numbers, most changelings don't survive birthing. Combined with the 500 we have now, I'd say, if we wait for the eggs to hatch, we would be looking at about 900 to 1,000 soldiers on my part. that's 2,000, hopefully. We're still outnumbered, but my changelings are ruthless and brutal. They'll make quick work of whatever 'army' your enemy comes up with.
"good, good." Sriviramen said, "Anything else, Silvertongue?"
"None so far, sir."
"Hmmm. You have provided me ample information... for the time being. Return to your studies. Report to me when you have found out a way to defeat him."
Eager to leave, Silvertongue blurted, "Yes, sir!" and ran as fast as he could back to his lab.
"Tegmine."
"Y-yes, Blackblood?" The scout quivered.
"What have you to report?"
"N-nothing so far, your greatness."
"You think flattery will sway me, scout? You are wrong. How can you have absolutely NOTHING to report?"
"I just... haven't seen anything."
"What was your mission, Tegmine?"
"Explore the surrounding Canterlot Mountain Area for any signs of the army."
"And? How can you misplace an army of almost three thousand?!"
"They slipped away from me! I swear, I was a one time thing. It'll never happen again!"
Blackblood looked at Sriviramen, a merciless glaze in his eye, and a dastardly grin across his face. The doctor gestured toward the wolf, and raised an eyebrow imploringly. Tegmine could figure out where this was going, and started to sweat. He was horrified. Blackblood nodded, turned back to the disgraceful scout, and replied, "You are right."
Tegmine exhaled a deep sigh of relief.
"It will not happen again."
"No, sir, it won't. I swear on my blood!"
"It will not happen again." Blackblood repeated, as he looked to the dark master, and nodded.
Sriviramen rang a single toll of a deep, hand-held bell, and his wolf sprung to attention. "Gorefang," He commanded.
"Kill."
Like a starving wolf -which he was- Gorefang pounced upon the unlucky Changeling. As his green-as-acid blood spurted from severed arteries and coated the walls of his 'office', the room was filled with blood-chilling screams and screeches. Sriviramen grinned as he appreciated the good work of his trusty pet.
After a few minutes, nothing was left but some stained walls, and some rotting flesh. Gorefang had done his job well. "Well done," Said Blackblood, "I have never seen such ruthlessness and disregard for mercy from a non-changeling."
"I make a living off of it, my friend."
"The changeling armies will gladly serve you to the end, Master Sriviramen." With that, Blackblood held one of his rotting hooves to his chest, a salute of sorts.
"Oh, my friend," Sriviramen said, Gorefang returning to his side to sleep once more, "I am certain they will."
********
The next morning, Sjin was up early. He hadn't slept the best, still not having gotten over the fact that his best friend and former employer was dead, but overall, he woke feeling pretty ready to take on the next leg of the trip to the outcropping. And the he saw the letter. He looked at the odd oldness of the parchment, contradicted by the shiny, new Gaffa tape Simon probably bought from Asda for 50 pents. He undid the crude bindings, and beheld the writing underneath.
To Sjin-
If you are reading this, and the sun's up, I'm gone. I'm very, very gone. Don't bother looking for me, that'd just exhaust the scouts. I'm too far away. Don't worry, I have no intention of doing anything harmful to myself or anypony else. It's just... I have things to do. I probably won't be back. I'm sorry, but I'm not cut out for the military. I figured out who really killed Lewis, and I'm going to avenge him. Then, I won't be coming back; my job will be done. My friend Sjin, I leave full governing power over the Space Yoggerfly Army to you, my second in command, and the smartest ally I have left. Take good care of them. Lead them to the outcropping, and fulfill your quest for the Golden Horseshoe. But until then... You'll have to do without me.
-Simon
"Oh, god." Sjin whispered, "Oh, god."
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
It'd been a week since Simon started walking. He was parched, starving, and giving up on life. He had nothing left. This was his backup plan: Die. What was the point anyway? The camp was in good hands, and obviously nobody was there who could help him. So, what to do now, but die?
But Fate had other plans.
Simon closed his eyes, bent on self-destruction, and his vision was flooded with bright, white, eerie light. He forced himself to look up, and saw not the desolate field he knew he was laying, but in some sort of Temple. White Marble columns lined the walls, and in the middle, there was a figure. The figure, he did not immediately recognize, but he got to his ethereal feet, and began approaching it.
As he got ever closer to the uncannily silent silhouette, he could make out the basic structure. Unless he was very skinny, this was a woman's build. She had long, slender legs, a nicely slim torso, and, quite to Simon's enjoyment, not entirely mediocre upper chest section. from the shadow, her hair seemed to shroud the distance between her head and shoulders. if it weren't for the nicely smooth shoulders and long, slim arms, he would have thought the body headless.
As he got closer, he could seem to make out a few colors. She was Caucasian, her hair was a vibrant blonde, and her legs and arms were melded to her body in a radiant white gown. She turned to him, and looked up, revealing her face. It was as if it had been sculpted by angels for the sole purpose of being beautiful. a lock of blonde hair crossed her shy, young face.
He finally closed the distance, and was able to make out details. She was indeed a woman, this much was certain. Her white gown had a few streaks of heavenly silver, and her blonde hair had the same. The hair itself was straight, falling down beautifully behind her, over he shoulders, and a few locks finding their way into her face. Her eyes were blue, and her young face shyly looked down, and smiled.
"Hello?" he asked. His voice echoed through this weird, completely white world.
She looked at him, beautiful face and serenely pretty eyes flooding him with attraction. "Hi." she replied.
"Where am I?" Simon asked, forgoing introduction, no matter how much he wanted to meet this vibrant woman.
"You are in Heaven." She said kindly, then correcting herself unsurely, saying, "Well, not quite heaven. Metaphorically, you're in the Waiting Room of Heaven."
"What's going to happen to me?" he asked, wondering if his attempted suicide had worked.
"You will be judged." The woman said softly, in a way almost teasing Simon. "If you are judged to be complete in life, you will be accepted. But if they find that there is more for you to accomplish, you will be sent back."
"Who are you?" He asked.
"I come in many forms. My name is Fate." She said.
"What do you mean, come in many forms?" Simon asked.
"I appear to the beholder as the item, place, or person that will most greatly shape their destiny." She said. "What do you see, Simon?"
Simon disregarded the curiosity of how this woman knew his name. She was Fate, she knew everything. He responded, "You look to me as a beautiful woman. Utterly mesmerizing."
"Oh? So it is her." she said. "If this woman is to shape your destiny the most, you will end up with her." Putting emphasis on the second Her .
"Who? With this woman? Because that'd be just fine with me." Simon said, eager to know he'd end up with this woman.
"No, this woman will shape you. You will end up with another." She said.
"Can you tell me who?" Simon asked in his desperate quest for knowledge.
"No." Fate promptly replied. "To tell you would endanger your fate. For now..." She raised a hand, and he floated backward, "it is time for you to wake up."
********
Sjin had read the letter to everyone at the meeting. Jesse, Duncan, Hannah, Ridgedog, Rythian, Crendor, Totalbiscuit, Dodger, and Josh. They were distraught.
"What are we going to do?" Hannah had asked, "ninety percent f these people came for Simon. Now what?"
"Obviously," Duncan retorted, "There's only one way to do this. Move. On. Sjin is in charge, and I'll agree, he is the most capable. With him at the wheel, this mighty vessel of an army will stop at nothing."
"Can you not see it, Duncan?" Totalbiscuit yelped, "Without Simon or Lewis, the Yogscast might as well have never existed. We're doomed."
"TB," Jesse piped in, "Quit being so negative. As long as we have stout-hearted commanders, and valiant generals, this army will march blindly into what we can only hope will be victory."
"Jesse's right," said Dodger, "Our army will march on, as long as they are properly compelled. As to who is compelling enough to lead them... I have my doubts."
"Excuse me?" said Rythian, "Sjin is by far the most qualified man here to lead an army. He has been here longer than any other person alive or present. He knows more than we do. He can lead us."
"Thank you, Rythian," Sjin replied.
To this, Jesse laughed, "He has been in Equestria the longest, yes, but if you remember, much of that time was spent having his mind played with by some dark scientist."
"Yeah," said Crendor, "If anyone here is man enough and experienced enough to lead, it's Jesse."
