Sixteenth Chapter

I couldn’t possibly comment

This chapter begins the following morning

Captain Sunshine Eartheart of Her Majesty Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards

“Good Morning Sparkling.” I’m five minutes less early than I’d normally be. Not that I have any excuse, I was tired, my body yearned for sleep. “How are you?”

“I didn’t sleep a wink. Nevermind, I have work to do.”

“Do you want me to cancel any appointments?”

“Not at all, I have done this before. I have been trained for more traumatic experiences. Forgive me for not being available for the rest of the evening.”

“Oh no worries, I completely understand.”

“Thank you. I’d be more than willing to have a drink with you, but not this evening. I will take more than my usual sleep tonight.”

“How many hours does that mean then?”

“A solid seven. Maybe even an eight.”

“How do you run on so little?”

“I’m not even sure I know,” There is a short moment of silence. “Now, we’d best be working.”

“Very well. I’ll get right to it.”

I walk into my office, and sit down behind my desk. Lately I’ve been here a lot more than I’ve been with the soldiers. An army requires administration, and a pony in such a rank as I rarely has the time to train one’s soldiers physically. Lately I’ve been working a lot more with various officers, making sure the regiments are prepared. We have been organising a recruitment drive too. I shan’t bother you with the details, as it’d surely bore you to tears, however I can safely say I do not wish to work today. Forgive me for my complaints, they are completely unnecessary. Nothing was ever achieved while idle.

My eyes burn as I agonizingly review tiny details, for what seems like hours, but on reflection are minutes. Suddenly Skywatch barges into my office. I turn to face him. “You alright mate?”

“Fine, simply tired.”

“Well, I know what’ll wake you up. We’ve found one of the soldiers.” I stand up.

“Where? Is he okay?”

“One of them is. He turned up at Canterlot Train Station this morning, no uniform or anything. Turns out he caught the Goldford line.”

“Is he well?”

“I’ve got no idea. Seems pretty pretty shaken. He wants to speak to you.”

“Where is he?”

“We’ve got him in the sick bay mate.”

“Very well. I shall see him.”

*****

The pony in question is Blueberry Hill, a young pony, he enlisted just before the army was announced and is quite proud of it. When I arrive at the sick bay he’s staring into space. There seems to be no physical damage on him at all. “Private.” I try to get his attention, he continues to stare. “Private?” He turns to me, it takes him a moment to recognise me.

“Captain Earthheart!” He smiles. “You’re alive! Sorry, I didn’t notice you.”

“It’s quite alright private.” I take a seat next to him. “How are you?”

“I’m good Sir. A bit dazed, but I’m good.”

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“I can’t remember. All I remember is waking up on a train.” He thinks for a moment, “Then I woke up here.”

“Is anypony else alive?”

Blueberry Hill stares into space once more. “I don’t know. It all happened so fast. I need sleep Sir. Let me sleep.”

“Of course private. You will be well rewarded for your heroism.”

Blueberry Hill lies down in his cot. “Thank you Sir.” He mumbles falling asleep instantly.

I turn to Skywatch. “Was there nothing on him?”

“Fuck all.”

“Any reports from the search party?”

“Nothing good. They’re looking further, but beyond a certain point it’d be too dangerous to fly. Anyway if they’re that far off, they’re gonners.”

“Very true.” I look at Blueberry Hill. “What about him? Is there any news of trains anywhere in Equestria popping up with this kind of case?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Alright, I’ll get to it.”

“Great. Anyway, I’ve left Sparking my daily report. If there’s anything else? I need a kip mate.”

“Don’t worry, you are dismissed.” I need that sleep just as much as he does. “One last thing?”

“Yes?”

“How are they treating him?”

“I haven’t asked, it only got in on my desk minutes before you.”

“Very well, dismissed. I’ll handle this.” Skywatch gives me a salute and a nod before walking off.

