Reclamation

Reclamation

Chapter 1

Darkness Rising

Blaze was getting a little unsettled.

They entered the Macintosh Mountains earlier today, the landscape had taken a drastic change from vast grassland of central Equestria to a never ending pattern of jagged ridges. Conifers greeted him whenever he looked out from the train windows and snow-capped peaks could be glanced when the shrouding clouds moved apart. They are on the southern edge of their majesties’ kingdom, a true no pony’s land. The only things hinting about civilization were the monotonous rambling of the train and the steady snoring of the earth pony stallion lying across from him.

The blue-furred pony, or “detective” Hose as the old stallion would prefer to be addressed, was a “prestigious member” of the Canterlot Detective Agency and, more importantly, Blaze’s current employer and benefactor. When Hose got a letter asking him to help look into some “unsettling disturbances” on a far away settlement, the detective decided he would bring Blaze along to get the young unicorn some first-hand experience.

Blaze was actually quite excited to get away from his daily chores when Hose broke the news to him, but right now, looking at the gloomy sky and the ever-presenting haze in the mountains, he was not so sure if coming along to this desolate place was a good idea, and he shuddered at the thought of what might have caused the “unsettling disturbances”.

The jarring noise of wheels chafing with rails brought him out of his trance, he looked out of the window to see small huts and a tiny platform sliding into view as the train pulled into the station.

"Sir, wake up, we are here." Blaze called to the sleeping stallion and gave him a slight poke with his hoof.

"Right, right. I noticed." Mumbled the detective as he got up and stretched, a little irritated from being roused. "Go get our bearings and let's be off."

Blaze lifted the saddle bags to his back with his magic and begun to follow the old pony down the aisle while carefully avoiding the porters as they unloaded the train’s cargo.

“Eh, detective, what do you think we will find here?”

“Problems, to be solved.”

=====================

Hope, as the settlement was called, was in fact nothing more than an encampment for the surveyors and railroad work ponies stationed here on Equestria-Griffin Kingdom borders, with sustenance arriving for the “residents” in forms of supply trains like the one Blaze and his employer rode on.

By what Blaze could gather from the detective’s talk with some of the workers, the entire settlement was on edge ever since one of the cartographers disappeared into the woods a few days back. The ponies organized a few searches, but never found a clue. Then rumors of malicious beasts and dark creatures lurking in the shadow of the woods begun to emerge, somepony even suggested the griffins foalnapped the pony and “did something horrible.” The ponies at Hope had sent for help and right now they made no attempt to hide their discontent when they learned the nature of their “help”.

By the time the detective finished his investigation, Celestia’s sun was already sinking behind the western ridges, and the duo found themselves sitting around a small bonfire chewing away their supper.

Blaze was distraught after the day’s interview. There were a myriad of accounts, some even contradicted with one another, but one thing was for sure: A pony had gone missing and strange creatures were present around the camp at night. For once, Blaze regretted having an imaginative mind, as it kept filling him with unsettling visions which required lots of effort to get rid of. He just couldn’t stop recalling the way those ponies talked about their "problem" and the distressed looks on their faces. Maybe this job with the detective was a little too much for him, he will seriously have to consider some less . . . venturesome” endeavors in his future.

"Hey kid, eat your fill, we’ve got work to do tonight!" The sound of his employer gave him a start, almost causing him to drop his bowl.

"Tonight?" He stared, incredulously, hadn't they talked to almost everyone at the settlement?

"Right, we go look for those creatures."

That was the craziest idea Blaze had ever heard about in his not-so-short lifetime. The detective must be really confident or he had completely lost his mind.

"But it's dark out there, what if we get lost, or they find us?"

The detective sighed at this.

"Very well, you stay here at the camp tonight."

"And you are not?"

"Does it matter?"

Blaze went silent at this. It shouldn't matter, but why couldn't he just say it? Maybe he needed the old pony for his life at Canterlot, yes, that must be it.

"Of course it does, I don't want lose my job and go back to living in the streets."  Somehow Blaze was not so sure of his reasoning when he uttered the words.