"Thank you, Crendor." Jesse replied.
"I'm sorry, Eric," Ridgedog retorted, "But if it wasn't for Jesse, Lewis may still be alive. If you remember, it was Jesse who had shot him through!"
"What else was he going to do?" argued Josh.
"I don't know, negotiate ?" suggested Duncan.
"If you recall properly, Duncan," Jesse said, "Simon tried to negotiate. You know that turned out? He got a pulled in his chest. It was a miracle he could still walk. Lewis was a madman with a gun. I had to stop him before he hurt any more of our friends."
There was a mumble of agreement, but only from Crendor, Dodger, TB, and Josh.
"But still!" Hannah said, "That's taking it too far! From negotiating to murdering in cold blood? In my opinion, no man like that should have to lead."
Now, mumbles of agreement sprung up from Ridge, Rythian, Duncan, and Sjin.
"What would you have him do, Hannah?" Dodger asked.
"I would have him do whatever he could to stop Lewis nonlethally."
"If you forgot," Dodger said, nearing the only other woman present, "He had already shot Simon, and had a Princess in a headlock, ready to blow out her brains, should we make a wrong move. Tell me you wouldn't do the same thing in that situation."
"You're treading on thin ice, girl." she retorted, closing the distance between the two women, "Don't ask me where my loyalties lie."
"This has nothing to do with loyalties!" Dodger shouted, "This has to do with decisions."
"Oh, please." Hannah said, "It is obvious you and your little Jesse fanclub are completely different than the Yogscast members."
"That has nothing to do with this!" Dodger continued, "I am asking if you would kill Lewis if he had killed Simon and a Princess like the monster he is!"
Hannah snapped, shouting, "Don't you dare talk about my boyfriend like that, you skank!"
"I'm sorry?" Dodger asked.
"You heard me..." Hannah paused, her face coming dangerously close to Dodger's, "Slut."
And suddenly, Chaos erupted.
Before the word had fully left her mouth, a fist collided with Hannah's left cheek. She recoiled with it, blood and teeth leaping out. She fought back with another punch to Dodger's nose, which hit head on.
Jesse, defending Dodger with a "Don't touch her like that!", placed a slap squarely on Hannah's right cheek.
Suddenly, Duncan was in on the fight, and soon, so was everyone else. Dodger and Hannah, Duncan and Crendor, Totalbiscuit and Ridgedog, Rythian and Josh, and Jesse and Sjin, each were fighting, punches, kicks, head-butts, knees, elbows, and heads, oh, my! It was chaos.
If only Simon were there to end it.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Simon awoke. He was surprisingly refreshed, given that he did technically just die. And suddenly, for some odd reason, he knew exactly where he needed to go to get to Sriviramen.
And so, he sent off. You, know... For plot reasons.
********
"Oh, god. What happened?" Asked Jesse has he held the cold pack to his head, looking at one of the pony nurses, Redheart.
"You got in a bad fight."
"Did I win?"
"Well, define win. " she said, looking him over, "Literally, yes, you knocked Sjin out before he did to you. as far as injuries go, however..." she got an odd expression, "I'd say you lost pretty bad."
"What's the damage?"
"Well, you have two fractured ribs, a broken upper forearm, a splintered kneecap, and a skull indentation I'm pretty sure isn't supposed to be there."
"You never know." Jesse said. He, succumbing to his baser instinct, asked, "So you're a nurse?"
"Technically, yes." Redheart replied, "But I'm only in this to pay for my house. You know with the economy these days, what can you do?"
Completely disregarding political talks, Jesse replied, "You know I've always liked nurses."
Nurse Redheart chuckled, "Aw, that's sweet. But I have a Stallion. And besides, you're not even in the same genus as me."
"That's never stopped me before," Jesse said slyly, a grin inching across his face.
Nurse Redheart looked at him, unnerved, and said, "Okay. Now just be quiet and sleep so I can help you with your wounds."
********
Sjin and the other Yogscast members were in their own tent, recovering. The aftermath of the fight was that Sjin was knocked out by Jesse, Crendor was beaten out cold by Duncan's Stocky build, Hannah had ashamedly succumbed to Dodger, TB had fallen to Ridge and Josh had also emerged victorious over Rythian. And they all were showing their wounds.
"What has happened to us?" Sjin murmured as Hannah dapped a wet cloth on his head, wiping away some dried blood.
"I don't know," Hannah replied, "Ever since Lewis, I just..." Sjin could hear her slightly choke on the words, "I've just felt lost. Like I can't trust anybody."
Duncan sat in the corner, watching Rythian and Ridge play cards. Sure, Rythian had taken a beating, but it was nothing much, and Duncan and Ridge had fixed him up, as well as Hannah. "I don't know, Sjin," Duncan said, "I think it was all Simon. Everyone knows he's the Yogscast favorite. With him and Lewis gone, who are we? We're nobody."
"I wouldn't say nobody," said Sjin, "I mean, we all have our friends. We all have our own little Yogscasts. Duncan, you have the second most popular Yogscast, only beside Lew and Simon themselves! And then there's me and Sips, but we only need... Each other." A tear ran off Sjin's cheek and fell to the floor. "My point is, we are all our own Yogscasts. We don't need Simon. Or Lewis."
"But, it's not about the Yogscast," Hannah said, "It's about Lewis. He's dead. Dead! Some of us just..." She sobbed, "Can't live with that."
Ridge patted her on the shoulder, "I know it's hard, but..."
Hannah turned on him in a flash, "You think this is hard?! You think you know what this is?! YOU DON'T! Don't act like you do! You don't know what it's like to lose someone... someone you love."
Duncan tried to step in, but Ridge raised a hand to stop him. "Actually, Hannah." he said, "That's where you're wrong. I did lose someone I loved. Someone who meant the world to me. Just last month, before I came here, just after Lewis and Simon disappeared, my mother finally lost to a battle with cancer. She meant everything to me. She was my childhood. She supported me through my younger years, and she helped me along later in life. If it wasn't for her encouragement, I never would have had the courage to join the Voxelbox, and in extension, if it weren't for my mother, I wouldn't be a part of this great family! and now... she's dead. I'll never see her again. Trust me. I know how you feel."
Everyone looked at Ridgedog in awe. Hannah hugged him hard. "I'm sorry, Ridge. I just... I don't know how I can go on without Lewis."
"It'll be hard. For all of us. But we'll learn to live with it, we'll work around it, and we'll become a happy Yogscast family again."
"Is that even possible?" Rythian asked, "I mean, I'm all fore getting over this and going back to normal as soon as possible, but... can that even happen? Lewis and Simon embodied the Yogscast. They started what all this has become. They are the Yogscast. And now, Lewis is dead, and Simon's gone off to who the hell knows where! We'll never be quite the same. We'll never be the Yogscast again without them."
"But have you forgotten why we're even here? Why we're risking our lives and the lives of our friends? To find the one thing that could being Lewis back ! And Simon... he's gone off to find it on his own, I can only hope! To find someone who can help us! But for now, yes, we aren't who we came together as. We're not the Yogscast." Sjin paused, "But we're friends. We're comrades. We're blood-brothers of sorts. We're family, even if it isn't the Yogscast family."
Duncan stood, "Sjin's right. We have bonds. To each other. And who would we be if we just gave up on those bonds? Then we'd be nobody. Let's not forget who we are at heart. Sjin. Where did the name Yogscast come from?"
Sjin thought, as revelation hit him. "YOGS. Ye Olde Goone Squade!"
"Yes! They didn't start the Yogscast! The Goone Squade did! And if we aren't still Yogscast family, I have no doubt we're all Goones at heart."
Everyone in the room gave a hearty "Here, here!"
And Duncan finished, with, "And if we're Goones, who says Jesse Cox can't be too."
Sjin replied, "Duncan's right. There's no point to this feud if it's obviously Yogs VS Butterflies. We're all goones at heart, and we all have ties to keep! SO why not make ties with them?"
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
"Archaenon," Silvertongue nervously said as he slowly entered his master's chambers.
"Yes, Silvertongue?" The brown Pegasus said, looking over the Changelings from his high view point, noting his toady's unnerved tone.
"I have some... bad news." Silvertongue stuttered.
