The Life of an Engineer - The unwanted Adventures

by Hoppa_21

Rating: teen
Tags: Queen Chrysalis, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Changelings
Length: 11634

Steam Gear is a unicorn engineer, who wants to live a peaceful life. He owns a small shop and tries his best to fit in with everypony, but that is easier said than done. However, his life changes completely, when he finds a mysterious tree.

A unicorn engineer, who has a wing obsession, fears every change and every new encounter, has self doubts in form of a critical voice in his head, and breaks easily down. Not the best combination for an adventure, if you ask me. Not that Steam Gear would like to go on an adventure.

He is perfectly happy with his normal life as a shop owner in the small town Ironburg. Or as happy as you can be, if you stay alone most of the time. Well, alone if you forget about his employee and his regulars, who enter the shop, from time to time. But that's not the point.

Steam Gear likes things the way they are. Little did he know, that a normal day will end in a catastrophy and his life will be changed forever, as he finds a mysterious tree with strange gems on it. He gets drawn in a war, he doesn't want to be part of and the worst is, he will be the protagonist.

Published 2015-02-01 06:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-03-16 13:54:53 UTC

A normal day

Author's Note

This is my first english story. Please tell me if you find any grammar or punctuation mistakes. :twilightsheepish:

A normal day

Did you ever regret something? I did, a lot of times, and I doubted myself probably more often, than most of the other ponies. I did not fit in, or at least, that's what I thought. But one day, everything changed. Not that I liked the change that happened. It was a hell of an experience that left me more than once on the edge of breaking down. But we should probably start at the beginning.

First of all let's get to the introduction.

Hi, I’m Steam Gear and I’m a unicorn engineer. I live in Ironburg, a small town at the border of Equestria, which is guarded by Equestrian military. The border is next to the wasteland of Queen Chrysalis, a changeling queen, who tried to take over Equestria several times. So you could say that protection is really needed around here. You never know, when she tries to strike again. But let's forget about that for now.

The sun was rising at the horizon. Its warmth reached through the window and reached my cheek. I rolled over to the other side of the bed. I knew, that I had to get up, but I still struggled a little. After five more minutes I sat up and moved slowly out of the bed.

Yesterday was hard. A lot of jobs to do and I still haven't finished them all. I was glad, that I had an employee. Doing this job alone would let me little to no free time at all. But I needed to get going. There was no time.

I had breakfast and then got ready. I looked at the mirror. I had a green coat with a brown mane and wore a white shirt with a brown jacket. Only my top hat was missing. I grabbed it fast and put it on my head.

Now I was all set to go and moved to my small shop. I enjoyed the walk. Ironburg has a lot to see. The nice rustic metallic and wooden buildings along with a small river, which flows through the town make a great atmosphere.

Then I finally reached the shop I sighed. I still needed to get a new label for my shop. The old one was so rusty, that you almost couldn’t read the name of the shop. It probably wouldn’t attract many customers anymore. I’m just glad, I had some regulars around. This helped the shop a lot.

I levitated the key and opened the old shop. I sure was glad, that I took it over from my former boss. It wasn’t much, but it was my own little shop. Not everypony could brag about having a shop. On the other hoof, when did I ever brag?

Soon I heard the doorbell rang and greeted my employee, Screw Driver. He was an Earth Pony with a cream-coloured coat and a brown, ruffled mane. Despite him being an earth pony, he could manage the tasks I gave him surprisingly well. I know, that I couldn’t beat him at it without my magic.

I don’t want to think about, how bad I would fail at being an earth pony! I’m just too clumsy with my hooves!

We both got to work quickly. There were still enough jobs we had to deal with. Now that I think about it… It seems like the guards are more active lately, since most of the jobs were for them. They had a lot of devices and weapons, which needed a repair or a complete makeover.

“Mr. Gear, Sir. The delivery is here,” said Screw Driver, as he came back from the small delivery entrance. I actually liked the way he addressed me. With so much respect and awe. I didn’t think that highly of myself.

But let’s forget about that and first check on the delivery. “Hm…” I mused. “Not bad. This is the new technology I heard about? I need to know, how it works, so that I can reproduce and repair it in the future.” I turned around to Screw Driver. “Could you take care of the counter, while I inspect the goods?”

He nodded. “Of course, Sir.”

And by inspect I of course meant to dissemble one of these! I just needed to know how they work! I mean, how could I call myself an engineer if I couldn’t keep up with new technology?

Hours passed like seconds and soon it was noon. Not bad that I could manage a rhyme, but back to the topic.

I was finally done, at least with the understanding part. I could now imagine how it worked. To put it back together would still take some time. But I could do that still later. I should take over the counter for now.

As I entered the sales room, I could see Screw Driver working on one of those jobs for the guards. I was so fascinated with the new technology, that I totally forgot about them!

“Sir, would you like to take over the counter?” he asked, while I stood there dumbstruck.

After a while I muttered, “Yeah…sure…” I’m really not that well organized. I should really do something about it or else it could harm the customer satisfaction and with that my reputation. Mental notes are simply not enough. Screw driver went back to the working room, by the time I was finished with my thoughts.

And then suddenly the doorbell rang and a cyan pegasus pony dashed into my shop. She wasn’t hard to recognize with her rainbow mane. Compared to other ponies, she was really sticking out.

“Welcome to Steam Punk Engineering. What can I do for you today, Rainbow Dash?” I greeted and waited for her answer. I didn’t have to wait long.

She grunted, “Call me RD! That sounds 20 % cooler, G!” G, a strange nickname if you ask me, but I would never defy a customers wish.

I flinched at her little outburst and avoided her glare. “Sorry… I forgot…”

She sighed. “You should really stop the whole ‘getting depressed at everything’ thing. Seriously, how do you plan on binding your customers like that? You should be lucky, that I’m the most loyal pony around here.” She stuck her chest out. “Let’s get back to the topic on hoof here. What have you got for me this time?”

I put on a reassuring smile. Now I was in my element. “You will like this. Look at this glove!” I pointed at a glove.

“So? What about it?”

I grinned. “It is a new technology, which allows you to use the magic within you and fire a small ball of magic towards your enemies! It is a nice addition to the wing blades I made for you! It will make your fighting skills at least 20 % cooler and you will also be able to knock enemies out at least 20 % faster!”

“Sounds good, but I’m more of a physical fighter. Do you have anything for a hoof fight?”

My grin widened. “Of course there is also a version of this glove, which is perfect for physical combat.” I showed her another glove, which looked slightly different than the other.

“It will strengthen the blow, that your hoof delivers and most certainly send your enemy flying. They won’t know, what hit them! I’m sure that you can take down a lot more enemies with the strength that this glove enables. Like the previous Item, it will make your fighting still 20 % cooler and will ensure you a victory in 10 seconds flat!”

