Chapters City At The Edge Of The World
Chapter 1:
Waves lapped at the rocks of the old harbor. And old buck sat in the shade of the boardwalk with a fishing pole. A couple walked by, the mare giggling about something her colt friend had said. Little fillies ran by all holding cotton candy, the one earth pony carrying the whole thing in her mouth. I sighed and looked up at the city I was fast approaching . It was nice being around ponies again. After a two week flight through mostly wilderness it was gonna be nice to sleep in a bed even if it was only for a little while. I approached a storefront and opened the door. A bell chime went off as I entered. If the bell alerted the clerk to my presence he showed no sign of it. A newspaper obscured his face.
"Uh hello?" I said. When he didn't answer I put my hoof on the top of the paper and pulled it down. An old mare sat there apparently sleeping. Just then a young buck wearing a work apron appeared from a door behind the desk. "Oh hello." He said looking at the sleeping mare. "Dont mind granny, we dont normally get much business this time of the year." He took off the apron and hung it on a rack with magic. "Welcome to the Sunny Shores Shipping Company, My name is Stepping Stones" he said with and ernest smile.
I returned it and took off my saddlebags. "I have some things to trade but I was also wondering if you had any work."
"That's a shame. Everywhere i've been to has been drying up."
"What exactly do you do?"
"Small favors with potions. You'de be suprised how many problems can be solved with the right brew."
"I thought you needed to be a unicorn to brew potions?"
"Not really. Sure certain things are out of my reach but most of what I now is old zebra knowledge." I explained.
"Zebra huh? Ive never met one, I heard they are spooky shamans who speak curses at you." He said with a slight smile.
"Hehe I never met one either I learned from an Earth pony back home."
"Wheres that?"
"Hmm?"
"Home? Wheres back home."
"Uh.. Friendship City."
"No way, you're a long way from home then." he said.
"I suppose, I just needed to streach my legs in the world you know?" I said.
The Stallion gave a knowing look but seemed to drop the subject. "What are you interested in trading?"
I smiled wide and dumped all the swag that had been weighing me down for several days. By the time our transaction was complete I had been informed about a local hostel with an attached bar. The Pink Prancing Pony. I found the place with a little help from the locals and went up to the grisly looking pony who was serving drinks at the bar. "New in town Traveler?" He said in a thick accent I couldn't identify.
"Yeah I'm looking for a place to cool my heals."
"Hard Cider hold the rocks." The Barpony quickly made my drink and as I was about halfway through it the door to the Inn opened. A pony wearing a full body cloak entered and said something to on of the other patrons who was dressed in full armor. He nodded and followed her to a corner of the room. One of the patrons who had a little too much already started to shout so loud that his voice filled the whole bar. "Am ahm just saying that its not our responsibility to take care of all these freeloaders coming in from the core! We got barley enough to feed ourselves and now the mayor wants to open ANOTHER refugee area?" His friend appeared more sober and tried to calm him down. "Calm down man, its not permanent. The Imperial raids is making a lot of ponies leave the big cities, when its over they will go home."
"Sure thats what they say, but how many refugee centers are opening in Canterlot or Friendship city? Zero! Thats how many! Those uptight prudes wouldnt know what to do with all the homeless we got. What about the Princesses? Do they even care that the country is breaking apart?" The stallion's attention suddenly shifted to the mare in the cloak. Who was just making her way to the door, flanked by the pony in armor. "Hey you! Why are you wearing that? You got something to hide?" He said as he struggled to hold himself up. The cloaked pony starred silently, the only thing I could see were her eyes which were a bright red. The Armored pony positioned himself in front of her and confronted the drunk stallion. "You've had too many friend, why bother the lady? Go back to your drinks." He said.
The stallion became furious. "I'll bother whoever I like What are you her white knight?"
"Something like that." He said
The stallion stumbled toward him and threw a punch that didn't connect with anything as the armored pony moved slightly to avoid it. Only to bring his forhooves down on the drunk stallions neck. He suddenly went limp from the impact and gasped for breath against the stronger stallions grip. "Don't mess with her, or me. Understand?" The drunk stallion took a second then shook his head despritly as he ran out of air. The armored pony let go and aproached the cloacked pony who despite the lack of features I could see looked shocked.
"Lets go my lady, I dont like the atmosphere here anymore."
