Icarus

After being rejected to approach Entity #413-A, the next few days had been dull for Venus. There had been no other assignments or entities to capture, so all she could do was mope around the UEIA HQ, looking for something to do. She hung out with Aqua a lot, but Aqua had been assigned to a mission and was away for the time being, leaving Venus alone again. She laid in her dorm bed, staring up at the ceiling boringly. Her dark-orchid mane was not tied up and braided as usual, instead hanging down loosely and messily.

Knock knock knock.

"Come in," sighed Venus without looking up. The familiar creek of the door, and then a deep voice.

"You've got a letter, Ven," said the voice. Venus looked up, puzzled, to see the face of her brother. A large, muscular, dark blue unicorn stallion with a long black mane. His name was Supernova. He was part of B-Team, the UEIA's best unit.

Venus took the eggshell-white envelope and ripped it open. She pulled the neatly folded piece of paper and read it over.

Dear Venus

How are you, hun? It's been a few months since we've seen you. The house has been really quiet without you. Your friends have been asking about you, and I have to tell them the same thing each time. Venus is gone to work for the UEIA and make lots of money! Haha, it's always funny to see how surprised they are!

So, your dad's condition hasn't been improving... In fact, it's been steadily decreasing... He's getting worse and worse, and I think his time is coming to an end I don't know how much longer he's going to last. The doctors tell me that if it doesn't look up within the next week, he has to spend the remainder of his life in the hospital. It's not something I'm looking forward to, but if it has to be done, then so be it...

So, how is work going? I hope you're doing well. Not getting into *too** much trouble? Haha, with you, I wouldn't be surprised, even AT work! Tell your brother I said hi, and that I think about you two every day. Remember, keep up with your work!*

- Love, mom

Venus sighed, feeling gloom rising up in his chest. Dad was slowly dying, and she wasn't there to be with him... But, it was for a good reason! The only reason she took apprenticeship and joined the UEIA was to be able to pay for her dad's medical expenses, for the money was tight at home. Supernova could only supply so much; he had a foal of his own with his fiancee and needed to support them and himself.

Venus had taken a vow to earn enough money to help their dad out, but it seemed like her time was running out much faster than anticipated, and worry was starting to overtake her confidence. Of course she wouldn't show it on the outside. She had earned a reputation for being tough, and showing any kind of softness would ruin that instantly. No matter how hard it was, she'd have to keep the emotions bottled in.

Venus only just realized she had tears in her eyes.

She wiped them away quickly and looked up at her brother. Wordlessly, she gave him the letter. He read it, his face hidden by the paper. She stepped off of her bed, rubbing the side of her head. What would she write back? She had made a lot of money, but hadn't made nearly enough to cover the medical costs. She didn't want to disappoint her mother... Maybe just a little white lie...

Venus pulled a piece of parchment from her drawer and a quill and ink pot. She set it down on the top and started writing. Her brother sighed from behind her. He put the letter down and rubbed his face, muttering something quietly.

Venus shook her head and focused on the letter.

Hi, mom, 'nova and I are doing just fine. Work is great around here, and there's always something to do - Venus scoffed when she wrote this - I've got a good load of money saved up from the work, and I'm getting closer to our goal. Tell my friends I said hi, and tell dad I love him. We love him. We'll keep in touch!

Love you, mom.

- Venus and 'nova

Venus read it over twice, before sighing and crumpling it up. She'd write it later. Right now, the mood wasn't all too warm and she had no idea how to do it. She looked at her brother.

"Hey, 'nova, I'm gonna head down to the cafeteria. Get something to eat. I'll see you around."

And without waiting for an answer, she left the room.

One Hour Later...

Venus had been sitting at a table, alone, playing with her food; hay fries and a veggie burger. She just didn't have an appetite. The thought of her dad passing away was a little too disheartening. She brushed a lock of her dark-orchid mane out of her face and sighed. She pushed her tray of food aside and stared at the table, thinking of ways to get money. Legally. She got up and walked around the cafeteria, occasionally greeting friends, but rather unenthusiastically.

