Iron Grey

Masquerade
“A party where all the ponies look like other ponies? I love a hootenanny as much as the next mare Pinkie, but that's the creepiest thing I've ever heard.”

Peace. He could rest, he was at peace. But why? Was it the absence of struggle? Was it that he didn't have to make choices, or was it that he wasn't responsible for what was happening? No. Not that, anything but that. Being unable to do anything, that was helplessness, that was prison, that was death. That was... brown?

“Slow down, there buck. Calm down!” He heard the mare's voice. He heard her clear as day, but he couldn't do anything about it. He was helpless. No, NOT HELPLESS. I am in control. Not of all that out there, but me. Just me. If not that, then

“...then nothing else. Then I die.” Iron Heart's vision came into focus. There was a mare standing over him, syringe in her muzzle, holding him down with her hooves.

“Ou oggay?”

“What happened? Not that I mind... I kind of like this, actually.” The mare responded by cocking her head, confused.

“Bvah?”

“If you wanted to drug me and have your way, you should've just asked.” He grinned. The mare rolled her eyes. “Wait, no!” She dipped the syringe into him and pushed the plunger.

“We can wait till you're ready to...” Iron Heart's vision blurred as quickly as it had faded in.

The crickets wouldn't shut up. He wasn't aware of much, but he wished he'd had a button to just make their incessant chirping stop. “Oooohhh,” he groaned. This time the world stayed blurry. And the crickets. They were there, too, but he couldn't get them. “Buh? Uh?”

He staggered to his hooves, leaning hard on a table. Clutching his head, he noticed the soft glow of an active terminal. Just when he though he'd had enough of terminals, here was one more. Although he superstitiously wanted to avoid them (bad things happened when he used his last terminal), he was trained to be curious. Curiousty won out in the end. Maybe reading would help the throbbing in his head stop. There were three entries.

A worthy assignment

This world is in such desperation and all they can tell me to do is watch. I took one our Chosen Sisters to Dragon Mountain and we saw what happened there. Our orders kept us from interfering, I almost disobeyed those orders, but what example would my sister have? … Who am I kidding? The magic at work there was too powerful for one pony alone. Even the priestess herself couldn't have handled that.

At least we were able to aid some that were running from the battle. We did all we could in the end, and I guess that means I disobeyed our orders, after all. Only on our return did I realize what our order had been doing in the meantime. Celestia forgive me, I must mention the darkness our order's light wars against.

The Noxicel Souliscavi is on the move once more. Once again it has bathed in the blood of many more ponies. As it continued in its never ending blood lust (I hear through balefire this time), this fiendish tome didn't count on our order paying attention or tracking it. Our order's highest purpose has become seeking this book and destroying it.

My sister and I are charged with that task. We don't know how to destroy it, but at least we have been given the knowledge to secure it, as well as seal it so that we cannot fall prey to its seduction. Well, at least we know that the book is somewhere on Paddock Promontory. We know not how it got here so quickly, only that its magic was easily sensed as it made its way from somewhere in the Equestrian wastes.

Finally, my sister and I have a purpose. Finally we have been given a worthy quest. Too long have we watched as wickedness and death reign. This is the first, most important step in bringing Celestia's light to a broken world.

Shine the light in darkness.

Discouraging

My sister and I have met with numerous trials on our pilgrimage. The population outside of the city seemed disinterested in us at first. When we asked one about the tome of wickedness, however, he turned hostile. While I am inclined to show mercy, this putrid pony, lifted an axe at my sister.

He would have struck her had she not gotten out of the way, and had I not stepped in to stop him. We tried subduing him at first, but he became all the more violent, blocking many of our attempts with a bloated and oversized hoof. The worst part was when he called for help.

A skinny, malnourished stallion approached us, cursing and spouting the most foul things imaginable. He leveled an old shot gun at me and fired. Praise Celestia for blessing my sister with her raiment and such gifted hooves. In the end we killed them both defending ourselves. I did not care but my sister was affected deeply. We agreed to avoid the rural population.

Made our way to the cathedral on the hill. Surrounding the cathedral were numerous totems and markings of a tribal community. The leader approached us, and when we asked him about the book, he reviled us as well. He brokered no violence against us, however, and offered us to join their tribe on “a transcendent journey.” We declined and tried to share Celestia's light with him instead, but he flatly refused.

We are discouraged at these setbacks, but we are not out of options just yet. I have tasked my sister with investigating the old mansion of the hill while I make my way to the city of Phovannah. Celestia is with us, I know it. Regardless of the outcome here, we will remain on this island, faithful to the last.

I have sought to keep my sister strong. We sang a selection from Celestia's hymns and retold our experiences with Celestia's Gift. We have been great encouragement to each other. I think she wants for a stallion, though. I've caught her on more than one occasion... well. It's understandable on such a long, isolated journey. After everything we've been through, and especially with the possibility that we will never come home again, I admit that I myself have wanted the company of another some times. Celestia help me to stay focused on our task.

Celestia's work is never done.

Breakthrough

Praise Celestia! I think we may be close to the information we need. I was in Phovannah today. I had tried asking and talking to the ponies in the city, but none of them even responded to me. Better than trying to kill me, I guess.

The sun was mostly set and the moon had started to shine when I was turning back empty hooved. But then I barely heard an explosion. Taking wing, I scouted for the source but couldn't find it. There was a sudden crash and I saw another pegasus diving from a window. He couldn't seem to take flight, so I raced to catch him, and with Celestia's guidance, I did!