"Living just to see another day, eh?"

"Is there anything wrong with that? I’m just an ordinary unicorn."

"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Hose finished his meal with a smack of his lip. "Except nopony come to Canterlot just to 'live to see another day' ".

It was true, but Blaze would rather not bring up the reason behind his coming.

"I just came to make a good living in the capital okay?" He huffed.

"Then what do you think of the ponies here? This far away from civilization, working with acknowledgement from almost nopony? Do they want to make a good living?"

"I-," Blaze didn’t know what to say, up until now he had thought of the workers here as mere strangers for whom he would not want to risk his hide. He never thought of them as ponies with their own wills and desires. Why are they here? He can't come up with any explanation.

"Ah, don’t bother yourself with the thoughts kid," the detective said with a wave of his hoof. "You can stay at the camp if you want, I just hope from today on, the word ‘responsibility’ would mean something to you."

Blaze considered this “generous offer” for a moment. Then, hesitantly, he replied: "No, I’ll go with you."

"Seriously kid? It's all dark and dangerous in there."

"All the more reason to have me watch your sorry old back."

"That’s quite reassuring, I’m flattered."

=====================

They made their way into the coniferous forest after Luna’s moon reached culmination. The cool mountain breeze had driven away any lingering mists, and visibility was actually better now than in daytime. By the light of the full moon, Blaze could see the detective motioning for him to hurry over.

He quickly trotted over to where his employer was to find him sitting on his haunches over a dark patch on the ground. However, before he could get a good look the moonlight suddenly diminished and was soon completely blocked out by some thick cloud over head. The darkness was so deep he can’t even see his own hooves

“Aww come on!” Blaze can’t help but voice out his disappointment. “What is that?”

“A cold trail, light up that useless horn of yours and see for yourself.” Clearly the detective was also exasperated by the sudden loss of illumination.

“Useless huh. . . .” Thought Blaze as he channeled the light spell through his horn. Then, just as he finished the spell, something lunged out from the corner of his eye and barreled into his side, he only caught a glimpse of the glittering, ominous eyes of the black creature before sleek, hard shell collided with his body and his world went into a wild spin, his spell dying with it. He thought he heard Hose swore when the old pony bumped his head trying to follow the tumbling mess in total darkness. Blaze would have laughed if his muscles were not too preoccupied with freezing themselves.

They travelled a fair distance before hitting a trunk themselves, with Blaze taking the brunt of the collision. He blacked out for a moment until a sharp pain in his flank jarred him back into reality. He could see the black, equine creature standing over him, fangs shining under the moonlight. He wanted to scream, to cast some spell, but found himself able to do neither, his muscles seemed to have melted this time, and he can’t even feel his horn. His vision was blurred, and he could only watch as the creature grabbed onto his hindquarters and begun to drag him across the ground.

It was really curious, to be deprived of the right to panic and then forced to watch the events that could possibly lead to his death unfolding before his own eyes. He sincerely hoped Hose had not gotten knocked out cold by running into some trees, with him being his only hope.

As if on cue, a blue light shone through the trees and the steady thud of hooves on hard soil came from the distance, the creature hissed at the sudden appearance of light and hastened its pace, dragging Blaze unceremoniously along. Blaze’s hopes rose as the light shone brighter and the clopping of hooves went louder. Seeing as there would be no escape, the creature abruptly came to a halt, dumped Blaze behind a spruce and did something Blaze thought he would never see in real life.

A wave of green light washed over the creature, and when the menacing light died down, in the creature's place stood a white unicorn stallion, with dark mane and tail. It took a moment for Blaze to realize just how much the unicorn resembled himself. The thing looked about itself quickly and then walked out into the approaching light.

“Are- Are you all right, kid? Wh- Where’s that thing?” He could hear Hose skidding to a stop nearby, his breath ragged from the long distance gallop.

