Chapter XIV: The Created

The Created were at an abandoned warehouse by the river.  Sunset was unsure whether they had chosen the location to be ironic or not, but she was not going to complain.  If they were dangerous, she would be able to use her magick to escape.  Given what had been happening lately, more property damage would mean nothing.

There was no sign of activity, but a quick scan with her magick showed six not-life signs.  She could detect emotions, though they were faded and lacking the vibrancy all beings she had encountered - even the Kindred - possessed.  Their souls were not like the crystalline sparks she normally saw, instead being more like a Bunsen burner's flame.  Even through the building, she could almost imagine that she felt their heat burning her.  It was uncomfortable, but did not seem dangerous in its own right.

A few dark clouds gathered in the sky only in the immediate vicinity.  The air was humid like a muggy summer day before a heavy rain.  She felt the hairs on her arms standing on end as though the atmosphere was charged like the period before a thunderstorm.

As much as she wanted to remain in the yard and study the odd effects of Created magick, Sunset had a job to do.  She strolled to the door and knocked.  After a few seconds of no movement or sound, she knocked again.

"I came to talk.  Will you please let me in?"

The door opened.  A man stood on the other side, simply regarding her.  She found herself rooted to the ground at the entrance.  As Fall Queen and Pinkie had warned, Sunset felt a sense of something being wrong.  He looked like any normal human, yet she was sure he was not.  It was like gazing upon an excellent forgery when one is sure that the painting is wrong but cannot find the mistake to prove it.  It was something beyond the flames that comprised his spark; even had she been a Mortal, Sunset was sure he would still feel out of place.

The man nodded as though he was satisfied with her.  He stepped back into the warehouse and beckoned her to follow him.  Though part of her mind warned her that doing so was dangerous like walking into a dark alley alone at night in a crime-infested area, she silenced it and entered the building.  Five other people, equally normal-looking and absolutely wrong were gathered in a half-circle just inside the entrance.  A primal defensive part of her brain was screaming for 'fight' as another section begged for 'flight.'  She suppressed both to present a neutral face to her hosts.

"What brings you here?" the man that had answered the door asked.  "You're not one of the Lost.  You aren't Kindred.  You don't have the feral nature of the Uratha.  Are you Awakened?"

"I am, and I'm called Sparky.  I came to talk, if you're willing."

"What do you want with us?"

"Have you heard about the things that've been happening around here lately?  The bombs and arsons and murders?"

They all nodded.  The man she guessed to be their leader replied, "We aren't involved with them, nor do we know who is."

"I know you aren't.  Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that I was blaming you.  I just ... I came to...."

Sunset paused for a moment, questioning if it was really a good idea to ask for their help.  The flames of their souls were harsh, scorching her and filling her with an urge to attack them, one she pushed back with her magick.  An improvised spell silenced the protests aroused by being near them.

'Stop being a baby and ask them for help,' her other self whispered.

'What do you think I'm trying to do?'

'And a bang-up job at that.  You look like a retarded child trying to ask for candy.  Do you need me to hold your hand?  Let mummy do it for you.'

'That won't be necessary.  You're not coming back out until we capture the Banishers.'

'Then get on with it.'

Sunset took a deep breath to steady nerves that magick had failed to soothe.  She tried to look at all six of the Created as she said, "I came to ask for your help to put an end to the attacks."

The man who had done all of the talking so far stepped toward her and asked, "What makes you think we would get involved in that?"

"Nothing.  I don't have any reason to think you would.  I wouldn't be here if I had any other option, but you're the last people in this city who would even have a chance at fighting Awakened."

"Then we're your last resort?"

Sunset nodded once.  "Everyone else is busy or has refused to help.  I've gathered a few, but we may not be enough."

"We can't make a decision like this lightly.  Please explain how this started.  We know the effect we have on others.  What drove you to come to us?"

"It's something of a long story.  I don't mind telling it if you're okay with that."