His wounds were grievous, however. There was a magical bullet eating a fiery path through his chest. I used my knife to remove it within seconds. Praise Celestia for her gifting my hooves and mind for medical work. I couldn't simply mend the wound. Instead, I cut away the flesh scarred with magical energy and only then administered my healing cuff. I wasn't sure why I took such risk and spent such a device for a pony that might not be able to help me at all, but now I know it was Celestia's providence.

He survived. I don't know what he's made out of, but it was amazing. As I started to drag him to our camp, some of the things he said convinced me this was Celestia's will. He talked about being brought here to find something, and that he was sent by Sapphire. He talked about needing to find a book. I can't be certain this is the same, but I'll try anything at this point. Not to mention that all this cannot be mere coincidence. I just know that this is all connected somehow.

I can't wait to hear what my sister has come across.

“Step away from that now!” A voice roared from behind Iron Heart. He jumped back in alarm, staggered, and fell. The mare glared down at Iron Heart, furious. Her yellow mane was braided. Her brown coat offset her fiery blue eyes. She wore golden armor that glinted even in the dull light of the tent.

“Look, you were gone and... I”

“Thought you could snoop around! Looking for something to steal?”

“Shit, no! Wait? How do I know you weren't the bucker stealing from me?”

“Oh no,” she started circling Iron Heart, “you are in no position to be blaming me, I saved your life!” Iron Heart started to get to his hooves.

“We just all need to take a bucking moment.”

“What a filthy mouth, too. I thought you were something worth saving, but you're no more than a raider.”

“I say buck and you assume, what? I'm a professional, you know.”

“A professional, eh?” Her eyes narrowed. “Alright then, who are you and what are you doing here?” she demanded.

“I don't know, you're the one who brought me-”

She jumped in close. “You know what I mean. Paddock Promontory.”

“Shit, I don't bucking know. Grey said we had to get here.”

“And why's that?”

“Calm down dammit! What's with the stick up your ass?” A hoof rapped his head. “Ow, dammit!” She hit him again.

“Language!”

“Look you overzealous piece a... pony. Look, I need to find my friend. He's in danger and I don't know where he is.

“Not before I get some answers! Why... are... you... here?”

Iron Heart stopped clutching his head and nodded. “He said, look he said somethin about, I don't know, about finding out what's wrong with me. I can't feel, much of anything.”

“Seem fine to me.”

“Well I'm bucking not, okay, can't remember... hey!” The pegasus seemed to ignore Iron Heart, stomping to the edge of the room, opening the metal door to the tent and spreading her wings. “Where in Celestia's green earth?”

“A believer?” she brightened.

“No! Listen-”

“No matter, we're going to find you're friend, seems to be the only one that knows anything.”

“I don't know where-” she flew off. “Bucking hell Iron Heart,” the stallion said to himself, “You sure know how to pick 'em.” He followed after her.

“Hey! Wait Up!” Iron Heart tried to get the other pegasus’ attention, but she seemed too focused to care. He tried to keep up with her, but the pain in his chest was slowing him down.

It was a longer flight into town than Iron Heart had anticipated. When he finally caught up to the other pegasus, he was out of breath. She was circling the town. He came down on a roof, panting.

“Wh… huff, huff… what now?” Iron Heart asked. She landed next to him.

“You tell me, she’s your friend, after all.”

“Actually, it’s a he. But you don’t… huff… know him like I do. Crazy idiot probably got himself lost, or worse. Especially with what’s in that hotel I jumped out of.”

“You mean the building we’re sitting on right now?”

“What in the buck?” Iron Heart looked around for snipers, assassins, anything to indicate the certain death that must be watching them. “How could you bring us here?” He was speaking in hushed tones now.

“This is the only place I know. Besides, it’s where I found you, remember? Your friend has to be around here somewhere.” The pegasus trotted her way to one side of the building and peered over the edge. Iron Heart rolled his eyes and followed.

“You found me almost dead, remember? Probably looking ta finish the job, too.”

“Are you sure he's not down there?’ Iron Heart barely made a sound as he rushed over to see.

A host of finely dressed ponies was making their way to the statue in the center of town. As they all marched, a bell started to toll somewhere in the distance. The statue had been shifted and split somehow, so that there was a hole slightly smaller than the statue's base. As the small column wound its way down the street, around half of the ponies seemed to be reeling in some sort of muted excitement. All the other ponies weren’t enjoying themselves. The difference was as clear as night and day.

Two unicorns in fine looking dress laughed and smiled, while the escorts in between them slowly plodded along, heads barely off the ground. One of them asked their escort a question, but the pony barely lifted up her head. Instead, she gave the smallest effort of a nod. Such a small effort, in fact, that the nod came as the pony’s head happened to swing that way as she walked. When the bell stopped, Iron Heart had counted twelve chimes.

“What in the buck?” Iron Heart asked. His companion looked at him, furious.

“This stops now!” She yelled in a hushed voice. “And shut your filthy muzzle! There’s no need for it.” She got up and spread her wings, ready to swoop down. Iron Heart grabbed her.

“Stop ya…” he checked himself and gave an exasperated grunt. The other pegasus wheeled on him, giving a bite.

“Get your hooves off or I’ll break every… last… one.” Her voice was low, threatening.

“Fine ya shit head. Go down there. First off, half those ponies have the other half in check- ya really think they can’t handle one more? Secondly, those four,” he pointed out four hulking forms surrounding the statue, “are their elite guard. Stupid as buck, but a full magazine from an assault rifle won’t bring one down, I tried. Third, we don’t even know what their IRF is. They’re this organized, they’ve got ta have one.”

“IRF?”

