The Oncoming Storm

by Archive Scribe

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Original Character, Human
Length: 8012

Trinity was a lonely little filly who stayed at home all day. That was until two humans come and change not only her life but the entire world.

Trinity was a lonely little filly who spent her life cooped up in her family's manor on the outskirts of Canterlot. That was until two humans from another world entered her life. Now 30 years later she's recounting her experiences of helping them get home before a political powder keg would go off and launch what would be known in later times as the "Great War".

Preread by Keam and Jetflame

Edited by TheMajorTechie

(Note this is a complete rewriting of my old story "The Visitor".)

Published 2016-08-04 13:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2017-03-10 01:48:50 UTC

Memories of You

Memories of You

University of Canterlot. Equestria. Year 1036 After Lunar Banishment.

In the newly built Safon Science wing of the University of Canterlot, a unicorn mare was give a lecture in one of the many lecture halls with students and peers eagerly listening to what she had to say. Her name was Dr. Trinity Ph.D, Sc.D. She was a middle aged mare with white coat and navy blue mane and tail and was dressed in a clean and pressed black suit jacket with a matching skirt, white blouse and gold floral neck tie. Dr. Trinity was at the age of 40 the world’s most foremost expert in the young scientific field of nuclear physics. Unlike the other experts in this field,she had the extreme fortune of learning from an extremely intelligent mentor when she was just 10 years old.

This mentor and his wife came into her life all those years ago and changed her life forever and perhaps even changed the entire world forever too.They weren’t a Pony, Griffin, Changeling, Thestial or even a Dragon. They were… they were something else entirely. This mentor who came from another dimension that had over 80 years of future knowledge on everypony else in the entire world. After spending 10 years with this individual along with some time in the military in the Great War 19 years ago, she was able to go to university where she graduated top of her class in her major and with several grants, letting her begin work into creating electricity with nuclear power.

“And as you can see under the right conditions uranium can produce more heat than coal ever could and thus make more steam to turn turbines which in turn will produce much more electricity! Now does anyone have any questions?” Trinity finished her lecture as she got a drink of water from her podium so the ponies listening have time to think of questions. As she put the glass down, a couple students were raising their hooves hoping to get her attention. “Yes you the one closest to me.”

The unicorn mare she called on looked to make sure she was actually the one being called on before responding. “Dr. Trinity, how do you hope to control this “reaction” that’ll produce the heat for the steam?”

“Ah that’s a good question.” Trinity said. “You see, currently my colleagues and I believe that the radiation shielding spell I developed in my youth will suffice, but we are looking into magicless means also.” She said as she picked somepony else. “Alright you next.”

The unicorn stallion she picked stood up and straightened his tie with his magic before clearing his throat.

“Yes... one thing I have to ask about using nuclear power is what do we do with the used up fuel rods? I mean those things have to be a huge environmental hazard for Equestria and you couldn’t possibly think your shielding spell would last forever. Now I, along with everyone else, know about your mentor and his wife, and how they came from another world. With that in mind I was thinking perhaps we could send it to another world much like where they came from?”

“Absolutely Not!!” Trinity snapped before seeing the faces everypony was giving her. “What I mean while that can seem like an option on the table when you consider Mr. and Mrs. Safon and where they came from. However there is a big problem with that. You see while I did assist in the construction of the machine that let them go home, Mr. Safon did most of the hard work, while I just helped build the reactor. Also, when they left us for their world, they destroyed all the notes pertaining to interdimensional travel. On top of that, they also took all the machinery that allowed them to travel between dimensions with them when they left. So with that in mind, we have to go for more simplistic means of disposal, which as of now are less savory to you and your concern for our environment such as disposing it in sights similar to those used to store our trash. Now don’t threat we are currently brainstorming much better ways of disposal.”

“I’m sorry Doctor. I was unaware of the extent Mr. Safon went to to ensure his results weren’t replicated.” The stallion said nervously.

“It’s alright that was certainly an option we considered but as I said there are too many factors stopping us from doing that.” She said calming herself down and looking at the clock in the room telling her she was out of time. “Now we are unfortunately out of time for today. I will not be in my office for the rest of the week due to prior commitments but I will be available next week.”

As all the other ponies left the stallion from earlier approached Trinity. “Again Dr. Trinity I want to profusely apologize for what I suggested. I didn’t know about what you did to help and…..”

“I told you it’s alright Mr…” Trinity interrupted before realizing she forgot the student’s name.

“Ivy Mike Doctor. My name is Ivy Mike and I’ve been studying your work for a while now. I’m particularly fascinated by your theory about the destruction that can be unleashed by an uncontained nuclear reaction.” Ivy gushed.

“Now I do hope you realize I included that theory to show why it was important to have a controlled reaction.” Trinity said looking at him getting uncomfortable with where this conversation was going.

