Dying Embers
Chapter 75: Chapter 73 - Aftermath
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Perspective - Slicer Jen
Galloping through the Everfree forest I rush towards my destination at the castle of the two sisters, after witnessing Tirek gaining Twilight's magic I had no option but to lay low until Tirek had left her alone. There's no telling what effects having one's energy drained from their body could have on them, I need to keep close to the bearers of The Elements of Harmony to ensure they aren't at risk of deteriorating.
What concerns me most of all is the lack of Chaser and Sunny by Twilight's side. Georg and Janine came across Shadow and Spectre badly beaten and knocking on death's door in the library. We weren't able to get much from Shadow when she woke up a couple of times. The only word we could get from her was 'John,' this often came in the form of an incoherent mumble often followed by a brief warning which made little to no sense.
Pushing through the last few bushes I stop as I look down the ravine bellow which leads to the tree of harmony, in the distance I catch the backs of Applejack, Rarity and Discord as they all run into the cave passage. If that's where they're going, then so am I. Pivoting my head to look for the natural staircase leading below I freeze as I catch sight of Sunny and Chaser as they're holding onto a figure on top of a selection of rocks. Taking a step closer I raise my hoof to shield my eyes from the sunlight, as my eyes adjust I make out John's figure as he lies on the ground.
Twisting my head back to the passage I make my decision and change course for John and the others in order to check on them, if they're slumped over him then I can only guess that he has somehow been injured. Rushing to the grass verge above them I lower myself over the edge to reach their level. As they both lift their heads to look at me I sprint to John's side and remove my medical pack from my flank, "What happened?"
Shaking her head, Sunny releases a sob as tears run down her cheeks, "H-he attacked us... I had no choice. I s-shot him."
"What? Why would he attack?" Leaning closer to his unconscious body I rest my hoof against his neck as I try to feel for a pulse. His pale flesh feels cool to the touch as the occasional throb indicates a weak pulse.
"He just did!" Chaser snaps. "He shot Sunny then attacked me as he tried to get Twilight."
Sunny turns her head to Chaser as a scowl surfaces, "That wasn't John!"
"It wasn't?" Chaser responds in a sarcastic tone. "Two long legs, hands and that distinctive accent. I'm pretty sure it was John."
"I think his mind was corrupted," Sunny explains as I begin to work. "I've heard of spell where the caster can corrupt and influence an individual's mind, bending it to their desires. The spell however results in the eyes clouding over it's the only way to tell that somepony is being altered by the spell."
Lifting my head I flick my eyes between the two of them, "We can discuss this later. For now, I have to keep him from dying." Princess Luna placed me under John's command for one reason, to keep him safe and to treat his injuries. I'm not going to fail her by letting him die. Reaching for my medical pouch I grasp onto a pair of fabric scissors and use them to cut John's shirt down the centre to allow me to inspect his wounds.
Opening the shirt I'm able to see two gunshot wounds, one on his upper torso and the other on his stomach. Prioritising the wound higher up I roll him onto the right side of his body, the bullet seems to have impacted where his lung is located. I need to try and prevent his lung from collapsing otherwise he may die from a lack of oxygen, on top of that I need to stop air from gaining access through the wound in order to prevent it collapsing. With each shallow breath he takes blood pools from the wound indicating that he has a 'sucking wound' allowing air to fill his chest.
As I examine his back for any exit wounds I raise my hoof to Chaser and Sunny, "I need one of you to help me. I need a roll of tape from my pack and a thin fabric or a piece of paper." As I inspect his back and find no exit wounds I'm passed a roll of tape and a few sheets of paper from Chaser, it's not exactly ideal but it'll do. Placing the papers over the wound I tape down three edges leaving the one open, this will allow for him to continue to exhale from the wound but will prevent air from filling his chest as the paper seals the hole around his lung.
Before switching to the wound on his stomach a succession of large thuds and crashes can be heard overhead, temporarily lifting my head I'm able to make out the sound of trees being knocked over as the source of the crashes seems to be coming closer. Without warning a bright light surfaces over the horizon, turning my head away I don't pay it any attention as I continue trying to treat John. After a few moments, I can make out the unmistakable sound of Tirek as he seems to be screaming in the distance.
As soon as the screaming stops there is a sudden shockwave before the light spreads out in each direction in the sky. Not having time to wonder what it is I reach for a potion from my bag and hold it above John, connecting a cannula to a vein on John's hand I attach the other end to the potion in order to get the substance into his system.
