Chapter 6: Tested Loyalties

Dave stepped out of the police station as he scratched his head, his angered breaths turning to a faint cloud in the cold air. He turned to see Quarry was standing behind him with an emotionless stare.

“So did you find out anything during your time with Nitro?” Quarry asked as Dave rubbed his eyes.

“No, nothing,” Dave sat down on the cold steps as he ran his fingers through his hair. “I even heard that he won’t even stay in a cell that long, one of the officers was muttering something about public petitions.”

Quarry sighed, “Ponies were alarmed to see humans fighting, causing so much damage and Nitro appeared to stop the rampaging dragon.”

“So he attacks me yet gets to go free?” Dave shook his head as he looked around the quieter streets. “Do you know when the next train to Canterlot leaves?”

“Not until tomorrow morning,” Quarry walked down the steps to sit beside Dave. “Magical trackers have been placed on Nitro so we won’t lose him again, you can rest in my apartment until tomorrow.”

Dave stood up and looked back at Quarry with a soft smile, “Thanks but I would prefer to walk around for now.”

“Really? After all you have been through today I think that rest is the only thing you should do,” Quarry’s protests fell on deaf ears as Dave was already walking away.

“Thanks for the help today,” Dave called over his shoulder with a small wave. “See you around…”

Meanwhile…

Sarah and Sasha had both settled back into their fake personalities as they arrived in Canterlot train station, as the hissing of the brakes came to a quiet halt, the girls stepped out of the train and looked around to see a pair of royal guards walking over to them.

“Excuse me but were both of you contacted by another human called Dave Shield?” One of the guards asked while looking at Sarah.

“You mean the tall guy?” Sasha asked with a childish gasp when she saw the castle. “Wow! It’s huge!”

The guard smiled at Sasha, “Yes Princess Celestia and Luna are both waiting for you, they even have a few private rooms waiting for you.”

“Well my sister and I are both very nervous about what is going on, the only reason we came here is because Dave assured us that you are trustworthy.” Sarah smiled sweetly, “I don’t suppose we could share one room? It would put my mind at ease for the first few nights.”

The guards looked at each other before nodding, “We will see what we can do but until then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would like to speak to you both, just to have a friendly conversation and explain any questions you have.”

Sarah and Sasha both began to follow the guards towards the castle, ignoring the glances they received from anypony that happened to be out that late. The cold wind stung the human’s faces as they increased their pace to reach the castle.

The humans were shivering by the time they stepped through the castle doors and were sheltered from the freezing cold outside. The guards looked at the shivering girls and one went off to go find the princesses.

“Sorry, we didn’t know you would be so cold,” The guard’s guilt only grew as Sasha sneezed loudly and clutched to Sarah’s side. “I will see if there are any warm clothes available, Dave should have some spares in his room.”

The girls thanked the guard as he left and the first guard returned to lead them to the dining room. Sarah and Sasha were allowed to go in first and bowed to the alicorns that were sat at the end of the long table.

Celestia and Luna both smiled as Sarah took a seat and Sasha gasped at the princesses. “Wow! Real princesses!”

“Sasha, don’t gawp,” Sarah nervously pulled Sasha into a seat beside her before looking across at Celestia and Luna. “I apologise, my sister is still very young and this is a lot for her.”

“You don’t need to apologise,” Celestia smiled. “So you met my husband Dave?”

Sasha nodded as she smiled at the princesses, “He was super nice to us!”

“Well he always was the caring type,” Luna smiled warmly to the girls. “Did he not come to Canterlot with you?”

“N-no he said he had to check something out,” Sarah hummed. “He seemed in a hurry but that is all I know.”

Luna briefly looked at her sister before looking at Sarah, “I don’t wish to be a nuisance but I was wondering how old you both were.”

“Oh not at all,” Sarah nodded with a smile. “I am nineteen while Sasha is eleven.”

“Eleven and a half!” Sasha pouted at Sarah before turning away in an angry mood. Sarah gave her an annoyed glare before shaking her head.

The older sister smiled politely to the princesses, “Sorry, younger sisters can be annoying and are usually spoilt more than older siblings.” She said sweetly but with a slight venom in her voice aimed at Sasha.

“That is very true,” Celestia laughed before noticing Luna’s shocked stare. “S-s-so I have heard from the maids and guards.”

Luna gave Celestia a suspicious stare as the humans exchanged confused looks. A few moments later the door opened and a yawning Nox was stepping into the dining room before freezing and looking at Sarah and Sasha.

“Mum… who are they?” Nox asked nervously as he took a seat near to Celestia.

“Well these are…” Celestia paused. “Well I am afraid we haven’t exchanged names so far.”

