Red Sky At Dawn

Red Sky At Dawn.

Spinoff of Steadfast Sky.

Chapter 5: Capture And Flames

Serenity

We finally reached it! Arc canyon, a huge rocky canyon that lay on the wasteland beyond the forest. It had been two weeks since we left Stringhalt, and the loss of my parents still hurt like it was yesterday. Zee examined the dusty red terrain ahead. "Why're we going here?" he asked, eyes wide.

"This is a shortcut to Hock." Astral replied, studying the map. "We can cross this, and save a week of travel!"

"That's great!" I replied levelly, "Should we start moving?"

The others nodded in agreement. Crisis had returned to his usual headstrong self, and looked nonchalantly at the canyon below us. "This is pretty wierd." he eventually said.

"Don't they have canyons where you're from?" Astral asked.

"They do, just not like... this." he gestured to the surrounding forest. "Those are two terrains that don't mix."

Astral shrugged, examined the map once more, and then led the way, descending the path into the belly of the canyon. The group followed, and soon we were surrounded by dust orange walls. There were small holes and caverns along the walls, and as we passed I made sure to avoid them. Who knew what was lurking in those dark crevasses...

After about half an hour of walking along the deep floor, we reached the other side of the canyon. A rocky path up the wall allowed us to exit that dusty tomb, trading orange sand for yellow sand. Crisis was right... this wasteland was a strange occurrence... it was surrounded by forest on all sides and had no logical explanation for being there. A griffin patrol flew past, miles and miles in the distance, and I watched them a feeling of dread in my stomach. The wastelands were not only a shortcut for rebels after all, they were a shortcut for rebel hunters.

And we were rebels.

Commander Hype stood in the blackened courtyard, griffin guards circling around him running various tasks. There were six unconscious guards lying on the blackened floor, twisted into various angles and only just beginning to twitch. When he first saw them, he thought that they were dead, something that both saddened him and excited him.

But they weren't dead, just knocked out cold. Close to comatose, and very intriguing. That metal monster, the one that the Stringhalt officials had been talking about, he was responsible for this. Now Hype wanted to find him. The commander turned to his fellow griffins, "Is it still in the city?"

"No sir!" squeaked a griffin nervously, after all commander Hype wasn't someone you upset in a hurry. "We think they've left the city sir, using these sir!" the guard gestured to a pile of blankets, that had been cut in places and modified.

"In that case," Hype said eventually, "Send a large group of guards to search north west of here, try the canyon, that's where rebels like to hide. Search the surrounding forest too, I don't want it to escape. When you capture it, bring it to me."

The head guard nodded. "And what of the others sir?"

"They are unnecessary. Kill them."

"Yes sir. Right away sir."

Commander Hype smiled to himself as a large flock of heavily armed griffins took off and began to head north west. He'd have that thing by the end of the day.

And he looked forward to it.

Astral

We stuck close to the ground, our colours blending nicely into the sand. Silver and white didn't stand out against the terrain, which was a bonus given the open space they were in. Zee sat on Serenity's back, his small hooves sore from walking, while Crisis, lacking all stealth and without any care for safety, stood up straight walking normally. "Crisis!" I hissed, "If you walk like that we'll be seen!"

The Biomech spun to face me. "Seen by wh..." he began before freezing. I glanced behind me and likewise froze, mouth gaping in horror. Griffins, a whole flock of griffins.

And they had seen us.

There had to be at least thirty griffins there, since when did they travel in packs of that size? Noticing my panic, Serenity also turned.

"Run..." she gasped, and we bolted. The griffins may have been fast, but they were far away. If we could make it to the forest then we might be able to outrun them. Zee clung to Serenity's back, eyes closed in terror. Bringing him had been a bad idea, he was too young for this kind of danger.

"Okay!" called Crisis. "I... I can only see one way out of this. I'll hold them off."

"No!" Serenity and I called back in return.

"Got any better ideas?" he questioned, then seeing our faces continued. "Look, they can't kill me. I can fight them off, then escape and meet up with you."

"It's too risky!" I replied eyes wide, and stomach hurting from the running.

"That's too bad," Crisis replied. "Cause I'm doing it." he stopped running, then spun to face the other way. "Run." he said bravely. "And one more thing... Don't replace me."

"Crysus!"

But Crisis didn't hear this, we had left him behind and reached the surrounding forest. As I pushed into the trees, I saw a huge flock of griffins circling Crisis, and something else.

Three griffins heading after us. "Serenity, we've got company!"

"We can lose them in the forest." the silver pony smiled. "Hide and seek."

We ducked behind a fallen log, and lay there panting. I strained my ears for any sound of movement. There was something...

