North Woods NightMares

A slam and two clicks were heard as the hatch to the control room was closed and locked. This next room was dimly lit and very cramped. Four-high hammock bunks lined the center walkway in rows all the way to the outer hull, all occupied.

“Got the Night-Mare!” An unseen voice shouted from in the room, and a rhythmic banging was heard on the hull. The room’s sleeping occupants stirred awake with a groan, in half sleep, half laughter.

The ones in the bunks lining the center, realizing their juxtaposition, began to assault the party making its way through. One of the dogs on the top bunk tugged Frosty’s big ear. Another one on the second level pulled Polaris’s mane. One on the third level yanked Frosty’s tail. It was when a fourth dog on the third level smacked Frosty’s rump that she had enough.

Without looking back at the offending individual she lashed her tail against him, and elicited a howl of pain.

“Frosty, behind you!” PW warned.

A diamond dog struck an iron pipe hard against her haunches but, to PW’s relief, it did her no harm. In light of this the dog snorted, looked to PW and the pipe turned towards him.

He cowered away, forehooves desperately waving. “No, please! I’m not giving you any trouble! That could break my back!”

Frosty stopped and turned back. “He’s right. I did it anyway, hit me.”

“I already did!” The dog bared his fangs but remained in place as the lead escort also turned about.

“C’mon!” He growled and pushed them into motion again. He motioned with his paw and the dog armed with the pipe followed.

The procession moved on without incident through a toilet in an alcove, a full galley and a mess hall before arriving in a large room. Two large boxes were filled with wires, metal parts, and machinery.

‘This is important.’ PW thought, studying the structure surrounding them.

There were wheel valves and levers similar to those in Night-Sky One. He spotted a great deal of gold instrument dials as well as an engine telegraph reading ‘1/3’. He noticed large chambers attached to levers on both sides, all feeding into the same structure.

All at once the details came together and he realized that he was looking at an engine. Two, in fact. “No steam or boiler in sight.” He muttered. “So, how do they run?”

“Shut up!” Shouted the dog behind him, lifting the pipe again.

Polaris shied away from the weapon and trotted faster only to collide with Frosty’s rump. Luckily she’d glanced back to see what was going on before he did, otherwise she surely would have attacked him in response to a potential grope.

They passed through another hatch and two large, steel rotating rods caught PW’s attention. Each was ten yards long and thicker than his entire barrel. They made a characteristic *tum-tum-tum* sound as they rotated. The escort stopped and PW looked under Frosty’s belly in front of him to see two diamond dogs lifting a heavy hatch up and dragging it across the floor.

“You, Night-Mare, get down there. I won’t ask twice.” The dog threatened.

Frosty sat and jumped down from the floor, before lowering her upper half into some square pit lined with metal plating.

“Be careful PW. It’s a big drop.” She warned as one of the dogs jumped down after her and began to cuff her hind hooves.

“He’s got wings. Idiot.” Called one dog.

“They’re shot!” Frosty snapped back.

The dogs inspected a very uncomfortable Polaris’ wing and found a darker stream of red on his fur.

“Hmph, so they are.” Grunted one diamond dog, pointing to it as the dog with the cuffs jumped back out of the pit.

“Should’a said something earlier.” Complained the cuffing dog, slamming the hatch closed over Frosty, much to her surprise.

“Where are you taking him?” She demanded.

“Pegasus. Turn around and follow ‘at lot” ordered a dog with an odd accent.

The group turned back the way they came and a dog ran ahead, quickly disappearing from sight. When they reentered the engine room PW was determined to figure out how it worked. His eyes darted about, taking in the ducts and dials.

“Inlet air.” He read aloud the words on one duct. “Fuel oil level… yes! That’s it!” He shouted in glee.

“Shut up! Or we’ll use the pipe!” The dog brought it down hard against the floor.

The escort that had run ahead returned and met them in the room with all the bunks.

“She said yes.” He reported without elaboration.

“Follow me.” Growled one of the dogs and led PW sideways to an alcove in the crew bunkroom.

Hidden from the central alleyway was a lit, recessed booth. The room was no bigger than a walk-in closet and a single female diamond dog sat in there with a bed beside her. The sight of an enemy infirmary bed made PW’s skin crawl. He remembered something similar to this place in a survival drill during his boot camp.