Sarah smiled warmly to Nox, “Hello, my name is Sarah and this is my younger sister Sasha.”

“Well it is a pleasure to meet you,” Celestia bowed her head. “I am Princess Celestia, this is my younger sister Princess Luna and my son Prince Nox.”

“Son? So are you married Princess Celestia?” Sarah asked politely as Sasha gave Nox a small wave, causing the grey alicorn to nervously wave back.

“Yes to Dave,” Celestia had to hide her small giggle as she noticed the human’s jaw drop. “I know it may seem odd but Dave and I were just as shocked when we found out I could conceive.”

Sarah gulped nervously as she looked at Nox and then Celestia, “Y-you would have to forgive me for being slightly… shocked by that news.”

“Well I would imagine that the ponies on your world that can’t talk have never had a child with a human,” Celestia smiled as she nodded. “I understand it is odd but Dave and I are both very proud of our son.”

“Did he mention it is illegal to… have… sex with a pony on Earth?” Sarah asked. As the question was raised both Celestia and Luna exchanged glances before shaking their heads.

“Dave is no longer on Earth and we are not exactly the same ponies as the ones from your world,” Celestia narrowed her eyes. “I can see why you might be confused but please don’t question anything he has done since his arrival, he has been on this world much longer than you.”

Sarah nodded quickly as she apologized, “O-of course! I’m sorry for bringing it up!”

“There is no need for an apology,” Celestia gave a sweet response that hid her annoyance. “If you wish to retire to your rooms I believe they are ready now.”

“Oh… thank you princess,” Sarah bowed her head. “But I do have one more question… concerning Dave.”

Luna’s ears stood up at the mention of Dave’s name, “What is it?”

“In all the time he has been here… has he never tried to go back to Earth?” Sarah asked, her question gaining almost pleased smiles from Celestia and Luna.

“No, he is more than happy here,” Luna said with a proud smile.

Sasha’s face gained a confused and childish gawp, “But what about his parents?”

“He was adopted by a nice couple not too long after he arrived,” Celestia answered.

“So Shield isn’t his real last name?” Sarah frowned when she saw the princesses shake their heads. “So what is it?”

Celestia and Luna were both left silent as they looked at each other, neither knowing the answer to the question. “I am afraid Dave has never liked talking about his life on Earth so we respected his privacy and left the subject alone.”

As Sasha threw her arm up to ask another question the door to the dining room opened and a waiter stepped in, giving a bow to the royalty in the room. “Are you ready to order your breakfasts Princess Celestia and Prince Nox? And are you ready to order your dinner Princess Luna?”

Sarah and Sasha both looked at Celestia as she stood up. “Gosh is it that time already? Well I think I will order in a moment but could you show our guests to their rooms and make sure they are comfortable? I am sure they would like to rest.”

“Of course your highness,” The butler waited for Sarah and Sasha to bow to the princesses before following him to their rooms.

Luna looked across at Celestia as they were left alone, Nox groaned as his stomach rumbled. “Well they seemed alright, but I do wonder what happened to Dave.”

Celestia nodded in agreement before nuzzling Nox’s cheek, “Could you be a good colt and go fetch one of the guards for us?”

“Sure thing mum!” Nox said with a small salute as he jumped from his chair and dashed out into the corridor.

The sisters waited until Nox had ran down the corridor before turning to each other. Luna with a slightly annoyed expression. “So I am spoilt?”

“I meant nothing by it Luna,” Celestia gave a heavy sigh as she looked across at her sister’s stare. “But you have to admit that Dave will normally choose to spend free time with you more than me.”

Luna frowned, “Dave is allowed to spend time with whoever he wants to, besides every time he is asked about his relationship he only talks about you.” Luna turned her back to Celestia as she stared out one of the tall windows. “I feel like a dirty secret.”

“You know he loves you just as much as me,” Celestia placed a hoof on her sister. “No matter what happens that won’t change.”

“We just have to trust him?” Luna sighed as she looked back at her sister, but this time her face was full of concern. “We know nothing of his previous life on Earth, if it was better than his life here and he misses it so much that he would rather forget than know he can’t go back.”

Celestia shook her head, “You are worried that these new humans will make Dave want to leave us?”

“Yes I am sister,” Luna looked at the seats that Sarah and Sasha were sat in. “Dave has done silly things in the past that could have resulted in him never coming back and I get the feeling he will do it again.”

“But he does come back,” Celestia reminded the princess of the night. “He may do things in his own… odd way but in the end it always works out.”

“Like the last times?” Luna sighed. “Every single time he does something he is hurt in another way, being stuck on a different planet, that black fog, that scar on his arm that makes him scared to be around us sometimes.”