He glanced to his compatriots, who each nodded, and turned back to Sunset.  "We like long stories, but we rarely get to hear them from those ... not like us."

"Okay."  Sunset told them what had happened, sparing no detail except how she had threatened Bon Bon and Lyra.  One or another of the Created would sometimes ask her to explain some aspect of her story or one of the words she used, but they otherwise did not interrupt.  She ended with her plea before the Fall Throne and Pinkie Pie's offer to help.

Four of the Created bore neutral gazes throughout her story, simply absorbing her words.  One of the women displayed curiosity and some anger as Sunset described the murders.  Only the man she continued to assume was their leader ever showed a broad range of emotional reactions.  When Sunset had to pause to wipe tears from her eyes, his own held sympathy.

"The Banishers will keep hunting us until we're gone.  I've lost so many of my friends, and I just want this to end," Sunset said as she drew to her final plea.  "I understand that I'm asking you to risk yourselves to help in a fight that doesn't concern you.  If there's anything I can do to convince you to help, I will do it.  I'll swear anything.  Please help us."

The Created looked at one another before the five looked to their leader.  He still held some sympathy in his gaze as he asked, "What do you want us to do?  Kill for you?"

"Maybe.  I'm willing and able to do it myself, but I can't take them on alone and the three people I already have won't be enough.  Is there anything I can offer you?"

"You want revenge for what they've done to you?"

"Yes."

"We need to confer.  Please wait outside."

Sunset did as he requested, giving a reasonable amount of space from the door to avoid accusations of spying.  She considered using her magick to listen to them, but she rejected the idea.  If they somehow discovered it, she would destroy any chance of gaining their help.

When they called her back into the warehouse, all six were holding makeshift weapons such as pipes and shovels.  One of them carried a jackhammer on his shoulder with one hand to keep it steady, showing no more discomfort than Sunset would have felt to hold a newspaper.  Their leader said, "We will assist you if you promise to come back and talk with us again after.  We want to know more about you Awakened and how you think, Sparky.  Do we have a deal?"

"Yes."

"Then let's go.  We have our own transport and can follow you."

Sunset looked at the ground sheepishly.  "I'm not sure where they are right now.  I was planning to set a trap and draw them into it."

The leader smiled.  "Even better.  I have a suggestion, if you'd like to hear it."

As he explained his idea and the reasoning behind it, Sunset's own smile grew.

"That's perfect.  Go ahead and get set up.  Do you have a mobile?  I can call you when I set everything in motion."

"No, we don't."

"Then I'll run to a shop and get you a burner.  I should be back in a few minutes.  Do you need anything else to get ready?  I can pick it up for you."

"Thank you, Sparky, but we should have what we need.  We'll wait for you here."

"Great, thank you."  She was turning to leave when an errant thought crossed her mind.  "Not that it's a big deal, but I just realised I don't know any of your names.  If you don't want to share them, that's fine, just that I'm curious."

"Just call me Lazarus for now."

She drove to the closest store where she selected a cheap Android device and two month's worth of service top-up cards.  Assuming the mobile was not destroyed in the coming battle, Sunset fully planned to let them keep it; a pre-paid mobile was the least she could offer them as a gift if they survived.

The Created were waiting for her as promised.  Sunset had activated the device while allowing it to charge.  She gave them everything, including the original packaging and Twilight's cigarette lighter adaptor.

"It's off right now to save battery.  It should last about a day if you just turn it on and then leave it, but I don't think it'll take that long.  I programmed my number into it.  Do you know how to use this?"

"I have used one a few times in the past," Lazarus replied.  "If something derails the plan, I'll ring you.  Otherwise, we will wait for your call.  We'll be ready, Sparky."

Sunset thanked them before departing for her sanctum.  She hoped Midnight was correct and that the Supernal Tarot would be able to help her find the Banishers.  Once she had a location, she could use its power to lure them into the trap.  While they primarily targeted Awakened, Artefacts and grimoires were also magickal, and they would gladly destroy anything of the sort.