Archaenon's head snapped from the army to his inferior, with a gleam of pure fury in his eyes. Inexplicably keeping his cool, he replied, "What is it, Silvertongue?"
Silvertongue, realizing now that he was beyond the point of no return, slowly murmured, "Well, sir... A-about the, uh... T-the Ar- The Army. About the army..."
"Our army? MY army?" Archaenon asked, slowly moving toward Silvertongue.
"N-no, sir. About the other army..." Silvertongue said, flinching away.
"What about them?" Archaenon asked in a deep voice, pressing his face against that of the squirming worm before him.
Silvertongue, closing his eyes and preparing for the worst, said, "Well, it'd seem... they've, uh... made it past the barrier."
The room was suddenly filled with a painful silence as Archaenon's eyes exploded with unbridled rage. "How many?" He asked, foreboding Silvertongue's almost certain imminent death.
"One, sir."
Suddenly, the rage was gone. All signs of discontent were completely wiped from Archaenon's face as he looked at his incompetent subordinate. "One?"
"Y-yes, sir, but more are sure to follow."
"Are you a fool, Silvertongue?"
"Well, sir, according to what they tell me, yes. But why, sir?"
"Have you even seen their camp? They are segregated. They only travel in pairs. One single of their kind crossing into our territory means nothing to me."
Silvertongue sighed in relief. "However, Archaenon continued, "Even one is indeed a threat, no matter how small. Deal with him. Yourself."
"Myself, sir?"
"Yes. You had the lack of foresight to inform me of a single human crossing our immense border, you have to deal with him. And kill him. Don't let him escape."
"Y-yes, sir."
"Do we have any leads on who it may be?"
"The scouts say it is a large, chubby, ginger man, with an unnatural strength and endurance. It can only be Simon lane or Jesse Cox."
"Does it matter?"
"N-no, sir, they are both overweight. Easy to slay."
"Even for you? A pasty, young, weak excuse for a stallion?"
"Well, uh..."
"Take a few enforcers with you. You're too valuable to the master to be beaten to death by a fat man." Archaenon chuckled.
"Y-yes sir."
"Where was he?"
"The scouts say he broke the border about 17 degrees southeast of the Altar of Benedictus."
"Benedictus?"
"That's what the scouts tell me, sir."
"You said this could be Simon, Silvertongue?"
"It's a possibility. Either him, or Jesse."
"Go now. Go fast. Strike quickly. Kill him. No mercy. Take enforcers with you. And Windwings. Simon cannot reach the Altar."
"Why not, sir?"
"I don't know much about the Master. But I know that he and Simon had quite the past. He knows things Simon would like to know. If he gets inside the Altar, it's all over for us. Kill him, Silvertongue. I cannot take this risk."
"Sir, there's a chance it could be Jesse Cox."
"I'M NOT WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK, SIVLERTONGUE," Archaenon shouted, "AND YOU HAD BETTER KNOW THAT!" He paused momentarily, calming himself. "Now go. Take as many changelings as you need. You must kill him before he reaches the altar. It's his life on the line, or yours, Silvertongue. Go. Every moment you waste here is another moment he gets closer to The Master."
Silvertongue hesitated momentarily, bringing on a "NOW!!" from Archaenon. And like that, he was gone, on the hunt for Simon.
********
Jesse and Dodger looked over the army as they packed up and moved north to the outcropping they were so desperate to fill. Dodger, leaning on Jesse's right shoulder, still wounded but mostly healed, along with the rest of him, sighed. "I'm actually glad Sam stayed behind for this, Jesse. He wouldn't have wanted to see our people fight."
"'Our People'?" Jesse asked.
"God, you're stupid." Came a familiar voice from behind Jesse. His old Brit friend, John Bain, coming up to his left side. "Look at how they even walk! They're segregated. Two factions. Those who are your fans, and those you are fans of the Yogscast. This has nothing to do with the greater good. It has to do with supporting your favorite YouTube channel."
Jesse stood silent as revelation struck. "I guess you're right, TB. They're either here for me, or here for Simon. With Simon gone..."
"No. We're not starting that again." came another voice from behind them. They all turned to see two fairly bruised and beaten brits: Sjin and Duncan. Duncan continued to speak, "We've already settled that. Yes, Simon is gone, and yes, The Yognaughts won't be here for long now, unless we convince them of who we really are."
"Yes," Sjin piped in, "We've realized that without Lewis or Simon, we aren't the Yogscast anymore. Without our greatest achievers, who are we? Not the Yogscast. But we are all still family."
"Are we now?" Asked Dodger, turning her full attention to the apparently former yogscasters.
"Yes. We're not the Yogscast, but if you recall, we were all part of the WoW guild Ye Olde Goone Squade. That's where the word YOGS came from. It was an acronym. And we believe that while we may not be blood brothers, or related through YouTube directly, but me and Duncan believe we are all Goones at heart."
"What's your point, Sjin?" Jesse asked.
"Enough of these petty quarrels. It is clear to anyone with a working brain that we are segregated by fanbases." Jesse could swear he could hear a silent snort of "I told you so" from TB. Sjin continued, "And so, I propose we set aside that quarrel, and join forces as Goones at heart. What do you say, Jesse? Are you ready to put all these differences behind us?"
Jesse simply looked at Sjin, with Dodger to his left, TB to his right, and Duncan to Sjin's left, all looking intently at him, awaiting his answer.
Jesse slowly walked towards Sjin, looked him right in the eye, raised his hand high above his head, and brought it down right in front of Sjin's chest. It was stretched, all fingers in alignment, imploring Sjin to shake it. "Deal, friend." Jesse said.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Author's Note
REALLY SHORT BOSS BATTLE TIME!
Chapter 10 [BOSS BATTLE]
Simon ran like hell, aware of the noise he was making as he bulldozed through the brush, but not caring, knowing that the exit of this world and entrance to Sriviramen's was not far. He could sense it deep within, knowing fate guided him. He cared not how much attention he was bringing to himself. The closer he got to the malevolent Sriviramen, the better.
He ran like hell for at least five miles before he broke the barrier of barbed plants and stinging thorns, and into the clearing he searched for.
it was a large, black pyramid, surrounded by pillars bearing some sort of odd flag. The flag consisted of a ring of black thorns with a bright green symbol in the middle, all on a background of a grey barely lighter than the black of the thorns. The pyramid seemed stained with a bright green fluid, that mostly seemed faded into the onyx bricks. Atop the pyramid was a series of arches leading up to a pitch black stone gateway. 'The portal.' Simon thought. He was here.
Up there was Sriviramen, cowering in his chambers as usual. There were mere meters between him and his enemy.
Suddenly, vile screeches filled the air as the pitch black Changelings fell from the skies, landing in ever direction, blocking Simon into the clearing. Two large ones landed right in front of the man, followed by some sort of huge, shelled creature climbing over the Altar of Benedictus.
Simon had heard of these creatures. They were known as Behemoths, revered among the Changelings, and used as mounts for the very important. And atop the back of this one was a pony Simon recognized.
The grey stallion dismissed the Behemoth, and the two huge Changelings. He stood before Simon, the only other living things within ten miles, the changelings making a ring around the clearing.
"Mister Lane." He said.
"Silvertongue." Simon replied.
"I know why you're here. You want revenge. On my master. On Sriviramen."
"You answer to that cowardly worm?"
"Yes, but mostly against my will. If I didn't, he and his vile wolf Gorefang would tear me to shreds."
"You fear him?" Simon said, laughing.
"You'd be a fool not to."
"If I should fear him so much, let me see him."
"If I did that, I'd have failed Archaenon, and for that, he'd have my head."
"Archaenon?"
"It doesn't matter. I've come here to kill you, and dammit, I will not fail both my masters in one day."
"Very well, Silvertongue. If your mission is to kill me, you're more than welcome to try." Simon raised his fists, invigorated with his newfound, ungodly strength.
"If you insist," said Silvertongue.
