Far Away

CHAPTER XXXVI

Stalliongrad was a much larger, and populated city than the two ponies had imagined. The streets were bustling, even though it was nowhere close to rush hour yet. Tall grey concrete apartment buildings stood everywhere around them, almost no vibrant colour was in sight. Sunburst was forced to put away his instruments, and fold the large map awkwardly to travel properly in the saturated streets.

“We are nearing the Monumentum Austim Fortis,” observed Sunburst as he looked up from the old map, “Looks like we need to take the right at the second intersection coming up.”

The space was crowded, so it was practically impossible for two ponies to walk aside one another, due to the differing speeds of different ponies on the road. Jack succumbed to following Sunburst after a few attempts. Apparently the map marked the Monumentum Austim Fortis as a major landmark, and now Jack knew why.

The memorial loomed up ahead, standing proudly in the busy, dull city, protruding at least ten metres from the ground, bearing a large gilded plaque, with many engravings of which Jack couldn’t pick out at such a far distance. The statue was actually multiple carved pieces of amber adhered seamlessly by some sort of magic, because Jack had never heard of an amber piece of ten metres in height. It contrasted nicely with the unsaturated greyish buildings, and cast golden light to the area around it, speckling the surrounding buildings and roads, the sun’s light refracting through the brilliant gem.

They walked through the first intersection, and was headed towards the second, but they were on the verge of turning when they spotted a white unicorn frantically waving them down. Sunburst and Jack were indecisive if to go over or not, but gradually after some awkward shuffling, they turned and headed towards her.

As they approached, she gestured for them to follow her to the side of the road, where it was more calm, and freer of ponies. As they walked to the side, she frantically whispered, as if she did not want to be heard. “You two know what’s going on here?”

Sunburst looked at Jack, who shook his head. “No, I do not.”

“Well, it is quite clear that you two come from Canterlot. Battlemage, you stick out like a sore thumb in the crowd, wearing your robes,” she addressed Sunburst courteously, “A civil war is on our hooves. A particular group in Stalliongrad are pushing for a separatist movement, sending propaganda to the citizens of this city, and most of them are swallowing the lies that have been laid before them! Atrocious! Well, I digress. My name is Snowy Blast, current Stalliongrad correspondent to Canterlot Castle. Follow me and I’ll tell you more.”

The two confused ponies hesitated slightly, not knowing if the unicorn who revealed herself was a friend or foe. Seeing this hesitation, she produced her ID card. “I’m a mare of my word,” she winked.

Snowy Blast led the two ponies down a much quieter side street. It seemed that she knew the city quite well as she wound down alleys and backstreets. These small roads were shabby places – some patching up could be done. They were dark and damp, with warm water dripping from external radiators for the refrigerators and central heating/cooling. Finally, after what seemed like hours of winding down small paths, they reached a manor street, although not as busy as the one they had come from, it still carried a substantial amount of traffic.

“Ah, now here we are,” she announced as she strode in front of a bright white door, and produced her set of golden keys. They were in front of a small two storey home now, with ample place for a front yard and garden. They have already travelled to outer Stalliongrad, where the architecture was much nicer to the eye, and consisted of real colours, not just shades of black and grey (if you are thinking 50 Shades of Grey, go to a mental specialist). With a twist and yank, they were inside.

The innards of the house were furnished with oaken floorboards and the walls were painted a nice light blue hue, with the ceiling white, decorated with ornate snowflakes, matching Snowy’s cutie mark. She led them through the living room into the study, where a simple wooden desk stood with a candle, which was lit when Snowy opened the door to the room. She strode to the office chair and sat down, gesturing for the two to follow suite.

“Now, I won’t take much of your time, but there are some important matters of which I would like to discuss, since you are in Stalliongrad,” she began, “And one thing you do not ever do in Stalliongrad is wear any robes or clothes that remotely suggest you are working for the Princesses.”

She lifted a hoof at Sunburst, “Now I know that you are a battlemage, so pray tell what business does a battlemage have here?”

“There are some relics I wanted to take a look at in the museum, and I have merely come to accompany my friend here, who still hasn’t told me why, but I have an idea of what.”

She eyed Jack curiously, and then nearly leapt out of her chair in surprise. “Oh, it is you!” she said excitedly, “I have heard of the many good deeds you have done, Jackson. I know what you are here for, for I heard all about what happened.”

Jack shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“There have been some dire circumstances in Stalliongrad, for they are pushing to be a separate state, governed by Vaporeus, for they agree with their system of communism more than they agree with Equestria’s system of principality and partial democracy.” As she said this, she rummaged through various drawers set into her desk as papers fluttered everywhere. She finally found the document she was looking for and passed it to Sunburst. “Now, this ‘rule’ I have been talking about had been set by the leaders of the movement. It was decreed one week ago that anypony wearing those robes or clothes will be tried and sentenced for betraying the dominant party.”