She called Bon Bon and told them where to go.  She did not want them to leave too quickly, though, for fear they would fight the Created and instead told them to wait for orders to leave.  She did the same with Pinkie after relating her meeting with the Created.

"Are you sure they'll really help?"

"I don't have much a choice.  It's not like I can get anyone else.  I really don't want you there, but you'd use your Lost magick to follow me."

That received a weak giggle.  "Yeah, I don't like the idea of my friends getting into a fight, even if they have to.  I'll be there.  See you later."

Midnight's car was in the sanctum's drive.  She found the teen meditating on the couch next to the still sleeping Rarity.  Midnight ended her introspection as soon as Sunset entered the room.

"Any luck?"

"The Created will help us.  They're setting up a trap now.  Are you ready?"

"As I can be.  Where do you want to do the reading?"

"Let's go to my room."

Midnight helped her shift the cots, both of which carried the scents of her lost friends.  Rather than push it from her mind, Sunset allowed the memories of their smiling faces to fuel her anger.  She would need the strength it provided to see her through the battle.

Sunset retrieved her cards and asked, "Where will we find the Banishers?" as she shuffled.  They guided her to lay a three card spread composed of The Moon, The Stars, and The Sun.

Midnight was perplexed.  "What in the world?"

Though they were no longer guiding her hands, Sunset thought she could hear them whispering guidance to her.  She closed her eyes and focused on their magick until she was certain she understood what they wanted her to know.

"They're at the university.  There's a small planetarium."

"You really think so?  Those cards have some contradictory meanings, but it could be telling us how to find them."

"I asked 'where' we'll find them, not 'how.'  The normal meanings are being lost, being comforted, and then being able to see where you are."  At Midnight's smirk, Sunset asked, "What?  I read those books you gave me."

Midnight giggled.  Despite the situation, there was a little cheer in it.  "It's not too far.  Let's check it out."

The small planetarium and observatory was attached to the rebuilt physics building.  The school did not have an Astronomy study track but did have several enthusiasts, one of its graduates donating the funds for the addition in his will.  Twilight had spent a great deal of time within the building, sharing her pony counterpart's love of the stars.  She had even attempted to host a show once, though her enthusiasm for detail had overwhelmed most of her fellow students.  It was also where she had Awakened, surrounded by impossible phenomena as she sought to make sense of a senseless universe.

The Banishers likely did not know of the connection, but that did not prevent Sunset viewing their presence as sacrilege.  They were desecrating the location of Twilight's triumph over the terrible Lie that had allowed her to see the underlying possibilities of a much larger universe than she could have conceived as a Sleeper.  Unlike Sunset, Twilight loved to return to the place of her Awakening, thankful for the inanimate concrete that provided her a new way to chart the stars.

Scores of memories of her years of friendship with Twilight passed through Sunset's memory as she approached the door.  The building was locked.  Midnight was no longer concerned with appearances and picked the it, not even requiring her magick.  They strolled into the entrance, where Sunset feel the cards she carried in their bag begin to radiate with their Supernal power.

"You think they're here?"

"The cards said so," Midnight replied, her rehearsed speech convincingly acted.  "They never lie."

Sunset felt around them for other presences, relying on her innate abilities to save her Mana.  She thought she could feel others somewhere in building, but she did not have much range for her Mage sight without projecting.  If the Banishers were present, sending her soul from her body would not end well.

A few tentative steps into the building still did not draw their enemies to reveal themselves.  Sunset was ready to abandon the place when she felt magick about them.  It was Matter and Forces, most likely meant for an attack.

Sunset grabbed Midnight's hand and teleported them to Twilight's car, glad the Banishers had not warded the interior against Space magick.  She had left the car running and they squealed from the planetarium.