Ivy chuckled. “ Of course. But you can’t ignore the possible military applications that kind of destruction can have. With what the Griffin Reich is doing right now in the Zebra continent it’s only a matter of time they come after us for revenge for what we did to them after the Great War and this kind of power can be what stops them.”

“Yes I’m well aware of this and trust me I don’t need you to remind me! The military did a good job at that already. What I want, is you and everyone else to realize is that atomic power can also lead to a golden age - an era in which we don’t have to worry about our power needs. Now then, I’ll have no more of this talk of the destructive power atomic energy could have. If you want to discuss my theories of atomic power with me, feel free to stop by my office and we’ll talk, but I want nothing to do with your ideas of atomic destruction!” Trinity said angrily.

“Of course, Doctor. I’ll try to keep those thoughts out of our future conversations.” Ivy nervously said.

“That’s all I ask,” Trinity said as she put her old military trench coat on. Checking her wristwatch, she mumbled, “Now I simply must go.”

“Of course, Doctor. I look forward to our future discussions.” Ivy said as he put his own coat and fedora on.

Trinity watched him leave before putting on her own fedora and checking the time again. “Should be enough time to drive home.”

Trinity drove home in her 32’ Fancy Pants Sadan, a simple automobile not really fitting of one with her social status but she didn’t really care, it was simple and that was what she wanted. She drove on through Canterlot, passing many protesting workers wanting a job or in lines waiting for a small amount of food. She sighed at the depressing sight of the economic turmoil facing the world these days. It was really disheartening to her to the point where she canceled her newspaper delivery subscription and didn’t get a radio installed in her car.

Eventually she reached her home just outside the city. The home was a rather large manor built by her parents and inherited by her when they died just before the Great War. While she hadn’t really kept it up to the standards her parents used to, it was still an impressive piece of architecture with an ornate style that wasn’t really used that much anymore, due to ponies beginning to go with a more ‘form follows function’ philosophy these days.

She pulled up to the front door and parked the car. Shutting off her car, she grabbed her briefcase of papers and got out of the car. As she walked into her manor, she took off her coat and hung it at the same time as checking the time on the big clock in the foyer.

“I have a few minutes before he gets here.” She told herself as she walked to her kitchen to get something to eat before her guest arrived.

A few moments later, she came from the kitchen with a sandwich and a bottle of cola. As she set the plate and bottle on the parlor table the doorbell rang.

“‘Bout time he got here.” She sighed to herself walking to the front door. Making sure she looked presentable in the mirror by the door, she sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” She said to herself heavily.

“Welcome, Newshound.” Trinity said with a rather fake looking smile as she opened the door.

On the other side of the door was a unicorn dressed in a black three piece suit and fedora. This unicorn was the world famous Equestrian reporter Newshound. He was the first to really use radio as a means of delivering the news to millions of ponies, griffins, threstials, dragons and many others across Equestria, giving them all the same news as it came in. During the Great War, he gained fame from reporting live from the bases near the battlefield, and even in the trenches, speaking to all the soldiers, nurses, and volunteers that he could.

Now, however, instead of reporting on brave stallions and mares returning home after a hard fought war, he was constantly reminding everyone about the economic hardships of today's world.

“Ah Dr. Trinity. It’s been years.” He said as he took his hat off. “How’re you doing today?”

Trinity moved to the side gesturing Newshound inside. “ Yes it indeed has been quite a while, and I’m doing fine... I guess.” She looked behind him expecting someone else. “Didn’t you say a technician would be with you?”

“Oh don’t worry. He’s unloading the equipment from the car.” Newshound told her as he walked into the manor.

After a bit of conversation and setting up of equipment, Newshound and Trinity were sitting in the parlor with a camera pointed at them.

“We should be ready sir.” The technician said adjusting the boom mic stand.

“Thank you.” Newshound said straightening his tie.

“So…” Trinity started looking at the camera. “You want me to go into detail about them?”

“Well yes that’s what we want to get.” Newshound said before noticing her nervousness. “If you want we can postpone until you’re ready.”

Trinity took a deep breath. “No let’s get this over with.”

“Are you sure? The Princess’ can wait if you’re not ready,” Newshound asked unsure. Trinity just nodded in response. “Well, ok. We can take a break when it gets too hard on you.”

Newshound cleared his throat and gestured the technician to start the camera. A small ‘click’ later and the technician returned the gesture. “Ok and…. We’re on, boss.” Newshound nodded and faced the camera.