"Sunny, I need you to hold the potion overhead." On command, she uses her magic to levitate the potion as I return to work. The potion acts as an accelerant for the blood to begin clotting, with the strength of the potion it should be able to at least slow the bleeding down dramatically as the wounds attempt to naturally seal. The seal will be extremely fragile but it should help to prevent further blood loss.
We need to get him to a hospital.
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Perspective - Luna
I continue to idly trace my hoof back and force across the floor as I look to Cerberus below. It's hard to believe that Tirek was able to escape just because Cerberus was absent from his post. Why haven't we got guards posted here to ensure that there is no chance of escaping? Well... I'll certainly be putting that little error right when we get out... if we get out.
I've lost track of how long we've been trapped down here, although it has likely only been a couple of hours it's hard to keep track of time when you're confined to an area with no way to tell the time. After my banishment to the moon trapped under the control of Nightmare Moon I thought I'd be used to long periods of time with nothing to keep you company but your thoughts. Well... that isn't exactly true. There is Cadence and Celestia but given the current circumstances, we haven't exactly been engaged in idle chatter.
Looking back to my hoof I pull on the chain as I let out a groan. I hope Twilight will be able to find a way to defeat Tirek soon. Who knows what harm he's causing to Equestria. I'm also worried about John, with his mind corrupted who knows what he'll do under Tirek's control. What if he does something he'll later regret once he regains his mind? That is... if he regains his mind.
As I stare at my shackle my eyes widen as it begins to disintegrate in magical energy. Pulling my hoof away the chain disappears as I find myself feeling a fresh level of energy, the familiar feeling of my magic soon returns to me as my horn illuminates. Twilight did it... she defeated Tirek! Looking back to my flank I can't help but smile as I find that my cutie mark has returned in all its splendour.
Looking back to Cadence and Celestia I can see that their powers have also returned as they rise from the ground and look to one another. Using her magic, Celestia channels her magic which envelopes the side of her head in her golden aura, in a matter of seconds the gash on her head heals as the dried blood in her coat quickly washes away.
Before cutting off her magic, Celestia creates a doorway above us providing us with our means to leave Tartarus and return to the rest of Equestria. As the three of us take to the air we fly at a rapid pace through the portal as we wish to leave that prison behind us. Returning to the castle the portal seals behind us as we land on the marble floor.
As soon as we land my eyes drift towards the stained glass window to find the frame to be heavily cracked with the main depiction having been melted under an immense heat rendering it unrecognisable. Lowering my head slowly my eyes widen as I find my hooves are only inches away from a quantity of dried blood. Back peddling away the others see my reaction as fear spreads across my face. "We have to find John and Twilight!"
"You are right, Luna," Celestia adds as she steps up to me. "There is no way of telling what has taken place during our imprisonment. Hopefully John will be alright, but with him being under Tirek's control I fear that it may not be only John we have to worry about." Focusing her magic there is a momentary pause as Celestia's magic charges to cast the teleportation spell for the three of us.
Opening my eyes we all stare in astonishment at the Golden Oaks Library in front of us. It's been completely destroyed. The charred remains of the structure protrude from the damaged ground as scattered debris continues to release small volumes of smoke into the air. Turning my head to the side I pause in confusion as the sun seems to reflect off of a new spire situated on the edge of town. Stepping to the side both Celestia and Cadence follow my gaze as we all look to the structure.
A large multipronged star made of crystal sits at the top of the structure which seems to resemble a tree made from some sort of mineral or gem-like material. Resting towards the 'trunk' of the tree rests a purple building with a set of balconies and a flag which blows in the breeze, upon closer inspection, I'm able to make out Twilight's cutie mark displayed on the flag. "Well... that is certainly... interesting." I'm not a fan of it.
As the other two nod, we quickly take to the air and glide towards the structure. As we close the distance I can see the six girls as they all stand on the road looking towards the tower with their own expressions of confusion. As the three of us land, they quickly turn to us. Wait... where is John? Not wanting to wait I get straight to the point, "Twilight, I'm glad to see that you were able to defeat Tirek, but where is John? He may be at risk."
Twilight's eyes widen as she steps past me and looks towards the Everfree forest, "I last saw him near your old castle. But, Luna, he... tried to attack me. He shot Sunny and threatened to kill her and Chaser if they didn't give me up. Why would he do that?" The girls behind her all mutter to one another in disbelief upon hearing what John tried to do.