The Two were being watched by everyone in the bar now, a fact that the cloaked pony seemed to hate. They left without incident as the drunken stallion was still sprawled on the floor. The bartender shook his head. "Thats FishFace, hes always trying to start something with the tourists. Blames them for the lack of work, but to be fair the nets wasn't catching anything even before the Revolution."
"I wouldnt be suprised if a lot of ponies feel that way." I said as I starred at my empty mug. The barpony refilled it and looked at me. "Not everypony."
That Night I slept the best I had in weeks. When I awoke I shook off the fuzzy memories of a dream I was having and sat up in bed. The room I had rented was small but cozy. I grabbed my saddlebags and reached inside. A lot of things could be stored in these saddlebags, she had paid a unicorn to enchant it with a spell that would make the space inside bigger. It was not infinetly big, but it was big enough to hold her ingredients for potions and everything she needed to survive in the wild. She had never ran out of space yet, however it was still a pain in the cutie marks to find anything in it. She found it helped to be thinking of the object she looked for. Looking inside the bag was useless as you would just see the inky blackness of the enchanted space. So instead I was reduced to an old mare fiddling with her purse every time I needed something.
I finally found the bag that contained all the bits I had in the world. With what I made yesterday I could be set for awhile.. but what then? Fighting had broken out along the northern border of Equestria and the new Dark Empire, and many towns and counties were considering joining the Empire to save themselves. The roads were not safe to walk anymore and every place I go seems to be crowded with refugees. I wanted so much to settle down somewhere and open my own potion shop, but that seemed like a pipe dream when the world felt like it would be torn down at any minute. Still this Life on the road was starting to wear me down, despite it being my choice to leave.
I thought about my parents for the first time in a while. I hoped they were safe. My little brother StormCloud was just old enough to attend the friendship school. This would be his first year. I remembered mine fondly, though thinking of the friends I made their only filled me with sadness now.
After what felt like years I got out of bed and slipped out of the inn to explore Sunny Shores a little more. The town was sat atop a huge cliff that dipped into some pleasant shallow water. At the highest point on the cliff a lighthouse sat watching guard over the harbor. To the east you could just barley see the shimmering colors of the Cloudsdale's Rainbow factory. I passed by a dock where workers were busy loading up crates onto a boat. To my surprise two royal guards watched the workers with suspicious eyes while another officer directed the effort. "That's less then half of what we were promised." The officer was saying to an an old salty haired pony. "Sir, this is all we got that we can spare. More then three quarters of our catch." He said between puffs of his corncob pipe.
"I don't know if you realized Mr. but we are at war in all but name. We gotta get this food to the troops by the border."
"Strange that the Army needs to requisition food this way."
"Our supply lines are in bad shape. It's too damn dangerous on the road with all the creatures running about. The Empire doesn't even need to attack us, they're just waiting us out." the younger of the guards said. His superior gave him a disapproving look and they continued to haggle until i was out of earshot. In the center of town there was a park, but instead of the laughter of children on swings I heard only the quiet murmur of desperation. Tents were set up all over the park, some had holes in them that were patched up with old dress pieces. Everywhere sat ponies of all ages. Some talked or were silent, but none of them were smiling. I decided to avoid this area for now.
Near midday I walked over to the lighthouse. It was old, how old was any ponies guess but it appeared to still use a flame as a source of light instead of electricity. I flew up to the roof of the top of it and perched. I took a moment to look at the ocean before me. I had seen pictures before but it really didn't do justice to the real thing. The ocean was so much bigger then anything you could understand. I briefly wondered if anypony had ever set sail out into that strange blue horizon. It would be scary to travel over that much open water, I wonder if there is any wild continents out there or would we just sail around all the way back to Equestria. My thoughts were interrupted by the lighthouse door opening. It was the mare in the veil I had seen earlier. She was alone this time. The wind whipped back her veil almost violently. I was about to say something when I heard soft sobs coming from the veil. Suddenly a magic Aura lifted the veil from her face and I could see it for the first time. She was a Inky black Unicorn that looked very young. Her eyes were red from tears as she gasped between them and pulled herself up to the railing. I watched in horror as she flung herself off the lighthouse and drop like a rock towards the rocks below. I had moments to act as I flattened my wings to catch up to her. She had her eyes closed and didn't notice me until I had her firmly in my hooves. She looked at me and then the ground, then violently pushed me away. "Ow! What was that for I just saved your life!" The Unicorn wrapped herself in an aura of magic and landed gracefully. She turned to leave but not before I caught up. "Hey why would you do that? I cant let you go unless I know you're not going to go flying without wings." I said. The Unicorn rolled her eyes and pushed passed me and pulling up her veil to cover her face again. "If I wanted your help I would of asked for it! Leave me alone!"
