Act II: Prologue

Katy was never a big fan of trains, considering that she preferred either flying or driving to her destinations since trains always took awhile to get to where they needed to go. In her case, it was going to Baltimare to find out who Commander Shepard was working for and who exactly was that women that she encountered? It was frustrating for the quarian sit idly by as other heroes such as Gunvolt, the Power Ponies, and other big time heroes continue to do the world Justice, but if she could say one good thing came out of coming here to Equestria, it would be meeting Gabby, Stella, Lance, Dyspo and her friend she met two weeks after her arrival.

“How much longer is it going to take us to get to Baltimare?” Katy asked, turning her gaze away from the window to look at the young pegasus that sat across from her, who seemed to be thinking on something before hearing her question.

“Well, if everything goes smoothly and we don’t have to stop at any other stations along the way, it should be less than an hour,” The pegasus replied back to her. “Again… if everything goes smoothly.”

“And what do you mean by that?” She asked, but before Stella could reply the intercom had turned on.

“Ladies and Gentlecolts, we are experiencing a few technical difficulties and we’ll be taking a detour to Fillydelphia. Be fully aware that it is snowing their currently so… better hope you packed your scarves and jackets!” The mare on the intercom replied with a light giggle, causing Katy to groan in her seat as she crossed her arms.

Upon hearing the message on the intercom, Stella let out a deep sigh. “Part of what I mean was that back home, a lot of infrastructure still needs to be fixed. Including train tracks,” She paused for a moment, noticing Katy’s expression and then tried to cheer her up and get her to think positively. “Though, at least we won’t be in fillydelphia for too long. Doesn’t your suit have insulators to keep you warm?”

“Unfortunately no, this suit doesn’t have any type of heating systems that could keep me warm. I’ll probably have to change into my winter gear soon if there really is a snow storm coming up. The problem I have with it is that it’s really… tight I suppose.” She replied as she laid her head on the small table in front of them and began to close her eyes before seeing Stella take out a book. As Katy doze off, Stella had begun to read her book quietly before feeling somepony tapping her shoulder.

“Excuse me, Miss? Is this seat here taken?”

As Stella looked up, she found herself looking at a black unicorn with green eyes and a purple mane. She happened to be wearing a coat that blocked her cutie mark, but in Stella’s mind, she just seemed like another passenger on the train. “No, go ahead. Just don’t mind my friend. She’s just trying to get some sleep after we found out that we’re going to Fillydelphia instead of Baltimare.”

“I know how she feels, I was hoping to get to Baltimare a lot sooner to meet with someone important, but nothing we can really do about it I guess. Oh, my names Mystic by the way! What’s yours?” She asked, smiling at her as she sat next to Katy.

“I’m Stella,” The pegasus responded back. “Hey, Mystic, just out of curiosity, what do you do in Baltimare? Are you like a doctor or something?”

“I’m actually part of the Medical staff in Baltimare… It’s actually the grand reopening of the local Hospital downtown. Of course, I’m not on duty currently since I’m on vacation, but I figured I’d spend the remainder of my break back home. It may not be the prettiest city, but it’s home for me.” She replied, pulling what looked like a sketch book out of her bag with her magic and a pencil, before facing Stella. “So why are you going to Baltimare? Visiting family, friends, or perhaps you got a job there?”

“Eh, more of the latter,” Stella told her, answering her question while trying to not go into detail about it. “Haven’t exactly been there in the last five or so years and my family would want nothing to do with me if I’m completely honest with you.”

“Hehe… Well I wasn’t expecting that kind of response, but if you ask me I don’t believe that… I mean I know it’s none of my business, but I think talking to them would really help you get closure with them. You and your family can choose to forgive each other or not, but at least they’ll know you worked up the courage to talk to them.” Mystic replied as she opened up her sketchbook and began drawing, taking a few glances at Stella every few seconds.

“Sorry if this sounds abrupt, Mystic, but that’s not how my family works,” Stella shook her head. “My parents are narrow minded. They only saw one path for me and my future and when I decided that I wanted to choose how my life would turn out to be, they disowned me. Threw me out on the street. Acted like I was not a part of them. So it would take more than just seeing them again to try to get them to understand how I am now… It’s a subject that I see as rather personal.”

“Well you never know unless you try, but I can tell that’s a sensitive topic so I’ll drop it for now. But anyways what are you doing exactly? What kind of work are you in?” She asked, setting her sketchbook down for a moment to brush her mane to the side before smiling at the pegasus.

“It’s not really something I can talk about,” Stella replied back, looking back to Katy first before looking at Mystic again. “Most of the stuff is deemed as confidential, so unless if I want to lose my job…”

“Ah, so your work I take it involves sensitive data for political reasons or classified spy stuff?” Mystic tried taking a guess, but Stella didn’t really reply as she just gave her a sigh. “Well I’ll leave you to your… romance novel I suppose.”

All Stella did was just let out an irritated sigh. Most of the books that she read were action oriented and other things, but after losing a bet with Katy, she had to read an entire romance novel that Katy picked out from front to back. Something that she wasn’t entirely a fan of, but couldn’t exactly do anything about. Besides, she was halfway through with it and with the remainder of the ride over to Fillydelphia, it would be enough time for her to finish it. Provided that there weren’t any other interruptions.