“Hello future generations of Equestria. My name is Newshound reporter for the Canterlot Times. Our great Princesses have sent me on a mission to archive as much of the history of our great nation as possible. That mission has taken me all over this great nation from the dying buffalo tribes in the last of our untamed land to the high society of Manehattan, and now to one of the brightest minds of our time Dr. Trinity.” The camera turned over to Trinity sitting in the chair trying to not look nervous for the camera before turning back to Newshound. “Dr. Trinity was the assistant of today’s subjects, Henry and Lauren Safon. The two beings from another world who gave us technology, like the radio I use to talk to ponies everyday, or the automobile you drive to work and back. They both gave us so much, and they just... left us. Twenty years ago, after staying with us for ten years. That was when they left. In that time, Dr. Trinity served as an assistant to them, now she’s the pony who knows them the best. So with that, we are here to hear her tell us the story of them through her eyes for the first time.”

The camera then panned out so that they were both visible. Trinity was nervous but knew it was now or never to finally vent. She cleared her throat and began to speak clearly for the camera.

“Thank you Newshound. I remember my time with the two very well. It started Thirty years ago back around 1006 ALB when I was just a ten year old blank flank……”

Ain't it funny what a difference just a few hours make

‘I first met them on a very dark and stormy night. Now because of my eh... heritage, my family chose to live in this manor here, on the outskirts of Canterlot, away from other ponies who might not be um… comfortable with us. Because of that, I was never really that social to the point of my parents opting to have me home schooled after being bullied by other children.’

Trinity’s Family Manor, Spring 1006 ALB

It was late at night and Trinity was out of bed and walking down the hall of her family’s manor. She couldn’t sleep due to the raging storm outside that was frightening her. She was easily scared, and was hoping to have her parents comfort her like they always do when she gets scared.

As she reached the door to their bedroom she heard them talking.

“You can’t possibly think that, Code? That our daughter is... invalid?” She heard her mother gasp.

“What other logical explanation is there? She’s ten years old, and doesn’t have her cutie mark yet. She can barely even cast any spells beyond basic levitation.” Her father Code Cypher said heavily.

“Maybe…..Maybe she just hasn’t found her special talent yet. That must be it.” Her mother said, trying to fight back tears.

“Dearie,” Her father started trying to comfort his wife. “We should’ve known this was going to happen when she was born. We should’ve known this was going to happen when we married. All those groups who tried to stop it, perhaps….. Perhaps they had a point.”

Her mother started sobbing and Code Cypher walked over to comfort her.

As her father was comforting her mother Trinity was well on the verge of bursting into tears. She ran back to her bedroom in shock that her parents would actually think she was an invalid.

“They rea….ly …..think….some….thing is...wrong ….with ..me?” She asked herself in tears. She sat on her bed crying for a good long time before looking out the window before getting a very irrational idea, but at this point she really didn’t care. “I’ll…..show them…...I’ll….go …..find… a...great...sorcerer…..I’ll ...learn ….all….kinds of ….magic...and ...I’ll...come back and show them.”

After packing up some food, books, and a flashlight, along with grabbing her father’s old navy blue military greatcoat Trinity stood in front of the front door of the manor. The storm was still raging outside, and she was still scared. But inside, she knew she must overcome it if she hoped to prove her parents wrong. After standing for what seemed like hours, Trinity used her magic to open the door, and stepped outside.

The rain battered her heavily as she adjusted the oversized coat to give her more coverage. She began to walk down the trail that lead to the city of Canterlot, where she knew she’d be able to find somepony capable of teaching her the kind of magic that’d impress her parents, and prove she wasn’t invalid.

The further down the trail she got, the more she began rethinking her idea. But, she felt like she couldn’t turn back, or it’d prove her parents right. She continued down the trail, and looked around at the woods on the mountain side that she lived on. She noticed how the beyond the rain, there was absolute silence out there. When she got further though, she started hearing sounds. Listening closer, she thought she could hear voices; one male, and the other female. They were coming from the woods. Curiosity got the best of her, and she walked toward the voices. As she got closer the voices got clearer.

“Damnit I think my arm’s broken.” She heard the male voice say.

“Great. Can you walk at least.” the Female voice said.

“I don’t think so.”

“Wonderful. Ok hold still I’ll carry you.”

“Thanks. I think I saw city lights to the east.”

“Ok. Do you still have the flashlight.”

“Yeah.”

Trinity then saw the light of the flashlight’s shine guiding its users. She knew they needed help, but that’d mean going back to her manor, and that’d mean her parents would find out she tried to run away. She thought about it for a bit before coming to the conclusion that their well being was more important than avoiding her parents wrath.

“Hello!” She called out to the strangers. “Are you two in the need of assistance!?”

“What was that?” the female voice called out.

“I think someone might be nearby.” the male voice responded.

“There is?” the female voice asked. “Hello? Is anyone there?” She called out to Trinity.
Trinity looked over to the light coming from the flashlight and raised her voice to guide them to her. “Yes! I am over here. Are the two of you lost?”