I stared at the mare for a moment and tried to process what just happened. I had just saved her life and she was pissed at me. Maybe this town had some magnet for weird ponies based on what I had seen. I noticed that my stomach was growling and decided to head back to the inn for some lunch. I hoped the weird Unicorn with the veil wasn't going to be there in fact I hoped I would never see her again.
Author's Note
Pls comment
Chapter 2
Celestia was late to set the sun. Something that only added to the gloomy atmosphere I had felt since the encounter with the mare in the cloak. This quiet little fishing town had more going on then meets the eye. I briefly picked up my saddle bags and considered leaving. But was stopped by the stallion I had met the other day Stepping Stone. He waved me over. "Hey I wanted to let you know a new contract was just shared with the company."
"A Job?" I asked
"Yeah, looks like it pays pretty well too. They are certainly paying us well to promote it." He said handing me a flier.
"Crewmates needed? This is a job on a ship?" I asked.
"Well we are kinda a shipping company" He said sarcastically.
This got me to laugh for the first time that day. "You don't want to get into a sarcasm match with me." I said.
"Why? Afraid you might lose?"
This got him a playful punch on the shoulder. "If it pays so well why dont you join it?" I asked.
"Oh I am, Im actually already signed up. I just wanted to get the message to you before I leave." He said with a hint of pride. "I uh never got your name last time." He said looking straight at her.
"Its Scarlett Rain. Please to meet you. What about your shop? Your Grandma?"
"Well Miss Scarlett I'm not the only Stone at the Sunny Shores Shipping Company. I've got a few sisters. There is Lime Stone, Wood Stone, Bright Stone, Silver Stone, Sapphire Stone, Little Stone Heart, (She was adopted) Precious Stone."
"I think I get it. Tha's a lot of sisters." I said.
"Eyup, so I'm all set to go. Question is, are you going?"
I looked at the flier and sighed. It was a big decision and I didn't want to make it lightly. "Ill think about it." I said.
Later I was flying low over the town trying to figure out what to do when I spotted them. A line of ponies stretched far as the eye could see. All shinning in armor and carrying weapons of war. They marched untill they were about one hundred meters from the town then they divided into colloms and began to set up camp on the beach. Much to the bewilderment of some sunbathers. I flew down to one of the soldiers. "Hey why is the army here?" I asked.
The soldier looked exhausted but he still cracked a smile. "Little r&r before heading back to the line." He said. Supreme Commander Armor is leading us to take back a village that has sided with the Empire."
"Why would anyone side with them?" I asked.
"Beats me, maybe they didn't have a choice. Maybe they are tired of Canterlot laying on their flanks while the weather runs wild and the beasties raid their farms. Either way we're gonna take back every inch of Equestrian soil Celestia as my witness." He said as he began to set up his tent.
"Well good luck, I wouldn't want to be on the front lines." I said.
"Kid, if were not careful soon everywhere may be the front lines." He said as I turned away.
The Inn's bar was booming with activity tonight as the soldiers had ferried into the town. I was in the middle of a game of cards with a group of them when I spotted the cloaked pony again. She had saddlebags and another bag thrown over her shoulder. She looked like she was in a hurry but not fast enough to outrun me. I flew up to her covered face and saw surprise in her eyes. "Hey I just want to say that im sorry If I took away your choice in the matter but I cant just let someone die like that. So I understand that you're mad, but please I just want to help."
Her bright red eyes seemed to fill instantly with tears, but she blinked and seemed to hide her emotions. "Look I wasn't gonna hit the ground, you saw me. I was gonna stop myself with magic." She said defensibly.
"Uhhu sure, well regardless I thought I might as well meet the mare who has been causing so much trouble."
She looked embarrassed. "What do you mean?"
"I saw that thing with fishface yesterday. Listen for some pony trying to conceal their identity you sure attract a lot of attention." I said.