“What’s wrong with you?” A sigh could be heard when the creature gave no response. “Fine, we’ll head back to the settlement once I check out this trail, but don’t expect me to pay for your treatment if you ended up in an asylum.”

The light shifted, indicating Hose was moving closer, Blaze’s heart once again lit with hope.

“Hey, don’t hold me like that, I know you’re scared kid, but you are making us both easy targets.”

The light was just around the corner now.

*hiss*

And with that Hose was thrown on the ground in front of Blaze, the old pony's eyes widened when he saw a second Blaze sprawled in the dirt and the light on his . . . horn flickered ever so slightly. An instant later the imposter was on top of him, pinning him to the ground. It shed its disguise and bared its fangs, ready to sink them into the flesh of its helpless prey. For a moment Blaze thought his supposed savior was about to suffer the same fate as him, but then, with a roar Hose kicked the creature off him and rolled onto his hooves with uncanny agility, and just in time to dodge a green beam as it wheezed past his side. Blaze could see Hose charging up his own appeared-out-of-nowhere horn for retaliation, and the green beams fired at him looped around his body and shot back where they came from as if grabbed and thrown by an invisible hoof. A yelp came from the darkness and Blaze heard scurry as the creature made its retreat.

Hose stood his ground for a while, peering into the darkness. When he was sure the thing left for good, he extinguished his horn and trotted over to Blaze. In the dark Blaze could barely make out the detective’s silhouette as he lifted him to his back. The sudden motion brought about a wave of dizziness and unconsciousness overtook Blaze once again.

====================

Blaze woke to the rambling of the train.

Outside the windows were the same misty mountains and a gloomy sky, the only thing that had changed was the direction of the train. Blaze couldn’t fathom the reason for their returning before they even reached their destination. Then he suddenly recalled the day’s event, the investigation, the shape changing creature, unicorn Hose saving his life. It all felt like a dream, especially when he took in the fact that Hose was an earth pony.

Heaving a sigh of frustration, Blaze got up from his seat to glance around for the old pony’s whereabouts and found him entering the carriage, munching loudly on a hay sandwich, on his back was a plate full of said things plus a jar. He seemed a little surprised to find Blaze’s head poking out from behind the seats as his munching stopped for a beat or two.

“Well my, you are one tough unicorn kid, thought I would have to carry you all the way to hospital after we get back to Canterlot.” He said merrily while putting down the tray on the table.

“So it wasn’t a dream? That night?”

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“What about your horn?”

“You must be really stressed out to be imagining I had a horn.” said Hose as he lifted a hoof to give his head a few quick taps. “Nothing over here. Have a sandwich? It would ease your nerve.”

“No thanks.” Blaze pushed away his benefactor, now also his savior’s offering hoof. “What was that thing?”

“I cannot be sure, I have my own theory but that’s irrelevant right now. The problem is why it was there and what happened to the missing pony.”

“You don’t know?”

“No. I went after it once I got you back to the camp, and it just vanished without a trace, the trail I picked up before you were attacked was a dead end, the hoof prints also just disappeared, as if it flew away. I think it will be a few days before that thing grows bold enough to venture out again, and you, my helpful companion, could use some rest at home, seeing as you took one hack of a bite to your rump. So here we are, heading back before you know it.”

Blaze was not really in the mood for humor right now, he turned to look at his flank and spotted the two small dots where the creature must have bit him, the furs around the mark had taken on a slight sheen of black. So the creature was poisonous? Celestia knows what would have happened to him if not for the old pony.

“Eh, thank you then, I guess?”

“And I had to drag you hunk of a lump back to the camp all by myself, you gotta make up for that. “

“Yeah, and if you keep this up I won’t be able to repay you before you pass- , you know what I mean.”

“That I do kid, that I do.” A wry smile was on Hose’s lips as he muttered the words.

=============================

They cleared the mountainous region that evening, after one short stop at Appleloosa they would be heading straight back to Canterlot. Blaze was crouching on his seat looking at the faraway lights of Appleloosa, Hose told him he could have a week’s leave while he went to his fellow detectives at the CDA so Blaze decided to forget about that night’s event and make some plans about the his tour. In his brief time working with the detective he had never had a chance to go and see the city for himself. He would go see the princess raise the sun first, and then. . . .