The light shined toward her. “Hello. Yes! Yes! We need help please! We’re hurt, and in need of medical help! I’ll gladly compensate you!” The male voice called out.

Trinity was confused at the last part. She didn’t understand why she’d need to be compensated for something that seemed like a basic right for any living creature. “Um… Okay stay there and I will lead you to my home.”

She then ran up to the source of the light through the woods. When she finally got close to the source of the light she got a good look at the two strangers with the female carrying the male, and she gasped at what she saw.

They were not ponies nor griffins nor even dragons, in fact she didn’t know what they were. These creatures stood on two legs, and lacked hooves. Instead they had appendages similar to a dragon or griffin. They also appeared to lack fur on their bodies, exposing the pale skin on the female, and the sun kissed skin on the male. The only place fur showed up was in the form of the short, trimmed, black hair on top of the head of the female, and the longer, light brown hair on the male’s, along with a neatly trimmed beard. They even lacked muzzles or beaks, instead, they had their noses sitting directly above their mouths. Even the clothing they wore was strange, with the female wearing torn jeans and matching jacket, over a light blue button up shirt, and the male wearing a torn up, navy blue tracksuit with a red t-shirt under it and a metal brace over his right leg.

The female seemed as shocked as Trinity when she came into view but the male didn’t seem too surprised, most likely paying attention to his injuries. “What the hell?” the female whispered to herself.

After staring for a while Trinity finally spoke up but scared at the unusual creatures in front of her. “Wha….What are you?” She asked.

The male groaned in pain. “We’re Homo-Sapiens, or humans. My name is Henry and this here,” He pointed to the female with his good arm. “ Is my wife Lauren. Now, I know you’re scared, and I understand but please, I’m in serious pain here and need help.”

Trinity stood there thinking. For all she knew these were monsters trying to trick her and eat her. However at the same time they might be telling the truth, looking at Henry it was clear he was in pain and on closer inspection, was even bleeding. Thinking it over, she decided it was better to risk taking them to her home and treating them there. After all, if things were to go bad her, parents were there.

“Alright I’ll take you to my home. We should have medicine there.”

They were all able to make it back to the manor relatively quickly. Trinity looked at the clock, and saw it was just past midnight, meaning her parents were more than likely asleep.

“We can go into the dining hall.” Trinity told the pair leading them to the room.

“Thank you.” Lauren said carrying Henry into the dining hall. Once in the lavishly decorated hall, Trinity offered a chair to sit Henry onto. “Ok dear, hold on...” She told him as she carefully set him on the chair, as to not make his injuries worse.

“Ok, thanks, I can sit myself up.” He told them, setting himself up in the chair. In the better lighting, his injuries were a lot more visible. His right arm was pretty badly broken and bleeding, and his right leg, while not broken still looked bad, with blood coming out at the knee. “Ok now, honey? Can you get this jacket off of me? And miss….”

Trinity looked up at him as Lauren took his track jacket off of him “Trinity, sir.”

“Ok.” Henry groaned as Lauren carefully took the jacket off his right arm. “ I need you to get me some whiskey, a couple of sticks and a rag soaked in hot water please.”

“Yes sir.” She said before leaving for the kitchen. Once there, she was able to levitate a rag into the sink and turn on the hot water to let it soak. As it soaked, she went to the pantry and grabbed a bottle of her parent’s whiskey. With the whiskey, she levitated the rag out of the sink and turned it off as she grabbed a couple of sticks that were next to the wood burning stove and headed back into the dining hall. Back in the dining hall Lauren took off her belt and have it to Henry to use it as a makeshift sling. “Here you go.” She said, offering the items.

“Thank you.” Henry said taking the rag and sticks with his good arm and wrapped the rag around his bad one. He then took the bottle of whiskey, opened, and smelled it. “Hmm… This is good stuff. It’s a shame to waste it on this.” He said, before downing half the bottle in one swig.

“Ready?” Lauren asked.

Henry nodded before looking at Trinity. “You’re going to want to cover your ears. I’m going to say things that someone as young as you should not hear.” He then took the sleeve of his jacket and put it in his mouth.

Lauren took hold of his broken arm. “Ok. One. Two. Three.” On the third number she quickly set his arm into place clearly causing Henry quite a bit of pain with him groaning and tears of pain showing up in his blue eyes.

“Mphh…. MOTHER FU…..Mmmm.” Henry groaned through the sleeve in great pain.

“Ok I think it’s in place.” Lauren said as she let go, putting the sticks into the rag. She adjusted the belt to support his arm.

As Lauren let go, Henry spit the sleeve out. “God fucking damnit all to hell that hurt!”

“Did you really expect less?” Lauren asked annoyed.

