Heaven & Hell

Chapter II

The night air was cold and it was too unsettling for Lucy. She shivered as she walked through the quiet streets of Trottingham. They walked past many construction sights, the Highlord started a new building project to make more buildings to make Trottingham more appealing and more excitable to visit. As opposed to its dark undertone that the buildings suggested at night. The shadows the buildings cast sent a small amount of dread through her spine as she looked past the shadows. Though she ignored the feelings, she could not ignore it completely. Lucy concentrated back at the discussion that had just happened. Henry rejected by the Highlord himself and Father Angelus, nothing could be more embarrassing.

She pushed her thoughts aside when she heard the familiar voice of her dear friend Amethyst Rose, "So. If it isn't the mare of the hour. Where is your dearest husband to be? Late again?"

Lucy sighed heavily, she found some joy in her overdramatic personality and her greatly perfectionist ways, as well as her voice was so serene and silky. She said, "Yes. He has important work to finish."

Amethyst huffed, "That's not what I heard. I heard he was rejected by the Highlord himself. Do be careful dear, he just might marry his work rather than you."

Lucy rolled her eyes and said, "I'll keep that in mind, thank you for the heads up."

"What are friends for." Amethyst said with a slight smile.

Bismark said interrupting, "I hate to interrupt your lovely discussion but we have arrived."

Lucy looked up and saw that the mansion was the same that she has come to be familiar with. It was large and extensive but easily accessible and easy to remember its various hallways. The feelings the mansion itself gave off a neutral feeling, rather than the dread she felt with the other buildings.

They approached the doors entering the foyer and was greeted by another member of the Pie family, Peppermint. She was a mint green colored mare with bright golden mane stylized and braided. Her serene eyes met warmly with those just arriving, she bowed graciously saying, "Lady Lucy. Sir Bismarck. Just in time the guests are to be arriving soon. Lady Amethyst, good to see you."

Amethyst bowed and said, "And you as well."

Hours pass and guests move into the mansion and a large group move into the mansion and Lucy identified them immediately. Angelus entered with two other stallions who were General Crimson Vision and Lord Arctic Breeze. Crimson Vision walked with the stance of a soldier and wore the uniform of one, very elaborate and decorative. Arctic Breeze was a bright blue stallion with dark blue mane and tail. As all three entered Arctic said, "Experimenting on Dracula? How absurd! Just who does he think he is?"

"He thinks he controls the power to dethrone the sisters." Crimson responded as they stopped in the foyer. "Such accusations are borderline treason. If I had trained him in the Brotherhood he would have been sent to the whipping post."

"So your answer to bold and unique vision is whipping?" Lucy turned to see the speaker. Jack stepped into the foyer, who arrived merely seconds after them. Angelus turned to face Jack and said, "He is tampering with great immortal powers. I don't like it, he should consider himself lucky we live in a modern Equestria, such acts and their punishments are not as they used to be."

"And I am certain we have you to thank for keeping us in the modern times father." Jack said with a sly smile.

Angelus gave and an agitated glare and said in reply,"Do watch your tongue boy, you never know who you might stick it out to."

"Thoroughly noted." Jack returned with a sarcastic smile. Angelus simply walked on and Lucy was very thankful that it ended. Jack can lose his temper rather fast and it does not become pretty. Arctic Breeze continued. "He wishes to save this Lord of Darkness when he should know that there is no saving him. He is beyond the help of anypony and I don't know why he is interested in such activities where his expertise is needed elsewhere. I have lived in the Order for sixty years and I have yet to see this prisoner's face."

Lucy rolls her eyes and says, "At least he has a goal and something to strive for. More so than many of us here, to call him mad would be to call Jack sensible."

Jack smiled and said, "Hey. I heard that."

She looked over at Jack and gave a warm smile. Her father stepped in at the right time and said, "I assure you all he keeps his work life and his social life on two separate worlds entirely. Lucy assures me that the doctor is excellent husband material."

He stood next to Lucy and she felt safe and secure underneath his warm and inviting aura that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. Arctic Breeze said slyly, "Yet he finds himself excellent at making him late to his own engagement party. Shows a remarkable lack of style."

Jack snorted to himself and said, "Comments of style should never be made by ponies who have none."

Arctic gritted his teeth and said suppressing his anger, "I will find my way to the beverages. I am feeling rather parched."

"And I as well." Crimson stated and followed Arctic Breeze. They walked past Jack who gave them a sarcastic smile and after they had left Jack looked at Lucy laughed and said, "Jack."

Jack nodded his head and said walking closer to her,"Lucy. Lovely to see you again. I'm sure Henry will be along shortly."

A few more introductions of ponies that Lucy failed to remember their names, until finally he arrived. Doctor Henry Pie. His long black mane tied back and combed finely. His square features of a pure earth pony heritage. He wore his usual evening suit along with a long dark red trench coat, of which he took off and hung on the coat rack near the door. Lucy ignored all outside noises and focused only on Henry. Not even the extravagantly decorated interior, the polite guests, and the riveting music could make her lose her focus on the most handsome stallion in all of Trottingham. Her gaze was met with his and they found themselves locked in an endless stare. Henry slowly stepped forward and mere inches away her father Bismark said, "Ah the late Doctor Henry."