When she felt a Mind probe, she pretended to fight it before giving up a false conversation with Flawless Sword.  The memory she created was of him telling her to take Midnight and several valuable artefacts into hiding at one of the Consilium's secret sancta, an abandoned warehouse at the edge of the city.  Assuming the Banisher reading her mind fell for it, they would be able to follow Sunset into the trap.

"Well, if they weren't Banishers, they certainly were hostile."  Sunset gave her mobile to Midnight.  "Message Pinkie Pie and Bon Bon and let them know we're heading out.  I already gave them the location."

She sent the messages and then placed the mobile into her own pocket.  "Do you really think they'll fall for it?"

"Only one way to find out.  Based on the van I see pulling up in front of the observatory, I'm thinking they're at least going to see what we're up to."

She was able to get away from the university campus before the Banishers could load themselves into their van.  Sunset wanted to get the location quickly, but she could not risk using what Mana she still had to hide violations of traffic laws.  Rush hour had ended for the day, which left the thoroughfares open.  Though the Banishers would likely use them, she opted for the higher speed limits rather than take the side streets.

As they neared the destination, she saw the enemy van finally catching her.  They were using Mind to hide themselves from the police as they barrelled at high speed along the highway and wove between traffic.  Sunset prepared herself to defend against battle magick, but they either had not noticed the car or did not want to try to take her out so close to the location.  Forcing her into an accident could very easily have blocked their own path.

"Okay, Midnight, send a message to my mobile.  Tell them we're almost there."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"You're asking that now?"

She tore through the gate on the outskirts of the warehouse.  The Created had left it weakened, but the act gave the image of a desperate attempt to escape without slowing the car.  Sunset pulled into the parking zone, jumping the curb and stopping just shy of the door.

The two young women dashed from the car and pushed at the door until it opened, the van full of Banishers already behind them.  Midnight entered first, Sunset behind her.  They slammed the door as they heard the van stop.

One of the Created was waiting and slid a rack full of heavy pieces of metal in front of the door.  As he moved it, Sunset could feel his power flowing through his body, which warped him until he appeared to be a poorly constructed doll of human flesh.  His limbs and head were attached by stitches to a torso riddled with unsealed surgical incisions.  The sense of wrongness returned - much stronger than it had been - and Sunset forced it out of her mind.  Midnight may have been struggling in the presence of the thing before them but her lack of visible revulsion indicated that she was able to suppress her own reaction.

"Let's go," Sunset ordered quietly when the shelf was in place.  The sound of the Banishers moving on the other side carried through the door.  She felt magick pushing at it, though it seemed more of a test for traps than an actual attempt to force entry.

"It won't stop them for long," she added at a volume she hoped would be audible through the barrier.

There were a few windows the enemy could use if they abandoned the door, though Sunset guessed they would hesitate at that option.  She wanted the Banishers to believe there was a trap and either attack from the outside or else move in force when they entered.  Most of the plan rested with the Created, though she had a few contingencies in mind to assist them.

She and Midnight followed the single Created upstairs to find the rest of his group and Pinkie Pie, who looked uncomfortable despite being surrounded by people she had only just met.

"Hey, girls, our new friends were just telling me the plan.  How can I help?"

"When Lyra and Bon Bon show up, get them in range of the Banishers and then keep them safe.  Bon Bon knows how to fight, so she'll be able to help as needed.  If she thinks she can join the battle safely, follow her lead.  Lyra's a Sleeper, so the Banishers won't be able to use magick as easily."

"Wait," Midnight said.  "Your plan is to take away their magick?  They don't care about Paradox.  They'll just release it."

Sunset contemplated her friend's objection for a moment and then face-palmed.  "Okay, well, that's why we're all the way out here.  Even if they release Paradox, we can resist it.  They'll still be vulnerable when their spells go awry.  Midnight, we're going to get at least some power running so the Created can counter-attack."

"Power?"

The Created all smirked.  "Wait and watch."