The Reluctant Protector

“Will you slow down a second?!”

Heavy bootfalls and the rapid staccato ‘Clack, Clack, Clack,’ of hooves echoed down the hallways of Canterlot Palace.

The letter was sent, and now it was time for action. “I can’t, Lyra.” I called back to my apprentice, as she struggled to keep up. “This is my job.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to think first?” Lyra panted.

“Thinking requires time.”

“But-”

I opened the door to Celestia’s office, the guards either side not having enough time to stop me. The Princess in question looked up from her papers, eyebrows raised. “Artemis? What-”

“We have a problem.”

Once again, bootfalls and hoofclacks rang throughout the hallways, this time louder and more determined.

Luna marched beside me, determined fury on her face. Celestia spoke, calm, but I knew the truth. “So, once again, this will be a routine check-up.”

I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing ‘routine’-”

“You will go in, determine the source of the trouble, and report back.”

“Celestia, I know you just want it to be-”

“It will be, because I can’t- We can’t-”

She stopped speaking, lest she allow her underlying panic to slip through.

Myself, Luna and Lyra stopped. The guards walking with us stopped too, but I waved them on. “Go, get prepared. We’ll meet you in a few minutes.” They saluted, and marched on.

Once they were out of sight, and the four of us were alone, I grasped Celestia by the shoulders. “Listen to me. We don’t know what’s happening yet, but I think we all have a good idea.” Celestia sighed, I continued. “But, hey. You could be right? Perhaps Copper got something wrong? Maybe she’s ill, maybe she’s mistaken, maybe a million other things. But you don’t need to think about that now. What your job is right now, is to be Princess Celestia.

“Your job right now, is to be the rock. The stability the citizens need. We will do our job, you will do yours, and it will all work out.” I shrugged. “It always does.”

Celestia said nothing. Lyra shuffled from hoof to hoof.

Luna stepped forward with a comforting touch to the elder Princess’ arm. “Worry not, sister. We will flush out these ne’er-do-wells and we will be back in time for tea.”

Celestia seemed more comforted by those words than my own.

She grimaced and looked me in the eyes. “If you leave again, I’ll kill you.”

I laughed nervously. “I believe you.”

She was quiet again and nodded. She turned to Lyra. “I can’t say you’re ready, and I know you don’t have much practical experience yet, but I have a feeling you’re about to get some.” She stepped forward, and took the minty mare by her cheeks with both hands, tilting the unicorns head up to meet hers. “Keep your head. And look after these two.” She punctuated with some mirth. Lyra didn’t smile, simply nodded.

I leaned forward and kissed my wife, who returned it with equal measure. We said nothing more as we turned and walked towards the skydock.

The three of us arrived at the large transport carriage, only to meet some resistance. Captain Shining Armor, soon to be Prince Shining armor in only a few hours, was blocking the transport with a bubble shield.

“What the hell is this…?” I muttered as I stormed up to him, Luna not far behind.

“Captain!” I yelled over the arguing. “What, by the World Tree’s branches, do you think you’re doing?”

The arguing stopped, and the white unicorn turned to look at me. “Princess!” He greeted. “How are you? I was just telling sergeant-”

“Telling nothing.” The sergeant in question interrupted. “Captain Shining Armor here is interrupting a direct order from-”

“You ever heard of the ‘chain-of-command’ Sergeant?” Shining interrupted back, “It’s a little thing you learn in boot, it means-”

“I’m well aware,” the sergeant growled. “But the Princess-”

“Princess? What Princess? You mean the ape, running around masquerading as-”

“ENOUGH!” Came Luna’s royal Canterlot voice. The windows of the Palace shook. “Captain Shining Armor. You are impeding a detachment of high priority. Life and death. I suggest you stand aside, or I will remove you myself.”

I said nothing.

Shining Armor scoffed. “I hardly think that’s necess-”

“One.”

“Now, Princess, if you’ll just-”

“TWO.” Came the Royal Canterlot Voice again.

Shining became more panicked. His eyes became greener.