“Immediate Response Force. The second they get wind of something, any decently organized group is going to have a way to fight back. Small flanking teams, snipers, something. And I don’t see anything, and that worries a recon buck like me.” He stopped short, astonished. He was a recon buck. How did he know that? Why was that important to him?

“You finished?” she replied angrily.

“Yeah.” She gave an over exaggerated look of relief, punctuated with a snort. “No, wait. Four. Go in, take on a procession you know nothing about, fight four bruisers and trot away with between fifteen and twenty captives in tow? What makes ya think that’s any kind of plan? There, now I’m done.”

“It’s a plan,” she growled through clenched teeth, “that doesn’t let them get away!”

Iron Heart peered over again, doing a double take. He looked down just in time to see the statue stop moving. Everypony (and carapaced guard, thing) was gone. Completely gone. He swooped down. “Uh-huh.” She followed. “Wasn't there a defense force or something you were worried about?”

“Yep, still am.”

“So... you're...”

“Trying to find out how to get this open. There's gotta be...” Iron Heart stepped back. “Firelily blossom.” When the statue didn't move, disappointment washed over his face.

“Like babbling at that thing will get it to...” The ground shook. Disappointment gave way to an ear to ear grin. The statue began to move and split open. Iron Heart gave a victory maneuver. Coming down and puffing his chest, he was eager to make the mare eat her words.

“Hah! You were s-” Snapping claws, a strange clicking, and a vaulting carapace cut Iron Heart short. A tuft of dark blue mane floated to the ground. It was only the strands that had been physically cut, but that was because the hulking form had been so far away when it jumped. A second set of claws made to cut Iron Heart in half. He jumped and rolled, losing a tuft of tail this time. “You buckers!” He faced down the hulking thing. It almost looked like a cross between an insect and a crab “Hell, I would've welcomed sni-” The creature lunged at him again. This time he did a wing-assisted jump of his own, leaving the creature short. Three more had come out and started looking around. They looked at the mare. “Get outta of here!” he yelled at the top of his lungs. “I've got 'em distracted!” All of them looked at him. The one that had been attacking him was relentless. It jumped again.

Iron Heart noticed that the thing looked like it had a tiny face surrounded by shell. Instead of running, he stood his ground. He waited until the thing was midway through the air, timing its flight. He gave a small jump and a flap of his wings. It's claws snapped shut, cutting at air. He stayed in place and extended a hoof. His hoof impacted with the face like portion of the monster. It split like a dinner plate. A dinner plate that had a bowl of lumpy green cooked oats under it. A dinner plate with cooked oats under it having a large bowling ball thrown on top of it. Both he and the creature were thrown a number of yards before falling to the ground.

“Weak point,” he smiled. Shards of carapace and cool jelly oozed off his face. Pulling free, he clamored to his feet, excitedly looking for the next creature. Instead of attacking him, all three were surrounding the mare. They jumped at her in unison. “No!”

She jumped, too. A loud “clack” echoed up and down the street as the three ran into each other. Two landed on their feet while the third lay on its back, slowly rocking and clicking wildly. The mare spun in the air, straightened, and kicked her haunch out. A thin, golden rod jumped out of her saddlebag. She bit down on one end, which flattened with a click. She landed farther down the street. The two creatures ran after her.

The mare held up a fore leg and slapped the rod on it hard while still holding the flat end in her teeth. A loud snap was followed by four consecutive clicks. She balanced lithely on three legs, holding the hoof perpendicular to her muzzle. The rod had quadrupled in length. A spear head pointed at the end of the rod, with a hammer below it and a curved spike on the other end. As she balanced, Iron Heart noticed that the rod seemed attached to her hoof, but rotated slightly as she swayed. The bit in her mouth allowed her head to bob freely, still. Iron Heart was surprised at the range of motion the spear-hammer-rod had. He had never seen anything like it. He couldn't remember much of anything more than a few days ago, but he knew he had never seen anything like it.

One of the creatures jumped and she swatted it aside with the hammer. She gave the other a vertical slash as it ran toward her. The creature continued to charge so she took wing. Without wasting a movement, she bent her head down and hooked it with the spike as it jumped. Her foreleg and wings adjusted with the weight and she grunted with effort. The creature she hooked also started clicking wildly. A grin broke out of her partially filled muzzle. She lowered her altitude and smacked the flailing creature with the one on her weapon. The shells made another “crack” as they collided.

She dropped the one she was holding, circled, and plunged the point of her spear into its back. It clicked unhappily as the spear made a sickening crunch, propelling deeper into its inner workings. She fought with the spear and jiggled it around until the creature stopped moving.

“Look out!” Iron Heart flew as fast as he could. The creature that had been knocked on its back had been knocked to its feet as the mare flew by. It was leaping at her now. The mare tried to get away, but she had been blindsided. She whinnied as the creature brought her down. Two claws alternated as they clipped and sliced at her. Iron Heart brought out his hind legs and bucked it at full speed. He went tumbling, but the creature swayed, and fell on its back. This time it clicked twice, seeming to give up.

Iron Heart recovered, but limped. “Shit! How bad?” He started to fly over, but was bowled over by the third creature, which had run back at them. Terror filled his eyes as the faceplate turned to him. The creatures didn't seem to have eyes, just eye holes. The massive weight pinned him down and started to wriggle. A claw came free.

“Noooot yet!” he cried. Iron Heart felt the body shudder. Shockwaves rippled through the creature. He heard the strained cry of the mare as she brought her hammer down on the claw again and again. Iron Heart frantically moved his neck and head out of the way. The dull thuds turned into cracks and then squishes. Bubbles poured out of the face plate as she thrust the spear in between a joint in the plating, pushing it off Iron Heart. It continued to click and sputter as she screamed, bringing the hammer down on it again and again.