At this point, I should mention how easy it is to satisfy Rainbow Dashes needs. Just use the words 20 % cooler or 10 seconds flat and she would buy it. Of course I wouldn’t abuse this power to sell her junk. Actually I would be too afraid to sell her junk. She is strong and I don’t want to take the risk to have her as an enemy. That’s for sure.

Rainbow Dash smiled at me. “That’s what I wanted to hear, G! It is just as awesome as me! I will take it. And adjust it for me, so that it fits my armor better. I hope you prepare the yard for some weapon testing later.” She said motivated.

I grinned. "Sure. I will set it up for the afternoon. I wouldn't want to test a new weapon without my most loyal customer."

“You got that right!" Then suddenly her demeanor changed to a less cheerful level, which alarmed me. I already knew, what was about to come. "Oh and about your payment… Let’s just write it down to the other debts. I’m kind of broke at the moment,” she said sheepishly, which caused my grin to disappear.

Right… I shouldn’t expect her to pay immediately. I mean, she doesn’t do it normally, so why should she pay now? She will probably pay it at the end of the month, when she gets her salary, but… It is hard for me to wait for the payment always at least a month. I mean, I have to run a business! Why can’t she just manage her money better? Not that I could complain. She is the most loyal customer I have. Maybe I should say something… Better not. I don’t want to upset her.

You are pathetic.

No, I’m not! Stupid voice in my head, leave me alone!

You should just demand that she pays her purchases in advance! Where’s your problem?

I… I just don’t want to rush her.

Please, we both know, that this is not the real reason

“I will take a look around for other stuff.”, she said and then walked to one of the shelves. She used her wings as hooves and looked through the mechanical devices, which laid there.

How beautiful… I let out a dreamy sigh. Look at them. Those wings are the things what haunt my dreams. They are so feathery and soft. I just wished I could…measure them.

Measure? Not this again. Stop this nonsense at once!

But…that nonsense is technically my job…

Your Job? Don’t make me laugh! Engineering is not defined by measuring wings! You only have to measure wings, if you build or adapt something for a customer, nothing more! What is so fascinating about them anyway?

They are so useful. I mean, they are technically a second pair of hooves, only that they are a lot more useful, with the tips, that could act like fingers! They are so soft and feathery and flexible and strong and… I could measure them all day. The things I would do to those wings… Not only measure. I would experiment with them to gain knowledge about their flexibility and strength and… Why can’t she order another pair of wing blades? When I could just pretend, that her wings have grown or that I have lost her measurements and so I could measure them again! I let out another dreamy sigh.

“Uh… you are drooling,” said Rainbow Dash. This pulled me immediately out of my thoughts. I needed to say something to distract her from this or a good explanation or any smart words!

“Uh…really?” was all I could utter. Thanks brain. You did well! I really am pathetic…

“Uh…yeah…” she said sounding a little unsure. “Whatever, I have to get back to work. The guards need me to keep this place safe. ” She shrugged. “You know, they can’t keep this place safe without somepony as awesome as me.”

“Yes... I can imagine...” I said a little dumbstruck.

She then took off and left the shop.

Guards, hm? I thought. I could bet that she is taking a nap like usual. I’m not the type of pony that leaves the house often, but when I do I see her more sleeping than flying or doing her work. Most of the times I’m disappointed by it. I mean, I would really love to watch her flying all the time! It is far more exciting to see what those wings of her can do. And I know for a fact, that she is a really good flyer. I saw her competing against other guards, they didn’t stand a chance!

Come to think of it, I haven’t made an important delivery to a customer yet. Another mental note that I completely forgot. I should better get going.

Yeah, move! That voice is a real charmer.

I put on my saddlebag with the delivery from my working room and left. I told Screw Driver to take care of the shop and he happily obliged.

When I left the shop I sighed. This was really the worst thing that could have happened today. I mean, drooling? She probably thinks I’m a creep and I couldn’t really blame her. Now I will never get a chance to measure those wings again…

Snap out of it! You won’t bind any customers with such a strange behavior.

Well, technically I am strange. I’m probably the only one, who has problems to fit in with other ponies. The only pony I do not behave strange around is Screw Driver. I just act without thinking too much. Probably because I have warmed up to him over the last years and that’s only because we work together. It probably helped too that the shop isn’t crowded like other places. I hate places with many ponies. I can’t handle them. They just make me nervous and I always want to leave immediately.

Things can’t always go on like this.

Yeah…probably not. I sighed again.

I made my way to the other side of town. It was a nice neighborhood with a park and great sight of the town, since this place lay higher than the rest.

I looked at the note with the address and searched for the house in question. After a while I could see it. It was cream-coloured with wooden frames and seemed really warm and inviting.

I rang the bell and waited.

It didn't take long until a pegasus, with a blue coat and a black mane, opened the door.

His name was Rain Cloud. I remembered the first time I saw him. I admired his wings and almost spaced out. I could luckily pull myself together and take on his order.

“Good day. I'm glad you could make it.”

“Hello,” was all I said. I didn't know what else to say at this moment.

“Please, come in,” said the pegasus pony, “my daughter is in the living room. Follow me.”

I followed, though I was nervous. It was always hard for me to meet new people or go to new places. I instantly grew more nervous. I liked things that never changed. It gives me a feeling of safety, of stability.

I soon entered the living room and saw the little filly Star Gazer, with her blue coat and white mane. On her hind legs were some poorly made constructions to help her with the walking. Hospital sometimes only provides the things that are necessary and who said that they would have a good quality?

I remembered then he told me about the accident, what his daughter had gone through and that she would never be able to walk on her own again. At least not without the right ressources.

There was a time when I doubted my decision, my whole life, but it all vanishes, when I see somepony, who I can help, with what I'm doing.

“Hi there,” I said, as I knelt down, “I'm done with the construction and you could now try it on, if you want.”

She nodded. Everypony could see that she was slightly nervous.

I levitated my saddlebags to the ground and levitated two leg splints out of them. With the numerous ornaments, they looked more like armor, than something that supports the walking and that was important. The filly didn't want to look handicapped and I understood that. She just wanted to be seen like any other filly.

Her eyes widened. “They are beautiful!” she exclaimed.

I smiled. “I'm glad you like them. Let's try them on, shall we?”

She nodded frantically.

I removed her leg splints and put the others on. While I did this, I explained her and her father how to put them on.

“Do they fit good? Not too tight and not too sloppy?” I asked.

The filly shook her head, smiling. “They fit perfectly.”

“Then try to walk a few steps with them.”

She did as I said and her smile widened. “They are perfect!” she cheered and then hugged me.