“Princess Cadence specifically-”

And with a loud crack, the shield surrounding the carriage split in two, Shining doubled over, his knees hitting the stone floor, and his hands clutching the base of his horn. Everyone turned to look at me.

The crystal on my staff stopped glowing, and I strode forward. “I have to commend you on the strength of your shields, Captain. But like Princess Luna said, you are in the way.” I ignored him, and the hurtful words he said, and entered the carriage, Lyra following behind.

Luna’s mind-numbing fury turned back into a slight simmer as she too strode past the captain and into the carriage, followed by the rest of the detachment.

The doors closed and I leaned forward in my seat to smack the wall with my fist. “C’mon! We’ve wasted enough time.” And a few seconds later, we were airborne.

I watched out the window as Shining’s form stood, turned to watch us go, then stumble back inside the palace.

“I hope Princess Celestia will be alright.” Lyra murmured.

“Worry not, friend Lyra.” Luna spoke. “My sister has handled millennia alone. She can handle this.”

That was true. She had handled millennia alone. ‘No thanks to me…’ I thought. “She’s not alone.” I spoke, absentmindedly, and thought of her annoying purple shadow.

The briefing was gone over a few times on the way to Hollow Shades. Not that it would do us much good when we were actually there. The fact was, we simply had no idea what we were walking in to. We had ideas, sure. But we didn’t truly know.

We could smell the rot in the air before we even landed. Luna was kind enough to provide us all with a scent charm. The magic covered our noses and mouths, and reminded me of a plague doctors mask from a time long since gone. Once my nose was blanketed by the sweet-smelling herbal mixture, I peered out of the window of the carriage.

Down below, the sinkhole Hollow Shades was situated in was a looming ink-blot on the otherwise green landscape.

There were lights inside. From the gas lamps, I was told, and it looked like I was peering into the night sky through a hole in a green blanket.

The closer we got to the ground, the colder it got. Not bitingly cold. Not even uncomfortably cold. Just… cold. You could feel the air change, like we were descending into an invisible fog.

The carriage landed, the wood creaking with its own weight, and we exited.

The soldiers gathered in formation, and we stood on the precipice of the town.

“It’s really quiet.” Lyra said. And it was. I fought not to cringe from the volume of her voice, despite it being said just above a whisper. There was nothing. No animals. No wind. Not even the creaks of the wooden buildings inside the hole.

“No rain, either.” The sergeant said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, looking at the blue sky.

“Well, it’s not really rain, but I’ve been here before. You can hear the water dripping from the cave roof even from this far outside.”

I nodded in understanding. “What do you think, Luna?”

“I think something is very wrong.”

We were all silent for a few moments more, the soldiers nervous, Lyra clutching her wand, Luna staring into the town.

I nodded again. “Alright. We’re going in now.” I turned to the soldiers. “Remember the brief. This is a civilian heavy zone. Unicorns, double-check your targets. Everyone, keep your heads on a swivel. Nobody goes anywhere alone.”

They all nodded, and we descended into the darkness.

Celestia had just sat back at her desk, worry clear on her face, when her door opened once again. “Auntie, what’s the meaning of this?” came Princess Cadance’s voice.

Celestia looked up to see her niece; anger clear in her furrowed brows as she stomped forward. It did not suit her soft features. “Meaning of what, my dear?”

Cadance came to a stop in front of her aunt’s desk, fists gripped painfully tight. Her voice was calm. “Shiny just told me that Artemis, Luna and that unicorn took some soldiers out of the protective shield.”

Celestia nodded. “Yes. There seemed to be some trouble to the east. They went to have a look, it’s nothing to worry about.”

Cadance’s nostrils flared. “It’s a protective shield, Auntie.” She said through gritted teeth. “If there’s trouble, it will protect us. That’s why it’s called a protective shield...”

Celestia laughed, genuinely amused. “Of course, but it doesn’t protect the smaller hamlets now, does it? If there’s trouble out there, and we’re safe and secure in here. How does that look to the citizenry?”