Celestia’s ears drooped slightly as she lost her reassuring smile. “Dave… whatever he might do… he won’t leave us… I’m sure.”

“I’m not worried about Dave leaving… I am just worried that in the end… he won’t have a choice.”

Meanwhile…

Hank hummed as he looked at the castle from the secluded window that the humans had taken refuge in. Mike was moving some furniture aside as another human dropped to her knees and began to draw on the floor.

“So what now?” Mike asked as he finished pushing a table aside. “We haven’t heard from the others in a while.”

“Sarah and Sasha have both made it into the castle, their individual tasks are proceeding perfectly,” Hank hummed as he turned to see the blond girl was still scribbling on the floor, her chalk leaving thick white symbols on the floor.

Mike stood up straight as he looked at Hank, “What about Steven? Did he beat Dave?”

“No, Discord knew Steven would fail with his petty ability to speak to dragons,” Hank looked at Mike with cold, piercing eyes. “But I managed to analyse Dave’s abilities and Steven’s sacrifice won’t be in vein.”

“Steven is… dead?” Mike gasped, the only human to show shock at a comrade’s death. “Did Dave kill him?” He asked angrily.

Hank narrowed his eyes as he saw Mike’s fury, “Yes, now do you see how much of a threat Dave is to us and this world?” The older human lied.

Mike nodded slowly, “So how can we beat him?”

“Unfortunately his healing means attacking him head on would be suicide for anyone with weaker powers like Sarah so you will be there to support her as she completes her objective.” Hank raised his hand as he talked and rested it on Mike’s shoulder. “Can I count on you?”

Mike gasped, “You mean… my ability will be returned?”

“Yes, you should be able to hold Dave off with ease with your strong power,” Hank’s hand glowed as Mike’s chest glowed a bright white and his eyes opened wide with the mixture of twisting and tingling sensations roaming throughout his body and mind. “Now go to another room to get reacquainted with your skill as Laura here completes the portal.”

The girl on the floor looked up, her short blond hair was in a scruffy mess, and her eyes had dark bags beneath them that made her look ready to pass out. The only thing suggesting otherwise was her scribbling that was progressing with speed and precision.

“The portal? Back to Earth? To Discord?” Mike smiled as he saw Hank nod. “Well I guess I had better make sure I can still use my power properly.”

Mike hurried out of the dusty room as he hurried downstairs and into the empty dining room. The boarded up and abandoned house had been a good place to hide as the number of humans requiring a hideout had been reduced in the past few days. And the castle being in view only made their morale increase.

“Alright… let’s start with something simple,” Mike held out his palms as he crossed his arms and touched his thumbs with his fingers. He narrowed his eyes at one of the broken cupboard doors, the flimsy wood holding on by one rusty hinge.

Mike swung his arm forward, clicking his fingers causing a small flash of light to appear and release a long knife that cut through the hinge with ease, causing the door to fall. His other arm swing wide and another click fired another dagger to appear and split the wood clean in half.

As the broken wood began to fall to the ground, Mike spun and clicked his fingers to summon a long curved blade to his hands. He swung with one smooth movement that cut both halves of the door into smaller pieces.

Mike gave a sigh of relief as he allowed the blades to flash out of existence and he felt his head begin to ache. “Ah crap I forgot about this… stupid drawback.”

A knock on the wall behind Mike made him spin around only for him to see the tired looking Laura smiling at him. “I can’t believe Discord gave you the gift of creation.”

“It is just lucky I also got the part that gives me knowledge on how to use them,” Mike snapped his fingers to bring a small banjo into existence and began to gently strum the strings. “Your power is quite convenient though, the power of replication.”

Laura laughed as she looked across the room at a clone of herself. “I will admit it is odd to be conscious of myself in many places at once.”

“Sasha got the gift of life,” Mike began to slowly play the banjo as he leaned against the wall. “I still don’t get why Discord gave her a pair of claws as well as her ability to make objects move to her will.”

Laura shrugged, “Sarah has the gift of levitation right? Any old Pegasus can fly too so I don’t see how she gets so proud of herself.”

“Well the only powers that we have lost now are Steven’s his ability to control minds did work well with his ability to speak to dragons,” Mike scratched his head. “I wonder why Discord gave his powers to us. I mean… does he intend for us to keep them forever?”

Laura narrowed her eyes at Mike, “Asking questions got your power taken away before, and Hank was generous enough not to take the other gift Discord gave you.”

“Without that act of generosity I wouldn’t be here to talk to you,” Mike sighed. “It’s just that I wonder if we can truly belong anywhere.”