“No, but Jesus Christ that hurt!”

“Must you say the lord’s name in vain?” Lauren replied, slightly offended, but in a tone that sounded used to it.

“I’ll say his name in vain all I damn well please.” Henry responded, with some slight anger from the pain.

“Ok whatever we’re getting off track.” Lauren told him. “This is only temporarily. We need to get you to a hospital, and then find the van.”

“You're right.” Henry said before looking to Trinity. “Thank you, Miss Trinity. Now, if you can point us to the nearest settlement, we’ll be on our way. I’ll be sure to come back and compensate you later.”

Trinity just stood there looking scared at something behind the two at the entrance they all entered from.

“What’s wrong?” Lauren asked before turning about to what Trinity was looking at. “Oh shit.”

At the entrance of the room was an Earth Pony stallion and a Unicorn mare staring with their mouths agape.

After some staring the stallion spoke up. “Trinity. What’s going on here?” Code Cypher asked.

For what it's worth

‘In hindsight I should’ve seen how much of smooth talker Henry can be, but when you’re young and impressionable it’s hard to see it.’

“Trinity what is going on here?” Code Cypher asked with his wife Book Binder standing next to him just staring in shock.

Trinity grew smaller as she coward afraid of what her parents would do to her, “I…..uh……”

Henry noticed her nervousness and decided he should break the ice. He carefully stood up despite the pain and tried to somewhat make himself look presentable. “Hello.” He started putting on his best politican voice. “You must be the owner of this fine home. I do apologize for arriving uninvited and getting my blood on your very expensive looking carpet. My name is Henry A. Safon the Second and this lovely women here is my wife Lauren Safon.” He said pointing to Lauren who quickly nodded before subtly glancing around the room. “You see we’re travelers from another world and when we got here the breaks of our van broke forcing us to jump out, injuring me in the process. We walked around the woods for a bit until your lovely daughter here found us and offered to help us like a good samaritan.”

“I see. Well it is such good think we have raised our daughter to always help those who are in need. Is that right dear?” Cypher said as he gestured Trinity to him and Book Binder.

Trinity was still scared of possible punishment but still walked over next to her father. “Yes father.”

“Yes,yes.” Cypher started as he glanced at his wife who nodded and walked out of the room.

“Come with me dear.” Book Binder whispered to Trinity. Trinity gulped and followed her mother out of the room.

Once they were out of the room Trinity started crying. “I’m…….sorry mo…...ther! I w…..as…...just…..trying….to...help!”

“Oh Trinity, dear. We are not mad at you. You were just doing what you thought was right.” Her mother told her to comfort her.

Trinity looked up at her mother with tears still in her eyes. “Really?”

“Yes.” Book Binder confirmed before turning towards the foyer. “Now come on we need to call for help.”

“Why do we need to call for help?” Trinity asked as she followed her mother who started walking towards the foyer.

Book Binder picked up the room’s telephone with her magic. “They’re injured and clearly need medical assistance.” Before Trinity could say something her mother took the hoofset off the receiver and preceded to make a call. “Yes hello operator? Can you connect me to home of one Colonel Shining Armor? Thank you.”

Trinity was really confused now. She knew Shining Armor from him coming over to meet her father about stuff he did for the military and he was definitely not a doctor. “Why do we need Colonel Armor; don’t we need a doctor?”

“Don’t worry about that dear. Colonel Armor will know exactly what to do.” Book Binder told her daugher before somepony picked up the phone on the other end. “Hello is this Colonel Shining Armor? Oh thank you, Colonel this is Book Binder I am so sorry for calling you this late in the night. Now I don’t know how to put this but we have a bit of a problem here and need your help to keep it quiet. Um I think it would be best for you to get here and see it with your own eyes first.”

Just as she was about to hang the phone up an extremely loud gunshot followed by a few more quieter ones and then the sound of a window breaking sounded from the dining room.

“CYHPER!!” Book Binder called out as she ran to the dining room leaving the phone off its receiver.

“Don’t worry I’m on my way!” Trinity heard from the phone as she ran with her mother back to the dining room.

When the two got to the room they saw Code Cypher with his back against the wall and Henry pointing a weathered handgun at him but Lauren was nowhere to be seen. There was a hole in the floor from where Henry shot a warning shot and a broken window behind him from which Lauren escaped the manor from.

Once Henry saw Trinity and Book Binder come back into the room he tried to calm everyone down. “Now listen I don’t want to harm anybody okay. I know you called for someone in the military. We are just simple travelers who have no interest in getting involved. Just let me go and I’ll go away and you’ll all be able to go back to your lives as if nothing happened.”

Code Cypher looked over to his family intent on protecting them. “You promise to cause us no harm?”