“This pegasus prisoner got shot in the wing. Orders are to patch him up.” Barked the escort.

The dog put her book down and eyed the pony before her. “Prisoner? What did you do?”

“Royal Guard.” The escort replied.

“Oh.” She soured. “Up on the bed.”

PW’s heart began racing as an immobilizing strap was placed over him, fixing him to the bed. The medic dog noticed his apprehension.

“Relax. You’re getting fixed up.” She said with a gentle voice. She next peeled back layers of feathers and clipped them off to provide access to the wound.

“You’re lucky. The bullet passed through your skin webbing. Your bone’s intact.” She said.

“W-why did you get upset when you found out I was Royal Guard?” PW dared to ask.

“Well dear, Equestria is an adversary of the Southern Seas Empire. They destroyed one of our ports. An act of war!” She poured disinfectant on his wing and he hissed.

“Ugh – that hurts!” He grunted as the stinging grew more intense with every passing second.

“Use this.” She replied, stuffing a bit of cloth into his mouth.

The medic continued her musings as she cleaned PW’s wound. He bit down hard on the towel and tears streamed down his face. “The Royal Guard, the Wonderbolts; anycreature that allies themselves with Equestria is an enemy.”

At last she finished and took the compress away and grabbed a sewing kit.

“So why are you helping me?” PW muttered.

She gave him a half-smile. “Hon, we are not savages. Prisoners you may be but you’re still creatures.”

He narrowed his eyes at that. “They said they were going to do harmful things to us to get information.”

She shrugged. “What the intelligence branch does with you is not my business. If it’s not injury by procedure, it’s getting fixed.”

Polaris hummed. “Also, are you from Baltimare?”

“Put the towel back in your mouth, hon.” She said, practically stuffing it in.

He groaned as the stitches went in and out of his skin. Movement caught his eye and he turned to find the pink pegasus Beta smiling at him from the door. It widened when his gaze met hers.

It wasn’t a sweet smile.

Cozy Glow narrowed her eyes and finally trotted away. PW shivered in discomfort.

“All done,” The dog said, unceremoniously ripping the towel out of his mouth. “You’re pretty tough for a colt.”

“I’m a fully grown stallion, ma’am.” PW corrected her.

“My apologies, you looked kind of small and I work mostly with Diamond Dogs. I didn’t mean anything by it.” She held her paws up.

Polaris judged it to be a genuine apology. “Thank you.”

“C’mon you, back to momma!” His returning escort grabbed him by the scruff of his neck.

“She’s not my mom! She’s a year younger than me!” PW gruffed.

“We already know that.” The dog laughed.

One of the dogs in a bunk threw an empty beer bottle at PW’s withers but he ducked in time and it smashed on the steel floor.

“Schnitzelgarten! Two hundred push-ups tomorrow!” Shouted the lead escort.

“Sorry my Epsilon!”

“All because you missed!” Laughed the lead back.

On the way back through the engine room, PW again looked for further clues as to what class the engine was. A loud clanging bell rang from the ceiling above.

“Start the engine!” Came a call over the tubes.

“Yes sir. Start engine 1!” Called a dog in the room. Four dogs quickly brushed past them to their stations.

“Energize coils!” The lead barked.

“Yes sir!” They replied. A repetitive snapping sound was heard all over the left side.

“Enable starting relay!”

“Yes sir!” Called the workers. A tapping sound began, becoming cyclical and getting faster. The metal rods above them started popping up and down, moving back and forth, faster with each revolution. PW could also hear a flushing noise.

“Fuel flow!” Shouted the lead. No reply, only a sudden increase in volume and speed of the surrounding engine.

“Of course! Internal combustion on a massive scale! A giant autowagon engine!” PW cried as they passed through the far end. Thankfully nocreature heard him over the noise of the now running engine.

Another dog was there to lift the heavy grate off the pit, as PW was pushed up to the edge.

“PW!” Cried Frosty, relieved to see her friend in one piece.

“Good to be back, most-powerful-fighter-in-the-world!” He exclaimed.

PW didn’t even wait to be pushed, he jumped on his own accord when the opening was wide enough. He stuck the landing beside Frosty before a loud *CLANG* sealed them up. They looked up to see a padlock being placed over the opening.

“What did they do to you?” She asked.

“This is really weird. They stitched and bandaged my wing.” Polaris flexed it to show her.