All around her, ponies on break were talking; what they would do on the weekend; what had happened the previous night/day; who got hit in the face with fireworks, though none of it was really interesting. She had the displeasure of encountering a group of stallions who started hitting on her, and after they started talking about her plot out loud ("Girl, your plot is fine! I would spank and rub it all day if I could!"), Venus proceeded to kick one of them in the groin and keep walking.

She stepped out of the back door of the cafeteria and into the dark-green side-hallway, where there was nobody. Peace and quiet. Until...

"All units from B-Team, suit up and prepare for deployment! This is not a drill! I repeat, all units from B-Team, suit up and prepare for deployment! This is NOT a drill!"

Venus' head jolted up to the intercom system. B-Team had to go? But they were the strongest unit in the UEIA! Why would they be needed?

The answer his Venus instantly.

Entity #413-A.

Her intent to capture it returned as quickly as it faded in disappointment. This is her chance! It would get her mind off of things, and she'd finally be able to find the blasted fire entity.

A thought struck her: How would she get over there? She didn't know where 413-A was, and she knew for a fact that she would instantly be denied access to go; her boss had told her she wasn't allowed.

"B-Team, get your asses ready, you've got to go!"

The voice over the intercom made her panic a bit. She was going to miss out on her possibly only opportunity to capture the creature of fire that has caused so much damage. Frantically thinking up different ideas, each less possible than the last, they came by.

B-Team, dressed in heavy, dark-green suits, black masks with two deep plexiglass eyeholes, and saddlebags filled with equipment that clattered with each hoofstep, trotted quickly down the very hall Venus was standing in. As they passed (WITHOUT greeting the light-fandango colored mare), the UEIA logo; a scarlet and black shield with a black silhouette of an alicorn and the words Unnatural Entity Investigation Agency in shining gold; was visible on the sides of the suits. On the front was their white nametags.

Venus scanned the crowd trotting passed her, biting her bottom lip. Think! This is the last chance!

And then it hit her. She facehoof'd at her own stupidity. Supernova was part of B-Team. She scanned the troops, until she spotted the nametag 'Supernova' plastered on one of the suits. She waited 'til he was close enough, and then pulled him aside.

"H-Hey! What are you doing?" Supernova hissed, his deep voice muffled by the black mask.

"'nova, I need a favor," whispered Venus, bringing her mouth close to her brother's ear.

"What? Venus, I have to go, I don't have time!" Supernova said frantically, peering back at his fellow B-Teamers. Venus tsked.

"Take me with you," she said quickly. Supernova flinched.

"Uh...No?" he said, shocked.

"Look, hear me out--"

"Ven, I have to GO!"

"Hear me out!" Venus put her hooves on him to stop him leaving. "I want to go after 431-A. And you can take me."

"Hell no!" Supernova said loudly. Venus flinched and put a hoof on his masked face.

"SSSSHHH! Look, 'nova, I NEED to do this," whispered Venus.

"I'm not taking you. You're too young, and it's dangerous." Supernova said sternly, turning his back. Venus' stomach turned.

"I can use the money to help dad," she blurted out suddenly. Her brother stopped. "If I assist, my paycheck will be pretty good, right? Pretty high?"

"And they'll probably fire you," sighed Supernova, his back facing her.

"Let them." Venus said coolly. "AFTER I get the paycheck."

Supernova said nothing.

"If I can help you and the team catch this damn thing, I'll definitely have enough money to help dad, and everything will be okay! Dad'll be okay, mom'll be happy!" Venus added in, clopping her hooves on the marble floor.

Supernova turned around, looking at Venus.

"I won't do anything stupid. You can watch over me," frowned Venus. Maybe that last part wasn't wise to say. "Please."

Though Venus couldn't see his eyes through the mask, Supernova was staring at her from behind it, considering. Venus clopped her hooves together nervously.

Finally, after what felt like minutes, he said, very softly, "You do what I say. You do not leave my sight. If I tell you to stand down or desist, you stand down or desist. Do you get me?"

Venus nodded and felt her spirits life. She tried to push past him. "Let's go!"

"Venus, do you GET me?" Supernova asked seriously and sternly, stopping her. She looked at him with her magenta eyes.

"Yes, 'nova, I got you. Let's go!"

"Whoa whoa, it's not gonna be that easy," whispered Supernova. "Go get something on from your dorm and meet me at the back of the base in ten minutes. Go."