"Tirek took control of his mind, Twilight. He had no control of his actions. However, it's important that we find him to ensure that he's no longer under Tirek's influence. Can you take me to where you last saw him?"
Twilight nods, "But what if he's still under Tirek's control and attacks?"
Stepping closer I look down to Twilight, "You were able to defeat Tirek, when you did so it appears that all his magical influence was also removed following his defeat. Hopefully the same will apply for his control over John." Twilight seems reassured by this as she steps alongside me. With a flash of her horn, I find us both on the outskirts of the Everfree forest, over the edge of the verge I can see my old castle across the ravine prior to my banishment to the moon. "Is this where he was last?"
Twilight nods as she steps towards the verge, "It was. But I don't under-" Freezing she takes a step back as shock paints across her face. "Luna, down there!"
Galloping forward to Twilight I slide over the grass as I try to come to a halt, sliding over the edge of the verge I extend my wings in order to glide to the rocks below to land. As soon as I touch down the sight before me sends fear and despair through my body. Further ahead I can see Slicer Jen, Chaser and Sunny all gathered around John as he lies on his back with his chest covered in blood. I watch in horror as Slicer Jen is leaning over him, her hooves repeatedly pushing down on his chest as he lies motionless.
No... no.... please no. Galloping forward I run alongside Slicer as I look down at John. Without waiting I flick my head back up to Twilight as she remains frozen on the grass verge, "Twilight, get to the hospital and warn the doctors!" Snapping out of her trance Twilight steps back before teleporting out of sight.
When I turn back to Slicer Jen I watch as she moves from his chest and creates a seal around his lips with her muzzle in an attempt to push air into his lungs. As she returns to continue her compressions, Chaser looks up to me as Sunny remains pressed against his chest with her head buried under his wing. "Can't you heal him?"
"N-not from this. I don't have an extensive knowledge of medical spells. I can heal breaks and lacerations, not revive somepony." Leaning closer to Slicer I rest a hoof on John's leg, "Is it safe for me to teleport him to the hospital?" As soon as Slicer Jen nods to me I concentrate my magic and channel the spell. Following a brief flash, I'm left in the reception of the hospital with John lying at my hooves. In the corner of my eye, I can see Twilight with a team of doctors and nurses as she levitates John from the floor and places him on a stretcher.
Before I can even respond one of the doctors quickly starts barking orders at his staff as they quickly wheel John towards the resuscitation ward. With them quickly moving out of sight I lower my head as I bring my hoof up to my muzzle in an attempt to hide my face from Twilight. Seeing John like that has emotionally drained me as I can feel my eyes beginning to water, my heart feeling as though a heavy weight is resting upon it.
Please John... you can't die.
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I spent the last hour waiting for the doctors to emerge from the resuscitation ward without a single one coming out to provide me with an update. The others gradually turned up at the hospital to wait, the rest of Twilights friends, Cadence and Celestia along with a number of the Rangers.
As we waited Celestia discussed with Twilight the meaning of her new role in Equestria and the important decisions she will have to make in the future. I must admit I wasn't particularly paying attention to the conversation as I instead stared at the doors to resus, it was almost as if I was expecting somepony to emerge from the door at any moment to inform us of his condition.
As I let out an exasperated sigh the doors to resus open as one of the doctors emerge. As he steps into reception a deathly silence hangs over the room as everyone looks to him expectantly. Stopping in front of us he clears his throat before addressing everypony, "We've been able to restart the Captain's heart, he is stable but he has sustained severe injuries. We've been able to remove the bullet fragments from his body however they have caused significant damage to his organs. His right lung has collapsed and his stomach has been torn, there are early signs of infection but we're currently treating it now."
Glancing at his chart he flicks through a page, "Other than that the rest of his injuries are superficial, a laceration to the side of his head, bruising to the face and torso and a gunshot wound on the arm which won't have any lasting effects." As a number of us look to one another in relief the doctor maintains his sombre expression, "Unfortunately I have some bad news. Both Shadow and Spectre were brought here after receiving extensive injuries. Although Shadow will recover from her injuries... I'm afraid there was nothing we could do for Spectre. Her injuries were too severe for us to treat, I'm sorry but she didn't make it."
She's dead? What if it was John? His team may lose faith in his abilities and never trust him again. Knowing that he was responsible for her death could tear him apart. With nopony else responding I lift my head, "What about Shadow? Has she been made aware?"
The doctor shakes his head, "She is drifting in and out of consciousness. Apart from the trauma she has received to the head she will recover fully, it's just a matter of when she will wake up."
