Odyssey to Canterlot: Vital Components

Spectrum froze, looking into Vital’s eyes as she spoke. “Where?”

Vital slowly started walking backwards, keeping an eye on the space behind her. Spectrum took a step forward, but then turned back.

“What are you doing?” Vital hissed as Spectrum began walking towards the tree line. Spectrum brought out her sword, flinching as she was reminded of the burns on her hand.

“The bodybag is still back there.”

Vital’s eyes grew wide. Spectrum was risking life and limb just going to Canterlot to bury this guy; Vital seriously doubted a dog would deter her. Vital sighed as he thought of a plan to stop her from dying. He turned on his heel, and started running.

“Hey pup, I’m over here!” Vital felt his heart skip a beat as he saw the dog burst out of the treeline . It had three pairs of yellow eyes, all of which locked onto Vital. It had a flat face that made Spectrum think of a demon more than a dog. The face spoke of terror, just as the first of four bladed feet did, as it slammed down in front of her. The arched barrel body passed by her quickly, a great feet considering the heavy plates of steel that covered the body. Spectrum just stood there for a few moments, her breath catching at the sight of the beast.

“Get it now, before it manages to eat me!” Vital was yelling as he reached the treeline, the dog not far behind. Spectrum turned back towards the way they had come, and started sprinting, desperate to get back in time. We had just fixed our problems, and once more Vital was about to die.

Vital wasn’t worried about death though, because he had a plan. He hit the trees, immediately scrambling up the branches. However, Dogs were able to rip through train cars, so the tree wasn’t going to stand a chance. A quake went through the branches as the dog crashed, and Vital used the force to throw himself into another tree. Holy son of a bitch! I am not going to be able to keep this up.

Vital got up, his legs still shaking from the impact. He grit his teeth, now worried about just how much time Spectrum had to get back, and what they would even do then. He braced for the next impact, and waited, and waited. Come on already, attack already! Vital looked down, and saw the yellow eyes staring back. Vital waved at it while his heart slowly eased back to a steady rhythm. The dog growled at the hand, but stayed firmly on the forest floor.

Vital simply watched it for a bit and then started running along the branches and jumping to different trees. Vital still had to be careful though, because whenever he drifted too low the dog would try to jump and bite at his legs. So, the trees are like trains cars, aren’t they puppy dog? Vital swallowed hard. Of course, that’s only until I reach its critical threshold. That’s when dogs ripped apart the train cars they protected.

“Fucking Celestia!” Spectrum almost had a heart attack upon seeing the dog and almost fell in her hurry to get into the treetops. She saw Vital as he threw a twig at the dog and it roared back at him. “Vital, how did you get over here?” Vital stood up, and braced himself.

“Pass me the body. If we simply pass him along, we don’t have to drop to the ground. As for how I’m over here; the dog thinks the trees are train cars. At least, that’s my best guess.” Spectrum grinned at that.

“Sounds good, but why don’t you just feed it a clip of plasma into its eyes? Then we can keep walking.” Vital chuckled as he took the body and carefully stepped across the branches.

“Yeah, about that. Well, you see, at the camp when we first met, not that I really am that-.” Spectrum glared at him, fire within her eyes. Vital’s words came out in a torrent now, “I was bluffing. I can see where I should hit them, but I suck at using guns.” Spectrum stopped right as she was passing Vital the body bag into the next tree.

“So wait, I could have stomped your ass into the ground, and your pistol would have been useless?” Vital huffed at her, but then looked down.

“It’s not like I can’t shoot it. I just can’t really hit anything outside of… ten feet?”

“Ten Feet! Great, you really can’t hit anything.” Vital looked back up at Spectrum, about to yell. However, the grin on her face quickly shut down his argument as he blushed at falling for the taunt. “So, any ideas as to what we’ll do when he starts tearing apart trees?” Vital bit into his cheek, but slowly nodded.

“Think so, but I really don’t like it. It involves a lot of running, mainly on my part. Oh, and just in case,” Vital brought up his iron case and opened it. He then pulled out a piece of paper and scrawled something onto it before shoving the scrap into the box and closing it. He then unholstered his pistol and held both the gun and case out to Spectrum.

“The box holds a lot of personal things and now that includes the secret of surviving Canterlot. There’s a map within that leads to a safer way into the city, and a few rations for food. Past that there’s the primer. However I’m out of medkits.” Spectrum looked at him as she took the body bag, her eyebrows furrowing.

“Why are you bringing all that up?” Spectrum furrowed her eyebrows as Vital smiled at her.

“Well, you’ve got a burned hand, and actually, there are some bandages within that might help with that.” Vital’s smile dropped as Spectrum scowled at him.

“I mean, why are you giving me your stuff?” Spectrum heard Vital take a deep breath as he turned to towards the edge of his branch.

“In case the dog gets me of course.” Vital shoved the gear into her arms as he leapt off of the tree, the dog’s eyes turning red. He rolled forward and recovered on his feet, running fast towards another part of the treeline. The dog gave immediate chase, tearing into the ground as it started moving. Spectrum knew it would follow relentlessly now, and that Vital was most likely screwed.

There was nothing she could do though, so she turned her attention to the clearing ahead and felt her heart leap into her throat. “No fucking way.” Spectrum took off, aiming for the dirt bridge she had crossed so many times before. Hopefully she would be home, or at least have left something that would be useful.

Vital slammed into the first tree, and braced himself. This time the dog crashed straight into it, and flung him into the next tree. He felt splinters bouncing off of his coat. Now it’s serious. A roar came below as the tree shuddered from the dog jumping on it. Vital prepared to brace himself.