Venus had run back to her dorm, thrown on her jacket, and re-braided her hair back into a ponytail.

Ten minutes later, she had run to the back of the base. Supernova was waiting there, still in suit. He was standing beside a magic-powered, dark green carriage. He gestured her over.

"Alright," he said nervously, peering around for anyone who may be watching. "Jump in, stay low. And remember what we agreed on."

Venus nodded ecstatically and dived into the carriage. Within a minute, they had taken off into the sky. Supernova seemed very tense.

Two Hours Later...

"I repeat, all residents of Seaddle, please return to your homes immediately!"

The booming voice echoed throughout the entire city, and an eerie silence had fallen onto everyone. A warning? From who? Why? The questions were answered.

"We, the UEIA, and Princesses Celestia and Luna, oblige you to return to your homes and remain indoors until we declare it safe! There is an approaching threat that we must deal with, and all civilians must be out of harm's way!"

The group of students standing around watching the fight all had the same idea; they bolted instantly.

"Later, Cloud!" one of them called as they flew off.

Cloud gasped. "W-Wait! Hang on!"

"Your friends are abandoning you, Cloud. Shows how much they care." Icarus said loudly, turning around to walk away. Cloud growled and flew forward, landing in front of him. His white coat was stained red on his snout and chest.

"I'm not done with you," he said viciously, pain eminent in his voice.

Icarus scoffed. "Well, I'm done with you," he said bitterly, jumping up to take flight. He spread his golden wings, but was pulled back down to the ground by Cloud.

"You aren't getting away that easily!" Cloud growled. "You've had this coming for a long time, and I'm going to enjoy it!"

Wordlessly, Icarus stepped forward and headbutted Cloud in his already broken snout. Cloud shrieked in pain and fell onto his haunches, clutching his face.

"And with that," sighed Icarus. "I'm off."

He jumped up and spread his wings again, taking flight. As he flew, he spotted a pink mare on the ground running toward Icarus' house. Icarus swooped down and saw it was Sprinkle.

Hovering beside her as she ran, Icarus put a hoof on the side of his head and crossed his hind legs.

"Need a lift?"

Sprinkle jumped and stumbled in surprise. Getting up, she took one look at Icarus and gasped. Both sides of his face were bruised and his brown fur was stained red where his snout was, yet he looked positive and cheerful. He chuckled.

"Oh, no..."

"Relax, the fight went fine." he laughed, holding out a bloody hoof.

The pink mare stopped running. "That's not what I'm worried about," she said irritably. "Are you okay? Where's Cloud?"

"I'm fine. Cloud, not so sure. His snout was bleeding pretty badly."

Sprinkle facehoof'd and groaned. "Ohhh, Icarus..."

"What? It's not like anyone died!" Icarus said, shrugging.

"That's not the point! Ugh, never mind, let's just go, quick!"

The two of them made their ways back to Icarus' house. Diamond had been standing at the window, looking out for her son. She felt relief wash over her when she saw the two of them, but it was quickly replaced by alarm when she saw the blood on Icarus. She opened the door right away.

"Come on, inside!"

"Mom, do you know wh--"

"Icky, what happened?" Diamond interrupted, pulling him in with an unusual motherly strength and examining him roughly, getting a few grunts of pain in return, especially when she prodded the spot on his neck where he had gotten hit with the brick.

"AH! M-Mom, I'm okay!" Icarus grunted loudly, pulling back.

"What happened?!" Diamond asked, eying her son with concern. Icarus felt his face grow hot.

"I f-fell..."

Diamond stared at him in disbelief for what felt like minutes, before she spoke once more. "Have you been fighting?"

"No."

"Icarus."

"I haven't been fighting."

"Icarus."

"Mom, I haven't been fighting."

"Icarus!"

"What do you want me to tell you?"

"The truth."

Icarus growled softly and sighed, looking away. "I didn't start it..."

"So, you were fighting?" Diamond asked softly, though her tone revealed that she was upset.

Icarus looked back at Sprinkle, who shrugged. He groaned. "Yes."

"Son of a..." Diamond murmured, scowling. "Icarus... Dammit... You JUST had a court hearing! And you go fighting already? AGAIN?"