Iron Heart tried to get her attention. It didn't work. He almost thought of approaching her, but nervously laughed the idea off. “Hey... Hey? Hey!” She looked at him, murder (and green jelly) in her eyes. “Face plate.” She cocked her head, adjusted her weapon, and brought it down in one smooth motion. A loud sound was followed by bits of goo flying into the air.

“Houldha menchioned fat earller.”

“Huh?”

She bit down on her weapon and cocked her head the other way. The weapon partially retracted. She let go of the bit. “You could have said something.”

“Name? What's your name? That was amazing! I mean, amazing! And I don't even know who you are.”

“Just another sister of Celestia's Chosen.” she managed between breaths. She stood over her quarry, covered in whatever the insides of these creatures were made out of. A smear of blood partly covered in dust ran down her shoulder. She was pretty big for a pegasus. She was definitely strong.

“You look hot like that,” Iron Heart blurted. She trotted over to the third creature, thrust her spear into it, and gave Iron Heart a disparaging look. A hint of a smirk showed, and then faded as her eyes rolled into her head. Her body went limp.

Iron Heart had to think quickly. He didn't know how long the fountain would stay open. Leaving her there in the open... well it wasn't an option.

“Guess I get to return the favor.” Iron Heart gave a grunt as he bent down and lay her across his back using a firemare's carry. “Whoah girl!” His body had a hard time keeping its balance. “Huhph. How much ya weigh?” After much struggling and straining, he made his way down the stairs underneath the fountain.

Though it took a lot of precarious maneuvering, he eventually reached the bottom of the stairs. A low rumble started, making Iron Heart look up. The statue was closing. Tossing her (gently) into the corner, he went to find some place they could hide.

Her body shuddered awake. “Where am I?” Her question was quickly hushed by a hoof. It was insistent, but not harmful. Iron Heart whispered back to her.

“We’re safe, for now. I think most of ‘em are gone.” The two pegasi were laying on some broken down boxes. A small lamp lay between the two. The room was a small storage closet of some kind.

“What happened?” she whispered back.

“When was the last time you ate anything?” She took a long time to answer.

“A mare does not live by fodder alone, but every moment in Celestia’s light.”

“Horse shit.” She tried to kick his muzzle, but he pushed her hoof away easily. “Okay, I get it. Hey, good for your soul or whatever. But ya still need ta eat. What good is that soul of yours if your body’s dead? That’d be a damn shame, too.” Iron Heart produced a punga. “I was thinking of having this myself, seeing how you’ve got Celestia’s light in this dark room an’ whatever.” He put it near his muzzle. Her eyes followed. He opened his muzzle, as if to eat it, but pulled it away suddenly. She put her head between her hooves, trying to look away. Iron Heart had seen this mare single hoofedly take on three armored opponents. They each had massive claws where she had one weapon, albeit a fancy one. Right now, though, she looked pathetic, desperately trying not to take any help. “A bite, maybe?” He extended the hoof away from his mouth and toward her ever so slightly.

The punga was gone before his hoof even felt empty. She was biting and ripping and eating it, skin and all. She was done in a matter of seconds. Her stomach gave a growl.

“Easy,” he cautioned. “Too fast on an empty stomach and you’ll get sick. So,” he looked into her eyes, “How long?”

“Five, maybe six days.”

“Was that so hard?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“My sister and I…”

“So there’s two of you.” She looked away and nodded, like she just let out a great secret under duress. “What I can’t figure is what two beautiful mares like yourselves are doing in a dangerous place like this.”

“Same as you. We’re looking for the book.”

“Book? What book?”

“I don’t believe you’re here and you don’t know.”

“Look, filly, you mind if I call you… no? Good. Look filly, nopony tells me anything, but everypony expects me to help them out.”

“The assistance you rendered? I suppose it is worth a few caps,” she went for a saddle bag. Iron Heart put a hoof on the flap.

“Where’d you come up with such an attitude? You have me figured wrong. Don’t you realize I’m trying ta help? But not you nor this crazy unicorn, nor anypony else is willing ta tell me what this is all about. Believe me or don’t, fine. But I don’t even know your name.”

“You really don’t know?” He shook his head.

“Sun Shower- that’s my name. My sister and I were sent here with few supplies and the most dangerous mission our Order, or any other pony for that matter, has ever undertaken.”

“It was the Nexicol... what now?”

“Noxicel Souliscavi. I see you got that far, at least.”

“Now, I’m the one who doesn’t believe you.” She looked away. “That’s why you’re so into this. You really believe this is that important. And you think there are some really nasty ponies out for this.”

“Not just ponies. Any wickedness of any kind this evil can draw to itself.”

“So, where do we go from here?”

“I’m sorry, we?”

“Look, you and your “sister” have been trying to do this all on your own. At some point you have to trust someone. You have to have somepony else on your side, else you won’t make it.” After he finished, she looked at him, dubious. He let out an exasperated sigh. “You think I couldn’t have taken advantage of you just now? You know how long you were out?”

She still avoided his eyes. “A little blunt, don’t you think?”

“Damn straight I am. And you, your sister, my friend, we’re all looking for the same thing. We’re all on the same side.” He let out a groan.

“What is it now?” His aggravation made its way into her voice.

“Celestia dammit, I’m starting ta even sound like him.”

“Your friend?”

“Yeah. Grey.”