I wasn't into hugs, but to see that kid happy really warmed my heart.

“Thanks,” said Rain Cloud, who was standing behind me, “They are even better than I imagined them.”

“I do that I can and I'm glad you both like them.”

At that moment, the door opened and soon a white unicorn mare entered the living room.

She looked at Star Gazer, who immediately hugged her. “Mom, I can walk without any problems now!”

“I can see that.”

She smiled down at me. “Hello, you must be Steam Gear. I'm Heaven Ward. Pleased to meet you.”

“Yeah...Nice to meet you,” I said a little nervous though this change of situation. She seemed to have noticed it.

“No need to be nervous around here. You are our guest and you did so much for us, when you build that leg splinters,” she said, as she moved closer.

I stood up tensed.

“Why don't you stay for lunch?” she said cheerfully, “It is the least we can offer you for such a great job.”

Staying with ponies I barely now, and that in a new location. It is probably not necessary to mention, that I tensed even more at this invitation. I doubt, that I'm up to this new situation.

“Sorry, but I still have a lot of work to do,” I said nervously.

The mare nodded. “I understand. We can still catch up on this later.”

I nodded silently and then said my goodbyes.

I was glad, once I left their home. The street felt a lot more familiar.

You can't always avoid other ponies, said the voice in my head.

I know, but I can try, right?

Stop fooling around.

Yeah. I know you are right this time. It's just easier said than done.

I kept on arguing with myself as I walked down the road, back to my shop.

All in all it was a normal day until then. I never would have guessed that this day marked the end of my normal, peaceful life.

A cell for one

Author's Note

Here is another chapter. I'm not quite satisfied with the part before the end. Maybe I must change it later on. Tell me what you think of this chapter! :twilightsmile:

A cell for one

I was walking through the park, when I headed back. From this point on everything went wrong. If I knew, what was about to happen, I would have even taken up my clients invitation! But that lies all in the past know. However, let's not dwell here on these thoughts, right?

A moderate breeze was blowing, as I walked through the park. I enjoyed the walk, especially since I was the only one here. Or at least, that's what I thought.

I was in deep thought, so I didn't notice the shadow that was closing in on me.

*Thump*

And then my sight got black, as I fell to the ground.

I probably wouldn't have seen this coming, even if I wasn't arguing with myself. You could easily say that I'm one of the most inattentive ponies around, other than Rainbow Dash.

Now that I think about it. She would have probably wiped the floor with the fella, as soon as he had lied his eyes on her. Like I said before, I wouldn't want her as an enemy.

When I finally woke up I was in a dark room. I couldn't move. I almost couldn't see through the thick layer of green before my eyes. I was tied up with this green stuff even on both hooves and I couldn't use my horn, since the gooey stuff was all over head.

It kind of reminded me of green jelly. The one that you can buy in groceries. But since I doubted, that this was jelly, I wouldn't give it a try. It probably tasted horrible.

I slowly realized the situation I was in. Somepony seemed to have ponynapped me. I didn't know who was it, or why somepony would want to do that, to a small shop owner like me.

I thought of every worst case scenario I could muster. From cannibalism to serial killer, to rapist. Unnecessary to say, that this didn't put my mind at ease. I was so scared. But that was not even the worst thing.

I slowly looked down on me and then shook my head. It can't be, I thought. They have taken my top hat and my clothes! Yeah, I'm the type of pony that gets emotional over clothes.

I always thought of my clothes as some way to get identified. It was an important part of my identity. With it I felt safe.

To sum it up, I have two pillars of safety and stability. One were the familiar things of my life, like my shop, my job, my house, my employee and my regular, Rainbow Dash. The other one was my clothes. With the two pillars broken down I slowly began sobbing.

This won't get you out of here, said the voice in my head.

It is over, I let out another sob.

It is only over, then you give up. Stand up! Answered the voice sharply.

But I don't know where I am and I'm restrained and...they have stolen my top hat... And here we go again with the sobbing.

Forget this stupid hat! God, what will I ever do with you. Silence then filled the room, as I did not answer.

Ok, see it this way. You can't wear a top hat again, if you don't stand up right now and get out of here!

True enough. This voice could be useful sometimes.

But how? I asked insecure.

Try to think of an idea yourself! I can't do that for you. I can only guide you up until this point.

I wished, that you could just take over. I don't think I can do this. It is just too much.

The voice sighed. Listen to me. You need to pull yourself together, or else it is over and we both don't want that.

I stopped sobbing and tried to calm down. However I was interrupted, as I heard somepony outside of the door. Slowly the handle was pushed down and with that all of my hopes.

I started sobbing again. It was over now. I was so sure of it.

I coiled up to a ball. Quivering and almost crying. This scared the hell out of me.

I must have looked pretty pathetic back then, but I couldn't help it. My whole world broke down in a single day.

Would you have acted any different? You probably would say, just to stay quiet, as the pony was walking in the room. That I should just act, like I was still unconscious, but it is easier said than done.

I was at the edge of a mental breakdown. Maybe you could even call it a mental breakdown. That would be 'Mental Breakdown Number 1' then.

Best thing is to make a mental breakdown counter. I will probably need that one more often.

Where was I? Oh, right. Somepony just opened the door.

I closed my eyes at this time. I didn't want to look my captor in the eyes. I didn't want to look at my captor at all!

At this time I could hear the voice in my head, who tried to vigorously get me to fight my fate. But the voice was blurred, through my panic attack and mental breakdown.

I just couldn't concentrate on the voice. I was too scared.

The steps grew closer and closer and closer. I almost couldn't breath.

Now that I think about it, how can you breath with that layer of green anyway? It somehow seemed to be permeable to air. Strange if you think about it. Something as thick and gooey as this permeable to air? But I guess I'm trailing off.

My heart pounded faster with each step. The captor was so close. Only a few steps away.

At this point I wanted to loose my conscious again. I couldn't bear with it.

When, suddenly, the hoofsteps stopped.

I was crying at this point. I couldn't hold back my tears. To hell with the 'die like a stallion' saying. It wouldn't make any difference in the end.

I waited for what was about to come. The seconds passed like hours until suddenly my restraints were cut through and I heard a familiar voice.

“Are you alright, G?”, Rainbow Dash asked, apparently worried.

I cried as I hugged her. I wasn't into hugs, like I said before, but I somehow needed it now. I probably looked like a little colt, who was crying into the chest of an adult pony, but I didn't care one bit at the moment.

I needed solace, I needed stability. And there was Rainbow Dash, the last bastion of stability at the pile of shards, that was once my life.

Rainbow Dash was surprised by my action, but hugged me back regardlessly. “Everything is alright, G. I'll get you out of here.”

