Revelations - Matters of Madness and Other Poisons

One thousand years??  ONE THOUSAND YEARS??  A torrential storm raged on in Splice’s mind as he attempted to comprehend what he’d just learned.  When Viktor stole that Statis-Spell from the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing of the Canterlot Archives, he originally planned to keep his body and mind frozen in the fabric time for only a few short weeks, even a few months if necessary.  After all, this was Princess Luna that had been banished to the moon.  Even if she was overtaken by some maddening disease of the mind there was no way Princess Celestia could bear to part with her baby sister for any longer than a fortnight.  Those few short weeks would provide Splice with the time necessary for everybody to just about forget his existence – his supposed dementia and violent crimes would be covered by the relief that Princess Luna had returned safe and sound.  Then, when everybody began to feel safe and content in the comfort of their own homes, Viktor would emerge from the shadows, striking down the solar tyrant who had taken everything from him and reduced the doctor to a broken shell of a pony.  But as Viktor sat in Twilight’s library, the first golden streaks of sunlight glimmering off the tears in his eyes, the only thought rolling through his mind was “why”.  Why was Celestia so cruel?  How could one “benevolent” goddess live with herself after destroying his life and locking her own sister away for centuries?  Why did these ponies continue to serve her after all this time if her injustice was so clear to Splice?  And why the hell did all of this have to happen to him?

Viktor resisted the urge to scream and burn the entire library to the ground.  Remaining incognito was of the utmost importance if he were to enact revenge.  Though a disappearance lasting one thousand years is low-profile enough I guess.  She probably forgot I ever even existed within the first century.  Splice’s gaze fluttered over the mess of books strewn about the floor from his previous night of research, and soon his feelings of self-pity and remorse gave way to that of joy and appreciation.  One thousand years of isolation provided Viktor with a clean slate.  Nobody knew who he was or where he came from, and judging by his recent review of scientific and historical works, neither hide nor hair remained of his previous innovations or prior existence.  In her infinite wisdom, the immortal Princess Celestia had idiotically granted Viktor Splice the most useful tool he could use in his plans for vengeance: the element of surprise.

Viktor couldn’t hold back an enormous grin.  Not only was he a shadow of the night, but this ridiculously public library had turned out to be a treasure trove full of information vital to the doctor’s plans.  While many of the greatest advancements in the field of medicine were well below Splice’s understanding of biology and chemistry, his late-night perusing had brought to light a category of science that was completely new to him.  The concept of a computer had initially confused Viktor, and it took hours for the unicorn to understand how his previous work with primitive electrical engineering had evolved to this level of complexity.  But now that he had officially caught up with Equestrian history over the past millennia, Splice felt confident he could apply this newfound branch of science to a more… practical purpose.

Viktor levitated over a copy of Equestrian Defense and began reviewing the chapters on military-grade research.  According to this, anything and everything that has to do with advanced research takes place here.  He blinked as he read the words on the page.  Inside my old Canterlot laboratory...  Nowadays, information regarding this research is kept in the computer databases rather than the Canterlot Archives, which appear to serve a more historic purpose.  If I can gain access to my old research facility, I may be able to acquire the information and equipment necessary to begin working once again.

A chuckle escaped Viktor’s lips as he mulled over the possibility of one obsolete pony breaking into the most heavily guarded building in all of Equestria with the sole purpose of stealing EVERTHING in stock.  When put that way, it seemed as if the doctor’s head really was screwed on incorrectly, and he felt as though he ought to just give up his plight then and there.  But admitting defeat was something Viktor never could do.  He glanced at an image of Celestia plastered upon Twilight’s wall – leave it to her personal protégée to have a small shrine to the tyrant within the library.  I’ve lived through everything you’ve thrown at me thus far, Viktor spat at the image, and a few guards with some fancy modern weapons aren’t going to stay my hoof now.

The sounds of shuffling from upstairs interrupted Splice’s thoughts.  Sheets being cast aside, hoofs clacking upon the floor – somebody was awake and coming down the steps fast.  Viktor hastily gathered up a couple of texts to use as reference while his horn flared up.  In a burst of purple light the doctor had vanished, only to reappear outside behind the library.  A loud gasp closely followed by a loud shriek could be heard from within the tree, and a female voice rang out.  “Spike!  We’ve been robbed!”  Viktor didn’t want to wait around and find out who “Spike” was, and in another bright flash the doctor disappeared.