Henry nodded. “Of course. We just want to go home.”

Cypher looked over to his wife who nodded. “Very well. You are free to go.”

“Thank you.” Henry said as he bowed being sure to keep the gun aimed as he did.
Right as he was about to start heading for the door a bright flash came from the direction of the foyer and then hoof steps running towards the room could be hear. Before Henry had the time to react a white unicorn stallion wearing a hastily thrown on military officer's uniform ran into the room and used his magic to take the gun out of Henry’s hand and pointed it at him.

“You will not move if you know what is good for you.” The new arrival said as Henry raised his good hand in the air.

Code Cypher breathed a sigh of relief as he walked next to the other stallion. “Thank you Colonel Armor, I don’t know what would have happened if that went on any longer.”

“Sorry for being late. I had to call for some backup to arrive shortly.” Shining Armor told him as he looked Henry up and down. “So what do you think? Boached Changeling spy, Griffin science experiment or Ottomare sorcery gone awry.”

“I have no idea. He was trying to tell me some story about being from another world. There was another one but she ran away after he pulled his pistol.” Cypher told the Colonel.

“Another world?” Shining Armor scoffed before addressing Henry. “Where are you from and who sent you?”

Henry looked at his gun that was levitating and pointed directly at his head. “What he said. My wife and I are interdimensional travelers and while we were coming into this world we crashed our van and wound up here.”

Shining Armor not satisfied with that answer levitated the gun closer to Henry’s head. “Do you really think I am going to fall for that?”

“Well it’s the truth.” Henry told him.

“You must really think I’m dense if you think I’m going to fall for that. You were traveling and just so happened to be found by the family of Equestria’s top spy? I don’t believe that for a second.”

Henry sighed knowing he was going to get nowhere in this conversation. “Well I’m sorry if the facts don’t fit your reality.” Right as he said that he reached behind himself and pulled out a compact nickel plated handgun. Before he could he a shot off though Book Binder quickly reacted and took that gun out of his hand with her magic, and Shining Armor took the first one and shot him in the right knee with it. “Jesus fuck! Why did it have to be in the bad one?” Henry moaned in great pain.

Shining Armor was now very mad at the possible attempt at his life. “Okay now I am definitely sure you are a spy for a foreign country. Once my troops arrive we are going to have a nice long conversation.” Just as he said that the sound of a wagon and troops getting out of it could be heard outside the manor. “Well speak of the devil. Agent Cypher may we commend your cellar for initial interrogation?”

Cypher saluted Shining Armor. “Yes Colonel Armor the cellar is yours to do with as you wish.”

Book Binder put the gun down on the floor and turned to her frozen daughter. “Come on dear. Let us go up stairs and let your father take care of this.”

Trinity could do nothing but nod as she started to follow her mother.

Trinity couldn’t sleep that night and it wasn’t because of the constant hoofsteps of the soldiers that were in her home. Instead it was the immense amount of guilt she had at being too scared to stand up to her parents.She had no doubt in her mind that Henry and Lauren were telling the truth but she was doubting her parents. They talked about her behind her back, called her invalid, and lied to her about helping the two strangers. Meanwhile Henry and Lauren have been nothing but nice to her.

She was smart enough, and has read through enough of her father’s spy books to know that there was no possible way a spy would be so stupid to come up with an attempt like this. But no, she was too scared of punishment to do the right thing.

She sat in her bed for hours until she saw the sun rise. As she watched it rise reminders of old stories about the hero always doing what was right flooded her head. As she remembered these stories she then knew what she had to do.

Trinity managed to sneak past a bunch of the soldiers walking around her manor and made it out to the courtyard where there was a window into the cellar room that was serving as Henry’s temporary interrogation room. Before she could get to the window though she heard the front door open and looked over to she her father and Shining Armor walk out. She hid from the two and was able to hear their conversation.

“Are you sure about leaving your family with that creature? I can tell the princesses myself.” Shining Armor said giving Cypher a look of concern.

Cypher put a hoof around the Colonel’s shoulder. “Colonel if these were anypony else’s soldiers I would say no but I know for a fact you have trained them right. Besides I think it would be best if I was to report my findings directly to the princesses lest those foreign spies intercept them.”

“I suppose you have a point.” Shining Armor said as he looked over to the saluting carriage pony. “We’re going to Canterlot, no breaks.”

“Yes sir!” The soldier said as he strapped himself onto the carriage and the other two got into the carriage.

Trinity waited until the carriage left her sight realizing how perfect it was that her father and the Colonel left. Once she was sure the coast was clear she quickly ran up to the window and whispered. “Psk. Mr. Henry it is me Trinity.”