“I DON’T CA-” The pink princess stopped herself before she said something she’d regret. Celestia’s eyebrows raised. “What I mean to say is… my wedding is very close now. Surely this little… expedition, could be put off for a few more hours?” She asked, eyelashes batting.

Celestia shook her head, dipped her quill in ink and got back to work. “Cadance, they’ll be back soon. I’m happy to see you’re so worried for them, but I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.”

Cadance opened her mouth to retort. Once. Twice. Thrice. Before she bit her lip, eyes scrunched, and turned on her hooves to storm out. Celestia stopped writing gibberish and watched her go.

Once Celestia’s office door was closed, the bride-to-be turned the corner and bumped in to twilight. “O-oh! Cadance.” Twilight got out. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen Artemis, have you?”

“Artemis went out for some fresh air.” Cadance explained, shortly.

“Oh… I was supposed to meet her for-”

Cadance said nothing and barged past her. Then stopped. And turned back. “I don’t suppose I can help you with anything?” Her tone sickeningly kind.

Twilights eyes widened. “Who, me? Hah! Nah… I was just… I wanted to talk to her about-”

“About what?” Cadance asked, stepping closer.

“About… um… f-fractals!”

Cadance stopped. “Fractals?”

“Fractals! You see, I wanted to know if natures propensity for fractals factored in to her focusless magic.” Twilight paused. “Actually… that’s pretty good.” She tapped her chin. “Maybe the golden ratio- Eep!”

Cadance slammed her against the wall. “Cease your inane babbling! I know that you know.”

“K-Know what?”

“You know very well what I know you know.”

“H-How can you know w-what I know?” The purple unicorn choked.

“Silence!” Cadance cut off. “It doesn’t matter if I’m right or not. I just need to get you out of the way.” Cadance’s horn lit in a sickly green hue, and Twilight lost consciousness.

The streets of Hollow Shades were uneven and difficult to walk on. Even for someone of the plantigrade variety, with rubber soles on their boots. Yes, walking through cobbled streets like this gives one a new found respect for the ponies who took to it like a duck to water.

Never mind the ice either. The uneven cobbles were covered with a layer of it. A unicorn walked in front, heating the ground as he went, and the water left behind re-freezing behind us.

Coming to the cramped town square, a light whistling noise could be heard, before the sergeant rushed forward and pushed two soldiers out of the way. An enormous icicle fell to the ground and shattered, flinging blocks of ice in all directions. Luna was thinking quickly enough to have erected a shield, preventing the largest pieces hitting anyone.

The sergeant stood and brushed himself off, and the two soldiers he pushed stared back to the spot the once stood in horror, as now, there was a pile of solid ice.

I stared at the ceiling. “Well, now we know what happened to the rain.”

The sergeant was not amused. “Excellent work, my little pony.” Luna said, pleased but focused.

“Thank you, princess.”

I looked around. The storefronts and houses were still. The gas lamps were still burning. And all was quiet. “If a noise like that didn’t alert anything that we’re here, nothing will.” Lyra said. She looked around. “Any idea what could have happened to the citizens?”

There was a moment of silence, nobody daring to speculate. Myself and Luna shared grave, knowing looks.

“I wouldn’t get too comfortable.” The sergeant said.

“He’s right.” I agreed. “Remember your lessons, Lyra.” She clutched her wand and nodded.

“What’s the plan now, Princess?” The sergeant asked.

“Find Copper Whisk. We find her, we find what’s going on.”

He nodded and began issuing orders. “We’ll use this square as a base camp. I want two unicorns watching the ceiling for rogue icicles.” The group of soldiers began splitting off in different directions.

I looked around at the different streets that split off from the square. “Copper said she ran a bakery.” I turned to Luna. “You stay here and help coordinate with the sergeant. Me and Lyra will go help look.”

Luna bit her lip, likely trying to think of an argument, but found none and said, “be careful.”