The Next Night

“Alright let’s go over the plan one more time,” Splice spoke aloud to himself as he walked along the dirt path.  “Number one: I’m walking straight into the central hub of Equestrian Defense with no plan whatsoever.  Yup, seems legit.”  Canterlot could be seen in the distance, desperately clinging to the side of the same mountain it did over one thousand years ago.  Another hour or so and Viktor would find himself in the same city in which he once had a reputation as the primary authority in scientific research.  Now he was nothing but an old charcoal-colored unicorn wandering throughout Equestria with only a hat to his name.  Or did he even have a name anymore?  “I really oughta develop another alias to go by in case I bump into somebody, but I don’t really see the point.  Nobody short of the Royal Sisters will recognize me, and they’re too busy roosting their fat plots in their luxurious nests to come down and see me.”  Splice giggled to himself as he reached the outer limits of Canterlot.  And as the doctor approached the wealthy city he was extremely shocked to find – nothing.  No guards, no walls, and certainly no heavy artillery to protect the affluent individuals within.  Viktor scoffed.  In his time nobody would be so stupid as to leave the capital of Equestria in such a state of vulnerability.  “It seems I really need to get used to the whole ‘inviting’ atmosphere of this era.”

Viktor entered the city without a second glance from the few guards standing near the entrance gate.  Celestia’s sun was beginning to reach the mountaintops to the west, and the streets were clearing up as ponies went home to settle down for the coming night.  Viktor admired the pristine state the city had managed to keep itself in over the past centuries.  Despite such a long passage of time and the massive expansion of the city outwards, the innermost part of Canterlot remained very much the same.  Splice recognized the marketplace where he had first met her, and various other landmarks that reminded him of his previous existence: his old barbershop that was now a styling palace, his favorite clothing store only because it sold hats, and that orphanage that once used DDT to fight off hordes of disease-carrying insects before Splice managed to develop vaccines.  He chuckled.  Some things just don’t change.  By the time Splice reached the foot of Canterlot Castle the sun had set well below the horizon, and Luna’s night reigned victorious.  An early start to a long night, Viktor thought solemnly.  He swerved off the main path and down an alleyway between two large buildings.  Though not the most orthodox way to get there, Viktor knew this path would lead to his old lab.

He trudged through the underbelly of Canterlot, passing broken furniture and homeless ponies begging this nighttime stranger for loose change.  Splice grimaced.  Some things really don’t change.  After what felt like hours the narrow path opened up to reveal a large plaza.  The entire area was comprised of a leveled and smooth assortment of gray bricks, and a lone fountain sitting in the middle served as its only accommodation.  Surrounded by large multistory buildings on three sides and the Royal Castle on the fourth, this plaza proved to be the most inconspicuous and difficult to find area in all of Canterlot – and for good reason too.  Up a small set of stairs to Viktor’s left and wedged under the shadow of Canterlot Castle, two identical buildings sat side-by-side.  They were rectangular in shape, wider and longer than they were tall, and were composed of the same dull-gray color scheme that made up the entire area.  Virtually windowless and hidden from view by the taller buildings in its vicinity, this area could have passed as one of Canterlot’s least important sites if not for the plethora of guards standing sentinel to the two buildings.  Viktor’s eyes lit up.  His old lab sat on the left, filled to the brim with state-of-the-art military technology and the most contemporary volumes of research available.  To his right sat the lab’s accompanying warehouse.  Long ago Celestia had decided that all resources required to produce research equipment were to be shipped to this warehouse; various metals, plastics, and organic materials were sent here daily.  Then, everything from heavy-duty machinery to instruments for individual experimentation would be created within the warehouse and promptly delivered to Splice’s lab.  This would not only allow for more research space within the facility, but would also reduce the risk of dangerous artifacts getting into the wrong hooves during transport.  The last thing Celestia needed was for some nut-job to get a hold of one of Viktor’s neurotoxin-development chambers.  And now this nut-job is going to do just that.

Infiltrating the facilities would be difficult enough with a plan, and Viktor had come here completely unprepared for what obstacles may come his way.  As he observed the structure’s layout, the doors to the main laboratory swung open and three ponies trotted out.  The two ponies on either side of the trio donned white lab coats and wore protective goggles upon their foreheads.  One was a light yellow unicorn mare with a silver mane tucked neatly into a bun, and the other a tan stallion bearing a white mane color and no visible horn.  The brown stallion appeared to be talking animatedly to a third pony walking between the two lab technicians, and the signature chest plate this middle pony wore made his identity unmistakable.  The stallion appeared sturdy and strongly-built, and a look of cold determination constantly filled his eyes – necessary attributes for the Captain of the Royal Guard.

Shining Armor’s patience had been tested during his time in the lab.  Though keeping pace with recent military advancements was part of his job description, he never could comprehend the scientific mumbo-jumbo that took place in this accursed lab.  Beside him, the ever-talkative Dr. Polymer continued to ramble on about the various projects Canterlot Laboratories were currently making progress on.  Shining didn’t even have the energy to inform the tan stallion that such classified information shouldn’t be discussed outside the facility.