We remained like this for...I actually don't know how long. I just cried, until my eyes were completely emptied.

When I was finished, I still sobbed some more. I tried slowly to calm down and the more I calmed, the more I was ashamed of myself.

I just realized how pathetic I must have looked.

“Sorry... I just... panicked and... I thought my life was over and... I'm pathetic...” I said between my sobs.

“I told you before and I will tell you again, G, stop the whole 'getting depressed at everything' thing. I admit, that I didn't expect you to break down like this, but I don't blame you for it,” she gave me a reassuring smile, “Let's go, before this gets any more awkward.”

I nodded.

For her to act like this. It could seem, like she was totally out of character at the moment, but I could recognize with her last words, that she didn't like this situation either. She probably didn't have to give much solace in her life and she was probably as uncomfortable with the situation as me.

But she put up with the situation, because she had to. I wouldn't be of any help, if I was laying on the floor crying, and let's be honest here, the wailing would only have attracted my captor, when we would try to sneak out of...the cave?

Or how would you call it? We were underground. I could even see it back then. But I could also only see it, because the form looked like it. The whole walls were covered with a harder version of the green stuff. It almost looked like crystals. So, let's call it a crystal cave for now, even though we might need to rename it later on.

After the moment passed, I finally managed to stand up. I was still bewildered and scared, but I could at least hold my composure. I also started thinking more clearly now. It was question-time.

“What is this?” I said, as I motioned with my hoof through the room.

“We don't have much time, that's why I will give you only a short explanation.” She took a deep breath.

“You were kidnapped by changelings, who stole your identity and you are not the only one. They seem to infiltrate the city. That's why we need to get out of here, to the military guards and tell them about their secret hideout. When we will kick their flanks and they will go back to the wasteland, they came from! In the end, everypony will recognize how awesome I am, even the Wonderbolts, which will happily take me into their rows!”

It was all about a promotion? I didn't question it. She often told me about 'how awesome' the Wonderbolts were and that she would do 'anything' to join this highest military circle.

Her motives were quite obvious though. I probably could have guessed them, even without her mentioning them. Sometimes she was as easy to read as an open book.

“Let's not strike roots here. Come on!” she exclaimed.

We walked out the room and stood in a long floor. A lot of corridors were on either side and I was worried if we could really get out of here. It seemed like a maze to me.

Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate a second and walked down the floor. I followed her quietly. But then struck me an important question.

“How do you know that the military isn't - “

“Shush!” - she suddenly pressed her wing on my mouth. - “Somepony is coming.”

Let's just recall, how much I love wings, so that it is clear, why I reacted the way I did.

Wings are for me almost the purpose of my life, besides my job as an engineer. I always wanted to have some. They are so majestic and so soft and feathery. And let me warn you, the words 'soft' and 'feathery' are something you will hear a lot more often through my story.

Or let’s just put it this way: What for Rainbow Dash is ’20 % cooler’ and ’10 seconds flat’ is for me ‘feathery’ and ‘soft’, even though I normally never spoke those words out loud.

Let's get back to the topic on hoof here. When I remember it right, I was about to savor this glorious moment.

YES! SO MUCH YES! I screamed in my thoughts. Soooo soft.

I leaned lightly against her wing and sunk into it. I just wanted to feel her feathers and the softness of her wing more. You can't blame me for that, right?

I can happily die now, I thought dreamily.

Then die, said the voice in my head. But it couldn't ruin this moment for me. I was radiating with glee.

God, I swear, I would have totally descended on her to measure her violently, if it wasn't for the situation we were in.

I wished, that it would have happened at my home or in my shop and I couldn't care less, that she would have kicked my flank, after my measuring was done. Actually, she would have kicked my flank as soon as I would descend on her, but it would be at least worth a try. Maybe I could have restrained her with my magic. I mean, a stallion can dream, right?

At this point I was drooling uncontrollably. It didn't take Rainbow Dash long to notice.

“Urgh... You are drooling again! And all over my wing too! Geeze, G, what is it with you and drooling today!”, she whispered sharply, as she removed her wing from my mouth.

I didn't care about her sharp words at the moment. My dopey smile lasted, as I was trapped in what must have been pony heaven. Also I must say, that I was a little disappointed at the 'way too early' removal of her wing.

Rainbow Dash was apparently grossed out by the waterfall of drool, that was covering her wing, since she was shaking it vigorously, to get it off. It was remarkable, how much drool a pony could produce.

At least she won't do that again, said the voice in my head amused.

Realization hit me.

I sighed disappointed. He was right. I couldn't just make a noise, so that she would cover my mouth with her wing again. She would probably use her hoof. And a hard hoof, full of dirt wasn't that attracting. The world was too cruel.

The voice seemed to like it, when I suffer. Or in other words, he was gloating at this moment.

Sometimes I thought of this little voice as a little sadist. I mean, seriously, we are the same pony technically, so he shouldn't do that! Practically, he should suffer like me, but I couldn't see him suffering at all! Only when I was enjoying myself. Strange, isn't it? Well, I'm not a psychologist, so I should just drop it.

Meanwhile the steps grew more distant and Rainbow Dash sighed relieved.

“No more questions until we get out. Got it?” she whispered.

I nodded, slightly ashamed.

We started walking again when - “He is gone! Guards alarm the whole hive!” - somepony bellowed at the top of his lungs. Great. Those guards were walking straight to the room, where I was kept in.

What did I say earlier? Crystal cave, right? We could also call it hive now. Probably a lot shorter and better suited for the fast-paced situation we are now in. But let's keep going, before I trail off again.

“Shoot!” whispered Rainbow Dash, “We need to get out of here fast. Run!”

And so I did. I ran right beside her. She seemed to hold back though. Let's be honest, I would never keep up with her pace, if she was giving 100 %. Or maybe 120 %, since she had this 20 % quirk?

It didn’t take us long to run straight into the arms of another pair of guards.

Rainbow Dash speeded up immediately. Her wing blades were all ready to go as she took those two changelings down, without breaking a sweat.

I sighed dreamily. They seem so fragile, but they are yet so strong.

Focus, said the voice in my head.

Alright, alright… I muttered.

We ran past the collapsed changelings towards the exit, but when we finally arrived, there was only a dead end.

“Dammit!” sweared Rainbow Dash, “They must have blocked the path, as soon as this guy was screaming at the top of his lungs.”

“Probably,” I uttered.

The question on hoof was, ‘What now?’, but I doubted that even Rainbow Dash would have an answer for that.

Or that’s what I thought. Even before I could finish, with what I was thinking, she attacked the wall with her wing blades.

She was quite the feisty one.

Problem here was, that they were a lot harder than the restraints, so she couldn’t break through it.