The mare realized what he just said. “And stop using her name like that, don’t you know Celestia’s…”

Iron Heart tried to tune her out. “Smooth, Iron Heart, real smooth.” There was a snap and a whine. She continued talking, but he rifled through his saddle bags. He brought out the communicator and stuck it in his ear. It was a stallion’s voice

“Hello? Grey? Who is this? Are you there? It is you? Who else was tha-... Who's on this frequency?... Grey? Where are you, you bucker? “Midnight at the statue?” No shit, Sureclop, you even know what time it is? Look, where are you?”

“Are you even listening?”

“Yes, not to you.” Sun Shower looked offended. He pointed a hoof to the communicator. “I just heard him, and some other buck, there was a third voice… Hello? Hello! Return back, dammit.”" Nothing answered back but static. "Guess they’re all gone now. Hello?”

“Shut the hell up and listen smart.” A voice broke through the static. It was smooth. Smooth and sharp. Iron Heart’s ears perked involuntarily. “I do not know who the buck you are, but you are sure as shit going to do exactly as I say.”

If I were a masochist, she would have turned me on with the first four words, he thought.

“The bucker you just heard was Bray. He is mine, and you are going to fetch him. He has gotten himself in a tight spot, and from the sound of it, there is a pony you happen to know with him. I happen to be too busy at the moment to bother with his worthless hide.”

Iron Heart realized that she was just a voice. There wasn’t anything she could do to them where they were. She still sent a thrill through him. “Well now, look who’s learned to use big mare words.”

The curse she responded with was so angry, sudden, and so foul that he would have spit out anything he’d had in his muzzle, and then some. Hell, I could be a masochist, that could work. “Point is, bucker, his ass is mine. Yours is too. Now, be a good little colt… and when you find that friend of yours, bring Bray to me. There is a statue at the center of Phovannah, and under that statue is-”
“Firelily blossom.” He gave a smirk. She didn’t respond for an instant, but quickly came back.

“Well now, look who is not a dribbling idiot.”

“Name’s Iron Heart. And yours is…”

“None of your Celestia dammed business. Now, let me put this in tiny words that your baby little brain can understand. Fetch.” Everything went silent. Iron Heart tried to get her to come back, even saying some things he thought she wouldn’t be able to stand, but there was no response.

“Alright, Sunshine.”

“Shower.”

“Let’s get to work.”

Wherever they were, it was underground. There were no windows, and areas of the room they were overlooking showed evidence of a hollowed out cave. It was arranged like some sort of amphitheater. Rows of ponies sat in the various benches. Some were talking to each other and some were looking at the stage. Iron Heart actually recognized some of the ponies that were there. Some of them were cheery while others bore a hallmark gloom on their countenance.

Things were different, however. A few were crying. There were even a few ponies that were struggling. Of those, two or three were actually starting to break free. Each time a pony got close, however, a mob of other ponies surrounded them. And while Iron Heart didn’t see any actual violence acted out against the ponies, he saw signs of pain followed by submission from each one.

Again, Sun Shower made to intervene. Iron Heart had to throw his weight into keeping her under control. “Not… uph… yet,” he whispered. She glowered. “Soon.”

“I’m holding you to that… every second.” He nodded back.

A hush cut all talking short. On the stage appeared a magnificent white mare with a flowing rainbow mane. As Iron Heart realized who it was, he whirled. Sun Shower’s muzzle widened, Iron Heart wrapped a leg around it. She struggled, uttering words unheard, offering praises to the sweaty joint in his knee. She looked at him, he shook his head furiously. She tried to break free, to say something, to throw him.

He used a submission hold. It tangled his whole weight with hers, and the two of them slowly rocked and rotated onto their back. She continued struggling, even breaking free three times. Each time he held his leg over her muzzle, intertwined their other three legs, and managed to keep them quiet. “Alright now, you gonna be quiet?” She nodded. He ventured a test and removed his hoof.

“Are you crazy? Celestia! Celestia- she’s-“

“The over mare of a meeting where half of ‘em are slaves?” he spit back.

“It- It… you, you just don’t understand! You’re not a believer, you don’t know!” she spat.

“I believe that if Celestia was down there, she’d be angrier than you are!” he returned.”

“No! I… I!” Slowly, her struggling stopped. It wasn’t because she was too tired, but because she was curious.

Sensing her change, Iron Heart let go. She bucked him off and looked.

“Fillies and gentlecolts,” Celestia started, “From the very first day I made Phovannah my throne, you have shown this to be a worthy decision.” Clopping applause broke out from the crowd. Iron Heart realized that only half the room was applauding. A few of the sad ponies, however, had a new light enter their eyes. Some even got to their hooves. As it died down, Celestia continued, “And what pony could not swell with pride, love even, to see their beautiful princess?”

Iron Heart had to admit she was a sight to behold. Her glory shone like the sun, the stage glowed slightly. Sun Shower seemed awestruck, but remained silent. “And now, my loyal subjects,” Celestia continued, “You are all invited to join me tonight for our feast! Please, enjoy your meals, my little ponies.” Celestia moved off stage and took up a position somewhere in the front row. Soon after, everypony in the room started to change. Some of the ponies turned aggressive toward their escorts, others tried to soothe them. The escorts, however, started to whine and whimper, some even tried to get away.

Iron Heart stared in shock. He expected to see ponies dying, being physically assaulted. This was different, though. The ponies that were overpowered seemed to be suffering, but there were no clubs, no weapons, the ponies weren't even being attacked with hooves. It was worse. Had Iron Heart seen guns, or weapons, or something, he could identify what was hurting them, instead they all were just writhing in pain. The only thing Iron Heart thought he could notice was the color of the room. It seemed off, somehow, but he dismissed that as the lighting of the room. A few groans broke out, and then there was a cry from the middle of the crowd.