Hoofsteps. Getting closer and closer. It only sounded like one guard, and a small one by the sounds of it. What would Crisis do in this situation? Fight back.

I began to charge a beam of magic, pushing energy into it from every pore of my body. The footsteps stopped and I seized my chance, springing out from behind the log, and releasing the bolt of energy straight into the guard. He flew backwards into a tree, and lay crumpled at the base.

As we left the safety of the log, and pelted off into the forest, pursuers left far behind, I prayed.

I prayed to Faust that the guard wasn't dead. I also prayed to Faust that Crisis was ok.

Crisis

My time to shine? Surrounded by heavily armed outnumbering guards, encircled by an enemy that surpassed me. Heh, I lived for this! "One at a time, boys!" I called to them, not a trace of fear in my voice. They seemed to sense my confidence, and shuffled uncomfortably. Who could blame them, I was a pretty scary sight. I raised my hand and summoned a ball of electricity... or rather I didn't. As I raised my hand, a lasso snapped around my wrist, and I was tugged to the ground by brute strength.

"One at a time? I'll take your challenge." a sophisticated, yet sadistic voice called out. I followed the lasso rope to find a single griffin standing, intimidating the others and strongly in charge.

"Sir!" another griffin began. "Umm.. we had this under control..."

"Like hell you did.." I muttered. I addressed the lasso holder. "And you are...?"

"Commander Hype of the Aerlion fortieth division. The boss around here. I think we should find somewhere nicer to talk... how about a cell?"

"No thanks." I replied calmly. "I'm fine where I am."

The commander smiled, reminding me horribly of branding. "I'm afraid It's not a choice."

"Got that right!" I replied, pulling down on the rope, and cutting it open on blades that appeared along my arms. Electricity flowed around my hands aggressively, as the blades clicked into place. My image had just improved by 100%, as had the terror of the guards...

All except Hype. He simply smiled in awe. "Incredible..." the earth pony muttered.

"Damn straight it is." I replied. "Now what? Still want a fight?"

"Oh yes." Hype replied, a twinkle in his eye. Then he suddenly shouted at the assembled griffins. "Companybattlestationnow!"

The griffins flew into order, then straight at me, all thirty hurtling through the air. This whole event took about a second, and anyone else would have been crushed by the attack.

But I wasn't anyone. My CPU immediately blocked the threat with a pulse of air that disturbed the flight, weakening the griffin charge. I threw myself backwards to avoid damage, then began combat, ducking to avoid beaks, claws and legs. My blades slashed into the legs, arms and bodies of those griffins who got too close, and I remained untouched. This battle was incredible! Never before had I fought like this, using skilled attacks and moves to such great effect. A beak lunged towards me, and I ducked it throwing the owner to the sandy ground. The attack was called off, as griffins retreated to lick their wounds and look fearfully at me.

"Any other attempts? I ain't got all day." I said, trying my best to sound bored.

"One more." smiled Hype. He drew a sword and grasped it in one hoof. "Me. I'm a fencing champion, so this should be easy."

"For me?"

"Perhaps." Hype smiled again. "Want to test your luck against a real warrior?"

I laughed. "Sure. Let's go." with that, I launched myself through the air at Hype, claws outstretched my speed allowed me to glide and then...

Fall. The sword strikes battered me to the ground, and I raised a hand to block the slashing. The power of the sword blows knocked my hand to the side, and I lay defeated on the sand. I felt Hype shackling my hands, and my blades retracting from defeat.

Typical. I just had the heck kicked out of me by a sword.

And now I was once again under arrest.

Luck... ah, I don't even care any more. I wonder if my friends escaped.

Astral

We dashed through the overgrown forest, ducking and jumping to avoid branches, and ever aware of two pursuers, following us with deadly speed. The griffin guards couldn't fly here, but they could gallop and boy were they galloping. I kept catching glimpses of them behind us, jumping and ducking as we were.

We left the forest suddenly to find a terrible drop in the landscape. A waterfall poured lazily nearby, and far down I could make out a less than lazy river forcing its way along the ground. There was no way to escape, we were trapped!

"Not... so tough now... are you?" panted a rough voice. The two griffins were stood behind us in the forest. They began to advance evil grins appearing. "Not that.... It matters. We don't... need you alive!"

At this point, one of the griffins lunged out towards me, and in reflex I stepped back. The guard toppled over the edge, falling to his certain death in the boiling waters below. The other guard blanched, and stepped back in horror.

"Karoyl?" he whimpered, expecting his gnarled friend to reappear over the edge. Then he looked at us in horror, and I finally realised something.