"Mom, I DIDN'T start it..." Icarus muttered.

"It doesn't matter if you didn't start it, you still did it!" Diamond said upsettingly, glaring daggers at him. She looked past him to Sprinkle. "Sprinkle, why didn't you stop him?"

Sprinkle went wide-eyed and opened her mouth to explain.

"No, mom," interrupted Icarus. "She tried. I flew. She had no way to stop me."

"But--"

"Mom, it was my fault, okay? Yes, I fought. Yes, Cloud will probably go whining to people now."

Diamond groaned.

"But Sprinkle isn't at fault. Leave her out of it." Icarus said seriously, wiping his face.

Diamond sighed and turned around, muttering something along the lines of 'Unbelievable' and 'Always with the fighting,' and walked into the downstairs bathroom.

Icarus glanced back at Diamond, who looked uncomfortable. She didn't make eye contact. The floor suddenly seemed very interesting to her.

Diamond peeked her head from the bathroom. "Icarus. In here. Now."

Icarus sighed and trotted into the bathroom. Diamond closed it behind him. There was a pile of wet cloth. She picked one up and told him to lean over the sink, where she started cleaning him up, saying things like 'Unbelievable, Icarus,' 'Ridiculous,' 'Childish behavior,' and 'You're better than this!'

Icarus said nothing; Diamond would only get angrier if she got a sarcastic or witty comment from him. He kept his mouth shut, listening to her angry words. After about ten minutes, they finished up, and Icarus' cheek bruise was barely visible The blood was all gone from his face and hoof. They stepped out of the bathroom, Diamond looking none-too-happy.

"Sprinkle, I'm afraid that after it's safe, you have to go home," sighed Diamond. "Icarus is grounded."

Icarus opened his mouth to argue, but groaned and shook his head. "Fine," he muttered, heading up the stairs.

One Hour Later...

A convoy of pegasi and dark-green carriages landed in a large proximity around the forest in Seaddle with a loud and ground-shaking smash. Instantly, dozens upon dozens of dark-green-suit wearing unicorn UEIA troops marched out quickly, their hoovesteps sounding like a stampede to nearby homes. The mask-muffled voices of the troops rung out all around, shouting orders and compliances, setting up barricades, and stationing troops to guard.

A little further away, another carriage landed, and out stepped another UEIA troop with then nametag 'Supernova.' He scanned left and right. The distant chatter and hoofsteps of his fellow troops were very audible, but they were out of sight.

"Okay," he said. "It's safe."

Out stepped Venus, her mane slightly tousled from the position she way laying in. She cracked a kink out of her neck. "Ouch..."

"Alright, Venus, remember. Listen to me, do what I say, and stay the hell out of sight." Supernova said nervously, looking around.

Venus looked at him. "How am I supposed to assist if I can't be seen."

Supernova shrugged. "Once we have it cornered and we're catching it, you pop in and help. They'll have no choice but to say you assisted."

Venus frowned. "So, lay low until you've got it."

Supernova nodded.

"Right... I can do that..." Venus said uncertainly. So, she wouldn't be putting forth a big effort, like she wanted...

No, that's not what was going to happen. She would catch 413-A herself. But how?

"Follow me." Supernova said, trotting closer to his fellow troops. They passed a downed tree and walked into a thicker part of the forest. The evening sunlight faltered significantly as the brush above blocked it our a fair bit, and ahead lay a dark dirt path with some downed trees. The voices and sounds grew louder. Venus payed no mind to it. She was going to run. Run toward 413-A and capture it before Supernova or any other troops caught her. She just needed a good time to run.

They stopped at a small gap between two trees, where sunlight shone through.

"Alright, you wait here," whispered Supernova. He stepped through the gap, leaving Venus alone.

Venus stood there for the longest time, wondering when she could run.

Until she realized she was alone.

Without another thought, the light-fandango mare bolted forward, running as fast as she could. She had to get as far away from them as possible, or else risk getting caught and sent back to the base and most likely fired. She ran quite a distance before the brush above thinned and more sunlight shone through.

It was only then she realized there was a hostile orange glow not too far away. This, she assumed, was 413-A. Catching her breath, Venus ran forward once more, toward the threat.

Written by Kerry Leventis, AKA Minimoog Voyager