The dog didn’t shred this tree though. Instead it rotated its head, causing the mouth to be parallel with the trunk. Vital felt the tree shake as it bit into it, but then had to grab ahold of a branch as it yanked the tree out of the ground. Vital held on at first, but was quickly thrown away as the dog tossed the tree.

Vital looked up, scrambling to his feet. The dog roared, but that gave him time to start running. There was no time to get back into a tree, not yet at least. Vital glanced over his shoulder to confirm that he was still being followed, and being gained on. He grit his teeth as he focused and for a moment his memories of leaving home flashed in his mind.

“Argh.” Vital pushed them away as his muscles burned from the exertion. He barely heard his signal; a lack of sound coming from behind him. Vital skidded to a stop, turning to face the dog, now in a murderous leap towards him. He only had enough time to take a few steps forward before rolling into a tight ball, going underneath the dog.

Vital hurt. The dog landed mostly behind him, but the hind legs had caught him, and flailed out, continuing to beat into him. He got up, the dog turning around. Vital looked into the beast’s eyes, his blood turning to ice. Vital grit his teeth as the dog came charging once more.

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Spectrum dashed across the bridge, every step bringing her closer and closer to safety. She grabbed the handle and pulled; surprised to find it locked. She started pounding on the door, her other hand on her sword. No way I’m going to let some free-loading, squatter stop me from-.

Spectrum wasn’t sure her head was still working as the door opened. Butterfly couldn’t still be alive, not with all the time that had passed. Yet here she was, holding up a sign in front of her chest that said Hello Spectrum, how have you been? She just stared at the yellow woman, confusion clouding her happiness.

“Butterfly, it’s so good to see you.” Butterfly gave her a smile before turning around and gesturing to be followed. Spectrum was amazed by the ankle length pink hair, but something else felt off about her. Spectrum blushed a deep crimson as she put it together. “What are you wearing?” The yellow girl looked down at herself and scrawled on the notepad she had.

My clothes?

“Those aren’t clothes, they’re underwear!” Spectrum couldn’t help but glance down at the barely contained chest within a pink bra, but had to turn away as she took in the large yellow wings, pain filling her chest. “Please tell me you’re wearing panties.” Butterfly let out a small giggle, and nodded when Spectrum turned back to her. She then started writing on her notepad again.

Spectrum glanced at the note and scowled, the anger refocusing her. “They don’t matter. I’m not that type of woman now, got it?” Spectrum was close to Butterfly, glaring down at her. Butterfly didn’t cower though, merely nodding. “Now, do you have anything to put down a dog?” Butterfly looked at her puzzled and turned the writing pad.

Why?

Spectrum rolled her eyes as she searched the house. “Because I have some idiot with me that is going to die soon if I don’t save him.” Another giggle came from Butterfly as she wrote something down. She smiled at Spectrum as she turned the pad to her.

You have no reason to worry. The dog finished his final lunge and is enjoying his lunch in peace.

Spectrum paled as she looked at her friend. “What?”

I don’t like watching as my pup rips apart other people. Spectrum took a few steps back from Butterfly, simply staring at her.

“What do you mean your pup?” Butterfly knocked on a metal headband on her head, something Spectrum had merely shrugged off before.

The headband allows me to control the mechs as long as I meld myself with them first.

Spectrum smiled, heaving a sigh. “You would not believe how happy I am to hear that. Now, can you call off the dog so Vital will survive?” Butterfly sucked her lips into her mouth as she wrote once more.

I already said this. He’s dead, as he should be.

Spectrum’s eyes went wide as she scowled. “Don’t you fucking dare presume that cocky moron is dead. Now get your dog to come back, and I’ll go find him. He’ll need some help.” Butterfly’s eyes narrowed and she bit into her lip as she wrote down on her pad.

Follow me. I need to explain something to you. Spectrum followed Butterfly as she went upstairs. Butterfly entered one of the rooms and gestured around her, a deadpan stare to her eyes. Spectrum took a deep breath as she entered. There were notes everywhere.

They’ll come soon, I know it. Its been years, why won’t they visit. Friendship is magic, right? Who needs them, I can survive, right? The mechs ripped apart Angel yesterday, what am I to do? I found a new Angel, I only hope he will continue to keep me company. My stare, it seems to give me control, and for once, I want it. I wonder if Fluttershy would be proud of who I am? Fuck Fluttershy, I am who she could never be. I am strength, I am death, I am survival.

Spectrum turned to Butterfly, her eyes wide. Her breathing was shallow, afraid to look at what Butterfly had just written. I missed you. All of you. I was so alone. I had no one to talk to, and now have forgotten how to. I am no longer a fragile butterfly, able to be crushed underfoot. Instead, I changed, adapted, and in turn became silence. I don’t need you, and I will not take the risk of new presented by new people. Your friend will stay where he is.

Spectrum looked down, tears filling her eyes. She squeezes them tight though, forcing the tears back, forcing back the feelings that she had learned to repress to survive. This wasn’t Butterfly, this was not her friend.

Spectrum’s hand shot out, pushing Butterfly to the ground. Butterfly was about to get up as she heard a hiss and a light blue blade appeared in front of her face. “You don’t want to give a shit about anyone else? Fine. However, I don’t give a fuck about what you think of him, I need him. Now you claim to have learned how to survive; so I would reconsider your earlier decision.”

Silence’s head nodded slightly. The headband glowed slightly, the upside down T on the front flaring red for a moment. Happy? Spectrum just looked at her friend through loose strands of rainbow hair. She felt her age, felt all she had done. Butterfly could have helped with that, but that wasn’t happening; not now.

Spectrum turned off her sword. “I’m going to wait for Vital outside. We’ll discuss the past later, but he comes first.” Spectrum didn’t look back, fighting back tears as she slammed the door.