The Freeblade and the Nurse

Chapter Four

Umbra Equitis stood in the open courtyard, where Celestia instructed Marius to take him for standby operations. After his pilot had disconnected, ad left for any medical treatment needed, the war machine started to get an ammo count, along with running a self-diagnostic. He knew Marius only asked for an ammo count, but Umbra Equitis figured he would want to know what systems and parts needed to be repaired. From what he could tell, though, there were a lot of areas in need of repair and maintenance.

“Excuse me, my good sir!” A voice yelled, causing Umbra Equitis to stop his diagnostic and look down, to see a brown earth pony wearing some strange suit and bow tie. “Sorry to bother you, during your obvious silent self-diagnostic, but I am Dr. Whooves! Princess Celestia has asked if I could help with your repairs!” He walked up closer to the war machine. “I agreed to do it, but only if you also agree to allowing me such an honor... So, what do you say about it, my giant metal friend?”

Umbra Equitis may have, technically, been officially born earlier that day… But he was no fool, and had at least two decades of service. He shut his warhorn off, so he could assess this ‘Dr. Whooves’ quietly, and scanned his boy. “” His gaze went back down to the pony, reactivating his warhorn. “”

“Oh, certainly!” He clasped both hands together, giving a friendly smile. “I understand every bit of quantum physics, engineering, and even robotic engineering; more than any other pony you would find here in Equestria. Back in Ponyville, I had several inventions in my workshop... To help convince you, I built this.” He held up a strange screw driver, with energy levels out the roof. “The Sonic Screw Driver! This baby, her, can help me scan whatever, or whoever, and discover any problems, then fix them.”

The war machine just eyed him for a few moments, thinking on the idea. He is in need of repairs, and could not risk going on any missions with damages throughout his entire metal body. “”

“Please, call me ‘Doctor’.” Dr. Whooves corrected, grabbing on to the grappling cable, and placed his hoof on to the hook. “If we are going to be working together, might as well try to seem friendlier to one another, yes?”

“” Umbra Equitis pulled the pony up on to his ladder.

Dr. Whooves climbed all the way up, and pulled out his sonic screw driver. “Pleasure to meet you, Umbra… Now, let’s get to work on these repairs!” He started scanning certain parts around Umbra Equitis, searching for any damages or flaws within the metal carapace.

-Canterlot Castle-

Celestia landed at the castle gates, walking into the fortified structure. Looking around, she watched all of the refugees they could house, and the Royal Guards trying to care for them, even as she went inside. So many of her subjects filled the city’s streets, those that could make it out of their homes and get to safety. There were more than the city could ever handle, and supplies were probably running low right now… Yet, she just knew there were more out there, waiting for her to save them.

Her attention got pulled away, when a familiar noble walked up to her. “Fancy Pants… It warms my heart, seeing you take care of all my subjects, without care for your own interests.” Celestia smiled, watching the stallion hand over his last blanket to a refugee.

“You honor me, with your words, Princess… But I am merely doing what anyone would do in such a crisis.” Fancy Pants started, as he stood up and smiled at Celestia. The noble’s suit had been torn and dirtied, from all the work he had been doing for those that had come for safety, ever since the first refugee arrived. “But, Ms. Rarity deserves most of the credit here. After all, she makes the clothes and blankets, I just help get them distributed to everyone.”

“You should give yourself more credit, Fancy Pants.” Ceelstia smiled, motioning for the stallion to walk with her. “It is good to have such a noble around, it reminds me every day that there is still good among my subjects and their leadership.”

Fancy Pants gave a nod, as they walked down the castle’s hallway. “I am happy to be such a thing for you, Princess… But there is a matter I have been hearing about, and wish to ask you a question?” Celestia nodded to him. “There have been rumors spreading around, about our protector actually massacring innocent ponies at the stadium.” His words caused the two of them to stop. “I do not want to assume anything, unlike many of the others within our safe haven… Did he do it?” She only nodded. “Did he have a good reason, and if so… What was it?”

Celestia did not answer him right away, and even Fancy Pants could tell that she was still coping with the decision. “He did… Those within the stadium were all bitten, infected, and were going to turn soon.” She looked at the stallion, right into his eyes, so he would know that the princess still stood by Marius’ choice. “Lord Corvain knew what needed to be done, and did what none of us were willing to even consider.”