Simon murmured, "It's time for a Boss Battle up in this bitch." and charged, screaming, "THIS IS FOR LEWIS, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
Simon threw a massive punch right at Silvertongue's head, but the agile stallion easily dodged, and as Simon crashed into the Pyramid, the pony retaliated with a series of punches and bucks to the back of Simon's head. Bleeding, but only angrier, Simon threw himself backward, landing on top of the grey horse. While Silvertongue squirmed and tried to wriggle his way free, Simon's weight and shoulder in his enemy's gut put the human on top. Literally and figuratively. Silvertongue brought out his secret weapon now, unsheathing a dagger from his boot, and shoving it into Simon's side. With a scream of pain, Simon rolled, clutching his bleeding side. Silvertongue stood over the human, rolled him over again, and laid the dagger against Simon's throat.
"Well, that was easy." Silvertongue taunted.
In response, Simon brought one of his bloody hands away from the wound, and clasped Silvertongue's throat. He squeezed, cutting off the pony's air flow. "Not that easy, Silvertongue." he said. Still grasping his side, he threw Silvertongue back onto the ground, as he rapidly tried to catch his breath.
He wheezed out, "You're only helping me, letting me live."
"Am I?" Simon said, "Because if I let you live, Sriviramen or Archaenon will kill you. And I don't think you want that, now, do you?"
Silvertongue, giving no response, jumped at Simon again, who responded quickly with a punch to the gut, knocking Silvertongue's breath out of his lungs. "Y-you'll have to do better than that." Silvertongue coughed out, getting back up.
Simon grabbed Silvertongue by the scruff of his neck, held him above the ground, and continued to punch the tech-y pony. But Silvertongue continued to get up, and slash Simon with his dagger. Simon finally grabbed him with both hands on each of Silvertongue's temples. "Enough of this!" Simon said, "I have some revenge to exact, and you're not getting in my way." he began to squeeze.
Silvertongue shouted in pain, and stabbed the dagger deep into Simon's chest.
Simon froze.
He let go of Silvertongue.
He stumbled back.
He looked down.
The knife was right in his heart.
He looked up again, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
And he fell forward.
********
"Archaenon." Silvertongue said, bloodied, as he entered his master's chambers again.
"What is it, Silvertongue? I trust the human did not escape?"
"No. We have him."
"Is he dead?"
"I believe so, sir."
"Where is he, Silvertongue?"
Silvertongue led Archaenon to the dump site, where Simon was still breathing, just.
"Leave, Silvertongue. And tell the medics to take this man to the hospital."
"W-why?"
"Do not question me, Silvertongue. Take him to the hospital, and make sure he survives. I would like to talk with him."
"Archaenon, does this have something to do with S-"
"Now, Silvertongue!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Archaenon and Simon had to work fast, and under cover of darkness. In the dead of night, when the medics finished checking up on Simon, they went off. The only creatures still awake were the night guards, Simon, and Archaenon.
Breaking a human out should be easy, Archaenon thought, but it was proving much harder than he had known.
The Night Guard was compromised of only the fittest and healthiest Changelings. The biggest of the bunch, they were charged with holding the army camp during the night. But what was on Archaenon's side was the fact that they trusted him as their commander. They didn't at all expect him to betray them.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Not even for Archaenon, who's word was golden here. Understandably, Simon, the greatest threat to the Changeling's master's partner, Sriviramen, was guarded more than usual. Even in the med bay, he was constantly under watch by at least a dozen Night Guardsmen, hidden in the landscape.
It wouldn't be easy for anypony, but at least Archaenon had authority on his side.
He started as the bell struck 11. He snuck out of the Commander's Camp, overlooking the army, and inconspicuously ventured down the treacherous path he already made daily to the medical area. Except, this time, he had to do everything in his power not to be seen. He wore a black cloak, blending his already dark-hue coat into the black of the night. But he knew the Night Guard could see him.
As he reached the medical area, the one guard always on duty, the loyal and undying, yet aging Changeling Banshee. He followed the word of his Queen without question. The perfect soldier, definitely. Too bad Archaenon knew he was between him and Simon.
"Banshee." Archaenon greeted.
"Archaenon." Replied the Changeling.
"May I?" The superior asked, implying entrance to the medical area.
"State your business here."
"Visiting."
"At this hour, Archaenon? I don't think so."
"Why ever not?"
"The patients need their rest. Without it, they will not recover. Furthermore, how important must this be that you should sneak out to visit a medical patient?"
"It is of utmost urgency."
"Then why seek the help of the wounded."
"Please, Banshee. I need to see him."
"Then come back in the morning."
"Is there anyway I'll be able to get past, banshee?"
"Come back in the morning. That is your only option."
"Are you refusing your superior access?"
"I answer to Queen Chrysalis. Not a single other."
"Certainly there must be some way of getting in there at this hour."
"Not one."
"Not one?" Archaenon said, looking imposingly and stiffening his stance.
"Are you threatening me, Archaenon?"
Archaenon could feel the Night Watch narrow their gaze on him. "What if I am?" He asked.
"Then I'd have to fight you." Banshee calmly warned.
Archaenon spread his wings with incredible speed, turning and opening one right in Banshee's face. Archaenon then took to the skies, out of range of the Changeling's fists. But that didn't stop Banshee, who fired the Changelings' signature incapacitating goobolts at the now enemy. With his speed, Archaenon dodged, and threw himself in all his weight at Banshee, who collided with the wall.
But Banshee was stronger, and easily pushed him off. He grabbed Archaenon by the leg, and threw him against the wall himself. He then threw the Commander on the path from which he came. Banshee got on top of Archaenon, and began beating his former superior into the dirt.
For a time Archaenon, who had clearly lost, contemplated death, but then... With a goobolt that stuck to his wings, the Night Guard quickly incapacitated Banshee. They finished him off with a bolt to the mouth, then binding his hooves together and melding him with the wall of the Medical Area. They then made sure Archaenon was stable with some bolts placed on each of his limbs. Then they began interrogating.
"What is the meaning of this, Banshee?" One of the Night Guardsmen, obviously their sergeant, shouted.
"He challenged me. So I gave him a taste of my ability." Banshee calmly replied.
"Archaenon." The sergeant turned, "Did you in fact challenge Banshee?"
Archaenon thought, "I suppose that it could have been taken that way. I requested access to the Medical Area repeatedly. When he rejected, I tried to intimidate him. When he asked if I was threatening him, I acted out."
"Understandable." The sergeant mulled it all over in his head. "Wait a moment. Banshee. Did you in fact deny your superior access to the Medical Area?"
"He is not my superior. He never will be. I will not take orders from this inbred. I only follow orders sanctioned by the Queen herself."
"If you have forgotten, Banshee," the Sergeant continued, "Chrysalis did order this. She ordered that your new high superior was Doctor Sriviramen. And he says that Archaenon is your immediate superior."
"I take orders from the Queen. None else." He simply repeated.
"Even if it is your queen ordering you to take orders from others?"
Banshee did not answer, obviously beaten in a game of wits.
"Archaenon," The sergeant continued, "You can enter. As long as you take two mimics with you."
"Yes, Sergeant." Archaenon was released from his bonds, and waited for the two mimics to arrive. Eventually, the grunts did join Archaenon inside, where Simon was waiting for him.
"Is it time?" He asked.
Archaenon nodded. Then he turned to the two mimics. "Now listen here you filthy curs. The sergeant assigned you to me, and therefore, you will follow my orders. All of them. To the letter . Are we clear?"
"To the letter, Sir." One said, the other nodded.
"Alright. Without question, follow my orders to the letter."
"Yes, sir, of course."
********
Archaenon and Simon left the medical area soon afterward.
This time, though, the sergeant was suspicious. "Halt, Archaenon." he said.
Without speaking, Archaenon looked the sergeant in the face.
"What is, uh..." The Sergeant said, "What is this?"
Archaenon looked up to Simon, then back at the Sergeant. Simon waved.
"I can't let you do this, Archaenon. That prisoner is under lockdown."
Archaenon tried to look bigger and more imposing.
"Whoa, whoa, there, Archaenon. I have a feeling you're threatening me. Is this true?"
Archaenon nodded.
"Alright then. NIGHT GUARD!" He shouted. Every Night Guard in the area was at attention. "Deal with him. He's committing treason. He will be presented to Grand Doctor Sriviramen. Kill the prisoner already."
In a quick succession of flashed, the bolts were out. Archaenon was almost instantly incapacitated and gooed to the ground. Several green Fel-Energy bolts pierced Simon, and he fell over, utterly dead.