This griffin was a rookie! He wore no badges, and was smaller than the others I had seen. I lowered my horn, and pinned him to a tree with my magic, and found that he was weak too! Serenity stepped forward.

"What do you want?"

"Want?" the griffin stuttered, eyes wide with fear.

"What are your orders?" Serenity explained.

"Catchtheknightkilltheothers!" he squeaked.

"Catch the knight? What does your master want with Crisis?"

"I don't know!!!"

I noticed tears in his eyes, and I released him. The kid ran back off into the forest, screaming and stumbling.

Serenity looked me in the eye. "We have to save Crisis." I nodded, and we chased the kid back towards the canyon.

Crisis wasn't there. Nor were the griffins.

The space we had left them in was kicked up and uneven. Scraps of cloth lay in the sand, and I realised that this was the scene of a battle.

"Crisis must have put up a fight." muttered Serenity sadly.

"But he lost." I finished.

Decay

I lay in a crack in the mountainside, watching the party carefully. Their friend had been taken... captured by griffins.

Which left a huge hole in their lives, and one I intended to fill. I was thin from hunger, my wings brittle and curled and with little strength. I needed food soon, so I put my remaining energy into transforming.

My body changed, taking on a silver gleam and I stood on my back hooves as the change overtook my body. Of all the group, the knight was the most difficult to become but my acting skills were able to replicate him nevertheless. I practiced my voice, "Hello." No, no! I had to become him!

While following the group, I had heard him talking and I knew just how to replicate his voice.

"Hey." that was better. Much better in fact! "Miss me?"

Nailed it. I was ready, and as the group moved off back into the forest, I began to follow at a distance. Wait until they really miss him, then fill the gap.

Lots of love.

Lots of food.

Crisis

I had been taken back to Stringhalt, then bundled into a cart by good old Hype. I had to admit, I respected him. I respect most people who are better than me, I guess it's just in my programming.

"Where to now?" I asked Hype, sounding bored.

"Canterbury." he replied. "I think you'll like it there."

I looked quizzically at the grinning griffin. "Why?"

"You'll see." he replied as the cart suddenly lifted off the ground. We were flying, and I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I'm looking forward to it." I said blankly staring into space.

"Oh, but not as much as me." Hype replied. "When I present you to the Stallion, I'll get promoted for sure. He loves new weapons."

The commander leered at me in the darkness of the cart. "And I love promotions."

Typical. Trapped in a flying cart with a sadistic commander and his crew, on a journey to god knows where to meet god knows what.

Lucky me.

Zee

We had escaped! The forest that is. We stood at the edge of the forest, staring out at a huge luscious field that carried on further than the eye could see. I ran out from the others and started to skip around in the grass laughing with happiness.

"Zee! Wait!" Serenity exclaimed. "There might be danger!"

"Come get me!" I replied, ducking into the tall grass. Serenity and Astral laughed then joined me, all thoughts of chaos, misery and sadness vanquished by the green landscape. We frolicked for an hour, then lay, tired out staring at the cloud wall above us. There were no guards here, no ponies either.

Just the three of us. Eventually Astral spoke up. "We should make camp, its getting dark."

Serenity nodded, and the two of them worked on clearing a space in the grass and lighting a fire, while I wandered off into the tall grass. It tickled my nose! I sneezed, startling a small mouse who ran away. Laughing, I gave chase, and followed the mouse deep into the field. Following it as the darkness grew, and surrounded me. Soon, I couldn't see anything. I stopped laughing, and stood in the grass. There was just darkness! Then I noticed something, fire! There was a glow of fire in the distance, and I ran towards it happy once again.

Friends!

Serenity

I sat down in vain. Lighting a fire was near impossible! I had rubbed stones together with all my strength, and not one spark had appeared. How had Crisis done it? Using magic I guess...

Astral saw my saddened expression, and comforted me. "Don't worry, a fire would only attract trouble anyway."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Do you miss Crisis?"

I nodded. "He's probably all alone... I can't bear to think of him being lonely..."

"You know Crisis! He's probably escaped by now."

I nodded. But against that many guards? Who could escape that? "I'm surprised Zee took it tha..." I began sadly, then froze. "Zee! Where's Zee??!"

Astral looked up at the surrounding darkness. "He was playing in the grass! Zee! Zee?!"

We leapt up from the camp, calling his name in fear. Then I saw it.

There was a small glow of fire coming from across the field. "No..." I muttered. "No..."

Then I was off charging across the field, oblivious to any danger and with only one thing on my mind.

"Zee!!!!!!!"