Inside the room Henry was being held in was pretty empty excluding the table and chairs in the center with Henry handcuffed one of the chairs. He smiled when he heard her and carefully worked his way out of the handcuffs and limped toward the window Trinity called to him from. “Ah Miss. Trinity. While it’s very nice to see you here. I have to ask why you came?”

Trinity took a deep breath. “I came here to get you out so you can get to your home.”

Henry smiled at this. “Now Trinity you don’t have to put yourself in harm’s way. I’m more than capable of getting myself out of this.”

“No.” Trinity started surprising Henry with the assertiveness she was showing. “It is my fault you are in the predicament and I is going to be me who gets you out of it.”

Henry continued to smile as he sighed. “Very well if you must help then I need you to get me a large coat like the one you were wearing when we met and a stip of cloth to serve as a face wrap.”

Trinity nodded and quickly headed to get the items.

Thankfully for Trinity she was quickly able to get the items from her bedroom where she left her father’s greatcoat from last night and was able to tear a strip out of her white bed sheets. With the items at hoof she quickly sneaked her way into the cellar and was hiding around the corner from the door to Henry’s room that was being guarded by two soldiers armed with rifles. She had to find a way to get rid of them if she ever hoped to get Henry out of there. Looking around she saw the breaker box for the manor’s electricity. Thinking quickly she went to it and took a couple of fuses out of it cutting the power and most importantly the lights.

“Oh for the love of Celestia.” She heard one of the soldiers say.

The other sighed. “Must’ve been one of those drunkard donkeys crashing into a pole.”

“Likely. Come on help me find a lantern or something.”

“And leave the post?”
“You really think that thing is going anywhere with a hole in the knee?”

“Fair point.”

Trinity hid as the two left their post and went upstairs in search of a lantern. Once they were gone she went up to the door and quietly knocked and whispered. “Mr. Henry I got the items you wanted.”

After a brief second she heard some footsteps and then Henry picking the lock on the door. Once the lock was picked Henry opened the door and looked at Trinity smiling. “Very nice cutting the power. It’ll make our escape easier.”

The two were carefully able to sneak off the manor grounds with it being made easier by the power being cut. Eventually the two made it onto the road heading towards Canterlot with Henry dressed in Trinity’s father’s great coat and the cloth wrapped around his head as a means to conceal his face.

“Mr. Henry are you sure you don’t want to head towards where I found you?” Trinity asked confused at why he would want to go the the city.

“Don’t worry Trinity. It’s part of our plan. Lauren is going to meet us there and then we’ll be on our way.”

Trinity nodded but was not too sure about it.

They continued to walk down the road and eventually the sound of a wagon came to their attention. They turned around and saw a rickety wagon full of earth pony musicians heading towards them. The wagon got closer and the big green earth pony dressed in a grey ratty suit and a straw hat stopped in front of Henry and Trinity.

“Y’all heading for the city?” He asked in an accent that implied that he had little to no education growing up.

“Play along.” Henry whispered to Trinity. Thinking fast he came up with something to tell them. “Why yes we are. You see I can’t work much on account of my war injury.” He said gesturing the empty right sleeve of the coat caused by his broken arm. “Thanks to that I have to get work by baring out my soul in the form of song and what better place to do that then the city?”

“Oh boy!” the Earth Pony said tipping his hat to the ‘veteran’. “Well ain’t you in luck there. Us the ‘Appolusa ramblers’ are heading out to a fancy shindig in the city. Why don’t y’all hop in the wagon and we’ll take you there.”
“That’d be appreciated.” Henry said walking to the wagon.

The other musicians moved over and let Henry and Trinity on. Once they were on the wagon the big earth pony started walking towards the city.

One of the musicians dressed in an old oversized black suit looked Henry up and down.“So I take it you got burned up by one of them Griffins.”

“Huh?” Henry replied glad the bandages prevented his face from being read.

“Them old bandages around you. I ‘member my older brother tell’in me about some Diamond Dogs serving with ‘em down in La’ Fron or La’ Fam… Oh shot I can’t ‘member.”

Another musician dressed in a ragged tailcoat hit him over the head “It’s La Frontière you ignorant sharecropper. And why in Celestia’s name are you asking anyways? By Luna they should call you LeadHead instead of Leadbelly sometimes.”

“Oh y’all shut up now! I’d ‘member eventually.” Leadbelly snapped back.

Henry chuckled glad the other interrupted because it gave him time to think of a lie. “It’s quite alright to ask. Yeah I got burned pretty well by a Griffin in the battle. Lost an arm in the process. But enough about that. What’s this event you’re all heading to?”

Leadbelly smiled. “Well you see. We were doing our thing out in a saloon when this uppity earth pony dressed all fancy like came up to us and told us that we were exactly what Fancy Pants was looking for to perform at his annual garden gala at the castle.”

“Sounds fancy.” Henry said.