As time passed on, Stella had taken noticed of the snow outside the moving train and it wasn’t heavy, but it was still a lot. Taking a look at her watch, she noticed almost an hour had passed since Katy fell asleep. “Hey Mystic, can you tap my friend on the shoulder and wake her up? I would try to tap her legs, but I can’t reach from my side over here.”

“Of course…” Mystic replied, tapping Katy on her shoulder, hearing the quarian groan before tapping her again. Katy soon jolted up as she looked over to Mystic for the first time and began to rub her eyes. “Your friend wants to talk to you it seems.”

“W-Who are you?” Katy asked, yawning slightly as she looked over to Stella.

“Well my names Mystic, but from the looks of it… the storm outside seems to be getting worst, so I’ll be heading back to my cabin it seems.” Mystic replied, giving Stella a wink as she left the two of them alone, taking her things with her.

“O-kay… Weird… Anyways you woke me up for?” Katy asked.

“Well, if I’m to be completely honest with you, something doesn’t seem right,” Stella told her in response. “You’ve been asleep for an hour, it’s snowing to the point where we can’t see anything outside and we haven’t made it to Fillydelphia yet.”

“I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for the snow Stella… It is winter so it’s possible for it to be snowing right now.” Katy replied, still drowsy as she removed her helmet and began to rub her eyes and took a long look at the snow falling outside. It had been awhile since she’s seen a snow storm like this, but she didn’t really pay it any mind as her thoughts began to focus more on Stella and that mare sitting next to her. “So, Stella, who exactly was that pony?”

“She called herself Mystic and said that she was a part of the medical staff at the Baltimare Hospital. Though, I’m not sure why she was winking at me or why she tried asking about my family like it was a game of twenty questions.” Stella replied. “Why?”

“That’s what I’m asking you? And she’s probably taken a liking to you~” Katy sang as she teased the pegasus, but despite getting only a sigh from her. It didn’t hide her blush. “But seriously though, you really think something's up with this storm?”

“Think of it… if the storm’s supposed to be this heavy, then why exactly aren’t we hearing it hit against the roof of the cabin?” Stella then asked Katy as she pointed back at the window with an outstretched wing. “Or better yet, why isn’t there any snow building up across the outside windows? Something about this whole thing just doesn’t add up… and I’m a pegasus for that matter. Pegasi know about the weather like how a unicorn knows magic.”

“Well I don’t know about that Stella, I mean the windows are getting foggy and it’s possible it could be light snow and the mare from the intercom probably exaggerated it a little. And it’s snow, not hail-.” Katy responded, trying to think of a logical reason behind all of this. But that was interrupted with a loud thud coming from above them.

“You think that was light?” Stella asked, immediately hopping out of her seat.

“Snow doesn’t make that sound Stella, sounds more like something or someone dropped on top of the train.” Katy responded as she stood up from her seat as it sounded like somepony was moving around on top of the train. “Stella, do you think you can fly out there in the storm? See what’s going on above us?”

“I can try-” However before she could finish responding, something or someone crashed through the window, kicking Stella into the ground as a sharp blade scratched the glass of Katy’s helmet, before she did a backflip.

“Stella!” Katy shouted as she glared at the one person responsible for crashing through the window. It was a short women with a shaved head and a dark green mohawk and yellow eyes. She wore a dark green collared shirt with a brown corset, had brown fingerless gloves on, black and grey striped pants and black shoes. But what really stood out to Katy was the fact this woman had green skin with patchy scales on her face.

“Easy, love. Your friend is fine,” She spoke, before grinning as Katy could now see her teeth were metal jaws. “You though? Well, you’re not going to be leaving this train alive as long as I’m here.”

“Well I’m not going to make it easy for you!” Katy shouted, pulling out her plasma pistol and began firing at this new enemy, but her opponent easily dodged everyone of her attacks.

“Your funeral then.” Her opponent said, kicking a concession cart that was in the middle of the row straight at Katy to knock her off balance before getting in close to try and strike her with her blades. The cart toppled over, spilling out several trays and silverware as some of them slid towards Katy’s feet. Taking a butter knife in hand, she threw it at her opponent before pulling out her knife from her hip. After dodging the butter knife she was met with a kick to the face as Katy tried to disarm her.

“Who the hell are you?!” She asked, to strike her with her knife, but the stranger kept using her sword to deflect her attacks.

“Well, at least I’ll give you the courtesy,” She said, catching another butter knife that was thrown at her by Katy in her jaws, before crunching down as pieces of metal began to drop onto the floor. “Name’s Tock,” With it, she moved her right arm to her waist. To what looked like a stopwatch as she narrowed her eyes and widened her grin. “And these… are the last sixty second of your life.”

Tick

“I doubt that.” Katy said, as she ran for her plasma pistol. Though, her opponent was quick to grab a fork that was on the floor and tossed it at her just as she was about to grab hold of it. Making her flinch for just a moment and only grab hold of it as soon as Tock closed in on her. Firing off multiple shots as she ran backwards, avoiding Tock’s swords as she tried to get in at least one good shot, but the assailant was too quick for her. “Stella! Go check on the other passengers!!”