Decay

Damnit! I was close to the camp, and I heard them talking about Crisis. They missed him! If I had gone in then, I could have fed like a king! But that little zebra had gotten lost, and they had run off after him. Still though, I had chosen the perfect person to become. This Crisis was important to them, and they missed him deeply.

I slunk back into the shadows of the forest. There would be other times to strike. I could wait.

And I would wait.

Astral

I ran after Serenity, panicking. Who's camp was that!?? Was Zee in danger?!! Serenity was ahead of me, and in the darkness of night I could make out her form galloping like a fully grown pony.

I blinked back tears as I ran behind her. If they had touched a hair on Zee's head, then they'd be sorry!

We burst into the clearing, and I reeled in shock. Zee sat alone staring at the fire. Serenity and I ran to him, pulling the little zebra into a hug. "Zee! Are you okay?!!" I asked desperately.

"Yeah! Why wouldn't I be?" he asked. "I'm sorry for running away... but you made a good camp!"

"We..."

"Yep! He gestured to the fire. It's all toasty and warm!"

"But Zee, this isn't our camp..."

"Who made this?" Serenity questioned. She looked into the fire. There's nothing here, just the fire.

I looked around the clearing. Nopony... So who made this?

Zee curled up next to the fire and yawned. "Whoever made this is nice! Giving us a fire!"

"Yes..." I echoed. "Giving us a fire..."

Serenity, Zee and I curled up together and drifted off into sleep, the flames casting a warm glow over our bodies.

Whose flames?

Crisis

It was late when the cart finally began to desend, and darkness flooded the cramped space of the cart. We crossed over a mighty black wall into yet more mighty black. A city of darkness, cobblestone making up the entirety of this shadow city.

It was a far cry from the environment I had been in previous, yet it was a welcome feeling. I had grown up in darkness...

Here was a city full of it.

The cart landed along a street, the wheels bouncing along the cobbles and juddering its occupants. The door swung open to reveal a huge row of griffin guards. Each brandishing a pike.

"Way to roll out the welcome wagon." I muttered. There was no reply, and I looked back to see that Hype looked worried. We left the cart, and Hype spoke to one of the pikemen.

"I didn't ask for any guards..."

"All prisoners are to be taken to the palace dungeon."

"Dungeon! What?! But he isn't a prisoner!"

The pikeman raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, but he's going to the dungeon. No exceptions."

"But he's a special case!"

"No exceptions." the pikeman replied, as griffins gripped my arms, and pulled me away.

"Wait! No!" Hype called out in anger.

"If he really is a special case, the ask a prison commander for a release permit." the pikeman stated in a bored voice.

"Don't worry Crisis." Hype muttered. "I'll get you out of there."

Then he vanished from view, as I was dragged around a corner. Ponies stopped and stared as I passed, no doubt wondering what the hell I was.

I resisted the urge to fight my way out. Too many guards.

Besides, where would I go?

Commander Hype kicked at the ground in anger. Stupid regulations! Why couldn't griffins just act without protocol sometimes? Now he'd have to wait for a release permit...

It was strange to think it, but Hype found that he liked Crisis. Just another warrior from some other high command. Huge potential, heck they even had similar personalities! And when the Shadow Stallion heard of this weapon, and it's captor he'd be promoted.

Into the big leagues...

As for Crisis? Well warriors were all the same. He'd be weaponised.

Weaponised.

Decay

It was morning, and I had been following the party for half an hour. They were talking, without a single mention of Crisis and that annoyed me. I had to wait until they really missed him before moving in to feed. The more relief they got from my appearance, the more energy I would gain.

And I needed energy... I was thin, and painfully malnourished. I needed to act soon, or else. Then I heard the conversation.

"I wonder where Crysus is!"

"I'm sure he's fine. Probably heading this way as we speak!"

Perfect. Perfect.

Perfect...

Zee

Crysus! He stood behind us, tall and proud against the grass.

"Crysus!" at the sound of my voice, the others turned and noticed him as well. We ran to meet him, pushing him to the floor in happiness, and hugging him. Serenity laughed with joy, while Astral wiped tears of relief from her eyes.

"You made it Crisis!"

He seemed to pause, before replying. "I sure did!"

Decay

I lay beneath the loving hugs of Crisis's friends, and joy wracked my body. I was loved! Loved! Energy returned to me, and I began to grow stronger. I felt so... happy!

But a nagging thought lay in the back of my mind. They didn't love me. They loved him.

I was just a hated imposter living of their love. A tear appeared at my eye, and Astral looked at it puzzled.

"I didn't know you could cry Crisis."

"Well you learn something new every day!"

Hated. Hated.

Hated.