"Well, that's uh..." The sergeant thought, "More than I bargained for."
"SERGEANT!" One of the Night Guards shouted.
"What is it, 3509?"
"Pegasus Spy! And it's got Human cargo!"
"Shoot it down, already, 3509!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Night Guards attacked with the same quickness, but every one of their bolts missed their mark. Eventually the Pegasus was out of range.
"3509!" The sergeant yelled.
"Yes, Sergeant?"
"GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE SO I CAN GIVE YOU HELL!"
"Right away, sir." 3509 said. he then murmured, "Oh, shit."
********
"Good Idea, Archaenon," Simon said while on the back of the straining Pegasus, flying over the Everfree forest.
"I knew it'd work," He said, "Mimics are fearful. They'll do anything you want them to if you threaten them."
"I have a feeling that'll come in handy." Simon said, "Now get a move on. We have to get you to your son."
Archaenon strained toward the camp, eager to be reunited with his son at long last.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Author's Note
Oh yeah... This thing exists
Chapter 13
The Mane six and the CMC were packing up what things they had brought with them when it all happened.
There was a shout from one of the watchmen directed at Jesse and Sjin: "Sirs! We have company!"
Everyone and everypony jumped to attention. They didn't know who it was, but they all went to the wall to see.
All they saw was a silhouette of a human. One of average height, but stocky and chubby build. He stood alone it would see, and he walked slow toward the camp. But nobody could make out anything. Suddenly, the shadow morphed into two. A human, and a pony, it's wings spread wide. They both slowly approached. Before anypony knew it, they were at the gate, still shrouded by the sun setting behind them.
Jesse and Sjin were at the gate awaiting them. "Open it." Jesse ordered calmly.
The gates slowly moved apart. On the other side, the two figures finally came into clear view. The pony was one nobody recognized. He had a brown coat and wide, majestic wings. His face was hardened, emotionless. He was unknown here. But the other? He was known better than anyone else in the camp.
He was a man. He had a head of ginger hair, and a light neck beard. His glasses were fogged, dented, and beaten up. His blue hoodie was stained with mud, and he himself seemed to give off an aura of exhaustion. But when every face turned on him, they all erupted into excited smiles and gasps.
Simon was back.
Sjin was shocked by his arrival. "Simon?" He asked. Simon simply nodded, and the crowd gathered at the gate erupted into cheers. The nine ponies previously packing now all crowded around the big guy. Rainbow and Pinkie were hugging him hard, nothing new for Pinkie, but completely odd for Rainbow Dash. Apple Bloom, Sweetie, and Scootaloo grasped on hard to his legs, and the other four weren't hugging him, but were standing close by.
Simon gestured towards the crowd to Archaenon, imploring him to talk to his son. Archaenon nodded, and approached the man who could help him find him. Sjin looked down at the Pegasus, who said, "Are you Sjin? Leader of this army?"
"Yes. You are?"
"They call me Archaenon. Come with me. I need your help finding someone."
With that, Archaenon and Sjin departed towards the mountain alone. Simon talked with his friends.
"We're so happy to see you!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Aw, thanks Apple Bloom." Simon said, maneuvering through the hugs to pat her little head.
"What happened, Simey?" Pinkie asked, unlatching herself from his arm.
"Well, it's a long story. I'd rather talk about it somewhere else."
"Well, it's not like we're in a hurry." Rainbow said, doing the same as Pinkie. "Come on! We all have a tent. What better place to discuss this?"
"True, Rainbow." Simon replied, "Lead the way."
They all went into the Mane 6's tent, the Cutie Mark Crusaders still holding on to Simon's legs.
Simon pried the fillies off and sat down on one of the nine beds in the tent, all of the ponies looking at him intently. "So?" Rarity asked, "What ever happened, Simon?"
"Well," Simon began, "It all started when Apple Bloom came to talk to me a few weeks ago."
"Apple Bloom?!" Scootaloo shouted, "You did this?"
"Hold it, Scootaloo," Simon said, patting the orange Filly on the head. "Apple Bloom only voiced her concerns about how much Lewis temporarily killing me affected all of you. But it got me thinking. I realized that since that... incident... I had changed. And not for the better. I was faced with an army, and was turned into someone I wasn't. I wasn't a general. I wasn't a hero. I'm just a chubby man from London. So I ran away, only trying to help you."
"But Simon, don't you see?" Rainbow blurted, "You running away hurt us more than any wound you could take, or any man you could become."
"Do you really care about me that much?" Simon asked, still skeptical.
"Of course!" Applejack said, "Why, you came to us, and you did everything you could to make us happier! You even worked for the Apple Family for a few months! If that don't mean something, I don't know what does."
"Applejack's right, Simon." Twilight added, "Why, you helped each and every one of us in our own ways! You helped me quench my thirst for knowledge by telling me about your odd world."
Rarity snowballed, "You helped be design a new line of 'Human Clothing'. That boosted my sales fifteenfold! Which is odd, because it's physically impossible for anypony to wear it!"
Then it was Fluttershy's turn, "You helped me round up my chickens when they escaped into the Everfree Forest."
It then went on to Pinkie Pie, "You helped me create Jaffa Cakes, the single most delicious, mouth-wateringly tasty treats on the planet!!"
Then Rainbow Dash, "Hey, you even saved my life when the goon left me for dead!"
Scootaloo was next, "You helped me learn to fly! I still can't yet, but..." She struggled with her flapping wings, and managed a good three inches of a hover. She then dropped with a thud, "I'm getting better!"
And Sweetie Belle, "You helped me and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders by giving us hundreds of new ways of finding our Cutie Marks! None of them have worked yet, but we still have about 180 to go..."
And finally, Apple Bloom, who said, "And you helped me realize that a friend can come in any size, shape, or form..."
Simon sat, dumbfounded for a few moments. Finally saying, "Wow, guys.... I never realized how much I actually did! But let's not forget how you guys have helped me. Twilight, you taught me the basic do's and don'ts about Equestria. Rarity, you helped me look better than I ever have in my life! Fluttershy, you taught me how to be kinder than I ever have been. Pinkie, why, you did so many things for me! You gave me Jaffa Cakes when I was certain I'd never see them again, you gave me this nifty little contraption," He said pulling out his pocket universe, "And you gave me probably the most relatable friend left in this world: yourself." Pinkie smiled shyly at that, "Rainbow Dash, you taught me how to be even more outstandingly awesome than I already am, which is a tough feat, I may add. Scootaloo, you taught me probably the most important lesson: Never run to keep up with a scooter." There were chuckles from everyone at that, "Sweetie Belle, you gave me honorary membership into the Cutie Mark Crusaders! I still have that 'cape' you gave me." Simon pulled something that looked like a handkerchief from his pocket, and unraveled it, revealing the golden pony on a blue background. "And Apple Bloom, you gave me the best little friend I've had in too long." He patted her on the head.
And then everyone gathered around for one, big, hug of friends that would never truly be apart, and who's friendship would stand the test of time for generations to come.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
Simon looked after the ponies he had grown to care for not just as their "General", but as more of a fatherly figure to them all. Despite what he may have told others, Simon had always wanted a little child to sculpt in his own image. "after all " he thought, "The more little Simons out there the better! " But he had never been a fan of the infant and baby stage, and had decided that having children who already know how to take care of themselves is where it's really at.
Simon looked over the CMC like a father, and after the other ponies like a very responsible older brother who's word you know you should always listen to, because he's been around the block, and he knows what's up. That was Simon. And his friends made use of his advice more often than not. It was good to see.
The only downside to this new life Simon had adopted was the constant marching and pseudo-military actions. Every other day, Jesse, Sjin, and Archaenon, who appeared to be accepted very warmly by Sjin especially, would appear on the balcony of the camp, sending out more scout parties to look for the area Celestia described the Horseshoe being: "We don't know the exact location of the Horseshoe, but I would suggest Neighagara falls. "
So far, the scouts hadn't reported anything about any falls, and a few weeks after they had moved safely into the overlook camp, one scout reported seeing an optimal place for a new camp, and elected to take point there, and see what recourses and landscapes were abound in that area.