Rising from my seat I step up to the doctor, "Take me to her, maybe I can help her."
"Sister," Celestia calls from behind me, "Are you certain that's wise."
Twisting my neck I look back to her, "She is one of my guards and has been injured performing her duties. If I can help her then I have to try."
Before Celestia can respond I return my attention to the doctor, "Take me to her." After a brief pause, the doctor turns and begins to head back towards resus. As he heads through the doors I follow closely behind as he takes me through the ward.
The ward itself has a number of open cubicles which have been separated with a solid wall on either side and a curtain at the entrance to allow entry into the cubicles. On the wall alongside the entrance to each section, a chalkboard hangs against the partition displaying the names. According to these boards, only two cubicles are occupied, one by Shadow and the other by John.
Stopping in front of one cubicle the doctor is about to pull the curtain back until he steps fully to the side with his eyes focused behind me. Following his gaze, I quickly copy his action and step to the side as two nurses approach wheeling a bed towards a door at the end of the ward. Resting on the bed is a large white sheet which is covering a figure underneath, I can tell straight away that there's a pony underneath, Spectre.
As the nurses pass by I look to the doctor, "What were her injuries?"
Sighing he rubs his muzzle, "They were too severe for us to treat, if she was brought here earlier we may have had a better chance but even then it would have been unlikely. The rear of her skull had received extensive blunt force trauma, her skull was unable to withstand the force of the impact. She had a bleed on the brain and extensive swelling. However she also received a large laceration to her abdomen by a bladed article, what doesn't make sense is how the area around the wound received severe burns. The combination of the article used and the heat caused extensive damage to her intestines, colon and kidney. We had nothing capable of treating the level of burns and the damage to her organs."
It... it was John, it must have been. His sword is unique, one of a kind, it has the capabilities to cause such injuries. I need to confirm my suspicions. Turning back to the doctor I look at the curtain, "May I see Shadow?" Nodding he opens the curtain allowing me entry. Stepping in I can see a number of injuries covering her body. A gash sits above her eyebrow, likely the cause for her drifting in and out of consciousness. A sizeable chunk of the tip of her ear has been torn off and numerous bandages canvas her chest.
"We've stopped the bleeding and have been able to begin the process of healing her ribs with potions, it will take some time but she should recover. Our main concern is her head wound, we've cleaned it out and reduced the risk of infection. There are no signs of swelling on the brain and we're optimistic that she hasn't sustained any permanent injuries."
"Thank you, doctor." As I thank him he performs a quick bow before leaving me in the cubicle with Shadow. Stepping alongside her bed I lower my horn and lightly make contact with her forehead, focusing my magic I begin to channel my energy through her as I attempt to heal her injuries. After a few seconds, I force my eyes shut as I try to use all my knowledge of medical spells to treat her, healing had never been my speciality as I never paid that magical field much attention apart from breaks and cuts.
As I continue to cast my spell I can hear her groaning as she stirs underneath the sheets. Cutting off the spell I raise my head and take a step back, immediately I can see that the gash on her head has nearly all but vanished however her ear remains in the same condition. I may have the power to heal injuries but nopony can regrow parts of the body which have been lost.
As I look over her, Shadow's eyes slowly begin to open. As they creak open her eyes frantically dart around the room trying to gather her surroundings. When her eyes lock onto me she stares for a moment, "P-princess Luna?" As I nod she slowly pushes herself up to sit against the headboard, a pained hiss escapes from between her lips as she presses her hooves to her chest. "W-what happened? Please tell me it was some sort of dream."
Dropping my head I look to the side, "I'm afraid not, Shadow. What you experienced was not a dream, but reality."
Her eyes widen as she tries to frantically look around the cubicle, "Spectre! Where is she?" She freezes when her eyes lock onto mine, "Princess?"
I slowly shake my head as I rest a hoof on her foreleg, "I'm so sorry, Shadow. Spectre... is dead. The doctors tried everything they could."
Shadow sits there in silence as her lip trembles, I can see the tears building up straight away as I deliver the news. Leaning forward she buries her head into her hooves and sobs loudly, her body shaking with each breath she takes. "H-he... killed her."
Stepping closer I lightly press my hoof onto her back to try and comfort her, "Who did?"
Lifting her head I can see the anger and sadness in her eyes, "John. He c-came to the library and murdered her a-and tried to do th-the same to me. He's a monster!"