Rainbow Dash breathed lightly, as she ceased her attacks.

“We need to find another way,” she said as calm, as she could, “Let’s go.”

And so we headed off in the other direction.

It didn’t take long until a whole bunch of changelings were chasing us. I guess we could have expected that.

Rainbow Dash didn’t try to take them down, unlike the other two. There were just too many and I couldn’t call myself a fighter. They would probably beat me up, once they reached me. Panic returned.

While I was running I screamed in my thoughts, Please no! Please no! Please no!

The mantra soon changed, as I saw my unfulfilled dreams right in front of my eyes. When I die, I will never measure Rainbow Dashes wings again, I will never experiment with wings and I will never find a pegasus girlfriend, which wings I could measure, every single day! No, they will measure happily ever after!

Ok. Maybe it seems strange to bystanders, but I have my own priorities in life. Don’t judge me. And besides a family was not such a bad goal.

Yeah, but your perversions are, said the future voice in my head.

What should I say? I will probably never get rid of it.

As we ran down the corridor for what must have been at least five minutes, I could finally spot a large door. I was totally out of breath by now. How could Rainbow Dash even manage to run for such a long period of time?

Probably a lot of people with a good condition will laugh at that, but I simply wasn’t the type who would play hoofball or jog to improve my condition.

Anyway, as we ran straight to it, we could see a small bunch of changelings blocking the way and it seemed like Rainbow Dash wouldn’t hold back now.

The door seemed like the only escape route for now, since the corridor didn’t have any other directions left, other than going back, which wasn’t really an option.

With a quick sprint she rushed through the six changelings and hit each of them hard with her wing blades. She was really fast, so the changelings didn’t stand a chance.

She hurried, to get the door open. I helped her too, as I reached it. We both pushed with all of our strength and it slowly opened itself.

The inside looked a lot different from the rest of the hive. It was a huge room covered with blue crystals and blue stones and blue earth. To make it short it really looked blue.

At the end of a room was a Tree with five strange gems on it.

Rainbow sweared.

I couldn’t blame her. We were trapped in a room now and the enemies would arrive every second.

We would have blocked the door, if we would have seen something to block it with, but there was nothing loose, we could use. Another rhyme. Maybe I should try to make one rhyme per chapter? Wouldn’t that be a nice idea?

I shaked my head vigorously. Sorry I should learn not to trail off too often.

“We have to fight our way through,” said Rainbow Dash, but I was barely listening.

I heard a whisper. It startled me first, but my fear somehow vanished, the nearer I walked towards the tree.

I don’t know what was wrong with me at the moment. I walked more and more towards it like I was in some kind of trance.

The whisper grew louder with each step.

“G? What are you doing?!” Rainbow Dash screamed.

I didn’t listen. I just walked towards the tree until I stood directly in front of it.

It was suddenly radiating with a soft white light. It gave me a warm feeling, a feeling, a reassuring feeling, like everything is going to be ok.

Rainbow Dash was in the meantime kicking the flanks of some changelings. She only stopped shortly to watch, where the light was coming from and then continued fighting. She couldn’t rest in her situation.

“G!” she screamed, apparently worried.

I was floating by now, right to the middle of the tree. The five gems floated from their position and a sixth gem appeared, as the middle of the tree made an opening.

Now the six gems were circling me and slowly closing in, radiating a lot more light than before. Then without a warning, they sunk into my body. It didn’t hurt, but it was a strange feeling, which I will never forget in my whole life.

The light grew even brighter and with a flash, the whole room was covered in it. I don’t remember everything what happened from there. I remember seeing pictures of seven creatures. Two of them seemed to be alicorns.

My gaze was fixed on their wings. They were so majestic, but the image soon disappeared, as more and more images popped up in my mind. And I could now clearly hear the whispering voice.

The Elements of Harmony. One bearer, six guardians to bring balance forth in this world.

I heard this somewhere before. An old fairy tail? I couldn’t really make sense of this babbling. But it didn’t matter, since my sight got black again.

This marked the beginning of my unwanted adventures.

Finding the Guardians 1: Loyalty – Part 1 – The end of a day

Author's Note

And here we go again, with a new chapter. I hope you will all enjoy it. This chapter is a lot longer, than I planned it to be. Originally I wanted to put the whole Loyalty Arc in one chapter, but somehow it looks like, it will need two chapters instead. :pinkiesmile:

Well then, I should probably get back to learning for my exams now. :twilightsheepish:

Finding the Guardians 1: Loyalty – Part 1 – The end of a day

“You are pathetic.” A sentence, which I heard quite a lot during my life. However, it didn’t come from the voice in my head this time. This was a voice from the past. An all too familiar voice, which I wanted to forget.

“But…” I said between sobs.

“Did I give you permission to talk back?” said the strict voice. “I’m waiting for an answer.”

“No. I-I’m sorry,” I said, still sobbing.

“Good. And now stop your pathetic sobbing. You will do this until you succeed and until that no dinner for you,” said the pony, while turning around.

I didn’t protest. I didn’t have permission to talk back. I just endured it. This was my life, I had to accept it or that’s what I thought back then.

Things have changed over the time and so did the future for me. But that didn’t mean, that I would just forget the past, even if I wanted to forget it, it was always there.

I sobbed some more, as the pony went out of the room and I ended up crying, while I did what the voice demanded.

“G!” I heard somepony screaming. I didn’t realize at the moment, that the voice meant me. It all seemed so surreal.

“G, wake up!” I heard it again, while tears streamed down my face.

“Come on, G! God, tell me you are not dead!” said the voice quite panicked.

“Don’t tell me I have to do CPR. God… Ok G, I’m not letting you go anywhere!” she said, as I reluctantly opened my eyes.

Maybe I should explain at this point, that she forgot to check my pulse and breathing. If she would have checked them, it would be obvious, that I didn’t need CPR. But she probably slept through half of the medical lessons, so that it didn’t even puzzle me, that she was really going to try CPR out.

Well, where were we? Right, I just opened my eyes.

Her face was so close. I didn’t realize, what was going on at the moment. I just opened my eyes and a face was right in front of me. Of course I panicked.

“Ouch!” could be heard in stereo, as I stood up so fast, that our heads clashed together.

I wallowed on the ground in pain, holding my head in both hooves.

Rainbow Dash rubbed the place with her hoof meanwhile, but could gather her posture quick. She approached me and talked to me, before I could gather my thoughts.

“That hurts, you know?” she said a little sore, “But I’m glad that you are not dead,” she begun smiling.

“Dead?” I wondered.

“Yeah. After the light covered you we got teleported outside somehow, but you didn’t move a bit. The only reaction were tears. I thought you would die or would have died through…whatever that just was back there,” she gestured in the direction, where we probably came from, “I mean, those stones just sank into your body. I don’t even know, what to say about this.”