A green light flashed on the window. Blaze rose up and saw Hose face to face with two cloaked figures, both unicorns judging by the glowing above their heads. Hose’s illusive horn lit with the same blue light as it did last night, while his opponents’ horns sported an eerie greenish aura.

The world became a standstill as the two parties faced each other, Blaze slumped back to crouching position, his muscles once again freezing. He held his breath, confusion and terror taking their reign. First that monster and then . . . this? No, it had to be a nightmare. “Close your eyes and take a deep breath, it’ll go away. “ He tried to calm himself but only succeeded in shuddering even more.

Without warning, the ponies exploded into action, Blaze forced his eyes shut and held down his ears. But the muffled sound of spells screaming through the air still registered to his ears, through his eyelids he could feel the dazzling lights produced by the spells. He heard the sound of hoofs clopping rapidly on the train floor, wood splintering, glass shattering and thuds as pony bodies contacted with various objects in the carriage. Moist summer air battered him through the broken windows, preventing him from sweating despite his frightened state. He smelt something burning, like hay bacons, albeit with a foul smell. An incessant knock on the door to their carriage joined the sound of fighting as the train staff tried vainly to get past the mysteriously locked door. None of the combatants uttered a word, not even a grunt escaped from their mouths, only the cacophony of destruction danced in the now hellish space that was their carriage. “Please go away, please go away, please go away!” Blaze’s mind screamed, he never truly know fear, not until now.

Then, as abrupt as it started, the sound of battle ceased to be. Only the steady knock of hooves on the carriage door remained. Blaze heard limped hoof steps, followed by a weak tug at his mane. He yelped and fell off his seat, landing head first onto the hard train floor.

“Hey, it’s o- okay now. They are gone.” Came the familiar voice of Blaze’s benefactor, its usual delightful tone replaced by grimness.

Carefully Blaze opened his eyes, and instantly regretted taking in the ghastly scene before him. Luna’s light shone in from a huge tear in the ceiling. Black scorch marks were everywhere, broken glass littered the floor, shining ominously from the moonlight. Most of seats and beds were shattered, with dark liquid splattered here and there. Amongst the debris crouched Hose, his body emanating a slight blue glimmer, shimmering mist of the same color seemed to be spiraling up from him, his blue coat was now completely dark, reminiscent of the creature that attacked Blaze the night before. Holes could be seen in his hooves, his horn clearly visible on his head, snapped in half with the remaining part tilted to the side at an awkward angle. Hose was panting, and the very action of breathing seemed to cost him dearly. His eyes, which had also taken on a blue hue, were fixed on Blaze, grief and pain overt in his expression.

“This is a dream.” Blaze muttered, his look distant.

“I’m afrai-” Hose tried to speak, but grimaced and flew into a fit of cough. Only after a few moment did he managed to gather himself.

“I’m sorry kid, but you’ll have to go back to Canterlot on your own, I- I know you’re scared, and wanted answers.”

He paused and grunted in pain, when he opened his mouth again his voice had taken on a very different, feminine quality.

“Take a couch from Appleloosa, head back to the capital and don’t draw attention.” His voice changing yet again, to an unnerving hiss. “Look for the head of the agency, tell them what happened, they will help you.” A fit of cough again, much severer than before.

“And once again . . . I’m sorry, Mr. Blaze.”

With that the old pony went limp. His body glowed brighter before taking on an ethereal quality, tendrils of cyan mist flowed out even more wildly. By the time the dazzling light died down, nothing remained where Blaze’s savior once crouched, only a small pool of shimmering liquid, which dissipated soon after.

Blaze just lay there, he did not know, and wanted not to know what happened. He did not notice the carriage door slamming down, the train staff rushing in and dragging him away from the closest thing to hell he had ever seen.

“It’s a dream. Tomorrow it’ll be okay.”