"No... Shadow that wasn't John, it wasn't the real him. He was under the control of Tirek, he would never want to hurt any of you."
Staring daggers at me she forces my hoof away, "Don't protect him! It's true what everypony says about his kind... they're unremorseful, violent beasts! We should have known when we were in those dreams. Murdering surrendering soldiers, building machines to kill others and entering two global conflicts. They live for nothing but death... death and meaningless destruction."
"And what of John? You know him, he isn't like that." Shadow ignores me as she tries to climb out of bed. Moaning in agony she manages to climb out of bed to stand on shaky legs. "John isn't like those in the past. He has done nothing other than try to help those around him. Developing armour to protect you and provide those under his command with training to ensure they're safe."
"He also developed weapons with the capacity to kill dozens of ponies. I... I'm done. I want out of the Guard, I can't work alongside that murderer. He killed my sister! Give me a rifle around him and I'll just put a bullet in the back of his head." Hobbling to the side of the bed she turns her back to me, "I'm done. J-just leave me alone."
As I look to her she keeps her back turned towards me as she quietly sobs. Sighing I leave the cubicle and run my hoof over my face. What if she's just the start of ponies turning against John? If others learn that he killed somepony under his command they'll lose faith in him, he may also lose faith in himself. I need to talk to him. Passing down the ward I head back towards the main entrance where John's cubicle is. Stopping outside his cubicle I try to mentally prepare myself before entering.
Taking a deep breath my magic grasps onto the curtain and draws it back. Freezing I look inside as the two nurses both stop their work to look at me, they were in the process of cleaning up a number of medical equipment and tools which had been used earlier. Bloodied bandages lie in a bin which rests in the corner of the room, scalpels and tweezers painted in blood rest alongside the bed with numerous empty potion phials.
Resting on the bed is John with a small blanket covering the lower half of his body, his chest is heavily wrapped with damp bandages stained with his blood. A mask rests over his face providing him with oxygen as numerous cables link from his torso to and ECG machine showing his heart rate and vital signs. A number of bruises are visible on his chest and face along with a cut on the side of his head. Regaining my composure I look to the nurses, "I need a moment to tend to the Captain."
Quickly bowing, the nurses step out of the cubicle and close the curtain behind them leaving me alone with John. Exhaling I try to keep myself calm as I step over the used equipment to move alongside John. Tilting my head I glance to the ECG machine to look at his vitals. Seventy-six beats per minute? Surely that can't be right. Resting a hoof on the side bar of the bed I lean closer and place a quick kiss on his cheek. "John, why can't you go a day without getting badly hurt?" I mutter to him under my breath.
Lowering my head I channel my magical energy in order to try and heal a number of his injuries, the only ones I'll likely have difficult on is his organs as I have little knowledge of how his body works. I don't even know whether I should be worried or relieved with his heart rate since it's higher than a ponies, but that may be normal for humans. Making the connection I begin to pour my healing magic into his body as I close my eyes, focusing on channelling the spell my mind drifts to memories of the two of us together in the Crystal Empire and Hearts and Hooves day causing a smirk to surface on my lips.
Continuing for a couple of minutes I can hear a number of hooves walking along the corridor outside, along with the voices of my sister and the others who came to the hospital. As I'm about to finish my spell the sound of John rustling below me forces my eyes to shoot open. Looking down at him I watch as his hands begin tense up as his head squirms from side to side. "John? John, can you hear me?"
Tilting his head towards me as his eyelids gradually open, my initial smile is quickly wiped off my face as my eyes lock onto his. His eyes are still white indicating that he's likely still under the influence of Tirek. How? He was defeated and stripped of his powers. Why does he still have control of John? Before I can react his expression quickly changes to one of fury as his hand suddenly jolts towards me. Grabbing hold of my horn he pulls my head down with all his force causing my forehead to impact with the metal bar of the bed.
A sharp pain rushes through my head as I pull away from his grasp. Rapidly back peddling my hoof catches on an empty packet on the floor causing me to lose my balance as I unceremoniously fall back into the curtains, landing on the bottom of the fabric the sudden movement causes the curtains to collapse fully on me wrapping me in the fabric.
As I frantically try to pull myself out from underneath the curtains I can hear the others calling out my name, as I hear them shouting to me the sound of a heavy thud and John groaning rings out through the ward. Trying to wrestle free I can hear something metal clanging against the floor followed quickly by something moving closer to me along the floor. Finally pulling the curtain off me my magic acts on instinct grabbing hold of John in a telekinesis field preventing him from reaching me. Directly in front of me is John covered with his blanket as he was dragging himself along the floor, his arm raised with a bloodied scalpel in his hand ready to strike towards me with the earlier medical table which held the tool knocked to the floor.