“What?” Shrieked Frosty an octave higher than her normal voice, leaning over to see his wing for herself. She huffed. “They’re grooming you.”

“What?”

“They’re doing nice things to you to alter your perception about them being the enemy. Either to de-legitimatize our operation or possibly recruit you.”

He cracked a smile at that. “You know, it’s really convincing! I think I might wanna switch sides.”

For possibly the first time she looked anxious about their relationship. “P-PW?”

“Ha, kidding! Defending Equestria, and you, is my modus operandi to the end.” Polaris reassured her and leant into her affectionately.

“You nearly had me fooled.” Frosty admitted.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don't be. Good for you for being able to make jokes here.”

PW placed a hoof on the floor to sit back up when he noticed a feeling of coolness surrounding it. “Eugh, what’s this liquid?” He cried.

“It’s a really oily water from what I can tell. Like bilgewater.”

“Gross, and makes sense.”

“You know, I’ve been thinking. Our equipment, vehicles and technology is behind compared to this organization. Their capability seems to be suggesting that their so-called empire really does exist. And I want you to know that my squad was designed to combat piracy, Not fight a war. And...” Her voice fell away.

He nudged her. “And?”

She sighed. “The point is, PW, that we are likely not getting out of this alive."

“You will. You are too powerful. You will endure!” He smiled.

“Hm. Thanks, little guy.” She extended her claws over his withers and gave a gentle squeeze. “But one shell can blow apart a solid-metal block. Nothing can survive that un-shielded; not even Recce.” In the dim light she noticed a wing going up and blocking her face. “And don’t you get any ideas about taking a hit for me, PW. If you make it out it’ll be up to you to help train the next Night-Mare.”

He shook his head. “Frosty! I’m not replacing you! You can’t be– ”

“You wouldn’t be replacing ME. Only the job.” She sighed again.

PW huffed and sent ripples across the oily water on the floor. “T- two… can we… hold- hooves?” PW dared to ask.

“Absolutely.” Frosty reassured him, closing her forehooves around his.

“I didn’t know you could be so affectionate.” PW whispered.

“I’m trained to intimidate. That also implies I know how to do the opposite. Also, for the record, this conversation is classified.” Frosty declared.

Her assistant grinned and then laughed. “Yes ma’am!” He responded as she giggled.

“PW. I think it’s time I admitted this.” He looked at her and she took a breath. “You’ve given me something I badly needed and didn’t really have… a friend.”

“Oh? What about back home? And Echo?”

“I don’t go back home often enough to maintain a relationship. And as for the other Night-Mares; we’re coworkers. We get along like sisters but we also argue a lot. We're constantly trying to out-compete each other. It doesn't feel unconditional. At least, not in the same way you and I are.”

“You and I?” PW asked with a grin.

“Yes, you and I.” Frosty repeated, pulling PW into a full embrace, despite the cuffs.

“Thanks, 2!” PW muffled out through Frosty’s coat.

“You’ve shared the magic of friendship with a super soldier. I am forever grateful.” She confessed.

“Ha, sounds like ‘Frosty’ defrosted and warmed up!” PW joked.

“Gold star, PW, gold star!” Her smile faded. “Now we need to chat about some ugly stuff.”

“Oh? Am I in trouble?”

“Yes, but not with me. With them. If they wanted to bump us off they would have done it already. The fact we are being kept alive concerns me.” She puffed her cheeks. “We're going to be interrogated and the mission has to come first. Our friendship can’t get in the way of it. I know they will try to set things up like we are going to betray each other if we don’t spill the beans. No matter what they threaten will happen to me, you cannot disclose any classified information. Likewise, whatever they threaten will happen to you, I shall not disclose any classified information. At times, it may look like I’ve betrayed you. But I promise it’s only for the mission."

“Yes, Frosty.” PW gave a stoic nod. “I shall do whatever it takes.”

“It will be very hard.” She continued. “They could tell you they’re going to cut my legs off. They could tell me they will cut your wings off. No matter what – we say nothing. We take these secrets to the grave if necessary.”

“I am prepared to serve my country and Night-Mare.” Frosty grabbed his head and pulled it against her, patting his mane as she did so. “Heh, okay Frosty-sama.”

“Shut up!” Frosty laughed, slapping his barrel lightly.

“Ah.” Polaris exclaimed and looked up to her. “Remember when Emperor Alpha said his name and I was going to say something and was silenced?”