I tried to recall the events that happened and she was right. There were those gems, which sank into my body and then, there were those…images and the…voice?

Elements of Harmony, what is this supposed to mean, I thought silently to myself, but Rainbow didn’t like that I exclude her from my thoughts.

“What do you know about it?” she begun, “You seem to be pretty meditative, as soon as I mentioned it.”

“Well…there was this voice, that was talking about, I don’t know, the Elements of Harmony?”

The end sounded more like a question, since I didn’t know, what I should think of it either. I mean, some gems just sunk into my body! How do you react to something like that! Actually I didn’t want to think about it for a moment. I hate it, if I can’t understand something. Probably comes from my job. I get easily frustrated over things that can't be explained logically and I didn’t have a explanation, let alone a solution for this.

“Elements of Harmony? What the hay is that?” she asked. I just shook my head. I just didn’t have a clue. Or I had a clue. Maybe an old fairy tale, but this was only a suspicion. Maybe I was wrong.

“Whatever. We should still figure that out later. But first, we should keep going,” she said determined.

“Keep going? Where?” I said slightly confused.

“The military base, duh!” she said, while rolling her eyes. “Remember the thing, about kicking the changelings flanks with the military to get a promotion. And I need you to testify the story anyway. Ponies tend to believe two ponies more than one, especially after the crazy stuff, that has happened down there.”

“Oh, right…” I trailed off a bit, as she led the way. I didn’t move though.

“What are you waiting for?” she asked.

I blushed slightly, as I began, “Well…I’m naked…”

She tilted her head incredulous. “So what? It is not like we need to wear clothes always anyway.”

“I-I-I…” I stuttered, unable to say it out loud.

“What? Just spit it out!” she said impatiently.

“I can’t just walk into a crowd like this! I will collapse! I need some stability in my life, I need my clothes! I need my top hat! I can’t just walk in front of them naked! Everything is exposed! They will see my stallion parts!” With the ridiculous thing being said out loud, Rainbow Dash begun laughing uncontrollably.

“Bwahahaha!” It took her a while to gain her composure again.

Hey, believe it or not, I was serious about it. I can’t walk there naked in front of a huge military crowd! Maybe my choice of words was bad, but still no need to laugh at it like that, right?

I sighed humiliated, as her laugher died slowly.

“Stallion parts, seriously?” she said still giggling.

I was deep red at this point.

Can’t I just die now? I thought to myself in deep embarrassment.

Why? I’m enjoying the show, said the voice in my head. Really thanks for that! It helped me feel better a LOT! Stupid voice.

“I hope you know, that your clothes don’t really hide it,” she said still grinning.

“Yeah, could be, but it feels like they are hiding it and that is what matters to me.”

Stupid explanation, right? But I don’t feel naked with the clothes and that’s what matters to me. I have a very sensitive sense of shame, you know.

“You are really strange, G. Whatever, your house is on the way, if I remember it right. You can ‘cover your stallion parts’ *snicker* if you want to. But do it fast, we don’t have time to lose,” she said amused.

I nodded. My face was still a deep shade of red at this point and it would probably take a while to go back to its normal green colour. God, this was a lot more embarrassing than the drooling scenes.

I tried to forget this scene and to never speak of it again.

We reached my house after a short while. I immediately ran inside to gather my clothes. At this point I was glad, that I had a spare top hat. It didn’t take two minutes until I was ready to go. I mean, I knew how important this was for Rainbow Dash and I didn’t want to let her down. I never want to let anypony down. Especially the ones that treat me well.

We hurried to the military base, but were stopped by the military itself shortly before we could reach it.

“Rainbow Dash and Steam Gear?” asked a pony in armor.

“Yeah, that’s us. Good that you are already here. I need to talk to the captain of the guard,” said Rainbow determined.

“You are under arrest, because of the strong suspicion, of a collaboration between you and the changelings,” declared the guard, as the other guards surrounded us.

Neither of us were pleased by this. Rainbow Dash protested loudly and asked, what this ‘crap’, her words not mine, was about. She had quite the vocabulary, when angered.

I looked around, while she argued, what we had no time for this. I agreed with her, but our situation wasn’t that good. We were surrounded by pegasus and unicorn guards, all ready to strike, if we would try something stupid.

It was a fact for me now, that the military was infiltrated. I didn’t want to take any chances on this one and saw only one solution and this solution was to flee.

I grabbed Rainbow Dash and prepared for teleportation, but it failed.

“What are you doing, G? We don’t have time for hugs!” she said annoyed.

I couldn’t teleport and was confused at this. A mint-green unicorn guard stepped closer. “We have constructed an anti-magic-barrier. You can’t flee from us.”

I was quite shocked and panicked immediately. Looking around for an opening.

My pulse raised, as well as my breathing, which quickened. No escape, no hope. I almost hyperventilated, as Rainbow Dash turned to me and deoxidized me.

Thing weren’t looking good. Rainbow looked around and knew, that we had to follow along. There was simply no escape.

“Fine then. But I need to talk to the captain, as soon as possible. Got it, Lyra?” she huffed and then we followed the unicorn guard along after she nodded.

The guards took their time to place a Nullifier on my horn, a small device, that technically nullifies all magic of the carrier. These devices were useful to get criminal unicorns under control. Getting treated like a criminal...

I felt numb. It was all like a bad dream. Every time, when I thought thinks would lighten up, they just got worse again. The more the military was infiltrated, the easier they could get us back to the hive.

The sun was already setting. I wished, that I would have just slept through this day. Why did I have to stand up on this day? It was just bad luck. No pony could have seen this coming.

Soon we reached the base and were led down into a cellar, where we had to go into two separated cells. I took it better than last time, probably because I just escaped another cell a few hours ago and that Rainbow Dash was my cellmate, since she was in the cell right next to me.

I slumped onto the bed without hesitation. I know, that I just slept through, but I was still really sleepy. I guess the stress was really getting to me. My life was this morning so uncomplicated and now it was a real mess. I didn’t know, what would happen next and this was the worst, the uncertainty.

Rainbow on the other hoof, seemed to have a lot of energy left, since she annoyed the guards constantly, urging them, to get the captain here immediately.

I let out a sigh. “The military is infiltrated. We don’t even know, if we can trust your captain.”

Rainbow turned to me, anger in her eyes, “The military is not infiltrated! We have to do checks every morning, to ensure that!”

I never really asked her about her work, but now I was curious. My question was cut off back then, as she covered my mouth with her wing. The memory alone was enough to elicit a dreamy sigh.

Focus on the task on hoof, I heard the voice in my head say.