“Y’all bet it is.”

The wagon eventually reached the city gates and then into the city proper. Henry looked around the city and observed how much it looked like Washington D.C. or London in the early 1900s. The roads were brick laid, streetlights were old oil lanterns that were converted to electricity, there were no automobiles instead everything was pulled by ponies, and there was a visible fog likely caused by near by factory pollution.

Once they made it through the slums of the city they reached the upper class neighborhoods and were able to get a good view of the castle. It was a grand structure towering over everything and even showed signs of having additions added throughout the ages with several parts showing different architecture styles but still fitting into the main theme.

“Would y’all look at that.” Leadbelly said in awe of the castle. “And we’re all performing there.”

They reached the service entrance of the castle were a grey earth pony dressed in very fine formal wear was waiting.

“Ah it’s nice to see you were able to make it. I trust you had no trouble getting here.” The earth pony said.

“Yeah we had no problems. Picked up a couple drifters but that’s all.” Leadbelly said getting out of the wagon.

The earth pony looked at Henry and Trinity. “I see. I’m afraid that they can’t come in.”

“Now hold up now! Why not? The old diamond dog here can sing and we can give the little filly a tambourine or something.” Leadbelly exploded.

The earth pony wasn’t intimidated though. “You listen here. The contract was for the four of you only. Now I know that out in those dirty saloons you like there’s no rules but here we have a sense of decorum.”

Leadbelly flaid his forehooves up in the air. “Oh ‘decorum’ now. You listen here you uppity sellout. Drifters are the heart and soul of our music.Traveling down the olde country roads, meeting interesting folk, and seeing the world.”

“I can go if it’s that much of a problem.” Henry interjected to try and defuse the argument.

“Quite!” Both earth ponies yelled at him.

Trinity just stood back and watched the two bicker as she wondered how she got caught up in this. After a bit she looked over to the entrance and saw a familiar face come up.

It was none other than Fancy Pants the Speaker of the Equestrian House of Representatives. As per usual he was dressed in the finest clothing that when perfectly with his white fur and purple mane. “Now what’s all this then Chamberlin?”

Chamberlin quickly snapped to attention. “I do apologize sir. I was just having a disagreement about the terms of our contract with our entertainment.”

Leadbelly straightened his mane and suit. “Yeah we want to bring the heart and soul of our music to you so we picked up a couple of drifters.”

“‘Picked up a couple drifters’?” Fancy Pants repeated before looking over Henry and Trinity. “Trinity!” He exclaimed as he recognized her. “Whatever are you doing here? Where are your parents?”

Trinity got scared that she got caught. “Well um……”

“She was trying to help me.” Henry interrupted. “I was injured and she was trying to get me to the city when these kind fellows picked us up.”

“Y..yes! That was what I was doing.” Trinity said playing along.

“Oh I see.” Fancy Pants said looking at Henry. “Do you need some help?”

“No I should be good now. I was just tired from traveling.” Henry said trying to divert the conversation.

“Well if you’re alright then I should call Trinity’s parents they must be absolutely scared that their little filly is out somewhere hurt.” Fancy Pants said before heading into the castle to look for a telephone.

Trinity’s eyes grew big as she knew that her rescue attempt would be over if he called her parents. “Wait Mr. Fancy Pants. You don’t need to call my parents. I’m doing fine right here.”

“Now why are you so concerned about me calling your parents?” Fancy Pants asked confused at what was going on.

Henry knew there wasn’t a whole lot he could do now. He didn’t want to do this but he had no choice. He reached his good arm to the cloth wrapped around his head and took it off, revealing his face to everyone much to their shock.

Henry looked at all the shocked ponies. “Now I’m sorry I lied to you all here but I’m just trying to get home. Trinity here helped me and my wife when I had a broken arm but her parents are convinced I’m a spy.”

“And why should I believe that.” Fancy Pants asked skeptical once he got past the shock of this unusual creature standing in front of him.

Trinity ran up to Fancy Pants and pleaded. “Listen to him Mr. Fancy Pants. He doesn’t want to spy he just wants to go home.”

“What kind of spy blows his own cover? Think about it and try not to be so paranoid and close minded.”

“Close minded, and paranoid?” Fancy Pants scoffed. “As the Speaker of the House I’ve been a champion for equality across the board and a warrior against the paranoia of the Equestrian Military my good sir!”

Henry smiled knowing he struck a chord. “So you’ll help me by calling off those paranoid officers?”

“Of course I will!” Fancy Pants said fired up. “I’ll show them that they can’t bully around those under them just because they're afraid of monsters under their bed. Now come with me! I have a few words for Code Cypher.”

“Thank you my friend you’ll quickly find that I have no interest in harming your people.” Henry said smiling amazed that that actually worked.