Iron Heart did a double take again. This time he looked at the mare standing in the middle of the amphitheater, then down at where Sun Shower was supposed to be, and back at the throng. “In the name of Celestia and her chosen order, I order everypony to stop right now. Stop and turn yourselves over to me!” All the ponies stopped. Some opened their muzzles wide and hissed. Others were approaching slowly. Yet others were looking at Celestia for direction. “I swear in her name that nopony who comes quietly will be harmed.”

“In my name?” Most of the ponies in the room looked over, including Sun Shower. Celestia was speaking “Why, how wonderful! Do, please come and join us. You would be most welcome. Now tell me, are you the only one here?”

“I’m the only one that needs to be here.” She shot a camouflaged glance at where Iron Heart would probably still be. Celestia laughed. Iron Heart had never seen her, didn’t believe she existed, and he still didn’t. Nonetheless, he felt like that laugh was exactly how Celestia would laugh if she were genuinely happy. It was long and mirthful, sweet and gentle. Iron Heart’s body shook with fear.

“Ohh.” Celestia groaned. “Yes, oh yes. That’s it. Confusion, love, fury, ZEAL. My little pony, come to me. Come here, and I will give you the second gift. For tonight I have felt real, geniuine, true devotion. Twice in one night…..” she let out a luxurious sigh. “Come, my dear, and I will give you twice the gift for giving me a second chance to feel what I haven’t felt in centuries... Oooohhhh what a treat.”

Something came together inside Iron Heart. He didn’t like what she was saying. It reminded him too much of another pony he knew.

“Now listen here-“

“No, now you listen! You will not take this from me, you will be mine! MY SUBJECTS,” Sun Shower covered her ears as Celestia’s voiced suddenly boomed, echoing into hidden corners of the room, “BRING HER TO ME ALIVE, AND WE EAT TOMORROW, TOO.” Iron Heart had to clutch his head, too; the sound was deafening.

Hissing filled the air. As one body, the ponies that had looked fine and beautiful in their regalia now twisted, their eyes filled with lust, their faces filled with rage. A few unseen hooves pawed at the ground. “You’re kidding me. Every one of you is serious? You’re going to need a lot more than that to challenge… a fifter of ve Orber!” Sun Shower had kicked out her weapon and bit down on it. It extended once, then twice, and with a final click, she was ready for action. Her tail gave a righteous flick as the room encircled her. “Ome more waming! Serrender or bie!” Iron Heart gave a chuckle at how ridiculous she sounded.

One pony lunged at her. She gave her a buck to the ribs. Another tried to buck her, but she caught him with her haft and sent him sprawling. With one impulse the crowd surged, ponies climbed over each other to overcome her. She stepped on ponies’ heads and faces, even kicked off a pair of unicorns, managing to stay on top of the broil rather than be sucked down by it. Each attempt to put her down ended with a buck to the face, a kick to the side, or even a hammer or haft to a shoulder.

Soon enough, however, she started to become overwhelmed. Despite all her skill, more and more ponies were coming at her all at once. The room had come alive, and its sole purpose was to bring her down. “TO ME, BRING HER TO ME,” Celestia’s booming voice called over the crowd. She whinnied and reared, kicking two more ponies to their backs. Another pony pounced on her from behind, hissing. She was knocked to the ground. The crowd hissed, they spat, and she felt her body shudder, as if it was suddenly becoming weaker. She spit our her weapon and rolled, hoping to box the pony that pinned her with her front hooves.

“Hey sexy.” It was Iron Heart. “The things we could do to each other like this.” The grin on his face was sickening. A pony hissed at Iron Heart, who hissed back, almost matching the tone perfectly. “What now?” he cried in the raspiest voice he could muster.

“Make way! Make way!” The crowd parted, allowing Celestia to get close. She loomed. “Still so fiery,” she sucked air through her teeth like she was getting a deep tissue hoof massage. “Now, she comes with AAAUUUGGHHT! NOOO, NO NNNOOOO!” Celestia screamed. Ponies looked at each other, confused. Iron Heart did too, not having to fake anything this time. “CHAMBERS! Bring her to my chambers.”

“What of the others?” an unseen pony asked. Celestia reared, spread her wings, and flew down to the stage. Questioning murmurs from the crowd went unanswered as she disappeared behind the stage.

“What now?” one pony asked.

“You heard her, to her chambers!” Iron Heart rasped authoritatively. He shoved Sun Shower to one of the nearest ponies.

“What about them?”

“Put them back where they were. We have to wait until tomorrow.” A number of ponies shimmered, some bristled, and more than a few transformed. Their bodies were leafy and green. Each had black eyes. Iron Heart did his best to not look astonished. A pony's shape was the closest thing Iron Heart could relate to. Even that didn’t make sense, though. Grasshoppers don’t have fangs, do they?

“Tomorrow?” the guard challenged. Iron Heart looked around, racking his brain.

“She gave us permission- but only when she was here. Now she’s gone. We have to wait till she comes once more.” Alternating arguments of approval and disagreement broke out. “Ponies need rest,” Iron Heart tried to yell, but the cacophony drowned his attempts.

He tapped the shoulder of two ponies and one of the insects, getting their attention. “If we don’t get the ponies safely out, there won’t be anything left to eat.” They looked at each other, nodding. Each of them brought around two or three other insects or ponies. They started herding and corralling the ponies that were looking miserable.