I didn’t argue with it, since it was right. I had to focus. I slowly breathed in, before I asked the question, which was on my mind.

“What kind of tests, exactly?” I said, as I was wondering about it.

Rainbow tried to get calmer again and answered, “Easy. It is about the three tribes of ponies. Changelings are only average at everything, while pegasus ponies are the better fliers, earth ponies are stronger and unicorns better at magic. Ponies are specialized by tribe,” she was suddenly wondering, “Although this should be common knowledge around here, since we technically live next to the changelings wasteland. However, that is why pegasus have flight tests every morning, like unicorns have magic tests and so on. It is the best and fastest way to tell, if you are one of them or not. Blood tests take days, that’s why we use those physical tests.”

“I understand and there is no way in cheating or just skipping them?” I asked curiously.

“No. Our captain is the only one, who could let a pony skip a test, if something important is the matter, but since he is a minotaur, changelings can’t replace him anyway.” she answered with confidence. She really seemed to trust this system.

However, I didn’t understand the last part and needed to ask again. I’m just no expert, when it came to changelings. I didn’t care much about them.

“So…why exactly can’t they replace him?” I asked and regretted it immediately as Rainbow Dash groaned and facehoofed.

“Have you ever seen a minotaur or do you just don’t have a clue, what changelings are capable of?” she asked rhetorically, before she continued, “Changelings can’t transform into something, that has a completely different shape or is a lot larger than them. And a minotaur is of course a completely different shape and too large for them! I can’t believe, that I have to explain something like this.”

Well, that was a little rude of her, but also understandable. It was easy to see, how frustrated Rainbow Dash was with sitting in a cell. She wanted to take the changeling hive down and get promoted, but the chances of promotion got smaller, since the changelings seemed to control the situation we were in.

Even if the changelings didn’t infiltrate the military far, they somehow did infiltrate it at least a little, I mean, I’m sitting in a cell here! Maybe they influenced their captain somehow. I don’t know. Best thing is to let the topic drop, since Rainbow Dash didn’t seem to like ponies who bad-mouth about the military.

With nothing left to do, I just took the blanket and tried to sleep, but for some reason, Rainbow Dash disliked my action.

“Geeze, G. This is not the right time for sleep. The captain can arrive here, any minute,” she uttered.

I personally doubted that. Who said, that he would even come down here? It is possible, that he works for the changelings or is influenced by them and in this case, we couldn’t really count on him anyway. And I really didn’t want to stay up, doing nothing.

“Do I really have to stay up?” I asked, still hoping, that she would change her mind.

“Of course you do!” she sighed, “Sometimes you are a real pain in the ass, G.”

I sighed then too. That’s it with my well-deserved rest. Ok, maybe not well-deserved, since I didn’t do that much at all, besides getting ponynapped, but I really could have used it. God, I was so tired back then.

Maybe I should have tried the puppy eyes technique I read about in some books, but then again, I didn’t know how that works. Mental note to myself: Learn the puppy eyes technique. You could really need it in the future. If there is a future, that is. But now I had other problems. I was bored.

I know. Maybe hard to believe, if you consider, that I panicked not long ago, but the sleepiness can change your point of view very easily.

I looked around, trying to find another way to keep myself occupied. I soon found something. The guards in front of our cells were pegasus ponies and they were standing with their backs to us! Who said, you couldn’t have a gorgeous view from a cell?

While I leaned back, I enjoyed the precious wings of the guards. Really a lovely view. It put me at ease.

“What are you doing, G?” Rainbow Dash asked puzzled, as I looked dreamily at the guards wings.

“Just enjoying the view. Those guards have some gorgeous wings,” I said without thinking about my words, as they left my mouth. Seems like sleepiness can let your mouth a little loose.

Rainbow Dash looked more than just a little confused. “Their…wings?”

I just realized what I had said then and tried immediately to backpedal, “I-I-I mean, there is nothing else to look in here, is there?” I rubbed my head sheepishly and let out a nervous giggle.

She didn’t buy it. Probably, because of the word ‘gorgeous’. Why did I have to say that?

She gave me an incredulous look, “You know, I’m waiting for a real explanation, G.”

Well, seems like I have to put my fascination into words, that are not creepy. Let’s give it a try. What can possibly go wrong? Maybe I should start at the beginning, the purest form of fascination.

“I always wanted to fly. I just wanted to fly away from my problems and be free, like a bird. Not that I disliked being a unicorn, I loved it, but I still wished that I could fly too. With such gorgeous, feathery, soft…” And here I go again, but at least I could stop myself, before it got creepy and I would have started to drool. I didn’t want Rainbow Dash to connect these two.

But I didn’t have time to think about it, since somepony just entered the cellar.

It was an old minotaur and Rainbow Dashes eyes lit up with hope, as soon, as she saw him. “Captain Iron Bill! Good that you are here,” she pressed herself against the iron bars, “You need to listen to me. There is an entire hive under the town. The changelings already begun infiltrating the city. We need to take them down now!” she said emphatically.

The minotaur stepped closer, “Iron Bill will hear your side of the story, but Iron Bill hopes for you, that it is convincing. Iron Bill has quite some evidence against your friend here.”

That sounded serious and it got me worried. Worried enough, so that I didn’t even mind his strange way of speaking at the moment.

However, Rainbow Dash wouldn’t turn her back on this matter now, so she started to tell him everything she knew.

The most interesting point for me was, the part at the beginning. I had no clue, how she even knew, that I was kidnapped.

It seemed like she was ‘patrolling’ through the city, when she saw me walking into the park. My money is still on sleeping on a cloud though.

Anyway, a pony was following me and at the end I came out there a whole lot later, than I should have been and the other pony behind me didn’t show up at all. This rose her alarm bells, so she thought, she could ask about her order and see, if she finds something suspicious about me.

She could immediately tell, that it wasn’t me, because and here I quote: “He didn’t smell that bad like Steam Gear does, with all the metal working and oil.” Of course I took a sniff at me immediately, to see, if I really smelled that bad, but it didn’t occur to me. Maybe I was just used to the smell. But it definitely didn’t help my self esteem. Thanks Rainbow! You always put things so bluntly and unadorned!

She then moved on to the finding me part, where she at least skipped my mental breakdown and moved on to the blocked door and then to the dead end, with the tree. I’ll be honest. She should have just lied about the blocked path, because, let’s be honest here, a white light, together with a blue tree and flying gems plus teleportation at the end isn’t very convincing and that was also the way Iron Bill saw it.

“A white light, which let you escape?” Iron Bill snorted, “Iron Bill is not convinced by that.”

“But it is the truth!” defended Rainbow Dash.

“Let Iron Bill explain you the way, he sees it,” he said in a calm tone, before he started his side of the story.