Henry said and nodded, "Yes. My apologies Sir Bismark."

"Oh no need for forgiveness." Bismark said returning the respectful nod. "I know you are a busy man. You were taking so long I started anticipating and betting on when you would arrive and it appears I owe sompony three bits."

Henry laughed and said, "Even at a fancy party you find time to gamble. You simply must see somepony for help, I am a doctor after all."

They both exchanged laughs. Bismark retorted. "I'll make sure to invite the wedding guests the day after the wedding day just to make sure the groom is in attendance."

Henry smiled and said, "Have no fear sir, I will be there."

The lighthearted atmosphere around them was always something to relish and enjoy. It almost seemed as if they were the same pony. The only thing to lighten it up a bit more though...

"My my my. There he is, oh Peppermint and I have been waiting all night for you brother."

Lucy turned and saw Jack approaching with Peppermint close next to him. henry said keeping the smile. "How has is come to pass that we left at the same time and I still arrive later than you?"

After a warm hug Jack said, "Perhaps its the reason that father never taught you the proper way to gallop."

He then looked to Peppermint and said, "Oh so good to see you sister."

Peppermint pulled him into a hug and said, "I would say the same brother. Might I ask what kept you so long?"

Henry straightened his suit and said, "It had crossed my mind that I should not jump to conclusions and work on the main patient first. I don't even know if it works on ponies. I was pondering who would volunteer..."

"Volunteer?" Amethyst stepped in and said, "Who in their right mind would want to volunteer for such a thing?"

Lucy could see the irritation on Henry's face as he turned to meet Amethyst. He bowed his head and said, "Lady Amethyst, so good to see you again, I didn't know they invited fillyfoolers to engagement parties."

"And I didn't know it was customary for the groom to show up late to his own engagement party." Amethyst replied with a glare. They glared at each other for what seemed to be hours upon hours. Peppermint rubbed her forehead with her hoof and said, "Can you two not be at each others throats for one night?"

"So long as Henry does not continue rambling like a madpony," Amethyst sneered. Henry's look could cut stone if looks could do so. He said in an aggravated tone,"I must take every opportunity I have to state my beliefs. I would not expect the same from one such as you, Lady Amethyst."

Amethyst's glare tightened and she said, "Beliefs and work are two separate things, Dr. Henry. Do make sure it remains that way."

Jack smiled and stepped between them and said, "Please. Let us not continue this discussion before one of you might say something you might regret."

"Mares and gentlecolts. The fire works." A nearby servant spoke aloud and Jack said addressing Henry and Amethyst, "Almost as if they anticipated this conversation. Lady Amethyst, would you like to accompany me to the fire works?"

"I would be honored Jackpot." Amethyst walked next to Jack and Henry said as they were still in ear shot, "I am not the monster you perceive me to be, Amethyst. Just a stallion with goals and a promise."

The foyer quickly emptied until Lucy and Henry were all that was left. Henry said with a smile turning directly towards her, "Miss Apple."

Lucy returned the warm smile and said,"Doctor Henry."

"Are you angry with me as well?"Henry said.

Lucy stepped closer and she said,"No, I am just glad you arrived."

Henry made the gap between them smaller and said looking into her eyes,"Lucy. You must understand, you are setting yourself up with a life time filled with aggravations such as these."

"If you are referring to your earlier discussion with Amethyst." Lucy said in a soft tone, "Then you should not mind her, she simply follows the crowd."

Henry smirked and said, "So does Jack these days."

They shared a warm laugh and Henry said looking Lucy up and down, "You look gorgeous tonight."

Lucy smiled and said, "Henry you certainly know how to flatter a mare."

Henry smiled and stepped closer to Lucy and said, "No. Just you."

Lucy felt her heart skip a beat. She always loved his turn of phrase and the way he carries himself. He looks as though he carries nothing on his shoulders, but deep down Lucy knows there must be something that weighs down on him. Lucy dropped her smile and said, "I love you too much Henry, to see you like this. You will surely face criticism everywhere you go, what is this promise you made with your father?"

Henry pulled her in close, she could feel the warmth that radiated off of him. She could feel his steady heart beat in his chest and he said in a low tone, "He asked me to promise him never to lose sight of what I believe in. And to never fear the future. On his last breath of life he said to me the only thing that's constant is change."

Lucy could tell that by the way he spoke he spoke with a heavy heart. Lucy says softly, "So you do this for your father?"

"Mother always told me I was exactly like him in every way." Henry responded with a smile, "My laugh, my humor, my walk and even my demeanor. Everything that I am is as well him, I always feel his eyes watching me and I can feel him silently guiding me to where I wish to go. And I feel he wants me to see this through."

Lucy rested her head on Henry's chest and she said, "Then know that I am here with you until the very end, Henry. I love you so much."

Lucy looked into his eyes and he leaned down for a kiss until a two stallions entered the room. Bismark and Jack.

"Lucy you are being asked for." Bismark said.

Jack stated, "And you Henry. Though I have no idea why."