A series of clicks and hisses preceded the sound of heavy feet approaching. One of the ponies had left and come back with some of the hard shelled creatures. A circle was set up around the corralled ponies. One or two outside of the circle got too close before being snapped at by the guards. In all the confusion, the only pony to notice Iron Heart was missing was the one he had recruited to help restore order. “Sir? Sir!” the guard looked about fruitlessly.

Sun Shower, Iron Heart, and two pony-shaped insects marched their way down a hallway that had been adjacent to the amphitheater. Iron Heart carried Sun Shower’s weapon. At the end of the hall was a large doorway in the shape of a gear. They turned off before reaching that, however, and found themselves in front a much smaller door that opened into a beautiful room. While the ceiling was rough and unfinished, opening to the roof of a cave, the rest of it was arrayed in fine linens and beautiful furniture, all of it shades of green. They entered.

“And now?” Iron Heart questioned. The two insects looked at each other. One held up a hoof to indicate he or she didn’t know (Iron Heart still couldn't tell their gender). The other thought a moment.

“We wait for the Queen’s return,” it said, “She’ll want to handle this persssonally.”

“Just what I hoped you'd say.” Iron Heart flew over to the door and slammed it shut.

The guards looked at each other. One held up a hoof again, showing that it had no idea what was going on. Iron Heart flew, hind hoofs first, into its head, sending it reeling. The other hissed and started to fly, revealing bug-like wings. It, too was knocked to the ground, this time by Sun Shower.

“Alright, we got questions, everypony... and bug-thing gets out of this just fine as long as we like your answers.”

“Iron Heart,” Sun Shower exclaimed, “We need to get back there and save those ponies.” Iron Heart nickered.

“We have to figure out what's going on before we do anything else.”

“What I just did back there, that saved the ponies from getting tortured.”

“And what I did was save your bucking life. Ya can thank me later.” Sun Shower got up and went over to Iron Heart. “The hell ya doing?”

“You think my life is more important than all those ponies out there? You're following me, buck-o, not the other way around.”

Iron Heart's captive struggled. “The other one, moron!”

“Not until you promise we go out there as soon as we're done here.”

“Are you insane!”

“No- I care, you don't. Have fun dealing with them yourself, I think it's time we go our separate ways.”

“THE OTHER ONE!” Iron Heart boomed, genuine concern in his voice. Sun Shower looked astonished and turned her head, just in time to see her charge sink its fangs into her neck. She roared.

Iron Heart's captive bit into his foreleg, sinking its fangs until they struck bone. Iron Heart whinnied furiously. He used his other hoof to beat on its head. To his surprise, it let go and looked up at him. “Her. The mare. You both... tastes ssssoooo... gooood.” It looked like it was happy, euphoric even. Iron Heart didn't know how to tell, other than its unusual moans and the fact that it's mouth was pulled into what resembled a bloody smile.

Iron Heart knew he was getting weaker. He didn't feel it as much as his body started to stop responding. He was moving slow, being drawn to the ground as if a growing weight was being added to his back. He noticed a bright glow from somewhere in the insect's abdomen. Want me to fall? Fine! He gave a mad whinny, reared, and let the full force of his weight come down on one hoof, squarely on the spot that was glowing. It was a good thing that all he had to do was fall. As his body's strength evaporated, he knew he wouldn't be able to do much else.

A crunch was followed by a squeak as the cavity buckled and then caved. The soft glow turned into a bright green as the insect's insides bubbled and issued onto its outsides. A pulsating green filled the room and died away. Iron Heart couldn't tell what the noise was that came next. A squeak trembled into a chirping whine. Iron Heart checked the creature below his hoof. It had stopped doing anything at all. The sound couldn't have been coming from there. He looked around. Sun Shower was heaving in a corner, holding her neck, wide-eyed.

Iron Heart moved his gaze to the other insect. A piece of mangled red meat dangled loosely off of one of its fangs. It stood there, mouth open. The noise wasn't stopping. Iron Heart couldn't see how it was being made, but that didn't matter. He shoved the creature to the ground and galloped to Sun Shower. Blood was everywhere.

“Dammit!” She slumped lower, her hindquarters giving out, the corner the only thing holding her weight. A wave of peace washed over her face. “You don't get to look like that! That's not the way this is going."

He knew there wasn't anything on him, but he didn't know about her. Her lower half had twisted to its side, one side of her flank facing up. He started shifting through her saddle bag that he could access. “C'mon! I know you've got more in here than your sexy, sexy flank.” Something pulled inside him. Not a muscle or a joint, but a memory. Her muzzle worked, trying to say something. He worked faster, putting pressure on her neck and flipping her over. On this side he dug through, coming out with a healing cuff in his teeth. He whinnied proudly. Her left side, the side with her heart, was where the wound was. She looked at him as he strapped the cuff on her left foreleg, which was holding pressure on her wound. Her hoof shook, weakening. As he tried to pull her leg away, she found strength and resisted. “I'm here to help. Believe me, I need you to believe me, right now!” Again, something tugged at him. “Put your life in my hooves.”

She loosened, Iron Heart nuzzled her hoof away, put one hoof below the wound, and went to put his other leg over the wound when something inside him told him to turn. He spared the slightest glance to see the other insect baring its fangs and coming down on him. He lifted a back leg and landed a perfect buck to its chest. It reeled, tried to get up, and collapsed. He turned back to see Sun Shower limp, her wound open, nothing to stop the flow of blood. Iron Heart spared not a single movement other than to activate the cuff. Although that only took two motions, Iron Heart couldn't help feel that was two motions too many.