"I am not trying to hide anything." She said and moved past the door into an alley. "Okay you're not trying to do anything I get it, but if you're trying to pretend you're not a royal you're doing it all wrong."
Her eyes went wide with shock and she looked side to side. "H..How did you?"
"Please the armored guard? Where is he by the way? And the fine silk cloak? Where did you buy that Rarities? in this backwater You stick out like a sore hoof sister." I said.
"Please please please dont tell anypony. I have bits, anything as long as you keep quiet." She pleaded
"Relax I wont say anything. I just, I wanna help you If I can."
"You've already done enough."
Just then two figures appeared in the alley with them. Two royal guards. One of them drew his spear and before I knew it he was charging at the cloaked pony. I screamed but the other guard drew a sword and was closing the distance to me. He slashed barley missing me as I ducked and tried to get away. I took off in flight and saw the cloaked pony. She dodged the spear thrusts with ease and and Aura of magic enveloped her horn blasting the guard with raw magical energy. He doubled back but she didnt see the guard with the sword that was right on top of her now. I didn't hesitate I drew back and fell as fast as gravity and my own wings would carry me and I hit the Guard with such force that he was thrown into the alley wall with a sick crunch. He wailed in pain as I had probably just broken several of his ribs.
Before I knew what happened I was surrounded by dozens of Royal guards who all pointed their spears at me. I closed my eyes knowing it would be impossible to fight them all. But the final blow didnt come. Instead they all seamed to file in line to let sompony through the tight space. A white male Unicorn in a full set of golden armor with the emblem of the sun and moon on the breastplate. I looked around for the cloaked pony, She was struggling against two guards who flanked either side of her. When she saw the Unicorn in the armor she stooped resisting and stared. The Unicorn made a movement with one hoof and the guards lowered their weapons. "I heard rumors that you were here, So I decided to drop in unannounced. I hope that we didn't stop any of your.." He motioned towards the guards who were still reeling in pain. "Fun." He said with a smile. The Mare took off her veil and reviled her face for the first time since the lighthouse.
"Hello Uncle Shinning."
Marching With the Reaper on my Tail
After a tense standoff and a few questions Supreme Commander Shinning Armor decided to invite us to his camp. What had she called him? Uncle? That would make her who's kid? Twilight Sparkle? As far as she knew the princess of friendship never had a kid. She had grown up in friendship city seen the stained glass windows in canterlot. Twilight was a legend to every filly and foal but the textbooks never said anything about a kid.
The whole time Shinning kept looking back at me. I couldn't tell but it looked like he was scowling. The Cloaked pony stayed silent until we reached the camp. "How did they infiltrate your ranks?" She asked.
Shinning shook his head. "That's what we are trying to find out. Good thing you kept them alive, we can interrogate them for more information. I'm sorry you had to go through that, It cant be easy keeping yourself safe out here alone."
"She's not alone." The armored stallion who had been her bodyguard steped up to the supreme commander. Shinning smiled and reached out a hoof. "Lieutenant Praetor its good to see you up in your old age." Praetor promptly took his hoof and shook. "Likewise kid, you've grown into your crown i see."
Shinning motioned for one of his men. "Please prepare a feast in my guest's honor"
When we were seated I became very aware of how out of my comfort zone I was when we were sat down and there was four more spoons then I am comfortable with at the placemate. Is this really how Canterlot ponies ate? Apparently because my companions seemed to have no problem even Praetor. The Cloaked pony and Celestia I was getting tired of refering to her as that but nopony had offered her name so I just asked. "I never got your name." I said to her. The table went silent and it seemed I had asked something very questionable. "What?"
Shinning spoke first. "Forgive us for not being completely honest, but two of my men just tried to kill her. We dont believe you had anything to do with it. But its up to her how much she tells you."
"My name is Midnight Harmony." She said. "Twilight Sparkle is my mother which you probably found out already." She said staring at her plate. "I'm not ashamed of that, in fact i'm very proud to be her daughter. Or at least proud of what she stood for."
Shining took a sip of his mugg and sighed. "Well glad thats out of the bag. Any other national secrets we should be discussing?"
"How about the War? How goes the fight in the north?" Praetor asked.
"Officially we aren't at war according to the Council of Friendship. Its a 'peacekeeping mission' The senate wont mobilize the army. Most of these ponies are the Loyalists that stuck with me and Cadence when.." He looked off a thousand miles away. "When Flurry took over."