Sunburst looked at the document she passed to him. It was a formal document, containing all the information of the decree that had been passed. It was signed at the bottom by a pony, whose signature is indistinguishable to his eyes. He flipped through the small wad of papers, shaking his head at regular intervals. “Denouncing the princesses?” shouted he, “That is an act of betrayal, we should act at once!”

“But it is not that easy, battlemage, or we would’ve done that long ago. Stalliongrad, as you most likely know is the workshop of Equestria, manufacturing a range of things from weapons to fashion accessories. Now, they have also been manufacturing and testing the ‘Manehattan Project.’ Because of this, it is extremely dangerous to forcefully take Stalliongrad back, as peaceful negotiations have been attempted and failed. I presume you don’t know what the Manehattan Project is?”

Jack nodded, a surprised look was shot at him from both Sunburst and Snowy Blast.

“I figured that it wouldn’t hurt to tell you, but since you already know… How did you come to know of this? It is highly confidential!” asked Snowy curiously.

“I was involved in the battle for Manehattan, and I was told about it,” Jack said simply.

“Alright then, since you know what it is, I presume you can deduce why it is so dangerous to take Stalliongrad by force?” queried Snowy again.

Jack swallowed thickly, knowing the only answer, which was terrifying but true. “Megaspells?” he asked tentatively.

A solemn nod came from both ponies, who stayed silent for the time being.

“Well, I have some business to get to. It was a pleasure meeting you, Snowy Blast,” Jack farewelled.

“No, no! The pleasure was mine, dear Jackson. If you ever need me, don’t be afraid to stop by. After all, I am a battlemage,” she said as they headed towards the door.

“I knew it!” Sunburst muttered, “I felt the aura.”

“Pray tell, battlemage, what is your name?” asked Snowy from the door.

“Sunburst,” answered he.

“Farewell, ponies, and may the magic of harmony stand by you!” she waved.

Jack followed Sunburst. “The station seems to be on this road!” he announced, “We’re in luck!”

After half an hour of slow trotting in the mostly empty street, they came to a busier zone, where the station was located. It was a white building, cleanly contrasting with the grey spires that surrounded it. The windows were of bars, and the sides were lacking balconies, which the buildings around it had, setting it apart from the normal sequence.

The entrance was elevated by a few steps, probably to catch anypony attempting to make an escape. Sunburst now followed Jack, who was trotting up the stairs and through the glass doors. Inside the police station was a white desk, with a red emblem engraved at the front. Harsh white lights shone from the ceiling, lighting the white tiles on the floor and white walls to a horrible brightness.

Jack walked up to the front desk, unsure of what to say, but the receptionist talked for him. “Here to visit a prisoner?” he asked monotonously.

“Yes,” Jack answered shortly.

“Name?” requested the receptionist, as he produced a long scroll of all the prisoners in the gaol above.

“PhD Daring Do,” answered Jack as Sunburst walked up beside him, in his robes, now grey since he magically altered their appearance for a finite amount of time.

“Ah, I see. I shall send a request for you to see her right now,” the receptionist said as he rose from his desk, and strode into a corridor that was behind him.

Jack trotted to the corner of the station, where a couple of couches were placed, and he sat. Sunburst followed suite, but both were not in the mood for conversation.

A couple of minutes later, the clip-clop of hooves could be heard gradually coming closer to them. It was when a police officer stepped out of the corridor, and headed towards Jack. “Good afternoon sir. I have been informed you wanted to see a prisoner here,” he greeted.

“Yes I have,” replied Jack.

“I sense you have weapons on you. You may keep the ammunition for them at the front desk for security reasons,” ordered the officer, and Jack followed the command. “Now, follow me.”

As they ascended the prison, Jack could hear the screams of the tortured, and the moaning of the ones deprived of sustenance. It was a horrible atmosphere, and threatened to drive Jack’s mind to insanity. It did not help that he felt pangs of coldness in his veins, a common side effect of the later stages of blood poisoning. Jack followed the officer into a small room, where there was a pane of glass separating it down the middle. The officer offered him a seat, and pulled out a clipboard with a pile of papers attached. Sunburst entered as well, after a short delay.

“Sir, what charges were laid upon Daring?” Jack asked.

“Theft against the crown,” he replied.

Jack wanted so badly to shout ‘bullshit!’ because of the circumstances that Stalliongrad was in. They were no longer loyal to the crown, and were still using that as an excuse to charge ponies of a crime? “What did she steal?” asked Jack.

“A fire flower,” he answered, “It is a very potent magical plant that can cure ponies of many illnesses, and for reasons you may have deduced, this is why she was arrested.”