“Iron Bill believes that your friend Steam Gear here is a mercenary, who was hired by –“

“That is ridiculous!” shouted Rainbow Dash. I thought the exact same thing at the same time. I mean, me a mercenary? Rainbow Dash saw my mental breakdown and my crying and all the weirdness of me, so she knew exactly, that this story wouldn’t fit at all.

She continued, “Did you even take a close look at him? No offense, G, but you are not the type, who has nerves of steel or anything remotely like that.”

I didn’t take any offense out of it. I mean, she was right. I probably would make the worst mercenary. I’m just no mercenary material, like I’m no hero material. I only got out of the hive because of Rainbow Dash. So he could trash this idea immediately. Not that, he would give it up so easily. He seemed convinced of this ridiculous idea and I soon found out why.

“It is, as it is. Iron Bill heard about Queen Chrysalis seeking the help of some infamous mercenaries and one of them seems to be an engineer, just like Steam Gear. Of course, this is not enough to accuse him of that,” he made a small pause and then rummaged some papers out of his jacket.

“Iron Bill has a witness, who told us about strange devices in your shop, which you gave to some suspicious ponies. It seems, that those devices are magic blockers, which can block of unicorn magic, for example, as well as devices that can capture Iron Bill and his companions, with a magic barrier. You wanted to trap us!” he said accusingly.

This order was for a special customer, who liked to hunt down magical creatures, he can’t blame me for that!

“It is-“ I said, but was immediately cut off by him.

“Iron Bill already checked your records and couldn’t find your customer for this in our data base, but not only that, as soon as the guards checked your identity, they found out, that it was faked. There is no such pony, like Steam Gear registered in the data base. The name is false, as well as your behavior to disguise your actions. And I'm not even done yet, right Lyra?"

I just noticed the unicorn guard from earlier then. I really am inattentive. She seemed to perform some kind of spell, since her horn glowed. Then it suddenly stopped glowing.

"Yes, Captain. I can now clearly say, that he uses illusion magic, to disguise his looks. It will probably wear off in the morning."

Iron Bill seemed content. "Illusion magic to disguise yourself. Combined with your behaviour I have to admit, that this was very clever. Most ponies wouldn’t believe, that such a coward could be a thread. Well played.”

Rainbow Dash snorted, “Please. This is getting more and more ridiculous. I mean, illusion magic? Fake name? It is obvious, that you made a mistake there or the data was stolen by changelings. Of course this is his real name! Right, G?” she turned around to look at me smugly.

I just looked away, as I answered, “What’s in a name? It doesn’t define who you are.”

Rainbows eyes widened.

“Hold up. I was hanging out with you the whole time and you tell me now, that I don’t even know your real name? What ist this when about the illusion magic? Don't tell me they are right with that too!" she asked incredulous.

“It doesn’t matter!” I said quite panicked, “It is still me, right? You know me, right?”

“I don’t know anymore,” she uttered, “I thought we were friends, and friends tell each other at least their names or show them how they look like! I don't know anything about you!” At the end of the sentence you could clearly hear the anger in her voice.

But that wasn’t what hurt me there. She said, that she thought we were friends. I never thought, she would think of me like that and to lose a friend in the moment you recognize, that you have one is tough. It really teared me up.

“Let Iron Bill continue on, with his theory,” he began, “There is no such thing as a hive. It is just a trap, to capture all the military of this town at once. Therefore you even brainwashed Rainbow Dash and placed fake memories in her mind. You thought, that Iron Bill wouldn’t doubt the words of his guard and run straight into your ambush.”

“Woah, that goes too far captain. He might be an idiot for not telling me his name and the illusion magic, but I don’t believe he could just brainwash a pony as awesome as me. I never even heard of such magic before,” interfered Rainbow Dash.

Iron Bills expression darkened, “It is a forbidden magic, which is protected by the guards in Canterlot, but Iron Bill heard, that there are ponies, who obtained that knowledge a long time ago and passed it on. Not many places are known, where you can find it, but it is a known fact in the inner military circle, that Queen Chrysalis is in possession of such magic. She probably taught him everything about it.”

My expression darkened with every new accusation. It was hard to hear him say such things about me! I mean, mercenary, trap, dark magic? But the most terrifying thing was, that it all made sense or at least a lot more sense than our own story! Rainbow Dash probably saw that too and I didn’t know, how she would react.

There was a silence for a while, before Iron Bill spoke up, “Cat got your tongue? Iron Bill guesses, that he is right then.”

“You are not!” I said with a lot more panic in my voice than before, so you could say, that I didn’t sound very convincing.

“Rainbow Dash, Iron Bill knows that you were dragged into this by him. Recognize the truth and you can be a guard again. You don’t need to sit here in a cell,” offered Iron Bill.

It shocked me quite a bit. I didn’t know what to think of this situation. I was screaming ‘no’ in my head on one side, but on the other I thought, that I would drag her down with me otherwise.

I couldn’t say a word and it seemed, that she couldn’t say a word either.

“You need to realize the truth. It is probably hard to believe for you, but this was not real. Just forget about him,” said Iron Bill in a calm tone.

I couldn’t let him just influence her like that. She needed to make a decision by herself.

“You can’t decide, what’s-“ I started, but was interrupted by Rainbow Dash.

“Just stop it, G,” she said meekly, “I can’t trust you now. He made some valid points. I will go with him.”

Iron Bill nodded, “Yeah. It is the best if you listen to Iron Bill. Our doctor just needs to check you up, to make sure, that you are not suffering under more of this dark magic and then you are free to go back to your normal life.”

She turned her back to me and didn’t say another word, as she followed Iron Bill, who has opened her cell and so she made her exit.

It hurt so much. There she went, my only friend at this time. I just lost her. This was it for me. The perfect time to give up all hope.

Tears streamed down my face, before I could realize it. She took one last glance, before she went with Iron Bill. I couldn’t bear this. I wanted to scream and to kick the cell door, but I was too tired for this, instead I just let my head sunk into the pillow and cried into it. The voice in my head, tried to convince me, to get up and fight, but I couldn’t do that. I was done. I lost all will to fight. I just cried and then cried some more. I cried until I fell asleep.

I thought, that I had to accept my fate at this point. You could probably call this the worst day in my life, even though it had some nice feathery moments in it. Things didn’t look that great and I doubted, that it would change.

Now that I think about it, I probably broke a new crying record at this day, if there is such a thing. But that was not important at the moment, because I would soon discover, that I have gotten myself into something, that was so much bigger, than I could ever have imagined it.

Oh and yeah, this was by the way 'Mental Breakdown Number 2'.

Finding the Guardians 1: Loyalty - Part 2 - The start of a night

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