“On it!” The pegasus told her, using her powers to melt the lock on the door so she could hurry to the other cabins while Katy was still trying to find a way to stop her opponent. However Katy still had a few other tricks up her sleeve as she activated her omnitool and an energy blade came out, breaking through Tock’s sword as they clashed, surprising the faunus.

“If you don’t want me cutting you down the middle, I suggest you start telling me why you’re even here?!!!” Katy shouted, trying to kick Tock, but she evaded her with ease.

“Simple. My boss sees you and two others on board this train as thorns in her side. So, I’m here to fix that.” She grinned, before deflecting another two shots. “And to think that this is all I get from the one called the Phantom? I’m not impressed.”

“Well… I’m still new to this.” Katy replied, quickly picking up a food tray off the floor and throwing it at Tock as a diversion as she aimed her pistol at her left hip and took the shot. The shot connected, but seconds after it hit, all she saw was just some fractured gold like energy around her opponent. With no injury to her left hip.

“Nice trick there. Though, that’s not going to do you much good now.” Tock taunted, getting in close again and acting quicker to combat Katy’s knife. All before she swung her leg around as a way to knock her off of her feet.

As she fell over she quickly used her omnitool once again to hopefully break Tock’s other sword as a way to disarm her this time, but Tock caught on and quickly stepped back. Gritting her teeth under her helmet, Katy soon ran up to her, throwing her knife in Tock’s direction as she had her omnitools blade activated and her plasma pistol in the other. Tock’s first reaction was to dodge the knife as it landed in a nearby pillar, grabbing it shortly afterwards as she deflected the next shot by Katy. When Katy got in close, Tock’s first action was to come face to face and headbutt her, shortly before taking her own dagger and using it to crack part of her mask as the blade cut part of her face.

“I believe this belongs to you.” Tock said, throwing the knife to the ground next to Katy, assuming that she was finished. Right as her timer ended, which caused her to let out a deep sigh of relief as she wiped her forehead. “That definitely had me working up a sweat… Good thing this is over now. Was worried that my timer would go out before I finish the job-”

However, before she could finish, Katy immediately stood up, activating her omintool’s blade and cutting off Tock’s hand, before kicking her against the wall of the train. Tock began screaming in agony as she used her remaining hand to grip her arm as she stared at her burning flesh where her hand used to be. Taking the opportunity, Katy removed her helmet and threw it towards the ground, revealing the large cut on her cheek as blood began to leak out.

“Next time make sure to check if there’s a pulse or not.” Katy said, putting her foot against Tock’s neck, applying little pressure as she aimed her plasma pistol at her face. “Why did you come here? Last time I checked, I wasn’t exactly a famous hero… Your here for a different reason. Talk or maybe you’d like to be handless?”

“The only thing I was told was that there were a pair of quarians here and that if I wanted to be paid, then I bring one,” Tock coughed. “I’ve got nothing else to say other then that.”

“Hmm… Well I may not be able to get everything out of you, but I’m sure the authorities will be able to deal with you.” Katy replied, removing her foot from her neck and quickly kicking her on the side of the head against the door of the train, knocking the faunus out cold. Quickly taking a deep breath she sat down across from her as she deactivated her omnitool and placed her plasma gun in her gunslot on her hip. ‘What does she mean? A Pair of Quarian’s?’

“I wonder… How Stella is doing?” She said to herself as she began to wipe the sweat off her forehead with her arm and gently touched her cheek, feeling it sting as the tips of her fingers were now covered in blood. She was very lucky that there weren’t many passengers in her cart, otherwise things would have been more complicated or worse she’d be dead. However she was on her way to becoming a hero.

“Katy! Katy, where are you?!” She now heard Stella as the pegasus came back. “Dear Sweet Celestia, are you okay?”

“I’m fine… However, we still need to restrain her… Do you have and cuff’s on ya?” Katy asked, grinning at the pegasus as she tried to stand. Looking around, Stella decided to improvise when she realized that they weren’t on her. Finding some rope that was lying around from the fight, she handed it over to Katy so she could tie off Tock’s… arms and secured her so she wouldn’t get loose. For further security, the pegasus used her powers to meld some of the scattered silverware into a brace that would hold her legs together so their assailant couldn’t make a run for it when she woke up.

With Tock taken care of, Katy decided to make her way towards the nearby restroom on the train to wash up. As she turned on the water, she began to wash off the blood from her cheek, trying her best to clean the wound despite the sting she felt when rubbing it with hot water. However, Katy would a least have an interesting story to tell whenever she met up with her griffon friend again, but Tock’s words continued to reply over and over in her head. “Another person like me… Looks like I’m gonna have to start searching for myself.”

Author's Note

It is finally out... After weeks of preparation, editing, planning, and writing.... Katy's Final Journey is finally out with it's first two chapters. I'm not sure if you guys will care enough to read it, but it is my final story on this site before I officially move on to writing original content. This will be a sorta testing, to see just how far I've come.