Jack thought for a moment, passing ideas though his head to figure out what to do. He finally decided to test his theory that they will not obey a letter form the princess. After rummaging through his saddlebags, Jack was sure he had a copy of Celestia’s letter to him. ‘Aha!’ he mentally shouted as he pulled out a scroll bearing the solar emblem.

“Celestia has given a release command for Daring,” Jack said, as he gave the officer a better look of the scroll, “Since you are under the princess’ command, being the police force of Equestria, you have to obey.”

At that moment, Daring was brought in by one of the guards, with dark bags under her eyes and an unkempt and dirty mane. Jack’s heart sunk at the sight of her. As if she could read his mind, she did not give away any joy she might have experienced from meeting Jack. She just simply walked in and sat down on the single chair in the opposite side of the glass pain.

She did not know what was going on. She saw Jack with an unknown pony waving a scroll with Celestia’s emblem on it to the officer. The officer seemed stumped as to what to do. The world was confusing to her after she left her cell.

Jack smiled at the officer’s hesitance. Finally, he said, “I will consult the deputy, and see what he says.”

A little while later, a grey pony with a large build came in with the scroll in hoof, which didn’t look like it had been opened to Jack’s surprise and comfort. It was not actually a release order, so he would’ve been doomed if they had opened it. It was a high risk gamble, but it payed off.

The pony sat down, and looked at Jack in the eye. “Do you have any idea of what happened?” he asked. Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “Some of us who are still loyal to Celestia have been weeded out. I am one of the only left, my rank saving me. I will obey this release order but only under one condition: that you will not tell anypony in Stalliongrad, and keep her concealed. By the way, here is your ammunition as well, you’ll need it,” he winked and opened the door to the opposite side of the glass, and released Daring from her chains. “You are free,” he said.

“Wait until we get out of this ok?” growled Jack as he saw her approach. She nodded in understanding.

They snuck out of the prison, but was headed down the corridor to the lobby when a guard yelled, “Hey! Those ponies have ammunition!”

Shit. Just. Got. Real.

Guards arrived with rifles and pistols and opened fire. It took some time for Jack to pull out his revolver, but he managed in time to return fire, under the cover of Sunburst’s shield. The crack of guns echoed loudly down the narrow corridor as guards ducked in and out from room entrances. Jack knew this could not keep them at bay for long, as their constant fire had drawn the stamina out of Sunburst.

Soon the shield flickered out, and Jack was shot in the leg, pain bursting from the limb, crimson dripping onto the floor. That was when the unexpected happened: a miracle! “Need some help?” asked a female voice from behind as a new blue shield, cackling with energy covered them. Beams of white froze the guards in their paths, and imprisoning them in a wall of ice.

“Let’s get out of here!” shouted a familiar female voice roughly from behind Jack, who did not dare turn around to see who, for his eyes were glued to the combat that was occurring, fearing the moment he turned away would be the death of him.

Daring heaved Jack further and further back, as Sunburst worked his healing spells. “You’re lucky I learned a bit of healing in the academy,” Sunburst grunted as he used his magic.

Jack could stand – barely – but with an indescribable amount of pain shooting through his injured limb, but the adrenaline pumping through his body helped him to stay conscious, and limp out onto the side of the room, where Daring and Sunburst were already grouped up, looking like they were waiting for something to happen.

“Group up, teleportation incoming!” announced Snowy, as she swiped elegantly with her horn to cause a guard to freeze in his tracks. “One three! One. Two. Three!” And they were off!

The blue aura surrounded the small group of ponies, suddenly whipping them out of the station to safety, with a blinding flash of light. Jack stumbled, and fell limp on the floor, feeling like every part of his body was utterly shattered. Pain shot up his leg, and pangs of coldness ran through his veins. He grunted on the floor, in a feeble attempt to move.

Snowy Blast stood beside him, working her magicks onto Jack, healing his wounds and mending bones. Perspiration ran down her forehead as she concentrated on mending Jack’s physical injuries, and scanning him over to see if he had any unknown conditions unknown to her. She looked up in shock at Sunburst as she said something Jack could not hear. He watched Sunburst nod solemnly.

She used her levitation spell to carry Jack onto an armchair, and propped him up with pillows. “Jack,” she said in a serious tone, “Did you know you had blood poisoning?”

Jack nodded feebly, wincing as he tested his once broken hind leg.

Snowy sighed, “I do not have any fire flowers left, I’m afraid, and it seems like your friend here really wants to see, you so we’ll leave you be for the moment. I’ll come check on you in half an hour, ok?” Then she walked out of the room, closing the door leaving Daring alone with Jack.

Without warning, she pounced on him, hugging him strongly in her hooves. “I missed you so much,” she whispered. Jack felt reinvigorated in her embrace, mustering enough energy to return the favour.

“Me too.”