Addendum I:

Cutie Marks

Report of Findings for Lab 212, Neighvarro

This one should be obvious, right? Every pony has a cutie mark. All cutie marks tell that pony what makes them special, the unique quality that they express that no other pony can. Our lab would humbly submit that the fundamental nature of these marks is not completely understood. That, or this knowledge has been forgotten. Findings from our controlled experimentation indicate there are magical properties and possibilities yet untapped in this field.

Let's start with what we know. Under normal circumstances, a cutie mark will naturally appear on either flank of the coat of a pony. Exactly when and how the mark appears vary between individuals, but the onset of this mark almost exclusively occurs in colts and fillies before they reach adolescence. Only a few extreme cases have been observed where this is not the case; a long term coma is one such example.

The common factor among documented cases, as well as our own trials, denote a combination of propensity, experience, and acknowledgment that result in a pony’s mark. Put simply, once a pony realizes a central virtue (in the general sense of the term) that they posses and apply, it appears as their cutie mark. This is where our understanding, however, begins to shift.

As purposely stated, a pony receives a cutie mark when they realize a virtue. Does this mean that each pony is relegated to one virtue? Furthermore, this virtue can be related to a pony’s personality, or it might be related to a vocation. By way of example of the latter, one filly from our control group (we'll call her Weather Mane) showed us a white cloud with a golden sun behind it, which she exclaimed she got when she learned that she wanted to be a weather pony. By contrast, a colt (we'll call him Sure Hoof) showed us a dark cloud shrouding a gold circle for his cutie mark. Both marks were similar, so we assumed he wanted to be a weather pony, too. However, he explained his cutie mark appeared when he was good at being strong for other ponies.

In order to further understand the difference between these two foals, we initiated an experiment (after parental permission was given, of course). One night both ponies were given a big meal laced with a mild sedative. While they slept, both flanks were shaved and temporary tattoos of the other's cutie mark were applied. When they awoke, they were told that their cutie marks had somehow been swapped and they were given tasks that would make sure their new marks were correct.

Each pony remained convinced that her or his new situation was irreversible. After much comforting and assurance the ponies decided to make the best of the situation and work at their new tasks.

As expected both performed poorly. What we didn't expect was how stubbornly they both insisted on continuing to perform tasks that they were clearly not suited for. The more they failed at each task, the more determined they became to complete them.

At one point Weather Mane, after a fit of crying, exclaimed that she had to go back in and comfort some animals that were scared. When it was explained to her that her attempts were scaring them further, she responded, “But I have to try, it's who I am!” After much coaching and instruction, she was able to refrain from terrifying the animals, and even return them at least to their original demeanor. Her methods were inefficient and crude, however, leading us to conclude that she would make a poor counselor. Sure Hoof fared no better, utterly failing a weather class and accompanying quiz.

The second phase of our experiment started with another soporific meal (a welcome consolation), and included the removal of the temporary tattoos. This time, the children were told that their cutie marks had disappeared. After another round of consolation, they were told that they could pick what tasks they'd like to try that day.

Weather Mane once again became inconsolable. When asked what was the matter, she responded, “Without my cutie mark, I don't know what I should choose!” At this point, many from our staff, the author included, wanted to stop the experiment. We would have, except that we saw Sure Hoof attempting to comfort her. He even went so far as to say the following, “Don't worry, pick whatever you want. We can do it together. Even if we're bad at it, we can try.”

At this, Weather Mane picked a weather lesson followed by a field trip to a spire operations hub. Both ponies attended the class and the following field trip. While Sure Hoof struggled with the initial lessons, Weather Mane excelled at re-teaching the material, enabling Sure Hoof to pass (even if barely) the quiz before the trip. Weather Mane let Sure Hoof know how happy she was that he didn't give up.

Finally, it was time for phase three. It would be a lie if any of us said we weren't touched by the opportunity to send the foals to bed with one final (even lavish, this time) meal. Later we were happy to replace their marks, and ecstatic to let them know that they had re-earned their cutie marks from doing so well the day before. Closing remarks from the foals included mutual assurances of life-long friendship, as well as the promise from both that, as Weather Mane put it, “Now I'm never gonna forget who I am, not never!”

From this experiment's first phase we propose that cutie marks partly work as a sort of reminder of identity. They seem to be a way for ponies to establish who they are without consciously having to do so. This mark is so linked with a pony's identity that simply changing it leads to a state of what can be best described as disharmony not easily resolved. From phase two, we hypothesize that the loss of a cutie mark results in the pony sliding back into their natural state, assured of who they are, once they are able to come to grips with the loss. Furthermore, we believe that the subconscious is somehow balanced against another, more conscious, self-awareness within a pony's psyche.

Finally, we feel that experience is the best teacher of who a pony is, and that, in some way, brings our experiences together. We all got our cutie marks through some encounter that helped us come to grips with who we are. As we discover the world around us, we discover ourselves. As we discover ourselves, we discover greater ability to affect that world; we discover daily how to better shape our world for the better world it will be tomorrow.

We here at Lab 212 would like to remind all those reading this report that while our results are fascinating, further study is required to either confirm or deny our hypotheses. We have merely scratched the surface of understanding the connections that make up a pony. However, rest assured, our findings have borne fruit already. Some of our findings have been critical, for example, in helping returning soldiers deal with the stress of losing their loved ones in, and out, of combat. However, we cannot but look forward with anticipation at what our continued efforts in this field will lead to.

LEVEL UP
New Perk: Savoir Faire
The difference between you and other ponies is simple- you make this look good.
You receive an extra 5% chance of scoring a critical hit while unarmed, as well as an extra 5% chance to pass a speech check.