"She calls herself Queen BlackHeart now sir."
"Oh that's so ridiculous. It would almost be funny. Whatever she calls herself I know my daughter. She couldn't have done this alone." Shining said almost to himself. "Whatever darkness controls her we will destroy it and take back the Empire."
"With all due respect Commander, the news I hear is not promising. I hear the line has moved back almost to cloudsdale. There is talk about the Yaks joining the Empire. "
" Officially Cloudsdale are staying neutral. Which makes things more difficult if they are attacked. Unofficially we believe that members of the Pegasi Council are receiving payoffs to create inclimate weather every time our forces mobilize to go on the the offensive." Shining Armor rubbed his head in his hooves. "We're operating alone out here, no back up from Canterlot."
The table went silent for a few pregnant moments. Then Midnight Spoke up. "Have you heard anything from Mother?"
Shining looked at the Ivory mare. "Sadly no."
"What happened to The Princess?" I piped.
"Twilight was really effected by Flurry's betrayal. After she teleport ed me and Candace away from the Empire, she left Equestria." Shining said his tone turning grim.
"So.. the rumors were true." Praetor said, taking a long swig of his mug and then sighing . "No wonder the world is going crazy. The Princesses aren't in control anymore are they?"
Shining armor looked away uncomfortably. "I shouldn't say.. but perhaps you can help." He said turning to midnight. Praetor gave Shining a hard look and the two alphas had a silent exchange that only they understood. In a moment it seamed to pass and they both stood up.
"Praetor You have my thanks for taking care of my niece. But She shouldn't be out here. What in the wide world of Equestria are you doing this close to the line?" Shining demanded.
"You sure you want this one knowing every little secret your family has?" Praetor said while motioning at me.
"I want her to know." Midnight said. "Please, I trust her."
"You barley know her." Praetor
"Are you sure You know her any better then I do?" I pointed out thinking about seeing Midnight throw herself off the Lighthouse. This angered the Stallion but he said no more. Shining Armor motioned a guard over and whispered something in his ear, the guard nodded and strolled away to a nearbye tent. He returned a moment later with a crystal ball held in his magic.
"What is that?" I asked.
"This is a memory orb, an enchanted object that can record memory. Or erase them." He added an emphasis to the last part as if to imply something greater. "I dont know you Scarlett Rain, and I think you've heard enough here tonight that I would consider using this on you." Shining said approaching me slowly.
I almost jumped out of my chair and back trying to fly away. But there were guards everywhere. Two pegasi flanked me with spears. And a half dozen Unicorns horns glew with magic aimed at me. Suddenly Midnight hoped in front of Shining.
"No! Stop Uncle! I trust her please don't make her forget" She pleaded.
"Why?" He asked. "What makes you so sure, I cant even be sure my own men wont try to hurt you. Why trust a stranger if you cant trust your family?"
Midnights eyes tightened in anger. "You're the ones who dont trust me."
Shining put the orb down on the table. "You know thats not true."
"Save it Uncle. You want to know why everything fell apart? Mother gave up, Cadence gave up, Even Celestia gave up but you're still fighting! Did you ever think there wouldn't be a war if you didn't rally the citizens to fight for you?" She said. "And whats you're plan? What are you gonna do assuming you even could get to the empire? Kill your daughter? Put her in Tartarus? No wonder Cadence left you."
I expected Shinning to look angry, but he didn't. Instead he just looked sad. "Why are you here?" he repeated the original question.
Midnight tuned around to look at me. "The other day, at the light house.. I wasn't going to catch myself. I felt so alone knowing what I had to do. I didn't think I could do it. But now.. You saved me. Genuinely cared about my well being and not just what you could get from me. I knew that for whatever reason when you're around it doesn't seam like everything is so impossible. Tomorrow, we're leaving Sunny Shores by ship. Were leaving all of Equestria behind, to save it." As she finished Midnight pulled down the cloak that had so far obscured her form. As it hit the floor my jaw nearly joined it as two dark wings a pony across spread from the unicorn's, no. From the Alicorn's back.
She smiled for the first time since I had known her. "Scarlet I want you to come with me."
Author's Note
Well a lot of exposition in this one. Trying to set some things up for later.