I walk towards the doctor’s office. The military doctor is not a very military pony. He is incredibly messy, however I chose him for his competence. When lives are in the line, I don’t want a bookkeeper. Despite this, he does fill out his forms. When I enter he’s pouring over them. “Good morning Doctor.”

“Ah yes, Captain.”

“How is our latest patient?”

“It’s hard to say, he simply won’t let me take a physical examination.” He coughs. “He seems okay though. I’ll perform some tests on him later. If there’s nothing immediately wrong with him then I don’t see any need to rush. With your permission I’d just give him some rest. Let him get over it.”

“That makes sense. If he does become more coherent would you kindly send him to my office?”

“Sure.”

“Very good. I’d like to know if he knows anything about the other ponies.”

“Yea, how is the investigation going? They don’t tell me anything down here.”

“Unfortunately I am pessimistic. Our flights are nearing the dragon territory. If they are in that direction, they won’t have survived. However, we haven’t discovered anything at all.”

“Shit. It’s a rough world out there.”

“Indeed it is. Anyway, I have things I need to arrange.”

“Yea, so do I. Nice speaking to you Captain.”

“And you Doctor.”

I’m not entirely sure, something feels strange about this scenario. Why didn’t he allow the doctor to check? There were no burn marks either. Strange. There is probably a rational explanation for this, however, one must be cautious.

Her Royal Highness Princess Luna Princess of the Night

What a beautiful morning. I’ve had quite the fulfilling night of dream saving. There were several foals who needed help, I was happy to oblige. Not that it was too stressful, just a few nightmares, nothing ridiculous. When I make my way down for breakfast Celestia is sprawled out on a chaise longue feeding herself red grapes. “Good morning Luna.” She looks a lot happier than usual.

“You’re looking good.”

“I have no idea why, but yes I’m happy. I’ve decided to take things more easily. Luna, you’ve been dying to do my job for ages now. I think I should just let go and take some time off. Let you do it, just remember, don’t get too invested. They try to appeal to emotion, be just, don’t let the better sob story win.” I’m speechless. She’s actually willing to let me in on this. “Bear in mind this is not a permanent thing. But for now, I think it’s fair that you should have some time in court. At the very least it’ll be good experience.” She pops another grape into her mouth. “See, I’ve just been completely indifferent to it, and while you lack experience, you’ve got passion. So, why not? The only way you’re going to learn is through doing it right?”

“Celestia, I, I th-”

“Don’t mention it.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Devote my time to leisure. Officially this means I’m going on a tour across the country for a week, while you do my job. I want a break.”

“This is really great Sis.”

“Yea, I’m feeling a lot better already. I assume you’ll have the energy to work today?”

“Yes, yes of course. I might have to sleep at night though.”

“Well I’ve raised the sun, if you want I can lower the moon for you? I haven’t got much else on.”

“No, no. I like doing that, it’s a nice bit of exercise.”

“Sure thing Luna.” She brings over her cup of tea. “Suit yourself.”

“So where are you going sis?”

“Hrmmm, I hadn’t thought about that. You know what? Maybe I’ll even go abroad.” She sips her tea. “Yes, I hear they have the ultimate luxury in Saddle Arabia. I’ll bring the Sultan a few gifts and call it a diplomatic visit. I could also do Zebraland. I want to see the animals in the wild. Maybe I’d also be able to mediate some peace talks there too. What do you think?”

“Zebraland has a lot more urgency to it. The violence there can be awful.”

“Sounds like quite the adventure.”

“Shouldn’t that be Twilight’s job?”

“Urgh. Luna. Please, I don’t want to suck the fun out of it.” She brings over a cake, “You know how I like Twilight.”

“I don’t see what’s wrong with her.” I say, I pour myself a cup of strong coffee, I’ll be needing it. “I like Twilight. She’s great. Such a lovely pony.”

“Luna, she’s annoying. I suppose with my job, all you get are ponies who ask you to tell them exactly what to do. Twilight should be above that, but she really isn’t. That and she’s too perfect if you catch my drift. There’s something really smug about her.”