I held up my staff, “Wand up, Lyra. Let’s go.” And we disappeared down an alley, the blue light of our foci causing the frost on the stone to sparkle.

After a few minutes of silent walking, Lyra spoke up. “A-Artemis. I… I don’t like this.”

“I dunno,” I smirked, trying to lighten the mood. “For a hole in the ground, this is really nice.”

“I’m serious.” She stopped. “I can’t- I don’t think I can do this. I’m not ready.” I turned back to her. She was shivering.

“Hey, hey.” I spoke, gently, and knelt in front of her. “You’re alright. It’s scary, I know. But you’re strong, Lyra.”

Her breathing became heavy, and laboured. Her eyes were wide. “I… I can’t-”

Shit…

“Lyra,” I kept my tone gentle, but forceful. “You’re starting to have a panic attack. I’m going to touch you, okay?”

She nodded, jerkily. I placed my hands on her shoulders. “I want you to tell me five things you can see.”

“Wha-”

“Five things, Lyra. That’s all. Five things.”

“S-Stone. Ice. Glass.” Her eyes scrunched shut.

“Almost there, grasshopper. Just two more.”

Her eyes opened again. “Darkness. Y-You.”

“Nicely done.” I praised. “Now four things you can touch.”

Her breathing failed to level out. “C-Cold. Cotton. Wood, fr-from my-” She looked down to her wand.

“Good, what else?”

“I… I can f-feel your h-hands. And… and I can feel my… my sweat.”

I smiled, gently. “That’s okay. Now, three things you can smell?”

Her hand reached up and poked the solid magic, making up the beak-like mask. “Sage. L-lavender. I know it because the um,” She swallowed, “the flower sisters always have a bunch in the front of their shop in Ponyville.”

I smiled. “Smells good, eh? What else?”

“I can… still smell the um, the rot. A bit.”

I nodded, my mouth a thin line. “Nearly done. Now, two things you can taste?”

She made a face, like she was sucking her teeth. Her breathing became slower. “Syrup. From, my pancakes this morning. And,” she sucked her teeth again. “Bon-Bon’s bon-bons I had on the ride over.”

“You have a big sweet tooth, don’t you?” I giggled.

She smiled. “Y-Yeah…”

“Now, last thing. Don’t even think when I prompt you, just say what comes to mind. A happy memory?”

She sighed, her breathing finally back to normal, her eyes took on a far-away look. “Bonny’s stood in the kitchen. She concentrating on something in a large pot. She stirring and stirring, and she brings up a wooden spoon to my mouth. It smells like the sweetest thing… She’s grinning this… ridiculous grin that she always denies she makes.” She giggled. “And she says, ‘now try this one’.”

Lyra smiles, and shakes her head. “Thank you.”

I shook my head. “That was all you.” Lyra said nothing. “We need to continue on now, okay?” She nodded. “You are strong, Lyra. You are. You don’t have much experience, but I’m not sorry for bringing you here. You’re strong.”

Her fist tightened around the carved wood of her wand, and she nodded.

A few more streets later, we came across one of the groups of soldiers. One of them walked up to us. “Ma’am,” She saluted. “We’ve located a bakery, but we’re unsure if it belongs to Copper Whisk. We’re searching the building now.”

I nodded. “Any sign of civilians?”

She shook her head. “Negative.”

“Mm, nor with us.”

It was silent for a while longer, when a soldier emerged fro the bakery. “Ma’am. We’ve confirmed this is Copper Whisk’s establishment. We’ve found her place of residence too.” He handed me a slip of paper. There was an address at the top.

“Alright, everyone on me.” I called to the group. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

They nodded and we started in the direction of Copper’s house.

Even more icy streets later, with still no sign of anyone, we arrived. I knew just looking at the place that I was too late. I suppose deep down I always knew, but seeing this just confirmed it.

The door to Copper’s house was broken off the hinges. Outward. There was a smell in the air. Different from the usual, icy rot. This was warm and metallic. I knew it well.