Fancy Pants kept his eyes locked on to her own, the two seeming like they were having a battle of will. After a few seconds of it, the stallion looked down and removed his monocle. “I see, so there was no other option, but for him to do what he did.” Celestia gave a nod, as Fancy Pants pulled out a handkerchief and began to wipe the glass of his monocle. “Then he has my support, when this negative backlash comes.”

Celestia gave a nod, smiling at the stallion. “Thank you, Fancy Pants.” He gave a nod, placing the monocle back on. “Now, no more of this serious talk… How is Fleur? Good, I hope.”

Fancy Pants chuckled a bit, the two returning to their stroll within the castle. “Swelling up, and becoming crankier by the day.” He answered, causing Celestia to giggle a bit. “Says she is going to kill me, for ruining her figure.”

“With the training she’s had, within the Royal Guard? It is very possible.” She added.

That caused Fancy Pants to pull on his collar. “Ah, yes, there is no need to remind me of that fact… I get reminded each time she wipes the floor with any would be muggers.” That caused Celestia to flat out laugh.

-The Next Day, Canterlot Café-

“I must say, darling, it feels wonderful just to have a bit of normalcy in our lives.” Rarity started, taking a sip of her tea. “Especially after two months of this horrible ordeal.” The unicorn mare readjusted her well-tailored white and black dress.

Nurse Redheart gave a nod, using both hands to sip on her tea. “Yes, though things were almost bad for us… Had Marius and Umbra not shown up, when they did, our city could have been overwhelmed.” The nurse decided to wear her long hair down, which reached the small of her back, along with an elegant red dress that Rarity had made just for her... Since the fashionista invited her for a cup of tea, along with Marius saying that he would be fine today and that she needed a break from all of the work she’s been doing.

“Agreed, darling, he most certainly deserves more credit than the others are giving him!” The fashionista leaned forward a bit, saddened. “They are saying such mean and hurtful things about him… I am sure that whatever happened at the stadium, he had a perfectly good reason for.” She held her hands out, to emphasize her point. “I mean, why would he save us just to start picking us off one by one?”

Her words made Nurse Redheart smile, and nod. “He did, actually… Those who were in the stadium, were all infected and were coming close to turning into one of the undead.” She reached into her pocketbook, pulling out the datslate. “He allowed them a mercy, to die as themselves… Umbra can explain it a lot better than I can. Umbra?”

The dataslate suddenly switched on. “” Umbra Equitis asked, Rarity instantly becoming intrigued by the strange device.

“Would you mind allowing Ms. Rarity access to your files? About the necrotic plague, I mean.” Nurse Redheart asked, as the screen started to open files and simulations. “Here you go, Rarity.”

Rarity carefully took the dataslate, as the nurse took another sip of her tea. “” Umbra Equitis asked.

“Hm… If you do not mind, can you show me why Mr. Corvain killed those ponies within the stadium, yesterday?” Rarity asked, as the information and infection simulations started to flow.

“” Umbra Equitis started to explain what caused yesterday’s incident… The fashionista’s eyes widening as she read the information and watched the simulations being presented. “”

“Oh my, I knew he had a good reason, but this? He saved all of our lives, from being attacked within our city instead of having to worry about the outside threats… This is making me wish I could find some way to repay him.” Rarity placed the data slate down and took a sip of tea, shaking her head.

Nurse Redheart suddenly had an idea come across her mind. “Maybe there is…” Rarity raised an eyebrow, curious. “Umbra, show Rarity the Corvain High King.” She asked, as the data flowed, searching for the file Nurse Redheart asked for, noticing the confused look her friend was giving. “Could not sleep last night, so I asked Umbra if he could tell me about House Corvain and their leader.”

The fashionista was about to ask a question, as to why she wanted to research Marius’ House History, but a beep from the dataslate stopped her. “”

“Yes, please do, Umbra.” She confirmed.

The data slate pulled up a golden Imperial Knight, armed with a power sword and a massive ion shield attached to its left arm. It bore a raven, carrying a crescent moon, on its shoulder shield, along with a crimson cape attached to its back. Next to it, stood an elderly man baring the same armaments, as his Knight, along with wearing gold armor and a crimson cloak. The look of both figures screamed high royalty to Rarity, and the design made them seem almost godly. “”

“Such gallantry and heroism… But, what does this have to do with Mr. Corvain?” Rarity asked.