“‘Course.” She said, “I won’t silence you. Send it.”

“Well, I had this dream right after I rejoined you. I think it was the first night we reunited after I&T. There was this rogue pirate captain in it and his name was Captain Alpha.”

“Hm. Did we kick his flanks?”

“No, actually. He was a giant diamond dog just like the real emperor.” Polaris’ expression darkened. “And he hung you. Chained me to a weight and threw me overboard.”

She nodded. “Has Princess Luna visited you about this?”

PW pursed his lips and looked at her. “Yes, actually!”

“And what did she say?”

“She said that my mind was making efforts to protect you from being killed.”

“So… you’re worried about things here playing out the same way they did in your dream?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Don’t. You’re a better stallion, PW, than when you had that dream. You are trained and synchronized with me and it won’t end the same way.”

He gave a half-smile. “That’s what the Princess said.”

“It’s true.”

“I hope so.” PW replied.

Frosty yawned. “We don’t know when we’ll be able to sleep again. Hell, I don't even know if it’s day or night! We might as well try and get some sleep. I’m sorry for snoring so loudly – I know you don’t have your earplugs.”

He grinned. “I think, in this situation, hearing your snoring will be comforting.”

“Alright, then.” She leant back against the wall and dragged PW along with her.

“Guess you’re getting even with Echo’s snuggle session now?” He chuckled.

“Shut up.” Frosty snapped but promptly sighed. “That’s too mean. Yes. I am.” She admitted.

PW nuzzled against his teammate and drifted off to sleep.

Polaris was startled awake by a loud bang from above. He looked up to see the grate being hauled off.

“Frosty, get up!” He whispered, tapping her chest.

“Hm – what?” She muttered as her assistant pointed up at the ceiling.

She nodded in understanding and took a deep breath.

“Out, you two!” A dog soldier snapped, throwing a key down. "Unlock her!"

PW unlocked Frosty’s hind and fore-hoof cuffs. In turn she lifted her assistant out and placed him on the floor of the deck.

“I could’ve flown up myself!” PW called down.

“I know. I wanted to do it.” Frosty declared, climbing up out of the pit.

The escort surrounded them and rebound Frosty’s front and hind legs together. They began marching them towards the command room again.

As they walked they could feel fresh air breezing through the hatches. The engine was moving at a very high speed. In the quarters, most of the bunks were empty. As they reached the command room, instead of the dim red lighting that was present before, the space was flooded with so much light it was hard to see. The hatches above were open, allowing light and breezes from the sky above to enter.

“Night-Mare. Over here.” Called one of the dogs, leading Frosty over to a steel pipe.

“Frosty don’t, they’re going to –” PW began before being silenced with a baton.

“Hey go easy on him!” Frosty barked as he doubled over in pain.

The dogs paid her no mind as the great mare’s barrel was chained around the pipe and then her fore and hind legs hog-tied together. PW was simply cuffed to a hatch on the floor.

Their eyes adjusted and it became clear that the room was empty beyond their escort save for four diamond dogs working the controls and a small figure in the same huge seat occupied by the Emperor hours earlier. Frosty and Polaris eyed Cozy Glow as she reclined back with her hind hooves up on a pipe as though she were watching a silent film from a box seat. She grinned back from the spacious chair, eyes gleaming with sinister thoughts.

Frosty and Polaris exchanged glances, confused at their disturbing host's lack of interaction. They waited for her to talk but the Beta remained silent, letting the tension build.

Finally, Frosty snapped. “Are you gonna address us or keep sitting there with a stupid grin?!”

Cozy leant forward and whispered. “I wanna kill you. So bad.”

“All laughs on day 1, bad mood on day 2?” Polaris called up to her.

The admiral sat up and tilted her head up menacingly towards Polaris, slightly puckering her smile.

He held his ground. “I’m not scared of you! I already had you identified as a target and was waiting for the kill order!”

“Oh? Did she order you to stand down, pipsqueak?”

“I followed orders” PW responded.

Frosty shook her chains to get his attention and winked back at him in pride once he made eye contact.

Cozy Glow raised both forehooves in a gesture. “Whoop-dee-doo. Since I can’t bump you off yet, instead… Well, jeepers! You know how it goes from training, right? Zee-Bee needs a few questions answered… and I know how to get them!”