But in the peace between these scout developments and training exercises, Simon got to work, making sure this momentary respite was well-spent. He would do whatever whacky ideas the Cutie Mark Crusaders would come up with with them, he would talk to his human friends, and then chat for hours on end with his pony friends. The ones he valued more as a family than anything.
One day in particular, a day after the barricades had been moved forward to accommodate the growing amount of Changelings spotted in the areas, and Simon had taken the rest of the evening off in his tent. He sat down on the still-uncomfortable-but-now-used-to-enough-that-it-seems-faily-mediocre bed, pulled out an old WoW book he had never gotten around to reading, and got himself comfortable for the evening. Until he had a visitor.
At first, Simon ignored the clearing of the throat outside, thinking it was only a few ponies trying to talk, with one who's throat was a little scratchy. Totally understandable. because of this, Simon never actually got up to see who it was, until they stuck their pony head through the tent door. Rainbow Dash looked at him impatiently, and said, "Well ?! Are you gonna let me in?"
Simon was up in a flash, saying, "Oh, of course, Rainbow." He quickly moved to the door and undid the little knots keeping it closed.
Rainbow Dash came in once the flap was undone, and Simon sat back down on the bed. "So what is it, Rainbow Dash?" He asked, a little unnerved having her in here, seeing as how he was only wearing his (only slightly) white pants.
Rainbow Dash seemed uncomfortable, and kept rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof, "Well, Simon, the thing is..."
Simon sighed, "Oh, god, Rainbow, don't say "The thing is"."
Rainbow looked at him, "Why? Does it mean I'm going to say something bad?"
"No, it just..." Simon stopped, remembering the sad fact that nota single pony in existence has ever listened to a YoGPoD. "Nevermind. What were you saying?"
Rainbow fumbled a bit for words, "Well, you see, Simon... Ever since you left, everything's been really tough around here... for all of us. And, I know you still may not see it yet, but we really value you! You're as much a part of our entourage as Twilight, or even me!" She stumbled a bit, and rubbed her neck again. Simon slowly nodded, understanding what she was trying to say, but not seeing the necessity of saying it. Rainbow Dash sighed, and let her hooves go limper as she gave up being so tense. "Okay, I'm not a gal for words. So, just..."
Then Rainbow Dash did something Simon wouldn't have ever expected. Ever. Something completely uncharacteristic for somepony as awesome, as impenetrable, as secure as Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash, throwing caution to the wind and doing something she'd never normally do, put her hoof over Simon's shoulder, leaned in close, and kissed him on the forehead.
She backed away pretty quickly after that, her cheeks already becoming red. Simon simply sat there, dumbfounded. "Eh..." He stammered for words.
Rainbow looked at him with a stern look. "You will not say anything to anypony about that."
Simon nodded slowly, still a little confused by what his friend just did, "Never." He confirmed.
Rainbow nodded, turned, and left, eager to get out of that awkward conversation.
Simon watched her go, and as soon as she was out of ear and eyeshot, he squealed to himself. "Well, that was unexpected, but not... unwanted." He smiled, and laid himself back in his bed, bringing the comforter on top of him, forgetting about his book, and eagerly got to dreaming.
********
"Are you sure? We shouldn't wake him." Said one of the changelings, disguised as a passerby pony, to his friend, disguised as Archaenon.
The Archaenon mimic replied, "I'm sure. So what if he wakes? We can't do anything."
The pony changeling nodded, and looked at the fat figure in the bed. "How do we proceed?"
Archaenon-Changeling thought it over long and hard. "Just uh... Roll him over, put it under him, then grab the corners, and tie. Right?"
"Easier said than done, my friend." The other mimic replied. He grabbed one shoulder, and the other grabbed the thigh. They both worked together to move the man onto his belly, and they slid a canvas bag under the body. They proceeded to roll the man back over onto it. By this time, the man woke up slightly, looking at the two.
He got wide eyes, "What the hell do you think you're-"
He was interrupted by the Archaenon-clone, who whacked him upside the head with his hoof. "See? He woke up, and I had everything under control. Never doubt me, #213."
213 looked at him, "Not for a second, sir." He looked at the unconscious body, on top of a canvas bag. "Now what?"
The other snapped at him, "Grab a corner." He then grabbed the two corners closest to the man's feet, and 213 grabbed the other two. "Now pull up."
With their strength combined, the two changelings brought the four corners together, and they had a canvas bag held between them, containing a rather rotund fellow. The larger changeling looked to 213. "Now back to the gateway."
213 saluted, "Yes, Captain Banshee."
With a lot of effort, they dragged the canvas bag out of the camp inconspicuously, and stuck it on the back of a Behemoth that was hidden in a crevice, and rode off to their destination, and this poor chap's final destination.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
With the clang of a switch and the bright lights coming on, Simon was awake with a jolt. He didn't fall asleep here. He felt different. He couldn't see his nose! He couldn't move, only stare up into the bright white light and the stark metal ceiling that had woken him in the first place. A high-pitched, snake-like snickering was heard. Soon, a changeling looked over him. He was smooth, while everything else in the room was positively square and cornered. He wasn't back... Was he?
The Changeling laughed over him. "Look at you. So high and mighty. You almost killed Silvertongue... You -and- Archaenon escaped the maximum security prison camp... And now look at you. It took us five minutes to get you here... Into the belly of the beast." He laughed again. "How pathetic are you?!"
Simon strained to speak. It was hard. They had put something in him. His joints were tense, he could hardly move, but he managed to brokenly ask, "Who are you?"
The Changeling smiled a bit, "Well, seeing as how you won't be alive to tell anyone, I see no harm in saying. The name's Blackblood, representative of the Changeling hives, under the leadership of Queen Chrysalis. And I'm going to be in charge of torturing you today."
Simon got sweaty. "T...torture?"
Blackblood laughed again, "Of course! You have valuable information inside of your tiny, tiny head... Information that would be invaluable to me, and my... employer..."
Simon was getting some feeling back in his mouth, "Employer? Where am I? Who do you work for? What do you want from me?!"
Blackblood made a 'sh' noise, and put a black, pasty hoof on Simon's mouth, causing him to gag slightly. "I told you. My name's Blackblood. My employer has told me to get whatever information you know about your friends in hiding out of you, so I can later help him kill them." He removed his hoof from Simon's mouth.
Simon coughed and spat, trying to get the hoof's pasty residue out of his mouth. It was hard to do without control of his head. He choked out, "And why... Do you think... I'm going to... tell you?"
Blackblood snickered and made a "tsk". He walked away from Simon's vision, and before the dwarf knew it, the table, or whatever contraption he was on, began tilting him upward. He was now as if standing, and he recognized where he was.
YogLabs .
He was in their interrogation chamber that Sriviramen had built without their consent. Now he at least knew where he was and who this changeling worked for... This was all Sriviramen's fault! How he got this changeling on his side was beyond him, but it was nothing he didn't already know. In fact, in a darker place of his head, he was thanking god he was here. The reason he got captured by the Changelings in the first place was because he wanted to meet Sriviramen face-to-face. If only he wasn't paralyzed and about to be tortured.
Blackblood held in his changeling magic the device that would be responsible for Simon's imminent torture: A small iron rod. What was he going to do? Beat him with it? Simon thought to himself, "If that's all he's got, he must be ready for a loooong... ". Simon then noticed that Blackblood wasn't walking towards him. He was walking towards a small pool of lava in the corner. Realization began to dawn "Oh no... "
Simon began to get sweaty as Blackblood dipped the Iron Rod into the lava. He held it there for a good minute or so, and when he pulled it out, the metal shone bright red. But Blackblood wasn't done yet. Then he went over to a small knife on a holder in the wall. "Surely it would just be easier to use the knife. " Simon thought, then cursing himself for actually thinking of giving the torturer pointers! Blackblood took the knife off the wall, and began whittling the rod.. Since it was so hot, it came away easy, and soon it was red hot, and sharp.
Simon gulped with what control he was getting back in his head. In the moments between getting the rod hot and sharpening it, Simon had regained control of his neck, and got to look around. He was definitely in YogLabs. He was strapped to a large metal table, and the room he was in consisted of a bunch of rather grotesque-looking torture devices. And Simon wasn't Simon... He was positively, undeniable Honeydew . His skin was made of cubes, and he had actually become his Minecraft character, a dwarf of Khaz Modan.