“Copper!” I yelled as I used a blast of energy to move the broken door. I started towards the house, turning to call to the soldiers. “Set up a perimeter!” They got to work, and Lyra followed me inside.

The smell in here was terrible. Even the masks provided by Luna didn’t do much to subdue it. More than that, it wasn’t just the smell. It was a feeling. You get the same thing walking into a science laboratory, rats euthanised and ready to be dissected. Or an abattoir, meat freshly hung.

It was death.

The dragonfire candle I had gifted Copper was set up on a side table in the hall, flame snuffed out. Everywhere was clean, despite the age of the house. It was dark inside, paintings and furniture lit by our foci.

Then, we got further in, and what transpired became clear.

Drag marks in the hallway leading towards the kitchen. Black in colour, especially in this light, but I knew what it was. Thicker and thicker as they went, like paintbrush strokes.

Then a creak. And we were still. I could feel Lyra clinging to my back, shivering. I wasn’t doing much better to be honest. Our breath ignited blue, and so very clear in the light of our staff and wand. I was colder in here. Much colder.

Then another creak, and some dust fell from the ceiling. We both looked up. Bare floorboards from the rooms above.

“Grhrnn…”

A rasping voice from the kitchen ahead. If Lyra felt scared before…

I kept my eyes trained on the doorway to the kitchen, and silently knelt, bending forwards slightly. Without being prompted, Lyra clung tighter and jumped up. She wrapped her legs around my stomach, and I used one hand to hold her there by her bum, my other hand still gripping my staff. One of Lyra’s arms wrapped around my neck, and the other held her wand out in front of us.

“I am strong…” She whispered, almost just mouthing the words. Another creak from above. “I am strong,” she whispered again.

“Grahhrgg…”

The voice again.

I stepped forward into the kitchen, and what I saw…

Copper Whisk. Poor, poor Copper Whisk.

“Look away,” I spoke. Lyra whimpered, and I felt her head move.

“‘m strong, I’m strong.” She sobbed.

“You’re strong.” I agreed, my voice neutral, and knelt down to see to my friend.

Copper Whisk lay on the floor of her kitchen and… and she was…

“Groaahhh…”

I looked away, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. She reached out to me, and I stepped back a bit. The smell…

“I’m so sorry.” I spoke. “I wasn’t there. I told…” I swallowed. “I told you I’d be there. I said I was coming.”

Copper’s milky eyes flicked over my face.

“I let you down.” I stood, and Lyra held on, her face sheltered in my neck. I pointed my staff at the pitiful sight. “You can rest now.”

“Artemis!” Lyra yelled in my ear, and I was knocked down by a tremendous force. My head hit the kitchen table, and the already dark room was reduced to a painful, blurry, dark room. I could hear shouting, and movement, and when my vision started to come back, I was greeted with the sight of a blue pony in a filthy suit.

My head pounded, and he fell on top of me. My staff held him at bay as his reddened teeth snapped and his hooves tried to find purchase on the floor.

My head felt completely rattled, and I felt sick. Concussion. His teeth snapped closer and closer to my face, and the masks did nothing to prevent the stench.

Suddenly, heat.

The room lit in oranges and reds, and the rotting pony atop me squealed and shrieked, then, fell limp.

His back was aflame, as was most of the kitchen.

Copper Was bathed in the light of it, and the sight of what state she was in would never leave me. “C’mon!” Lyra shouted, as she tried to pull me up, my weight proving too much. I pushed the pony off me, and moved with her, every rock of my body sending thrums of pain through my skull. I touched my head as I stood and looked at my fingers. Blood.

Great…

“C’mon! C’mon!” Lyra yelled again, pulling me towards the front door.

I stepped with her, my leg stopping when something gripped the cuff of my pants. Coppers hand, claw-like and stiff, held fast to the fabric.

“Gro-” Her scratchy voice was cut off by her own shrieking cries, as the fire caught to her lower half. Only moment’s later, she fell limp.

“I’m sorry-”

“Artemis!” Lyra yelled again. I shut my eyes and let my apprentice lead me out of the burning house.