“Eh, I like her.”

“Well officially I do too. I suppose I liked her at first, but ugh, she’s become insufferable this past ten years or so. I do what I can to limit my presence.”

“Oh?” I enquire.

“Yea, it started when I said she didn’t have to send me a letter every week. More so I’ve been able to say that she is the master of friendship now, and that she shouldn’t need my guidance. I’ll always indulge her with a social visit, but luckily for me she has plenty of friends who find her presence more sufferable than I.” Celestia lies back in her couch. “It’s an age thing Luna. Ponies become harder to stomach with age.”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ll understand one day. Life becomes a lot more boring. That’s why I’m letting you experience it.”

“Thanks again Celestia.”

“It’ll be my pleasure.”

“I’d best be off to work then!” I’m so excited. Finally she’s giving me a chance. “I promise I won’t blow it.”

“Knock yourself out Luna, you’ve earned it!”

I canter to the Royal Court with a smile on my face.

Captain Sunshine Eartheart of Her Majesty Princess Celestia’s Royal Guards

Damn! That stubborn bastard!

Ahh forgive me for such a crude introduction, I meant no offense to you. How are you? I’m rather annoyed myself, I have just received a messenger from the Crystal Empire. I neglected to tell you, it seemed like such a minor detail. Alas, forgive me a slight outburst of anger is certainly not enough to warrant this kind of poor explanation. I recently received a letter from Shining Armor telling me he won’t accept Colt’s guns. He also mentioned that the Crystal Guard is completely independent from mine. Incompetent fool, does he want to risk everything? I suppose it is his call, not mine. Once again, please forgive me for my outburst.

There’s a knock on the door. “Enter.” I say, it’s Blueberry Hill. He looks much worse than when I saw him last. He drags himself to the seat by my desk. “Good morning.”

“Hey.” He is barely able to balance as he sits down. “I’m not going to get much better Sir. I wanted to say, it’s been an honour serving with you.”

“And you. Have you let the doctor give you a check?”

“With respect Sir, I haven’t.”

“You fool! Why haven’t you done that?”

“What’s the point? There’s nothing he can do! Sir, if you’d let me see my mother? My marefriend? I want to die in peace.”

“Look Private, if you have any reservations about our doctor, you may voice them. You have earned enough of my respect to warrant the doctor of your choice.” He leans back into his chair,

“I don’t want to die while getting probed Sir. I just want to die in peace.”

“You won’t die. Our doctor is experienced, he said that you seemed healthy enough. Any problem you might have seems resolvable. You should not insist on death private. However if you want my secretary can-”

He collapses on the floor.

Oh. Oh my. That’s why he wouldn’t see the doctor. The unconscious ball that is Blueberry Hill has no mane, and his eyes. The horror, there is no tone in them, just blue. His legs too, slight indentations. I touch him, he’s still alive. Barely. Poor thing was starved. The changelings must have had an awful time, this one did at least. Why is he here?

Author's Note

I didn't leave an author's note on the last one because I didn't think such a chapter needed one. That chapter very much spoke for itself, and there wasn't much I could really say about it. I think it's one of my best parts, and possibly my favourite chapter of the entire story.

So now the events of Goldford have passed and we're straight to work with Earthheart. The guy's still very much angry at himself for his complete and utter failure there, but he's getting on with life. And since the previous evening Celestia's acting very strangely, actually giving her sister power. So now that we've found an injured changeling, what's going to happen? How long has the changeling been there? What does it know, what's Earthheart going to do?

Well I know, but I'd like to hear what you have to think. As I recall this chapter came to me fairly spontaneously although I did know what the plot arc was coming out of this one from the very conception of Horse of Cards. Unlike Goldford which I made up on the spot after I'd finished the introduction part, and I maintain that it was an excellent storyline. Anyway so begins a new chapter in the history of Sunshine Earthheart. I just hope it entertains all of you reading.

Have fun

Midnight