Blackblood finally approached the dwarf, the sharp, hot rod in his hands. "Let's begin, shall we?" He hissed. "I'll give you a chance: Where are your friends?"
Simon debated whether or not to sell his friends out for a moment, but then he remembered his nine little pony friends still in that camp. He spat at Blackblood, "I'll never say a word."
To Simon's surprise, Blackblood laughed as he wiped Simon's saliva from his face. He looked at him with chilling eyes and almost spat out, "Wrong answer." He smiled as his magic enveloped the rod, and he slowly moved it to Simon's right arm. He placed the point right on the square bicep, and even the tip of the rod was scorching hot, enough to make Simon grit his block teeth, and exhale. That was before Blackblood started pushing.
With little effort at all, the white hot iron rod entered Simon's body, causing an enormous scream of tremendous agony from the Dwarf. He compared it in his head to a gunshot, that was then cauterized with acid, and wrapped in a smallpox-infected blanket. Blackblood snickered and whistled to himself as he thrust the rod deeper into the dwarf's cube arm. Simon continued to scream, until Blackblood pulled the white-hot, inch-wide needle out of him.
Simon caught his breath, tears streaming down his face. He coughed out "Fuck that hurt..."
Blackblood laughed at him, "That's the point, Simon. Now that you've had a feel for our poking rod, I'm going to ask you again: Where are your friends?"
Simon thought back again to everyone he valued back at the camp: Hannah, Duncan, Sjin, Jesse, and of course his surrogate pony family. He would rather die than put them in harm's way, because he knew they'd do the same for him. He gritted his teeth, and said to Blackblood, "You're going to have to do better than that, you black skinned son of a-"
Simon's sentence was cut off by his own scream of agony as Blackblood shoved the rod into his arm again, this time closer to the shoulder. The white-hot pain spread through Simon like taking a bath in corrosive acid. In was too much to take in, and all Simon could do was scream for what seemed like an eternity. Everything went slower. His vision was getting blurry. But he was tough. He was a dwarf.
After Blackblood had pulled the rod from Simon's arm a second time, he looked at Simon disapprovingly. "My, my, that sounds like it hurts..."
Simon spat on him again, but the changeling didn't care. "Damn fucking right it hurts, you cunt."
Blackblood laughed, "Such strong words... But they aren't the words I want to hear. I want to hear where your friends are hiding. Tell me now or you get the pain again."
Simon was tough, that much was certain... But was he tough enough to take much more of this? Any more stabbings and Simon would certainly be begging for death. But if he simply told Blackblood what he wanted to hear, it would be over... Simon thought long and hard. Was it worth it?
Would his friends ever forgive him, if he was the soul responsible for a full-out changeling attack on the camp they called home? Would he be able to forgive himself if any of them were hurt, or, god forbid even killed?! No... If anything happened to them because of him, Simon wouldn't be able to live with himself. He looked Blackblood straight in the eyes, and did something bold. "I'll tell you where my friends are."
Blackblood smiled, "You see? Was that so hard? Where are they, Simon? Just tell me, and this will all be over."
Simon sighed deeply. "Alright. You know where they are?"
Blackblood looked at him, eager. "Where are they?"
Simon sighed again, looked Blackblood right in the eyes, and said, plain as day, "Right up your ass."
Blackblood, who up until now had played and toyed with everything that came out of Simon's mouth, got deadly serious. "I don't have time for your games, Simon." He said bluntly and he shoved the rod in again, this time not in the arm, but in the stomach.
Simon had taken the pain in his arms. He was toughest there. But his stomach was large, portly, and sensitive. When the rod went in there, the already unbearable pain was quadrupled. It was like an explosion in his heart, spreading at the speed of sound and vaporizing every internal function he had one by one in a millionth of a second. Except it wasn't a millionth of a second. It was a good, solid twenty seconds of shoving the white-hot rod deeper into Simon's belly, and Simon screaming in unfathomable agony.
But eventually, it, like everything else, was over. Simon looked into Blackblood's eyes, amazed by the lack of guilt they showed. How could he feel nothing? Blackblood looked right back at him, "Well, I can do this all day, mister Lane. Have you changed your mind on talking yet?"
Simon thought it over in his head again. "Of course not... I'm not telling you anything."
Blackblood shook his head, "Always the one to be the hero, are you, Simon? Too bad." He moved the rod again, but this time, he moved it downwards. Simon began to sweat. "No... He wouldn't... He couldn't be thinking... No... " Simon tried to deny it, but his worst fears were realized when the Rod stopped, and decided on it's mark, a few inched past the rim of Simon's trousers. "Holy fucking shit, he's going to impale my dick! "
Blackblood looked back up. "Are you sure that's your final answer?"
Simon imagined a scale. On one side, he put his friends well-beings and lives, and on the other, the well-being of his penis. Then he did something he wasn't particularly proud of. "Fine... I'll tell you..."
Blackblood smiled, "I knew you could be reasoned with. But try another joke, and this thing is going right back there."
Simon nodded grimly. "They've been holed up in a rocky overhang for the past few weeks... But they're planning to move... Northwest... they say there's a good spot on a hill that direction..."
Blackblood thought it over and nodded slowly. "That information surely is valuable, my Dwarven friend... Thank you for sharing."
Simon spat at him again, "I'm not your friend..."
Blackblood shrugged, "Well, be that as it may, that's not all I really need from you. Can you tell me who's in charge of the camp?"
Simon really had to think about that one. Shouldn't they know that by now? What do they want with the camp? They know who's there, why do they need him to tell them? Eventually, Simon thought long and hard, and said, "It's joint-lead. Between Sjin and Jesse."
Blackblood nodded contentedly. "Ah. How interesting... One last question." Simon sighed in relief. Blackblood continued, "Well, less a question, really... You're going to tell me what you're looking for, and where you're looking for it."
Simon looked at him. "Why?"
The Changeling got a dastardly smile. "So we can get it first and ambush your friends when they arrive."
Simon was distraught. "Why would you do that? Why do you want to hurt my friends?! What did they ever do to you?! Why do you think I'm going to tell?!"
Blackblood did another tisking thing, and shook his head, "Friend, I can't answer any of those questions for you... Except the last one." He levitated the Iron rod. "We've been through this, Simon... What don't you get?"
Simon got sweaty again, "Oh god, please not the plums... Anything but the plums!"
The changeling looked at him almost sympathetically, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that..." He brought the rod up from the trousers, and pointed it at his face, "I've got something better in mind... Now, tell me where to go to ambush your friends, and we'll all be on our way."
Simon decided to take the obvious route, and lie. He gulped, put on his best lying face, and said, "They're going to the northern forest... They say it's hidden in a spring up there... That's where they're going."
Blackblood looked at him with unamused eyes, "You're lying, Simon. There is no spring in the forest. The only one is fifty miles south of here. Seriously, don't you think? We live here."
Simon cursed himself. Blackblood shook his head, "Too bad... I didn't want to do this." The changeling used his magic to hold Simon's head in one place, and he inched the poking rod closer and closer to his left eye. So close that Simon could feel the heat on his eye. So close that the tip actually touched it. That alone was tremendously painful. Then it got even closer. Blackblood slowly drove the rod into Simon's left eye. As soon as it broke the surface, Simon was screaming and shouting and cursing in amazingly loud swears and shouts. The pain he was feeling is not actually possible to put into words.
The rod went deeper into his eye, burning it from the inside out. But he didn't end there. He actually kept driving it in. Soon, the rod went out the back of the eye, and into the skull, cutting off the nerves. His eye went completely blind, and Simon felt more pain in those few milliseconds, than he had ever felt in every experience in his entire life, including the ones he just went through combined. More pain rocketed through Simon's body than is physically possible to describe with written words. He would compare it to something, but at this point, all Simon was thinking was a jumble of obscene swear words to make up for the pain, and endless screams of writhing agony.
But then, Blackblood pulled it out, and it was over. Except it wasn't. Simon continued to scream. He had an enormous fucking hole in his eye. But Blackblood put a bandage over it, and said, "Maybe when you wake up, you'll be more inclined to talk.
While Simon continued to scream, the changeling used his magic to hold Simon's head still, and drive an anesthesia needle into his neck. Simon remembered nothing more than one last shot of enormous pain, and then nothing.