Nurse Redheart smiled at her. “Umbra, what is Marius’ relation to High King Corvain?” She asked, leaning her cheek on to a hand, allowing a sly smirk to form.

“” Umbra answered, causing Rarity’s jaw to just flat out drop.

“M-M-Mr. Corvain is a Prince!?”

Nurse Redheart nodded, giggling a bit, and moved some of her pink hair from the front of her eyes. “In a sense, yes. Marius apparently is a prince of this ‘Imperium’… But I had no idea about it, until Umbra told me about the High King’s children… He never once mentioned, while I was treating him.” The nurse had to think about it, and giggled slightly. “He is definitely no Prince Blueblood… Marius is far too humble and selfless; from what I can tell.”

The mares began to laugh at the comparison, before several whistles caught their attention, and looked towards its source… To find four different stallions, all wearing the uniforms of conscripted guards. “Talk about drop dead sexy! How are ya’ll sweethearts doing today!” The pegasus of their group yelled, his accent thick with those that were from Manehatten, Nurse Redheart looking away from them, while Rarity eyed her friend.

“Awh, the pink haired one is shy! Man, that makes her even cuter!” The unicorn said, the others snickering. He also had the accent, which led Rarity to believe these were conscripted refugees from Manehatten City… “Come on over here, cutie! No reason to be shy about it, we’ll make both of you feel great, promise!” His comment made Nurse Redheart lean her head down, both hands in her lap, and shifted uncomfortably. “Come on! How about showing us soldiers how grateful you are for us defending you from the undead!”

The way she acted, told Rarity more than enough, and she glared at the four. “Will you ruffians quit it, and move on! Neither of us are interested in dirty street rats, like you! You disgrace those who wear that uniform, and actually protect their fellow pony without care for their own lives!” She yelled, the four giving her a shocked look, before also glaring at her.

“Yeah, whatever ya say, toots.” The pegasus threw his hands up, before the four started to walk away. “No one would want a couple of stuck up mares anyways.”

“Wouldn’t say that… My friend here has a prince all to herself!” That caused Nurse Redheart to look up at her friend, Rarity giving a sly wink. “The one who pilots that metal giant, too… Oh, I’m so jealous of her.” The very moment she mentioned the colossus’ pilot being involved with them, all four stallions sprinted away in pure panic.

“Rarity… Why did you say that?” Nurse Redheart whispered, leaning forward. “You know he is just my patient.”

“I know, darling, but they didn’t know that.” Rarity replied, motioning to the panicked stallions. “Seeing them run away like that, is rather funny… Right?”

The nurse giggled, nodding some. “Y-Yeah, I have to admit to that.” She took a sip of her tea, and then remembered a question she has been meaning to ask her unicorn friend. “Say, Rarity, have you gotten any word about Sweetie Belle, maybe even her friends, or even seen them?”

Rarity stopped, frowning, lowering her own tea cup down. “Unfortunately, and fortunately, no.” The second part confused Nurse Redheart, the fashionista smiling when she saw this. “None of the guards, who guard the walls, have seen her, or her friends, as one of those… Things.” She took a sip of her tea, and gave a longing look towards the city gates. “Which tells me that she could still be alive out there… Trapped and scared, but still surviving this horrible ordeal.” Rarity smiled at her friend. “With Prince Corvain now here, and when he’s ready, maybe there is a chance for him to search for, and hopefully rescue, her… Along with any others that are still out there.”

Her comment got Nurse Redheart to thinking a bit. “Maybe…” She took a sip of tea. “Just maybe.”

“” Umbra Equitis spoke up, causing both mares to look down at the dataslate.

“What is the matter, Umbra? Is Marius trying to break the limitations of what I’m allowing him to do?” She asked.

“” The two suddenly went wide eyed.

Nurse Redheart looked up at Rarity. “Go get Princess Celestia, tell her what is going on at the hospital, while I try to get there before anything can happen.” The two of them stood up, Rarity placing a couple of bits on to the table. “We need to hurry, the Royal Guards stationed there, long with the medical staff, won’t keep them out for very long.” With that, the two separated and ran off to where they needed to go.