Climbing to my hooves I quickly step back as the others quickly rush to me. "Luna," Celestia states with worry, "You're bleeding." Lifting my hoof I run it over the tender flesh of my forehead to feel a wet substance against my coat, pulling my hoof back I look at the blood which smears my coat. Looking back to John I notice his white eyes flicking back and forth between everyone as he remains in stasis, charging my magic I channel a spell into his body to send him to sleep causing his eyes to drift closed. Once he's unconscious I release the stasis spell causing the scalpel to clatter against the floor as his body collapses.
Sighing I quickly use my magic to clean my coat and seal the wound on my head, I still feel sore from the impact but at least It'll stop the bleeding. Turning to Celestia I step in front of John, "He's still under Tirek's influence. But how?"
"It could be possible that with no magical resistance, John still contains the magical energy within him. Without a counter spell or John being able to fight off the influence of the spell he may remain locked under its influence."
"There must be a way to break it," Twilight states as she steps forward.
Nodding I turn my head back to John and lift him with my telekinesis and place him back on the bed. "There is a way. But it's not exactly easy, it could take anywhere from a few hours to even a number of days. I'd have to use a spell to gain access to his mind in order to locate John's subconscious, I'll have to bring him back out and find the magical influence which is controlling him."
"So you'll be entering a dream? Is it safe to do so with his mind potentially corrupted?"
Sighing I step back to Twilight, "It may prove difficult. Tirek's influence may try to combat my presence and keep me away. I'd have to navigate a... mental maze in order to find my way through and locate John."
Stepping forward Celestia moves alongside John, "Then let us begin at once."
Cocking a brow I turn to face my sister, "What do you mean 'us?'"
"If you're having to navigate his mind then surely having another alongside you will speed up the process. I'm to blame for John being in a position to allow him to be corrupted, I have to make amends."
Nodding to her I turn back to Cadence and Twilight, "There is no telling how long we'll be in John's mind. Will you two be able to watch over Equestria in our absence?"
Cadence smiles as she joins Twilight, "We can handle it."
Stepping into the cubicle I stand beside John as Celestia moves to the other side of the bed, "Are you ready?" As soon as Celestia nods I focus on creating the spell required, it's similar to the basis of entering one's dreams but requires a few tweaks. After a minute of focus, the aura surrounding my horn expands over the three of us creating a blinding blue light.
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Opening my eyes I bring my hoof over my eyes to try and shield them from our bright surroundings. Lifting my head I glance to the side to look at my sister as her eyes open. Climbing to my hooves Celestia joins me as we take in our surroundings. The main area appears to be completely void of any sort of colour or life, everything looks as though it's an apparition as all surfaces have a shade of either grey or white.
Looking around we can find ourselves standing in some sort of street, buildings of numerous sizes stand tall around us displaying texts such as 'Next' and 'Nationwide.' Stepping to the side I glance to the main building before us, a large metal archway sits overhead with the main entrance being constructed entirely from glass. Resting on the path before us is what appears to be a statue of a bull, a large brick building overhead displaying the text 'Bull Ring.'
Turning back to Celestia I watch as she approaches the statue, "Where do you think we are?"
Celestia taps the statue with her hoof before turning back to me, "I was hoping you'd have an idea."
"I don't. Many of these texts don't make any sense. Are they stores, businesses or just the names of buildings?"
"You're in the Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham," An unknown male voice calls out to us from one of the surrounding buildings.
Swivelling on the spot I try to find the source, "Where are you? Show yourself." Suddenly a door to one of the nearby building opens up. Stepping outside is a human male wearing the camouflaged uniform John arrived in when he came to Equestria, this males uniform displays two chevrons showing that he's a Corporal. As he approaches I'm able to get a better look at his appearance, blonde ruffled hair sits atop his head as his blue eyes scan back and forth over us. Closing the distance a confident yet cocky grin spreads over his face, looking at him I get the impression that I've seen him before. "Who are you?"
Stopping in front of us he rests his hands in his pockets. "Keith Williams. And I know who you two are, Princess Luna and Celestia," He responds with an accent similar to John's.
Williams? Why is he being portrayed in John's head?
Next Chapter: Chapter 74 - Into the mind Estimated time remaining: 21 Hours, 22 Minutes