********
Doctor Sriviramen and his leashed wolf, Gorefang, entered the interrogation chambers a few moments later. He looked at Blackblood, who was polishing the assorted weapons, and then at Simon, who was passed out and well contained. "Well done, Ambassador." He congratulated, "I never knew you were so... keen at interrogation."
Blackblood, who was overjoyed to be complimented by the doctor. "Why thank you, sir. I was trained by the greatest Changeling Inquisitor in the hive when I was younger."
Sriviramen raised his hands, "It was a compliment. Just say thank you. No need to go into details."
"I am sorry, sir." Blackblood apologized pathetically. "The subject is out cold currently while his wounds become less... severe... When he awakens, I am sure he will give us the answers we're looking for."
Sriviramen looked at Simon while Gorefang sniffed around the devices and grotesque gizmos. "What makes you so certain, Blackblood?"
Blackblood looked at Simon with proud eyes, "Let's just say... He will see things our way, but he'll only be seeing them with his right eye..."
Sriviramen looked at the bandaged and bloodied eye on the left of Simon's face. "Sweet Jesus, Blackblood, you actually did it!"
The changeling nodded proudly, "It was either his eye or his genitals."
Sriviramen looked back at the ambassador. "Well, genitals is always the right answer in that case, but this is still impressive."
"Thank you, doctor." Blackblood bowed.
Sriviramen got Gorefang on his leash and by his side again, "What did you manage to learn from him?"
Blackblood recited the information, "The camp is currently being joint-lead by Sjin and Jesse Cox. The camp itself is currently stationed underneath a rock overhang in the mountains, but they're planning to move to what I can only assume to be Daybreak Hill as soon as ready. He would refuse to answer where we can ambush them."
Sriviramen thought it over, "I'll get with our new military director and tech director. We will sort out a plan to get this camp in our sights, and we will make sure we're waiting for them at Daybreak. Until then, until Simon decides to talk, I guess we'll have to put him in the cells."
Blackblood saluted, "Where should we put him, doctor?"
Sriviramen pulled a clipboard from his back, and flipped it to the page marked with a chart reading "Cell Layout". He read it over carefully. "Place him in Cell 24A. Right between Bluebell and Mr. Douglass. He'll have an amazing view of 'The Big Cage'."
Blackblood nodded, "It will be done, doctor."
Sriviramen nodded in certainty, and left the room, dragging Gorefang with him. Blackblood looked upon the unconscious body that was Simon Lane, and called in a few peons, who dragged him out of the Interrogation room, and into the containment cells. "May god have mercy on your soul, Simon Lane." He said sympathetically, and with that, he was carried off into the basements of YogLabs.
YogLabs: Quest for the Golden Horseshoe
"So..." Silvertongue said, walking alongside the mysterious stallion, "What should I call you?"
"I have a name," He said in a dark voice, "But you should never use it. Call me Archaenon."
"Archaenon?" Silvertongue asked.
"It means 'Power' in Everfreean."
"Did you choose it yourself?"
"Yes." He said, not saying any more.
"Why?" Silvertongue asked.
Archaenon gave him a deathly glance, and the stallion shut up. The continued walking.
After countless hours of wrenching silence, they arrived. Archaenon stood, a few paces ahead of Silvertongue, on a ledge, overlooking a clearing in the forest. Silvertongue could hear him chuckle to himself as he joined his side. He looked down the sheer cliff face, and found, in the clearing, more glowing green eggs than he'd care to count. Each score of eggs was being looked over by one massive black pony, with rotting skin and silken wings; Changelings.
The changeling overseers were at least twice as big as normal changelings, and there were at least fifty of them, all mulling about and checking on their unborn infants. The eggs writhed and squirmed, as if wishing to be born. Silvertongue could see the faint outline of a changeling in every one.
"The army of the damned," Archaenon said, "Mostly unborn. But trust me, the young ones are the best; they don't know danger when they see it."
Suddenly, one of the eggs burst open, in a shower of green goo. The overseer in charge of the egg came to it, while the others continued over their batches. There was a young changeling now standing where the egg once was. He stood up quickly, and looked at the Overseer, standing three times taller than him. The overseer pointed with his hoof into the dark forest, and the young one ran.
"You'll want to see this," Archaenon said, "Hop on."
"On?" Silvertongue asked.
"Yes." Archaenon confirmed, and two wings of brown sprouted from his sides, tearing his cloak asunder. Silvertongue got on, and Archaenon flew down. Not far, but just enough to get to the bottom of the cliff without injury. Silvertongue got off, and they walked through the crowds of eggs and overseers, getting a closer look. Silvertongue had a feeling he was going to like his Army of the Damned.
********
Rainbow Dash awoke the next morning, shockingly not dead, to find Simon kneeling in front of her. "Oh, good." He said, "I thought you were long gone."
"What?" Rainbow faintly asked.
"Come on, we need to greet our army." Simon helped her up, and threw her over his back, requiring much more strength than he actually had, so it was kind of weird.
"Army?" She asked again.
"Look, there they are!"
Simon pointed to the skies above Equestria, the usually unchanged and unmarked blue with the occasional cloud, being ripped apart by the entry of thousands from the other world. Each was a fiery meteor, and soon the sky was ablaze with their tracks. Hundreds upon hundreds tearing through the sky at break-neck speeds. Simon knew each one contained a follower, either a Yognau(gh)t, or a Space Butterfly. And they were prepared for the war they didn't know wasn't there. And they didn't know was coming.
The spectacle could be seen worldwide. From Canterlot, ponies cowered in terror as meteors pelted the plains and tore the sky asunder. In the forest, Silvertongue and Archaenon could see the faint explosions of every meteor shining over the horizon. And each one collided with the ground close to Ponyville.
The stream kept coming, for at least twelve minutes, or so, then abruptly stopped.
*******
Jesse Cox and his eleven acquaintances (Simon had brought back Rainbow Dash and they had gotten her bandaged up) stood in front of the crash area. Each and every one of the 2,591 meteors (They counted) contained a new makeshift soldier. From YouTube Comrades, to desperate followers, people form the world over had arrived to follow Jesse and Simon into combat.
Simon had taken it upon himself to appoint commanders. He and Jesse had gathered the other members of YouTube royalty to appoint positions. Anyone who was anyone who wanted to come was there: Duncan, Hannah, Ridgedog, Rythian, Dodger, Totalbiscuit, Wowcrendor, and Josh Mattingly.
Crendor had approached Jesse when he arrived. He had a revolver loaded in his house, just in case he ever had to go to the south side, he would need to defend himself, that he now used as a weapon. He held in his hands a long, slim, black case. "Jesse," he said, approaching his friend, "I thought you might want these, so I got them from your house." He clicked open the bindings keeping the case closed, and Jesse stared upon his two most prized possessions:
His Katanas. His two long blades sent to him by an Asian fan. One still technically belonged to TB, but as Jesse said, and I quote, "But I'm keeping them both, screw TB."
Simon had appointed them commanders of the Space Yoggerfly Army, as they has convened to name it. Simon wanted the S.S. Yoglegion, and Jesse wanted the Space Butterfly Army, so they settle on the Space Yoggerfly army.
They each had brought their own makeshift weapons, everything from Fireplace tools to Steak Knives, to Revolvers to Rifles. They had no idea what they were going to fight, but they were prepared for anything. The denizens from Ponyville, however, were unnerved by the massive army, and Mayor Mare tried to get them to leave
"You see, Mister Lane, I know you're doing your best to try and find your friend, but I must speak on behalf of Ponyville."
"Go on," Simon said.
"We have been around for over a thousand years, and in all that time, we have seen minimal violence. The current generation has never seen full fledged war, and they are very worried to be surrounded by an army, especially an army made of creatures that are still not perfectly recognized. I am sorry, but on behalf of Ponyville, I must ask you and your army to leave this city."
"That makes sense, I suppose." Simon pondered, "Jesse, what do you think?"
"I think we should leave." Jesse said, "I'll gather the commanders. Mayor Mare, where do you suggest we go?"
"Well," She said, " There is an outcropping in the cliff under Canterlot. It's large enough to compensate for your entire... group."
"Then that is where we will go," added Sjin, "Jesse, gather the army, tell them to get ready to move."