“Furthermore, we’ve discovered a new species of orchid within the Everfree that produces an enzyme capable of neutralizing the chemical composition of most known neurotoxins.  With further funding, we shall be able to complete our research and create a vaccine that could be mass produced within the next five years!”  By the time he finished his spiel, Dr. Polymer was practically bouncing down the steps out of pure giddiness.  Shining Armor shot an exasperated glance towards the yellow mare on his left.

“Is he always this enthusiastic?” Shining asked.  Dr. Lattice giggled.

“Polymer has always been one to get excited over his research, ever since he and I were young fillies.”  She smiled.  “It’s what makes him a good researcher.”

“Not just a good researcher Crystal,” Polymer interrupted, “You forget the Princess just appointed me Surgeon General!”  Polymer struck a pose while Lattice rolled her eyes.  Shining forced a smile and addressed the energetic doctor.

“Yes yes we are all aware of your recent promotion, and I am truly happy for you.  But we must remember to keep this research under wraps.  The information this facility has provided over the past few years has launched Equestrian civilization into the new age.  But the recent incident with Nightmare Moon has reminded us of the lab’s central purpose.”

Dr. Polymer nodded.  “Military research.  Don’t worry Mr. Armor, our work is kept under the utmost protection.  Nothing can get in or out without proper clearance and authorization from the top of the top – Princess Celestia herself.”

“Now that’s what I like to hear.  Well, this visit has been… enlightening, but now I must take my leave.”  Shining Armor didn’t even attempt to stifle his yawn.

Crystal Lattice smiled.  “Go home and rest Shining, we’ve got everything covered from here.”

Polymer nodded.  “Indeed.  There’s nothing to worry about old chap.  After all, Lattice and I are in charge now!”  At that he patted Shining on the shoulder and turned back towards the laboratory, followed closely by Dr. Lattice.  Shining sighed.  I don’t get paid enough for this.

The clacking of his hooves as he made his way to Canterlot Castle reverberated through the still air of the night.  Having to walk through the alleys of Canterlot was bad enough during the daytime; walking through them at night would be perceived as the utmost form of torture to most ponies.  But Shining Armor was Captain of the Royal Guard, thusly labeled due to his uncompromising will and indomitable strength.  He possessed magical abilities unknown to even the highest ranking members of Celestia’s personal guard, and nothing a simple slum would throw at him could stand in his way.  However, the unnerving stillness of the entire pathway made Shining tread cautiously.  His ears pricked up and his eyes darted in the darkness should anything threatening jump his way.  After what felt like hours, a small opening signaling the end of the alleyway caught Shining’s attention, and his slow pace progressed into a trot as he made for the exit.  That’s when he heard it.

“Quite the night for a Captain to be out and about, don’t you think?”

The words were dripping with malice.

Shining Armor’s heart skipped a beat and he jumped to immediate attention.  Head swiveling left and right in search of the perpetrator, Shining called out, “Who goes there?  As Captain of the Royal Guard I command you to show yourself!”  A slow wheezing chuckle drawled out, bouncing off the walls and cramming itself down Shining’s ears.

“Now now, there’s no need to get testy Mr. Armor.  After all, you’re supposed to set an example for the citizens of Equestria.  It’d be ever so shameful if they were to learn of the secrets you’ve been hiding in that lab.”

Shining Armor could feel his fur standing on end as the voice spoke, but still he stood his ground.  “I’ll have you know what takes place in that lab is classified for the protection of Equestrian citizens.  These ‘secrets’ you speak of have helped advance Equestrian civilization for the better, and Princess Celestia would never authorize the use of anything that would do otherwise.”

The voice laughed yet again, though this time in a mocking sort of manner.  “Do you really believe that tyrant has done anything to help this world?  It’s because of her negligence and constant interference that the study of knowledge has reached a standstill.  That ‘lab’ is the last relic of scientific advancement, and yet she hides it under her wing as though it were a disfiguring growth protruding from her side.”  At this a horrifying shape pulled itself from the shadows and walked – no, slid – towards Shining Armor.  The Captain’s flesh crawled as he beheld the wicked grin plastered across its face and the demented look captured in its eyes.  “Believe me when I say that Equestria would be much better off without her.”

Shining roared as a bright burst of energy erupted from his horn, striking the monster directly in the chest and piercing through its entirety.  The beast exploded into a shower of shadowy matter, which splattered upon the walls of the alley and promptly melted from existence.  Shining held his gaze where the being had once been, confused, when suddenly he felt his limbs go cold and his body become paralyzed.

A cold voice whispered from behind him.  “And you would be much better off minding your surroundings.”  Shining Armor watched as the floor ran up to meet him, and then all was black.